TWENTY- EIGHTH (28TH) SITTING OF THE CONSULTATIVE FORUM SET FOR TUESDAY
The Consultative Forum will meet in open session on Tuesday 10th January 2012 from 10:00 a.m. at the NJS Francis building on Grand Turk.
Two Bills referred to the Forum by H.E. the Governor; on Agriculture and Control of Animals, are on the agenda for Members’ consideration.
There are also eighteen questions for oral answers directed to the Chief Executive, the PS in the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General. Member Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams will also make a presentation.
RTC will air the Forum meeting live commencing at 10a.m.
A copy of the agenda is below for your viewing.
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TWENTY- EIGHTH (28TH) SITTING OF THE
CONSULTATIVE FORUM OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
TUESDAY 10TH DAY OF JANUARY 2012
IN THE NJS FRANCIS BUILDING
FRONT STREET, GRAND TURK
AT 10:00 O’CLOCK IN THE FORENOON
DRAFT AGENDA
1. PRAYERS – PASTOR MARK CHRISTMAS
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
3. MATTER REFERRED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
- AGRICULTURE BILL 2011
- CONTROL OF ANIMALS 2011
4. QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY
1. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by: Dr. Linda Williams
- APPOINTMENT OF PERMANENT SECRETARIES
(i) Will the CEO indicate, kindly, the configuration of the ministries resulting from the Public Sector Reform Initiative? And will he state the expected date for its implementation?
(ii) Can the CEO explain the selection process for the appointment of the Permanent Secretaries (PS) and can he also indicate the next stage in this process?
(iii) Can the CEO explain the selection processes for appointing a Selection Team to vet applications and screen applicants for the position of PS. And will he confirm whether or not the same team of persons is engaged in the exercise from start to finish?
(iv) Will the CEO be kind enough to confirm the total number of Established officers and Non-Established staff who responded to the invitation to inquire into the severance scheme?
2. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by: Dr. Linda Williams
- PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTIONS
(i) Can the CEO provide an update on what has been accomplished to date in community awareness and education on the voting procedures for the next General Elections? Can he also indicate whether or not this awareness program took into consideration the need for bilingual communication?
(ii) Can the CEO confirm whether or not a training program has been implemented to train poll workers and other field workers that facilitate the election process?
(iii) Can the CEO confirm what specific action to date has been taken to promote the message of Integrity in public life and the legal procedures for addressing any breach discovered?
3. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
OUTSTANDING REVENUES (deferred from meeting dated 13th December 2011)
- Over the past few years, questions have been posed regarding outstanding amounts owed through Destination Clubs and from the Investors under Development Agreement who should have been contributing to the National Scholarship Funds? Will the PS in the case of the National Scholarship Fund, be pleased to say the number of developments in default, what amounts have been collected and what amounts remain outstanding?
4. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM (deferred from meeting dated 13th December 2011)
- Will the Chief Executive Officer be pleased to give a Report on the work completed and outstanding by Mr. Stephen Catchpole and his Team? Will he say what is the timeline to complete the work and Departments? Will he say in his report which Ministries and Departments have been identified as oversized and understaffed, the current number of staff and possible job creations for redeployment or new persons. Will he further state other recommendations made in relation to this exercise? Will he be pleased to say the number of expressions of interests received with a break down as to how many are established, non established but monthly paid, and weekly staff?
Will he also say the numbers per Island?
5. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
CEO - NIB and NHIP FUNDS (deferred from meeting dated 13th December 2011)
- Will the Chief Executive Officer be pleased to state the formula used to calculate the total of $10 million dollars said to be owed by NIB for employment related injuries? Will he further state the number of cases this relates to and break the sum down by range in cost; will he say if any payments were made over the years at all and if any, what were the amounts and which years?
6. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND DRAFTED LEGISLATION
i. A comprehensive Immigration System that captured information of all visitors and workers and shared information with vital departments in Government had been identified some time ago as a major necessary investment for TCI. Will the CEO be pleased to say what is the status of this project?
ii. Will the CEO be pleased to say what has happened with the drafted and proposed Immigration Bill which captured largely the contents of the 2004 Blue Ribbon Commission Report?
7. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
MILESTONES
- Will the CEO be pleased to advise the people of these islands on the progress and work to be done on one each of the milestones set for accomplishment before a return to elected government?
8. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
ADVISORS
- Will the CEO be pleased to say how many UK Advisors has served in TCI since August 2009 and will he further give their names and areas of expertise?
9. TO BE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
SPECIAL SELECTION TEAM FOR PS RECRUITMENT
(a) Will the CEO be pleased to say whether in fact there has been a Special Selection Team for the recruitment of Permanent Secretaries?
(b) Will he say further what are their names and level of expertise?
(c) Will he say what is the role of the PSC in the recruitment of the Permanent Secretaries if any?
10. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT
- Will the CEO be pleased to say what countries was the position of Financial Manager for TCIG’s Treasury advertised and will he give the details of the Advertisement in each country?
11. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
AUDIT MATTERS
i. Will the CEO be pleased to say whether it is the intention of the Interim Administration to carry out detail audits into the events of the past few years: pre the Commission of Inquiry as recommended by Sir Robin Auld and for the period of the Interim Administration thus far?
ii. Under an elected Government there are several oversight bodies established by the Constitution and the HOA’s Standing Orders that review government’s current and past expenditure and policies. Will he say what bodies perform any oversight role similar to a Public Accounts, Expenditure and Administration Committee, if any, into the actions of the Interim Administration?
12. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright - Robinson
TOURISM.
- Will the Chief Executive Officer be pleased to say:
(a) The exact number of stay-over arrivals to date for 2011.
(b) The exact number of cruise passengers - which is actually provided by Carnival Cruise Lines.
(c) And what is the method used to determine the number of stay-over visitors.
13. TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF FINANCE
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
$260M LOAN
- Will the PS Finance be pleased to say how the proceeds of the $260m loan was spent?
14. TO THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
LAWSUITS
- Will the AG be pleased to say whether the TCIG has any outstanding lawsuits against it? Will he say the numbers and will he say if any of the complainants are former contract officers of the TCIG?
15. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- Will the CEO be pleased to state how much was spent on the audit of the scholarships and whether or not the report from KPMG was published?
16. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- Will the CEO be pleased to explain the processes in conducting a national assessment in order to determine the needs for scholarships?
17. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- Will the CEO be pleased to say when was the last national needs assessment for scholarships conducted?
18. TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF FINANCE
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- (a)Will the PS for Finance be pleased to say in which areas of expenditure were the recently found invoices which resulted in the increase of the deficit related?
- (b)Will the P/S for Finance be pleased to state the breakdown for these as per the invoices and the overall summary of the invoices?
5. PRESENTATION BY MRS. ETHLYN GIBBS – WILLIAMS:
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UK AND OBTAINING GOALS
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
7. ADJOURNMENT
Beyonce’s Baby: Ivy Blue or Blue Ivy?
OK, here’s some more fodder for the Beyonce haters out there.
It seems a lot of folks on Twitter are getting Bey’s baby’s name twisted. Ivy Blue Carter is trending as baby girl’s moniker, but her name is actually Blue Ivy Carter! Apparently, there was some misinformation at the beginning, but now it has been confirmed.
So, does this make a difference as to the meaning of the baby Blue’s name? Here’s how Gather put it:
It does, though only slightly.
Picking the first name Blue isn’t something that many people expected, which is probably why the name was twisted around on Twitter. Ivy sounds like a much more conventional name than Blue. But, now that we know it is Blue, what does it mean?
Unbeknownst to many, Blue is actually a name with a lot of meaning. For one thing, it is linked to Heaven and it also symbolizes the Virgin Mary, spirituality, and sincerity. In addition, you’ve got to consider that the number four is Beyoncé’s favorite number, so it’s fitting that she’d pick a four letter name.
As for Ivy, it also symbolizes four with IV, being the roman numeral for four. Ivy represents new promise and eternal life in the Christian religion, so we have yet another spiritual name. It also means longevity and eternity.
Put together, Blue Ivy Carter sounds like the perfect name for Beyoncé’s first child, and surely Bey and Jay put a lot of time into choosing it.
PETA Goes After Dr. Dre Over Furry Headphones
Hit producer/mogul Dr. Dre is in hot water with PETA over a new limited edition run of Beats by Dre headphones.
