TCWN November 8 - 14, 2014

Weekly News TWO WEEKS Volume 28 | No. 45 | November 8 - 14, 2014

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Extension

An application to the Supreme Court for the liquidation of one of the TCI’s largest insurance companies has been adjourned for two weeks.

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Director of TCI Tourist Board Ralph Higgs, Junior Minister for Tourism Brittania Misick, and Premier Rufus Ewing

November is Tourism Environmental PAGE 11 Awareness Month PS Finance charged with corruption, suspended PAGE 4

FSC to be investigated over liquidation petition PAGE  4

Public voice their concerns at tourism strategy meetings PAGE  8

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

PS Finance charged with corruption, suspended – Deputy Governor to face inquiry FOLLOWING months of investigation, on Monday (November 3), the TCI Integrity Commission arrested and charged the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Athenee Harvey, with two offences of corruption.

The charges stem from an incident where Harvey allegedly refused to pay custom duties on 25 pieces of luggage upon disembarking a Carnival cruise ship.

She was granted $2,000 police bail and one surety.

Harvey, has stated that the allegations of corruption against her are entirely without merit.

She made the statement on Wednesday (November 5) in correspondence released by her attorney, Jahmal Misick of Misick and Stanbrook law firm.

She also declared her confidence that she will be exonerated of the charges levelled against her in relation to the August 7 incident at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre.

She is expected to appear in Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on December 1 to face the charges which are contrary to section 44 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance.

On Wednesday (November 5), the Governor’s office confirmed that Harvey has been suspended from duty and placed on interdiction pending the outcome of the proceedings.

Governor Peter Beckingham, under whose purview the civil service falls, had this to say: “I am aware of the action taken by the Integrity Commission involving the PS Finance and the Deputy Governor.

“These matters are for the commission and, where necessary, the courts to determine the outcome.

It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further at this time.”

Simon Baker, head of investigations with the commission, told the Weekly News on Wednesday that no monies were payable on the luggage as they were never handed over for inspection.

He explained that the bags were never declared for inspection by the customs officers and as such they were never able to calculate how much duty was owed on the luggage.

Information at the time suggested that Harvey was in the company of the Deputy Governor, Anya Williams and another public official (unnamed at the time) when the incident occurred.

On Monday, this was confirmed by the Integrity Commission, when, as stated in the press release, the commission found that there was no evidence of an act of corruption by Williams or by Desiree Lewis, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

Lewis was also cleared of any breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

But, Williams still faces allegations that she breached the Code of Conduct for Persons in Public Life.

She will be making representation during an inquiry to be convened soon by the commission.

Additionally, allegations of victimisation and abuse of power that were made against the collector of customs and the customs officer

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Bird - News Editor Delana Isles - Senior Reporter Daisy Handfield - Staff Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1

PS Finance Athenee Harvey

who were involved in the incident were found to be without merit, the commission found.

The commission said there was no evidence of misconduct or wrong

doing by these individuals, as had been alleged.

In August, the Weekly News spoke with director of the commission, Eugene Otuonye.

When asked if there is an exemption in place for public officials on paying these taxes, Otuonye stated that there is no such exemption.

Asked if there is any sort of dispensation to public officials when it comes to bringing things into the country through any port, the director said he is not aware of any.

But he said there is a provision made for public officials when it comes to vehicles.

“If you use your vehicle for six years, and you are bringing in another one, there is a duty concession but I don’t know whether it is still in operation now.

“The other one I know of is if a contract officer is coming in for the first time, within six months they

can bring luggage or vehicle duty free, but they still pay the custom processing fee anyway.”

The director said that people, in spite of any concession being granted, still have to pay the custom processing fees.

Information at the time of the incident revealed that on disembarking the vessel, Harvey and her party refused to allow the custom officers to search their luggage.

It was also revealed that Harvey made a complaint to the commission against the customs personnel following the incident.

Otuonye told this publication that it was not a matter of who made the report, only that the entire incident was being investigated.

“It is not so much about who reported who, we are investigating what happened at that time, we need to follow the evidence and know exactly what happened,” the director had stated. (DELANA ISLES)

FSC to be investigated over liquidation petition AN INTERNAL review into the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and their handling of a failing insurance company will take place once the matter is put to rest.

That’s according to Premier Rufus Ewing who was speaking about British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd (BAFSL) during a press conference at his Providenciales office on Friday (October 31).

“We will be investigating internally this particular issue with regard to this particular case and the FSC in general,” he told gathered press.

On October 22, following a six month administration process, the FSC declared BAFSL insolvent and filed a petition with the Supreme Court for its winding up.

Ewing, however, has stated that the decision was premature and that it could have been prevented with better hands on management.

He said the FSC should have allowed the company to grow its books and its business “and that was not allowed”.

Once all of the information leading up to the liquidation petition has been assessed the Government will know if the FSC has acted sufficiently, Ewing said.

When the news of the potential liquidation broke FSC managing director Kevin Higgins hit out at the Government saying that a lack of regulations led to this dire situation.

But in a press statement on October 29 Ewing said that all efforts have been made to introduce relevant laws.

On Friday he added: “We know that the FSC tend to rule with an iron fist. We don’t mind regulating

Kevin Higgins, managing director of the Financial Services Commission

but you don’t regulate a company or country to death.

“Even though the financial services industry in the TCI is well regulated, we don’t need to be overregulated to allow our industry and our businesses to grow.”

He said that if investors view the TCI as over regulated then they will not invest.

The Premier also complained that the commission does not as a rule communicate efficiently with the Government.

“The FSC is very particular about its communication and one of the criticisms of the FSC is that they don’t have to share anything with the Government because we’re not their boss.”

Governor Peter Beckingham under section 37(1)c of the TCI Constitution has responsibility for the regulation of the financial services.

Ewing said that the Government ought to have some role in the

regulation of the sector “seeing as we are the ones who have to take the blame or clean up and solve the problem when things go wrong.”

In response to the Premier’s comments Higgins told the Weekly News that the FSC will be carrying out an internal review as is common practice.

“We normally when these issues occur, because they are so serious, our non-executive directors do an internal review.

“We issued one to the press when we closed TCI Bank and I think that was just laid before the House again a second time.”

He added: “We’re willing to cooperate and happy to cooperate with any review that the Government wishes to undertake as well.”

The FSC is an independent statutory body tasked with the supervision of the financial services sector.

It is also responsible for the oversight of company formation and registration and is accountable for its performance to the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The commission was established under the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2001 and continued by the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007 to regulate the financial services industry.

Higgins is an economist who worked in central banking for 15 years and came to the position with experience in regulation of licensed entities.

He has also worked in the private banking sector and was a director of the National Insurance Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

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Court gives insurance company two weeks to be bailed out AN APPLICATION to the Supreme Court for the liquidation of one of the TCI’s largest insurance companies has been adjourned for two weeks.

The additional time will give administrators for British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd (BAFSL) a last chance to seek external help for the failing firm.

The company has been dubbed insolvent by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is a massive $6.2 million in the red.

Joseph Connolly from PricewaterhouseCoopers presented a petition for the winding up of the company before Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay Hale on Thursday (November 6) morning.

He explained that during two recent policyholder meetings, a few people had asked for extra time to be dedicated to seeking assistance.

Connolly told the Weekly News: “Although the mood of the Grand Turk meeting was to push ahead with the liquidation as quickly and efficiently as possible, there was a sizeable minority in the Provo meeting who wanted more time to see if there was the chance of policyholders raising additional capital.

“I think the reason for the short adjournment was to see if such capital was forthcoming.

“Given the financial position the chances seem slight, but the court wanted to give every opportunity and the additional costs incurred in the period would not have a material effect on the eventual pay out.”

The Chief Justice adjourned the case until Thursday, November 20, when a final decision will be made.

If no company has provided a clear statement of interest BAFSL will either be liquidated or the case dismissed.

During a press conference at the Premier’s Office on Friday (October 31) Premier Rufus Ewing explained that he had asked the FSC to delay the case.

He added that he had spoken to Governor Peter Beckingham the Wednesday and also asked him to have the FSC to delay the hearing. “…while we investigate even more and consider all of the options available to us to resolve the situation in the best interests of the policyholders.”

He said the Governor, who has

responsibility for the regulation of the financial services, had spoken to the FSC and was “very receptive and very cooperative in seeing this go forward”.

GOVERNMENT HELP For six months BAFSL has been in administration while financial experts have tried hard to dig it out of debt.

But progress has been lacking and on October 22 the FSC declared the company insolvent and filed a petition with the Supreme Court for its winding up.

About 2,600 TCI policyholders some who have invested more than $100,000 in insurance plans - are at risk of losing large chunks of their cash pots in the process.

Ewing said that the Government may be able to assist financially in helping to bail out the company.

He explained that the extent of

this would be determined following thorough examination of the books, cash flow.

“We don’t have much money but this is a very important and critical issue and we will do everything in our powers, which is why we’re going to look at it very strategically from a financial perspective and we’ll see how we can help.”

Several options have already been put forward by interested parties, with regard to buying out the various books, he said.

“We need to consider each and every one of them.”

Ewing added that he is very disappointed in the extent to which this particular situation has been managed by the FSC. “And so I am looking to the FSC to be very cognisant, very sensitive, considerate in making decisions with regard to liquidation of this company.

“We cannot afford another TCI

Bank here.”

When the news of the potential liquidation broke FSC managing director Kevin Higgins hit out at the Government saying that a lack of regulations led to this dire situation.

But in a press statement on October 29 Ewing said that all efforts have been made to introduce relevant laws.

In 1981 British American Insurance Company Limited, a member of the Clico group, started operations in the TCI. At the end of 2009 the company went into administration and then in September 2010 the assets, liabilities and business were sold to BAFSL in an attempt to turn it around.

The sole shareholder of BAFSL was the Turks and Caicos Methodist Company Limited who contributed $180,000 as new capital.

The company specialises in life insurance, medical insurance and

annuities – a continuing payment with a guaranteed return.

Unfortunately because US interest rates went down so low the company was not able to meet the guaranteed interest rate given to policy holders, Higgins said, “so they just keep getting deeper and deeper into the hole.”

Administrators Joseph Connolly and David Walker from PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed by the court at request of the FSC this March to try and protect policyholders’ interests.

But they closed the offices for collection of premiums on October 24 as a petition for the liquidation of the company was filed.

The administrators held meetings of policy holders on Monday (November 3) at the Tropicana Plaza in Providenciales and on Tuesday (November 4) at Yellowman and Sons in Grand Turk.

Government’s neglect of Grand Turk is shameful – PDM THE PEOPLE’S Democratic Movement (PDM) has called out the Government for what they see as persistent neglect of Grand Turk and the disregard of residents there.

The party believes that this attitude towards the nation’s capital could further damage the economy of the Islands as well as the environment.

In a statement to the media last week, the PDM recalled that over the past few months and specifically in the House of Assembly, they have made representation on several issues affecting that island.

These issues included the state of the Lighthouse Road, lack of employment, land and possibly marine pollution and the general state of the island.

According to the Opposition party, the roads on Grand Turk are among some of the worse in the entire Turks and Caicos Islands.

“There is specific concern for the Lighthouse Road which is frequented by tourists,” the party statement said.

“When we raised the matter

The vessel at Governor’s Beach is a huge environmental risk according to the PDM (photo by Agile LeVin/Visit Turks and Caicos Islands)

of its removal from TCIG’s capital project section of the budget, we were informed that the infrastructure fund would fund this project.

“We are approaching the busy tourist season (projected to be a strong one) and the road works have not yet begun.

“We are concerned about this as it ought to be treated as a priority project.”

The party stated that the failure to keep the island clean and to pick up

refuse from houses and businesses is nothing short of negligence in its worse form.

And that with the spread of dengue and chikungunya, the country can ill afford to not have the proper resources made available to repair vehicles and provide this important service.

The continued lodging of the vessel that ran aground and remains at Governor’s Beach is a huge environmental risk, the PDM complained.

“After several years, fluids such as oil and gas remain in the boat. We are concerned as to the unsightly view but more importantly, the risk and very real possibility of an oil or fuel spill on a beach that is frequented by our tourists and residents alike.”

They are there calling on the Government to be cognisant of the fact that Grand Turk is expected to receive a million tourists this year who can easily become great marketing tools and future land tourists; or they can become the Islands’ worst commercials.

“A dirty island, a polluted beach and poor infrastructure can harm the island’s economy.”

And as the island is poised for several new developments, people can ill afford to have any negative experiences occur when they can prevent them, the party added.

“Therefore, we are calling on the Government to address these concerns and to take better care with managing the environment and infrastructure in the nation’s capital.”

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

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

Insurance company collapse

THE FINANCIAL Services Commission (FSC) has applied to the Supreme Court for the liquidation of TCI insurance company British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd (BAFSL).

FSC managing director Kevin Higgins said that lack of legislation to protect the public has led to the action.

However Premier Rufus Ewing insists that the House of Assembly has supported the presentation of all proposals to strengthen the regulatory framework.

What are your thoughts? Who is to blame for the potential collapse of the firm?

Need answers

There are more questions than answers. The FSC knew that the company was in a hole when it was taken over and renamed BAFSL. BAFSL is saying that all efforts it made to grow the company were rejected by the FSC that being the case something is wrong.

If they really wanted to protect the policy

holders why take steps to stifle the company and now saying it doing this latest act in the interest of the policy holders, nonsense!

How long are we going to let the FSC take steps that are not in poor people’s interests?

TCI Bank now BAFSL, what next?

The Premier and his party said to get rid of the last AG because he was not operating in their interest, what about Mr Higgins?

In whose interest is he overseeing these detrimental financial decisions to take place?

Why are the policy holders being informed at the five minutes before close of play what the situation of BAFSL is?

More control

The FSC is a joke. They do not exercise their control, they do not earn their salary.

The TCI Bank was mismanaged, bankrupted and hurried off to the Bahamas to hide the corrupt dealings all right under the noses of Governors Gordon Wetherell and Ric Todd who were sound asleep

Buck passing

And now the Turks and Caicos Islands famous buck passing starts, with everyone claiming the disaster is either God’s will or somebody else’s fault!

But this time they are at least partially right!

Nobody in the financial industry could ever have predicted such a long period of zero or near zero interest rates and, when a company is committed to a supporting a guaranteed-return product at the same time as its investment income virtually dries up, particularly when it is so small that it doesn’t have a large pool of reserves to draw on, the outcome is predetermined.

No amount of ranting and raving by either the Government or the Opposition is going to change those financial realities.

One might wonder why the FSC allowed BAFSL to take over another troubled insurer so recently, but maybe this was just another

example of kicking the can down the road in hopes that it will either go away or at least become someone else’s responsibility – but now we’re back to buck passing again!

Not for you

Is it not the job of the head of the FSC to “strengthen the regulatory framework”.

Team work

What the hell is going on with those people?

Lack of legislation to protect the public? There is more than meets the eye here.

They cannot be that stupid to think that folks will buy that lame excuse for ducking their fiduciary responsibility to persons placing money in their care!

One who can propose legislation and one who can enact legislation, both saying that a business will be closed down because of lack of legislation to protect the public!

Well mother take sick, somebody please tell them that they both together have the formula to put in place legislation to protect the public.

No representation

If it’s only a matter of formality regarding legislation, couldn’t we do the necessary to bring the legislation up to date rather than dismantling the company?

Some people’s entire life savings are in the balance and others too old to qualify for alternative insurance.

The people of the TCI are too tired of a lack of representation on our part.

Clearly with a national bank and two insurance companies downed under his watch, Higgins is not the man for the job.

Cop-out excuse

Bad management, leadership and failed policies were the cause and demise of BAFSL. Legislation is a cop-out and too late excuse for failure to be proactive, or act.

BAFSL died not because of lack of administration, it died because of lack of direction.

Despite having a name change, and an accountant at its helm, strategic planning, a necessary ingredient was missing, because the accountant, the FSC, and the Premier too, misunderstood the industry.

Sufficient numbers of policies and programmes are insufficient; it is the quality of the product that turns positive margins and returns.

All of the players well knew that the writings were on the walls, and the so-called effort was an insult to those policies holders.

The Premier continues to not only shame himself, but bring repute to the Office of Premier.

 Become a contributor Governor Peter Beckingham and students of the Oseta Jolly Primary School during the opening of a new library at the school last week Thursday (October 30). The library was made possible by generous support from the private sector, and the pupils celebrated by taking part in activities related to National Heritage Month.

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

November 8 - 14, 2014

Hospitals prepare for possible Ebola outbreak THE TCI’s two hospitals have begun to prepare for a possible outbreak of Ebola by developing and implementing protocol and training activities.

This includes early recognition and identification of a suspected patient, patient isolation, strict adherence to infection control protocols, appropriate donning and doffing of personal protective equipment and supportive medical care.

Hospital CEO Jill Magri said that the hospitals are “demonstrating significant and proactive leadership to help our country prepare for and effectively manage any outbreak of Ebola within its many borders.”

The disease management is based on the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) guidelines.

The hospitals were visited by consultants from PAHO and WHO reviewed the protocol and inspected the facilities at both sites.

They expressed confidence on the hospitals’ preparedness efforts and pledged ongoing technical support through the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

The ministry recently conducted a workshop of the clinical and environmental management of Ebola virus disease.

Chief of medical services Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant presented on the clinical management and nurse Surbrena Pedican presented on the donning and doffing of personal protective equipment.

Magri said: “We have already placed orders for the required supplies and materials to protect our patients and our care providers and a training plan for all staff has been developed.”

Patients coming to the hospitals are asked about travel history and contacts to ensure early detection of a suspected case.

If a suspected case is identified upon screening the patient will be transported to an isolation area that is away from the general patient population and with a separate access.

Staff will be adorning personal protective equipment when transporting the patient to the isolation area.

The staff at the hospital will contact the Ministry of Health and Human Services as soon as a suspected case is identified.

Laboratory confirmation will not be done at the hospital but at the CDC in Atlanta which has facilities for testing category A type infections.

Category A infections are those agents such as Ebola virus, that can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person, result in high mortality rates and have the potential for major public health impact, might cause public panic and social disruption, and require special action for public health preparedness.

Braithwaite-Tennant said: “We have to plan so that we can be prepared and mitigate the risk of our healthcare workers becoming infected and avoid transmission of the disease within the community by isolating and effectively treating suspected cases.

“Part of our training programme involves the identification of a rapid response team that can be activated to care for suspected patients.

“We continue to revise protocols as new updates are published by the CDC, PAHO and WHO.” Ebola has killed thousands of people in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

Defence presents its case in Anthony Quinn murder trial THE CROWN has rested its case in the murder trial of the two young men – Stanford Forbes and Misael Castillo.

On Thursday (November 6), the Director of Public Prosecution, JoAnn Meloche presented her last witness to the court and summed up her case in the two weeks long trial.

On Friday morning, the defence presented its case to the judge and jury.

Defence lawyer Ashwood Forbes previously told this publication that he will be calling one witness to the stand.

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Forbes is representing, Forbes Jr, who will not be testifying on his own behalf.

Castillo is being represented by attorney at law Clayton Greene.

The two men stand accused of the brutal murder of former Projetech employee, Anthony Quinn on May 13, 2012.

Over the course of the two weeks, the jurors saw video surveillance of the Technology Drive area where Quinn’s body was retrieved from, finger prints and other physical evidence and heard testimony from friends and former colleagues of the dead man.

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Immigration Bill will not pass if no consultations are held - PDM Party THERE has still been no indication from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government on whether they will be putting the Immigration Bill back out for consultation after its defeat in the House of Assembly last month.

The bill encountered major roadblocks to its passage when the Opposition voted it down on October 16.

The immigration minister, DonHue Gardiner, was at the time attempting to read it for the second time and present it for debate in the House.

The Opposition’s position is that the document needs more consultation, particularly on parts that were never out in the public for comment.

Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Immigration, said that she is not aware of any attempt on the part of the Government to send the bill back to the people for their views.

She added that as far as she is aware, the bill is not listed on the agenda for the next sitting of the assembly on November 17.

The party leader stated that the PDM will continue to hold firm

Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

in the House if the Government attempts brings the bill back as it currently stands and without going back to the people.

The October defeat came as result of the absence of two Government ministers, who were not present to vote, and the abstention from voting by the two Governor’s appointed members.

The ministers are - Minister of Health and Human Services, Portia Stubbs-Smith and the Minister of

Under the tree

Government Support Services, George Lightbourne.

At the time, the Opposition Leader stated that the absence of the two ministers was very telling.

“Our position is, before you even take it to where the minister’s trying to take it, you should go out on public consultation rather than going through this process, having it voted down or making a grave mistake that the people of the country told you not to do in the first place,” she said.

Gardiner however laid the bill together with the regulations on the table of the House so that it may be published and brought back to the House for debate at later date.

The bill was first read in the Assembly on September 14.

If it is passed when it is finally taken back to the House, the proposed law intends to institute new provisions for the acquisition of Islander status in the TCI. It would also put measures in place to control entry to the Islands for the purposes of employment and for non-Islanders who intend to conduct business.

There is also provision for persons wishing to claim refugee status in the TCI. (DELANA ISLES)

By Benneth Williams

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

USA says queen conch not endangered

Only about a dozen people attended the tourism strategy meeting on Monday evening

Public voice their concerns at tourism strategy meetings DESPITE a small turn out at this week’s tourism strategy meeting in Providenciales, voices were loud and passionate when talking about the country’s mainstay industry.

About a dozen people turned up to the event at Gus Lightbourne Sports Centre to have their say on the future direction of tourism in the TCI. It was the last in a series of town hall meetings which were held up and down the TCI in a bid to gather views from the public.

