TCWN Sept 14 - 20 by TC Weekly News

Weekly News Volume 27 | No. 36| September 14 - 20, 2013

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AG boycott is ‘on the table’

A boycott of all meetings and correspondence involving embattled Attorney General Huw Shepheard is “on the table” according to Premier Rufus Ewing. PAGE  5

The passing of Santa Claus affects many in the TCI GEORGE Taylor, who was better known as Santa Claus in the TCI for many years, passed away on Sunday (September 8) aged 60 after a lengthy illness. PAGE 

Resort development to create hundreds of jobs PAGE  7

Governor Ric Todd hangs his final portrait alongside his predecessors on his penultimate day in office on Thursday (September 12)

Expectations not high for new Governor PAGE 

‘They can keep their money’

– Premier says no to $15m grant PAGE if Belonger rights compromised 8

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

AG boycott is ‘on the table’ A BOYCOTT of all meetings and correspondence involving embattled Attorney General Huw Shepheard is “on the table” according to Premier Rufus Ewing. The revelation came at a press briefing on Friday, September 6, following the latest Cabinet meeting two days prior. Ewing, who has repeatedly registered his displeasure with the AG’s reappointment by the outgoing Governor on August 19, again made his position clear on his incompetence to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Premier said he had not received any written correspondence from Todd in relation to his latest request for him to rescind his decision and for the AG to retire. He, however, stated that the issue was discussed in Cabinet. During the briefing Ewing revealed that Governor Ric Todd had proposed that the Premier and his Ministers meet with Shepheard.

“He basically would like the Attorney General to meet with us to defend himself with regard to the allegations that were levelled at him by myself,” he said, “and with a view that maybe he could change our minds, opinions or views about him being the person to occupy the job. “My response to that was that I expected him to defend himself, like anyone else, and he should not expect that I will change my mind about what I think or what my perceptions are in regards to me having confidence in him.” Dr Ewing stated that any explanation would not make him change his mind, nor will it inculcate any confidence in the Attorney General. “And I don’t think that will change the Governor’s decision in regard to his views to re-appoint, so why me?” the Premier questioned. In his letter to the Governor last Wednesday (September 4), Premier Ewing adamantly stated that he is not

Attorney General Huw Shepheard

Premier Rufus Ewing

Governor Ric Todd

prepared to work with the AG. Asked what then will Government do going forward as the AG is still the lawyer for the TCI; whether they intend to boycott his meetings and/or not respond to his correspondence, Dr. Ewing said all possibilities are on the table.

“All possibilities are on the table. From our standpoint, it is within our constitutional right, everything that is in our legal constitutional right to do as a Government is on the table,” he firmly stated. Speaking at the same forum Finance Minister, Washington Misick called on the public to rally around the Government in its objections. “The Attorney General is the lawyer of the Turks and Caicos Government and we are his clients and a client should have the ability to fire their lawyer,” Misick stated. He said this is essentially what it boils down to. “So how are you making decisions on my behalf, I am your client, and you are making decisions on my behalf without my instruction.” He pointed to incidences where the Attorney General has instructed Edward Wildman firm to take actions that are costing the Government money. “By virtue of the fact that he is the Government’s lawyer, he is also the general public’s lawyer and he is not doing a good job and the public has an interest in making sure that he goes.” The Finance Minister noted that if it takes a petition to be drafted and submitted to the United Kingdom

government that is the route to go. “Even if you have to go and write a petition, write it and we will take the petition to the legislature and it will move its way to the Secretary of State if possible. “We have to have the ability to say who represents this country, as the chief legal advisor of the country.”

Mercy Committee members Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Acting Attorney General, Governor Ric Todd and Mervin Cox

Group given powers of pardon THOSE sentenced for a crime may have a way out, thanks to a new committee that has been given the powers of pardon. The first meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands Mercy Committee was chaired by Governor Ric Todd on Grand Turk on Friday morning (September 6). Its members will have the ability to advise the Governor to pardon, give a respite from punishment or substitute a less severe punishment to convicted criminals. Todd explained: “This is an important community service here in the Islands - mercy must be at the centre of every society. “I am most grateful to the members of the committee who have agreed to be part of this serious and honourable endeavour.” The Mercy Committee was

established under section 127 of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution. It comprises the Governor and the Attorney General plus four other members appointed by the Governor, following nomination by the Premier and the Leader of the Official Opposition. These members are Emily Saunders, Mervin Cox, Oral Selver and Father Bernard Been, all of whom are appointed for a three year term from July 1. After consultation with the Mercy Committee, the Governor may in Her Majesty’s name and on Her Majesty’s behalf grant pardon to any person convicted of any offence against the law and grant in the Islands a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions. He will also be able to grant to any

person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, from the execution of any punishment imposed on him or her for such an offence. Another power is that the convicted may be given a less severe form of punishment for that imposed by any sentence for such an offence. And finally the Governor may reduce the whole or any part of any sentence passed for such an offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Her Majesty on account of such an offence. The first meeting was used to familiarise members with their powers of pardon under the Constitution and discuss the committee’s procedures. Its next meeting will be held in October in Providenciales where its procedures will be finalised before being made public.

Conflict of interest When asked about another sore issue regarding the AG’s representation of the TCI Government and Governor Ric Todd – most recently in the case brought against the two by Trade Wind Industries – Misick reiterated earlier claims that the TCI has a parallel government. “I have said this over and over, we have a parallel government. The Governor and the British decide what they want to do and it trumps whatever we want to do and it is time that it stops.” In the House of Assembly on Thursday, September 5, the Premier called on others to join him in his protest. “I have taken the liberty of outlining my reasons for my stance on this issue and I am asking all Members of the House of Assembly to join together with one voice,” he said. (DI)

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

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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

Right to stand against the AG?

Why get rid?

LAST week Premier Rufus Ewing expressed his upset at Governor Ric Todd's decision to reappoint Attorney General Huw Shepheard. He said he was not prepared to work with the AG on his return to the Islands and that he should be encouraged to take early retirement. What are your views? Do you think the AG has done a good job? Do you think the Premier was right to take a stand?

Proper legal foundation

growth.

The Premier is entirely right in his stand on this. This particular AG should not be allowed to continue to work here in TCI. His comments and actions in the public arena have been disgraceful. We need a clear thinking, insightful and reasoned person in this post to help TCI grow and get back on track and lay the proper legal foundation for this

Boycott meetings

I think that the AG needs to go. He is spending our money like water! It seems that he cannot get the facts correct on any case he has presented. I hope that Hon Ewing and his Cabinet will take a tough stance on this matter, up to and including a boycott of any meeting or function that the AG is part of.

There is a big unanswered question regarding Attorney General Shepheards' service and performance. The PNP activists are all condemning him because they claim he was too weak to prevail against their members who have won a couple of cases; at least one to be appealed. Therefore this raises the question, why try to get rid of him?

Treasury heist

The Governor can’t let anyone new in on their coup. A new person may spill the beans on the elaborate wide spread corruption of the British in their Treasury heist.

Sleeping AG

Who does the Premier want for AG? His pet complaint now is the return of the PNP headquarters to Crown land. Ewing’s choice Rhondalee said she supports the take away as according to the court and the rule of law. Maybe he wants sleeping Kurt Defreatas back?

Stop moaning about the Brits

Damn, when da hell dem peoples will let this “we don't like the British” thing go? Them must take they heads outta the sands and realise that the world give them an F- for

how they handled TCI and how the raped the place for their own gain. Right now the Brits them have more credibility under their belts than that bunch. They need to getta governing and stop they bitching. The world will not give them a pass by them keep raising the spectre of the ‘big bad Brits’ them. TCI is not independent and they are not with clean hands. Peter is no better than damn Paul! They make it look as if they just want to duck them court cases that coming up. Personally I am tired of hearing all of the baseless whining about the Brits. The Ewing government must realise that TCI is not independent, so what part of the Brits being involved in Government, to a limited extent, don't they understand? Enough already; get to work guys. We around the world are waiting for yinna to restore our good name by regaining yinna credibility, not bitching and moaning about the Brits alla time. Here in the Bahamas it is said that Mr Ewing is one sharp dude but all this crying about the Brits now making some of us look twice. Enough said.

 Become a contributor Want to become a contributor or have a suggestion for a Talk Back topic for us? What questions do you think we should be putting to the public? And what are your thoughts on it? Call our news team on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@gmail.com

‘Should I carry on?’ - Ewing – Premier questions how he can continue in his role IT WAS a close call as to whether he would continue in his role as Premier last week, according to Rufus Ewing at the House of Assembly on Thursday, September 5. During his opening speech at the eighth sitting of the House he said that his heart was burdened with questions as to whether or not he should carry on. Ewing’s statement came following a turbulent week in which the former PNP headquarters were seized by the Attorney General’s chambers after he publically voiced his refusal to work with the newly appointed AG Huw Shepheard. “As per the usual, I asked my Lord

for strength, guidance, wisdom and determination, and because of those I am here standing before you in this honourable House this morning,” he said. The Premier told the House that the past few weeks of duty in the Office of Premier had been a “reality check”. “You see Mr Speaker, I was taught all my life to be honest, to be law abiding, to play by the rules as these are the best of policies to which one should adhere to safely see oneself through life. “To some extent these guiding principles are true, but in the current socioeconomic and political context of our beloved

Premier Rufus Ewing

Turks and Caicos Islands, these qualities do indeed at times appear to be pointless and are the constant root causes of frustration as the rules are not in our favour.”

He said the rules he referred to are the constitutional rules of the country which give the Governor the “uncensored power to do whatsoever he pleases” and if the Government plays by these current rules it would not be serving the best interests of the people. “What is unfair is if Turks and Caicos Islanders attempted to challenge the status quo it would also be to their detriment so essentially we can't win for losing. “However Mr Speaker I am a fighter. I am a leader and if I am going to die I would prefer to die trying and challenging the status quo.” The Premier stressed that he came to Government elected by the people to improve their lives and wellbeing not just economically and socially but also democratically. “The people of these Islands elected us to make decisions in their best interest, to represent them, but the Government of the people is

having some of the most difficult times, being bound by chains and whipped when we try to break free in the interest of the people.” In response to the Premier’s statement Neil Smith from the Governor’s office told the Weekly News: “He [Governor Todd] has always operated within the limited range of powers delegated to him through the constitution.” The Premier went on to talk about the strengthening economy, his refusal to compromise Belonger rights for the $15m grant from the European Development Fund (EDF), and his future keynote speech at an international infrastructure conference. He welcomed students back to school and congratulated them on their achievements before also thanking the parents, teachers, Ministry of Education and charitable organisations that had assisted in the start of the new school term.

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Floyd Basil Hall

Former Minister of Natural Resources McAllister Eugene Hanchell

Former Minister of Education Lillian Elaine Boyce

NEWS

Former Minister of Works Jeffrey Christoval Hall

Corruption accused face plea and direction hearing FOUR former Cabinet members will face a plea and direction hearing in Providenciales Supreme Court on Monday (September 16) for

corruption offences. The ex-Ministers are accused of serious misdeeds relating to their time in office during the Michael Misick-

Resort development to create hundreds of jobs ABOUT 200 jobs will be created to facilitate the construction of an $80m luxury condo resort development - with at least half of those going to Belongers. And another 200 are likely to be available when The Shore Club development in Long Bay, Providenciales, is up and running, according to project boss Stan Hartling. The news comes after TCI property development firm Hartling Group and Cayman firm DECCO announced that they would be working together to create the new resort. Stan Hartling, CEO and founder of the Hartling Group, said he is delighted to be able to expand his team. “The Hartling Group currently employs approximately 400 people, making us one of the largest employers in the country. “We are really looking forward to growing our team again. “As a resident of TCI for over 16 years I know how important projects like this are for the local economy. “The last few years have been a challenge for the local economy and we're thrilled to play our part in giving it a definite boost now through the jobs we'll create at the Shore Club, both short term and long term.” Work on the nine-acre development is set to begin within the next few months. It will include 38 luxury condos and associated amenities with a market value nearing $80 million. The Shore Club will be one of the first major projects to commence in the Turks and Caicos Islands since

Stan Hartling, CEO and founder of the Hartling Group, said he is delighted to be able to expand his team

2009 and is seen to be a reflection of bolstered investor confidence in the country. When complete the resort will bring to market in excess of $100 million of oceanfront real estate, offering condominiums ranging in price from $1.3 million to $4.5 million. Private villas will begin at $5.4 million alongside the fully appointed resort with spa, restaurants and other recreational facilities. The Hartling Group has sold approximately 60 per cent of phase one. The company has been successfully developing largescale condo resort projects for over 16 years, including the Sands at Grace Bay and the international award-winning, Regent Palms. The funding for The Shore Club project was arranged by Robi Das, managing director of NGKF Capital Markets.

led government of 2003 to 2009. They are former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Floyd Basil Hall, former Minister of Natural Resources McAllister Eugene Hanchell, former Minister of Education Lillian Elaine Boyce and former Minister of Works Jeffrey Christoval Hall. The charges were brought by the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) following a Commission of Inquiry into the government in 2009. Also facing Justice Paul Harrison for alleged corruption are former PNP chairman and attorney Clayton Stanfield Greene, brother of Michael Misick and attorney Thomas

Chalmers Misick, and Floyd Hall’s wife Lisa Michelle Hall. In addition developer Richard Michael Padgett, attorney Melbourne Arthur Wilson, Floyd Hall’s brother Quinton Albert Hall and Lillian Boyce’s brother Earlson McDonald Robinson will be facing the hearing in person or via video chat. The trial can now finally go ahead after the Privy Council refused to hear a petition brought by the accused to increase legal aid fees. The decision came after the Appeal Court denied their request earlier in the year. In August Attorney General Huw Shepheard told the Weekly News:

“What happened is that the registrar of the Supreme Court made an offer of legal aid. “The lawyers concerned were dissatisfied with the rates that the registrar was offering and they brought a judicial review to challenge the registrar’s decision. “They lost that; they appealed to the Court of Appeal, they lost that, and then they asked for permission to appeal to the Privy Council. “The Court of Appeal said no, and the Privy Council said no.” The defendants were fighting for an increase in the fees for their defence attorneys in their upcoming corruption trials.

KPMG hospital audit report highlights issues ALTHOUGH not made public there have been a number of issues highlighted in the Turks and Caicos Islands hospital clinical costs audit. Cabinet at its meeting last Wednesday, September 4, heard a presentation by Gary Brough of KPMG, the auditors conducting the review of the InterHealth Canada run facilities. Premier Rufus Ewing told the media following the Cabinet meeting that an agreement was reached for the Minister of Health to arrange to pass to the Contract Management Board a number of issues and areas for concern, which were discussed and highlighted. He noted that it further agreed to hold more discussions based on feedback from the board and a paper from the Minister of Health at either its September 18 meeting or the first meeting in October. Asked what issues were highlighted by the auditors, Dr Ewing noted that the report cannot be made public at this time due to the fact that it is an interim report on which the signing off has not occurred between

the hospital and the auditors. “But in the interim we will, through the contract management team, be addressing those issues that were highlighted as possible areas of concerns and whilst the auditors and the hospital go towards finalising that particular document.” He could not give a timeline for its conclusion, however. “I can’t give a precise timeline because it is still ongoing. The financial audit is an interim audit and requires dialogue and getting lots of information… the hospital management will be interfacing with the Ministry based on the interim audit.” He noted that they are hopeful that the overall auditing process will commence shortly after information is received from the contract management team and the clinical audit. Both audits, the financial and clinical, are expected to have the effect of reducing hospital costs and improving clinical care, in addition to holding the hospital accountable for any defaults under the contract.

The long due audits were only started this year, sometime around mid-February. Last October, the Premier noted that InterHealth Canada could have to forfeit on their contract with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG), if it is found that they have breached performance clauses. The full document, which included 187 separate files and 7,665 pages, was leaked in August last year. The result of the contract was two two-storey hospitals – one in Provo with 20 beds and the other in Grand Turk with 10 beds that came at a high cost to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The exit clause in the InterHealth contract is reported to have penalty costs of $125 million, exclusive of the $125 million mortgage on the hospital buildings, which has a reported 12 per cent interest rate. If the mortgage runs its full 24year course, the buildings will have cost TCI residents half a billion dollars. (DI)

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

‘They can keep their money’ – Premier says no to $15m grant if Belonger rights compromised BELONGER rights are a main priority of Government and a multimillion dollar grant will not buy them. Those were the sentiments of Premier Rufus Ewing when he said that the European Union (EU) could keep their money if Islanders are not given priority. Last month a $15m grant was offered to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government from the European Development Fund (EDF) for budgetary support. But on Thursday, September 5, at the House of Assembly during his opening speech Ewing said there would be no compromise in local businesses’ rights. “I can let the EU know now that if the EDF grant of $15m, which is intended to improve and streamline business practices, has as its goal the removal of Belonger reserve categories as a trade off, then they can keep their money as this will not happen under my watch at this time in our current economic state.” The EU offered the cash to TCIG provided the country could fix the weaknesses in the system that

were found during an analysis it conducted. The main problem identified was the length of time for the processing of work permits and business licenses. It was recommended that these two areas should be made more efficient. A reform strategy now has to be detailed and agreed during the remainder of the year so that Cabinet can consider it and present it to the EU at the beginning of 2014. Former Chief Economist, Dr Richard Stoneman, has been appointed as Business Transformation Consultant to Government in this process. He will be working along with the Minister of Finance Washington Misick and the Government’s Chief Economist, Dr Ubazdus Raymond and the team put together by the Minister. Dr Stoneman will serve until next spring. The first payment of about $4m is expected before the end of March 2014 and will be put into the consolidated fund. It is payable on agreed policies

being successfully implemented. During his speech Ewing went on to say that TCI’s economic growth must be to the betterment of the lives of the people who must be able to capitalise on opportunities presented to them. “The only way we can guarantee this in an environment of unfair competition is by strengthening our Belonger preference policies as we grow and diversify our economy and as we streamline and make more efficient our business and labour policies. “We are about levelling the playing field not making it uneven. “I would like to tell my Turks and Caicos Islanders that we are mandated to empower them through protection of reserved categories of business and capital and investment facilitation and that we shall do.” Ewing also spoke of the issue to members of the business community at the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce meeting on August 27. He said: “The EU as well as the United Kingdom, their desire is to see Belonger protection clauses

New legislation could reenergise construction industry – Fractional Ownership Bill debated in House NEW property legislation could create more opportunities for buyers with limited funds to invest in high end real estate, while boosting the construction industry. The Fractional Ownership Bill was debated during the eighth sitting of House of Assembly last Thursday, September 5. The bill, which is expected to pass during the next sitting of the House, provides for fractional ownership in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is a method in which several unrelated parties can share in and mitigate the risk of ownership of a high-value piece of resort real estate. During the House meeting Premier Rufus Ewing explained that the Fractional Ownership Bill was a vision of his Government and a means of empowering the people, driving development and stimulating the economy. “At a fraction of the cost our people can become property owners and have increased equity that would allow them to have access to financing that otherwise they perhaps would not have had,” he said. “This financing provides the ability to realise some of the dreams

of Turks and Caicos Islanders who perhaps want to become the entrepreneurs that a growing economy needs for job creation and stability.” One of the main motivators for a fractional purchase is the ability to share the costs of maintaining an asset. Each owner is guaranteed a prescribed amount of access to the asset which typically can be used or offered to the public as rental. The income is usually split between the management company and the fractional owner unless the owner finds the renter himself. Additionally each owner pays a portion of the annual management fees and maintenance relative to the percentage of ownership. “This bill increases the likelihood that people would build condos, town homes or stand-alone vacation homes and this means work for our contractors, electricians, carpenters, masons, architects etc,” Ewing said, “thus reenergising our construction industry and thereby sending a global message of a strengthening economy. “I see this Fractional Ownership

Bill as a win-win for our people and our country as this type of activity attracts investors to our shores while ensuring that Turks and Caicos Islanders are not left behind.” Once a property has been registered under the Fractional Ownership Scheme, the bill makes provisions for it to be split into a maximum of 12 fractions of equal value. Potential owners can purchase as many fractions as they would like. With the power to borrow against a fraction and to sell, fractional owners will have more financing options available to them. Fractional Ownership Schemes, once reserved for luxury jet liners and boats, have over the years been extended to include high-end real estate. They are currently operating in countries within Europe, the United States and Canada as well as Barbados, Antigua, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The bill also provides for the formation of fractional management companies creating new jobs within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

removed from any of our legislations and the so-called opening up of businesses.” The Premier stressed that while the EU grant is there to help improve business systems TC Islanders will be losing out. He said that many are not able to capitalise on reserve categories of businesses and develop their small and medium size businesses because they do not have the same capital as foreign investors. “So even though there are reserve categories currently a lot of them are unable to capitalise on those opportunities, so our role and our goal really should be how we can assist TC Islanders in accessing capital so that they can capitalise on the reserve category of business that are there.” He said the answer is not removal of reserve categories “because if we

remove the reserve category then those Turks and Caicos Islanders don’t stand a chance”. “If they have difficulty now getting into business, imagine when they don’t have any kind of protection in the reserve category they will never get into business. “So that is not in our interest, that is not in our best interest and I have no interest in any money that is geared towards that if that is the ultimate goal.” He said that instead reserve categories should be looked at and additions made if necessary. “Belongers are not empowered enough - some of them from access to capital, some of them from incentives being provided by Government, some of them from the standpoint of educational opportunities - they are not empowered enough to capitalise.”

