Race for the Conch
The 2nd Annual "Race For The Conch" Eco-Sea-Swim scheduled for July 9th July 9th 2011, has been set as the date for the 2nd Annual "Race For The
Conch" Eco-Sea-Swim which will take place in front of Flamingo Cafe on Grace Bay in Providenciales.
Organizers of the event say after last year's fantastic success, they are preparing to make this one even better and a lot more exciting.
The 1 Mile and 2.4 Mile events are expected to bring in several elite swimmers, including last year's champion Marcus Diaz, who will be back to
defend his title. But the races are also open to all swimmers who want to challenge themselves in the beautiful turquoise waters of the TCI.
"Race for the Conch" trophies, which are created and designed by local artist Stanford Handfield, will be given to the top swimmers, as well as
youngest and oldest swimmer. There will also be a special trophy for the winner of the "Resorts Cup," which will recognize the top hotel/restaurant
team in the race.
All swim participants will be eligible for prizes to be drawn at awards ceremony, which will take place at Flamingo Cafe 7:00pm-8:00pm. A Flamingo
Café beach party will follow the event.
Organizers of the event are also challenging those persons who will not swimming, to still enjoy the event as a spectator by cheering on the
swimmers as they race along the shore. Sponsors of the event - Department of Environmental & Costal Resources, Provo Children's Home, Caracol
Children's Home and Tractor Share - are also being encouraged to be a part of what has become a great and growing international race on Provo.
The rules require participants to check-in at the start/finish line on the beach in front of Flamingo Cafe i.e. the beach access between Club Med and
Ocean Club East between 8:00am and 9:30 a.m., where they will receive a race number, a swim cap, and an electronic timing chip on Velcro strap to
place around their ankle.
A Swim Clinic will be held July 8th – the day prior to the "Race For The Conch" Eco-Sea-Swim at The Alexandra Resort.
Meanwhile, local Participants can register for this year’s event by contacting Eco-SeaSwim Director Chloe Zimmer-mann at Marco Travel in
Providenciales (649) 946-4393, or you can register online at www.ecoseaswim.com
Official results for the Tourist Board’s kite flying competition 2011 released
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board has released the official results of its kite flying competition for 2011, held simultaneously over
the Easter weekend in Providenciales and North Caicos.
Results for the event held on Monday April 25 at the Horse Stable Beach, North Caicos
In the smallest Kite category
• 1st William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 2nd Romario Hibbert [Fresh Company]
• 3rd Sherwin Druepaul [Christ is Risen]
Best Traditional Kite
• 1st William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 2nd William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 3rd Romario Hibbert [Fresh Company]
Most Artistic Kite
• 1st Danatreo Gardiner
• 2nd Romario Hibbert [Fresh Company]
• 3rd Sherwin Druepaul [Christ is Risen]
Best National Pride Kite
• 1st Sherwin Druepaul [Christ is Risen]
• 2nd William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 3rd William Delancy [Three Sisters]
Largest Kite
• 1st William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 2nd William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 3rd Danatreo Gardiner
Best Overall Kite
• 1st William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 2nd William Delancy [Three Sisters]
• 3rd Danatreo Gardiner
The official results for the kite flying competition 2011, held on Monday at the Kids Park, Lower Bight Road, Providenciales show:-
Smallest Kite
• 1st Deon Rodney
• 2nd Michelle Rodney
Best Traditional Kite
• 1st Chloe (Clo-ie) Moxey
• 2nd Kenva Missick
• 3rd John Ewing
Most Artistic Kite
• 1st Patrick Heywood
• 2nd Darius Coakley
• 3rd Leslyn Thomas / Warren French
Best National Pride Kite
• 1st Chloe Moxey
• 2nd Gangoo Shack
• 3rd Hayden Williams
Largest Kite
• 1st Darius Coakley
• 2nd John Williams
• 3rd Patrick Heywood
Consolation Prizes / Special Mention
o Alex Cox
o Miracal Harris – Ianthe Pratt Primary School
o Sparkle Cleaning – Michelle & Deon Rodney
Best Overall Kite
• 1st Darius Coakley
• 2nd Kendrique Williams
• 3rd Chloe Moxey
Meanwhile, a similar kite flying competition is scheduled for Friday April 29th at Governor’s Beach in the Nation’s capital Grand Turk.
Former US President Bill Clinton and his family vacations in the TCI
Former US President Bill Clinton, his wife current US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other members of his family, are currently in the
Turks and Caicos Islands on an unofficial visit.
PTV News quoted sources as saying that the Clintons have been in the TCI for the past three weeks vacationing at the Parrot Cay Resort as guests of
fashion designer Donna Karan.
RTC News followed up and got confirmation that indeed the Clintons, their daughter Chelsea, her husband Mark and other members of the family, and
their security detail, are currently in the Turks and Caicos Islands as guests of Ms. Karan, herself a regular visitor to her private luxury
beachfront estate, which she describes as her hidden treasure.