Over the past few months on behalf of the Government, financial experts from KPMG have been busy accumulating data, reviewing and critiquing past reports and benchmarking the TCI against other jurisdictions.

And it has all been in order to create a national tourism strategy which will guide the future of the industry.

During the last few weeks it has been the turn of the country’s residents and visitors to play their part in shaping the document.

They have been encouraged to give their views and advice on a range of topics such as culture, heritage, the environment, medical and sports tourism.

On Monday evening (November 3) it was the turn of Providenciales residents to make their opinions heard before a panel of seven tourism and finance experts.

Representing the Government was Kingsley Been, chairman of the TCI Tourist Board, Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Premier, and Ralph Higgs, Director of the TCI Tourist Board.

And from KPMG was manager Tamara Smith, managing director Gary Brough and Andrea Sartori, along with Vincent Vanderpool Wallace, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

Following introductions the floor opened with one attendee saying that the country is going through an “identity crisis”.

“During the last 20 or 30 years

There is absolutely no consideration being given to mass tourism” - Ralph Higgs, Director of the TCI Tourist Board

the country has grown so quickly in every direction that I don’t even think the growth has been organic.”

He went on to say that the country is at a “real tipping point” and the decisions made today will have far reaching, long term affects.

Sustainability has to be a priority, the speaker said, there has been a physical change to the environment and it needs to be halted.

“There’s an endless amount of reasons why we should question the next step forward rather than jumping in with two feet.”

Another attendee spoke of damage to the coral reef caused by too many boats operators in just a few spots.

The fast pace of development was the concern of a third speaker who asked who it is benefitting.

“Is it for the citizens of the TCI, to increase the population and have a wider tax base? What are we actually

doing?”

She said the real question is whether the TCI is going to continue to be a high end destination or cater to the mass market with the accompanying environmental impact.

According to one speaker mass rapid growth has impacted both the coral reef and the shorelines.

He stressed that educational programmes are important in order to encourage people to respect the environment.

“Everyone needs to get on board because it’s slipping away from us pretty fast,” he said.

Higgs interjected that as far as the Tourist Board is concerned, “there is absolutely no consideration being given to mass tourism”.

He then questioned whether different policies should be developed for Providenciales and the family islands.

One passionate attendee said that there should be forums for the public to be educated on issues of national interest.

“It seems many times we have these crucial, crucial things that are about to change the destiny of this country forced through underhand.”

Further topics raised were priority for TC Islanders, Government corruption, the role of all-inclusive resorts, building height restrictions and work permits.

Other town hall meetings took place in Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos and Salt Cay. In addition this week a national symposium was held on Tuesday (November 4) and Wednesday (November 5) in Providenciales where international guests spoke on the topic of tourism Views can still be submitted on the online survey at www.research. net/s/tcitourism.

Those wishing to supplement their completed questionnaire with additional submissions can email KPMG at info@kpmg.tc.

THE TCI’s thriving conch business can continue as usual after the US government declared that the species is not threatened or endangered.

On Monday (November 3) the National Maine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Department of Commerce, USA, concluded a review on the unique marine life.

It said that the “queen conch is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range nor is it not likely to become so within the foreseeable future”.

Milton Haughton, executive director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), said the body is “extremely pleased” by the outcome.

He commended all the countries and stakeholders across the region that invested time and effort in working with the CRFM secretariat in providing detailed scientific and resource management information.

In February 2012 USbased NGO the WildEarth Guardians had petitioned the US government to list the commercially important queen conch as threatened or endangered under the USA

Endangered Species Act (ESA).

After a comprehensive status report for the queen conch conducted over the past two years, the US government authorities concluded that the species does not warrant listing at this time.

Haughton said that if successful the petition would have resulted in significant dislocation, loss of jobs and economic harm to thousands of fishers and their families in the countries that depend upon the queen conch for their livelihoods and food security.

“The CRFM has maintained from the beginning that the petition was unjustified as it was based on outdated and erroneous information and at variance with the reality of the fisheries in the Caribbean states which are the main source of the commodity exported to the US and European markets,” he said.

He continued: “We must, however, continue to work together in a cooperative manner to ensure proper conservation, effective management and longterm sustainable use of the queen conch resources and indeed all other living marine species that are the basis of commercial and recreational fisheries in the region.”

Ambulance misuse will not be tolerated

ANYONE found to be misusing an emergency services vehicle will be investigated, according to Porsha Stubbs Smith, Minister of Health and Human Services.

She made the statement in the latest sitting of the House of Assembly on October 15 in response to a question from the Opposition.

The question read: “It has been reported by members of the public that the ambulance in Grand Turk is used for ordinary transportation to move some members of staff.

“Will the Honourable Minister say if this is the practice and if so why is the ambulance used for purposes other than for emergencies?”

Stubbs Smith responded “It is not the policy of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department to use the ambulance for any purpose other than delivery of services to members of the public according to established policies, protocol and mandate.

“Any perceived abuse or misuse of the ambulance is a serious matter and should be reported to the Ministry of Health and Human Services for investigation.”

Five separate companies recently put forward bids for the supply of a fleet of five fully equipped ambulances to the country’s EMS.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services issued a tender notice on September 24 which requested that interested parties make themselves known.

Last year the Government had no success when it asked for bidders to come forward to supply three trucks, and the contract went unassigned.

The ministry will make a decision on who the contract is assigned to before the end of the month.

At the end of last year the Weekly News exposed a number of failings in the vital emergency service that caused lives of the public to be put at risk.

Insufficient numbers of workers, elderly equipment and badly maintained trucks were among the issues that were highlighted by former frontline employees.

And it was all down to a lack of funding and cooperation from the Government’s Ministry of Health, they said.

In January this year Stubbs Smith released plans for a “revitalisation initiative” for EMS. Among the measures promised to improve the country’s shoddy ambulance service were an in depth review of the department, a new director, new ambulances and more training.

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Government unable to claim insurance for tropical storm damage THE GOVERNMENT did not qualify to draw down on disaster insurance to help pay for repairs following extensive flooding caused by tropical storm Cristobal.

Costs were assessed but they did not reach the deductible amount, according to Premier Rufus Ewing.

He spoke about the insurance fund in response to a question at the latest House of Assembly meeting in Grand Turk on October 15.

Elected Member for Wheeland Vaden Delroy Williams asked whether the Government was able to claim following the storm, and what insurance is in place for disasters.

The Premier responded that the country is covered by the Caribbean Risk Insurance Fund.

“But when we applied to the fund it was their view that based on the level of expenditure or extent of damage that has been assessed by them independent of us, TCI did not qualify to draw down on the fund for the insurance.”

He said that the deductible amount was not reached however he could not say how much that was.

Ewing said that instead the money for the flood damage repairs and support came from the Government’s contingency fund.

Cristobal slowly passed northwest over the Turks and Caicos Islands from Saturday, August 23, to Monday, August 25, dropping 12 inches of rain on the low lying country.

Residents and tourists took cover

as heavy rainfall and strong gusts of wind obliterated all outdoor plans.

Providenciales suffered from some extensive flooding but North Caicos was the worst hit with water reaching several feet in places, cutting off road access.

In House of Assembly in September Minister for Government Support Services George Lightbourne revealed that thousands of dollars of Government cash was spent on a recovery programme in North Caicos alone.

A total of $113,000 went towards a new road, water pumping, boat transport and drain repairs – while another $45,000 was spent on fogging chemicals to rid the country of swarms of mosquitos.

Eight Caribbean nations, excluding the TCI, are insured for excess rainfall under the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF).

The company is currently preparing to make a pay out of about $500,000 to the Government of Anguilla as a result of heavy rains that affected the country during hurricane Gonzalo.

This is the same body that provides hurricane earthquake insurance to the TCI Government and paid more than $6 million following the passage of hurricane Ike in 2008.

Since its inception in 2007, CCRIF has made eight pay outs totalling $32 million to seven member states, all of which were transferred to the respective governments within 14 days after each event.

which called for review of the retirement package – pension and gratuity – for public servants.

The motion was endorsed by the Premier and others from the Government.

At the time Ewing informed the House that the Government was in the process of reviewing the benefits offered to its workers.

When she presented the motion, the party leader said she sees the benefit package as being a means of retaining the skills in the civil service, ensuring lower recruitment cost, encouraging less reliance on expatriate employment and promoting a happy service which would in turn increase productivity.

“A more efficient and effective civil service makes it easier for the private sector to do business and if the private sector does more business, then the Government makes money and jobs are created,” she said.

She is also of the view that such an incentive package is even more necessary as Government employees are consistently being asked to do more with less.

Ewing had also expressed similar

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TCI needs to enforce its laws - Opposition

BY DELANA ISLES IN THE wake of a major exercise of apprehension and detention of illegal residents in the Bahamas on November 1, the Opposition is calling on the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to enforce the laws of the country.

In an invited comment on the issue, Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson told the Weekly News that the TCI Government needs to do more to combat the major problem of illegal migrants in the Islands.

Asked if she thinks a similar zero tolerance exercise should be conducted in the TCI, she stated that she is all for enforcing the laws of the country.

She pointed out that what occurred in the Bahamas is just a matter of them enforcing their laws.

Cartwright Robinson said what the TCI needs to do and what the Opposition has been advocating is for the laws to be enforced across the board, and not only where illegal migrants are concerned.

She pointed out that no one nationality should be targeted, but all who are residing illegally in the TCI. Last Saturday (November 1) immigration officers in the neighbouring country apprehended 77 people - including Chinese, Filipinos, Jamaican and Haitians – from various areas of New Providence and took them to the detention centre for deportation to their own countries.

The exercise was carried out the day that the Government’s new

Governor to review incentive package for civil servants A REPORT on how and where incentive packages can be granted to civil servants in the Turks and Caicos Islands in lieu of gratuity is currently with the Governor’s Office for consideration.

This is according to Premier Rufus Ewing who was responding to questions from the Opposition on the status of the review that Government earlier this year revealed was being done.

The review was that of the pension and gratuity paid out to civil servants, and was a spinoff of a much wider assessment of the pay grading system of public employees, which was done last year.

During the October 15 meeting of the House of Assembly, the Premier told the members that the draft report was being completed and subsequently handed over to the Governor, who is responsible for the civil service in the TCI. He said that the report relates to several things such as housing allowance, and a number of other incentives in lieu of gratuity.

In March this year, the Opposition presented a motion in the assembly

NEWS

sentiments.

“I always maintained that the civil service should be one that attracts the brightest minds in our society, it should operate as efficient as any private sector business.

“Persons should feel like they are appreciated in their jobs so that we are able to attract, train, promote and retain TC Islanders in our civil service…” he said.

He also acknowledged that over the past few years the TCI has lost quite a few bright minds from the civil service – some to the private sector while some others might still be unemployed.

“There are several options for looking at how you can make civil servants feel wanted in the service and in doing so there must be equity, there must be fairness, there must be a system of equal work for equal pay.”

Ewing observed that while there will always be a need for expatriate workers, the Government’s first responsibility is to the people of the country, and that included in the report would be ways in which locals will be persuaded to join the public service. (DELANA ISLES)

immigration restrictions took effect.

Images and videos showing children, one in a soiled diaper, being led away by immigration officers circulated the internet over the past week, with many expressing anger at what they see as the mishandling of minors.

On Thursday (November 6), Joseph Darville, of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, called on the government to exercise “extreme care and diligence” in its handling and separation of children during round ups.

He is reported in the Bahamas press as stating that the Haitian community in Grand Bahama is “terrified” and people are going into hiding with their children in the aftermath of new immigration restrictions and raids on Saturday.

He cautioned that such exercises be carried out with the proper care for children.

“They are terrified of being

separated from their children – some are begging to be hidden by Bahamian families and some are going into hiding,” Darville reportedly said.

Darville said there is a lot of fear and anger in the Haitian community in Grand Bahama as it anticipates the government will perform similar raids throughout the country.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Perry Christie visited the TCI and spoke with Government officials on the issue of illegal migrants.

More recently Christie, Governor Peter Beckingham and Minister of Border Control and Labour, Don-Hue Gardiner, met with the Haitian President Michel Martelly in the Bahamas.

They discussed the issue of illegal migration of Haitians and the perilous sea journeys to the two islands.

Martelly is expected to travel to the TCI sometime this month to sign a memorandum of understanding with the TCI Government on this same issue.

Rodney Adams stands trial this week N TUESDAY (November 11) Deputy Police Commissioner, Rodney Adams will appear in the Supreme Court for trial before the Chief Justice.

Adams was charged with five counts of corruption by the Integrity Commission last October.

On October 14, he appeared before Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale for a direction hearing and the November 11 date was confirmed for trial.

Adams stands accused of misconduct during a police investigation of the murder of Kaziah Burke, in which his son was a suspect.

Queen’s Counsel Ariel Misick and attorney Jahmal Misick are representing the senior police officer, while Canadian, Andrejs Berzins QC is appearing on behalf of the Crown.

It is alleged that Adams performed his duties in a public body for the purpose of obtaining a benefit for another person sometime between April 13 and May 24, 2013.

The allegation is that for the purpose exonerating his son Roderick ‘Rico’ Adams, the veteran policeman did not excuse himself from the case although he was aware that his son was implicated or suspected of being implicated in Burke’s murder.

He is also accused of recklessly allowing his private interest to improperly influence his conduct.

The Crown alleges that Adams obtained information on the police investigation of Burke’s murder while his son was a suspect.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rodney Adams

The third allegation is that between April 13 and 19, Adams “accepted responsibility” for ensuring that his son attend the office of the investigating officers at 10am on April 17 but did not ensure his attendance that day or the day after, thereby delaying his arrest.

Adams is also accused of acting contrary to the instructions of the Commissioner of Police, which were that he should not have any involvement in the police investigation, and by interviewing and recording a statement from Dorell Williams, a suspect in or witness to the murder with a view to exonerating his son.

Last October 11 the Integrity Commission questioned Adams on reasonable suspicion of committing offences of corruption contrary to the Integrity Commission Ordinance.

Questions arose from the senior police officer’s involvement in the Burke investigation for which his son was initially charged along with Cortez Simmons.

He was arrested and charged on November 11, following which he was placed on administrative leave.

He remains on $30,000 bail with one surety. (DELANA ISLES)

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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

Reasons why TCI resorts should go renewable Dear Editor, The Turks and Caicos Islands are well known as a hugely popular tourist destination, famous for celebrity vacations and romantic honeymoons.

The location and superb climate conditions are ideal for vacationing, but also for wind and solar energy.

Despite this potential, the Turks and Caicos has catching up to do its renewable energy investment lags behind other islands like Dominica and Grenada.

Soaring electricity prices and rising sea levels threaten the Turks and Caicos Islands’ future existence and by capitalising on renewable resources, the TCI’s enterprises can reduce electricity costs while becoming more environmentally sustainable in the process.

There are plenty of reasons for businesses to invest in solar panel and wind turbine energy from an economical, environmental and social standpoint, specifically because of: 1) High ROI. The tourism industry, and hotels especially, are high impact energy consumers continuously using massive amounts of energy for lighting, refrigeration, air conditioning, and cleaning - and therefore have the most to gain from lowering operating costs and a high ROI by transitioning to renewable

sources.

If commercial operations were to adopt renewable energy, they would achieve a payback period in an incredible four to five years for grid tied solar systems in addition to reducing carbon emissions.

2) Environmental conservation.

Turks and Caicos citizens care about preserving the beauty and pristine quality of the Islands.

Pursuing renewable solutions instead of carbon based will reduce strain on their wallets and natural resources.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is the latest to join the Ten Island Challenge, a commitment to advancing renewable energy and preserving long-term sustainable development.

Sir Richard Branson has been leading this charge to accelerate adoption of clean energy and reduce island nations' dependence on fossil fuels.

3) Increase business.

Furthermore, implementing wind and solar powered energy solutions creates a terrific marketing platform to attract more business from ecofriendly travellers.

Tourism is the largest driving force in the Turks and Caicos economy. A recent study done by

McGraw Hill construction revealed that most sustainable hotels reported an increased occupancy rate growth by 15 percent or more.

In fact, according to the Centre for Responsible Travel, ecotourism captures $77 billion of the global market and is experiencing unprecedented gains that are expected to only soar as concern for global warming progresses.

Early converts to sustainable tourism and lodging will undoubtedly make huge market gains.

4) Education and awareness.

Lastly, resorts attract a diverse population of customers from all over the world.

This is a highly visible opportunity for resorts to effectively communicate to everyone that going green is good and start a dialogue about the importance of energy conservation.

It is easier now more than ever for hotels to incorporate renewable energy to lower operating costs, attract environmentally conscious customers, further conserve natural resources, and distinguish your business as the destination for sustainable lodging and events.

Find out more at www. urbangreenenergy.com.

Ryan Gilchrist, Assistant director of business development, Urban Green Environmental

Take care of those in need Dear Editor, As time wears down for leave to study, I can’t help but to feel a sense of sadness given the state of the country.

I often wonder if my lone voice in the wilderness crying out for justice and representation falls on deaf ears.

There is so much I would like to see realised here. I want a generation of men and women who are strong and proud of their Turks and Caicos Islands heritage to rise up and continue the struggle for the elderly and the children of this land.

As you may be aware, since graduating high school in 1995 I have done my best to insure that the elderly throughout the neighbourhood and in Grand Turk and the children that are ill and hospitalised during Christmas would not experience Christmas without a small gift.

It was not an expensive venture, but more so one of the heart. Nothing pleased me more than to make someone else’s day a little brighter.

So you can understand that while I am excited about leaving to study, I am also concerned and saddened about what the next few Christmases will be like in my absence.

I express this sadness because many of the senior citizens and children look forward to their love gift every year, some depend on it,

however small.

So I need your help in my absence to please visit the children in the hospital and the senior citizens this Christmas.

I would normally take them a small ham or fruits and vegetables to make a meal for the holiday or an inexpensive book or toy to a hospitalised child.

Everyone must have knowledge of someone who could use some assistance this holiday season. Please each one, reach one in need. I beg you.

We are living in a time when persons are here today and gone tomorrow. So many deaths over the past few years and more recent struggles linked to depression and mental illness, please lend a hand in caring and sharing while there is life and hope.

I want to charge the Government through social welfare and human rights, along with the churches and residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands to take care of our elderly and our children. Let us make their lives brighter.

Euwonka Selver Long Bay, Providenciales

COMMENTARY

Halloween, Christmas and changing values WE CONSIDER ourselves a Christian based nation. We have Christian churches of every denomination.

As October passed into November the annual celebration called Halloween cropped up.

In my youth our church celebrated what was called ‘All Souls Day’. This was a day when we remembered our family and friends which had passed on.

Children discount their distant mortality looking forward to the treats Halloween brings.

I wish today that some of the treats we collected on Halloween’s ‘Beggars Night’ included a few toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Candy was in abundance but later became a disaster for our dental health.

Now a bigger question looms:

Is Christianity losing ground to changing values? Yvette believes this is true.

Television and the media now glorifies witches, goblins, vampires and Doctor Frankenstein's monster out of proportion to the past.

Merchants of the USA now put as much emphasis on Halloween paraphernalia and its goodies as they previously did on Easter and Christmas.

This began years ago in the USA when nativity scenes and the posting of the 10 commandments in public places was outlawed by politicians and courts.

I challenge any judge to show me a law not founded in the commandments or the first rule of Jesus: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

We need to ask ourselves - is this loss of values progress?

Politicians of all political parties in all democracies need to emphasise the values of Christmas. All media needs to reinstate these same values.

The Government must follow the rule - treat everyone equally, provide equal opportunities for all.

The Government exists to provide collectively what we can’t do individually - defence and protection, education, refuse collection, roads, bridges, a postal system and possibly pension and health care programmes.

We must have courts to judge those that violate our laws and the principles of equal opportunity.

Moving away from these principles is not progress or Progressive.

When candidates gain election they must not hold themselves above everyone else.

Enrichment of oneself after winning office is wrong. Wrong also

By David Tapfer

David is a retired mobile hydraulic engineer and business executive. He has been married to Middle Caicos native Yvette Robinson Tapfer for 25 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011

is using political position and power to set themselves up for future riches.

However this is what has happened in the TCI and elsewhere.

Remember the capital sin of modern society is greed.

When politicians and their supporters take from government goodies they did not earn it is called corruption.

When power is abused they will eventually suffer, in God’s time.

Like Halloween candy without the tooth brush decay is the eventual result.

When a justice system is tied into knots with delays and legal manipulations, justice for the innocent, guilty and the public is not served.

Christmas and Christianity is about equal opportunities and the collective good. To hell with the goblins!

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 11

November is Tourism Environmental Awareness Month

‘TOURISM is key – unlock its possibilities’ is the new theme of this year’s Tourism Environmental Awareness Month.

The annual educational event kicked off on Monday (November 3) at the Tourist Board offices in Grace Bay, Providenciales.

Premier Rufus Ewing joined members of the TCI Tourist Board, Stacy Cox, executive director of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and former Junior Minister of Tourism 2013/2014 Brittania Misick to launch a month of activities.

Ralph Higgs, Director of the TCI Tourist Board, explained that this November the Government will help educate people on the importance of the environment and tourism to economic sustainability.

“Our country is at a crossroad, the bedrock of our economy may be under pressure from threats, natural and manmade.

“Yet as we seek to chart the way forward we must agree that the sky

Premier Rufus Ewing places his ‘Tourism is Key’ bumper sticker onto his car

could be the limit for TCI tourism because we have been blessed with so much of nature’s bounty.

“Let’s convert them to meaningful opportunities for our people and those who would come and live

among us.”