Dre, born Andre Young, has teamed with Oscar De La Renta to release a limited-edition line of Beats by Dre earmuff headphones, that are wrapped in fox fur.
Earlier in the week Michelle Cho, a representative for PETA, fired off a letter to Dr. Dre urging him to respect animal rights.
“We wanted to get in touch to urge you to keep fur and exotic-animal skins out of your Beats by Dre designs,” Michelle Cho wrote. “Foxes, minks, rabbits, and other animals—including cats and dogs—are bludgeoned, genitally electrocuted, strangled with wire nooses, drowned, and even skinned alive for their pelts.”
Cho explained to Dr. Dre that most animals are killed for their fur in China, because there are no penalties for animal abuse want for farms.
Cho also provided Dr. Dre with a video featuring Eva Mendes, to educate himself on animal abuse.
Cho urged Dr. Dre to use his influence around the world to make a positive difference in the lives animals.
“You have a tremendous amount of influence on young people,” Cho continued. “Won’t you please consider using your platform to advocate kindness toward animals by pledging never to design with real fur and exotic skins?”
Dr. Dre’s Beats by Dre fox fur earmuff headphones retail for $695.
Will and Jada Sell their Hawaii Home for $20 Million
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith got out of 2011 with a super nice chunk of cash in their pockets. The couple sold their seven-acre Hawaii vacation home for $20 million.
The three-bedroom and three-bathroom home in Kauai was purchased for only $13.5 million in 2009.
So after only two years, they took a $6.5 million profit to the bank.
The mansion includes hardwood floors, solar heating, a swimming pool and a hot tub.
But this is nothing compared to the family’s nine-bedroom estate in Calabasas, Calif., which also includes a basketball and tennis courts, three golf holes, a recording studio and a private lake.
Stevie, Maya, Spike and Mariah to be Praised at ‘BET Honors’
This year’s BET Honors is going to be a night to remember.
Mariah Carey, Dr. Maya Angelou and Stevie Wonder, among others will be recognized and newly engaged diva Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Common are confirmed to take the stage.
Others expected to make an appearance include Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard, along with iconic actress Cicely Tyson.
BET has also announced that the proceeds from ticket sales will go to Metro TeenAIDS.
The event will be hosted by Gabrielle Union and is scheduled to take place on Jan. 14 at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
The show airs Monday, February 13 at 9pm Eastern on BET.
Introducing Diddy Shampoo in 2012
Diddy is looking to do some big things in 2012.
The already huge player in the Hip Hop game is making his name bigger with a new line of products.
In an interview with Ad Week, he shared his New Year’s resolution:
“My dream was that you would wake up in the morning, your alarm would go off, one of my records would be playing. You’d get in the shower and use my shampoo. Then you would get out and use the beauty products,” he says. “You’d get dressed and put on Sean John [clothing], and then would go to work. And after work, you would go and change into your evening wear to go out to a club on a date and you’d put on Sean John again, spray on another of my fragrances, stop by and have a drink of Ciroc. And then maybe take your young lady out to a movie that I was starring in.”
Diddy also said he recently relocated to L.A. to boost his acting career.
CLICO policyholders go back to court
On Wednesday, Colonial Life Insurance Co Ltd (CLICO) policyholders will again be going before the court challenging the State's refusal to pay them the full amount due on their Executive Flexible Premium Annuities (EFPA).
The policyholders, represented by attorney Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, yesterday held a meeting at Centre Pointe Mall in Chaguanas.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting Maharaj said he was optimistic that ruling will be made in the policyholders' favour.
They are seeking an interim court order that Government give details of the assets of CLICO which has been sold and how the proceeds of the sales were applied. Maharaj said the lawsuit also seeks to compel Government to give details of the EFPA policyholders who have been paid in full since January 2009.
Maharaj said he hoped the matter should be resolved by March.
"The EFPA policyholders are very upbeat. They want to get their full compensation but they have indicated if the government decides to enter into discussions to resolve the matter, they are prepared to give and take so the government can get some concessions from the EFPA policyholders.''
The matter will be heard in the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain.
US expels Venezuelan diplomat
Venezuela's consul general in Miami has been declared to be persona non grata and must leave the United States, a State Department spokesman said on Sunday.
No reasons were given for the decision to expel Livia Acosta Noguera, who has headed Venezuela's consulate in Miami since March 2011.