PTV News also reported that the Clintons were to engage in some gulf at the Provo Golf Club, which up to news time could not be verified.
Celebrities who own homes here include Donna Karan, Bruce Willis, Christie Brinkley and Keith Richards. In addition to those stars who have chosen to
own homes on the exclusive island, there are many more who visit. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher attended Bruce Willis’ wedding to model and
actress, Emma Heming in 2009. A few years earlier, in June of 2005, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner also chose to say their vows at Parrot Cay.
Zac Efron spent Christmas 2010 on the island with Rumer Willis, Bruce and Demi’s daughter. Donatella Versace has been a guest on the island, and
star sightings are said to include Sandra Bullock, Jim Cramer, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Robert De Niro, Prince Edward, Michael J. Fox, Janet
Jackson, Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, Paul McCartney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears, Barbra Streisand, Justin Timberlake, Ashlee
Simpson, Pete Wentz and Howard Stern.
It’s no wonder then that the Clintons have made Parrot Cay their choice vacation spot. Could Prince William and Kate Middleton be next on the
list? Guess we’ll all have to wait until closer to their wedding nuptials at the end of the month – May 29th to be precise.
Advisory Council meets
The Advisory Council met on Wednesday 27th April at the NJS Francis building, Grand Turk.
The Council discussed current airport security arrangements and underlined the importance of ensuring the integrity of the full perimeter of the airport. It agreed that a meeting of key stakeholders should be convened to review the arrangements and recommend any necessary improvements.
The Council was updated on current operations of the Philatelic Bureau by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Tourism and Communications, Arthur Been, and the Manager of the Philatelic Bureau, Girlie Garland. The Council supported plans by the Bureau to enter into a contract with a major international stamp supplier for the production and marketing of TCI stamps, coins and other collectibles which should increase the Bureau’s revenue earning capacity. The Council also welcomed the themes selected for pending stamp releases.
The Council received a presentation on the operation to date of the hospitals contract between TCIG and InterHealth Canada and agreed on the need for early appointments to vacant positions which are important to the efficient management of the contract and to ensuring it delivers value for money.
The Council approved a proposed amendment to the Marriage Ordinance which (provided all other requirements are met) allows the forty-eight hour residency requirement to be waived for visitors seeking to get married in the TCI. The amendment will accommodate cruise ship passengers to Grand Turk who arrive and depart on the same day.
The Council expressed delight with the outstanding performance of the TCI team at the recent regional CARIFTA Games in Jamaica and in particular the two gold medal winners Delano Williams and Dominique Missick. It decided that TCIG should work with the Sports Commission to provide the two gold medal winners with a bursary to enable them to pursue their athletics career.
TASK FORCE SET UP FOR ILLEGAL STRUCTURES
The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources has reported to the Advisory Council about the growing problem of illegal settlements in the bush on Providenciales and prompted Governor Gordon Wetherell to enact a task force to deal with the issue.
“This is a serious problem, and now with resources available we can get to further grips with it,” the governor said.
“A solution is not simple, and the problem crosses several agencies including immigration, law enforcement, environmental health and a number of others. “It is a wide ranging problem with has a number of different aspects to it,
“We are now identifying resources in both a mix of expertise and finance that are required to resolve the problem, to establish a dedicated task force where people can work full time on this and deal with it,” he said.
The Crown Land Illegal Occupation Ordinance passed in 2008 made it illegal for anyone to occupy, build structures on, or abandon vehicles on Crown land. Summary conviction is punishable by a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for six months, and upon conviction on indictment to a fine of $50,000 or to imprisonment for two years, or to both fine and imprisonment.
Those guilty can also be forced to pay for removal of anything illegal from Crown land. The government issued warnings in June 2009 and again in October 2009 that the ordinance would be strictly enforced. Two cases were reported in early 2010 of individuals being prosecuted for crimes related to illegal settlements.
Illegal settlements “generally lack proper sanitation, pose health, fire and environmental hazards, as well undermine the government’s ability to establish well-planned subdivisions and make future upgrading of these areas more costly and more difficult,” the government stated in 2009.
An eco-tourism website promotes the development of a sustainable economy for North and Middle Caicos
An eco-tourism website has been launched to promote the development of a sustainable economy for the islands of North and Middle Caicos.
The new website is the brainchild of Sara Kaufman and Daniel O. Forbes the founders of the Middle Caicos Co-op, the Middle Caicos Sailboat
Association and Daniels' Cafe. The Valentine's Day Cup Model Sailboat Races, another of their special events, attracted over 500 people to
Bambarra Beach this year for the day with many anticipating a return to visit. Both Kaufman and Forbes are readily recognized leaders in both
ecotourism and eco-heritage tourism, and they continue to open new doors that will bring more tourists to North and Middle Caicos.
In the spring edition of their e-newsletter, they note that it is becoming ever clearer that ecotourism is greatly assisting the development of a
sustainable economy for North and Middle Caicos. The pristine open spaces, miles of serene walking and cycling trails, dozens of deserted beaches,
spectacular catch and release bone fishing, excellent bird- watching, historical ruins, and living cultural attractions are everything an
eco-tourist looks for in a destination.
