TCWN Sept 27 - Oct 3, 2014

Weekly News Mystery Volume 28 | No. 39 | September 27 - October 3, 2014

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Turks and Caicos

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the national newspaper of the turks and caicos islands

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of missing

millions

In a stunning revelation this past Monday (September 22) the Minister of Finance told the House of Assembly that the $2 million his Government had requested to be written off a year ago, does not in fact exist.

PAGE  5 Governor Peter Beckingham and a newly sworn-in Chief Justice, Margaret Ramsay-Hale PAGE 

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New Chief Justice promises revamped court system PPP leader accuses deputy of lying, slandering the party’s good name PAGE  5

Water Cay up for sale for $60m

PAGE  4

Basketball superstar hits Five PAGE Cays  16

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Water Cay up for sale for $60m A HUGE 435 acre plot of land on the beautiful and secluded island of Water Cay to the east of Providenciales is up for sale for $60 million.

The former Crown land features 7,000 feet of northern beach and neighbours the uninhabited Half Moon Bay and Little Water Cay to the west and the sparsely populated Pine Cay to the east.

It is being sold by luxury real estate agents Sotheby’s International Realty who on their website call it “perhaps the finest private island opportunity in the Caribbean”.

“Long admired and coveted by residents, tourists, investors and developers, Water Cay is now available for sale to investors and developers prepared to move quickly.”

The website goes on to describe the cay as the closest and most easily accessible private island in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Just a five minute boat ride from Leeward Channel Marina, with a dedicated dock location secured.

“The glorious Water Cay beaches, waters and their surroundings have been the subject of many a prized photograph and superlative throughout the years,” the site reads.

“The gentle and rolling ridge line along the north shore and other areas of the cay provide the perfect foundation for luxury to ultra-luxury

development.

“This two mile long ecological wonder boasts a striking shoreline, with jaw dropping beaches, sandy cliffs, crystalline waters, gentle elevations, indigenous palmettos, southern flats, and adjacent Half Moon Bay, Little Water Cay (Iguana Island).

“It has long been admired for its beauty and easy access - truly the best of two worlds.”

The southern and eastern boundaries of Water Cay are mangrove wetlands tidal flats featuring world class bone fishing and eco-exploring.

The TCI has recently experienced a real estate revival with huge investor and developer activity.

The outer islands in particular have seen increased activity with the revitalisation of the West Caicos Molasses Reef project, the launch of the Villas at Great House on South Caicos, the sale of Joe Grant’s Cay, new development on Grand Turk as well as substantial interest in reigniting the Dellis Cay project.

In addition to this activity, real estate sales are significantly increasing on South Caicos, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay. The news of a potential Water Cay sale has met mixed responses across the country with some digging in their pockets to find the cash while others are sad to lose the peaceful public retreat.

Water Cay is a stunning secluded island to the east of Providenciales (photo from sothebysrealty.com)

A huge 435 acres of land is being sold on Water Cay (plan from sothebysrealty.com)

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

The beach on Water Cay is often visited by tourists during island hopping expeditions (photo from sothebysrealty.com)

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

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Money asked to be written off last year does not exist, parliament hears

By Delana Isles IN A stunning revelation this past Monday (September 22) the Minister of Finance told the House of Assembly that the $2 million his Government had requested to be written off a year ago, does not in fact exist.

The minister, Washington Misick, was at the time responding to a question from Josephine Connolly, the Deputy Speaker of the House and elected member of the PDM. In September last year, the minister had taken a motion to parliament for $5 million to be written off.

Of this amount, $2,476,900.07 was for bank balances at the British Caribbean Bank (BCB).

The minister subsequently pulled the motion from consideration in the house when it received intense opposition.

On Monday he told the house: “I am advised that having received the necessary statements from BCB, the account has now been reconciled and there are no balances to be written off.

“As I indicated when the issue came up about balances to be written off that there was need to have the account reconciled.

“Reconciliation has since been done and the appropriate journal entry has been passed.

“So there is no amount to be written off because it didn’t exist in the first place. Thanks.”

Although this response is stunning

in itself, as no mention has been made of the erstwhile motion since last year, no supplementary questions were asked by any member of the house.

However, Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson told the Weekly News on Thursday that the matter would not end with the minister’s response.

She said the Public Accounts Committee, of which she is the chair, would be looking into it when they next meet.

“They should have done their homework in the first place; they needed to have made sure that they reconciled the account and that everything was in order,” she added.

This position was strongly suggested when the motion was first brought, and led to the minister

PPP leader accuses deputy of lying, slandering the party’s good name LEADER of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Edward Smith has unequivocally stated that Dorell Pratt Delancy does not have the authority to speak on certain issues in the local press.

Dr Smith’s statement came on the heels of an interview Delancy conducted with a television station in which she made certain assertions, which the party leader considers “very self-serving and truly divisive”.

In a statement to various media houses on Monday (September 22), he said that Delancy was acting without legal capacity and authority, when she presumed to present herself in the capacity of spokesperson for the PPP. Dr.Smith stated: “Mrs Dorell Pratt Delancy alluded to possible party name change, which was untruth.

“Dorell Pratt Delancy alluded to possible party selecting shadow electoral candidates, which too, was untruth.

“Not only is Mrs Dorell Pratt Delancy speaking without legal capacity and authority, she spoke out of turn, and has with much contempt, gravely misinformed

subsequently pulling the item from the house.

“Our position was not that we knew there would be any amount or not, but the fact that if you don’t have all the information before you, do not make a hasty decision,” Cartwright Robinson stated.

She said she is still somewhat surprised because during the committee meetings the members were made aware that the amount to be written off maybe less than the $2 million initially asked.

“So of course we are shocked by the minister’s response that it has been reconciled,” she added.

“At the end of the day when the committee resumes, we will be looking into it further.”

The party leader added that previously the public accounts committee had recommended that there be proper and efficient reconciliation of accounts, balances and advances.

This has been in a deplorable state, as evidenced by the submissions

made to the committee on several occasions by accounting officers.

“But it is unbelievable; they are not going to get by it at all, I’m just surprised that there was nothing in the beginning to be written off,” Cartwright Robinson stated.

During the debate of Misick’s motion last year the Opposition leader had expressed her surprise that it was made, as neither the committee nor the Accountant General were in a position to determine what money was recoverable versus what was irrecoverable.

Neither did they make a determination that any amount of money should be written off.

“If you have a position from the Accountant General and from audit that it is satisfied, then we are fine with that.

“We are not saying it is recoverable or irrecoverable, we are saying we do not have information, and from where we sit, we were told their exercise was incomplete,” she told the house last year.

Haitian sloop intercepted in TCI waters

Leader of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Edward Smith

PPP Deputy Leader, Dorell Pratt Delancy

the public at large with malicious mis-statements; and now have caused severe harm to the good name and mission of the PPP.” He went on to state that by virtue of him being the leader, he is the PPP’s spokesperson.

As such, all supporters and the public are being advised that the news story on the television station, is “unequivocally a total fabrication of the imagination of Mrs Dorell Pratt Delancy only, and that no such actions have taken place, and that the leadership of the PPP is indeed, intact.”

He added that the PPP continues on its mission to represent the good people of the TCI, with the greatest resolve and intent.

The Weekly News was promised an interview with Delancy on Monday; however, she did not show up.

In a brief telephone conversation on Tuesday, Delancy said she had since spoken with the party leader and will get back to the media later.

Up to press time, Delancy could not be contacted. (Delana Isles)

A SLOOP carrying 57 passengers was intercepted by the police marine division early on Saturday morning.

The vessel was captured following a report passed to the police by immigration staff at the Government’s coastal radar station.

A total of 43 men, 12 women, one child and one infant from Haiti were detained at about 2.53am, according to a Government press release.

All police assets and officers returned safely to the marine base and the detainees were processed by health and immigration officials.

They were deported at the earliest opportunity.

In April following several sloop arrivals Governor Peter Beckingham told press: “It is very sad that illegal immigrants are still putting themselves in peril to try and reach the shores of the Turks and Caicos Islands in this way.”

He went on to encourage the Haitian authorities to do all that they can to stop “this dangerous and illegal trade”.

“It is exacting too high a price

in Haitian lives and TCI public spending.”

He added that discussions continue on the creation of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries which may prevent further incidents.

Last year a wooden vessel capsized off the south coast of Providenciales in the early hours of Christmas morning as marine police towed it to shore, tipping dozens of people into the sea.

Thirty-three people made it safely to shore but sadly 17 men and women drowned before rescuers could reach them.

A police investigation into the sloop tragedy which left Haitian migrants dead has not yet been completed – despite promises to publish it in April.

Anyone with any information on pending sloop arrivals or the location of illegal immigrants can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477 or use the Crimestoppers online reporting page www. crimestoppers.tc.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

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

Multi island causeway

THE GOVERNMENT is in talks with “many potential investors” over a project to create a causeway linking all of the Caicos Islands.

The massive undertaking will see a road built between Providenciales, North, Middle, East and South Caicos.

What are your thoughts on this project?

Create jobs

This is a great idea for a number of reasons!

First, it would create a considerable number of jobs for a number of years.

Second, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ principal source of wealth is our unique tourism product.

We have just about reached the limit of growth on Provo for the low density, high quality tourism we are widely known for.

The only efficient way to develop North, East and South Caicos is to link them together with Provo.

It would take too many years to independently develop the other islands.

There still are two almost derelict condo developments on North Caicos that failed simply because of a lack of profitable facilities on the island to support activities that tourists

want.

The causeway could be developed in stages by a public, private project (PPP) approach that would help reduce the project cost.

Subsidise airlines

It would be a way better and cheaper option to subsidise the existing airlines to increase their flights to those destinations.

The roads will kill the ‘secluded’ characteristics of those islands which is the main reason why those islands attract tourism.

Promote tourism

That would be an awesome way to promote tourism in the other islands. And the benefit for locals is travelling between islands will become easier.

Cold Case Unit to be revitalised UNSOLVED crimes will be re-examined thanks to the appointment of a dedicated Cold Case Unit officer.

Inspector Daniel Miller previously worked with TCI police as the officer in charge of the Case File Quality Assurance Unit.

He has been reinstated and will now be responsible for purely the examination of unsolved cases.

In a press release on Friday (September 19) Police Commissioner Colin Farquhar said that Insp Miller’s previous experience will be “extremely helpful in meticulously reviewing these unsolved files”.

“Insp Miller was selected to work exclusively on the unsolved files. He cannot and will not be reassigned to any other duties.

His complete focus will be on these files.”

The Cold Case Unit was established in September 2011 by Commissioner Farquhar.

One of Insp Miller’s first duties will be

to provide the press with a copy of the list of TCI’s unsolved murders.

The community policing programme will also get a boost with the promotion of Inspector Hilton Duncan to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), the officer in charge of the Community Policing Programme.

Farquhar said: “ASP Duncan’s previous experience will certainly help in his new role.”

He added that ASP Duncan will be the programme manager and will assist the Divisional Commanders in implementing various police programmes.

They include the Community Beat Officers Programme, School Liaison Officers, School Patrols, DARE, and community and business meetings.

“ASP Duncan will work closely with public relations officer, Special Constable Audley Astwood to help communicate our various initiatives through social media.”

However, it will be a kill for the local airline industry. They would have to diversify and add a bus service to their offering. Or put more emphasis on international travelling between other Caribbean countries.

Set us apart

This project is our ‘space race’. It is a cause for which we should commit ourselves and our country to do before the end of this decade.

Doing it will definitely set us apart in more ways than one.

Create a boom

This will be evolutionary in its scope for the future of TCI. However, I have a feeling that it will not be allowed by those who are the ‘power brokers’ in the house.

It would means a boom of population, economics and development.

The present elite (politicos and nobility) may feel pressured to relinquish their social standing to the new educated class.

The new bourgeois will not only bring new and needed capital, but a paradigm shift in national thinking where all persons of TCI heritage are freely welcome and a globalised political foundation can be reformed.

The TCI can become the jewel of the Caribbean if the islands are joined! It will be like joining Grand Bahama and Abaco in the Bahamas. The potential is just mind boggling.

Bunch of balony

Once again this Government and this Premier believe the people are dumb. One trip to Miami and they are linking all the islands.

The idea was founded by JAGS McCartney 40 years ago. The EU gave the PDM the funds for the Middle-North Causeway in May 2003.

Years later he built a cheap dirt bridge targeted by wet little hurricane Hanna. This whole bunch of baloney is to justify the East Caicos cruise port story.

Just a dream

Dream on Rufus and Washy. If you could find private investors willing to build a causeway linking Provo to North Caicos the toll would be so high we would still use the ferry.

They have been trained well by their brother and mentor, the big lie sells.

The real plan is to promise what was invented by JAGS, win the next election and go back to sleep for another few years.

How well did the TCI Bank and the health plan work out both managed by Rufus and Washy? That will indicate their level of reliability.

It’s a farce

East Caicos cruise port and now causeways?

They could not build their own headquarters without stealing the land.

The monuments to PNP failure are out in the open for all to see and they want us to believe this farce.

After 10 years of PNP I can’t afford the car or the gas to drive the roads not alone long causeways.

Fantastic idea

In conjunction with a deep water port on East Caicos, it would be the best thing to ever happen to the Caicos Islands since the airport on Provo.

It will open all the other Caicos islands for development. Natives will be able to work on their home island and real estate values will rise.

I quote an old headline from the Weekly News: “We will all be rich.”

Obviously, it needs to be done with the appropriate environmental assessment, but overall, a fantastic idea!

Costs are high

I didn’t know we could raise $2 billion for an elevated causeway over environmental sensitive areas and populated islands.

Strange we can’t raise a few million for the new high school, which should be the priority not pie-in-the-sky fantasies.

If we want to link North, Middle and East Caicos that may be technically, though not economically, feasible.

More jobs

I think that it’s a great idea! If this project comes to fruition, I would like to see massive employment throughout all of the Caicos islands when the project begins.

Even if it’s a foreign business, I would like to see provisions made that the Belongers would be employed and not only foreign workers, like the situation that occurred while building of the hospitals.

Coastal impact

Fantastic, once the pros outweight the cons, one benefit is increased financial networking and prosperity.

However, the only other matter to consider is environmental and coastal impact.

If this is studied carefully and it is considered safe, I am all for it.

Proper analysis

My thoughts are that this should not go ahead without a proper environmental impact assessment, including what would happen in the case of a large hurricane or sea level rise (both of which WILL happen).

For me, a proper cost benefit analysis is likely to identify that improved ferry services (there are already good ones) would be much more beneficial.

The money for this would be better spent on more feasible projects. Poor quality causeways impact the environment and are dangerous during extreme weather.

Also, why invest in the South Caicos Airport and a causeway? One will make the other redundant.

 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

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Cabinet approves 12 storey buildings for Provo ON WEDNESDAY (September 24) Cabinet authorised that the development manual of the Turks and Caicos Islands be amended to increase the maximum height of buildings on Providenciales to 12 storeys.

This will be allowed on a minimum of five-acre parcels of land.

The decision takes effect immediately, a statement from the Governor’s office advised on Thursday.

The decision comes on the heels of open consultations through the Ministry of Home Affairs that commenced in June this year.

At the time, the Government was pushing for increased building height of 14 storeys; this request was following past recommendations for it to be increased to 28.

Those engaged in the discussion before Wednesday’s

decision included contractors, engineers, hoteliers, environmentalists and other stakeholders.

The current maximum number of storeys permitted by law is limited to seven.

In June, Premier Rufus Ewing had admitted to there being several expressions of interests to build hotels and other developments, but that they were constrained by the seven-storey maximum that is in place.

He believed at the time that the increased height would help to boost the construction sector and drive the economy forward.

In 2012, the public rejected the Government’s proposal to increase the height to 28 storeys; with some people expressing their concerns that the unique brand that makes tourists flock to the TCI would be forever ruined should this be allowed. (Delana Isles)

Opposition Leader congratulates new Chief Justice

LEADER of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson has set the record straight that she welcomes Margaret Ramsay-Hale’s appointment as Chief Justice and that her absence from Monday’s swearing-in ceremony was not a deliberate act or a protest.

Below is the full text of her statement to the media on Thursday (September 25).

“I have received a number of texts and calls and have decided to issue a statement to assure persons that my absence from the swearing in of the new Chief Justice was by no means a deliberate statement, one in protest or otherwise.

“Unfortunately, the long and short of it is that I was not extended an invitation nor was it confirmed at any point that I was on programme to bring remarks.

“In trying to understand what transpired, it appears that the confusion emanated from the Premier’s Office under the management of the Deputy Premier.

“My office agreed in good faith to support an adjournment of the parliamentary proceedings to allow for myself and the Premier to bring remarks.

“The Deputy Premier informed that invitations would be forthcoming and there was nothing further.

“Once I was informed that the Premier travelled to Grand Turk for parliament and with no confirmation otherwise, I travelled shortly after to Grand Turk to attend Parliament at 10am.

“It is certainly not in character for

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Supply of ambulances up for grabs

By Rebecca Bird BIDS are again being sought from companies who can supply of a fleet of five fully equipped ambulances to the country’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The Ministry of Health and Human Services issued a tender notice on Wednesday (September 24) which requested that interested parties put forward offers.

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

Now with cash for two more ambulances up for grabs the ministry hopes that it will encourage more interest.

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

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

And it was all down to a lack of funding and cooperation from the

Government’s Ministry of Health, they said.

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

She explained that in the 2013/2014 budget a capital project was approved for the purchase of two new ambulances – one for Providenciales and one for North and Middle Caicos.

However no offers were made when the project was first tendered in November 2013 so it was extended three times.

Two additional ambulances to support operations on the family islands have since been included the Ministry of Health’s list of capital projects for 2014/2015.

This April Stubbs Smith admitted that none of the TCI’s four working ambulances were operating at “optimal level” and no-one had responded to the tender request.

Under the tree Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson

me to accept an invitation to attend and speak and then not to do so and without apology.

“I have offered my apologies to the Chief Justice, as I understood she did pause for remarks to be brought by me.

“I have also set out the circumstances to her and have extended my best wishes to her.

“Chief Justice’s Ramsey-Hale’s swearing in was in fact historic in that a female for the first time now occupies this office and I expect nothing less than a firm and fair carriage of justice from this high office just as good as or better than Chief Justice RamseyHale’s counterparts elsewhere or her predecessors.

“It is certainly some interesting times in these Islands with the recent appointment of females to high offices in what were traditionally occupied by men.

“I believe this is another positive turn and one that shows that this country is reaching higher levels of maturity.

“I wish the incoming Chief Justice well in her new office.”

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She added that staff were lacking vital medical equipment but said this would be addressed during the 2014/15 financial year.

The welfare of both tourists and residents has been on the line for many years as TCI’s few ambulances continuously break down and lack essential maintenance.

In June 19-year-old Kareem Walkin was killed when a vehicle he was driving overturned in Middle Caicos.

No working ambulance was available to report to the scene so the TCI’s Red Cross provided emergency care to three survivors following the tragic incident.

The last time that the department purchased new fully equipped ambulances was in February 2011.

At the time former Health Minister Judith Campbell described it as a “key milestone” for the ministry and said it would help to save lives.

All tender offers must be submitted in a sealed envelope by 9am on Tuesday, October 21, to The Secretary to the Procurement Board, Central Purchasing Unit, White Sands Road, Grand Turk.

By Benneth Williams

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NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Butterfield Group leases the former Island Pride supermarket space to Graceway IGA

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Edith Cox, finance director for Graceway IGA, and managing director Ken Burns discuss the plans

Island Pride lease to Graceway will provide job opportunities

By Daisy Handfield MANAGING director for Graceway IGA, Ken Burns confirmed in an interview on Thursday (September 25) that Graceway’s recent lease of the Island Pride supermarket space will create job opportunities for about 30 to 50 residents.

“We will be employing people, absolutely. In fact we have already employed some of the Butterfield Group employees,” he told the Weekly News.

He said that aside from the mentioned figures, they will hire other hands and bodies to move products and do the things that it takes to get products to the store.

The supermarket which is likely to reopen its doors early next year, is expected to add some more life to the Downtown area of Providenciales, said Burns.

When contacted for comment

a few weeks ago after hearing the rumours, Burns denied any affiliation with the Butterfield Group.

However now he admits that the idea of leasing the Downtown property, which was finalised on Thursday of last week, was being discussed for months.

“At that point in time we did not have a signed lease with the Butterfield Group and certainly we would not comment on anything that has not transpired legally, so I was not at liberty to talk about that transaction; without a signed lease we are not going to discuss too many details.”

The managing director said that renovations are already happening and residents can expect a major facelift during the next few months.

“I think the public can expect a totally new look, outside and inside. The parking lot is going to be refurbished and redesigned.

“The front of the building is going to have a totally new look to it. The inside will certainly have a new and different look, with a new floor and probably a new ceiling.

“It will be a new facility to shop in.”

The new name has still not been selected, but he confirmed that it will not be Graceway IGA or Graceway Gourmet.

“We have not yet put a name on it, but it will certainly withhold our standards and what we want in a grocery store to serve our public and serve our customers.”

He said that the store will carry just about all the same fresh produce that the other two branches carry, but as far as for products, there will be different brands and cheaper prices to cater to that market.

“I think once we get the store open our customers will enjoy shopping there. First of all because it is going to be a different store, and it is going

to be a very nice store.

“Probably nicer than IGA when we get through with it; we are spending a lot of money in it, but there is a reason for it.

“We are going to be proud to be in that market because we have never had a face in that market.”

He said that they have tried to draw a lot of that customer base to their Leeward Highway branch, but many refuse to travel the distance.”

Prior to the closing off of the deal, Burns said that the company was looking for a suitable location in the Downtown area to place another supermarket for years now, but nothing met their expectations.

“We have been looking Downtown for a number of years actually, it didn’t just pop up.

“Locations are very difficult to find, but the Butterfield Group has a great location; been there for years, easy access in and easy access out, it is

right in the heart.”

He said that one thing that they wanted in a grocery store was to be surrounded by people, so they felt like it is a great opportunity to get in there.

“We’ve looked at other locations and we were not pleased with it, didn’t quite meet our expectations and what we could do with business down there.”

Edith Cox, finance director for Graceway IGA, added that they were excited about this new business move and that a number of customers had already approached them, stating that they were looking forward to the Downtown branch.

“I think there will be some revitalisation to the whole Downtown area.”

Cox concluded that she didn’t consider the move a “takeover” from the Butterfield Group because they would still be there in some way, shape or form.

New high school build takes a step forward

By Rebecca Bird

STUDENTS in Providenciales are a step closer to getting the new high school that they have been promised.

The Ministry of Education issued a tender notice on Wednesday (September 24) asking for bids for the “splitting of Clement Howell High School”.

This includes the “infrastructure upgrade, purchase and retrofitting” of a new facility in Long Bay, Providenciales.

Companies are invited to put forward an offer but must have a valid business licence, the notice said.

A pre-bid meeting will be held next Tuesday (September 30) at the site in Long Bay at 10.30am.

Further confirmation that the project is going forward came following a meeting of the Cabinet

in Providenciales on Wednesday (September 24).

A press release following the gathering said that Cabinet advised Governor Peter Beckingham to approve the allocation of Parcels 60810/195, 196 and 198 to the Ministry of Education for the development of a public high school in Providenciales.

In June Minister of Education Akierra Missick announced that a 13 acre plot of land in Long Bay Hills had been earmarked for the development of a new Government high school.