Provo and Grand Turk record week of crime THE ROYAL Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is looking into a number of incidents reported between Saturday (September 7) and Thursday (September 12) on the islands of Providenciales and Grand Turk. During this period investigations were launched into several incidences of theft during which a quantity of jewellery, three Blackberry phones, a turtle, an air compressor, a wallet containing ID cards and a sum of cash, an iPod and a Huaweh cell phone, were all stolen. Police said the iPod and Huaweh were stolen from a motor vehicle and that the driver side window of the vehicle was broken. The RTCIPF also launched investigations into a crime of abstracting electricity in the Five Cays area. It said that this crime is alleged to have been committed by several persons. Police are also following up on seven incidences of burglary. Stolen during the commission of these crimes were five flat screen televisions, liquor, a Viao laptop computer, a quantity of fish and wire, t-shirts, coffee mugs, hats, bags, custom made jewellery, a Samsung 43 inch TV, a Sony Playstation 3 and six Playstation 3 games. A 20-year-old male of Kew Town was arrested on suspicion of burglary in relation to a burglary that occurred in Providenciales on

Saturday (September 7). Two reports of malicious damage to property and theft were reported. In one incidence, a glass door and a front windscreen were shattered and tools were stolen. In the other, another door glass was shattered and a number of auto parts were stolen. Police said officers are also investigating a case of wounding in which the victim was treated by a doctor for non-life threatening injuries at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and released the same day. Meanwhile, on the island of Grand Turk, police recorded one incident of theft, which saw the victim relieved of a quantity of building supplies and household items. They are also investigating a burglary on the same island. Stolen were a yellow purse with black stripes containing personal documents, a black Philips sound system valued $350, a grey Samsung tablet worth $600, a silver Dell CPU valued at $400, a black HP 17 inch laptop worth $850, a black Foscam Camera valued at $255, a gold Guess watch and two Twilight cell phones. The cost of the phones is $165 each. A case of malicious injuries to property is also being probed. During this crime, the right rear window of a van was damaged. Police said there were no crimes reported in Salt Cay, South Caicos, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and Parrot Cay.

September 14 - 20, 2013

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Expectations not high for new Governor PREMIER Rufus Ewing does not have high expectations for the incoming Governor Peter Beckingham, who is set to take up the office this October. The Premier recently told the media that he hopes Beckingham’s attitude is different from Governor Ric Todd’s, but that he is not holding out hope. “Even though I am hoping, my expectations may not be high because they are coming with the

same agenda,” he said. “Sometimes it is not just about the attitude of an individual or how they interact with you, it is about your overall agenda and if your agenda is not in the interest of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, then we are not going to get along.” The Premier had previously expressed hope that Beckingham would stick to his responsibilities, those of foreign affairs, good governance and oversight, and

Capron not guilty of attempted murder, gun charges MAJOR inconsistencies in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses led to the attempted murder and assorted gun charges being dropped against Chabo Capron on Thursday (September 12). Capron was accused of shooting Kevin Pierre outside of Fun World, the miniature golf establishment on Leeward Highway, Providenciales, last October 19. On Thursday attorney-at-law Lara Maroof of F Chambers had her no case submissions upheld by Supreme Court Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale following the former’s cross examination of Crown witness, Haywood McIntosh. McIntosh - for whom the judge had issued a warrant to ensure his attendance for the completion of his testimony when he failed to appear for the afternoon session on Wednesday (September 11) - was the last of Crown prosecutor Leonard Franklin’s witnesses. Following McIntosh’s crossexamination and the defence attorney’s submission Judge Ramsay-Hale instructed the jury to bring a verdict of not guilty because the question of the shooter’s identity was in doubt. Two other witnesses, the victim and Police Constable Felicia Robinson, had testified at the start of the trial on Monday that they did not see the shooter, as the person’s face was covered. However during direct testimony McIntosh said he saw the shooter in a 30 to 40 second time span before the person discharged the gun. According to McIntosh’s testimony he and the victim were sitting in his vehicle outside of miniature golf when Capron walked up to the vehicle with his gun out. The witness testified that as he was attempting to drive away when the weapon was discharged, hitting Pierre. McIntosh also told the court that prior to the shooting he saw the Capron outside the sushi bar in

Chabo Capron, former attempted murder accused

Grace Bay at which time the former accused was looking at him and behaving in a disorderly manner. Prior to his testifying on Wednesday, a sullen McIntosh informed the judge that he could not give his testimony because of tiredness. He protested that he had had a busy morning taking his child to school and conducting his affairs, that he was up since 6am that morning and that he was mentally incapable at that present moment to testify. However the judge did not bend to his request for another date to appear, citing the presence of the seven-person jury, which she said made the time to come to court. She subsequently granted him an hour’s rest with refreshments at the expense of the court. At about 12.30pm prosecutor Franklin commenced his direct examination which lasted about an hour before the adjournment. McIntosh however failed to appear for the 2.30pm sitting forcing the warrant for his detainment to be issued by the judge. Meanwhile Capron, although not guilty of the charges stemming from this incident, remained on remand in relation to charges in a separate matter. (DI)

nothing else. He had stated that the country is not looking for micro managers. Beckingham recently served as Deputy High Commissioner to India, heading the Mumbai-Western Indian offices. That region of India accounts for over 25 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as a significant portion of UK investment. Earlier in the year the Premier said he hoped Beckingham would be more business-minded based on his strong economic background. “He could either put tighter financial controls than we have now and make it even worse, because we think that financial controls are really too strict even as we speak, or he can really see the logic in good financial management in terms of investing and taking some risks.” Although he made no mention of what his intentions are coming to the TCI in terms of how he hopes to influence business and investments in the territory, Beckingham, in several posts on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website, recounted how UK businesses have influenced India’s economy. An excerpt taken from his post, titled ‘Farewell to Mumbai (Part 2): Doing better than we think’ is included below. “UK business can and does make a major mark here, more than some appreciate. “Five examples that I have been involved with over the last 42 months illustrate the point: “In Pune I have worked with two UK companies who have set up manufacturing subsidiaries, in the automotive and petrochemicals business. “It would be wrong to claim that the going has always been plain sailing, and one has struggled with the theft of intellectual property, but both SMEs are here for the long haul. “One of the UK’s largest privately owned companies, OCS, launched its India business in Mumbai last month. “When I met its CEO three years ago it had 2,000 employees in the

Premier Rufus Ewing

Governor Ric Todd

Incoming Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Peter Beckingham

facilities management business: it now has 22,000 and climbing, with its chairman joining David Cameron’s trade delegation here in February. “Lastly, at the big end of the scale, BP and Diageo have become two of the largest players in their fields. “I discussed some of Diageo’s earlier Indian travails at their West End HQ before I even got here: today they run one of the largest drinks’ businesses in the country. “Similarly, when I saw BP’s management team in London in 2010, they were a long way from

competing the jv they sought, and the Gulf of Mexico disaster put plans on hold. “Now they are the largest overseas investor in India. Of course, there is more we can do, and the Germans for example appear to be leading the way in machine tools and automotive supplies, and the French in civil nuclear work. But we shouldn’t be either too modest, or complacent, about our achievements.” Meanwhile, on Sunday (September 15) Governor Ric Todd will leave the Turks and Caicos Islands after a two year term.

Milestone reached in money crime battle DOZENS of lawyers, accountants and real estate agents have registered with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) as part of its bid to battle money laundering and terrorist financing. This process fulfils the commission’s immediate responsibility as the designated supervisory authority and requires all registered businesses to adopt various operational rules. It also enables closer liaison with registrants in matters such as emerging money laundering trends

as well as compliance reviews. Managing director of the commission Kevin Higgins said he was delighted to have reached such a successful milestone. “Registration of this group is an important step in maintaining the reputation of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a high quality financial centre,” he added. Just eight of the 76 Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBP) who were required to register have not done so up to the August 31 deadline.

The commission has now referred one non-registrant to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal action. Failing to submit their completed registration application by the deadline date provided falls under an offence within the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance. The commission will now begin a further awareness campaign for non-profit organisations in order to provide support and to reduce the risk of misuse of funds raised from the general public.

10 NEWS

Charges to be reinstituted against Norman Saunders PRESS officer in the Governor’s Office, Neil Smith, has indicated that the decision to prosecute Norman Saunders will be “re-taken and that the prosecution will resist any application for costs”. Smith’s statement came following the dismissal of money laundering charges against the TCI attorney in Grand Turk Supreme Court on Friday. This week another section of the press reported that the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT) was forced to withdraw charges against Saunders. It also stated that Saunders’ lawyers, Guy Chapman of Savory and Co and Queen’s Counsel Alex Cameron, submitted to the court that under the new law, the authority to prosecute and charge persons is

with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) JoAnn Meloche. The DPP would have had to delegate those powers to Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick in order for the charges to be valid. Saunders appeared before Chief Justice, Edwin Goldsbrough in the Supreme Court on Grand Turk on Friday, September 6, when the money laundering charges against him were voided. “Counsel for the prosecution explained that the attorneys acting for Mr Saunders had raised an objection to the decision to prosecute him,” a statement from Smith read. “The prosecution did not accept their argument but had taken this course, because the point was a highly technical one that did not affect the

case against any other persons and in order to avoid unnecessary delay and legal costs.” He added that: “The court was told that the decision to prosecute will be re-taken and that the prosecution would resist any application for costs. “The Chief Justice described the decision as pragmatic and expedient.” In court on Friday, attorneys for Saunders Jr indicated that they would be filing for costs in the Supreme Court. When the Weekly News contacted Director of Public Prosecution, JoAnn Meloche, all she would say is that the matter is with the SIPT. Asked about the issue of an application for judicial review challenging the prosecution and the original charges, which was raised at

TCIG acting on advice of Caricom report MONTHS after the submission of the Caricom report - which followed the fact-finding mission to the TCI by Bahamas Foreign Minister, Fred Mitchell and team - the Government has said it is taking two of its recommendations very seriously. The two indentified are constitutional reform and the structure of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) and the Civil Recovery Team (CRT). Premier Rufus Ewing made this disclosure during a recent media briefing on Providenciales. “The one in particular in regard to the constitution we are already making moves on that in regard to setting up the constitutional committee of the house and then setting the various sub-committees in the communities so that we can… solicit the views of the electorate.” He noted that following these steps Government intends to put forward whatever recommendations it has to the United Kingdom. “And if we need to go to a referendum on this constitution as to the acceptability of it, we would do that as well,” he added. Based on the findings of the team, the constitutional make-up of the Turks and Caicos Islands came in for much flak. The June report stated that: “The observation was made that the present

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constitutional arrangements did not amount to democracy even though, paradoxically, representative democracy was said to be functioning well. “Consequently, there was need for early constitutional reform to get rid of the restrictions on Government action.” Meanwhile, with regard to the SIPT and the CRT, Premier Ewing although declining to go into detail about what action is being taken said his Government is looking at the way the two are set up. Concerning those two bodies, the Caricom report noted the inequitable treatment being meted out. It read: “The expatriate developers were being allowed to return land and to pay back large sums of monies while not being brought to trial. “This was said to be taking place in the absence of transparency and accountability. “On the other hand, the same facility was not being offered to the locals, former Ministers and others, though one TCI person was said to have benefited from it.” It said that this approach was viewed as “justice for sale”, adding that the Governor had specifically denied this earlier by saying that it is not true that “white people can buy justice, while black people go to jail”. The report also mentioned the longrunning operations of the agencies,

which are said to have ruined reputations, to be overreaching and to have created an atmosphere of fear. The findings, according to the report, were that expatriates who were persons of interest to SIPT did not suffer the same restrictions on their movements as the Islanders who were viewed as flight risks. The expatriates were also permitted to post bail while the Islanders were required to post huge sums for bond. “The changes to the rule of law and the inequitable operations of the SIPT and CRU led many to conclude that the deck was being stacked against the Islanders.” Most recently, Finance Minister Washington Misick spoke out on the operations of the two agencies pointing out that only a few months into the financial year the two bodies are over the budgeted $5 million and that he would not be going to the House of Assembly to ask for any more money for them to conduct their business. Meanwhile, Premier Ewing also told the media that his Government is in contact with Caricom and that they are still assisting the TCI. “I have actually had discussions yesterday (September 5) with the Caricom country that is responsible for Turks and Caicos on this particular issue [SIPT and CRT].” (DI)

Norman Saunders

Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick

an earlier point in the proceedings, Meloche stated that no application was made. As for the speculations in the media that Helen Garlick did not have the authority to lay the charges, Supreme Court registrar David Chetwyn told this publication that Saunders’ lawyers had indeed indicated that there was going to be a judicial review application filed relating to the proceedings. He added that this would have delayed things, as such the prosecution said it will void the current charges and recharge. The 44-year-old TCI attorney first appeared before Magistrate Jolyon Hatmin to answer to three counts of money laundering. The sufficiency hearing was at

the time set for August 2, however it was put back to last Friday, when the charges were dropped. At the time, he was charged the lawyer expressed his shock at the action taken against him by the SIPT. In a statement he said: “I have not committed the offences for which they have accused me, their charges are unfair, and I will strongly contest them. “I am grateful for the messages of support that I have already received from friends, clients, and professional colleagues. “My hope now is that a trial with a jury of my peers can soon proceed, so that I can put this matter behind me and my family, and so that we can return to a normal life.”(DI)

Dominicans want Government representation BY DAISY HANDFIELD DOMINICAN nationals in the Turks and Caicos Islands are reaching out to the Dominican government to look into sending over a consul. The delegate would not only deal with the naturalisation of Dominican children and renewal of passports but offer legal representation. Currently the Dominican consul based in Puerto Rico, Franklin Grullon, also has responsibility for Dominicans that reside in the TCI, but they say that they are not seeing the support. President of the TCI Dominican Committee, Edwin Hernandez, said that they understand that it would be a high cost for a permanent consul to be established in the TCI, so they are not expecting that to happen. What they at least want is a consul that could visit every six months to be updated with what is going on with the people or to come in case of special emergencies such as deaths. He said: “Other countries have their consuls; here in the Turks and Caicos Dominicans make up about five per cent of the population, so we do not see why

we do not have representation. “The authorities in the Dominican Republic have the Dominicans in the TCI totally abandoned and the rights of the Dominicans here are being raped very often.” Currently there are consulate offices for the Philippines, Haiti, Jamaica, United States and Canada. Dominican resident Luis Manuel Gonzalez made mention that many times the Dominicans are mistreated by local residents and even stripped of their human rights. “Here in Provo we need our Dominicans to be more united so that maybe in the future there might be a possibility of Dominican Government establishing a consul here. “Sometimes we pay our money to get our documents sorted out and they [local residents] take our money, trick us and laugh in our faces.” Marisol Perez stressed that here in the TCI Dominicans want more support because they feel like they do not have enough. Franklin Grullon is expected to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands for the first time from Thursday (September 12) until Sunday (September 15). He will be meeting with Government officials and discussing his role within the Islands.

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Education Ministry is working on school overcrowding BY DAISY HANDFIELD THERE have been many complaints from residents noting that they have been trying to enroll their child or children into a Government primary school for some years now and up to this day are still unsuccessful. Minister of Education Akierra Missick told the Weekly News on Friday (September 6) that her Ministry is well aware of the “overspill” of students in primary and secondary schools on Providenciales. She stressed that work is being done to address the problem. Missick explained that there were a number of cases where parents did not present the appropriate documentation, but the majority of students with proper documentation who registered for K1 in March were accommodated. “If certain documents were not made available or were not brought

at that moment, it would have been impossible to register the child. “Then the child would have been put on a wait list pending the results of the documentation request that’s made during the registration.” Missick noted that the Ministry is looking into ways to create more space on the campus for primary school students, but they are already “really tight”. It might soon turn into a case where children will have to be moved into a container classroom. She said: “There is nothing wrong with a container classroom. That is actually the solution that the States has come up with to tackle their overcrowding because populations are growing.” Missick stressed that the important thing is looking into the attention that is put on the container classroom, the maintenance of it and to ensure that the air conditioning ventilation is working.

Unifying the constitution of Overseas Territories PREMIER Rufus Ewing headed off for a week-long meeting in Gibraltar on Friday (September 6) to help redraft a joint constitution for the British Overseas Territories. The Conference of Heads of Oversees Territories Governments (CHOTG) in Gibraltar runs through to September 13 and will set in place provisions to give territories a more integral role at the annual meeting of the Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) in London this November. During the event Oversees Territory leaders are scheduled to discuss the role of their countries within the Commonwealth. This will help to enhance the status of representatives and increase the profile of territories in the United Kingdom particularly with ceremonial state occasions such as the annual Cenotaph Ceremony held every November. This week Chief Ministers and Premiers will also be discussing constitutional matters affecting their territories in order to mutually agree on one standard constitution for the Oversees Territories. This will help to eliminate disparity within the Commonwealth and improve the conditions under which the elected governments can perform. Premier Ewing will meet with parliamentarians from the UK Parliament, HMG and representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and is accompanied by his Head of Secretariat, Ronlee James. Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier and

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture and Library Services, will be Acting Premier during this time. “The reason why we are having this discussion in Gibraltar is on the invitation of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar [Fabian Picardo] where we have expressed, at the last Joint Ministerial Council Meeting in the UK… challenges that we are having,” the Premier told the media ahead of his departure. He said the question was raised as to why there are so many wide disparities in the constitutions of the different overseas territories with similar population size and similar economies. Ewing said the aim was to create “a constitution whereby we can have one template with maybe just a few select changes here and there because of local circumstances”. He added that there is no reason why the constitution of Bermuda should be different from that of the Cayman, Turks and Caicos or the British Virgin Islands. “There is no reason why; so we would like to have that at least - so that when we have challenges we can also question whether these challenges exist in the other Overseas Territories, but we can’t question now because they are governed differently.” Premier Ewing recently laid before the House of Assembly, a motion for a parliamentary select committee to be established to look areas he feels needs to be changed within the TCI’s constitution. The Premier is expected to return to the country on Sunday (September 15).

Akierra Missick - Deputy Premier and Minister of Education

“It may have to be a short term solution versus building another concrete block; there is a lot of work being done. “The Ministry of Education is not blind to the fact that there are a lot of issues concerning whether a child is being registered, how can a child get into school, whether we have sufficient space for these children.” Missick noted that the Ministry is still looking into fulfilling their

campaign’s promise of the expansion of Clement Howell High School. She said: “You have 13-yearolds in a school with 16 and 17-year-olds and that’s creating a lot of confusion and it’s creating a lot of social ills. “So in essence we are looking for ways to facilitate the split, but we had very limited movement in the budget.” The Ministry is also looking into the possibility of providing parents with stipends to allow their children to go to school in one of the other islands. This will be aimed at those with family ties to those islands to assist with the living arrangements of that child while away from the parents. Missick said that this may have to be a short term resolution until more Government revenue is raised. In his opening speech to the House of Assembly on Thursday, September 5, Premier Rufus Ewing addressed the issue. He said: “The matter of the overcrowding of the Clement Howell High School is still of grave concern for our Government. “We have tried to secure both capital and recurrent expenditure

funding so as to split the Clement Howell High School as a short term measure to relieve the overcrowding whilst we prepare for the building of a new high school facility in the medium to long term. “But this did not come to fruition.” He blamed the British Government and its focus on repaying loans for a lack of investment in education. “As a Government we are motivated to find solutions to our financial challenges to meet the basic needs of our people. “But whilst we are forced to raise taxes to meet loan obligations and provide educational and social services for our people, the British government continues to drain our purse with unchecked expenditure being incurred by the Civil Recovery Team and SIPT.” He said the situation continues to be “unbearable and just unacceptable”. “I am hereby holding the AG and the Governor accountable for these actions and am calling on them to give account and justification for funds that we could be using on our children, sending them to school in proper and healthy environment.”

No more money for investigation teams THERE will be no requests for additional cash to fund the UK-led investigations teams, according to Finance Minister Washington Misick. The Civil Recovery Programme (CRP) is already massively over budget, he said at a press briefing on Friday, September 6, following the latest Cabinet meeting two days earlier. However, representatives for the Attorney General have denied claims of an overspend saying that the CRP is running in accordance with its budget. Misick stressed that an appeal for further funds would be made “over my dead body”. “Right now the Edwards Wildman budget or the Civil Recovery budget for 2013/14 is $5 million and they are already over by $3.5 million and we are only four months into the year,” Misick said. “And I have made it clear that over my dead body, we are not going to go into the House of Assembly and ask them for any more money for Civil Recovery or for that matter the Special Investigation and Prosecutions Team (SIPT).” The Governor would have to do that on his own, Misick said, adding that the TCIG is making every effort to hold them accountable.

Finance Minister Washington Misick

“I have asked for every single expense from the inception so that we can go through line by line what this country is paying for. “I believe in some ways maybe we are being too quiet, but there is a lot of work going on behind the scene.” The Attorney General’s chambers responded to Misick’s comments on civil recovery costs in a statement on Thursday (September 12). It read: “We believe the Civil Recovery Programme, which has now recovered in excess of 3,000 acres and $20m in cash, to be running in accordance with its budget. “For the financial year 2012/13, the programme’s costs were in line with budget. “We expect the programme’s costs for 2013/14 to be in line with

budget by the year end as well.” In February it was revealed during a Cabinet meeting that Edwards Wildman Palmer (EWP), the international firm undertaking TCI’s Civil Recovery Programme, had charged $13m for its services Lawrence Harris, deputy managing partner of EWP, was in the TCI last January when he said that the firm’s budget was a “modest” one. He added that his company was selected through a competitive bidding process and the costs incurred cover the fees of barristers who appear in court, travel and accommodation and other expenses of team members who visit from time to time. Harris pointed out that the firm does not have a team on-island to conduct work for the CRP, rather team members visit intermittently for court hearings or for evidence gathering. He added that it is against the Code of Conduct of English lawyers to receive contingency fees. “We have no share in the winnings,” Harris said, however, when pressed for details of the budget he refused to comment further citing commercial confidentiality between his firm and its client, the TCI Government.

12 NEWS

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Premier to speak at global summit

Governor Ric Todd (second left) donates cash to educators Reinwald Lewis, Gwen Harvey and Maurice Ingham

Gov makes final community donations GOOD causes in the Turks and Caicos Islands benefitted from $8,200 in donations from outgoing Governor Ric Todd this week The largest single donation of $2,700 from the Governor’s Community Fund financed by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office was made to HM Prison in Grand Turk. The money will be used

to help build a single hoop basketball and recreation area, it was announced in a press release from the Governor’s office on Thursday (September 12). Sharon Taylor, TCI Government Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Prison Superintendent Ian Sargent received the donation on behalf of the prison.

