Volume 6 Issue 45

DECEMBER 10TH - DECEMBER 17TH, 2010TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010

TURKS & CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH - DECEMBER 17TH, 2010Local

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH - DECEMBER 17TH, 2010

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010

Continued from Page 1

The milestones, that have been jointly assessesby the Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) and theDepartment for International Development (DFID)and which the TCI must meet, are as follows:• implementation of a new Turks and Caicos IslandsConstitution Order, in support of recommendationsof the Commission of Inquiry, which underpinsgood governance and sound public financialmanagement;• introduction of a number of new Ordinances,including those making provision for: (i) theelectoral process and regulation of political parties;(ii) integrity and accountability in public life; (iii)public financial management;• establishment of robust and transparent publicfinancial management processes to provide a stableeconomic environment and a strengthening of theTurks and Caicos Islands Government’s capacity tomanage its public finances;• implementation of budget measures to put theTurks and Caicos Islands Government on track toachieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year endingMarch 2013;• implementation of a transparent and fair processfor acquisition of Belongership;• significant progress with the civil and criminalprocesses recommended by the Commission ofInquiry, and implementation of measures to enablethese to continue unimpeded;• implementation of a new Crown Land policy;• substantial progress in the reform of the PublicService.

After outlining the milestones, the MPs stressedlater in their statement: “Achieving these milestoneswill be a great challenge. As we now see things, theUK Government will only be able to set a date forthe elections when the milestones have beenreached. We hope that this will happen in time forelections to take place in 2012.”

This particular paragraph and the overall toneof the statement have caused some analysts to

conclude that there is still no overwhelming degreeof certainty about elections being held in 2012.

In their statement, the two British MPs said ithas become clear to the coalition UK Governmentsince it assumed office that there is a serious anddeteriorating problem in the Turks and CaicosIslands.

It was noted that on July1, 2010, as an urgentinitial response to the unfolding financial plight ofthe Turks and Caicos Islands Government, theSecretary of State for International Developmentstated that his department was having to step in todesign and put in place a package of financialsupport with commercial lenders, as well asproviding an immediate short term loan to help meetunavoidable commitments including staff salariesfor the Islands’ police, health and educationservices.

The statement noted: “It has become clear toUK Ministers that the fiscal picture in Turks andCaicos Islands represents an unacceptable collapsein the fiscal governance of the Territory, whichneeds urgently to be addressed. Whilst funding theimmediate unavoidable costs of the Turks andCaicos Islands Government, the Department forInternational Development has provided a ChiefFinancial Officer to the Turks and Caicos IslandsGovernment, to meet the urgent task of addressingits structural deficit and putting it on a coursetowards a sustainable fiscal surplus in the financialyear 2012/13. In addition, the Department isreaching the final stages of putting in place amedium term financial package.”

Bellingham noted that in September 2010, heannounced in the Turks and Caicos Islands that theUK Government did not want to postpone electionsany longer than necessary, but that they could notbe held in 2011.

“ We intend to submit to the 15 Decembermeeting of the Privy Council an Order in Councilcontinuing in force the Turks and Caicos IslandsConstitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009beyond 14 August 2011,” he stated.

The statement noted that reaching thesemilestones will require time, care and hard work bythe UK and the Turks and Caicos IslandsGovernment, and particularly by the Turks andCaicos Islands Public Sector.

“It will need the encouragement of thecommunity. There will be public consultation on anumber of issues across Turks and Caicos Islandsand, we hope, the engagement of the Islands’political parties,” the statement added.

“The milestones we have identified do notinclude everything that will have to be done beforeelections take place. In general the UK Governmentwill have to be satisfied that the necessary reformshave been put in place to address the issues raisedby the Commission of Inquiry, to prevent suchmaladministration being repeated, and to engenderthe confidence of the international community. It isour considered view at this stage, that the milestoneslisted above are the minimum preconditions beforethe Turks and Caicos Islands can return to electedgovernment.”

The statement said the UK Government hashelped protect the Turks and Caicos IslandsGovernment finances from complete collapse andintends to provide continuing financial support.

It was noted however, that it is important thatthe Islands make good use of this period of UKfinancial support to address the deep crisis in publicfinance and to achieve a fiscal surplus.

“The UK Government currently intends toretain sufficient control over public financesfollowing elections in order to ensure that the Turksand Caicos Islands Government emerges from itsfinancial crisis as soon as possible, and that thetemporary package of UK support is no longerneeded. We hope achievement of these milestoneswill also help any future Turks and Caicos IslandsGovernment to continue to embed good governance,with full respect for the rule of law and humanrights, and zero tolerance of corruption,” thestatement stressed.

Election date in Turks and Caicos still uncertain

FOR THE FIRST time in the TCI, theJewish Community hosted aHanukkah celebration- the JewishFestival of Light - held at theconference room at the RegentVillage, Grace Bay, Providenciales,on Wednesday night, December 8.

Head of the event was VisitingChabad to the TCI, Rabbi SholomBluming. To mark the celebrationRabbi Bluming reminded theattendees that Hanukkah was abouttreating fellow humankind withdignity and respect and spreadingthe light of inclusiveness. Accordingto him, each year Jewish peoplearound the world celebrate theHanukkah holiday.

He said Hanukkahcommemorates the liberation ofancient Israelite people frompersecution and tyranny over 2,000years ago, saying that it is a festivalcommemorating freedom, libertyand the rights of the individualversus tyranny. He noted that onHanukkah Jewish people light acandelabra called the menorah,

which symbolizes the victory oflight over darkness and goodwill toall people.

He said the history of Hanukkahrecalls the victory more than 2,100years ago of a militarily feeble but

spiritually strong Jewish people,who defeated a ruthless enemy thathad overrun ancient Israel andsought to impose restrictions on theJewish people’s way of life, prohibitreligious freedom and force the

Jewish people to accept a foreignreligion.

He said During the occupationof Jerusalem and the Temple, theSyrian Greeks desecrated anddefiled the oils prepared for thelighting of the Menorah, which waspart of the daily service in thetemple. Upon recapturing theTemple from the Syrian Greeks, theJewish people found only one jar ofundefiled oil, enough to burn onlyone day, but it lasted miraculouslyfor eight days until new, pure oliveoil was produced.

“In commemoration of thisevent, the Jewish people celebrateHanukkah for eight days by lightingan eight-branched candelabra knownas a Menorah. During thecelebrations the Menorah is placedin highly-visible area to publicizethe miracle, with its message ofhope and religious freedom, to all.

During the event prayer was saidfollowing which persons danced andenjoyed the foods prepared.

TCI Jews celebrate Hanukkah

Rabbi Sholom Bluming (in suit) is joined by other attendees to the first Hanukkah celebration inthe TCI as they perform a dance to commemorate the event (Hanukkah dance)

DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUN LOCAL NEWS

Government deniesrumours that 200 CivilServants will be laid off

Turks and Caicos SunSuite # 5, Airport Plaza

ProvidencialesTurks and Caicos Islands

Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510Fax: (649) 941-3281Email: [email protected]

Read us online at www.suntci.com

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden BoyceSenior Editor: Vivian TysonWebDesigner: PatrinaMoore-PierreGraphics Editor: Joleen GrantOfficeManager:DominiqueWilliamsDistributionManger:KelanoHowellAdvertisingandMarketingManager-PatrinaMoore-Pierre

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary ofThe SUN Media Group Ltd.

We are committed to excellence in journalism,educating and informing our readers, serving and

satisfying our advertisers and assisting in theoverall development of the Turks and Caicos

Islands.

ONE OF THE MOST powerful MPs inthe British Parliament has said thatthere are failures in the Turks andCaicos Islands that are not the fault ofthe interim Government but of the“completely insufficient support thatthey (TCI) have been afforded by HerMajesty's Government and, moreover,the previous Labour Government, inparticular, who grossly under-resourced the Administration andexpected the impossible”.

Andrew Rosindell, the MP whovisited the TCI in August, made thesestrong comments in the House ofCommons last Friday.

He said that on his visit, he methundreds of local people,businessmen, politicians, Governmentofficials, community workers andchurch leaders, all of whom were“desperate to have their voice heard,frustrated by the lack of action anddeeply concerned about what thefuture might hold for them”.

Rosindell stated: “The islands aretruly in crisis. On one afternoonduring my stay at the governor'sresidence, "Waterloo", on Grand Turk,there was an armed robbery only astone's throw from the property.Violent crime has completely spiraledout of control; guns and illicitsubstances are being smuggled overon sloops from Haiti, and there is noway to enforce the borders or

territorial waters. There is, however, a$2.5 million radar system that wouldsignificantly alleviate the problem, butfor more than 18 months it has sat in acrate deteriorating, while sheerbureaucracy prevents its installation.Already, the storage fees exceed$50,000, and that is a disgrace.Meanwhile, the once-soundinfrastructure of the islands iscrumbling, education is declining andilliteracy is rampant. Schools andteachers have their limited resourcesstretched to capacity, and there is nomeaningful approach to vocationaltraining, with only 2% of studentsgoing on to college.”

He said that the prison on GrandTurk is “desperately overcrowded”,with minors and adults sharing cells,and it was called little more than a"training college to harden criminals"by some of the community leaders hemet.

“That problem is compounded bya severe backlog in the justiceDepartment, with courtrooms inmeltdown and the local magistratessimply unable to deal with thebacklog. I believe that many problemscan be attributed to the civil service ofTurks and Caicos, which needs to becompletely rebuilt. There have beenno audited financial records since2006, and there is an untenable 2,300people on the payroll. A large

proportion of the civil service hasbeen compromised by corruption, yetthere is little attempt at reformation,”he noted.

“It currently takes about sixmonths to process a driving licenceand 11 months for a work permit. Thelevel of "pay to play" bureaucracy isutterly unbelievable. At the same time,the islands are, as one resident put it,"being micro-managed into oblivion".Layer upon layer of legislation isbottlenecking the last vestiges ofenterprise. Until the civil service isreformed, the work of the interimAdministration will continue to beundermined. That must be a priority.”

He noted however, that even withall those problems, the islands areprimed for investors.

“I have it on good authority thatthere are businesses and individualswaiting in the wings to ploughinvestment back into TCI. Turks andCaicos desperately needs to bring thatbusiness back. Business built theislands and it has been their lifebloodover the past three decades. To put itsimply, if the Government continuesto allow an unfavourable climate forprivate enterprise, the islands will notrecover.

The people of Turks and Caicoshave not given up; they will doeverything possible to put their islandsback on track and we have a duty to

help them. The overwhelmingmajority of people want to create aclimate of genuine partnership. Theinterim Administration and theGovernor's office can depend onassistance from the private sector inalmost every aspect of restructuring.Those in the private sector haveoffered office accommodation,professional services and even theirown money to assist, but they arecontinually met with barrier afterbarrier. Their frustration is completelyunderstandable. They appreciate thatfinances and resources are tight, andthat we live in a climate of austerity.They are looking not for handouts orbailouts, but for stability andeconomic security. Her Majesty'sGovernment has a duty to providethat,” Rosindell stated.

British MP says UK Governmentis failing the Turks and Caicos Islands

Andrew Rosindell, British MP

THE INTERIMGOVERNMENT has categorically deniedwidespread rumours that it intends to lay-off 200Civil Servants.

The rumour spread likewild-fire last week, causing severe panic not just amongCivil Servants, butalso throughout the wider community.

However, last Friday the Government issued a press release which said: “Government does notusually respond to the many rumours that circulate in the TCI: rumours that almost always only serveto cause unease in our community. However, a rumour was perpetuated that approximately 200 publicservants had been issued with letters terminating their employment. There is absolutely no truth in thisrumour.”

The release continued: “The Turks and Caicos Islanders will draw their own conclusions as to themotives behind thosewho create and spread such irresponsible stories, and the anguish these can cause.The Government is grateful to those members of the media who thoroughly check the credibility andmotives of their sources before giving prominence to unfounded and upsetting gossip.”

Reports of job cuts have been circulating in the Turks and Caicos Islands for quite some time, butthey’ve been constantly denied by Government officials.

This latest rumour came on the heels of 11 employees from the Turks and Caicos Islands TouristBoard being sent home as part of a restructuring and cost-cutting exercise in that organisation.

It also followed closely after a press release from theAdvisoryCouncil lastMonday said theUnitedKingdom’s government has indicated to the TCI that in order for this country to receive financialsupport, certain measures will have to be implemented.

The release did not specify or elaborate on what those measures would be, but it stressed that theywill be “tough”.

“Credible plans to bring the budget into balance by 2012/13 were necessary to meet the UKGovernment’s conditions for a package of financial support. Thesewould require some tough decisionsin the weeks ahead,” the release stated.

It was reported that with the exception ofAccommodationTax,major sources of revenue in theTCIwere well below budget and a deficit of $60million was forecast.

LOCAL NEWS


PPC LIMITEDSTAFF VACANCY –ELECTRICAL

SUPERINTENDENT

DescriptionResponsible for detailed supervision of subordinate employees and contractors, who performelectrical installation and maintenance work at PPC’s generating facilities.Under the direction of the Manger Plant Operations, provide expert decision making assistancein the installation and maintenance of high voltage equipment and electrical control systems inthe Plant and in the Substations in a sound technical manner, to ensure the reliable operationand functionality of these equipment, as per design specifications.As a member of the management team, the Plant Control Superintendent must understandand commit to the corporate vision, and successfully gain the support of subordinateemployees for and implement of that vision

Main Duties• Assist in hiring and supervise a knowledgeable and motivated electrical plant work force• Assist the Manager in identifying training requirements and annual training plans andresponsible for training and mentoring of the electrical work force.• The use of progressive discipline company approved methods when called for.• Prepare weekly, monthly and annual work plans and associated reports as directed byManager Plant Operations.• Ensure a high degree of familiarity and profound knowledge of specifications, fundamentaloperating concepts and operating and maintenance manuals and procedures for all plantassets and equipment.• Prepare work instructions for and supervise the day to day work of the electrical planttechnicians with particular regard to safety, efficiency and functionality of the plant.• Prepare layout diagrams and work orders for larger projects as may be assigned anddirected.• Prepare cost estimates and material lists for various projects as assigned.• Assist in the preparation of capital and maintenance budgets by the preparation of costestimates for the electrical section as assigned and directed.• Conduct testing and trouble - shooting of plant equipment in area of responsibility and in thelonger term train others to perform these functions.• Be familiar with and adhere to all Company policies and procedures (including thoseestablished by past practice) relating to the position and to observe and enforce compliance ofsubordinate employees to these policies and procedures.• Plan and conduct work in a manner consistent with the company’s commitment to theenvironment and ensure that subordinate employees are likewise in compliance.• Be familiar with and adhere to the safety and operating procedures of the company(particularly those established by EUSA) and ensure that all personnel in the department follow

these procedures.• Maintain and ensure the accuracy of statistical records of plant operations andelectrical maintenance activities as required by the company.• Provide calm and competent leadership in response to plant emergencies in a manner thatinspires others to do likewise.• Be professional in dress and demeanor as befits the position of management personnel andensure that a good public image of PPC is maintained at all times.• Perform other duties as may be assigned and/or required by Plant Operations contingenciesfrom time to time.

Duties• Prepare weekly, monthly and annual work plans and accomplishment reports on the electricalsection.• Submit job reports and detailed engineering equipment failure analysis reports• Execute preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure high equipment availability.• Any other related duty as assigned from time to time

Minimum Requirements• Diploma in Electrical Technology- Power option (3 year program), or an accredited equivalent.• 20 to 25 years’ experience with rotating machinery and high voltage switchgear, preferably inpower systems application.• Minimum of 5 years’ experience at mid management level• Proficiency in production and interpretation of electrical drawings is required.• O.A.C.E.T.T. membership is required (or equivalent).• Above average analytical skills in math and electrical theories• Excellence in interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals• Familiarity with PLC trouble shooting and programming is required, as is the ability to trainothers• Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English• Experience in working under utility emergency response condition• Experience in high voltage installation, maintenance, and repairs• Ability to function effectively under emergency situations and thinks clearly and effective anddeliver within deadlines and to work under pressure• Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook• Team player

Compensation

• Salary Grade 14: $67,830.00 - $84,790.00 based on qualifications and ability.

PPC offers a competitive compensation package for more information contact HumanResources Director

Deadline for submission of application is December 17th, 2010. Please submit to:-

Director, Human ResourcesPPC LimitedP. O. Box 132, ProvidencialesEmail address: [email protected] or by fax 941-4304Website: www.ppcltd.tc

Applications are invited from interested and suitablyqualified persons to fill the position Electrical

Superintendent in our Production and EngineeringDepartment on Providenciales.

THE COCKBURN TOWN Hospital inGrand Turk is not closing.

In fact, according to Dr. RogerCheesman, CEO of InterHealthCanada (TCI Ltd), plans are afoot toexpand and increase the amount ofwork that will be done at that hospitalin the new year.

The rumour about the hospitalclosure made the rounds last week.

Dr. Cheesman told the SUN thathe was not aware of how this rumourmay have started or what its intentwas but he was extremely surprisedthat it was publicised without firstchecking the veracity of the storywith the Company.

He said, "Nobody withinInterHealth Canada had beenapproached for any sort of commentby anybody and the first we heard ofthis matter was when some of thestaff of the hospital heard it onMonday and reported it to meimmediately."

He added that the story wascompletely without foundation and,in fact, there are developments beingdiscussed internally to increase theclinical work conducted at the centre.

“InterHealth Canada (TCI) Ltdcan confirm that this is absolutely arumour and that, contrary to this falsereport, plans exist to step up theworkload at that Centre in 2011.InterHealth Canada has not beenapproached for a comment by anyparty prior to the publication of thisrumour on local radio.

This is therefore an unfoundedfabrication being promulgated forreasons unknown to InterHealth."

Grand Turkhospital not closing

Dr. Roger Cheesman, CEO of InterHealthCanada (TCI Ltd)

A YOUNG MAN from Providenciales died at the Cheshire Hall hospital onWednesday, December 8th.

Up to press time, police nor hospital officials did not disclose his name,but InterHealth Canada spokesman, Dr. Robyn Barnes, said in a release:“I can confirm that a 27-year-old local male was brought by relatives to theemergency department shortly before 5.30am onWednesday December 8.The man was reported to be not breathing and unresponsive. He wasknown to be suffering a long-term chronic illness. Following extensiveattempts to resuscitate the patient, he was pronounced dead at 7.12am.”

Dr. Barnes said that as is the normal practice in these situations, thepolice and coroner have been informed.

YOUNG MAN DIES ATPROVIDENCIALES HOSPITAL


Banking Hours during tHeCHristmas Holiday

FirstCaribbean international Bank,international Banking group, royal Bank of

Canada and scotiabank will be observing thefollowing business hours during the Christmas

period.

december 23, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.december 24, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

december 27, 2010 Closeddecember 28, 2010 Closed

december 29, 2010 normal Business Hoursdecember 30, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.december 31, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

January 3rd, 2011 Closedmerry Christmas to all!

PRESIDENT OF THE Turks and CaicosIslands Labour Tribunal, ArthurForbes, has been forced to makepersonal security changes after afailed arson attack on his office andthe smashing of his car window byunknown assailants.

On Friday morning, December 6,the Labour Tribunal President turnedup at his office to find the pane ofglass at the lower section of the staffbathroom window shattered and acontainer with flammable substanceand used match sticks leftimmediately under that window at theback of the building.

The scene was discovered by theoffice cleaner, while in the middle ofher daily routine work.

“At approximately 8:15 thismorning (Friday), when the Tribunaloffice cleaner went to the bathroom,she discovered that the bottom panewas broken and glass was scattered onthe floor. She then notified the staff;we then called the police, as itappeared that someonemight havebroken into the office.