“The country should note that one of the major challenges that we have to deal with is the situation regarding adequate school spaces on the island of Providenciales,” she said in the House of Assembly.

For years children of high school age have been packed into Clement

Howell High School in Blue Hills leading to severe overcrowding.

According to Government figures there are currently more than 930 pupils being educated at the facility which was originally built for about 300 students.

The cramped conditions have created a plethora of problems including accelerated wear and tear of the buildings and furniture, lack of resources and teachers, huge class sizes and increased student disruption.

As a result early last year Missick announced plans to split the school in two and move half of the pupils into another facility.

Breaking Clement Howell High School up into a separate junior and senior school and employing more staff would help to even out the ratio of students to teacher, she explained.

A property was identified a few months later, but the split never

went ahead – as the minister said resources should be concentrated on the creation of a new school.

Since the decision was made, Government officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Government Support Services have assessed various plots of land for a build.

“The Long Bay Hills area which is not in my constituency was identified as a 13 acre spot of land which can allow us to phase through the development of a high school over three years,” Missick said.

Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson spoke to the Weekly News earlier this year about the crowded facility.

“Children go to school and stand up. There is not enough desks and chairs. They sit on cupboards, they sit along wherever they can – there’s not enough seating. That’s unacceptable.

“The root of the problem at Clement Howell High School is you’ve outgrown your space. Point blank. You’ve outgrown your space.”

She added that the way that additional buildings were added to accommodate the students makes it feel like a prison, “because it’s so enclosed”.

The student teacher ratio at the Government’s largest high school is far too high leading to a lack of attention for students, Cartwright Robinson said.

“When you have smaller classes and smaller schools you can impact lives even greater.

“The intimate relationship that a teacher would have with a child in a smaller school is lost when you have 1,000 children.

“So that level of caring can’t be exhibited as much as some teachers would like.”

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

9

Minister angered at reappointment of Norman Watts – Alleges that parliament was misled

By Delana Isles MINISTER of Government Support Services, George Lightbourne is not too pleased with the renewal of the contract for Supervisor Engineer to the Public Works Department, British national Norman Watts.

He also claims that the House of Assembly was misled about the issue last July during the budget debate.

The minister made his displeasure known during the last sitting of the assembly on Monday (September 22).

He told the Weekly News on Thursday (September 25) that monies are being spent on a position that is not required now, as the country has

no ongoing capital projects.

He added that his Permanent Secretary Ian Astwood continues to act in the post without an official appointment.

The minister said it is quite evident that when it comes to local people, there is a hesitation to appoint them, yet other unnecessary appointments are being handed out.

Lightbourne was making direct reference to the re-appointment of Watts.

“During the budget debate I had asked for a specific allocation to be removed, because that money could have been better used in a different area.

“The appointment of Norman

Rebuilding the school image is high on the agenda of the PTA

Parents and teachers meet to discuss future of school SHARING the vision for the future of Clement Howell High School was the main focus of a Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting last Thursday (September 18) Staff, parents and students need to all work together to ensure development and success, said principal Kadean Cunningham.

In an email to the newspaper the head teacher explained: “The vision shared focused on rebuilding the image of the school; students taking responsibility for their actions and how it impacts them personally and the image of the school; students taking care of their school environment and parental involvement in the life of school to help in the renewal process.”

She said that parents were encouraged to support the school in enforcing the rules by ensuring that the students adhere to the rules on leaving home or on the road – particularly in uniform and deportment.

“They were also encouraged to monitor the students in terms of school work and homework in order to increase academic success,” Cunningham said.

This year the staff and management are focussing on taking care of the school environment and are encouraging the students to take responsibility for how it looks.

“Our first efforts have been collection of garbage in the classrooms, on the blocks and around the compound and then appropriate disposal.

“Different classes have been placed on duty to clean up their block each week.”

Paint Your School Day was the next initiative which took place on the compound on Thursday (September 25).

“This was thought will help to develop in the students a sense of pride knowing that they helped to improve the aesthetics of their classroom.”

Watts in my opinion is an unnecessary appointment, because there are no major projects going on that would require an engineer of public works at this time,” he said.

Lightbourne stated that when Watts’ initial contract ended, he had given his Permanent Secretary instructions not to go ahead with Watts because he is not needed and that paying him is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

He also pointed out that the money Watts is earning is even more than the ministers make, and that he occupies a position that is not needed by the country right now.

“The capital budget was cut; there are no major projects going on that require the skills of an engineer, and until we get that sort of oversight, as his contract is completed, let him go on his way.

“And take that money and use it and divide it for persons who really need a job and who have skills that the country needs,” the minister stated.

He said that during the budget debate the assembly was misled into believing that Watts had signed a contract, but this was later found out to be untrue.

During Monday’s sitting, the minister said that the Permanent Secretary went contrary to his instructions and went ahead with what “they” said.

Although he did not go into details of who “they” are, the Deputy Governor’s Office is responsible for the public service and any appointments in that regard.

The minister’s claim that the house was wrongly misled stems from a letter and a photograph (pictured) on an online news website earlier this month, in which Watts’ contract was dated September 3, 2014.

“In the budget debate I was very adamant about a particular allocation something to the tune of about $110,000, it was my intention to move that allocation out of the budget, but we were advised wrongly that if we do that we would be liable to the holder of this position because a contract was already signed.

“We later found out that that was not true,” he told the assembly on Monday.

He said it is against the law to mislead the house.

However, on Wednesday, the Governor’s office sought to clarify Watts’ appointment.

In a press release, Governor Peter Beckingham noted that Watts has been employed twice in support of the TCI public service since 2010.

And that his re-appointment was approved following a written request from the Ministry of Government

Minister of Government Support Services, George Lightbourne

Support Services on May 14, 2014, in which they formally requested Watts’ re-appointment in September 2014.

Watts’ basic salary for each appointment has remained the same since 2010 and was agreed to at the end of the last contract.

“In accordance with the practice in place in the public service, his engagement letter, reflecting that earlier agreement, was sent to him prior to his new start date early in September 2014.

“However, all agreements and arrangements were concluded prior to the end of Watts contract in June

and prior to the budget debate in the House of Assembly,” the Governor stated.

He added that as recommended by the ministry, Watts was placed on a month-to-month basis for a period of one year.

According to the Governor, because of Watts’ level of involvement with the capital project programme, and other ongoing projects, the ministry also recommended that there should be a handing over process between the Director of Public Works Department and the engineer.

Beckingham continued: “The Public Service Ordinance states specifically that ‘no person shall be appointed to a position in the public service at the direction or request of a member of the House of Assembly, a minister, or the Premier’ and that ‘we shall respect the integrity and impartiality of the public service, will only engage with officials through appropriate channels, and, therefore, protect our officials from partisan interference.’”

He added that he hopes that now the issue has been clarified, that the ministry will be able to continue without distractions.

An alleged copy of the Norman Watts’ contract with the Public Works Department showing a date of “3rd September 2014

10

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Police Commissioner presents business plan

A blind eye to prostitution – Open letter to the Governor Dear Governor Beckingham, I would like to draw your attention to migrant workers suffering serious exploitation from their employers in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

While we cannot turn a blind eye to any form of exploitation, my focus is primarily on female workers from the Dominican Republic and Haiti who are employed under the guise of barmaids but are in fact recruited to work as prostitutes in local bar rooms.

The Minister for Immigration has created a policy which allows the Labour Department and the Immigration Department to waive certain work permit requirements for bar owners and operators and to fast track the work permit applications.

As a result of such policy a Bar Association was established which received the blessings of the Minister of Immigration by allowing the Labour Department to issue work permit clearance only to bar owner/ operators who are members of the Bar Association.

Since the policy was introduced and the establishment of the Bar Association, there has been an alarming increase in the opening or bar rooms and the recruitment of female workers.

Many of these so-called barmaids work as prostitutes and are subject

to illegal and abusive working conditions. Some of them have reported that they are forced into prostitution against their will.

For fear of reprisal they are afraid to report to the Labour Department or the Immigration Department.

Despite the legal minimum wage, these workers are underpaid and overworked. Some are not paid at all.

Some of the bars have a policy whereby the patron pays the bar owner $50 to leave with the female worker of his choice plus an additional $50 for the services provided by the worker.

Some of the workers have reported that even those monies are also confiscated by their employers.

There is also the question of how some of the business places are given licence to operate because of unsanitary conditions for both employees and patrons alike. No fire extinguisher and sometimes no running water.

Contribution payments to National Health Insurance and National Insurance for these workers are routinely ignored.

There are reports that some of them are forced to eat noodles and drink water and some go hungry.

They are forced to live in substandard accommodation and must prostitute themselves to pay their employers for living accommodation and utilities.

Some of them have also reported that their passports are confiscated

by their employer on arrival to the Turks and Caicos Islands and they are forced to prostitute themselves to reimburse the employer the cost for the airline ticket and work permit.

Deprivation of travel documents is unlawful and contributes to enforced confinement and the workers inability to escape abusive employment conditions.

Some of these workers have also reported that they are denied the right to leave the premises where they live even if they are given a day off. And if they are given a day off some are forced to prostitute for that day.

Your Excellency, I am calling on you and also the Human Rights Commissioner to investigate this serious matter and demonstrate that we are serious about our commitment to human rights and the exploitation of these workers.

Far reaching steps must be taken immediately otherwise these bar owners/operators will continue to recruit female workers who face the risk of being abused.

The first step is to call on the Minister of Immigration to allow the Labour Department to do their job whereby they enforce the existing labour laws which gives some protection to the migrant workers which many employers flout routinely.

Concerned citizen (name and address supplied)

A THREE point plan has been mapped out by Commissioner of Police, Colin Farquhar in which the safety and security of communities take top priority.

Cabinet on Wednesday (September 24) heard the presentation from the Commissioner during its weekly meeting.

The business plan is for the period 2014 to 2016.

It focuses on three key priorities - to provide all the islands with safe and secure communities, to optimise resources and to support police officers and civilian staff.

A post Cabinet press statement stated that Cabinet welcomed the presentation and requested that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force pay particular attention to the policing of street traders ensuring that those operating on the islands are doing so legally.

Meanwhile, also at Cabinet, the Governor Peter Beckingham was advised to approve, in principle, the grant of a 25 year lease over Crown land parcel 60003/246 subject to the terms and conditions of the Crown Land Ordinance 2012.

He was also advised to grant approval for the conservancy licence between the Government and Jasper Development Company Ltd to be amended to include a provision that would allow the company to develop a temporary workers housing facility on five acres of parcel 70100/99 on West Caicos, which forms part of the reserve land.

This would be subject to approval from the Physical Planning Board, as per normal.

Approval was sought from the Beckingham for the appointment of Claudette Gibson to serve as the employers’ representative for a period of three years on the National Health Insurance Board in accordance with Part 3/16 of the National Insurance Ordinance.

The Governor was also asked to approve the temporary membership of Dr Bernardo to replace Dr Nadia Astwood and for Charlene Higgs to replace Nurse Jackurlyn Sutton both until October 12 on the Service Review Board as required under the Hospitals Project Agreement.

Additionally, Cabinet also noted a number of initiatives.

These included the lack of waivers granted for the Public Procurement Ordinance 2012 for the period April to June 2014, as per section 21 of the said Ordinance.

Also, Cabinet looked at the recommendations of the Procurement Board on the award of contracts for design and installation of solar power in the cave bathroom, Middle Caicos, and for furniture and equipment for Ona Glinton Primary School.

Cabinet also discussed the arrangements for the updating of the National Development Plan including establishing a steering committee and island and sector subcommittees to guide the process.

The plan is intended to outline the goals and priorities of the country over the next ten years.

An update on the status of all capital projects contained in the development programme for financial year 2014/15 was also considered by Cabinet.

COMMENTARY

Look out for the backlash “FOR every action there is a reaction” (a backlash) said Sir Isaac Newton in 1687.

In 1990 Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein attacked his tiny neighbour, oil rich Kuwait.

The backlash was that Kuwait’s friend and oil customer, the USA, pushed Saddam’s army back into Iraq while using the Muslim sacred lands of Saudi Arabia as a staging and marshalling base.

The backlash to that move was that radical Saudi, Osama bin Laden, used the Taliban ruled Afghanistan as a training base for his Saudi terrorists.

Seventeen of these Saudis came into the USA on student visas and learned how to fly. In 9-11, 2001, they flew hi-jacked commercial flights into the World

Trade Centre’s twin towers taking them down.

They also destroyed a big section of the US military centre, the Pentagon. They had planned to crash a forth hi-jacked flight into the US White House. They failed due to the heroic efforts of American passengers.

In 2007 the third backlash was the USA blaming Iraq and Afghanistan for 9-11 attacking both countries taking out Saddam, his army and the Afghan Taliban.

The 2013 backlash to these USA victories now looms. As the USA pulled out of Iraq, radical ISIS terrorists took down much of Iraq capturing the US weapons of war from an un-reconstituted Iraq army.

Next year the USA military will depart Afghanistan. The Taliban is waiting to begin their backlash.

The US oil industry has created their own backlash to the 1990 Kuwait affair by designing fracking and extracting enough American oil to fuel the USA. Last week 85 percent of Scotland’s voters including 16-year-olds, in a backlash election, decided against independence.

It was reported that Scotland’s independence would have brought the loss of the UK’s pound as Scotland’s currency.

The TCI PNP party wants independence as a backlash to the UK interim government and the prosecutions of the Progressive National Party (PNP) former government.

Independence would not lose the British pound, because we use the US dollar. However the backlash to an independent TCI would be

By David Tapfer

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

the loss of the US dollar and USA 10 year visa. Severing connections with Britain, the USA’s most reliable friend, would cause this backlash.

The backlash to the last TCI election is being played out every day. The population being held to account to pay back the PNP debts.

What will happen in the coming prosecutions is unknown. If the defendants go free the backlash will

be independence.

We predict backlash to independence will be a mass exodus of foreign residents. The Haitian boats will sail people home.

As evidence is revealed what will be the backlash to the 2016 election, and backlash to the health plan, the debt and the taxes?

For every action there is a reaction, a backlash.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 11

Customs staff learn how to spot tax evaders EIGHTEEN officers from the Revenue and Customs Departments were given an update on taxes and auditing during a training session earlier this month.

The public workers participated in an audit capacity building course at Blue Haven in Providenciales from September 12 to 17.

It was designed to cover the basic elements of field auditing across multiple tax types.

Topics included the need for correct information of tax declarations, using indirect methods of determining correct tax liability and the need for careful planning and preparation before an audit visits.

Staff were also reminded to be aware of the possibility of possible fraudulent evasion of taxes and taught what action to take.

A press release from the Government on Wednesday (September 24) said: “The training was very interactive and practical and

participants are now better equipped to conduct tax audits particularly for the sales tax type revenue streams such as the Hotel and Restaurant Tax and post audit clearance for customs purposes.”

The facilitator for the training was UK based tax audit expert Mike Mintrum, and it was offered under the guidance of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) based in Barbados.

CARTAC is one of eight International Monetary Fund regional technical assistance centres located around the world.

These centres were created to help countries strengthen human and institutional capacity to design and implement sound macroeconomic policies that promote growth and reduce poverty.

The CARICOM Council of Ministers of Finance and Planning took the decision to establish the CARTAC in 1999 and it became operational in 2001.

Emergency vehicles to be housed in new facility BIDS were invited this week for a variety of Government projects including the construction of a brand new emergency vehicle compound.

The building is set to be built close to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Leeward Highway and will home both fire engines and ambulances.

The tender invite said that work would be on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs.

It asked for “A consultancy to provide technical documentation suitable to tender for a domestic fire station Providenciales.”

Another notice from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services asked for bids for a bus service for various schools.

While a third asked for bids for furniture and equipment for the new administrative block at Helena Jones Robinson High School in Grand Turk.

One more invited bids from “suitably qualified and experienced insurance companies” for the supply of third party insurance for Government vehicles.

This is required for a year from October 19, 2014, to October 18, 2015.

All tender offers must be submitted in a sealed envelope by 9am on Tuesday, October 21, to The Secretary to the Procurement Board, Central Purchasing Unit, White Sands Road, Grand Turk.

The Government procurement board is set to meet several times over the coming months.

Meetings will be held at the Central Purchasing Unit, White Sands Road, Grand Turk, on Tuesday, October 7, Tuesday, October 21, Tuesday, November 4, and Tuesday, November 18.

The public is invited to attend the meetings during which tenders are opened.

Potcake Place protest pays off LOW cost carrier WestJet has agreed to continue to allow pets on its planes after TCI animal lovers protested a decision to ditch its pet transport system.

In April this year the airline announced that animals could no longer be transported between Canada and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Global News reported WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer as stating that the airline was concerned about the costs they may have to pay for an animal deported because of lack of adequate paperwork.

The new rules came into effect on May 1 to the dismay of local rescue and adoption agency Potcake Place that often used the flights to transport dogs to their new owners.

Volunteers refused to take the

news sitting down and put together a petition asking for WestJet to retract their decision.

The online document soon gathered 1,600 signatures and was delivered to the airline’s Calgary head office.

Canadian volunteer Laurie McCann told the Weekly News: “I wanted to let you know that West Jet has reversed their decision made in April 2014.

“After speaking with Government officials here in TCI and considering the uproar their decision created, they have reversed their decision and are now flying animals into and out of TCI.” She went on to say that WestJet should be praised and thanked for doing something right and customer focused.

The new TCI Human Rights Commission board and chair

New human rights board appointed A NEW chair and five board members have been appointed to TCI’s Human Rights Commission, Governor Peter Beckingham announced this week.

Representing communities across the Islands, the team will work together with former chair and Director of the Human Rights Commission, Doreen QuelchMissick.

Beckingham said: “I congratulate all the new members and look forward to hearing their fresh perspective on how we can protect the rights of every man, women and child on our Islands.

“Their vigilance and expertise will be vital to ensure cases are heard and our laws meet international standards.

“Together we can send a message that discrimination, human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation have no place in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The news chair is lawyer Cheryl

Astwood Tull, and the new members are Reverend Alces Dor, community worker Delores Wilson, Reverend Julia Williams, Grand Turk attorney Finbar Grant and Bishop George Forbes.

The newly appointed chair held her first board meeting on September 18, and on Tuesday and Wednesday (September 23 and 24) they attended two days of orientation led by Quelch-Missick.

Astwood Tull, said: “I am honoured to serve alongside my fellow members and ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands uphold the principles of human rights and ensure everyone on the islands is treated with respect and dignity.”

The team will be responsible for promoting the observance of human rights in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

They must also receive and investigate complaints of breaches or infringements of rights or

freedoms of the individual as set out in the constitution or in international human rights treaties that have been extended to the TCI. And finally they must provide advice on complaints, mediation and raise public awareness of human rights and issue guidance as required.

Outgoing chair Quelch-Missick said: “I welcome the opportunity to work with the newly appointed chairman and members and look forward to a mutually rewarding and fulfilling working relationship as together we chart the way forward to advancing the human rights mandate for our country.”

Appointments were made by the Governor in accordance with Section 101 (1) of the Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011 and took place after consultation with the Premier and the leader of the Opposition.

The new board members and chair will serve initially for one year.

Howell murder trial continues with more witnesses SEVERAL more witnesses took to the stand this week as the trial continued into the murder of Damaris Martinez.

Romano ‘Justice’ Howell faced judge Joan Joyner and an 11 member jury at Providenciales Supreme Court on Leeward Highway from Monday (September 22) until Wednesday (September 24).

The case will continue next Monday (September 29) with further witnesses and is expected to last all week.

Howell is alleged to have killed Dominican resident Martinez last year, leaving her remains in a

wooden box on the side of the road in Blue Hills.

She went missing on the evening of June 10, 2013, and was last seen at Jimmy’s Dive Bar in Grace Bay at about 10pm that night.

A friend spoke to her on the phone early the next morning but that was the last contact she had.

A week later on June 16, a jogger stumbled upon her remains, concealed in a box, after investigating a foul odour emanating from bushes along the highway.

The trial began on Monday, September 15, and last week two

witnesses faced questioning Detective Sergeant David Wilson and Sergeant Randy Ellis.

This week Martinez’s mother Mercedes Handfield and Inspector Grantley Williams were among the witnesses.

Ashwood Forbes of Forbes Co is defending Howell in the case and Angela Brooks, deputy director of the Public Prosecution Service, is working for the Crown.

Justice is a well-known local musician who was widely recognised for his long dreadlocks, which he shaved off before the start of the trial.

12 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

New Chief Justice promises revamped court system

By Delana Isles ON MONDAY (September 22) Margaret Ramsay-Hale officially assumed the post of Chief Justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and has promised to ensure that the appropriate mechanisms are in place for the proper administration of justice in the Islands.

The promises were delivered at a swearing-in ceremony at the newly revamped Myrtle Rigby courthouse, which was full to capacity with members of the Bar and specially invited guests.

Delivering brief remarks just before the close of ceremony, Ramsay-Hale said that she will be working to ensure that the courts in the TCI have functioning recording systems and that transcripts of proceedings are readily available.

Also promised was a good archival system and a court website where information can be easily accessible to relevant and interested parties.

She stated that the lack of resources to provide for these facilities in the courts has affected the proper administration of the law and justice, and that she intends to fix this.

While acknowledging that the recording system being put in place is not something that can be done overnight, the Chief Justice assumed the setting up of

a website as one of her first orders of business.

Speaking to the need for judicial independence and what can be done to ensure it; Ramsay-Hale noted that ensuring that these things are in place is a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, she expressed her thanks for the many well wishes delivered by the Governor Peter Beckingham, Deputy Premier Akierra Missick, the Attorney General Rhondalee BraithwaiteKnowles, Director of Public Prosecutions JoAnn Meloche, President of the local Bar Bianca Harvey and Queen’s Counsel Ariel Misick.

She stated that it is her intention to live up to the expectations of the position as expressed by the speakers, and to ensure that the integrity of the office and its importance to the proper and effective administration of the law is maintained.

She also expressed her pleasure at being among the esteemed cadre of female firsts in the TCI – Attorney General in March this year, and Director of Public Prosecution in February 2013.

Governor Beckingham, before whom the oath of office was taken, welcomed the first female appointment to the position.

“A strong, robust and transparent judicial and legal system is crucially important to the prosperity of TCI. “The country’s economy is performing well, but no-one

Party pictures by Christine Morden (www.(MyParadisePhoto.com)

should be under any illusions that reputational damage to TCI’s judicial system could quickly harm the country’s economic prospects,” Beckingham said.

He also welcomed the new Chief Justice’s commitment to modernising the judicial and legal systems of TCI, noting that her energy and commitment to reform is infectious and asked that she received full support during her tenure.

Beckingham also conveyed his hopes of one day swearing in the first female Premier of the TCI. In her remarks, Deputy Premier Akierra Missick conveyed her and her Government’s congratulations to the new Chief Justice.

She said: “I also want to offer the support from the executive and the legislature to your tenure as the Chief Justice.”

Missick stated the same courtesy that was extended to Ramsay-Hale’s predecessor and the legislative advice sought, would continue.

“Further to that we look forward to our continued positive working relationship,” she said.

During her speech, the Attorney General pointed to the importance of the position to the delivery of justice and the other tasks that come with the position and their importance, not only to the judicial system, but to the country’s image.

