24 Hour Crime Recap – Providenciales
Providenciales Police in their 24 crime update say they responded to seven reports, including Five (5) Burglaries – one on Lower Bight Road, 1 in Discovery Bay, 1 on the Millennium Highway, 1 on Venetian Road & 1 in the Bight; and 2 Robberies — 1 on North West Point and the other on the Industrial Park Road. Here on Grand Turk yesterday, Monday 9th January, Law Enforcement Officers, including Customs and Immigration officers, carried out a search on a vessel at South Dock Grand Turk. During that search a quantity of suspected cannabis was found aboard the vessel. Ten males and four females, all Haitian nationals, were arrested on suspicion of Possession of cannabis. Also in Grand Turk, one female was charged for Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm in connection with a report made on 27th December 2011.
GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW TURKS AND CAICOS PERMANENT SECRETARIES
The appointment of five new Turks and Caicos Islands' Government Permanent Secretaries (PSs) was ratified by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd on Monday, 9 Jan 2012.
This is a vital strategic step towards restructuring and improving the delivery of public services to the people of TCI: one of the first tasks for the new PSs is to play a key role in the creation of five new larger ministries as Government reorganizes from the present nine ministries.
Following a fair, objective and transparent process the following persons have been appointed by the Governor as the strongest candidates when assessed against the published requirements (listed in alphabetic order by last name):
* Judith Campbell
* Wesley Clerveaux
* Clara Gardiner
* Susan Malcolm
* Anya Williams
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd said:- QUOTE "This is fantastic news as we begin what will be a momentous year for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Reform of the public sector is one of the eight milestones that will allow UK ministers to determine if elections are held here in 2012.
"The appointment of these five individuals, and the central role that they will be playing in Civil Society here in the Islands, is a key step on the journey that will allow public services to be reformed and to focus more on what everyone here tells me are their priorities - education, health, infrastructure and the economy.
"I am hopeful that by clarifying the process used for the selection process, it will scotch the mischievous, politically motivated rumours that the Interim Administration had a pre-determined result in mind: I am confident that the process was open, objective and transparent," END QUOTE
New TCI Government Chief Executive Patrick Boyle, one of the interview panel members added:- QUOTE "I was extremely impressed by the standard and professionalism of the final ten candidates who played their part in the selection process. They can all feel justifiably proud of their personal commitment to outstanding public service.
"I spoke to all ten of the candidates over the weekend, both successful and unsuccessful, and relayed just how impressed I was with each of them.
I have offered a meeting to the five unsuccessful candidates to determine how we may can continue to make use of their competence and experience for the greater good of the TCI. And, of course, I will be working hard with Judith, Wesley, Clara, Susan and Anya to continue to transform our Government services for the
better," END QUOTE.
Providing a summary of the recruitment process for the new Permanent Secretary posts, Governors Spokes-person Neil Smith noted:-
* The appointments were advertised on 10 November 2011 on the TCI Government website and in TCI's three local newspapers with a closing date
of Sunday 27th November 2011. Thirty-three candidates applied, one of whom was not a Belonger and so was in-eligible.
* The selection panel met on 8 December 2011 to consider the applications, reviewing them against the experiential requirements and competences published in the candidate specification.
* Twelve applicants were selected for the short list based on the strength of their applications. On the evidence of their applications, the remaining applicants were not considered by the panel to be a strong enough fit against the required profile and were informed that they had been unsuccessful.
* The shortlisted applicants were called for interview over the period 4, 5 and 6 January 2012. Two applicants withdrew for personal reasons ahead of the interviews so the panel ultimately interviewed ten candidates for the appointments.
* Prior to the interviews, candidates were asked to complete online psychometric tests and exercises. These comprised a motivation questionnaire, the results of which were made available to the panel ahead of the interviews to guide their questioning, and a battery of reasoning tests (verbal, numeric and inductive reasoning). Performance in reasoning tests has been shown to correlate well with performance in other senior government appointments but the test results were used only to confirm the outcome of the interviews and were made available to panel members only after they had recorded their post-interview ratings. No candidate was
selected or deselected only on the basis of psychometric tests.
* Candidates were asked to nominate two personal referees, and these references were taken up ahead of the interviews, with referee comments being made available to panel members to contribute to their decisions.
The panel comprised:-
* Martin Stanley (outgoing Chief Executive TCIG) - Chairman
* Mr Carl Simmons (Tropical Shipping) - External member
* Ms Sandra Lightbourn (Scotia Bank) - External member
* Mr Patrick Boyle (incoming Chief Executive TCIG) - Member
The panel engaged the supporting services and advice of David Richards (OCT Associates Limited), an executive search consultant experienced in senior civil service appointments in the United Kingdom, including permanent secretary appointments. Mr. Richards provided administrative support and process advice to ensure that the panel followed a fair, objective and transparent process but was not responsible for panel decisions and judgements.
For the interviews, each candidate was asked to prepare and deliver a short presentation to the panel members. Their presentations were followed by two separate interviews with panel members, with questioning based on the published competence requirements. Each panel member individually rated the candidates against these competences using a structured rating form. The panel then discussed these ratings collectively to arrive at an agreed grading for each candidate. Panel
members were unanimous in supporting the final decisions on all candidates.
