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TCI: Ambulance Chasing in the Hotel Industry

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#Providenciales, May 27, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A Miami-based law firm called Lipcon, Marguiles, Alsina and Winkleman has filed a high profile class action suit in a Florida court claiming that world-renowned hotel chain Sandals Resorts International allegedly retained government taxes that were charged to its guests in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

That story would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous.

A quick search online would show you that Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina and Winkleman has tried this on nearly everyone from Viking Sky, Norwegian Breakaway, Royal Caribbean, and now they’ve set sights on hotels it seems, an action almost akin to ‘ambulance chasing’.

For its part Sandals has responding very clearly; it’s going to court to vigorously fight this matter which it slammed as baseless. After all, the company has reputation of service and success that it has spent nearly four decades developing.

For the person who chooses to think rather than swallow anything online as gospel, only one question needs to be asked; why would a successful, Fortune 500, multi-billion dollar company risk its business by doing something which makes no sense? Especially since the company is audited annually.

It’s not like Sandals is hand-to-mouth and struggling to survive. The company is one of the few success stories of the Caribbean, a serial winner of awards and one that has been voted World’s Best for 23 consecutive years. That handle alone is all it needs to make money. Occupancy is always high, so high in fact that at certain times of the year you simply can’t get a room at Sandals, and in particular Beaches Turks and Caicos no matter how hard you try.

So why on earth would a company that is already so successful …that is making money throughout the Caribbean legally and properly – not just in Turks and Caicos – why would it do something so utterly foolish? For Heaven’s sake, even the Premier of the TCI Sharlene Robinson told the media that government has never had an issue with Sandals and its payment of taxes. In fact, Sandals is often first in line when it comes to the tax man!

It makes no sense!

The recent claim by the revenue department in the TCI that the Beaches Resorts there owed back taxes ironically resulted in a situation where it is the TCI government that actually owes Sandals money – nearly US$75 million of it – in overpaid taxes.

Like I said, laughable. So you are telling me that Sandals allegedly withholds taxes on one end, and then overpays taxes on the other?!!! I mean really!

However we live in a new age; the age of the quick buck. We live in an age where people no longer want to work hard to earn money, no, they rather target someone who has worked hard, and then try to scheme them out of what they have earned.

The people who do this are no better than those who pull a gun on you and steal your money. It’s a new form of robbery, and the weapon they use to rob you is litigation.

After all, the law firm has only one thing on its mind; a settlement! It’s all about shooting high, using the media to try and embarrass the company and then trying to extort a settlement. Pitiful.

However others have tried it before, and to his credit Butch Stewart has never backed down. Why should he? The man must be pained to know that after all he has given to the region certain con men just want to rip him off. After all Sandals is a company that employs over 14,000 Caribbean nationals, a company that is the main source of foreign exchange for many islands, a company that is the highest tax payer in many islands, and the Sandals Foundation alone has spent over US$50 million in community projects.

that steals money would give away over US$50 million dollars in non-profit projects to help the region’s environment, education and community development?

How does that make sense folks? Ask yourself.

It’s time we stop pandering to these modern day ‘Dillingers’ who would rob our neighbours while we look on, because they’ll come for you next.

I am proud that Butch Stewart has taken a stand against these people, and is prepared to defend his company, because ultimately he is also defending the integrity of Caribbean tourism on which many of our people and our islands depend!

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Health

Ministry of Health and Human Services Launched Electronic Patient Care Report (Ambpro)

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The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.

In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including  Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.

During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.

The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”

The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.

The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.

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Education

Ministry of Education launches 2024 Season of Scholarship Applications

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 6th March, 2024– The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services would like to announce the launch of the 2024 scholarship application season which opens on March 11th 2024. This initiative offers invaluable opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply for scholarship opportunities within the Ministry’s priority areas.  For more information on our priority areas please visit our website at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat

Estimated awards within each award category as follows: –

  • Standard Financial Assistance ………………………………………………….(55) including:

o    Cadet Financial Assistance …………………………………………………(2)

o    The TCI Hope Award …………………………………………………………..(2)

o    Intl. Associate’s Degree / A-Level awards ……………………… (3)

o    TCICC Academic Excellence Award …………………………………..(7-preselected)

  • Athletic Financial Assistance ……………………………………………………..(3)
  • National Scholars Awards ………………………………………………………….(4 -preselected)
  • Special Needs Students Financial Assistance Award ……………(2)
  • BWIC – GCE Advanced Level …………………………………………………….(3)

Explanatory notes in the link provided above outlines the criteria for each award category.

Our new application method

Our new application method for financial assistance marks a departure from traditional email or paper submissions; all applications must now be submitted exclusively through tcig-nefa.grantplatform.com/. Utilizing the Good Grants platform, an internationalized grant-making platform, applicants can easily apply online by clicking the provided link.

Dates

  • Application deadline: 30th May, 2024 at [11:59 pm] [EST]
  • Please note the application deadline, this date is final and there will be no extensions provided for the initial submission. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline.
  • There is an extension date for the below documents IF NECESSARY up to June 30th.
    • Acceptance Letter
    • Transcript
  • Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2024.

Support

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Scholarship Secretariat Unit by email to [scholarshipsecretariat@tciedu.tc]. DO NOT SEND APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO THIS ADDRESS.

  • You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline date.
  • Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details, so that we may contact you if your application is successful.
  • You are allowed to submit to more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. However you can only be awarded 1 award.
  • You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your application and change the category as required.

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Education

Department of Special Education Needs Services makes strides at CEC 2024 convention and Expo

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The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing services for exceptional learners through its participation in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas March 12th to 16th 2024. This event, renowned for its dedication to advancing the field of special education, provided a platform for our team to immerse themselves in a wealth of knowledge and resources.

The convention, with a rich history of fostering collaboration and innovation, focused on sensitizing attendees to global initiatives in special education. Our team, consisting of four professionals from the Department of Special Education Needs Services; Mrs. Paulette Simmons – Special Education Teacher at SNAP Center, Jamiliyah Jordan – Speech and Language Pathologist, Christina Joseph – Behavioural Analyst, Lashaunda Skippings – Coordinator of Assessments and one representative from the Department of Education, Mrs. Faaida James – Special Education Officer benefited immensely from four days of information-packed workshops, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge assistive technologies and programs.

 CEC 2024 Convention and Expo has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of special education. Each year, it gathers professionals, researchers, and advocates to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to support individuals with exceptional needs.

 Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, and a part of the team, shared her thoughts on the convention, stating, “ The CEC 2024 Convention exceeded my anticipations. It was incredibly enlightening and stimulated thoughtful reflection. I am grateful for the openness of presenters who shared their exemplary practices in Special Education, that address the needs of students with disabilities globally.”

Dr. Anya Malcolm, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her excitement about the department’s progress, stating, “The thrill that fills the department and the parents as initiatives in Special Education Needs falls into place remarkably is tangible. We are dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained from events like CEC 2024 to further enhance our services and support for exceptional learners.”

 Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, expressed her commendation for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, stating, “I commend the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their unwavering dedication and proactive stance in participating in the CEC 2024 Convention and Expo. The Ministry acknowledges the pivotal role of such initiatives in elevating the standards of special education services and fostering the comprehensive development of exceptional learners nationwide.” 

 The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive and inclusive support to individuals with special needs. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every exceptional learner can thrive.

 For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.

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