Connect with us

TCI News

BREAKING NEWS: (CORRECTED) Hon Connolly speaks, says Independent not PNP

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – March 20, 2018 – (CORRECTED) On Thursday March 15, in the House of Assembly, I requested to move my seat from the government benches and to sit elsewhere in the House.

I walked the floor to sit as an Independent not, let me be clear, with the PNP.

I believe I owe the public and my supporters an explanation. 

I was voted in by more than 3,000 people in the 2016 election to represent them and to help bring about the change that the country wanted.

Since being fired by the Premier as a Minister in June 2017, without explanation, I have been side-lined.

For the last 9 months I have not been contacted by the Premier nor anyone in Government. I have not been asked to comment on any bill, nor asked if I can assist with the Hurricane assistance program, nothing. Not one communication in 9 months!

As a back bencher I believe I still have much to offer the government with both ideas and practical solutions to the many problems we face.  The Premier has chosen to ignore me and disrespect the people who voted for me because of her long standing personal animosity towards me.

I have wrestled with my conscience as the problems for this country have multiplied and as this Government under the dominant leadership of the Premier has floundered.

I have watched in silence, as our borders are breached, our children are left to study under atrocious conditions, our tourists are left to collapse from heat in long immigration lines, and Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos are ignored. 

The Premier’s public pronouncement on Wednesday on Exhale indicated that Honourable Connolly is not part of my team and will never be part of my team certainly cleared all doubt that my exclusion was some type of oversight.  What in fact the Premier was saying was ‘I will ignore the representative of more than 3,000 people, nearly half the voting population, because I do not like her’.

To repeat what I said during election time, for me, ‘enough is enough’. My silence, up to now, has been out of loyalty to the Party and the people who elected me, but I have come to the realization that if I am to be loyal to the Party and the people of this country I need to take a stand against the failings of this Government and the lack of leadership before it is too late.

If I cannot represent my people inside this Government, I will represent them as an independent member outside of Government.

I have spoken to many PDM supporters who agree with my stance and are unhappy with the way this Government has performed.  The PDM voters know that this present Government does not reflect the values and principles of the PDM party, but their protests are muted because of the fear of retribution.  

The fear is justifiable, in my opinion, as I and my family have been the subject of vicious attacks in social media by the unsavory elements who have attached themselves to the coat tails of this Government.

The Premier is a Leader of a Democratic Party with a constitution that was drawn up by the founders of the Party led by Hon. Jags McCartney.The supporters, the Party Branches and the NGC all have a part to play under the PDM Constitution to ensure that the Party represents the people, to ensure democracy.

The PDM, as a Democratic Party, no longer exists. A few influential enablers in the NGC have ceded absolute power to the Premier. The NGC hardly meets, the Constitution is routinely ignored, and the Branches and supporters will not be needed again until 2020, so do not expect your calls to be returned until then.

Those with strong opinions are side-lined or purged from the Party. The list of long serving PDM’s who have been driven out of the Party since the appointment of the Premier as leader in 2012 is long and well known so it does not need repeating.

I am sure my actions will be painted as being disloyal to the Party. They are not! They are the actions of a committed democrat who believes in the party and loves her country.  I have no goals other than for my country to succeed.  I do not play games, I do not do deals and I will not be intimidated.

I am sure that the usual puppets in the social media will say that ‘she was never a real PDM’. But I would ask all PDM members and supporters to consider the other people purged from the Party, some who were founders of the Party, perhaps they were never ‘real PDM’s’.

The truth is that the party stands apart and above any one individual and it is dangerous to label all dissenters as disloyal. That is a recipe for dictatorship, not democracy.

Last week the Premier sought to blame the hardworking civil servants for the queues at the airport. As Minister of Finance (she has many ministries) she is well aware that the chaos at the airport was a direct result of her decision to cut the salaries budget of every department in the Immigration and Border Control Ministry.

The Premier was being disingenuous, but this type of attack on perceived enemies either directly or by proxies in social media is the one defining characteristic of this government.  The ‘I didn’t get the email’ excuse has become a running joke as it has been used so often as the explanation for none attendance at important community events.  Important for the community that is, if not for this government.

The Premier continues to use social media to distract, deflect and blame others for the ills of this country, but the real problems in this country cannot be fixed by the spin doctors.

Without a brave and honest NGC holding the Leader to account then the Government, the PDM Party and the country are destined to the same failed leadership for the next 2.5 years that we have seen in the last 16 months. I am not sure this country can stand another few months of mismanagement let alone 2 years and more.

There has been a remarkably bitter, vicious and long running campaign against me by the Premier since I won my seat in 2012. There was a brief truce during the run up to voting in the 2016 election which, as she gloatingly told me later, was because “she had an election to win”. 

