TCWN Jan 11-17, 2014

Weekly News MIKE IS Volume 28 | No. 02| January 11 - 17, 2014

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BACK Former Premier charged and offered 5 bail for his alleged crimes PAGE 

Former Premier and corruption accused, Michael Misick greets supporters gathered outside the Magistrate's Court in Grand Turk on Tuesday (January 7)

Sub-standard PAGE ambulance  7 service exposed

Corruption accused plead not guilty PAGE 4

Olympic gold medallist to attend Shore Club ground-breaking PAGE  15

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

Corruption accused plead not guilty – Trial without jury bid argued in court FOUR ex-ministers of Government, a former PNP leader and six others pleaded not guilty to corruption charges that were read to them in court this week.

Their plea and directions hearing commenced in the Supreme Court this Monday (January 6) with the Crown seeking a trial without jury for the accused.

Queen’s Counsel, Andrew Mitchell of the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT) is leading the Crown’s case, along with Mark Weekes, Robert Rinder and Rebecca Dix. The defendants include former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Floyd Basil Hall, former Minister of Natural Resources McAllister Eugene Hanchell, former Minister of Education Lillian Elaine Boyce and former Minister of Works Jeffrey Christoval Hall.

The others defendants are former PNP leader and attorney Clayton Stanfield Greene, attorney Thomas ‘Chal’ Misick, Lisa Michelle Hall, attorney Melbourne Arthur Wilson, Quinton Albert Hall, Earlson McDonald Robinson and Norman Saunders Jnr. Under the Trial Without A Jury Ordinance 2010 which was enacted by former Governor Gordon Wetherell, the accused are not automatically entitled to a jury trial.

However, attorneys for the defendants over the past week made submissions before Judge Paul Harrison contesting the SIPT lawyer’s request.

Mitchell made a submission to the judge for an order prohibiting the media from reporting on the submissions made by the lawyers.

Judge Harrison granted the request after hearing Mitchell and two other lawyers’ arguments for and against the order. He cited the possibility that media reports on the hearing may influence a potential

jury pool.

Additionally, the judge also granted an application by the SIPT lawyer for ruling on the trial without a jury application to be delayed until the former Premier has had his sufficiency and plea and directions hearings in March.

Misick, who is named in 11 of the charges read to eight of the defendants, was officially charged with conspiracy to bribe in Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

He will appear in the Supreme Court for his sufficiency hearing on March 7.

Mitchell also advised the defence lawyers that those defendants who wish to wait until Misick is before the Supreme Court to make their submissions are free to do so.

Meanwhile, all of the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

THE CHARGES Floyd Hall, McAllister Hanchell, Jeffrey Christoval Hall, Clayton Greene, Thomas Misick and Lisa Hall, are alleged to have conspired together and with others to receive bribes between August 1, 2003 and August 31, 2009 to enable Michael Misick, Floyd Hall, Hanchell and Jeffrey Hall to accept inducements by unlawful corrupt payments or other rewards while they were serving as ministers of government.

In another count, Floyd Hall, McAlliser Hanchell, Jeffrey Hall, Lillian Boyce, Clayton Greene and Thomas Misick were charged with conspiring between August 1, 2003 and August 31, 2009 together with Michael Misick and others to defraud the Government and/ or the Belongers of the Turks and Caicos Islands whilst they - with the exception of Greene - were ministers of the Crown by acting in a way that was contrary to the economic interests of the said Government

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 Editor (At Large) Daisy Handfield - Staff Reporter Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@yahoo.com, tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com

and/or Belongers in respect to Crown land.

In this count the Crown alleges that contrary to the Crown Lands Policy, they agreed that Crown land be sold to particular Belongers at a value or in circumstances that were disadvantageous to the TCI Government and Belongers.

The Crown also accuses the six of agreeing that particular Belongers become owners of Crown land at a value disadvantageous to the TCIG knowing that said land was not owned by the particular Belongers on terms consistent with the relevant and prevailing Crown Land Policy.

In the same charge, the six are further accused of agreeing to the sale of Crown land at an undervalue thereby reducing the revenue to be obtained from the sale including the

stamp duty.

The Crown further alleges that they agreed that planning permissions and/or development rights would be granted to prospective developers on terms and conditions adverse to the interests of the TCIG and Belongers.

Another count names Floyd and Jeffrey Hall, Lillian Boyce, Samuel Been and Melbourne Arthur.

They are accused of conspiring together between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006 with Michael Misick and other people to defraud the TCIG by arranging the transfer of Crown land at North West Point on terms that were contrary to the economic interests of the Crown.

A similar count of conspiracy to defraud was laid against Clayton Greene.

That charge alleges that between January 1, 2004 and July 31, 2008 he conspired with Michael Misick and other persons to defraud the TCIG by

arranging the transfer of Crown land at Juniper Point on terms that were contrary to the economic interests of the Crown.

Yet another count of conspiracy to defraud has been laid against Floyd Hall and Thomas Misick.

The Crown alleges that between January 1, 2006 and August 31, 2009 they conspired with Michael Misick to defraud the TCIG by arranging the lease of a gulfstream jet on the basis that this was for the benefit the Government when in fact it was intended that the jet would be for the personal use of Michael Misick.

A final count of conspiracy to defraud names Floyd and Jeffrey Hall, McAllister Hanchell, Lillian Boyce and Thomas Misick.

They are charged with conspiring with Michael Misick and others between July 1, 2002, and August 31, continued 

Padgett’s sentencing delayed again – To deliver ‘tell all’ mitigation THE SENTENCING of the now bankrupt British developer Richard Padgett has been pushed back to March 31, the same date on which his co-defendants will know whether they will face a jury trial or not.

Judge Paul Harrison made the decision on Monday afternoon (January 6) following a submission for the delay by the admitted briber’s lawyer, Collingwood Thompson QC via a Skype audio link from the United Kingdom.

Earlier in the same day, Judge Harrison granted an application made by lead prosecutor of the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT), Andrew Mitchell QC, requesting the judge delay ruling on whether the eleven others accused of a slew of corruption charges will face a trial without a jury.

Thompson submitted to the court that while his client – previously set for sentencing on January 13 - wished to be sentenced as soon as possible, he was hoping for a ruling on the trial without jury application this week.

He requested that the sentencing and Padgett’s mitigation be held back until the judge hands down his judgment on Mitchell’s application.

According to Thompson, Padgett’s mitigation (an attempt to represent an offence as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances) will affect the other defendants and could influence the judge’s decision on the trial without jury request.

He said there is no question that Padgett’s mitigation will infringe on the rights of those currently before the court if he were to advance the ‘climate of fear’ under the Michael Misick administration.

The judge agreed and put off the sentencing and mitigation until after his ruling and the former Premier’s plea and directions hearing before the Supreme Court in March.

Padgett’s bail was extended until March 31 and his lawyer was directed to provide the court with a medical report from the defendant’s neurologist who he is scheduled to see on February 20.

Padgett has been ill and unable to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands since being charged with the offence and has appeared via video and audio link from the United Kingdom - first to enter his guilty plea and during a subsequent hearing.

The offences he is charged with were again read in his absence before the court during Monday’s plea and directions hearing of the 11 other defendants.

One reads: Between August

1, 2003 and August 31, 2009 together with John Gill, Marcus Hawkins and Simon Padgett gave inducements by unlawful corrupt payments or other rewards (in the form of cash, credit, entertainment and other advantages), to Michael Eugene Misick and Floyd Basil Hall while they were serving as Ministers of the Crown in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands so that the said Michael Eugene Misick and Floyd Basil Hall would act in a way that was contrary to the ordinary rules of honesty and integrity expected of Ministers of the Crown so as to benefit the said Richard Padgett, John Gill, Marcus Hawkins and Simon Padgett in their commercial interests in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Another allegation stated that Padgett between January 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009, conspired together with Floyd Basil Hall and other persons to pervert the course of public justice in that knowing that a judicial public inquiry was continued 

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January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

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Michael Misick returns home

– Former Premier charged and offered bail for his alleged crimes WITH raised fists, a broad smile and shouts of welcome from his cheering supporters, Michael Eugene Misick entered the Magistrate Court on Grand Turk flanked by members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to face corruption charges.

The former Premier, oftproclaimed ‘man of the people’, returned to the country on board a United States Homeland Security aircraft at about 10am on Tuesday (January 7).

Seconds after stepping off the plane at the JAGS McCartney International Airport in Grand Turk he knelt down and kissed the ground.

He was reportedly taken straight to police headquarters where he was questioned and then charged with conspiracy to bribe.

The charge was read to him when he appeared before Magistrate Kelly Cheema who then remanded him to prison.

However, Misick’s lawyer made an immediate appeal to the Chief Justice, Edwin Goldsbrough who granted bail.

When contacted on Thursday morning, Registrar of the Supreme Court, David Chetwynd said that the Chief Justice had made a suggestion of $10 million bail for Misick, part of which will stand as surety.

Misick was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk as

Misick is surrounded by crowds of well-wishers as he exits the court

he was unable to meet the conditions the same day.

This publication learned that no firm agreement on bail conditions was reached between the prosecution and the defence as of Thursday afternoon and they were still in negotiations.

Up to press time there was still no word on if the bail was posted, however, Misick has until Monday (January 13) to meet the conditions.

If the conditions are not met by that time, he will be required to go back to court in Grand Turk.

According to a press statement from the Governor’s Office, an application will be made in due course to add Misick’s case to the information

Padgett’s sentencing ... continued 

announced into the possible corruption or other serious dishonesty in relation to past and present elected members of the legislature of the Turks and Caicos Islands in recent years they agreed on a course of conduct that would have led to the presentation to the said commission of inquiry of false or forged documents designed to mislead said commission of inquiry into believing that payments made for corrupt or dishonest purpose were in fact made for honest reasons

when the charges were first read in court in May 2013, the judge directed the media not to publish the names of anyone else named in the indictment.

The Crown had also entered a civil claim against the former developer in relation to the Third Turtle development which he owned and Crown land on East Caicos acquired by a company he controlled.

He subsequently transferred land valued at about $7 million and made a cash payment of $75,000 for the costs of investigating the claims, to the TCI Government. (DI)

against his co-accused, who appeared in court over the past week for their plea and directions hearing.

“The UK government welcomes the arrival of former Premier Michael Misick in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to face a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration during his time in office,” the Governor’s statement read.

“They are most grateful to the Brazilian authorities for their swift handling of TCI’s extradition request.

“It is important for the people of TCI, a UK overseas territory that the rule of law is respected and due process is followed.

“It will now be down to the TCI courts to consider Michael Misick’s case as well as that of 14 others charged with similar offences.”

Premier, Rufus Ewing on Tuesday welcomed the arrival of the former Premier in a media statement and again during the House of Assembly sitting on Thursday.

“I welcome the return of Premier Misick to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the home that he loves, and to his family and friends, who have all been praying for his safe return.

“Premier Misick will be processed and I trust that through the will of God, fairness and justice will prevail and the rule of law will be executed in a manner that is fair, respectful and transparent as it upholds his basic human rights,” Premier Ewing stated.

On Wednesday during a PDM press conference Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright

Robinson said: “Yesterday was a sad day in these Islands as we saw the extradition of the Former Premier to these Islands to face questioning and possible charges of corruption whilst in office.

“These Islands have had to withstand a lot of man-made and natural disasters and make no mistake about it, it is not our resilience alone but our resilience doused heavily with the grace and mercies of God. “As we begin what I hope to soon be the end of a difficult period, it is my prayer that we seek God and allow him to lead and give us his peace that passeth all understanding and then that we be tolerant, respectful of each other’s positions, that we seek inflammatory and derogatory comments whether orally or on blogs.

“What we are to go through, whether we want to or not, we must go through it together with dignity recognising that this is a Turks and Caicos matter and the world sees it such.

“We must rise above the petty politics now and let justice and the rule of law take its course.

“There are families and friends who have much to endure and we must keep them in our prayers.

“I have been praying for the former Premier and I continue to pray first and foremost that he seeks God’s guidance and then that God’s peace and his protection ever be with him.”

The charges against the former Premier and the others presently before the court on corruption

charges stemmed from a Commission of Inquiry led by Sir Robin Auld in 2008 and 2009.

The inquiry found a high probability of systemic corruption in government, the legislature and among public officers in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Governor was then instructed to suspend the TCI constitution, which was done on August 16, 2009, setting in its place an interim administration.

In 2010 a Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) was set up to look into the corruption allegations.

It comprised of up to 33 ex-UK police investigators and prosecutors working with TCI authorities.

General elections were then held in 2012 to return the TCI to elected rule, however before the November 9 polls, the ex-Premier fled the country after being implicated in corrupt dealings and abuse of his powers.

He was arrested in Brazil on December 7, 2012 under an Interpol provisional arrest warrant.

Misick was released, but subsequently re-arrested by Brazilian authorities on April 13, 2013 in Sao Paulo, on the authority of a Brazilian Supreme Court judgment.

He later challenged the grounds of his re-arrest, following his request for political asylum.

At the time he claimed that he is not and never will be a fugitive.

The request for asylum was denied on October 29, 2013 and he was ordered to be extradited to the TCI. (DI)

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

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

New year’s resolutions AS 2013 rolled to a close last week people across the country made resolutions in the hope they would live happier, more productive and healthier lives in 2014.

Everyone had high points and low points to look back on – including the TCI Government and the country’s officials.

What do you think were the high and low points for the Turks and Caicos Islands this year?

What resolutions should be made and by whom to ensure that the country sees a joyful and prosperous new year?

More dialogue needed

I think that there should be no more work permits issued for line staff, and that the labour act needs to be enforced.

The income from work permits is nothing compared to what it costs to have someone here on work permit. Do the maths.

More dialogue with the public is needed when tabling bills and adjusting or introducing new laws.

I think NHIP needs a revisit. The system is too complicated and drives your blood pressure up rather than addressing the issue you came to them for.

Nonsense stories

Our Premier insists we are a high end destination. Why then is he trying to get tourists from Haiti the poorest nation in the

Caribbean?

The high points are the higher prices on everything from food to building materials.

The low points are the nonsense stories of Misick’s willingness to return to TCI. We will find out in 2014 why he ran away.

Get serious

I think some highlights of this year were the return of elected Government, while a young Turks and Caicos Islands woman was appointed Deputy Governor and the country has a vital and ripe opportunity for those in leadership to strike a wonderful beat of prosperity for the people.

I would however one day like to see a young male Deputy Governor, given that we only had females thus far.

Some of the lowest notes were the granting of the peoples’ beach access to the corporate gorilla called beaches.

Despite the fact that they have yet to show

good faith and humanity in this country and they are consistently using strong arm tactics towards the helpless and those of little hope while using publicity stunts to fool the society and the world.

I resolve that in order for this society to mature and the citizens to take on some of the bountiful bliss, the Government and faithful citizens of these isles have to get serious and be better watchdogs of our culture, policies, laws and heritage.

We can start by making some of these hotels and corporate places deliver on their development orders and policing best practices and law no matter whom it affects.

Be transparent

For highlights in 2012 - the by-election!

The PDM had a lifeline, not one but two opportunities for victory in the by-election, and failed miserably to capitalise and dash to success!

It is a very clear picture that the people chose, but surely not the PDM. Low points, the PNP. A total failure, but aces of deflection; the AG is gone and the PNP is completely lost, just nothing for them now to complain about.

In the spirit and love of country, the leadership of the TCI, to put selfishness aside, include and utilise local talent; there is much of it.

Promise to be transparent and keep the constituents informed.

Taxi mafia

One low point is the taxis continue to put lives at danger and the police do nothing about it.

The Government should resolve to put a radar gun on Leeward Highway to put down the ‘taxi mafia’ before a tourist is killed and

Governor to pass amendments on two tax and finance bills

AT THE first meeting for 2014 of the TCI Cabinet held in Grand Turk on Wednesday (January 8), Governor Peter Beckingham was advised to enact amendments to two separate tax bills and a financial services commission (FSC) bill.

One of the bills, the Tax Information Exchange (Amendment) Bill, gives effect to the multilateral convention on administrative assistance in tax matters and provides for retrospective effect in respect of requests made in relation to criminal tax matters, a post Cabinet press release from the Governor’s office advised.

It added that Cabinet agreed to change the title of the current ordinance to ‘Tax Information Exchange and Mutual Administrative Assistance Ordinance’.

Further, the Governor was advised to enact the Retention Tax (Amendment) Bill. This Bill makes provision for a penalty penalising agents who fail to report in terms of section

eight of the bill.

He was also directed to ratify the Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, which will now enable the commission to liaise with a competent authority for the provision of information relating to tax matters to enable the competent authority to meet its obligation under a tax related convention or agreement.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also considered the Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill 2014, the Governor’s statement continued.

It added that this bill provides for the rehabilitation of offenders for certain offences and sentences and for instances where certain convictions and sentences are to be excluded from rehabilitation.

The bill also recognises that there are instances where the right to rehabilitation may be limited and sets out instances where information which is the subject of spent convictions may be used.

Additionally, Cabinet heard a presentation from chairman of the Telecommunications Commission, John Williams, who set out the commission’s views on proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Ordinance.

The body also granted approval for a licence - subject to certain conditions being met and further information being provided in accordance with the Crown Land Ordinance to Chukka Caribbean Adventures over parcel 10101/24 to operate a Canopy Challenge Course as a tourist attraction on Grand Turk, the Governor’s press release advised.

It added that recommendation was made to Governor Beckingham for the appointment of Hartley Coalbrooke and David Been as members to a commission under the Casinos Ordinance.

The ministers are expected to provide further details on the above-mentioned programmes and initiatives in due course.

they shoot a hole in the last market we have.

Keeping the country talking

The by-election was a high point when 50 people changed their votes - we have to ask why.

The appointment of a talk show host as speaker and the switch from Amanda to Porsha as Health Minister was also either a high or low point.

The Mike Misick games in Brazil kept the country talking.

The low point was so many people walking into the front door of the hospital and being carried out the back door.

The tear up of the airport may have a lasting negative affect that the Airport Road shut down could not achieve.

We need universities

For the highlights there were so many just to name a few - the crime rate went down a little, Maskanoo was another great highlight, Crab Fest, Conch Fest, the opening of the new Key West at Beaches.

Lows points - the 11-year-old boy that was sent to Grand Turk, we need to help and protect kids, not helping them get better at acknowledging jail.

Low points - as local people we can’t act civilised for a good 30 minutes without breaking a fight with another brother in public or in special events (Maskanoo), and the fast driving by the big buses and cars are killing people.

New Year’s resolution that should be made is that we need universities. Instead of spending our money to send kids abroad to school with scholarship we need to invest them here in the country to build a university where we actually go to learn.

We have land to do so, so let’s use them to do something good for the youth of these Islands.

We need another Government high school, we need a real prison in Providenciales other than Grand Turk.

The taxi drivers need to stop the speeding that put pedestrians’ lives and small cars drivers’ lives in danger.

Little hope for the Government

In reviewing the activities of the new Government in 2013 I feel like the sports fan disappointed in his football, cricket or basketball teams terrible performance in this current season.

I have to sum it up saying just maybe they will do better next year.

However the distractions of the coming prosecutions and possibility of losing players from the current team offers little hope.

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

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

January 11 - 17, 2014

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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Sub-standard ambulance Many lives at risk service exposed

PUBLIC health and safety is being compromised because of a lack of Government funds for the TCI’s failing ambulance service, emergency medical staff have revealed.

Insufficient numbers of workers, decrepit equipment, badly maintained trucks and limited backing are among the issues that put lives at risk every day.

This week former frontline members of the Government’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spoke openly to the Weekly News about the appalling conditions they have been forced to work under.

They feel that their efforts are undervalued and say they fought for years to improve the state of the department – with little response from the Government.

“I do believe that lives were at risk,” said former emergency medical technician (EMT) Alexandra Delany.

“If there was an emergency while the ambulance was understaffed or broken down then we would not be able to help the public.

“And if we did respond but did not have the proper equipment then we could cause further injury.”

DEPARTURE Just three weeks ago Patrick Riel, former Director of TCI Emergency Medical Services, resigned from his post citing a lack of cooperation from the Government as his reason.

He said he received a letter of termination from the Ministry of Health just hours later, while the ministry claims they terminated his post prior to receiving his resignation.

Days later he wrote to the Weekly News explaining his frustration with attempts to create a modern and efficient department and the problems that he and his staff had to deal with on a daily basis.

In 2010 the interim government and former Permanent Secretary of Health Judith Campbell invited Riel to develop and manage the ambulance service.

“At that time there were no working ambulances in Provo and only one in Grand Turk,” Riel, from Canada, said.

“There were very few EMTs and generally staffing of the ambulance was very inappropriate.”

He explained that a lot of progress was made between 2010 and 2011 but added “it looks like we’ve returned full circle to the problems of the past”.

Following a year of what he called “pleading and appealing” to the Government for their cooperation in developing the service Riel finally resigned on December 18, 2013.

“They wouldn’t pay our bills,

Despite having four ambulances in Providenciales they are not well maintained and often break down

they’re impeded any progress we tried to make and they absolutely ignored our concerns,” he said.

“The ambulance drivers haven’t been paid any overtime since 2009 and yet they won’t increase our staff numbers - so the staff are bullied into working overtime.

“The worst though, is the constant interruptions in service because of vehicle maintenance or staffing.

“The public isn’t informed and neither is the airport when there is no ambulance service.”

Riel, who worked for government operated emergency medical services for 25 years, also revealed that requests for emergency services have been growing while the department’s resources have not.

“I think the future looks grim and the public needs to know how ridiculous the situation is.” Riel said.

FRONTLINE REVELATIONS Following Riel’s resignation another former member of frontline staff at the ambulance service came forward to speak out about working conditions.

Alexandra Delany from Ontario, Canada was employed as an EMT in Providenciales for a total of 15 months.

She first began working for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in November 2011 for three months part time, then worked for a year from May 2012 until May 2013 often acting as supervisor.

Delany, who has six years of experience as a paramedic, listed a plethora of problems during her employment which she described as “frustrating”.

One of the main issues was a lack of appropriate supplies and a

difficulty in obtaining replacement equipment.

She recalled one problem: “We had a broken wheel on our stretcher and unable to get the money to replace it we had to use an older stretcher. It was not as comfortable for patients or as smooth to lift.”

Delany told the Weekly News that

despite having four ambulances in Providenciales they were not well maintained and often broke down.

“One was staffed, the second was for the supervisor to respond with and two additional for back up or to use during disasters.

“The red ambulance was bought new but it was worn out and not

Under the tree

maintained so it began to break down a lot.

“The other three were older vehicles that weren’t in the best condition anymore. It was a struggle to keep them maintained.

“After we started taking them to NAPA for service the bill wouldn’t get paid and they would refuse to do further service till it had been settled by the Treasury.”

She explained that the condition of the trucks often puts the public’s lives at risk.

“They’ve broken down when I’ve been dispatched to calls, while driving to a scene and once trying to take the patient to the hospital.

Rushing to find another vehicle to use causes unnecessary delays.”

In addition there were rarely enough staff to adequately cover the shifts, as they quickly became disillusioned when they were not paid on time or were refused an overtime allowance.

“We were supposed to have eight crew members - four EMTs and four drivers. For months Provo only had three drivers and the crews become reluctant to work the extra shifts because they never got overtime.

“Also when staff wanted to take vacations we had to cover the shifts continued 

By Benneth Williams

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NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

Armed robbers raid petrol station THREE masked men armed with guns stole more than $2,000 in cash from a Shell petrol station on Leeward Highway, Providenciales, on Saturday (January 4).

The terrifying incident happened just days after a man was shot and killed during an armed robbery at a restaurant just a few miles away.

Station attendant Jean Hall told the Weekly News that he was working at the cash desk on Saturday evening serving customers while his colleague worked the pumps outside.

At about 6.50pm three masked men rushed through the unlocked door into the building, located near to NAPA Autoparts.

The men who were each holding a black handgun told the three terrified customers inside to hit the ground

and remain face down, before taking a watch and a camera among other items from them.

Two of the armed men then stood guard at the door while the third man went behind the counter and began to shove cash he found from the back of the desk and inside the till into a large sports bag.

He demanded that the attendant open a locked drawer above the till, but Hall told him there was no cash inside it so it would be pointless.

In response the man punched him in the mouth, knocking him sideways, and ordered that he hit the floor and stay down.

“He told me ‘no move, no move’,” Hall said.

After they took a total of $2,274 in cash the men headed out of the door,

bending low in crouched positions, and made their way to the left of the garage where they escaped.

The men were wearing black masks that covered their entire faces but not the top of their heads, Hall explained.

They also had on gloves, identical dark blue shirts and blue jeans and were holding black handguns.

Hall described the men as in their 20s, with dark skin, very short black hair and of a slight build. The man who stole the cash was about 5ft 10ins while the two other men were noticeably shorter at about 5ft 5ins.

Hall, who has worked in gas stations since he arrived in the TCI from Haiti in 1989, explained that because of the incident new security measures will be put in place.

He said it was the second armed

New security measures will soon be in place at the Shell gas station on Leeward Highway

robbery he experienced in three months after robbers attempted to raid the station in November 2013.

Police are conducting a full investigation into the incident, including the analysis of footage from a video camera inside the service station building.

Just five days before this raid Haitian Jocelin Odisse, 34, was shot and killed during a robbery at Altagracia’s Restaurant and Bar on Leeward Highway.

Police said the incident happened

at about 4.25am as Odisse and his girlfriend made breakfast to sell at the establishment.

