Government Boards
Telecommunications Commission: Ejay Saunders (Chair); Arthur Hamilton (Member); Leron Ingham (Member); Pedro Ariza (Member); Marvin Simmons (Member); Diedra Been (Member); Permanent Secretary (Ex-Officio); Director General (Ex-Officio – Secretary) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2018.
Prison Categorisation Board: Terrence Astwood (Chairman); Superintendent of Prison (Member); Wilbert Jennings (Member); Noreen Williams Mckoy ( Member) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018.
George Blenman (Chair); Steve Barrett, Superintendent of Prison (Member); Lorna James (Member); Pamela Joseph (Member) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017.
Parole Board: Steve Barrett (Superintendent); Sharon Whittaker (Chairman); Eddie Smith (Member); Edith Mesa (Member); Charles Hall (Member); Permanent Secretary (Ex-Officio); Director of Social Development (Ex-Officio); Superintendent of Prison (Ex-Officio); Kamala Roberts (Secretary) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018.
Pastor Frederick Braithwaite (Chair); Steve Barrett, Superintendent of Prison; Elva Williams (Member); Carolyn Ingham (Member); Marie Carter Glasgow (Member) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017.
Prison Visiting Committee: Perry Missick (Chairman); Leo Selver (Member); Marionette Hinds (Member); Tanya Wright (Member); Beverly Ann Simmons (Member); Kenneth Hamilton (Member); Carolyn Lightbourne (Member); Permanent Secretary (Ex-Officio); Director of Social Development (Ex-Officio); Superintendent of Prison (Ex-Officio); Kamala Roberts (Secretary) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018.
Leo Missick (Chair); Jennifer Forbes (Member); Michael Robinson (Member); Belinda Lightbourne (Member); Mark Kendall (Member); Leo Selver (Member); Permanent Secretary; Director of Social Development; Superintendent of Prison; Karen Higgs (Member) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017.
Prison Visiting Committee: Tiffany Thomas-Browne (Chairman); Judy Knowles (Member); Betty Ann Been (Member); Desiree Downes (Member); Ian Astwood (Member); Carolyn Dickenson (Member); Marjorie Bassett (Member); Carol Durham (Member); Kacy Ann Higgs (Member); Karen Higgs (Secretary) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018.
Radio Turks and Caicos Board of Governors: Audley Astwood (Chairman); Ryan Walkin (Member); Theresa S. Williams (Member); Cindy Parker Williams (Member); Herman Handfield (Member); Karen Missick (Member); Permanent Secretary (Ex-Officio) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018.
Ryan Williams (Chair); Stanley Astwood (Member); Jermaine Fulford (Member); Audley Astwood (Member); Allison Ingham (Member); Permanent Secretary; Bridgette Newman (Secretary) to be appointed for the period 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017.
Fisheries Advisory Committee: Director of DEMA (Chairman); Craig Been (Member); Bertha Belle (Member); David Phillips (Member); Harold Walkin (Member) for a period not exceeding three years effective 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2020.
Tourist Board: Norman Hamilton (Chairman); Tendra Musgrove (Member); Kimberly Cox (Member); Gordon Lightbourne (Member); Derek Been (Member); Patricia Eke (Member); Kendra Parker (Deputy Chair); Permanent Secretary (Ex-Officio) for a period of one year effective April 1st 2017 – March 31st 2018.
Public Health and Environment Board: Lorne Robinson (Chairman); Adelphine Pitter (Deputy Chairman); Dr. Nadia Astwood (Ex-Officio); Kenrick Neely (Ex-Officio); Leroy Adams (Member); Lewis Astwood (Member); Kendrick Simmons (Member) for a period of three years effective April 1st 2017 – March 31st 2020.
Work Permit Board Zone 1:
- Mr. Wayne Williams (Chairman) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
- Mrs. Gladys Kennedy (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
- Ms. Vanessa Forbes (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
- Mrs. Patrice Thomas (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
Work Permit Board Zone 2:
- Mr. Devon Walkin (Chairman) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
- Mr. Ashwood Forbes (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
- Mrs. Wendy Been-Handfield (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
- Mrs. Sakera Cook (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
Immigration Appeals Tribunal
- Ms. Sharlene Gardiner (Chairman) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
- Mrs. Glenda Lightbourne (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
- Mr. Robert Been Jr (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
- Mr. Carlos Ariza (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2019
- Mrs. Tanya Parnell (Member) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
- Natasha Hall (Secretary) April 1st 2017 - March 31st 2018
Board of the TCI Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as follows – Mr Erwin J Saunders (Chairman) and Mr Benson Harvey (Member) for a period of three years with effect from 1 April 2016;
Approved the appointment of Mrs. Teresa Williams-Andrews as Secretary of the Board as per Section 2E of the Electricity (Amendment) Ordinance;
· Replaced Paul Gardiner with George Hinson as a member of the Physical Planning Appeals Board;
GOVERNOR GREETS NEW CHIEF MAGISTRATE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISOR
The Governor, Peter Beckingham, greeted the new Turks and Caicos Islands Chief Magistrate at her swearing-in ceremony in Providenciales on 18 August. Mrs Tanya Lobban-Jackson (pictured with the Governor), originally from Jamaica, has most recently been Senior Crown Counsel in Cayman Islands. She will be joined in TCI by her husband and two young children.