I am comforted that I am not the only one who was fooled by the false promise of the campaign. I am sure all the hotel workers will understand that the Premier ‘had an election to win’, as will the voters who were promised change only to find that the only thing that changed was the promise.

Well I am fooled no longer. As an independent member of the House I will be an outspoken supporter of the promises the PDM party made in the 2016 campaign, including the payment of the 100% service charge for hospitality workers. If there are some who want to brand me as disloyal for seeking to carry out the promises that the PDM made to its supporters and the country in the election, so be it.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

News

Academy Eagles FC crowned Beaches Turks & Caicos sponsored Provo Men’s Premier League champions 2026  

Published

on

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — The Academy Eagles FC were crowned champions of the Beaches sponsored Men’s Provo Premier League after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over defending champions, SWA Sharks, at the Venetian Road football field.

In a match that featured a mix of youth and experienced players, the Academy Eagles eventually broke through late in the game when Jean Innocent found the back of the net in the 77th minute. Innocent doubled the lead in the 95th minute from the penalty spot to clinch the championship.

Academy Eagles head coach Aaron Lawrence expressed immense pride in his squad’s performance. “I applaud the team for their discipline throughout the season and their ability to stick to the plan heading into this game,” Lawrence shared, adding special praise for team captain Myherwens Varis for “following tactical instructions throughout the game.”

“This victory would not have been possible without the thoughtful support from our main sponsor, Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. This is the second year running with this relationship. This has provided exposure for the semi-professional players and the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association,” Lawrence noted.

On the opposing sideline, SWA Sharks coach Jack Watson was modest in defeat. While he noted that his team executed their strategy well, he recognized the Eagles’ determination. “I congratulate the Eagles team for wanting the win more,” Watson said. “We played to the game plan, but I fault a lapse in judgment that gave up two goals.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos, returning for a second year of sponsoring the competition, expressed ongoing dedication to youth football in the islands. General Manager Deryk Meany shared his enthusiasm, “I am satisfied with the impact that the league is having on youth development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and our resort’s involvement in fielding a team for the competition.” The final phase of the tournament now transitions to a knockout format among the eight participating clubs.

League executives also weighed in on the success of the season. Provo Premier League President, Phillip Baptiste, expressed his satisfaction with the league format and highlighted the significant progress made by the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) over the course of the tournament.

“This is what true success looks like as corporate partners like Beaches Turks and Caicos resort joins forces with the TCIFA in providing an avenue for youth development and sports. While we are happy for the continued sponsorship, we are anticipating more support from other entities. This is not only a win for sports, it is a win for development here in the TCI,” Baptiste shared.

TCIFA Technical Director Dane Ritchie echoed these positive sentiments, pointing to the league’s development as an avenue for showcasing local talent on a broader stage. “Our team continues to learn as they work on developing talents with the youth players, as well as providing a broader marketing avenue for the league to be seen internationally with FIFA+ streaming,” Ritchie said.

He added, “the TCIFA commends the growth of the coaching staff involved in the league and looks forward to further enhancing the competition to make them more competitive in the Caribbean leagues.”

Beaches FC and Cheshire Hall FC have both punched their tickets for the first two spots in the semifinals with a 2-0 win over Teachers’ Young Strikers and 5-0 thrashing of Provo United respectively in the first two quarter finals.

Continue Reading

News

Beaches Turks & Caicos celebrates Stars at its Annual Prestige Awards

Published

on

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — The French Village main stage at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort was transformed into a dazzling beacon of green and gold as the resort celebrated its highest achievers. Under the inspiring banner of “One Team, One Vision, Endless Achievements,” the annual Prestige Awards recently closed the chapter on an exceptional 2025.

More than 120 nominees across twelve distinct categories walked the red carpet, greeted by flashing cameras and the cheering of their peers. The evening was laced with vibrant entertainment that kept the energy high between award presentations. Attendees were also treated to an exquisite five-course menu, carefully curated to match the prestige of the occasion and celebrate the rich culinary talent present at the resort.

The event served as a powerful reminder of the dedication required to operate one of the premier family resorts in the Caribbean. General Manager Deryk Meany took the stage to address the audience while reflecting on a year of resilience, innovation and unparalleled guest service.

“This is a celebratory milestone that as leaders we are happy to share with the stars of the hospitality industry,” Meany shared. “You have shown the world the true mettle of leadership and commitment here at Beaches Turks and Caicos.”

To further recognize unique contributions to the resort’s operational success, Meany personally distributed the General Manager’s Special Awards. These honours were bestowed upon Eric ‘Cookie’ Johnson from the kitchen, Harriet Beeput from administration, and Javier Sarita from the entertainment department for their exceptional behind-the-scenes dedication.