As she spoke of Ramsay-Hale’s first call to the Bar, her father Ian Ramsay, and her subsequent continued 

17

A cross section of friends of well wishers who attended the party for the new Chief Justice

Ramsay-Hale as she took the Oath of Office on Monday (September 22)

Honorary Counsel for Jamaica, Allan Hutchinson poses with the new Chief Justice

Judge Ramsay-Hale and daughter Lauren cut her cake which was cleverly designed as a law book with a gavel on top

September 27 - October 3, 2014

NEWS 13

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Attorneys Tremaine Swann and Ariel Misick pictured with Judge Ramsay-Hale

Attorney Clayton Greene takes a picture with the judge

Norstar Construction owner and attorney John Rutley pose with the Cheif Justice

Judge Ramsay-Hale with communications consultant Christine Shearer

The judge with attorney Stephen Wilson

Attorney Tony Gruchot, Mr and Mrs Kyle Stokes and an attorney with Graham Thompson law firm

Public Prosecutor Leonard Franklyn poses with the judge

Judge Ramsay-Hale picturd with Attorney Conrad Griffiths

Director of Public Prosecutions JoAnn Meloche, Judge RamsayHale and Karen Whitt, general manager of the Regent Palms

Posing with the Judge: From left to right Mrs Kyle Stubbs, Bianca Harvey - President of the Bar Councel, Judge RamsayHale, Mr and Mrs Blythe Duncanson of the Weekly News

Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale with Governor Peter Beckingham

The judge poses with her mentor, famed Jamaican lawyer, Howard Hamilton

14 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Provo youths to play their part in heritage conservation

Students attentively listen to the speeches brought as part of Youth Week 2014

Parents must get involved in their children’s future - Robinson

By Daisy Handfield YOUTH Week 2014 continued in Providenciales with a panel discussion at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Centre on Monday (September 22).

The discussion with different governmental agencies involved about 20 high school students and members of the community who highlighted their thoughts on education and scholarships in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Jamell Robinson, keynote speaker at the event, said that parents have a responsibility to provide opportunities for their children.

They need to understand that not every child in the TCI will receive a Government scholarship for tertiary education.

“I say we, because I have a four year old daughter and while I would like her to have an opportunity of a

scholarship, we have to plan for her future from now to ensure she has options for whatever her desires lead for her chosen career path.”

Robinson added that also, many times people thought that if they didn’t continue on to higher education after high school, it was considered the end of their academic career.

“Once you have the drive and faith, you will be okay,” he said.

The speaker explained an alternative to the issuance of Government scholarships was securing job opportunities.

“The Government can create an environment within the public and private sector, both through policy and/or partnership to ensure youth get employment opportunities, in high school, out of high school, or after university.

“We must reintroduce the Prevocational Program, but extend

the work experience to all students.”

He said that truth of the matter is that if companies are familiar with the people who come into their industries, they are more likely to hire them later.

“Internships and part time work generally across all industries is a must for graduating high school students that will not continue their education right away.

“We must introduce goal oriented labour and employment policy to ensure returning students and others have an opportunity to understudy as well as move up the ranks of any business in the TCI.” On a similar note, Cutella Talbot guest speaker encouraged the students to continue pushing for excellence and to never consider their dreams impossible.

The students reacted positively to Talbot’s words, cheering every time she made a brief pause.

YOUNG people are expected to flock to Cheshire Hall Plantation in Providenciales on Friday (September 26) to take part in a ‘Youth Volunteerism Appreciation Day.’ The Youth Week 2014 event will be dedicated to showing appreciation of heritage sites on Providenciales.

Youth Volunteerism Appreciation Day activities are organised by the Public Awareness and Education Unit of the TCI National Trust.

They are geared towards providing the young people with an opportunity to encourage others to learn more about the environment and heritage of the TCI. Jonathan Sayao, public affairs manager for the trust, said that two of the core areas that they want to put emphasis on at the National Trust are environmental sustainability and the heritage preservation.

“We hope that through our efforts, more children will realise the diversity that has been gifted to the Turks and Caicos and that we all share the responsibility of protecting our heritage and natural resources.”

Spearheaded by public affairs officer Winema Sanders, this volunteerism initiative is part of the National Trust’s ongoing project to educate TCI youths on the impact of being a pro-active member of the

community and showing love for the TCI. In addition, it is also an opportunity for families to learn more about sustainability and caring for the environment.

This special day starts at 9am and there will be a landscaping exercise, nature walk, planting trees, plantation tour, clean-ups and picnic breakfast.

“Volunteering is a vital resource for young people as it aids personal development, it not only increases confidence, but in addition youth develop a sense of community responsibility.

“This is an opportunity for the youth to get involved by educating themselves about their natural and cultural heritage while serving their community.

“By incorporating the youth I hope the people of the TCI will see the importance of volunteerism and adapt that into their everyday practices.”

Sanders said.

The TCI National Trust is supporting the community through volunteerism, and continues to ensure that the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the TCI are safeguarded for present and future generations.

Residents are encouraged to be a part of this volunteer work which will make a difference in the TCI community and instil knowledge in people on what the TCI National Trust does.

Serving youth, inspiring bravery - Youth Week 2014

By Daisy Handfield THE TURKS and Caicos Islands commenced the celebration of Education Week 2014 with a number of productive and fun activities for the children to take part in.

The week took place under the theme ‘Serving youth, inspiring bravery’ from Sunday (September 21) and will run until Saturday (September 27).

It began with special church services at the New Testament Church in Grand Turk and at the Saint Monica Church on Providenciales on Sunday.

In Grand Turk on Wednesday (September 24) there was a ‘Paint the Classroom Day’ at the HJ Robinson High School.

Students brought their paints to school and painted the classroom while also learning about history,

island culture and island events.

On Thursday (September 25) there was an open discussion on the youth day theme at the Community College Auditorium in Grand Turk.

Among some of the other activities organised throughout the other islands were a general devotions for all schools in North Caicos and in South Caicos on Monday (September 22) a youth concert at the Community Centre, for all the schools and the community.

The highlights of the list of the weeklong activities are a fun day at the Bight Kid’s Park on Friday (September 27) and on Saturday (September 26) a Miss Teen Universe pageant at the Williams Auditorium at 7pm.

National Youth Day is a public holiday in the Turks and Caicos Islands and is held this year on Friday (September 26).

“We are raising some of the brightest minds and sparks” – Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

In a speech dedicated to Youth Week 2014, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Leader of the Opposition, said that this year seems to have been marred with challenges and as

a result the week has not been given the prominence that it deserves.

“Though regrettable, I encourage us to focus on the reason for the focus and the spirit behind the decision in 1995 to have a holiday called National Youth Day. “Youth in my mind, remains our greatest asset and resource. They represent energy and life but also promise, hope and future.

“As we focus on youth this week, we ought to take the opportunity to see where we are going as a people and we should also attempt to view our future through the eyes of our children.”

Cartwright Robinson said that she believes that many would agree that the youth of today are so much wiser than in the past.

“I celebrate those youth this year who are excelling in so many different disciplines and who

continue to place TCI on the regional and international scene in a positive light.”

She acknowledged entities that have always contributed to education, such as Amanyara and the Sandals Foundation.

“No entity can do it alone. We are all stakeholders in the future of the TCI. “Whether we positively engage and invest in our youth determines what type of leaders we will have.

“We must remember the youth will be tomorrow’s leaders, and it is largely up to us as to what type of leaders they become.”

She said that as citizens everyone needs to step up and assist where they can.

“Let us not allow the future of this country to be bleak when we are raising some of the brightest minds and sparks.”

September 27 - October 3, 2014

NEWS 15

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Clement Howell gets much needed facelift

By Rebecca Bird STUDENTS, staff, parents, well-wishers and even Premier Rufus Ewing grabbed a paintbrush on Thursday (September 25) and gave Clement Howell High School some much needed TLC. All of the school’s classrooms received a lick of paint, holes were patched, shutters mended, grass weeded and floors cleaned at the educational facility in Blue Hills, Providenciales.

And it was with huge smiles, laughter and a sense of pride that the work was carried out, much to the delight of head teacher Kadean Cunningham.

“It has been a success.

The students were working together – they’re repairing, they’re weeding, they’re painting – they’re all so excited about it.

“It’s a collective responsibility we’re encouraging.

Everybody coming together to work on a project.”

She said that that the conditions of the school following the initiative is a “marked improvement” and added that it is “tremendous” that the children are so positively involved.

“It’s commendable what the students are doing and we really want them to keep this momentum going.”

The Paint Your Classroom Day is part of a nationwide initiative between the Opposition party, private companies, community groups and schools.

The day kicked off at Clement Howell at 10.30am

when students donned their oldest clothes and grabbed paintbrushes and tools.

Many of the young workers painted the insides of the classrooms and the shutters leaving them looking bright white and sparkling new.

Others cleared litter from the playground, picked up rocks, weeded the yard, mopped the floors and patched up holes in the walls.

The whole activity was supervised by principal Cunningham who made sure that the students all played a part in the renovation process.

About midday Premier Rufus Ewing came to the school to check out progress and even grabbed as paint brush and joined in.

He told the Weekly News:

“I think it’s a great initiative.

I always believe that the students should have an idea of what it takes to keep schools clean so that they can be a part of it.

“It’s a learning experience for them and seems like a fun day for them as well.”

He stressed that the Ministry of Government Support Services needs to step up to the plate.

“They need to step up a lot to put more efforts into the works, externally as well, and that is what we have to push them to do.

“But all in all it seems to be a great day, a great partnership.”

Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson added: “We thought the paint

itself would lift the spirits on the compound.”

She thanked the Minister of Government Support Services George Lightbourne and his team for allowing the event to go ahead.

Sandals Foundation donated of all the paints for the exterior of Clement Howell and TCI Paint Supply donated all of the interior paints.

Meanwhile kind hearted community members and corporations gave hundreds of dollars in cash and supplies to the People United for Better Schools group.

The group then organised to spend the cash on pans, tarpaulin, masks, rollers, brushes and more for the school.

In June the Weekly

News exposed the shocking conditions at Clement Howell High School in Blue Hills, Providenciales.

Filth, mould, exposed

wires, peeling walls, shattered tiles and broken furniture were just some of the major problems that inflicted the school.

16 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Dwayne Wade and his team in the TCI speak about the new foundation

Dwayne Wade spends time with the youngsters of Providenciales

Basketball superstar hits Five Cays

THREE time NBA champion with Miami Heat, Dwayne Wade, was in the Turks and Caicos Islands last weekend to promote his new charity initiative.

The basketball star has joined with the Sandals Foundation to create a sports programme that supports underprivileged youths.

On Saturday (September 20) he hosted a basketball camp at the Five Cays basketball court in Providenciales for about 40 children.

The sportsman gave a speech on the special partnership and then showed the youngsters some of his basketball skills.

Sandals Foundation in conjunction with Wade’s World Foundation have officially opened donations to raise funds for ‘Game Changer’.

The integrated sports programme benefits young people in underserved communities in South Florida and the Caribbean.

Elanor Finfin-Krzanowski, public relations manager for Beaches TCI, said that money raised throughout the three-year iconic relationship will give underprivileged children access to planned sports, recreation, healthy lifestyles and family engagements.

Game Changer will also fund the upgrading and refurbishing of 11 multi-purpose sports courts in the Caribbean and South Florida including one planned at the court at Marshall Williamson Park, located in the heart of South Miami, Florida.

Adam Stewart, president of the

Sandals Foundation and CEO of SRI, said that they were all thrilled to create awareness for Game Changer.

“It’s the first time our foundation has worked so closely with a celebrity, and while Wade’s enormous popularity means we can reach a wider audience with our message, it’s really his commitment to giving all kids a shot at a better life that makes the foundation proud and honoured to work with him.”

Contributors can now make donations through Sandals Foundation’s website, as well as a new text-to-donate campaign which was announced during Dwayne Wade’s sixth annual Brand Wade Summit at Beaches TCI. To donate text ‘GAME’ to 41444.

(Daisy Handfield)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month A HOST of exciting activities are taking place next month to raise funds for cancer research.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so the Cancer Foundation in Grand Turk and the Cancer Society in Providenciales are making sure everyone gets involved.

Among the activities planned are a walkathon on October 4 from the Graceway Gourmet at 5.45am, the In the Pink boutique sale on October 11 at 6pm at the Regent Palms and a luncheon at Beaches

in Providenciales on October 25 at 1pm.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services urged the public this week to support all of the events and get checked for breast cancer.

A ministry press release on Thursday (September 25) read: “If you have never had a mammogram the month of October is a good time to have one done.

“Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours has had breast cancer.

“Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms.”

Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. It is estimated that one in eight women born today will get breast cancer at some point.

The good news is that many women and men can survive breast cancer if it is found and treated early.

For more information on tickets for events or how to book a mammogram call 231-4374 or 2328177.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Eat less salt, Government urges NEXT Monday (September 29) is World Heart Day 2014 and in recognition the Government has issued a reminder that salt is bad for the ticker.

In a press release on Thursday (September 25) the Ministry of Health and Human Services urged residents to cut their sodium intake.

The public needs to “make heart healthy choices and not hard choices by making lifestyle changes” it advised.

The theme of this year’s World Heart Day is ‘Heart choices not hard choices’ and looks at the benefits of reducing salt consumption.

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one killer. It is already responsible for 17.3 million deaths per year, and by 2030 this is expected to rise to 23 million.

Eighty percent of premature

deaths from cardiovascular disease could be avoided if four main risk factors - tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol - were controlled.

Reducing salt intake has been identified as one of the most costeffective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes.

Key salt reduction measures will generate an extra year of healthy life for a cost that falls below the average annual income or gross domestic product per person.

An estimated 2.5 million deaths could be prevented each year if global salt consumption were reduced to the recommended level.

Most people consume too much salt, on average nine to 12 grams per day, or around twice the recommended maximum level of intake.

Everyone welcome to take part in corporate games ALL Government, private sector and faith based organisations are invited to join in with the Corporate Competitions next month.

The events are being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Human Services as part of the Government’s drive to promote the Caribbean Wellness Day theme – ‘The heart of a healthy workforce is a productive workforce’.

Activities will include a hula hoop competition, three leg race, sack race, needle and thread and tug-ofwar.

The first event will be held on October 4 at the Parade Grounds in Grand Turk and the second on October 18 at the National Stadium in Providenciales - both starting at 10am.

Prizes will be given in three categories - Government

departments, private sector and faith based organisations.

There will also be health screenings and health education materials available.

A press release from the Government on Thursday (September 25) read: “These events promise to be exciting and fun-filled so come and join the ministry in our fight against chronic non-communicable diseases by promoting physical activity.”

Last week the ministry advised that walking more, reducing salt intake, not smoking and drinking less alcohol are all ways to get healthy and stay well.

“The ministry recognises that all individuals have a responsibility when it comes to healthy living and want to encourage individuals to make a least one lifestyle change,” a release read.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

NEWS 17

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Members of the School for Field Studies in South Caicos clean up Shark Bay

Participants from TCIPS High School, British West Indies Collegiate and FilCom TCI

Coastal clean-up a huge success

MORE than 160 people took to the beaches, bushes and roads on Saturday (September 20) as part of a campaign to clean up the Turks and Caicos Islands’ beautiful coastline.

Participants from all over the country grabbed garbage bags and donned gloves as they cleaned up their favourite seaside areas.

A total of 279 bags full of rubbish were gathered and disposed of during the Department of Environmental and Maritime Affairs (DEMA)-led event.

Among the trash collected was

plastic bags, beer bottles, drink cans, crisp packets, bottle tops and water bottles.

Amy Avenant, DEMA environment outreach coordinator, said: “The event was open to all, and participants from all across our community signed up to keep the TCI beautiful by nature.

“A total of 17 organisations, equating to 168 people, took to beach accesses, bushes, roads and of course the beach for a few hours, tidying up any litter and other debris they found.”

The initiative was created to encourage people across TCI to remove shoreline litter to help create cleaner waters for everyone, including the wildlife and communities that depend on them.

Avenant continued: “All participants were required to submit the total amount of trash bags that they had collected, and DEMA is

A TCI church is holding its fifth annual convention this October to celebrate attaining full autonomy.

Members and guests of the New Testament Church of God, Providenciales and North Caicos district, plan to join together to praise and sing.

The event is taking place from October 8 to 12 under the theme ‘Out of many…we are one!’ from the scripture text St John 17:20-23.

District overseer Bishop Reuben Johnson said: “You are cordially invited to join us as we continue to celebrate this grand milestone of attaining full autonomy as the Church of God Turk and Caicos Islands.”

Guest speakers for the event will be Reverend Fredenor Toussaint of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Providenciales, Bishop Vernal G Clarke of Calvary Deliverance

Church in Nassau Bahamas, Pastor Goldstone Williams of The Paradise Baptist Church in Providenciales, Bishop Reuben Johnson and newly installed administrative Bishop Austraham Hamilton of New Testament Church of God TCI. On Friday, October 10, at 7pm the Church Of God Turks and Caicos Islands will join together to celebrate the installation service for the national executive officials, national leaders and workers.

All services will be held at the New Testament Church Of God on Millennium Highway.

Providenciales, from 7pm each night, 11am on Sunday morning, and will culminate on Sunday night at 6.30pm.

Immediately following Sunday night’s service, the church plans to hold an all-night youth jamboree.

global initiative called International Coastal Clean-up, the world’s largest volunteer event, headed by Ocean Conservancy An astounding 648,015 volunteers in 92 countries picked up more than 12.3 million pounds of trash in the 2013 International Coastal Clean-up.

Visit www.oceanconservancy.org to find out more.

New Chief Justice promises ...

continued from 

National convention this October

very pleased to report that a total of 279 trash bags were collected countrywide.

“DEMA would like to thank all those that took part in this initiative and would like to encourage you to join in at our next clean-up event and make a difference to the state of the TCI’s natural environment.”

The programme was all part of a

12

appointments in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, an emotional Chief Justice could be seen wiping her eyes.

Bar President Bianca Harvey, while echoing the sentiments expressed by the other speakers, also pointed out that Ramsay-Hale is a role model to young women.

However, she noted that irrespective of her gender, the Jamaican-born jurist has shown that she is fearless, intelligent, fair and hard working since her appointment in the TCI. Ariel Misick, who is the most senior member of the local private Bar, while offering his felicitations, also took the opportunity the express his dismay with the delivery of justice in the TCI. He said the Government has a critical role to play in the administration of justice; however this requires that the whole system be given the necessary financial resources to serve the needs of the community.

“We at the Bar feel that the

necessary resources have not been made available and we hope that with the assurances of the Attorney General and the Deputy Premier that something will be done.

“We are confident that you will do whatever you can with what little resources you have in your capacity as Chief Justice,” he added.

He also noted that the appointment is confirmation of the confidence in her ability, which came from seeing her behind the bench in her previous capacity as Judge of the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice is the highest judicial officer in the TCI. The principal responsibilities of the position include presiding over both civil and criminal trials in Grand Turk and Providenciales, as well as dealing with sufficiency and plea and direction hearings.

Ramsay-Hale is the second female that has been appointed to a high ranking position

within the TCI’s judicial system since Governor Beckingham’s appointment in October 2013.

She was called to the Bar in October 1991, before moving on to Crown Counsel in January 1994 in Jamaica.

In 1995, she was appointed a judge of the family court in St James, Jamaica, and eventually moved on to the criminal courts as a resident magistrate for the parish.

In September of 1998, she migrated to the Cayman Islands to serve as a magistrate of the summary court of the Cayman Islands.

In 2006, she sat as an acting judge of the Grand Court for several months and was appointed as Chief Magistrate in 2008, where she served until taking up a judgeship in the TCI. Following the swearing in ceremony Ramsay-Hale held a private party at the Regent Palms resort in Grace Bay that evening.

She invited well-wishers and supporters to celebrate her new role with her.

18 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Aviation staff attend update course SECURITY officers and division managers from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) took part in a management training course this week.

The five day Aviation Security Managers course which began on Monday (September 22) aimed to equip attendees with the necessary background and regulatory requirements to assist them in their role.

It took place at the FortisTCI conference facility and was run by Atlantic Group Associates (AGA), a Florida-based security training and consultancy firm.

The company tailored lessons to ensure that local, national and international regulatory obligations

would be fulfilled.

Lead instructor John Pears said: “AGA has a long history with the UK overseas territories, having been contracted to provide aviation and maritime security advice to Governors, directors of civil aviation and air and sea port personnel from 1998 to 2012.

“During this time both this course and the training for trainers course which will be conducted next week, were delivered annually although this is the first time that they are being delivered in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The Airports Authority has an obligation to meet international standards, and training plays an important role in the process.

Trainees at the FortisTCI conference facility learn about regulatory requirements

TCIAA security manager Lindamae Malcolm said: “The Airports Authority prides itself as an organisation that offers its employees the opportunity for progressive training in their respective fields to ensure they are equipped with the key skills necessary to operate in a challenging environment.”

She added: “We recognise the importance of continuous staff

Spectrum Life

The educational renaissance FROM 1330 to 1550 marks the approximate era of the Italian Renaissance.

The cultural revolution spread from Tuscany until Europe at large was caught in the movement.

Literature and poetry, science, sculpture, painting, architecture and music...every area of humanity was pressed to its limits.

There was a general decided effort in all studies and arts to disregard all that was known to be true and to ask for more.

What was previously accepted as brilliance, genius or even truth was questioned and tried. From this era, saturated with a rebellious nature of status quo dissatisfaction emerged some of the greatest feats of human expression known to date.

This was the time when man began to believe that anything may be possible if one simply refuses to accept what is handed to them and insists on personal pursuit of the extraordinary.

I look around and see the stirrings of this same spirit in our little country. Last week I chatted with you on what the Dawn Programme for Behavioural Learning is doing to bring a new educational art form here. But we are not the only ones.

Let’s start with the first culprits on the list! Parents. Yes, TCI

parents. They are starting to chip away at the wall that used to separate the world of the educator from the world of the domestic.

The internet has made it possible for persons of all backgrounds to meet in imaginary forums called chat rooms and to share their experiences via blogs, social media...even YouTube!

Parents began to realise that the experiences that they are having with their children are not necessarily exclusive to them in particular.

There is more out there to explain and make plain the processes of development and learning than can ever be placed in volumes.

And with a click of a mouse, a humble parent may walk into a school or classroom informed and empowered.

The parents are now the ones asking the questions and raising the issues that are pertinent to their children.

The reactionary culture of the past is giving way to a new view of proactivity.

What this does is expose the average parent to a new word in their vocabulary, ‘options’.

We have options now. We can bring suggestions that are viable, sustainable, easily generalised, creative, customised and, most importantly, specific to the needs

It is responsible for the construction, controlling and management of airports, providing and maintaining runways, taxiways and terminals, providing facilities for customs and immigration services, health and security checks.

The board comprises of chair Gordon Burton, chief executive officer John Smith and six other members.

WIV launches new website

By Nicole Cox, a mother living with autism

– part two

training, especially for those individuals engaged in exercising security controls.”

The course is recognised by the UK Department for Transportation and mirrors those required in the UK. The TCIAA is a statutory body that was formed in 2006 following the split of the Civil Aviation Department into the Civil Aviation Authority and Airports Authority.

of our own children.

All over the islands parents are learning more, sharing more and demanding more from the educational institutions to which they entrust their children.

Whether it be public education or private, the parents are beginning to feel the surge of power that knowledge brings.