The Governor and Chief Magistrate also met in TCI on 23 August with Ms Hilary Ryan, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s newly appointed Criminal Justice Adviser to the Caribbean Overseas Territories. Ms Ryan, who will be based in Miami, will have a particular focus on child safe-guarding, serious crime and money laundering, and the criminal justice system.
After her visit the Governor said: “I hope that Ms Ryan’s new role will encourage all the parts of TCI involved in criminal justice to look to the UK for advice and possibly financial assistance. We had very positive discussions with the Chief Justice, Police Commissioner, Acting DPP, Prison Superintendent as well as with the Chief Magistrate and Court Administrator about their work, and identified a number of areas where more support may be possible from the UK. Ms Ryan also highlighted the value in other jurisdictions of a Criminal Justice Board of senior practitioners, which could be a helpful mechanism as well in Turks and Caicos.”
Ms Ryan is a career Prosecutor, having joined the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service in 1986. For many years she specialised in the field of rape and child abuse. She has most recently been attached to the British Embassy in Washington where she worked closely with the US Department of Justice.
Police seeking your help with Car Theft Investigations
Members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are
investigating the reports of nine (9) vehicle thefts that has
occurred since the beginning of the month (August 2016).
The latest theft occurred early this morning (Thursday 24th August
2016) around 12:28 AM, the complainant reported that he left his
car engine running in the parking lot of The Market Place
Providenciales, and went to purchase something. Upon his
immediate return, he noticed someone driving away in it. He made
attempts to chase the vehicle but was unsuccessful. The vehicle
which is a 2013 silver Kia Optima Car registration number 26875
is still missing. The search for this vehicle is ongoing.
The police are seeking your assistance in locating this vehicle.
Vehicle owners are reminded to:
• Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when
you're away from it, even for "just a minute."
• Always roll up the windows and lock the car, even if it's in front
of your home.
• Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked.
Put them in the trunk or at least out of sight. ( Anything in plain
view that seems vehicle can be an enticement to a thief to break
in)
• Park in busy, well-lighted area
The number of reported car thefts have been reported from
different areas of Providenciales which may not seem to be
connected. With the exception of the latest report, the stolen
vehicles were found with all valuables such as Laptops,
Documents, cellphones, etc. where missing.
Persons are warned of being in possession of Stolen Goods. A
person could be charged with handling stolen goods if found in
possession of stolen items, whether it be jewelry or electronic
items, even if it seems like a legitimate purchase. The maximum
penalty for this offense is 14 years. Police are asking persons to
be on the lookout for anyone selling jewelry, laptops, and
smartphones. These are some of the types of items that are
mainly stolen in burglaries and taken from vehicles.
If you have any information that can help the police in this
investigation or similar incidents, please contact Chalk Sound
Police Station 338-5901. To remain anonymous, call Crime
Stoppers at 1- 800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online
reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. The information you
provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
THE BAHAMAS PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
GENERAL SITUATION: A STRONG AND SUSPICIOUS LOW PRESSURE AREA TRACKING TOWARDS THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS WILL GENERATE GUSTY WINDS, HEAVY RAINS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL ISLANDS THROUGH TONIGHT.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: RESIDENTS AND BOATERS IN THE ENTIRE BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR ALL MEDIA OUTLETS IN THE EVENT THAT THIS TROPICAL WAVE RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES AS IT MOVES INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS. SMALL CRAFT IN THE SOUTHEASTERN ISLANDS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT.
FOR THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGH SEAS IN HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: EASTERLY 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET
FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: CLOUDY TO OVERCAST SKIES WITH GUSTY WINDS, WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAINS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
ADVISORY: RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM DAMAGE DUE TO FLOODING. SMALL CRAFT ARE ASKED TO REMAIN IN PORT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS POSSIBLE MAINLY OVER THE EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN ISLANDS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET WITH SWELLS UP TO 8 FEET ON THE ATLANTIC SIDE OF THE EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN ISLANDS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 90F 32C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE 75F 24C
SUNSET: 7:35 PM
SUNRISE: 6:49 AM FRI
MOONSET: 2:04 PM
MOONRISE: 1:24 AM FRI
HIGH TIDE: 2:32 PM LOW TIDE: 8:59 PM
HIGH TIDE: 2:53 AM FRI LOW TIDE: 9:09 AM FRI
OUTLOOK FOR TOMORROW: CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A STRONG AREA OF LOW PRESSURE SOUTHEAST OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS HAS AN 80% CHANCE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT. REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT, HEAVY RAINS AND STRONG WINDS ARE LIKELY OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION AT 12:40PM ON 24 AUGUST 2016
A broad area of showers and thunderstorms associated with a Strong Tropical Wave over the northern Leeward Islands still lack a well defined circulation. However, regardless of tropical cyclone formation gusty winds and heavy rains are highly likely to accompany this system, beginning Thursday morning, and could result in severe flooding over the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeast Bahamas which includes Long Island, Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.