Anyone with information about this latest incident or any other incident can call Crimestoppers on 1800-8477 or use the Crimestoppers online reporting page www. crimestoppers.tc.

Information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

People should not report crime information via Facebook and Twitter pages. (RB)

Corruption accused plead not guilty continued from 

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2009, to defraud the Progressive National Party (PNP) and its members.

In this charge the five are accused of seeking and procuring donations in the name of and for the benefit of the political movement when in fact and truth the donations were applied for their own personal benefit.

Alternatively or in addition to that accusation, the Crown alleges that they received and used the donations procured for a purpose which was not for the benefit of the political party.

MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES Meanwhile, a charge of conspiracy to disguise the proceeds of crime was slapped on Floyd and Jeffrey Hall, McAllister Hanchell, Lillian Boyce and Thomas Misick.

In this charge they are alleged to have conspired together with Michael Misick and others between August 1, 2003, and August 31, 2009, to disguise the proceeds of crime namely: payments to the PNP purported to be political donations but which were in fact and in truth bribes paid into the PNP account for their own benefit with a view to avoid the making or enforcement of a confiscation order or avoiding prosecution for unlawful conduct contrary to the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance 1998.

Additionally, Clayton Greene and Floyd Hall are jointly charged with conspiracy to conceal or

transfer the proceeds of criminal conduct between February 20, 2006 and August 31, 2009.

The Crown alleges that the duo conspired together and with Michael Misick and others to conceal or transfer the proceeds of criminal conduct knowing it to represent the proceeds of criminal conduct by the former Premier.

Clayton Greene is charged separately with two other offences – acquiring the proceeds of criminal conduct and entering into or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrangement.

In the first charge Greene is accused of acquiring $20,000 knowing or suspecting it to be the proceeds of criminal conduct of an arrangement to defraud the TCIG on or about April 24, 2006.

The other charge states that the former PNP leader on or about May 19, 2006, entered into or became otherwise concerned in an arrangement whereby he facilitated the retention or control of $1 million - which was the proceeds of another person’s criminal conduct - by or on behalf of that person, knowing or suspecting that the other person was engaged in criminal conduct or had benefited from criminal conduct.

In another count, Greene and Thomas Misick are separately charged with acquiring the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The details of that charges state that Greene and Misick, on or about March 17, 2008, acquired $12,500 knowing or suspecting that it was the proceeds of criminal conduct of an arrangement to defraud the TCIG. Thomas Misick is further accused of conspiring with his

brother Michael Misick and others between August 1, 2003, and August 31, 2009, to conceal or transfer criminal proceeds knowing it to be the proceeds of Michael Misick’s criminal conduct with a view to avoiding the making or enforcement of a confiscation order or avoiding prosecution.

A charge of converting or transferring the proceeds of criminal conduct was laid against Floyd Hall.

It reads: Between February 5 and 16, 2006, he converted or transferred property which he knew or had reasonable grounds to suspect represented his proceeds of criminal conduct namely, the total sum of $375,000 received from Richard Padgett and others for credit for Paradigm Limited for the purpose of avoiding prosecution or the enforcement of a confiscation order.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Hall is charged along with Melbourne Wilson with converting or transferring property between May 22, 2006, and June 30, 2006, which they knew or reasonably suspected represented their proceeds of criminal conduct namely $1.8 million for the purpose of avoiding prosecution and the enforcement of a confiscation order.

Lillian Boyce is charged with acquiring $1 million knowing or suspecting it was the proceeds of criminal conduct of an arrangement to defraud the TCIG, on or about May 19, 2006.

She is also charged with entering into or becoming concerned with an arrangement relating to the retention or control by or on behalf of Michael Misick, the proceeds of Misick’s criminal conduct.

The charge said she facilitated

him knowing or suspecting that he was engaged in criminal behaviour.

Lisa Hall is also charged with a similar offence. The Crown alleges that Hall, between March 1, 2004, and November 8, 2011, she converted or transferred $425,000 knowing or reasonably suspecting it to represent the proceeds of criminal conduct of Floyd Hall for the purpose of assisting him to avoid prosecution or to avoid the enforcement of a confiscation order.

She is also accused of using $50,000 knowing or suspecting that it represented the proceeds of criminal conduct of Floyd Hall for the purpose of purchasing, in both their names, a parcel of land 10103/61 on Grand Turk between April 1 and May 31, 2006.

Earlson Robinson is charged with acquiring $1 million, knowing or suspecting it to be the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely an agreement to defraud the Government on or about May 15, 2006.

Quinton Hall is similarly charged with receiving the same amount of money on or about the same day as Robinson, for the same purpose.

Floyd Hall is further charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice between January 1, 2008 and August 2009.

The charge against him is that he and Richard Padgett along with other persons conspired to pervert the course of public justice knowing that a judicial public inquiry was announced into possible corruption or other serious dishonesty in relation to past and present elected member of the TCI

legislature in recent years.

It added that they agreed on a course of conduct that would have led to the presentation of false or forged documents to the commission designed to mislead it into believing that payments made for a corrupt or dishonest purpose were in fact for honest means.

Meanwhile, Norman Saunders, who had money laundering charges against him dropped late last year and then re-taken shortly after by the SIPT, pleaded not guilty to the three counts against him.

He is accused of entering into an arrangement between August 1, 2005, and October 7, 2007, whereby McAllister Hanchell’s criminal proceeds were used to secure funds that were placed at Hanchell’s disposal, knowing that the former Natural Resources Minister was engaged in criminal conduct.

The attorney is also accused of entering into or becoming concerned in an arrangement between October 8, 2007, and December 31, 2010, which he knew or suspected facilitated, by whatever means, the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of Hanchell.

The third count reads: Between October 8, 2007 and December 31, 2010 Saunders acquired criminal property, namely monies transferred to him for the benefit of Hanchell.

The trial of defendants is set to begin in July this year and is expected to take up to five months. (DI)

January 11 - 17, 2014

Thieves crash stolen car A STOLEN car was found abandoned after being involved in a collision on Saturday morning (January 4).

The green Hyundai Tucson was reported stolen from a home in Discovery Bay, Providenciales, at 7.10am.

Later that morning police found the vehicle near the roundabout leading to Beaches resort on Leeward Highway.

It had been involved in a single car collision and abandoned, a police press release explained on Sunday (January 5).

The vehicle was towed from the scene for forensic examination.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) is looking into the incident.

Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crimestoppers on 1800-8477 or use the Crimestoppers online reporting page www.crimestoppers.tc.

Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Crime information should not be reported on police Facebook and Twitter pages.

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

9

Haitian gov’t talks about risks of illegal immigration

BY DAISY HANDFIELD HAITIAN consul for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Karlo Pelissier said this week that he along with the Haitian government is trying to educate Haitians on the dangers of leaving the country on illegal sloops.

During the interview with the Weekly News on Thursday (December 9) he made reference to 17 Haitian nationals who lost their lives while attempting to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally on Christmas Day. “This year was very hard for me, believe me,” he said, “on Christmas Day you get a call that 17 people are dead, believe me it was very sad, it was very bad and everything we can do to try to stop that we will.

“The Haitian government is working hard at this time; the Haitian President spoke many times to people and he told them about all the work he is doing in Haiti and that he doesn’t want leaving Haiti to be an obligation for the Haitians, it has to be a choice and he explained everything to them.”

Pelissier said that there are a lot of ongoing projects in Haiti at the moment that will create job possibilities and attract tourist to create even more jobs.

Haitian Consulate, Karlo Pelissier

“We are really working hard because we think that we have to work hard to create jobs to stop Haitians from risking their lives.”

Aside from these projects, Pelissier said that the President of Haiti spent a large figure last year to get over one million children in school so that they can receive proper education.

“We have to try our best to educate these people and advise them and that is one of the things that I am doing here [Turks and Caicos] with the Haitian community and even when I am working with the Haitian government that is what I told them.”

He said that a number of government officials have reached out

to different media outlets to speak to Haitians about the ricks that they take, leaving their country illegally.

“It’s going to be very hard for a person who is lacking knowledge in economics to understand because they have seen Haitians leave the country so it’s going to be hard to tell them that these days things are not easy as you will say, yesterday.”

The Haitian consul said that in his opinion, just the thought of risking a life to go out and seek betterment is already a punishment.

“I’m not blaming these people because they are risking their lives to come here, but I always tell them to look at the reality these days; I say that the technology is so advanced these days, through the satellite and the internet they will see you before you come.

“Even if you do get it, how are you going to work? Even when you find someone to give you a job, you are going to put yourself in a position where people are going to exploit you because you are not legal.

“We try to explain everything to them and explain to them that it is not in their interest.”

A total of 31 of the survivors who were detained and questioned by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) were repatriated to Haiti on January 1, 2014.

The 32nd member of the group of survivors assisted the RTCIPF with their inquiries and was released back into the custody of immigration officials on January 3.

He will be repatriated in due course.

The bodies of the 17 souls who perished are still being held by the coroner.

The TCI Government is in discussions with the local Haitian consul who will determine what will happen to these remains when they are released to them.

One option is for the remains to be repatriated with the costs of this effort being met by the Haitian authorities, although this is yet to be confirmed.

In July 2009, a sloop with an estimated 200 Haitians aboard ran aground on a reef off Turks and Caicos, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people.

And in May 2007, more than 60 people perished after their rickety boat, overloaded with passengers, capsized in shark-infested waters off Providenciales during a night-time thunder storm.

The tragedy was described as the worst the TCI has ever seen.

In 2012, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government spent more than $1 million in repatriation of illegals Haitians.

Sub-standard ambulance service exposed continued from 

7

ourselves with no extra pay.

“Pat Riel was the only supervisor, so as well as doing the full time job as Medical Director he had to help cover shifts and respond to calls.”

She described an occasion where she was working alone and received a call to attend a car accident – something that could not be handled alone.

“It was close to shift change so I was able to convince the driver on the next shift to come in early but there was a delay as I went to pick them up before responding.”

Delany said there were many other occasions like this, and added: “I do believe that lives were at risk.”

The staff also had to deal with inadequate conditions at their base, a small house behind Our Lady of Divine Providence Roman Catholic Church on Leeward Highway.

There was barely any furniture, mattresses on the floor for night workers and once they went without running water for weeks because no one arrived to fix a faulty pump.

“It’s a wonderful little country and they deserve to be able to call 911 and have a truck come!”

GOVERNMENT FAILURE Former EMS Director Riel said his relationship with the Ministry of

Health was plagued with difficulties and conflict.

“I was undermined and largely disregarded from the beginning and was always made to feel it was because I wasn’t from TCI,” he said.

“Now my integrity and professionalism is being attacked. I truly wish TCI well, but my time was definitely over. It’s not the TCIG that suffers when these things happen; it’s the public.”

He added that the current Ministry of Health simply does not have experience or capacity to provide this level of public service.

He insisted that an alternative solution has always been necessary.

Former EMT Delany added that her attempts to contact the Ministry of Health to get an explanation about missing pay were impossible.

“I was transferred from departments and never given an answer. There were never any reasons given why the Government denied us our overtime payments either.

“I can’t speak directly for supplies and repairs but everything seemed to have to be approved at so many levels so the service was couldn’t even get the $40 to replace a stretcher wheel.”

OPPOSITION RESPONSE On Wednesday (January 9) Shadow Minister for Health Edwin Smith expressed his disgust at the way

the Government has handled the ambulance service.

“We all know that in a medical emergency timing and first response care can mean the difference between an individual and individuals living or dying,” he told the Weekly News, “and that for the person who becomes ill at home or work, or the resident or visitor involved in a road accident, failure of this ambulance service is not an option.

“If the Government is not ensuring that the right personnel and equipment are always ready to deliver needed emergency care, vehicles and radios are always ready and available to respond in the right amount of time, then we will have a failed ambulance service, a failing healthcare system, and a failing Government.”

He described EMS as a vital part of the country’s healthcare system and said that the public would like to have the surety of prompt access to emergency care and appropriate transportation to care centres.

“As an ambulance service and provider of EMS, the communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands is expecting the highest quality service possible available to all the people residing in the Turks and Caicos whether the patients are in a hotel on Grace Bay or on the roadside in North Caicos.

“Most of us here in the TCI

do not think about EMS until we need it. But when we do need EMS, we would like to know that a competent staff equipped to meet our emergency needs will show up in a timely manner.”

He questioned whether the Government was concerned with the service or care of its people, and whether they had any indication of the performance of EMS. “If the Government want to improve the EMS performance, they need know exactly how much they have to improve to meet specific performance indicators,” he stressed.

“Have the Government ever tried to established or request that performance indicators be established for this emergency service, I personally do not see any evidence of this occurrence.”

Smith suggested that measuring performance and keeping track of those measurement numbers would allow the service to compare how it is doing today with how it did in the past, as well as compare itself to other ambulance services.

“Most importantly, measuring performance helps the service to see how it is doing with the goals the Ministry of Health may set.”

Performance indicators should include response reliability, chute time, response time and scene time, he said, and they should be made

readily available for healthcare providers as well as the public.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE A statement from the Minister of Health and Human Services Porsha Stubbs-Smith sent to press on Thursday refused to address problems within the service but instead spoke of Riel’s departure.

It read: “On December 18, 2013, the Ministry of Health and Human Services terminated the services of Mr Patrick Riel, Director of Emergency Medical Services, with immediate effect.

“This dismissal preceded any letter of resignation received by the Ministry of Health from Mr Riel.

“This decision was taken in the best interest of the Emergency Medical Services Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Hugh Green, newly appointed Acting Director of EMS, told the Weekly News that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on working conditions.

He said that he is simply acting in the position and it is currently a “transitional period” for the department.

Premier Rufus Ewing and Director of Medical Services Dr Nadia Astwood failed to respond to requests for information up until press time. (RB)

10 NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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

I want my country back Dear Editor, My new year resolution for this country I call home can be summarised in five simple words; I want my country back.

Over the last few years the country that I was born and raised in seems to have lost its identity and appears to belong to people other than its indigenous people.

We have lost a grip on this country and its time to get it back.

I want my country back from the British government who watched on the side-lines while the former administration ran a mock of the finances and a long list of bad decisions while a British Governor was serving as the head of state; then after a Commission of Inquiry, suspended the constitution, cut the public service, violated our democratic rights, replaced TCI Belongers with foreigners, promised civil recovery and prosecutions, issued a dolly house constitution and granted an election for a shadow Government; which we all swallowed with a grain of salt. I want my country back.

I want my country back from the people who thought it was a good idea to give us a constitution with three governments; UK government, public service and elected Cabinet

and at times the three of them together can’t seem to address the social and economic challenges of this country.

Moreover the constitution gives the elected Government the most limited form of power.

Is anyone looking else looking at this situation the way I am seeing it?

A country has three governments and the weakest one is the Government the people directly chose?

Wake up my fellow TCI Belongers and residents; this country is in trouble.

I want my country back from the politicians who treat their voters like they are ignorant and used their emotions and frustrations to seize power.

Divide them amongst themselves and promise them a false hope because they are too caught up in the idea and image of being a politician rather than standing up and fighting for their people.

I want my country back from the voters who vote for trivial nonsense and some misplaced loyalty rather than voting for the content of an individual character and examining the candidate’s integrity and record of service to God and community.

I want my country back from the people whose main purpose is to

oppress the people of this country and wake up every morning determined to frustrate the citizens of this land.

I want my country back from the TCI Belongers who time after time sell this country out for the almighty dollar, who offer to illegal immigrants opportunities that were put in place for law abiding residents, who undermine the security of this country by assisting with the transport and accommodation of illegal immigrants.

I want my country back from the public servants who allow their personal issues and biases to interfere with their duty to honestly serve the public and be of assistance to those who can’t assist themselves.

I want my country back from the corporations and residents who bring in skilled labourers under false work permit documentation as unskilled labour.

These same individuals in turn deny Belongers jobs that they could hold and accuse Belongers of being lazy and unwilling to fill the available jobs.

I want my country back from companies who continue to deny qualified Belongers jobs stating; ‘experience need’.

Well the last time I checked getting hired is the first road to experience.

Furthermore many of the people

you bring in the country with the “experience” still don’t know their head from their tail.

And what is so frustrating the same Belonger you will not promote has to train the experienced individual and do their regular tasks.

I want my country back from the Belongers who refuse to upgrade their skill or credentials, yet demand higher paying jobs and when you don’t get the job you are not qualified for, refuse to work for the wages you settle for, complain about foreigners taking all the jobs, and finally, you then consider yourself unemployed.

I am sorry to tell you; you are not unemployed; you are unambitious.

I want my country back from the labour commission and human rights commission who seem to forget that TCI Belongers are supposed to be included in the human being class and have rights under the law.

I want my country back from those people who violate the labour law as it relates to the hours an individual is supposed to work in this country without overtime pay.

They coerce weekly wage earners to sign contract for monthly wages eliminating them from earning overtime pay.

Where is the labour department, where is the human rights

commission? Oh I forgot! TCI Belongers don’t count as humans when their rights are being violated.

I want my country from the police officers who execute their enforcement of the law based on who they know and according to the nation flag on your vehicle.

I want my country back from corrupt and vile disrespectful officers who look at citizens as less than people.

I want my country back from the justice department who put the poor in prison and let the rich pay their way out.

I want my country back from the policy makers and keepers who refuse to give the future generation of this country a fighting chance and a real opportunity for educational and entrepreneurial advancement.

I want my country back from the Belongers who keep putting each other down and allow the black crab mentality to keep this country in political, social and spiritual wilderness.

I want my country back from people who are more interested and excited about the prosecution of former politicians and residents than actually seeing restitution, continued 

It’s time for renewal

11

COMMENTARY

THIS special territory has suffered more than its share. The promise of becoming the shining star of the Caribbean has been wasted on the sins of pride and greed.

It is time for every person who has the obligation and right to vote to step back and take a fresh look at where we came from and how we will best achieve our full potential.

Through the efforts of PDM’s JAGS McCartney, a strong humble leader and hero, Britain was moved to grant TCI a large measure of self-rule.

We have proved that we deserve this control while also proving a certain group would use self-rule to facilitate their lust for power and self-enrichment.

By David Tapfer Britain has proven their inability to provide their role of oversight or to manage our resources to realise our potential. This then leaves the responsibility to us, the voters.

Britain’s failure is due to the systemic weakness of overseas territorial management.

If an overseas territory is properly

SPACE IS LIMITED!

managed from within, this weakness becomes unimportant.

When our internal rule is weak or corrupted the system and the territory breaks down. That is where we are today.

Those corrupting self-rule to assume power and self-enrichment need a strong league of core voters and supporters.

Therefore voters experience the promise of a ‘goodie’ for their precious vote. The closer to the corrupter the bigger the goodie.

This then begs the question, what do we expect from the Government?

Safety is number one. Britain provides defence from outside interference. Our police force is charged with keeping internal order.

How well have we done? Britain replaced our native police chief

with a Canadian. Murders remain unsolved.

We need to elect a police chief based on qualifications not internal or overseas political connections.

Education is an important Government responsibility. We need to elect a board of education or minister via the at large popular vote.

Let us return to checking out developers for honesty and worth, not their willingness to bribe.

Healthcare is a Government task that must be internally managed so that it is patient controlled.

It must not be a Canadian or British cash cow and political boondoggle. Buying healthcare with fat contracts from inept suppliers and receiving honorariums for doing the deal is plainly wrong.

We must have a defined

independent utility commission to set rules and control the prices and profits of monopolistic power suppliers and to require all telecommunications companies to meet certain basic standards.

Using drug trafficking or the sales of the people’s land to unworthy developers via political crony enrichment is definitely wrong.

The failure to follow budget restraints then saddling the entire country with 20 years of gross taxation while stealing a political headquarters, a private mansion, private jet and Hollywood starlet with the public’s funds is as wrong as investing the people’s pension funds into your own private bank or the healthcare mess.

It is long past time for renewal.

Please keep your letters to a maximum of 450 words or we may not be able publish it.

January 11 - 17, 2014

11

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

continued

Government’s side, Opposition’s side and the other side Dear Editor, ‘Interim administration overspent by $31 million’ - they both did it again, a rush to judgment, and now with no one else to blame, they are reaching back and blaming the past interim administration for overspending.

Folks, it is common knowledge that the finances were in utter turmoil from the previous administrations and despite the carnage the Brits were somehow able as it appears to smooth things over with much help from the FCO the UK ministers and the lot, however the case may be TCI managed!

Elections are settled, ministerial government in place, in session and running, and after all of that we are we stuck on rhetoric. And on top of that unhealthy rhetoric!

What happen to the PNP’s new dawn and the PDM’s right direction?

Let us not kid ourselves, to see the new dawn you must look in the right direction but at the right level, the PPP’s horizon!

Let us be more pro-active and accept the things that we cannot change, work on those that we can, succeed and plan for tomorrow.

We must be pro-active rather than reactive. Plan for tomorrow rather than dwell on the mishaps of yesterday.

Recently the herein described and captioned article appeared in the Turks and Caicos Weekly News paper tcweeklynews.com of the ‘Interim administration overspent by $31 million’ is surely water under the bridge and gone and now must not only be forgotten but used a benchmark not to repeat.

What is very annoying and concerning is that some of the same operatives or players are now in Government, just in

different musical chairs.

Memory says Carlos Simons, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, John Phillips, Lillian Swann, and the Deputy Governor, were serving members of the past administration.

To call afoul now is undermining.

Basic questions to be answered are: -Was there misuse?

-Did the TCIG get values for monies spent?

-In terms of timelines, when did these liabilities originate?

-The $5 million of bills found in drawers, are they a part too?

-Was the service/product necessary?

-Was the service properly programmed?

-Could the expenditures be avoided?

If the responses to any of the concerns are in the negative then to lament now is mere verbiage with absolutely no substance.

The big question remains after all of the talking – no I did not say analysis because there seem to be none - what are the recommendations for corrective action? Absolutely none!

Surely there are much more important things/efforts that we can expand our energies on likely right now.

Jobs - creation, labour - job analysis, immigration - compliance and enforcement, human rights equal opportunity and protection, minimum versus living wages price controls which in many ways can and are adversely impacting the economy, people and the country.

Let us dwell on these things and try to move the county to heights imaginable!

Regards, Edward E Smith, PPP Leader

I want my country back

continued 

restoration and progress take place in this country.

I want my country back from the spiritual leaders who can’t put their earthly denominational kingdom aside for one moment and come against the principalities which loam and roam throughout this country.

I am one man and one TCI Belonger who knows the blessings of living in country where God shines his face on.

In this 2014, I want my old country back because I refuse to accept that the current state of affairs in this country is the best it has to offer.

If you the people of this country have any sort of backbone be it spiritual, physical, political,

social or psychological; the time is running out and clock is ticking for TCI to have its moment in history.

It happened in the Bahamas on January 10, 1967, with the achievement of majority rule, it happened in Jamaica and Trinidad in 1962, Barbados in 1966 with independence, America in 1860s when Lincoln abolished slavery and sparked a civil war, it sparked in TCI in 1975 with the introduction of democratic government.

When will we once again change the course of our history?

I want my country back! What about you?

Straight Shooter (name provided)

New year’s message 2014 Dear Editor, It is a new year – new opportunities!

New possibilities! New dreams!

New vision!

God in his wisdom and mercy has granted us the gift of a new year and what we do with this gift is up to us.

May we unwrap this gift with care, gratitude and a mind to positively impact our country, our region and our world.

Whilst individually we may set resolutions for many aspects of our lives, we need to ensure that one includes taking our civic responsibilities seriously and strengthening our civic commitments.

Too many of us are sitting in the seat of apathy. Some of us who are can and are expected to do more unfortunately pour our energies elsewhere while the seeds of negativity, discord and maliciousness; deliberate and unintentional misinformation, mistruths and misunderstandings flourish and linger.

I challenge us all to search ourselves and see whether our actions and inactions account for positivity or negativity.

I challenge us this year to become more active citizens who are committed to the building up of our country and not to its further ruin by our actions or inactions.

We lie as it were in ruins and it is an ideal place to stop, think, evaluate, plan and rebuild positively laying each important block, one at a time.

But we need maturity and commitment from informed, hardworking, focused and selfless builders.

I charge us who understand the issues to share them, help to educate our youth and our citizenry without manipulating the facts or diluting it with opinions that it becomes unrecognisable.

Much is required from leaders in every facet of society and we cannot and must not shy away from the responsibility of leading in what will be a challenging year.

Misinformation and confusion must not be allowed any place in this new year in our land.

Likewise, we need to set resolutions for our country. Our country for far too long appears to be moving on auto pilot status without a flight plan.

The PDM has always had a plan and this is why the PDM supported an Opposition led motion to hold a national symposium to prepare a broad plan and strategy, why we supported the formation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on revenue and why we continued in the past year to enquire in the actions of the Government seeking to find out its plans and policies.

Let us take the time to learn and understand the issues, consider them and plan solutions that we can all

commit to.

We need a plan for Turks and Caicos and once this plan is formulated, every child, every man, every woman, every home, every employer, every employee and every civil servant must know it and know their individual roles.

But until this is formulated, I urge us all to seek until we find our individual purpose and then we can collectively achieve our country’s goal from our respective places always remembering that we all have a part to play.

It is not only the role of the Government or the civil servant, or the major player in the private sector to realise our national goals.

Let us in this new year, once we have identified and set national goals, let us purpose to move as a unit towards them and let us combine our efforts nationally towards their achievement.

Let us appreciate that specific methods may be different, opinions will differ but the vision must be the same. Let us not be blinded by selfish ambitions or false sense of importance.