Both recognize the most pressing need for these islands to develop a robust ecotourism economy is promotion. Access to accurate and up to date
information, quickly and easily, is the goal of www.ecotourismtci.com.
Focused on North and Middle Caicos, Koffman and Forbes’ website links accommodation, tour operators, activities, and support services to make it
convenient for the internet explorer to find what they need for a great ecotour vacation. Introductions to all the islands are on the website,
however they note that developing the efforts underway on North and Middle Caicos, is the current target.
The e-newsletter highlights the many impressive accommodations and attractions on North & Middle Caicos, among them, snorkeling the
delightful coral heads just offshore, and the rock outcrops at Three Mary's Cays or Mudjin Harbour where fish abound; Kayaking through the
mangroves along any coastline; Bird-watching in the pine forests, grasslands and mangroves to discover tropic birds, fish eagles,
flamingoes, pelicans, ospreys, Sailing inside the barrier reef or in the Caicos flats in traditional sloops; traditional model sailboat racing; the
serious challenge of Catch 'n release of bone fishing; Hiking on Crossing Place trail, Exploring the historic ruins of the colonial settlers or
Taino Indians; a visit with basket weavers, farmers and fishermen to hear their stories and their choice of one of over 15 active churches for
worship.
The new eco-tourism website is www.ecotourismtci.com.
Two cadets terminated
Termination of two cadets in training results in the establishment of a Professional Integrity Unit
The Commissioner of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police terminated the employment of two cadets in training last Friday.
According to information reaching our newsdesk, this termination of employment was brought about by certain incidents that came to light upon
the re-evaluation of their applications.
A press release from Press Liaison Officer, Detective Sargeant Calvin Chase, said the credibility of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police
is paramount and to this end the Commissioner announced the formation of a Professional Integrity Unit which will help to ensure that the Royal Turks
and Caicos Islands Police is a credible and accountable organization.
Police stories
An officer of the court opts for jury trial in a drug related case.
On the 15th of April 2011 the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police charged Lakisha Brooks with possession of cannabis.
On the 19th April 2011 Ms Brooks appeared in court and elected trial by Judge and Jury in the Supreme Court.
Her next schedule court appearance is on 6th June 2011.
In other police matters:A Police officer on suspension for sexual impropriety with a minor An officer of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has been
suspended for having sexual relations with a minor.
According to Sgt Chase, a report was received by the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force in Providenciales on the 14th April, alleging that a
member of The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police had sexual relations with a minor.
An investigation was launched into this report by Officers from the newly formed Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Unit. This investigation has
resulted in charges against Curdaro Missick, an officer of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police.
He is scheduled to appear in Magistrates Court # 2 tomorrow Wednesday April 27th.
The officer has subsequently been suspended from the police force.
TCI enters first phase of UK bond
The Turks and Caicos Islands completed a roughly $280 million bond sale that officials say aims to help the British dependency tackle a fiscal crisis.
The Caribbean islands' London-appointed governor said the sale "buys us the time we need to tackle the dire fiscal legacy" inherited by his interim administration.
Britain imposed direct rule on Turks and Caicos in August 2009 after a probe into allegations that local leaders misused public money and profited from the sale of government-owned land. The local government and legislature were suspended.
Gov. Gordon Wetherell said the bond sale was the best option to give his administration a fixed interest rate and allow some "certainty over our future debt service." The bonds, with a fixed interest rate of 3.2 percent, will be fully payable on maturity in February 2016.
The bond sale does not provide additional funding for the islands' government, but replaces a $280 million bridge loan that was part of a $417 million rescue package approved by Britain earlier this year.
Wetherell said the bailout won't fund significant new expenditures or reverse spending cuts. It will only allow the financially struggling islands of roughly 23,000 people to bring spending and revenue in line, he said.
Gansevoort signs with private jet company
The Gansevoort Hotel Group in New York City, with one of its flagship hotels being in the Turks and Caicos Islands has selected JetFlite International (JFI) as their exclusive private aviation provider.
The new partnership presents a collection of specially-crafted benefits for guests at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC, and Gansevoort Turks and Caicos and JFI clients.
“We are committed to providing our guests with an unparalleled hospitality experience from start to finish and are delighted to extend that philosophy to our choice of private aviation provider,” said Elon Kenchington, chief operating officer, Gansevoort Hotel Group. “This alliance presents the opportunity to blend the best in private jet travel with the best in hospitality experiences.”
“The partnership will change the way many Gansevoort guests will travel,” said Bill Cripe, JFI chief executive officer. “It will allow a new level of efficiency and productivity in Ganzevoort guest’s lives, providing an extra day or two at a Gansevoort location rather than in airports.”
Over the past two decades, JFI has operated thousands of flights to practically every corner of the globe. And like Gansevoort, JFI takes pride in its ability to delight the most discerning clients, particularly those who value both expertise and attention to detail.