“We then went to the back of thebuilding where we saw a whitecontainer with paraffin oil in it and

some match sticks that appeared tohave started to light, and they(arsonist didn’t succeed,” Forbes said.

It appeared that the attemptedarsonist fled the scene at the approachof someone before he could carry outhis evil deed.

The police, after examining thescene, took away the items for further

investigation.The Labour Tribunal President

believed that the attacks may havestemmed from decisions made againstcertain individuals in recent times,who believed that hurting himphysically or destroying his propertiesand place of work would be a perfectform of retaliation.

“The Tribunal is ratherconcerned, as we, during the past fewweeks, had made a decision, andshortly within the same day in theevening, one of the applicants’ hadher car set on fire, and the followingday, the Tribunal President’s (Forbes)personal vehicle’s (parked onproperty) rear window was smashed,”Forbes explaining, saying that hebelieves the two incidents wereconnected.

“My personal security is ofconcern to me and my family. I willhave to make adjustments to my workschedule, maybe leave the officeearlier and, ensuring that theproprietors for the building providemore security. We do not know themotive behind that (attacks), but wedo know that persons are not happywith some of the Tribunal’s decisions.We never had those situations before.

“We can only be vigilant andmake sure that we do whatever wecan with the proprietors of thebuilding, to ensure that it is safe, andthat our staff members are protectedduring normal working hours, andinform the police about anysuspicious incidents that we see,”Forbes said.

Botched arson attempt at Labour Tribunal office

DESPITE 911 PROGRAMME Managers’ best effortsto explain that it is a bad idea and will causeconfusion to first responders, some members of thepublic have been insisting that there ought to beduplicate in street names.

At the outset of its street-naming exercise, the911 Programme Managers outlined that one of theguidelines during the implementation of theinitiative was that there would be no duplication instreet names, since it would cause confusionamongst the first responders such as the police, firedepartment and medical personnel.

However, the entity said one of the problemsthat it has been facing is that some residents havebeen saying they could not fathom why there could

not be duplicated street names, even after it wasexplained by 911 that the idea was predicated onpreventing any form of bungling.

“Some residents have been less thanunderstanding even when we explain that we aretrying to ensure that we keep it as simple as possibleto prevent mistakes from an officer going to thewrong address. We have had persons argue thatbecause the islands are small it won’t happen butfrom my experience, it is possible; it could happenin that someone may be familiar with one street witha particular name in one community but not with thesame name being in another, and automatically headto the one with which they are familiar,” explainedJuliette Gooden, Programme Manager for the 911System.

Gooding told The SUN that one of the mainreasons some were advocating for duplication wasprimarily because names that they wanted for theirstreets had already been given to streets in othercommunities on the same islands.

She said the only concession that could beconsidered was to have duplication of streets onseparate islands, even though she was not fan of thatidea either, since that could also cause confusion.

“The rule is that one could be on Provo and onecould be on Grand Turk. We tried to discourage thatfor the same reason because when someone makesa 911 call, if that person doesn’t get to tell youwhich island they are on that could cause confusion;but have two streets with the same name on oneisland is definitely out,” Gooding asserted.

HAB Group wishes to recruit aPRE CONTRACT QUANTITYSURVEYOR/ESTIMATOR

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrateconsiderable experience in the preparation of all precontractconstruction documentation including but not limited to; detailedtake offs, bills of quantities, specification production, materialscheduling. The candidate will also need to be experience inthe coordination and control of various design consultantsemployed in the pre contract design process wit relevant input tothe design process. The candidate will be required todemonstrate a familiarity with relevant industry standardcompute software such as Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutodeskDesign Review and Collaborative Project management softwareas well as standard Microsoft Office products. Applicants for thisposition will possess relevant industry recognized qualificationsin addition to 12 years or more practical experience.

The salary range for this position is $65,000 $80,000.00 perannum, commensurate with experience, training and education.Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via emailby December 27, 2010 at [email protected] or by fax 6499465191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email ortelephone to schedule an interview.

The window of the staff bathroom was shattered and a container with flammable substance andused matchesfound at the scene

Streets with same name causing confusion

LOCAL NEWS


AIR TURKS & CAICOSIS SEEKING APPLICATION FOR:

PILOTSTo be a commander of the EMB 120-ATC.Must have a valid Airline Transport Pilots license, First class medical and 3,000 hoursflight time aero planes, 1,600 pilot command including 500 hours experience on multicrew turbine propeller airplanes and 100 hours on type (jet prop).Position require the following: Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking. Good communication skills and team player Detail oriented & organized individual Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays. Clean police record Able to work under pressure

RAMP SUPERVISOR1. Over 5 years experience in Ramp Supervising.2. Over 5 years experience in maneuvering heavy duty equipment e.g. (pushingand towing aircraft).3. Experience in general handling of General Aviation. Narrow body and wide bodyaircraft.4. British Airways, JAR OPS, Supervisor Aircraft loading qualified.5. US Airways fleet service door opening trainer.6. Awareness Certification of acceptance/refusal of hazardous material as per IATAregulations.7. Comprehensive knowledge in the operation of all Ground Service Equipment(GSE).

MUST HAVE:Excellent leadership skillsExcellent customer service skillsStrong work ethics and team playerTrack record in successful timeManagement of schedule ground service projectsExcellent supervisory, organizational and management skillsExcellent computer knowledge

BELONGERS NEED ONLY APPLY.Interested person should apply [email protected] or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040.No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

DIRECTOR OF THE Engineering andMaintenance Services Department(EMS), Alfred “Mac” Smith, lost hisapplication for judicial review when thematter came up before Chief Justice HisLordship Gordon Ward on December3rd, 2010.

Smith was the EMS Director since2003. According to court documents, itappears that sometime in 2007, Smithsought permission from the PublicService Commission (PSC) to operatea private business selling potablebottled water and also a privateengineering consultancy.

On 19 February 2008 thePermanent Secretary of the PSCadvised Mr Smith that permission hadnot been granted. He explained:

"The objection to your request issupported by concerns that arise on thenature of the private work conflictingwith your substantive role as Directorof Engineering. The request alsocontravenes G.O.3.3.5 and 3.3.6.".

(2) On 21st of June 2008 by aletter, the Governor wrote to theapplicant in the following terms:

"Dear Mr SmithOperation/Management of EMS

and allegations against you of acts inbreach of General Orders

Acting in accordance with theadvice of the Public ServiceCommission (PSC), I write in respectof the above captioned subject.

A memo dated 19 February 2008addressed to you by the ExecutivePermanent Secretary informed you thatthe Public Service Commission did notapprove your request to engage in aprivate venture of the sale of water as it

conflicts with your substantive role asDirector of the Engineering andMaintenance Service Department andthat it contravenes General Orders 3.3.5and3.3.6. A copy of thatcorrespondence is attached for ease ofreference.

Having deliberated on informationwith regard to theoperation/management of theEngineering and Maintenance Service(EMS), as well as allegations of yourmanagement of a water business atyour place of residence in Palm Grove,Grand Turk, the PSC is of theconsensus view that a thoroughinvestigation should be conducted intothe following:

1. The affairs of EMS2. The allegations that you, directly

or indirectly, are operating a waterbusiness which not only conflicts withyour official duties but is in defiance ofthe PSC directive (dated 19 February2008) not to do so.

3. To what extent all of youractions have brought the TCIG and thePublic Service into disrepute.

The investigation will be with aview to making such appropriaterecommendations, including anydisciplinary actions that may bewarranted

The PSC has also advised me thatwhile the investigations are in progressand pending the determination of anydisciplinary proceedings that suchinvestigation may warrant,

(a) Public interest requires that youshould cease to perform the functionsof your office as the Director of EMS.You will proceed on administrative

leave immediately with full pay untilfurther notice.

(b) While on administrative leave,you are requested to submit to the PSCany written representation you maywish to make and in particular as towhy you should not be suspended onhalf monthly salary pending any furtherinvestigations and/or disciplinary,proceedings that may ensue. Yourwritten representation, if any, shouldreach the Office of the Public ServiceManagement through your PermanentSecretary, by close of business on 2July 2010.

(c) On receipt of the findings of theinvestigations, and if so warranted, youwill be given the opportunity to respondto the findings."

In his ruling, the Chief Justicenoted that as has been pointed out in somany cases, judicial review is notconcerned with the decision but withthe decision making process.

He stated: “The question for theCourt is whether the Governor wasentitled to make the decision he did andwhether, in so acting, he followed thecorrect procedure. Even if the answerto that is in the affirmative; the courtmust also consider whether the way inwhich it was done was fair. I considerthe answer to the first part of that canbe found in the wording of regulation34. The pre-requisite of interdiction isthat it should be ordered "wheredisciplinary proceedings or criminalproceedings have been or are about tobe instituted against an officer,.." In thepresent case, it is clear that allegationshad been made in respect of the threeissues listed in the Governor's letter.

Those allegations were sufficientlyserious to require investigation into thelikelihood that disciplinary proceedingswould result if the investigationsuggested there was sufficientsubstance in the allegations.”

He added: “Because the order to goon leave in such circumstances is madebefore the decision can be made toinstitute disciplinary, proceedings and,indeed, if the investigation clears theofficer concerned, no such proceedingswill be instituted, it is sensible to usethe power under G0 8.1.11 as was donein this case. The public interest mayarise frommany aspects of the situationand does not -necessarily suggest anymalpractice by the officer sent on leave.To suggest, as the applicant does, thatthere can be no such power does notaccord with good practice or, indeed,common sense.”

SEE PAGES 12 and 13 for the fulltext of the Chief Justice’s Ruling

Alfred “Mac” Smith loses case in High Court

Chief Justice His Lordship Gordon Ward


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Closing date December21st

THE MUCH TOUTED GovernmentCoastal Radar Station designed toprotect the borders of the Turks andCaicos Islands from illicit activities hastaken a giant step towards realizationwhen Governor Gordon Wetherellsigned two contracts on Monday,December 6, paving the way for fast-tracking the project.

Both contracts were signedbetween the Government and localbusinessman Sherlock Walkin – one isto acquire access land to the site and theother to undertake civil works to thesite between the two parties.The radar station, which is sited in

Five Cays, Providenciales, could comeon stream as early as February of 2011or March the latest.It is slated to comprise a 40 metre

or 131foot lattice tower, an equipmentcabin containing all the electronics andoperating systems for the site. On topof the tower will be an 8.8 metre or 18foot tower reflecting rotating antenna.It will be geared to sweep 22 nauticalmiles from its location.The Coastal Radar Station was

conceptualized by Canadian nationalFred Skovberg, during the previousadministration. The contract to initiatethe project was signed by then HomeAffairs Minister, Galmo Williams, onNovember 2, 2007.In his remarks, GovernorWetherell

underscored the importance of the radarstation in relation to security and safety,and the management of sea traffic toand from the Turks and Caicos Islands.The Governor also noted that he washappy that all the hurdles were clearedfor the project, which had been doggedby stoppages, to proceed.

“We are delighted now to reach anagreement with Mr. Walkin, on theacquisition of a bit of land, and theagreement to provide access to the site.It is a vital step now in theimplementation of the project and thedelivery of the radar tracking capabilityfor the TCI. It has a pivotal role to playnot only in the combating illegaltrafficking of people, but also goods ofvariety, including guns, drugs or anyother contraband material.“That would help the safety of

these islands, and also have animportant role in the context of thework that we are doing collaborativelywith the Bahamas and the UnitedStates, in the OPBAT framework, tosecure our collective security,”Governor Wetherell said.In the meantime, Skovberg, who is

volunteering his expertise to the station,said the idea behind the project was tostem the infiltration of illicit activities,including the transporting illegalmigrants, weapons and drugs. He saidauthorities also realized that in order toeffectively protect the TCI borders, itwould require the kind of technologythat could scan the entire coast line.“…To stop illegal boats coming in

and out…not just illegal Haitians, weare attacking drugs and guns that can bebrought in by illegal boats at any time,if we are not looking. That fosters acriminal environment here, it is assimple as that,” Skovberg said.Skovberg also noted that in

addition to fighting crime, the radarstation would be used to monitorgeneral boat traffic in TCI waters,saying also that it could assist in search

and rescue operations.Skovberg said even though the

radar site should generate a great dealof radiation, it would not pose anydanger to residents, since its 360degrees scanning capabilities would becurtailed to 180. He explained that itwould be switched off as it sweepsland, but would resume its scanningmechanism as soon as it rotates towardssea.“We actually scan the shoreline at

180 degrees, and we turn off the unit asit comes around and turn it back on (asit sweeps towards the sea). So nobodyneeds to be worried about raisingchildren in the future,” Skovberg said.He said that particular plot of land

was selected, since it has beenearmarked for a future marine policebase, and that it is a good location forsweeping south and north. He said anyvessel that enters the Turks and CaicosIslands, would likely pass thatparticular location, pointing to the factthat almost all foreign vessels end up atSouth Dock.Skovberg pointed out that based on

the radar station’s wide sweepingrange, which covers from beyondChalk Sound to Long Bay, it would bevirtually impossible for anything topass undetected.Clara Gardiner, Permanent

Secretary in the Ministry of BorderControl and Labour, said Governmentwould also construct a motoring cabinand staff quarters since the facilitywould be manned on a twenty-fourbasis. She said the hiring and trainingof staff would commence soon.Gardiner especially expressed

gratitude to members of the RoyalTurks and Caicos Islands Police Force,particularly members of the MarineBranch, on their outstanding work.

Radar station by February 2011

Governor Gordon Wetherell (right) and local businessman Sherlock Walkin sign theagreement for access to the radar site.

LOCAL NEWS


IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TURKS ANDCAICOS ISLANDS CIVIL JURISDICTIONIN THEMATTER OFANAPPLICATION FORJUDICIALREVIEWBETWEEN

THE QUEENAND

THE GOVERNORAND

THE PUBLIC SERVICECOMMISSIONEx parteALFRED SMITH

Ariel Misick QC for the applicantPatrick Patterson for the respondentsHearing: 15 and 19 November 2010Judgment: 3 December 2010

Judgment

[1] Alfred Smith is the Director of the Engineeringand Maintenance Services Department (EMS) of theMinistry of Works and. has held that position since2003. It appears that, sometime in 2007, Mr Smithsought permission from the Public ServiceCommission (PSC) to operate a private businessselling potable bottled water and also a privateengineering consultancy. The latter request has norelevance to this hearing. On 19 February 2008 thePermanent Secretary of the PSC advised Mr Smiththat permission had not been granted. He explained:"The objection to your request is supported byconcerns that arise on the nature of the private workconflicting with your substantive role as Director ofEngineering. The request also contravenes G.O.3.3.5and 3.3.6.".

(2) On 21st of June 2008 by a letter (incorrectlydated 2008), the Governor wrote to the applicant inthe following terms:"Dear Mr SmithOperation/Management of EMS and allegationsagainst you of acts in breach of General Orders

Acting in accordance with the advice of the PublicService Commission (PSC), I write in respect of theabove captioned subject.A memo dated 19 February 2008 addressed to youby the Executive Permanent Secretary informed youthat the Public Service Commission did not approveyour request to engage in a private venture of the saleof water as it conflicts with your substantive role asDirector of the Engineering and MaintenanceService Department and that it contravenes GeneralOrders 3.3.5 and3.3.6.A copy of that correspondenceis attached for ease of reference.Having deliberated on information with regard to theoperation/management of the Engineering andMaintenance Service (EMS), as well as allegationsof your management of a water business at yourplace of residence in Palm Grove, Grand Turk, thePSC is of the consensus view that a thoroughinvestigation should be conducted into the following:1. The affairs of EMS2. The allegations that you, directly or indirectly, areoperating a water business which not only conflictswith your official duties but is in defiance of the PSCdirective (dated 19 February 2008) not to do so.3. To what extent all of your actions have broughtthe TCIG and the Public Service into disrepute.The investigation will be with a view to making suchappropriate recommendations, including anydisciplinary actions that may be warrantedThe PSC has also advised me that while theinvestigations are in progress and pending thedetermination of any disciplinary proceedings thatsuch investigation may warrant,(a) Public interest requires that you should cease toperform the functions of your office as the Directorof EMS. You will proceed on administrative leaveimmediately with full pay until further notice.(b)While on administrative leave, you are requestedto submit to the PSC any written representation youmay wish to make and in particular as to why youshould not be suspended on half monthly salarypending any further investigations and/ordisciplinary, proceedings that may ensue. Yourwritten representation, if any, should reach the Office

of the Public Service Management through yourPermanent Secretary, by close of business on 2 July2010.(c) On receipt of the findings of the investigations,and if so warranted, you will be given theopportunity to respond to the findings."[3] On 23rd June 2010, Mr Misick wrote to thePermanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works onbehalf of Mr Smith asking for an indication underwhich provision of the Public Service Regulationsand/or the General Orders the action had been taken.Having failed to receive that information, he wrote tothe Chairman of the Public Service Commission on29 June 2010 stating that Mr Smith intended toappeal against the decision of the Governor "tointerdict him from his duties as Director of EMSpending investigations/disciplinaryhearings/disciplinary proceedings".

[4]On 1 July 2010, an application was filed for leaveto apply for judicial review. The relief sought was:A declaration that the Governor had no power tointerdict Alfred Smith during the investigation stageof a disciplinary matter.2. A declaration that the PSC had no power torecommend that Alfred Smith be interdicted duringthe investigation stage of a disciplinary matter.3. A declaration that the interdiction ofAlfred Smithis a breach of the Public Service Regulations.4.A declaration that the Interdiction ofAlfred Smithis unfair.5.An order of certiorari quashing the decisions madeby the Public Service Commission and the Governor.6. A declaration that. Regulation 41 of the PublicService Regulation is ultra virus (sic).7. Damages .8. An order prohibiting the Governor and/or thePublic Service Commission frommaking a reductionin Mr Smith's salary during the investigation.9.An order that the Respondents pay theApplicant'scosts.[5] I granted leave on 5 July 2010.[6] The Chairman of the PSC has filed an affidavitand deposed that the PSC received informationalleging mismanagement of the EMS and that MrSmith directly or indirectly operated a water businessin conflict with his official duties and in defiance ofthe PSC directive of 19 February 2008 prohibitinghim from doing so. He continues:"That in accordance with its constitutional mandate,the PSC deliberated on information received andadvised HE The Governor, Gordon Wetherell, thatthere is an immediate need for thoroughinvestigations to be conducted into these allegationsand that in the meantime; Mr Smith should proceedon administrative leave with full pay.That at no time at all did the PSC advise Mr Smithshould be interdicted. The PSC rather requested thatwhilst on administrative leave, Mr. Alfred Smithshould make representations on these allegations andshow cause why the PSC should not advise that hebe interdicted on half monthly pay. The PSCconsidered that it was in his interest and that of thepublic that he should proceed on administrative leavewhile investigations are conducted on theseallegations. He was to have opportunity to alsorespond to the report of the investigations, if any.On the 29th,day of June, 2010 my office receivedcorrespondence by fax from Misick and Stanbrook,Attorneys for Mr Smith, indicating among otherthings that they were giving notice of appeal to thePSC's advice to the Governor as contained in theGovernor's letter to Mr Smith dated 21st June 2010.The PSC was about to reply to this letter but wasunable to do so as an Order dated 5th July grantingleave for Judicial Review was received by fax on the9th day of July, 2010That by letter dated 21st of June, 2010 in accordancewith the advice from the PSC, HE Governor GordonWetherell directed Mr Alfred Smith to proceed onAdministrative Leave immediately with full pay."[7] On 17 November 2010, shortly before thehearing of this application for review, the ChiefExecutive of the Public Service filed an affidavitstating:• "That on 2nd November 2010, I was acting for theGovernor and in that capacity I wrote to theApplicant acting in accordance with the advice of thePublic Service Commission and informed him that Ihaving considered the serious allegations against himand being of the opinion that the public interest

required him to be interdicted, I was interdicting himwith immediate effect."