Governor Todd said: “I am pleased to have been able to support a variety of good causes across the family islands during my time here. “I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the beneficiaries well and good luck with all of their future endeavours.” The H J Robinson High School in Grand Turk also received $2,500 towards the

cost of its new auditorium. Principal Reinwald Lewis collected the donation. Meanwhile Gwen Harvey, head teacher at the Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk, received £1,500 towards new sports equipment for the pupils. And South Caicos’ Iris Stubbs Primary School was given $1,500 to support their guided reading literacy programme. Maurice Ingham collected the donation on the school’s behalf.

AN INTERNATIONAL summit focusing on island economies is set to feature Premier Rufus Ewing as a key speaker. The Premier will attend the two day conference in Miami on September 22 which will look at infrastructure development. Professional services company KPMG is hosting the inaugural infrastructure summit named ‘An Island Perspective of a Global Challenge’. Ewing plans to talk to attendees about three of the major infrastructure investment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They include phase two of the Providenciales Airport expansion with new international arrival and departure areas, the East Caicos mega port and resort facility and the Caicos Causeway. The Premier announced he would be attending the conference during his opening speech at the House of Assembly on Thursday, September 5. He described the infrastructure projects as

“life changing” for the Turks and Caicos Islands and said they would bring economic prosperity and sustainability and “diversify our bread basket”. The conference will focus on key issues that islands face today in regards to infrastructure development, such as government funding, rising costs, project management, the impact on tourism, financing and the future of infrastructure projects in the islands. Attendees will include leaders from islands across the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda and other islands in the Atlantic. Speakers are recognised authorities in the field and include government officials of islands, healthcare professionals, developers, financiers, and lawyers. “We are continuing to venture internationally to promote these Islands to investors in an effort to encourage more new investments and major infrastructural developments,” Ewing said.

Pupils from the TCI Professional Studies (TCIPS) institute each spent two weeks in four hotel departments

Students get a taste of hospitality TWELVE high school pupils were given a chance to experience the hospitality industry first hand, thanks to a new internship programme. This summer the exclusive Amanyara resort hosted an education outreach initiative that aims to provide a link between academic learning and professional employment. The first annual Amanyara

Hospitality Awareness Programme took place from July 1 to August 10. Pupils from the TCI Professional Studies (TCIPS) institute each spent two weeks in four hotel departments including front office, housekeeping, culinary, and food and beverage. Amanyara’s general manager Marco Franck said he felt strongly that proper

guidance and mentorship of the country’s young people goes hand in hand with the future development and prosperity of the Islands. Each group of students received a briefing on Aman Resorts and the global hospitality industry and gained first-hand knowledge of the day to day operations of the highly awarded hotel.

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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.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Polly wants a cracker Dear Sir, I love my country more than any other in the world but we have to make an effort to do better in our business affairs. I am sick and tired of not being able to conduct business for reasons that should not be happening in 2013. For example, if you go to get your driver’s licence renewed or to licence a car, I can bet you every cent I have that you will not complete the process within fewer than seven days or in as much as 30 days. Reasons stem from, no way to take pictures, licences have to be signed in Grand Turk, to no stickers, no plates, no something, when in other countries the process takes 24 to 48 hours. If you try and take out a work permit or go through the naturalisation process I guarantee you, you are in for a wait of three months minimum to 10 months or more. The health screening process, the application to the board, the

production of an actual work permit sometimes takes so long by the time you receive the document it is time for renewal.

Naturalisation documents sometimes have to be repeatedly produced when documents expire before reaching the board meeting, or have been lost. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the statement “the system is down” or “we don’t have any forms” or “they are trying to add the forms to the website”. Business licensing - a process which takes 24 to 48 hours in other countries - takes months here in the Turks and Caicos. Even for Belongers who the law is supposed to protect stating that they cannot be denied takes from three to six months or longer.

I don’t know if you are aware but many departments are expected to function without basic necessities (even toilet paper/copy paper/pens) and skeletal staffing. Permanent Secretaries have more say than the puppets we have for Ministers and all in all this frustrating mess is not helping to attract business to the country or to curtail our economic woes. So why has the cost of doing business gone up 35 to 40 per cent this year? We are certainly not getting value for money. We are not the attractive business hub for investors or Belongers alike. Something has to be done. Who is to be blamed for this mess? Let’s blame the CFO! He’s the one controlling the money. Mr CFO please, give Polly a cracker and let’s all be able to shout that the TCI is truly open for business. Euwonka Selver

Another failed case Dear Editor, It was not a case with the usual hoopla or press pizazz as TCI Attorney Norman Saunders Jr fought charges brought against him in the Supreme Court and won. On Friday, September 6, the Supreme Court voided all the charges that Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick and the SIPT had brought against the TCI-based attorney at law. The legal team for Mr Saunders argued that at the time Helen Garlick charged Mr Saunders she did not have the authority to do so. The point was conceded by Andrew Mitchell, lead attorney for the SIPT, who said they conceded the point for “purely pragmatic reasons” and to save the public the expense of litigation over the issues that were raised. Mr Saunders was accordingly released from his bail conditions. In a release issued by friends of the attorney, reference was made to the fact that Helen Garlick was hired in 2009 as special prosecutor in what was originally a two year contract. It has now been four years.

Nothing changed

The cost to the Government of the SIPT and Civil Recovery Teams were $13.9m in the year ending March 31, 2013, with $6.6m being attributed to the SIPT. The SIPT’s portion alone was considerably more than TCIG is allocating for scholarships. The loss in court adds to the string of high profile cases that the embattled Attorney General Huw Shepheard and his team have lost in recent months including the Albert Edwards unfair dismissal case, the PNP headquarters case, the Hanchell unjust enrichment case, and the Mervin Cox case. Another case being fought between the AG and a local mariculture company has TCIG being sued for $100m. Attorneys for Norman Saunders Jr are seeking financial compensation for his costs; the Supreme Court has already agreed to hear such arguments. This also adds to the list of cases the Neil Smith and his team will never be allowed to report on. Devon Williams

COMMENTARY

OTHER than taxes rising and the cost of living becoming discouraging to normal life what has changed since the election of 10 plus months ago? We have only had eight short House meetings - some adjourned before they began. Fortis now warns of more rate increases coming and the PNP is preaching ‘Made in TCI’. Explain that one please! Nothing has changed in the rhetoric we hear from our Premier. He still claims he and his party were democratically elected. The district voters gave 3,114 to the PDM and 2,732 to the PNP. They gave 16,431 at large votes to the PDM and 14,764 to the PNP. The PDM won 56 per cent of

By David Tapfer the votes and PNP 44 per cent. The Premier got significantly less votes than the Opposition leader. Districts did not elect representatives, they elected Ministers. Ministers winning by 11 and 17 votes. What was a landslide victory for the PDM and a crushing loss for the PNP in the Wetherell-British LabourKate Sullivan Australian odd ball

SPACE IS LIMITED!

election system somehow became the PNP leading the Government by one seat. What kind of democracy is that? Nothing changed. Nothing has changed on immigration. Now expats interested in living or starting a business can get a PRC if they invest half a million bucks in Middle or North Caicos and one and a half million in Provo. The high roller mentality has yet to change. This will not be an engine for growth but another PNP joke. Mike, Robert, Jeffrey and Royal were a joke on North and Middle Caicos. Now it’s DonHue’s turn. He won by only 11 votes and lives in Provo. Clement Howell is still overcrowded. Plans to build new schools and colleges by the PDM were spent on PNP jet-planes,

starlets and Chinese workers. According to Ewing’s last House statement the EU can keep their $15m, which would build a new school, because they want the PNP to treat investors right. Nothing has changed here either. The PNP mismanagement which took down the TCI Bank, injured the NIB by $23.5m and shut down numerous resorts, some before they got started, is still with us. Progress House has not progressed it has been repossessed. It is a socialpolitical hall says the Premier and belongs to the people. Now it truly does belong to the people returning to the people’s Crown land bank. Convert it to a school and paint it green! The only real change was when VAT was looming the PNP

Government passed the ball to Sharlene. She showed up the British unprepared financial guru and VAT was placed on hold. The budget-killing National Health Plan has been audited and if you understand the post Cabinet statement on the results please explain it to the voters. Nothing has changed there either. Given the strong popular vote win of the PDM the Government needs to be at least a coalition government sharing power and listening to the majority of the people who voted PDM. Sharlene and Sean need to be in Cabinet meetings. The constitution needs change to provide true representative democracy. The representatives need to live in their districts. We need island wide at large votes. We need democracy not dictatorship by the PNP or the British! Lacking this, prepare to eat your old shoes because nothing has changed.

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

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continued

The real cost Torch passed on

- part one

Dear Editor, While most residents of the TCI have recently woken up to the plundering of the local treasury and the criminal expenditures British technocrats are paying themselves, the real costs to the TCI taxpayer of Governor Ric Todd, AG Huw Shepheard, and the SIPT is much greater than the tens of millions that we are paying them. Although Governor Ric Todd is leaving the TCI in a few days, one of his legacies for example is a $100m lawsuit brought by the Conch Farm, for what they say is the Governor’s failure to honour the terms of their development agreement. Three million dollars has been allocated in the 2013/14 budget for the lawsuit, and the dispute is also likely to have potential investors concerned about promises made by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and consequently in doing business in the TCI. If potential investors go elsewhere because of those concerns the cost could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Further the Governor through his advisor the AG (who also is the legal advisor to Government) is insisting that the dispute be arbitrated at a far greater expense than litigating in the courts for which TCI taxpayers will have to pay, not the Crown. As for AG Huw Shepheard, the Conch Farm blunder is a strike against him as well but he is the good friend of former TCI CEO Mark Capes who brought him here from Bermuda during Capes’ tenure as CEO of these Islands. Despite the FCO’s sermons on corruption and “good governance”, what they missed is that nepotism is a form of corruption too with a crippling impact on a community whenever a person is hired for a job

he isn’t qualified to perform. As a testament to that there is the Albert Edwards unfair dismissal case, the PNP headquarters case, the Hanchell unjust enrichment case, the Mervin Cox case; and the pipeline is apparently full with yet to be filed cases the AG intends to saddle the country with. There is of course the Conch Farm’s $100m claim that must be placed at his front door. Any reasonably competent and commercially minded legal adviser with the best interest of his client in mind would have turned what is now an insane lawsuit filed by a company only interested in investing in the Islands and earning a profit, into a win-win settlement for everyone. AG Huw Shepheard and Ric Todd however have turned it into a catastrophe. There is also AG Shephard’s engagement of an expensive London law firm at a cost of tens of millions of dollars to local tax papers on matters wholly outside the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry report, and for which they have no expertise and also for which they have been jointly liable for a string of spectacular losses before the courts. What makes this border on criminal recklessness is that this waste of public funds at a time when the country is broke, record numbers of residents are unemployed and the country can’t afford to pay local legal aid attorneys in a timely manner. The cost to TCI taxpayer of the blunders of AG Shepheard is in the tens of millions of dollars, potentially in the hundreds of millions, but in any event the full extent of his shortcomings will be with us long after we have forced him to depart our shores. Jonathan Forbes, Long Bay Hills, Providenciales

Send letters to tcweeklynews@gmail.com

– part two Dear Editor, In 1948, immediately after World War II, Sir Winston Churchill had decided to rebuild the economy of Europe. Hence the Organisation of European Coordination and Development (OECD) had been considered for this purpose, also the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) had been formed during the same period, and the USA and Canada assisted in the development of the European economy. In 1949 the Community of Europe was formed with a membership of six countries - Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The membership began to increase at such an alarming rate that a series of summit meetings (inter-governmental conference Maastricht II) resulted in the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1998. This amended the Treaty of Rome 1957 to include the European Commission, European Parliament, European Court of Justice (ECJ) etc. The ECJ, which was established under the Single European Act 1986, is responsible for breaches of Community Law by the Member State. Today many countries seem to be serious about their welfare and have become members of this developing

process and constitutional reform. The ECJ also dealt conclusively with breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Some of the most recent cases decided by the ECJ, which is the highest court among Member States, should be mentioned but the limited space for this article has permitted the listing of four: Boner v United Kingdom,Maxwell v United Kingdom,The Times (Nov. 1994) R v Secretary of State for Employment ex parte Equal Opportunity Commission (1994) R v Secretary of State for Environment ex parte the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (1995) Benham v United Kingdom,Times (1995) The European Union proposed defence arm of a 60,000 strong rapid reaction force received endorsement of US Defence Secretary William Cohen in a speech to NATO defence ministers in October 2000. “The US recognises that the development of a foreign and security dimension to the European Union is a natural, even inevitable part of the process of European integration. “NATO will continue the indispensable anchor of American engagement in Europe,” according

to The Times, October 11, 2000. The growth of the ECU has become so intensified that the European Parliament which currently consisted of 626, its size will be increase to 738 when the 12 applicant states have joined the ranks. The world which was once a complicated and complex sphere because of the unavailability of certain information is at this very moment being decreased in its size. The global family is emerging to dominate the area so that mankind could appreciate the existence of one another. This is the idea which could be easily visualised in the formation of the ECU. There are other affiliated areas such as the African, Caribbean and Pacific Ocean (ACP) countries to which the Turks and Caicos is affiliated and have been connected to this venture. This has placed these Islands in the eyes of the world and although many mistakes had been obvious, the people of this beautiful country should make an effort to secure the connection to the global family of the world. Therefore the torch had been passed to the Turks and Caicos people. Sherman Rigby, Providenciales

Crisis times are here

Dear Editor, These Turks and Caicos Islands are in treacherous times. It seems that the world is facing the fame issues. In the US Republicans are telling President Obama that he ought not and should not have sought congressional approval for an assault on Syria. Basically he ought to do what President Bush did, invade first and disrespect the American people by going past their elected representatives. We have the same thing here in the Turks and Caicos Islands when both the Leader of the Opposition, PDM, and the Premier of the TCI from the PNP, both object to the renewal of the AG’s contract. The Governor briskly ignores the voice and will of the elected. In his response the Hon Premier lists the incompetence of the AG, the exposure to unnecessary election court litigation and litany of fishing exercises. We can never forget the AG and Governor’s protection of the hospital scam and the unneeded exposure

that they are forcing the people to face with the Conch Farm, some $100m in potential liability for the taxpayers. To take the quote of the webosphere, Peter Williams: “But that very same systemic corruption by all appearances seems to have been British-engendered and oriented: by such as corruptly installing the Government now held responsible for the systemic corruption, and whose Premier and Ministers are now being accused and prosecuted; through the arguably corrupt half a billion dollars, 30-bed hospital deal and the various corrupt land deals. “And British citizens are now profiting to the tune of many millions of dollars from the already victimised 30,000 Turks and Caicos residents, investigating and dishing out justice for that seemingly Britishengendered corruption. “We are being bled to death financially by our mother country and are unable to do anything about it in an exercise that epitomises the idiom that ‘might is right’.

“Or perhaps that colonials are property instead of human beings with feelings and a craving for respect like their colonists.” It is a rare thing in a democracy and or in the TCI for the Government and Opposition to speak with one voice. Being the interest of the people this is good but troubling because these signal crisis times, forcing unity when the British are up to no good. Our country and future are both at stake. The Premier and leader of the Opposition may be commended for this stance and encouraged to keep up the pressure because we see a deadly sinister British hand at play here. Yet it is their job to focus on the people, rise above political divides when the times are right and fight for the interests of the people. There is a consensus in the TCI, with the Governor and AG behaving like kids with the affairs of the TCI, that they both must go. Patti Forbes

16 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

Hotel supports spay and neuter programme THE ALEXANDRA Resort will be working alongside Potcake Place in Providenciales to help them an important animal welfare initiative. ‘Pets Without Vets’, a volunteerbased veterinarian organisation, will be conducting a free spay and neuter programme in Turks and Caicos Islands this October. Up to 18 voluntary veterinary medical personnel from North America will participate in the programme. And the Alexandra Resort on Grace Bay beach plans to provide complimentary accommodation to the team of volunteers.

Corporate general manager Roland Rutjens said: “We are supporting this important programme because we recognise how important it is to the local tourism industry, as well as to our many valued guests who have adopted potcakes. “We look forward to welcoming the veterinary volunteers to the resort.” During the five-day visit by the veterinarians, all animals brought to the clinic will receive a free rabies and five-in-one vaccination in addition to being spayed or neutered. The programme is being spearheaded by the newly formed

The Alexandra Resort on Grace Bay beach plans to provide complimentary accommodation to the team of volunteers

Animal Welfare Committee, which includes representatives from Potcake Place, Zero Tolerance Committee, Department of

Agriculture, Government of Turks and Caicos Islands, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism

Association. For more information about the programme visit www.potcakeplace. com.

Jurors selected for Scotiabank bright future awards

Chairman of Community in Action Frances Durham, Governor Ric Todd and nurse Mary Forbes

New shade for Wellness Centre A NEW $8,000 shaded area for the residents of the Wellness Centre in Grand Turk was officially opened by its oldest resident on Thursday (September 12). Frances Durham, 86, joined Governor Ric Todd, chairman of Community in Action (CIA) Seamus Day and nurse Mary Forbes in declaring the centre’s new gazebo open. Not for profit group CIA, based in the nation’s capital, aims to assist society’s young, old and vulnerable members. The group decided to build a large permanent wooden gazebo to provide shade for the elderly residents at the

centre after they learned that they had no external shelter from the sun. It replaced a structure damaged during hurricane Ike and now allows residents to sit outside comfortably in the fresh air. Seamus Day said: “In addition the generous donation by the Governor’s Office community fund for meeting half of the costs, a special thank you must also go to the Ministry of Health’s Desiree Lewis, Government Support Services’ Norman Watts as well as Conrad Baron and Edwin Dickenson for their outstanding contribution.” The Wellness Centre homes Grand Turk’s older residents and

also provides day care for people with learning difficulties. The Governor’s Office provided half of the project costs with the remainder raised and donated by a range of supporters. They included After 5 Concierge, Amanyara, BNC Consulting, Barons Nursery and Landscaping, Grand Turk Cruise Centre, Grand Turk Fisherman's Tournament Committee, Morris Cottingham Corporate Services, Neil and Patricia Saxton, Olympic Construction, Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands Aviation Authority and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.

SCOTIABANK has revealed its international panel of jurors for this year’s Scotiabank Bright Future Awards. Among them is Dr Allyson Leacock, executive director at Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, who shared some insight on what jurors will be looking for in submissions and ways that youths can keep building their volunteer hours before the October 31 submission deadline. “I’ve always been a big believer in the power of volunteering and how it can create lasting, positive change in a community. “That’s why I’m proud to be a juror for the Scotiabank Bright Future Awards,” said Leacock. “The awards are an exciting opportunity for young people to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to their communities, and encourage those who may be thinking about volunteering to get out there and make an impact.” The entire panel of jurors who will be reviewing submissions this fall for the 2014 awards include Cassie Campbell-Pascall, captain of two gold medal winning Olympic teams, and Scotiabank ambassador (Canada), Veronica Lacey, former president and CEO of The Learning Partnership (Canada), and Allyson Leacock, executive director at Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (Barbados). There is one returning juror, Jatnna Tavarez, Dominican Republic television personality and National Ambassador for UNICEF (Dominican Republic). “Returning for a second year as juror for the Scotiabank Bright

Future Awards is a thrill and privilege,” Tavarez shared. “We’ll be reviewing submissions and looking for those outstanding youth volunteers who are making a real difference in their communities.” Meanwhile, in the event of a tie between applicants, Sue Graham Parker, executive vice president of Global Human Resources at Scotiabank will cast the deciding vote. The Scotiabank Bright Future Awards is intended to highlight young volunteers who are making a difference in their communities and invites them to join Scotiabank in creating positive change as part of its grassroots Bright Future philanthropic programme. Initially launched in 2012, the programme has recognised 12 winners - six in Canada and six internationally. Youths can apply at scotiabankbrightfutureawards.com for a chance to win a tablet computer and a CDN$2,500 donation to the charity of their choice. Applicants must be between 16 and 24, they must complete a minimum 100 hours of volunteer service in three of Scotiabank’s six Bright Future pillars - education, arts and culture, health, social services, sports and the environment. These hours must be logged the aforementioned web address. They are also required to submit an essay describing the impact their volunteerism has had on their community, charitable organisations and themselves. Deadline for application is October 31, 2013 and 12 winners will be announced in the spring of 2014.

