Wendal Wilson
Wendal Wilson was born and raised in the nation’s capital of Grand Turk to the proud parents of Richard Alexander Wilson and Beatrice Penn-Wilson, Wendal is the proud father of five children. He moved to Providenciales to live and work in the mid 1990’s on transfer with Barclays Bank. An avid Community Contributor to communities in Grand Turk and here in Providenciales when opportunities present themselves.
Wendal is an experienced Banker who has worked with several financial institutions and has been involved in finance for over twenty years having also worked with Government in the Ministry of Finance. His desire to serve his country and develop the many communities was the foundation of his political aspiration some ten years ago and his desire is stronger today.
Mr. Wilson is committed to use his experience to insure that the Blue Hills community is enhanced through job creation, developmental youth groups, community centers and community activities focused on development, Credit Unions and co-operatives as outlined in the national platform of the People Progressive Party. Improvement of the transport system skewed to the many students / resident who live in the area is also on the national agenda. Contributions in the Blue Hills area will also allow Wendal to significantly contribute to the National effort of rebuilding the nation and moving towards “A New Horizon” where the country at large is once again on the path of sustainable development and is seen as a country of equal opportunity for all who live, work and invest in our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
Dr. Edward Smith
Originally from Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands…Dr. Edward Smith is a son of the soil who has a passion to see his people advance.
Born in Grand Turk, Smith is the third child of eleven children of John and Susan Smith also of GT.
Edward Smith attended the Grand Turk Primary School. Smith later migrated to the Bahamas where he graduated from Freeport High.
At the age of 17, Smith moved north to the New York, USA where he attended Saint John’s University and received a degree in Accounting.
Smith is an educator by profession and also holds an MSc. PhD. in Accounting, Management Science and Organization, with a graduate certificate in HRM and Mgmt. of NGO’s.
Smith’s qualifications include a licensed K-12 educator, licensed accountant and certified fraud examiner. The District -7 PPP Candidate is also a certified pilot and has a background in government, educational environments, both public and private settings and served on numerous not-for-profit Boards of Directors.
Though absent from his beloved TCI for a number of years, Smith’s love of the territory did not fade, he involved himself in organizations that helped to advance the TCI. One of them included the Turks and Caicos Association which provided several donations of medical equipment to the Grand Turk Clinic.
Smith currently teaches part time at a local Junior College and volunteers as an M-W-F instructor in Five Cays, Providenciales.
He has a vision and a plan for the Turks and Caicos entitled “Five Point Plan” which is aimed at addressing:
· Labor, Employment, Unemployment
· Immigration and Citizenship
· Opportunities for Youth and Long Term Care for the Elderly
· Taxation, Economic Development and Job Creation
· Law, Ethics, Morals and Values
A vote for Dr. Edward Smith is a vote for change, for a better, brighter, more prosperous Turks and Caicos Islands.
Candidates' nomination forms and declarations of eligibility published
The Supervisor of Elections Dudley Lewis has published the completed nomination and declaration forms for the candidates who have put themselves forward for the General Elections on November 9.
The 37 nominees including 2 independent candidates were duly nominated on October 25, according to the legal requirements, and the list of nominees published.
The declarations submitted to the Supervisor of Elections are now available for viewing on the government’s website www.gov.tc. Under Section 50(2) of the new TCI constitution the Supervisor of Elections is required to publish the declarations to allow for public scrutiny.
The Constitution also makes provision for members of the public and the Attorney General to challenge any of the nominated individuals regarding their eligibility.
Candidates' nomination forms and declarations of eligibility published
The Supervisor of Elections Dudley Lewis has published the completed nomination and declaration forms for the candidates who have put themselves forward for the General Elections on November 9.
The 37 nominees including 2 independent candidates were duly nominated on October 25, according to the legal requirements, and the list of nominees published.
The declarations submitted to the Supervisor of Elections are now available for viewing on the government’s website www.gov.tc. Under Section 50(2) of the new TCI constitution the Supervisor of Elections is required to publish the declarations to allow for public scrutiny.