I am not daunted by the challenges ahead – seen and unseen. As an optimist, I believe there is nothing that we cannot face with pride and dignity and nothing that we cannot overcome with God. However whilst we trust him, we must work towards the end we wish to see. May our challenges knock us to our knees and may God be restored to his rightful place.

I charge us to learn and read as much as we can about the issues and form positions only from the facts – keep informed!

Secondly, I charge us to find areas where we can volunteer in an area of national importance - help to mentor our youth, protect and share our heritage, tidy our Islands, help our elderly, juveniles, prisoners and special needs citizens.

There are many civic organisations whose work will be lighter with more hands – volunteer and make a difference!

Demand and desire a national plan, find your role, try to see the good and the opportunities to improve personally and nationally, shun the negative thoughts and actions, avoid selfish destructive behaviour, read and learn as much as you can, volunteer and commit to the cause of rebuilding what can be the best little country.

Above all be a voice, be a positive voice!

I encourage us to make individual steps to make a national impact and to achieve our national goals.

On behalf of the Peoples’ Democratic Movement, the official Opposition and our families, we wish for you a prosperous new year.

We remain committed to addressing the issues, proposing solutions and working in the best interest of these Islands.

We remain your humble servants.

Sharlene Cartwright Robinson PDM Leader

Man charged with four armed robberies and a burglary A HAITIAN man has been charged with a spate of armed robberies and a burglary that took place in Providenciales between October and December last year.

The undocumented migrant appeared in Providenciales Magistrates Court in December to answer to the charges.

He was denied bail and remanded in custody to face a sufficiency hearing later this month.

The unnamed man is alleged to have committed armed robberies at two convenience stores in Cooper Jack Bay and Millennium Highway respectively making off with cash.

He is also charged with

raiding a jewellery store at Market Place stealing jewellery – most of which police later recovered – and stealing cash from a restaurant located Downtown.

The accused will also appear in court to face a charge in connection to a report of a burglary made at a business place located along South Dock Road, during which tools and cash were stolen.

Police are urging anyone with information about any of these incidents to call Crimestoppers on 1800-8477 or use the Crimestoppers online reporting page www.crimestoppers.tc.

Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

12 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

Throne Speech sparks déjà vu in Opposition – Premier heatedly defends it LEADER of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson says she is not enthusiastic or hopeful about the Throne Speech delivered

by Governor Peter Beckingham on Thursday (January 9) in parliament as she was 426 days ago.

Chronicling the hopes of the TCI people when the country was returned to elected government in November 2012, the PDM leader said the slow start in the planning process made it obvious to all that the Government was not ready to govern from day one.

“One year and two months later we appear to be marking time on spot on too many critical areas.

“We, like the people of these Islands, are dismayed and disappointed that much more hasn’t been done towards fulfilling the promises and commitments made in the Throne Speech delivered then or

Premier Rufus Ewing

Governor Peter Beckingham

the budget address following.”

She said she had hopes of working together on all fronts to move the country forward as she believed that ego and arrogance would get the country nowhere, and that there would be a sense of togetherness in the rebuilding efforts.

However, she added that though late, her party has finally gotten the message when they are told to wait their turn to govern.

“Forgive me if I am not as hopeful the Government will live up to the new commitments made this year in the Throne Speech when it failed to

deliver on 69 of the 74 commitments made in the Throne Speech of November 2012.”

The leader stated that her party sees only five of the commitments made then being worked on; five others removed from the budget, another two with ongoing programmes also removed, while there has been no update or no action at all on the other commitments made.

She added that the PDM understands why the Government elected not to present detailed guiding principles as they did in the November 2012 speech.

Mosquito-borne virus may strike TCI RESIDENTS must take full precautions to protect themselves against a new mosquito-borne virus, health officials urged this week.

Chikungunya was first identified in Saint Martin in December 2013 and has since spread to four other islands in the Caribbean.

No cases have been confirmed in the TCI to date, however the mosquito that carries the disease is common across the country.

On Monday (January 6) the Ministry of Health and Human Services released a statement advising the public to protect themselves from bites.

It read: “Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is widely dispersed in the Caribbean region including the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is also the vector that causes dengue.

“Symptoms of chikungunya virus include sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache,

nausea, and rash.

“Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue.”

It went on to say that symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to ten days, but joint pain may persist longer.

Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare, but anyone experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms is asked to visit their doctor or a healthcare clinic immediately.

There is no vaccine or treatment available for chikungunya so the best way to stay protected is prevention.

“Prevent mosquitoes breeding in and around your home environment,” the statement urged.

“Wear long-sleeved clothing or long pants, use insect repellents liberally, use mosquito nets at

night, inspect your home and yard weekly, keep water drums and barrels tightly covered, check your gutters.”

The ministry also advised residents to throw out stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres, and other containers that might act as breeding sites.

And finally call the Environmental Health Department to treat large bodies of stagnant water on or around property.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services along with other Caribbean health authorities are working with Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to implement public health measures.

These include identification and clinical management of cases, vector control measures, enhanced surveillance and public education.

“Let us all work together to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Protect yourself, your home and environment today,” the statement read.

Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

“Then, transparency was mentioned, accountability was mentioned and of course good governance was mentioned. In this past year we have seen this Government operate on less than transparent principles.”

She cited the two separate motions for write off of public funds - $5 million and $143,592 – in 2013 with little background information presented to the House of Assembly.

She also mentioned the reluctance of some members of the Assembly to provide proper answers to questions posed to them by the Opposition.

“Good governance ought to be the guiding principles to any government of the day, and we see breaches and dismissal of the code of conduct and some provisions of the country’s constitution.

“Some 400 days later we now hear what is pretty much a replay of the Throne Speech of November 2012.

“I dare any of you to pick up a copy of the Throne Speech delivered in November 2012 and set it on the side of the Throne Speech delivered this morning and if you are experiencing a déjà vu moment it is because the Throne Speech reads pretty much the same and in some instances the exact wording and in other instances small changes with the wording.”

Cartwright Robinson said there are only a few new initiatives and even fewer accomplishments mentioned in the 2014 speech.

On a different note, she stated that her party is happy to see some of what they consider to be the people’s issues mentioned in the speech.

“But I note that a number of initiatives and programmes/policies that ought to be addressed, have not been addressed.

“And while we appreciate that not everything can be contained in the Throne Speech, it is still the Government’s priority and we are disappointed that several issues were not highlighted or not mentioned strongly or convincingly enough.”

Addressing the stalled projects which the Governor in the speech

said will be addressed; the party leader commended the Government for its commitment to tackling this problem.

“I want to say to this Government that it is important through your policies and grants of your work permits that you ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders get an opportunity to hold the positions that would be created from the construction phase to the management and operation phases of these developments.”

She also drew attention to the portion of the speech which spoke of the constitution, stating that she had expected that since the Government had taken a motion to establish a constitution commission to the assembly that they would more aggressively seek to establish the committee to review the instrument.

“We spent the greater part of last year hearing the Premier and members of the Cabinet speak to the constitution as a stumbling block, but we see that the commission or the constitution was not a priority.

“It seems to be preferred as a crutch or something to complain about so that the Government can say to the people, ‘we are unable to do this or we are unable to do that’.”

She highlighted the review of work permits, unemployment, immigration, scholarships and the Government’s overseas recruitment drive as issues she expected to be addressed more comprehensively in the Throne Speech.

She added that it appears the Government does not have the willpower to want to deal with these issues, particularly that of immigration.

She singled out the relationship the TCI has with Haiti and what is being done to tackle the rising illegal immigration problems and the rising cost of detention and repatriation of illegal Haitians; pointing out that the speech is silent on this issue.

The party leader said there is one new promise to the civil service; and noted that there should have been a stronger commitment to addressing the plight of the civil service.

“Last time - and again not mentioned – they were promised a salary review and the reinstatement of the already promised 10 per cent and mandatory management studies training is absent from this year’s Throne Speech.

“But the incentive and recognition programme is again promised to the civil service.”

She complained that what is seen now is a trend where key strategic positions in Government once held by locals, are now held by expatriate workers and this should not be.

She added that she welcomed continued 

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14 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

Governor delivers the TCIG’s Throne Speech

GOVERNOR Peter Beckingham on Thursday (January 9) presented the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Throne Speech at the ceremonial state opening of the Second Session of the Tenth Legislature at the House of Assembly in Grand Turk.

Below is the full text of the Governor’s speech as read in the assembly.

ECONOMY The year 2013 was a challenging one, but through the grace of God and the hard work of the Members of this House of Assembly, Members of Cabinet and civil servants, in partnership with the private sector, we were able to make progress towards building a bright and prosperous future for all of our people in this generation and the generations yet to come.

As we continue on our journey of nation building, our primary goals remain those of the development of a vibrant economy, the education and empowerment of our people, the creation of opportunities for our workforce, the restoration of national pride, the achievement of desired and satisfactory standards of health care, the strengthening of social protection and security and securing our borders.

As we strive to achieve all of these goals we will remain committed to the preservation of our Christian faith and values, and the practice of good governance in the arena of fairness and justice in the conduct of all of our affairs.

The revitalisation and growth of the economy and the creation of jobs has been the principal thrust for my Government as we seek to provide a decent standard of living for those who live and work in these Islands.

The economy has seen a 3.4 per cent growth in GDP and an even larger projected growth in 2014 due to the injection of Foreign Direct Investment.

However, there is still much work to be done; all Turks and Caicos Islanders are yet to feel this growth, with some being unemployed and many small businesses continuing to struggle.

My Government has been working diligently to ensure that stalled major infrastructure projects are restarted so as to create jobs and facilitate economic growth.

Two of four stalled projects (Shore Club and West Caicos Resort) are slated to commence construction early this year and there are high expectations for the positive economic impact that these will have. In addition, four new

hotel projects are scheduled to break ground later this year.

The execution and progression of these projects has not been an easy task, which underscores the need for a robust investment policy, an effective investment agency, and an enabling business environment to ensure that we are able to attract investment, both local and foreign, and remain competitive in the global arena.

This is why my Government has as its priority this year the reinstatement of a ‘TCInvest like’ agency, the amendment of the Investment policy, the reform of the business environment, and the empowerment of Turks and Caicos Islanders through education, business training, investment incentives, funding support and the continuation and refinement of the reserve category of business licenses.

This will enable us to develop a broad middle class with a greater potential for economic advancement and upward social mobility.

My Government has been in dialogue with the practitioners of the financial services industry regarding the modernisation of our legislation and the development and marketing of new financial services products.

To this end my Government is committed this year to the modernisation of our financial services legislation, as well as the continued strengthening of our regulatory framework in compliance with international standards and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force guidelines.

The diversification of our economy is critical to sustainable economic growth, and to this end my government is committed to diversification within our main industry of tourism and into other sectors such as manufacturing and processing, agriculture, and aquaculture.

My Government will develop a medical tourism policy, an ecotourism policy and initiative, and a sports tourism policy so as to diversify our tourism industry.

We are advanced in the development of a manufacturing policy, and the Director of Agriculture has been recruited and will see the completion of the agriculture policy and implementation of a robust agricultural programme.

The Providenciales International Airport expansion project is well advanced, and upon completion will facilitate an increase in the airlift into the TCI. This will allow the arrival of visitors to our shores from new and emerging source markets,

Governor Peter Beckingham

aided by our new tourism product development and marketing strategies and our tourism strategic plan which will be completed this year.

A major focus of my Government this year is the development and marketing of tourism products and activities in the family islands that will facilitate the decentralisation of tourism activity and increased economic growth in these islands.

My Government is committed to the servicing of our debt and provision of educational opportunities, healthcare, jobs and social services for our people, all of which require an adequate and predictable revenue stream for the Government.

To this end my Government will seek to broaden the tax base, lower the tax burden, increase tax compliance and grow the economy through the introduction of new legislation and the enforcement of existing regulations.

HEALTHCARE My Government is currently undertaking a review of the healthcare system at all levels and sectors with the goal of developing a healthcare reform strategy.

However, my Government is continuing its conduct of the financial and clinical audits of the TCI hospitals, with the implementation of corrective recommendations as deficiencies are uncovered. My Government has as its goal the rationalisation and reduction of costs of various aspects of operation of the hospitals, as well as an increase in financial accountability and new revenue regeneration from medical tourism and other third party revenue sources.

My Government intends to introduce Health Professions Legislation which will facilitate the regulation of the standards of delivery of healthcare at all levels and all sectors.

My Government will amend

the National Health Insurance Ordinance and regulations to ensure that adequate healthcare coverage and access to healthcare at all levels are provided for all persons legally resident in the TCI. To this end my Government will be relentless in our pursuit to ensure that, with regards to the NHIP, children under the age of 18, the unemployed and the elderly will be granted coverage, and that a pharmaceutical procurement programme is developed to provide medications at a cost effective price to NHIP community-based pharmacies.

PUBLIC SERVICE My Government is committed to working with the Office of the Deputy Governor to ensure that the public service is effective and efficient in the delivery of services to the public and to ensuring that recognition is given to those public servants with records of exemplary service through the establishment of a Public Service Incentive Awards Programme.

My Government is committed to the revision of the civil service employment policy to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are afforded the opportunity for employment, training and upward mobility within the civil service.

My Government will develop and enact credit union legislation that will serve as the framework for the establishment of a Public Service Credit Union and Hotel Workers Credit Union.

EMPLOYMENT The progress of this nation in terms of expanding our economy, creating employment opportunities and empowering Turks and Caicos Islanders will impact various aspects of our environment. It is our goal to preserve, at all costs, the quality of our natural surroundings.

My Government will, through the Department of Planning, work to clearly define, establish, enforce and maintain a style and identity unique to our islands thus developing an Infrastructure Master Plan.

To this end my Government has established an infrastructure working group and a private public partnership (PPP) policy and guidelines to drive these infrastructure development programmes.

My Government will continue the improvement of the standard of living through the enhancement of assets required by the public in everyday life such as water supply and management, solid waste management, transportation,

communication and energy.

We have made significant progress with the improvement of the water infrastructure on Grand Turk, with similar work to be undertaken in Salt Cay and South Caicos.

We are committed to the amendment of the Road Traffic Ordinance to ensure fairness and the maintenance of high standards in the delivery of transport services to the public.

We are committed to the development of an energy policy and the amendment to the Electricity Ordinance to ensure the introduction of renewable energy and the lowering of the cost of electricity.

We will continue to develop the necessary policies, and will request proposals to facilitate both the development of a deep water port on East Caicos and the linking of the Caicos Islands; these initiatives will all result in significant long term economic growth and diversification, job creation and a lowering of the cost of living.

EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT The education and empowerment of our people is critical and essential to the progressive and sustainable development of our nation. We have therefore claimed this year to be the Year of the Young Person.

Overcrowding in our schools remains a critical issue. This year we will ensure that all children of school age are able to access education.

While we have provided sufficient funds in the short term to recruit teachers in private places for primary school students, we will continue the work started last financial year to plan the funding of an early childhood designated centre which will have the effect of opening spaces within the primary schools.

The overcrowding and safety issues at Clement Howell High School are of paramount importance, and this year my Government will ensure that plans are finalised to split that high school and move the lower school to an alternate location.

My Government will begin the upgrading of existing sporting facilities around the islands, including the installation of proper lighting to encourage the safe use of these facilities.

We will also provide short-term support for the development of a talent management programme aimed at the identification and development of young persons with sporting talent to maximise their potential and to progress into a continued 

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Provo's Chamber of Olympic gold medallist to attend Commerce welcomes Shore Club ground-breaking TCI Young Enterprise SIX groups of students will be participating in the second annual Chamber of Commerce’s TCI Young Enterprise programme this year.

The opening ceremony for the event will be held on Saturday (January 11) at the Scotiabank parking lot in Grace Bay, Providenciales, from 10am to 12pm where the students will launch their

Two elderly residents found dead A MALE and female pensioner were found dead in their homes in unrelated incidents on Sunday (January 5).

A 90-year-old woman was discovered in her house in Breezy Brae in Grand Turk early in the morning.

Police and an ambulance were called to the property at 4.33am where they found the woman’s body.

She was pronounced dead by a doctor. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Later that morning at 7.05am police were called to investigate the death of an 80-year-old man in North Caicos.

Gyrenious Handfield was found in his home in Bottle Creek.

Emergency personal attempted to revive him but he was unresponsive.

A doctor pronounced him dead at 7.45am.

A police press release stated: “Following an examination of the scene, police are not treating this death as suspicious and there is no need for further investigation into this matter.”

Woman charged with phone theft A 31-YEAR-old Providenciales woman was charged Saturday (January 4) with the theft of a cell phone.

Nathalie Knowles is alleged to have stolen a Samsung Galaxy Mega telephone at a restaurant on Leeward Highway on Friday, December 27.

She is currently on bail and will appear in Providenciales Magistrates’ Court on Friday (January 10) at 9am to enter a plea.

products and have them on sale.

This is the programme’s second year and it is open to all schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Officer administrator for the Chamber of Commerce, Wendy Hill, said that the students who form these companies must raise capital, open their own bank account, market research, prepare business plan, develop their own product or service, trade with public, manage the company finances, take part in local Young Enterprise trade fairs and compete with other schools in the final year competition.

She said: “With our main supporter being the Scotiabank we want to thank them for helping make this programme a huge success for our youths of TCI. “By offering this programme to the youths of our Islands, we continue to encourage and invest our time in helping them to become young entrepreneurs.”

Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands are encouraged to come out and support the youths in this positive venture. (DH)

TRACK and field star Sanya Richards-Ross is visiting the TCI next week to speak at the ground-breaking of a new $100 million luxury resort in Long Bay, Providenciales.

The Olympic gold medallist and world champion from Jamaica will attend the Shore Club opening on January 17 where she will join Premier Rufus Ewing, Governor Peter Beckingham and Hartling Group CEO Stan Hartling in addressing attendees.

Richards-Ross will then deliver a keynote address to the high school graduating class of 2014 at a career fair being held at the Regent Palms Resort.

“Ms Richards-Ross is an inspiring individual in so many ways,” Hartling said.

“Her incredible achievements in sport and academics, combined with her commitment to promote literacy and numeracy through her Fast Track Programme in Jamaica, provides a perfect example of how hard work and a passion to achieve a specific life goal can be accomplished.

“We are delighted Ms RichardsRoss will be joining our event and we look forward to introducing her to the 300 plus students who are

Sanya Richards-Ross

members of the class of 2014 in Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Development firm The Hartling Group is one of the largest employers in the Turks and Caicos Islands, hiring about 400 people at its resorts The Sands on Grace Bay and the Regent Palms Resort.

The Shore Club condo-hotel project is the third resort to be developed by the award winning team.

DECCO, a Dart Enterprises company based in the Cayman Islands, will provide construction

management and financing services for the project.

Upon completion, the Shore Club will feature 38 condos and six luxury villas on a nine-acre property spanning over 800 feet of beachfront on Long Bay. In September Hartling revealed that about 200 jobs will be created to facilitate the construction of the resort - with at least half of those going to Belongers - and another 200 are likely to be available when development is up and running.

The Shore Club was suspended by the interim administration in 2009 amid a probe by civil recovery lawyers.

“The biggest dispute was over the land acquisition and making sure everything was resolved properly,” Hartling said in an interview with the Weekly News in July 2011.

“We were able to provide a lot of detailed information to show there was no wrongdoing.

“We were very pleased that we could comply and prove to the Government that our corporation carried out its activities without misconduct.”

Project construction starts in January. For more information visit www.theshoreclubtc.com.

Throne Speech sparks déjà vu in ... continued from 

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the Government’s statement of working together with the Deputy Governor and that she expects them to take a greater lead in the civil service.

Cartwright Robinson also pointed that the fishing programme did not even warrant a mention in the Throne speech, neither did construction.

Pointing to the education sector, she applauded the Education Minister’s efforts in this area.

However, she added that more skills training and scholarships need to be provided to young people.

She said the community college too did not warrant a mention in the speech. The party leader added that while she understands that scholarships cannot be offered in the amount they previously were, the Government needs to position the local college to be able offer more programmes, inclusive of degree programmes.

Meanwhile, the PDM leader said her party welcomed the return of the cadet programme as stated in the Throne Speech, however, she noted that there has been no mention of the police force.

“With our ears to the ground,

we can see and feel that our police force is in trouble. While the police force falls under the Governor we cannot forget that we are the people’s representatives.

“The police force seems to be buckling under controversial leadership, and there appears to be dissention in the ranks and many seem demotivated.

“If something isn’t done soon to address these issues that we know exist, we would have no one to blame but ourselves.”

She added that more needs to be done for the police force so that the rise in crime can be addressed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House, Josephine Connolly and several other members echoed the Opposition Leader’s disappointment with the Throne Speech of 2014.

“I have, like my colleagues, a strong sense of déjà vu. The many tasks that are set out in the speech are worthy and laudable and the many projects the Government will undertake which benefit the people of the TCI should be supported,” Connolly told the assembly during debate of the Throne Speech.

However, she added that the Premier needs to understand that the people of the Islands cannot rely on any more promises; that they want to see the country and the economy grow.

However, Premier Rufus Ewing in his fiery reply to the issues raised by the Opposition members blasting his Government for not fulfilling its promises inherent in the 2012 Throne Speech pointed out that the 2012 delivery was not intended to be a one year outline.

Ewing said the 2012 speech outlined critical and priority areas for the Government during the course of its term of office.

“It was not the intention of the Government to have achieved everything in the Throne Speech given the last time, in one year. It was not a one year Throne Speech.”

He added that the 2012 speech was an ambitious agenda and was recognised as such. He said what his administration is looking at now are particular elements and prioritising what they will deal with in this financial year, 2014/15.

He said he has taken on board the contributions made by the members, advising that those items which have been replicated in this speech from the 2012 one are items set to last for the term and that the Government needed to restate its priorities on those issues for this year.

He defended the claim in the Throne Speech which stated there has been economic growth, noting that this was the case from an

objective standpoint.

He however acknowledged that this has not translated into the man on the street feeling the impact of that growth.

“The challenge that this Government has is to ensure… that when there is economic growth that our people can feel that growth, if only through jobs, business development and empowerment opportunities.”

Addressing the civil service, the Premier said his Government will do its utmost to ensure it has an efficient and productive civil service.

He acknowledged that there are some long standing issues within the service but that his Government intends to address them.

“I am terming this year a year of zero tolerance and passion… we had lots of challenges last year, but our challenges were dealing with other issues from the Attorney General to the British, but those are done with now and we have new challenges to address and we will address them this year,” the Premier stated in an impassioned delivery.

He said he knows what the problems are and that his Government will be working towards addressing them. (DI)

16 NEWS

Public donates thousands to pensioner in need KINDHEARTED members of the public have donated a massive $4,000 to an elderly Providenciales woman after she was told she may face jail time for failing to pay her rent.

This week 76-year-old Ianthe McIntosh, who has no pension or savings, told the Weekly News that she was very grateful for all of the financial help she was given.

But she is still in need of assistance to finish paying off her former landlord and humbly added: “More help is good.”

Ianthe first got into trouble with her rent in 2012 after three years living in her home in Blue Hills when she began to fall behind with payments.

By the end of the year her landlord told her she owed $9,350 and would take her to court if she did not pay it, but Ianthe who finished working for her job of nine years as bookkeeper and payroll clerk for Provo Taxis in 2010 had no income.

She added that she is ineligible for a Turks and Caicos pension as, despite being born in North Caicos and spending her childhood in the country, she spent much of her adult life in America.

She was then twice taken to court in March 2013 then again in June, each time insisting she had no money to pay the charges.

However when she returned to court on September 5 the magistrate insisted that she pay up before the end of October or face the prospect of a future in prison, she said.

Ianthe McIntosh owed thousands of dollars in backdated payments for her former home in Blue Hills

“He [the magistrate] said if you don’t have the money here by the end of next month you’re going to spend your 77th birthday in jail.”

Ianthe said she did not expect to be treated this way when she returned home after years away in the States.

“When it first happened I couldn’t sleep and I kept worrying.”

She said she was sad to have to leave her home in Blue Hills and take all of her possessions to a new place in Five Cays.

Ianthe reached out for the assistance of the public at the end of 2013 to aid her in raising the funds to pay back her former landlord.

After speaking on the television and radio about her situation she

received dozens of messages of support through social media and on the phone.

“Everywhere people call me,” she said. “I never dreamed these people know me. From all over people are offering help.”

She raised a huge $4,000 which has gone to make outstanding payments to her former landlord, but she still needs another $5,000 be free of the crippling debt.

If anyone would like to offer assistance to Ianthe they can call her on 241-4099.

She stressed that there is no money in her apartment and all financial donations will go straight into her bank account. (RB)

Star fashionista to feature in TCI Fashion Week CELEBRITY fashion designer Indashio will showcase his collection during TCI’s first fashion week this spring.

The New York stylist has displayed his work around the world, featured in numerous magazines and attracted scores of sponsors.

Among the celebrities that have been spotted wearing his clothes are Kelis, Kim Kardashian, Lil'Kim, Nicky Hilton, Nicki Minaj and Tyra Banks.

Also a reality star, Indashio received international acclaim when he won the VH1 ‘Glam God’ fashion show series hosted by red carpet diva Vivica Fox. “I am so excited about coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands for Fashion Week and bringing my Indashio experience to Providenciales,” he said in a press release.

“In the most epic way it will definitely be a historic celebration forever to be remembered.”

TCI Fashion Week will feature a series of resort, couture and luxury

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Indashio will showcase his collection during TCI’s first Fashion Week

fashion shows, and is expected to attract international industry experts.