Panel members recorded their assessments on individual rating sheets for each candidate. The recommendations of the panel are made collectively with the full agreement of all panel members.
Governor Ric Todd met the Providenciales branch of the Chamber of Commerce on Monday
The business community of Providenciales got a rare opportunity to quiz His Excellency the Governor Ric Todd last night when he addressed the Providenciales branch of the Chamber of Commerce.
These meetings, according to information reaching our news desk, were arranged by the Chamber for its Membership - primarily to gain understanding, insight and answers in a one on one session, which is not often available to them as private business people.
The meeting of the Chamber of Commerce took place at the Windsong Resort at 6:30 yesterday and RTC will have some details of that meeting in our news report today.
CFO not responsible for water woes in Grand Turk
The CFO is not nor has not been withholding the necessary funds that would see the problem with the water service in Grand Turk, fixed.
Essentially, one of the pumps failed before Christmas which reduced the water production capacity on Grand Turk significantly. It took some time to seek quotes according to Government procedure, as many of the companies in the States were on holiday. Eventually when quotes were received, there was no delay by the CFO in giving authorization for the expenditure.
In fact he had already pre-approved expenditure for any essential parts for the Water Undertaking on 15 December, more than a week prior to the failure of the pump. He affirmed this on 3 January (even though he was still away on leave).
Normal delivery time of such a technically complicated part is usually at least 3 weeks, however working with our suppliers, we were able to source the part with scheduled delivery early next week.
It is planned to have the plant operational by the end of this week.
48 Hour Crime Recap in the TCI
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has released a forty-eight hour (48) crime report for the respective islands, indicating some fourteen (14) crimes for Providenciales alone.
Media relations officer, detective inspector Calvin Chase said within the 48hours, Police responded to Six (6) Burglaries Lower Bight Road, Blue Hills, Airport Road, Behind Glass Shack & (2) Kew Town.
Two (2) Attempted BurglariesLeeward Highway & Five Cays Four (4) RobberiesLeeward Highway, Blue Hills, Five Cays & Chalk Sound; Two crimes of (2) Wounding in Five Cays. In these two reports, two males received Gunshot wounds in separate incidents. The injuries according to Chase, are non-life threatening.
One female was arrested on suspicion of Handling Stolen Goods
Two males were arrested on suspicion of Murder and Robbery at RBC in connection with that December 16th 2011 incident in which two security guards were shot while making a deposit. One those security officers succumbed to his gunshot wounds and the other was seriously hurt and spent a few days in hospital.
One of males arrested in connection with that incident was later released, pending further investigations.
One male was arrested on suspicion of Robbery in connection with a report made on 6th January 2012.
Another male was arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with a report made on 3rd January 2012.
In the same 48 hour period in Grand Turk, Police responded to three (3) reports of a serious nature. Two (2) Burglaries on Dunscombe Alley and in the Quarry and One (1)Attempted Burglary on Middle Street.
One male was arrested on suspicion of Burglary which occurred on 7th January 2012, he was later released pending further investigations.
A male was arrested on suspicion of Wounding in connection with a report made on 15th December 2011.
Another male was charged for Wounding, Common Assault and Trespassing; this is in connection with an incident which occurred on 15th December 2011.
One male was charged for Possession of Cannabis in connection with an incident which occurred on 6th January 2012.
Tre Forbes a 16 year old TCI islander was charged for Aggravated Burglary in connection with that report made on 4rd January 2012, in which senior citizen Oswaldo Ariza was viciously stabbed and beaten assaulted. Forbes is remanded in Police custody until Thursday 12th January 2012 when he is schedule to re-appear in Grand Turk Magistrates Court to be further dealt with.
The island of South Caicos has also been very much in the news recently.
In Chases forty-eight hour (48) crime report, he said South Caicos police responded to three (3) criminal reports, including three Burglaries one on Lee Street & (2) on Sarah Hill.
One male was charged for Burglary in connection with a report made on 7th January 2012.
Lennox Hill Hospital Sets the Record Straight on Beyonce Birth
Lenox Hill Hospital Executive Director Frank Danza issued the following statement in response to inaccurate news media reports regarding the presence of Beyonce, Jay-Z and baby Blue the Carter family at the hospital:
“Lenox Hill Hospital and its staff were delighted to welcome the Carter family for the birth of their firstborn on Saturday evening, but we are troubled by the misinformation being circulated in some news media reports. The suggestion that the couple paid $1.3 million to rent an entire maternity floor is simply not true. The family is housed in an executive suite at the hospital and is being billed the standard rate for those accommodations. Our executive suites are available for any patient, including the food service and amenities provided to the Carter family.
“The family does have its own security detail on site. However, the hospital has been and continues to be in control of managing all security at the facility. We have made every effort to ensure minimal disruption to other families experiencing the births of their own children over the past three days. No security plan that we or the Carters’ security team put in place would have prevented or delayed families from gaining access to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and to date, no families have complained to the hospital about being denied access to the NICU.
“Lenox Hill Hospital takes patient privacy and safety very seriously. And while we congratulate the Carter family on the birth of their child, we value the loyalty of ALL of our patients and always strive to ensure a positive experience, knowing that the birth of a child is a wonderful moment producing memories that last a lifetime.”
Nick Cannon Released from Hospital
Good news for Nick Cannon. He’s on the mend and has been released from an LA hospital after dealing with what’s described as “mild kidney failure.”
“He is resting and recovering at home and would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern, well wishes and prayers,” his spokesperson, Tracy Nguyen said Monday.
Cannon will be back on the air with his New York morning radio show next week, Nguyen said.
Nick and wife Mariah Carey were vacationing in Aspen with their twins, Monroe and Moroccan, when he fell ill last month.
Kartel's lawyer ponders Supreme Court move
Yet another bail application made on behalf of embattled Jamaican entertainer Vybz Kartel was turned down in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.
The entertainer, who has been in custody since last October, had sought bail on charges that he and protégè Gaza Slim, whose given name is Vanessa Saddler, conspired and attempted to pervert the course of justice in one of the two murder charges brought against him.
However, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, in denying the bail application, pointed to the serious nature of the other cases the controversial dancehall artiste, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, has before the courts.
After the ruling, one of Palmer's attorneys, Christian Tavares-Finson told The Gleaner he was examining the possibility of going to the Supreme Court to seek bail on the new charges.
Tavares-Finson said he has asked the magistrate to outline her reasons for not granting the bail request in writing and will then "sit down with him (Palmer) and look very closely at this option (going to the Supreme Court)."
Palmer has been in custody since October 1 last year when he and four persons were arrested at a New Kingston hotel for ganja possession.
Four days later he was charged with the murder of St Catherine businessman/promoter Barrington Burton, who was shot dead in the parish last July.
The entertainer was slapped with a second murder charge on October 24, when the police alleged that he and members of his entourage had been implicated in the killing of Clive Williams in Havendale, St Andrew, last August.
Assault claim
The charges of conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice, which were filed last month, came after Saddler filed a report with the St Andrew North Police claiming Williams had assaulted her during a robbery on October 29.
Police investigators believe this was an attempt to help Palmer's defence.
Palmer was granted bail in the sum of $3 million in the Supreme Court last December in the case involving Burton.
However, he has not been able to take up the offer because the other cases are still pending.
The Devil Inside tops US box office
Low budget horror film The Devil Inside has spirited its way to the top of the North American box office, taking $34.5m (£22.4m) on its opening weekend.
It is the tale of a woman investigating exorcisms performed on her mother.
Like Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield before it, the film is released by studio Paramount and is filmed in a mock-documentary style.
Last week's number one, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, dropped to two, with receipts of $20.5m (£13.3m).
As with 2007's Paranormal Activity, which has gone on to spawn two sequels, and 2008's Cloverfield, which topped the US and Canada box office in January 2008, The Devil Inside benefited from a cryptic online marketing push.
Don Harris, president of domestic distribution for Paramount, said: "The marketing campaign was very much like Paranormal [Activity].
"It was online, trying to find the younger movie-goer, the fans for this genre."
Paramount bought the independently-produced film - which has been widely slated by critics - for just $1m (£648,000).
The success of the film, the only new release in the US last week, took many industry experts by surprise.
"This one caught everyone looking, but the devil got his due," said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said.
"It's just very difficult to track the horror fan base, no question about it."
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows dropped a place to number three, taking $14.1m (£9.1m).
Guy Ritchie's film, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, has now taken $157.4m (£102m) in North America since its release on 16 November.
David Fincher's film adaptation of Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo climbed a place to number four, with $11.3m (£7.3m).
And family film Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked dropped two to five, taking $9.5m (£6.2m).
Nelson Mandela mini-series planned for TV
A mini-series based on the life of Nelson Mandela is in the pipeline, with producers including the former South African president's grandson.
Writers attached to the project include Nigel Williams, who wrote the 2005 Helen Mirren mini-series, Elizabeth I.
Mr Mandela and his family will give input and feedback on the script for the six-part series.
His grandson Kweku Mandela said his grandfather's response when told of the plan was: "How much am I getting paid?"
Shooting will begin in South Africa later this year.
Two of Nelson Mandela's books will be used as source material - the memoir Conversations With Myself and a compendium of quotations, Nelson Mandela By Himself.
The working title is Madiba, the tribal clan name which Mandela is known by in South Africa.
Kweku Mandela said the series would not paint his grandfather as "Mandela the saint" but would seek to "unravel Mandela the man".
It will follow the life of the former leader - from his early relationship with his mother, to his engagement with politics, imprisonment and finally his election as president of South Africa.
The project is being put together by three companies across the globe - the UK's Left Bank Pictures, Canada's Blue Ice Films and South Africa's Out of Africa Entertainment.
Left Bank Pictures is behind films such as football drama The Damned United, while its TV credits include Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh.
Casting for the Nelson Mandela series has yet to be announced.