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Government coming for outstanding property taxes – Chuck

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Kingston, Jamaica, February 6, 2017 – Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, has warned that the Government will be coming for the over $9 billion it is owed in outstanding property taxes.  He noted that almost one third of landowners are not paying their property tax, which is used to finance the provision of critical services at the local level.   This includes garbage collection, the maintenance of street lights, rehabilitation of parochial/farm roads, provision of community infrastructure, among others.

Minister Chuck said those who pay their taxes should not have to suffer the inadequacy of resources because others are not paying.  He argued that if the Government could collect half of what is owed “we would have no problem. The roads would be fixed, the courts could be fixed, the hospitals could get the resources and let me say, the Government intends to get all the taxes,” he said.

The Minister was addressing the launch of the 2017 training of Justices of the Peace (JPs) at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Thursday (Feb. 2).  He said the Ministry is targeting the training of 500 JPs in mediation and restorative justice during the year. The first training session will be on February 13 for personnel from Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon.

The sessions will also cover matters relating to the Children’s Court; the role of JPs on the Spirit license panel; and as well as for the Petty Sessions Court.  Minister Chuck said the training falls under the Ministry’s Justice Reform Programme, which was boosted by an additional grant of J$3.3 billion (€22 million) from the European Union (EU).   The agreement formalizing the provision was signed during a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in Kingston on December 8.

The provision, which has been allocated under the justice component of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), is the single largest by the EU to the programme.  “We are creating a new architecture in justice where the focus will shift from a penal system to a rehabilitative system. The multi-door approach that we are advancing will formalize and strengthen the infrastructure to assign prominence to Restorative Practices and Mediation,” Mr. Chuck said.

Meanwhile, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, commended the training initiative being spearheaded by the Ministry. “I know that the Custodes, under whose care and protection the Justices of the Peace fall, are being sufficiently seized with the importance of this training, and will provide the required support and the monitoring of their progress,” he said.

More than 1,000 JPs attended the launch, which also served as a sensitization session.  The Ministry is aiming to have 3,000 new JPs by the end of the calendar year.

 

 

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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