LOCAL NEWS

Next  March hailed a 'stunning success' Tuesday, March 9, 2010 The Unity March called for Monday March 8 satisfied organizers with a large turnout and the event has been hailed as a “stunning success”. The crowd size was confirmed to TCI Net News by a former police officer skilled in estimating the size of crowds and two media houses. read more... Civil service salaries to be cut by 10pct Tuesday, March 9, 2010 In a letter to civil service staff on Tuesday, chief executive officer of the interim government, Mark Capes, informed all public employees that public service salaries and wages for all staff, plus certain allowances, excluding housing, will be cut by 10 percent. This reduction will take effect, for wage earners, on 16 April. read more... Attorney welcomes development of a model Constitution and economic plan Sunday, March 7, 2010 Attorney at law Robert D’Arceuil recently provided a letter to local newspaper, TCI Weekly News, denying there was a British lawyer being engaged by a new organisation known as TCI Foundation for a Civil Society (TCIFCS). He went further to advise that this nonexistent, London-based barrister... read more... Airport expansion is big money story Sunday, March 7, 2010 The Turks and Caicos Airport Authority has received or is scheduled to be the recipient of a $100 million loan. Unconfirmed but generally reliable sources indicate that Scotia Bank may be providing or arranging the loan. It is understood this loan will be repaid out of departure taxes. read more... Education Week starts on out-island upbeat Sunday, March 7, 2010 The beginning of education week began Monday morning, March 1, with a joint programme by the schools of North and Middle Caicos, known as Combined Devotion. The schools included Doris Robinson Primary Charles Hubert James Primary, Adelaide Oemler Primary and Raymond Gardiner High School. read more... Chamber of Commerce meets on health care Sunday, March 7, 2010 The Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting at the Sands Resort Conference Centre, chaired by their new president Tanya Lightbourne Parnell, on the issue of health care. The room, which appeared to be filled with expatriates, heard Martin Reagan of Accordia Insurance address the issue of private insurance. read more... Tourist Board layoffs signal government 'right sizing' Sunday, March 7, 2010 Ralph Higgs, the Acting Director of The TCI Tourist Board, has issued layoff notices to five board employees. In addressing this issue, Higgs said, “It has been discussed widely and in government that there will be right sizing exercises.”  Higgs went on to say that the staff expected the downsizing. read more... New financial difficulties on the horizon Thursday, March 4, 2010 In his six-month report on the performance of the interim government, Governor Gordon Wetherell has indicated that there may be new financial difficulties on the horizon for the TCI. It appears that the $85 million loan may have been stalled by the financial institution providing or arranging the loan. read more... Political parties preach unity Thursday, March 4, 2010 History was made on Wednesday when, for the first time in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the leaders of the two opposing political parties, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Progressive National Party (PNP), sat together at the Opus Conference Center in the Leeward area of Providenciales. read more... Attorney denies unreported news Wednesday, March 3, 2010 On February 24, TCI Net News published an article reporting on a new group being formed in the TCI. This group was reported to be represented locally by attorney Robert D’Arceuil. D’Arceuil posted a response in last week’s local newspaper, the TCI Weekly News. In his letter, the attorney charged... read more... Attorney General leaving Wednesday, March 3, 2010 The Governor’s new six-month progress report on the Interim Government has indicated that Kurt de Freitas QC will soon be leaving his post as Attorney General of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Governor reported that, after three terms, the current AG will be replaced. read more... PPC updates its environmental programme Wednesday, March 3, 2010 PPC Ltd has taken additional steps toward reducing its environmental footprint in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The company launched its environmental programme in June 2009 with the ultimate objective of improving environmental and safety standards at the power plant and among its employees. read more... Licensing enforcement causing frustration Wednesday, March 3, 2010 The Interim government has now tied in the records of all licensing departments and directed the various agencies to follow through on enforcement. The police traffic unit has met the challenge, reportedly passing out literally thousands of traffic tickets. Recently, it was reported that 4,000 of these remain unpaid. read more... Chamber of Commerce celebrates new president Wednesday, March 3, 2010 The Chamber of Commerce is now celebrating the