And they are more than willing to use that power to generate progress on behalf of their children.

It is this bravery and irreverence for antiquated systems that will spark the new era for education in TCI. It makes me wonder, when those of us who engage this discourse are no longer relevant, and the countrymen look back at this era, whom of us will be the da Vincis or the Michaelangelos?

Which of us will be the ones who have set in motion the wheels of change from which there is no return.

Who will be the Galileo that declares the sun to be our centre, and not ourselves?

Perhaps they have already made themselves known. Perhaps we can catch a glimpse of the brilliance as it is actually developing!

Next week we will explore those who have joined these parents to think outside the box and are opening the horizon to a new TCI education mentality. It is profound.

CABLE and broadband internet company WIV has created an attractive new website featuring details and explanations of their services.

The online directory was launched last Thursday (September 18) and can be accessed at www.wiv.tc.

Along with getting general information, customers will be able to send messages to customer care, download the WIV application form to apply for service, find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the company’s services and

sign-up for the newsletter.

A press release from the company said: “WIV currently provides the Turks and Caicos Islands with the best digital cable television packages and fastest home broadband.”

WIV was acquired by Digicel Turks and Caicos in April 2014 and is currently undergoing numerous upgrades to its broadband and digital cable television infrastructure.

This will create greater choice, quality and value in broadband and cable TV services for customers across TCI.

Turks and Caicos hosts restoration weekend 2014 RESTORATION Weekend is being held in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Thursday (September 25) to Sunday (September 28) at a number of Providenciales locations.

Registration for Restoration Weekend was opened as of Monday (September 22).

The ladies that flew in attended the local Fish Fry on Thursday and Tony Gaskin spoke at the Somerset in Providenciales on Friday.

In early July, Wendy Raquel Robinson, BET’s television show ‘The Game’ actress and Michelle Hargrove, founder and president of Restoration Inc, paid a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands to give residents, especially women, a sample of what could be expected during the fall event.

Hargrove said that the event is a four day luxury weekend of serenity, reconnection, and personal revival for women who need to ‘restore’

themselves from the many hats that they wear as busy wives, mothers, caregivers and career women.

Confirmed speakers for Restoration Weekend 2014 include Kelly Price, seven time Grammy nominated R&B singer, relationship expert Tony Gaskins, certified empowerment coach Felicia Scott, Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter, and the TCI’s own celebrity chef, Chef Nik. Tickets to the Sunday brunch can be purchased separately.

Interested people can contact Michelle Hargrove at the Somerset Resort to register or buy tickets, or go to Wrightfully Fit in Saltmills Plaza during normal business hours.

During this time of restoration, 50 women from all walks of life and various parts of the world, along with the local women that register, will be inspired, uplifted and empowered by industry leaders.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 19

Sandals Foundation donates new lunch shed to Gov’t high school

By Daisy Handfield A RIBBON cutting ceremony was held at Clement Howell High School (CHHS) in Providenciales on Friday (September 19) to welcome the new lunch facility donated to the school by the Sandals Foundation.

Dara Thomas, education officer for secondary schools in Providenciales, said that the development would assist students in learning proper table manners and make overall improvements in the students’ wellbeing.

“The students of Clement Howell High School will benefit immensely from this project.

“It will help with their dinner etiquette and social development

skills as well as improve the physical presentation of the school.

Thomas said that on behalf of the Ministry and Department of Education, she wished to thank the Sandals Foundation and Beaches TCI for their continuous support and sponsorship to the improvement of education in the TCI. Elanor Finfin-Krzanowski, public relations manager for Beaches TCI, said that the project, which is designed to accommodate students while they dine and commune during their lunch hours, has been in the works from the beginning of the academic year.

Principal Kadean Cunningham

Sandals Foundation donates new lunch facilities to students at the Clement Howell High School

thanked Sandals for their continuous contributions to the school.

Remarks were brought by Heidi

Clarke, director of programmes for Beaches TCI and Damian Williams, industrial arts teacher at the school, during the ceremony.

Students were all smiles that day and mentioned to the media that

they were grateful to now have this lunch facility to enjoy their meals comfortably, in the shade.

Currently CHHS is the only Government high school in Providenciales.

Grant for primary school reading centre Students urged to A PRIMARY school in Grand Turk is set to benefit from a generous cash donation for the purchase of new books and reading materials.

Pine Cay Project announced on Monday (September 22) that it is giving $4,471 to Eliza Simons Primary School to create a reading centre.

The designated library area and new learning materials will allow students to understand what they read and become more competent readers.

Principal Juliet Thelwell said that the new grant will “provide resources to allow the school to improve the reading skills of all students, especially those who have struggled with reading.

“With this grant, we intend to

reduce the number of students with weak skills in reading and to encourage the love of reading among all students.”

Residents of Pine Cay formed Pine Cay Project in 1989 for the purpose of improving student learning across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Over the past 10 years, it has awarded about $600,000 in grants to TCI schools, the TCI Community College, the Turks and Caicos National Museum, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs and other organisations.

Staff at Eliza Simons Primary School prepared a detailed application to Pine Cay Project explaining the need for new materials, the specific items to be purchased, and the enhanced

instruction that the new materials will permit.

Pine Cay Project chair Elizabeth Pickman said: “These new instructional tools will permit the educators of Eliza Simons Primary School to take their teaching of reading to new, higher levels, for the significant benefit of their students.”

Vice-chair Carlton Mills said: “We expect these enhanced learning opportunities to increase student mastery of reading and, in particular, to improve the reading skills of struggling readers.”

Eliza Simons Primary School is one of two Government primary schools in Grand Turk and serves a student population of 249 students, aged from four to 12.

TCI Filipino Community promotes health and wellness THE PUBLIC is invited to take part in a fun run on Saturday (September 27) and help to raise funds to maintain a children’s play area and support an upcoming sports festival.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Filipino Community is organising this weekend’s event which will take place at the Bight Children’s Park at 5.30am.

This fun filled day will kick start with a stretching exercise before runners set off to do their combination of walking and running

from Jericho Baptiste Church in the Lower Bight.

Alfonso Palatino, president of the TCI Filipino Committee, said that to add excitement to this event they will have prizes at stake for those who complete the 5km run first. “$100 each for the men’s, women’s, and the best outfit during the run,” he explained.

“Likewise, a $100 prize will be given to male or female above 45-years-old who comes first; we call this award a ‘Star on 45’.”

The president welcomed residents to come out and show their support, especially those who are looking to live and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Registration fee is only $5.

Some of the funds raised will also go towards the maintenance of the Bight Children’s Park in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs.

The rest of the cash raised will go towards a sports event taking place at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Centre on October 5. (Daisy Handfield)

sign up for new business programme

YOUNG Enterprise is out and the Junior Achievement programme is in, as organisers switch from the UK to the US system.

Now participants can enjoy the same hands-on business experience as the rest of the Caribbean and stay involved throughout their high school years.

The free Junior Achievement programme puts young people in a company environment and teaches them about economics and business concepts.

It is run locally by both the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Youth Affairs.

Wendy Hill from the Chamber of Commerce explained that the Young Enterprise programme has been enjoyed for two consecutive years but added that it was time for a change.

“We decided to go with Junior Achievement North America as most of the Caribbean is now under Junior Achievement.

“The students can now stay in the programme throughout their high school years and we hope they will gain knowledge and skills to take with them for future use” She added that organisers have a good relationship with the Bahamas Junior Achievement

and plan to take participants to their February conference.

A press release on Tuesday (September 23) explained that the aim is “to empower young people to own their economic success.”

“It’s not an easy task. But it’s the kind of challenge that Junior Achievement takes on with creative energy, fervour, and decisive action.”

The closing date for registration is September 30 and forms are available at www.jatci. org.

Junior Achievement is a nonprofit youth organisation founded in 1919 by Horace A Moses, Theodore Vail, and Winthrop M Crane.

It works with local businesses and organisations to deliver experiential programmes on the topics of financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to students in kindergarten to high school.

Meanwhile Young Enterprise is an education charity founded in the United Kingdom in 1963 to forge links between schools and businesses.

The company programme is the flagship programme from Young Enterprise and allows students aged between 15 and 19 to set up and run their own company for one academic year.

Lifestyle...

20

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

GARDENING 

How does your garden grow

Sugar ants I HATE sugar ants, don’t you? Getting rid of ants is never a simple proposition despite their simple nature.

The real sugar ant is a native of the Australian continent, and exclusive to that part of the world.

Pavement ants and pharaoh ants are most mistakenly referred to as sugar ants, and they happen to be the most abundant ants here.

For the purposes of maintaining simplicity in this article, I will refer to both pharaoh and pavement ants as sugar ants. After all, both ants are controlled and killed the same way.

Sugar ants are mostly a problem

during the months of March through October, particularly in the kitchen and the bathroom.

Wipe down kitchen counter tops with bleach each night to get rid of sugar ants. Sugar ants love a dirty countertop almost as much as they love a dirty sink.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve spilled a few crystals of sugar (for my morning coffee) from the sugar cup on the counter, only to find I’ve fed an entire colony of ants the next morning.

Wiping your countertops with bleach will not only help sanitise your kitchen, but bleach breaks down the

Weekly Recipe Katherine Withers Green, 27, is a mum of one avid pasta lover. She knows from experience that finding meals that are nutritious, quick and easy to make, and that can be frozen for a later date is tough. These recipes are aimed at mothers looking to make the transition from baby food to ‘real’ food.

pheromones that ants use to follow each other to sources of food.

The boric acid, less commonly known as boracic acid, is an acid used as a flame retardant, a fission rate regulator, an antiseptic and an insecticide.

It often comes in the form of a white powder (available in some pharmacies), and is highly effective and widely used as a means of household pest control.

However, experienced boric acid users know that in order to draw in the ants, the boric acid needs to be combined with foods that are tempting to insects.

A good overall approach to making an effective boric acid ant trap is to remember that ants love sweet substances.

Mixing a sufficient amount of anything sweet into boric acid will make it irresistible to household pests.

Perhaps the simplest recipe for a boric acid ant trap is a sugar syrup, made of two parts sugar to one part

September 27 - October 3, 2014

BY DENIS Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR

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

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

water, with two tablespoons of boric acid mixed in.

Another popular formulation is to mix one tablespoon of peanut butter with one teaspoon of brown sugar and half a teaspoon of boric acid.

Yet another sugar-based boric acid recipe for ants involves one cup of corn syrup mixed with quarter of a cup hot water and two teaspoons of boric acid.

Just remember than anything sweet and preferably sticky such as sugar syrup, molasses or corn syrup will make the boric acid tempting enough that ants will instinctively be drawn to the poison.

It’s very important to remember that while boric acid is considered a weak acid, it is still poisonous, and must be kept away from children and animals.

The best way to house your boric acid trap is to place it in some sort of

YOUR DIET  Tamika has a Master’s Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University and is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA). She is currently executive director of Nutrition in Demand, a non-profit aimed at increasing awareness to health and healthy eating. For more information email tamikahandfield@yahoo.com or visit www.nutritionindemand.com. Call 242-3978 or 442-3978.

Chicken and potato pie This is real comfort food - a tasty chicken pie in a delicious white sauce, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes.

It is a great dish to store in the freezer for days when you don’t want to cook.

INGREDIENTS • 500g (1lb 2oz) potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks • 25g (1oz) butter • 100ml (3oz) milk • 50g (2oz) Cheddar cheese, grated • 15g (1/2 oz) parmesan, grated • 1 leek, thinly sliced • 1 large or 2 small shallots, finely chopped • 300ml (1/2 pint) chicken stock • 100ml (3 1/2 fl oz) double cream • 300g (10 1/2 oz) shredded, cooked chicken • 75g (3oz) frozen peas • 1 tbsp chopped parsley • 1 tbsp lemon juice • Salt and pepper METHOD • Pre-heat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/400F/Gas 6.

• Put the potatoes in cold salted

water, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.

Drain and mash with butter, milk and the grated cheeses.

• Melt the butter in a saucepan and cook the leek and shallot gently for eight to 10 minutes until soft but not coloured.

• Stir in the flour and cook for one minute, then stir in the stock a little at a time, to make a smooth sauce (you may find it easier to do this off the heat).

• Stir in the cream, then cook, stirring until the sauce just comes to the boil.

• Stir in the chicken, peas and parsley, then remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and season to taste.

• Spoon into a one and a half litre dish and top with mash.

• Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes and then finish off for a few minutes under the grill until golden brown. It’s a good idea to place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips.

• Serves four (or one VERY hungry pregnant lady!). Suitable for freezing.

jar or container with a fastening lid.

Remember to punch holes in the metal or plastic lid, so the ants can crawl inside, while still managing to keep pets at bay.

To further child-proof the boric acid traps keep them in areas hard for small children to reach such as on top of a kitchen cabinet or behind a refrigerator.

The containers should be clearly labelled as poisonous to eliminate any ambiguity about the contents.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the goal of your boric acid recipe is not only to kill the ants that feed on it but to kill as many of the other ants in the ant colony as possible.

When ants crawl into the container in which you’ve placed your boric acid concoction, they will feed, and then return to their colony and share.

This, in turn, spreads the poison exponentially and further kills off the ant population in your home.

A successful boric acid recipe will devastate an ant colony within a week or two, though in order for an ant colony to be completely and permanently annihilated, the poison must reach the queen.

BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD

Eating gluten free – Is it good for you?

IN RECENT years there has been a surge in the amount of gluten-free products that are hitting the grocery store shelves.

This can easily give you the impression that you need to be on a gluten-free diet. As a matter of fact, it has already given many people that idea.

There is a New Yorker cartoon done

by Alex Gregory that puts the whole gluten-free craze so eloquently.

Two ladies driving in a convertible and one says: “I have no idea what gluten is, either, but I’m avoiding it, just to be safe.”

That gives a good laugh, but sadly this is what is happening; some people have no idea why they are avoiding gluten.

So, what is gluten? It is simply a strong, stretchy protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It is formed when the

flour is mixed with water and it gives the bread its structure.

Some baked goods require more gluten than others. For example, bread needs lots of gluten, but pie crust and other flaky, tender goodies do not.

Too much gluten will make pie crusts tough.

I am not exactly sure when or where this craze/fad started, but the food industry has not helped it.

Almost everywhere you look, you can find gluten-free foods; even foods that were already gluten-free (meaning that they are made from a flour other than wheat, rye or barley) are now boldly labelled ‘gluten-free’.

Having multiple gluten-free options is excellent for those persons who really need to avoid gluten but it also makes others think they need to avoid it too.

Many people think avoiding gluten

will help them lose weight but in reality they may be eating just as unhealthy as anyone else.

An article entitled, ‘Eating Gluten Free Isn’t Always Healthy,’ talks about various brands that tout gluten-free but explains how many of them are made of tapioca starch, oil, sugar, butter and heavy cream.

Some of these goodies can be full of sugar and laden with calories. Do you think eating these kinds of food will help you to lose weight just because they are gluten-free? Absolutely not!

Persons who have been medically diagnosed with celiac disease are the only people who need to avoid gluten.

Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal disorder so they simply cannot tolerate or digest the protein. It is much more than some bloating you may experience after eating something with gluten.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Lifestyle...

FASHION AND BEAUTY 

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ECO Tip 

By Easher Parker

Easher is a Turks and Caicos Islands native with a natural talent for writing and a love for all things beauty and style. If you have any questions or suggestions for a topic email easherparker@gmail.com. To find out more visit itseasher.com or follow twitter or Instagram @itseasher for fab instant updates.

Three time travelling trends THE GLOBAL hype of Fashion Week along with its freshly baked trends can be both exciting and overwhelming for fashion and style enthusiasts. There’s always so much hitting the runway.

On top of that we had the uber savvy flexing some stellar street fashion for us. The stylish were just serving inspiration everywhere.

So what are the hits and misses? Honestly, this time around I won’t be dishing out bulletins on what’s all the rage for the fall season.

Instead I aim to point you in the right direction so you can learn to easily spot the classics yourself.

Trust me when I say you can do no wrong with these in the land of sun, sand and stilettos.

OLD SCHOOL PALLET Primary colours are timeless. They will never die out. How can they?

You need blue, red and yellow to create a rainbow.

These colours are typically in full bloom during the spring and summer season but I was never one to follow most of the ‘rules’.

Who’s making them up anyway?

You’d be even happier to know that this trend has been spotted on fall runways before. It is a refreshing twist from the earthy and jewel tones that often dominate the scene around this time of year.

So don’t be afraid to step outside of the norm!

COLOR BLOCK Way back when, around 1965 to be exact, Yves Saint Laurent effortlessly managed to make colour-blocking a hit.

The trend has since remained a true classic. Modern-day designers marry bold, in-your face colours with blacks and whites for that ‘wow’ factor.

I love colour blocking, especially with monotones. If you’re not feeling adventurous, play it down with a muted colour block. Plus neutrals are in!

LACE AND EYELETS Eyelets and lace are continually reinterpreted on the runways. If you’re not familiar with eyelets, allow me to paint a picture.

Eyelets are those little holes in fabric with floral or cute swirl designs stitched around them.

Garments featuring these two textures are a combination of ladylike, vintage and modern.

These textures are a favourite of mine because they have real versatility. You can serve it in either textures at work, home or for a night out.

Of course there are several more timeless trends that could have made our list but there is one detail style lovers tend to overlook. That is their surrounding environment.

This may be something that never slips your radar but you’d be surprised how many of us fall asleep on that.

Remember, not everything we see on runways or the streets of Manhattan or Milan will work for the island gal community.

Although, I still encourage all of you fab ladies to indulge in the fall season’s latest eye candy. Just think back to the versatile classics if you do decide to invest this season!

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

By Lynn Robinson

Plastic straws…to use or not to use?

PRETTY much every time you go to a bar or restaurant these days, chances are you will be given a straw with the majority of drinks ordered.

But why?

Some say it’s to avoid tooth decay when drinking sodas but if people are so concerned about the health of their teeth, why are they not as concerned about what the ingredients are doing to their bodies?

There is also the argument that it avoids drinking from the edge of a potentially unclean glass in which case why are straws not given out with wine?

With so many concerns about plastic pollution and the hazards they cause to other species both on land and in the ocean, isn’t it time we changed our habits and think twice about slurping our drinks through an item that will never be used again.

A disposable straw is used for an average of about 20 minutes and one person using one straw per day for the next decade will have used and discarded 3,650 straws.

Now equate that to every person in every town and city and you have a huge problem on our hands.

Single use plastic is an increasing problem around the world and one of the most common items found on beach clean ups is that innocent looking little straw.

The problem is so bad that some places, such as Miami Beach, have now banned plastic straws from being served in beach front hotels in a bid to educate and reduce the usage.

The city of London is also waging a war against the straw with a campaign called ‘Straw Wars’ with the bars and restaurants in the community of Soho being the first to

join this ongoing initiative.

The organisers behind Straw Wars have calculated that McDonalds alone pumps out about 3.5 million straws every single day in the UK! The environment isn’t the only thing to be concerned about. The beauty industry claims that regular straw drinking causes people to purse their lips which will create wrinkles from the repetitive muscle motion.

So what can we do? We can start by asking for our drinks without straws and lead by example.

Bars and restaurants can choose to ask their clientele if they need a straw, or even serve the straw in its original wrapper next to the drink so it can be taken away if not used.

And if you really can’t do without your straw, consider purchasing a reusable one made from steel, glass or bamboo.

POLICE SAFETY TIPS

Record serial numbers THERE are several things that can be done to deter would-be thieves.

One of the most important, and often overlooked, is to copy down the make, model and serial numbers of your property.

If there’s no serial number then the property should be marked in some way to identify the owner.

If a person is found with suspected stolen property the serial number can confirm that it’s stolen. This then allows police to solve current and past crimes and gather information about who is doing what.

Serial numbers are also a good general deterrent for people purchasing items. Most people don’t want to purchase stolen property because it’s wrong, but they also don’t want to risk being charged with possession of stolen property.

The most valuable reason for recording serial numbers is that it allows police to return property to the rightful owner.

When thieves break into a house, they target high-end goods: smart phones, televisions, laptop computers.

However, there is another common denominator among

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

burglaries, something that’s costing many victims the chance to get their stuff back.

Almost everything stolen from a home has a unique serial number inscribed on it somewhere. But few people record the serial numbers on their property before it’s stolen.

That’s a missed opportunity because many stolen goods are recovered by police but there is no way to item their rightful owners.

When an item is sold to a pawnshop, the serial number is recorded as part of the transaction. Every transaction is turned over to the police for review.

Here’s another reason to record serial numbers from your items or to have them inscribed with your personal mark.

A homeowner who has kept serial numbers can turn them over to the investigating officer. When the thief tries to pawn something, police will be alerted because of that serial number.

The chance of getting stolen property back is greater if people have recorded their serial numbers.

Recording serial numbers can be time consuming, but I cannot stress the importance enough.

It’s just as important to keep the list hidden. I can recall a burglary involving a homeowner who had done his due diligence and recorded the serial numbers.

But all the information was on a CD labelled ‘serial numbers,’ so the burglar took that, too.

I will also take this opportunity to strongly caution persons from buying an item with a serial number that’s been filed off or ripped away.

There are many ways to be proactive in the fight against crime.

The greatest partner a police officer can have is you, a member of the public who has taken steps to make the job of a criminal that much harder to begin with.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Veteran T&T Calypsonian “Black Stalin” suffers stroke following performance VETERAN calypsonian Leroy Calliste, the Black Stalin, remained hospitalised Monday after suffering stroke a few hours after performing at a charity show in south Trinidad on Sunday night.

Relatives said that Stalin, 73, was rushed to the San Fernando Hospital after he started experiencing severe pain to his back on returning home for performing at the inclusive fundraiser hosted by the St. Andrew Anglican

Black Stalin, 73, was rushed to the San Fernando Hospital after he started experiencing severe pain to his back on returning home for performing at the inclusive fundraiser hosted by the St. Andrew Anglican Church in aid of its building fund.

Church in aid of its building fund.

Stalin, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the West Indies (UWI) was crowned Calypso King of Kings in 1999 for his mega hit “Black Man

Feeling to Party”.

Stalin has limited mobility and a speech problems and “all indications point to a stroke,” his relatives told reporters. He is still undergoing tests.

(Caribbean 360)

Barba Streisand is now the only recording artist to issue No. 1 albums in six consecutive decades.

Streisand makes history with new album’s chart-topping debut BARBRA Streisand is making history with her new album.

Billboard says Streisand’s latest release, “Partners,” debuted on top of the charts, making her the only recording artist to issue No. 1 albums in six consecutive decades.

The 72-year-old singer thanked her fans in a statement Wednesday, saying she appreciates their energy and support.

“Partners,” which hit stores

last week, is a collection of duets featuring such talents as Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Michael Buble and John Mayer.

Streisand’s first No. 1 album came out almost 50 years ago: “People” topped the charts in October of 1964. Her other top albums include “The Way We Were,” “A Star is Born,” “The Broadway Album,” and “Love is the Answer.” (NYdailynews)

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Dr. Dre earned $620m in the last 12 months.

Dr Dre named hip-hop’s richest man with $620M THE words “count up the cash” in the opening of Dr. Dre’s Get Your Money Right have never rung more true.

Thanks to Apple’s Beats buyout, the rapper’s $620m (£378m) earnings in the last 12 months are the highest of any musician ever evaluated by Forbes.

And they make a lot of rich lists.

His total eclipses the mere $60m ($36m) earned by Jay Z, who happens to feature on Get Your Money Right, and Diddy who tied in

second place.

In fact, Dr Dre’s takings are more than the combined income of all the other 24 names on the list.

Drake came in fourth with $33m (£20.2m) which will keep him happy, having told Forbes “if I’m not on your list, I’d be gravely disappointed” in 2013.

Seattle duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s $32m (£19.5m) takes the last slot in the top five, edging out Kanye West’s $30m (£18.3m).

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Entertainment

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Dave Lee Travis found guilty of indecent assault

Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on Aug. 24 in Inglewood, Calif.

Rose files for divorce from Wiz Khalifa after 14 months of marriage AMBER Rose is saying yeah to divorce from Wiz Khalifa.

The 30-year-old model filed surprise paperwork Tuesday to end her marriage with the “Say Yeah” singer just a year and two months after they tied the knot in Pennsylvania, documents obtained by the Daily News state.

Rose listed the date of separation as Monday and cited “irreconcilable differences” in her filing in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Rose is asking for full custody of the couple’s 1-year-old son Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, who was born in

February 2013.

Rose, who previously dated Kanye West, acknowledged in her paperwork that she and her hubby signed a prenuptial agreement on July 8, 2013, the same day they married.

She is asking for spousal support “pursuant” to the prenup.

Rose made no indication that there was trouble in paradise on Khalifa’s birthday just two weeks ago.

“Happy 27th Birthday @ mistercap I’ll love u forever.... Hope this year is an amazing one for u sweetheart,” she wrote Sept. 8 on Instagram. (NYdailynews)

Emma Watson nude photo threat a hoax THE threat to release nude photos of actress Emma Watson was an attempt to start a viral marketing campaign to shutter the site 4chan.

After her impassioned speech for gender equality last weekend at the United Nations, Watson faced backlash, including a threat to leak alleged nude photos of the star.

Business Insider reported that an anonymous 4chan user had posted a countdown timer with a picture of the “Harry Potter” actress wiping away a tear hinting that she could become the next star to have her iCloud hacked and personal photos dispersed for the world to see.

Jennifer Lawrence, Kim Kardashian and Gabrielle Union are among the celebrities recently to have private, intimate photos splashed across the Internet. The 4chan site is where the hacked, nude

Emma Watson was one of a number of celebrities who were targeted.

photos of these other female stars initially appeared.

On Wednesday, the site mentioned in the anonymous user’s posting, EmmaYouAreNext.com, was redirecting to the company Rantic Marketing with the message #ShutDown4chan.

Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a researcher working on TV’s Mrs Merton Show in 1995.

A Southwark Crown Court jury convicted him by a majority verdict of 10-2.

He was found not guilty of indecently assaulting a woman while he was appearing in a production of Aladdin in 1990.

Travis, who left the court with his wife Marianne after being granted bail, will be sentenced on Friday.

He was cleared of a further charge of sexually assaulting a journalist after the jury failed to reach a verdict.

Travis was cleared of the two charges he was being retried for after a jury was unable to reach verdicts at an earlier trial.

He had been cleared of 12 other indecent assault allegations at that trial.

The prosecution introduced a further charge ahead of the retrial and, on Tuesday, the court found him guilty of this offence.

The 69-year-old, who was tried under his real name David Griffin, appeared on BBC Radio 1 for more than 25 years until 1993 and was a regular host of Top of the Pops.

Prosecutors described him as an “opportunist” and said his “charming and cuddly” persona was no defence for his actions.

Sophie Wood, defending, told the judge she would “seek to persuade” him that Travis should be given a non-custodial community order

Former Radio DJ David Lee was convicted of the assault after a major 10-2 verdict.

sentence.

But Judge Anthony Leonard QC told Travis: “You must understand that all my options remain open in relation to sentencing.”

Travis replied: “I understand.

Thank you, your honour.”

Almost two years since his arrest, eight months since the first trial and four days since this jury began their deliberations.

The strain was etched on his face as he entered the dock at 14:15 BST this afternoon.

He stood as the jury forewoman delivered the verdicts.

Not guilty on the first count.

Guilty on the second. Unable to agree on the third.

But it was only the second count that really mattered.

The man with the soothing voice,

patter and quick wit seemed lost for words and walked out of the courtroom alone, stunned.

His wife Marianne, who’d been sitting grim-faced in the public gallery behind him, put an arm round his waist.

But it was little consolation.

The jury of six men and six women found him guilty of indecently assaulting a woman on 17 January 1995, while she was working on the BBC’s comedy chat programme the Mrs Merton Show.

She had told the court she was left “shaking” after the incident.

Giving evidence, the woman now a television personality - said she was 22 when Travis approached her as she was smoking a cigarette in a corridor of the BBC studios in Manchester.

Al Pacino honoured at British Film Institute HOLLYWOOD star Al Pacino said he was “overwhelmed” after being made a fellow of the British Film Institute (BFI).

The 74-year-old star of The Godfather films received the honour at a ceremony in London from BFI chairman Greg Dyke.

“People I’ve adored have received this award,” said Pacino.

“I appreciate this so much. Thank you.”

Industry legends including Orson Welles, Dame Judi Dench, Ken Loach and the late Lord Attenborough have received the fellowship in the past.

It is awarded by the BFI Board of Governors and is presented for outstanding achievement in film and television. Since 1983, a total of 78 fellowships have been awarded.

Actors Richard E Grant, Ian Holm, John Hurt and Steven Berkoff were among those attending the star-studded ceremony on Thursday, alongside directors Terry Gilliam and

Al Pacino has received eight Oscar nominations, winning best actor for Scent of a Woman in 1993.

Terence Davies, playwright David Hare and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

Pacino, who won the best actor Oscar in 1993 for his role in Scent of a Woman, is best known for his performances in the Godfather trilogy, Scarface and Dog Day Afternoon.

Presenting him with the fellowship, Mr Dyke called the actor

“a true icon”.

“Al Pacino is one of the greatest actors the world has ever seen, and a visionary director of stage and screen,” he said.

“His extraordinary body of work has made him one of the most recognisable and bestloved stars of the big screen, whose films enthral and delight audiences across the globe.”

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Bahamian PM calls on nations to pay $100bn a year to tackle climate change PRIME Minister Perry Christie on Tuesday urged developed nations to honour their commitment to pay $100 billion a year by 2020 for climate finance support as he outlined the Bahamas’ vulnerability to climate change.

He said because of the Bahamas’ vulnerability to climate change “we qualify for funding and expect our fair share.”

Mr Christie added that despite the government’s best efforts, emissions into the atmosphere continue to grow and threaten “the very existence of the Bahamas”.

Mr Christie spoke at the United Nations Climate Summit In New York City.

“I want my presence here today to signal that for the Bahamas, climate change is serious business,” Mr Christie said. “This threatens our very existence. Here is what the scientists say, 80 per cent of my nation’s land mass will be lost if the sea level rises 1.5 metres. They also say that with a warming of 3.7-4.8°C by 2100, as currently predicted, the Bahamas we know would be no more. It is with this sense of urgency that I address you today.

“The Bahamas accepts the science on this issue. We have signed on to all the agreements, yet emissions into the atmosphere continue to grow,” Mr Christie said.

“Notwithstanding our negligible contribution to the issue, we are taking concrete steps to reduce our carbon footprint. We adopted a National Energy Policy, which includes the introduction of renewable energy goals of at least 30 per cent of energy generation by way of renewable technologies by 2030. We also continue to focus on adaptation to

Since 2001, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has had 14 major weather events, five of which have occurred since 2010.

PM Perry Christie said in order to save the Bahamas, there needs to be a comprehensive plan to reverse upward emission trends and a significant amount of money to turn the plan into action.

climate change, despite our limited access to grant and concessional funding. We have identified the National Policy for Adaptation to Climate Change and work steadily toward implementation with civil society and other key partners. We have done this and more to enhance our resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change. We are a lowlying archipelagic chain of islands and are painfully aware of the impact of sea level rise for our country.”

Mr Christie said in order to save the Bahamas, there needs to be a comprehensive plan to reverse upward emission trends and a significant amount of money to turn the plan into action.

“Every day the sea is rising, the coral reefs are dying; yet so far all the world has done is talk. The fact is that nothing the world has done so far has stopped this upward trend in global emissions,” he said.

“The Bahamas calls therefore for a sufficiently ambitious, comprehensive and inclusive,

legally binding framework, with commitments strong enough to reverse present upward emission trends. The survival of small-island developing states (SIDS) must be the benchmark for the 2015 agreement.

“Having said that, money is important. Nothing can happen without it. Developed countries must honour their financial commitments from Copenhagen. We need a clear pathway for developed countries to contribute what they promised to pay for climate finance support in the amount of US $100 billion dollars a year by 2020.

“Money for adaptation and coastal defenses is also crucial. None of this should be dependent on the GDP per capita of small-island developing states like the Bahamas.

“We must look at each country’s vulnerability to climate change, its debt and more importantly honor the principle that ‘the polluter pays.

Looked at like this, the Bahamas qualifies for funding and we expect our fair share.” (Tribune242)

Reparations commission says Jamaica would be due £2.3 trillion of total for Caribbean THE National Commission on Reparations (NCR) says Jamaica would be due at least £2.3 trillion (approximately J$416.3 trillion) from any slavery reparations paid by Britain to the region.

This money would be able to pay off Jamaica’s national debt of $2 trillion and set the nation on a new economic path.

The figure was based on the NCR’s calculation of Jamaica’s 30.64 per cent of the £7.5 trillion calculated

by British academic theologian, Dr Robert Beckford, as being owed by Britain to its former colonies.

The information was included in the NCR’s report which was finally completed and tabled in the House of Representatives last Tuesday.

Beckford, who was born to

Jamaican parents in Northampton, England, and was raised in the Pentecostal Church, has focused on the role Britain played in the slave trade in his latest documentary — The Empire Pays Back — on Channel Four Television, which calculates how much money AfricanCaribbean nations would be owed if they were compensated for slavery, which he described as “one of the major scars on British history”.

But, according to the Professor Verene Shepherd who chaired Jamaican commission, even Professor Beckford’s figure is incomplete, as it does not include provisions for the differentiated labour classifications under slavery — field, artisan, domestic, and supervisory.

The NCR report also claimed that Beckford failed to take into account the pre-arrival suffering and trauma of capture in Africa, the march to the coast, and storage in dungeons.

“It also does not include the trauma and pain of the ‘Middle Passage’ journey, punishment, death through execution and the sexploitation which were daily features of the plantation society, both during and after slavery. And it excludes the cost of repatriation,” Shepherd’s team reported.

“There is no doubt that the enslaved suffered… the punishment meted out to the enslaved people was severe, and this level of suffering must be accounted for in any demand for repair and restorative justice,” the report added. (Jamaica Observer)

Climate change an “existential threat” for the Caribbean WHEN it comes to climate change, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves doesn’t mince words: he will tell you that it is a matter of life and death for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

“The threat is not abstract, it is not very distant, it is immediate and it is real. And if this matter is the premier existential issue which faces us it means that we have to take it more seriously and put it at the centre stage of all our developmental efforts,” Gonsalves told IPS. “The country which I have the honour to lead is a disaster-prone country. We need to adapt, strengthen our resilience, to mitigate, we need to reduce risks to human and natural assets resulting from climate change.

“This is an issue however, which we alone cannot address. The world is a small place and we contribute very little to global warming but yet we are in the frontlines of continuing disasters,” Gonsalves added.

Since 2001, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has had 14 major weather events, five of which have occurred since 2010. These five weather events have caused loss and damage amounting to more than 600 million dollars, or just about a third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Three rain-related events, and in the case of Hurricane Tomas, wind, occurred in 2010; in April 2011 there were landslides and flooding of almost biblical proportions in the northeast of our country; and in December we had on Christmas Eve, a calamitous event,” Gonsalves said.

“My Christmas Eve flood was 17.5 percent of GDP and I don’t have the base out of which I can climb easily. More than 10,000 people were directly affected, that is to say more than one tenth of our population.

“In the first half of 2010 and the first half of this year we had drought.

Tomas caused loss and damage amounting to 150 million dollars; the April floods of 2011 caused damage and loss amounting to 100

million dollars; and the Christmas Eve weather event caused loss and damage amounting to just over 330 million. If you add those up you get 580 million, you throw in 20 million for the drought and you see a number 600 million dollars and climbing,” Gonsalves said.

Over the past several years, and in particular since the 2009 summit of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, the United States and other large countries have made a commitment to help small island states deal with the adverse impacts of climate change, and pledged millions of dollars to support adaptation and disaster risk-reduction efforts.

On a recent visit to several Pacific islands, Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships with small island nations and others to meet the immediate threats and long-term development challenges posed by climate change.

He stressed that through cooperative behaviour and fostering regional integration, the U.S. could help create sustainable economic growth, power a clean energy revolution, and empower people to deal with the negative impacts of climate change.

But Gonsalves noted that despite the generosity of the United States, there is a scarcity of funds for mitigation and adaptation promised by the global community, “not only the developed world but also other major emitters, China and India, for example,” adding that these promises were made to SIDS and to less developed countries.

Twelve people lost their lives in the Christmas Eve floods.

Jock Conly, mission director of USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean, told IPS that through strategic partnerships with regional, national, and local government entities, USAID is actively working to reduce the region’s vulnerability and increase its resilience to the impacts of climate change.

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Bahamas: ‘Pastor plied me with drink and fondled me,’ youth tells court A 16-year-old boy in the Bahamas told a magistrate on Tuesday how being called into a meeting with a pastor spiralled into a night of drinking and being fondled by the minister.

People’s Assembly Word Centre ministers Arsenio Butler and Devin

Sears sat in apparent shock and disbelief at the teenager’s recollection of the evening of January 31 when they were pointed out as the culprits who blackmailed him into drinking wine, Guinness and Red Bull.

Their lawyer, Romona Farquharson-Seymour, suggested

Raphael Trotman has dismissed the accusations as a political ploy against him. (Photo: Inewsguyana)

Guyana speaker granted court injunction, still denies sexual molestation accusation SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, has been granted an ex-parte injunction preventing a 22-yearold man from publishing any material relating to allegations that he was molested by the Speaker nearly a decade ago.

Trotman, who has already dismissed the allegations as a move “obviously intended to provide a timely distraction from the serious prevailing political situation in Guyana” got the injunction late Monday.

The injunction also orders the 22-year old man to remove all allegations of sexual abuse by the Speaker from his Facebook Page.

The minority Alliance For Change (AFC) said in a statement said that Chief Justice Ian Chang granted the injunction barring Johnny Anthony Welshman from publishing whether in the print or electronic media any material relating to allegations he has made against Trotman.

Trotman is also seeking damages in excess of GUY$50 million (One Guyana dollar =US$0.002 cents) for libel contained in statements allegedly made by Welshman and published in the Stabroek News, Guyana Times and on Welshman’s

Facebook page.

The AFC said that it would continue to provide “unequivocal support” for Trotman, the party’s co-founder against the recent “spurious and unfounded allegations leveled against him”.

The Speaker has already sought to link the accusations to the vote of no confidence filed against the Donald Ramotar administration.

“Conveniently, such scandalous assertions are obviously intended to provide a timely distraction from the serious prevailing political situation in Guyana, which imminently requires me as Speaker of the National Assembly to guide the ship of the nation’s Parliament through the strongest test to Guyana’s constitutional democracy: the debate of a NoConfidence Motion,” Trotman said in a statement.

The 22 year-old accuser, who first posted the allegation on the social media Facebook last Friday, claims he was sexually molested as a 13-year-old teenager and that he had decided to speak out, after trying valiantly for a settlement to no avail.

“I have waited long enough for justice and now is my time…,” the young man told the Guyana Times newspaper.

to the boy that he was lying about her clients, whom he admitted had never touched him inappropriately whenever they were alone prior to the alleged incident.

Butler, 27, and Sears, 25, face a charge of cruelty to children, alleged to have been committed between January 31 and February 1. It is claimed that they gave a teenage boy alcohol “in a manner likely to cause injury to his health”.

Butler, a pastor-elect, was separately charged with indecent assault, where it is alleged that he put his hand down the teenager’s trousers. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges in their first Magistrate’s Court appearance in February.

In Tuesday’s proceedings before Magistrate Andrew Forbes, Crown prosecutor Cordell Frazier questioned the complainant on what led to him having to give sworn testimony.

The boy said that he was at home on January 31 when he got a call from the church and took a 16A bus to the church, reaching there around 5.30pm.

After exchanging pleasantries with the church secretary, the boy said he was told that “Pastor Butler wanted to meet me in his office”.

“He started asking me personal questions. He asked if I have a girlfriend, if I watch porn and if I ever had sex,” the witness said, adding that he didn’t answer the questions.

“He asked my mother for permission to take me out to socialise,” the boy said, adding that she was in the church at choir practice.

In the meeting, the boy said Butler asked him if he had ever drunk before.

“I said ‘yes sir, I drank once at a party in Jamaica’,” the court heard.

The boy was reportedly asked if he drank wine but said he did not.

After the meeting, the teen went to work in the church’s audio production room with an acquaintance around the time that “Minister Sears came and called for a next meeting.”

“Minister Sears” he claimed, “started talking about how we could improve the sound.”

The boy said there was another meeting held by Butler and Sears after the choir members had left.

Afterwards the three of them had locked up the church around 10pm and left.

The boy said they made a stop for Sears to change out of his tuxedo before they returned to the church and then “we drove to McDonalds

by COB.” The boy said that Sears then drove them to a drive-through liquor store on Soldier Road where Sears purchased “red and clear wine, Red Bull and Guinness.” They got plastic cups “and we said cheers.”

“He (Butler) said to chug it down. I said I can’t drink all of it.

He insisted and did a count down

and I drank it. It made my body feel warm,” the court heard.

“After that, I felt sick,” the boy said, adding that Butler “poured me a second cup of red wine.”

The boy claimed that he refused but Butler threatened to tell his grandmother, who would likely take away all of his electronic devices.

The boy said he drank it and not long afterwards, “while we were on the highway, I told them I had to go pee badly”.

They reportedly pulled over to a bushy area near a pre-school, where the boy relieved himself and got back in the car. “I told them I wanted to go home.”

The complainant alleged that Sears suggested they go to Arawak Cay before pouring him another cup of wine mixed with Guinness.

“I told them I feel drunk,” the court heard.

The boy said before he knew it, they were parked on Bay Street near a major retail store and he was pulled out of the car by Butler. The boy claimed he was wobbling and holding on to “stuff” before they ended up by the wharf walking in the direction of Senor Frogs.

“He (Butler) said if I was really drunk, I would take off all my clothes and jump in the water. I sat on the wall and threw up,” the boy said.

The complainant said Butler repeatedly punched him in the back of the neck for doing so and kicking him in his side.

PM: Haiti to hold delayed vote by early next year HAITIAN Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said Tuesday that his country will hold long-overdue elections no later than early next year if several opposition lawmakers don’t stand in the way of the vote before their mandates expire in January.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Lamothe said a group of six senators who have been holding Haiti “hostage” won’t be able to do so anymore once their terms end. Still, Lamothe said, he hopes the officials will approve an electoral law before then, a move that could pave the way to organize the vote that is three years late.

Lamothe has promised before that the legislative and local elections will happen before year’s end, but now the stakes are higher as the government faces mounting pressure from the United States and United Nations to organize the vote before the terms of 10 senators expire in mid-January and Parliament is dissolved. President Michel Martelly will then rule by decree.

“From Jan. 12 on, they will not have the (green) light to block the process,” Lamothe said while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. “The president will take (responsibility) and organize the elections as soon as he can, as soon as possible.”

If the vote isn’t held before year’s end, it will happen in the first three months of next year, Lamothe said.

The elections seek to fill two thirds of the 30-member Senate, the entire 99-member Chamber of Deputies and dozens of local posts. Political infighting and foot dragging have led to the delay, which has been met with a mix of frustration and indifference.

The senators deny they’re holding up the elections and are instead defending the Haitian Constitution.

The run-up to the vote is almost certain to prove turbulent.

In recent weeks, supporters of twotime president Jean-Bertrand Aristide have organized menacing protests outside his compound in the capital as he faces a revived criminal inquiry that originates from the aftermath of his

second ouster, in 2004.

Aristide, a former priest who remains both popular and polarizing, is barred from running for a third presidential term under the constitution. But leaders of his political party, Lavalas Family, have said they plan to participate.

The judge’s report focuses on corruption, money laundering and drug trafficking charges brought against Aristide, Lamothe said, citing information he has received from the judge and the news.

Aristide’s legal team said he is innocent and is being persecuted as part of an effort to discredit his political party from running in the upcoming election. Lamothe denied this on Tuesday.

“We have absolutely no intention of persecuting Aristide politically or anything of the sort,” Lamothe said in a hotel restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “What we want is stability. We want peace. And we want the country to move forward.

And of course we want the rule of law to prevail.”

30

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Scottish referendum: Queen urges referendum ‘respect’ THE Queen has said she believes Scotland will unite in a “spirit of mutual respect and support” following the independence referendum.

She said she understood there would be “strong feelings and contrasting emotions”.

But she had “no doubt” this would be tempered by “an understanding of the feelings of others”.

Voters in Scotland rejected independence by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 in Thursday’s referendum.

The Queen’s statement came after Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would be stepping down after his proindependence campaign suffered defeat in the referendum.

The Monarch is currently staying at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.

She said: “After many months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of the referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect.

“For many in Scotland and elsewhere today, there will be

French President: Islamic extremists beheaded French hostage FRENCH hostage Herve Gourdel was abducted and beheaded, a killing shown on video, French President Francois Hollande told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

“You will understand that today I am speaking before you with a particularly high level of emotion because one of my compatriots has just been subject of a cowardly assassination,” Hollande said. “He was a man who was full enthusiasm. He loved the mountains. He thought he would be able to pursue his passion moving into the Ouzou area in Algeria.”

Hollande said the attack won’t affect France’s role in the battle against terrorism.

“France will never give in to blackmail, to pressure, to barbaric acts. Quite to the contrary, France knows what is expected,” Hollande said.

Earlier, Hollande expressed his condolences to Gourdel’s family in a news conference at the French mission. (CNN)

The Queen spoke of an “enduring love of Scotland”.

strong feelings and contrasting emotions - among family, friends and neighbours.

“That, of course, is the nature of the robust democratic tradition we enjoy in this country. But I have no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others.”

She added: “Now, as we move forward, we should remember that despite the range of views that have been expressed, we have in common an enduring love of Scotland, which is one of the things that helps to unite us all.

“Knowing the people of Scotland as I do, I have no doubt that Scots, like others throughout the United Kingdom, are able to express strongly-held opinions before coming together again in a spirit of mutual respect and support, to work constructively for the future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country.

“My family and I will do all we can to help and support you in this important task.”

The Queen faced the prospect of becoming Elizabeth I of Scotland or even Elizabeth, Queen of Scots, had the Scottish people voted in favour of independence.

As a 27-year-old, she was

crowned more than 60 years ago in Westminster Abbey when she took a solemn oath to “govern the peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.

Her coronation gown demonstrated the importance of the Union, with the intricate embroidery centring on the four emblems of the United Kingdom - the rose, the shamrock, the leek and the thistle.

The Queen’s Scottish heritage has been an important part of her life. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, hailed from an ancient aristocratic Scottish family.

The annual Ghillies Ball, which she hosts for staff at Balmoral, was moved from polling day to Friday amid suggestions the switch was made to allow staff to vote in the referendum.

After previous reports claimed the Queen was growing increasingly concerned about Scotland breaking away, Buckingham Palace issued a statement maintaining that she was above politics.

“Any suggestion that the Queen would wish to influence the outcome of the current referendum campaign is categorically wrong. Her Majesty is simply of the view this is a matter for the people of Scotland,” the Palace said.

Pregnant Las Vegas school bus driver goes into labour, crashes into truck A PREGNANT school bus driver had to be transported to a Las Vegas hospital after going into labour and crashing, authorities said.

The nine-months-pregnant driver, who was unidentified, slammed into a semi-tractor trailer truck, according to Fox 5 Vegas. The accident happened around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday on the 215 Beltway, according to Nevada Highway Patrol.

It was unclear what her condition was Wednesday afternoon.

There were 50 students on board — half of them were picked up by their parents, and the other half were transported to another school bus, said Trooper Loy Hixson.

It was unclear whether any of the students sustained injuries.

(NYdailynews)

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Miliband: Labour ‘has work to do’ in Scotland ED Miliband has admitted his party has “work to do” to persuade thousands of disaffected Labour supporters to return to the fold.

Large numbers of traditional Labour voters backed independence in Thursday’s independence referendum.

But the Labour leader denied the party was facing disaster in Scotland at next year’s general election and the Holyrood election in 2016.

He also praised Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont.

Ms Lamont is under pressure amid speculation that some Scottish MPs want her to stand aside and be replaced by a prominent figure such as MP Jim Murphy.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Miliband said: “I think Johann Lamont is an excellent leader of the Scottish Labour party and she has led us with distinction throughout this referendum campaign and throughout her tenure.”

He also said former Prime Minister Gordon Brown had played an “incredible role” in the campaign to save the Union.

The Labour leader denied suggestions that his party is risking the avowed timetable for further powers for Holyrood set out by the three pro-union parties, because of wrangling over the prime minister’s parallel pledge for English votes for English laws at Westminster.

He insisted that his backing for a constitutional convention in the Autumn of 2015 - after the general election - which would consider devolution for England and the votes of Scottish MPs at

Miliband denied the party was facing disaster in Scotland at next year’s general election and the Holyrood election in 2016.

Westminster was “not kicking it into the long grass”.

Mr Miliband added: “I think we need to be very careful about back of the envelope changes to our constitution. Our United Kingdom is a fragile precious thing and we shouldn’t play fast and loose with the constitution in a way that puts it at risk. Let’s do it in a calm and measured way.”

On those further powers promised to Scotland, he said: “I have made it absolutely clear that the timetable will happen. No ifs no buts. The people of Scotland can be absolutely reassured that promise will be kept.”

Last week, Labour strongholds such as North Lanarkshire, Dundee and Glasgow voted in favour of leaving the UK. Mr Miliband said: “We have got to reach out to a lot of people who voted ‘Yes’, a lot of Labour voters who voted ‘Yes’. I know they will be disappointed. But I want to persuade them we can change things.

Female pricks stranger “then welcomes him to “HIV Club” A SEATTLE tourist got an eerie initiation into an unnerving club.

Police are hunting for a woman who stabbed a stranger with a needle. told him, “Welcome to the HIV club” and then ran away.

The bizarre, unprovoked attacked happened in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood last week.

A man and his girlfriend — both British tourists visiting the city as crewmembers on a yacht — were standing outside the Red Star bar in the early hours of Sept. 17, KOMO reported.

The man felt a prick on his arm and then noticed a woman walking past him holding a syringe.

She turned around, looked at him and said, “Welcome to the HIV club,” the man told police.

The woman was able to slip away while the man and his girlfriend tended to his bleeding arm, police said.

The man went to a local hospital for treatment but didn’t report the incident until two days later.

On Tuesday, police didn’t know if the man had been infected with HIV. “Hopefully, this was just somebody with a very poor sense of humor trying to scare someone in a way that is totally inappropriate,” Seattle Police Detective Patrick Michaud told KIRO TV.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

World News

31

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Manning sues to get transgender medical treatment

A new IS video purportedly shows new recruits.

Islamic State crisis: UN aims to stop jihadist recruits THE UN Security Council has adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

US President Barack Obama chaired the session and said nations must prevent the recruitment and financing of foreign fighters.

US and Arab jets bombed Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria for a second day, including oil facilities, the US says.

Mr Obama urged global efforts to dismantle the IS “network of death”.

The US-drafted resolution was adopted unanimously.

The US launched air raids against IS militants in Iraq last month and overnight from Monday to Tuesday expanded the strikes into Syria, with the participation of Gulf Arab allies.

IS now controls several oilfields in Syria and Iraq, and sales of smuggled

crude oil have helped finance its offensive in both countries.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said nations must deal with all forms of extremism, including banning “preachers of hate” and fighting “poisonous ideology”.

He told the UN council session that the Iraq and Syria conflicts were attracting young recruits from prosperous countries.

Mr Obama said “the words spoken here today must be matched and translated into action... within nations and between them, not just in the days ahead but for years to come”.

In his earlier speech to the UN General Assembly he condemned IS, saying “there can be no reasoning no negotiation - with this brand of evil”.

More than 40 countries had offered to join the anti-IS coalition, he said.

CHELSEA Manning, convicted of espionage and imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, has filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming she “has been denied access to medically necessary treatment” for her gender disorder.

The inmate once known as Bradley Manning announced in August 2013, the day after her court sentencing, that she is female.

Manning is suing to follow grooming standards such as growing her hair longer and using cosmetics, and to receive hormone treatment “in order to express her female gender,” said the suit filed Tuesday in district court in Washington.

“She brings this action to compel defendants [Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the federal government] to treat her serious medical needs consistent with their obligation under the Constitution,” said the suit. If the requests are denied, said Manning’s lawyers, she “will suffer continued pain, depression and anxiety and is at an extremely high risk of self-castration and suicidality.”

A Kansas judge in April granted the former Army intelligence analyst’s request to formally be known as Chelsea Elizabeth Manning.

“I’ve been working for months for this change, and waiting for years,” she said in a statement at the time. There was no immediate

Chelsea Manning, a former intelligence analyst, previously known as Bradley, is suing to follow grooming standards such as growing her hair longer and using cosmetics, and to receive hormone treatment “in order to express her female gender,” said the suit filed Tuesday in district court in Washington.

reaction from the government on Manning’s new lawsuit. The Obama administration is expected to give a written response to the lawsuit in coming weeks.

Manning is serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth, an Army prison in eastern Kansas.

She was convicted last year of stealing and disseminating 750,000 pages of documents and videos to WikiLeaks in what has been

described as the largest leak of classified material in U.S. history.

Manning was found guilty of 20 of the 22 charges against her, including violations of the U.S. Espionage Act. At the time of her announcement that she planned to live as a woman, Manning asked for support and said she wanted to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible.

“I requested that the military provide me with a treatment plan consistent with the recognized professional standards of care for trans [gender] health. They quickly evaluated me and informed me that they came up with a proposed treatment plan.

“However, I have not yet seen their treatment plan, and in over eight months, I have not received any response as to whether the plan will be approved or disapproved, or whether it follows the guidelines of qualified health professionals,” Manning said. She said that lack of treatment continues to this day.

Her supporters had indicated a lawsuit would be a likely option.

Manning said she was diagnosed in 2010 with gender dysphoria, which her lawyers describe as “the medical diagnosis given to individuals whose gender identity-- their innate sense of being male or female-- differs from the sex they were assigned at birth, causing clinically significant distress.” (CNN)

Ebola-hit nations may ‘face collapse’

The lawsuit had centred on how the US government managed the Navajo tribe’s land.

US to pay Native American Navajo tribe $500m settlement THE US government has agreed to pay $554m (£339m) to the Native American Navajo tribe to settle a legal dispute.

It is the largest payment ever made by the government to a single tribe.

The litigation included claims that dated back more than 50 years, with the US accused of mismanaging resources on tribal lands. The Navajo Nation has now agreed to waive these lawsuits.

The US has previously reached

similar agreements with other tribes over the use of their land and goods.

The Navajos are the largest Native American tribe, with more than 300,000 members.

About 14 million acres (5.7 million hectares) of Navajo land is leased out for purposes including farming, oil and gas production, and mining.

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly called the settlement a “victory for tribal sovereignty”.

THE Ebola outbreak threatens to become a political crisis that could unravel years of effort to stabilise West Africa, a think tank has warned.

“The worst-hit countries now face widespread chaos and, potentially, collapse,” the International Crisis Group (ICG) said.

The world’s largest outbreak of Ebola has caused 2,811 deaths so far, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, a team of health workers in Guinea has been attacked.

The International Federation of the Red Cross said they were collecting bodies believed to be infected with Ebola in western Guinea.

One Red Cross worker is recovering after being wounded in the neck, it said.

Last week, an eight-member team trying to raise awareness about Ebola was killed in the south-east of the country by villagers suspicious of official attempts to combat the disease.

Twenty-seven suspects have been arrested over their murders, Guinea’s Justice Minister Cheick Sacko said, AFP news agency reports.

On Tuesday, the UN World Health

People with Ebola are finding it difficult to get adequate treatment.

Organization (WHO) warned that Ebola infections could treble to 20,000 by November if efforts to tackle the outbreak were not stepped up.

However, Francis Dove Edwin, a member of Sierra Leone’s presidential task force dealing with Ebola, said much progress had been made in curbing the outbreak.

Patients were now being isolated and quarantined and from “quarantine you have eradication”, Mr Dove told BBC Focus on Africa.

Both Liberia and Sierra Leone are

recovering from brutal civil wars and Guinea has faced coups and ethnic unrest.

“Adding social breakdown to the epidemic would create disaster perhaps impossible to manage,” the ICG statement said.

The international community needs to provide more personnel and resources “not only to the immediate medical response but also to the longer-term problems of strengthening governance and rebuilding health-care systems”, it said.

32

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate

Brama Kumaris

Raja Yoga

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Telephone 946-4760 & 332-4101

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

FOR SALE

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

FLOWER GIRL

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Contact: 231-3788

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September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 33

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34 CLASSIFIEDS

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

TIBOR’S

APEX DEVELOPMENT LTD.

Welding Supervisor

Boat Engineer

Job Responsibilities: • Design and implement preventative maintenance programs for fleet of boats; • Supervision of boat captains; • Procurement of materials and supplies for repairs and maintenance of a fleet of boats; • Managing a cost budget for the maintenance of a fleet of boats.

• Qualifications Required: • Diploma in electrical and/or electronic engineering • Minimum of 10 years of experience in boat maintenance • Grade 1 Boat Masters License from the Turks and Caicos Maritime Agency • Experience in preventative maintenance and major overhaul of inboard diesel marine engines • Experience in preventative maintenance and repair of gasoline and diesel engines • Experience in the training and supervision of staff; • Experience in managing a budget for the cost of maintaining a fleet of boats; • High level first aid training; • IT literate with training and experience with Microsoft Office software.

• This position is immediately available. Salary for this position depends on qualifications and experience. All applicants will be reviewed; however only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

10384

AGNES SWANN Is looking for a

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

contact: 246-4769

Manager

such as brazing, soldering operations and supervise fitting and assembly of structural frames - Work fabrication projects from start to finish and supervise other workers - Fabricate various artistic designs for our enclosure projects must have minimum 5 years experience - Interpret and explain drawings/diagrams to other workers performs other duties as described under SUPERVISOR Master Title.

- Must have a valid trade specific certifications with at least 5 years working experience.

- oversee large fabrication project for hotel buildings 10386

10407

Applications must be submitted by email before October 3rd 2014 to: Apex Developments Ltd. (Attention: Manager) Email: administration@apexdevelopment.com

- Knowledge & experience in stainless steel, aluminum and steel welding operations and have thorough knowledge of identifying various metals - Set up machines and make trial welds to make test runs and experimental products - Trains workers (certified welders) in operations of various equipment & machineray such as press brake, bandsaws, welding machines - Qualified in each welding process listed SMAW, GMAW, GTAW (MIG/TIG) - Inspects work and confers with WELD INSPECTOR I and WELD INSPECTOR II to maintain specified standards and quality.

- Supervise welder workers in all operations

SENIOR SOLICITOR A Solicitor in good standing, admitted to practice in a commonwealth country, with at least 10 years actual post qualification experience in private practice. A broad range of experience, including: complex commercial/civil litigation, contact review, drafting and negotiation, property law, general litigation (family/criminal/ personal injury, wills and probate, constitutional and administrative law.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applications may be submitted to: dtaylor@swannlaw.tc or P.O. Box 349, Providenciales 10380

Job Description: 1. Increases management's effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining supervisors; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.

2. Develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.

3. Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, adhering to budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.

4. Coordinates efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with all staff.

5. Builds company image by collaborating with customers, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.

6. Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.

7. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.

8. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Job Criteria/ Work Experience:

Seven Stars Resort is seeking suitably qualified persons to fill the positions outlined below. Ideal candidates should possess luxury resort experience, be out-going and friendly, with a professional demeanor and must be fluent in English, be a team player with a strong work ethic, available for work on public holidays, weekends and evenings. Salaries are based on experience and qualifications. Suitable candidates must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a 5 Star Resort in a similar role. Must have a strong attention to detail and exceptional ability to maintain the highest standards of quality required.

Chef De Partie Mixologist Executive Sous Chef Spa Therapist Cook Security Carpenter

1. Bachelor Degree in Hospitality; 2. Basic Knowledge of Accounting Principles and applications 3. Minimum of 6 years experience in hospitality; at least 3 in front office; 4. Minimum of 2 years experience in supervisory role and minimum of 1 year management experience

Closing Date October 3, 2014 Suitably qualified candidates should apply via email to Seven Stars at: hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration Candidates must possess relevant skills, experience, and a clean police record.

Contact: sandrews@caicoswheels.com

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

10379

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10387

September 27 - October 3, 2014

CHARITE ALCY Is looking for a

CLASSIFIEDS 35

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Trail Enterprises Ltd Is seeking applicants for the following positions:

Is looking of behalf of our clients. CC'S Beauty Salon, H & VG Construction, Charles Rigby the following positions,

Interested Candidates please submit CV, Resumes, Residency Status to info@trail.tc

Belonger applications encouraged and welcomed.

All applicants will receive consideration. 10385

THAI ORCHID

FLOWER GIRL

Is looking for a

chef

Wanted urgently

For its restaurant in Grace Bay the suitable applicant should have at least 10 years experience in Thai authentic foods hours of operations are 6:00am-6:00pm MondaySaturday salary range $8-$10 per hour.

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

contact: 231-0561

Call: 231-3788

• 20+ years expertise with a minimum of 12yrs in highend, exclusive restaurants • Thorough knowledge of worldwide cuisines • Candidates must have ordering, control, cost awareness and program knowledge • Must possess food handling certificates • Ability to work weekends and holidays essential.

• Full clean drivers’ license.

• Proficient in both Windows and Apple based programs • Fluent English both reading and writing Salary – to be determined based on experience

Labourer Security Officer Painters Mason Baker Maintenance Driver Carpenter

Must be willing to work 6 days per week. Must have qualifications for the position you are applying for. Send resume to P.O. Box 954

domestic

worker to work 3 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 242-5221 10378

10376

Busy tour operator located in Grand Turk seeks and experienced FULL-TIME

DIESEL AND GASOLINE ENGINE AUTO MECHANIC

10381

The successful candidate will possess the ability to work with a range of vehicles, be self-motivated, able to work long hours in stressful conditions, have knowledge of vehicle electrical systems, pneumatic and hydraulic systems and be able to perform diagnostics, repair and maintenance, at least 5 years experience as an auto and bus mechanic as well as verifiable work references is required, must reside in Grand Turk, English is required Spanish is a plus

Please contact: 649-432-5939 for further information

DANIEL FORTUNE Is looking for a

domestic

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

contact: 241-8529

Belonger only may apply by sending a resume to, hernandezemploymentservices.8@ gmail.com

C & J EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANCY Acting on behalf of our clients: Van’s Rims, Tire Shop & Auto Services, Tropical Bar, C & J Construction, Roadside Quality and Discount Auto Parts is looking to fill the following positions:

Labourers Tire Man Waitress Domestic Worker Sales Clerk Salary $5.00 per hour

Contact: 649-347-2093

Is looking for a

Experienced Chef required

Please send CV to tefmltd@hotmail.com by September 30th 2014. Belongers only need apply.

contact: 333-0694

NEEDED

MONDAY BALONY PENTECOSTAL RESTORATION CENTER

TEFM Ltd

To work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

For the following positions:

10383

Floral Designer

nanny WORKERS

Hernandez Human Resource Employment Agency Is looking of behalf of our clients, Middle Caicos Growers, Dominique Beauty Salon, Cilote Gardiner (Classic 809 Club), Miami Bayside Variety Store, Michael Lightbourne, Anna Beauty Salon, the following positions,

Associate Engineer (IM&T Department)

Education Required: Academic Degree.

Industry-specific qualification or Technical level in computer, business or quantitative field such as: Computer Science, Business, Operations, Mathematics or Education Experience: A minimum of 2 years experience within an IT related role • Operates and maintains in-house applications; assists in planning and conducting migrations and upgrades; assists in database-specific technical assignments. Project assists in the area of documentation management.

• Assists in network evaluation, analysis, conceptualisation and implementation of inhouse network infrastructure. Monitors network and ensures its proper operation • Train and provide training materials on IM&T systems including HIS and Telehealth.

• To investigate and resolve general, often complex, issues and queries from users of InterHealth Canada IT systems, and to manage and maintain InterHealth Canada IT infrastructure.

1 Labourer 1 Domestic Worker 1 Labour (Handyman) 1 Cashier 1 Bar Maid 1 Bartender 1 Farmer 1 Cosmetologist – $6.00 Belonger only may apply by sending a resume to,hernandezemploymentservices.8@ gmail.comdead line. September 15, 2014.

Cheshire Hall Medical Centre - Providenciales TCI

Job Summary:

Remuneration packages will be based on qualification and experience.

Preference will be given to qualified B.O.T.C -Turks and Caicos Islands and persons with Belonger Status.

Please address your resume showing qualifications and experiences to: Recruitment@interhealthcanada.tc 10362

10404

contact: 241-7834

1 Cosmetology 1 Labour (Handyman) 1 Fine Carpenter 1 Wood Carver 1 Labour

10417

Is looking for a

10419

per week salary $5.50 per hour.

Hernandez Human Resource Employment Agency

10413

Worker To work 5 days

ALEXANDRA MISSICK

10405

Domestic

1. Property Manager 2. Front Desk Concierge 3. Bar Manager 4. Labourer 5. Waitress/Waiter 6. Food & Beverage Director 7. Cleaners 8. Maintenance/General Handy Man

Deadline: 3rd October 2014

10406

J & W CONSTRUCTION

Open Water Scuba Dive Masters / Instructors

• Domestic Worker • Caretaker Salary $5.50 per hour

carpenter To work 5 days

Jean Daiella

• Domestic Worker $5.50 per hour

per week salary $13.00 per hour.

Martin Gray

• Laborer $6.00 per hour

Contact: 1-649-347-6642

contact: 231-4519

10414

Luc Saint Jean Shop

Is looking for a

• Laborer $5.50 per hour

10421

• Nail Technician $6.50 per hour

REQUIREMENTS AS FOLLOW: • Valid PADI/SSI membership and liability insurance • Working Knowledge of Under water Camera / Videos and Edition • Be prepared to carry out other duties onboard as directed by the Captain • STCW95 Complaint, current or valid with in 6 months • Computer Literate • Be prepared to live onboard & work long hours including weekends & holidays • Experienced in the Hospitality industry Belongers need only apply Starting salary $400.00 a week

Please send emails to tcaggressor@express.tc or call 941-7825

LEONARD FORBES

Blue Heron Aviation

Is looking for a

Front Desk Concierge

Security Personnel Positions (expected salary range $10.50 - $14.00 depending on experience) - Minimum Age requirement 21 years of age - High School Diploma or equivalent - Be physically capable of working 12 hours shifts - Capable of lifting up to 50lbs without undue stress - Hold a full TCI Driving License - Be capable of successfully passing a medical examination - Produce a valid Police Certificate - At least 3 years of Law Enforcement, Security Service and/or Immigration experience - Computer literate - Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office products - Ability to speak English fluently (other languages will be a benefit)

Field Service Technicians

labourer 10402

To work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 243-8071

MOZIE MOTORS Is looking for a

Is seeking suitably qualified applicants to fulfill a limited number of positions, for its Fixed Base Operation Facility:

Positions (expected salary range $10.50 - $14.00 depending on experience) - Minimum Age requirement 21 years of age - High School Diploma or equivalent - Be physically capable of working 12 hours shifts - Capable of lifting up to 50lbs without undue stress - Hold a full TCI Driving License - Be capable of successfully passing a medical examination - Produce a valid Police Certificate - At least 3 years of Front Line Customer service experience - Computer literate - Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office products - Ability to speak English fluently (other languages will be a benefit) - Need to be able to reconcile sales reports on daily basis - Handle all paperwork as it relates to the processing of international inbound and outbound clients

10367

Acting on behalf of our clients is looking to fill the following positions:

Preston Churchill Harris

TURKS AND CAICOS AGGRESSOR II

Rental Agent To work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.

contact: 941-5344

ISLAND VILLA MANAGEMENT is seeking qualified applicants to fill the following opening for our clients:-

HOUSEKEEPER Duties include: • Laundry, making beds, cleaning of all rooms etc.

• Must have at least 3 years experience in this area • Person apply must be able to read and write English • Must be willing to work weekends and public holidays Salary $5.50 per hour Submit application with details to: Rhondda Collymore-Wilson P.O. BOX 683, Caribbean Place, Providenciales or Email: omega@tciway.tc No later than October 8th, 2014

10412

C & J CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD. Gold Star Nail Center

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

10403

36 CLASSIFIEDS

KEVIN & SON Is looking for

Plumber to work 5 days per week • Must be able to read blueprints • Must have experience dealing with fire protection, gas system, fuel systems • Must have experience in plumbing Salary $8.50 per hour

Contact: 247-4068 10420

(expected salary range $10.50 - $14.00 depending on experience) - Minimum Age requirement 21 years of age - High School Diploma or equivalent - Be physically capable of working 12 hours shifts - Capable of lifting up to 70lbs without undue stress - Hold a full TCI Driving License - Be capable of successfully passing a medical examination - Produce a valid Police Certificate - At least 3 years of aircraft ramp operations experience ( to include potable water/ lav service, operation of GPU/ACU and aircraft pushback) - At least 3 years of aircraft fueling procedures (capability to produce the daily / weekly checks on the equipment) - Computer literate - Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office products - Ability to speak English fluently (other languages will be a benefit) - Be capable of working in an outdoor environment for much of the shift.

Strong sales person required

All applicants need to submit their resume via email to roger@blueheronfbo.com. You will be contacted for an interview if required.