September 14 - 20, 2013

NEWS 17

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Environmental student looks forward to making a difference GROWING up, Duval Clare was always concerned about his environment and curious about ways to make it better. Now, the 21-year-old has just wrapped up the final year of his Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Management and has his eyes set on a postgraduate degree in Climate Change. He graduated excellent in his class at the University of Leeds and was one of two students to be awarded ‘Most Outstanding’ in his faculty of Earth and Environment for the 20122013 academic year. Pleased with his accomplishment so far, Duval modestly said that this is just the beginning for him. “I learnt that having a degree doesn’t really entitle you to anything but it just means you have a degree of competence in a certain field … education is never ending,” he said. While anxious to come back and apply his knowledge and positively contribute to his country, Duval is now pursuing postgraduate studies and intends to gain international experience to see how different countries operate. He said he thinks it’s important “to have an adaptable focus and an

open mind towards how we approach different things”. “I hope my degree will help me to use and teach what I’ve learnt in positive way…it’s not a means to an end but more like a means to a beginning, to bring together something a bit more lasting.” One of the best things he said that he has done is “effectively shredded the small island mentality …I have adopted a more global perspective.” He encouraged other students “to look with clear eyes and an open mind at what’s available out there”. “There are many deficiencies in departments and a need for expertise,” Duval pointed out, encouraging local students going off to study to consider their options, look for what the country needs but also to like what they do. Duval said when he was younger he noticed and wondered about many things in his environment. “One day I noticed the landscaping in my neighbours’ yard and pondered why they cut down all the trees …we really need to protect our environment; to us it might not seem like much but these things are highly valuable.” For his final year thesis he

Oseta Jolly youngsters better equipped for school year BY DAISY HANDFIELD AFTER a number of requests from teachers and students at the Oseta Jolly Primary School for new furniture, principal Rachel Handfield proudly announced this week that the school has solicited enough funds to repair and purchase more furniture. The school held an appreciation ceremony on Tuesday (September 10) at the school to express gratitude to the donors. During the ceremony Handfield said how teachers were often concerned about how some students would have to stand in class and there were even cases where two students would have to sit at one desk. “At the beginning of the school year, 2012-2013 I felt like I was being chased by requests from teachers and students for furniture,” she said. A general assessment was done and it was understood that the students needed about 100 chairs and desks in total. Handfield noted that due to lack of funding the quickest solution was repairing the furniture that were

repairable. “We decided to take the matter to the PTA [Parent Teacher Association] and we concluded that we would begin repairing our broken desks and chairs. “This idea was very helpful because we had an excellent carpenter on staff who repaired about 50 desks and chairs.” Stephanie Duncanson from the Flower Girl purchased and supplied the school with the materials to repair the furniture. Even after repairs they were still short of furniture so they started fundraising and soliciting donations to make up funds for more desks and chairs. They acquired 26 donations and were able to get more chairs and desks than expected, 200 chairs and 100 desks. Director of Education Edgar Howell who was present at the ceremony thanked the sponsors and told the students to take good care of the furniture so that it can be passed onto the students that come after them.

concentrated on ‘Climate in the Turks and Caicos Islands: A focus on various constraints and limits’. The young man said: “It dawned on me that climate change is such an unexplored topic in the TCI and it sort of motivated me to pursue higher education.” Duval is thoughtfully developing his passion and enthusiasm through a TCIG scholarship, and is looking forward to returning and applying his knowledge in a way that will have a positive impact on his country. Through obtaining a postgraduate education he is preparing to take on the huge responsibility of protecting TCI’s ecosystem. During the summer he did an internship at Department of Environmental and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) and gained insight on how the department works, how the offices operate and on the laws and

Duval Clare receives an award for Most Outstanding Student in his graduating faculty of Earth and Environment

ordinances that exist. Duval is anxious to “identify climate mitigation… or simple things like sensitising the public in the way we live our lives” as he intends to show others what a big impact climate

change has in their lives. He plans to make a difference in protecting the ‘Beautiful by Nature’ environment and is anxious to be a part of the growth and changes as they take place.

autism awareness Spectrum of hope – By Nicole Cox

The return PARDON me as I stretch out before we get to it! The school year is back on. I was going to hit the ground running but that is not nearly enough so I rented a Vespa. Seriously? I am sure that every parent on this island is still panting. Books, uniforms, tuition, transportation, supplies and a host of other small details come to mind and wrap their boney fingers around what little sanity you thought you had left after entertaining the little darlings all summer long. But fear no fellow parents, we shall overcome…or at the very least survive! The good news is that once the wheels get turning on the machine your child’s education plan for the year can be quite manageable. Whether looking at a typical curriculum track or tailoring for your special needs child, the number one rule is to be proactive. I hope to cover a wide range of topics this academic year but we are going to start off nice and easy for the return to school. Let’s start with a basic checklist to make sure we are starting off on

a good foot. If ages naught to five have some evaluations of your child’s developmental progress taken by your paediatrician. If ages six and up, have some evaluations of your child’s academic skills taken by a reputable establishment. (Learn and Lead Educational Centre is an exemplary resource!) Set up a meeting with your child’s school principal to establish a relationship and learn the school’s general education overview and what your role can be in that vision. Set up a meeting with your child’s teacher to establish a relationship, fully understand the teaching strategies and share information pertinent to your child’s learning style or challenges. Study your child’s textbooks to understand the process by which the chosen curriculum will introduce new concepts and reinforce foundation skills. Find extra material to complement (or supplement) your child’s curriculum. Do not rely solely on the teacher to provide every ounce of information or skill

development. Establish a study routine! Even if your child has no homework that requires a lot of time, get them used to the idea that during a certain time studying occurs. Even if you are the one providing the material. Begin limiting access to reinforcing items or activities so that they are earned rather than expected. Also the time frame in which they are engaged should have limits. Encourage your child to show you what they are working on in classes. This helps to associate a positive experience with their school work. Create a reward system at home based on skills such as working independently and taking personal responsibility for their school work. All of these items are very general and can be separate articles all to themselves. Truly there could be dozens of items on this list! But if we can get these taken care of then we can establish a clean slate on which we can write a clear education plan for our kids. Ready? Start the Vespa.

Lifestyle... 18

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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

Over the next few months, under the title of ‘What Causes’ Dr Osmond’s column is going to be addressing specific dental or oral problems. If you have a problem that you would like to be addressed in the column please contact Dr Osmond on drmosmond@gmail.com, www. markosmonddentalclinic.com or 432-3777 and he will be happy to address it.

What causes sensitive teeth? TOOTH sensitivity occurs when the outside layer of the tooth is compromised and the dentine underneath is exposed. This can result in anything from mild discomfort to a sharp, sudden, shooting pain and is triggered by a range of factors including eating or drinking something hot or cold, sweet or sour or it can be as simple as just breathing in cold air. In healthy teeth a layer of enamel

protects the crowns of your teeth - the part above the gum line and cementum protects the root of the tooth, under the gum. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the tooth enamel or the cementum is damaged in some way and the dentine is exposed. Dentine is the porous layer underneath which has microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals) leading to the tooth’s nerve.

Blueberry, watermelon and walnut salad SERVES: 4 PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup lime juice • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 tablespoons honey • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper • 2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed • 1 cup fresh blueberries • 1 cup California walnuts, chopped • 1 large yellow bell pepper, cut in bite-size pieces • 6 cups mixed baby greens • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 4 oz. each), grilled or sautéed until cooked through (see note, below)

Dr Mark Osmond A stimulus from the outside such as eating or drinking generates movement of the fluid within the tubule and it is this that causes the nerve to react and cause discomfort or pain. There are a number of factors that can cause dentine to be exposed and therefore lead to sensitive teeth. These include worn tooth enamel (from over-brushing or tooth grinding), gum disease (often from poor oral hygiene), gum recession (due to over-brushing or previous gum disease), tooth decay, chipped teeth, worn fillings or eating acidic foods. Steps to take to reduce tooth sensitivity Maintaining good oral hygiene - brushing and flossing teeth - is a basic step to ensure strong and healthy teeth and reduce the chances of sensitive teeth. Topical fluoride treatment Topical fluoride can help desensitise

Weekly Recipe

DIRECTIONS • Preheat oven to 350ºF and spread walnuts in one layer on baking sheet. Bake until just toasted and aromatic, about eight minutes; remove and let cool. • To prepare the vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together lime juice, oil, honey, salt and pepper. • For the salad, in a medium bowl, combine watermelon, blueberries, walnuts and bell pepper; add half of the vinaigrette; toss to coat. • In a large bowl, toss greens with remaining vinaigrette. Divide greens among four plates; top with fruit and walnut mixture. • Slice each chicken breast diagonally and serve with the salad.

September 14 - 20, 2013

exposed dentine. I recommend a daily rinse with a fluoride mouthwash which can also be used in combination with a sensitive toothpaste. Most of the major manufacturers produce a sensitive toothpaste, for example Sensodyne or Colgate Sensitive Pro-relief. Please note it can take up to a month of use for the sensitivity to reduce and because the different brands have several different modes of action I recommend choosing a brand and staying with it.

Composite bonding If a patient over-brushes, grooves can form on the outside of the teeth at the gum margin where the enamel is worn away and the dentine exposed. This causes sensitivity. It is a very straight forward procedure to replace the enamel by bonding a toothcoloured filling to the exposed dentine. If a tooth has a small chip or fracture this can also cause sensitivity and a similar procedure of building it up with white composite bonding will cover the exposed dentine and stop the sensitivity.

health Tip 

Walnuts EATING a handful of walnuts could provide near-instant protection from heart disease, according to UK newspaper The Daily Mail. Scientists found “significant” improvement in cholesterol levels and blood vessel flexibility which helps blood flow smoothly, just four hours after people consumed either the shelled nuts or walnut oil. The research suggests regular consumption would protect against cardiovascular disease in the long term. “Just a handful could help significantly reduce the risk of heart disease,” said Dr Penny KrisEtherton, professor of nutrition at Penn State University in Pennsylvania. “Eating shelled walnuts or some walnut oil four times a week will certainly provide very significant benefits.” The study was the first to identify which parts of the walnut provide the health boost, she explained. The team gave 15 participants

with high blood cholesterol levels four treatments – two handfuls of shelled walnuts (85g), six grams of walnut skin, 34g of the nutmeat with the fat removed, or three tablespoons of oil (51g). They looked at their responses after 30 minutes, one hour, two hours, four hours and six hours. The researchers found that a one-time consumption of walnut oil – also found in the shelled nuts – improved blood vessel health after four hours. “Our study showed that the oil found in walnuts can maintain blood vessel function after a meal,” said lead author Claire Berryman,

a graduate student in nutritional sciences at Penn State. “The walnut oil was particularly good at preserving the function of endothelial cells.” Endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels throughout the body, play an important part in blood vessel flexibility. According to the researchers, walnuts contain omega-3 fats, plant sterols known to lower cholesterol, and vitamin E, all of which may help explain their protective effect. Miss Berryman added: “Implications of this finding could mean improved dietary strategies to fight heart disease.”

September 14 - 20, 2013

Lifestyle... GARDENING 

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

How does your garden grow

YOUR DIET

ASK TAMIKA

BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD

Tamika graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a Masters degree in Dietetics & Nutrition. She is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and licensed to practice medical nutrition therapy in the state of Florida. Email Tamika via tcweeklynews@gmail.com or tamikahandfield@yahoo.com with your healthy eating questions.

Fruits and vegetables for older adults

Botanical garden TODAY’S botanical gardens are generally well tended parks displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names. They may contain specialist plant collections such as cacti and succulent plants, herb gardens, plants from particular parts of the world, and so on; there may be greenhouses, again with special collections such as tropical plants, alpine plants or other exotic plants. Visitor services often include restaurant, garden tours, educational displays, art exhibitions, book rooms, open air theatrical and musical performances and other entertainment. But gardens and the cultivation of plants have been around for thousands of years with the first examples dating to around 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Romans were also keen gardeners and they were also aware of the medicinal properties of plants. Following on from the Romans in identifying the medicinal properties of plants were the monks. They also used the beauty of plants and flowers as a celebration of God. The first of these monastic gardens was created in the 8th century. These gardens were the precursor to the physic gardens that appeared in the 16 century. But those gardens cannot be regarded as ‘botanic gardens’. A botanic garden is not an easy

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

thing to classify though an underlying scientific basis is a necessity. Therefore the world’s first botanic gardens were the physic gardens of Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries. The first of these physic gardens was the garden of the University of Pisa. This garden was purely for the academic study of medicinal plants. Botanic gardens then experienced a change in usage during the 16th and 17th century. This was the age of exploration and the beginnings of international trade. Gardens such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid were set up to try and cultivate new species that were being brought back from expeditions to the tropics. Not only did these gardens promote and encourage botanical exploration in the tropics they also helped found new gardens in the tropical regions to help cultivate these newly discovered plant species. During the 19th and 20th century municipal and civic gardens were created throughout Europe and the British Commonwealth. Nearly all of

these gardens were mainly pleasure gardens. In the last 30 years botanic gardens have seen a revival as scientific institutions due to the emergence of the conservation movement. They are now seen as very important due to their existing collections and the scientific knowledge they possess in the propagation of plant species. Conservation is now seen in many gardens as their rasion d’être. Today, there are now currently 1775 botanic gardens and arboreta in 148 countries around the world with many more under construction. Many Caribbean islands offer opportunities to explore tropical flora, suitable for any level of interest. It is well worth it even if you don’t have that much interest in flora at home. Therefore Turks and Caicos Island does not have a botanical garden yet, but it would be a great attraction for visitors who come to the Islands, and it would be a wonderful heritage for our children if we would have a botanical garden.

AS OUR parents age there are a number of concerns that arise that may not have been an issue before. Older adults usually have a hard time meeting the requirements for a variety of nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, fibre, protein, potassium and water. One of the main reasons for this is many older adults find themselves alone after many years of marriage. This leaves them feeling an intense sense of loneliness which can cause a loss of appetite due to the lack of social interaction. Other older adults may have debilitating diseases that prevent them from eating properly. Whatever the reason, the result is the same - they can become deficient in certain nutrients. The American Dietary Guidelines (2010) encourages older adults to focus on nutrient-dense foods and beverages. For many this means increasing their fruits and vegetables as well as their grain and fibre intake. There are many benefits to increasing fruits and vegetables: Offer important vitamins and minerals to keep your body healthy. These foods have little fat. Have no cholesterol. Fruits and vegetables are a source of fibre which can help with digestion and constipation and may lower cholesterol and blood sugar. However, it is not enough to tell your parents to eat more fruits and vegetables but to offer them concrete ways on how they can incorporate them into their daily eating plan. The Dietary Guidelines 2010 also offer strategies on how to include more fruits and vegetables: Include vegetables in meals and in snacks. Fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables all count. When eating canned vegetables, choose reduced sodium or no salt-added. Add dark green, red, and orange vegetables to soups, stews, casseroles and stir-fries. Use dark leafy greens such as romaine lettuce and spinach to make salads. Focus on dietary fibre - beans and peas are a great source. Add beans or peas to salads (eg. kidney or garbanzo beans), soups (eg. split peas or lentils) and side dishes (eg. baked beans or pinto beans) or serve as a main dish. Keep raw, cut-up vegetables handy for quick snacks. When eating out, choose a vegetable as a side dish. With cooked vegetables, request that they be prepared with little or no fat and salt. With salads ask for the dressing on the side so you can decide how much you use. These are excellent strategies but one of the easiest ways to increase your fruit and vegetable intake is through juicing. Juicing allows older adults to be creative with mixing their favourite blends while at the same time increasing their potassium intake and keeping them properly hydrated since vegetables and fruits have high moisture content. In recognition of Cholesterol Education Month, Nutrition in Demand is hosting a FREE cholesterol workshop on September 19 at 6pm. If you would like to register your aging parent or for more information on registering yourself please contact me at 2423978 or 4423978. Nutrition In Demand A non profit organization helping you to: "Eat Healthy Today... Living, Longer, Better Tomorrow" Cell: (649) 242-3978 or (649) 442-3978

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

Climate change threatens Caribbean water supply THE effects of climate change depleting already strained supplies of drinking water throughout much of the Caribbean are an increasing cause of concern among experts. Changing climate patterns could result in less rain to supply reservoirs in the coming decades, while rising sea levels could contaminate supplies of fresh water, officials warned in St Lucia last week. Possible solutions include better management of existing water supplies, limits on development and increased use of desalination plants, but all face challenges in a region where most governments are still grappling with the effects of recession. According to Jason Johnson, vice president of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association, many Caribbean countries rely exclusively on underground water for their needs, a vulnerable source that would be hit hard by climate change effects. “That’s the greatest concern,” he said. “Those weather patterns may change, and there may not necessarily be the means for those water supplies to be replenished at the pace that they have historically been replenished.” Some parts of the Caribbean have already been experiencing a dry spell that began in August last year with islands including Grenada and Anguilla reporting extremely dry weather. By July this year, similar conditions were being experienced in Trinidad, Antigua, St Vincent and Barbados, according to the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology

PM Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that the marijuana plant has a bundle of proven and potentially beneficial uses.

The island considered most at risk is Barbados, with Cuba and the Dominican Republic not far behind, according to a 2012 study.

& Hydrology. “We’re seeing changes in weather patterns,” said Avril Alexander, Caribbean coordinator for the nonprofit Global Water Partnership. “When you look at the projected impact of climate change, a lot of the impact is going to be felt through water.” According to a 2012 study by British risk analysis firm Maplecroft, the island considered most at risk is Barbados, which ranks 21st out of 168 countries in terms of water demand exceeding available surface water supplies. Other countries high on the list are Cuba and the Dominican Republic, which ranked 45 and 48, respectively, while the study did not provide any data on some eastern Caribbean islands that officials believe to be among the driest in the

region. “There are a number of indications that the total amount of rainfall in much of the Caribbean would be decreasing by the end of the century,” said Cedric Van Meerbeeck, a climatologist with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology. Van Meerbeeck said water supplies will continue to decrease if individuals as well as agriculture and tourism, the region’s key industries, do not monitor use. Overuse of wells in some Caribbean countries has caused saltwater seepage and a deterioration of potable water underground, leading to the construction of desalination plants. But the cost of desalination still remains unaffordable for many governments, said John Thompson, director of the Caribbean Desalination Association board.

Barbados records five suspected suicides in five weeks In light of the number of recent suspected suicides, this week’s Brass Tacks Sunday, a regular interactive programme on Voice of Barbados radio, turned the spotlight on a number of issues that can lead to depression and possible suicide. As if to drive the message home, and in a strange twist of fate, news broke during the course of the programme of the discovery of another suspected suicide, bringing the count to five persons who had apparently ended their own lives within the last five weeks. The recent spate of suicides began on August 2 when the body of Monica Marshall-Wilkinson was found at the foot of a cliff at North Point on the parish of St Lucy. Just four days later, 49-year-old David Layne of Country Road in St Michael was found hanging in a shed not far from his home.

Tragedy struck again when the body of 18-year-old Chevonne King, the mother of a five-month-old son, was discovered by her best friend, hanging at her home on August 30. Within days, a recruit at the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados, 30-year-old Darwin Downes, died of an apparently selfinflicted gunshot wound to the head on September 1. On Sunday, the body of 56-yearold Selwyn Sobers was found hanging in the bedroom of his Passage Road, St Michael home by a neighbour who had been alerted by a foul odour. Meanwhile, on Brass Tacks Sunday, guidance counsellor Dr Donna Tull-Cox explained that the economic climate could not solely be blamed for people ending their lives, but relationship issues, change and “the perpetuality of it” could also be considered.

“I can stand here and hold a penny in my hand up in the air and I can probably hold on to that for an hour. When I get to an hour-and-ahalf, my hand starts to shake. When I get into two hours, I am swelling completely,” she said by way of illustration. “When I get into three hours, I don’t know that I still have an arm. But other people look at it and say ‘well, it’s just a penny.’” The guidance counsellor went on to explain that people might have been holding on to problems for a very long time and how long they had endured them was not known. “We don’t have any idea how long because there are different scenarios. People have been holding on for different lengths of time, but the same effect happens: you get to a point where you just can’t take it anymore,” she said. (Caribbean 360)

High time CARICOM discuss legalising marijuana - Gonsalves PRIME Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has written to the chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping calling for a discussion on the medicinal and other uses of marijuana. In his letter to Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, who is also the Trinidad and Tobago head of government, Gonsalves said it is high time that CARICOM addresses regionally “this matter in a sensible focus not hysterical manner”. Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the marijuana plant has a bundle of proven and potentially beneficial uses and while it is true that its use and abuse and the consequential criminalisation of its cultivation, possession and supply have impacted on the health, welfare and security of the people. Gonsalves in his letter made a plea for “a reasoned debate” led by CARICOM political and civic

leadership in the context of the legislation of marijuana. He said the matter should be explored at the next meeting of the Bureau of CARICOM leaders scheduled for Trinidad on September 13. The letter added that preparatory work can possibly be done so as to place the matter in the agenda of the CARICOM Inter-Sessional summit to be held here in February next year. Prime Minister Gonsalves said the general public disappointed with “the failure and or refusal of the political and civic leadership in CARICOM to jettison it or unnecessary caution and lethargy in addressing some of the controversial contemporary issues of real import”. Distinguished Caribbean professionals including Jamaican chemist and cancer researcher, Dr. Henry Lowe have been urging the use of marijuana product for a range of medical purposes.

Jamaican government condemns brutal rape of teenage girl by father THE Jamaica government has condemned the “brutal rape and attack” on a 15-year-old girl by her father, and says it is planning to conduct child abuse sensitisation sessions in the community where the gruesome incident took place. The Ministry of Youth and Culture said the sessions, designed to educate residents about the signs of child abuse and how to prevent as well as report child abuse, will involve various government agencies including the Office of the Children’s Registry and the Child Development Agency. The government statement gave no further details on the incident involving the 15-year-old child, but Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna said the abuse of children is destroying future generations and was a blot on the psyche of the entire nation.

She said the harming of children and the violation of their right to protection and care should not be condoned by the society and called on Jamaicans to send a strong signal that child abuse would not be tolerated in any shape or form. Hanna said parents needed to create loving and kind environments that would allow for the safety and wholesome development of their children and not environments that foster fear, anger and hatred. “Parents should be protectors not abusers. When you find that the place that should be safest for a child – the arms of their parents – becomes the scariest, the entire society is in trouble,” Hanna said, urging people to be proactive in reporting suspected cases of child abuse pointing out that the prevention of child abuse should be everybody’s business.

September 14 - 20, 2013

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Cayman Islands request inclusion in tax convention Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the major cruise lines that have warned their passengers.

Bahamian government was “aware” that cruise lines would warn guests about crime MAJOR cruise lines warned the Bahamian government almost four months ago that they were set to issue warnings to their passengers about the crime threat on New Providence, Tribune Business was told this week. In a letter sent to this newspaper, Terry Thornton, Carnival Cruise Lines’ senior vice-president, said that an unnamed Cabinet Minister was presented with a “draft” warning during a May 2013 meeting of Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) members. “The Bahamian government was made aware in advance that cruise lines were planning to warn their guests,” Mr Thornton wrote. “At a Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association security operations committee meeting in May 2013, a minster from the Bahamian government was present and read the draft message one of the major cruise lines intended to communicate to its guests. “Executives of several other

cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, attending that meeting confirmed to the minister that we were considering doing the same. “Carnival Cruise Lines began providing cautionary information to our guests in late May. Over the past few months, other cruise lines calling at Nassau also have issued similar information to their guests.” While the Bahamian minister was not named, it is likely to have been minister of tourism, Obie Wilchcombe. Mr Thornton’s letter is likely to raise questions about why the Bahamas seemed to take no visible action, in terms of increased police presence on Bay Street, downtown Nassau and other tourism areas, to try and head off the cruise lines’ planned warnings. And questions are also likely to be asked about whether the Government should have alerted the private sector much earlier, and involved them in providing a solution.