He explained that the first ever National Tourism Symposium held on Tuesday and Wednesday this week would help to create a strong path for the future of the industry.

“I am delighted that we have been able to gather together some of the most knowledgeable professionals from across the TCI, the region and the world to give us insights into the newest trends and best practices in the tourism sector.

“I am confident that coming out of the anticipated frank, deliberate and thought provoking presentations would be messages that can help us shape and further develop our country’s tourism sector in a more holistic and sustainable fashion.”

The next event will take place next Monday to Friday (November 10 to 14) when personnel from the Government’s Department of Environmental Health and Department of Environment and Maritime affairs will visit primary schools.

They will talk about proper hand washing techniques and the prevention of diseases in the community.

During Education Weeks from November 17 to 28 departmental visits will be made to the country’s high schools along with appearances on radio and television.

On November 20 there will be an open house event at the TCI Community College where culinary students will showcase their skills.

The next day on November 21 the TCI Tourist Board will host a Courtesy Card Day and present cruise ship passengers with a free postcard of the TCI. And on November 28 there will be a Youth Explosion at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Centre with dance, music and poetry along with a costume competition.

Following the presentation of activities on Monday, Ewing declared the month launched and then placed a ‘Tourism is Key’ bumper sticker onto his car.

‘Tourism is everybody’s business’ -Experts talk future of industry at national symposium TOURISM experts gathered together to discuss the future of the TCI’s vital industry this week.

A two day Tourism Policy Strategic Planning Symposium was held at Beaches Resort and Spa conference room on Tuesday and Wednesday (November 4 and 5).

Several regional speakers joined specialists from across the TCI to answer questions and present their views before more than 100 invited guests.

This week’s symposium was the culmination of months of consultation headed by KPMG which will go towards shaping the country’s future tourism strategy.

The opening ceremony kick started on Tuesday at 9.30am with a prayer followed by a rendition of the national song by students from Enid Capron Primary School.

Chair of the Tourist Board Kingsley Been welcomed guests to the event.

“We are going to brainstorm and discuss amongst ourselves the very important topic of tourism,” he said.

“Let your views and wishes be known so that it can be on record.”

Michel Neutelings, president of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), said

the symposium represented a very important moment for the TCI. “After a decade of being an established leader in luxury travel it is crucial to determine our path for sustainable tourism of the future.”

He praised the country for being a creator of trends with luxury hotels and resorts, its culinary experience and high end spas.

And he stressed that a true cultural experience is crucial and great service will bring more guests to the TCI. Neutelings said the question must be asked and not taken lightly whether mass tourism will be accepted after previously catering to low density high end tourism product.

“The TCI economy is hugely dependent on tourism, every resident here depends on tourism.

“Tourism is everybody’s business throughout the nation regardless of their jobs.

“Government revenues are highly dependent on tourism so it is therefore necessary to preserve our source of income.”

He said a focus must go on building public private partnerships, increasing education in the industry, boosting marketing efforts and

President of the TCHTA Michel Neutelings takes to the podium during the opening ceremony

creating legislation for a healthy business environment.

“This forum has been developed as a great step towards sustainable tourism; we’ll be hearing from great professionals who can guide us towards the future.”

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sean Astwood spoke on behalf of Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson who was unable to attend until later that day.

“Though we term this a new vision, there must remain certain consistencies in determination without compromise,” he said.

“It must be sustainable, it must be trendy and flexible, and we must continue an open dialogue with those whom we cater to.

“We must attempt to keep the experience unique and exclusive and extremely important – it must remain environmentally friendly.”

Following a cultural dance from children of Ianthe Pratt Primary School, Premier Rufus Ewing took to the podium.

“Our turquoise sea, our golden

sun, our pearly white sandy beaches combined with our luxurious accommodation and beautiful people are what has made us one of the most sought after destinations in the world,” he said.

Tourism is key and a blessing, so it is important to sustain it by adopting strategies and policies, he stressed.

The Premier added that the country must promote a unique tourism product and create experiences that are genuine and exclusive to the TCI. “It is important that we determine the nature and capacity of our industry as it relates to the building environment, and seek to engage in balanced development across our archipelago of islands.”

He said that public health protection strategies should be created to minimise vulnerabilities and ensure the safety of guests and residents.

“The participation of the local population at every level in the development of our tourism industry and its various products and services

is crucial to the sustainability of this industry.”

Dr Carolyn Hayle, a Jamaican expert in sustainable development, was then the first regional participant to give a keynote speech.

“Tourism plus heritage plus culture us equal to sustainable economies,” she said, adding that environment is not the only factor.

Hayle stressed that it is important to do research, look at international trends, make plans and maintain the “wellbeing” of the country.

She said that training the workforce is essential along with maintaining standards.

Finally Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, delivered a vote of thanks.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were Amanda Misick, Minister of Environment, Home Affairs and Agriculture, Porsha Stubbs Smith, Minister of Health and Human Services, and Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles.

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November 8 - 14, 2014

Explore TCI book series wows at launch

By Kandida Hariraj A VIBRANTLY illustrated book series called ‘Explore the Turks and Caicos Islands’ launched at Seven Stars Resort on Thursday (October 30), aptly concluding activities held in observance of National Heritage Month.

The books, which highlight TCI’s heritage and culture, drew a great deal of compliments from attendees including Premier Rufus Ewing, Director of Culture David Bowen and Digicel’s CEO E Jay Saunders.

Bowen, who played a vital role in sharing his knowledge of the history and culture of the Islands, said he was impressed with the idea from the moment authors Irene Danics and Katie Hinks took it to him.

“It’s so wonderful, I am amazed and I was a true believer since the beginning,” he said.

He believes that the book will be very beneficial to both tourists and locals.

For visitors, because “many tourists won’t get to really explore the TCI culture,” and for locals he sees it as a great tool to help children in schools and even adults learn more about the culture and reinforce what was already learnt.

Having the book launch conclude the first ever National Heritage Month activities was so appropriate he raved, since “in that book is exactly what we are trying to revive and retain, and the information will really bring about a sense of awareness to our young people about TCI’s heritage.”

Congratulations were also extended by the Premier who was impressed by the great production quality of work which he said “really captivates the

imagination and attention of anyone reading the book”.

E Jay Saunders said he was also absolutely amazed by the stunning picture book which is both educational and entertaining.

The event was highlighted by a grand display of some pages by children dressed as characters from the book including Indians, salt rakers and pirates.

Authors Katie Hinks, principal of The International School, and Irene Danics, a teacher for 11 years, were thrilled by the admiration received from everyone who has seen the books and are proud of their accomplishment.

The project, which started about 14 months ago was inspired by their love for the beautiful country which they now call home, Hinks said.

Danics added that being an educator, parent and traveller also contributed to the desire to create a book that children are attracted to, with the kind of information and pictures that will captivate.

As first time publishers, they said it was very challenging but also greatly rewarding.

They added that it took a lot more than expected, from writing and verifying content to getting illustrations to having the book designed.

However, they base their success on amazing teamwork of all who played a part of making it possible.

They especially thanked the talented illustrator Manuel Morgado and brilliant graphic designer Cord Garrido-Lowe, without whom their vision would not be a reality.

The striking set of books include the first ever illustrated guide to the TCI, suitable for adults and children,

Authors Irene Danics and Katie Hinks display the captivating book

Premier Rufus Ewing examines and admires the collection

a colouring book, combining factual and fun information for younger readers, and an activity book to support classroom teachers in delivering the social studies

curriculum.

Comprising chapters range from Geography, Culture, Food, History, Animals, Oceans and even Top 20 things to do.

The books can be found at the Unicorn Book Store, Caribbean Outpost, hotel gift shops, the airport or ordered online at www. islandbooks.tc.

Beauty product sales to benefit education A PERCENTAGE of sales from two freshly launched lines of beauty products will go directly towards local educational programmes, it was announced this week.

According to Jarrad Goldfarb, general manager of At Its Best (AIB) Hotel and Restaurant Supplies, the soaps, shampoos, gels and lotions are the first produced specifically for the TCI. For each item sold to hotels and restaurants $0.05 will go to the TCI Hotel and Tourism Association for their charitable endeavours.

The products were launched at the Tourist Board office in Grace Bay, Providenciales, on Monday

(November 3).

Goldfarb said: “For the last six years AIB has had the privilege of working behind the scenes and alongside the growing tourism product of Providenciales.

“Our staff is entirely comprised of residents and citizens of the TCI. This unique bond with the industry and the community has inspired us to provide philanthropic capitalism within our own demographic.”

The first product line is called Cadence, the Caribbean collection, and is comprises turquoise, blue and green colours, highlighted by a signature ocean fragrance The second product line is

Noemi Francoise, My Beachside Collection, which synchronises the rustic aromas of sand and surf with a combination of grapefruit and ginger.

“Providing clientele with quality products at competitive prices is what drives every successful supplier,” Goldfarb said.

“We at AIB strive to go beyond that by creating brands and providing services unique to our market.”

He presented both products to Premier Rufus Ewing during the launch event in the company of parent company president and owner R Denniver Gauntlett of UniSource Supply.

R Denniver Gauntlett, president and owner of Uni-Source Supply, with Jarrad Goldfarb, general manager of AIB

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Jill Beckingham was joined by school children during her Middle Caicos walk Walkers in Middle Caicos take a break for a photograph

Multi-island walk raises more than $25,000 for charity GOVERNOR Peter Beckingham’s wife Jill has helped to raise more than $25,000 for charity by walking more than 100km across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Scores of jovial residents, young and old, joined Beckingham during her Footsteps4Good walk across five of the country’s six inhabited islands.

And it was all for a great cause as walkers and supporters pledged thousands for their favourite TCI charity while getting fit and having fun in the process.

The walk began in Grand Turk on October 25 and continued in Salt Cay and South Caicos on October 26 and 27.

Beckingham and fellow walkers then continued to Middle and North Caicos on October 28 and 29.

She started her walk in Providenciales from Amanyara to Clement Howell High School on October 30, and then went from the school to the Children’s Park in the Bight on October 31.

Last Saturday (November 1) the Governor’s wife finished with a major walk and run organised by

Provo Road Runners from IGA to Blue Haven in Leeward.

There, about 200 walkers and their supporters enjoyed light refreshments, games and prizes.

Beckingham said: “The response from schools, communities and businesses far exceeded my hopes.

“I was thrilled so many schools, from South, North and Middle Caicos to Providenciales, all participated.

“Special thanks too to Provo Road Runners, who were invaluable supporters, especially for the last day’s walk and run.”

She explained that apart from corporate sponsors, island communities went out to do their own fundraising.

In South Caicos $1,500 was given in corporate sponsorship but a grand total of over $6,000 was raised by the public.

“This is the real message of Footsteps4Good, everyone can take part and make the event their own,” she said.

All participants in the final walk or run were able to nominate their own charity.

The Governor’s wife with runners and walkers in South Caicos

The money pledged by corporate organisations will be divided between 11 different organisations including The National Cancer Society, TCI Red Cross, Edward C Gartland Youth Centre, The Salvation Army, Turks and Caicos Heart Foundation, Turks and Caicos Diabetes Association, Nutrition in Demand, Special Needs Association of Provo, Rising Stars Basketball Club and the Turks and Caicos National Museum Foundation.

“Although the Islands attract many of the most well off tourists, there are still too many people here living challenging and difficult lives.

“I hope Footsteps4Good will in a small way help to improve their lot.”

Beckingham thanked her numerous sponsors and said that she plans to do the walk again next year.

“Many of the schools and charities have urged me to arrange Footsteps4Good next year.

“I’m delighted that Provo Road Runners are also keen to see the event get even bigger in 2015.”

The seasoned walker started the Footsteps4Good charity walk in Mumbai in 2011.

Five Cays street-lighting operation a welcome sign - Astwood RESIDENTS and business operators in Five Cays, Providenciales, are finally getting some relief from the dark, as Fortis TCI began fixing many damaged street lights in the community.

Sean Astwood, Deputy Leader of the PDM and Elected Member for Five Cays, said the operation started as a result of representation he made to the utility company and to the Ministry of Government Support Services (GSS) last week.

“Last week I wrote to Fortis TCI and the Ministry of GSS concerning this issue and got an immediate response from Allan Robinson of Fortis, who had passed on my concerns to the responsible in-house personnel.

“I am happy to report that the next day repairs were started,” Astwood told the Weekly News this past week.

He said he has been receiving a lot of complaints from residents about non-functioning street lights, dark patches of road and some roads with no streets lights whatsoever.

He added that even the police officers on foot patrol have aired their concerns about the dark areas of the community, to him.

“Additionally for the safety of our tourists visiting the community as well as our residents, undoubtedly street lights are very important.

“We have a fair number of residents that return home late at night and would have to walk a distance to get to their houses therefore lighting these roads is imperative,” the elected member noted.

He added that he is making every effort to get this problem rectified at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Early next week I will

Elected member for Five Cay (PDM), Sean Astwood

compile the reports received from the community and will alert Fortis TCI and TCI Government of our needs.”

He added: “It is important to note that for any additional street lights, approval will have to first come from TCIG as there is a monthly payment associated with each light.

“Once the approval is given then Fortis would proceed to install the needed lights.”

Astwood stated that he will continue to impress upon the Government - as he has been doing for the past two years - to make this a priority as the safety of his constituents and the reputation of the community depends on it.

Residents are being asked to contact Astwood if they know of any lights that are not operational on 231-4699 or seanastwood@ gmail.com.

“Also if there are dark areas that you think street lights should be installed, let me know as well so that I may make representation for additional lights in those areas,” he further advised.

(DELANA ISLES)

November 8 - 14, 2014

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Drug and alcohol awareness The Turks and Caicos Drug Prevention Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a mission to create awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. For more information call (649) 246-2526.

Alcohol Awareness Month and underage drinking EACH November since 2007, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence (DMHSD) within the Ministry of Health and Human Services observes Alcohol Awareness Month to increase public awareness and understanding about alcohol abuse, treatment, and other related issues.

The aim is to encourage people to evaluate their own drinking patterns and determine if there is need to change their habits.

This November, we are operating under the theme: ‘Help for today, hope for tomorrow,’ where the DMHSD will highlight the important public health issue of underage drinking; a problem with devastating individual, family and community consequences.

Alcohol use by persons under the age of 21 is a major public health problem.

Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug amongst youth in the Turks and Caicos Islands, more than tobacco and illicit drugs.

Also it can be linked to many of the accidental and criminal incidences on these Islands.

Although drinking by persons under the age of 21 is illegal, local research has shown that consumption of alcoholic beverages may begin around age 11 or before.

Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol use. More than 90 percent of alcohol consumed by youths is in the form of binge drinks.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above.

This typically happens when men consume five or more drinks, and when women consume four or more drinks, in about two hours.

On average, underage drinkers consume more drinks per drinking occasion than adult drinkers.

Upcoming activities for the month of November Alcohol screening at local hospitals and Government clinics will take place on November 6. Alcohol screening questionnaires will be administered, and counselling will be available on site.

There will be an Alcohol Free Weekend on November 7 to 9.

During this 72 hour period, the DMHSD extends an open invitation to all residing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, to participate in three alcohol free days.

The goals are to raise awareness around alcohol related diseases, and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

A Youth Express essay, rap and poster competition will take place on November 22 at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Centre, Providenciales.

The objective of this event is to provide young people with a unique opportunity to showcase their creative talents in a positive way and serve as leaders against drugs.

School Drug Prevention Programme activities will include classroom presentations during the month highlighting the theme ‘Help for today, hope for tomorrow’ and the airing of daily alcohol facts.

More on underage drinking in next week’s column.

‘It’s all about experiences’ – junior minister FORMER Junior Minister of Tourism 2013/2014 Brittania Misick spoke of a wonderful year filled with great experiences during her last week in the role.

The 15-year-old from TCIPS comprehensive school gave a presentation at the Tourist Board office on Monday (November 3) just days before other youths competed to take her place.

The intelligent young lady from Blue Hills in Providenciales said: “Just last year I was able to win the TCI Youth Congress competition in our country.

“After winning this competition it has left me with many great experiences.

“First of all it has improved my public speaking abilities – considering that I was not that good of a public speaker, I had a fear of public humiliation and speaking in front of other people.

“But as the time went by I got used to it and it helped me. Public speaking is something that I use now on a daily basis for other competitions and other academia experiences.”

She explained that winning the competition allowed her to travel within the country which she dubbed “my beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands”.

She visited North Caicos to South Caicos, in a journey that allowed her to see “my history, my culture, my heritage”.

Brittania went on to compete in the regional Caribbean Tourism Organisation Youth Congress

Junior Minister for Tourism Brittania Misick shares a joke with Premier Rufus Ewing

competition in the US Virgin Islands in September.

“Unfortunately I did not win the regional competition but I did not come back empty handed because I came back with an experience,” she said.

“The experience is important, it’s not always about the outcome and I would like to tell this to all the young people.

“No matter who wins or loses, you will always bring back an experience and I would like to share mine with my country - the country that I’m proud of.”

Blythe Claire, training manager for the TCI Tourist Board, thanked Brittania and said that she “has made us proud”.

Each year young people from public and private high schools

across the TCI take part in the youth congress.

The students speak out on a given and mystery topic in order to win the role of the TCI’s Junior Minister of Tourism.

This year’s event took place at Beaches Resort and Spa during the Nation Tourism Symposium on Wednesday (November 3).

The topic was ‘As Junior Minister of Tourism for the TCI, identify two projects that you would recommend to the Minister of Tourism to diversify the tourism industry to include the other family islands.’

William Elliott of the Maranatha High School in Providenciales was the most articulate youngster and was named this year’s Junior Minister of Tourism.

Designer to showcase haute couture collection in Bahamas KAZZ Forbes, owner of TCI clothes label Saint George Fashion House, will be showcasing his haute couture collection in the Bahamas this week.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the sixth instalment of the Islands of the World Fashion Showcase, on Saturday (November 8) at Fort Charlotte in Nassau.

Fashion designers from Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, Nigeria, the Bahamas and the US are going to present an array of haute couture, prêt a porter, resort wear and swimwear collections.

Event producer Owen Bethel said: “I have had the privilege of seeing Kazz make his debut into the fashion world several years ago in New York and I have observed his growth and that of Saint George Fashion House since then.

“He has made significant strides and it is hoped that his presentation at this event will catapult him even further.

“Could we possibly see the next

Kazz will showcase his stunning collection on Saturday

Oscar de la Renta emerge from the soil of the Turks and Caicos?”

Since 2008, Islands of the World Fashion Showcase has held on to the platform it was given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

for its promotion of cultural diversity.

It is used as a means to bring value-added levels of production to the fledgling fashion industries in developing nations, particularly more vulnerable small island developing states.

The intent of Islands of the World Fashion Show is to draw attention via international media and trade exposure to the skills and creativity across the spectrum of the fashion industry in the islands.

To date more than 130 designer showcases representing 20 countries have presented their creations on the catwalks of the show.

Closing out the event is ‘Arte y moda,’ which translates to ‘Art and fashion’ - a 26-piece collaborative collection hailing from Cuba.

Attendees will experience a spectacle of fusion of art, fashion and music created by seven Cuban designers.

For more information people can visit www.islandsfashionweek.com.

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November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The Towers of Babel Art is our language

For more information email towersofbabel101@gmail.com or visit www.towersofbabel.weebly.com

Dear cancer

By Melinda Welch

Premier Rufus Ewing (left) with youth centre staff, children and Seven Stars resort owners on the new volleyball court

Seven Stars owners raise $22,000 for youth centre CONDO owners at Seven Stars helped to raise thousands of dollars for charity when they gathered over the weekend to celebrate the resort’s sixth annual owners’ weekend.

The celebration invites international owners to enjoy a social weekend filled with activities and events while supporting worthy causes.

This year Seven Stars Community Foundation hosted many of the events to raise cash for the Edward C Gartland Youth Centre in Downtown, Providenciales.

Managing director Ken Patterson said: “We felt that this weekend provided the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and money for the Ed Gartland Youth Centre.

“Centre director Roxann Wake-Forbes, the centre’s board of directors, the staff and all the volunteers do a wonderful job and it is our pleasure and privilege to be able to help in whatever way we can.”

During the weekend Seven Stars resort owners visited the youth centre to find out more.

They were given a tour of the facilities and enjoyed several show stopping performances.

Broadway singer Mike McGowan conducted workshops with the children and presented the work at

Children perform for guests during an event at the Edward C Gartland Youth Centre

the high energy show.

Judith Robinson, the acting Director of Sports, opened the newly constructed volleyball court as the owners, Premier Rufus Ewing and centre founder Galmo Williams watched on.

Dorn Fulford from the TCI Volleyball Federation made a heartfelt speech highlighting how community collaboration provides a brighter future for the TCI’s youth.

The federation donated the volleyball court some time ago and it had sat in storage ever since.

It was not until Seven Stars resort held a fundraiser that enough money was available to install the court.

The fundraising will also enable

the youth centre to purchase more educational material and other much needed supplies for the children.

The fundraiser in August raised $20,000 and another $22,500 was raised during last weekend’s resort owners’ gathering.

Seven Stars Community Foundation director Claudine Ewing-Pratt said: “In its continuing commitment to serve the needs of the community, the Seven Stars Resort Community Foundation intends to host future events and fundraisers in support of the community and by doing so making a sustainable difference in protecting the environment and encouraging and inspiring young people.”

Islandcom lands police force phone contract THE Royal TCI Police Force has signed a three year contract with Islandcom for it to be the sole provider of all of their wireless services.