It will also support school fashion programmes and promote the culture of the Islands.

Produced by the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Beauty Organisation and directed and presented by Saint George Fashion House, the week will be the first of its kind in the TCI.

Between March 26 and 29, 2014, event producers will set the stage for cultural expression allowing fashion artists, craftspeople and other creators to showcase their work.

A grand finale fashion show will then take place at Brayton Hall in Providenciales on March 29.

More details can be found at www.tcifw.com.

Governor delivers the ... continued from 

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career in sports.

We will further legitimise the Secondary Schools Sporting Association that will work closely with the Department of Sports to strengthen athletics within schools and ensure smooth running of national schools events.

My Government is committed to the educational advancement of all young persons and henceforth we will earmark a portion of the scholarship fund for the direct support of young persons in technical and vocational areas for certification.

We will ensure that scholarships offered meet national development needs.

My Government will continue to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders have access to tertiary education regionally and internationally, and will seek to establish formal relationships with universities abroad so students can have access to cost effective education.

We will therefore conclude our application to UWI for contributing territory status, thereby allowing us to benefit from reduced fees for all students whether they are on scholarship or not.

My Government will continue to ensure the holistic development and empowerment of our youth, and to this end we will facilitate the reopening of the Youth Parliament, implement the Youth Empowerment Policy, fully implement a youth apprenticeship programme and reinstate the cadet programme.

My Government is committed to the development of our teachers and will seek to sign an MOU with National College for Teaching and Leadership in the UK within this year, allowing us to implement part of our teacher development initiative aimed at building teaching and leadership capacity within our schools.

We will engage with CXC to host a number of initiatives aimed at improving teaching and learning in Maths and English at both the primary and secondary school levels.

CULTURE My Government will, through collaboration with our Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders, develop a Culture and National Pride Programme that will allow for the preservation of our heritage and the promotion of our culture.

My Government has already strategically aligned the Culture Department with the Ministry of Tourism and the establishment of Heritage month and a National Culture and Heritage Day during the month of October.

My Government is committed to the development of heritage and culture programmes in collaboration with all schools and nongovernmental organisations.

IMMIGRATION My Government has as its objective, the creation of an immigration policy that ensures that the total population

of Turks and Caicos at any given time is the most peaceful, productive and cohesive mixture, capable of creating and contributing to the social and economic life of these islands, with the result of moving us up on the Human Development Index whilst cultivating a prosperous, advanced society.

My Government has drafted a new Immigration Bill based on the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Immigration Reform and recommendations from other consultations.

This bill will be geared towards protecting the homeland, will be investor and business friendly, will provide human resources for investment and will allow the critical population growth required to drive the future economy of Turks and Caicos Islands.

My Government will strengthen the Labour Board with view to creating a centralised authority concerned with the protection of the social and economic interests of the people of TCI. My Government will seek to provide resources that will ensure the effective surveillance and control of our borders to minimise illegal immigration and poaching.

We will seek the support of the UK Government for these initiatives.

We will strengthen the enforcement of regulations controlling illegal immigration.

CROWN LAND My Government will seek to revise our land policy to ensure equitable distribution of Crown land for residential use and long term leases for major development projects.

We will fund a Development Plan for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands, inclusive of Island Plans, which will guide the future development of the Islands for the next ten years.

My Government will seek to amend the National Parks Ordinance to increase the amount of land in the protected areas and to make provisions for eco-friendly development within national parks.

My Government will enact legislation that will protect the rights of women and children and develop institutions to ensure proper rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

INDEPENDENCE My Government holds as one of its greatest charges the responsibility of readying our nation and our people for the move toward independence.

We will continue the work to convene a Constitutional Committee of the House of Assembly whose mandate will be to review the 2011 Constitution and make recommendations for constitutional change and advancement.

Guided by God our father, and bonded together by blood and the passion to build these our Turks and Caicos Islands, may we as a Government both of the people and for the people succeed in all our ventures.

May God bless us all, and may God bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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NEWS 17

Science & Technology Obesity quadruples to nearly one billion in developing world The number of overweight and obese adults in the developing world has almost quadrupled to around one billion since 1980, says a report from a UK think tank.

The Overseas Development Institute said one in three people worldwide was now overweight and urged governments to do more to influence diets.

In the UK, 64% of adults are classed as being overweight or obese.

The report predicts a “huge increase” in heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.

Globally, the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese classed as having a body mass index greater than 25 - grew from 23% to 34% between 1980 and 2008.

The majority of this increase was seen in the developing world, particularly in countries where incomes were rising, such as Egypt and Mexico.

The ODI’s Future Diets report says this is due to changing diets and a shift from eating cereals and grains to the consumption of more fats, sugar, oils and animal products.

A total of 904 million people in developing countries are now classed as overweight or above, with a BMI of more than 25, up from 250 million in 1980.

This compares to 557 million in high-income countries. Over the same period, the global population nearly doubled.

At the same time, however, undernourishment is still recognised to be a problem for hundreds of millions of people in the developing world,

Mauqueita Carter is Miss Body Beautiful TCI 2013

Body show contestants urged to prepare WITH just seven months to go until the second annual physique and fitness contest, organisers are urging competitors to begin preparations.

August 1 will see the return of The Body Show: Miss Body Beautiful and Mr Best Body 2014, which is set to showcase physicality, personality, sportsmanship and personal growth.

It is open to men and women aged 18 or older, with no restriction on height, marital status, race or nationality.

Past stage experience is not necessary. All that is required is being fit, having positive self-image and the confidence to compete in front of a live audience.

The Body Show motto is

‘Stronger, Confident, Attractive’ and contestants will be judged during three segments - introduction, sportswear and swimwear.

The winners will receive Lime advertising campaigns, cell phones with plans and $1,500 in cash.

The Body Show competition will take place at Brayton Hall, Venetian Road, Providenciales.

Registration will not take place until June 7, but anyone is welcome to submit their names and photographs in advance of that date.

For more information contact Courtney Robinson on 232-6796 in Providenciales, or Kereitta Simpson on 241-3989 in Grand Turk or email thebodyshowtci@gmail.com.

A total of 904 million people in developing countries are now classed as overweight or above, with a BMI of more than 25, up from 250 million in 1980.

particularly children.

Using data published in Population Health Metrics last year, the researchers looked at changing overweight and obesity rates across the regions of the world and by individual country.

The regions of North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America saw large increases in overweight and obesity rates to a level on a par with Europe, around 58%.

While North America still has the highest percentage of overweight adults at 70%, regions such as Australasia and southern Latin America are now not far behind with 63%.

DIET LINKED TO INCOME The greatest growth in overweight

people occurred in south east Asia, where the percentage tripled from a lower starting point of 7% to 22%.

Among individual countries, the report found that overweight and obesity rates had almost doubled in China and Mexico, and risen by a third in South Africa since 1980.

Many countries in the Middle East also had a high percentage of overweight adults.

One of the report authors, Steve Wiggins, said there were likely to be multiple reasons for the increases.

“People with higher incomes have the ability to choose the kind of foods they want. Changes in lifestyle, the increasing availability of processed foods, advertising, media influences... have all led to dietary changes.”

‘Sticky balls’ may stop cancer spreading CANCER-KILLING “sticky balls” can destroy tumour cells in the blood and may prevent cancers spreading, early research suggests.

The most dangerous and deadly stage of a tumour is when it spreads around the body.

Scientists at Cornell University, in the US, have designed nanoparticles that stay in the bloodstream and kill migrating cancer cells on contact.

They said the impact was “dramatic” but there was “a lot more work to be done”.

One of the biggest factors in life expectancy after being diagnosed with cancer is whether the tumour has spread to become a metastatic cancer.

“About 90% of cancer deaths are related to metastases,” said lead researcher Prof Michael King.

The team at Cornell devised a new way of tackling the problem.

Breast cancers can spread to other tissues in the body.

They attached a cancer-killing protein called Trail, which has already been used in cancer trials, and other sticky proteins to tiny spheres or nanoparticles.

When these sticky spheres were injected into the blood, they latched

on to white blood cells.

Tests showed that in the rough and tumble of the bloodstream, the white blood cells would bump into any tumour cells which had broken off the main tumour and were trying to spread.

Lifestyle...

18

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

GARDENING 

How does your garden grow

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 denis@naturesplendor.net

Royal palm and ganoderma butt rot ROYAL palm trees are popular in many warm, coastal landscapes.

There are ten species of royal palm, also known as roystonea, around the world. They can be found in the Caribbean, Central and South American, Florida, Texas and California.

The grace and beauty of a royal palm makes it a popular tree along

the streets of many cities. Often they are used in the islands of large parking lots or in medians along the highway. Nothing says tropical like the majestic royal palm.

Royal palm trees can reach 50 to 100 feet high with a growth rate of around a foot each year. Fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in the summer.

Evergreen leaf-blades reaching 18 to

Weekly Recipe

Leek and potato soup SERVES: 6-8

INGREDIENTS • 50g butter • 450g potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm pieces (try Golden Wonders or Kerr Pinks) • 1 small onion, cut the same size as the potatoes • 450g white parts of leeks, sliced (save the green tops for another soup or stock) • 850ml-1.2litres/1½-2pts light chicken or vegetable stock • 142ml carton whipping cream • 125ml full-fat milk • The white part of 1 leek • A small knob of butter • Finely chopped chives METHOD • Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. When it foams, add the potatoes, onion and leeks and toss them in the butter until they are well coated.

• Season well with salt and freshly ground pepper and toss again.

Put a disc of greaseproof paper (called a cartouche by chefs) on top of the vegetables to keep in the steam), then cover the pan with its lid.

• Cook over a gentle heat for 10

minutes, or until the vegetables are soft but not coloured.

• Uncover the pan and discard the paper. Pour in 850ml/11⁄2 pints of the stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the vegetables are just cooked – about five minutes.

• Do not overcook or the soup will lose its fresh flavour.

• Purée in a blender until silky smooth, in batches if necessary, then taste and adjust the seasoning.

• Return the soup to a clean pan and stir in three quarters of the cream and all of the milk.

• To finish the soup, finely shred the white leek and gently cook it in the hot butter for a few minutes until it is softened but not coloured.

• Reheat the soup to a gentle simmer (add some extra stock at this point if the soup is too thick for your liking), then pour into warmed bowls.

• Drizzle the remaining cream over each serving, top with a little pile of buttered leeks and a scattering of chives and black pepper and serve at once.

The Weekly News is looking for a restaurant, café or personal chef to contribute weekly recipes to the newspaper. For more information call 946-4664 or email tcweeklynews.com.

36 inches top a crown shaft that is long and green. Purple to black halfinch fruits are showy but not edible.

This palm prefers full sun to partial shade. Soil can be clay, sand or loam; it doesn’t seem to be very picky in this regard.

The royal palm prefers acidic to slightly alkaline soil, but be careful not to have too much alkalinity or the fronds may come out frizzled.

It likes lots of water but it is not very drought tolerant. While it does love to be watered, it must be well drained.

The royal palm is resistant to many pests and diseases; however there are a few that you should be aware of, the big problem is ganoderma butt rot, a fungal disease that will kill infected palms.

By the time symptoms are visible, the tree has already been rotted on the inside therefore, no treatment is available. Removal of the tree is the only option.

Ganoderma butt rot is caused by the fungus ganoderma zonatum. This fungus degrades or rots the lower four to five feet of the trunk. All palms are considered hosts of this fungus.

Symptoms may include wilting (mild to severe) or a general decline. The disease is confirmed by observing the basidiocarp (conk) on the trunk. This is a hard, shelf-like structure that will be attached to the lower four to five feet of the palm trunk. However, not all diseased palms produce conks prior to death.

A palm cannot be diagnosed with ganoderma butt rot until the basidiocarp (conk) forms on the trunk, or the internal rotting of the trunk is observed after the palm is cut down.

Conditions that are conducive for disease development are unknown.

There are currently no cultural or chemical controls for preventing the disease or for curing the disease once the palm is infected.

A palm should be removed as soon as possible after the conks appear on the trunk. Remove as much of the stump and root system as possible when the palm is removed.

Because the fungus survives in the soil, planting another palm back in that same location is not recommended without special precautions.

All palms are assumed to be susceptible to this disease. While not all palms growing in Turks and Caicos have been found with

ganoderma butt rot.

No environmental conditions or landscape management practices have been observed that favour the development of ganoderma butt rot.

The disease occurs in natural settings (palms never transplanted) and in

highly-maintained, transplanted landscapes.

It occurs on palms that have been maintained very well nutritionally (no nutrient deficiencies) and on palms that were severely stressed by deficiencies.

January 11 - 17, 2014

Lifestyle...

YOUR DIET

ASK TAMIKA

BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD

Tamika graduated from Florida International University with a Master's Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. She is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and licenced to practise medical nutrition therapy in the state of Florida. Email Tamika at tamikahandfield@ yahoo.com with your healthy eating questions.

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

HAPPY new year to you the readers! I do hope 2014 is filled with health, love and happiness for you and your family.

I am asked many questions but one question that keeps coming is: “What can I give my child for lunch?”

Many parents find this to be a very stressful area of parenting.

However, there is a very helpful tool that can help to guide parents in making healthful lunch selections for their children.

MyPlate, produced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a pictorial guide that shows parents how to build a healthy plate using foods from each of the five food groups: grains, protein, vegetables, fruits and dairy.

MyPlate gives bite size reminders parents can use when they are trying to pack their children’s lunches. It reminds parents to focus on fruits, vary their vegetables, make half their children’s grains whole grains, go lean with protein and to ensure their children get calcium rich foods.

Many children like to have a conventional lunch that includes a sandwich, fruit, vegetables, snack item, and a drink. However, some children prefer to ‘pick’ and do better with yogurt or cheese, for example.

If this is the case with your child, make sure the meal contains a protein (deli meat, peanut butter, tuna fish and eggs) fruit and/ or vegetables to eat raw, or with low-fat dip and some carbohydrate (pretzels, multigrain crackers or high-fibre granola bar).

Packing a healthy lunch can prove to be futile if the child is not exposed to a variety of healthful foods on a daily basis. Packing crunchy carrots and low-fat ranch dip may sound so appealing but if your child won’t go near it, the purpose has been defeated.

One way to ensure your child eats what is packed in his/her lunch box is to involve him/her in packing the lunch, as much as possible.

Ask what he/she would like to eat; take a trip to the grocery store and choose healthy foods together. By doing this, you are not only talking about healthy choices, but you are teaching how to make healthy choices as well.

Nutrition in Demand. A non-profit organisation helping you to 'Eat healthy today...live longer, better tomorrow'. Call 242-3978 or 442-3978.

By Dr Mark Osmond

The basics of great dental care AT THIS time of year I like to use this column to take the opportunity to look at the basics of good dental care.

Most people know generally what they should be doing but it’s easy to slip into bad habits. Therefore this is a friendly reminder to encourage you and your family to get on track with a healthy dental care regime for 2014!

It’s not tough, it’s not expensive and it doesn’t take much time!

MyPlate to the rescue

19

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Brushing teeth This is the single most important thing you can do to care for your teeth. You should brush at least twice a day, when you get up in the morning and the last thing before going to bed at night.

Use a toothbrush with a small head as this makes it easier to get into hard-to-reach places in the mouth.

In general I recommend a fluoride toothpaste as fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, can reverse early decay and help reduce sensitivity.

Gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth.

Two minutes is enough time to thoroughly brush an adult’s teeth.

(Now that really isn’t much is it?!)

Also, keep an eye on the ‘health’ of your tooth brush. If the bristles are splaying out and flattening it’s time to invest in a new one.

In the case of younger children, it

mouth wash that is alcohol-free.

Diet Trying to avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar and eating a diet that contains plenty of fresh vegetables and the full complement of vitamins and minerals will help keep the teeth and gums healthy and strong.

is often better that the adult does at least some of the brushing.

I do not want to discourage children from brushing their own teeth but from experience with my own children I know that if I leave them to brush unassisted they generally just eat the toothpaste and then chew the toothbrush for a few seconds before announcing that they’ve finished!

Flossing and mouthwash It is recommended that adults floss once a day; after you have brushed your teeth in the evening is a good time.

Some people like to use a mouth wash although this is not completely necessary for people with good oral hygiene.

I recommend a peroxide mouthwash as the foaming action or bubbles can be effective in lifting any remaining food particles from the teeth. I strongly recommend a

Regular visits to the dentist Six monthly check-ups with the dentist will ensure that any problems are detected early and corrective action can be taken.

You can have cavities or gum disease without necessarily having pain; bad breath, bleeding gums, a white or light brown mark on the teeth can all be signs of potential problems or you may have no obvious symptoms at all.

Early detection and correction of dental problems will mean less chance of dental pain, less chance of requiring emergency or complex treatment and less chance of losing teeth.

Professional cleaning will also ensure that teeth are given a thorough, deep cleaning and any calculus - which regular brushing at home cannot remove - is scaled away.

These simple, back-to-basic steps will go a long way to keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

POLICE SAFETY TIPS

Mark it, protect it, don’t regret it!

THE ROYAL Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) as a precaution is advising the public to mark all valuable items and sentimental property from your house, garage, shed and vehicles.

If you were burgled, would you be able to describe your valuables in detail to the police or insurance company?

Every year, police recover property but because it can’t be identified, it is not returned to its rightful owners.

This also means that police officers cannot prove that they were stolen, and will mean thieves profit from selling your valuables.

Don’t make it easy for a criminal – mark your property. It is very easy – mark your property with a clear identification mark, which cannot be erased easily.

By Audley Astwood

Police Public Relations Officer

As an example, use your phone number or house number followed by the initials of your name.

Where you mark your property is important. If you want the mark to be out of sight choose somewhere behind or underneath the article but make sure the police can find it.

There is a wide variety of property marking kits available to buy on the internet from invisible options like UV

pens to permanent visible markings like engraving.

An ultra-violet (UV) pen puts an invisible mark on your property, which can only be seen under UV light.

UV marking is one of the most popular methods of marking property, as it is an inexpensive way of marking property, which doesn’t reduce the value.

UV ink can fade over a period of 12 months if exposed to strong sunlight or heat. Markings should be reapplied on a regular basis.

Mark it, protect it, don’t regret it!

There are many other options to mark your property, please visit our website at www.tcipolice.tc or www.facebook.com/RTCIPF for more information.

20

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Barbados government to approve new CLICO plan soon - Sinckler THE Barbados government says it will shortly approve a new plan for the restructuring of the operations of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO).

Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Chris Sinckler said that many of the cabinet papers have been completed and submitted regarding the approval of the formal and final restructuring plan for CLICO. “We expect thereafter the judicial managers will shortly...not sure of the time frame in a couple of weeks or so, will return to the courts and indicate to the courts that the government has thrown its full support behind the restructuring plan which was identified when they last went to the court and had tentative approval for it”.

The appointment of the judicial manager is part of the initiative by Eastern Caribbean governments, including Barbados, to recover some of the assets of policy holders with the Trinidad-based CLICO, which is part of the financially troubled CL Financial Group.

On February 4, 2011 the Supervisor of Insurance in Barbados announced the appointment of a judicial manager and on March 2, the Regulatory Authority in Barbados made an application to the Supreme Court of Barbados for an order of

judicial management.

CLICO and its sister company, the British American Insurance Company (BAICO) collapsed in 2009 and the Trinidad and Tobago government signed a shareholders’ agreement with then CLICO chairman Lawrence Duprey following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between them on January 30, 2009. The MOU gave the government control of 49 per cent of CLICO’s shares.

The then Patrick Manning government injected seven billion Trinidad and Tobago dollars (US$1.01 billion) into CLICO in 2009 to keep the collapsed insurance firm running and protect policy holders.

A few months later, through the passage of legislation in the Parliament, the Kamla Persad Bissessar led coalition People’s Partnership Government committed a further TT$13 billion (US$2.01 billion) to keep the floundering insurance company afloat.

“We are going to go ahead and implement the Barbados portion of it. We are still waiting on our OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) partners to make a decision whether they are going to participate or not and at what

level. But we feel that people have been waiting long enough and we’ve taken the decision that we are going to move ahead with that restructuring plan. Basically that plan says that we create a new company,” Sinckler told reporters.

“We put the insurance business sanitized as it is into that new company that the government will create. Two property trusts, one in the OECS and one in Barbados in which the assets will be placed. We will then issue bonds against the value of the assets of course you know here is a deficit between what is owed as liability and what is asset value.

“I believe about 400 million dollars (One Barbados dollar = US$0.50 cents) but they are going to do a current valuation to see what’s the difference.

He said once this is done, the authorities here would invite persons who have EFPA’s (Executive Flexible Premium Annuities) “to take a traditional annuity structured appropriately to suit their investment.

“Those persons who are corporate will be given interest in the new companies and from there we expect the orderly restructuring of that entity will be well on its way,” he added. (CMC)

Twenty murders in T&T for 2014

THE coalition People’s Partnership government Tuesday announced an all-out attack on criminal elements in Trinidad and Tobago as the island recorded its 19th murder in just seven days.

By the eighth day of the year another person was murdered, which carried the number to 20 for the year.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, speaking to reporters after a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) said that she was re-affirming her administration’s commitment to dealing with the crime situation.

“As Prime Minister today I re-affirm my commitment to our citizens that whatever we have to do to defeat criminals within the law, wherever they hide we will do it.

“I will not allow and evil and violent minority to continue to inflict harm, fear and tragedy on the lives of our citizens. Where ever you hide, whoever your accomplices are and whatever you believe you have done with impunity we will find you and you will be punished”.

She said at the meeting it was decided with “immediate effect, the Commissioner (of Police Stephenson Williams) has advised that all leave has been restricted in Trinidad and

the Tobago Police Service so we can have all hands on deck in the fight against crime.

“This means all officers from the top to the bottom. There is to be a greater collaborative effort between the police and the Defence Force to maximize the use of all their resources in this matter.”

Persad Bissessar said that she would no longer tolerate excuses for failure by the protective and security forces, adding “violence by a very small minority is eating away at the freedoms and peace that the majority has a right to enjoy.

“A murder is not simply a murder.

Violence is not simply violence,” she said, adding that “at no time can crime be considered acceptable and the recent spike in violence and murders has made the situation completely intolerable”.

Police Tuesday reported the latest three murders were committed in Arouca, east of here and in Cedros, in south Trinidad.

In Arouca, 38-year-old Hezekiah Mark, was shot and his body dumped in a drain opposite the house where he lived.

Police are also searching for the killers of Krishna Ramdeen, 63, and his wife Radha, 57, after their

son discovered their bodies on the ground floor of the house.

The woman had been suffocated with a plastic bag and it is uncertain how Krihsna Ramdeen died. But police said there was blood everywhere.

Last year the country recorded 405 murders and Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said she would not be fazed by the fight against criminals adding “we will face them head on and we will win.

“The government and people of Trinidad and Tobago are demanding results now and therefore they must see results now,” she said.

On Monday, a senior member of the government said he was in favour of the resumption of hangings here and Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said that legislation had been brought to Parliament, but did not find support with the opposition.

“Until such time as the opposition sees it fit to give that support we cannot implement the death penalty in that manner to save us from the various court cases, like the Pratt and Morgan” where the Londonbased Privy Council ruled that a delay in excess of five years or more would constitute ‘cruel and inhuman treatment’ contrary to the Constitution of Jamaica.

January 11 - 17, 2014

Mitchell: we are waging a war against human smuggling AS details continue to emerge over an alleged human smuggling ring in Grand Bahama, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the government is waging a war on the illegal activity.

His words follow pleas from relatives and family members for assistance in finding two Jamaican men, 35-year-old Dwayne Campbell, Andre Laroi Bignal, 34, and one Peruvian woman, Nelly Alva, 47.

They all allegedly went missing on December 18 along with at least three other Jamaican nationals and a man from New Zealand seeking unauthorised entry by boat into the US from Grand Bahama. The journey is said to have begun at around 8pm and involved a woman who is said to have collected thousands of dollars from each person in the group for the trip.

These latest details came to The Tribune from Danielle Rose, a relative of Andre, who said he called family members on the day of the alleged journey.

She said: “He came to the Bahamas to try to make it to the U.S by boat illegally. We, the family, have little info because he did not inform us of his plans, because he knew we would have talked him out of it.

“We, the family, are struggling.

His mother is losing weight rapidly.

A lot of us are trying to stay positive.

I don’t want to think negative. He is his mother’s only child and has two kids of his own. We are just hoping for the best.

“I have been talking to two detectives in Grand Bahama. About four or five days ago an Officer Curtis instructed me to send authorities there

Bahamas’ Foreign Affairs Minister said that his government is waging a continuous war on human smuggling.

photographs of the guys because there is a possibility that they are detained in a Freeport jail.

“We know without a shadow of a doubt that they would have called us by now if they made it.”

Attempts were made to contact Officer Curtis but they were unsuccessful.

A sister of Nelly, Melba Alva, raised several questions by email about the priority of the situation for government officials in the Bahamas.

She said: “Nelly Alva has been missing for 19 days and your country, your government and your police department do nothing. “(Does) the life and liberty of a person not have a price in your country? Human trafficking, slavery, (and) trafficking drugs (exists) and this government is indifferent. Everyone knows and sees the indifference of the Bahamas and nobody goes to jail for these crimes. Nelly Alva is still missing.

This is terribly inhumane.”

Dominica union warns it will take ‘action’ over LIME’s decision to retrench workers THE Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Wednesday warned it was prepared to “do something about the situation” as it seeks Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments support for its ongoing industrial problem with the British telecommunications company, LIME. DPSU general secretary Thomas Letang said negotiations with the telecommunications company over plans to retrench workers had broken down. He said the company was seeking to outsource its services.