The Constitution also makes provision for members of the public and the Attorney General to challenge any of the nominated individuals regarding their eligibility.
Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
Sharlene Cartwright Robinson (born 1971) though a lawyer by profession, Sharlene spends a great deal of her time in service to her Country.
She has held membership on many influential bodies including the Legislative Council, Chairman of LegCo's Select Committee on The White Paper entitled "Partnership through Progress"; the Country's First Indigenous Constitution Review Body; Blue Ribbon Commission on Immigration; Ten Year Country Plan; Boundaries Commission; Coordinator of "The National Conversation" and until recently she served as a member of the Governor’s appointed Consultative Forum where she served her people faithfully and with distinction.
She is widely known for her work among youth. She currently serves the TCI Baptist Union as its National Youth Director and also its Legal Counsel. She is also a Northern Director for the Youth Department of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship. An active member of the Kiwanis Club she was the first female elected Secretary and President. She has also served as a Director and Chapter President in the TCI Cancer Foundation. She was recently appointed as a Justice of the Peace with special responsibility for HM Prison.
A candidate in the General Elections of 2003, Sharlene was the first female to serve her Party as Vice Chairman, Secretary General, National Chairman and now Deputy Leader. She is a privileged member of a small Alumni of 5000 people around the World having last year completed the Canada Caribbean Emerging Leaders Dialogue, a Duke of Edinburgh Leadership Development Conference.
She is married with two beautiful daughters
Samuel Harvey
Samuel Harvey: Mr. Harvey commenced Secondary School education but left to join the group of Royal Engineers, where he began the trade of diesel and gasoline engines, also learnt how to design roads and bridges, learnt to operate and maintain heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, graders, front end loaders dumping equipment and boats.
Mr. Harvey earned a scholarship to study mechanical engineer at the Nassau Technical College in Nassau Bahamas. He was awarded and obtained Two City and Guilds of London Institute Certificates incorporated by Royal Charter in 1971.
Samuel Harvey, at the end of the term at NTC, was offered a job at the Oil Refinery in Free Port, Grand Bahama as a Junior Engineer, and later that year was asked by the company to consider doing a course in Texas USA for a further thirty months to advance the engineering field, because of his outstanding achievement and performance at NTC, but choose to return to the island because he was on a government bond contract.
Communication Mr. Harvey returned to the islands in 1973, joined Cable and Wireless Co Ltd. and changed career to communication. He was one of the lead personnel to bring about modern communication through the TCI and was responsible for all communication on South Caicos in 1974 – 75, came to Providenciales 1974 made a survey on the possibility of Providenciales becoming a base for modern communication; that survey provided a positive report which brought about an explosive development not only communication, but development in general. Mr. Harvey returned to Providenciales that year to begin what he had recommended to the Head office in London: what you see to date, started by Samuel Harvey. He attended the regional Technical Training Center in St Lucia to study line transmission. 1982 he re-entered the training Center in St Lucia and studied communication planning and instrument installation.
1984 he joined Island Electrical along with Mr. Edmond Ewing as foreman the Company was the main sub contractor for the construction of Club Med, and later, in 1985 was requested by the insurance company to conduct the inspection for the whole of the Club Med Village.
He attended the Regional Technical Training Center in St. Lucia where he studied Line Transmission and joining. In 1982, he re-entered the training center in St Lucia, where he studied telephone planning, and installation. 1982 in Tortola BVI, studied instrument Repairs, Communication development in a desert. He received the most outstanding award for the term.
Political
Contested the General Election in 1980- Lost and again 1984- Lost contested the 1988 General Election- won and was appointed Minister responsible for Housing, Utilities, Water, Fuel, Immigration, Labour. He started a Trade School through the ministry to assist the young people who did not complete secondary education or other unfortunate situation, providing an opportunity to prepare themselves to take their place in the development of TCI.
Elected 1995-1999 appointed by the PDM NGG Deputy Leader of the party responsible for Works, Utilities, Housing, Immigration and Labour. During the time spent in office Mr. Harvey was part of the team that negotiated most of the major development in Grace Bay and the Turks and Caicos at large.