In a press release on Wednesday (November 5) Paul Brown, Islandcom’s interim chief operating officer, said: “Today is a very exciting and important day for both Islandcom and the RTCI Police Force.

“Having the Government’s police force choose Islandcom as their main wireless provider shows the trust they put in our network and our service.

“As the fastest and most reliable network in Turks and Caicos, we

are very happy that the police force recognised this and has chosen to be a partner with us.”

Islandcom beat offers from both Digicel and Lime for the deal, which is one of the largest on the island.

It gives the police force access to most advanced voice and data services across the Turks and Caicos for the next three years.

Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar reiterated Islandcom’s enthusiasm for the deal.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Islandcom for the next few years,” he said.

“We are confident we have chosen the right wireless service provider to keep our police force completely

connected.”

Founded in 2007, Islandcom is the only locally owned wireless carrier in the Turks and Caicos Islands and was the first carrier in the TCI to deliver 4G cellular services island wide in 2012.

Supported by a team of about 20 employees (mainly Belongers), the company offers wireless voice and broadband data services with international roaming in more than 200 countries.

Islandcom continues to upgrade their network being the first wireless carrier with 4G services in 2013 and is also on the brink of bringing 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) to the country.

Never smoked a day in her life She eats healthy because she lives wise She plans for the future because God is at her side She doesn’t faze sin, she praise him She chose everlasting life But as much as she’s locked her house That silent killer still got inside He was so quiet, he moved around with ease He did so much damage, he brought her to her knees She was a host, he was a parasite And on her he feeds She considers life a blessing But now a curse, she breaths He embarrassed her when he took away her most prized possession Now she wears head scarfs and wigs He broke her spirit, so with him she pleads Dear cancer I’m tired, I love to live but you live to defeat, my soul is strong but my body is weak My heart is hurting sometimes I can’t breathe so with you I plead I have five beautiful babies of whom I adore How do I tell them that there’s a chance they won’t have their mother anymore Who gave you the right to invade my life?

I’m just letting you know You may be strong but I will fight Dear cancer Round one, and you’ve won, but trust me we have just begun And I will fight ‘cause death isn’t God’s will I have to pump chemicals in my body just to survive I refuse to let you run my life I’m a mother, a daughter, a best friend and a loving wife So again be prepared because I will fight Dear cancer Round two, but this round isn’t for you Yeah, I lost weight, I got very tired and had headaches I’m darker than usual but guess what I’m beautiful You thought I was lonely but with this curse I found unity It’s not just me anymore, I have a society Every time I see the colour pink I know I’m a priority Dear cancer they told me that you left But once again you’re back You fought a good fight I won’t deny that I’m fighting for life so the fight in me won’t die Yeah, I’m a little broken and once or twice I cried I let you get the best of me But I won’t let you get the rest of me I’m going on my own terms, you’re not gonna be the reason for my rest in peace Dear cancer as strong as you are, I’m confident too It may not be now but one day I’m sure; I will be free from you.

November 8 - 14, 2014

Push for more people to know HIV status MEMBERS of national Aids programmes from across the Caribbean met in Trinidad last month to discuss boosting the number of people who know their HIV status.

Aldora Robinson, TCI National Aids Programme coordinator within the Ministry of Health and Human Services, represented the Turks and Caicos Islands and the entire region at the event.

She jetted off to take part in the two day meeting of National Aids Programme (NAP) managers and key partners in Port of Spain on October 23 and 24.

Attendees discussed the implications of the proposed global ‘90-90-90 targets,’ with a view to developing a regional position.

Prior to the meeting Robinson said: “This meeting targets the aim of increasing to 90 percent the proportion of people who know their status, the proportion of those who are HIV positive on antiretroviral treatment and the proportion of those who are HIV

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

positive with a suppressed viral load.”

Robinson is currently serving as the alternate member of the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee of Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/Aids.

As a part of her duties she gave welcome remarks on behalf of National Programme Coordinators from around the region at the conference.

She also gave a presentation on ‘Identification of gaps and recommendations to achieve national and regional goals’.

The meeting provided an opportunity for joint decision making in setting programmatic priorities and partner contributions in order to align efforts in the fight against HIV. It also provided a forum for dialogue on the need for the removal of punitive and discriminatory laws that infringe on the human rights of key populations and to build consensus on regional efforts towards this goal.

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93-year-old diver attempts world record NINETY-three-year-old Erwin Staller may soon be recorded as the world’s oldest open water scuba diver after exploring the sea around Providenciales recently.

The ocean loving pensioner from Long Island, New York, took an exciting trip out to the deep with eco adventure company Big Blue Unlimited on October 24.

Staller was PADI certified in 1989 at the age of 68 and since 1997 has been visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands to enjoy dives with Big Blue.

However, this year was a little different as the real estate company owner took part in a record attempt to become the oldest recorded diver in the world.

Big Blue Unlimited verified his world record attempt off Grace Bay under strict Guinness World Records guidelines.

They had to provide photographic evidence, full video footage, signed copies of ARRA 2 and 3 schedules, dive depth (minimum 12 metres, minimum 30 minutes), open water, birth certificate evidence, date, time and location and witness verification.

Staller posed for photographs during the dive and was congratulated on the completion of his record breaking venture.

Philip Shearer of Big Blue described Staller as a “true gent” and said that he is “very gracious, thankful and humble”.

Erwin Staller, 93, enjoys another dive with Big Blue (photo by David Gallardo/World of Oceans)

He added that the trip was a success but it will be several weeks before Guinness World Records confirms the record attempt.

Big Blue Unlimited is the most comprehensive watersports and ecotour outfit in the Turks and Caicos

Islands.

The company has more than 18 years of experience and specialises in stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, kiteboarding, snorkelling, diving, private boat charters, biking, and cultural eco-tours across the Islands.

Lifestyle...

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November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

GARDENING 

How does your garden grow

Kaffir lime tree THE KAFFIR lime tree (Citrus hystrix) is commonly grown for use in Asian cuisine.

This is a dwarf citrus tree, reaching up to five feet tall.

The kaffir lime tree thrives in potted environments and would benefit from placement out on the patio or deck, however its container needs to provide adequate drainage.

The glossy, dark green leaves of the kaffir lime tree are quite distinctive. Kaffir lime leaves look like two leaves joined together as one appears to grow from the tip of the other.

Kaffir lime leaves are most often used as an essential ingredient for flavouring many Asian dishes such as soups, curries and fish.

They can be used fresh off the tree or from dried leaves. Kaffir lime leaves can also be frozen to retain their freshness.

Picking the leaves every few weeks may help encourage growth.

Crushing kaffir lime leaves will release their fragrant oils, which emit an intense citrus aroma.

Kaffir limes are about the size of western limes. They are dark green with a bumpy surface.

BY DENIS Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR

Denis is a passionate landscape architect who enjoys the creative process and his clients’ joy when projects come to life. Contact Denis at Nature Splendor for your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs.

For more information call 332-3381 or email denis@naturesplendor.net.

In order for the kaffir lime tree to produce any limes, be sure to provide plenty of light for flowering.

Because they produce very little juice, the juice and flesh of kaffir limes is rarely used, but the sourtasting rind can be finely grated and used for flavouring dishes.

Fresh kaffir limes can be frozen using freezer bags and used as needed.

Kaffir limes have many household uses as well, including cleaning and hair conditioning.

Kaffir lime trees are generally not bothered by many pest problems but may become susceptible to mites or scale if left near infected plants.

Although it is possible to grow kaffir lime trees from seed, this method is often difficult to achieve.

Likewise, grafted trees tend to bloom and bear fruit earlier than seedlings.

Despite the fact that Kaffir lime

trees are tolerant of less than ideal conditions, there are specific needs that should be met for optimal growth.

Kaffir limes prefer full sun in moist, well-drained soil. The Kaffir lime tree appreciates water and somewhat humid conditions during the growing season.

Keep in mind, however, that this tree is prone to root rot if kept too wet, so allow the soil to dry out some between watering.

Regular misting helps with humidity levels. Prune the lime tree

while young to encourage branching and a more bushy plant.

In folk medicine, the juice of kaffir lime is said to promote gum health and is recommended for use in brushing teeth and gums.

The rind is an ingredient in

medical tonics believed to be good for the blood and the essential oils in the fruit are incorporated into various ointments.

Like lemon grass and galanga, the rind is also known to have beneficial properties for the digestive system.

POLICE SAFETY TIPS

How to prevent a residential burglary TO PREVENT your home from becoming burglarised, there’re several steps you can take to deter burglars from breaking into your home.

You can alter the appearance of the outside of your home or hide valuables in secure locations inside your home to prevent burglars from stealing your personal property.

Always clean up the outside of your property to show you’re occupying your home and pick up discarded trash that has landed in your yard.

Install timed lights or leave a radio playing if you’ll be absent from your home for long periods of time.

You may want to enlist a trusted friend to keep an eye on your property while you’re travelling away from home.

It’s always a good idea to lock all your doors, windows and sheds when you leave your home to make it difficult for burglars to enter without attracting the attention of others.

Make periodic checks on all of your locks for their durability by trying to open your doors and windows from the outside.

Install sturdy deadbolt locks on your doors to prevent thieves from

By Audley Astwood Audley, a former police detective and broadcaster, is currently the press officer for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. His main focus is on crime prevention and community policing. For more information call 941-4448 or visit www.tcipolice.tc.

breaking in easily.

Every effort must be made to make your doors and windows visible to the neighbourhood and to the street.

Cut away tree branches that can hide burglars when they’re breaking into your home.

Store your valuables away from windows or doors where they can easily be seen from the outside.

You may want to hang privacy curtains over windows to make it difficult for others to see inside.

Hide or destroy any outside trash that may advertise your personal belongings to the rest of your neighbourhood.

Don’t leave spare house keys under your front door mat, leave them with trusted friends. Burglars may be familiar with common hiding places for spare keys.

Park your vehicles inside a closed garage if you have one to make it difficult for burglars to determine if you’re home or not.

Install a home alarm system to

deter burglars if there’s a break-in.

Stray away from routine schedules to make it more difficult for burglars to predict when you’ll be absent from your home.

Alter your outside landscaping to make it difficult for burglars to navigate your property without being seen or heard.

You may want to surround your windows or home with loose gravel, stones, or rocks that will make noise when stepped on.

You may want to consider purchasing a dog that will bark when burglars enter the property and deter potential burglars.

This weekly column is written as part of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force’s crime prevention initiative.

For more crime prevention tips, security awareness tips and home safety reminders, please log on to www.tcipolice.tc or www.facebook. com/RTCIPF.

November 8 - 14, 2014

Lifestyle...

Makeup and skin care 

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ECO Tip  Thea LoweGangasingh

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

Skincare remedies from your kitchen – Part one SOMETIMES achieving fabulous skin is as easy as opening your refrigerator or pantry and whipping up a quick concoction for your face or body.

Many of your everyday grocery staples pack serious natural anti-aging power. Put a few together and you’ve made yourself a little DIY skin magic.

The great thing about this whole process is that you know exactly what ingredients you are putting in, sans preservatives and harsh chemicals which can cause a not-so-fabulous allergic reaction.

Here are a few simple, effective and helpful do it yourself beauty recipes using ingredients that you may already have on hand or that are easily accessible.

Study them, fall in love, and use them as a base for your own natural beauty concoction.

Honey + plain yogurt = De-stress face mask

In a small bowl combine one part honey and two parts plain yogurt (Greek or regular, the fattier the better!).

Spread it all over your face and neck leaving it on for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rinse with warm water and reveal a brighter, calmer you.

Pumpkin + honey + milk = Glowing facial

Scrape out and discard pumpkin seeds and brain (the stringy stuff), cut off several pieces of the pulp and boil until tender. Puree in blender or food processor until smooth.

Mix two teaspoons of the pumpkin puree, ½ teaspoon of honey and ½ teaspoon of milk in a bowl to make a paste.

Apply to clean face and neck and let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes; rinse with warm water and reveal smooth glowing skin.

Brown sugar + milk = Face and body scrub Combine one part brown sugar and two parts milk in a bowl.

In the shower, gently massage the mixture onto skin in tiny circles from head to toe. Rinse it off and continue with your normal bath.

Note – For an extra boost of moisture, add one egg yolk.

Oil + honey + brown sugar = Face and body scrub In a bowl combine a ½ cup each of brown sugar and honey with one tablespoon of olive or coconut oil (your choice).

Apply to face, neck and/or lips. Massage gently in small circular motions to remove dead skin.

Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Apply moisturiser to cleansed skin.

Note – you can also add one drop of your favourite essential oil to the mix to invigorate your senses.

Aim to indulge your skin often and you will surely notice a difference.

Exfoliate two to three times per week to remove and avoid the build-up of dead skin cells.

Facials and masks can be done one to two times per week; it’s a great way to relax and let it do all the work for you.

Lynn Robinson has lived in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 12 years and works at Big Blue Unlimited as a diving instructor, eco guide and boat captain. She is passionate about the environment and does regular beach clean ups while walking her three potcakes. Her other passion is running and can often be seen training for marathons and ultra-marathons.

By Lynn Robinson

Beautiful by nature, clean by choice?

LAST weekend a group of Provo residents and one tourist headed down to the far northwest tip of Provo in order to tackle the mounting problem of trash that gets washed up along the beach due to its easterly facing location.

To help eliminate more single plastic being used, big containers rather that plastic trash bags were utilised, which were then emptied into the back of the four wheel drive vehicles.

Recyclable items were also collected separately and not surprisingly, plastic bottles made up a large part of the three truckloads of garbage collected.

As part of a fun idea thought up by Hope, my fellow organiser, we also kept a separate tally of shoes found washed up along the shore line and true to popular belief, there were more left shoes found than right.

Surprisingly enough we managed to find a few matching pairs too!

Although most of the trash washed up along the beach has travelled from countries further afield, it is hugely disappointing to find many areas where people purposely leave their litter behind rather than put it back in their vehicles in order to dispose of it properly.

With tourism being the key industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands we are all responsible for keeping our beaches and roadsides clean.

There is no excuse for throwing garbage from a vehicle, nor dumping bags of trash irresponsibly.

It is time for us to think twice before using single use plastic bags, using plastic straws in our drinks at bars and restaurants and buying unnecessary small plastic bottles of water.

With holiday season just around the corner we also need think about how we can reduce the amount of single use plastic at parties by carrying our own reusable cups, plates and cutlery.

This might seem like an inconvenience but consider how inconvenient it is to the environment when disposable plastic is used.

In the words of the astrophysicist Hubert Reeves: “Man is the most insane species.

“He worships on invisible God and destroys a visible nature.

“Unaware that this nature he is destroying is the God he is worshipping.”

We need this planet more than the planet needs us and the Turks and Caicos Islands needs tourists more than they need our trash strewn environment.

Keep it green, keep it clean and a big thank you to all our hard working volunteers at the weekend!

Weekly Recipe

Loaded twicebaked potatoes

INGREDIENTS • 4 medium russet potatoes • 8 ounces ground beef • 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped • 1 cup water • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese • 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 3 scallions, sliced METHOD • Pierce potatoes all over with a fork.

Place in the microwave and cook on medium, turning once or twice, until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes.

• Meanwhile, brown meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, about three minutes.

Transfer to a large bowl.

• Increase heat to high, add broccoli

and water to the pan, cover, and cook until tender, four to five minutes. Drain the broccoli; add to the meat.

• Carefully cut off the top third of the cooked potatoes; reserve the tops for another use. Scoop out the insides into a medium bowl.

• Place the potato shells in a small baking dish. Add 1/2 cup Cheddar, sour cream, salt and pepper to the potato insides and mash with a fork or potato masher.

• Add scallions and the potato mixture to the broccoli and meat; stir to combine.

• Evenly divide the potato mixture among the potato shells and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

• Microwave on high until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted, two to four minutes.

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Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

Scotiabank cuts 1,500 jobs amid Venezuela, Caribbean charges BANK of Nova Scotia, Canada’s third-largest lender by assets, will take a C$451 million ($396 million) charge as it cuts about 1,500 jobs, writes down its investment in Venezuela and loans sour in the Caribbean.

Two-thirds of the job losses will be in Canada, including some headoffice positions, the Toronto-based company said in a statement today.

Scotiabank will also close or shrink about 120 international branches.

Scotiabank also said the charge, which will be taken in the fiscal fourth quarter, reflects a lower exchange rate used to value its stake in a Venezuelan lender and a policy change to accelerate write-offs of bankrupt consumer accounts in Canada. The lender, which has about 87,000 employees, is Canada’s most international bank, with operations in more than four dozen countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.

“Notwithstanding these unusual charges, we remain confident that our 2014 reported results will be within our financial objectives for the full year,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Porter said in the statement.

“Today’s announcement is a result of making some difficult but necessary decisions to support our long-term goals.”

The charge will cut diluted earnings per share by 28 Canadian cents in the quarter and lower the bank’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, a measure of financial strength, by 10 basis points. Scotiabank’s adjusted earnings per share are expected to be C$1.40 in the quarter, according to the average of 13 analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Scotiabank is Canada’s most international bank, with operations in more than four dozen countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.

The bank expects to start saving C$120 million from the restructuring by 2016 as it reduces the need for operational support in its wealthmanagement unit and automates some branch functions. The charge is about C$341 million after tax.

The company is slated to announce full-year results on Dec. 5.

“To some degree, we believe these charges demonstrate their commitment to cost control,” Darko Mihelic, a banking analyst at RBC Capital Markets in Toronto, who rates Scotiabank outperform, said in an e-mailed note. “The issue now is whether or not they are still capable of generating high loan growth and whether or not loan losses are still contained.”

Scotiabank said it will take a C$129 million writedown on its 26.6 percent stake in Banco del Caribe in Venezuela, where investors have speculated the

government may devalue its currency or default on its debt.

Scotiabank said it has adopted “a revised exchange rate” for its Venezuelan operations, and will also incur a C$47 million charge to translate the value of the dividends it receives.

In Canada, Scotiabank said it will incur a C$62 million charge after adjusting its policy to speed write-offs in bankruptcy cases. In the Caribbean, Scotiabank expects C$109 million in extra loan-loss provisions, mostly due to three hospitality loans, it said.

Other charges include a C$55 million provision “related to certain ongoing legal claims in multiple business lines,” and C$30 million for an adjusted estimate of its funding costs “related to uncollateralised derivative receivables,” according to the statement.

Caribbean small islands will be first in region to suffer from rising sea levels – UN A TOP United Nations official has warned that the small islands of the Caribbean will be the first territories in the region to suffer the effects of rising sea levels due to climate change.

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, Achim Steiner, said here on Saturday that the effects of climate change threaten the Caribbean’s tourism industries and, eventually, their “very existence”.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s release of the Fifth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Steiner said sea-level rise will have an “immediate impact in economic

terms” on the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), stating that the Caribbean’s tourism infrastructure is 99 per cent along the coastline.

“Many small island nations are in a far more exposed situation simply because their territory is sometimes only two, three, four meters (6.5-13 ft.) above sea level,” he said, adding “therefore their very existence is being threatened.

“The changes also in, for instance, coral reefs and mangroves that are natural barriers and help strengthen the resilience of these countries, if coral reefs are dying then clearly countries become

more vulnerable,” he added.

Steiner also cited the impact of more intense hurricanes and other extreme weather events on countries whose economies cannot bear the cost of reconstruction.

On a more hopeful note, he praised proactive efforts by some Caribbean countries, such as Barbados, where “energy efficiency efforts and renewable deployment are now on the agenda of investment and national development planning”.

The efforts of the Barbados government were one reason the United Nations decided to mark 2014 World Environment Day in Barbados, Steiner said. (CMC)

Immigration officers escort a woman and child to the immigration bus bound for the Carmichael Road Detention Centre on Saturday.

Officials detained numerous suspected illegal immigrants during an island-wide immigration sweep. (Ahvia J. Campbell/Nassau Guardian photo)

‘Don’t use child as a passport’

– Bahamas Immigration director warns migrants IMMIGRATION Director William Pratt on Tuesday warned migrants not to attempt to use their children as a “passport” to illegally reside in the Bahamas.

Firing back at criticism of Saturday’s apprehension exercises, Mr Pratt explained that several children picked up over the weekend had been abandoned by their guardians, some who had left the minors in the home with a stove on.

He praised officers for taking the minors into protective custody, and urged the public to evaluate both sides before condemning officials.

Mr Pratt confirmed that 228 Haitians were repatriated from the Carmichael Road Detention Centre on two Bahamas Air flights yesterday. He estimated that there were some 100 persons still at the facility.

He said that spot checks throughout the country will continue in an attempt to rid the country of illegal immigrants.

“On social media they are showing photos of Immigration officers lifting up a child, I commend my officers on taking the children into protective custody,” he said.

“They (officers) went to the home, and the parents or guardians fled the scene and left a pot on the stove.

They left the children unattended and I applaud them (the officers) because if we walked off and something happened to the kids, if a fire occurred, then they would blame the Department of Immigration.

“The officers did an excellent job of taking them into protective custody for parents to collect them, and the parents came,” he added.

“Hear the other side of the story, the officers handled it in decency and in order.”

The handling of minors has been a major concern after images and

video of children being led away

by Immigration officers spread over social media over the weekend.

In one of the videos, which was circulated online, a child in a soiled diaper was seen in the arms of an Immigration officer.

On Tuesday, Mr Pratt could not confirm the number of children at the centre; however, he said that women and children were given priority during repatriation.

“People are taking it (the pictures) out of context,” he said.

“You can’t just see an officer holding a child and say we’re grabbing children arbitrarily and throwing them in the bus. If we go to the house and a female is there and is illegal, she would be arrested and the children will have to go with her.