The climax of the evening featured the announcement of the resort’s most prestigious overarching awards. Felipe Luzardo Neira from the kitchen took home the MVP of the Year (Manager of the Year) award, while Chad Peterkin from engineering and maintenance was named All-Rounder of the Year (Supervisor of the Year). The loyalty & travel department proved their collective strength by securing the A-Team of the Year title.

Individual team members were also recognized for their ultimate service standards. Deandra Astwood from the front office earned the Platinum Team Member of the Year award. The highest individual honour, Diamond Team Member of the Year, was awarded to Javain Campbell from the restaurant department. Campbell used his moment in the spotlight to highlight the importance of cross-departmental collaboration and community outreach.

“This accolade is a testament to the commitment and teamwork within all the departments of the resort,” Campbell noted after receiving his award. “The opportunity to volunteer at different Sandals Foundation activities as well as be a mentor to other team members means the world to me. This achievement will allow me to do more in leadership as I have been tasked with representing the entire team here at the resort.”

The Prestige Awards ensured that every facet of the resort’s operations received proper recognition. From environmental sustainability to guest entertainment, the specific category winners showcased a wide array of talents:

  • Movers & Shakers was awarded to Katherine ‘Tinkerbell’ Jiminez from the entertainment department
  • Legendary Team Member was secured by Kadian Smith from the restaurant
  • Circle of Joy went to Emanie Jocelyn Seide from security and loss prevention
  • Earth Guardian was claimed by Bernard Florvil from engineering and maintenance
  • Sandals Foundation Sentinel was awarded to Tanya Swann from administration
  • Standing Ovation Award was proudly accepted by Richard Myers from the laundry team
  • Money Maker Award went to Teesha McCallum-Hamilton from the resort shop
  • Heart of the House Hotel Manager’s Award was presented to Carlton Biggs from stewarding department
  • People’s Choice Award was won by Claire Ann Balones from the off site department
  • Pacesetter Award was given to Kassandra Henry from accounts & cost control
  • Founder’s Circle Award was claimed by Susan Outten from the restaurant

As the night drew to a close, the focus shifted to the rigorous selection process that led to the evening’s celebrations. The Prestige Awards do not merely look at a single moment of excellence, but rather evaluate a full twelve months of unwavering dedication to the guest experience. Human Resources Manager Owenta Coleby highlighted the rewarding journey these team members took to reach the main stage.

“This event is a culmination of a number of activities for the resort’s leadership and the team members who have been exemplary and consistent throughout the year,” Coleby shared. “Congratulations are in order for each nominee as they have been crowned winners for the different months of 2025.”

With the trophies distributed and the 2025 season officially wrapped, the staff at Beaches Turks and Caicos now look forward. Fueled by the “One Team, One Vision” mantra, these award winners are already setting the standard for another year of endless achievements.

Continue Reading

Finance

TCI Financial Services Opens Debate on Cryptocurrency Rules 

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, May 12, 2026 – A new era of digital finance regulation could be on the horizon for the Turks and Caicos Islands, as the Financial Services Commission moves to establish a legal framework for virtual assets and cryptocurrency-related businesses.

The TCI Financial Services Commission on Friday launched a public consultation on its proposed Virtual Assets Business Bill, 2026, legislation designed to regulate virtual asset service providers, stablecoin issuers and other digital asset activities operating in or from the territory.

Globally, governments and regulators have been racing to catch up with the rapid growth of digital currencies, blockchain technology and online financial platforms. Concerns over money laundering, cybercrime, fraud and the collapse of poorly regulated crypto exchanges have pushed jurisdictions to tighten oversight while still trying to attract financial innovation and investment.

The proposed TCI bill appears aimed at positioning the territory within that evolving international framework.

According to the FSC, the legislation is aligned with international standards and guidance from bodies including the Financial Action Task Force, International Organization of Securities Commissions and the Financial Stability Board.

The Commission said the bill would introduce a “comprehensive licensing, supervisory, prudential and enforcement framework” for the sector. The proposed law includes anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, cyber resilience requirements, enforcement measures and even a regulatory sandbox intended to support innovation.

Among the notable features are proposed reserve and governance rules for stablecoins, which are digital currencies typically tied to traditional assets like the US dollar. The draft legislation also outlines exemptions for certain technology providers and closed-loop token systems.

The FSC said the consultation period is intended to gather public and industry feedback before the bill is submitted to Cabinet next month. Written submissions must be received by June 8, 2026.

The consultation paper and draft bill have been published on the FSC website for public review.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING