News
Beach Party protest concerning, evidence leaked that Developer told to remove blockades, Mike on beach with petition
#TurksandCaicos, January 6, 2018 – Providenciales – There is concern being expressed about the call for a beach party protest on Taylor Bay Beach in retaliation to a resident of the area trying to throw locals off the beach.
At least three political leaders have called for discretion after a former premier has summoned those against the idea that Taylor Bay Beach is private to come out to a beach party today, January 6, which will be complete – according to the invite – with DJ music by a popular local jock.
In a media release overnight, Premier Sharlene Robinson weighed in on the matter. There had been repeated calls for the country’s leader to speak out and on Friday night she did with a statement which outlined the land transactions and transitions of Taylor Bay Beach over the years, referenced the Planning Department’s recent denial of the property owners to legally erect a gate to prevent public access and addressed the planned party protest set for today.
“Once again, as already communicated by Hon Ralph Higgs, Minister with responsibility, we remind all persons seeking to enjoy Taylor Bay or any other beach, to do so in a dignified and respectful fashion and in a manner befitting our slogan, ‘beautiful by nature’. Turks and Caicos Beaches are known as being the Best in the World, bar none, let’s keep it that way.”
A message issued a day following the confrontation on January 1 involving beach goers and a known and vociferous resident who claims anyone on the beach is trespassing.
Hours before the Premier’s statement, documents exposing an application which was denied by the Planning Department by the owner was leaked. The document revealed that there was a request to erect a six foot chain link fence and six foot gate and that there was a denial of that request on six grounds as outlined by the Physical Planning Board.
The reasons cited by the Board were that the land is a public easement to the public Taylor Bay Beach; that the 11 foot wide easement has been used for 28 years as the public access to Taylor Bay Beach and is the only public access; that the applicant was after the fact requesting the permission because already erected was a six foot gate on the parcel of land in question; that the permission for the gate to be constructed after it was already put up on the land is a disrespect to the order of how things should be done and that any other development at the site would attract enforcement procedures and that if the development – ie the gate and fence – were to be approved, it would set a wrong precedent for future developments.
The applicant was also asked by the Board to remove the gate and the rubble blocking access. The denial and order to correct the situation at Taylor Bay Beach was addressed by Planning since May 2017, yet the property owner persisted in blocking access without legal repercussions as promised by the Board.
Also leaked, an email where the property owners were told to allow the beach party protest to go on unhindered by them. In response to a query, the property owners, numbering 19 people – were advised to gather evidence of the beach party by getting photographs and to capture the reveling, the noise, the parking and trash left behind.
It was said in that email that it was not expected that the Turks and Caicos Islands Police would get involved.
The issue has grabbed local and international attention and has spawned at least one original song, which sends the message that ‘in our country every beach is public, and the beach belong to we…”
So far, the Michael Misick led protest appears quiet. Photographs shared by the former premier on his Facebook page show people on Taylor Bay Beach quietly signing a petition after accessing the beach through the gate, which was left open.
Photo credit: Michael Misick
SALT CAY — Residents say Salt Cay’s prolonged water shortage remains unresolved, with no visible activity or relief from the measures Government said would be advanced last week.
The crisis began in June after a critical filter failed at the island’s reverse osmosis plant, severely disrupting local water production.
Residents told Magnetic Media Tuesday morning that neither the replacement filter nor the promised bulk shipment of emergency water appeared to have arrived.
Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders, however, said the filter is already on Salt Cay.
“The RO filter is on Salt Cay and it’s being installed,” Saunders told Magnetic Media.
The large emergency water shipment has not materialised. Saunders said transporting more than 1,000 gallons in a single container requires a barge, and officials are still attempting to source one.
Government had previously indicated that it would try to deliver up to 2,500 gallons to partially replenish Salt Cay’s depleted storage tanks while repairs continued.
Saunders had initially projected that the RO plant would be fully operational by August 19. He now says the system is expected to return to full operation “in a few days.”
For residents, however, the immediate reality remains unchanged: the shortage continues, the bulk water has not arrived and the promised relief is not yet flowing.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort recently collaborated with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Social Services to support a youth camp hosted at the Oseta Jolly Primary School, underscoring the resort’s ongoing commitment to youth development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The camp, which brought together security forces, government agencies and private sector entities, focused on equipping young participants
with practical life skills and character-building tools. A team from Beaches Turks and Caicos’ leadership and training departments joined the programme to deliver sessions on basic table etiquette, dining mannerisms, polite demeanour and public speaking fundamentals, all designed to help the students present themselves confidently in formal and professional settings.
General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Deryk Meany, said the resort views national development as an integral part of its corporate social responsibility. “We are always happy to be supporters in the development of the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We continue to commit our team to help in creating the next generation of leaders who will provide support to the islands and help in its development,” Meany noted.
The initiative also received strong endorsement from the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Community Development, which has been championing holistic programmes aimed at building well-rounded young citizens. Minister Rachel Taylor highlighted the importance of collaborations like the camp in helping youth access structured guidance and mentorship. “We are happy to join in celebrating the growth and development of our youth here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to be one of our primary supporters in helping to develop well rounded individuals. This commitment from this resort has grown with the vision of the youth ministry to help in their overall development,” she said.
Taylor further emphasized that the camp’s timing was especially significant, coming as youth across the islands seek positive outlets and
constructive engagement. “This camp came at the most ideal time for our adolescents. With the support of our governor, the security forces, the social services along with Beaches Turks and Caicos, we are confident that the training needed for them to improve is on the right track,” she added.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, described the collaboration as an exemplary model of cross-sector partnership. “To be able to join with the security forces to provide support for the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands is exceptional. We are happy to provide the necessary support to equip them to grow into being productive citizens of these islands,” Morgan said.
He noted that the resort team focused on practical etiquette and hospitality-driven skills that can be carried into the youths’ future experiences. “As a team, we were able to share in the basic table setting and dining etiquette for them, skills we are sure that they will be able to use in their next fine dining experience,” Morgan added.
Organizers expressed optimism that the camp’s blend of discipline, mentorship and soft skills training will have a lasting impact on participants. With stakeholders pledging continued support, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team and their partners aim to expand similar initiatives, further investing in the personal and professional growth of the next generation of Turks and Caicos Islanders.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