“Having a child in the Bahamas is not a passport to remain illegal in the Bahamas. Under my watch, that will not happen. What we want them to do is to regularise themselves, get themselves sorted out if they want to remain in the Bahamas, that’s all we’re saying.

“They (illegal migrants) believe if they have a child, that they have an automatic right to remain here, that is not so.”

Mr Pratt explained that the repatriation of children born in the Bahamas to illegal immigrants did not forfeit their right to apply for citizenship at the age of 18, adding that the children were not stateless because they assumed the nationality of their parents.

Responding to claims that schoolchildren were apprehended last week, Mr Pratt maintained that officers did not go into schools.

However, he said that some parents notify officers that they have children, and in these cases, they are escorted to collect students at the end of the school day.

November 8 - 14, 2014

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Independence boycott by Antigua opposition described as “an act of treason” PRIME Minister Gaston Browne has described as “an act of treason” the decision by opposition legislators to boycott of the independence ceremonial parade here on Monday.

Antigua and Barbuda normally observers the anniversary of its independence from Britain on November 1, but the occasion this year fell on the weekend.

Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer and key members of his United Progressive Party (UPP) did not attend Monday’s ceremonial parade and awards ceremony where former prime minister Lester Bird was knighted and named a national hero – the highest honour the country can bestow.

Efforts by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) to obtain a comment from Spencer and UPP chairman Harold Lovell, were unsuccessful.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne chastised Spencer for the no-show, adding that there is no other celebration more important than independence.

“To boycott our independence

The Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that: “To boycott our independence celebrations is to disrespect the 400 years of toil, the 400 years of sacrifices that were made by our forefathers to ensure that Antigua & Barbuda ends up as a sovereign nation”.

celebrations is to disrespect the 400 years of toil, the 400 years of sacrifices that were made by our forefathers to ensure that Antigua & Barbuda ends up as a sovereign nation. It is just to abandon, to disrespect that contribution, that commitment of our forbearers,” Browne said.

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Caribbean leaders agree on 10-point plan to tackle Ebola and Chikungunya CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) leaders have ended a three-hour special summit here on Tuesday agreeing to a 10-point plan to deal with the outbreak of the Chikungunya virus and any possible incident of the deadly Ebola virus that has killed nearly 5,000 people in West Africa.

“Heads of government expressed considerable concern, not just in relation to the possible health impact of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), but also about the disruption a single case could cause in the economic and social life of the region,” CARICOM Chairman Gaston Browne told a news conference.

Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said the regional leaders had also emphasised that the response to the diseases “must be a Community effort” and that “no member state of CARICOM must battle these public health challenges on its own”.

Browne told reporters the region’s responses to the two public health challenges are being coordinated by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and that the meeting here accepted that the likelihood of “penetration of the Ebola virus in the region is low, based on the low level of traffic from affected areas.

He added that while there have been no reported cases of EVD in the region, the 17th special meeting of regional leaders “urged the strengthening of the regional public health capacity to confront the possibility of an outbreak of Ebola and any other future public health challenges”.

The regional leaders received a presentation from St. Kitts-Nevis

Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, who has lead responsibility for health within the quasi-CARICOM cabinet, and also endorsed the measures taken so far by CARPHA, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the government of Cuba “to establish and strengthen regional capabilities to confront Ebola.

According to the 10-point plan adopted by the regional leaders, under the theme “Stop Ebola There and Here”, there was need to strengthen effective, coordinated measures at ports of entry to prevent Ebola from entering the region, including harmonising travel restrictions.

The leaders also agreed to strengthen health systems including training, equipment, laboratories and containment, and to enlist the participation of airlines in the region in transporting specimens and response teams.

In addition, they have agreed to create a Regional Rapid Response Team (CARIB REACT) that is able to reach any member state in 24 hours to support the national response team to contain and stop the outbreak early on, as well as launch an intensive public education campaign for visitors and citizens of the region.

The leaders have also agreed under the 10-point plan to organise a comprehensive resource mobilisation effort including a possible “Stop Ebola There (SETH) Fund” to which governments, citizens and businesses here and abroad may donate.

Another decision was to finalise and implement the harmonised regional operational response plan by mid-November, coordinated with

national response plans.

Prime Minister Browne said the meeting had also agreed on establishing a regional coordinating mechanism with CARPHA as chair, including the OECS and CARICOM Secretariats, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDEMA) as well as the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to report to the Lead Head government on Health “with the immediate responsibility to develop a comprehensive regional strategy to address Ebola preparedness in collaboration with PAHO and the World Health Organization(WHO)”.

Cuba will also be invited to join that grouping.

He said that PAHO.WHO, the United Nations, development partners and other contributors would also be invited to a meeting within one month “to expand the effectiveness of our collective response” and that the annual summit as well as the inter-sessional summit would be used to “review and reinforce the effectiveness of these measures”.

The meeting also mandated CARPHA to complete the national assessments in collaborations with the international development parters and to develop a more comprehensive estimate of the resource requirements of the region to support an enhanced resource mobilisation plan.

Browne said as it regards the Chikungunya virus, the meeting was told that as of October 27, 23 of the 24 CARPHA member states had reported cases of the disease spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito.

The Bahamas:

The National Maine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Department of Commerce, in the United States, concluded that the queen conch is not currently in danger of extinction.

Caribbean conch fishing alive and well following US ruling THE Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) says it is pleased that a United States government review of the status of the queen conch will result in the region’s conch fishery remaining alive and well.

The review followed a petition to have the Queen Conch listed as threatened or endangered.

On Monday, the National Maine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Department of Commerce, in the United States, concluded that the “queen conch is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of

its range nor is it not likely to become so within the foreseeable future”.

“The CRFM is extremely pleased by this outcome and takes this opportunity to commend all the countries and stakeholders across the region that invested time and effort in working with the CRFM Secretariat in providing the detailed scientific and resource management information that assisted the United States authorities in arriving at their determination that the species is neither threatened or endangered,” said CRFM executive director Milton Haughton.

Man convicted of sexually assaulting his mother to serve five years A MAN who was unanimously convicted of holding down and sexually assaulting his mother will serve five years in prison, a Supreme Court judge ruled Tuesday.

Justice Indra Charles said eight years was an appropriate punishment for the 33-year-old given the sentencing guidelines and circumstances where the offence of incest carries a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

The eight year sentence will take into account that the convict had already served the equivalent of three years on remand.

The five year sentence, she said, would begin from the date of sentencing.

Justice Charles additionally ordered the man to undergo anger

management and any other forms of counselling available at the prison before he is released back into society.

The convict said nothing other than he intends to appeal the conviction.

A jury unanimously convicted him of incest with his mother. He is accused of holding her down and sexually assaulting her for nearly six hours.

The man, whose name cannot be published to protect his mother’s identity, was alleged to have committed the crime in their New Providence home on January 10, 2012.

His mother did not take the witness stand during the trial.

Instead, her statement was read into

evidence by a female police officer who took her statement on the day in question.

According to evidence heard in court, the 65-year-old victim and her son went to bed after 10pm on January 9, both fully dressed. The woman slept in the bed and her son on a makeshift bed on the floor.

The woman said her son woke her around midnight, undressed her and had sex with her despite her attempts to push him away.

A physician testified that the 33-year-old accused had frequented the hospital because of epileptic seizures.

The physician also read the contents of a medical report conducted on the mother on the day in question.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean is having a series job fairs in November to recruit for the winter season. We are inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for positions at all levels including management.

Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends.

Please forward your resumes by Friday November 28th 2014 to secure an interview date and time. Feel free to drop your resumes in our secure resume drop-box at the Service Gate, or email it to mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com, or fax to 649 946 4870.

Applicants will be contacted via text only to confirm your interview

There are positions available in the following departments: • Bars • Concierge • Cost Control • Dining Room • Engineering • Entertainment • Front Office

• Gift Shop • Grounds • Housekeeping • Island Routes • Kids Kamp • Kitchen • Laundry

• Photoshop • Projects • Security • Spa • Stewarding • Training • Watersports

Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to:

mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 941-4870 Attn: M McCleanVaughn and should reach not later than November 28th 2014.

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

Beyonce named top-earning woman in music TAKING home more than $115m (£72m) has made Beyonce this year’s best paid woman in music.

She had the “biggest year of her career”, playing 95 shows, bringing in an average $2.4m (£1.5m) per city, according to Forbes.

Endorsement deals with companies like Pepsi and H&M, along with the surprise album she released in December 2013, helped her to the top spot.

The self-titled album was released on iTunes with no prior promotion.

Beyonce has just announced she’ll be releasing a platinum version of that album later this month, which will include new songs and a concert video.

Taylor Swift came in second on the Forbes list, taking home an estimated $64m (£40m).

Completing the top three is Pink, who played 85 dates during the time period Forbes used to make its estimates.

Her earnings were valued at $52m (£32.5m).

Other artists on the list include Rihanna in fourth with $48m (£30m) and Katy Perry, who took home $40m (£25m), in fifth.

Rihanna says that she likes a dominate man.

Rihanna says ‘Any man that tells me what to do is sexy!’

Beyonce took home more than $115M for the year.

Forbes calculated earnings by looking at income from “touring, record sales, publishing, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures” between June 2013 and June 2014.

They also interviewed managers,

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lawyers and executives and looked at data from organisations such as Nielsen SoundScan.

Some of the high-profile artists who missed out on a spot in the top 10 included Madonna, Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys. (News Beat)

TURNS out Rihanna and Christian Grey would be a match made in heaven.

In Rihanna’s cover story in the December issue of Elle magazine, on newsstands Nov. 18, the pop star is asked, “What’s the sexiest thing a man has ever said to you?”

Her response won’t exactly make her the cover girl for the feminist movement.

“Any man that tells me what

to do is sexy!,” the 26-year-old singer said.

As the millions of “Fifty Shades of Grey” fans would agree, there is something hot about a domineering guy in the bedroom.

But considering the shadow of the 2009 attack she endured at the hands of then-boyfriend Chris Brown, it’s surprising to hear Rihanna talk so enthusiastically about being dominated by a guy.

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

World News

Tough road ahead for Obama after Republicans seize U.S. Senate REPUBLICANS rode a wave of voter discontent to seize control of the U.S. Senate yesterday, dealing a punishing blow to President Barack Obama that will limit his legislative agenda and may force him to make a course correction for his last two years in office.

The Republican rout was wide and deep in what was bound to be seen as a sharp rebuke to Obama, who has lurched from crisis to crisis all year and whose unpopularity made him unwelcome to Democratic candidates in many contested states.

The Republicans also strengthened their grip on the House of Representatives. When the new Congress takes power in January, they will be in charge of both chambers of Congress for the first time since elections in 2006.

The Republican takeover in the Senate will force Obama to scale back his ambitions to either executive actions that do not require legislative approval, or items that might gain bipartisan support, such as trade agreements and tax reform.

It will also test his ability to compromise with newly empowered political opponents who have been resisting his legislative agenda since he was first elected. And it could prompt some White House staff turnover as some exhausted members of his team consider departing in favor of fresh legs.

Obama, first elected in 2008 and again in 2012, called Democratic and Republican leaders of Congress

US President Barack Obama may be forced to make a course correction for his last two years in office.

to the White House on Friday to take stock of the new political landscape.

He watched election returns from the White House, and saw little to warm his spirits.

Before the election results, the White House had signaled no major changes for Obama. Officials said Obama would seek common ground with Congress on areas like trade and infrastructure.

“The president is going to continue to look for partners on Capitol Hill, Democrats or Republicans, who are willing to work with him on policies that benefit middle-class families,” White House spokesman Josh

Earnest said on Tuesday.

Obama, a one-term senator before he became president, has often been faulted for not developing closer relations with lawmakers.

He will find one familiar face in a powerful new position.

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who won a tough re-election battle against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, will replace Democrat Harry Reid as Senate majority leader. Reid has been one of Obama’s top political allies and helped him steer the president’s signature healthcare law through the Senate in 2010.

UK’s Prince Charles warns of persecution of Christians BRITAIN’S Prince Charles warned of a threat to Christians in the Middle East and urged the need for compassion between different faiths.

“It is an indescribable tragedy that Christianity is now under such threat in the Middle East,” Charles said on Tuesday in a video message posted on the website of The Telegraph newspaper.

“An area where Christians have lived for 2,000 years, and across which Islam spread in 700AD, with people of different faiths living together peaceably for centuries.”

The region’s minorities are at risk from rising unrest across the region, and from extremist groups such as the Islamic State, which has violently carved out a large area of control in Iraq and Syria.

Filmed in a domestic setting, seated in front of a fireplace, the son of Queen Elizabeth II and heir to the throne spoke of his concern that religious freedom was not respected around the world.

“Rather than remaining silent, faith leaders have it seems to me a responsibility to ensure that people within their own tradition respect people from other faith traditions,” Charles said.

“My own Christian faith has enabled me to speak to, and to listen to, people from other traditions, including Islam.”

Prince Charles of Wales says Christianity is under threat in the Middle East. (AFP Photo/ Chris Jackson)

“Such interfaith dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and should be seen as a duty for all Christians, as well as believers from other religious communities,” he added.

The message was recorded for the publication of a report finding that Christians are “the most persecuted religious minority” in the world.

The report by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need found that Muslim countries were often the location of the most serious violations of religious freedom, but that freedom was also in decline in Western countries.

Jerusalem attack: Netanyahu blames incitement A PALESTINIAN driver has rammed a car into several pedestrians in Jerusalem, killing a policeman, hours after clashes at the city’s holiest site.

About a dozen people were injured and the driver was shot dead by police.

Hamas militants said they carried out the attack. Israel’s prime minister said it was a result of “incitement” by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

A similar car attack by a Palestinian took place in the same area two weeks ago which left a woman and a baby dead.

Meanwhile Jordan has recalled its ambassador to Israel over what it called the “unprecedented Israeli escalation” at holy and sensitive sites in Jerusalem.

Also citing continued settlement activity, Jordan is to lodge a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council in protest, the Jordanian state news agency Petra reported.

The man killed in Wednesday’s car attack was police Chief Inspector Jidaan Asad, 38, police spokesman

Micky Rosenfeld said.

The driver of the car - named as Ibrahim al-Akari - was from Shuafat refugee camp in the east of the city, police say.

His Facebook page states that he is a member of Hamas, and the Twitter account for the group’s armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, described him as a member and a martyr.

Hamas, the militant Islamist group dominant in Gaza, and Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, agreed to the formation of a new unity government earlier this year - a move denounced

by Mr Netanyahu. Hamas rejects Israel’s right to exist and advocates what it calls “armed resistance” against the Jewish state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Wednesday’s attack was the result of incitement emanating from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and “his Hamas partners”, a reference to a unity government led by Mr Abbas and supported by the Islamist militant group.

“We are in a prolonged battle in Jerusalem. I have no doubt we will win,” Mr Netanyahu said.

“We are deploying all the necessary forces to restore calm and security to all parts of the city but it may certainly be a prolonged struggle.”

Hamas praised the attack as a “glorious operation”, describing Mr Akari as a “hero” whose actions were a “natural response” to Israel’s actions in east Jerusalem.

Two weeks ago a Palestinian from the Abu Tor area drove his car into a tram station, killing a three-monthold baby and an Ecuadorean woman.

East Jerusalem has experienced growing unrest in recent months with Palestinians angry at Israeli settlement expansion on occupied land and restricted access to the alAqsa Mosque Compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

At times of tension, Israeli police bar male Muslim worshippers under the age of 50 from entering the compound as a security measure.

(BBC)

The international campaign group Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) has found that in rural areas of Sierra Leone the disease is spreading nine times faster than was the case just two months ago.

Ebola spreading nine times faster than before in rural Sierra Leone AS IF to illustrate Ebola’s deadly unpredictability, cases of the killer virus are rising “frighteningly quickly” in parts of Sierra Leone, while appearing to be levelling off in Liberia.

The international campaign group Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) has found that in rural areas of Sierra Leone the disease is spreading nine times faster than was the case just two months ago.

And while the country’s rural areas are experiencing the biggest

spike, AGI says that the spread of the virus is also swelling in the capital Freetown, which is recording six times more cases per day than obtained two months ago.

Ebola’s relentless grip has only started to loosen in one region of Sierra Leone, Bombali in the country’s north, according to a report in The Guardian Nigeria.

AGI’s findings came after World Health Organization (WHO) officials said that the number of new cases in Liberia was levelling off.

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

World News

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New EU migrants add £5bn to UK, report says

Catalans march in Barcelona on September 11, 2014, to celebrate their National Day.

Spanish court again suspends Catalonia independence vote

A CONTROVERSIAL referendum on Catalonia’s future as part of Spain has again been put on hold by a court, just days before the planned vote on Sunday.

Spain’s Consitutional Court on Tuesday suspended -- for the second time since September -- a referendum on independence for Catalonia, the wealthy, restive region in northeast Spain whose capital is Barcelona.

The court said in a statement that it again suspended the referendum while it considers an appeal from the Spanish government that challenged the independence vote as “unconstitutional.”

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans have demonstrated in recent years for an independence referendum,

and they closely watched the recent independence vote in Scotland. Even after Scotland voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom, many Catalans said the key issue was being allowed to vote in Catalonia on independence.

But the Spanish government insists that the constitution does not permit just one of Spain’s 17 regions, such as Catalonia, to unilaterally break away.

Catalonia represents about 20% of Spain’s economy and already has broad home-rule powers, including its own parliament, police force and control over education and health.

The region also has a long list of grievances with Madrid, including over taxation.

Charles Mihayo confessed to killing his daughters Indianna (l.) and Savannah (r.).

Man confesses to killing young daughters to get revenge on ex-wife A FATHER put his young daughters in ballerina dresses and filmed them dancing to “Let It Go” from the movie “Frozen” before killing them to take revenge on his ex-wife.

Charles Amon Mihayo had also Googled “how to kill my ex-wife” before murdering Savannah, 4, and Indianna, 3, reported News.com.au.

The Melbourne man smothered both children with a pillow.

The 36-year-old has pleaded guilty to killing his daughters, a presentencing trial at Victorian Supreme Court heard.

The tragedy happened after the relationship between Mihayo and his ex-wife broke down.

Just four days before killing the children, he had used the Internet to look for ways to kill his former partner who had a new lover.

He also claimed there were access issues to the children.

His defense lawyer Tim Marsh told the court there was nothing premeditated in the murders, and Mihayo had told police the crime just happened right then and there.

(NYDailynews)

IMMIGRANTS from the 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004 contributed more to the UK than they took out in benefits, according to a new study.

They added £4.96bn more in taxes in the years to 2011 than they took out in public services, the report produced by University College London (UCL) found.

Campaign group Migration Watch criticised the report for what it said was a selective use of dates.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said it was too narrowly focused.

“It [the report] has not properly addressed the issues of the pressures of public services,” he said. “There’s things that I think rightly concern the public on access to schools, hospitals, roads, housing.”

UCL’s report, The Fiscal Effects of Immigration to the UK, was published by the Royal Economic Society in the Economic Journal.

The countries that joined the EU in 2004 - known as the Accession Ten, or A10 - were Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

People in Northampton have

mixed views on the contribution made by migrants to the UK The analysis included migrants’ share of all public services costs, covering those that increase when the population increases, such as health and education, and those that stay fixed, such as the armed forces and defence.

If the fixed costs are excluded, the net benefit of immigration from these countries would more than double to £10.5bn.

The study also said immigrants from the wider European Economic Area - the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - had made a positive financial contribution to the UK. It found that: · EEA immigrants had made a fiscal contribution of £4.4bn between 1995 and 2011, non-EEA immigrants had made a negative net contribution of £118bn, and British people had made a negative net contribution of £591bn · More recently, between 2001 and 2011, European arrivals contributed £20bn and those from outside Europe £5bn · Immigrants who arrived since 2000 were 43% less likely than

British people to receive state benefits or tax credits, and 7% less likely to live in social housing · They were better educated, with 62% of those from the first 15 EU countries and 25% from the A10 countries having a degree, compared with 24% in the UK Prof Christian Dustmann, coauthor of the study, said: “A key concern in the public debate on migration is whether immigrants contribute their fair share to the tax and welfare systems.

“Our new analysis draws a positive picture of the overall fiscal contribution made by recent immigrant cohorts, particularly of immigrants arriving from the EU.” He said EU migrants, in particular, made “the most substantial contributions” because of their “higher average labour market participation compared with natives and their lower receipt of welfare benefits”.

Migration Watch chairman Sir Andrew Green said: “If you take all EU migration including those who arrived before 2001 what you find is this - you find by the end of the period they are making a negative contribution and increasingly so.

90-year-old Florida man charged for feeding homeless people ARNOLD Abbott handed out four plates of food to homeless people in a South Florida park. Then police stopped the 90-year-old from serving up another bite.

“An officer said, ‘Drop that plate right now -- like I had a weapon,’” Abbott said.

Abbott and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were charged for feeding the homeless in public on Sunday, the city’s first crackdowns under a new ordinance banning public food sharing, CNN affiliate WPLG reported.

Now they face possible jail time and a $500 fine, WPLG said.

Despite some criticism from homeless advocates, city officials have vowed the new rules will be enforced.

“Just because of media attention we don’t stop enforcing the law.

We enforce the laws here in Fort Lauderdale,” Mayor Jack Seiler told WPLG. He defended the law in an interview with the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.

“I’m not satisfied with having a cycle of homeless in the city of Fort Lauderdale,” Seiler said. “Providing them with a meal and keeping them in that cycle on the street is not

Abbott and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were charged for feeding the homeless in public on Sunday, the city’s first crackdowns under a new ordinance banning public food sharing, CNN affiliate WPLG reported.

productive.”

