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Over 6,000 All Island Votes up for Grabs; more voters, less candidates

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#TurksandCaicos, February 17, 2021 – There are nearly 900 or 11 percent more voters registered to participate in this upcoming general election and there are many more votes up for grabs, at least 5,000, due to a reduced number of political parties contesting in the 2021 national poll.

Historically, governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands volleys back and forth between the two main political engines:  the People’s Democratic Movement, PDM and the Progressive National Party, PNP. 

Once again, the All Island district is a formidable race with five individuals nominated per party and eight independents offering At Large.

With no PPP or PDA in the picture, and if voter turn-out remains in the 80 percent range, there are  literally thousands of votes available to the candidates hoping to be among the five most popular. 

In 2016, some 29,233 votes were cast in the At Large district or category, of which 5,069 were spent on the 11 candidates nominated either with the PDA (4) or Independent (7).

Leading the All Island candidates for two consecutive general elections was Sharlene Robinson; who in 2016 became the country’s first woman premier.  Robinson, as PDM leader drew 3,204 votes; which was actually 223 votes less than the previous run off in 2012.

Robinson also outdistanced the second finisher in 2012 by more votes than in 2016, where Josephine Connolly was within five votes of the popular Sharlene Robinson.  In 2012, Rufus Ewing was second popular and was bested by Mrs. Robinson with 175 more electors giving her the nod.

In 2016, Josephine Connolly, now starring on the PNP ticket after defecting from the PDM, had lost very little ground with 3,023 votes recorded in 2012 and 3,019 votes in 2016; a mere four point difference.  It reflects a steady showing for Connolly, who is striving for a third term in office.

Hugely popular Derek Taylor slumped between 2012 and 2016 by 451 votes.  Taylor, a former chief minister secured 3,191 votes in 2012 and 2,740 electors supported him in the 2016 election.  The question is, does this senior statesman have what it takes to cross the finish line in at least fifth place to serve again?

Karen Malcolm comes from a mighty clan and this kind of national popularity is believed to have been the main impetus for her in a cushy fourth place overall for All Island in 2016.  It was Malcolm’s first bid for elected office as a PDM candidate, earning 2,725 votes. 

The 2016 fifth All Island Candidate was one of four PNP members who held onto a seat after a crushing defeat to the PDM on December 15 that year. 

Also a former chief minister, Washington Misick suffered a steep fall in popularity securing 772 less votes in 2016, than in the previous election where he was well over 3,000 votes.  Barely getting through with a mere 21 votes over the sixth place finisher, Misick assumed Leader of Opposition business in the House of Assembly with the resignation of Rufus Ewing as PNP Leader.  By 2019, the Progressive National Party returned C. Washington Misick officially to the helm.

 Noteworthy for the PNP is that two of the former independents, who between them secured over 2,400 votes are at the forefront of the 2021 General Election campaign.

Jas Walkin is the PNP’s Campaign Manager; in 2016 Walkin had support from 834 electors. 

Michael Misick, former premier for the PNP had 1,629 voters cast ballots in his support of his bid, though he was embroiled in a corruption trial.  The trial, due to the passing of Justice Paul Harrison earlier this month, is on shaky ground.  Its future will be known by March 1, 2021.

As for which political party will claim victory and steer the Turks and Caicos over the next four years, that is difficult to say.  Grassroots members from both sides contend it will be a landslide in their party’s favor, laced with upsets and shockers. 

Swing voters and more neutral observers agree that it will be a tight race which is threatened both by possible voter apathy and fears linked to Covid-19. 

Turks and Caicos general elections are Friday February 19; polls open from 7am to 9pm with times varying based on island and one’s category as voter.

Photo Caption: TCI Elections office, voter simulation exercise and explainer video 2021.

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CTO Gears Up for SOTIC 2023 in Turks and Caicos Islands

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#TurksandCaicos, August 18, 2023 – Preparations for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s much-anticipated State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) are well underway, with the program set to take place at The Shore Club Turks & Caicos on Providenciales from October 9-13, 2023.

CTO’s business meetings and destination media briefings will precede the official conference program, which features panel discussions spanning diverse themes – from tourism investment and financing to aviation competitiveness and the burgeoning film industry.  CTO’s popular Caribbean Youth Congress also makes its return this year.

Neil Walters, CTO’s Acting Secretary General, anticipates a plethora of meaningful discussions and industry networking to unfold in Turks and Caicos.  “SOTIC has traditionally been the CTO’s flagship event held in the Caribbean, and with its return this year under the leadership of our newly appointed Secretary General Dona Regis-Prosper, we are confident the forum will set the stage for sharpening our industry’s collective vision to become even stronger and more effective in positioning the Caribbean as the world’s leading destination for leisure as well as business travel.”

Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands, shared her pride in hosting the return of SOTIC after a hiatus of five years, stating, “The selection of Turks and Caicos reflects our dedication to hospitality and excellence.  As the first major event being held under our new destination marketing and management organization, SOTIC is a significant opportunity for us to collectively shape the narrative of our region’s growth in a post-COVID environment.”

“As Minister of Tourism and Vice Chair of the group of British Overseas countries and territories within the Caribbean Tourism Organization, your presence at SOTIC 2023 holds immense importance,” said Minister Connolly, as she extended a heartfelt invitation to delegates.

Minister Connolly looks forward to showcasing the captivating beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Territory’s dedication to sustainable tourism development.  She underscored the potent impact of coordinated action and regional collaboration that conveys a strong message of unity to stakeholders within and beyond the region’s borders.

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Environmental Health Department Recognizes Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2023

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands May 12, 2023 – Mosquito Awareness Week is fast approaching, and its an important initiative which was established with the approval of CARICOM in 2014 to raise awareness about the link between mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit and to strengthen initiatives aimed at eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week will be observed this year from May 8th – 14th, 2023 under the theme “Small bite, big threat” and slogan “Beat the buzz: Prevent, Protect, Control”.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is present in the Turks and Caicos Islands, can spread diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika.

During the Month of May, the Environmental Health Department will be discussing ways to control vector populations and prevent the spread of diseases. This can include using insect repellent, eliminating breeding grounds, and properly disposing of waste.

Vector Control Awareness Month in the TCI is an extension of Mosquito Awareness Week, recognizing the threat posed by mosquitoes and is a reminder that we all have a role to play in preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases. Let’s work together to keep our communities healthy and safe.

For additional information, please contact the Environmental Health Department on 1649-338-2143/44.

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Social Services hosts Special Event for TCI Younger Ladies

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2023 – Another edition of the government’s mentorship program “The Lady in Me” was held this week. This time young ladies in Providenciales were the ones being treated. The program targets at-risk adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years old.

Photos of the beautiful setup shared with our news team show branded gifts waiting for the girls as they spent the two-day event sponsored by UNICEF focusing on how to cultivate healthy physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

Students from various schools arrived in uniforms immaculately pressed for the event put on by the Department of Social Services.

Acting Governor Anya Williams was in attendance and expressed faith that the initiative would cause true change.

“It was a pleasure to share with them my insight into the importance of making the right decisions in their youth, which will help to shape their futures and why they should see and value themselves as their greatest asset and to hear from them their goals, aspirations and the challenges that are currently being experienced by our younger generations,” she said.

In introducing the program the Government had said it was aiming to help participants: “examine the adolescence values, competencies, belief systems, inner feelings, motivations, critical thinking, and communication skills,” in order to “build their self-awareness and interpersonal relationships to strengthen their self-esteem— to create a sense of pride and enhance self-respect, self-worth, and self-esteem as they mature and improve personally and professionally.”

The Department said the event was expected to impact 100 girls.

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