“A number of employees at LIME are going to be made… redundant. So what LIME would be doing is concentrating on their mobile services… but all the other services…will be outsourced.

“We were looking at the whole question of compensation, the separation package…and that’s where we have some problems and as I said it appears to be a regional thing.

“We are at a juncture where we have to do something about the situation,” Letang said, noting that the union had written to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit who has promised to raise the issue with his regional colleagues.

“But as I said time is running out and even if he had taken it to the level of CARICOM, it means that is very likely that the redundancy, the separation from LIME…would have taken place even before that reaches CARICOM and therefore what the kind of attention we are requesting would not have taken place.

January 11 - 17, 2014

Regional News

21

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

No plan for Antigua to follow Barbados public sector job cuts - Spencer

Myrie was last year awarded US$38,620 in pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages by the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Barbados yet to pay Myrie J$4M JAMAICAN Shanique Myrie is yet to receive the nearly J$4 million in damages from the Barbadian Government, but she remains upbeat.

Myrie was last year awarded US$38,620 in pecuniary and nonpecuniary damages by the Caribbean Court of Justice. The court ruled that evidence Myrie presented about an illegal cavity search and detention in a filthy cell at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport and subsequent deportation was powerful enough for a panel of judges to award her the money.

But almost two months after the ruling Myrie has not yet collected a cent. “It was never about money.

It was more about proving that they treated me wrong, and I am not going to make it look like I am desperate

for money. The moral victory is very satisfying,” Myrie told the Jamaica Observer this week.

As a party to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, Barbados has an obligation to comply with all the judgements of the court promptly.

“I have to get on with my life. The money will come when it comes.

That was never my motivation,” insisted Myrie.

Myrie’s lawyer Michelle Brown confirmed that her client had not yet been paid.

“These things take time, especially with governments. However, we are working on the issue of payment,” said Brown, whose legal fees must also be paid by the Barbadian Government. (Jamaica Observer)

ANTIGUA’S Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer says his administration has no plans to follow its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member country, Barbados, and send home public sector workers in an attempt to revive the ailing economy.

Speaking at a public meeting of his ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) on Tuesday night, Spencer assured supporters that “however we do it, we are not going to embark upon any kind of wholesale retrenchment of government workers, public sector workers”.

He said his government intends to hold on to its obligation “because we recognise that in a situation where the private sector does not have the absorptive capacity to absorb all the workers that are required to be engaged in Antigua and Barbuda, we have a social responsibility as a government.

“What is happening in Barbados and in certain other countries, we could have adapted the same position here because the same issues do exit, but we have taken a different position,” Spencer told supporters.

Late last month, the Barbados government announced a plan to cut public service jobs in a bid to save BDS$143 million (One BDS dollar = US$0.50 cents).

It said it would also institute a “strict programme of attrition” across the central public service, filling posts only where it is absolutely unavoidable, over the next five years, ending 2018-2019.

Antigua’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said his government has a social responsibility to its people.

The Freundel Stuart government said it intends to trim the service by 3,000 jobs starting from January 15.

Prime Minister Spencer said despite the exiting socio-economic problems, some nationals were doing better than their relatives residing in the United States and Britain to the point that they were now sending them money to help them overcome their financial problems.

“A lot of you know that you have friends and relatives living in the United States and in the United Kingdom and so on and you know the kind of challenges that they have so much so that you have a situation where the remittances that you used to get from your friends and relatives

Chikungunya infections continue to rise in St. Martin Cayman Islands should not

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is reporting an increase in the number of cases of Chikungunya disease on the Caribbean island of St. Martin.

It says there are now has 89 confirmed and 20 probable cases of chikungunya, a viral disease, carried mainly by the aedes aegypti mosquito that causes a dengue-like sickness.

Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue.

The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare.

There is no vaccine or treatment for Chikungunya, which has infected millions of people in Africa and Asia since the disease was first recorded in 1952.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said that this is the first time locallyacquired cases of Chikungunya have been detected in the Caribbean.

In its update, released Monday, the ECDC said that the number of cases of the disease had increased from 66 in December.

The ECDC said the Dutch side of the island has reported one case and that the nearby islands of St. Barthelemy (11), Martinique (8) and Guadeloupe (3) confirmed cases.

The ECDC had earlier warned of the “autochthonous transmission of chikungunya on St. Martin, risk for travel-related cases in continental Europe and unlikely onward transmission from imported cases in EU”.

The ECDC warned that the risk of spread of the disease from St. Martin to other islands in the Caribbean region was “high”, adding that the disease is “new to the Caribbean, therefore, the laboratory capacity to confirm suspected cases is limited and should be strengthened”. (CMC)

rush gambling decision – CITA

TIM Adam, secretary of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) has insisted that the island group should not ‘rush’ into a decision on gambling despite fellow British overseas territory Bermuda having announced plans of its own.

According to the Bernews.com website, Bermuda Premier Craig Cannonier recently said that rather than holding a referendum on gambling, the subject would instead be decided by a vote in parliament.

Reports in the local media suggest that legislation is likely to be passed as a result of the proposed parliamentary vote.

Despite Bermuda’s moves, Adam said that the issue of gambling should be decided only after a public education campaign and a referendum.

“We do not think Cayman should rush into following Bermuda on this,” Adam said. “We would need to consider what type of visitors gambling might attract, and there should also be studies done on whether Cayman’s existing visitors

would be in favor of or against the introduction of gambling.

“The pros and cons of gambling and its anticipated socioeconomic impacts would have to be carefully analysed and shared with the public before CITA could be in a position to make any such recommendation to the government in favor of or against introducing gambling.”

Adam said the decision by Bermuda would not impact Cayman and could actually backfire on Bermuda instead.

“As a tourist destination, Cayman has for several years successfully competed against many other Caribbean destinations that already offer gambling, so if Bermuda introduces gambling it is doubtful that would have a significant negative impact on tourist arrivals here,” he added.

“Of course it could even turn out that we get some tourists coming to Cayman to avoid Bermuda because of them introducing gambling.”

(Igamingbusiness.com)

in the United States and Canada and elsewhere, you are not getting those remittances.

“As a matter of fact, you have a situation where the little that you have down here, you have to be sending up to them. So you have the remittances in reverse now,” he added. (BBC)

Dutch Foreign Minister calls for new EU policy on Cuba DUTCH Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans has urged the European Union to take a new look at its relationship with Cuba.

Mr Timmermans, who is on a visit to Cuba, said the best way to promote change on the Communist-run island was through dialogue, not isolation.

The EU restricts its political ties with the Cuban government to try to encourage multi-party democracy and an end to human rights violations.

He is the first Dutch foreign minister to visit since the 1959 revolution.

Mr Timmermans said that the economic reforms under way on the island were “encouraging”.

According to Communist newspaper Juventud Rebelde, he told the Cuban VicePresident of the Council of Minister, Ricardo Cabrisas, that the economic changes were a chance to improve business and human ties between the two countries.

In 1996, the EU agreed on a set of rules governing its relations with Cuba, called the Common Position.

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January 11 - 17, 2014

Funds from walkathon to be used for overweight children’s camp

BY DAISY HANDFIELD Volunteer Tyla Greene and organiser Tamika Handfield

ORGANISERS hope to raise at least $6,000 from this weekend’s Move-a-

Thank You "The Department of Culture would like to express sincere gratitude to the sponsors, supporters and collaborators for making Maskanoo 2013 a great success" MM The Wine Cellar MM The Premiers Office MM TCHTA: Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association MM Casablanca Casino MM The Weekly News MM Blue Haven MM NM Hamilton Insurance MM Turtle Cove Marina MM Kishco MM TCI Waste Disposal MM CIBC MM BCQS MM Scotia Bank MM Turks & Caicos Tourist Board MM Tony Garland & Crew MM TCFAF: Turks & Caicos Friends of the Arts MM The Turks & Caicos Sports Department MM The H.A.B. Group MM Power 92.5 MM Radio Realize 91.5 MM FORTIS MM The SUN MM Paradise Scooter MM IGA MM Blue Loos MM Sail Rock MM Dove Security MM The Grace Bay Merchants MM The Regent Village Merchants MM Kevin Bethel MM Sam Nager MM Carol & David Klinco MM Courtney Robinson MM Beth Atkins MM The Maskanoo Committee MM The Royal Turks & Caicos Police

MM EMS (Mr. Green and staff) MM Kew Band Links MM Kino Kaz Elroy and Dez MM Wesley Methodist Steel Pan Orch.

MM Carl Lewis MM Rhythmic Flavor Dancers MM Life Television Crew MM Clyde Smith MM Dion & Crew at Got You Covered MM Kitch Penn & We Funk MM Mr. Panga & The Filipino Asso MM Kendrick Ingham & the Five Cays Rushers MM Linda & Mike St. Louis MM Christiane Becht MM Chloe Zimmerman MM Lulu MM Arnold Simmons MM The Goose Shirt Company MM Turtle Cove Marina MM Barbara Johnson MM Angela Freites MM Discover Magazine MM Sonny at Indian Bazaar MM Times of the Islands MM Island Life & Times emag MM Jonnel Taylor Shop MM Shara Goldsmith-Bowen MM Gary Saimpha MM Cove Construction MM Mrs. June Harris and Customs Department MM The Regent Palms MM The Maskanoo Food Vendors MM The Maskanoo Craft Vendors MM Diana, Allan & Pastor at 88.1 The Breakfast Show MM Mike & Clive of Bay Bistro

thon to pay for a summer camp for overweight children.

The third annual fun run is scheduled for Saturday (January

11) at 5.30am and will start at the Children’s Park in The Bight, Providenciales.

Participants can register for any of the three categories; 5km, 10km or half a marathon and have the option of walking, biking or running.

Tamika Handfield, registered dietician and executive director for Nutrition in Demand, gathered press together at Provo Plaza on Wednesday (January 1) to talk about the event.

She said that Beaches Turks and Caicos’ environmental committee will be helping to put on the second annual health fair which is incorporated into the event.

“There will be a variety of health professionals from the various health disciplines as the environmental side of it that’s coming on. We are hoping to have a fun family event,” Handfield explained.

The executive director said that she wants to eventually visit the outer islands as well so that funds can assist residents there.

Last year the event was attended by well over 200 people and raised about $4,000, according to Handfield, but this year she hopes to attract a bigger crowd and raise more cash.

“We had a lot of volunteers from British West Indies Collegiate on board as well and they were really helpful in helping the food running of the event,” she said.

Handfield said that there will be a lot of games and activities on the beach for the children.

She explained that all funds raised will go towards setting up a summer camp for overweight children.

“I think the summer camp is very important,” she said, “it focuses on nutrition as well as physical activity for children who are overweight.

“But we do it in a way that those students who are overweight do not feel intimidated by other friends, so it’s a fun environment for them to learn to manage their weight.”

One of the volunteers, Tayla Greene who was present at the press conference said that exercising should be instilled in people from an early age.

She said: “It is an important thing to have kids exercise from a younger age because obviously kids who are exposed to exercise from younger age will grow up to be adults who participate in exercise when older and here in the Turks and Caicos where there is the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity it is important to kids to do that.”

For more information on the event, contact Tamika Handfield on 242-3978 or 442-3978.

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Resorts foundation reveals what is inside the box A WOODEN cruise ship was the ‘What’s in the Box’ hidden item for the Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation’s annual competition.

On Friday (January 3), officials from the foundation together with Lime Turks and Caicos revealed to the public what was really hidden inside the box and announced the five winners who guessed correctly.

They were Diana Swann, Sea Cair Corporate Services, Linda Williams, Kenrick Walters and Kirkland Rolle.

First prize was a round trip ticket for two to New York, second a stay at the West Bay Club, third a grilling experience from Do it Centre, fourth prize was an account with cash from First Caribbean International Bank and finally a smartphone from Lime

went to the fifth prize winner.

Carlton Mills, manager for talent growth and local affairs at Grace Bay Club, said that he was honoured that this competition could go on for yet another year.

He said: “I am pleased that we have been able to undertake this exercise once again. I think this initiative is a very important one.

“It not only demonstrates our partners’ support for education but provides the support to further enhance the teaching and learning process in our schools.”

He commended Albert Higgs for keeping the boat building heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands alive and for his “magnificent” piece of craft work.

Lime’s Rachel Harvey, boat builder Albert Higgs, Grace Bay Club’s Carlton Mills and West Bay Club’s Mrs Pitcher show off what’s in the box

A ceremony was held at the Lime headquarters on Friday (January 9) in Providenciales to give participants their prizes.

Annually the Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation

in association with their various partners give people the chance to win great prizes by simply sending a text message from their mobile devices.

To win these prizes, contestants

simply have to guess what is inside the big Christmas box that is set up by the roundabout opposite the First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) on the Leeward Highway.

(DH)

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Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

China fines Zhang Yimou $1.2m over one-child policy breach CHINA has fined popular film director Zhang Yimou more than one million dollars for violating the country’s onechild policy.

The director, who said he has three children, has 30 days to pay 7.5m yuan ($1.2m, £729,000), state media say.

Mr Zhang, known for directing the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony in 2008, in December apologised for violating the strict policy.

China introduced the policy in the 1970s to curb population growth.

The policy until recently limited most urban couples to a single child. Rural families were allowed to have two children if their first-born was a girl.

But last year, China said it would relax the policy families will be allowed two children if one parent is an only child.

The family planning bureau in Binhu district, Wuxi city,

Mr Zhang confirmed he has three children with his wife.

Jiangsu province, sent Mr Zhang a letter collecting the “social maintenance fee”, Xinhua news agency says, citing the district’s official microblog account.

The fine was calculated based on the income of Mr Zhang and his wife, Chen Ting, when their two sons and daughter were born, the Binhu government said.

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Beauty queen’s killers nabbed, Venezuela says

THE killers of a Venezuelan soap opera star and former beauty queen are among seven suspects who have been arrested, Venezuela’s interior minister said.

The shooting deaths of actress Monica Spear and her ex-husband have galvanised the public to turn up the pressure on the government to act on Venezuela’s high crime rates.

The victims’ 5-year-old daughter witnessed the roadside shooting and suffered a gunshot wound herself, but survived.

No one has been charged yet, but officials say there is evidence linking the suspects to the double homicide.

“It’s terrible that this happened, and society has to react,” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said at a security meeting he convened with mayors and governors on Wednesday. “It is not time to faint, to throw in the towel, to let our guard down. To the contrary, it’s time to react.”

But during the same meeting, Maduro theorized that Spears’ killing may not have been a robbery or a normal street crime.

“This murder seems more like a contract killing,” he said.

The president did not elaborate on his statement.

Later in the day, the Interior Ministry announced that the killers were among seven suspects who had been arrested, but did not mention a contract killing or other motive.

Those arrested were four men, a woman and two juveniles, according to the state-run AVN news agency.

Some of the victims’ belongings were found on the suspects, AVN reported.

Sandra Bullock took home four trophies.

The former beauty queen Monica Spear and her husband were shot dead in an apparent robbery.

Spear was Miss Venezuela in 2004 and represented her country in the Miss Universe pageant the next year.

Her popularity opened the door to acting roles in soap operas that eventually made her an international star.

Spear, who studied theater at the University of Central Florida before winning the Miss Venezuela crown, appeared on the Telemundo soap operas “Flor Salvaje” (Savage Flower) and “Pasion Prohibida” (Forbidden Passion).

Her brother, Ricardo Spear, told HLN’s Nancy Grace that the actress’s daughter was released from the hospital and was with family.

The child does not know that her parents are dead, and the family has reached out to psychologists about how to handle the situation, Ricardo

Spear said.

“We’re going to do it slowly, we’re going to use metaphors: They went to heaven, they’re up there watching you, they’re taking care of you, they love you,” he said.

The Spear family is not one to hold on to anger, the brother said, and has nothing to say to whoever ended Monica Spear’s life. Family members are filled with sadness, but hope that something good can come from the tragedy, he said. .

Venezuela is one of the world’s most violent countries, according to a United Nations ranking.

One person is killed roughly every 21 minutes in Venezuela. And there were 24,700 violent deaths last year in the oil-rich country of roughly 30 million people, according to the nonprofit Venezuelan Violence Observatory.

Brown rejects plea deal in D.C. court

SINGER Chris Brown appeared before a Washington judge Wednesday along with his bodyguard Christopher Hollosy, facing assault charges stemming from an incident outside the W hotel in October 2013.

Brown and Hollosy were offered plea deals which would charge each of them with only one count of simple assault. But since video surveillance from the incident still hasn’t been entered into evidence, and Brown’s bodyguard is only facing one count of assault to begin with, lawyers for Brown and Hollosy said they are rejecting the current plea deal at this time.

Both sides agreed to meet again on February 20. That would give both legal teams ample time to review the evidence once it is available and negotiate a possible plea deal.

Brown’s lawyers have requested a waiver of appearance for him for the February court date, citing the

Chris Brown rejected the initial plea deal in his assault charges.

singer’s current enrollment in rehab for anger management. To appear in court would cause Brown to miss up to three days of treatment, his lawyers argued, delaying his completion of the program.

Brown faces 180 days in jail and

a fine of up to $1,000 if convicted in Washington, but the singer’s real legal troubles are in California.

Brown has been on probation for charges stemming from 2009, when he brutally attacked his thengirlfriend Rihanna.

Sandra Bullock sweeps People’s Choice Awards

SANDRA Bullock reigned supreme at the 40th annual People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday night, taking home four trophies as the evening’s top winner.

The actress was named favourite movie actress, comedic actress, dramatic actress and shared the favourite movie duo award with Gravity co-star George Clooney.

Bullock’s buddy comedy, The Heat, co-starring Melissa McCarthy, was awarded favourite comedic movie.

Fans deemed Ellen DeGeneres their favourite daytime TV host, making her the woman who has gained the most People’s Choice Awards with a total of 14 trophies.

“As a young girl growing up in New Orleans, if anyone would have told me I was going to win 14 People’s Choice Awards I...I mean 12, yes. 13, maybe. But 14?” joked DeGeneres, host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who said that she wanted to make the show for everyone from old, young, black, white, gay and straight.

Iron Man 3 scored three awards including favourite movie, action movie and the film’s star, Robert Downey Jr., channelling Iron Man in his acceptance speech, received the favourite action movie star honour.

Justin Timberlake also nabbed three awards. Among them was the favourite album accolade for The 20/20 Experience. In a sweet moment, he thanked his “beautiful wife,” Jessica Biel, “for teaching me patience and the little things like just putting the dishes in the dishwasher.

It goes a long way. Fellas, you’re welcome.”

Katy Perry, who was not at the show, scored the win for favourite video for the third year in a row, following up last year’s award for Part of Me and 2012’s honour for Last Friday Night with her hit Roar this year.

A pregnant Drew Barrymore, who joked that DeGeneres had called her fat backstage, presented her Blended

co-star Adam Sandler with the comedic movie actor award.

After debuting her talk show The Queen Latifah Show in 2013, fans crowned Queen Latifah their favourite new talk show host.

Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, the stars of The Vampire Diaries, earned the award for best on-screen chemistry at the People’s Choice Awards. The duo, who had their round of breakups and makeups on-screen and off, joked about their coupledom.

“The good thing is chemistry,” said Dobrev, with her arm around Somerhalder, who she is no long romantically attached to. They managed to make a would-be awkward moment entertaining by addressing their buzz-worthy pairing head-on.

Shemar Moore heavily hit on fellow presenter Malin Akerman, cracking jokes about ebony and ivory and saying he didn’t see a ring on her finger. She played right along, leaning in as the crowd cheered them on.

Stephen Colbert won the favourite late night talk show host award, Britney Spears picked up the favourite pop artist honour, and Kaley Cuoco received the favourite comedic TV actress prize as well as the favourite TV comedy award, along with the rest of the cast of The Big Bang Theory.

Sara Bareilles performed her hit Brave, country star Brad Paisley took the stage to sing The Mona Lisa and OneRepublic sang Counting Stars.

Jennifer Hudson was the show’s second humanitarian award recipient for her work with children via her Julian D. King Gift Foundation.

Bullock gained the show’s first humanitarian award in 2013 for her efforts in storm-ravaged New Orleans.

Accompanied on stage by her sister Julia, Hudson, holding back tears, accepted the favourite humanitarian award.

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Gravity leads Bafta nominations

Kesha said that she will not be available for the next 30 days because of treatment.

Kesha treating eating disorder in rehab facility in US US singer Kesha has entered rehab to get treatment for an eating disorder.

In a statement provided by her spokesman on Friday, the star said she would be “unavailable for the next 30 days” as she sought treatment.

“I’m a crusader for being yourself and loving yourself, but I’ve found it hard to practice,” she added.

The 26-year-old, who is at number one on the Official Singles Chart with Timber, is being treated at the Timberline Knolls centre near Chicago.

Kesha said she wanted to “learn to love myself again, exactly as I am”.

No other details were released.

The vegetarian singer, whose full

name is Kesha Rose Sebert and is also known as Kesha, rose to fame with her song Tik Tok. She has also had hits with Crazy Kids and Die Young and featured in the MTV reality series My Crazy Beautiful Life.

In October 2013 a planned Kesha concert was banned by Malaysian authorities, who said it would have hurt cultural and religious sensitivities.

At the time she wrote on Twitter: “To be clear. I did NOT cancel. I was not allowed to play. And then I was going to play anyways and was threatened with imprisonment.”

(BBC)

SPACE drama Gravity leads the way at this year’s Baftas, scoring 11 nominations including best film and best British film.

Its star Sandra Bullock is up for best actress, while Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for best director.

Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave had 10 nods, with five in the main categories including best film, best director and best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o also landed supporting nominations.

American Hustle equalled 12 Years a Slave’s tally, with nominations in all the acting categories for its stars Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.

The 1970s drama, about two con artists who get entangled with the FBI, is also up for best film, with David O Russell nominated for best director and original screenplay.

Ejiofor, who was previously nominated for Bafta’s Rising Star award in 2006, told the BBC working on 12 Years a Slave was “one of the greatest experiences I’ve had as an actor”.

“To be received this way by Bafta is a really phenomenal moment,” he added.

Ejiofor will compete for his award against Bale, Tom Hanks

Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock, leads the Bafta nominations list with 11 nods.

for Captain Phillips, Bruce Dern for Nebraska and Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street.

The best actress category will see Bullock challenge Adams, Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine, Emma Thompson for Saving Mr Banks and Dame Judi Dench for Philomena.

The nominations saw Dame Judi set a Bafta record, with her 15th acting nomination.

That puts her one ahead of Meryl Streep, who was overlooked in the best actress category for August: Osage County.

“I’m very proud to be associated with this film and I thank Bafta voters for the nomination. I’m honoured and thrilled to be in such

fine company,” Dame Judi said.

Other movies competing for best film include Captain Phillips and Philomena, while the latter is also nominated for best British film alongside Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Saving Mr Banks, The Selfish Giant and Rush.

Gravity, Saving Mr Banks and Rush all qualified for the British film category because they were either filmed in the UK, utilised British effects companies or employed other British talent, from writers to producers.

The rules are set out by the BFI’s cultural test, which determines which films are eligible for UK tax relief. (BBC)

Music streaming up by a third in US as CD sales fall James Avery (left) and Will Smith were costars in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Smith pays tribute to “Uncle Phil” WILL Smith has paid tribute to his former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star James Avery, who died last week.

Smith, who played Avery’s nephew in the 1990s sitcom, posted a photo of him with Avery and other cast members on his Facebook page.

He wrote that the picture was taken the last time they were together.

“Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery,” added Smith.

“Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace.”

Avery, who played Judge Philip

Banks in more than 140 episodes of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, died aged 68 from complications after heart surgery.

Other cast members from the show have also paid tribute to the actor.

Alfonso Ribeiro, who played his son Carlton, tweeted: “I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away.

“He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.”

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s actress wife, said they had “lost yet another friend” on her Facebook page.

MUSIC streaming through websites like Spotify and YouTube increased by 32% in the US in 2013.

More than 118 billion streams took place according to Nielsen and Billboard’s 2013 Music Report.

The boost came as sales of physical albums dropped by almost 14%, while digital sales recorded no change.

The number of albums bought on vinyl increased by 33%, echoing the UK trend where events like Record Store Day helped double sales of vinyl last year.

UK figures released by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) last week showed that music streaming was up 33.7% and now accounts for nearly 10% of consumer revenues from recorded music.

The US end of year report compiles Nielsen figures measuring sales, radio airplay and music streams in the US, all of which are regularly used by Billboard to compile its weekly charts.

Justin Timberlake was the biggest-selling artist of 2013 in the US, shifting 3.4 million albums.

Justin Timberlake was the biggest selling artist of the year, shifting more than 3.4 million albums.

His first album of 2013, the 20/20 Experience, sold almost one million copies in its first week alone, going on to sell a total of 2.4 million.

Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP2 was America’s second biggest album

of the year, selling 1.73 million copies despite only being released in November.

Beyonce’s self-titled album became the second-biggest digital album of the year and the eighthbiggest album overall, with just three weeks on sale before the end of the year.

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Mark Duggan’s aunt urges ‘no violence’ MARK Duggan’s aunt has said the family will fight the inquest decision of lawful killing “through the courts” and has called for calm.

On Wednesday, a jury concluded Mr Duggan was lawfully killed when he was shot dead by police in August 2011.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe thanked Mr Duggan’s family for “expressing their desire to pursue their case peacefully”.

Mr Duggan’s death in Tottenham, north London, sparked widespread disorder.

