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Editorial: Listen to your Mama

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#Providenciales, August 23, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I won’t pretend I know why, but people often fall victim to the thought that ‘bad things, terrible things will not happen to me’ and yet, bad things, terrible things tend to always prove that theory wrong.  Things happen – good and bad – to everyone.

When it comes to how, perhaps as younger people, we tend to underestimate the gravity of the way we are behaving and the choices we are making.  Then, in steps this wonderful and wise woman; Momma.

Gatta love those Mommas.  They are amazing.  Doggedly determined to care for us and to see us make choices and behave in a way that ensures we are also caring for ourselves.

They wiped our little butts when we were babes and would still wipe our butts if we couldn’t do it ourselves as grown-ups.

More often than not, Mamas are amazing.

Still, when it comes to what we want to do, when and how we want to do it we shirk their training, ignore their beckoning for us to do better and actually see them as annoying, nagging, overbearing, overreaching and down-right dictators.

But hear me now; it is so often proven that Mama knows best and that her experiences have taught her how to guide her children to right living and a successful life.

I recently learned of a young man who in trying to help a friend or two, got himself into unbelievably major trouble.  It was so bad that every road pointed to a painful, grueling experience for him and his family including his Mama.

A path was chosen and that path has put this young man in a place that is certainly not home.  It is so unlike the loving home from which he came that it is making him physically sick.  It has put his entire family in a state of shock and depression, it has turned his world upside down and it has broken the heart of his beloved Mama.

No one is exempt when it comes to treachery reaching our doors steps.  As someone said, ‘we all live in glass houses’.

I didn’t listen to my Momma too.

In my case, I married a man who was possessive and abusive and the marriage lasted just a couple of years.  I am mentally and emotionally fine now, but my world financially and physically was rocked. 

I believe because my Mama never gave up on me, despite my sometimes, rude defiance, I am alive today.  I mustered the sense and courage to exit that dangerous stage and take a hold of my life and latch onto the potential she has always told me I have… ‘Sky is the Limit DeeDee’ she would say.

Nowadays, I call my mother for her advice.  I seek her out to hear her opinion on any major decision and I even like her perspective on the minor matters of my life.

I now listen to my Mama.

The young man, who inspired my musings is incarcerated today at Her Majesty’s Prison.  And I am told that above all the regrets and emotions with which he is dealing – top of his mind are thoughts about his Mama.

He is sorry that he did not heed her advice and most of all sorry that his indiscretion, that is his lack of good judgement is causing his Mama, great pain.

Still, I believe the man was spared.  I believe it would have been a worse outcome for him and I believe that our good God stepped in for him as he did for me, to bring a dramatic end to disregard for his Mama’s loving counsel.

There is always potential for a Phoenix experience; many do rise from the ashes and get a second chance to value the advice of their amazing Mama.

This man will too.  It is what I pray for and what I believe.  To Mamas everywhere.  I salute you… you are amazing!

You will find the latest TCI News right here on Magnetic Media fanpage, including August 23, 2019 edition of Turks and Caicos News Daily.  Our social media newspaper which today features crime news, tropics update and consumer news from FortisTCI and NCS Financial Group with their new product VIGO.  Read it. Love it. Share it. 

#tcipolice, #magneticmedianews, #caribbeannews #fortistci #deandreahamilton #turksandcaicos #whyiloveturksandcaicos #tciunitedway #tcig #editorial #2019hurricaneseaon

Finance

Three Days to NIB Rate Increase for 2023

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2023 – On April 1st, the second round of increases on contributions at the National Insurance Board will kick in for the Turks and Caicos workforce.  Announced last year, the increases were instituted to keep the NIB from running out of money by 2027 as it services a population that is living longer with contributions that had not been increased in 30 years.

As the Government’s new financial year begins, increases at NIB will mean a higher cost for doing business and a higher cost for running the Government.

The private sector is expected to pay contributions at a rate of 11 percent on your taxable income. The hike is up from last year’s 10 per cent; six percent of which is to be paid by the Employer and five percent is to be paid by the Employee.  For wages of $2000, this will mean a $200 improvement in income per month to the NIB.  As for the burn on residents’ pockets, based on a minimum wage of $1200 monthly salary, that’s at least $60 dollars a month and $720 per year.

Public sector rates will move to 10.15 percent up from 9.15 per cent with the worker paying 4.575 per cent and the Government paying 5.575 per cent; that’s $54 a month and $648 a year at minimum wage.