But Abbott, who has been helping feed homeless people in the area through his Love Thy Neighbor nonprofit since 1991, said authorities are targeting the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“These are the poorest of the poor. They have nothing. They don’t have a roof over their head,” he said.

“Who can turn them away?”

Recently, the city has also passed

an ordinance limiting the storage of personal property in public, WPLG said. Then came the restrictions for food sharing.

“The city passed an ordinance requiring us to have a Porta-Potty.

It’s ridiculous. The whole thing was designed to rid Fort Lauderdale of its homeless,” Abbott said. “Police told me anyone who touches a pan ... anyone who is involved, will be arrested.”

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate

Brama Kumaris

Raja Yoga

Classifieds

Meditation Centre Turks and Caicos Islands

Telephone 946-4760 & 332-4101

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

FOR SALE

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

HELP WANTED Counter Server Grace Bay, Providenciales

Currently hiring FT & PT positions for Counter Server.

Hours include daytime, evening, weekend and holidays.

Applicant must be outgoing, trustworthy, willing to learn, take direction from superiors. Fluent reading and writing in English is mandatory. Duties include serving customers, some food prep work, cashiering and cleaning counters and tables. Prior experience preferred but not mandatory - a great attitude will prevail! Belongers need only apply.

Applications should be submitted online at momentous. bamboohr.com/jobs or in person at Neptune Crt. Upstairs at (Momentous Ltd.) during business hours (10 am - 3 pm).

10489

30

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

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 31

PRICED FOR Amazing Value!

QUICK SALE Lot for Sale

Beautiful hillside, water front lot in Paw Paw Joe, North Caicos South

$50,000

(or nearest offer) Also additional seven acres plus in Kerr Mount (inland) contact Veronica at 1-242-327-8011 or 1-649-232-3508, (242) 676-3592

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

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

The largest readership in the Turks & Caicos

PRICE SLASHED

PRICE SLASHED $175,000 FOR QUICK SALE

$180,000 CASH! House and ½ Acre land Richmond Hill 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Fully furnished

Call: 231-3788

32 CLASSIFIEDS

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ALIVE AND WELL RESORT

Superior Laundromat

DOWNWIND VENETIAN ROAD

Alive and Well Resorts are looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outstanding professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their style is must be one that balances a commitment to people which will provide an extraordinary guest experience. Must be prepared to be accountable for responsibilities and the quality of their performance.

Vacation Club Manager (VCM) Job Description: • Daily management of all aspects of the Vacation Clubs products and services for the Company.

• Daily management of Sales and Marketing Departments.

• VCM will be responsible for recruiting, training, coaching, and performance management of the sales and marketing staff towards the attainment of the budgeted annual sales goals as defined in the annual budget.

• VCM is to provide overall leadership to sales and marketing teams. Including scheduling and leading weekly, and monthly meeting with the Marketing Supervisor, Sales Supervisor and VLC. • In order to achieve the budget VCM will develop and deliver customized market specific training programs for the sales and marketing teams, including all support staff.

• VCM will also develop compensation plans to attract the top sales and marketing talent in the VO industry.

• VCM will also be responsible for the performance of Company’s VO sales and marketing staff, including the attainment of tour volume, sales revenue, referral harvesting, and profitability objectives as defined and agreed between VCM and the Company. Each year in collaboration with the Company VCM will reivew past years proformance, and develop new annual sales and marketing budgets.

Minimun Job Requirements: • 10 years or more experience in Vacation Ownership Sales and Marketing management • Experience in Fractional Sales and Marketing management • Proven ability to create and train site specific Sales and Marketing processes • Multiple site experience • Must have experience with Sales and Marketing of both “Points” and “Weeks”

Five Cays Road, Providenciales.

Telephone: 231-6318

practices needed to reach monthly budget.

Minimun Job Requirements:

• 5 years or more experience in Vacation Ownership marketing supervision • Must have experience starting new projects, developing new marketing programs • Multiple site experience • Proven ability to train site specific marketing processes • Must have proven record of reaching budget tour and sales goals • Must have experience in hiring and training new marketing representatives

1 Laundry Repairman, 1 Technician

Verification and Loan Clerk (VLC) Job Description:

Salary based on skill and experience 10585

• Daily responsible for the greeting, check in and assignment of all guest touring the Club • Daily cordination with the Marketing and Sales Supervisors to coordinate guest gift certificates • VLC will be responsible for the creation of and verification of all contract for purchase by guests • VLC will be responsible to assist VCM in training an assistant VLC trainee • In order to achieve the budget VLC will daily monittor the tour results and report the results to the VCM. • VLC will attend weekly and monthly staff meetings with VCM to maintain best practices needed to reach monthly budget

T HOLDINGS LTD. is looking for a

Minimun Job Requirements:

• 8 years or more experience in Vacation Ownership contract processing and Verification • Must have record of customer service pre and post sale • Must have record of good follow up skills, customer relations and collections • Must have record of excellent computer skills with VO contract programs • Multiple site experience • Proven ability to train Assistant VLC

Civil Engineer to work 6 days per week must have at least 10 years experience salary negotiable.

Inside Sales Representatives (ISR) Job Description:

Job Description: • Daily supervision of the Vacation Club Sales Staff.

• Daily cordination with the Marketing Supervisor to meet the budgeted tour flow and sales volume.

• VCSS will be responsible for assisting VCM in recruiting, coaching, training, and performance management of the sales staff towards the attainment of the budgeted annual sales goals as defined in the annual budget.

• VCSS is to provide daily leadership and motivation in the Sales Room.

• VCSS will be responsible to assist VCM in training and mentoring of the sales staff.

• In order to achieve the budget VCSS will daily monittor the sales results and report the results to the VCM. • VCSS will attend weekly and monthly staff meetings with VCM to maintain best practices needed to reach monthly budget Minimun Job Requirements: • 5 years or more experience in Vacation Ownership Sales supervision • Must have experience with Sales of both “Points” and “Weeks” • Proven ability to train site specific Sales processes • Multiple site experience • Must have proven record of reaching budget sales goals • Must have experience in hiring and training new sales representatives • Must be a graduate of the Levitin “Sales Academy”, “Boatwright Boot Camp” or equivalent Vacation Ownership specific sales training courses

Vacation Club Marketing Supervisor (VCMS) Job Description: • Daily supervision of the Vacation Club Marketing Staff.

• Daily cordination with the Sales Supervisor to meet the budgeted tour flow and sales volume.

• VCMS will be responsible for assisting VCM in recruiting, coaching, training, and performance management of the marketing staff towards the attainment of the budgeted annual tour and sales goals as defined in the annual budget.

• VCMS is to provide daily leadership and motivation for the marketing staff.

• VCMS will be responsible to assist VCM in training and mentoring of the marketing staff.

• In order to achieve the budget VCMS will daily monittor the tour results and report the results to the VCM. • VCMS will attend weekly and monthly staff meetings with VCM to maintain best

contact: 232-4336 10564

WARD’S CONSULTANCY Acting on behalf of our clients: E Y Contractor, Yoshi Sushi Bar, Brid M. Benjamin, Villa Del Mar, Platinum Security, Dreadz Beauty Salon, PJ’s Barber Shop is looking to fill the following positions:

Minimun Job Requirements:

Seamstress Dining Room Supervisor Assistant Manager Mason Kitchen Helper Bartender Security Officer Cosmetologist Barbers

• 5 years or more experience in Vacation Ownership Front to Back sales • 5 years or more experience in Vacation Ownership Closing back end of Liners sales • Must have experience with Sales of both “Points” and “Weeks” • Multiple site experience • Must have proven record of reaching company established goals in sales volume efficiency and closing percentage • Must be a graduate of the Levitin “Sales Academy”, “Boatwright Boot Camp” or equivalent Vacation Ownership specific sales training courses

Outside Sales Representatives (OSR)

Salary $5.50-$8.00 per hour.

Contact: 649-345-7512

10580

Job Description:

• Daily responsible for inviting guests to sales presentations of resort VO program • Responsible to meet the company standards for tour volume and closing percentage • OSR will be responsible for attending all coaching, training, and performance management meetings scheduled by VCM and VCMS • OSR is to contribute daily to a positive, exciting work atmosphere within their location, the sales room and resort property • OSR will be required to complete the “ALIVE & Well Sales Academy” training during their first year of employment

ADVERTISE

IN THIS SPACE!

Minimun Job Requirements:

ONLY

• 3 years or more experience as Vacation Ownership Outside Sales • Multiple site experience • Must have proven record of reaching company established goals in tour volume per month and closing percentage • Must be a graduate of the Levitin “Sales Academy”, “Boatwright Boot Camp” or equivalent Vacation Ownership specific marketing training courses

Contact: Omar McKenzie Alive and Well Resorts Phone 649 – 433-0040 or 649 941-3121 OMckenzie@aliveandwellresorts.com

$33

PER WEEK

10579

Vacation Club Sales Supervisor (VCSS)

• Daily responsible for sales presentations of resort VO program to invited guest tours • Daily responsible for closing the back end of Liner sales presentations of resort VO program to invited guest tours • Responsible to meet the company standards for sales volume effeciency and closing percentage • VCSR will be responsible for attending all coaching, training, and performance management meetings scheduled by VCM and VCSS • VCSR is to contribute daily to a positive, exciting work atmosphere within the sales room and resort property • VCSR will be responsible to assist VCSS in training and mentoring of the VCSA and VCST

CALL 946-4664

November 8 - 14, 2014

CLASSIFIEDS 33

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

OFFICE MANAGER/ EVENTS MANAGER

PERSONAL TRAINER/ FITNESS GUIDE • Motivating and upbeat personality • University degree in a health related field • Certified as a personal trainer • Professional and personable communication skills • Personal, reliable legal transportation • Capable of training private, small and large groups • Minimum 5 years experience in the fitness industry Commission based payment structure

Email resumes to ictcvation@gmail.com

PO Box 611, 131 South Dock Road Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI Phone 649-941-3400 Fax 649-941-3401

Labourers

Applicant must be prepared for heavy work, breaking cement bags, loading trucks and stevedoring of cement and gravel. Applicant will also be required to assist mechanics as needed. Applicant must prepare to work long hours. Evenings and weekends as required. Please apply with references, clean police and driving record to CBMS Ltd.

Or call 941-3400.

10628

Required Skills: • Fluent in English as well as a second language (preferably French) • Three to five years experience in event planning • Previous experience in customer service and office management • Accounting background in QuickBooks • Payroll experience • Interest in floral, décor and design • Experience in social media for creating and updating Facebook, the company

10609

C & J EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD.

acting on behalf of our clients: C & P Welding, Paulmont Mompremier, Carrington Williams and Williams Construction is looking to fill the following positions:

DOMESTIC

WORKER WANTED Applicant must be

Sales clerk Labourer

honest, reliable, hardworking and also fluent in English and French.

Contact: 649-347-6642

contact: 241-4101

Domestic Workers

EXPERIENCED SENIOR LITIGATION PARALEGAL WANTED Experienced Senior Litigation Paralegal required to act as Paralegal/Professional Support Executive to a commercial litigation team. At least 5 years prior experience working in a commercial litigation environment is required. Candidates must also have a Law Degree or Graduate Diploma in Law as well as having passed the Legal Professional Course or equivalent. A Master’s Degree in law will be a distinct advantage. Must demonstrate experience and knowledge of having dealt independently with all matters relating to contentious practice, litigation, employment law dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Must have vehicle and clean driving record. The applicant must be able to work overtime when required due to case urgency. References will be required.

Remuneration based on experience – commencing $40k per annum. Belongers only need apply.

Apply to the HR Manager Email: bdw@gtclaw.com Fax: 242-328-1069

blog, Instagram, Cincopa and Word Press • Proficient computer design skills for creating menu cards, floor plans and other templates • Ability to do heavy lifting and to work weekends • Ability to deal with all types of clients • Must have own care and drivers license Salary $2000 per month Belongers need only to apply

Please email: Teresa Brunner at Tropical DMC tbrunner@tropicalmc.com Only those qualified will be call for interviews 10610

BAREFOOT CAFÉ dba JIMMY’S DIVE BAR Is looking for a

Dishwasher 10611

CBMS Caribbean Building Materials & Services Ltd.

This would be a split position requiring equal time in both areas

10600

Below are the minimum requirements: • Experience in creating workout and nutrition plans to produce results for individuals • Certified in the foundations of nutritional guidance and planning • Understand implement proper form of exercises • Ability to create personalized, fun outdoor plans involving multiple options around the island • Knowledge with vast array of exercises using your own body weight and a variety of equipment

to work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 441-1684

10617

ATTENTION ALL HOME OWNERS ARE YOU TIRED OF PATCHING THAT STUBBORN LEAK? OR ARE YOU LOOKING TO REPAIR OR INSTALL A NEW ROOF? WELL WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED, CALL APEX ROOFING COMPANY TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTE AT 232 ROOF/7663 OR EMAIL US AT APEX. ROOFING@OUTLOOK.COM APEX ROOFING COMPANY, WE DO EVERYTHING ROOFING. 10621

SALES!!!

Due to change of season we are selling lots of items at discount prices. Towels, curtains, bathroom sets, bathroom coordinates, napkins, cups and glasses, canisters, mixing bowls, serving trays and much more for your house.

10624

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

34 CLASSIFIEDS HERMAN HANDFIELD NORTH CAICOS Is looking for a

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Concierge Agent

HOLE IN THE WALL

Waitress PROVO ELECTRIC

LaboUrer

labourer

A Property Management company is looking for an individual to concierge at their luxury villas as well as develop and organize health and wellness villa retreats.

MAX’S MINI MART

10565

TDMG CONCORDIA

This position that requires an extremely self-motivated and creative individual who has a broad based skill set. He/she must be extremely organized and detail orientated.

LaboUrer SUNSHINE EQUIPMENT

LaboUrer

Salary will commensurate with qualifications Resume can be faxed to: 649-941-3425 and the Labour Department, Providenciales as soon as possible

10589

To clean property must be willing to work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 231-0998

REQUIRED AT NORTH CAICOS

is seeking applicants to fill the following position:

1 Labourer 1 CARPENTER

• Belongers only need apply • Must be willing to work extended hours Salary is negotiable

Fax: 649-941-8388 Application deadline is November 1st, 2014

EXPERIENCED CARPENTER/ LABOURER

Experienced carpenter/labourer required for full time work at, North Caicos. Must be willing to work six days a week. A demonstrated ability to work unsupervised with excellent communication skills is essential for the position. Salary is $7.00 per hour. Please apply no later than 14th November, 2014 at royann_30@hotmail.com or contact on telephone No. 231 3967/946 7761.

Belongers only need apply.

10590

10544

OVANDO CONSTRUCTION

Job description includes but is not limited to the following: • Prior to guest arrival making reservations for on island excursions/ activities/ restaurants etc.

• Ensuring staff at villa have all the necessary details and that the property is appropriately prepared for guest’s arrival.

• Ensure appliances are in good working order and reporting any issues to property manager • Greet guests at airport, arrange for their transportation and perform a property orientation upon arrival to villa.

• Organize guest’s itineraries and act as their personal contact whilst on island • Be available and accessible to them throughout their stay and be readily contactable by phone at all times.

• Make up guest invoices from vendors and ensure accuracy before presenting to guests prior to departure.

Interests/experience/qualifications required: • Ability to deal with demanding guests with high expectations is essential, therefore preference will be given to individuals with hospitality experience in luxury villas, yachts or hotels • Of paramount important is a dedicated interest and love of all water sports and boating activities • CPR Certification is preferred • Must possess a clean driver’s license • Must be willing to work flexible and often long working hours, especially weekends and holidays • Must be computer literate and have basic accounting experience and use QuickBooks for billing purposes TECHNICIAN REQUIRED A live-in individual is required as part of a property management team to check and maintain a luxury villa to the highest standards

Is looking for the following persons:

2 green keepers 2 laboUrers

Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $7.00 per hour

Contact: 649-331-9854

November 8 - 14, 2014

10561

This person must have previous maintenance experience and must have the following skills/experience: • A good knowledge and practical experience in plumbing and electrical installations • The ability to troubleshoot and fix appliances • Manage and organize a small crew • RO plant and generator maintenance • Experience in maintaining and repairing irrigation systems • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues with complex AV systems • Maintenance of pools and pool equipment • Experience in dry stone walling This position requires a person who has initiative, can work as part of a team and is extremely self-motivated The person will be on call 24/7 for issues that arise in the various properties and will be expected to work weekends and holidays Note this is a live in position only. Salary is dependent on experience and will range from $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 a month

Please respond with covering letter and resume details to: tcielite2014@gmail.com

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

10623

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Acting on behalf of our client Money Transfer is looking to fill the following positions:

Manager Head Cashier Must be fluent in Spanish, Creole, English and French. Salary negotiable

Contact: 946-4069

10597

ESTEL PLUMBING LTD.

CLASSIFIEDS 35

is seeking a

PLUMBING SUPERVISOR REQUIREMENTS: • 15 years in commercial, residential and Industrial in this position • Trades qualification ticket • Class B gas ticket • Must be able to provide job quotations • Capable of plumbing designs • Computer skills • Ordering materials • Liaise with architects, consultants and clients • Must have excellent leadership and communications skills Salary $2500 per month

Contact: 241-0397 10599

VACANCIES

1 Floor Captain/ Server

• Minimum 5 years’ experience • Working as a Floor Captain running a serving floor. Seating guests, managing waiters, and overseeing all service operations.

• Must have extensive knowledge of POS systems opening and closing restaurant procedures, as well as waiting tables.

• Pay Rate $7/hr

1 Head Bartender

• Minimum 5 years’ experience • As Head Bartender you are expected to work alongside and assist the General • Manager in day to day sales, cost and stock control and most importantly ensuring our guests has • an enjoyable experience by going above and beyond in surpassing their expectations on every way.

• Must have full knowledge of the bar where rums, liquors, wines and specialty cocktails are concerned. You must be goal driven, creative, and passionate. Should also have an extensive knowledge of POS systems & opening and closing restaurant procedures, as well as waiting tables.

• Pay Rate $7/hr

The food and beverage manager (F&B Manager) must possess a broad range of skills and be multifaceted. The ideal candidate will execute a variety of duties including but not limited to placing orders, receiving deliveries, accounting, maintaining inventory, and assisting with the execution of the Café’s wine program. Candidate must be a selfstarter, responsible, trust-worthy, mature, and strong-willed; a forward thinker, and capable of utilizing operational guidelines as preventative measures for maintaining the infrastructure of the Café. The F&B Manager will handle daily cash sales and receipts. They will work to promote daily food specials created by the kitchen; work closely with bar team members to market specialty cocktails, and implement wine service. The F&B Manager will have knowledge/ sommelier training in oenology as it pertains to the Café, i.e., service, pairings and training of team members. He/she will be attentive to resolve guests’ complaints about food and/or service. The F&B Manager will be charged with implementing the employee handbook and procedural guidelines making sure they are adhered to by team members and disciplining if not.

They will oversee the training of team members to ensure all service standards are met, and that they remain adhered to by team members. The candidate will possess certification in Quick Book accounting, Microsoft Office programs and have extensive knowledge of Micros POS systems and will be required to utilize these skills on a daily basis. The F&B Manager will be technically knowledgeable. They will be apprise of the latest software and be able to implement and problem solve technical challenges when they arise. The candidate will demonstrate strong accounting skills through daily analysis of trade. The F&B manager will possess problem-solving abilities and be quick to respond in a fast paced-high pressure environment. They will be proficient and have demonstrated through previous experiences leadership and mentoring skills of team members to maintain the Café’s impeccable reputation. Candidate must be able to climb stairs and have ability to lift heavy boxes that are inherent in the local and type of business.

Responsibilities: • Work with management to estimate beverage consumption, place orders with suppliers and schedule delivery of beverage and non-food related items.

• Resolve customer complaints regarding service or food.

• Direct cleaning of the café, maintain sanitation standards and keep appropriate records.

• Monitor actions of team members and guests • Perform and maintain inventory for presentation and accounting analysis • Proficiently operate computer software to assist with the implementation of inventories, track staffing requirements and record keeping tasks as they are instructed by the Management Team or Ownership • Maintain stock of supplies such as table ware, paper goods and cleaning supplies as deemed applicable • Direct weekly and monthly maintenance and repair of equipment and other services • Ensure total receipts and balance against sales are accounted for at closing • Recruit, hire, oversee team members, implement continuous training • Schedule work hours for all team members • Opening and/ or closing of the establishment ensuring all areas are ready for daily trade or securing the premises for closing

1 Sales Representative

• Minimum 2 years’ experience • Must possess a great personality and lots of energy. Daily duties entail obtaining ordering and receiving merchandise. Accept and process all methods payments, conduct daily opening and closing inventories. Possess the ability to work under pressure with little or no supervision.

• Pay Rate $6/hr

2 Line Cooks

Other Duties: • Maintain relationships with guests and team members • Update and use job related knowledge • Schedule team members work hours and activities • Evaluate health and safety practices against standards • Organize, plan, and prioritize • Make decisions and problem solve quickly and efficiently concerning team members and guests • Process and analyze information when scheduling and budgeting • Record information and health practices • Implement creative promotional ideas working with vendors and team members • Guide, direct, and train team members • Coordinate the work and activities of team members • Communicate with guests, sales representatives, and suppliers

Requirements: Candidate must possess a four-year degree in Food/Beverage, Hospitality Industry, or equivalent degree associate with the Restaurant Industry, have a minimum of five years experience in a management position, and food handler’s certificate or equivalent.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience • Working in a kitchen as a Line cook in a VERY high volume Restaurant.

• Must have knowledge of taking inventory daily.

• Pay rate is $7/hr

2 Kitchen Helpers

• Minimum 2 years’ experience • working in a kitchen as dishwasher/cleaner and prep cook.

• Pay rate is $5/hr

1 Labourer

10626

• Minimum 3 years’ experience • Working as a sold understanding of landscaping, garbage clean up as well as minor construction and repair • Must have strong knowledge of taking inventory daily of equipment as well as materials.

• Pay rate is $5/hr

Please submit Resumes at the restaurant on Bay Rd. Blue Hills, Providenciales TCI. Phone: (649)-946-8877

Food and Beverage Manager

Submit resume, references, certifications and status to: luis@somewherecafeandlounge.com to be considered. Belongers given preference.

10576

HOLIDAY VILLAGE

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

JERVON LAPORTE

Kathy Mcleod

Is looking for a

Is currently looking to employ a

house keeper supervisors

Is currently seeking

3 labourers

4 domestic workers Weekly salary $225/$215 Working hours are 6 days per week.

Contact: 946-5500 10622

Live-in Nanny

Applicant must be willing to live in and be on call 24hrs and must be willing to babysit. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. Applicant should be able to speak a second language and have several years of experience.

contact: 231-0001

Interest applicant must email their application to Kathy@ hotmail.ca or call 6492422054.

Salary $6.50 per hour.

10627

10608

LATINO’S CONSTRUCTION

KENNISHA’S RESTAURANT

November 8 - 14, 2014

SHERLOCK WALKIN Is looking for a

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

contact: 946-4411

10534

36 CLASSIFIEDS

WALKIN FUEL Is looking for a

needed To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

Send resume to: Misick & Stanbrook. Leeward Highway, Providenciales Tel: 946-4732 Fax 946-4734.

Email info@misickstanbrook.tc

10616

LABOURER

Is looking for a

professional

Is looking for a

to work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour

per week salary $8.00 per hour. contact: 332-0771

To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour. contact: 342-3171

Domestic WANTED painter Worker Must be willing To work 6 days contact: 243-4214

10620

106013

Grand Turk Cruise Center is currently accepting applications for motivated individuals interested in being part of diverse team.

Security Officers

;;Must have training in CPR and First responder. ;;Ensure the safety and security of passengers, tenants and their employees, personnel and guest at the GTCC. ;; Direct traffic to the appropriate parking areas. ;; Secure / prevent access to restricted areas by unauthorized persons.

General Maintenance

;;This position requires general maintenance skills such as painting and masonry, to facilitate maintenance of all buildings and public areas in optimum condition. ;;Knowledge of pool and fountain maintenance would be an asset. ;; Assisting in line handling for docking cruise ships as needed. ;; Assisting in any various tasks, necessary to keep GTCC operating to the highest standard.

Applicants must be able to lift minimum 50lbs and willing to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and holidays, and be able to work well as part of a culturally diverse team.

WAGES BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

Interested parties are encouraged to send resume to: Grand Turk Cruise Center Human Resources Phone: 946-1040. Fax: 946-1041 E-Mail: admin@grandturkcc.com ONLY BELONGERS NEED APPLY 10607

10606

labourer To work 6 days per week salary $7.00 per hour.

contact: 941-4411

10533

Labourer

CLASSIFIEDS 37

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

MYSTIQUE CAR RENTAL & TOURS LTD.

Naeo's Mart Is seeking employment for a

is seeking to employ a

Butcher

RENTAL AGENT

NEEDED Must be willing to work 5 days per week salary $7.00 per hour.

contact: 345-7959

10518

Please forward resume to Mystique Car Rental & Tours Ltd. off Airport Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands or fax: 649-941-5213 10596

Please fax or email resume to Fax: 946-4283 Email: bac@tciway.tc Suitable applicants will be contacted for an interview.

SILVER DEEP Is looking for an

ARTIST ASSISTANT/

LABOURER • Must know how to apply solvents with a screen printer • Will need to wear a mask/ ventilator for safety • Will be responsible for cleaning and maintenance of equipment

Contact: 431-3014

10606

Three Experienced Real Estate Sales Associates Required Skills and Qualifications: • One sales agent required with extensive knowledge of Turks & Caicos Fractional Ownership Ordinance, Strata Titles Ordinance, Timeshare Ordinance and Development Guidelines willing to relocate to Grand Turk • College/University degree with Accounting, Business Plan and Marketing skills • Two Sales Agents with proven track record of sales ability preferably with agent training

background • Computer literate with strong written, organizational, analytical and verbal communication skills • Must possess computer, drivers license and vehicle for site travel and property showings • Must possess financial resources to sustain oneself during initial 6 month startup period These positions are 100% sales commission based making compensation unlimited.

Please submit resume via fax to Prestigious Properties Ltd. at 649946-4703 or email to accounting@prestigiousproperties.com.

labourer To work 6 days

per week salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 946-5612

10613

Qualified PADI/NAUI SCUBA Instructors Needed Successful candidate will be a PADI MSDT with current membership and insurance, resort operations experience including advanced level instruction, dive accident management, compressor maintenance, equipment and engine maintenance and repair. Captain’s license and STCW95 qualification preferred, or applicant must be willing to train. This is a tourism related job and will include all aspects of the company’s daily routine including but not limited to, teaching all levels of instruction, guiding dives, boat and vehicle operations and working the front office. The work schedule will include weekends, public holidays and occasional night dives.

Starting Salary $380 - $500 per week based on experience and qualifications. Contact David Volkert at 946-4232 or info@ provoturtledivers.com Positions available starting December 1 2014.

Please submit applications before November 30, 2014 10598

PwC (TCI) Ltd.

is looking for a

SPOTLESS CLEANING SERVICE

Is looking for a

10599

PARADISE DESIGNS

SAVE BY GRACE GROCERY is seeking for a

10605

Requires One (1):

Senior Manager With 10 years experiences in a supervisory position, planning and reviewing audit assignments/staff, detail knowledge of IFRS and applicable audit principles.

Qualifications: ACA, ACCA, CPA or ACMA Salary: $75,000 - $125,000 per annum Apply to joseph.p.connolly@tc.pwc.com or

female domestic worker

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 347-9089 10619

gardener To work 6 days per week including some holidays must have skills in irrigation, fumigation and landscaping.

contact: 331-0818

10574

FISHERMAN

Applicant must have knowledge of various meats, controlling and handling of fresh & frozen stock, cutting, boning and trimming meat. Serving customers at the counter. Must have good practical skills, a high standard of personal cleanliness, good communication and customer service skills and in-depth product knowledge

• Must be fluent in English • Must be computer literate • Must be Customer Service oriented • Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean police record

GLOBAL SECURITY & ELECTRONICS SERVICES is looking for a

to work 6 days per week salary $7.00 per hour

10640

November 8 - 14, 2014

contact: 241-8062 or 331-8062

REGISTERED LAND ORDINANCE, CAP 9.05

NOTICE LOST LAND CERTIFICATE TITLE NUMBER 40201/29

SECTION ISLAND MIDDLE CAICOS CENTRAL MIDDLE CAICOS

Whereas, ROSADA ELDINA KING of Middle Caicos as personal representative of SUSAN ELIZABETH SAMUEL (deceased), has declared that the Land Certificate for the above mentioned title number(s) registered in his/her/their name was inadvertently mislaid and cannot be found.

Take notice that I, Naomi Been, Acting Deputy Registrar of Lands, shall issue a new land certificate for the said title six weeks of the date of the first publication of this Notice in a local newspaper and the Gazette.

Dated this 27th day of October 2014

Telefax: 649-946-4892, no later than November 17th, 2014 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands 10604

Signed ............................................................... witnessed ...........................................................

10614

38 CLASSIFIEDS

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

TCMillwork ltd.

Architectural woodworking, Cabinetry and Design South dock road, P.O. box 238, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

SANCHEZ & WILLIAMS CAFÉ Is looking for a

Is looking for 6 barbers

Furniture Finisher-Cabinet MakerFurniture Carpenter-Machinery Technician Skills Required:

• 5 years work experience in woodworking, joinery and cabinet making.

• Trained to manufacture and finish furniture. Salary at $8.00 per hour Skills required for position: • Individual must have previous experience with manufacture, construction, and installation of high end cabinetry.

• Must be familiar with operation of all current woodworking machinery and tools with proper safety practices.

• Must be able to read Auto-Cad drawings.

• English speaking, bilingual preferred.

Duties:

Manufacture and finish furniture and cabinets, refinishing, and installation.

Assist other employees in general millshop operations and maintenance. Must be professional and courteous.

Please send applications to: tcmillwork@tciway.tc contact person: Stephan 231-4537

10568

School For Field Studies, South Caicos

Site Manager – Center for Marine Resource Studies

Job Summary: Repair and maintain facilities, vehicles and vessels at the South Caicos field station.

Qualifications: BS Degree or equivalent. Electrical, plumbing, automobile and marine repair experience required. Certified scuba diver, boating experience, prior field station experience preferred. Must live on site.

To Apply: Please send your CV to HHERTLER@ FIELDSTUDIES.ORG by Nov 15, 2014. Start Date: Jan 2015

HIGH PROFILE BARBER SHOP

waitress

To work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour. contact: 231-2397 10573

2 Indians 4 Turks and Caicos Islanders Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.

Contact: 241-5678

TURKS AND CAICOS AGGRESSOR II

1 Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor / Engineer

REQUIREMENTS AS FOLLOW: • Valid PADI/SSI/TDI membership and liability insurance • PADI/SSI Enriched Air Instructor • Minimum of 5 Specialty Ratings • Working Knowledge of Under water Camera/ Videos and

Edition • Computer Literate • STCW95 Complaint • Be prepared to live onboard & work long hours including weekends & holidays • Experienced in the Hospitality industry Belongers need only apply Starting salary $400.00 a week

Please send emails to tcaggressor@express.tc or call 941-7825

10602

RIGBY BUILDERS

The Meridian Club On Pine Cay

Is looking for an

electrician Must be willing to work 6 days

Turks & Caicos Islands British West Indies Email: manager@meridianclub.com Ph:649-941-7011 Fax: 649-941-7010

per week salary $8.00 per hour

Executive Pastry Chef

contact: 341-9177

10636

at The Meridian Club on Pine Cay Salary: $10-12/hr or more depending upon training, experience, work record and capability.

Duties: must be able to create a large variety of tasty desserts, breads and pastries from scratch (4-5 different dessert offerings must be available each day for lunch and dinner and pastries for breakfast). Must be able to do other food preparations and assist in meal preparation. Must assist Executive Chef in overseeing and training kitchen staff, as needed.

Qualifications Required: - Must have degree in culinary arts from an accredited college or university - Minimum of 3 years experience as Pastry Chef in 5 star restaurant. (or equivalent) - Must be skilled in handling all duties specified.

- Must be willing to reside on Pine Cay, a small private island on a full time basis.

- Must furnish health certificate or be willing to undergo medical examination to ensure freedom from communicable disease.

- Must be willing to work weekends, nights and holidays Starting Date: January 2015 Contact Person and Contact Information:

ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR

Island Escapes TCI Ltd. is looking for an accounts supervisor & office manager.

Successful applicants will be responsible for: - Daily accounting including the administration of accounts receivable and accounts payable - Tracking and reconciling bank accounts - Maintenance of accurate office files - Tracking and purchasing office supplies - Answering phones - Generating monthly client account statements - General office Administration

Beverly Plachta, Resort Manager. Fax to 649-941-7010 or email to manager@meridianclub.com a copy of resume with your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, phone number) Resume must include min. of 3 references with contact information and how you knows these people. Also include copy of passport, police report. All qualified applicants will be interviewed within 2 weeks. Please submit applications no later than November 20, 2014 10570

Qualified applicants should contact Claudius Williams at Email: claudius@islandescapestci.com or Phone: 649-941-4006

10566

Qualifications & Experience: - Working knowledge of QuickBooks - Working knowledge of the full Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel & Outlook - 5 years’ experience accounting for a Real Estate firm - Associates degree in accounting or finance recommended Compensation will be based on experience.

Hernandez Human Resource & Employment Services Consultancy Is looking on behalf of our clients, Miami Bayside Variety Store, Designing Image, New Style Salon & Barbershop, B&M Construction,The Angela Restaurant, JSS Beauty Salon, JR Construction, H & VG Construction, the following positions.

2 Hairdresser 1 Cosmetologist 1 Barmaid 1 Waitress 2 Labourer

CLASSIFIEDS 39

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

1 Mason 1 Steel 2 Barbers 1 Handyman 1 Nail Technician

Salary $ 5.00 - $ 8.00 USD per HR. Dead Line November 07, 2014, Resume at hernandezemploymentservices.8@gmail.com

10629

NATASHA CONSULTANCY Acting on behalf of our clients:

Straudia Gardiner

Labourer Contact: 244-9978

First Class Cleaning Services

Cleaner Contact: 333-1238

Latisha & Sherlicia Shop

Domestic Worker Must be willing to work 5 days per week salary $6.00 per hour 341-9764

Y.A.3.B. CONSULTANCY SERVICES Acting on behalf of our clients: White Sand Charters and Tours

Sales Clerk – $5.50 per hour E R Construction Labourer – $6.00 per hour JC Salon Hairdresser – $6.00 per hour Peter Campbell Domestic Worker – $5.50 per hour

Tropicana Upholstery Sales Clerk – $5.50 per hour T & R Electronics Rental Services – Sales Clerk $5.50 per hour MIGUEL VARGO INTERNET CAFE – sales clerk $6.00 per hour

Contact: 649-344-4540 10631

ALTHEA S. BEEN

is looking for a

Gardener/ Domestic Worker must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour

contact: 231-1930

10634

November 8 - 14, 2014

GUCCI STORE is looking for a

Sales Person To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 342-3753

10635

CARIB GLASS & SUPPLY LTD.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

is seeking to employ a

SERVICE TECHNICIAN With experience door/window and glass

Duties will include: • Serving and installing commercial, residential doors and windows • Installing glass shower panels and glass ballista • Serving and installing screen doors and windows • Visiting job sites for measuring of repair

The Shore Club is now accepting applications/résumé for the following position. Only highly self-driven, motivated, personable and professional individuals, whom have the desire to serve others, need apply:

works to be completed • ONLY CANDIDATES WITH EXPERIENCE EIN SERVICING AND INSTALLING DOORS AND WINDOWS NEED APPLY • Normal hours of work will be 9am- 4pm weekdays (number of hours worked may vary occasionally).

Interested candidates can submit resumes to email: caribglasstci@aol.com 10637

GOVERNMENT VACANCY Human Resource Officer

LOCATION: Grand Turk Deadline: 14th November, 2014 SALARY: T 30 $ 33,360.00 per annum plus allowances JOB SUMMARY: The job holder will be responsible to advise Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments on the implementation of policies relating to the effective use of personnel throughout the Public Service in accordance with the Public Service Ordinance, the Employee Handbook and the Financial Regulations. The successful candidate will be assigned to a number of departments and will have responsibility for coordinating a wide range of human resource functions required by those departments.

10593

Requirements:

• BA/BS Degree or equivalent.

• Accounting Designation (CA, CMA, CPA) • At least 10 years post qualification experience.

• At least 10 years management/supervisory experience at a property of similar size and quality.

• Experience in Condo Hotel environment, including STRATA Association set up.

• Extensive Resort pre-opening and renovations experience.

• Ability to liaise with investors at high level.

• Advanced knowledge and skills in computer systems, most specifically, Excel, AccPac, Micros, MXP Purchasing System QuickBooks, Opera and Visual One. • Complete understanding of Executive Committee level functions.

• Sound knowledge of both European and American Accounting Plans.

• Solid training in all areas of Accounting from A/P, A/R, General Ledger, Credit, Collections, Audit, Inventory control, Payroll, Budgeting, Costing, P&L preparation and analysis, etc.

• Ability to inspire, develop and train people for promotion.

Responsibilities: • Overseeing the overall finance departments of multiple properties/companies including outside contracts within the organization • Assisting executive management, ownership and related associations with the production of financial reports, detailed analysis and business outlook.

• Directing departments in the preparation and consolidation of financial budgets and projections.

• Prepare, present and provide interpretation of operational reports as they impact group business finances.

• Developing and maintaining chart of accounts and master lists.

• Actively involved in yield management and revenue enhancement.

• Coordinating internal and external audits.

Applicants must have a willing, positive and personable attitude as well as be willing to work holidays and weekends. They should also enjoy serving people and be willing to learn. Turks & Caicos Islands citizens only need to apply to the Assistant Human Resources Manager, Sheena Smith at The Sands Resort located on Grace Bay Road, Providenciales or e-mail: humanresource@thesandstc.com. Deadline is November 17, 2014.

10617

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

40 CLASSIFIEDS ADLINE SHOP STAVANO A. ROPER

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Lew 1 Shipping

is looking for the following positions:

seeks the following persons:

Is looking for a

domestic

Domestic worker / maid Worker To work 5 days Contact: 342-3605 10569

per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 241-3077

WORKER NEEDED

Two (2) Labourers

Must be willing to work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact 649-941-5707

contact: 347-5626

Salary negotiable

– salary $5.00 per hour

10584

Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

70575

Sales Clerk

One Boat Mechanic One Deckhand

DOMESTIC

10563

Coxco Construction Leeward, Providenciales. Fax: 946-5166

FINISHING CARPENTERS • Sound knowledge of commercial construction tools and materials • Profound knowledge of carpentry tools and equipment for finishes • Exceptional ability to interpret construction and fabrication drawings • Supervise Application of Coatings to Finished Products • Analyze carpentry work and carryout on site altercation work.

• Establish appropriate dimensions of wood stock required for finished products • Proven experience of working in a high energy team of technicians.

Legal Executive required with a minimum of 5 years experience and with the following additional qualifications: - Law degree from a Commonwealth Jurisdiction - International experience in complex legal matters and Banking laws; - Fluency in French is a must.

- Ability to work in a team, including liaising with fellow professionals from

• Extensive knowledge and work experience with exotic woods such as Teak, Ipe, Mahogany, Balau, Kapur, Bankirai • 20 years minimum experience • Fabrication and Installation of Windows, doors, flooring & cabinetry • Prepare Schedules and take offs for processing material orders • Inventory analysis of stock • Quality control of high end finished materials Salary commensurate with experience and skill level.

10577

All applicant must send resume to Labour Department or fax to the listed number.

courts, legal practices, banks and accountancy firms; - STEP member or willingness to sit requisite exams; - Must have proven willingness to work long and sometimes late hours at short notice as needed in a pressured environment subject to inflexible deadlines; - Proven ability in, and willingness to train junior colleagues;

Belongers are particularly encouraged to apply.

Apply in writing, with CV and cover letter to fax at (649) 941-5094 with a copy to the Labour Office, Providenciales.

Equinox Villas and Apartments are looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outstanding professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their style is must be one that balances a commitment to people which will provide an extraordinary guest experience. Must be prepared to be accountable for responsibilities and the quality of their performance.

BUTLER/SERVANT x 3 Applicant must have: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Degree with hospitality focus preferred.

Minimum 2 years previous front desk experience required.

Must have housekeeping experience working in a resort/hotel environment Willing to be on call 24/7 to cater to guests needs and requests Experience with Property Management System.

Ability to work in a fast pace environment.

Outstanding flexibility; must be able to work under stress and pressure and reflect at all times, even under difficult conditions, a positive can-do attitude and the best image of the hotel.

Ability to effectively deal with internal and external customers, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy to defuse anger, collect accurate information and resolve conflicts.

Experience in a luxury property of comparable size preferred.

Must be able to deal correctly with confidential information and must be discrete Must be well groomed and maintain impeccable hygiene standards Extensive walking required and ability to stand on feet for a long time Hours may vary based upon organizational needs and operational demands.

Strong leadership skills Able to fulfill all required tasks required to perform the required duties of his/her shift Excellent oral and written communication skills in English Fluency in a second language an asset Willingness to work any shift as needed, and on the spur of the moment

Contact: Omar McKenzie Equinox Villas and Apartments Phone 649 – 433-0040 or 649 941-3121 Send applications to: OMckenzie@aliveandwellresorts.com

GOVERNMENT VACANCIES The following vacancies currently exists within the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service

PERMANENT SECRETARY – MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Deadline: Salary:

Midnight, Wednesday November 12th, 2014 US$93,000 per annum

JOB SUMMARY: The role of Permanent Secretary is a significant leadership appointment with wide-ranging responsibility for the effectiveness, efficiency and proper governance of the Ministry.

Deadline: Salary:

DEPUTY SECRETARY

Midnight, Wednesday November 12th, 2014 US$68,000 per annum

JOB SUMMARY: The role of Deputy Secretary is a significant leadership appointment with wideranging responsibility for the policies and the delivery of services within their area of responsibility (‘their Command’).

Interested persons are asked to visit www.gov.tc for additional job details and application procedures.

10578

GOVERNMENT VACANCY HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER

LOCATION: Deadline: SALARY:

Grand Turk 14th November, 2014 T 30 $ 33,360.00 per annum plus allowances

JOB SUMMARY:

The job holder will be responsible to advise Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments on the implementation of policies relating to the effective use of personnel throughout the Public Service in accordance with the Public Service Ordinance, the Employee Handbook and the Financial Regulations.

The successful candidate will be assigned to a number of departments and will have responsibility for coordinating a wide range of human resource functions required by those departments.

10593

CLASSIFIEDS 41

DOMESTIC WORKER REQUIRED

PENN DRYWALL & DESIGN is looking for a

• Experienced Live in Domestic Worker needed for busy household.