Deadline for applications 10th October 2014

Email: info@karammissick.com. Only Belongers Need Apply. Serious Inquiries Only

10408

10422

The successful candidate must be possess a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing with training and a minimum of five years experience in Sales and Marketing. This individual will be actively involved with soliciting sales from local and foreign businesses, including meeting with clients, making the sales pitch (including with Powerpoint presentations) and closing deals. Duties will also include liaising with various media houses, assisting to maintain customer satisfaction, assisting with on-site customer promotions and development of client promotional campaigns along with designing graphics of promotional materials and social media updates. Candidate must be pleasant, mature, trustworthy and professional. Must also hold a valid driver's license and be in good health. Must be prepared to travel if required travel from time to time on short notice.

Salary and commissions will commensurate with experience. We will accept emails only of resumes with proof of certification. Must be submitted by October 3, 2014.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Ricardo Fulford Consultant Services

J.B.S Salon is seeking employment for the following:

Looking for operations manager To work in a thriving tourism adventure company

Interested candidate must contact the number advertise for further details regarding employment.

Ricardo Fulford Immigration and Labour Consultant President of Ricardo Fulford Consultant Services ricardofulford@gmail.com (649) 346-1125

labourer To work 6 days

The applicant must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in the water-sports & tourism industry and a minimum of 3 years as operations manager. Experience must include people management, sales, reservations, PR and display a high degree of computer, communication & organizational skills. Applicant must also hold a professional scuba diving qualification and valid driving license and those with mechanical skills and who are able to speak a second language will be considered first. All applicants must be presentable, articulate, and be able to work long and flexible hours under pressure. Weekends and public holidays mandatory.

Starting salary of $3500 per month.

contact: 341-4502

Please e-mail resume and cover letter to info@bigblueunlimited.com You will be contacted for an interview if required and the deadline for applications is 15th October 2014. Position starts in late 2014

per week salary $7.00 per hour.

10415

Interested candidate may contact 241-1242 for further details regarding employment.

Interested candidate may apply through ricardofulford@gmail. com for further details regarding employment.

TROPICAL BAR

THE TUSCANY RESORT Is looking for a

Mechanic To work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour

contact: 941-4667 10410

Is looking for a

G-SPOT BAR & GRILL Is looking for

The successful applicant must be willing to work late hours and on weekends. Salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 241-0426

10396

BEEN MEP Ltd. Requires qualified and experienced

Electricians

Labourer Barmaids To work 6 days 10411

1) Graphic Designer

1) Cosmetologist

10416

D.O.M. Design is seeking employment for the following:

STEEL UNLIMITED Is looking for a

On behalf of his clients:

CLASSIFIEDS 37

per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 345-8450

Applicants MUST have at least 10 years experience on large commercial projects.

Salary negotiable depending on level of experience.

Please fax resume to 941 7626

10423

10395

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

MASSAGE THERAPIST NEEDED • Applicant must have a minimum of 3 years hands-on experience in 5 Star Resort • And at least 3 years working as therapist • Must be trained and certified by an accredited school in all of the following: • Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, PreNatal, Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures and Waxing.

• Applicant must be certified in all the previous areas. In addition, Applicant must be available for work all weekends and public holidays and be available from 8am-8pm.

• Must have own vehicle and current clean drivers license.

• Pay is commission based. Must have GREAT customer service skills and be upbeat and positive. There will be an English reading and writing test.

Please send resume to: relax@spatropique.com Please do not apply to this Ad unless you can meet all of the above requirements.

Please contact us by October 3, 2014

10391

A local water sports company requires a charismatic

Swim Teacher BEACH ATTENDANT To build and manage a swimming program for local children and adults in Providenciales T.C.I. • The candidate must have both their Bronze Cross and Bronze Medallion and have held these certifications for at least 10 years sailing and windsurfing Instructor experience a must. Scuba Diving experience is a plus.

• Must be willing to work long hours in the sun • Weekends and holidays • Have knowledge of Water Safety Rescue Diver, Scuba, Sailing, Kayaking, and willing to go into the ocean daily • Positive, friendly and must speak,

read and write English Salary is commensurate with experience

Please submit application along with copies of qualifications to swiftdelivery@tciway.tc

10400

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

SALES!!!

Due to change of season we are selling lots of items at discount prices. Towels, curtains, bathroom sets, bathroom coordinates, napkins, cups and glasses, canisters, mixing bowls, serving trays and much more for your house.

38

September 27 - October 3, 2014

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Limit TV to help fight obesity, says NICE

Seven Stars Resort is seeking suitably qualified persons to fill the positions outlined below. Ideal candidates should possess luxury resort experience, be out-going and friendly, with a professional demeanor and must be fluent in English, be a team player with a strong work ethic, available for work on public holidays, weekends and evenings.

Salaries are based on experience and qualifications. Suitable candidates must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a 5 Star Resort in a similar role. Must have a strong attention to detail and exceptional ability to maintain the highest standards of quality required.

• Cook • Security • Carpenter

Closing Date October 3, 2014 Suitably qualified candidates should apply via email to Seven Stars at: hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration Candidates must possess relevant skills, experience, and a clean police record.

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

HOUSEKEEPER

Projetech Construction Management & Services Ltd.,

Domestic Worker

people to monitor their weight and activity levels, using apps or regular weigh-in sessions.

The draft suggestions include: Walking or cycling to school or work Reducing TV viewing with strategies such as TV-free days or setting a limit of no more than two hours a day in front of the TV screen Cutting down on calorific foods, such as fried food, biscuits, sweets and full-fat cheese

PASSION BEAUTY SALON & SUPPLY

PABLO BARBER SHOP

Is looking for a

Contact the Managing Director at 941-3508 or Email- info@projetech.tc

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

contact: 333-1235

W & F VARIETY STORE

10388

contact: 341-6898

10389

Contact: 344-4540

per week salary $5.00 per hour.

To work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.

contact: 247-0187 C & S PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Experience Restaurant Industry. Ability to read, speak and write English must be able to remember & recite. Promote a Pleasant personality, ability to communicate with others. Must be a team player

Sales Person To work 3 days

Barber 10397

hairdresser

Candidate must be willing to work weekends, holidays and long hours. Salary $7.5/hr. Duties will include cleaning/office maintenance.

Is looking for a

Winky’s Catering • Laborer salary $6.00 per hour Caicos Coral • Horse Trainer salary $6.00 per hour • Horse Maintenance Worker salary $6.00 per hour El Rancho • 2 Waitresses salary $6.00 per hour • 1 Bartender salary $6.00 per hour Liz Bakery • Sales Clerk salary $6.00 per hour

Is looking for a

Waiter/ Busser-: 3-5 years’ experience Cook/ Pastry chef: 5-7 years.

Must be a good team player, work at fast pace.

Must know how to prepare French & Indonesian Cuisine.

Deadline October 11th, 2014

Send resumes to P.O. BOX 811, Providenciales 10390

Is seeking a

cashier To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

contact: 241-5922

10394

Contact: Management: 649-941-3312 The Proprietors, Strata Plan #38 The Grandview on Grace Bay 10401 Acting on behalf of our clients:

probably take the stairs rather than the lift, cut down on TV time, eat more healthily and drink less alcohol.

“But it can be difficult to know the most useful changes that we can make in terms of our weight.”

The guidelines make a number of recommendations that aim to ensure the advice given about maintaining a healthy weight is more specific and based on real evidence.

There are also new recommendations encouraging

10393

To work 5 days per week.

8am-12pm

Y.A.3.B. CONSULTANCY

Fast food and TV should be limited, says a health watchdog.

Wishes to recruit a

10400

• Chef De Partie • Mixologist • Executive Sous Chef • Spa Therapist

ADULTS and children should consider having TV-free days or limiting viewing to no more than two hours a day under new proposals to tackle obesity.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations also include avoiding drinks with added sugar and limiting takeaways.

The draft guidance, the first on the subject since 2006, is aimed at helping people maintain a healthy weight.

Obesity rates nearly doubled over the past 10 years in England.

Prof Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health at NICE, said a healthier diet and being more physically active was important for everyone, not just those who were already overweight or obese.

“The general rule for maintaining a healthy weight is that energy intake through food and drink should not exceed energy output from daily activity,” he said.

“We all know we should

September 27 - October 3, 2014

39

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Breath test for TB developed

Women who went up a skirt size every decade after their mid-20s had a 33% greater risk of breast cancer after the menopause, say researchers at University College London.

Skirt size increase linked to breast cancer risk, says study GOING up several skirt sizes in midlife could be a warning sign of increased cancer risk, research suggests.

Women who went up a skirt size every decade after their mid-20s had a 33% greater risk of breast cancer after the menopause, say researchers at University College London.

Watching your skirt size from your mid-20s onwards could be a simple way to track weight gain, they told BMJ Open.

Obesity is a known risk factor for cancer, particularly midriff fat.

Prof Usha Menon of the Department of Women’s Cancer, who led the study, told BBC News: “If skirt size could be confirmed by others as a good predictor of breast cancer risk in older women, this would be a very simple and easy way to monitor weight gain.”

The study tracked more than 90,000 women in their 50s and 60s living in England.

During the three-year follow-up period, 1,090 women developed breast cancer.

The researchers found that a unit increase in UK skirt size every 10 years (for example from 12 to 14) between 25 and post-menopausal age was linked to a 33% increased risk of breast cancer.

Going up two skirt sizes in the same period was associated with a 77% greater risk, they report.

Commenting on the research, Simon Vincent

of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “We know that 40% of breast cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle such as being regularly active and maintaining a healthy weight.

“This study highlights an easy way to monitor your weight gain over time. Women are more likely to remember their skirt size when they were younger than their BMI.” The researchers said the study had some limitations - it relied on women being able to accurately recall their skirt size in their 20s.

But if the findings are confirmed, it could give women a simple and easy-tounderstand message about the risks of obesity.

Tom Stansfeld of Cancer Research UK said the study could be unreliable as dress sizes had changed over the years and it relied on a woman being able to remember her skirt size several decades earlier.

“Evidence tells us the most important things you can do to reduce breast cancer risk, especially after the menopause, is to keep a healthy weight, be physically active as often as you can, and cut down on alcohol,” he said.

“Keeping a healthy weight is important to help reduce breast cancer risk after the menopause, and looking at skirt sizes to help women understand this is interesting, but knowing if you’re overweight is more important.” (BBC)

RESEARCHERS have developed the first breath test for TB in the laboratory.

It provides rapid information on drug resistance that takes up to six weeks using standard methods, US scientists report in the journal, Nature Communications.

The bacteria emit a unique gas signature within 10 minutes of exposure to an inhaled antibiotic in rabbits.

TB infects 8.6m people each year worldwide and kills 1.3m, second only to HIV. Early diagnosis and treatment are a priority in the global fight against TB, according to the World Health Organization.

The new research used an inhaled form of isoniazid an antibiotic commonly used to treat the disease - which is activated by a TB enzyme.

The test exploits the fact that this enzyme is unique to TB, said Dr Graham Timmins, Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico, US, who led the research.

“We realised that we could actually look at the conversion of isoniazid to its active form by monitoring one of the labelled gases that’s given off during its activation,” he explained.

TB infects 8.6m people each year worldwide and kills 1.3m, second only to HIV.

The researchers gave a special molecularly-labelled form of isoniazid to laboratory rabbits.

In the presence of TB, labelled nitrogen gas was released from the lungs and detected by a machine called a mass spectrometer.

A positive result indicates that TB bugs are present and suggests they are susceptible to isoniazid.

TB is very difficult to treat, requiring at least six months of treatment with multiple drugs.

Failure to complete treatment has contributed to the rise of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), accounting for 30% of cases in some countries.

For many years diagnosis of TB relied on a lengthy wait for the bacteria to grow in a culture of the patient’s sputum.

“If you do it by culture, it can take a month to six weeks before you get a result,” said Dr Timmins.

In the last few years a new DNA detection technique called GeneXpert has been endorsed by the World Health Organization.

From a sample of sputum it can detect whether a sample contains TB and whether it is is resistant to one of the key drugs, rifampicin, in about three hours.

But for full drug resistance information the patient has to wait longer.

“Optimally treating somebody the best you can at the time of that single encounter, so someone can go home with the right set of tablets, would be really, really useful,” said Dr Timmins.

The new breath test samples the whole lung for what is hoped will be greater sensitivity, in a wider range of patients, with results available almost instantly.

‘Clever idea’ “It’s a clever idea,” said Dr Ruth McNerney, senior lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The test could “add a bit more certainty” to the diagnosis of MDR-TB, and “it’s worth pursuing, definitely,” she said.

At present the breath test only detects isoniazid sensitivity. It will therefore need to be used in combination with other tests.

“This is just the start of the program we want to instigate,” said Dr Timmins.

The next step will be to show that the tests work in humans in a clinical setting.

“Lots of good ideas fail when you put them into the clinic,” conceded Dr Timmins.

(BBC)

Brazil releases ‘good’ mosquitoes to fight Dengue fever BRAZILIAN researchers in Rio de Janeiro have released thousands of mosquitoes infected with a bacteria that suppresses Dengue fever.

The hope is they will multiply, breed and become the majority of mosquitoes, thus reducing cases of the disease.

The initiative is part of a programme also taking place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The intercellular bacteria, Wolbachia, being introduced cannot be transmitted to humans.

The programme started in 2012 says Luciano Moreira of the Brazilian research institute Fiocruz, who is leading the project in Brazil .

“Our teams performed weekly visits to the four neighbourhoods in Rio being targeted. Mosquitoes were analysed after collection in special traps.

“Transparency and proper information for the households is priority. “

The project “Eliminate the dengue: Challenge Brazil” by state Brazilian laboratory Fiocruz released about 10,000 mosquitoes infected with a dengue blocking bacteria.

Ten thousands mosquitoes will be released each month for four months with the first release in Tubiacanga, in the north of Rio. The bacteria Wolbachia is found in 60% of insects. It acts like a vaccine for the mosquito which carries Dengue, Aedes Aegypti, stopping the Dengue virus multiplying in its body.

Wolbachia also has an

effect on reproduction. If a contaminated male fertilises the eggs of a female without the bacteria, these eggs do not turn into larvae.

If the male and female are contaminated or if only a female has the bacteria, all future generations of mosquito will carry Wolbachia.

As a result, Aedes mosquitoes with Wolbachia

become predominant without researchers having to constantly release more contaminated insects.

In Australia this happened within 10 weeks on average.

The research on Wolbachia began at the University of Monash in Australia in 2008.

The researchers allowed the mosquitoes to feed on their own arms for five years because of concerns at the time Wolbachia could infect humans and domestic animals.

Three more neighbourhoods will be targeted next, and large scale studies to evaluate the effect of the strategy are planned for 2016.

Dengue re-emerged in Brazil in 1981 after an absence of more than 20 years.

Over the next 30 years, seven million cases were reported.

Brazil leads the world in the number of Dengue cases, with 3.2 million cases and 800 deaths reported in the 20092014 period. (BBC)

40

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Clear skies reveal water on distant Neptune-sized planet A CLOUD-FREE atmosphere has allowed scientists to pick out signs of water vapour on a distant planet the size of Neptune: the smallest “exoplanet” ever to reveal its chemical composition.

Previously, only larger, Jupiterlike giants have been studied in this way.

Working with three space telescopes, astronomers deduced the presence of water by measuring the colours of light the planet absorbed when it passed in front of its star.

The find appears in the journal Nature.

It was made by a team of researchers led from the University of Maryland, US. The planet, designated HAT P-11b, orbits a sun in the constellation Cygnus some 124 light-years - about a quadrillion kilometres - from Earth.

It is roughly four times the width of our home world.

The scientists studied the planet’s atmosphere with the aid of the US space agency’s Hubble, Spitzer and Kepler telescopes.

Their observations were also greatly assisted by there being no clouds on HAT P-11b, which would otherwise have frustrated their attempts to probe its gaseous envelope.

The team determined that the faroff world’s atmosphere contained about 90% hydrogen, but also

The berries grow in wetlands and swamps.

Berries in cancer therapy experiment

Artwork: The exoplanet HAT-P-11b is four times the size of Earth, or about the same size as Neptune.

significant quantities of water vapour as well.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Eliza Kempton from Grinnell College, Iowa, said the Maryland group had taken another important step in the study of exoplanets planets beyond our Solar System.

“Astronomers have detected water vapour in the atmospheres of larger planets - planets that are closer in size to Jupiter. But you can imagine that eventually we want to be able to detect molecules in the atmospheres of even smaller planets.

“We’d like to be able to look at

an Earth-sized planet and measure its gaseous composition. So this is a step on the ladder; we’re stepping down the ladder towards smaller and smaller planets,” she told this week’s Science In Action programme on the BBC World Service.

Water has obvious implications for life, although HAT P-11b is too close to its star - and therefore too hot - to be habitable.

But in the future study of Earthsized exoplanets, the presence of water will be an important consideration as scientists search for biology elsewhere in our galaxy.

(BBC)

WILD berries native to North America may have a role in boosting cancer therapy, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Pathology.

Scientists suggest chokeberries could work in combination with conventional drugs to kill more cancer cells.

But the UK research is at an early stage, with experiments carried out only on cancer cells in laboratories.

Cancer Research UK says much more work is needed to test the effectiveness of berries, particularly in human trials.

Researchers from the University of Southampton and King’s College Hospital, London, tested a berry extract on pancreatic cancer samples.

Pancreatic cancer is particularly hard to treat and has an average survival period of just six months after diagnosis.

The study found that when the berry extract was used, together with a conventional chemotherapy drug called gemcitabine, more cancer cells died than when the drug was used alone.

But the scientists say the chokeberry had no effect on normal body cells tested in this way.

They believe compounds known as polyphenols in the berries may reduce the number of harmful cells.

And the team previously carried out similar early work on brain cancer cells.

Henry Scowcroft, at the charity Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s far too early to say from this small laboratory study whether chemicals extracted from chokeberries have any effect on pancreatic cancer in patients.

Brian Cox: ‘Multiverse’ makes sense PHYSICIST Brian Cox says he supports the idea that many universes can exist at the same time.

The idea may sound far-fetched but the “many worlds” concept is the subject of serious debate among physicists.

It is a particular interpretation of quantum mechanics - which describes the often counter-intuitive behaviour of energy and matter at small scales.

Prof Cox made the comments during an interview with Radio 4’s The Life Scientific programme.

In a famous thought experiment devised by the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrodinger, a cat sealed inside a box can be both alive and dead at the same time. Or any combination of different probabilities of being both dead and alive.

This is at odds with most common perceptions of the way the world is.

And Schrodinger’s experiment was designed to illustrate the problems presented by one version of quantum mechanics known as the Copenhagen interpretation.

This proposes that when we observe a system, we force it to make a choice. So, for example, when you open the box with Schrodinger’s cat

Schrodinger’s thought experiment was designed to illustrate problems with one interpretation of quantum physics.

inside, it emerges dead or alive, not both.

But Prof Cox says the many worlds idea offers a sensible alternative.

“That there’s an infinite number of universes sounds more complicated than there being one,” Prof Cox told the programme.

“But actually, it’s a simpler version of quantum mechanics. It’s quantum mechanics without wave function collapse... the idea that by

observing something you force a system to make a choice.”

Accepting the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics means also having to accept that things can exist in several states at the same time.

But this leads to another question: Why do we perceive only one world, not many?

A single digital photograph can be made from many different images superimposed on one another.

Perhaps the single reality that we perceive is also multi-layered.

The laws of quantum mechanics describe what happens inside the nucleus of every atom, right down at the level of elementary particles such as quarks, neutrinos, gluons, muons.

The weird and wonderful world of quantum mechanics reveals that nature is at heart probabilistic. Nothing can be predicted with any certainty.

“Everybody agrees about that” says Prof Cox. But where physicists don’t agree is about how these facts should be interpreted.

For decades, the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, which allows for only one universe, dominated particle physics.

Professor Laura Mersini-Houghton claims that the mass shed by a dying star is so much that it lacks the density required to become a black hole.

It’s impossible for a black hole to exist, claims scientist A SCIENTIST through her latest research claimed that it is impossible for a black hole to exist. The scientist said that she has a mathematical proof to justify her claim.

Professor Laura Mersini-Houghton from the University of North Carolina College of Arts and Scientists said that when a star dies, it emits a type of radiation known as Hawking radiation, predicted by Professor Stephen Hawking. The professor stated that besides radiations, the dying star also releases mass in an immense quantity.

She claimed that the mass shed by the dying star is so much that it lacks the density required to become a black hole.

If her claims prove to be true, it could force physicists to dump

their theories related to the origin of Universe.

Laura asserted that before the black hole could form, the dying star explodes. Therefore, there is no chance for a black hole to form.

Professor Laura stated that she is still in shock as she has been studying this issue for more than 50 years. She said that her study has laid foundations for the further studies into this field.

Most physicists believe that universe has originated from a singularity which started to expand after the Big Bang about 13.8 billion years ago. If it is impossible for singularities to exist, as predicted

by Professor Laura, then questions would be raised on her theory.

September 27 - October 3, 2014

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Sports Interational Sepp Blatter is ‘not a dictator’ – Says opponent Champagne JEROME Champagne, the only candidate currently standing against FIFA president Sepp Blatter, is resolutely refusing to take the gloves off against his rival in the race to decide who will lead football’s world governing body.

Given the criticism Sepp Blatter and his organisation has faced over its governance in recent years some might argue Champagne has been presented with a virtual own goal for his campaign -- but not a bit of it.

“Blatter is not corrupt,” Champagne told CNN’s World Sport. “I’m not here to defend Blatter but I want him to be a responsible

candidate and an efficient president.”

England’s Football Association chairman Greg Dyke recently described a FIFA meeting as “like something out of North Korea” in which the organisation’s federations adopted an attitude to Blatter of “hail to the leader.”

But Champagne rejected the idea that Blatter ruthlessly controls things from the top, rather seeing the man who has been at FIFA’s helm for the past 16 years as akin to the leader of a democratically elected head of state.

“The FIFA president, according to the constitution of FIFA, he’s not a

The ‘ritual sacrifice’ speculation prompted 28-yearold Gyan, who joined United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain in 2011, to hold a press conference.

Gyan denies ‘ritual sacrifice’ of Ghana rapper Castro GHANA captain Asamoah Gyan says claims that he killed his friend and Ghanaian rapper Castro as part of a ritual sacrifice are “wild and absurd”.

Afrobeats artist Castro, whose real name is Theophilus Tagoe, went missing, along with friend Janet Bandu, in July.

They disappeared while using jet skis on holiday with former Sunderland striker Gyan’s family in the Ghanaian coastal town of Ada. Allegations in Ghana’s media suggested the disappearance was suspicious.

Castro and Bandu were last seen heading towards the ocean on a jet ski and were presumed drowned.

No bodies were recovered and rumours continued to circulate this month when Gyan’s brother, Baffour Gyan, was alleged to have been part of a gang which attacked a journalist who had asked the player about the rumours. The assault charges on Baffour Gyan have now been

dropped.

The speculation prompted 28-year-old Gyan, who joined United Arab Emirates side AlAin in 2011, to hold a press conference.

His lawyer Kissi Agyabeng said the family had been “dismayed” and had remained silent until now as they did not want to interfere with police investigations.

The statement read: “What sells in the media, and what indeed sold and is still selling in the media in Ghana are wild allegations and rumours directed especially at Asamoah Gyan - ranging from the absurd - of the imputation of criminality to him in the sense that he either murdered Castro or had him kidnapped - and ending with the ludicrous - that he sacrificed him spiritually to enhance his career.

“We have been silent while these wild allegations and rumours have been peddled in the media.

dictator, said Champagne.