Once the system gets over the Southeast Bahamas on Friday atmospheric conditions could become more favorable for development and therefore the Central and Northwest Bahamas can also brace themselves for widespread showers and gusty winds beginning Friday night.
Residents on the mentioned islands should have completed all seasonal precaution and be prepared to take quick and necessary actions to minimize possible flood damage.
Drainage Systems should have been cleared by now in order to minimize flooding impact.
A New Look for PDM
DOWN TOWN, PROVO, JULY 20, 2016 – The Peoples’ Democratic Movement (PDM) today officially introduced a new look. A recently updated logo design for the PDM is displayed on billboards erected throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) and also on other paraphernalia. Inspired by the previous logo, the new one represents a simpler, fresh, eloquent and focused design that lives on in modern form.
The new logo is the acronym of the Party’s name. It incorporates the Freedom Bell that signifies the party motto: freedom, justice, and equality for all. The bold font signifies the legacy, the firmness and structure of the PDM and the representation that the ‘People’s Party’ is known for.
The PDM as a political organisation continues to be the voice of the people. Our updated look reflects how modern our movement has become.
Thank you for your support over the years by helping to make the PDM a movement that continues to strive for improving the way of life for every man, woman and child in the TCI.
OFFICE OF THE PREMIER MINISTERIAL STATEMENT (July 2016)
Mr. Speaker I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate The Rt. Excellent Theresa May on her appointment as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Territories and likewise The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson as the new Foreign Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Baroness Anelay as the Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories.
Mr. Speaker as Premier I had the pleasure of hosting the Premiers of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat; the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, the elected representative of the Falkland Islands and the Minister for Social Development of Anguilla, for a Pre-JMC Meeting last week in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our discussions were wide ranging and fruitful and we reached consensus on our priority issues to be discussed at the Joint Ministerial Council Meeting at the end of October this year.
Mr. Speaker one of the main items on the Pre-JMC agenda was that of the Challenges and opportunities for the Overseas Territories following the UK's referendum result to leave the EU. We have agreed that we would engage collectively with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis MP and the Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr. Liam Fox MP and the Constitutional Group in the Cabinet Office and Leaders would also schedule bilaterally meetings with the relevant Secretaries of State.
Mr. Speaker the Leaders also discussed the various infrastructural and development needs of their respective territories under the umbrella of Sustainable Economic Development. We discussed how HMG can assist the Overseas Territories in attracting investment for infrastructure development, such as airports and seaports.
Mr. Speaker the various health challenges that exist in our territories were discussed especially in relation to access to the UK NHS for tertiary level care, mental health, procurement of drugs and medicine and the Zika epidemic that is plaguing our region and ways in which HMG can support the territories.
Mr. Speaker all of the Leaders felt that given the circumstances following Brexit, now is an appropriate time to re visit the Overseas Territories White Paper 2012 and our future partnership, and in that vein among some Territories there is a wish to undertake a Constitutional Review.
Mr. Speaker given the importance of child welfare to all territories, the Leaders of the Overseas Territories present at the Pre JMC agreed to seek approval from their Governments to sign, at the JMC, the Memorandum of Understanding and Roadmap, for the purpose of more effective safeguarding of children, as proposed by the Falkland Islands. This Memorandum clearly demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards and systems for the protection of our children. Mr. Speaker, this memorandum of understanding will be presented to our Cabinet next week for positive consideration so that the TCI can be among those territories signing the MOU in October.
Mr. Speaker these issues among others would be the subject of discussion when the OT leaders meet in London in October at the JMC with the new UK Ministers.
Mr. Speaker and fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, as stated in the Ministry of Health Press Release on Saturday and my press statement yesterday, on July 24th my Public Health Staff in the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services reported 5 confirmed cases of Zika virus infections in the Turks and Cases Islands, three of which are clearly imported and two of which are currently undergoing further investigations to determine whether they are also imported or part of local transmissions. The Ministry of Health is working with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), PAHO and UK IHR on the investigation of these cases.
The Environmental Health Department and Public Health Disease Surveillance Team of the Ministry of Health has stepped up its surveillance activities and has been working with the persons infected with the Zika virus to ensure that the risk of in-country transmission is reduced.