The killing of the 29-year-old was followed by protests which descended into looting and rioting in the capital and spread to other cities in England.

Earlier, his aunt Carole Duggan said: “No demonstrations, no more violence, we will have to fight this and go through the struggle peacefully to get justice.”

Sir Bernard said: “I would first like to record my thanks to Mark’s family for expressing their desire to pursue their case peacefully, and discouraging further demonstrations or protests.

“That’s a very dignified way to respond in what are clearly very distressing circumstances for them.”

Ninth-grader Aitazaz Hassan Bangash died stopping suicide bomber at school.

Teen dies stopping suicide bomber at school in Pakistan Mark Duggan’s aunt Carole said the family will carry on seeking answers.

Following the conclusion of the inquest, the family reacted with anger to the jury’s decision that officers had acted within the law.

Ms Duggan has called for the Independent Police Complaints Commission to review the case.

Sir Bernard said meetings with political and community leaders on Thursday had shown him the “tremendous determination there is to strengthen relationships with the Met”.

“The leaders I met are committed to work hard with us to ensure that their community is not disrupted

now as it was in 2011,” he said.

He added the force wanted “more black Londoners amongst our neighbourhood police officers” and had “more to do to further reduce the use of stop and search”.

Prime Minster David Cameron welcomed her message of restraint, but stressed the outcome of the inquest had to be respected.

He said: “These issues raise very strong emotions but I hope people can react calmly and recognise that we have proper judicial processes in this country and they are the ones that must be followed.

China moves to ban indoor public smoking CHINA, the world’s largest tobacco consumer, is aiming to ban indoor smoking in public areas by the end of the year.

About one in three cigarettes smoked in the world is in China, according to the World Health Organisation. And more than half of Chinese men smoke, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in 2010.

Although the nation’s health ministry issued guidelines in 2011 to ban smoking in places like hotels and restaurants, they haven’t been “strictly enforced,” according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency.

The China’s National Health and Family Commission is now working on a tobacco control law with clear punishments, according to Xinhua.

The country’s health authorities estimate over a million deaths from tobacco-related diseases every year.

The WHO warns that if tobacco use is not decreased in China, these deaths will increase to 3 million by 2050.

Last month, Chinese government officials were told not to smoke in public places such as hospitals, public transport or schools to set a

About one in three cigarettes smoked in the world is in China, according to the World Health Organisation.

And more than half of Chinese men smoke, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in 2010.

good example for the public.

The latest moves by the Chinese government on tobacco are “hopeful,” said Dr. Judith Mackay, the senior adviser at the World Lung Foundation, who examines tobacco issues in China.

About 32 Chinese cities have passed their own rules to restrict public smoking, she added.

“China stands on its own in the magnitude of the problem,” said

Mackay. “Unless there is change in China, we won’t proceed further in reducing the tobacco epidemic in the world.”

Tobacco use in China has farreaching consequences, she said.

“This isn’t a health problem. It’s a huge economic problem. There’s all these things ranging from medical and health care costs, the costs to the families and there’s the cost of secondhand smoke.” (CNN)

A 14-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero in Pakistan for tackling a suicide bomber -- dying at the main gate of his school and saving schoolmates gathered for their morning assembly.

Ninth-grader Aitazaz Hassan Bangash was on his way to the Ibrahimzai School on Monday in the Hangu district of northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when the bomber, dressed in a school uniform, asked him where the school was, the teen’s cousin told CNN. Aitazaz and his cousin, Musadiq Ali Bangash, became suspicious, Musadiq said.

“The other students backed off, but Aitazaz challenged the bomber and tried to catch him. During the

scuffle, the bomber panicked and detonated his bomb,” he said.

Rajab Ali, who also witnessed the bombing, told CNN that he saw Aitazaz throw a large stone at a boy trying to enter the school. The blast happened when Aitazaz grabbed him, he said.

Aitazaz and the bomber died at the scene. Witnesses say the blast injured two other people.

Iftikhar Ahmed, a Hangu district police officer, confirmed the details of the attack to CNN. Hangu is a troubled district bordering Pakistan’s tribal areas.

It is rife with sectarian violence, with attacks against Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Gory decapitation video highlights Brazil’s prison problems IT is a gruesome scene, even in a country that has seen its share of violence: three men, beheaded, with wounds peppering their bodies on all sides.

The most surprising part? The attack happened inside a jail.

A Brazilian newspaper on Tuesday released a video of this stomach-turning scene inside the Pedrinhas jail in Brazil’s northeastern state of Maranhao.

The video was recorded on December 17, the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper reported, describing how “other prisoners pose with the bodies, showing them off like trophies.”

A union of jail workers gave the gory footage to the newspaper.

Many will view the video simply for the shock value, but behind this incident is a myriad of problems in the Brazilian penal system that allows an environment where something like this could unfold.

The Pedrinhas jail was already under scrutiny even before the video was made public.

A judge visited the jail just

days after the decapitations and wrote a report demanding that the state government regain control of the inmate population.

In all, 62 inmates were killed inside Pedrinhas in 2013.

The judge, Douglas Martins, also documented violence against women, saying that female visitors were forced to have sex with the leaders of gangs inside the prison.

“The relatives of the powerless prisoners inside the jail are paying this price so that they won’t be murdered,” Martins told Brazil’s judicial news agency. “It is a serious violation of human rights.”

Overcrowding is also a problem at this jail. There are 2,196 inmates at Pedrinhas, which was built to hold only 1,770, according to state jail officials.

At the root of the violence at Pedrinhas is fighting between two rival factions -- inmates from the state’s capital, and inmates from the interior of the state.

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White House defends Joe Biden from Robert Gates critique

More than 200,000 people have fled their homes because of the fighting.

S Sudan army moves on rebel cities SOUTH Sudan’s army is advancing against the key rebel-held centres of Bentiu and Bor, as rebels strengthen defences in Bentiu.

An army spokesman was quoted as saying that government troops were “next to Bentiu” and some 15 kilometres from Bor. Reports say hundreds have fled from Bor to escape the fighting.

At least 1,000 people have been killed in fighting since 15 December.

Regionally brokered talks to declare a ceasefire have stalled.

People who escaped the violence told an AFP reporter in the area that men with machine guns shot dead fleeing civilians, and torched entire villages and looted crops.

A cattle herder who swam across a river to escape said he was fortunate to survive.

“They [the attackers] had a machine gun raised up on a sandbank, and they fired and fired and fired as we swam,” Gabriel Bol told AFP. “The bullets were hitting the water, but we knew we could not stop or they’d shoot us.”

Hundreds of people were fleeing to the town of Minkammen, about 25 kilometres south of Bor. About 80,000 people had already taken refuge there, AFP reports.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s rebels are strengthening their defences in the key city of Bentiu in anticipation of a government offensive to recapture it.

WHITE House officials are defending Vice President Joe Biden following a scathing attack by former defence secretary Robert Gates.

In his recent memoir, Mr Gates criticised Mr Biden as well as US President Barack Obama for foreign policy decisions.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney described Mr Biden as a “leading” statesman on Wednesday.

Mr Gates was Pentagon chief under Presidents Obama and George Bush.

Mr Obama and Mr Biden were photographed together having lunch in the White House on Wednesday in what has largely been seen as a deliberate show of support.

Mr Biden “has been an excellent counsellor and adviser to the president for the past five years,” Mr Carney told reporters, adding Mr Obama did not share Mr Gates’ assessment.

In his book, Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, Mr Gates wrote that Mr Biden had been “wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades”.

He also strongly criticised Mr Obama’s handling of the war in Afghanistan, writing the

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates (right) said Vice President Joe Biden was “wrong on nearly every major foreign policy” issue (file photo).

US leader was sceptical that his administration’s Afghan strategy would succeed.

“I never doubted [his] support for the troops, only his support for their mission,” Mr Gates writes.

Although he described Mr Obama as “a man of personal integrity” who was right in his decisions regarding Afghanistan, he said that the president was uncomfortable with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which he inherited from the Bush administration.

He also said Mr Obama was distrustful of the military that was providing him options.

He wrote in the memoir that in March 2011 Mr Obama did not trust Gen David Petraeus - the US military commander in Afghanistan in 201011 - and “could not stand” Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The president “doesn’t consider the war to be his”, Mr Gates wrote of a March 2011 meeting in the White House. “For him, it’s all about getting out.”

UK: Rape victim meets attacker to forgive him

Lorena McKinnon was nearly hopeless before Julia Navarro offered to carry her own grandchild to term.

Mum pregnant with daughter’s child SHE’S having her daughter’s daughter!

Selfless Utah mum Julia Navarro, 58, is pregnant with her child’s child.

Devastated Lorena McKinnon, 32, thought she’d never have children of her own after enduring years of failed pregnancies.

Natural conception and IVF didn’t work — and when a friend agreed to be a surrogate, she dropped out soon after learning the complexities of the process.

So McKinnon’s own mom

stepped up, undergoing a 3-month hormone shot course and paying for some of the $30,000 cost, before being incubated.

Despite Navarro being past her prime pregnancy years and with only a 45% chance of success, the first embryo took.

The two moms, and McKinnon’s husband Micah, are now all living at Navarro’s Provo house waiting for the birth of the baby girl — to be named Myla Juliette McKinnon — in a few weeks.

A RAPE victim has met her attacker in prison to tell him she has forgiven him - and called it a “great” experience to seek “peace and forgiveness together”.

Katja Rosenberg, 40, from London, said she felt she could forgive soon after the 2006 rape, believing things must have gone wrong in her attacker’s life.

“You wouldn’t ever do that if you felt happy,” she told BBC Radio 5 live.

Of their meeting last year, she said he was “completely” remorseful and “so focused” on no longer being violent.

Ms Rosenberg was cycling home from a drink after work when she was attacked by a 16-year-old stranger.

He was jailed for 14 years after admitting that attack and another rape of a 51-year-old woman shortly afterwards.

“I realised very much straight away or after the incident, it hadn’t really or would not traumatise me the way it usually traumatises people,” Ms Rosenberg told 5 live’s Victoria Derbyshire.

“It had a very strong impact on my life but not so much in the way that I couldn’t make peace with that having been done to me, strangely more about life being very sad or things going wrong in life.

“I felt very, very sad, but I didn’t feel attacked.”

Ms Rosenberg said she “could intuitively feel” that she had to meet her attacker.

She continued: “Life deals very different cards to all of us, and why somebody does something which is not applaudable - it was more about thinking, something’s wrong with society.

“Some of us don’t know where to go. You wouldn’t ever do that if you felt happy.”

Ms Rosenberg, who was also punched in the face, chest and stomach before being raped, said she had always felt in the years since that she should meet her attacker.

She finally visited him in prison last September, for a meeting arranged through the restorative justice scheme with the support of

the Probation Service.

Partly, this was motivated by a wish to assure him “life’s not hopeless, that he knows he’s got a future”, she said.

“I just felt I could give that. I also thought the exchange would be good for me to somehow get some kind of closure - I mean, I didn’t really need a ‘Sorry’, but it was somehow just good to see that you walk into the same direction of peace and forgiveness together.”

She added: “He was in no way looking for excuses or explanations.

He was very, very self-effacing - and I thought that was fantastic in itself.

“He just really is very, very upset about his past.” (BBC)

30

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

BSL CONSTRUCTION is looking for a

FOR RENT

3-bedroom apartment $1100.00 per month it will be available May 1st.

contact: 946-4664

carpenter To work 5 days per week salary $10.00 per hour. contact: 242-1402

FOR SALE

January 11 - 17, 2014

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

MARTIN GRAY Is looking for a

domestic worker To work 5 days per week. Salary $125.00 per week.

contact: 243-3993

9908

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

January 11 - 17, 2014

CLASSIFIEDS 31

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The Turks and Caicos Softball Federation requires the following:

JASON FRANCIS Is looking for a

Is looking for a

translator Fluent in Spanish and English both verbally and written. Must be flexible as needed days, evenings weekends and holidays.

Salary negotiable. Please fax resume to 941 7626

Labourer

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 343-0577

9593

PROVO AUTO SUPPLY LTD. Is currently looking to employ a

Labourer Who will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the building, stocking of shelves and any other duty that may be assigned to you This 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 driver’s license

BAYVIEW MOTORS LTD., P.O. BOX 619, LEEWARD HIGHWAY, PROVIDENCIALES

MECHANIC TECHNICIAN • Must have a valid driver license from A-H • Must be able to work holiday and weekends • Must be able to understand computer systems, programs and diagrams Pay set @ $12.00 per hour

Applicants must call 649 241-4156 Monday to Saturday 7.45 to 5pm

DANIEL WILLIAMS Is looking for a

labourer To work on a farm must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 243-1018

AUDLEY WILLIAMS Is seeking a

WILFREY & TONY BARBER SHOP is looking for 2

domestic Labourer worker To work 5 days

barbers

contact: 243-7785

contact: 231-0882

per week salary $5.00 per hour.

9526

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 247-8669

9326

To work 6 days per week salary $150.00 per week.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

The largest readership in the Turks & Caicos GRIFFITHS & PARTNERS

Please submit all application between the hours of 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday

LOOKING FOR 1

ALBERT’S CLEANING SERVICES

9896

DELANNO CLARKE Is looking for a

PARALEGAL

Griffiths & Partners is looking for a law graduate to work as a Paralegal Assistant for a 12 month period.

Responsibilities:

LIVE-IN NANNY

Salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 231-7080

9892

DBELLE BEAUTY FASHION SALON NAIL CENTER Is looking for a

nail technician

To work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour. contact: 345-8282 9898

• Assisting attorneys in legal research in a variety of work including judicial review and commercial litigation.

• Assisting in the drafting of pleadings, statements and other documents for Court cases.

• Obtaining, compiling and analyzing records for discovery including incoming discovery documents.

• Pre-trial preparation and other trial management assistance.

Job Qualifications:

• Candidates should have a law degree in LLB or "post-graduate" legal qualification of First or Upper Second Class from a leading University including qualification in commercial and company law.

• Computer proficiency with office software including MS Office.

Job Experience:

• Experience as a Paralegal including complex commercial litigation.

• Experience of operation, practices and procedures of a law office engaged in civil and commercial litigation.

• Experience of court and tribunal filing procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a large workload including completing multiple tasks to deadlines.

• Must be proactive and able to work both independently and with a professional team. Closing date for application: 17 January 2014 Apply with Curriculum Vitae to:

Griffiths & Partners P.O. Box 143 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Email: recruitment@griffithsandpartneres.com Fax: 649-941-8251

32 CLASSIFIEDS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

SENIOR HEAVY GENERATION MECHANIC

January 11 - 17, 2014

DIRECTOR OF ENERGY PRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES & PURPOSE OF THE JOB • Responsible for carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification and standard mechanical tradesman practices and as directed by the Mechanical Supervisor and/or Maintenance Manager.

MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Conduct competent and effective preventative and corrective maintenance on all generating prime movers units owned and operated by FortisTCI in a cost effective manner consistent with manufacturer’s operating and maintenance guidelines in a manner that ensures the highest reliability and fuel efficiency from these units.

• Maintain, repair and install engines and auxiliary equipment in the diesel generating stations in a manner consistent with manufacturer’s specifications to ensure continual reliable operation.

• To be highly knowledgeable of and competent in the spares parts required by the generation units and supporting mechanical systems at the power plants owned and operated by FortisTCI and to identify and recommend to the management staff of Energy Production & Project Management the spares parts that are needed for maintenance.

• Effectively and competently diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic problems related to the effective operations of generation plant equipment.

• Display a profound knowledge of underlying theoretic and operating principle of all mechanical equipment used in diesel fired operation and to utilize this knowledge in developing the Technical competence and capacity of assigned junior maintenance personnel.

• Prepare comprehensive job reports and failure analysis report.

• Competently use proper tooling during equipment repair and safeguard and maintain tools and other mechanical repair equipment.

• Operate shop tools as needed to fabricate, repair, weld, solder, cut, drill, etc.

• Maintain records and reports as required (including inventory of necessary parts).

• Make recommendations (supported by data) to management staff in Energy Production & Project Management of new techniques, tooling and processes to improve maintenance activities and increase overall plant efficiency.

• Be available to respond to emergencies at all times outside of regular working hours, as may be required by plant contingency.

OBJECTIVES & PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To provide a high quality of management expertise in the areas of plant operations, diesel mechanical maintenance and upkeep, fuel supply and operations, and electrical and substation maintenance.

• To understand the corporate vision and successfully gain support for and implementation of that vision.

MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide strategic and managerial leadership to the Company’s Generating Plants and Substations under the General Direction of the Vice President Energy Production & Project Management. The duties include but are not restricted to the following: • Responsible to see that the generation of electricity is performed in a safe efficient and effective manner on a day to day basis.

• Responsible for the timely development and implementation of effective maintenance and reporting programs at the generating plants.

• Responsible for the day to day coordination of fuel deliveries to the plant to ensure that there is adequate fuel supply at all times.

• Responsible for the preparation and control of annual budgets as they pertain to the day to day operation of the plant.

• Responsible for the preparation and control of annual budgets as they pertain to the day to day operation of the plant.

• Responsible to see that the Generation Plant is prepared to deal with hurricane season and to develop and implement a plan for recovery of the plant after a hurricane.

• Responsible to see that two way communications are maintained with plant employees through regular minute meetings.

• Be familiar with all Company policies and procedures (including those established by past practice) relating to the position and to observe and enforce compliance with these policies and procedures.

• Responsible to see that statistical records required by the company are kept as well as develop and maintain reports that will keep senior management updated with activities at the plant.

• Responsible for the development of electrical maintenance procedures that maximize efficiency and reduce cost.

• Responsible for planning and scheduling of electrical maintenance.

• Responsible for ensuring that the Company’s health, safety, and environmental standards are maintained as they relate to generation production, substation and electrical maintenance, and fuel and lube handling.

• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: • Successful completion of a 5 year high school program with focus on the Sciences and a two (2) year post-secondary program, preferably in mechanical engineering trades.

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in operations, installation and maintenance of rotating machinery in a power plant operations setting.

• A high degree of familiarity and competence in diesel engine theory and operations, trouble shooting of mechanical and rotary equipment, and mechanical repair tooling.

• Above average analytical skills in math and principles of diesel engine machines • Excellence in interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals.

• Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English.

• Experience in installation, maintenance, and repairs of large generation units.

• O.A.C.E.T.T. membership or its equivalent.

• Must display a high competency in the use of computers and standard engineering and office computing software programs utilized in maintenance activities, reporting and record keeping.

• Excellent team player and team building skills • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and to work under pressure • Goal-oriented • Self- motivated • Team player

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS • Degree in (Electrical or Mechanical) Engineering – Power option (4 year program), or an accredited equivalent.

• This position requires 10 to 15 years’ experience with diesel generation.

• Some mid-level management experience is required (or equivalent).

• The Language of work will be English. The ability to write comprehensive reports as well as the ability to make verbal presentations in English is required.

• Computer literacy is required (familiarity with Excel, Word).

CORE COMPETENCY/SKILLS: • Must be able to carry out the physical work of the classification.

• Ability to function effectively under emergency situations, think clearly and effectively, deliver within deadlines and to work under pressure.

• Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook.

• Team player COMPENSATION Based on qualifications and ability

COMPENSATION Based on qualifications and ability

Deadline for submission of applications is January 15th, 2014.

Deadline for submission of applications is January 15th, 2014.

Kindly submit a completed FortisTCI application form along with a resumé and cover letter to:

Kindly submit a completed FortisTCI application form along with a resumé and cover letter to:

Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc

Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc 9909

9911

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PLANT DIESEL MECHANIC Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified individuals for the position of PLANT DIESEL MECHANIC with FortisTCI, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.

OBJECTIVES & PURPOSE OF THE JOB

MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct competent and effective preventative and corrective maintenance on all generating prime movers units owned and operated by FortisTCI in a cost effective manner consistent with manufacturer’s operating and maintenance guidelines in a manner that ensures the highest reliability and fuel efficiency from these units.

• Maintain, repair and install engines and auxiliary equipment in the diesel generating stations in a manner consistent with manufacturer’s specifications to ensure continual reliable operation.

• To be highly knowledgeable of and competent in the spares parts required by the generation units and supporting mechanical systems at the power plants owned and operated by FortisTCI and to identify and recommend to the management staff of Energy Production & Project Management Division, the spares parts that are needed for maintenance.

• Effectively and competently diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic problems related to the effective operations of generation plant equipment.

• Display a profound knowledge of underlying theoretic and operating principle of all mechanical equipment used in diesel fired operation and to utilize this knowledge in developing the Technical competence and capacity of assigned junior maintenance personnel.

• Prepare comprehensive job reports and failure analysis report.

• Competently use proper tooling during equipment repair and safeguard and maintain tools and other mechanical repair equipment.

• Operate shop tools as needed to fabricate, repair, weld, solder, cut, drill, etc.

• Maintain records and reports as required (including inventory of necessary parts).

• Make recommendations (supported by data) to management staff in Energy Production & Project Management Division of new techniques, tooling and processes to improve maintenance activities and increase overall plant efficiency.

• Be available to respond to emergencies at all times outside of regular working hours, as may be required by plant contingency.

• Ensure that all work undertaken falls under the Company’s established safety and environmental policies and guidelines and are adhered to consistently.

• To provide detailed supervision of contractors involved in the construction and installation of large generation assets as determined by and normally under the general direction of the Vice President of Energy Production & Project Management.

• Responsible to see that all construction of civil, mechanical and electrical assets at the plant site is completed in a safe, efficient and effective manner.

• Responsible to see that projects are brought in on budget and on time.

• Responsible to see that the plant site is secure at all times. This includes seeing that the plant and yard is prepared to deal with hurricane season and to develop and implement a plan for recovery of the plant site after a hurricane.

• Responsible to see that in all situations all construction activity is performed consistent with best practice concerning safety, environment, quality, budgetary control and reporting standards.

• Be familiar with all Company Policies and procedures (including those established by past practice) relating to the position and to observe and enforce compliance with these policies and procedures.

• Responsible to see that statistical records required by the company are kept with respect to building projects and building maintenance as well as develop and maintain reports that will keep senior management updated with the progress of construction projects at the plant.

• Operate Company vehicles as required.

• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

ACADEMIC/WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma in (Electrical, Civil or Mechanical) Technology (3 year program), or equivalent.

• Extensive experience in Power Plant operation and construction.

• This position requires 20 to 25 years’ experience in the construction management field.

• Mid-level management experience is required (minimum 10 years

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS • Successful completion of a 5 year high school program with focus on the Sciences and a two (2) year post-secondary program, preferably in mechanical engineering trades.

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience as lead mechanic in installation and corrective and preventative maintenance of rotating machinery in a power plant operations setting including major overhaul of generating units.

• Work experience as a mechanic in 3600 series and 3500 series caterpillar units up to 4.4MW range and in Wartsila 20V32 similar type generating units.

• A high degree of familiarity and competence in diesel engine theory and operations, trouble shooting of mechanical and rotary equipment, and mechanical repair tooling.

• Above average analytical skills in math and principles of diesel engine machines • Excellence in interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals must be demonstrated.

• Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English.

• O.A.C.E.T.T. membership or its equivalent.

• Must display competency in the use of computers and standard engineering and office computing software programs utilized in maintenance activities, reporting and record keeping.

CORE COMPETENCY SKILLS:

• The Language of work will be English. The ability to write comprehensive reports as well as the ability to make verbal presentations in English is required.

• Computer literacy is required (familiarity with Excel, Word, MS Project.)

• Must to able to carry out the physical work of the classification.

Compensation

Based on qualifications and ability Deadline for submission of applications is January 15th, 2014.

Kindly submit a completed FortisTCI application form along with a resumé and cover letter to:

ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc

Excellent team player and team building skills Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and to work under pressure Goal-oriented Self- motivated Team player

9910

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

COMPENSATION

Based on qualifications and ability Deadline for submission of applications is January 15th, 2014.

Kindly submit a completed FortisTCI application form along with a resumé and cover letter to: Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc

SPECIAL PROJECTS CONSULTANT OBJECTIVES & PURPOSE OF THE JOB • Responsible for the efficient, effective and safe construction and installation of production assets of FortisTCI. • To understand the corporate vision and successfully gain support for the implementation of that vision.

Responsible for carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification and standard mechanical tradesman practices and as directed by the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor.

• • • • • •

CLASSIFIEDS 33

9913

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

34 CLASSIFIEDS

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CONSTRUCTION

TURQUOISE LANDSCAPING LTD.

MANAGER

Is looking to hire a:-

HORTICULTURIST

• Salary $5.00 per hour • Must have a minimum of 10 years landscaping experience at a commercial level • Must have a degree in horticulture and be familiar with all aspects of tropical landscaping • Must have specialized knowledge of fertilizers and insecticides • Must be willing to carry out work such as heavy lifting, digging, weeding, trimming and plant waste removal • Must be willing to work weekends, holidays and long hours in an outdoor environment • Must have a clean police record and a TCI drivers license

Essential Duties: • Manage all aspects of construction projects, includes hands-on work of all trades involved • Mange crews and set up materials for next day • Responsible for order and delivery of all materials needed for project • Work with vendor’s local and internationally • Problem solves and move quickly to resolve • Interacts with owners and workers in a timely and professional manner

GARDENERS/ LABOURERS

• Starting salary $5.50 per hour • Must have previous gardening experience and be familiar with landscaping equipment such as lawn mowers etc.