2009 – Elected National Chairman of the PDM was responsible for organizing the biggest unity march with the P.D.M and P.N.P Leaders.
2010- Went to the UK, to meet Ministers on the return of democracy to the TCI people.
Currently, manages his business, which includes Sam’s Downtown and provides Consultant Service on Development projects. One who believes that faith without works is dead, one who believes in this Country, one who believes that, part of his mission in life, is to help people to realize their dreams and never to live in the past the sky is the limit.
Derek Taylor
The Hon Derek Taylor born on the Island of Grand Turk on October 1, 1951, was the sixth child of seven children. He completed his Primary and Secondary school education in Salt Cay and Grand Turk. He was always active in his community as a child: To name a few, Sunday School, Boy Scouts and cricket. His ability to recall stories and recite poetry saw him maintain top position in his English Literature Class and for this many teachers and students remember him.
Upon completion of his formal education in 1970, Mr Taylor joined the Civil Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a place where he developed his skill and love for service. In Grand Turk he served as an employee in the Treasury and Customs Department. During his more final years in the Civil Service, he served in several managerial administrative roles, that of District Commissioner in South Caicos, Middle Caicos and North Caicos and Deputy Collector of Customs. He also served on a number of Board and Committees. His natural ability to lead saw him rise to the higher echelons in the Civil Service Associations, having served two years as President and seven years as Vice President. While in the Service, he attended many courses, seminars and workshops in the Region and the United Kingdom.
In 1988, he entered Politics when he became a member of the Peoples Democratic Movement, the first Political Party in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the elections of 1988, his Party won by a landslide, the first one of its kind in history and he served as Minister of Commerce and Development under the youngest Chief Minister ever to serve in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In 1991, after a defeat at the Polls, Mr Taylor was elected Leader of the Opposition. However, in 1995, he was about to take the Turks and Caicos Islands on a journey that would defy history. Under his leadership, he Party won the next three elections and he became the longest serving Chief Minister in history. He continued to serve as Minister of Finance, Development and Commerce and under his leadership, the Turks and Caicos Islands gained financial maturity and stability. The Turks and Caicos Islands became the fastest growing economy in the Region and was known as the “Star of the Region”.
While serving as Chief Minister he attended various courses, seminars and events, including the Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington. He served on the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank on three separate occasions. He was also elected as the first President of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA).
He was honored by the Queen during the Millennia Celebrations in 2000 and he received the Order of the British Empire joining a small and exclusive list.
Shortly after victory in 2003, Bi- Elections were held by an Order of the Court and the Party lost its majority. Mr Taylor served as Leader of the Opposition until he retirement in 2007.
He continues to embrace every opportunity to serve in his community. He is known for his work with all ages, whether it be for his regular visits to the Wellness Center and the hospital where he would spread cheer among the old and the sick, or assisting in any way he can with the children of our schools and community. A founding member of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Turk, he is currently the immediate Past President and he held the office of Presidency three times in the Club’s history. He is also a member of the Red Cross, a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum since its inception, a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cancer Foundation and Chairman of the Higher Education Advisory Board. He also serves as a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public.
Mr Taylor is cousin to the founder of our political system, first Chief Minister and only named National Hero, the Late JAGS McCartney, husband to one wife, father and grandfather. He is a child of God and an active member of the Methodist Church, where is a lay preacher. Those who know and love him, respect him for his honesty, integrity and genuine goodwill. He is held in high esteem by his fellowmen and by those who had the privilege to meet him at regional and international levels.
Oswald O'Neil Skipping
Oswald O'Neil Skippings (born 1953) is an experienced and visionary politician. He has served this country on two separate occasions as Chief Minister and several terms as Ministers. He remains to date the longest serving Parliamentary Member under the Ministerial Government and is held to be one of the greatest and sharpest political minds of our times.