• Salary is $ 1,250.00 a month.

Required to work six days a week.

• An experienced Belonger required for this position.

If you fit the above qualifications please address your application to: PO Box 560, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

labourer To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 346-5588

10592

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

10633

November 8 - 14, 2014

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

1. Parcel 60400/383 Chalksound, Providenciales.

Seven Stars is seeking suitably qualified candidates to fill the position outlined below.

The ideal candidate must possess experience in a luxury resort environment, as well as a professional, outgoing and friendly demeanor with a strong command of the English language (oral and written). Salary is based on education, experience and qualifications.

Vacant lot on Chalksound Drive, approx. 0.66 acre.

Registered Proprietor: Joseph Arthur Skippings

2. Parcel 10401/237 East Suburbs, Grand Turk.

FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR The Food & Beverage Director will be responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing all F&B and catering operations in a multi-outlet environment consisting of fine and casual dining - breakfast, lunch and dinner. You will be responsible for maintaining profitable operations without sacrificing our high standard of food and quality. The F&B Director will be responsible for business development and retention, and for maintaining payroll and revenue targets.

The successful candidate will be sociable and outgoing, and have the ability to manage the discerning guest while delivering superior customer service. Must be professional in demeanor and delivery. Exceptional communication skills are a must. This position is a member of the resort’s senior leadership team. Excellent organization and follow through is required, as is prior Caribbean experience.

To be successful in this role, the following requirements must be met: • 5-7 years F&B management experience overseeing multiple outlets in a five-star Caribbean resort along with culinary experience to Executive Chef level.

• Relevant culinary degree experience and education, with a strong background in food service • Thorough knowledge of F&B standards and practices within a luxury resort environment • Excellent knowledge of fine dining, wines and wine service • Proven leader with exceptional supervisory skills, including the ability to motivate, train and develop staff • Sales, marketing and budgeting expertise, including scheduling and food/labour costing • Working knowledge of MS Office, Visual One and Infogenises • References required Closing Date: November 7, 2014

Single storey with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, family room, living/dining room on 0.28 acre.

Registered Proprietor: Brenda Lee Lightbourne

3. Parcel 60003/74 Northwest and North Central, Providenciales.

Single storey with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room and living room on 0.26 acre.

Registered Proprietor: Beatrice Bethel Galloway

4. Parcel 60604/17 Norway and Five Cays, Providenciales.

Single storey with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, powder room, kitchen, laundry room, living/dining room on 0.27 acre.

Registered Proprietor: Delores Oleta Rigby

5. Parcel 60900/287 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales.

Property consists of a main house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, living/dining room and a one bedroom, one bathroom guest house with kitchen, living/dining room on 0.36 acre.

Registered Proprietor: Mark Andrew Knighton and Julie Margaret Knighton

6. Parcel 50301/32&33 Kew Rural, North Caicos.

Undeveloped land west of Sandy Point residential settlement and southeast of Kew settlement, approx. 2.0 acres.

Registered Proprietor: Frankie Narine Soman

7. Parcel 50301/37 & 38 Kew Rural, North Caicos.

Vacant lot within northern Whitby, approx. 1.22 acre. Registered Proprietor: Frankie Narine Soman 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 21st day of November 2014.

Suitably qualified candidates should apply via e-mail to Seven Stars Resort at hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration. Candidates must possess relevant skills, experience, and a clean police record.

A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED 10549

10632

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

42

Sports Interational

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Ronaldo wins third Golden Boot award

WORLD player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo believes he will be considered one of the greatest footballers in history by the time he retires.

The 29-year-old on Wednesday picked up the third Golden Boot award of his career for being joint top

goal-scorer in Europe last season, with Luis Suarez, and is also the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for a third time in January.

And, while insisting he still has plenty of years left at the top, the Portuguese star is confident his place among the

VACANCIES Waiter Candidates must have a minimum of four years’ experience in Hospitality Industry, in Food and Beverage operations. Service includes fine dining restaurant, pool and beach service. Knowledge of Micros POS is essential.

Candidates must be prepared to work extended hours, split shifts and have flexibility with working days/nights/ weekends and holidays as required.

greats of the game is assured.

“I always want to be the best, that is what I work towards every day,” he said.

“I respect what people think and I am making my own story bit by bit. I still have a long way to go and when I finish my career I can look at my stats to see if I am amongst the best in history. I am sure I will be.”

Ronaldo was hailed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as the “dignified heir to Alfredo di Stefano”, the club legend and former honorary president, who passed away earlier this year.

I still have a long way to go and when I finish my career I can look at my stats to see if I am amongst the best in history.

I am sure I will be.

And Ronaldo refused to rule out extending his stay in the Spanish capital beyond his current deal, which expires in 2018.

“What I like most is winning. I hope to see out my

contract with Real Madrid until I am 33 and we’ll see if I can stay on for a few more years or not,” he said.

Ronaldo’s blistering form has continued this season with 22 goals in 16 games to propel the European champions to the top of La Liga and into the last 16 of the Champions League once more.

However, he warned against lauding the current squad as one of the greatest in the club’s history at such an early point in the season.

“Everyone is saying this could be the best squad Real Madrid has ever had, but we will see that at the end of the season. If we don’t win anything we won’t be,” he said.

“The team is playing well, we have a new system and the coach knows what he is doing.

“At an individual level things are going well. I’ve scored a few goals recently and I am in good form. I hope it continues like this until the end of the season.

Wage range: $5.00 to $7.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Labourer Is seeking a general labourer, this position is responsible for cleaning all common areas (stairwells, patios, public bathrooms etc.), garbage removal and cleaning of garbage areas, general housekeeping duties and laundry assistance. Several years experience in a similar position is required, as well as good communication skills, including excellent English; must have a pleasant and outgoing personality. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Wages range: $5.00 to $6.50 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

The 29-year-old on Wednesday picked up the third Golden Boot award of his career for being joint top goal-scorer in Europe last season, with Luis Suarez.

The 45-year-old, who retired in 2012, will work across all three formats of the game, beginning with a one-day tour of Sri Lanka later this month.

Bayern wins Breeders Cup Classic BAYERN won the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by a nose, surviving a stewards’ inquiry prompted by multiple horses bumping near the start of Saturday’s race.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had to wait, along with a crowd of 61,114 at Santa Anita, to confirm that he had finally won North America’s richest race after failing in 12 previous tries. ‘’It’s been so long waiting, I was like, ‘Lord, you can’t take it away from me now,’’’ said Baffert, who has won just about every other big race in the sport, including three Kentucky Derbies. ‘’I couldn’t breathe the last 20 yards.’’

The two-day world championships concluded with trainer Chad Brown claiming three victories, while trainer Wesley Ward had two. European horses earned just one victory, with 30-1 shot Karakontie in the $2 million Mile. ‘’To be here and enjoy the week like we did and walk away with three winners is a dream come true,’’ said Brown, who is based in New

York.

The Mile surprise was one of four upsets Saturday. The biggest came in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies, with Take Charge Brandi kicking off the nine Cup races with a 61-1 upset for 79-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith extended his record for Cup victories to 21 with a win in the Filly & Mare Sprint with Judy the Beauty - the only favorite to win Saturday.

Three of four favorites won on opening day Friday.

In the Classic, Bayern ran 1 1/4 miles in 1:59.88 and paid $14.20, $8 and $5.20 at 6-1 odds.

Toast of New York returned $18 and $10.80. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome was another neck back in third and paid $5.40 to show.

Shared Belief, the 5-2 favorite co-owned by sports talk host Jim Rome, was knocked off his game at the start and finished fourth, ending his undefeated streak at seven. (Yahoo Sports)

FLOWER GIRL

Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.

Call: 231-3788

is looking to fill the following positions:

• Starting pay $5.50 per hour • Must have previous gardening experience and be familiar with landscaping equipment such as lawnmowers, trimmers 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

;;Salary $5.50 per hour ;;Must have at least two years experience ;;Must be able to manage Adobe Software ;;Must be able to speak English, Spanish and Creole ;;All applications must be accompanied by reference letter and diploma

Contact: 332-4280 to arrange and interview

Contact: 946-4083 or 431-1073 Email: fanot73@hotmail.com

Clerk

GARDENERS/ LABOURERS

10638

Floral Designer

FAN-ART PHOTO VIDEO PLUS LTD.

TURQUOISE LANDSCAPING Is looking to fill the following positions:

10588

Wanted urgently

November 8 - 14, 2014

Sports Interational

43

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Brian Lara: West Indies cricket will stay ‘alive’

Lionel Messi scored twice in Barcelona’s 2-0 European Champions League win over Ajax to move level with Raul as the competition’s all-time leading scorer on 71.

DESPITE FACING a £26.2m lawsuit, West Indies cricket will carry on into the future, batting legend Brian Lara has said.

Indian cricket authorities are suing their Caribbean counterparts due to last month’s tour in India, where the Windies pulled out following a dispute pay between players and the

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

In the face of such an expensive lawsuit, many commentators have expressed fears that Caribbean cricket could collapse, however, Lara, 45, said matters could be sorted out with India’s cricket board (BCCI).

The highest scoring Windies

Messi equals Raul’s European Champions League goals record IT is another landmark in the career of one of football’s greatest ever players.

Another two goals in the colors of Barcelona took Lionel Messi to 71 in the European Champions League -level with the all-time record holder Raul.

The Argentina striker grabbed both goals as the Spanish giants beat Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam, and now needs just one more to go clear of the legendary Spain striker.

Messi is already Barca’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time Ballon d’Or winner at the age of 27.

Not only did he move level with Raul in the Champions League scoring charts, he also edged one

ahead of another stand out player of this generation -- Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid striker failed to add to his tally in his side’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night, but the battle to beat Raul’s record is still very much on.

Messi’s first came from that rare source -- his head. His fine finish from Marc Bartra’s cross was only the fourth header in that bumper haul of 71 goals.

And with 15 minutes left, Messi slid in to polish off a Pedro cross from the left to pull himself level with Raul. His brace also secured Barca’s spot in the last 16 of the competition.

Sir John Kirwan says that that Steve Hansen’s team can lay claim to being the greatest in New Zealand history.

Current All Blacks best ever - Kirwan NEW Zealand legend Sir John Kirwan says the current All Blacks the reigning world champions - are the best of all time, as they prepare to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Kirwan played in the 1987 World Cup-winning outfit, but says Steve Hansen’s team can lay claim to being the greatest in New Zealand history.

“I think so. They’re outstanding,” Kirwan told BBC Radio 5 live.

“A couple of guys are possibly the best ever in their position.”

There are few individuals better placed to judge than Kirwan, who won 63 caps for New Zealand

between 1984 and 1994, scoring 35 tries.

The 49-year-old’s extensive coaching experience includes spells with the national sides of Italy and Japan, while he is currently in charge of Auckland Blues.

He is also overseeing the Barbarians for their matches this month against Australia and Leicester.

“What the All Blacks have is great depth in the squad,” added Kirwan, who said Hansen had improved the team since the last World Cup. “We have a special group of leaders that have the ability to make the right decisions under pressure.”

Brian Lara says he does not feel that anyone in West Indies cricket has any “intention of ending our game”.

batsman of all time told BBC Sport: “I don’t think the BCCI will be that severe on us.

“I believe West Indies cricket will be alive. I don’t think anybody has the intention to end our game.”

The BCCI has indicated it will pursue their claim to the “fullest extent permissible in the law”.

Lara, who retired from the game in 2007, claimed the WICB has not taken on heed of previous incidents, and added: “There are implications and I believe the West Indies Cricket Board have found themselves in this situation because they have not learned from the past.

“There have been many little quarrels between players and board but it’s the first time they are perhaps facing something as severe as this.

“We’ve got some of the best talents in the world, so I believe West Indies cricket is going to survive and it’s now about how we take this forward.”

England are scheduled to visit the Caribbean in April next year for a three-match test series, and Lara believed the tourists “are safe” to go ahead and book accommodation for the trip. (Voice-online.co.uk)

Hamilton edges out Nico Rosberg to win U.S. Grand Prix LEWIS Hamilton was the fastest racer in the West as he won the United States Grand Prix to add fuel to his world title chances.

Flags and banners bearing his name waved under sunny skies at the circuit outside the Texan city of Austin -- and he did not disappoint the grandstands.

Hamilton daringly dived up the inside of Nico Rosberg on lap 24 to snatch the lead from his Mercedes teammate.

“Nico wasn’t defending really and I almost caught him unaware, Hamilton later said of the maneuver.

“There wasn’t a moment in the race when I didn’t think I could get him.”

The victory was Hamilton’s 10th of the season and moved him 24 points clear of his fierce title rival with two races left to go.

But even if Hamilton wins next week’s Brazilian Grand Prix just ahead of Rosberg, there is still a chance the 2008 champion will be denied a second title.

A new ruling for 2014 will see double points awarded at the last race in Abu Dhabi -- which means a win is worth 50 points instead of 25.

There were swirling suggestions in Austin that Mercedes are privately worried that a final twist of fate in this fierce title race lies ahead in the desert denouement.

Perhaps unsurprisingly though, Rosberg spoke favorably of the rule

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes celebrates after winning the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

change. “For me it’s great to hear because there’s a definite shot at the championship,” he said.

Elsewhere, Daniel Ricciardo -- the only driver other than the Mercedes duo to take the checkered flag this season -- finished third for Red Bull after another battling race in Austin.

“It wasn’t boring out there,” the Australian said. “We had good pace, we were strong. I’m really happy with the third -- I think it was the best we could do today.

But despite Ricciardo’s excitement just 18 cars -- instead of the full complement of 22 -- lined up here on the Texan grid.

The Caterham and Marussia teams were forced to miss the race

because of financial difficulties and have also dropped out of next week’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Caterham racer Marcus Ericsson chose to attend the U.S. Grand Prix anyway but he told CNN, “I was out racing with these guys a couple of weeks ago in Russia and now I’m not racing.

“It’s disappointing and strange.”

For others at the heart of Formula One, the race weekend was also clouded with concern over the sport’s financial future.

Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s commercial rights holder, took the unusual step of holding a media conference at the Circuit of the Americas. (CNN)

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Josh for Sports

Memories of the late Albert Williams ANYONE who is seeking information from our sporting history needs to look no farther than Josh for Sports, for I am one of the fathers of sports and a historical research would ascertain this fact.

1977 Somewhere in the mid-1977, I came to Grand Turk and was given a place to live by Hon Jags. McCartney.

There was a time when at Cork Tree Beach I ate at his house and slept at Hon Skippings’ house.

Eventually I ended up at the Cash Register on the Eastern Road next to Mr. Charles Taylon. Also living at the Cash Register at that time were the Minister of Public Works Hon. Lewis Astwood, as well as Mr. Bill Cleare and his sister.

their nationalities a secret while in the Bahamas, because at that time Bahamas despised all foreigners and TCI were at the epicenter at this dislike.

By Joshua Gardiner

CREATING A NATIONAL PROGRAMME I came home with a vision to help my country create a national pride for itself as well as integrity and respect among the regional countries, especially the Bahamas.

Back then TC Islanders kept

CUTTING A LONG STORY SHORT Direct to the point. The TCAAA was the very first national association that I created.

The first executives were: President: Josh for Sports 1st Vice President: Albert Williams (GT) 2nd Vice President: Alphaeus Gardiner 3rd Vice President: Walter Hanchel Secretary: Anita Smith (Salt Cay) Assistant Secretary: Rita Mills

(GT) Treasurer: Oswald Williams (GT) Manager: (Jim Lawlor) British OUR VISION Our vision was for the TCI to compete internationally.

DISASTER The day before Salt Cay Day in 1978, I was involved in a basketball match at the Grand Turk High School Basketball court.

We were playing 4 on 4. I played Albert “Abbey” Williams’s team. A team had to win by four points, but darkness fell causing the game to end prematurely. We never finished it up to this day. Our game was so competitive that no side could get the needed four points to finish the game.

THE DEATH OF ABBEY The following day I left Abbey at Salt Cay Day. Later that evening Abbey drowned opposite Cable and Wireless.

My life would never be the same.

Abbey was my best friend—a gentle giant, peace maker and an aggressive sportsman.

He played all of the sports: cricket, volleyball, softball, table tennis, lawn tennis. I ate lunch at his mother’s house every day.

History must be told to this country. Then and only then can we appreciate from whence we came, where we are and have a perspective of where we want to go. So always shoot for the stars.

Until next time, Love Josh

TCICA T20 Cricket Competition:

Police and Jaguars win again POLICE and the Sunny Foods Jaguars recorded their second consecutive wins in the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association (TCICA) T20 Cricket Competition last weekend at the Downtown Ball Park in Providenciales.

The teams asserted themselves as joint leaders with wins over the KB Homes and Jam Turk respectively.

On Saturday Police batted first after winning the toss. The Lawmen continued their good form with 2046 from their allotted overs. Chabbie

Chabbie Charlery led the Lawmen with 70 runs.

Charlery, the eventual man-of-thematch, led the attack with 70. He blasted 11 fours and four sixes. Ian Ganness and Ira Baptiste assisted with 40 (3X4s) and 24 (2X4s and 1X6) respectively.

Bowling for KB Homes Marlon Graham, Randy Schultz, Lloyd Lynch, Paul McKenzie and Craig James had one wicket each.

Despite the steep run chase KB Home did not back down and McKenzie fired off a career best in the process. The all-rounder belted six sixes and eight fours in his score of 74, while Marlon Graham hit his second consecutive half century with an even 50 (7X4s), but the side ran out of batsmen and eventually folded for 179 in 18.2 overs.

Bowling for Police, Vaurice Jervis snatched 3-22 runs from 3.2 overs while Charlery claimed 2-27 from four overs.

10-WICKET WIN On Sunday Jaguars recorded a 10-wicket win over their opponents.

Jaguars won the toss and inserted Jam Turk to bat. The side could not get a foothold in the middle and ended their 20 overs at 117-9.

Captain Christopher McFarlane led the attack with 32 (3X4s and 1X6), while Dane Ritchie added 18 (2X6s), but it was Simijo Devassi’s day as he captured 4-25 from four overs.

Wineck Caleb supported with 2-17,

Nuwan Bodhinayake scored a cyclonic 94 in the Jaguars’ 10-wicket win.

also from four overs.

When the Jaguars batted, Nuwan Bodhinayake scored a cyclonic, unbeaten 94 runs. The wicket-

keeping batsman blasted 16 fours and three sixes in his innings while Jettu Ganglia was passive at the other end with 20 runs.

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Garland receives high academic honour

– Drops 12 seconds in 1000M run

TCI’s national 400M record holder Angelo Garland has proven that he is not all brawn after making the Athletic Director Honour Role in his first year at the Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

Garland, who has all the 400M records in the TCI: the outdoor, indoor and junior, was pleased with the recognition, although he was peeved that he missed the Dean’s list by .1. The youngster who is studying kinesiology (the scientific study of human movement) finished his first year with a 3.5 GPA.

He said that he was one of just four freshman sprinters selected. The others were members of the 4X400M team that broke the school’s record with a gold medal finish.

Now a sophomore the former Munro College student is working hard to equal or better his performance this year.

ANTICIPATING A GREAT YEAR ON THE TRACK The 19-year-old who is also a part of two record breaking national relay teams (the 4X100M and

Billy Forbes was very excited about the win.

Forbes’s Scorpions win NASL regular season TURKS and Caicos national player Billy Forbes’ performance has helped his football club, the San Antonio Scorpions to the North American Soccer League (NASL) regular season title for the second time in their history.

Forbes who made seven assists and scored four goals called the

Fall season’s win “huge”. His side scored in the 93rd minute to finish on top owing to a 1-0 win over NYC. The 20-year-old Forbes who made 20 appearances for his side was one of seven forwards in the league short-listed for the NASL Youth Player of the Year award.

Angelo Garland (left) poses with two other Director Honour Role athletes: Andres Salazar and Javier Reyes (right).

the 4X400M) is focused on his new season which starts midJanuary.

Pre-season training had him running the 1000M for the first time about four weeks ago (3:02:96), while on Tuesday last he bettered that time by 12

seconds (2:50.09).

Running the 1000M when the season starts is not on the agenda for the TCI born. “I’m going to stick with the 200M and 400M.” In the 400M Garland feels that he can easily break his 46.82s

which he made in May last year at the Southland Conference Outdoor Meet, due to his increased strength.

“I felt great. My strength this year is way more than last year and I’m excited about what I can do this season.”

The BWIC Spartans will battle the TCIPS Lions next Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Development League.`

PABA High School Development League:

BWIC and TCIPS to battle in semis THE British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC) Spartans will battle against the Turks and Caicos Institute of Professional Studies (TCIPS) Lions in the semi-finals of the PABA High School Development League next Wednesday at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex court.

The winner of the clash will reach

the undefeated Clement Howell High School (CHHS) ‘A’ team in the final the following week.

To progress to the semis, the BWIC got past Maranatha High School 33-21 last Wednesday.

Maranatha started slowly with just one point in the first period and eight at the half, which ultimately led

to their defeat.

J. Louise finished with five points, five steals and four rebounds for Maranatha while teammates T. Cook had seven points and J. Simmons six.

The BWIC, who scored 19 points in the first half, were led by Tristan Greene with 10 points, Devonte Smith with eight and Quinn Higgs with seven.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014

LAND FOR SALE In beautiful Bottle Creek, North Caicos

.46 acres overlooking the creek, spanning King Road and Windsor Road

QUICK SALE

CALL 232-3508 or 946-4664

November 8 - 14, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

November 8 - 14, 2014