Beheading is warning from Trinidad gang members - police TRINIDAD and Tobago police say the recent beheading of a man represents a warning from warring gang leaders who are copying the South American style of warfare An autopsy conducted on the body of Michael Leinberg Piper, whose severed head was found on a street in the capital on Monday, showed there were no bullet or stab wounds and that the cause of death was decapitation. Piper’s hand and feet were tied when the body was found. The Police Social and Welfare Association (PSWA) said the killing was a gang’s attempt to flex its muscle in a terrible way and gangs in the country were becoming copycats of the South American style of warfare. If you look at most of the high intensity drug related countries like Colombia and not too far from us,

Venezuela, you will realise that most of the time persons are beheaded. It is a message that is sent from one gang or group to another, “ said PSWA vice president, Inspector Roger Alexander. “It shows what we are capable of doing, so it is a message. They would also take a person from the opposite side of the fence and drop him in enemy territory or just his head. “A lot of the times when drug transactions go round in these countries every effort is made to satisfy the drug lord and have the (head) of the person who robbed him...brought back,” Alexander said. The senior police officer said that the killing of Piper could become a worrying trend and appealed to the authorities to pay more attention to protecting the maritime boundaries. (CMC)

THE Cayman Islands government has formally asked the United Kingdom to extend its membership in the OECD/ Council of the Europe Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters to the Cayman Islands. The announcement of the formal request came a day after four members of the U.K. Parliament tabled an early day motion tabled in the House of Commons on Sept. 4, which noted “that although all the British overseas territories have committed to joining the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, none have actually done so and no time frame has been set in which they will do so.” Wayne Panton, the Cayman Islands minister for financial services, said the formal request to join comes after months of substantive discussions between Cayman and the U.K. “It underscores our continued commitment to proactive participation in matters related to international tax cooperation,” he said. The convention is a multilateral instrument designed to combat tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance by allowing member states to assist each other in tax matters. Administrative assistance can range from the exchange of information to tax examinations abroad. As is common with international instruments, signatory countries can choose to opt out of certain aspects of the convention, but they cannot opt out of the convention’s core

elements regarding the exchange of tax information, the government said in a news release. Cayman will not handle matters related to requests for the recovery of foreign tax claims, or exchange of information regarding local taxes and social security contributions, the statement said. Mr. Panton noted that the convention is aligned with the international standard on information exchange for tax purposes, and it therefore represents another major development in the global tax and transparency landscape. He said he looks forward to officials from Cayman and the U.K. Treasury working together to complete the necessary steps for extension. Cayman Finance, the representative body of financial services associations, said it fully supports the decision to join the convention. “The financial services industry was consulted, through Cayman Finance, during these discussions and we are confident that the implementation of the bilateral agreements that will arise from the convention will consider the needs of our jurisdiction,” said CEO Gonzalo Jalles. He added that the convention is a standard adhered to by more than 50 countries, and that it is crucial for our industry to remain aligned with global movements in the direction of automatic exchange of information. The Group of 20 leaders released a declaration at last week’s meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, calling the

Youngest ever murderer in Bermuda jailed indefinitely A TEENAGER who was just 15 at the time -- and said to be the island’s youngest ever convicted murderer -- has been jailed indefinitely by a Supreme Court judge for stabbing his 18-year-old friend to death. Rashaun Codrington, now 17, has been imprisoned “at the court’s pleasure” for the murder of Malcolm Outerbridge. Codrington must spend a minimum of seven years in jail before he is eligible to request parole. Described by prosecutor Carrington Mahoney as “the youngest convicted murderer in the history of Bermuda,” Codrington was 15 and legally a child when he stabbed Outerbridge to death on October 28, 2011. Following the attack on the old railway trail near his home, Codrington dragged his dying victim into nearby bushes. The court heard

that an unknown person helped him try to conceal the crime. “Malcolm Outerbridge was an exceptional young man, and a friend of yours,” Puisne Judge Stephen Hellman told him before sentencing. “You murdered Malcolm Outerbridge, and here you are ¬— what a wicked, stupid and senseless act.” Noting the “ferocity of the assault,” Justice Hellman said the victim had been stabbed 27 times, three of which were mortal injuries. From the dock, Codrington rose to address the Outerbridge family, saying he was sorry for the pain he had caused them. “If I could change what happened that day, I would,” he added, prompting the victim’s father to rise and demand why he had murdered his son. There was no reply.(CMC)

convention a powerful tool in the fight against tax evasion and stating that the next challenge regarding automatic exchange of information is to get all jurisdictions to commit to a global standard and put it into practice. The G-20 supports the OECD’s work in developing the global standard for automatic exchange of information and set a timeline of February 2014 for the establishment of the global standard itself and mid-2014 for finalizing the technical modalities. “The multilateral convention is key to ensuring rapid implementation of the new standard and to enabling developing countries to benefit from the new more transparent environment. “We expect all jurisdictions to join the convention without further delay,” a tax annex to the declaration said. The declaration also noted that tax rules should not allow or encourage multinational corporations to reduce overall taxes paid by artificially shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.

Belizean to stand trial for allegedly drowning her children A 22-YEAR-old woman, who allegedly drowned three of her children at a beach earlier this year, is due to appear in court on September 17. Felicia Chen, who has been charged with three counts of murder, has been undergoing psychiatric evaluation at the Mental Health Acute Unit at the Palm View Centre. Police said that Chen on April 27 took a bus to the Belizean Beach with her four children, ages one to six, and walked them into the sea. Chen is alleged to have drowned the children – one year old Trinaya Felicia Tuel, three-year-old brother Thomas and four-year-old Triana Tuel – by forcibly submerging them in the water in the first reported case of infanticide in Belize. The eldest child ran for help and in the process escaped meeting the same fate as her siblings. Police have charged Chen, who had her first child at age 15, and according to media reports was a victim of domestic abuse, with three counts of murder.

22 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

‘Santa Claws’ was always caring towards the dogs

September 14 - 20, 2013

George being affectionate with a dog from Pampered Paws Canine Christmas 2010

The passing of Santa Claus affects many in the TCI BY DAISY HANDFIELD GEORGE Taylor, who was better known as Santa Claus in the TCI for many years, passed away on Sunday (September 8) aged 60 after a lengthy illness. The much-adored Providenciales personality helped make Christmas extra special for youngsters each year at the Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TCSPCA) annual Christmas Fair and Dog Show and also during the Kiwanis Club Christmas handouts. Officials from the TCSPCA and Pampered Paws were deeply saddened this week to say goodbye to their favorite ‘Santa Claws’ who has always been a friend to them and all the animals in the TCI. Director of the TCSPCA Susan Blehr said: “George helped to make

Christmas a little more special each year for many young children at the TCSPCA Annual Christmas Fair who were delighted in meeting ‘Santa Claws’ and having their photographs taken with him. “The TCSPCA Dog Show held at Turtle Cove Marina would not have taken place each year without his help.” Owner of Pamper Paws, Donna Doran added: “The TCSPCA and Pampered Paws will miss this very caring man who always found time to rescue stray and injured animals and care for them until they could be placed into loving new homes.” This week tributes to much-loved George came flooding in to the Weekly News office and Facebook page. Christine Douglas explained how her youngest would always be looking

forward to seeing Santa each year. “George came to our house as Santa Claus last Christmas morning to surprise our grandkids. “The youngest had wrote Santa a letter the night before telling him she was visiting from Canada, and was afraid he may not find them. “You can imagine her shock when he came to the door. “I could tell that he wasn't feeling too well, but he still went out of his way to make the girls very happy! “He will be very sadly missed by both my husband and I. You couldn't find another with such a big heart. We will miss you. RIP George, a friend to all.” George always engaged in public initiatives by visiting schools, going to social events, school events and institutions across the region. Marie Claude Joly said: "My son

grew up thinking that George was the real Santa. Whenever he saw another Santa, he said it was a fake because he saw the same Santa over and over. “When he was a little bit older he recognised George at IGA. He then asked me why was Santa there. I explained to him that when it's not Christmas Santa has to work like any other person. “He thought it was so cool that Santa had chosen this island and make it his home! “We will miss you.” Former Weekly News reporter Gemma Handy said: “George was one of my favourite ever interviewees. He had a personality that lit up the room. “I remember being seriously impressed when he told me he used to start growing his festive beard in the summer - the hottest time of year. That's dedication for you! Top guy.” In that same interview, he told the

Weekly News that he gained weight just to be able to play Santa Claus. “It started when I was working in Grand Turk in 1972. I visited South Base, a couple of schools and the old people’s home. “It just snowballed from there really,” he said deadpan, despite the pun. George was a self-proclaimed ‘boat bum’, but his odd jobs and deliveries got put on the back burner as the holiday season approached. “I will carry on doing it here because the kids are great,” he told the Weekly News, “I am on the third or fourth generation of some families. “Some people I have known since they were little; now they’re all grown up and have got their own kids convinced I am the real Santa Claus and that I just hide out in the Turks and Caicos for the rest of the year.”

George was much loved by many of the Islands youngsters

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

24 NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Top honours for Grace Bay beach GRACE Bay was voted third best beach in the world in a poll of 100 breath-taking coastlines. The 12-mile stretch of beautiful white sand in Providenciales scooped top honours in CNN’s World’s 100 Best Beaches list. According to the news giant, after scouring the planet, demanding answers from their most well-travelled friends, colleagues and cohorts, absorbing passionate pleas from readers, researching, investigating, and examining the evidence they finally picked the best beaches on the planet. Brian Been, TCI Tourist Board’s senior product development officer, said he was happy about the ranking.

“Some may look at this as just another award but we want everyone to understand that this is truly a team effort through private-public partnership. “Agencies such as the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs, Maritime Police, Ports Authority and the Planning Board to name a few work cohesively, and are sometimes not mentioned but go beyond the call allowing for such success.” He thanked them for allowing dedicated marketing and promotions teams to get the word out about what the visitors have to say. “Every time TCI receives an accolade like this one, it is a testament to the exceptional

The write up for third place Grace Bay reads: “You need only hear the name of this beach to feel a little calmer.”

product that we have and will continue to build on ensuring an unforgettable experience for our visitors,” he said. “This one is for the hard working front-line custodians that safeguard our treasures, making us ‘Beautiful by Nature’.” The listing, which formed a part of CNN’s 2013 Summer Travel coverage, names Grande Anse Beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles as

number one and Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy as number two. The write up for third place Grace Bay reads: “You need only hear the name of this beach to feel a little calmer.

“The pride of Provo Island is tourist heavy, but that's because it's one of the best (third best, we say) beaches in the world. “Just offshore, a coral reef protects the beach and

harbours marine life normally seen in Jacques Cousteau documentaries. “This perfect, tranquil beach destination has few touts to disturb your lazing and abundant restaurants and resorts.”

Students at Charles Hubert James North Caicos, happy with their goodies

Grace Bay Resorts donates school supplies to adoptive schools BY DAISY HANDFIELD EVERY year Grace Bay Resorts donates school supplies to their adoptive schools around the Turks and Caicos Islands. Last Friday, (September 6), the chain of hotels organised a boat trip to the island of North Caicos where they distributed a photocopier, over 130 school bags and other school supplies to the Adelaide Oemler Primary School. Officials also made a stop by the Charles Hubert James

Primary School in Kew to deliver school supplies. Teachers and students from both schools expressed great gratitude for the tokens. Carlton Mills, manager of talent growth and local affairs for Grace Bay Resorts, explained that the resorts are always trying to get their guests to donate to their five adoptive schools. He noted that a guest who was staying at one of the resorts brought down a number of school supplies for the Ianthe Pratt Primary

School. She also donated a check of $1,000 to the school to assist with school supplies. On Monday (September 9) a photocopier and school supplies were sent to the island of South Caicos to distribute amongst the students at the Iris Stubbs Primary School. The five adoptive schools are Adelaide Oemler, Iris Stubbs, Ianthe Pratt, Charles Hubert James Primary Schools and the Majorie Basden High School.

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Entertainment

Stacie-Ann Thomas

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Breanna Johnson

September 14 - 20, 2013

Felicia Williams

TCI models rock NY fashion week FOUR local beauties Felicia Williams, Stacie-Ann Thomas, Breanna Johnson and Nikeira Stuart - got an unforgettable experience when they rocked the runway at one of the world’s premier fashion events, the New York Fashion Week. While in New York the models kept appointments with 12 of the city's most prestigious modelling agencies, five of which have attended the TCI Top Model contest. And they have already expressed a great interest in the ladies, a release from the production director of TCI Top Model Contest and Fashion Extravaganza, Courtney Robinson said. “Having an opportunity to travel to New York to begin a modelling career is huge for a

new model anywhere. “Being able to walk during fashion week is a momentous start – one that is not missed on anyone. “To have that many agencies looking to meet with a model during one of the busiest times of the fashion calendar is huge; but even more so, the potential that a girl may get signed and represented by one of the World's leading modelling agencies – enormous!” Robinson said ahead of the event. New York Fashion Week customarily kicks off fashion show season for fashion capitals around the globe. September 5 was the official start to fashion week where the spring and summer 2014 collections of many New

York based and international well-known and emerging fashion designer brands were presented to the world. The models not only had the opportunity to walk, but also network, meet with industry veterans, editors, retailers, buyers, photographers and the media. The exposure gained from photos published owing to shows walked in will be tremendous, as the editorial gleaned will put their stamp on New York Fashion Week. Robinson noted that New York is the epicentre of high fashion, editorial and commercial modelling; a model starting their career there will have many doors open to the world of fashion, beauty and merchandising. “To this effect, Felicia,

Stacie-Ann, Breanna and Nikeira are going to be exposed to the best in the business, but also a chance to promote themselves to markets such as London, Paris, Milan, South Africa, Japan, Central and South America.” He added that the TCI Top Model Contest and Fashion Extravaganza organising committee, its partners and supporters, wish the models success on their path to becoming an international Top Model in the fashion modelling industry. “It is also with hope, that they become one of those positive role models to persons in the Turks and Caicos looking to break in the industry, and by in large, help put the Turks and Caicos Islands on the fashion map.”

Nikeira Stuart

September 14 - 20, 2013

NEWS 27

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Karate students entertain the crowd with skilful demonstrations

Participants enjoy a thrilling sack race

Graceway Sports Centre celebrates 10 years THE TCI community was treated to a fun day for all on Saturday, September 7, as the Graceway Sports Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary. The ‘Open Door Day’ as it was called, allowed residents to experience and try out the facilities available, join in a variety of fitness classes, witness martial arts demonstrations and join in a fun-filled day of activities. Adina Ciurar, manager of the

centre for two and a half years, said she was very happy with the way the day turned out. “I wanted to do something iconic for the sports centre and I think it’s a place which pretty much addresses the whole family. “The kids had a lot of fun playing games and also winning prizes; everyone was very happy,” she said. The fun kicked off early in the morning with free classes for boot camp, tae-bo, spin

Visitors join in a challenging workout class

and yoga. Visitors also witnessed skilful qwan ki do and karate demonstrations. Children enjoyed tugof-war, three-legged race, push-up competitions, squats competitions, Graceway Sports Centre trivia, bouncy castle, music and lunch. The energetic manager said: “If you are just a little bit into sports it’s basically impossible not to find an activity suitable for you here. “I wanted everyone to see exactly how many amenities and courts we have here and to just give people the opportunity to try games.” Ciurar constantly encourages residents to get more involved in fitness routines through their fees which she said are the most reasonable on island and also through her free boot camp classes. Facilities are continuously improved and new pieces of equipment added. Most recently replaced was the almost 12000 sq ft arena floor

Supermarket presents hefty cheque to TCI Salvation Army ON FRIDAY, September 6, the TCI Salvation Army was the recipient of a $2,050.16 cheque from Providenciales’ two IGA branches. The supermarkets raised the cash from their ‘coin box’ campaign for local charities around the Islands. Representative from the Salvation Army, Colonel Raphael Mason, thanked the chain of supermarkets on behalf of the non-profit organisation and noted that the money was going to be put to good use.

He said: “I would start by giving a heart filled thanks to IGA. In a way this money has already been spent. “School has already begun and some youngsters have already been able to purchase some school supplies through help that we’ve given to them.” The coin boxes are placed on each cashier’s counter at the supermarkets and officials from IGA noted that next month the funds accumulated will be donated to a different charity. (DAISY HANDFIELD)

at the centre. Members and visitors have the option to play a variety of sports including tennis, squash, volleyball, hockey, basketball and badminton. There are classes for martial arts, yoga, workouts including aerobics, total body

conditioning, tea-bo and spin, and of course a full gym full of machines and workout equipment. Also available at the centre are hip-hop, modern, ballet and other dance classes for children, run by Bowen’s Dance Academy.

Over the holidays the centre also holds sports camps for children, offering a variety of sports through the course of a few weeks. For more information or to contact Graceway Sports Centre, call 442-6340 or visit gracewaysports.com.

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

Prince William to swap armed forces for royal and charity duties PRINCE William is to leave the military after more than seven years of service, Kensington Palace has announced. The Duke of Cambridge completed his final shift as an RAF search and rescue pilot on Tuesday. He will now focus on royal duties and charity work together with the Duchess of Cambridge, a palace spokesman said. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George are expected to move from their Anglesey home to Kensington Palace within the next few weeks. The BBC’s royal correspondent, Peter Hunt, tweeted that royal officials said the next 12 months would be “transitional” for Prince William. He will not become a “full time royal” at this stage, they said. ‘NO GREATER FEELING’ The duke, with the Duchess of Cambridge, will continue to support the work of the Queen and the Royal Family through a programme of official engagements - both at home and overseas, the palace added. He will work closely over the next year with the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The palace spokesman said: “He will expand his work in the field of conservation, particularly in respect of endangered species.”

The US accuses the Syrian regime of killing hundreds in a poison-gas attack in the Damascus suburbs on 21 August.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George are expected to move from their Anglesey home to Kensington Palace within the next few weeks.

“The duke will continue to work with his charities on issues relating to children and young people, veterans and serving members of the armed forces.” Prince William is currently considering a number of options for public service, the palace added, with a further announcement to follow in due course. Tuesday’s final RAF shift brought to an end a three-year posting on Anglesey for the prince. In an interview for the BBC Wales documentary Helicopter Rescue, he said: “There’s no greater feeling than when you’ve actually done some good and saved someone’s life.

“I don’t think there’s any greater calling in life...to be able to see a son or daughter’s face when you bring their mother or father back from the edge of death - it’s quite powerful.” ‘IMMENSELY SPECIAL’ The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, praised the duke’s work in the air force. Sir Andrew said Flight Lieutenant Wales had been an “integral” part of the RAF’s search and rescue force, “often in the most demanding of conditions, [he] has contributed directly to saving lives in the mountains of North Wales and from the ravages of the Irish Sea.

Colombia arrests woman ‘with cocaine’ in pregnancy bump A CANADIAN national has been arrested in Colombia after trying to board a flight to Toronto with a phony pregnant belly stuffed with cocaine, police say. The tourist caught the attention of a policewoman at Bogota’s International Airport who allegedly asked her how far along she was. She reacted aggressively, which aroused the suspicion of officials who went on to search her. This year, nearly 150 people were caught with drugs at Bogota’s airport. About a third of them were foreign nationals, according to the Colombian authorities. ‘DELICATE TOUCH’ The Canadian national had entered Colombia at the beginning of August and was about to board a flight to return to Toronto, when a policewoman asked her how long she had been pregnant. “[The Canadian] didn’t like the

Suspicion was aroused when the woman reacted aggressively to a question about her apparent pregnancy.

question, which made the official suspicious. Instinctively, she then very delicately touched the lady’s belly, realising it was too hard and extremely cold,” said the deputy director of Colombia’s police antinarcotics section, Colonel Esteban Arias Melo. The woman allegedly said she was seven months pregnant. After performing a body search, the police found two sealed bags stashed inside the latex belly, which contained 2kg (5lb) of cocaine. Colombian authorities say the Canadian national will be charged with drug trafficking, possession and production and could be sentenced to between five and eight years in prison. The drugs would have had a street value price of around $60,000 (£94,000), Colombian police said. Government officials say 874 foreigners are currently being held in the country’s jails, the majority on drug charges. (BBC)

Syria crisis: Russia chemicals plan doable, says US RUSSIA’S plan to dismantle Syria’s chemical arsenal is “doable but difficult”, according to US officials. The Russian and US foreign ministers are due to hold talks in Geneva over the plan, which involves Syria handing its stockpile to foreign observers. Both sides are taking teams of experts, saying the disarmament process could be long and highly complex. The US accuses the Syrian regime of killing hundreds in a poison-gas attack in the Damascus suburbs on 21 August. The regime denies the allegations, but has agreed to abide by Russia’s disarmament plan. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has appeared on Russian television to confirm that Syria would concede control of its chemical weapons.

But he said it was because of a Russian initiative on the issue and not the threat of American military action. Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has now outlined three main phases of the proposal: Syria joins the Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlaws the production and use of the weapons Syria reveals where its chemical weapons are stored and gives details of its programme Experts decide on the specific measures to be taken Mr Lavrov, completing a visit to Kazakhstan, said: “I am sure that there is a chance for peace in Syria. We cannot let it slip away.” He did not mention the destruction of the weapons, which is thought to be a sticking point in Moscow’s negotiations with Damascus.

Catholic priest faces 50 years in prison for taking pornographic photos of children FEDERAL prosecutors in Missouri are seeking a 50-year prison term for a Roman Catholic priest who admitted taking pornographic photos of children. The Rev. Shawn Ratigan faces sentencing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City. The 47-yearold priest pleaded guilty in August 2012 to five counts of producing or attempting to produce child porn — one count for each of five victims. Ratigan was charged in May 2011 after police received a flash drive from his computer containing hundreds of images of children, most of them clothed, with the focus on their crotch areas. Prosecutors say he photographed girls in and around churches where he worked in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. His case led to charges against Bishop Robert Finn for failing to report suspected child abuse. (Nydailynews)

Rev. Shawn Ratigan pleaded guilty in August 2012 to taking photos of his five victims. Investigators found hundreds of images on his computer.