• Must be willing to carry out work such as heavy lifting, digging, weeding, trimming and plant waste removal • Must be willing to work weekends and holidays • Must have a clean police record

Please contact: 332-4280 to arrange an interview

9317

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

Skills: • Must be proficient in all trades including but not limited to; heavy equipment operation, heavy truck driving and clean record, heavy equipment mechanic, all construction trades • Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills, ability to speak, and write fluently in English • Bachelor’s Degree in related field with minimum of 10 years experience • Minimum 5 years experience as general contractor • Strong leadership skills • Self-starter, motivated with great work ethics • Thorough knowledge of building trades and codes including plumbing and electrical • Dependable and professional in appearance and demeanor • Computer proficient Working Hours: • Frequent standing, walking, climbing, bending and heavy lifting • May be subject to extreme heat, noise, dust, fumes, dirt and grease • Ability to travel locally, regionally, and internationally • Working hours may be extended to evenings, weekends and holidays

Closing date: January 15th, 2014

Contact: 245-0027 or 346-3702

DUNCANSON & CO.

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

Barristers & Attorneys

PUBLIC NOTICE

Shop Foreman Wanted

DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys are pleased to announce the re-opening of our Leeward Highway Office for ongoing legal services to the public. We are located in our own building across the street from the Supreme Court complex, next door to the offices of TC Weekly News and between that and the St. Monica's Anglican Church.

Job Description - supervises various job repairs & projects in shop and onsite - repair & maintain electrical and mechanical aspects of shop machinery - communicate with customers regarding job repairs - ensure a safe working environment - supervise & work closely with shop staff to design, build and repair customer jobs & projects - maintains active role in working on customer related jobs & projects - manages shop consumables and all purchasing / ordering.

- supervises daily machine shop activities, workflow scheduling and quality procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

We specialize in:

Position Requirements - welding certification - working knowledge in welding aluminum, stainless steel & steel.

- minimum of 5 years experience in a repair shop facility and welding aluminum - working knowledge of machining type equipment such as lathe, grinder machine, welding machines, etc - highly motivated individual who is capable of exhibiting good judgment and work independently on scheduled projects - ability to verify the dimensions precisely of parts and installation of components, using measuring instruments such as a micrometer, calipers, and electronic gauges - familiarity with and the ability to understand, interpret, modify and correct mechanical, and or blueprint, drawings of instrumentation designs

Telephone: (649) 941-4444 Telefax: (649) 941-4235 Cellphone: (649) 245-1314 email: berynd@yahoo.com

• Civil Litigation (Particular competencies: Judicial Review and other claims against TCI Government/Departments, Mareva and other Injunctions, Land, Trust & Bank disputes) • Property Matters, Planning Department & Development Issues • Business Law • Immigration • Labour Disputes

DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys

PO Box 52, Cheshire House East 1315A Leeward Highway, Providenciales

Wage: Based on applicants experience and qualifications

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

INTERESTED APPLICANTS can contact Tibor’s Machine Shop 941-5802. Email cover letter outling your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your resume to tibor@express.tc. Belonger need only apply 9332

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

9329

January 11 - 17, 2014 LOOKING FOR

MECHANIC & DOMESTIC WORKER $13 & $5 Applicants must call 649 946-5919 Monday to Saturday 7.45 to 5pm P.O. Box 1125, South Dock Rd, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Phone (649) 946-5919/ (649) 245-2897 Fax (649) 941-7935 9324

labourer butcher

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 232-6546 9327

Is looking for a

contact: 231-1199

9320

contact: 946-4664

delivery driver With own transportation who is interested in making extra cash.

Contact: 231-3788

AGNES SWANN Is looking for a

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 246-4769 9581

9323

To work 6 days per week salary $7.00 per hour. contact: 941-4667

THE WINE CELLAR

THE VENETIAN RESORT

Is seeking to hire a

Is looking for a

Send resume to: discount@tciway.tc

9316

9388

Must have at least 5 years experience.

Must be willing to work 6 days per week.

Salary $6.00 per hour.

Contact: 941-3512

TOUCH OF BLISS Is looking for a

Cosmetologist with 10 years experience Should be able to do:

• Bridal Styles • Highlights/ Low Lites • Relax • Color • Cut blow dry with brush • Pedicures and Manicures

Salary 45.00 per hour For information contact: Georgette Dallas 242-3439 9319

TCIPS HIGH SCHOOL

for the following areas: Cook ESL Specialist Culinary Arts

Ideal candidates must hold at least a training diploma kindly submit resume to: admin@tcips.com deadline for applications is January 20th, 2014

Requirements: • • • • • •

Is able to work independently.

Is flexible with regard to time shifts.

Can carry heavy loads of linens around the hotel to the laundry section.

Is not hesitant to work on holidays and prolonged shifts if required.

Is customer friendly.

Is friendly with equipment and is able to operate them well.

The job duties may be as follows:

is seeking

English Language English Literature Home Economics Home Management

JOB OPPORTUNITY Laundry Attendant

FULL & PARTTIME TEACHERS

laboUrer

contact: 941-8010

To work 5 ½ days per week salary $6.00 per hour. Hours: 8:30am6:30pm some extra hours maybe required

3-bedroom apartment $1100.00 per month it will be available May 1st.

Is looking for a Part-time

To work 5 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.

plumber

Labourer MASSEUSE

FOR RENT

FLOWER GIRL

THE TUSCANY RESORT Is looking for a

Is looking for a

Is looking for a

ELDON RODRIQUEZ GARCIA

To work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

PIZZA PIZZA A TASTE OF ITALY

PAULAMAE MISSICK

• Washing, drying, ironing and folding the collected linens.

• Delivering the same cloth collected from guest and from different department to the respective places respectively.

• Maintaining a record of the inventory of cleaning products.

• Maintaining cleanliness in all rooms and the entire given section of duty.

• Should respond to the request of the guests, supervisors and, management in an efficient and timely manner.

• Should maintain hygiene of the working equipment and the laundry cart.

Qualified Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

9323

Qualified persons can contact: Veronica CLARE Human Resources Manager , Grace Bay P: 1.649.946.5050 | veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com

9318

EXPRESS EQUIPMENT

domestic worker

CLASSIFIEDS 35

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

36 CLASSIFIEDS

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

HOUSEMAN Required for inside and outside cleaning duties: some heavy lifting

Hours will vary depending on occupancy levels evening and weekend shifts will be part of the schedule applicants must be able to speak, read and write English to a level that will enable communication with guests police clearance required for all applicants salary $6.00 per hour email to alliedmanagement@usa.net or 946-5866 9340

DIVE PROVO Is looking for an

REPAIR IT 4 U is looking for a

Computer Tech

To work 5 days per week salary $6.00 per hour contact: 342-4656

EXPERIENCED SCUBA INSTRUCTOR Salary: $20,000-$24,000 Contact: ALAN

JARDINE 946-5029

9343

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 Island

9517

ATTORNEY

We seek a highly qualified Attorney-At-Law who has been called to the English Bar and/or a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales with ability to practice in the Turks and Caicos. Must possess a Bachelor of Laws Degree and hold 15 years of practical experience in litigation, commercial law, intellectual property law, corporate law, insolvency law, property and internet law. Candidate must have the ability to initiate, thoroughly advise on, prepare and plead litigious matters. Previous extensive experience within the Caribbean is required and the applicant has to be a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Salary will commensurate with experience.

ONLY BELONGERS NEED APPLY. Send resumes to info@karammissick.com on or before January 20, 2014. Please, no calls or unscheduled visits.

9322

1. Parcel 10401\268 East Suburbs, Grand Turk.

The property is an ocean view corner lot at 0.31 acres, located at a residential community on to the eastern shores of Grand Turk. The property consists of a two storey residence where the lower floor comprises of two bedrooms 2 bathrooms and a separate one bedroom apartment. The upper floor provides three additional bed rooms and three bathrooms and an office/entertainment room. Other improvements include a covered balcony and separate laundry building. Registered Proprietor: Lydia E. Henfield

JOB OPPORTUNITY DIRECTOR OF ENGINERING

2. Parcel 10401\372 Breezy Brea, Grand Turk.

This is an Ocean Front property located at the unmade northern section of Breezy Brea in a residential community of Grand Turk. The property consist of a one and a half storey residence where the upper floor comprises of the main living area, four bedrooms and two bathrooms, together with an open deck. The lower floor provides two separate one bedroom apartments and a covered deck. Registered Proprietor: Cindy Williams & Bernadette Glinton

Desired skills and experience:• Advanced degree in Engineering highly desired • Experience in the facilities management of related type properties – 10 years experience in engineering/maintenance highly desired • Proven track record in managing an efficient work force focusing on preventative maintenance of the asset's public areas, guestrooms, and physical plant.

• Experience in organizing, implementing, and maintaining a preventative maintenance tracking system and work order system.

• Experience in coordinating and managing hospitality capital improvement projects, i.e. public areas and guestrooms renovations, FF&E repair and reupholstering, FF&E procurement, site and building maintenance and upgrades.

• Familiar with regulatory compliance issues related but not limited to public access, Parking Control, Habitat Restoration Area monitoring and compliance, • Water Quality Management and Maintenance Plans, Shoreline Protection and related enforcement.

• Experience with negotiations related to code compliance and contract engagement.

• Proven command of the English language, both oral and written.

• Proven ability to take charge and work with minimum supervision.

• Enjoys challenges and situations where solutions are not obvious.

• Able to make decisions in a high stress environment.

• Strong PC skills with an emphasis on Excel and industry R&M systems (online work order systems, etc.). § Ability to implement inventory practices and procedures

3. Parcel 10303\09 Central, Grand Turk.

The property is located in the Central section of the Island in a residential area of Grand Turk.

This property consists of a residential corner lot of 0.60 acres surrounding a single-storey building which comprises of two bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen/living/dining area.

Registered Proprietor: Shyvonne P. Missick

4. Parcel 60003\14 North West and North Central, Providenciales.

This property forms part of Phase One of the Priton Home affordable housing scheme and consist of three bed rooms, two bathrooms, one kitchen/dining room, one living room, and a utility. Additional improvements include an open front porch.

Registered Proprietor: Karlene A. Atkinson & Ian O. Atkinson

5. Parcel 60902\235 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales.

This property is situated in a block of four town home condominiums located in Leeward Landing Townhomes Development. The building unit #3 is a two storey townhome consisting of two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a living/ dining and kitchen, one laundry room and storage. The building also includes screened decks at rear of first and second floor and front porch onto the living room and master bedroom.

Registered Proprietor: Michelle L. Swann 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 24th day of January 2014.

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 Department (649) 339-7100.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

Qualified Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience 9338

Qualified persons can contact:

Veronica CLARE Human Resources Manager , Grace Bay P: 1.649.946.5050 | veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com

January 11 - 17, 2014 MARCUS LIGHTBOURNE Is looking for a

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Pelican Beach Hotel on North Caicos Is looking for one

labourer To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 242-0521

Domestic Worker Must be able to work holidays and weekends. Interested persons should contact: Pelican Beach Hotel

Tel: 946-7112

9327

9333

Amazing Value!

Lot for Sale

In Gated/Planned Community in Long Bay. Flamingo Crossing lot comes with full set of House Plans, all underground utilities, etc.

$49,999 o.b.o.

Call 231-3788

PRICE SLASHED $175,000

CLASSIFIEDS 37

PRICE SLASHED FOR QUICK SALE

$180,000 CASH! House and ½ Acre land Richmond Hill 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Fully furnished

Call: 231-3788 Global Tardif Elevator Services (Turks & Caicos)

POSITION AVAILABLE Global Tardif Elevator is seeking suitably qualified applicants to fill the position of:

(2) Two Elevator Technicians Daily task will include installation and maintenance of elevators.

Suitable person must have the following qualifications: • 2 years experience of installation of MRL technology elevators; • 5 years minimum service, maintenance and troubleshooting experience on ECC and JRT control systems; • International Union of Elevator Constructors certification or equivalent.

Salary: $20.00 per hour Closing date for applications is January 10th, 2014 Applications must be submitted to: Karen Simmons

Missick & Stanbrook Leeward Hwy, Providenciales Tel: 946-4732 * Fax: 946-4734 Email: Karen@misickstanbrook.tc

38 CLASSIFIEDS

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

POSITION AVAILABLE

Audio/Video Editor Main Purpose of Job:

Responsible for Preparing programs for television, advertisements, titles and graphics

Essential Duties:

• Editing film/footage to the exact final length • Responsible for creative materials liaising with the creative team, graphic designer and the Marketing Director to ensure smooth and efficient delivery.

• Responsible for accuracy and consistency of written, visual and web materials.

• Work with various offices to produce production schedules for creative proofs and liaise with international offices.

Experience, Qualifications and Skills: • Certificate or Diploma related to video editing • Eight or more years experience in Television Broadcasting (must possess relevant certification) with good production/trafficking skills and be able to work in a fast paced environment.

• Skilful operator of Audio/Video Editing Systems working on both online and offline materials as well as on special communication projects • Knowledge of TV, Camera, and Lighting for Quality Control, Animations • Production experience, good interpersonal skills and creative ability, good storytelling skills, a methodical mind, and ability to communicate well.

• Ability to meet deadlines and have strong organizational skills as well as an eye for detail.

• Management skills would be an asset.

• Required to work evenings, weekends and holidays

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use measuring and diagnostic tools to test, adjust, and repair Electronic Equipment.

• Read Work Orders that describe equipment failures • Must be able to liaise with Equipment Manufacturers/Operators to resolve equipment related problems inclusive of the ability to read schematic drawings and other written specifications.

• Visit nodes and sites within a network to identify and resolve network performance issues or outages to ensure such unforeseen issues are resolved in the quickest possible time to ensure the network up-time is maintained at or near 99.999% • Perform regular maintenance work on clients Communication Devices as well as periodic work to maintain the wireless networks.

• Must be able to build and maintain secure websites and mail server systems.

• Candidate must be able to work long hours and on demand • Salary negotiable

Turks and Caicos Islander Applicants preferred.

Stubbs Diamond Plaza #66 Sibonne Rd. Unit #3 Email: kay@acltci.tc

Salary $8.00 per hour based salary $500.00 per week. Must be willing to work 6 days per week.

Contact: 649-345-7512

9504

1. Parcel 60504\148 Blue Hills & Stammers Run, Providenciales.

This property comprises of a single storey residential development on an elevated lot. This accommodation comprises of a three bedroom, three bathroom residence with open plan dining/living areas and kitchen.

Registered Proprietor: Nigel Augustus Lindsay

9906

Field Technician • Bs Mechanical Engineering. BS Information Technology. Advanced formal training in Telecommunications • Must be competent and knowledgeable and able to maintain the infrastructure – hardware and software - integral to a complex Wireless Communications Network • Must have a working knowledge of Communications, Electronics, Digital Radios, Satellite Systems, 802.xx Systems, Vehicle Location Equipment, Customer Premise Equipment, Marine Radio, Specialty Telecommunications Personal Devices

• Seamstress • Dining Room Supervisor • Assistant Manager

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:

PEOPLE’S TELECOMS COMPANY LTD.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS

Acting on behalf of our clients: E Y Contractor, Yoshi Sushi Bar is looking to fill the following positions:

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

Send Resumes to kay@acltci.tc or P.O. Box 230 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

People’s Telecoms Company Ltd. has a vacancy for a

Must be certified with USA, Canada or UK Waterski. Have at least 7 years experience teaching all levels and disciplines. General knowledge of inboard and outboard ski boat mechanics.

Must have current STCW and TCI captains’ license, with the ability to swim in all conditions and know how to drive, handle and dock inboard and outboard waterski vessels.

Resume or CV may be sent to info@nautiquesports.com

Salary commensurate with experience.

No telephone calls please.

WATERSKI INSTRUCTOR

WARD’S CONSULTANCY

2. Parcel 60905\123 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales.

The property is located on Castle Road on land two tiers behind the Mansion condominium development. This residence comprises of a detached single two bedroom, two bathrooms, one living/dining room, and one kitchen and laundry room.

Registered Proprietor: Colin Whittingham & Avril Joan Whittingham 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 24th day of January 2014.

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 Department (649) 339-7100.

9335

PROVO BEVERAGES LTD. is looking for a

Head Brewer Roles and responsibilities:

• Day-to-day running of brewing and bottling and canning operations • Winemaking and alcoholic malt beverages • Developing quality recipe formulation and ingredient selection – handling and assessment of raw materials and grains • Controlling quality of product and keeping the facility and equipment clean and operating • Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting • Purchasing of raw materials Skills:

• • • •

Strong communication skills Sound technical knowledge of brewing, winemaking and distilling Understanding of microbiology and aseptic lab techniques Ability to maintain organized records of brews and quality control data • Efficient computer skills Salary:

Salary commensurate with experience

Please send resumes and inquiries by fax or email only Fax: 649-914-8850 email: provobev@gmail.com

9337

January 11 - 17, 2014

CLASSIFIEDS 39

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

COLLIN WILLIAMS is looking for a

Houseman

IMPRESSIONS BEAUTY SALON Is looking for a

TDMG Concordia We are seeking suitable applicant to fill the following opening:

Financial Controller

To work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

cosmetologist

contact: 231-7059

contact: Elfemia Smith 231-3987 9341

To work full-time salary $7.00 per hour.

YARD MAN

Needed for an apartment complex in Grace Bay Must be able to speak English and be able to understand instruction tasks including maintaining sewage treatment plant only those legal residents need apply in person at Island Club Grace Bay

9339

• 10 year experience in Accounting • 10 year experience in Business Management.

• Certified Accountant for at least 5 years.

• Certifications Required: CPA, CGA, BAA • Shall speak and write good English and French • Software knowledge: Professional knowledge level in VPro5, Excel and Word.

• Weekly working hours: 40 hrs, mite have to work over time on short notice.

• Salary is negotiable.

Fax: (649) 941 3446 Application Deadline 24th, Jan 2014.

9306

ROYAL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POLICE

JOB ADVERTISEMENT POLICE INTERPRETER / TRANSLATOR Department: RT&CIPF TRANSLATION UNIT Posting Date: JANUARY 6, 2014 Posting Expiry Date: JANUARY 17, 2014

JOB VACANCIES The Somerset Resort Management Ltd. is seeking Labour Clearance for the positions listed below. Suitably qualified Belongers who possess the requirements listed are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates should possess luxury resort experience, be professional in attitude and demeanor and must read and speak English fluently. Positions require a flexible schedule which includes holidays, weekends and evenings, and extended hours on occasion.

Salaries are based on experience and qualifications.

ROOM ATTENDANT/HOUSEMAN

Qualified candidates must possess at least 3 years of experience in five-star resorts. Strong attention to details and exceptional ability to maintain the highest standards of quality required. He/she must be a team player with a strong work ethic. Courteous individuals who possess a positive demeanor. A commitment to excellence with good communication skills is required.

RESPONSIBILITY As a RT&CIPF Interpreter/Translator (Special Constable), the incumbent will be required to: • Perform oral and written translations.

• Attend meetings and interviews to provide interpretation services.

• Prepare reports, statements, court documents etc requiring translation / interpretation.

• Perform minor receptionist duties.

• Maintain confidential database and filing system of works completed.

• Travel to crime scenes, auto accident sites, and associated facilities such as detention centres and hospitals to provide interpretation services for officers or investigative staff and assist in the preparation of Reports that are to be released to the public.

• Use trilingual skills to act as a liaison between the Department, the general public and other stakeholders.

COMPETENCIES The position will require the incumbent to: • Speak fluently in English, Spanish and Creole languages.

• Demonstrate exceptional oral and written translations and communication skills.

• Display a high level of confidence and integrity.

• Be a good time manager.

• Be available for call – in duties due to spontaneous activities.

• Display good interpersonal skills.

• Displays a high level of Professionalism.

BELLMAN

Qualified candidates must have working experience in a luxury five-star resorts. Must be Professional, courteous individuals with positive demeanor and possess good communication skills with an outgoing personality. Should have the ability to lift at least 30 lbs. and push/pull in excess of 50 lbs.

QUALIFICATIONS: The incumbent must possess: • Three or more GCE or CXC passes including English and Mathematics; Principles of Business pass a desire.

• Conversational, colloquial, idiomatic Spanish/Creole.

• Good grammar, punctuation and writing skills in English/Spanish/Creole.

LAUNDRY ATTENDANT

Qualified candidates must have previous housekeeping or commercial laundry experience. Must be able to push/pull carts up to 150 lbs. Lift 20-30 lbs. regularly and 40-50 lbs. occasionally. Must be able to work in a fast paced, noisy, humid environment. Safety oriented. He/she must be a team player with a strong work ethic. Courteous individuals who possess a positive demeanor. A commitment to excellence with good communication skills is required.

Qualified Belonger candidates can complete an application form in person at The Somerset on Grace Bay or submit a resume by e-mail at somerset@thesomerset. com. Tel: 339-5900. Fax: 946-5839. The closing date for applications is January 30th, 2014.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are seeking interested persons to fill the position of Police Interpreter / Translator in Providenciales and Grand Turk, TCI. Do you have the ability to interpret and translate with exceptional tri-lingual (English/Spanish/ Creole) communication for customers and callers, provide effective administrative skills, and customer service? Then this opportunity is for you!

SALARY attached to this position is $25,000 per Annum. Salary MAY be negotiable depending on education and prior experience.

Interested persons should provide an application and resume along with personal samples of translated documents. Short listed persons must undergo a background check and will be tested on oral and written translation skills during interviews. Please submit a colored copy of your passport photo ID page and the above mentioned documents to:

9331

Mr. Rex Swann Human Resource Manager Police Headquarters - Old Airport Road, Grand Turk, TCI. TEL: 946 2731 Ext 30310; FAX: 9462099 Email: rex.swann@tcipolice.tc DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: JANUARY 17, 2014

9908

40 CLASSIFIEDS

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

QUALIFIED BOAT CAPTAIN WANTED Successful candidate must have a minimum of (5) five years experience with current Boat Master’s license; must be able to speak French and English and have Scuba Diving qualifications; Knowledge of boat equipment and compressor maintenance.

Seven Stars Resort is seeking suitably qualified individuals 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). Relevant experience and a passion for hospitality is required. Salary is based on experience and qualifications.

Starting salary $500-$600.00 per week based on experience and qualifications.

Sommelier Lead Server

Application must be submitted no later than January 13th, 2014 to:

Marsha Blanche - Misick & Stanbrook Tel: 946-4732 Fax 946-4734 Email marsha@misickstanbrook.tc

Interested candidates should apply via e-mail to Seven Stars at hr@ sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration.

Application deadline: December 26, 2013

The Meridian Club On Pine Cay

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

Turks & Caicos Islands British West Indies

Gardner/Utility Man at The Meridian Club on Pine Cay.

Olympic Construction Ltd. is seeking applications for a:

FINANCE MANAGER Reporting to the General Manager, the successful applicant will be responsible to ensure the integrity of the Balance Sheet and P&L figures, conducting variance analysis and reviewing all financial data for a group of companies.

Main Duties: • Budgeting, financial analysis and planning for the Group • Cash flow forecasting • Developing, improving and maintaining financial systems and control processes to ensure that the financial assets of the businesses are accurately recorded and protected • Providing financial advice and business support in line with key strategic decisions • Producing the monthly management accounts • Producing the year-end financial accounts • Liaising with and maintaining external relationships with appropriate contacts, e.g. insurance companies, bond underwriters and bankers • Team Management Qualifications and Experience: • Minimum a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy or equivalent • At least 10 years experience in an Accounts or Finance field of which 3 should be in a management capacity • Intermediate to Advance level Microsoft Excel skills • Strong communication skills, exceptional attention to detail and quite process orientated • Works with minimal supervision • Adaptable to fast moving businesses with the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

Salary ranges from $45,600 – $51,000 per annum.

Submit resumes online to: info@olympic.tc or by fax (649) 946-1101. Deliver applications to: Olympic Construction Ltd., Waterloo Plaza, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands Belongers need only apply!

Deadline: Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Salary:

$5-8.50/hr depending upon experience, training and work record. Accommodation on Pine Cay for time on and boat transportation for time scheduled off provided.

Duties:

cares for all resort and homeowner plantings and landscaping; performs planting, weeding, brush clearing, fertilizing and herbicide operations; assists with minor maintenance, clean-up and other utility chores about hotel, pool, clubhouse and beach as directed; assists guests with luggage, resort equipment and ground transportation as directed. Other duties as assigned.

Starting Date: February 2014

Patrol K-9 Dog Handler/ Security Specialist WAGE/SALARY: $7.50/hr + lodging QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Must have certification as patrol dog handler and at least one year prior work experience as patrol dog handler. Experience as security worker desirable. Must have training in martial arts/self defense and be physically fit and capable of controlling and restraining a large, powerful dog. Must provide satisfactory proof of clean police record. Fluency in English required. Training in general First Aid + CPR. NOTE: Must be willing to reside on Pine Cay on a full time basis and work nights, weekends and holidays, as required.

DUTIES: Include security patrols with police dogs; response to security problems as needed; Feeding and caring for dogs; exercising and training dogs. First responder for medical emergencies.

STARTING DATE: January 2014 Contact Person and Contact Information: Send resume with references and your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, phone number) to Beverly Plachta by e-mail to manager@meridianclub.com or by fax to 649-9417010. Please also include copy of passport, police report. Applications may also be dropped of at TCR Sotheby’s in Salt Mills. *For the K-9 Dog Handler position, include all copies of certificates including K9 training and first aid.

Applications must be received no later than January 15.

Qualified applicants will have a thorough background check conducted prior to hire.

All credentials will be verified.