installation of a new president, Tanya Lightbourne Parnell. Mrs Parnell is a local businesswoman and has been active in the Chamber as secretary and recently as Vice President. Mrs Parnell has scheduled regular meetings for the first Monday of each month. read more... Spotlight on the courts Thursday, February 25, 2010 A number of court cases are making news. Former Premier Michael Misick and his former wife and First Lady of the TCI Lisa Raye McCoy Misick are due in court on Friday, February 25, to give testimony concerning their financial affairs. This appears to be a repeat, at least in part, of the evidence given... read more... TCHTA optimistic about 2010 Thursday, February 25, 2010 The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) recently held its first members’ annual general meeting for 2010. The underlying message of the meeting was that the Association will be ramping up marketing efforts to promote the destination in 2010. In the AE’s report, Caesar Campbell, CEO of the TCHTA... read more... PPC committed to employee development Thursday, February 25, 2010 PPC Ltd remains committed to employee development and has further enhanced its team with the recent promotion of two staff members to Supervisory roles. Walter Wilson, a Salt Cay native is PPC’s new Lines Supervisor promoted from the position of linesman. He has nine years experience as a PPC linesman. read more... Yet another activist group emerges Thursday, February 25, 2010 It has been announced that another group is interested in providing their input into the area of governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The organisation presents itself as “Foundation for Democratic Advancement” and lists Chris Burke as the project manager for the TCI. read more... PUSH member shoves off Thursday, February 25, 2010 Lillian Misick has withdrawn her membership in the new non-political organisation PUSH (People United to Save our Homeland). Her resignation was sent to and posted on the TCI Journal. The PUSH organisation has also announced they are not a political party nor will they morph into a political entity. read more... United Party update Thursday, February 25, 2010 With various political factions currently in play in the territory, TCI Net News attempted to get an update from the newly formed United Party. The only person known to be part of the party is the former labour activist Ron Higgs. When contacted by TCI Net News, Higgs said that the party was still intact. read more... March in March gathers steam Thursday, February 25, 2010 A so-called “unity march” has been called for next month as a means of expressing widespread public concern over recent statements by the interim government and, in particular, those of Britain’s Director of Overseas Territories, Colin Roberts. The call began with the leader of the PDM, Douglas Parnell. read more... Hold placed on ministers' assets Thursday, February 25, 2010 Sources within the interim government have informed TCI Net News that legal holds have been placed on the known assets of former ministers until such time that it is determined that the assets were properly acquired. Other information indicates holds are also in place on all government “Crown land” transactions. read more... Another political activist group emerges Thursday, February 25, 2010 TCI Net News has learned that yet another political activist group is due to emerge on the scene in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Papers to formalise the organization were being filed in government offices on Wednesday.  Sources from within the new organisation itself have revealed who the leaders are. read more... Customs duty review underway Monday, February 22, 2010 A review of all customs duties on imports is currently being undertaken by the Customs Department at the direction of the Interim Administration. This review comes on the heels of a new surtax on import duty. However, results of duty collections recently have been seriously disappointing. read more... Activists and media scramble Monday, February 22, 2010 It appears information collected in Britain by Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) leader Douglas Parnell and the party’s national chairman Samuel Harvey has set fire to a number of media houses, political activists, concerned citizens and weblog contributors. Three issues have been reviewed several times. read more... Garbage in but not out Monday, February 22, 2010 Garbage collection in Provo has seemingly slowed to a crawl. Private contractors, who have this responsibility, have reportedly had their contracts arbitrarily cancelled, which appears to be the reason behind the garbage pile-up. TCI Net News interviewed one of the contractors who indicated that... read more... Labour Board examining all expiring work permits Monday, February 22, 2010 In a recent broadcast interview, Alpheus Smith, Labour Board chief, said that all expiring work permits are now being carefully examined to determine if a local person registered with the Board can fill the jobs in question. He also indicated