“I give you an example. In the UK, which is a democracy, British people vote for the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister is elected, he or she has a right to set up a cabinet in order to implement the programme that he or she has been elected for.

“That’s democracy and of course he or she will be controlled by the Parliament, by the house. You think the FIFA President can choose the government to implement the programme he has been elected for the 209 federations? Not at all.”

While describing the 78-year-old Blatter as someone “who is married with football,” Champagne insisted the organisation needed “fresh air.”

The 56-year-old former FIFA insider added: “The issue is not the person, it’s the program, it’s the vision. It’s what we do with the tools, with the administration,” he says.

“I’m not happy with the situation of FIFA and I’m not happy with the situation of football. I think football is an amazing tool and FIFA can be an amazing machine to have a model of world governance.

“That’s why I decided to run.

It’s about taking risks. If you don’t take risks in your life nothing will happen.”

The Frenchman’s insistence on playing the ball and not the man may have something to do with his former life as a diplomat, but equally

Jerome Champagne spent 11 years with FIFA employing his diplomatic skills in the footballing arena as director of international relations from 1999 to 2010.

it may be informed by an intimate knowledge of how the Swiss-based organisation operates.

The 56-year-old spent 11 years with FIFA employing his diplomatic skills in the footballing arena as director of international relations from 1999 to 2010.

During his time there, Champagne worked closely with Blatter, tasked with overseeing improvements in relations with national associations and other international sporting bodies including the International Olympic Committee.

After being relieved of his duties at FIFA at the beginning of 2010 for reasons never fully explained, Champagne set up as an independent consultant advising a number of clubs and associations including the Kosovo Football Federation and the

Palestine Football Association.

The relationship with the latter has focused on establishing a professional league in the state as well promoting better relations with Israel’s Football Association and National Olympic Committee.

However, given Champagne’s previous close links with Blatter’s controversial stewardship, can the Frenchman be trusted to deliver sweeping reforms?

“I hope, I believe I can and also I believe we need (it),” he insists. “I don’t mind when people are telling me: ‘you worked with Blatter, how can you be the face of change?’

“Fine, we can debate that and I can show what I have done when I was there ... So listen, it’s part of democracy and that’s why I decided to stand.”

Liverpool under UEFA Financial Fair Play investigation LIVERPOOL are one of seven clubs being investigated for possible Financial Fair Play breaches, Uefa has confirmed.

Under UEFA rules, clubs competing in Europe must limit their losses to £35.4m over two seasons.

Monaco, Inter Milan, Roma, Besiktas, Sporting Lisbon and Krasnodar are the other clubs being investigated.

Manchester City and Paris StGermain were fined in May and had a limit put on their spending and squad size after breaking FFP rules.

A UEFA statement read: “The Club Financial Control Body has opened formal investigations into seven clubs as they disclosed a break-even deficit on the basis of their financial reporting periods ending in 2012 and 2013.”

The clubs must submit “additional monitoring information” in October and November before UEFA decides on any punishment.

Despite losses of £49.8m in 201213 and £41m in 2011-12, Liverpool are confident they did not breach FFP regulations, having signed a series of lucrative commercial deals over the past 18 months.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said: “It’s obviously something that will be dealt with by

Despite losses of £49.8m in 2012-13 and £41m in 2011-12, Liverpool are confident they did not breach FFP regulations, having signed a series of lucrative commercial deals over the past 18 months.

the directors.

“It’s something we’re comfortable with because we’re great advocates of Financial Fair Play. It’s ongoing with the club.”

Money raised commercially can be offset against the £90m losses, which can be reduced further if Liverpool show they have invested in youth development, infrastructure and community projects.

Last season 76 clubs were deemed to be “at risk” of breaching FFP, but only nine were punished.

Manchester City and French

champions PSG were fined £49m each

by UEFA and handed restrictions on transfer spending and a reduction in their squad size for the Champions League.

Uefa also announced on Friday that five clubs involved in the 201415 club competitions have had the payment of their prize money temporarily withheld.

Turkey’s Bursaspor, Romania’s Cluj and Astra Giurgiu, Montenegro’s Buducnost Podgorica and Lithuania’s Ekranas for making late payments to other clubs, employees and/or tax authorities.”

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Sports Interational

Hunt crowned cliff diving king again THERE was Basque glory for Gary Hunt, as he secured the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2014 by grabbing second in the tour’s penultimate round in Bilbao, behind 2013 champion Artem Silchenko.

Russian Silchenko, who ended Hunt’s three-year reign as champion 12 months ago, wowed the crowds under La Salve Bridge, before topping the podium ahead of Hunt and Kris Kolanus.

For the rapidly improving Kolanus, Bilbao provided him with his finest hour in the World Series, as he finished in the top three for the first time in his career.

“I’m so happy,” Hunt said. “I’ve had one slip-up in Portugal but I’ll forget about that. It’s been a wicked year and it’ll be a pleasure to dive in Mexico knowing the title is already secured.

“All the time I’ve been here I’ve been diving really well and then I missed my hardest dive in the second round today and I was kicking myself.

“When I was on the end of the platform for my last dive, I just told myself ‘imagine this is the last time you’ll ever get to do this dive’ and I was really happy with how it went.

I have won the title before, and not being on top of the podium for that

Usain Bolt set both current world records, 9.58 seconds for 100m and 19.19 seconds for 200m, at the 2009 World Championships.

Bolt targets sub-19 second 200m world record Gary Hunt has a 230 point lead on his closest rival with only one event left.

event, so it’s not quite perfect, but Artem’s not won one this year so I’ll let him have it!”

Heading into the head-to-head heats in Bilbao, Hunt knew that he would regain his crown if he could stretch his lead at the top of the standings to more than 200 points.

As it was he was the only diver other than Silchenko to break the 500-point barrier on the day, and his score of 501.80 was good enough for second.

He was unable to match the feats of the Russian, though, who blitzed the

competition in Bilbao with a score of 522.40 to take the round. Silchenko’s victory wasn’t enough to prolong the championship battle however, with the 30-year-old leapfrogging Steve LoBue to climb to second, but still a mammoth 230 points behind Hunt with only Mexico to come.

The 14 men from across the world on a 27 metres high platform produced a number of breathtaking dives. They hit the water at 85 kilometres an hour during the event which has been held every year since 2009. (Red Bull)

USAIN Bolt believes he can lower both his 100m and 200m world records, and aims to be the first man to break 19 seconds for the longer distance.

The 28-year-old Jamaican set both current world records, 9.58 seconds for 100m and 19.19 seconds for 200m, at the 2009 World Championships.

Despite winning five Olympic and World individual sprint titles since, he has yet to improve on those times.

“Everybody wants to see the 100m go but the 200m is for me,” he said.

“If I can get a perfect season where I’m working well, without any injuries, with no time off, I’ll definitely have the chance to break

the 100m world record.

“The 200m is my personal focus.

One of my biggest goals is to try to run sub-19, pushing the barrier a little bit will be great for me.”

Bolt’s 2014 campaign was disrupted by foot and hamstring injuries and he only ran in three races - including a leg for Jamaica’s victorious 4x100m relay team at the Commonwealth Games - before bringing his season to an early end.

Bolt’s quickest 200m time since setting his world record in Berlin was the 19.32 seconds he clocked at London 2012.

Similarly the closest he has come to beating his own 100m mark was the 9.63 seconds he ran to defend his Olympic crown two years ago.

McIlroy will be playing the Ryder Cup bad guy this week RORY McIlroy is a nice fellow.

With a good-natured spirit, he is generous with his time and money, enjoyable to be around, pleasant with friends and strangers alike.

Quick with a smile and a hello, he’s also swift with a joke and can easily laugh at his own expense.

This week, however, the Northern Irishman is Public Enemy No. 1 and has a target on his back.

Leading into Friday’s commencement of the 40th Ryder Cup, the U.S. has placed a bull’seye squarely on the back of McIlroy, the No. 1 player in the world and the winner of two consecutive major championships this summer.

In the tense, biennial struggle between the U.S. and Europe, where one match or one-half point can decide the winner, beating the other team’s best player, much like it was when Seve Ballesteros or most recently Tiger Woods were defeated, can provide a psychological lift for the entire team.

To beat Goliath is to earn more than one point.

“You knock off the big dog and that gives a boost to your team, without a doubt,” U.S. captain Tom Watson said. “If you look at the players right now, the No. 1 player in

Gala Leon Garcia was appointed captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team by the Spanish Tennis Federation (STF).

Rory McIlroy has been a target for months now after the Summer of Rory, where he won the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the British Open and PGA Championship.

the world is Rory McIlroy, and that’s somebody that we’d like to see on the losing end of a match.”

McIlroy has company on the Most Wanted List – Ian Poulter, the often irritable, nearly invincible and always emotional Englishman who is 12-3 in the Ryder Cup, 3-0 in singles and a victor in his last seven matches. The two have been instrumental when Europe won the last two matches.

“I think Poulter is a guy everybody kind of wants to draw, everybody

wants to get the best of,” said Matt Kuchar, who was on the losing side in 2010 and 2012 and lost to Poulter in a key singles match in 2010. “And at the same flipside of it, you hate to get beaten by Poulter. But you get beaten by anybody, it stings. Poulter, I don’t know if it stings worse, but he’s kind of the marked man that everybody wants a piece of. “ … If you have a chance to play and beat Rory McIlroy, I mean, that would be a huge boost to Team USA.”

Toni Nadal courts controversy with ‘old-fashioned’ views on female coach TONI Nadal is used to letting his famous nephew do the talking with his tennis racket -- and it sounds like it should stay that way.

The uncle and long-time coach to 14-time grand slam champion Rafa Nadal is in hot water after serving up some controversial comments on Spain’s new Davis Cup captain, Gala Leon Garcia.

Garcia, who was announced as successor to Carlos Moya earlier this week, is the first female to captain Spain’s men’s team. She is the fifth woman to coach a Davis Cup side, according to the International Tennis

Federation.

But Nadal thinks appointing the 40-year-old -- whose highest ranking as a player was 27th -- could pose problems, not least in the locker room.

“In no way am I sexist,” Nadal told Spanish radio station Cadena SER on Tuesday.

“You could brand me oldfashioned in seeing problems about having to share a dressing room with a woman, but to go from there to talking about sexism ... Would I be OK with peeing in front of a woman?

No way. That in any case might be old-fashioned.”

September 27 - October 3, 2014

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Sports Interational

NASCAR driver cleared in fatal track accident Eric Bledsoe had wanted a max contract from the Phoenix team.

Bledsoe gets 5-year $70M contract with Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have reached an agreement with restricted free agent point guard Eric Bledsoe on a five-year, $70 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced.

Bledsoe had held out all summer for this sort of deal, and he faced an Oct. 1 deadline that looms large during the unique negotiation. He had until that date to sign a $3.7 million, oneyear qualifying offer that would have allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Bledsoe, who had wanted a maximum-level deal of five years and a combined $80 million, previously turned down a four-year, $48 million offer from the Suns.

The 24-year-old missed nearly

half of last season, his first in Phoenix. But he had a breakout year anyway in his first as a starter, alongside Goran Dragic in coach Jeff Hornacek’s dual-point guard lineup. Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points (on 47.7% shooting), 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 43 games, and the Suns were 28-15 when he played, 2019 when he was out.

Surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee cost Bledsoe 39 games and potentially that maximum deal he wanted.

And the Suns added similar scoring point guard Isaiah Thomas in free agency this season via a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings.

But Dragic can use a player option to become an unrestricted free agent next season, and Phoenix now has one of its two starting point guards under a long-term deal. (USA Today)

NEARLY two months after Tony Stewart struck and killed a fellow driver, the district attorney’s office announced today that a grand jury investigation determined there was insufficient evidence to indict the NASCAR star.

The grand jury’s investigation began last week and its findings clearing Stewart were released today by the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office in Canandaigua, New York.

In a news conference, prosecutors said the grand jury considered manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. He said several videos of the Aug. 9 incident were enhanced and analyzed and did not show any evidence of a crime.

Kevin Ward Jr., who had spun out while racing beside Stewart, died after he exited his car in what looked like an attempt to confront Stewart during a sprint car event at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

Video of the incident shows Ward, 20 gesturing toward Stewart’s

Stewart said the past two months have been the “toughest and most emotional experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever.”

vehicle as he walked out of his own car and toward the center of the racetrack where Stewart’s car hit him.

District Attorney Michael Tantillo said there was also evidence Kevin

Former NZ captain Cairns charged with perjury FORMER New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has been formally charged with perjury.

The charge relates to a 2012 libel action in the High Court in London in which Cairns, 44, successfully sued Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi.

Cairns has described claims he fixed matches as “absurd” and recently added that he would do “whatever it takes... to again prove my innocence”.

He will attend a hearing at Westminster magistrates court on 2 October.

Cairns was awarded £90,000 in damages after allegations on Twitter that he was involved in match-fixing.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) statement said: “We can confirm that we have authorised police to charge Chris Cairns with one count of perjury, which arises from a libel trial held in the United Kingdom in March 2012.”

He was interviewed by police in

Cadel Evans won the Tour de France in 2011.

Tour de France winner Cadel Evans will retire in February LeBron James feels that his leaner body has made him quicker.

The charge relates to a 2012 libel action in the High Court in London in which Cairns, 44, successfully sued Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi.

London earlier this year at his own request over the latest claims, which he denied.

The former Kiwi captain said in a statement on Friday that he had been notified by the CPS it was their intention to charge him with perjury on 25 September.

Ward was under the influence of marijuana on the night of the race.

In a statement released this afternoon, Stewart said the past two months have been the “toughest and most emotional experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever.”

“I respect everything the District Attorney and Sheriff’s Office did to thoroughly investigate this tragic accident. While the process was long and emotionally difficult, it allowed for all the facts of the accident to be identified and known,” he said.

“While much of the attention has been on me, it’s important to remember a young man lost his life,” he said. “Kevin Ward Jr.’s family and friends will always be in my thoughts and prayers.”

After the incident, Stewart, 43, took several weeks off from racing before making a return to the ORAL-B USA 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug. 31. (ABC news)

James didn’t eat sugar, carbs or dairy for 67 days LEBRON James is finally talking about his new, leaner physique.

In an interview set to air Friday night, the Cavaliers superstar tells CNN that he cut out all refined sugars, carbs and dairy for 67 days while only eating meat, fish, vegetables and fruit.

James wouldn’t reveal exactly how much weight he lost, but did say he is, “a lot lighter than I’ve been playing at my last few years.”

When asked what foods he missed while on the weight-loss regimen, James mentioned, pancakes, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

“I had a cookie monster chase me a few times in my dreams,” he said.

The leaner body has made James quicker, so he also put the NBA on notice.

“That’s not such a good thing for the competition,” he warned. (Fox)

CADEL Evans, the only Australian to win the Tour de France, has announced he is to retire from cycling.

The 37-year-old, who won the Tour in 2011, will step away from the sport after the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road one-day race in February.

“The chance of winning another Grand Tour is probably past me, so now is a good time to say: ‘Stop,’” he said.

Evans twice finished runner-up on the Tour in 2007 and 2008 and won the world championships road race in 2009. (Evans)

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September 27 - October 3, 2014

Josh for Sports

The Masters Golf Championships THE Masters is a 72-hole golf tournament that takes place over four days in April of each year. It is held at the famed Augusta National Golf Club, in Georgia. Since 1940, the masters has been the first major golf championship of the year. It is one of the four most important golf tournaments in the world—but many see it as the most important.

After a successful golf career, champion golfer Bobby Jones decided to retire from professional golf in 1930. Jones and his business partner, Clifford Roberts, wanted to establish a new golf course with a national membership. The men paid $70,000 for a 365 acre property in Augusta. They hire a Scottish architect, Alister Mackenzie to design the course.

Construction began on the site in 1931, and the following year it opened with a limited amount of playing area. The completed course officially opened in 1933. Today Augusta National Golf Course is one of the best-known courses in the world—it is especially famous for its beauty and challenge.

When construction was

By Joshua Gardiner

completed, Jones invited a select group of his friends for a round.

He challenged them to a friendly tournament, beginning the tradition that led to the Masters Golf Tournament. The tournament was a big hit and remains so every year since. Thousands flock to Augusta to watch the tournament in person, millions of other people watch the event on television.

THE HISTORY OF THE MASTERS Jones challenged his friends to a tournament at the new course. The tournament was so much fun that Jones and Roberts decided to make it an annual event.

The first official event took place in March 1934 and was called the Augusta Invitation Tournament.

Horton Smith won the event. Five years later, the name was officially changed to the Masters Golf Tournament.

For three years during World War II, the Masters Tournament was not played. Instead cattle and turkeys were raised on the grounds.

After World War II the Masters gained popularity with the help of television coverage. People also enjoyed a rising star, Arnold Palmer, playing the game. Palmer won the tournament four times between 1958 and 1964. The growing popularity of the Masters Tournament propelled it to new heights.

During the 1980s, golfers from countries other than the US began winning the tournament—including Steve Ballesteros of Spain. He won twice. However American legend Jack Nicklaus won the tournament six times from 1963 to 1968—the most on record.

THE GREEN JACKET In 1937, the Augusta National Golf

Hope LeVin (first female from right) says it’s good to give back.

LeVin aids charity in raising funds for domestic violence TCI’s most accomplished kiteboarder Hope LeVin was instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for charity last weekend when she teamed up with other professional kiteboarders in Hamptons, New York for the Dream Extreme Charity Kiteboarding Clinic.

The event, organised by Linda Argila, raised over $160,000 for the STEPS

programme against domestic violence in NY. The young Provo resident shared her knowledge in her role as coach.

She said she had one-on-one sessions with beginners and there was also the opportunity for advanced riders to learn tricks or to improve their style. This is the third year that Hope,

who started the sport in 2005 at the age of 11, took part in the event.

“Being fortunate in so many ways, especially with my kiteboarding success this year, it’s good to give back in a little way,” she said.

LeVin placed third in June’s Venyu Triple-S Invitational (dubbed the best kiteboarding event).

Club designed a members-only coat. The jackets were bought from the Brooks Uniform Company in New York. Members were told to wear the jacket during the Masters Tournament. This was expected to help others to easily identify them.

At first, the members did not like the idea of wearing the heavy, green coat. Fortunately a new design, years later, made it more comfortable to wear in the Georgia heat.

The jacket was given to the winner of the Masters Tournament for the first time in 1949—the Green Jacket had an Augusta National Golf Club logo on the left chest pocket and on each brass button. It is tradition for the previous winner to help the new winner put on the jacket for the first time. The winner keeps the jacket for one year before returning the jacket to the club.

Whenever the returning champion visited the jacket is there for him to wear. In 2011, Phil Mickelson presented the Green Jacket to South African golfer Charl Schwartzel.

US Bubba Watson won in 2012 and 2014 while Australian Adam Scott won in 2013.

Though more than 70 years have passed since Jones held the first tournament, many of its original traditions remain. One such is that only men can play and by invitation only—normally the top amateur and professional males are invited to play each year.

In 2002, the National Council of Women’s Organisations challenged the club to accept female members, but the club refused to change its policy. However in 2012 it accepted its first female members Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore .

Digicel acquires SportsMax DIGICEL on Thursday announced that it has acquired majority ownership and control of St. Lucia-based International Media Content Ltd., parent company of regional sports broadcaster, SportsMax, and North American broadcaster CEEN-TV, for an undisclosed sum. Under the terms of the deal, the founder and a number of the lead principals will continue to have an ownership stake and be involved in the day-to-day running of the IMC operation.

Currently available in 23 countries across the Caribbean, SportsMax is the Caribbean’s first and only indigenous 24hour dedicated sports cable channel featuring a strong mix of international, regional and local sports content. Its large inventory of coveted content includes the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, West Indies cricket, the Indian Premier League and the IAAF Grand Prix.

IMC has been responsible for the broadcast of major international events such as the FIFA World Cup tournaments since 2006, including this summer’s event, and the 2012 London Olympics. In 2013, SportsMax launched its 24-hour Spanish language channel, CDN SportsMax, in the Dominican Republic which includes similar content as SportsMax plus Major League Baseball.

Ranked as the number one viewed sports channel in the region, the move to acquire IMC/SportsMax comes hot on the heels of Digicel’s entry into the cable TV market with recent acquisitions in Anguilla, Dominica, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commenting on the acquisition, Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said; “As a complete communications solutions provider, it’s all about ensuring our customers enjoy access to the best multimedia content on the best devices via the very best network and that we meet all of their communication, entertainment and networking needs. SportsMax represents the perfect blend of sports entertainment and infotainment with a Caribbean flavour and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the team to the Digicel family.”

Patrick Rousseau, Chairman of IMC and SportsMax, comments; “Our commitment to excellence and blazing a trail across the region mirrors Digicel’s own commitment to delivering the very best for its customers. We are delighted to be joining with them and working together to continue delivering the best sports on television and growing our audience and reach across the Caribbean and North America.”

September 27 - October 3, 2014

Sports National

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Provo Church Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball League:

Jericho come-frombehind to win title

THE Jericho Baptist Church came from behind to win the 2014 Provo Church Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball League title against the Roman Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church, new comers this year, had looked like they would have created a major upset after winning game one 15-9 last Monday evening at the National Stadium, but last season’s runners up Jericho used their experience and bounced back. In the second game the first innings was uneventful, but Jonathan Hall hit a grand slam (four runs) in the second which boosted Jericho’s confidence as they raced to a 16-4 win.

Jericho were ahead 10-0 at the bottom of the third in Game three last Monday, but they allowed the Catholic Church to score seven unanswered runs, Jericho though were able to hang on for a 12-8 win.

On Tuesday Jericho ended the series with a 20-17 win. The final clash was a thriller since the game was tied 14-all after seven innings.

In the extra innings Tancita Williams brought in two of the runs which helped the eventual champions to victory.

In the third place clash last Thursday Bethany Baptist Church defeated last season’s champions St. Monica’s Anglican Church 16-13.

The Jericho Baptist Church won the 2014 Church Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball League title with a 3-1 series win over the Roman Catholic Church.

TCI joins other nations to break

The TCI Sailing Association placed this country on the sailing nations to set the Guinness World record for the ‘Largest Sailing The 40 local sailors who met at the Bight Park joined 18,000 The racers met on the beach for a competitor’s meeting before from Beaches, Provo Water Play, and Gansevoort to join the TCI be a part of the Guinness record. Hole in the Wall came and supp spectators and competitors alike.

Beaches was instrumental in the event’s success. Managemen a safety boat on the water to make sure everything ran smoothly.

The event was organised by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Fo Andrew “Bart” Simpson who tragically died last May while train The combined effort quickly raced past the required amount ( “The event has proved a huge success and we are delighted to the new Guinness World Record. And we have done it in style wit Percy, CEO of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation said ear

ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT Director of Sailing of the local body Kelly Troy was excited abo He said that the local association is excited to make the even is already schedule for September 20th and the association is al (September 28) they will offer sailing lessons.

“The success of Bart’s Bash embodies the number one reaso TCI and connect it to the global community. As the event grows to Providenciales, and to see our sailors compete at clubs across “We also hope that an effort between the association and resor to participate in this worldwide event next year,” Troy said.

All the details for upcoming lessons and events can be found Sailing Kelly Troy at 432-7245 for more information.

Our sailors made history by taking part in the world record feat. (Photo: Karen Lawson)

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September 27 - October 3, 2014

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September 27 - October 3, 2014

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