Additional Information: All qualified applicants will be interviewed.

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ERP PROJECT COORDINATOR

Coral Gardens Resort Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

General Manager General Manager must possess a broad range of skills and be multifaceted. Ideal candidate will have a variety of daily, weekly, and monthly duties, including but not limited to, placing orders with suppliers, checking in deliveries of fresh food and baked goods for quality, maintaining supplies on stock of non-food items, such as dishes and silverware, cooking utensils, and cleaning products. Candidate must be forward thinking and schedule to have equipment repaired or maintained and schedule other services. In addition, the GM will be responsible for the total cash and charge receipts at the end of each day; then deposit them in a bank, and collect weekly change for the operation. General Manager will also supervise the kitchen and dining room.

They will work with the Executive Chef in maintaining consistent food that is served promptly. They will work with both the Executive Chef and Bar Managers to create specials for the promotion of food and beverages for presentation to ownership. The General Manager will have extensive knowledge of wine and terrior. He/she will be attentive and resolve customer complaints about food or service. General Manager will monitor the actions of their staff and customers to be sure that expectations are met. General Manager will also be responsible for maintaining employee records, disciplining employees, hiring staff and creating schedules for properly staffing the establishment. General Manager will also be responsible for training staff and making sure the all service standard set by the establishment are consistent and adhered to.

GM will work with book-keeper/accountant to reconcile payroll for distribution. They will also be responsible to execute payment of vendor, and government agencies.

Candidate shall be proficient in Office Programs and Micros POS systems. Candidate shall also possess problem solving abilities and be quick to respond in a fast paced environment. Candidate must be able to climb stairs and be prepared to lift heavy boxes that are inherent in the local and type of business.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Executive Chef - estimate food consumption, place orders with suppliers, and schedule delivery of fresh food and beverages.

• Resolve customer complaints about food quality or service.

• Direct cleaning of kitchen and dining areas to maintain sanitation standards, and keep appropriate records.

• Monitor actions of staff and customers.

• Maintain budget and employee records, prepare payroll, and pay bills, monitor bookkeeping records, and interpret P&L statements • Proficiently operate computer software to monitor inventory, track staff schedules and pay, and perform other record keeping.

• Check quality of deliveries of fresh food and baked goods.

• Maintain stock of supplies such as tableware, cooking utensils, and cleaning items.

• Arrange for weekly, monthly maintenance and repair of equipment and other services.

• Ensure total receipts and balance against sales, deposit receipts, and lock facility at end of day.

• Recruit, hire, and oversee training of staff.

• Schedule work hours for servers and bar staff.

Other Duties: • Maintain relationships with customers and staff.

• Update and use job-related knowledge.

• Schedule staff work hours and activities.

• Evaluate health and safety practices against standards.

• Organize, plan, and prioritize.

• Make decisions and solve problems concerning menus and staff.

• Judge the quality of food, preparation, and job applicants.

• Process and analyze information when scheduling and budgeting..

• Record information about inventory and health practices.

• Handle food, utensils, and bookkeeping materials.

• Implement creative promotional ideas working with vendors and staff.

• Maintain employees and inventory records.

• Monitor and oversee purchases, menus, staff, and payroll.

• Guide, direct, and train staff.

• Coordinate the work and activities of staff.

• Perform administrative activities such as scheduling, budgeting, and payroll.

• Communicate with customers, sales reps, and suppliers.

Belongers given preference. Please apply in person with CV, cover letter and references at Somewhere Café and Lounge or submit online at manager@somewherecafeandlounge.com

CLASSIFIEDS 41

OBJECTIVES & PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• To assist the Project Lead to manage the Company’s staff and the ERP vendor to achieve an on-time, on-budget implementation of the ERP Project.

• Oversee the successful completion of project implementation and database merges.

MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and work with user departments in activities related to the transition of Bellamy/Civic to the new ERP system.

• Perform gap analysis to identify functions/features required but not available in the new ERP system and follow up with such enhancements in the new system.

• Identify data conversion requirements and assist vendor to perform data conversion; coordinate with the Data Standards Committee • Establish and setup system configurations related to all new ERP system and application modules.

• Identify and setup user roles and user accounts to ensure effective and secure access control to the system and application modules.

• Design training plans and schedules, and provide training to all users.

• Assist the Project Lead in monitoring project activities and schedules to ensure timely implementation and successful system cutover on or before Dec 2015.

• Identify report requirements of all departments and ensure “must have” reports are available in the new ERP system.

• Perform testing of applications, enhancements, reports, and data conversion of the new ERP system.

• Identify procedural changes and establish new work flow and procedures in accordance with the interface with the new ERP system.

• Coordinate periodic meetings with users and ERP vendor.

• Monitor project activities and progresses of vendor to ensure compliance with the ERP contract.

• Focal point for all internal team issues (cancellations, emergencies, changes to schedules, etc).

• Ensure all team members fully understand their respective roles and responsibilities on the project.

• Reviews preliminary invoices and other financial data to ensure consistency with time sheet charges and expense reports and encourage timely payment by client.

• Works effectively with internal organizations to execute consulting and project planning methodologies, tools and standards, and provides ideas and strategies for improvements • Integrate best practice contract management procedures in the ERP set up.

• Other duties as assigned by the Project Lead.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor Degree in any Business related course is required; Professional Certification is an advantage.

• Minimum 10 years working experience including at least five (5) years with Project Management and five (5) years or more in the Utility industry.

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office i.e. Word, Excel, and Power point • Good command of English language (Spoken and written) • Demonstrated understanding of global business practices, processes, development and improvement with superior knowledge of business systems • Exceptional organizational, data analysis and planning skills • Team-oriented but able to work autonomously with minimal guidance.

• Comprehensive experience with process and workflow design; • Experience establishing and enforcing process and procedures for running projects, tracking progress, and dealing with change and sign-offs

COMPENSATION

Based on qualifications and ability Deadline for submission of applications is January 15th, 2014.

Kindly submit a completed FortisTCI application form along with a resumé and cover letter to:

Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc

9912

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January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Sports Interational 2014 Winter Olympics:

Indian athletes will have to compete as independents THE Olympics are never free from political influence and associations, but in India, political infighting has literally cost the nation’s athletes the chance to compete under their own flag.

India’s membership in the International Olympic Committee has been frozen since December 2012, when the IOC learned that India elected officials accused of corruption to its national Olympic committee. The Indian Olympic Association will hold new elections, but those elections will not be held until after the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

As a result, India’s athletes must compete as independents, and will enter the Opening

Ceremony under a generic Olympic flag, not the nation’s flag.

Naturally, and justifiably, Indian athletes are outraged.

“It is a sad and embarrassing situation that Indian sport has been put in,” Shiva Keshavan, a luger who will compete in his fifth Olympics, told a local newspaper. “People around the world know about the failure of our systems and about corruption and bad governance in sports. The essence of the Olympic Games is to ‘represent’ and I feel it is shameful and pathetic for all of us Indians that athletes may not walk under the Indian flag.”

India had been warned in December that its athletes

India’s athletes must compete as independents, and will enter the Opening Ceremony under a generic Olympic flag, not the nation’s flag.

faced the possibility of being classified as independent if the nation did not hold elections before February 7, the date of the Opening Ceremony. The IOA decided at a December meeting to hold the elections two days later, on February 9.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified applicants to fill the following position

Frozen/Dairy Stocker The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: • Open cartons and price items accurately and legibly; keep store management informed of pricing problems discrepancies • Stocks merchandise on shelf or storage areas following standard company procedures • Assist in receiving and unloading of merchandise as required to maintain sufficient levels of inventory • Checks and verifies merchandise receiving, count, quality and conditions are in compliance to standard company intake of stock procedures • Ensure that all merchandise are consistently rotated in accordance with store policy and product code dates to guarantee quality control • Must return all overstocked merchandise to the warehouse in an organized manner • Detail oriented • Ability to read and understand the English language • Basic math skills • Ability to work in an environment that maintain a 27 degrees Fahrenheit or lower temperature • Effective interpersonal skills • Ability to repetitively lift 50 + lbs • Will be required to work nights, long hours, weekends, and holidays Salary rate is $7.75 ph.

Deadline for submission of applicants is January 18TH 2014

Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted to attend interviews.

Why not simply change the date and move it a few days earlier? That’s thinking about solving the problem, not preserving the process. “The decision to have elections on February 9 was taken at a special general body meeting last month,” an IOA source told the AFP. “We would have had to call another general body meeting to change the dates.”

“We have had discussions and it was mutually agreed that we must not take decisions in haste,” a source told India Today. “So it was decided not to alter the dates for the elections. [Changing the election date] may allow people to exploit legal loopholes in the decision and jeopardize the polls again.”

So rather than alter its bureaucratic procedures, India’s Olympic committee has opted to embarrass its athletes, its nation and itself in front of the entire world. Olympic spirit apparently means very different things to different people.

(Yahoo Sports)

Messi has 322 goals in 382 appearances for Barcelona.

Messi wants to retire at Barcelona BARCELONA playmaker Lionel Messi says he wants to spend the rest of his career at the Spanish club.

The Argentina captain scored twice on his return from a two-month injury lay-off on Wednesday as Barcelona beat Getafe 4-0 in the Copa del Rey. “I want to retire here. While people want me, I want to spend my whole career at FC Barcelona,” said Messi.

There had been doubts over his future at Barca after a row with club director Javier Faus about a new contract.

It had been reported that Faus insisted they had no obligation to review Messi’s contract, which was extended in February to June 2018.

Messi, 26, then accused financial vice-president Faus

Y.A.3.B. CONSULTING Acting on behalf of our clients is looking to fill the following positions: Provo Entertainment Center Dj $6.00 per hour Bartender $6.00 per hour Domestic Worker $5.50 per hour

Med Solution Ltd. Lite Tire $7.00 per hour

Penn Construction

Diva Beauty Salon

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in December of knowing nothing about football.

The four-time world player of the year was troubled by injuries in 2013 and the latest of those came when he limped out of a 4-1 win at Real Betis two months ago with a hamstring strain.

He was initially treated in Barcelona but was then allowed to return to Argentina before Christmas to continue his rehabilitation.

He told the club television channel El Marcador: “My excitement to play is always there but it is true that these past two months have been difficult.

“Mentally I’m rested. I’m happy, very excited and very eager to achieve things.

“I’m here to add to the team, to help the team achieve its goals. Very difficult months are ahead but we will fight like we always have at this club.”

Messi has 322 goals in 382 appearances for Barcelona, and 37 goals in his 83 caps for Argentina. (BBC)

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9342

January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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Sports Interational Ashes 2013-14: Matt Prior admits England let standards slip

Lindsey Vonn said she was devastated with the news.

Lindsey Vonn out of Sochi Olympics LINDSEY Vonn’s knee troubles apparently are too much to overcome in time for Sochi.

Vonn, the reigning Olympic and World Cup downhill skiing champ, will not compete in next month’s Winter Olympics, according to a post Tuesday on her official Facebook page.

“I am devastated to announce that I will not be able to compete in Sochi,” Vonn’s post read.

The news comes 11 months after she hurt her right knee knee at the world championships. The fourtime World Cup overall champion underwent reconstructive surgery but aggravated the problem in a crash during training in November.

“I did everything I possibly could to somehow get strong enough to overcome having no ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), but the reality has sunk in that my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level.

“I’m having surgery soon so that I can be ready for the World Championships at home in Vail next February.”

Vonn counts the ski resort in the Rocky mountains of Colorado as her home and spent Thanksgiving Day training in Vail.

She went on to make a successful return to racing before Christmas but last month the writing was on the wall when she had to pull out of a World Cup event in Val d’Isere, France.

MATT Prior admits England lost the Ashes in Australia because they neglected the “little things” and let standards slip.

The 31-year-old wicketkeeper suffered from calf problems on the tour and was dropped for the final two Tests as England were thrashed 5-0.

“We let a few things slide,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

“Little things like wearing the right kit, turning up to meetings on time, not five minutes late.”

He added: “They appear to be trivial issues to those on the outside but they are important when building a team environment.

“We talk about the little things that can make a big difference when added up. It is always those that go first and we were not quick enough to realise that.”

It was only the third 5-0 scoreline in Ashes history and came after England went into the series as favourites and against a side beaten in seven of their previous nine Tests.

Prior suffered a calf injury in the warm-up match against Australia A at Hobart in November. He struggled for form with bat and gloves during the tour and scored just 107 runs in three Tests at an average of 17.83, taking 10 catches.

He added: “It all goes back to the dressing room and making sure that environment is right and on this tour

Matt Prior said that England let a few things slide during the Ashes.

I think we let it slip a bit.

“It is about the respect you have for your team-mates, coach and captain.

“In any team you have to have strong values and beliefs and we need to start again and rediscover those before we can move forward.

“Sometimes it can slip without you noticing and only become clear in hindsight when it has all gone wrong.

“Were we honest enough? Did we address the problems? It has got to the stage where we have sunk to rock bottom and the brutal honesty has to come back.”

Prior, who was replaced as wicketkeeper by Jonny Bairstow

for the fourth and fifth Tests after 60 consecutive Tests - a run stretching back to Barbados in 2009 - and admits the tour was the worst of his career.

But he says he still has a future with England and backed captain Alastair Cook and coach Andy Flower to oversee a revival in fortunes.

Prior added: “It is quite exciting that we can start again and we can say ‘this is a clean slate, where do we want to go?’

“It’s great that Alastair and Andy want to lead that process.

“Cook has taken a lot of criticism and that will always be the case when you lose 5-0. He knows that, but he was let down by his players.” (BBC)

Hitzlsperger: Openly gay top-flight player some way off

Serena Williams, 32, held all four Grand Slams simultaneously when she won the Australian Open of 2003, but Steffi Graf in 1988 was the last female player to lift all four titles in the same calendar year.

Serena Williams ‘can win all 2014 Slams’ SERENA Williams can become the first woman since 1988 to win all four Grand Slam titles in the same year, her coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes.

He says it would be an “exceptional” achievement, but told BBC Sport: “With Serena, everything is possible.”

Speaking on the eve of the draw for the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne, he added: “Look at the level she plays at at the moment.

“She’s beaten all the top players many times, so you can aim that high.”

Williams, 32, held all four Grand Slams simultaneously when she won the Australian Open of 2003, but Steffi Graf in 1988 was the last

female player to lift all four titles in the same calendar year.

“Of course it would be exceptional because it’s crazy to do that,” added the Frenchman. “It’s happened just a few times in the history of tennis but she can do it and the goal is to do the best possible in all four Grand Slams. So why not?”

Last year, the world number one won the French Open and the US Open, but was hindered by an ankle injury when she lost to Sloane Stephens in Melbourne and, according to Mouratoglou, was feeling the effects of a 34-match winning run when she lost to Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round of Wimbledon.

THOMAS Hitzlsperger says there is “a long way to go” before there will be an openly gay man playing in a top league.

The ex-Aston Villa midfielder, 31, who retired because of injury in September, revealed his sexuality on Wednesday.

“We still have a long way to go because we fear a reaction and we don’t know what will happen,” Hitzlsperger, who won 52 caps for Germany, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“I can’t imagine playing football and doing this at the same time.”

Hitzlsperger, who also had spells at West Ham and Everton, admitted he thought about coming out while he was still playing.

But he decided against doing so because he felt the resulting scrutiny on him might have proved too much of a distraction from on-pitch matters.

“Towards the end of my career, I was pretty sure I was gay, that I wanted to be with a man and live with a man,” Hitzlsperger said.

“About two years ago, I was almost at the same point where I wanted to speak out. I’ve never been ashamed of it and towards the end I thought about it.

“But I thought I still I wanted

Thomas Hitzlsperger recently revealed his sexuality.

to be a football player more than I wanted issues of talking about my private life.

“Anything that was distracting me from football, I put it to one side.

Certainly dealing with this issue takes a lot of time and energy so I thought: ‘I don’t really want to deal with it.’”

In other sports, high-profile athletes have openly spoken about their sexuality, with Olympic diver Tom Daley revealing in December he was in a relationship with a man.

However, examples in football are less common. In 1990, former England Under-21 international Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in Britain to come out as gay. He retired from

football in 1997 and took his own life a year later, aged 37.

Swedish footballer Anton Hysen, son of former Liverpool player Glenn Hysen, announced his sexuality in an interview with a Swedish football magazine in 2011. In February 2013, former United States and Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers said he was gay in a post on his website.

Hitzlsperger believes that for a top footballer to declare they are gay while still playing, there would need to be less of a frenzy concerning the possibility.

“I might be the first footballer who has played in the Premier League that has done it, but there have been footballers before who have come out,” he said. “I followed these guys, and what was said, and it was quite enormous.

“If it’s players in the second or third division who come out and it’s a huge thing and everyone wants to know about it, what will it be like for someone who has played at the highest level?

“Hopefully if some players follow, one day it will become normal and not big news any more.

Those that follow will have it easier because they don’t have to deal with all of that.”

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January 11 - 17, 2014

Second Trailblazers Indoor Women’s League set for next month

THE second instalment of the Trailblazer Football Club Indoor Women’s Football League is set to start next month at the Graceway Sports Centre. The Regency Christie’s Women’s 5-a-side League which is expected to be sanctioned by the TCIFA will run for six weeks and according to the league organisers all females are invited to participate.

In order to make the first official indoor female league in the TCI fun and balanced, players will be grouped into a pool and then selected by individual teams.

The games will run for 10 minutes each and the goalkeepers must stay alone in their area.

In the first league, which ended last month, Red Fire took the top prize over Blue Ice. The game could have gone either way as both teams came close to scoring the allimportant winning goal, but it was Fire’s team captain Yarileny De La Cruz who broke away and scored with just seconds remaining to give her team a well-earned win and the overall title.

At the inaugural presentation a few weeks ago, club founder and president Ian Hurdle thanked his players for their efforts, the parents for their support and the sponsors (Regency / Christies and Trail Enterprises) for making the event happen. Referee David Jasmine was also singled out for praise for his professionalism throughout the season. Hurdle was delighted with proceedings: “Our club has made

Red Fire and Blue Ice will once again battle when the new league starts next month.

a great start and we are confident that with the support of the TCIFA, our coaches, parents and sponsors we can continue to help our players both on and off the field. The skill level has increased, but what is more important are the positive relationships that are beginning to develop as our older players become role models for our very talented younger girls.”

Shinaydine Pluviose nabbed the Senior MVP award while AmberMae Hurdle got the Junior MVP title. Other MVP winners included Yarileny De La Cruz (Fire MVP), Scateline Gedeon (Ice MVP) and Kadine Delphin (Freedom MVP).

De La Cruz (nine goals) also nabbed the top goal scorer’s award while Loren Darbo was awarded the Fair Play trophy.

Cricket Association’s AGM set for next month THE Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association (TCICA) will hold their Annual General Meeting and elections of office bearers next month.

The event is set for February 5th from 18:00h at the Ballroom in Airport Inn. All affiliates are asked to take notice and to make a special effort to attend.

Josh for Sports

Breaking Barriers: The Legendary Jackie Robinson ITS opening day in 1947 at Ebbets Field, the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and a rookie is making history. His name is Jackie Robinson and he is the first black man on a Major League team in more than half a century.

When pro baseball began a few black men played with white players, but over the years that stopped. By the 1900 team owners decided that Major League Baseball will be for whites only.

Black ball players were forced to start their own teams and play in separate leagues.

Black teams have always had some great players in their lineups and Branch Rickey, since 1942, knew this and saw the benefits of having some of these players on his

By Joshua Gardiner team.

Rickey figured that it was time for blacks and whites to play baseball together again, so he sent his scouts to the black teams to look for the right

man.

It would take a very special player to break baseball’s “colour barrier”.

Rickey wanted someone with pride, but he also needed someone who could take insults and not fight back. He must stand up for himself by showing how well he could do on the field.

Jackie Robinson is a talented shortstop for an all-black team called the Kansas City Monarchs. “I have reason to believe you’re the man I have been looking for,” says Rickey.

Jackie Robinson understands the challenges. “If you want to take the chance, I promise there will be no incident,” Rickey added.

Robinson signs a Dodger contract.

His first year is spent playing in the Minor League for the Montreal Royals. He leads his team to the League Championship. The next

year, during spring training, Rickey announced that Robinson was ready for the Majors.

“I’m thrilled,” Jackie tells reporters. “This is the chance I’ve been waiting for.”

On opening day 26,000 Dodgers fans come to see Robinson. Many people wear “I’m for Jackie” buttons.

Jackie’s wife Rachel, and their son, Jack Jr. are in the stands too.

In the seventh innings the Dodgers trail by one run. With a man on base Jackie runs. The fielder rushes to make a play on the speedy Robinson. The throw is wild, and Jackie is safe on an error. When the next batter doubles, Jackie scores the first run of his Dodgers’ career—it helped to win the game.

As a hitter, Jackie gets off to a slow start. Like most rookies he has trouble batting against top major

league pitchers. To make matters worse, he must battle prejudice wherever he goes. Some were opposing, while others were threatening to strike if Jackie took the field. Throughout the season players test his courage. Pitchers hurl fastballs dangerously close to his head, runners slide with spikes of their shoes aimed at his legs.

There is a problem in the field too. In parts of the South it is law that blacks and whites must be kept apart. In some cities Robinson is not allowed to stay in the same hotels or eat in the same restaurants as his white teammates. As he travels through these parts of the country Jackie receives hate mails, some even threatening his life.

CONTINUE NEXT WEEK.

January 11 - 17, 2014

Sports National

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Otuonye calls 2014 “Year of Redemption” – Feels fastest and stronger than last season

THE first few weeks of 2013 were magical for national athlete Ifeanyi Otuonye—he broke the national long jump record several times in succession.

Although it’s hard to surpass that accomplishment, the “stronger and fastest” university student feels he can.

The Kansas State University sophomore, who leaped 7.40M and who holds the national 400M indoor record (48.82s), says that 2014 will be his “Year of Redemption”.

“I am a lot stronger than last year and as a result of that I know I’m automatically going to be faster and should be able to jump much further.

There is no limit on how fast or how far I’ll be able to jump or run this year because the way I am feeling I’m going to do something really big.”

YEAR OF REDEMPTION The 2011 Junior Commonwealth Games’ bronze medallist, who also made his mark in high jump in his high school years, said he has a lot more experience to go with his strength and speed.

“I am not going to put a mark or time out there and say I am going to run or jump it this year, but I have my personal goals, those only I know and have to meet; I will let my actions speak for me. I’ve dedicated

Hours of extra work has the long jumper in tip-top shape.

Ifeanyi Otuonye feels that he will perform better in 2014.

this year as my Year of Redemption.

I am not a freshman anymore. I am more experienced.”

foam bar and ice bathing.”

He said that he follows his coach’s advice, but add a bit more.

“Just doing what the coach tells you to do is not always enough.

Me and a couple of my teammates stay hours after practice stretching muscles I’ve never really emphasised

EXTRA TRAINING The former HJ Robinson High School student (who also attended Munro College in Jamaica) is looking

to put a 100% into his performance this year.

“I have to perform. I can’t use any excuses. I have been working really hard since the school year started, doing things I’ve never thought of doing before. Little things like doing extra stretching and rolling out on a

on stretched before.”

Overall Otuonye is confident that with God’s help and his strict fitness regimens he will make his mark this season. He intends to compete in the long jump, the triple jump, the 4X400M indoors and outdoors event.

TCIFA Guest Coach Programme:

Top US university coach kicks off football clinic FOOTBALLERS in the TCI will have the opportunity over the next few days to learn from head men’s football coach at the Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, TJ Kostecky.

The veteran coach who was set to arrive in Providenciales on Friday will have several sessions with local junior and senior male and female players. The visiting coach will also conduct coaching clinics with local coaches that work within the TCIFA’s Academy and Centre of Excellence Programmes (COE).

Kostecky is the first of many international coaches expected to conduct programmes with young and senior players in keeping with the TCIFA’s Guest Coach

Programme. The major objective of the programme is to further develop players on the island chain.

Kostecky is responsible for returning the LIU Brooklyn men’s soccer team to its former glory. He has accomplished the restoration project by bringing in top talent from across the country and skilled international prospects from Europe, Canada and the Caribbean. His university competes in Division 1 of the NCAA Soccer competition.

HEALTHY BALANCE During his career, Kostecky has accumulated over 200 victories and led the Blackbirds to the NCAA Tournament in 2004. As successful

TJ Kostecky will bring a wealth of experience to the TCI.

as his teams have been on the pitch, Kostecky’s squads are also

devoted in the classroom. His 2003 and 2012 teams posted the highest team grade point average (GPA) in the nation. The 2008 squad was awarded the NEC Team Academic Award for posting the highest GPA among men’s soccer teams in the conference. The 2011 team was distinguished by the conference with the NEC Sportsmanship Award.

Kostecky has a proven track record of rebuilding programmes, having engineered successful turnarounds at each of his prior coaching stops.

While in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Kostecky will be holding coaching sessions at the FA on the following dates and times:

Friday, January 10th 2014 at 16:30h

Coaching Session with the Boys Under-15 COE squad Saturday, January 11th, 2014 at 9:00h

Coaching Session with the Boys’ COE Under-9 and Under-12 teams Saturday, January 11th, 2014 at 16:30h

Coaching Session with the Women’s National Team and the Girls’ COE Squad Sunday, January 12th, 2014 at 9:00h

Coaching Clinic (classroom and field sessions) Monday, January 13th, 2014 at 16:30h

Coaching Session with the Men’s National Squad.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 11 - 17, 2014

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January 11 - 17, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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January 11 - 17, 2014