[8] The letter of 2 November states:"Acting in accordance with the advice of the PublicService Commission (PSC), I write to inform youthat at its 34th meeting held on the 14 October 2010,the PSC deliberated on the following allegationsmade against you, namely:1. You operating (directly or indirectly) a waterbusiness which would have conflicted with yourofficial duties as Director of Engineering andMaintenance Services (EMS), a Departmentcharged, amongst other things with the responsibilityof ensuring public water supply in the Islands.2. That you are operating the said water business indefiance of the decision of the PSC refusing yourrequest to do so.3. That your actions in this regard and in themanagement of EMS generally may, have broughtthe TCIG and the Public Service into disrepute.Having considered the seriousness of the caseagainst you and the advice of the PSC, I am of theopinion that public interest requires that you beinterdicted immediately from performing thefunctions of your office.(a) you are interdicted immediately from performingthe functions of your office(b) That during this period of interdiction, you willreceive half salary(c) In accordance with PSC (regulations 36 (2) (c-g)a Disciplinary Proceeding will be instituted againstyou and you will be informed in due course of theoutcome of such proceedings."

[9] The basic contention of the applicant is that,although it is described as administrative leave, themanner in which it was ordered means that it wasreally interdiction by another name.[10] The provision under which this order was madeis clearly General Order 8.1.11 which, withsubsequent amendment, provides:"An officer may be required by the Governor actingon the advice of the PSC to take leave which is dueto him or her and an Officer may be required in thepublic interest at the discretion of the Governoracting on the advice of the PSC to remain on leaveafter the expiry of the leave granted or required ofhim or her."

[11]Discipline, as MrMisick points out, is dealt within General Orders specifically and, he suggests,completely in Chapter 4. GO 8.1.11, which appearsin Chapter 8, deals with leave and -makes nomention of disciplinary proceedings.

(12] Interdiction is not mentioned in Chapter 4. It iscovered by regulation 34 of the Public ServiceRegulations, sub-regulation (1) of which, asamended, provides:"(1) Where disciplinary proceedings or criminalproceedings have been or are about to be institutedagainst an Officer and where the Governor acting onthe advice of the PSC is of the opinion that the publicinterest requires that the Officer should immediatelycease to perform the functions of his office theGovernor acting on the advice of the PSC mayinterdict the Officer."(13] Mr Misick emphasises the similarity in thewording of GO 8.1.11 and regulation 34- (1). Whilstthe Governor's letter referred to the public interestmaking the action necessary, that requirement iscommon to an order under either provision. Theadditional reference in the letter to the fact that thepublic interest required the officer to cease toperform the functions of his office, counsel suggests,links it more clearly to interdiction under regulation34(1) than it does to a direction to go and remain onleave under GO 8.1.11,

[14] Mr Smith's case is that the Regulations andGeneral Orders provide a complete code of conductfor the public service and the Governor and PSCmaynot act outside those provisions. In neither is there apower to require an officer to proceed onadministrative leave in respect of a disciplinaryproceeding. Further he submits that even in theinvestigative phase, the authorities acted unfairly byfailing to allow the applicant to make representationsregarding the investigation.

Continued on NEXT PAGE

Alfred “Mac” Smith losescase against Public Service Commission


Continued from Previous Page

[15] The respondents' case is that the power to orderan officer on leave is clearly given by GO 8.1.11 andthat power was used precisely because no disciplinaryproceeding had been or was about to be instituted.Until it was properly investigated, it could not beknown whether there would be any such proceeding.Mr Patterson asks the Court to find that this wasclearly not interdiction and so the repeated referenceto interdiction in the relief sought means that theapplication itself is misconceived. Mr Misick holdsto his original contention that this was, in fact,interdiction although described as administrativeleave— a phrase which is not used in the Regulationsor General Orders.

[16] The difficulty Mr Misick faces is that hisargument is contradictory. He points out thatinterdiction may only be ordered if disciplinaryproceedings have been or are about to be institutedand so there is no power to interdict during theinvestigative phase yet he does not accept that theundisputed lack of disciplinary proceedings at thetime of the Governor's letter gives support to therespondent's argument that the order to takeadministrative leave was not interdiction.

[17 I am satisfied that the Governor and the PSC hadthe right, indeed the duty, to act on allegations theyhad received. The nature of those allegations weresuch that, if proved, they could constitute adisciplinary offence or offences but, until there wasan investigation into the matter, the authorities hadno reason to interdict the officer. However, they wereconcerned enough to consider it might be detrimentalto the department and possibly to the public service asa whole if they did not take steps to avoid anypossible continuation or repetition of the questionedconduct whilst those investigations were beingconducted.

[18] Frequently such investigation will require themto seek the officer's explanation of the events underinvestigation but I cannot accept that is a right of theofficer at this stage. Many cases may be shown tohave sufficient substance to merit the institution ofdisciplinary proceedings without needing to considerthe officer's representations. If the investigationindicates sufficient substance to require disciplinaryproceedings, the officer has a right then to be told ofthe allegations and invited to make representations.This case has now reached that stage and, despite thewording of the last sentence in paragraph (c) of theletter-of 2 November 2010, the officer should now begiven adequate information of the charges he facesand proper and adequate opportunity to present hiscase.

[19] The applicant's case is that it was unfair to orderhim to take administrative leave without telling himthe details of the matters that were to be investigated.Mr Misick suggests that, as the matters to beinvestigated took place some years before, there wasno valid reason for failing to tell him the allegationswhich were to be investigated. That does not fullydescribe the position. The allegation that he hadoperated a water business had been known to therespondents for some time and must also have beenclear to the applicant. On the other hand, thereferences to the conduct of EMS and the suggestionthat the applicant's actions had brought thedepartment into disrepute were matters on which hemay have hoped for further information. However,the applicant's suggestion that it is necessarily unfairif such information is not supplied duringInvestigation phase is not supported by authority.

[20] In the case of Rees v Crane [1994] 2AC 173; 1All ER 853,844 Lord Slynn explained:"It is clear from the English and Commonwealthdecisions which have been cited that there are manysituations in which natural justice does not require theperson must be told of the complaints made againsthim and given a chance to answer them at theparticular stage in question. Essential features leadingthe courts to this conclusion have included the factthat the investigation is purely preliminary, that therewill be a full chance adequately to deal with thecomplaints later, that the making of the enquirywithout observing the audi alteram partem maxim isjustified by urgency. or administrative necessity, thatno penalty or serious damage to reputation is inflictedby proceeding to the next stage without such

preliminary notice, that the statutory scheme properlyconstrued excludes such a right to know and to replyat the earliest day.But in their Lordships' opinion there is no absoluterule to this effect even if there is to be, under theprocedure, an opportunity to answer the charges later.As de Smith's Judicial Review ofAdministrativeAction.(4th edn, 1980) p 99 puts it:`Where an actual proposal is only the first step in asequence of measures which may culminate in adecision detrimental to a person's interests, the courtswill generally decline to accede to that person'ssubmission that he is entitled to be heard inopposition to this initial act, particularly if he isentitled to be heard at a later stage.' (Lord Slynn'semphasis)In considering whether this general practice shouldbe followed, the courts should not be bound by rigidrules. It is necessary ... to have regard to all thecircumstances of the case"

[21] As has been pointed out in so many cases,judicial review is not concerned with the decision butwith the decision making process. The question forthe Court is whether the Governor was entitled tomake the decision he did and whether, in so acting, hefollowed the correct procedure. Even if the answer tothat is in the affirmative; the court must also considerwhether the way in which it was done was fair.

[22] I consider the answer to the first part of that canbe found in the wording of regulation 34. The pre-requisite of interdiction is that it should be ordered"where disciplinary proceedings or criminalproceedings have been or are about to be institutedagainst an officer,.." In the present case, it is clear thatallegations had been made in respect of the threeissues listed in the Governor's letter. Thoseallegations were sufficiently serious to requireinvestigation into the likelihood that disciplinaryproceedings would result if the investigationsuggested there was sufficient substance in theallegations.

[23] Because the order to go on leave in suchcircumstances is made before the decision can bemade to institute disciplinary, proceedings and,indeed, if the investigation clears the officerconcerned, no such proceedings will be instituted, itis sensible to use the power under G0 8.1.11 as wasdone in this case.The public interest may arise from many aspects ofthe situation and does not -necessarily suggest anymalpractice by the officer sent on leave. To suggest,as the applicant does, that there can be no such powerdoes not accord with good practice or, indeed,common sense.

[24] The need for such action by way of goodadministration was explained in Lewis v Heffer[1978] 3 All ER 354,364,with an added reminder ofthe limitations of such action:"In most types of investigation there is in the earlystages a point at which action of some sort must betaken and must be taken firmly in order to set thewheels of investigation in motion. Natural justice willseldom if ever at that stage demand that theinvestigator should act judicially in the sense ofhaving to hear both sides. No one's livelihood orreputation at that stage is in danger. But the furtherthe proceedings go and the nearer they get to theimposition of a penal sanction or to damagingsomeone's reputation or to inflicting financial loss onsomeone the more necessary it becomes to actjudicially, and the greater the importance of observingthe maxim audi alteram par tem."(Lane J's emphasis)

[25] In the present case, the officer was the Head ofDepartment. His responsibilities were such that if theallegations were true, allowing him to continue toperform his duties could cause serious harm to theDepartment he headed. In those circumstances it isnecessary to have the power to take him off his dutiesuntil there has been time for sufficient investigationto determine whether the allegations are true or not.To allow him to continue with his duties while theinvestigation is being carried out would, in a casewhere they were well founded, run the risk of furtherdamage to his department. The Governor is entitled toconsider that in terms of the public interest and thisCourt will not consider the merits of that decision.

(26) The Governor's letter shows that he clearlyconsidered the allegations were serious enough that,

if they were proved, they would be likely to lead todisciplinary proceedings being instituted. I do notread that as suggesting there had been anyprejudgment of the facts. In those circumstances itwas clear that disciplinary proceedings had not beeninstituted nor could it be said, until the investigationwas complete, but they were about to be instituted. Iam satisfied that the Governor had the right to takeMr Smith off his duties. He chose to do that by usinghis powers under GO 8.1.11. It is equally clear fromhis letter that he regarded such a step as beingnecessary in the public interest and that was theessential pre-requisite for such an action.

[27] I cannot accept the applicant's submission thatthis was interdiction. As I have already stated thereference to possible future disciplinary proceedingsis an indication of how seriously the allegations werebeing regarded but that did not, in any way, suggestthat the decision to institute disciplinary proceedingshad been reached.

[28] MrMisick has pointed out that this step in itselfacted unfairly against Mr Smith. He is a senior officerand well known in the community. Suddenly to betold to stop doing his job will be seen by many peopleas suggesting he has done something wrong. Manycases of this nature may result in a similarmisunderstanding but that does not mean that thedecision to send him on leave, if made for proper andsubstantial reason, was unfair. Although there wasreference to his salary being reduced, it is concededby Mr Misick that Mr Smith continued to receive hisfall pay during this period of leave.

(29] Clearly an order to take administrative leave mayhave adverse effects on the officer involved in terms,for example, of his reputation but the Governor'sletter invited the applicant to make representations oninterdiction before any decision to make such orderwas made. It is also clear that, if disciplinaryproceedings were to be instituted, the proceduresunder the Regulations and General Orders ensure theapplicant will have an opportunity to answer theallegations.

(30) The test of unfairness is an objective one; R vCriminal Injuries Compensation Board. ex p A;[1999] 2AC 350, and in the circumstances, the orderof 22 June 2010, viewed objectively was not unfair.On the contrary, although the implication, inparagraph (b) of the Governor's letter that theapplicant had sufficient information at that time to beable properly or adequately to prepare his answer tointerdiction was, perhaps, a trifle facile, the contentsof the letter from the Governor clearly stated thenature of the investigation and the fact that it maylead to disciplinary proceedings.I do not find he should have been given the details ofthe matters under investigation at that stage. He will,as I have stated, have the details and the opportunityto make any submissions he wishes now that it hasbeen decided to institute disciplinary proceedings.

[31) This was not an interdiction and so thedeclarations 1 — 4 and the consequential orders ofcertiorari and damages do not apply to the facts of thiscase. Substituting administrative leave for interdictionwould not remedy that. Similarly the order sought inparagraph 8 prohibiting any reduction in theapplicant's salary during the investigative phase mustbe refused as there has been no reduction although,now he has been interdicted, that has changed.

[32] Paragraph 6 seeks a declaration that regulation41(the appeal provision) is ultra vires. I have alreadycommented briefly on the effect on the right of appealprovided by that regulation in my ruling on therespondents' application in this case to set the reviewproceedings aside and in the decision in NasiyaMissick v PS4C; CL24/10, 17August 2010. It shouldbe noted that the delegation by the Governor of hispowers to exercise disciplinary control to the Chairmanof the PSC is not extended to, inter alia, Heads ofDepartments. Whether that affects the right of appealin this case and whether it is ultra vires has not beenpursued sufficiently for me to rule on that question.

(33] The application is refused with cost to therespondents.

Gordon Ward,Chief Justice

ALFRED “MAC” SMITH LOSESCASE AGAINST PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ... CONT’D

LOCAL NEWS


TURKS AND CAICOSWATER COMPANY LTD

TURKS AND CAICOS WATER COMPANY LIMITED is seekingsuitably qualified individuals to fill the following opening. Onlycandidates who meet the minimum requirements will beconsidered.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS (2)

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Requirements• Should have eight years experience as a MaintenanceTechnician or experience working in a similar position.• Must have strong skills in troubleshooting and repair ofelectrical, plumbing and general maintenance.• Work with minimal supervision.• On standby for 24 hours call out emergencies.• Should have great oral and written communication skills.• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.

The salary for this position is $26,000.00 per annum. Interestedapplicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by December27, 2010 at [email protected] or by fax 649-946-5191.Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone toschedule an interview.

PASTRY CHEFRequirements:• Must have previously worked as a pastry chef for a minimum 2-3 yearsin a luxury resortDuties include:• Assists in creating and developing dishes for the pastry department• Ensures the highest quality of product within cost constraints byparticipating in the preparation of baked goods, pastries, desserts, icecarvings and show pieces• Assists in creating daily specials and signature desserts• Assists in producing the production of all pastry items, ensuring theright quantity and the highest standards of quality Maintenance ofpastry equipment• Requisitions food with necessary approvals according to policyStarting salary $17,000 per annum plus service charge

COOKRequirements:• Experience with, and are comfortable preparing a variety of differentcuisines in a fine dining environment• Understand the importance of consistency• Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safetyrequirementsDuties Include:• Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handlingprocedures.• Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent fromkitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing.• Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas.• Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts.Starting salary $17,000 per annum plus service charge.

All applicants must be hardworking team players and must be able tostand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours in length.Applicants must also be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights,weekends and holidays as required to meet resort demands.

Interested applicants should apply to the Regent Palms, in person, for afirst interview Monday through Friday 10AM to 12PM and bring along arecent C.V. Appointments may also be made by calling the RegentPalms Human Resources department at 946-8666 during businesshours.

IIMMMMEEDDIIAATTEEOOPPEENNIINNGG

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT needs toremember that a political systemcannot and should not be imposed onan unwilling population, says BritishMP Andrew Rosindell.

“ Such reforms must be conductedin conjunction with the people-there isno other way to go about it in a moderndemocracy. The next election in theTurks and Caicos islands has beenannounced for 2012. That deadlinemust be met so that democracy isrestored to the people of the islands bythat time at the very latest,” Rosindellsaid during a speech in the House ofCommons last Friday.

Rosindell is chairman of both theTurks and Caicos islands all-partyparliamentary group and the BritishOverseas Territories all-partyparliamentary group, as well as amember of the Foreign AffairsCommittee.

Stating that the perpetuation of thecurrent situation is unthinkable,Rosindell said the Turks and CaicosIslands is in crisis and if immediateaction is not taken by Her Majesty'sGovernment, the territory willcontinue to deteriorate.

He referred to a letter dated 4February 2010 from the Foreign andCommonwealth Office to a resident onGrand Turk stated:

"Whilst UK Ministers are keenlyaware that the TCI Government hassevere difficulties in meeting theliabilities it has inherited from theprevious administration and thatsignificant challenges remain, they areof the view that it would beinappropriate for UK taxpayers moneyto be used to fill a deficit created by thefinancial mismanagement of theprevious administration."

According to Rosindell, that is an“appalling and inexcusable stance”.

He added: “The people of theTurks and Caicos are British, too, andthey deserve our support. The previousGovernment should be ashamed ofhow they handled the situation there,and of the relationship that theyfostered with the overseas territories ingeneral. I can assure the House withcertainty that the bill to the UKtaxpayer will be far greater in the longrun if urgent action is not taken now.”

He added: “I have every faith thatour new Conservative-led government

will do everything in their power toensure that the current wrongs arerighted and that the failings of the pastare corrected. We need to deploy morecivil servants from the UK to reformthe TCI civil service and more policeto crack down on crime, and we needto draw a line under prosecutions toensure that the full weight of the law isbrought down on those who weredeceitful. We also need to ensure thatmore funds are made available to theTCI, and not simply to tide the islandsover for a few more months. It must beenough to stimulate the economy backinto action radically. I speak franklywhen I say that there is no use in apackage of support that is aimedmerely at maintaining the status quo. Irecognise that in the current climate ofausterity no decision on finance istaken lightly, but I put it to theGovernment that they have committedto giving millions of pounds in aid toforeign countries, and yet let povertyand despair be fostered on our veryown soil. Her Majesty's Governmentnow have an ideal opportunity tochange that in the Turks and Caicos,and with the right attitude and

approach we can show our citizensoverseas that they are not on theperiphery of government and that nomatter where one is in the world,British is British is British.”

Rosindell said the UKGovernment needs to show the globalcommunity that just because someonehappens to live in a different time zonefrom London, it does not make themany less British.

“With that in mind, the people ofthe Turks and Caicos should beafforded the full support of theGovernment to ensure that they realisea secure and prosperous future. Theywill not be impressed by morerhetoric. At this point, I wish tocommend Her Majesty's Governmentin Canada, who, despite having noresponsibility for the Turks andCaicos, are sending over members ofthe Royal Canadian mounted police tohelp us rescue the situation. Shouldthat not be our responsibility? It is,after all, a British territory, not aCanadian territory.

The people of the Turks andCaicos islands want to see fast andradical action from Her Majesty'sGovernment here in London to restoreto their homeland the governance thatone would expect for a Britishoverseas territory, a territory of theCrown.”

UK cannot impose a politicalsystem on TCI, says British MP


Pursuant to provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance 2007 – The Anti-MoneyLaundering and Prevention of Terrorist Financing Regulations 2010, the Turks and CaicosIslands Financial Services Commission makes known its intention to commenceenforcement of Regulations 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Regulations beginning January 1,2011.

Designated Non-Regulated Financial Businesses include Legal Professionals,Accountants, Real Estate Agents and Jewelers:

The relevant provisions of the regulations are:

Register of non-regulated financial businesses Application to register:

24. (1) The NRFB Supervisor must establish and keep a register of non-regulated financialbusinesses.

(2) The NRFB Register shall contain the following information in respect of each non-regulatedfinancial business that has been registered in accordance with regulation 26—

(a) the name, address in the Islands and contact details of the non-regulated financial business;

(b) the relevant business for which the non-regulated financial business is registered;

(c) the date of registration and, if applicable, deregistration of the non-regulated financial business;

(d) such other information as the NRFB Supervisor considers appropriate.