Skippings became the youngest member of a Caribbean government ever when he was first elected to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Legislature in 1976 at the age of 22. He later became the youngest leader of a Caribbean government ever when he became Chief Minister in 1980 at the age of 26. Skippings was Chief Minister of the TCI between June and November 1980 and again between March 1988 and April 1991.
Former Minister of Health and Education, Skippings also serve as Minister of Tourism and Immigration and is best known for his visionary and strong leadership in these areas. He remains to date the longest serving Minister of Tourism and is credited with the successful negotiations of major Airlines to our shores and outstanding achievements in Tourism.
An ordained Pastor, Skippings until recently served as the Senior Pastor for Firm Foundation Ministries.
Josephine Connolly
Born on the Island of Salt Cay, Josephine was brought up with values instilled in her by her hard working parents Alexander and Ruthpine Smith. With Alexander Smith representing Salt Cay in the local legislature, politics was always a topic of discussion in the Smith household.
In the late seventies the family moved to Grand Turk and Josephine continued her education at Grand Turk High School, as it was then known. At sixteen her working life began with a job as supply clerk at Pan-Am Base, with the closure of the base she moved on to be the corporate administrator at a Trust Company on Grand Turk. During this period she continued her education with Ms. Lilith Allen at the Turks and Caicos Business College.
In 1991 on moving to Providenciales Josephine opened up Tropical Auto Rentals in the GraceBay area. Starting with 5 cars, but quickly expanding the fleet of over 50, the car rental company has been successful for over 20 years.
Anticipating the need for office space in the Grace Bay area, Tropicana Plaza Phase I was built in 1995 under Josephine’s direction with the help of local builder and personality Sam Lightbourne, the same team completing Phase II in 1999. The 8,000 square foot office complex at the entrance to Grace Bay is home to a number of businesses including, MoneyGram, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Tropical Auto Rentals.
In 2000 Josephine opened up Connolly Motors Ltd which became the Kia distributer for the Turks & Caicos Islands. The rapidly expanding popularity of the Kia cars has meant that Connolly Motors is now one of the most successful distributors on theIslands.
In 2002 Josephine was co-founder and subsequently Director of Connolly Zahm Properties Ltd, a prominent Real Estate Company.
Between 2004 and 2010 Josephine attended the University of Central Lancashire, obtaining a BSc in Management and Politics and MSc in Human Resource Management.
In 2011 Josephine incorporated Connolly Productions which now runs the radio station 88.7 JAM. Although one of the newer stations in Turks & Caicos, the Connolly Productions team has been successful in attracting the Governor and political leaders to discuss the important issues of the day.
Josephine is married with two children. She is also President of the Girl Guides Association, an active member of the Soroptimists, a member of the Turks & Caicos Real Estate Association (TACREA) and a member of the Certified Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD).
Oswald M. Simons.
Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, I have decided to offer myself as an independent, at large candidate in the upcoming General election this November.
I believe that my life experiences and training have made it possible for me to serve you in the capacity of an elected representative for our entire country. I am therefore asking you here and now for your vote.
My vision for our country in the near term is debt reduction and financial solvency followed by a period of financial growth and consolidation and eventual financial independence. Concurrent with the improving financial condition of our Country must be the improving financial position of our people together with their better employment opportunities and education.
It is my view that tough choices lie ahead in these areas both at national and individual level.
I can assist in these decisions.
These and other important issues mentioned in the “objectives” are set out in my abbreviated resume which I attach for
your information and which will be discussed further in my detailed declaration in due course.
They include:the Resolution of our health care and health care coverage, making it available and affordable to all citizens and residents, the attraction of solid and beneficial inward investment, the proper level of infrastructural improvements, continuing growth and improvement of our tourism industry;
These are and will continue to be contributing factors in our recovery and our journey to political and financial maturity.
I know that the majority of the electorate are staunch party supporters but I trust that those of you across the TCI who know me and are prepared to consider an alternative to total party domination in our politics over the next four years will consider a vote for me as a vote for a change for better. For the benefit of those who are not familiar with Oswald
Simons, I urge you to read my attached abbreviated resume and ask questions of folks who know me.
I look forward to your support and input.