he has 1,000 unemployed Turks and Caicos Islanders in his database. read more... Shadow minister addresses environment Monday, February 22, 2010 Wendy Been, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Shadow Minister of the Environment has addressed the protection of the TCI environment. Turks and Caicos has promoted itself as the “Beautiful by Nature” destination and Ms Been advocates preserving that posture. Ms Been is a qualified architect. read more... Permanent residency applications suspended Monday, February 22, 2010 The interim government has issued an official statement that, until further notice, the issue of permanent residency certificates has been suspended. The statement claimed a backlog caused the suspension. Since the final report coming out of the Commission of Inquiry recommended some type of expansion... read more... Smooth sailing at Middle Caicos Monday, February 15, 2010 The fifth annual Valentine’s Day Model Sailboat Race came off with a splash at Bambarra Beach, Middle Caicos, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 13. Approximately 25 model sailboats competed in various classes for honours and prizes. A crowd numbering in the hundreds viewed the competition. read more... PDM holds press conference Monday, February 15, 2010 On Wednesday, February 10, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) conducted a press conference at their headquarters in Providenciales. The panel consisted of the recently elected leadership of the party: leader and former MP Douglas Parnell, deputy leader and former minister Clarence Selver, and... read more... Police stopping motorists again Monday, February 15, 2010 Once again, the TCI police are putting up road blocks and examining licences, registrations and insurance. Recently, they were passing out tickets for loose seat belts and windows with excessive tint. The police traffic unit reported 4,000 unpaid seat belt violations. They did not report how many had been paid. read more... Harsh winter may encourage more tourists Monday, February 15, 2010 Fierce winter weather up north promises to increase tourist arrivals. TCI Net News has interviewed numerous tourists and part time residents regarding this year’s winter season. Virtually everyone believes it is one of the worst winters on record. It is hoped here that the backlash from the northern storms... read more... Consultative Forum advises then says frustrated Monday, February 15, 2010 In last Tuesday’s meeting, the members of the Consultative Forum spoke out on issues that appear to be long overdue for implementation. However, at the meeting and in a follow up radio broadcast they expressed concerns and frustrations that their work was going unnoticed and was not taken into account. read more... Britain to dictate Constitution Monday, February 15, 2010 The Consultative Forum, political leaders from both parties and the public in general are upset regarding the announcement that Britain will empanel a Constitutional Reform Committee that will purposely exclude all Turks and Caicos Islanders. This issue has been spoken to by PDM leader Douglas Parnell. read more... NHIP collects millions Wednesday, February 10, 2010 The meeting of the Consultative Forum on February 9 revealed that the new health care tax collection is on target. Contributions from workers began in November and, to date, nearly $4.5 million has been collected. It had been estimated that the new tax on workers would yield $1.5 million per month. read more... TCHTA hosts annual Star Awards Wednesday, February 10, 2010 The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) has announced that their highly anticipated Annual Star Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 25th February, 2010 at Beaches Turks and Caicos, Treasure Beach. This year there is a new award up for grabs for the Entertainer of the Year. read more... Political leaders take to airwaves Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Douglas Parnell, the leader of the oldest political party in the Turks and Caicos, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), recently returned from a trip to Britain. He was accompanied by PDM chairman Samuel Harvey. The pair met with British politicians and officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. read more... Special prosecution costs likely to be high Monday, February 8, 2010 Public statements by Governor Gordon Wetherell, Interim Government CEO Mark Capes and Britain’s Director of Overseas Territories Colin Roberts, are beginning to provide some insight into the costs of the investigative process and potential prosecution of former premier Michael Misick. read more... Confusion over size of Salt Cay development Monday, February 8, 2010 There seems to be some confusion over the size of the new Salt Cay Sixth Senses Development as proposed by Devco CEO Stefan Kral. On three occasions, one local television station has indicated that the development is a 60 million dollar investment, but newspapers have indicated the size at 200 million dollars. read more... Next