(3) The NRFB Register and the information contained in any document filed with the NRFBSupervisor may be kept in such manner as the NRFB Supervisor considers appropriate, includingeither wholly or partly, by means of a device or facility that— (a) records or stores informationmagnetically, electronically or by other means; and

(b) permits the information recorded or stored to be inspected and reproduced in legible andusableform.

Application to register:

25. (1) A person may apply to the NRFB Supervisor to be registered as a non-regulated financialbusiness in the NRFBRegister.

(2) The application must—

(a) be in writing and in the form specified by the NRFB Supervisor;

(b) be signed by the applicant or by a person acting on the applicant’s behalf;

(c) be accompanied by such documents or information as may be specified on the applicationform or by the NRFB Supervisor.

(3) The NRFB Supervisor may require an applicant to—

(a) provide it with such documents and information, in addition to those specified in sub-regulation(2), as it reasonably requires to determine the application and any such information shall be in suchform as the NRFB Supervisor may require; and

(b) verify any document and information provided in support of an application in such manner asthe NRFB Supervisor may specify.

(4) If, before the determination by the NRFB Supervisor of an application—(a) there is a material change in any information or documentation provided by or on behalf of theapplicant to the NRFB Supervisor in connection with the application; or

(b) the applicant discovers that any such information or documentation is incomplete, inaccurateor misleading;

the applicant shall give the NRFB Supervisor as soon as possible written particulars of the changeor of the incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information or documentation.

Registration:

26. (1) Following the receipt of an application under regulation 25 and any additional documentsor information that it has required under regulation 25(3), the NRFB Supervisor must either—

(a) register the applicant as a non-regulated financial business in the NRFB Register; or

(b) refuse the application under regulation 27. (2) If the NRFB Supervisor registers the applicant,it must provide it with written notice of its registration.

Please refer to the Financial Services Commission’s website for furtherinformation.

Applications for Registration of Non-Regulated Financial Businesses are availableat the Commission’s offices in the Harry Francis Building in Grand Turk, atCaribbean Place, Providenciales or downloaded from the Commission’s Websiteat www.tcifsc.tc

Completed applications should be submitted to the NRFB Supervisor, HarryFrancis Building, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands.

NOTICE TO NON-REGULATED FINANCIAL

BUSINESSES

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THE UK'S SUPPORT for the Turksand Caicos Islands cannot take theform of unconditional handouts ofUK public money, says JamesDuddridge, Government Whip,House of Commons.

Speaking in the House lastFriday, he said the ConservativeGovernment's approach to theoverseas territories is very differentfrom that of its Labour predecessors.

“We are proud of our sharedhistory and value the territories aspart of the wider British family. Wewant our relationship to be mutuallybeneficial and successful. We knowthere are many challenges, but ourrelationship is strong enough totackle them as they arise. Oursupport for the islands is a goodexample of our new approach,” hesaid.

“We are committed to theprinciple that the overseas territoriesshould have the first call on the UK'said budget. However, that cannot bein the form of unconditionalhandouts of UK taxpayers' money.We are providing support in theTurks and Caicos Islands where itwill have the most lasting benefit by,for example, funding advisers todevelop the wide-ranging reformsthat are needed, giving temporaryfinancial support to help protect theislands from financial collapse, andfunding the deployment of UKpolice officers. We are doing whatwe can to support the territorydespite the financial crisis here in theUK. In exchange, we want theterritory to manage its affairs assuccessfully and effectively aspossible. In today's world, thatmeans sound public finances, withhigh-quality and accountablegovernment and public services.”

Noting that the Department forInternational Development hasapproved a financial package for theTCI, he stressed that this support isconditional on the Government

strengthening their capacity andsystems to manage their publicfinances and balance their budgetwithin the next three years, which isa very tough challenge, as we knowfrom the ones that we face on themainland.

He added: “The DFID-fundedchief financial officer is heading thisdifficult work, and to address theimmediate shortfall, the Departmenthas provided short-term loans to theislands. That will help. Our aimremains to restore and firmly embedthe principles of sound financialmanagement, sustainabledevelopment and good governance,which will help to rebuildconfidence in the Turks and CaicosIslands and their ability to managetheir own affairs. A public sectorreform adviser has been funded byDFID, but they only arrived in theTurks and Caicos Islands this week.I am sure that they will have a bigimpact. Also an immigration adviserhas been seconded from the UKBorder Agency, and is alreadymaking an impact. That secondmentwas funded by the Foreign andCommonwealth Office. The UKBAadviser has been there sinceSeptember and is doing well.

UK support for TCI can’t bebased on unconditional

handouts, says British MP

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James Duddridge, Government Whip, Houseof Commons.

LOCAL NEWS


HAB MANAGEMENT LTD IS SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR THE FOLLOWINGPOSITIONS:

RREESSEERRVVAATTIIOONN AATTTTEENNDDAANNTTSS ((22))Job DescriptionThe successful candidates will be required to welcome and serve guests in acourteous, efficient and friendly manner, both face-to-face and on the phone. Thecandidates will also be required to take reservations via the telephone, email andwalk-in requests. Candidates will also be responsible for promoting the resort at alltimes.

RequirementsCandidates should have seven years or more experience as a Reservation Attendant.Candidates should also have an extensive knowledge of Visual One PropertyManagement System. Candidates must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Candidateswill be required to check guests in and out; perform certain accounting procedures,such as preparing bills for guests, performing audit duties, balancing work andpreparing paperwork for the following day; present a friendly, outgoing, energetic andguest service demeanor. Candidates will also be required to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Must be able to speak, read and write in English andunderstand verbal and written instructions. Salary is $14,400 per annum.

BBAARRTTEENNDDEERR ((11))Job DescriptionThis is an enhanced position and requires a bubbly personality as well as some guestservices experience. The successful candidates should be well versed in bar serviceand drink preparation.

RequirementsCandidates should have six years or more experience as a Bartender. Candidates willbe required to solicit guests drink orders from around the pool and on the beach areaand deliver drinks to guests when needed. Plan and maintain bar inventory. Maintaincleanliness of all workplace areas that apply to the bar. Candidates will be required tobe able to multi-task and assist at front desk when necessary. The candidates willalso be required to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Must be able tospeak, read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions. Goodpresentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required. Salary is $12,000 perannum.

HHOOUUSSEEKKEEEEPPEERRSS ((99))Job DescriptionCandidates will be required to clean guest rooms as assigned, ensuring the hotel’sestablished standards of cleanliness.

RequirementsCandidates should have six years or more experience as a Housekeeper. Candidatesmust have knowledge of proper cleaning techniques. Maintain positive guest relations

at all times. Candidates will also be required to work cohesively with co-workers aspart of a team. Must be able to speak, read and write in English and understandverbal and written instructions. Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly personalityrequired. Salary is $12,000 per annum.

LLAAUUNNDDRRYY AATTTTEENNDDAANNTT ((11))Job Description Process soiled linen and distribute clean linen in accordance with standard operatingprocedures in a safe, accident-free manner, as assigned by management.

RequirementsCandidate should have seven years or more experience as a Laundry Attendant.Candidate will be required to receive and sort soiled linen; process sorted linenutilizing the washers, dryers and ironers ensuring finished product meets the qualitystandards of the resort. Notify supervisor of malfunctioning equipment, suppliesneeded, damaged linens, to ensure laundry operation is running at maximumefficiency level. Maintain assigned work area in a clean and safe condition. Must beable to speak, read and write in English and understand verbal and writteninstructions. Must be well presented and physically fit. The candidate will also berequired to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Salary is $12,000 perannum.

SECURITY OFFICERS (2)Job DescriptionThe successful candidates will be responsible for the safeguarding of the ownersproperty, hotel property, assets, guests, visitors and employees. The Security Officerswill also be responsible for insuring a safe environment; patrolling; documenting;reporting; and following-up on safety and security hazards or infractions.

RequirementsCandidates should have eight years or more experience as a Security Officer.Candidates will be required to work flexible hours. Record problems encountered inthe area during the course of duty. Check effectiveness and safety and availability ofsecurity and safety equipments. Respond immediately to emergency or crisissituations. Candidates will be required to maintain positive guest relations at all times.The candidates will also be required to work cohesively with co-workers as part of ateam. Must be able to speak, read and write in English and understand verbal andwritten instructions. Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required.Salary is $14,400 per annum.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by December 27,2010 at [email protected] or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contactedby email or telephone to schedule an interview.BELONGERS PREFERRED.

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.

PROVO POWER COMPANY (PPC) issuffering from a severe loss in revenuedue to rampant theft of its electricity byunscrupulous householders andbusiness owners across Providenciales.

Allan Robinson, Vice President incharge of Customer and CorporateService for the power company,marched a band of reporters into asection of the Blue Hills community onWednesday, December 8, where hepointed to webs of electrical wireswhich he said were connected illegallyfrom PPC power sources to dwellingsin the neighbourhood.

He also showed media practitionerspanel boxes which he said werebreached by power thieves, creating theavenue for the illegal bypassing itsmetering system. In addition toapartment complexes and residentialhomes, Robinson said the practice wasalso being perpetrated by operators ofbars, salons and restaurants.

Robinson said over the past twoweeks, since PPC has stepped up itsdrive to locate illegal powerconnections, it has uncovered more than40 such breaches – the culprits beingresidential and businesses. The practice,Robinson explained, were dealingheavy blows to PPC’s finances, andwhile he could not give a specific scale,said it was in the high numbers.

Robinson said companytechnicians arrived at the conclusionthat the thefts were not carried out myamateurs, but by persons who areknowledgeable in commercial electrical

work. However, said the connectionsposed imminent dangers to theresidents, especially when it rained,since there were a number of low-hanging naked wires that were evidentin some of the areas.

He said some landlords explainedto PPC that they had no knowledge thatsuch practices were taking place, whilein other instances, he suspected thatthere could be collusions betweenlandlords and tenants, even though thecompany was yet to identify anyculpable individuals.

Robinson said the companydiscovered in recent times that itsmeters in certain residential areas and at

certain businesses were recording dropsin consumption, while its generationoutputs to those locations wereregistering increased usages.

“We realized that the consumptionfor our meters have increased, but as toour sales – there has been a reduction inthat area – so that prompted us to go outand look at suspicious accounts,particularly those at large businessplaces, residential and apartment units,”Robinson said. He pointed out that thepractice has been one of duplicationsacross the island, including thecommunities of Five Cays, Glass Shackand Stammers Run.

The PPC Vice President said as a

result of the theft, the power companyformulated a task force that would visitevery community on that island, tocarry-out examinations on its meteringsystems. He said anyone found inbreach will be prosecuted.

According to Robinson, in its questto stem the decline in revenue in thatarea, PPC was also forced to step-up onthe security mechanism of its meters,affixing them with virtual tamper-prooflocking devices, that he described asrigid and strong, and which would alsopose acrimonious to the power-thievingfiends, to break into.

“We are putting in seals, to avoidpersons from breaking into those metercans. The taskforce will be going to allareas, and will be touching base with allcustomers. We are changing seals, andidentifying areas where we see thingslooking suspicious, and report it to thepolice and take action,” Robinsonasserted.

He said power has beendisconnected from premises found to bein breach, and information turned overto the police, to bring prosecutionagainst the guilty parties, whilepursuing avenues to recover what waslost.

Going forward, he said there wouldbe more vigilant monitoring of all itsmeters on a monthly basis, stressingthat mechanisms aimed at studying thehistory of its meters and their monthlyconsumption cycles would be put intoforce.

PPC bleeds from power theft

Allan Robinson, Vice President in Charge of Customer and Corporate Services points to junctionbox which he said facilitated a breach of the company’s power


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Magic Cuts Barber and Beauty Salonwas ordered by the Labour Tribunal tofork out approximately $30,000 ascompensatory awards for two of itsformer employees after it was found tobe in breach of the Turks and CaicosIslands Labour laws.

The decision which was handeddown recently required that thebusiness entity compensate NyokaDaley $18,628.00 and Mark AndrewNewman $11,870.00. Daley, whoclaimed unfair dismissal, said she wasfired from that entity after employerPatsy Jennings refused to appeal thedenial of her work permit by theImmigration Board.

In Newman’s case, the barber toldthe Tribunal that he was made toendure the indignity of being lockedup at the Detention Centre for fourdays after his employer refused to payhis work permit fee, and after severingties with that enterprise, enduredsevere harassment from immigrationofficers, which the Tribunal found tobe her doing.

Both also claimed compensation

monies paid over to Jennings to offsetcosts for their work permit documents.They also claimed overtime andvacation remunerations. The two toldthe court that from their time ofemployment in 2005 to 2009, they paidfor their own work permits, since theirboss reportedly told them thatexpatriates were responsible toshoulder that cost.

They said they then paid her themoney which she carried to thetreasury on their behalf. Both said aftersometime, they saw an article in one ofthe newspapers indicating that bosseswere supposed to pay for theiremployees work permits, but saidJennings told them in a meeting thatthe stipulation was only applied toChinese and Philippino workers. Bothalso said they were never given acontract.

But Jennings told the court thatshe was the one who paid for theirlegal documents with the company’smoney.

Jennings said Daley’s work permitwas turned down by the ImmigrationBoard in July of 2009, after a female

police officer wrote to the ImmigrationDepartment complaining that thecosmetologist had voodooed her.Jennings told the court that she washarassed by the female police officerbecause they both shared the samefather for their children. Heremployment was terminated inAugustof that same year.

Daley said Jennings did not makeany efforts to appeal the ImmigrationBoard’s decision before axing her.Asked by the Labour Tribunal as towhy she did not appeal the decision tothe Governor’s Office, Jennings saidDaley stole her products for four yearswhile reporting to work late onnumerous occasions. She said shespoke to Daley about her behaviourbut never gave a written warning, andthat she was also threatened by thepolice woman’s family.

In the meantime, Newman said inJuly of 2009, he was arrested byImmigration officials and taken to thedetention centre where he wasdetained because he was working onan expired work permit. He said hewas only released after Daley collected

money from his friends and gave it toJennings to pay for the work permit onhis behalf.

In her defense, Jennings said at thetime of Newman’s arrest, she was outof the country, but before then she hadsubmitted his immigration documents.However, the Labour Tribunal foundthat Daley was unfairly dismissed andwas also owed work permit andvacation monies, and so, made thedecision in her favour.

Jennings was also asked toreimburse Newman for vacation forthe period he was employed and alsowork permit fees, in addition tocompensatory awards.

INTERISLAND AVIATIONSERVICES GROUP

is seeking application for:RAMP AGENT

1. Over 5 years experience in Ramp Supervising.2. Over 5 years experience in maneuvering heavy dutyequipment e.g. (pushing and towing aircraft).3. Experience in general handling of General Aviation. Narrowbody and wide body aircraft.4. British Airways, JAR OPS, Supervisor Aircraft loadingqualified.5. US Airways fleet service door opening trainer.6. Awareness Certification of acceptance/refusal of hazardousmaterial as per IATA regulations.7. Comprehensive knowledge in the operation of all GroundService Equipment (GSE).BAGGAGE HANDLER1. Over 5 years experience in Baggage Handling.2. Over 5 years experience in maneuvering heavy dutyequipment.3. Experience in general handling of General Aviation.4. British Airways, JAR OPS, Aircraft loading qualified.5. Comprehensive knowledge in the operation of GroundService Equipment (GSE).

All positions require the following:• Excellent command of the English language – reading, writingand speaking.•Good communication skills and team player•Detail oriented & organized individual•Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends andHolidays.•Clean police record•Able to work under pressureBelongers need only apply.Interested person should apply to [email protected] or via fax toHR Department 649-946-4040.No phone call please. Qualified candidates will be contacted forinterview.

Magic Cuts Beauty/Barber Salon inbreach of labour laws

LOCAL NEWS


MY PEOPLE, WILL we let them, the“British Government”, shut ourcountry down?

I say “no”.The British Government plans to

add new taxes that will kill oureconomy and shut this country down.

If this country is going to be shutdown, I say we should be the ones todo it. We say that we are a Godlypeople, so then let us follow Christ inBible in the book of John 10:17-19.Jesus said no man takes my life I laydown my life--only to take it up again... I have the authority.

Take note, our Lord Jesus was incontrol of his situation. We need to betrue followers of Jesus and takecontrol of our situation. I say, let noman from outside seal our fate. Theywill only have that authority to do thisif we give it to them.

People of the Turks and CaicosIslands, look with me over the pastyears up to 2009. We were in control.Check it, we went to the polls andvoted for a government.We the peoplecalled for a Commission of Inquiry.Pastors prayed to God, and askedBritain to remove our government,dissolve our House of Assembly andsuspend our Constitution.

Turks and Caicos Islanders, afterwe did all of this to ourselves and ourcountry, in some parts being misled byoutsiders, we are now saying we haveno say or no control. Pastors, that wasnot God’s will, we are asking you topray for government.

I say to us, the time has come forus as a people to stand up, takeresponsibility. No one put this on us.No, we all played our role and wehave to accept this. We did this toourselves. When we accept this fact,then we will be able to understand it’sup to us as a people to do somethingabout it.

People, look with me to the Biblein the book of Genesis. Adam blamedEve and Eve blamed the serpent. Withall the blame to go around today, westill have sin. Only when we acceptand repent, we can be saved.

I show us this so that we canunderstand that we can no longerblame our previous leaders foreverything (that is the hope of theBritish).

Not only because we would beuntrue to ourselves, but because itwould work against us. But today wehave an obligation to stop the BritishGovernment’s machinery that is in

place to sink us as a people.Let it be known that the British

Government is not here to help Turksand Caicos Islanders. Look at whatKate Sullivan said is her terms ofreference:

(a) consider whether to axe theautomatic right to a jury trial(Advisory Council and ConsultativeForum members out of hatred andungodliness has imposed it)

(b) required to look at thefranchise enlargement (it was said thattwo years prior to beginning her workin the territory, Ms Sullivan undertooka similar role in the Solomon Islands.)Ms. Kate Sullivan was a part of a 26member team made up of people fromwithin and around that region.

I would like to ask Ms. Sullivan ifshe knew of a body called IDEA andwhat that body stands for and against.(People don’t let Kate Sullivan theFCO and the British Parliament carryout their hidden agenda. I believe it isto bring British citizens out of HongKong and unemployed British citizensto this country. Just look, after morethan a year, the British Parliament, theFCO, Governor GordonWetherell, theAdvisory Council, and those that theBritish brought in still can’t tell this

country or the world what are theirplans.

But pay attention to this, our Godhas a plan for us. Jeremiah, 29- 11 –“For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the LORD, “plans to prosperyou and not to harm you, plans to giveyou hope and a future.”

How do we get this plan to work,clean up and unite, stop causing strifeamong our people, stop thehatefulness, stop the lying tongue,remove the evil plans from our heartsand the plots for mischief? I say to us,God will not work on our terms, weknow what the bible say we are madein God’s image, so then, if we areseeking God’s mercy, we must showmercy (Matthew 5 - the Beatitudes thekey one is verse 7 ). "How blessed arethose who are merciful, because it isthey who will receive mercy.”

Stand up and take responsibility.This is our country. I need you andyou need me. No one can fix this forus. We live here. This is home. Theywill leave, but can we live, and canour children live with what they willbe leaving us?

A servant of the Gospel of JesusChrist,

Phillip Robinson

Turks and Caicos Islanders- Stand up and takeresponsibility; this is our country


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Hike taxes or increase the population – Gordon KerrIF THE TURKS AND Caicos Islandseconomy is to be jolted back tobuoyancy, it has to follow one of twopaths - hike taxes on the alreadyburdened peopled or increase thepopulation with a view to broaden thetax base.

The measure was advocated bynoted attorney and member of theFinancial Services Commission,Gordon Kerr, who was speaking as amember of the National Conversationspanel at the Gustarvus LightbourneComplex in Providenciales, onTuesday, December 7.

“The budget deficit in terms of howits stands right now can only beaddressed in two ways – either cutexpenditure or you raise revenue. Thereis a limit to how far you can cutexpenditure, and I am sure there is notmuch more that can be cut. And if youdo cut it, you put people out of work;and if you put people out of work, thatbecomes a drain in another way.

“So one way or another there isgoing to become a point where cutshave to stop; there is just not anymoreto be made. Then by making up the gapis by raising revenue; there is only twoways you can do that – you can eitherincrease taxes on the people who arehere or you can increase the populationand broaden the tax base,” Kerremphasized.

Kerr, who practices at Misick andStanbrook, insisted that collectivelyBelongers, investors and expatriateresidents will have to soon decide whattheir take on the resuscitation of theseislands would be before the countrysinks further into the economic abyss.

“I think, as a people, we have tomake a clear decision in our own mindswhich of the two it’s going to be.And ifwe are going to attract people here tobroaden the tax base, and therefore, notincrease the burden on each of us to anunacceptable level, then we have to getrid of these uncertainties.

“We have to open the doorssomehow in an agreed upon way fornew business and new people comingin; we won’t do it in any other way.Those of us who live here, do businesshere, and invested our lives in these

islands; we have to grasp these thornyissues set out in front of us. We need tosettle on a plan and we have to makesome tough decisions,” he warned.

Speaking directly to the state of thefinancial services industry – the topicon which he joined the panel to speak,Kerr noted that there were no levelplaying field between smallerjurisdictions and the industrializedworld, since countries like the TCIcould not make certain demands onthose nations especially with respectsto the turning over of certaindocumentations on particularindividuals.

Kerr also sought to clear up whathe referred to as the misconceptionsamong members of the populace thatthe financial services industry providesprimarily for expatriate investments.

“There is a belief around that thefinancial services industry catersalmost solely to offshore wealthyclientele – basically foreigners – andthis is simply not the case. Thefinancial services industry covers awide gambit of purchases which eachof you in your daily activities willcome into contact with.

“Every time you open a bankaccount, buy insurance – anything likethat, you are dealing with the financialservices industry – and it is importantthat you understand the breadth of theindustry, when you start to consider itscontribution to the Turks and Caicoseconomy,” Kerr noted.

He pointed out however, that the

direct contribution from the financialservice industry to the Turks and Caicoseconomy has been quite insignificant,saying that the gross revenues collectedby that sector in relation to licensingfees and other collection on an annualbasis averaged over the last four yearsto about $6 million a year.

He said after deductions ofadministration expenses of theFinancial Services Commission (FSC)and statutory retention of funds, theactual revenue received by governmentfrom all the licensing activities wasabout $2 million a year.

The Providenciales NationalConversations panel also includedformer deputy premier RoyalRobinson, who spoke on the role of TCInvest; former People’s DemocraticMovement (PDM) leader, FloydSeymour, who spoke on publicfinances; while architect Simon Woodspoke on balanced development.

The initiative is the brainchild ofattorney and social and politicaladvocate Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. In addition to holding paneldiscussions across the country, theNational Conversations also includesradio interviews of people of nationalprominence, including former heads oflocal government, politicalcommentators and ministers of religion.

The Provo event was hosted byCountry Manager for LIME TCI, andMember of the Consultative Forum,Drexwell Seymour.

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Chairman Drexwell Seymour introduces the panel for the Providenciales leg of the National Conversations discussion. From left are: Floyd Seymour,Simon Wood, Royal Robinson and Gordon Kerr. Rev. Dr. Conrad Howell, who is seated at far right gave the opening prayer.



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DIGICEL BROUGHT SMILES to the faces of the students of the Doris Robinson PrimarySchool in Middle Caicos on Thursday, December 9, when staff members arrivedwith presents and goodies just in time for the school’s annual Christmas concert.

Head ofMarketing,Ava-Dayne Kerr said, “Christmas is a special time of the year. Our childrenespecially look forward to Christmas and the joy it brings in the form of gift giving and otherfestivities. As we reflect on the year and the season, Digicel wants to ensure that Christmas isalways bright for the students of our adopted school, Doris Robinson Primary. ”

Principal Keisha Mills exclaimed her appreciation to Digicel noting the telecommunicationcompany’s continued involvement in the development of the school and its educationalprogramme, “Digicel has always been there for Doris Robinson and this year we want to let themknow that we really appreciate their efforts and the Christmas cheer they have brought to ourchildren” she stated.

Doris Robinson Primary currently has enrolled 27 students and eight staff members.After over nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 11 million customers across its

32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned fordelivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, CentralAmerican and Pacific sports teams, includingthe Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricketteam and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships and the Copa deNaciones Digicel. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams andalso sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up DigicelFoundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural andsocial development programmes.

Grade 5 and 6 students of the Doris Robinson Primary School perform at the school’sChristmas concert

Students perform a piece at the concert to the delight of the audience. A grade 5 student shows off his gift Students from K1 and K2 examine their gifts while Head of Marketing Ava-DayneKerr and marketing representative Trina Adams looks on.

Students of Grades 5 and six show off their gifts One of the teachers from Doris Robinson Primary receives his gift from Ava-Dayne Kerr

Principal of the School Keisha Mills happily receives her gift from Ava-Daye Kerr

Students of the school were eager for the photo op todisplay their gifts.

Ava-Dayne Kerr and Trina Adams poses with the students with their gifts. The Principal and teachers of the school were as excited as the kids atreceiving their gifts from Digicel.

DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUNTURKS AND CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010

TURKS & CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH - DECEMBER 17TH, 2010LIFESTYLE


Chorus:I've had the time of my life

And I've never felt this way beforeAnd I swear this is trueAnd I owe it all to you!

Oh, I have the time of my lifeAnd I've never felt this way before

And I swear this is trueAnd I owe it all to you!

Dirty bit!Dirty bit!

I came up in here to rockLight a fire, make it hot

I don't wanna take no picturesI just wanna take some shots!

So come on, let's go!Let's lose control!Let's do it all night!

Until we can do it no more!

The time (Dirty bit)Black Eyed Peas

Keep on rocking to the soundTurn it up and watch it poundWe gon' rock it to the top,Until the roof come burnin' downGet hot in hereThe temperatureHas got these ladiesGetting freakier

I got freaky, freaky, babyI was chilling with my ladiesI didn't come to get boogieI came here to get crazy!I was born to get wild!That's my style!If you didn't know that,Well, baby, now you know now

Cause I'mHavin'!A good time!With you!I'm tellin' you!

Chorus: (x1)Dirty bit!Dirty bit!

All these girls they like my swagger

They call me Mick JaggerI've been rolling like a stonedJet-setter, jet-laggerWe ain't messin' with no maggots

Messing with the baddestChicks in the club,Honey, what's up?

Mirror, mirror on the wallWho's the baddest of them all?It's gotta be the aplI'm the mack daddy, y'allHaters better step back!Ladies don't load your actI'm the party application,Rock it just like that!

This is internationalBig mega radio smasher!Cause I'mHavin'!A good time with you, I'm telling you!

Chorus: (x4)Dirty bit!

The time (Dirty bit)Black Eyed Peas

DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUN ENTERTAINMENTPage 29

Actor Wesley Snipes heads to aPennsylvania prison Thursday to begina three-year sentence for failing to filetax returns.

The 48-year-old actor has untilnoon to report to McKean FederalCorrectional Institution in Lewis Run,officials said.

Snipes' attorney said he isappealing his client's misdemeanorconvictions for not filing tax returns in1999, 2000 and 2001.

Snipes was acquitted of felonycharges.

He is nervous, he said, but hopefulthat his prayers will be answered.

"We still have prayers out there.We still believe in miracles. So don'tsend me up the river yet," Snipes saidin an interview on CNN's "Larry KingLive" Tuesday night.

The actor conceded he was uneasyabout losing his freedom if his appealto the U.S. Supreme Court fails.

"I think any man would be nervousif his liberty is at stake," Snipes said."I'm disappointed that the systemseems not to be working for me in thissituation."

Prosecutors said Snipes earned$40 million since 1999 but had filed noreturns and had been involved in a taxresisters group.

Snipes disputed such involvementand said that the failure to file was hisadvisers' fault.

"This is another thing that hasbeen misreported: It has been framed

that I was a conspirator and that I wasan architect in a scheme by anorganization that has beencharacterized as tax protesters," Snipessaid. "The press hasn't reported that Iwas a client of people who I trusted[who] had knowledge and expertise inthe areas of tax law that would protectmy interests."

Snipes is best known for his rolesin the "Blade" action films, thecomedy film "White Men Can't Jump"and the drama "Jungle Fever."

In February, a jury convictedSnipes on the misdemeanor charges,but he was acquitted of more seriousfelony charges of tax fraud andconspiracy. Jurors accepted his

argument that he was innocently dupedby errant tax advisers.

Defense attorneys in courtdocuments suggested that to sentenceSnipes harshly would be to disregardthe jury's verdict.

But prosecutors, in theirsentencing recommendation, said thejurors' decision "has been portrayed inthe mainstream media as a 'victory' forSnipes. The troubling implication ofsuch coverage for the millions ofaverage citizens who are aware of thiscase is that the rich and famousWesleySnipes has 'gotten away with it.' In theend the criminal conduct of Snipes mustnot be seen in such a light."

Snipes suggested he was unfairlysingled out by prosecutors.

"It does seem to be rather unusualand rather bizarre when you had aprosecutor come into the sentencingand say that this is the biggest tax trialin the history of the IRS," Snipes said."I think there is a certain amount ofselectivity going on here."

Snipes indicated he was disturbedby some public comments that he wasreceiving "just punishment."

"It's been presented as though I'mworthy of this punishment," Snipessaid. "I've been a law-abiding citizenever since I grew up in the Bronx, NewYork."

One juror, Frank Tuttle, gave"Larry King Live" a written statementthat three other jurors hadmade up theirmind that Snipes was guilty before the

trial began.The jury's verdict was a

compromise between those jurors whothought Snipes was guilty and thosewho didn't, Tuttle said in the statement.

"That's when a deal was made tofind him guilty on the failure to filetaxes and not guilty on the federal taxevasion charges," Tuttle said in thestatement. "We did not think he wouldgo to jail."

Snipes' attorney, Daniel R.Meachum, said neither he nor Snipeshad any involvement in preparing thatjuror's statement to "Larry King Live,"saying the show's producers obtained iton their own.

"We on the defense team neversuggested that the media reach out toany of the jurors," Meachum said.

Snipes contended that some mediaaccounts of his trial have distortedpublic perceptions.

"There have been some egregiousand very malicious efforts to report thefacts of this case," Snipes said. "I wasnever charged with tax evasion. I'venever been a tax protester."

Snipes said he has paid his taxes."They claimed that there was a

certain number that was owed and thatnumber has been all over that place. Thepress has escalated it and changed it anumber of times. But we think we arefully compliant with what was owed,"Snipes said. "Not did I pay but myposition is that I always paid."

Wesley Snipes heads to prison on tax conviction

Actor Wesley Snipes

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Meet Celine Dion and Rene Angelil'stwins, Eddy & Nelson!

The singer debuted her new bundles of joy in the pages ofPeople and Hello! Canada on Wednesday, November ."The loveand what I feel inside, what we have accomplished - I don't knowhow to put it into words," Celine told People, referring to herdifficult journey to conceive. "It's bigger than life itself."

The singer has discovered her new twins, who were born onOctober 23, aren't allowing her to get much sleep.

"I don't know how women do it," Celine told Hello! Canadafrom her home in Jupiter Island, Fla. "Every day Rene asks, 'Didyou sleep well?' I'm like, 'You must be kidding! There is no sleep!'"

The demands of her new twins have also kept the 42-year-oldfrom her usual pop star attire.

"I nurse both babies at the same time," she told Hello!. "I'm inmy pajamas until lunchtime and there's no time to shower."

According to People, the singing sensation is slated to returnto her Las Vegas show on March

CELINE DIONDEBUTS 6-WEEK-OLD

TWINS EDDY& NELSONNEW YORK – Thisshould help Ke$ha(KESH'-ah) get over thatGrammy diss: Billboardhas crowned her "TikTok" as the No. 1 song ofthe year.

The Grammys didn'tgive Ke$ha anynominations last week, butshe not only had the topsong of the year, she wasalso Billboard's No. 5artist of the year.

The top act? LadyGaga, followed by TaylorSwift, Eminem and LadyAntebellum.

As far as top songs,following "Tik Tok" were"Airplanes" by B.o.Bfeaturing HayleyWilliams; Lady Gaga's"Bad Romance"; Taio(TY'-oh) Cruz's"Dynamite"; and KatyPerry's "CaliforniaGurls" with Snoop Dogg.

Billboard's top albumwas Susan Boyle's debut,"I Dreamed a Dream,"followed by Eminem's"Recovery," LadyAntebellum's "Need YouNow," Lady Gaga's "TheFame" and JustinBieber's "MyWorld 2.0."

BILLBOARD:`TIK TOK'

TOPS IN 2010

NEWYORK – OprahWinfrey says she'snot a lesbian, not even a little bit. Herlong personal and professionalconnection with Gayle King has sparkedrumors that they are gay, but Winfreydenies it in an upcoming interview withABC's Barbara Walters.

"I'm not even kind of a lesbian,"Winfrey says.

Persistent gossip to the contraryannoys her, she says, explaining that, if it

were true, "Why would you want to hideit? That is not the way I run my life."

Asked to describe her relationshipwith King, Winfrey calls her "the motherI never had, the sister everybody wouldwant. She is the friend that everybodydeserves." Winfrey's eyes moisten andher voice chokes as she adds, "I don'tknow a better person."

Winfrey will end her daytime talkshow next spring and, on Jan. 1, is

launching a cable channel, the OprahWinfrey Network.

That new venture has given hermoments of panic.

"I would wake up in the middle ofthe night literally like clutching my chest,like, 'What have I done?'" she tellsWalters.

"A Barbara Walters Special: Oprah,The Next Chapter" will air Thursday at 9p.m. Eastern.

Winfrey has heard the rumors, but denies she's gay


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FUN & GAMES

TURKS & CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 10TH - DECEMBER 17TH, 2010FUN & GAMES

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THE FIRST STEP TELLS THE TALE

Some problems that arise during the play can be eas-ily resolved with virtually 100 percent confidence in the outcome. But there are other times when you can’t be sure just how you’ll fare, in which case the best you can do is to opt for the action that is most likely to succeed in the long run.

Assume you’re East, defending against four hearts, and your partner leads the nine of diamonds. Declarer plays the king from dummy, but, if you’re a careful player, you don’t

automatically win the trick with the ace. Instead, you take time to survey the situ-ation as a whole and, more particularly, your play at this point.

The first order of busi-ness is to try to decipher the meaning of partner’s dia-mond lead. You know that the nine is not a fourth-best lead, nor can it be the top card of a sequence, since you have the eight in your hand. In theory, it could be the top of a worthless three-card suit, but it is far more likely to be a singleton or doubleton.

If the nine is a singleton, it is right to take the ace and return the suit for partner to ruff. But if the nine is a doubleton, the proper play is to duck, at the same time sig-naling with the eight to show the ace.

Percentagewise, South is far more likely to have four diamonds rather than five. You should therefore let dummy’s king hold the first trick. When declarer next leads a trump, partner wins and returns a diamond to secure the ruff that sets the contract.

© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.

David Susskind: A Televised Lifeby Stephen Battaglio(St. Martin’s Press, $27.99)Reviewed by Larry Cox

Even though many Ameri-cans only dimly remember David Susskind, if at all, he was a powerhouse who changed the face of Ameri-can television. He was a fearless impresario who took chances, broke rules and pushed network televi-sion past its old boundaries.

He fought network black-listing, exposed audiences to provocative subject matter and introduced great actors, including Sir Laurence Olivier, to American view-ers. He also interviewed the newsmakers — Harry Tru-man, Nikita Khrushchev and Martin Luther King Jr., to name just three.

Susskind was the first TV producer to become a star. His program, “Open End,” debuted in 1958 on WNTA-TV in New York City, and it was just what the name implied, since each segment continued until Susskind decided it was time to go home. “Open End” became “The David Susskind Show” in 1967, continuing until 1987.

Susskind also produced

some of the finest TV adap-tations of plays ever, includ-ing “Death of a Salesman” in 1966 and “Look Homeward, Angel” in 1972. He pro-duced two landmark series —- “East Side/West Side” and “N.Y.P.D.” —- that shattered color barriers and featured gritty, urban real-ism, all during prime time. These shows were the van-guard of the programming realism that was to become our modern standard.

Stephen Battaglio, the business editor at TV Guide magazine, has written a fascinating biography that covers both Susskind’s life and the history of early tele-vision. Through extensive original reporting and the use of Susskind’s personal papers, Battaglio is able to bring into focus the early days and evolution of Amer-ican television.

Susskind made television history but navigated a rath-er sticky personal life. But it’s his complexities coupled with his achievements that make him so fascinating, even two decades after his death. This is the first major biography of Susskind, and it is long overdue.



December 13, 2010

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Handle a poten-tially awkward situation by warming up your confidence reserves and letting it radiate freely. Also, expect an old friend to contact you.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s not too early for the practical Bovine to begin planning possible changes for 2011. A recent contact can offer some interesting insights.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A request for an unusual favor should be carefully checked out. Also check the motives behind it. Your gen-erosity should be respected, not exploited.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Party time beckons, but for some Moon Children, so do some workplace chal-lenges. Deal with the second first, then you’ll be free to enjoy the fun time.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A warm response to an earlier request might be a positive indicator of what’s ahead. Meanwhile, Cupid could pay a surprise visit to single Leos looking for love.

VIRGO (August 23 to Sep-tember 22) How you respond to a proposed change in a project could affect your sit-uation. Be prepared to show how well you would be able to deal with it.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) The revelation of a secret could cause some changes in how to deal with

a workplace matter. It very likely also validates a posi-tion you have long held.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) An attempt to get too personal could upset the very private Scorpio. Make it clear that there’s a line no one crosses without your permission.

SAGITTARIUS (Novem-ber 22 to December 21) The savvy Sagittarian might be able to keep a family dis-agreement from spilling over by getting everyone involved to talk things out.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be care-ful not to push people too hard to meet your ideas of what the holiday weekend’s preparations should be. Best to make it a cooperative, not a coerced, effort.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An unex-pected request could make you rethink a position you’ve had for a long time. Mean-while, plan a family get-together for the weekend.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone might find that it was a fluke to try to use your sympathetic nature to get you to accept a situation you’re not comfort-able with. Good for you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You like challenges that are both mental and physical, and you enjoy always beating your personal best.


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• It was prolific British author G.K. Chesterton who gave the following sage bit of advice: “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up.”

• When Richard Nixon first ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Represen-tatives (which he won in 1946), he funded his cam-paign largely with money he won playing poker while serving as a lieutenant com-mander in the Navy during World War II.

• From 1863 until 1945, the city of Vicksburg, Miss., didn’t celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. This is because during the Civil War, the Confederate city was surrendered to Union forces on that day, an event that was considered to be one of the turning points of the war.

• It was once thought that when snakes went through their version of hiberna-tion they rejuvenated them-selves, and therefore that serpents lived forever.

• There’s talk everywhere these days about the grow-ing problem posed by the

fact that people in the U.S. are becoming more and more overweight. Interest-ingly, when the Internation-al Journal of Obesity was first published, in 1993, it was 509 pages long; the 2006 edition totaled 2,322 pages. Coincidence?

• It was one Dr. Spen-cer Silver, a chemist, who invented the adhesive used today in Post-it notes, but he had no luck promoting his invention. Six years later, one of his colleagues, Art Fry, came up with a use for it that stuck (so to speak). While sitting in church one day, Fry’s atten-tion wandered from the ser-mon to the scraps of paper he used to mark his place in the hymnal, which kept falling out. Connecting his annoying problem and his friend’s invention, the Post-it was born.

***Thought for the Day:

“Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.” — Martin Luther King Jr.


By Samantha Weaver

King Features W

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Track Your Spending

If you have a computer and really don’t know where all your money goes, your life can be easier if you invest in personal-finance bud-get software. Nearly all of the finance programs have reports that you can cus-tomize and generate. Want to know how much you’re spending for groceries? Or how much miscellaneous cash went to coffee in the morning? The program will tell you. Your bank state-ment will include the debit-card amounts, which you’ll need to add in, but not the cash you spend. You’ll need to enter that as well.

Be cautious about the fea-tures of any software you buy. There is one brand-name software that will accumulate all of your information in one place. The ads say it can combine your bank accounts with your credit cards and invest-ment accounts — by going into those accounts and extracting the information for you. Another software will make your payments for you automatically. Beware. While it’s a given that they’ve gone all-out to provide security for their servers, not all servers are equal. Do you really want to have every single transac-tion you make available to

potential thieves? Equally important, do

you really want to give up that much control of your money? If you come across a deal that you shouldn’t pass up, knowing that you still have two more weeks to pay the utility bill, what are you going to do when the computer automatically spends your money on that utility bill?

Caveat: If you plan to use an Internet-connected computer for your finances, don’t download any person-al-finance software from the Internet. You don’t know what’s in it. Instead, pick a name brand that comes in a box at the store. And when you enter your information into the program, don’t put your account number or even the real name of your bank.

Best bet: Use an old com-puter for all your financial information — and don’t hook it up to the Internet. Test some of the free basic-software programs to see which you like best. What you want is a simple pro-gram that will categorize your spending, reconcile your accounts (including retirement or investment) and possibly allow you to print out checks.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Week-ly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to [email protected].


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Election officials in Haiti say they willreview the disputed result of lastmonth's presidential election.

There will be an immediate voterecount in the presence of the top threecandidates - Mirlande Manigat, JudeCelestin and Michel Martelly - andinternational observers.

The announcement follows violentdemonstrations by supporters of MrMartelly, the third-placed candidate.

He alleges the count was rigged todeny him a second-round run-offplace.

The Provisional Election Councilsaid it had "decided to immediatelylaunch a rapid and exceptional processto verify at the counting centre the tallysheets linked to the 2010 presidentialelections".

More than half of the 19candidates in the ballot on 28November have been calling for theresult to be annulled.

The strongest protests have comefrom supporters of pop star MrMartelly, known to his supporters as"Sweet Micky," who was widelyexpected to go through to the secondround.

The results announced on Tuesdaynight gave 31% to the former first lady,Ms Manigat, with the governing partycandidate, Mr Celestin, in second placewith 22%.

Mr Martelly came third with 21%,about 6,800 votes short of Mr Celestin.

Burning barricadesViolence erupted almost

immediately after the results weremade public.

Thousands of supporters of MrMartelly took to the streets of thecapital, Port-au-Prince, setting upburning barricades and clashing withUN peacekeepers.

On Wednesday both theheadquarters of the governing party inPort-au-Prince and the internationalairport were closed because of theunrest.

There was also violence in several

other cities.OnWednesday Mr Martelly urged

his supporters to hold only non-violentprotests.

He accused the electioncommission of "plunging the countryinto crisis with its incorrect results".

The outgoing president RenePreval appealed for calm and defendedthe result.

Mr Celestin is widely seen as MrPreval's hand-picked successor.

Most observers said the first roundof voting was grossly mismanaged,with widespread irregularities.

The US embassy said on Tuesdayit was concerned the results were"inconsistent"with vote counts around thecountry.

The run-off is due to take place on 16January.

A successful election is seen ascrucial to establishing an effectivegovernment in Haiti after years ofinstability.

Whoever becomespresidentwill facethe task of rebuilding the country after thedevastating earthquake that killed around230,000 people last January, as well asbattling a cholera epidemic.

Haiti orders recount of disputed presidential election

Posters of unpopular candidate Jude Celestinburn during protests last week

Haitians run down a street setting fires and shouting slogans against the Government and inreaction to the results of fraud-ridden Presidential elections

Former cabinet minister Elizabeth Thompson is joining theUnited Nations in New York as an executive coordinator for thenext global conference on sustainable development.

The announcement was madelast week at UN headquartersin New York by Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UNSecretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who also announced that BriceLalond, a former Minister of the Environment for France, wouldalso be an executive coordinator for the conference to be held inBrazil in 2012.

Thompson, who served in several ministerial positions,including health, energy, housing and the environment during theOwen Arthur Administration, is to be the executive coordinatorfor the South for the world’s developing countries, while Lalondwill serve as the coordinator for the North, the rich nations ofEurope, North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand andAustralia.

Thompson’s position is at the level of an assistant secretary-general of the world body, perhaps the highest position aBarbadian and a person from the Eastern Caribbean has ever occupied.

“I consider it an honour and a privilege to have been chosen by the United Nations for thisposition and I will certainly do my best to represent the interests of Barbados, the Caribbean andthe other nations of the South in this very important position,” Thompson told theWeekend Nation.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity for someone from a small country such as Barbados.”Earlierthis year, Thompson was backed by Barbados and its Caribbean neighbours, along with the othermembers of theAlliance of Small Island States, AOSIS, for the position of executive secretary ofthe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, but after reaching the final roundof candidates, Christiana Figueres of Costa Rica was chosen for the job which, like the ExecutiveCoordinator from the South, is also at the assistant secretary’s level.

UN sources said that Thompson’s “outstanding performance” during the selection processand the round of interviews for the previous post put her on track for this newly created positionwhich is based at UN headquarters in New York.

Former BarbadosCabinet minister lands top UN job

Elizabeth Thompson

American low-cost carrier AirTran Airways is to launchdaily services between Bermuda and Washington andGeorgia next year, Transport Minister Terry Lister hasannounced.

He said flights from Baltimore will run from April 7to October 24 next year, and from Atlanta from May 26to September 6 and that would make Bermuda availableto 45 cities throughout AirTran’s network.

“I trust that this new service will be a success andthat AirTran will continue to serve Bermuda’s residentsand visitors for many years to come,” Lister said.

Tourism Minister Patrice Minors said AirTran is oneof the top three low-cost carriers and that Atlanta,Baltimore and Washington, DC are all key targetmarkets for the island.

“By offering a new, non-stop air service this spring,AirTran will help make Bermuda a convenient andappealing international destination in the cities it servicesand beyond.

“And with this latest addition, Bermuda’sunprecedented expansion of airline service continues tobe the envy of our surrounding region,” she added.

Low cost carrier tostart daily service

to Bermuda

CARIBBEAN NEWSPage 34


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following jobs;

GardenerRequirements: Fluent in Italian,

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Work could stop at governmentcorporations and companies across thecountry next week, union leaders havethreatened. The threat was issued Wednesday

during a rally at the BahamasCommunications and Public OfficersUnion Hall on Farrington Road, at theend of the second day of industrialaction by hundreds of BahamasTelecommunications Company (BTC)workers. The unions representing BTC

workers are objecting to thegovernment’s plan to sell 51 percent ofthe company to Cable and WirelessCommunications (CWC). President of the Bahamas

Communications and Public OfficersUnion (BCPOU) Bernard Evansintimated that all of the publiccorporations would come together nextWednesday to publicly protest the saleof BTC. Evans said the BCPOU is

scheduled to appear in court nextTuesday in relation to what thegovernment called an illegal work

stoppage. "I think the House (of Assembly)

meets on the 15th. The 14th is the eve,”he said. "You think the nation will be ready

for something on the 15th - you thinkwe ready for the 15th?" Evans did a roll call of all of the

unions present at the rally, pointing outthe Bahamas Union of Teachers(BUT), the Bahamas Hotel Cateringand Allied Workers Union(BHCAWU), the Bahamas PublicService Union (BPSU) and theNational Congress of Trade Unions ofThe Bahamas (NCTUB). He called them all to action and to

stand with BCPOU against thegovernment's impending deal withCWC. BUT President Belinda Wilson

shouted to Evans that he should tell herunion when he is ready for the BUT tojoin any action. President of the Airport, Airline

and Allied Workers Union NelereneHarding added, “No water, no light, noflight.” It was a clear reference to

possible action being taken by theunions of the Water and SewerageCorporation, the Bahamas ElectricityCorporation and Bahamasair. The unions all had representatives

at the rally, which was attended byhundreds of workers. Newly-elected President of the

NCTUB Jennifer Isaacs-Dotsoncontended a revolution was at hand inThe Bahamas. According to her, years have

passed since trade unions have cometogether for a single cause like they didyesterday. "The people now have to rise up,”

she said. “It's time to take our countryback. We elected the members ofParliament to represent our interests.

"We think it is in the best interestof the government to tear up that MOU(Memorandum of Understanding itsigned with CWC)." It was unclear whether further

action would continue today amongBTC workers. Evans told them toreturn to work. BTC unions have had strong

support from affiliate unions since theaction started on Monday. The managers and line staff unions

of the National Insurance Board haveplanned a sick-out today that couldpotentially cripple operations at all ofits locations throughout NewProvidence, The Nassau Guardian haslearned.

It was unclear up to press timeexactly why NIB’s unionizedemployees were planning industrialaction, however, one manager at thecompany said employees wanted toshow solidarity for the workers at BTC. Isaacs-Dotson said the unions

would be calling on the public and theentire country to support them.

“We’re making history out heretoday and so we’re asking everybodyin the country to stand - to stand withthe NCTUB, to stand with BCPOU,”she said. “A revolution will happen inthe country and I think the time isnow.”

The unions are adamant thatcontrol of BTC should remain in thehands of Bahamians.

Threat of national strike in The Bahamas over sale of telephone company

The Royal Cayman Islands Polcie Service has issued a generalpublic advisory about the use of a substance often called 'the daterape drug' at social gatherings. The warning came after police received a number of

unconfirmed reports from people who believed their drinks hadbeen spiked with the drug Rohypnol. The Caymanian Compass has also received a few such

reports, mainly from patrons of bars located along the Seven MileBeach area within the past few months. Rohypnol, often called 'roofies', is a powerful sedative that

depresses the central nervous system and can cause a person tobecome unconscious. It has been used in numerous instances of'date rape' cases in North America. Rohypnol can also cause memory loss and decreases a

person’s resistance when combined with alcohol. When placedin a drink, Rohypnol dissolves quickly and takes effect withinminutes. Other common symptoms are dizziness, confusion,

decreased blood pressure and urine retention.

The police advisory asks that people remain alert in order toavoid becoming a victim, especially leading up to activitiesassociated with Christmas and New Year celebrations.Royal Cayman Islands Police Superintendent Marlon

Bodden advises that several precautionary measures can be taken: • Stay aware and alert at all times • Be wary about accepting drinks from anyone you don’t

know well or long enough to trust • If you are accepting a drink, make sure it’s from an

unopened container and that you open it yourself • Don’t put your drink down and leave it unattended, even to

go to the restroom • Notify other persons you know about the effects of

dangerous drugs particularly ‘Rohypnol’ • If you think that you have been a victim, notify the

authorities and seek professional medical help immediately. To date, police said there has not been any medical evidence

to support various suspicions of Rohypnol drugging, and therehas not been any seizure of drug locally.

Cayman Islandspolice issue date rape drug alert

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The first signs that the flu season is upon us havearrived, says the CDC (Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention). In some states, forexample Georgia, reported cases of flu havesuddenly risen so rapidly that state authorities arereferring to a "regional outbreak". It seems thatthe virus strains identified so far closely matchthose used in this year's vaccinations, which isgood news for those who had the jab.The CDC has announced December 5 to 11th

as National Influenza Vaccination Week. The aimis to stress the importance of vaccinations and toget as many people as possible immunized.In a communiqué, the CDC wrote:"National Influenza Vaccination Week

provides an opportunity for public healthprofessionals, health care professionals, healthadvocates, communities, and families fromacross the country to work together to promoteflu vaccination before the traditional winter peakin flu activity."During the 2010-2011 flu season, three

influenza strains are expected to be present.Health authorities say every person aged 6months or more should be vaccinated. Having theflu jab does not only protect you, but also thosearound you.

The three flu strains that will be circulatingduring the current/coming flu season, accordingto the CDCs' Advisory Committee onImmunization Practices, are:• An A/H3N2 strain• A B strain• The H1N1 (2009) pandemic strain, which for awhile was informally termed "swine flu"The current vaccine protects against these

three strains. The CDC says 160 vaccines havebeen distributed throughout the USA.Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon

General of the U.S. Public Health Service andCDC's Director of the National Center forImmunization and Respiratory Diseases, said:"The new vaccination recommendation

shows the importance of preventing the flu ineveryone. People who do not get vaccinated aretaking two risks: first, they are placingthemselves at risk for the flu, including apotentially long and serious illness, and second,if they get sick, they are also placing their closecontacts at risk for influenza."Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H.,Assistant

Secretary for Health, said:"The bottom line is, anyone - even healthy

people - can get sick from the flu. Lead the wayto better health for all by getting your flu shot."

The CDC says that the National InfluenzaVaccination Week must engage at-risk audiences- people who have not yet been immunized,individuals who are hesitant or unsure whetherhaving the jab is good for them.

Signs of flu season upon us, CDC officials announce

LONDON – Hundreds of protestersclashed with police in front of theBritish parliament in central Londonon Thursday ahead of a vote onuniversity tuition fees which will testthe strength of the coalitiongovernment.Demonstrators threw missiles and

placards at police in the square in frontof parliament. Mounted police thentried to break up the crowd inincreasingly chaotic scenes.Police said they had attempted to

contain protesters in the square afterflares, snooker balls and paint ballswere thrown at them. The protesterstried to push the police back usingmetal barriers.Commentators said the vote was

the biggest challenge faced by thecoalition during its seven months inoffice."The vote on tuition fees will be

the first ... acid test of how thecoalition holds together," said BenPage, chief executive of pollsters IpsosMORI.The honeymoon is over for the

coalition parties, he said, but securingrecovery from recession is voters'biggest worry."Tuition fees may be a storm in a

teacup ... the state of the economy isabsolutely the issue," Page said.Inside parliament, the government

defended the plans ahead of the voteon an issue which has divided the

coalition and already sparked violentprotests in London last month.The bill is expected to pass in a

vote on Thursday evening, but somemembers of the Liberal Democrats, thejunior partner in the Conservative-ledcoalition, were expected to oppose it.A handful of Conservatives may

also rebel.Some protesters accused the police

of being heavy handed."The police have been antagonistic

in their approach to the demo.Everyone knows that if you compressa group of people they get nervous anda lot of people are frightened," saidElizia Volkmann, 39, an artist from

London."There are many young people

here under 17."Police said they had made three

arrests and that two officers had beeninjured, one of them with a seriousneck injury after being knockedunconscious. A Reuters photographerwas taken to hospital after he was hit inthe face by a rock.University students and school

pupils have staged a series of protestsin recent weeks, with hundreds ofdemonstrators arrested and a buildinghousing the Conservative Partyheadquarters being attacked.The government has made cutting

a record peacetime budget deficit itspriority and government departmentshave to reduce spending by some 19percent over the next four years.Business Secretary Vince Cable,

who is a Liberal Democrat andresponsible for higher education, toldparliament the plan was progressiveand would maintain high qualityuniversities.However, Greg Mulholland, a

fellow Liberal Democrat, toldparliament he would vote against it,saying it was not the fairest and mostsustainable way of funding highereducation.The government plans to allow

universities in England to chargestudents fees of up to 9,000 pounds($14,100) per year -- almost treble thecurrent limit, as it cuts state funding forhigher education as part of an austerityprogram.The Liberal Democrats have

angered their many young supportersand have been accused of betrayal forbreaking a pre-election pledge tooppose an increase in fees.Some commentators say the

student protests could be a prelude towider unrest as austerity measures startto bite and hundreds of thousands ofjobs are lost in the public sector."I'm a public sector worker and I

think it's about more than just tuitionfees; it's about showing people areangry with the way the government aregoing about reducing the deficit," saidHenry Trew, one of the protesters.

Clashes as UK parliament debates student fees

Student protests: a demonstrator kicks in windows at Millbank.

Diondra Reynolds, 6, gets a flu shot in Detroit

WORLD NEWSPage 36


Eleven months into his 2nd year inoffice, Barack Obama granted his firstpresidential pardons. They went to 9individuals for offenses ranging fromconspiracy to distribute cocaine tomutilation of coins.

His first acts of ExecutiveClemency were announced in a pressrelease from the Justice Department,home to the Office of the PardonAttorney which processes andassesses requests for pardons - andthen makes recommendations to thepresident.

The announcement contained nostatement or explanation from Mr.Obama as to why he pardoned the 9men and women selected, but WhiteHouse spokesman Reid Cherlin wasready with an explanation:

“The president was moved by thestrength of the applicants' post-conviction efforts at atonement, aswell as their superior citizenship andindividual achievements in the yearssince their convictions.”

The convictions of those pardoneddate as far back as 1960 when RussellJames Dixon of Clayton, Georgia wassentenced to two years probation forconviction of moonshining: felonyliquor law violation. The pardon clearshis record and restores any rights andprivileges denied him upon hisconviction.

Four of the convictions are forcocaine-related crimes including

“wrongful use” and “conspiracy todistribute.”Other pardons were granted toindividuals convicted of:• Illegal possession of governmentproperty• Conspiracy to defraud the U.S.Government• Mutilation of coins• Passing counterfeit obligations orsecurities.

In granting pardons, Mr. Obama isacting under the authority granted himby Article 2, Section 2 of theConstitution which assigns him“Power to Grant Reprieves andPardons for Offences against theUnited States, except in Cases ofImpeachment.”

It's the same part of theConstitution that also designates thepresident as commander-in-chief.Pardons are absolute, except that apresident may rescind one, as Mr.Bush did in 2008 when he concludedhe granted a pardon in error.

Mr. Obama had come under somecriticism in recent weeks for not yethaving granted pardons to anyonebefore today but the NationalThanksgiving Turkeys.

Former U.S. Pardon AttorneyMargaret Colgate Love went publicwith criticism that in failing to havegranted any clemency to date, Mr.Obama was overlooking “thousandsof ordinary people living productive

and law-abiding lives... disqualifiedfrom opportunities and benefitsbecause of a conviction record thatmay be decades old.”

Love said such people had"earned the second chance that apardon represents."

In addition to the 9 pardonsgranted today, government recordsshow Mr. Obama has also denied 131pardon requests of 551 received sincehe took office.

Among his post-war predecessors,the fewest pardons were granted byPresident George H.W. Bush, 74, andthe most by Harry Truman, 1,913.