September 14 - 20, 2013

World News McCann libel case against ex-detective set to begin THE mother of missing child Madeleine McCann has arrived at a Portuguese court for the start of libel action against a former local police chief. Kate McCann is not expected to give evidence against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about Madeleine’s disappearance. The family claim the book turned Portuguese public opinion against them. Madeleine was almost four when she disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment in the Algarve in May 2007. The family’s lawyer Isabel Duarte is expected to set out the case - on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie - at Lisbon’s civil court on Thursday morning. Mrs McCann declined to comment as she arrived at court accompanied by her mother Susan Healy. The McCanns, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have strongly denied accusations detailed in the book and say the former detective’s claims damaged the hunt for Madeleine and exacerbated anguish suffered by her relatives. A number of relatives are expected to appear in the witness box, including Mrs McCann’s cousin Michael Wright.

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Madeleine was almost four years old when she disappeared.

The McCanns’ spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: “Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case.” Mr Amaral, the detective who initially led the inquiry into Madeleine’s disappearance, is expected to argue that under Portuguese law he is entitled to make the claims published in The Truth Of The Lie. The former officer was removed from the Portuguese investigation in October 2007 after criticising British police.

Wife accused of pushing new husband off cliff THE Montana newlywed accused of killing her husband by pushing him off a cliff has traded her bridal gown for an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. Jordan Linn Graham, who’s charged with second-degree murder, broke down in tears when her mom walked into a courtroom on Wednesday, but remained composed for most of the detention hearing. The 22-year-old’s attorneys asked a judge to release her from jail and place her under home confinement with electronic monitoring. But prosecutors said she should remain behind bars, arguing that she had lied to authorities, tried to cover up the crime and was at risk of harming herself. The judge was expected to rule on the matter on Thursday. Prosecutors say that Graham shoved Cody Johnson face-first off a steep cliff just eight days into their marriage. New details in the case emerged during Wednesday’s hearing, including an argument from prosecutors that a fake e-mail account had been created just days after Johnson’s death as part of what appeared to be an attempt to cover up the alleged killing.

The incident took place just eight days into their marriage.

Graham and Johnson had been married just more than a week when an argument in early July allegedly escalated to a case of second-degree murder. If convicted, Graham will face life in prison. According to a criminal complaint, Graham told a friend she was having second thoughts about marrying Johnson. The complaint said the couple argued the night of July 7. Upset, they decided to go hiking in Glacier

National Park in Flathead County, Montana, where they continued to fight. Graham told police that her husband grabbed her by the arm. She turned and removed his hand. “Graham stated she could have just walked away, but due to her anger, she pushed Johnson with both hands in the back and as a result, he fell face first off the cliff,” the complaint read. His body was discovered several days later.

US: man planned to kidnap children, rape and eat them A BOSTON-area man, who was planning to kidnap children, lock them in a basement dungeon, rape and eat them, should be imprisoned for at least 27 years, federal authorities said in court documents filed this week. The man, Geoffrey Portway, 40, pleaded guilty in May to distribution and possession of child pornography and solicitation to commit a crime of violence, according to court documents. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17. “Portway has pled guilty to some of the most vile and heinous crimes known to our society,” federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing recommendation. Portway went by the moniker “Fat Longpig” during his online chats, according to court documents. It was these chats that put Portway on the radar screen of police.

His home in Worcester was searched last year and authorities found tens of thousands of computer images and videos of child pornography, 4,500 exchanges of child pornography between Portway and the people he chatted with online. The images included children being cooked and prepared to be eaten, court documents said. Authorities also found a locked basement, court documents show, that contained a child-sized coffin, a steel cage, a steel topped table, two freezers, disposable scalpels, butchering kits and castration tools. Online chats, seized by police, showed Portway call his basement a “dungeon” where he intended to “keep kidnapped children while he sexually abused them and as a place to eventually murder and cannibalize the children.” Two other men who chatted with Portway have already been convicted.

A fast-flowing river complicated the rescue operation.

Dozens killed in Guatemala’s bus crash AT LEAST 43 people have been killed after a bus plunged 200m (660ft) into a ravine in western Guatemala, rescue workers said. The crash happened in San Martin Jilotepeque, some 65km (40 miles) from the capital, Guatemala City. At least 40 people are thought to have been injured in the accident. The bus had been travelling from Chimaltenango to San Martin Jilotepeque. The cause of the crash remains unknown. Mario Cruz, spokesman for the

local volunteer fire department, said about 90 people had been on board the bus which had an official capacity of 54 passengers. The dead included at least three babies, he added. The mayor of San Martin Jilotepeque, Otto Vielman, said it appeared that the bus had crashed against a wall of rocks and then fallen from a cliff. The rescue operation was hampered by a fast-flowing river and emergency crews installed cables to

carry stretchers over the water. The long arm of a mechanical digger was also used to lift people across the river. Local residents volunteered to help the rescue operation and pictures from the scene showed some onlookers in tears as bodies were lined up alongside the crushed wreckage of the bus. Local resident Carlos Jose Perez said many of those on the bus had been taking farm produce to market. (BBC)

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Brama Kumaris

FOR RENT

3-bedroom apartment $1100.00 per month it will be available May 1st.

contact: 946-4664

September 14 - 20, 2013

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

HENRY WILSON Is seeking a

Raja Yoga Meditation Centre Turks and Caicos Islands

Telephone 946-4760 & 332-4101

www.bkwsu.com Email: bkpadma@bkwsutci.com

FOR SALE

gardener

Salary $6.00 per hour interested persons must be able to work long hours, weekends and holidays. If this job interests you, please.

contact: 649-332-7196

9099

Construction scaffold and roof tiles for sale CONTACT: 431-1591 OR 231-3788

September 14 - 20, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS 31

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CEDAR LODGE CAFE

SALE!!! FLOWER GIRL TEDDYS, ROSES, BASKETS Sale on wedding favors, nick naks, pillows, knives etc.

Must be willing to work on weekends and public holidays. Salary $5./hr.

Contact: 946 5511

CONTACT: 649-946-4894 Is looking for a

CULINARIA LTD.

6114

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Domestic Worker Chef Pastry Chef Kitchen Helper Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary starting at $5.50 per hour.

contact: 231-4242

PRICE SLASHED FOR QUICK SALE

$180,000 CASH! House and ½ Acre land Richmond Hill 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Fully furnished

Call: 231-3788

9104

Gardener contact: 241-8385

9108

Is looking to fill the following positions:

CHRIS STUBBS Is looking for a

domestic ONE (1) DOMESTIC worker To work 5 days WORKER NEEDED

25%–35% OFF SUSAN WILSON

Leeward Highway, Providenciales

per week salary $6.00 per hour

contact: 231-0366

9106

Cox Labour Services Five Cays Plaza Providenciales Telephone: 231-6710

Labourers/

Mason Salary starts at $5.00 per hour. Must be willing to work holidays and weekends. Only Turks Islanders need to apply.

Amazing Value! Lot for Sale

In Gated/Planned Community in Long Bay. Flamingo Crossing lot comes with full set of House Plans, all underground utilities, etc.

$49,999 o.b.o. Call 231-3788

PRICE SLASHED $175,000

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

STATION MANAGER

CARIBBEAN BUILDERS

CASABLANCA CASINO GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES

NIGHT AUDITOR

Is looking for a

Avis Rent-A-Car is in need of filling the position of Station Manager position involves the general operation and supervision of a car rental agency successful applicants must possess the following qualifications: ;; Previous 3-5 years experience in working at a busy car rental agency ;; Good customer service skills a must ;; Excellent communication, writing and computer skills ;; Previous supervisory experience necessary ;; Must be willing to work weekends, night shifts and holidays ;; Good organizational and problem solving skills ;; Must be high energy multi-tasker ;; Able to drive manual transmission would be a plus ;; Valid driver’s license

Plumber

Starting salary approximately $25K/year, but commensurate with experience Please send resume via email to: syrmondg@bayviewmotors.com ONLY BELONGER NEED TO APPLY 9139

JOB VACANCY EXPERIENCED worker is required to assist with the running of programs at the Youth Centre. Must be available to work holidays and weekends.

To work 5 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.

contact: 244-0065 9151

ANGELIQUE CLARKE

• Minimum of 5 years experience in the Casino Industry (Cash Desk) • Full knowledge of accounting procedures • Full knowledge of table games • Verities and balances entries and record of financial reports • Transaction reported by various departments • Salary: $12.00

Please submit all application and resume to: Casablanca Casino Grace Bay HR MANAGER-MARYANN INGRAHAM 244-4665

DES ELECTICAL NORTH CAICOS

Is seeking

ASSETS • Administration management or other office experience • Strong written, verbal and communication skills • Deadline for applications is 27th September 2013 • Belongers only need apply

Email your resume to roxann@ ecgyouthcentre.com or contact 331-9602

Is looking for a

domestic worker to work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

9142

contact: 241-7725 HAIR IMPRESSION NORTH CAICOS Is looking for the following:

Seeks to Employ:

Interior Design and Finishing Mechanic Supervisor The candidate must have the following requirements: • Minimum 10 – 15 years experience as a interior design finisher; • Formatting, installing and inspecting acoustic works, metal studs, framing, • sheetrock installation/finishing, detailed carpentry trim/finishing, marble and granite tile trim/finishing; • Supervise and manage construction finishing team and their work schedule; • Negotiate and price proposals and contracts; • Interview and supervise new hire; • Carry out weekly job inspections; • Provide weekly performance and job completion reports to Managing Director; • Willing to work long hours, holidays and weekends; • Must have own transportation. • Salary is commensurate with experience.

Barber/ Labourer Salary $250.00 per week. Must be willing to work 6 days per week.

9148

Contact: 2451239 or 243-6883

store clerk To work 6 days

per week. Salary $250.00 per week. Contact: 245-1239 or 243-6883 Belongers need only apply 9137

Two Auto Mechanics They must: Have 5 yrs. Experience in repairing. Engine and Transmission. Have full knowledge in repairing. Japanese automobiles Salary: $9.00 per hour.

Contact# 649-941-7387

JOHN MACDONALD Is seeking

1 Live in House Keeper

• Minimum 5 years experience • Fluent in English • No children • No spouse • Available 24hr • Solid knowledge of Excel, Word, and QuickBooks

• Strong understanding of landscaping, gardening and harvesting of various crops • Solid understanding of garbage clean up • must be good with large dogs • Pay rate is $5/hr

Please submit Resumes at da conch shack restaurant at 499 Bay Rd. Blue Hills, Providenciales TCI Phone: (649)-432-2152 9133

MAKE MUSIC A PART OF YOUR LIFE!

Labourer

JOIN A CHOIR STARTS SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2013 TCI YOUTH CHORALE (AGES 11-18) MONDAY 6-7 PM MIXED ADULT CHOIR MONDAY 7-8PM AT EDWARD GARTLAND YOUTH CENTRE EVERYONE WELCOME!

• To perform daily maintenance duties; electrical, plumbing and sheetrock repairs; • Painting, Light yard work, cleaning gutters and construction site • Work six days a week; including holidays and weekends. • Hourly wages $5.50 • Clean Police Record and three character reference required

Email resume to: evt@tciway.tc or Contact Us: 649.946.5414 Apply before: September 20, 2013

D&B AUTO REPAIR

Is looking for a

• Strong motivation to empower young people • Creative and energetic qualities

REQUIREMENTS: • University degree or Diploma in teaching, psychology, social work or similar field • At least five (5) years experience working in a related field • Computer literate in Microsoft Office programs • Excellent skills of working with youth

9154

9135

32 CLASSIFIEDS

CONTACT: 331-7176 9143

Is looking for the following persons:

Labourer Store Helper

Must be willing to work 7 days per week, nights salary $250.00 per week.

contact: 243-1654

9136

JOSE OVANDO CONSTRUCTION Is looking for a

labourer To work 6 days

per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 342-9854

LEONARD FORBES Is looking for a

Labourer to work 5 days

per week salary $6.00 per hour. contact: 243-8071

LEW 1 SHIPPING

CLASSIFIEDS 33 Turquoise Landscaping Ltd. Long Bay, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands. Phone: 332 4280 Email: turquoiselandscaping@tciway.tc

Seeks the following person:

CAPTAIN Applicant must have the following:

Twelve (12) years experience as a tug captain. Master’s license for a 450 ton tug and barge. STCW Certificate

9147

J’S MINI MART NORTH CAICOS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Contact: 941-5707

GILLEY’S ENTERPRISES LTD. Is looking for the following positions

Restaurant Server Kitchen Helper Salary $6.00 per hour Applications should be sent to: gilleycafe@tciway.tc

9145

9134

8925

Turquoise Landscaping Ltd. is looking to hire a:-

GARDENERS/LABOURERS

• Starting Pay - $5.25/hr. • Must have previous gardening experience and be familiar with landscaping equipment such as lawn mowers etc. • Must be willing to carry out work such as heavy lifting, digging, weeding, trimming and plant waste removal. • Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. • Must have a clean Police Record.

Please call 332 4280 to arrange an interview.

JOB VACANCY District Manager

Purpose of Job: The District Manager is responsible for the overall (branch & lending) delivery of Retail, Domestic Wealth & Small Business performance in a cluster of branches and supports the Director in the delivery of financial performance goals at operating company / country level across all aspects of the business (Financial, Risk, People and Customer Experience). Provides leadership to Branch Managers and is responsibility for the management of sales and service activity including deposit gathering and product profitability in the “District” they lead.

Major Activities: Manages the execution of the Retail, Wealth & Small Business strategy to drive the long term successful business performance within the cluster. Provides clear direction on the business objectives translating and prioritising into business performance measures at cluster level while ensuring the smooth transition of the Retail, Domestic Wealth & Small Business teams into one cohesive unit.

Graceway Gourmet is seeking a suitably qualified applicant to fill the position of:

LOSS PREVENTION OFFICER

Experience: • Team Management with a proven track record of achieving targets, goals and objectives. • 7-10 years experience in the Retail Banking. • Experience in supervising people in a sales and service environment. • Retail Banking Risk Management & Control • 3-5 years Sales Management experience

Main duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensue all security procedures and security surveillance are in place to detect, minimize and or eliminate shoplifters and or other theft offense within the store environment • As required, shall conduct in-dept investigations into suspected case (s) of fraud and theft • Shall conduct routine inspections of the store both internal and external grounds to maintain physical security and protection of assets • Must apprehend dishonest individuals and shoplifters and turn them in to the local police department for criminal proceedings • This position will work in collaboration with Local Law Enforcement Agencies to apprehend and eliminate in-store theft at all operation levels • Required Qualification and Experiences • Previous experience and credentials in security surveillance will is an added plus • Must be able to handle difficult situations with fairness, respect and diplomacy • Maintain good communication with staff members, associates and the management team • Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations • Must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with staff and management to achieve the department / store desired results • Observe and ensure compliance with all company policies and established procedures including general health and safety standards • Must be able to work varied hours / days, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the Retail, Wealth & Small Business strategy and the Bank’s operating structure and interface In-depth knowledge of the Retail, Wealth & Small Business product set and business processes and operational procedures and people polices Knowledge of operational risk management policies, compliance and fraud prevention controls. BENEFITS: Salary Range - $70,043 – $90,657 Benefits includes Life Insurance, Health Insurance, preferred rates on banking services and competitive salary commensurate with qualifications.

Send completed applications to: Larry Lawrence Country Manager Grace Bay, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Telephone: 649-941-1601 Fax: 649-941-3430 Email: larry.lawrence@firstcaribbeanbank.com

Salary ranges from $30, 000.00 – 36,000.00 annually

Deadline for submission of applicants is June 12th 2010

Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracwayiga.com

Closing date is September 20th 2013 (Only Turks & Caicos Islanders/Belongers need apply) 9160

9132

9138

September 14 - 20, 2013

34 CLASSIFIEDS

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

FRESH FISH is looking for a

MCKNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM

SENIOR COMMERCIAL LITIGATION ATTORNEY

Sales Person

JOB SUMMARY • Minimum 10 years call • Expeience in drafting complex pleadings, advising, assisting and representing clients at all stages of litigation in a wide range of commercial disputes • Additional experience of professional negligence property litigation, civil fraud would be advantageous • Salary commensurate with experience.

contact: 241-5678 9114

SALESPERSON

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Primary School Teacher

ROBLE CONSTRUCTION Is looking for a

With a minimum of 5 years experience.

Domestic Worker with good command of the English Language and clean driver’s licence.

Please send email to millsinstitute@ gmail.com. No phone calls please.

9157

9103

Contact; 231-0250 or P.O. Box 966

MY DEE’S NORTH CAICOS is looking for 2

Labourer To work 6 days 9130

per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 244-3462

Labourers To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. Must be computer literate. Must work weekends and holidays.

Contact: 243-2344

ALBERT HIGGS Is looking for a

NEW STYLE BARBER SHOP Is looking for the following persons. Belongers preferred

contact: 343-7748

9100

To work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour.

contact: 243-7785

– $5.00 per hour

Hairdresser – $6.00 per hour

Barber

– $6.00 per hour

Contact: 346-3918

9117

AFTER 5 CONCIERGE is seeking a Lead

Needed

Must speak Italian must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.

9111

Labourer Labourer

Please submit resume directly to Milano Diamond Gallery or email your resume to vonette@milanodg.com 9150

Labourer

Phone: (649)-946-8877

Domestic worker

– Do you have an outgoing personality and good communication skills? – Do you wish to work in dynamic and target oriented job environment? – Are you ready to work on an irregular schedule? – Do you have sales experience? – Are you between 20-40 years old? – Do you have an interest on working and improving yourself in jewelry market?

Is looking for a

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 $5/hr Please submit Resumes at the restaurant at 499 Bay Rd. Blue Hills, Providenciales TCI

Is looking for a

Vacancy

VILLA G.G.G.

PROVO BEVERAGES

1 Kitchen Helpers

9098

Covering letter and CV to: admin@mcknights.tc Please apply by 23rd August, 2013

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

DA CONCH SHACK

9109

Concierge/Office Manager They will be responsible for, but not limited to the following duties: • Reconciliation of corporate and general account • Proposing, developing, creating, planning and delivering innovative ideas for future events • Timely responding to emails and phone calls • Updating and providing documents pertaining, but not limited to, activities, events, special requests and guest arrival information • Overseeing all guest arrivals and departures and customizing client databases • Maintaining updated accounts for multiple parties • Organize, promote and schedule staff for corporate events • Handle all email responses and inquiries from guests • Negotiating and coordinating prices and logistics with vendors • Handling all NHIP and NIB calculations and payments • General administrative duties: i.e., phones, errands, filing etc.

LEAD CONCIERG/OFFICE MANAGER

• Minimum three (3) years of office administrative/management experience • A post secondary/ University degree from an internationally recognized institution • ECDL (or equivalent) qualifications • Staff scheduling/training experience • Strong accounting skills in payroll and general accounts reconciliation • The ability to work irregular weekday hours, weekends and public holidays • Their own reliable, registered motor vehicle and a valid driver license • Proficiency in Peachtree accounting software and Microsoft Office • Their own computer, internet service and printer with Microsoft Office installed • Extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry, and in particular those activities particular to the TCI; • The ability to carry out minor maintenance repairs • Strong organizational, data entry, file management and inventory control skills • Proficient English written and verbal communication skills • The ability to attend to multiple responsibilities simultaneously • The ability to negotiate with and coordinate vendors • The ability to work independently in a time sensitive and pressured environment • Strong interpersonal skills • The ability to think creatively and to proposed and develop new business strategies and models • A valid passport

Please do not respond to this add unless you meet all of these requirements and own your own vehicle, can speak and write English fluently (written test will be provided), have a clean driver’s license and are able to work nights, weekends and holidays. Please respond to this ad by September 27th, 2013 email: ictcvacation@gmail.com

9122

September 14 - 20, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS 35

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Y.A. 3. B. CONSULTANCY Acting on behalf of our clients: Tragos Bar, B’s Beauty Box, Caicos Coral, Major’s Beauty Salon, Nessy Restaurant, Anny Garcia is looking to fill the following positions:

WEST BAY CLUB RESORT

J&C PAWNSHOP Is seeking

T HOLDINGS LTD. Is looking for a

Is looking for

THAI ORCHID Is looking for a

3 waitresses – $6.00 per hour

2 barbers – $6.00 per hour

1 hairdresser – $6.00 per hour

1 animal trainer – $6.00 per hour

1 nail technician – $6.00 per hour

Contact: 344-4540

Domestic Worker

To Work 5 Days a week. Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 946-8550 9124

Driver needed ;;For Shore Excursion Operator, Grand Turk Successful candidate must have excellent communication skills, professional attitude and be organized and reliable ;;Must have a valid driver license with at least 8 years of driving experience ;;Must have basic mechanic understanding ;;Salary commensurate with experience and skill level

649-242-1943 Rigby Builders Providenciales Telephone: 241-9541

Salary starts at $10.00 per hour. Must be willing to work holidays and weekends. Only Turks Islanders need to apply.

Repair To work full time Salary $8.00 per hour Interested Person may contact Kilsys at

Tel# 231-3987

9123

Civil Engineer Must have at least 15 years experience must be willing to work Monday – Saturday 7am-5pm. Salary negotiable.

Contact: 232-4336

9112

FLOWER GIRL Is looking for a Part-time

delivery driver With own transportation who is interested in making extra cash.

9115

Contact: 231-3788

chef for its restaurant in Grace Bay suitable applicants can contact: 231-0561 between the hours of 6:30am-6:00pm

9149

SPOTLESS CLEANING SERVICE Is looking for a

gardener

To work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour. contact: 244-2907 9149

STANLEY STAR CONSTRUCTION

Is looking for the following positions:

2 tile layers Supervisor

One Jewelry

1 domestic worker To work 5 days contact: 231-0308

Barristers & Attorneys

PUBLIC NOTICE DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys are pleased to announce the re-opening of our Leeward Highway Office for ongoing legal services to the public. We are located in our own building across the street from the Supreme Court complex, next door to the offices of TC Weekly News and between that and the St. Monica's Anglican Church.

9113

We specialize in:

International Transfer Company Limited (C.A.M.) in the Turks and Caicos Islands) seeks to employ a

Transfer Clerk Applicants must ;; have at least one year’s experience as a Transfer Clerk ;; be willing to work on weekends and holidays ;; have basic knowledge of computers and good typing skills ;; have excellent communication skills ;;produce a clean Police Record

BELONGERS ONLY NEED APPLY Please send all application to: Stanfield Greene Graceway House, Building A, Suite 201 Leeward Highway, Providenciales

DUNCANSON & CO.