Mr. Speaker, while we all know that this event was inevitable I am urging all residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands and visitors to these islands to remain calm. We are focusing our efforts on reducing the possibility of or the impact of in-country transmission of the virus.
The most significant health impact is related to the microcephalic birth defect and the neurological Guillain Barre' syndrome that is sometimes associated with the infection. Mr. Speaker, this is why the Ministry of Health and IHC has from the onset of the regional epidemic been encouraging pregnant mothers to take the necessary precautions such as use of mosquito nets (which are being provided by the health department), use of mosquito repellents, wearing of long sleeve shirts and minimizing exposed body areas as ways to reduce mosquito bites, and also encouraging persons to help reduce the mosquito population in and around their homes by cleaning up their yards and removing all catchment containers and derelict vehicles that can hold water as methods of reducing mosquito breeding.
Mr. Speaker the infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito is the only one that bites and can transmit the zika virus and others such as the dengue virus, yellow fever and Chikungunya fever and it does so nocturnally. Mr. Speaker it is with this knowledge in mind that much debate is now ongoing about the introduction of genetically modified Ades Aegypti mosquito as a means to control these diseases. Mr. Speaker this may be a viable option for the TCI as other OTs are also considering such methods, but until such time that these methods are approved the Environmental Health Department will continue its fogging activities where necessary and country-wide cleanup campaigns will also continue.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Set four years since the first film events, Jack Reacher is returning to the headquarters of his old military unit, but reveals that he is now accused of a 16-year-old homicide, and finds out that it is only a part of something bigger than he thought before.
Assassin's Creed
Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day.
{Vimeo}166450995{/Vimeo}
Women Take The Wheel In The Supercar Industry - No Longer Just A Man's World Say Barnebys
There is a quiet revolution underway in that bastion of male dominance – the car industry – say Barnebys, the auction house search engine that monitors classic car sales around the world.
Barnebys, a Swedish owned company which offers no fewer than 1,600 auction houses under one roof, makes it dead easy to see who is selling what classic car where and for how much (besides art, wine, whisky, jewellery and many other collectables). The company has been tracking the gender change that is bringing the male dominated car world into the 21st century.
Barnebys points to a key moment when Anna Maria Peduzzi, one of the greatest female racecar drivers of the 1950s, became Ferrari's first female driver. She was the first woman to have raced for Scuderia Ferrari, the most successful racing team in history. The sad story behind the great yet enigmatic Peduzzi, is that little is known of her today, even her exact death has never been confirmed. Peduzzi competed in over 50 races at a time when motor racing was something of a blood sport, with no seat belts, lightweight helmets and no power-assisted steering or brakes. As a woman, Peduzzi’s strength on the track would have been considered something of a spectacle at the time.
In 2014, women had been out of F1 for 22 years, which all changed when Williams announced that Susie Wolff would be the first woman since 1992 to take part in an official F1 session. Prior to Wolff, Giovanna Amati for Brabham, at the Brazilian Grand Prix, was the last woman to compete in an F1 race weekend.
In F1, women have not only been behind the wheel, but at the helm as in 2012 Sauber made Monisha Kaltenborn F1's first female team principal.
Born in Dehradun, India, Kaltenborn’s family emigrated to Vienna when she was a child, where she took Austrian citizenship. In 2000, Monisha started at Sauber’s legal department, where she moved up the ranks to become CEO in 2010. In 2011, Peter Sauber, the team principal at the time, gifted Kalteborn 33.3% of the team’s equity, a sign that she would take on his role.
Other great women drivers include Helle Nice of Bugatti fame, maybe the greatest of them all, also Pat Moss, sister of Sterling Moss won the Monte Carlo Rally back in the late 50s and early 60s. and Divina Galica, a British female F1 driver who competed in the late 1970s. She wasn’t that successful in F1 because her car wasn’t very competitive but she’d been very good in saloon car racing, having previously been a member of the UK Winter Olympic team.
Women have also been making their presence felt in the car design. Last year, 34-year-old Michelle Christensen designed the new Acura NSX, which was made to compete with Ferrari. Christensen was the first female exterior designer at Acura, with her career in car design beginning in 2002 when a determined Christensen took night classes in car design to earn her a place at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design’s automotive design programme.
Michelle’s first job was as an intern at Volvo and by 2005, just ten years later she was hired by Acura and her redesign for the NSX was applauded by her industry peers.
For 20 years, Alexandra ‘’Sandy’’ McGill has been the lead colour designer for the BMW Group DesignWorksUSA. McGill is responsible for designs for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and is the creative genius behind iconic colours which have adorned some of the world’s most popular and desired cars. A lot has changed for McGill since she first joined BMW.
‘’When I got to Munich [with BMW] in 1991, there were only two women in my design group, now there are many more.’’
Petrol heads it seems no longer only come in one gender.