Here is the complete list of thepardons granted today by Mr. Obama:• James Bernard Banks - Liberty,Utah: Offense: Illegal possession ofgovernment property; 18 U.S.C. ?641.Sentence: Oct. 31, 1972; District ofUtah; two years of probation.• Russell James Dixon - Clayton, Ga.Offense: Felony liquor law violation;Sentence: June 23, 1960; NorthernDistrict of Georgia; two years ofprobation.• Laurens Dorsey - Syracuse, N.Y.Offense: Conspiracy to defraud theUnited States by making falsestatements to the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration: five years of probationand $71,000 restitution.• Ronald Lee Foster - Beaver Falls,

Penn. Offense: Mutilation of coinsSentence: Oct. 4, 1963; one year ofprobation and $20 fine.• Timothy James Gallagher -Navasota, Texas Offense: Conspiracyto distribute and possess with intent todistribute cocaine Sentence: Oct. 18,1982; three years of probation.• Roxane Kay Hettinger - PowderSprings, Ga. Offense: Conspiracy todistribute cocaine; Sentence: March31, 1986; 30 days in jail followed bythree years of probation.• Edgar Leopold Kranz Jr. - Minot,N.D. Offense: Wrongful use ofcocaine, adultery and writing threeinsufficient fund checks; Sentence:Sept. 14, 1994, as approved Nov. 4,1994; General court-martial convenedat HickamAir Force Base, Hawaii; badconduct discharge (suspended), 24months of confinement and reductionto pay grade E-1.• Floretta Leavy - Rockford, Ill.Offense: Distribution of cocaine,conspiracy to distribute cocaine,possession of marijuana with intent todistribute, and possession of cocainewith intent to distribute; 21 U.S. C. ??841(a)(1), (a)(2) and 846, 18 U.S.C. ?2. Sentence: Oct. 19, 1984; District ofKansas; one year and one day in prisonand three years of special parole.• Scoey Lathaniel Morris - Crosby,Texas Offense: Passing counterfeitobligations or securities; 18 U.S.C. ??472 and 2. Sentence: May 21, 1999;Western District of Texas; three yearsof probation and $1,200 restitution,jointly and severally.

Obama grants first pardons

DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUN WORLD NEWSPage 37

Democrats in the House ofRepresentatives defied PresidentBarack Obama on Thursday, rejectinga tax deal he struck with Republicansand complicating efforts to extend taxbreaks that run out in three weeks.

House Democrats voted at ameeting in Congress against hisproposal and called for changes toprovisions that they say are toogenerous for the wealthiest 2 percent ofAmericans.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who hasbeen a key ally of the White House,joined the rebellion against the taxplan, vowing to prevent the Housefrom voting on it.

But there was still strong supportin Congress for the proposal and timefor lawmakers to negotiate acompromise.

Obama wants to extend allindividual income tax cuts for twoyears, in addition to extending joblessbenefits, enacting a payroll tax cut andother measures.

Economists say the deal couldboost the sluggish economy at a timewhen Congress has no further appetitefor spending-based stimulus efforts.

But Democrats say the deal is toogenerous to wealthier Americans andbond markets have also balked,concerned that more tax cuts will dig adeeper hole in the $1.3 trillion budgetdeficit.

Prices for U.S. Treasury bonds roseearly on Thursday after a two-day sell-off fueled by fears that the tax dealwould worsen the federal government'sfiscal prospects. But Treasuries priceslater erased gains.

DEMOCRATS UPSETThe House Democrats are

particularly upset at an extension of taxbreaks for wealthier Americans and agenerous estate tax.

"The Democratic caucus resolvesthat in its current form the tax packageshould not come to the floor of theHouse for consideration," read aresolution approved by the Democrats.

Obama has tacked to the center andcompromised with the Republicansafter his party lost heavily atcongressional elections in November.

"If the idea is that this is a take-it-or-leave-it deal, I think the president'sgoing to realize there are going to be alot of Democrats who are going to bevoting no," Democratic RepresentativeAnthony Weiner earlier told ABC.

But fellow Democrats in the

Senate were drafting legislativelanguage behind closed doors, andcould begin debating it later in the day,moving the tax bill forward.

Senate Democratic Leader HarryReid said the chamber may hold a voteon Saturday on the legislation.

The tax plan could boost growthfrom a half to a whole percentage pointnext year, create millions of jobs andlessen demand for the Federal Reserveto boost its bond-purchasing stimulusprogram, according to various analyses.

It also would worsen budgetdeficits at a time when voters areincreasingly worried about record levelsof U.S. debt. The plan would cost $700billion for two years, according to aSenate Republican aide, although otherestimates have put the total cost as highas $1 trillion.

Democrats defy Obama, tell him to rethink taxes

Contraband cellphones arebecoming so prevalent inCalifornia prisons that guards can'tkeep them out of the hands of themost notorious and violentinmates: Even Charles Manson,orchestrator of one of the mostnotorious killing rampages in U.S.history, was caught with an LGflip phone under his prisonmattress.

Manson made calls and senttext messages to people inCalifornia, New Jersey, Floridaand British Columbia beforeofficers discovered the phone, saidTerry Thornton, a spokeswomanfor the California Department ofCorrections.

Asked whether Manson had used the device to direct anyoneto commit a crime or to leave a threatening message, Thorntonsaid, "I don't know, but it's troubling that he had a cellphone sincehe's a person who got other people to murder on his behalf."

Although officials say inmates use smuggled cellphones forall manner of criminal activity, including running drug rings frombehind bars, intimidating witnesses and planning escapes, it is nota crime to possess one in a California prison.

In August, President Obama signed a bill banning cellphonesfrom federal prisons and making it a crime, punishable by up to ayear in jail, to smuggle one in. That law does not apply to stateinstitutions.

The proliferation of cellphones in California prisons has beenexponential in recent years, authorities say. Guards found 1,400in 2007, when the department began to keep records ofconfiscations. The number jumped to 6,995 in 2009 and stands at8,675 so far this year.

The phones show up in minimum security work camps as wellas in the most heavily guarded administrative segregation units —whose residents include gang leaders confined to their cells aroundthe clock except for brief stints when they're allowed to pacearound metal cages in the prison yards.

Prisoners and supplies coming into those units are searched,but inmates sometimes hide devices in their body cavities, officialssaid.

There have also been state-documented cases of guardsbringing phones into prisons. An inspector general's report lastyear noted that the phones fetch up to $1,000 each and highlightedthe case of a corrections officer who made $150,000 in a singleyear by supplying the devices to inmates. He was fired, the reportsaid. Criminal charges were not an option.

CONTRABANDCELLPHONES

PREVALENT IN PRISONEven Charles Manson had one

Charles Manson

NEW YORK – Morethan half of Americanswill have diabetes or beprediabetic by 2020 at acost to the U.S. healthcare system of $3.35trillion if current trends goon unabated, according toanalysis of a new reportreleased on Tuesday byhealth insurerUnitedHealth Group Inc.

Diabetes andprediabetes will accountfor an estimated 10percent of total health carespending by the end of thedecade at an annual cost ofalmost $500 billion -- upfrom an estimated $194 billion this year,according to the report titled "The UnitedStates of Diabetes: Challenges andOpportunities in the Decade Ahead."

The average annual health care costs in2009 for a person with known diabetes wereabout $11,700 compared with about $4,400for the non-diabetic public, according tonew data in the report drawn from 10 millionUnitedHealthcare members.

The average annual cost nearly doublesto $20,700 for a person with complicationsrelated to diabetes, the report said.Complications related to diabetes caninclude heart and kidney disease, nervedamage, blindness and circulatory problemsthat can lead to wounds that will not healand limb amputations.

Diabetes, which is reaching epidemicproportions and is one of the fastest-growingdiseases in the United States, currentlyaffects about 26 million Americans.

Another 67 million Americans areestimated to have prediabetes, which maynot have any obvious symptoms. More than60 million Americans are unaware that theyhave the condition, according toUnitedHealth.

People with prediabetes have higherthan normal blood sugar levels, but not yethigh enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.Prediabetics often have other risk factors,such as overweight, high blood pressure andhigh cholesterol.

The 52-page UnitedHealth report alsofocuses on the growing obesity epidemic asthat condition is a leading cause of diabetes.

The authors of the report contend theskyrocketing cost forecasts are notinevitable, however, if the crisis is tackledaggressively, including early intervention toprevent prediabetes from becomingdiabetes.

"Because diabetes follows a progressivecourse, often starting with obesity and thenmoving to prediabetes, there are multipleopportunities to intervene early on andprevent this devastating disease before it'stoo late," Deneen Vojta, senior vicepresident of the UnitedHealth Center forHealth Reform & Modernization, said in astatement.

"What is now needed is concerted,national, multi-stakeholder action," SimonStevens, chairman of the UnitedHealthCenter for Health Reform &Modernization,said in a statement.

"Making a major impact on theprediabetes and diabetes epidemic willrequire health plans to engage consumers innew ways, while working to scale nationallysome of the most promising preventive caremodels." Stevens added.

If solutions for tackling the epidemicoffered in the report were adopted broadlyand scaled nationally it could lead to costsavings of up to $250 billion over the next10 years, according to the UnitedHealthanalysis.

Half of Americansfacing diabetes by 2020

Diabetes and prediabetes will account for an estimated 10 percent of totalhealth care spending

WORLD NEWSPage 38


MasterCard is buying the prepaidcash-card business of foreignexchange group Travelex for 290million pounds ($459 million),boosting its presence in a fast-growingfinancial services segment.

The deal is MasterCard's secondeffort this year to expand itsinternational and emerging marketbusiness, where it has more room tocompete against arch-rival Visa Inc.Both companies are also trying to gaina foothold in the small, but high-growth prepaid market, which offersthem new business from consumerswho use cash and checks to shop.

Prepaid cards are especiallypopular with lower-income or"underbanked" consumers, many ofwhom cannot qualify for credit cardsor use traditional bank accounts. TheTravelex unit specializes in a differentprepaid niche -- cards for overseas

travelers who can use them instead oftravelers' checks -- but MasterCardsaid it plans to expand Travelex'sofferings.

The deal will "be an importantdriver for our growth in the wholeprepaid arena," especially outside ofthe United States, MasterCard ChiefExecutive Ajay Banga said during aconference call with investors andreporters on Thursday.

Prepaid cards are one of the fastestgrowing segments of the financialservices industry. MasterCard forecastprepaid volumes would reach morethan $840 billion by 2017.

The Travelex "cash passports" areseen as more secure and moreconvenient than traditional travelers'checks, MasterCard executives said.They also allow consumers to lock ingood foreign exchange rates when theybuy them, instead of withdrawing

money once they travel and beingsubjected to currency fluctuations.

MasterCard does not plan toexpand the Travelex offerings in theUnited States, where it already workswith dominant prepaid card marketerssuch as Green Dot and NetSpend.

"There are a lot of strong programmanagers" in the United States, but"the fact that this business has such astrong cross-border global footprintmeans that we can really drive theopportunities outside the U.S.,"MasterCard Chief Product Officer TimMurphy told Reuters in an interview onThursday.

The Travelex deal is MasterCard'ssecond bid this year to buy wideraccess to international markets. It paid$520 million in October for the Britishonline payment services companyDataCash, and like Visa, has said itplans to continue looking foracquisition targets.

The world's second-largest credit-and debit-card company said thetransaction would be 4 cents dilutive toits 2011 earnings per share as a resultof amortization and integration costs. Itadded it could pay an extra 35 millionpounds if the business meets certainperformance targets.

For Travelex, the transactionprovides it with extra cash for its ownexpansion plans.

The deal will not change theshareholding structure of Travelex,majority-owned by private equitygroup Apax and often touted as apotential candidate for a listing.

Travelex founder Lloyd Dorfman,who set up the company in 1976, alsohas a significant stake in the group.

Travelex reported a 3 percent dipin first-half earnings in September,saying at the time it was confident itsfull-year profit would be higher than in2009.

MasterCard buys Travelex prepaid unit for $459 million

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FEMALE SECURITY GUARDMust have 5 years experienceWilling to work 12 hours shiftSalary $5.00

UPS CO-ORDINATORDirect/Co-ordinate the UPS officeImplement company procedures as it relates to Sales, Promotions, Advertising and StockControlProducing invoices, overseeing daily operationCommunication with head office in Miami, to review the performance of the business hereMonitoring / reviewing all packages in and out of the officeFiling / sorting company recordsMUST HAVE General customer service skills Account knowledge Sales Experience Good relationship with people Excellent leadership skills

Positions require the following: Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking. Good communication skills and team player Detail oriented & organized individual Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays. Clean police record Able to work under pressureBelongers need only apply.Interested persons should apply to [email protected] or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040.No phone call please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.

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SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYSTDuties and ResponsibilitiesThe Senior Research Analyst is responsible for managing ongoing researchand evaluation, preparation of reportsAnd overall strategic planning for the company.Duties will include the following:• Overseeing research projects• Writing reports (e.g. research studies, feasibility studies, cost benefitanalyses)• Summarizing and explaining research findings and their implications andpreparing findings for publication• Managing the collection of quantitative and qualitative data (compiling,summarizing and analyzing data)• Designing and conducting surveys• Strategic planning and operations management

Qualifications• MSc or MA degree in a quantitative discipline (biostatistics, statistics,econometrics or equivalent)• 10+ years of experience with at least 5 years conducting research andanalysis in biotechnology or the health sciences• Experience using statistical software such as SAS, SPSS or Stata• Experience designing and conducting surveys• Excellent presentation skills• Advanced MS Office• Degree or diploma in finance or accountancy would be an assetThe position will be based in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but someinternational travel will be required.Please email all applications to [email protected] c/o RyanJones. Successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview.

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Facebook and Twitter deleted theaccounts of cyber activists whotargeted Visa and other Internetpayment sites that sought to block theWikiLeaks website after its release ofU.S. diplomatic cables.

Facebook confirmed it hadremoved the activists' OperationPayback site on Thursday because itwas promoting a distributed denial ofservice attack -- an illegal form offreezing websites. Twitter declined tocomment.

The swoop against OperationPayback's self-described campaignersfor Internet freedom followed theironline attacks on credit card giantslike Visa and MasterCard.

The campaign reappeared onTwitter later in the Europeanafternoon using another account.Experts said the outages were unlikelyto have much effect on the pro-WikiLeaks cyber campaign asactivists were using separatechatrooms to organize.

A representative of one of thegroups involved in the onlinecampaign said on Thursday that morecyber attacks in reprisal for attemptsto block the WikiLeaks website werelikely.

On Thursday, supporters ofWikiLeaks were plotting attacks ononline payment service PayPal andother perceived enemies of thepublisher, which has angered U.S.authorities by starting to releasedetails of 250,000 confidential cables.

Amazon was also cited as a target."The campaign is not over from

what I've seen, it's still going strong.More people are joining," aspokesman calling himself

"Coldblood" told BBC Radio 4. Thespeaker, who had an English accent,said he was aged 22 and was asoftware engineer.

NEITHER "VIGILANTES"NOR "TERRORISTS"

"Anonymous has targeted mainlycompanies which have decided forwhatever reason not to deal withWikiLeaks. Some of the main targetsinvolve Amazon, MasterCard, Visaand PayPal."

The websites of credit-card giantsMasterCard and Visa have alreadybeen brought down throughdistributed denial-of-service attacksthat temporarily disable computerservers by bombarding them withrequests.

In a statement on Thursday,MasterCard said although there was alimited interruption of some onlineservices, cardholders could continueusing cards for transactionsworldwide. Its main processingsystems were not compromised, thestatement said.

AnonOps also claimedresponsibility for bringing down VisaInc's site, which was temporarilyunavailable in the United States, butlater restored.

In an online letter, Anonymoussaid its activists were neithervigilantes nor terrorists. It added: "Thegoal is simple: Win the right to keepthe Internet free of any control fromany entity, corporation, orgovernment."

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladetsaid the Swedish government'swebsite was down for a short timeovernight in the latest apparent attack.

Sweden has issued an arrestwarrant for WikiLeaks founder JulianAssange over sex crimes and he is injail in London, awaiting an extraditionhearing.

Assange, a 39-year-oldAustralian,has been hailed as an advocate of freespeech by supporters, but now findshimself fighting serious sexualallegations made by two women inSweden.

Assange will have another courtappearance next Tuesday and hissupporters assert he is beingvictimized for his work.

MORE SECRET CABLESRELEASED

In the Internet Relay chat channelwhere activists coordinated theattacks, conversations were short andto the point. Participants asked what

the target should be and reportedprogress. Some bemoaned the fact thatpaypal.com remained up despiteefforts to bring down its transactionsserver.

"The only thing most of theseCEOs understand is the bottom line.You have to hit them in the bankaccount, or not at all," said oneparticipant called Cancer.

WikiLeaks is continuing to drip-feed cables into the public domaindespite the legal woes of its founder.

Those released on Thursdayshowed U.S. diplomats reporting thatthe illicit diamond trade in Zimbabwehad led to the murder of thousands,enriched those close to PresidentRobert Mugabe and been financed inpart by the central bank.

Assange's online supporters hitthe corporate website of MasterCardon Wednesday in reprisal for itsblocking of donations to theWikiLeaks website.

"We are glad to tell you thatwww.mastercard.com/ is down and it'sconfirmed!" said an entry on theTwitter feed of a group calling itselfAnonOps.

"Coldblood" said a battle wasunder way to protect the Internet. "Isee this as becoming a war, but notyour conventional war. This is a warof data. We are trying to keep theInternet free and open for everyone,just the way the Internet always hasbeen," "Coldblood" added.

Assange's main London lawyerhas denied that theWikiLeaks founderordered the attacks.

"It's very hard to get hold ofanyone from WikiLeaks. The only(person) you could really get hold ofwas Julian, but unfortunately he's notavailable at the moment," said"Coldblood."

Facebook deletes pro-WikiLeaks hackers' account

The world is a more corrupt place now than it wasthree years ago, a poll suggests.

Some 56% of people interviewed byTransparency International said their country hadbecome more corrupt.

InAfghanistan, Nigeria, Iraq and India more than50% of people said they had paid a bribe in the pastyear - many of them paying off the police.

Meanwhile, a BBC poll suggests that corruptionis the world's most talked about problem.

About one in five of those polled by the BBCsaid they had discussed issues relating to corruptionwith others in the last month, making it the mosttalked about concern ahead of climate change,poverty, unemployment and rising food and energycosts.

In the Transparency International survey,political parties were regarded as the most corruptinstitutions with 80% of people regarding them ascorrupt.

Political parties also topped the list inTransparency's 2004 barometer, with 71%.

Religious bodies experienced a sharp rise inpeople regarding them as corrupt - 28% in 2004increased to 53% by 2010.

Some 50% of people believed their governmentwas ineffective at tackling the problem of corruption.

'Worrying' trendTransparency flagged up bribery as the major

problem highlighted by the survey, with one in fourof those polled saying they had paid a bribe in thepast year. Some 29% of bribes went to the police,20% to registry and permit officials, and 14% tomembers of the judiciary.

Robin Hodess, Transparency's policy andresearch director, said police involvement in suchtransactions was "really worrying".

"It's a figure that's grown in the past few years.It's nearly doubled, in fact, since 2006. Nearly one inthree people who had contact with the police aroundthe world had to pay a bribe," she said

While people from Cambodia (84%) and Liberia(89%) were the most likely to have to pay a bribe, theDanish respondents reported no bribery.

By region, people in sub-SaharanAfrica were themost likely to have paid a bribe (56%).

Bribe-taking was least common in EU countriesand North America (both 5%) - although these werethe two regions seeing the biggest increase in concernabout corruption.

Analysts blame this rising concern on the globalfinancial crisis for undermining people's faith ingovernment, banks and economic institutions.

The lobby group interviewed 90,000 people in 86countries to compile its corruption barometer.

The opinion poll commissioned by the BBCsampled 13,000 people in 26 nations.

One question asked people to rate which issuesthey saw as most serious.

Corruption was ranked as the second mostimportant topic behind poverty.

Respondents in Brazil, Egypt, Colombia, thePhilippines and Kenya were especially likely to viewcorruption as a very serious issue.

In Europe, Italians were the most concernedabout bribe-taking.