• Civil Litigation (Particular competencies: Judicial Review and other claims against TCI Government/Departments, Mareva and other Injunctions, Land, Trust & Bank disputes) • Property Matters, Planning Department & Development Issues • Business Law • Immigration Telephone: (649) 941-4444 Telefax: (649) 941-4235 Cellphone: (649) 245-1314 email: berynd@yahoo.com DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys

PO Box 52, Cheshire House East 1315A Leeward Highway, Providenciales 9105

36 CLASSIFIEDS

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

C&S

Bugaloos

THE WINDSONG RESORT

labourer

Room Attendants, Hostess, Bartenders, Waiters, Cook, and Front Desk Clerks

Waiter

drop resumes at the Front Desk

contact: 241-59222

Is looking for a

Must be able to clean and knock out conch must be able to clean and cut fish 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 242-5646

Is currently looking to fill the following positions:

9121

Acting on behalf of our clients MJ’s Restaurant is seeking a

To work shift work salary $5.00 per hour.

9120

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

is seeking the following person:

MAIDS/HELPER SUPERVISOR multitasking • Willing to work weekends and public holidays • Must have own vehicle and be willing to use vehicle to visit houses and shop for cleaning supplies • Be willing to run errands for houses • Salary $7.50 per hour

Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.

Is now ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A

FEMALE RUGBY DEVELOPMENT TEACHER TCIRFU is seeking a Competent Sports Minded Rugby Development Teacher for the TCIRFU to assist with a variety of tasks related to the field of Rugby. Successful Incumbent should have 10 years of Rugby experience Qualifications:

• Must have played or coached female rugby at a English or Irish provincial level (or equivalent) • Must be able to demonstrate a proven record in promoting rugby and have advanced skills in marketing and sports development Job includes:

9135

TCMillwork ltd.

Architectural woodworking, Cabinetry and Design South dock road, P.O. box 238, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Furniture Carpenter

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

Floral Designer

TCIRFU

ISLAND VILLA MANAGEMENT

Contact: Rhondda Collymore-Wilson Via email: Rhondda@islandvillatci.com Or fax; 649-9456-4085

Wanted urgently

Call: 231-3788

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

• With a minimum of 5 years supervisory experience • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and QuickBooks Pro • Excellent interpersonal sills and ability to work with little or no supervision • Well organized and good at

FLOWER GIRL

• Coordinating, Delivering and Promoting Rugby for Women within the different Islands of the Turks & Caicos • Offering coaching and supervision when appropriate • Working with Government bodies in relation to clubs and events • Working in partnership with school initiatives such as “active school” to encourage female participation in Rugby and organize parental involvement • Maintaining records and produce reports Salary will be $1500.00 per month

MALE RUGBY DEVELOPMENT TEACHER TCIRFU is seeking a Competent Sports Minded Development Teacher for the TCIRFU to assist with a variety of tasks related to the field of Rugby. Successful Incumbent should have 15 years of Rugby experience Qualifications:

• Holds a University Degree • Holds a level 1 or 2 Certificate with IRB (International Rugby Board) Job includes:

• • • •

Coordinating, Delivering and Promoting Rugby within the different Islands Offering coaching and supervision when appropriate Working with Government bodies in relation to clubs and events Working in partnership with school initiatives such as “active school” to encourage participation in Rugby and organize parental involvement • Maintaining records and produce reports Salary will be $1500.00 per month

Please forward resumes in confidence to

Human Resources Manager, TCIRFU Level 2, Le Vele Plaza, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI. Fax: (649) 941-3223

September 14 - 20, 2013

ALBERT HIGGS

is looking for a

laboUrer

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BOARD

To work 5 days per week salary $7.00 per hour.

contact: 243-7785

VACANCY FOR THE POSITION OF

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR – PROVIDENCIALES

Purpose Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.

Sky Pilot Parasail Ltd Is seeking a

Parasail Boat Captain

Contact-333-3000

Duties and Responsibilities:

9129

• Engineering of related solutions for various project and operation needs. • Install new/rebuild existing servers and configure hardware, peripherals, services, settings, directories, storage, etc. in accordance with standards and project/operational requirements. • Develop and maintain installation and configuration procedures. • Contribute to and maintain system standards. • Research and recommend innovative and where possible automated approaches for system administration tasks. Identify approaches that leverage NHIB resources. • Perform daily system monitoring, verifying the integrity and availability of all hardware, server resources, systems and keys processes, reviewing systems and application logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs. • Perform daily backup operations, ensuring all required file system data are successfully backed up to the appropriate media, recovery tapes or disks are created, and media is recycled and sent off as necessary. • Perform regular file archival and purge as necessary. • Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures in order to protect data, software, and hardware. • Active Directory User Management. • Provide technical support for the NHIB, investigate and troubleshoot both software and hardware issues. • Repair and recover from hardware or software failure. Maintain operational, configuration or other procedures. • Perform periodic performance reporting to support capacity planning • Maintain data center environmental and monitoring equipment • Responsibilities sometimes require working evenings and weekends, sometimes with little advance notice. • Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of NHIB.

9132

THOMAS HANDFIELD Is looking for a

Must have 5 years’ experience Must have a registered boat captain license. Salary $6.00 per hour.

To improve the operations of systems through technical research and development Scope: To overlook the flow of the entire operation of systems. This includes provisioning, supervising, installing, copying and maintaining the software and hardware of the system.

Ward’s Consultancy Acting on behalf of our clients: PJ’s Barber Shop, Villa Del Mar, Faces and Fingers is looking to fill the following positions:

Nail Technician Pool Attendant/ Maintenance Cosmetologist

Salary starting $6.00$7.00 per hour.

Contact: 345-7512

9152

domestic worker

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 231-1176

9146

Janitor/Handy Man Needed! Job Responsibilities/Requirements: - sweep shop floor - clean machinery - heavy lifting - gather and empty trash - clean shop vehicles - notify mangers of repairs needed - general maintenance of grounds - monitor building security and safety - follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners - assist when required by management Wages start at $5/hr Belongers need only apply.

Applicants should call Tibor's Machine Shop on 941-5802 or email resume to tibor@express.tc 9158

Manager

for Destination Management Company

Person specification • • • • • • • • •

CLASSIFIEDS 37

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Nila Destinations is looking for a highly professional, self motivated person with excellent staff management and event planning skills.

Bachelor degree, with a technical major such as computer science. Systems Administration/ System Engineer certification in Microsoft such as MCSA, MCSE. Four to six years Systems Administration experience Sound Knowledge of network cabling and Operative Systems and security of computer Networks. Very detail oriented with the ability to multi-task Show initiative Time management skills Ability to be able to work efficiently with little or no supervision

RESPONSIBILITIES • Managing of operational and fiscal activities including: agendas, budgets, pre and postevent evaluations, review and payment of event bills, maintenance of records of event aspects and financial details. • Consultation with customers: answer inquiries; determine objectives and requirements for events create estimates, programs, presentations and promotional material. • Negotiate contracts with hotels and service providers. Keep up to date data base with providers and services. • Staff management: hire and train staff, schedule staff work assignments, supervise staff on-site.

Salary

Salary will commensurate with qualifications and experience

SKILL REQUIREMENTS and Experience

Deadline for Submission is September 13, 2013.

• • • • • •

Previous Event and Staff Management experience Proven ability in developing/executing event logistics, accounting, budgeting Excellent communication, organizational and decision making skills Excellent multi tasking and problem solving ability Proven multi country and cultural experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Word & Excel, Power Point, Photoshop, Quick Books, FrontPage and basic web design skills. • Physical endurance as most events take place outdoors • Flexibility, working hours extend into evenings, weekends and public holidays

All Applications should be addressed to:

Chief Executive Officer National Health Insurance Board Salt Mills Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands British West Indies Email: recruitment@tcinhip.tc 9135

Please forward resume, passport photo and references to: Nila Destinations nila@ niladestinations.com or to Swann & Swann dtaylor@swannlaw.tc 9141

Entertainment

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

JK Rowling to pen Harry Potter spin-off film JK Rowling is to make her screenwriting debut in a new Harry Potter-themed film series, Warner Bros has announced. The first film of the series will be titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Warner Bros said the film series was part of an “expanded creative partnership” with the best-selling author. The eight Harry Potter films are the largest-grossing film franchise in history. The new film will feature Newt Scamander, the fictional author of the textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, owned by Harry Potter at Hogwarts school. Warner Bros has given no indication as to when the film could go into production. “It all started when Warner Bros came to me with the suggestion of turning Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them into a film,” said Rowling. “I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of Fantastic Beasts, realised by another writer

The next installment of the movie was expected out in 2015.

Pirates of the Caribbean 5 may not be released until 2016 Harry Potter is the largest-grossing film franchise in history

was difficult. “Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot about Newt. As hard-core Harry Potter fans will know, I liked him so much that I even married his grandson, Rolf, to one of my favourite characters from the Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood. She went on: “As I considered

Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros. “Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world.

Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves lead CMA nominations Taylor Swift and newcomer Kacey Musgraves lead the nominations for this year’s Country Music Association awards, with six nods each. They are both up for album of the year as well as best female vocalist alongside Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Swift is also nominated for entertainer of the year, up against last year’s winner Blake Shelton. Husband-and-wife singers Shelton and Lambert have five nods each. They will each be competing for their fourth consecutive wins in the male vocalist and female vocalist categories. Lambert is up for three awards as a solo artist and another two with her side-project country group, Pistol Annies. American Idol judge Keith Urban landed four nominations along with duo Florida Georgia Line. The new band are up for best musical event for the remix version of their hit Cruise featuring rapper Nelly. Bob Dylan has a nomination for single of the year for Wagon Wheel, a song written with Ketch Secor and performed by Darius Rucker.

ACCORDING to The Hollywood Reporter, the next chapter in Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” has been delayed past its intended 2015 release date. “We have an outline everyone loves,” producer Jerry Bruckheimer told THR. “But the script is not done.” This means that Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack and the rest of the Black Pearl crew may not hit the high seas until at least 2016. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” was set to be a big part of Disney’s summer 2015 release schedule along with its other potential blockbusters “Star Wars: Episode VII” and “The Avengers:

Age of Ultron.” However, after the box office failure of “The Lone Ranger” (another Depp/Bruckheimer vehicle), Disney is seemingly taking its time to make sure that the fifth “Pirates” adventure - with Depp reprising the role of everyone’s favorite rum-drunk captain - safely makes it out of port. “It’s all a factor,” Bruckheimer said when asked whether the potential price tag of the film was part of its delay. “We want a script that everyone’s signed off on and a budget that everyone’s signed off on.” Bruckheimer also went on to say that he’s hopeful that the film will be ready for summer of 2016.

Emily Blunt and her husband John Krasinski are expecting their first child. Taylor Swift has won seven CMA awards over her career.

Both Swift and Musgraves tweeted their happiness at their six nominations. Swift has received 21 CMA nods and won seven awards over her career, including two entertainer of the year awards. “What an excellent way to start the day. Thank you, guys. And thank you CMA,” she said. While Musgraves called it: “Six great reasons to get out of bed today... So grateful!!” Musgraves’s album, Same Trailer

Different Park, has been critically acclaimed for its gritty ballads about the darker side of life in small town America, not normally seen in country songs. It is her first album on a major label after releasing three albums independently. Swift’s album Red is her fourth studio album. It sold 1.2 million copies in its first week in the US. The CMA Awards are voted for by more than 7,000 members of the country music trade organisation.

Baby on the way for Emily Blunt and John Krasinski EMILY Blunt and John Krasinski will soon be a family of three. A rep for Blunt confirms that the 30-year-old actress is expecting her first child with husband John Krasinski. According to reports, the new addition could make his or her way into the world in just a few months. For Blunt and Krasinski, 33, adding to their family was always

part of the plan. The couple, who wed in 2010, both come from sizable families and looked forward to having kids. “We want to have children; I just don’t know when yet,” Blunt told Manhattan magazine last year. “I’m just not sure about the timing of all of that. We’re both from big families so I think it’s something we want.” (CNN)

September 14 - 20, 2013

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Nelson Mandela ‘no saint’ in new biopic Bob Odenkirk (right) stars as scheming lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad opposite Bryan Cranston.

Breaking Bad spin-off prequel announced US network AMC has announced a Breaking Bad spin-off prequel, based around the character of lawyer Saul Goodman. Better Call Saul will see Bob Odenkirk reprise his role as the crooked criminal lawyer in the onehour show, AMC and Sony Pictures said. It added the spin-off would “focus on the evolution” of the character before he came to represent crystal meth kingpin Walter White. AMC did not say when production was due to start or when the show would air. The title of the prequel is taken

from a season two episode of Breaking Bad where Walt and his business partner Jesse hire Goodman after seeing the lawyer’s TV commercial featuring the slogan, “Better Call Saul!”. With Goodman serving as the comic relief in the original series, the spin-off is expected to be more comedic than Breaking Bad. Creator Vince Gilligan first hinted at the possibility of a series centred around the scheming lawyer last year. “I think a Saul Goodman show could have great legs,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

A NEW screen biopic of Nelson Mandela does not shy away from the less flattering aspects of his character, according to its British star. “It was important we had both sides, the good and the bad,” said Idris Elba. Early scenes in Justin Chadwick’s film show Mandela as a womaniser who was violent to his first wife Evelyn. “I didn’t want to deface Mr Mandela in any way,” the Luther actor continued. “But I didn’t want to portray him in a way that wasn’t honest.” Elba was speaking at the Toronto Film Festival, where Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom had its world premiere this weekend. Based on the former South African president’s autobiography, the film charts his early life as a lawyer, his political activism and the 27 years of imprisonment that preceded his democratic election in 1994. Naomie Harris, also British, plays Mandela’s second wife Winnie in Justin Chadwick’s two-and-a-half hour drama. The film has had a mixed reception from critics, with one calling it “more dutifully reverential than revelatory or exciting”. “We’ve seen the saintly Mandela we all know and love,” continued Elba, who did not meet “Madiba” before embarking on the project. “It was important for us to take

The film is based on Nelson Mandela’s autobiography.

the audience on a journey prior to that and understand who he was.” The internationally revered antiapartheid campaigner, now 95, was released from hospital last week after three months of treatment for a recurring lung infection. “Like everybody I’ve been very concerned for his health but I’ve been keeping optimistic,” Elba told reporters on Sunday. According to Chadwick, the Hackney-born actor was the right person for the biopic despite being from England and bearing little physical resemblance to its subject. “There were other obvious

choices, but Idris was the brave choice,” said the director, whose other credits include the BBC’s 2005 dramatisation of Dickens’ Bleak House. “He doesn’t look like Madiba, but we weren’t going for a lookalike, soundalike version.” “Idris managed to capture the Mandela magic,” agreed Terry Pheto, the South African actress who plays Evelyn in the film. Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, David Harewood and Sidney Poitier are among the others to have portrayed the beloved statesman on film and television. (BBC)

Stewart accepts $500,000 offer for 15-minute chat

Jack Topping is an ambassador for the Save the Children charity.

Preteen Liverpool choirboy lands record deal AN 11-year-old choirboy from Liverpool has signed a deal with the record company that famously turned down The Beatles. Jack Topping is the youngest person to be signed by the Decca label and will release his debut album in November. The youngster, who is an ambassador for the Save The Children charity, was discovered while singing in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir. His Wonderful World album will feature two covers of Beatles songs. Jack will do versions of the Fab

Four’s Let It Be and The Long And Winding Road as well as Ave Maria, Pie Jesu, The Lord is My Shepherd and You’ll Never Walk Alone. Dickon Stainer, president of Decca Records, said: “He’s the Gareth Bale of choristers, a once in a generation talent.” His voice will also be heard on the Save the Children’s Christmas ad campaign song Tomorrow. Decca turned down The Beatles after auditioning them on New Year’s Day 1962, reportedly telling them guitar bands were on the way out. (BBC)

KRISTEN Stewart bankrolled $500,000 from an unnamed Middle Eastern prince for a good cause. Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein spilled the beans to reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 8 screening of “12.12.12,” the Hurricane Sandy benefit concert movie. According to Weinstein, the prince paid the large sum in order to spend 15 minutes with Stewart, reports Us Weekly. The “Twilight” star was intrigued with the offer and reportedly asked Weinstein how much the royal was offering, which led him to come to a pricey agreement with the prince in exchange for a chat with the 23-yearold actress. “And Kristen sits with the guy for 15 minutes,” Weinstein said of the deal he brokered, which was a substantial donation made to the Sandy relief effort. The unnamed prince forked over the dough in cash prior to meeting with Stewart at Madison Square Garden. But the half a million dollars proved to be a minimal donation in the total sum the benefit concert raised.

With the help of other A-list celebs like Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler,

Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen, the fundraiser raked in $30 million. (Nydailynews.com)

The prince reportedly paid $500,000 to chat with Kristen Stewart for 15 minutes. The money was donated to a Hurricane Sandy relief fund.

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Vaccine ‘clears HIV-like virus’ in monkeys A VACCINE for the monkey equivalent of HIV appears to eradicate the virus, a study suggests. Research published in the journal Nature has shown that vaccinated monkeys can clear Simian Immunodeficiency

Virus (SIV) infection from their bodies. It was effective in nine of the 16 monkeys that were inoculated. The US scientists say they now want to use a similar approach to test a vaccine for

HIV in humans. Prof Louis Picker, from the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, said: “It’s always tough to claim eradication - there could always be a cell which we

Senior Sales Leader If banking is your expertise and you possess dynamic leadership, strategic thinking and results focused abilities, then consider this executive opportunity with Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd. The Senior Sales Leader (SSL) is responsible for the profitable development and maintenance of retail banking business of a network of Branches in the Turks and Caicos and for contributing to the quality of the loan portfolio, ensuring adequate controls and procedures are in place to safeguard the bank’s assets. The SSL is to ensure the Bank’s high profile in the communities served and demonstrate a personal commitment to customer service, consistent with the Bank’s standards and procedures. Key accountabilities include: • Ensure the profitable development and maintenance of retail banking business through a network of branches • Participate in the growth of retail deposit business and contribute to Bank profitability • Develop and implement measures to ensure customer service is consistent with the Bank’s standards. • Contributes to the maximization of the Bank’s profitability • Contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the Bank’s image in the communities served by personal involvement in the social and professional life of the community and ensuring other senior officers do likewise. • Contribute to the ongoing development of the Bank by serving as a member of the Senior Management team participating in the development of the Bank policy and strategic direction. • Maximizing profitability by effectively controlling branch operations/expenditures. • Effectively managing and control the loan portfolios at an acceptable level of risk. • Ensuring that national and international compliance laws/requirements are implemented and sustained. Essential criteria needed for this role includes: • Minimum of 15 years experience with an International Bank with expert knowledge of commercial, retail and corporate policies, procedures and products. • Proven ability and experience to analyse complex financial transactions. • A solid track record in managing credit portfolio and negotiating with influential customers in a highly competitive environment. • Strong negotiation and problem resolution skills in connection with problem loan management. • Highly polished written and verbal communication skills. • Excellent leadership abilities to multi-task, organize and motivate teams to achieving overall success. • Strong marketing skills to develop/change strategies to meet and surpass business expectations. • Sound knowledge of the rules and regulations imposed by FSC as well as local legislation and the ability to interpret these laws. • Ability to independently, and with the support of direct reports and team members, develop the necessary sales management disciplines required to drive and sustain the sales and service culture. • Sound knowledge of the retail business environment, customer trends and their implications within the financial service industry. If this opportunity sounds challenging and exciting, we invite you to forward your resume/ application to us. Scotiabank offers an attractive salary/benefits package and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

up to 100 times more deadly than HIV. Infected monkeys usually die within two years, but in some inoculated primates the virus did not take hold. The vaccine is based on another virus called

Property Management Summary

The Property Manager is responsible for the general operation, maintenance and record keeping of at least one property, but typically several, which are part of the company’s management portfolio, reporting to the General Manager on a regular basis. Duties associated with this role include lease negotiation, marketing, bookkeeping, landscape management as well as all tasks associated with co-ordination of property maintenance, repairs, regulations and inspections. As such mandatory experience for this role includes a minimum of 10 years’ experience in business accounting, along with several years of each, team management, contractor co-ordination, real estate management and landscaping management. Successful individuals working in this role generally possess a diverse skill-set including the ability to negotiate, build relationships, manage records, attract tenants and coordinate with contractors. Additionally, they should have sound knowledge of real estate, business and financial proceedings.

Description

The Property Manager is expected to handle a number of responsibilities on a day to day basis covering a range of administrative functions. They also will be required to visit the locations they are in charge of, traveling by boat/ferry across all islands in the country to ensure that properties are being properly maintained and all equipment fixed and issues resolved in a timely manner. They are expected to take prospective clients on tours of the properties, prepare agreements and ensure required services are connected. The Property Manager role can be very demanding and the necessary skills are required to handle any problems that may occur. They are also required to have excellent people skills and make not only their clients feel comfortable, but to report regularly to Property owners on all pertinent aspects of the property rental.

Skills

• Accounting and Finance background (extensive), with the ability to use QuickBooks and Excel to provide at least monthly reporting to company management and property owners as required. • Administrative skills and demonstrable attention to details. • Communication and negotiation skills dealing with property owners in contract preparation, leasing arrangements and other reporting requirements. • Real Estate background with understanding of property leasing, previous work with maintenance and construction contractors and the ability to identify and resolve issues in extremely prompt fashion (our clients can be paying $1,000's per night and EVERYTHING must work all the time). • Experience in Landscape management of at least several years, knowledge of plant types, environmental suitability and health. Again some of our properties have individual plants worth in excess of $10-15,000, it's the responsibility of the Property Manager to ensure correct irrigation/feeding and maintenance of these valuable assets of our clients. • Ability to work flexible hours and extended periods, we have a season that can be very busy, the Property Manager is expected to be available to clients 24/7 when they are in-residence, position is a salaried position and after hours work is expected. • Being positive and encouraging to co-workers and contractors, being courteous to clients.