The NIB rate as of April 1, 2023, will jump to 9 percent for self-employed individuals; For self-employed individuals at minimum wage, that is $108 dollars a month or $1296 per year.

As taxable incomes increase so will the contribution.

The increases follow a 2019 Actuarial review, undertaken every three years, which unearthed that the NIB was facing a dismal future, possible collapse. Contribution rates were growing at a rate much slower than NIB expenses, which included beneficiary payouts.  On that trajectory, the NIB’s earnings would be eclipsed by its income by 2027, forcing the worker protection plan to draw down on money saved for economic shocks like Covid-19.

Unsurprisingly, this was deemed untenable, and an immediate increase was recommended.

Despite this scramble to boost earnings, the NIB has simultaneously increased payouts.  Payouts for pensions, funeral grants, maternity grants and more will all attract bigger sums.

These incremental increases on contributions and payouts were all consultant recommendations, informed statements from the Board.

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Caribbean News

TCI Police Detective Holden Speaks Up on Blue Hills Rapes

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Dana Malcolm  

Staff Writer  

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – Following the announcement that several women had been robbed and assaulted in Blue Hills in the past weeks, Magnetic Media queried why the Police would wait until they had a man in custody to release an alert. 

TCI’s newest addition to the top brass Detective Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection, told us that it initially appeared to be an isolated offence and not part of a series of incidents. 

“The full circumstances needed to be investigated to ascertain the facts before a public alert could be considered. Misinformation in such a case would only cause unnecessary public concern and confusion and could adversely impact the investigation and the safeguarding of persons involved—” he said. “Even now there is no definitive information that these offences are linked, and investigators remain open-minded.”  

Holden claimed an early alert with limited information could have hindered the investigation and they were trying to protect the women who may not have wanted to be identified based on where they lived.  

As it turns out, the public concern was very much warranted, because there have been more violent sexual attacks, and more victims got hurt, forcing their hands.  

“When further similar offences were committed, the overriding principle of sustained public protection was considered, hence the alert/release issued,” he said. 

That alert was coupled with the news that a man had been arrested. Whether those further similar incidents could have been prevented if the public was informed earlier and taken extra precautions, is the underlying question. To date, we don’t know how many victims there are. 

Police have increased patrols in the Blue Hills area and condemned the crimes as unacceptable. They have not indicated if anyone was charged for the offences yet.  

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Caribbean News

Louise Garland Thomas High School are TCISS Inter-High Track & Field 2023 Champions

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#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – After a festive three days of competition, the TCISS Inter-High Track & Field Championships 2023 have concluded with the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School reigning as Champions. Featuring a great turnout, eleven schools from across the Turks and Caicos Islands met to compete at the National Stadium March 9-11, 2023.

The competition was stiff among athletes, who were all competing for top spots and by extension a spot-on Team TCI’s CARIFTA 2023 team. From high-spirited invitationals to entertainment by DJ Shakes, spectators enjoyed the best Nationals competition yet.

Overall results:

  •     1st Place: A. Louise Garland Thomas High School
  •     2nd Place: Clement Howell High School
  •     3rd Place: Marjorie Basden High School

Twenty athletes have been selected for Turks and Caicos Islands National CARIFTA Team, some who would have competed in the TCISS Inter-High Track & Field Championships 2023 and some living abroad.

Here are the athletes:

  1. Roniesha Johnson U-17 Girls CHHS
  2. Branary Delancy U-17 Girls LGTHS
  3. Krysann Williams U-20 Girls LGTHS
  4. Anesha Varus U-20 Girls CHHS
  5. Lynn Antoine U-20 Girls Unattached
  6. Chyna Simmons U-20 Girls BWIC
  7. Rayvon Black U-17 Boys Denbigh/Jam
  8. Renaldo Registre U-17 Boys RGHS
  9. Jarmal Missick U-17 Boys HJRHS
  10. Melique Evans U-17 Boys CHHS
  11. Love Joseph U-17 Boys LGTHS
  12. Kaeson Garland U-17 Boys MBHS
  13. Shamar Garland U-17 Boys HJRHS
  14. Alieandio Durham U-20 Boys CHHS
  15. Bernard Hyde U-20 Boys CHHS
  16. Markey Zepherin U-20 Boys CHHS
  17. Rayvon Walkin U-20 Boys KC/Jam
  18. Anthon Walkin U-20 Boys KC/Jam
  19. Alidavidson Higgs U-20 Boys JC/Jam
  20. Darvioun Rigby U-20 Boys Keiser/USA

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