The World is becoming more corrupt, report saysDECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGYPage 40


NEW YORK – Another 17 U.S.billionaires, including Facebook co-founders Mark Zuckerberg and DustinMoskovitz, have pledged to give awayat least half their fortunes in aphilanthropic campaign led byWarrenBuffett and Bill Gates.

A total of 57 billionaires now havejoined The Giving Pledge, which waslaunched by Microsoft founder Gatesand investor Buffett in June. Thecampaign announced the new pledgesin a statement late on Wednesday.

Gates, his wife Melinda, andBuffett have asked U.S. billionaires togive away at least half their wealthduring their lifetime or after theirdeath, and to publicly state theirintention with a letter explaining theirdecision.

The Giving Pledge does notaccept money or tell people how todonate their money but asksbillionaires to make a moralcommitment to give their fortunes tocharity.

"People wait until late in theircareer to give back. But why waitwhen there is so much to be done?"Zuckerberg, who gave $100 million inSeptember to the beleaguered public

schools of Newark, New Jersey, saidin a statement.

"With a generation of youngerfolks who have thrived on the successof their companies, there is a bigopportunity for many of us to giveback earlier in our lifetime and see theimpact of our philanthropic efforts,"he said.

In addition to Zuckerberg andMoskovitz, the world's youngestbillionaires, pledges were made byAOL co-founder Steve Case, financierCarl Icahn and Michael Milken, aformer Wall Street executive who

went to prison in the early 1990s forsecurities violations.

Morningstar Chief Executive JoeMansueto, businessman NicolasBerggruen and private investor TedForstmann also are among the newbillionaires to take the pledges.

"In just a few short months we'vemade good progress," said Buffett,who made his fortune with insuranceand investment company BerkshireHathaway Inc.

"The Giving Pledge has re-energized people thinking aboutphilanthropy and doing things in

philanthropy and I look forward tomany more conversations withfamilies who are truly fortunate andwhose generosity can and will changelives," he said.

Along with speaking to about aquarter of the wealthiest people in theUnited States about The GivingPledge, Gates and Buffett hosted adinner with Chinese billionaires inBeijing in September in a bid topromote a culture of philanthropy inChina. The pair plan to visit India inMarch.

Forbes magazine said the UnitedStates is home to more than 400billionaires, the most of any country.

Individual Americans gave morethan $227 billion in 2009, accordingto the Giving USA report by theCenter on Philanthropy at IndianaUniversity, down just 0.4 percent fromthe previous year despite the U.S.recession.

Buffett pledged in 2006 to giveaway 99 percent of his wealth to theBill & Melinda Gates Foundation andfamily charities. Bill and MelindaGates have so far donated more than$28 billion of their fortune to theirfoundation.

More US billionaires pledge to give away wealth

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz

NEW YORK -- Seven global banking institutionsenabled disgraced financier Bernard Madoff's Ponzischeme by "creating and offering derivativeinvestment products linked to various Madoff feederfunds," a court-appointed trustee allegedWednesday.Trustee Irving Picard announced a lawsuit in federalbankruptcy court in Manhattan that seeks to recovermore than $1 billion from Citibank, Natixis, Fortis,ABN AMRO, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria,Merrill Lynch, and Nomura.

The suit alleges the banks received transfers ofmoney from Madoff's business "through numerousfeeder funds at times when they either knew orshould have known of Madoff's fraud."

Picard said in a release the banks enabled theMadoff Ponzi scheme "by opening a spigot of newmoney into the Madoff feeder fund network, bycreating and offering derivative investment productslinked to various Madoff feeder funds, including theFairfield Greenwich, Kingate and Tremont familiesof funds."

"With the derivative products promising returnsbased on the performance of the feeder funds, thefinancial institutions hedged their exposure to thederivative investors by purchasing shares of thefeeder funds," Picard said in a statement.

Danielle Romero-Apsilos, director of publicaffairs for Citi Institutional Clients Group, said thecompany will defend itself against the claims andcalled them "without merit and entirely untrue."

"Citi did not know about nor in any way assistin the Madoff fraud," she said.

Telephone and e-mail messages requestingcomment from a Merrill Lynch representative werenot immediately returned.

Since pleading guilty to fraud charges in March2009, the 72-year-old Madoff has been serving a

150-year prison sentence. Investigators say Madoffreported to investors in November 2008 that theiroriginal investment of about $20 billion had grownto more than $65 billion when he actually had onlya few hundred million dollars left.

Meanwhile, earlier Wednesday Picard said hisoffice filed papers in a London court seeking torecover at least $80 million from the internationalarm of Madoff's business.

Picard said the lawsuit was filed in UnitedKingdom's High Court of Justice Commercial Courtto recover funds that flowed through MadoffSecurities International Limited, including moneyused to buy luxury goods and services enjoyed bythe Madoff family such as a yacht, a home in thesouth of France and an Aston Martin car.

Picard said defendants in the complaint includeall of the former directors of Madoff's internationalwing, including his brother, Peter, and two sons,Mark and Andrew.

Martin Flumenbaum, an attorney representingMark and Andrew Madoff, called Picard's claimsbaseless, saying the sons were outside directors withinsignificant ownership interests in the internationalbusiness office. "They had no knowledge of theirfather's crimes, including any fraudulent activityrelated to the London entity," he added.

A lawyer for Madoff's brother did notimmediately return a message for comment.

Picard said in a statement that the Londonoperation was part of "Madoff's global shell game."

"Funds stolen in the Ponzi scheme traveledaround the world, but ultimately, ended up in thepockets of Madoff, his family, and confederates,"Picard said.

He called the London office "a critical piece ofthe facade of legitimacy" that Madoff constructed toconceal his lack of trading activity.

He said Madoff told his customers that hisinvestment business conducted trades on the over-the-counter market and after hours and heperiodically transferred tens of millions of dollars tohis London office to support his fraudulentmisrepresentations. The money that was transferredwas never used to buy securities, Picard added.

The court action in London was based oninvestigations by those seeking to recover assets forthousands of investors who lost billions of dollars inMadoff's massive fraud.

The fraud was exposed in December 2008 whenMadoff revealed to his sons and later to the FBI thathe had been running a Ponzi scheme for at least twodecades in which he paid early investors withproceeds from later investors.

Madoff's London office, established in 1983,held a seat on the London International FinancialFutures Exchange and conducted some legitimatetrading activities at times, the Picard's statement said.

The statement said the London court papersaccuse directors of the London office of breachingtheir duties by signing off on false documents andmisrepresenting the true nature of transactions in therecords of the business, thus assisting Madoff in hisoverall scheme.

David J. Sheehan, Picard's legal counsel, said:"All were experienced and sophisticated enough tounderstand what was happening. In addition, his staffincluded employees with accounting and tradingexperience, who clearly had the knowledge to seethrough the fraud. Yet, all complied with Madoff'sschemes and deceptions."

Between 1983 and December 2008, at least$600 million flowed through the London office,with more than $310 million being falsely recordedas trading commissions from London, Picardalleged.

NY trustee sues 7 internationalbanks to recover $1 billion for Madoff investors


British newspaper, the Independent,launched a caustic attack on FIFA’shigh-ranking Trinidadian executivemember Jack Warner after football’sworld governing body rejectedEngland’s bid to host the 2018WorldCup.

Sam Wallace, the newspaper’sfootball correspondent, accusedWarner of promising England the all-important three Concacaf votes andthen failing to deliver during thesecret ballot in Zurich.

Warner, a government ministerin Trinidad and Tobago, is apowerful FIFA vice-president and ispresident of Concacaf, thecontinental governing body for theNorth, Central America andCaribbean region.

His vote was one of 22 on theexecutive committee which helpedhand Russia the 2018 showpiece andsurprisingly award oil-rich Qatar the2022 event.

In recent weeks, Warner hadbeen courted by England PrimeMinister David Cameron; PrinceWilliam, the second in line to theBritish throne and superstar DavidBeckham, the most recognisablefootball face in the country.

However, Englandembarrassingly bowed out in the firstround of voting on Thursdaysecuring just two votes, one of whichis believed to be the country’s bidchairman Geoff Thompson.

“But the English bid teamthought that they could tameWarnerand persuade him to deliver the threeConcacaf votes. By last night theywere coming to terms with the scopeof their political miscalculation,”

Wallace wrote.“England chasedWarner all over

the world, sending Fabio Capello’sEngland team to play Trinidad andTobago in June 2008 in what turnedinto a rally for Warner thepolitician.”

He continued, “They dispatchedBeckham to hold a training campthere and the FA’s top brassconsented to be lectured andharangued byWarner, a man from anisland with virtually no footballhistory, in return for him comingthrough for them at FIFA Houseyesterday. “It will long be regardedas a source of great embarrassmentthat English football ever took(Warner) seriously but thehumiliation he visited on them willnever be forgotten.”

That England faltered in the firstround came as a huge shockespecially since their bid wasrecently rated as the strongest byFIFA’s technical inspection team.

And while Warner had neveropenly pledged his support forEngland, his meetings with thedistinguished members of the biddelegation had raised hopes hewould side with them duringThursday’s vote.

He was invited to lunch byCameron late last month and it wasreported that he met with PrinceWilliam and Beckham during the lastweek.

Only recently, he described theEngland bid “impressive” butacknowledged that there were verystrong proposals from Russia, Spain-Portugal and the Netherlands-Belgium.

Warner blasted overfailed England bid

England’s Prince William, left, makes a last ditch effort to secure Concacaf votes from itspresident Jack Warner in the race for the 2018 World Cup.

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NFL fans seem to have forgivenMichael Vick.

The Philadelphia Eaglesquarterback, just a year and a halfout of prison, is the leading vote-getter in fan balloting for the ProBowl, NFL.com reports.

Vick started the season as abackup to Kevin Kolb but has set theleague on fire since becoming thestarter. He's averaging 249 yardspassing and 52 rushing per game,and he has scored 21 touchdowns.

Vick, who served 18 months infederal prison and was vilified afterbeing convicted on charges related todogfighting, had 729,838 Pro Bowlvotes as of Thursday morning. Heleads the Indianapolis Colts' PeytonManning, who's having a roughseason, by more than 38,000 votesand the New England Patriots' TomBrady by more than 100,000.

"I've made three Pro Bowlsbefore, but this one would definitelymean more than the others," Vick

told The Press of Atlantic City, NewJersey, on Wednesday. "I'm justworking as hard as I can to change

things around."Spending time in prison

changed my life. It was an

unfortunate situation in the past, andI wish could go back and change itall. I wish I could take it all back, butI can't. The only thing I can do ismove forward."

Fan balloting at NFL.com and onFacebook makes up a third of the ProBowl vote. The other two-thirdscome from the coaches and players.Balloting concludes December 20.

The Pro Bowl, the NFL's all-stargame, will be played January 30 inHonolulu, Hawaii.

Even if Vick garners the mostvotes, he won't play in the Pro Bowlif his Eagles reach the Super Bowl,which will be played a week later atCowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Last year's Super Bowl teams,the Colts and the New OrleansSaints, each had seven playersselected; they didn't play in theexhibition.

"As much as I'd love to make thePro Bowl, I don't want to make thetrip," Vick quipped to The Press.

Michael Vick leads Pro Bowl voting

Just a year and a half out of prison, Vick is the leading vote-getter in fan balloting for the Pro Bowl


LEICESTER, England — Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says hehas failed in a bid to sign former England midfielder David Beckham fromthe Los Angeles Galaxy.

Eriksson, whose team is in the bottom half of the English league's secondtier, says he spoke to David's agent to see if there was a chance.

The Galaxy have said Beckham won't be able to go on loan during theMLS offseason after he was injured during a stint at AC Milan in March.

Beckham, who will be entering the final year of his Galaxy contractwhen the MLS season resumes in March, was captain of England whenEriksson was in charge of the team from 2001-06.

Eriksson Fails in Bid toSign Beckham

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Andy Roddick isreturning to the U.S. Davis Cup team in 2011after skipping the event this year.

In a statement released Thursday by theU.S. TennisAssociation, Roddick calls winningthe Davis Cup a "top priority" and says hethinks it's something players "should committo for the entire season and not when it isconvenient."

The United States and new coach JimCourier will play at Chile in the first roundMarch 4-6.

Roddick is a former No. 1-ranked playerand the 2003 U.S. Open champion. He is 31-11 in Davis Cup play, trailing only JohnMcEnroe's 41 for most singles victories.Roddick helped the U.S. win the 2007 title.

ANDY RODDICK RETURNINGTO DAVIS CUP IN 2011

Andy Roddick

DECEMBER 10TH- DECEMBER 17TH, 2010 TURKS AND CAICOS SUN WORLD SPORTSPage 45

ORLANDO, Fla. — Armed with alucrative contract proposal from theYankees, Cliff Lee’s agent left thewinter meetingsWednesday afternoonto fly back toArkansas to consult withhis most coveted client. In relatednews, Brian Cashman, the team’sgeneral manager, said he felt like“Hannibal Lecter in a straitjacket”while he waited for a decision.

It’s kind of restricting mymovements a little bit,” Cashman said.

The Yankees have moved forwardon other fronts, but Lee iscommanding their attention. Thatattention increased when it was widelyreported late Wednesday that thespeedy outfielder Carl Crawford hadagreed to a long-term deal with theBoston Red Sox.

The Yankees proved their interestin Lee with some mighty financialbacking Wednesday, offering him asix-year deal worth about $140million. Cashman acknowledged onlythat an offer was presented, but abaseball official with knowledge of thediscussions confirmed the terms.

The contract would vault Lee pasthis close friend C. C. Sabathia tocollect the highest annual salary for astarter. TheYankees signed Sabathia toa seven-year, $161 million contract in2008, but they view Johan Santana’ssix-year, $137.5 million deal with theMets in 2008 as more of a guideline intheir current discussions.

Cashman would not say whether itwas the Yankees’ best offer, or if itcould grow if another team counteredwith an equally strong or betterproposal. The signing of Crawfordcould encourage the Yankees toimprove their offer because they haveless of a fallback option in case Leedecides to sign elsewhere.

“I never have a problem knockingon Hal’s door and asking for moremoney,” said Cashman, referring toHal Steinbrenner, the organization’smanaging general partner. “I have aproblem sometimes with Hal sayingyes. I know my title is generalmanager, but I consider myself thedirector for spending for the NewYorkYankees. I don’t make it, I spend it.”

The Texas Rangers are consideredthe Yankees’ main challenger for Lee.Texas has told Lee’s agent, DarekBraunecker, that it wants to know whatit will take to sign Lee rather thansubmit a counteroffer. The Rangershope to hear by the weekend whatthose terms would be.

“We don’t want to get into abidding war,” the Rangers presidentNolan Ryan said. “We need to find out

where we are and not let things lingerany further than they need to. We wantto know what it will take to keep him.I think Cliff and Kristen and theirfamily have enjoyed their time hereand I think our club and communityfits their lifestyle.”

Cashman said he had no sense ofwhen a resolution might be reached.Braunecker surely had a better read onwhich teams were interested — andhow much they were willing to spend— before he got here. He brokered twolong-term deals forA. J. Burnett at pastwinter meetings, in 2005 with Torontoand in 2008 with the Yankees, andCashman said the Burnett negotiationsproceeded at a deliberate pace twoyears ago because they were engagedin a bidding war with Atlanta.

Braunecker is ostensibly taking a

more unhurried approach this yearbecause he knows that no other starterson the free-agent market compare toLee. Interested teams are unlikely tomove on until Lee signs.

“If it takes time, so be it,” saidCashman, who last month visited Leein Arkansas and said he was open toanother face-to-face meeting if itwould mean completing a deal. Headded: “He’s somebody worth waitingfor. We certainly hope that he picksus.”

If Lee does not, the Yankees haveexplored other avenues, engagingCrawford in a dinner meeting Tuesday.But now that Crawford has reportedlyagreed to a seven-year, $142 milliondeal with Boston, Cashman may haveto become more creative in the trademarket.

“You look at all the pieces that areout there, and you make decisions,”Manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.“Does it fit with your team, or doesn’tit fit with your team? Does it make ourteam better? Because sometimes yourPlan A doesn’t go according to plan,and you go to something else.”

The Yankees’ PlanA also includesthe return ofAndy Pettitte, who has notdecided if he will pitch in 2011. Pettittecalled Cashman on Wednesdaymorning to “get assurance from methat he’s not somehow messing ourplans up,” Cashman said.

“He wants us to get Cliff Lee, Ican tell you that,” Cashman added.

All along, Cashman has said heexpects Pettitte to retire, and there wasnothing said in Wednesday’sconversation that made him feeldifferently. But because Pettitte has notannounced his decision, Cashman wasstill hopeful that he would return.

Yankees offer Cliff Lee $140 million

Cliff Lee

NEW DELHI - India will be the overwhelming favourites to win next year'sWorld Cup with home advantage and an ideal build-up on tour in SouthAfrica,Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan said.

"India is easily the favourite team, going by their form and depth both inbowling and batting," the former Pakistani all-rounder told reporters onThursday after the broadcasting arrangements for the 2011 tournament wereannounced.

"I think the South Africa tour will do them good. The tougher is the tour,the better prepared you are for the World Cup."

India will contest three test matches in South Africa starting on December16 followed by a Twenty20 and five one-dayers before heading home to preparefor tournament starting on February 19 hosted by themselves, Sri Lanka andBangladesh.

India are ranked number one test team by the ICC (International CricketCouncil) and the number two one-day international (ODI) side behind holdersAustralia.

"India is the favourite team and Sri Lanka is a close second. They will alsohave home advantage, which matters a lot," Imran added.

Australia beat Sri Lanka in the final to clinch the last World Cup in theCaribbean and 1996 winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga said his compatriotsshould again do well.

"Sri Lanka is one of the favourites. They have built a good team but myonly worry is their middle order," said the portly Sri Lankan, whose astutecaptaincy fashioned the team's stunning 1996 World Cup victory over theAustralians.

"In 1996, we had a strong middle order. But of course this team has betterbowlers and both (Muttiah) Muralitharan and (Lasith) Malinga are match-winning bowlers," he added.

India Firm FavouritesFor 2011 Cricket World Cup

- Imran Khan Former world number onemen's tennis player PeteSampras has had most of his tournament trophiesstolen.

The American said the trophies were takenfrom awarehouse in LosAngeles, where theywerebeing kept in storage.

"Losing this stuff is like having the history ofmy tennis life taken away," the retired star told theLosAngelesTimes newspaper.MrSampras said hewanted his children to see the trophies and appealedfor help in getting them back.

"I'm not one to gloat about trophies, or showthem off. I've never been like that. They didn't seeme play, but I would like them to see these things,"he said.

He said hewasmaking the theft public in the hope that itwould lead to the returnof the items. "I know this is a long shot, but I would regret it if I didn't at least try.Maybe somebody knows something.That's all I can hope for,"MrSampras said.Hesaid he had put the trophies in storage aftermoving home twice, but that none of theitems was insured because there was no way of placing a monetary value on them.

"I thought there were security cameras. I thought these things were locked uptight," Mr Sampras said. "I was shocked." The paper said the thieves had made offwithmost of his trophies fromhis 64 tourwins, twoDavisCupsvictories, anOlympicring and six trophies for his world number one rankings from 1993 to 1998.

Magazine articles and newspaper clippings were also taken, along withmemorabilia autographed by the musicians Elton John and Carlos Santana.

However,Mr Sampras said that only one of the 14Grand Slam trophies he hadwon had been stolen - the first one he won at theAustralian Open in 1994.

The 39-year-old retired in 2003 and has two children with his wife, the actressBridgetteWilson.

Pete Sampras tennis trophiesstolen from storage depot

Pete Sampras

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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