Education

Please submit applications no later than Tuesday September 17, 2013 to:

Lynette Grant-Higgs –Manager Human Resources Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd Providenciales, TCI E-mail: lyne

didn’t analyse that has the virus in it. But for the most part, with very stringent criteria... there was no virus left in the body of these monkeys.” The research team looked at an aggressive form of virus called SIVmac239, which is

cytomegalovirus (CMV), which belongs to the herpes family. It used the infectious power of CMV to sweep throughout the body. But instead of causing disease, it has been modified to spur the immune system into action to fight off the SIV molecules.

Knowledge and proven experience of management, accounting, real estate, landscaping, construction and repairs are mandatory, an extensive health and safety knowledge, along with first aid training is also favored.

Contact: Ian@trail or tracey@trail.tc 9417786 9140

9131

September 14 - 20, 2013

Sports Interational

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Mayweather will beat Alvarez – Hatton FLOYD Mayweather will beat Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas on 14 September, according to the American’s old foe Ricky Hatton. Mayweather, 36, is a five-weight world champion and has not lost in 44 pro fights, while Mexican Alvarez, 23, is unbeaten in 43 paid encounters. The fight at the MGM Grand is for the WBC and WBA lightmiddleweight titles. “Alvarez is younger, bigger and stronger but Floyd will have the speed and movement to keep out of the way,” said ex-world champion Hatton, 34. “He will be Floyd’s toughest fight, because Floyd is getting on a bit. Having said that, he lives the life and looks after his body. “He’s also a master of defence so he hasn’t been in too many wars, and there aren’t too many miles on the clock, despite his age. “Floyd will make Alvarez miss and any boxer will tell you that there’s nothing that tires you out more than hitting fresh air continually.” Mayweather inflicted a first defeat on Hatton in 2007, stopping the Manchester fighter, now a promoter, in the 10th round, and has rarely been taken to the limit in his 17-year professional career. But one man who did push him close, at least on the judges’

Floyd Mayweather is considered the best in the sport today and against Saul Alvarez he should triumph.

scorecards, was fellow American Oscar de la Hoya, beaten by Mayweather on a split decision in 2007. De la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions has a long-standing relationship with Mayweather but the firm’s 40-year-old founder is something of a mentor to Alvarez, with whom he shares Mexican heritage. And the six-weight world champion is backing Alvarez to beat Mayweather and usher in a new era in boxing. “One thing Saul has that people are underestimating is power. He can knock you out with either hand,” De la Hoya told BBC Sport.

“But he also has speed and good footwork and is very mature for his age. “I was very surprised when he beat Austin Trout [on points in April to add the WBA light-middleweight title to his WBC crown]. He boxed a boxer and was able to beat him with ease. “Austin Trout is no Floyd Mayweather but Floyd is 36 and Saul is 23, so will be it be passing of the torch come 14 September? I believe so.” Mayweather is being paid an estimated £29.1m, taking his earnings for the year to approximately £60m, with Alvarez set to earn about £6.4m. (BBC)

Illegal play sends Cape Verde’s World Cup dreams crashing CAPE Verde has seen its hopes of qualifying for a first football World Cup dashed after the sport’s global governing body FIFA punished the African country for fielding a suspended player. FIFA ruled on Thursday that Cape Verde’s Fernando Varela had played in a qualifying match while serving a suspension for unsporting conduct. Varela played in a match against Tunisia in September which Cape Verde won 2-0. The result has now been officially reclassified as a 3-0 win for Tunisia. The decision means Tunisia have finished above Cape Verde in African qualifying Group B and will take its place in the forthcoming playoff matches to decide which five teams from the continent will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “By means of a telephone conference, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has today taken a decision to sanction the Cape Verdean Football Association (FCF) for fielding an ineligible player,”

England are now rated as number 17.

England drop to 12-year low in FIFA rankings ENGLAND have dropped to 17th in September’s FIFA world rankings, their lowest position for 12 years. The fall of three places puts them in a slot they have not occupied since the aftermath of Kevin Keegan’s tenure. Despite a quarter-final exit at Euro 2012, Roy Hodgson’s side reached third in August last year - an all-time high. Wales are 52nd, the Republic of Ireland 59th, Scotland 63rd, all having slipped further down the list, while Northern Ireland rose 23 places to 86th. The Northern Irish improvement is particularly ironic given their ignominious 3-2 defeat this week by

Luxembourg, who sit 127th in the rankings and whose last home World Cup qualifying victory had been in 1972. Spain - who won the last two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup - have now held top spot in the table since September 2011, while Argentina moved up two places to second. Uruguay have jumped into the top 10 after rising five positions to seventh. Belgium’s rise continued as they moved up to sixth - a four-place improvement - but the biggest climbers of all inside the top 20 were the USA, who leapt from 19th to 13th. (BBC)

Hayley Turner had recently returned after breaking an ankle in July. Cape Verde have never qualified for the World Cup, football’s most prestigious competition.

read a FIFA statement. “The match has been declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favor of Tunisia, meaning that the Cape Verde Islands will not progress to round three of the FIFA World Cup African zone qualifiers having dropped to second place in Group B with nine points while Tunisia finish first with 14 points and will now

advance.” The decision is a major blow for Cape Verde, which has only ever played in one major international tournament. The Blue Sharks qualified for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarterfinals in South Africa before losing to Ghana. (CNN)

Britain’s leading female jockey suffers fall at Doncaster Britain’s leading female jockey Hayley Turner appears to have escaped serious injury after suffering a heavy fall on Seal Of Approval at Doncaster. The 30-year-old, who recently returned after breaking an ankle

in July, was thrown to the ground when her mount clipped the heels of another horse. Turner received immediate medical attention before being taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Sports Interational

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

Bach is first German IOC president GERMAN Thomas Bach was elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in succession to Jacques Rogge following a ballot of 94 members of the IOC in Buenos Aires Tuesday. Bach won on the second round of voting, beating off the challenge of five other contenders for the top job in the Olympic organisation. He has been elected for an initial eight year term to succeed the 71-year-old Rogge, who has stepped down after 12 years in charge. Bach paid tribute to Rogge as he addressed IOC members following his election. “You are leaving a great legacy and a strong foundation on which we can continue to build the future of the IOC,” he said. “This is an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence,” added Bach, who is the ninth president in the 119year history of the IOC. Ukrainian athletics great Sergey Bubka, Singapore’s Ng Ser Miang, Wu Ching-Kuo of Taiwan, Switzerland’s Denis Oswald and Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico were the unsuccessful candidates. Bach achieved a majority in the second round by polling 49 votes. Carrion was the next best with 29.

Mesut Ozil feels that Arsenal can win the Premier League, but admitted that it would be no easy task. Thomas Bach is the ninth president in the 119-year history of the IOC.

Former world pole vault champion Bubka received just four. “I want to win your confidence too,” said Bach, referring to his beaten opponents. “I know of the great responsibility of being president of the IOC.” The 59-year-old Bach is a lawyer by profession, but represented West Germany at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, winning a gold medal in fencing’s foil discipline. He was one of four IOC vicepresidents, having been a member since 1991, serving during this period on the anti-doping commission. An outspoken critic of doping, Bach commissioned an academic

report, published in July, which alleged that like their East German neighbors, West German athletes had also been involved in malpractice during the Cold War and before the unification of the two countries. His first task in succeeding Rogge will be to steer the IOC through the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, which has been dogged by Russia’s new anti-gay legislation, concerns over budget and fears of warm weather. Under rules adopted in by the IOC in 1999, which ended lifetime terms for its delegates and presidents, Bach will initially serve for eight years, with the possibility of one further term of four years. (CNN)

Arsenal can win Premier League – Ozil NEW signing Mesut Ozil says Arsenal can win the Premier League this season. The 24-year-old Germany midfielder was a £42.4m recruit from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day. Asked on Thursday if he thought the Gunners could challenge for the title, he responded: “Of course. “I know the team, I know that talent we have here and I think every player wants to be successful. It will be difficult because this is the strongest league in the world.” Ozil, who is Arsenal’s record signing, could feature for his new

team when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. “I have watched a lot of Premier League games,” he said. “It is very physical here but I am really glad to play in the best league in the world. “I want to prove myself in England and I look forward to playing here. I know I will prove myself here.” He added: “We want to play offensive and good football. To keep clean sheets and play attractive football. “I can’t promise to win trophies but I can promise as a team we will give our all to achieve this.” (BBC)

Williams ‘having fun’ after 11 months of ‘hell’ TWO years after losing part of her lung during an operation to remove a life-threatening blood clot, newlycrowned U.S. Open champion Serena Williams insists playing tennis “is just fun now.” The world No. 1’s battle-weary opponents might not be having so much fun after Williams successfully defended the Flushing Meadows title she won in 2012 against the same opponent, beating second seed Victoria Azarenka 7-5 6-7 6-1 to secure her fifth singles championship in New York. It is a far cry from where the now 17-time grand slam singles champion was in July 2010 when she suffered a cut to her right foot and was later diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism which left her on her death bed. That 11 months of “hell” culminated in her descent to No. 175 in the world rankings in July 2011. Since then four grand slams have been won by Williams during a truly dominant 14-month spell. One more major triumph would see her sit level with legendary compatriots Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in fourth position on the list of the most prolific female grand slam champions of all time. “It was the toughest thing I’ve

Asafa Powell was tested positive for oxilofrine at the Jamaican national trials.

Powell’s B sample shows ‘adverse analytical finding’ Serena Williams is the most dominant female player in the sport.

been through in my life,” the 31-year-old told CNN. “One thing kept happening after another, blood clots in both of my lungs, I lost part of my lung, I had to retrain. I don’t have two full lungs anymore. “You go through this stage of thinking, ‘Why does all of this keep happening.’ It was really 11 months of hell. “When I’m on that court and I’m facing opponents, I feel like I’ve faced so many tougher opponents

that this is just fun now.” Williams’ lung problems only became obvious when she was rushed into hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties en route to an Oscars party in March 2011. “Being in the emergency room and being in hospital for all of that time, not knowing if I would ever pick up a racket again, not even caring, just wanting to be healthy,” recalled Williams. “That was a tough time for me.”

ASAFA Powell is among five Jamaican athletes whose B samples have shown an “adverse analytical finding” after they failed drugs tests in June. Former 100m world record holder Powell tested positive for oxilofrine at the Jamaican national trials. Olympic medallist Sherone Simpson, discus throwers Allison Randall and Travis Smikle and a junior also failed tests at the trials. The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission said the B samples were tested in Canada. The findings will now go before an independent body for further consideration prior to disciplinary hearings.

A Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (Jadco) statement, released through the Jamaica Information Service, said it had “received results from the Wadaaccredited [World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited] laboratory in Montreal, Canada”. It said those results “confirmed the prohibited substances which were identified in the A sample analyses for the five athletes who were tested at the National Junior and Senior Championships in June 2013”. “All athletes have been notified and have acknowledged receipt of their Notification Letters of an Adverse Analytical Finding for a B Sample,” it continued.

September 14 - 20, 2013

Sports Interational

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Raikkonen set to make Ferrari return in 2014

The victory was Nadal’s 13th grand slam title.

Nadal beats Djokovic to win U.S. Open RAFAEL Nadal is back. After battling a knee injury which threatened to derail his glittering career, the Spaniard is back on track and back on top following a 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 win over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final. The second seed recovered from losing the second set and emerged victorious from an energy-sapping third to win his 13th grand slam and his 22nd consecutive hard-court match. The Mallorcan, who added the Flushing Meadows title to the French Open crown he clinched earlier this year, now trails only Pete Sampras (14) and his great rival Roger Federer (17) in the list of alltime major winners.

He also now holds a significant lead over Djokovic in the race to end 2013 at the top of the world rankings. Not bad for a player whose ability to compete at the highest level was called into question in June after a straight-sets defeat to 135th-ranked Steve Darcis in the first round of Wimbledon. “I never thought something like this could happen, I’m so excited to be back on tour trying to be competitive,” Nadal told the U.S. Open’s official website after avenging his final defeat to Djokovic in the 2011 final. “But I never thought about competing for what I have competed for this year, all the Masters 1000s, two grand slams ... so it is just more than a dream for me.

De La Hoya returns to rehab BOXING great Oscar De La Hoya says he’s back in rehab. It’s not the first stint in rehab for De La Hoya, 40, who has previously spoken about problems with drug and alcohol abuse. The world-champion boxer announced he had entered treatment just days before Canelo Alvarez, who De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions represents, is set to square off against Floyd Mayweather. “Canelo Alvarez and I have big fights coming up this weekend. His is in the ring and mine in treatment,” De La Hoya said in a written statement Tuesday. “I will not be at the fight to cheer Canelo to victory since I have voluntarily admitted myself into a treatment facility.” He said he had explained the situation to Alvarez. “He understood that my health and longterm recovery from my

The former boxing great had previously spoken about problems with drugs and alcohol abuse.

disease must come first,” De La Hoya said. “Thank you for your understanding. I ask for your support and privacy during this difficult time for me and my family.” (CNN)

THE Iceman has returned to fire up Ferrari. The legendary Formula One team has re-signed Finn Kimi Raikkonen to partner Fernando Alonso in 2014. The Italian marque is replacing Brazilian Felipe Massa with its 2007 world champion as it seeks to end an era of Red Bull dominance. “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen,” read a statement on the team’s official website. “The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver lineup for the next two racing seasons.” Raikkonen spoke of his pleasure at returning to the team which had employed him between 2007 and 2009. “I am really happy to be returning to Maranello where I previously spent three fantastic and very successful years,” Raikkonen said. “I have so many memories of my time at Ferrari, memories which have stayed with me these past years. “I can’t wait to be driving a Prancing Horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links.” Ferrari will be the only team to race two world champions next

Kimi Raikkonen will team with Fernando Alonso in 2014.

season, making it the most potent, but potentially risky, pairing on the grid. Commenting on his new teammate, Alonso said: “I’d like to welcome my new traveling companion: together, starting next year, we will have to tackle a very demanding technical and racing challenge.” Raikkonen added that he considered the Spanish double world champion, “a great driver.” Ferrari released Raikkonen in 2009 -- ending his multimilliondollar contract a year early -- to make way for Alonso as its number

one driver alongside Massa. Description: http://i.cdn.turner. com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bttn_ close.gif Raikkonen said at the time he was “very sad” to leave Ferrari and he immediately quit F1 to pursue rallying. That backdrop feeds a fascinating dynamic between Raikkonen and Alonso as they work together as teammates next season. Pairing Alonso with another ambitious and capable driver is a risk -- a problem McLaren had to face when it signed the Spaniard alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2007.

Wiggins considered 2012 Tour de France withdrawal

BRADLEY Wiggins considered pulling out of the Tour de France before going on to win in 2012, according to former Team Sky sports director Sean Yates. Wiggins, who was Sky team leader, saw team-mate Chris Froome, this year’s champion, launch an unplanned attack in the closing stages of stage 11. Yates’ book, serialised in the Times, claims Wiggins, 33, suggested in a text he was contemplating quitting. Yates said Wiggins wrote: “I think it’d be better for everyone if I went home.” Yates - whose job was to run things for Sky from the team car during a stage - said he and Team Sky general manager Sir Dave Brailsford had to talk Wiggins into remaining in the race, which he eventually won to become the first British man to win the Tour de France, with Froome coming home in second. Wiggins felt “stabbed in the back” by Froome, according to Yates. Sky had an agreement Froome would only attack in the final 500

Wiggins did not see eye-to-eye with a teammate.

metres and when he pulled away from Wiggins with four kilometres to go, his team ordered him to drop back to help his team leader. Yates, who left Team Sky and retired from the sport in October 2012, added Wiggins “couldn’t understand why [Froome] had gone back on the agreement, especially

when everything was going so well”. “His mental state was always fragile, and that psychological blow could have been a knockout one,” Yates wrote. Wiggins and Froome have both been named in Great Britain’s longlist squad for September’s Road World Championships. (BBC)

Sports National

September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Victor Ubogu delivers a heartfelt speech during the 2013 President’s Dinner.

Ubogu tells youngsters to balance books and rugby Rulay finished the regular season with eight wins and three losses.

Provo Fast Pitch Softball League:

Rulay start Playoffs with win over Flyers RULAY have won their opening game in their best-in-five Playoffs series against the Flyers. The game proved a close battle with the second best regular season team, Rulay, edging home 8-7.

Kia Katz, the regular season winners, whipped the Predators 15-0 in their first Playoff game recently. In the male division Miami Kischo took first place at the end of the regular season ahead of defending

champions Silver Deep. Both teams were however successful in their opening playoff games with Kischo defeating the fourth place Braves and Silver Deep getting past Discount Tigers.

FORMER English Rugby prop Victor Ubogu told TCI U-19 players that hard work leads athletes in the right direction. Obogu made the heartfelt speech at last Saturday’s President’s Dinner. The Nigerian born, told the youngsters that the only way to make it to the top was through hard work and that it applied for the rugby field and the classroom. Ubogu attended Oxford University so he had a first-hand experience in balancing sports and academics. The visiting superstar also spoke about his transition from Lagos, Nigeria to the UK where he became involved in a very successful Bath Rugby Club during the 1990s before

he went on to win 24 English caps. A release from the local body, the TCIRFU, stated that it was delighted to have a player of Victor Ubogu’s calibre visit the TCI which continues the long tradition of famous former players being guest speakers at the President’s Dinners. “The TCIRFU is also grateful to him putting in the additional time and conducting training courses with the young players as well as helping the senior men’s and women’s sides in their preparation for the Cayman Islands in November this year.” This year’s President’s Dinner was a great success and with a record turnout everyone had a great time on the night.

Josh for Sports

Becoming a sprinter JUST about most track and field athlete would love to be considered the fastest in their respective class/ category. The sprint events are considered the varying distances between 50M-300M. These are the shortest distances contended in a track meet. The 100M in particular is considered the most prestigious and glorious event in any track meet. LIGHTNING BOLT A typical example of the aforementioned facts is Usain Bolt who is considered the world’s fastest human because he holds the Olympic and World records in the 100M and the 200M. Mr. Bolt runs about 27 mph. His

By Joshua Gardiner 100M world’s record is 9.58s. His 200M record is 19.19s, that record averages out to basically 8.6s per each 100M. To top that off the man stands 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in).

A TCI COMPARISON IN THE MAKING At the recently concluded Jr. Pan Am Games in Colombia our young athlete by the name of Courtney Missick ran 22.80s (PB) in the 200M. What was exceptional is that Missick is just 15 years old. Even though that time is not superimpressive, it is an encouraging indication of his potential since he is relatively tall and could grow to a reasonable height. I think with proper guidance he can be a force to be reckoned with in the future. I feel he can become a 400M champion. ON THE WAY Sprinting demands that a runner goes as hard as he or she can for the entire race. Speed is the primary

ingredient. A fast runner can run faster when he practices how to start and run hard right through to the tape. It is the speed of the arms and the legs that tells how fast a runner might be. The more steps a runner can take per second the faster he will run. It is a fact that to become a good sprinter, a runner must be able to take at least four and a half steps per seconds. This is called “Natural Muscle Speed” and it is the starting point for every sprinter. If a runner does not have enough muscle speed, he should think more about middle or long distance running. Once a coach begins work with a good natural sprinter, the sprinter will start to improve his technique. Many fast runners don’t know how

to sprint. Their running forms have many wasted moments which impede their speed. The coach’s job is to work on eliminating these wasted motions. After correcting this deficiency the coach now concentrates on making the right movements smoother and stronger. To begin with the runner runs on the ball of his feet. This is why a sprinter’s shoe has spikes only on the soul and not on the heels. A sprinter’s strides should not be too short or too long. An overlong stride will tire him quickly. Too short choppy strides will not cover the ground quickly enough. The coach will be able to determine the right stride.

September 14 - 20, 2013

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

French and Anderson win TCIRFU Player of the Year awards BARBARA Anderson’s and Neil French’s outstanding seasons with the male and female teams have resulted in them finishing the rugby year with the top awards. At last Saturday’s TCIRFU President’s Dinner, the top performers for the last playing year received their recognition and French and Anderson were at the helm after winning the male and female Player of the Year awards. Both individuals, as the other recipients, were first time winners. This year the TCIRFU also introduced the Best New Rugby Player awards (male and female) and also re-introduced the club member of the year award, which has been dormant for a few years. Andrew Seymour was voted as the MVP in the U-19 division, while Paul McKenzie and Lucy Katan won most improved male and female players respectively.

Other individual winners included: Lynden Hall and Ashley Modeste who won the Best New Rugby Player awards in the male and female divisions. Fraser Dodds was also honoured with a Member of the Year award for his exceptional performance during the Jamaican game and as a referee. Honourable mentions also went to: Josh Walker (U19s), Joe Lemoine (Jamaica game), John Stevenson (Jamaica game) and James Hamilton (Rugby Ryder Cup and President’s Dinner). TEAM CATEGORY The Wahoos (Summer Tag League), the BCQS Jolly Ranchers (Autumn Tag League), the PWC Hurricanes RFC (Heineken Sevens) and the North Caicos Ospreys RFC (Garam Masala Club Rugby Championships) were all rewarded for their outstanding performances.

Delano Williams in his UK athletic kit prior to the switch to Nike.

Williams signs four-year contract with Nike TCI born Delano Williams has reportedly signed a four-year contract with powerhouse sponsors Nike. The World Junior 200M champion disclosed the signing to the Weekly News recently, although he said the details of the contract are “confidential”. Williams, who now runs for Great Britain, indicates that the contract entails him to wear “straight Nike: casual and sportswear from head to

toe.” Williams said the contract’s “benefits are amazing”. The contract will expire in 2016. Williams is not the only British athlete to sign on with Nike, the global sponsors have signed onto the Britain’s track and field team after taking over from Adidas who supplied the official GB kit since 2005. Details of that contract are also confidential.

TCIRFU’s Club captain Sean O’Neill (left) and visiting superstar Victor Ubogu (right) pose with the 2013 Player of the Year winners: Barbara Anderson (second from left) and Neil French (second from right).

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013

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September 14 - 20, 2013

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 14 - 20, 2013