The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington was informed of the decision Friday and Acosta must depart the United States by Tuesday.
There was no immediate response from the Venezuelan government.
Last month, a group of US lawmakers called for an investigation following a television documentary alleging that Acosta was among a group of Venezuelan and Iranian diplomats that expressed interest in an offer from a group of Mexican hackers to infiltrate the websites of the White House, the FBI, the Pentagon and US nuclear plants.
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez called the report "lies."
A State Department spokesman said last month that the US did not know about the alleged plot, but that it found the allegations "very disturbing."
In a letter last month to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, David Rivera, Mario Diaz-Balart and Albio Sires asked the State Department to require Acosta's "immediate departure" from the United States if the report proved true.
Venezuela's Chavez to welcome Iranian president
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was due to arrive in Venezuela on Sunday at the start of a Caribbean tour to shore up support from the region's leftist leaders, as new Western sanctions aim to isolate Iran and target its oil exports.
As he prepared to welcome Ahmadinejad on Sunday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dismissed a US warning to avoid close ties with Iran.
Washington has said that Ahmadinejad's planned tour of Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Ecuador showed Iran was "desperate" for friends.
"We are making absolutely clear to countries around the world that now is not the time to be deepening ties, not security ties, not economic ties, with Iran," a US State Department spokesperson said on Friday.
"A spokesman or spokeswoman in Washington from the State Department or the White House said it was not convenient for any country to get close to Iran. Well, the truth is, it made you laugh," Chavez responded on national television.
"We are free. The people of Latin America will never again kneel, dominated by the Imperial Yankee. Never again," he said.
The increasingly warm relations between Iran and Venezuela are a growing source of concern for the United States.
Ahmadinejad will also visit Nicaragua to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Daniel Ortega, following which he will visit Cuba and Ecuador.
Fidel Castro warns again about nuclear war and climate change
Former Cuban president Fidel Castro warned last week that nuclear war and climate change are critical dangers for humanity, which keeps standing far away from getting any closer to a solution.
In an article published on Cubadebate website, titled “The Walk to the Abyss,” Fidel said that never before in history has humanity faced the dangers it is facing at present.
In previous occasions, Fidel Castro has extensively written about these issues, two of his articles written in August and September 2010 respectively deal with the catastrophe of a nuclear war: Nuclear Winter and Nuclear Winter and Peace.
The military technologies that may affect the whole planet, such as the atomic bomb, are increasingly spoken of today, he said and noted that thousands of such weapons are now ready to be used in an incomparably stronger manner than those launched over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
The weapons of this kind, which are kept in depots, as they add to those already deployed, amount to over 20,000 nuclear warheads, said Fidel Castro, who noted that just a hundred of those weapons could be enough to trigger a nuclear winter that would kill the population of the planet in a brief time, as US scientist Alan Robock has explained.
Those who usually read the news and reliable international analyses know that the risk of a nuclear war outbreak increases as tensions grow in the Near East, said Fidel and pointed out that the Israeli government has stockpiled hundreds of nuclear weapons, which are ready to be used, while tension also grows about Russia, a country with unquestionable response capacity, which is now being threatened with a alleged European nuclear shield.
The Cuban leader said that the United States not only promotes wars, but also is the bigger producer and exporter of weapons in the world. This powerful country – Fidel pointed out -- has signed accords to supply 60 billion dollars to Saudi Arabia over the next years, where US transnational companies and their allies extract 10 million barrels of light oil every single day.
In his article, Fidel Castro maintained his view that humanity has no guarantee at all, since outer space is full of US satellites designed to spy on everything that takes place in the world, even over the roofs of the buildings in any nation of the planet.
However, the war is a tragedy that may take place while it is quite probable to occur; but if humanity were able to delay it for indefinite time, another similarly dramatic event is already taking place at a speedy way: climate change, he noted.
He recalled that the US administration opposed the Kyoto Protocol on the environment, a behaviour that not even coincided with that of its closest allies, whose territories would be tremendously affected, some of which, like Holland, would almost disappear completely.
Fidel Castro insisted that the planet is now fully lacking policies about this serious problem, while the sea level continues to increase and the huge ice layers covering the Antarctic and Greenland, which accumulate over 90 percent of the world´s fresh water, are melting at growing pace.