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103 Days since the TCI General Elections; A Review of the Results

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#TurksandCaicos, June 2, 2021 – Only time will tell if the newly elected, Washington Misick-led Progressive National Party government will manage to keep voters as enamoured throughout their term as they were on voting day.  When the dust had settled, the tally revealed that the PNP captured 14 of the 15 electoral districts in a record-setting win for the yellow party on General Election day, February 19, 2021.

The victory is aptly described as an avalanche of a win for the PNP; a second time for Washington Misick as democratically elected leader of the Turks and Caicos Islands and a resounding rejection of the People’s Democratic Movement, led by first woman premier, Sharlene Robinson.

In the Coronavirus pandemic, voter turn-out figures were expected to be lower than in previous years due to the threat of the contagion. In the Turks and Caicos, health protocols established by the Elections Office worked well; no outbreak was reported at any polling station.

Prior to the pandemic, voter apathy was anticipated to be high.  The Elector’s List, which could have swelled to around 10,000 voters grew by only 849 people between the General Elections of 2016 and 2021. 

In the 2016 election, there were 7,732 voters registered. In 2021, there were 8,581 people registered to cast votes.

As Opposition Leader, Charles Washington Misick dismissed the narrative of voter disinterest and it seems he was onto something.  The 2021 slate of candidates for the PNP proved to be attractive; drawing 55 per cent of the popular vote in the constituencies and taking all five of the All Island seats in the at-large category.

What the Polls Reveal

Turks and Caicos Elections Office at this stage does not categorise voters who are voting.  While demographically there is a break down in voters by sex, age and residential district; there is no dissection or distinction of voters at polling time. 

What we do know, in reviewing the official results published on February 21, 2021 is 2,121 voters were a no-show.  One quarter of the voters stayed home; leaving the job of deciding the political future of the Turks and Caicos to 6,460 people or 22 per cent of the overall population of the islands.

We also know that voter turn-out was lowest in Blue Hills, with 65 per cent participation; a staggering 349 voters did not turn out.

Here, Randy Howell of the PNP ended a two-term run for Goldray Ewing; and did something which was rare for his party.  He won a PDM stronghold; only the second time in election history – according to CaribbeanElections.com – this had been accomplished by a PNP Candidate.

The Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill district, which is the most populous constituency, also recorded one of the lowest voter turn-outs at 69 per cent and 407 voters staying home.  Douglas Parnell, former leader of the PDM was topped by Sammy Been; a former MP and Cabinet Minister who had previously won in Grand Turk.

All, but two other electoral districts were in the 70 percentile range when participation was rated.  North and Middle Caicos (ED-4) had the highest voter turn-out at 86 per cent.  South Caicos (ED-3) followed closely with a voter turn-out of 85 per cent. 

Both seats were captured by the Progressive National Party candidates; Arlington Musgrove in Electoral District 4 and John Malcolm in Electoral District 3, respectively. 

The highest participation by voters on the islands of Grand Turk and Providenciales were also to the PNP. 

Grand Turk North, (ED-1) supported Otis Morris on the PNP ticket.  Morris ran in a constituency which had voted for the PNP in the preceding run-off but for George Lightbourne.  Lightbourne departed the PNP months earlier; it was not an amicable parting and one which escalated to litigation over how the new leadership of the PNP was selected; not elected. 

George Lightbourne entered the political fray of the 2021 General Elections as an independent candidate in the All-Island category where he secured the third highest number of votes; 162 behind Courtney Missick, who had 280 votes and Jacqueline Lightbourne who performed best among independents and had 300 votes.  

PNP Sweeps in Provo

Three-time Member of Parliament and a former Deputy Premier; Akierra Missick continued to make a strong impression on her district:  Leeward & Long Bay or ED-5. 

Electoral District 5 had the best turn-out in Providenciales; just under 80 per cent participation with 182 voters missing out. Of the 709 votes cast, Misick secured 460 nods of approval for a third term in the House of Assembly.

In the closest race, which also became the most grueling one for those counting and re-counting the ballots; Electoral District 10 was the biggest upset.

Exit poll interviews exposed that newbie, Kyle Knowles, invigorated younger voters. He had 697 people to sway in the months leading to the General Election.  Not an easy task, as these were electors known for being staunchly and consistently in support of the PDM and its incumbent, Delroy Williams. 

With three voters over his political rival, at least two of whom had turned up in the final hours of the polling day, which closed to Covid-19 free electors at 6 p.m., Knowles pulled off the victory.  It was a complete sweep for the Progressive National Party in Providenciales. 

Although 159 voters did not participate in Wheeland or ED-10, voter turn-out was at 78 per cent, considerably above average.

It concluded with Knowles getting 273 votes to Williams’ 270.

Never before in the history of the islands had a party won so firmly against its contender. 

PNP Party Leader and now Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, C. Washington Misick described the results as a strong show of support for his party, the deep level of disappointment in the now ejected party and a commanding message from the people of the TCI, to get to work.

May 30, 2021 marked 100 days since the February 19 General Elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Search for Missing American Tourist Intensifies in Turks and Caicos

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U.S. Officials, Family Join Local Efforts as Disappearance Enters Ninth Day

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor and Wilkie Arthur | Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – The United States Department of State has confirmed it is aware of the disappearance of American citizen Brian Tarrence in Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Embassy in Nassau is actively assisting in the ongoing investigation. Tarrence’s mother is now on the island, anxiously hoping for good news as the search for her son enters its ninth day.

Tarrence, 51, of New York, vanished on June 25 while vacationing with his wife in Providenciales. The couple was staying at the Inn at Grace Bay in a privately rented villa booked via Airbnb. CCTV footage reviewed by Eagle Legal News shows Tarrence walking away from the property around 3:00 a.m., alone and without signs of immediate distress. He has not been seen since.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is treating the case as high priority, and a search operation is underway in Grace Bay, with efforts expanding to The Bight and nearby districts. U.S. private investigator Carl DeFazio, hired by Tarrence’s family, is also on the ground and working alongside local authorities.

“We are tracking any activity—credit cards, digital devices—that could point us toward his location,” said DeFazio. “This is a coordinated effort, and we are committed to bringing Brian home.”

Sources close to the investigation say Tarrence may have been in a vulnerable state prior to his disappearance. His wife reported that he had relapsed into alcohol use and was displaying increasingly erratic behavior, including signs of paranoia and delusional speech. He reportedly believed people were outside their villa and made concerning remarks hours before he disappeared.

When his wife woke that morning, Tarrence—and his phone and wallet—were gone. The devices remain unreachable, and no transactions or confirmed sightings have been reported.

His wife continues to cooperate fully with police, while his mother, who recently arrived in TCI, has joined local and diplomatic efforts in hopes of a safe resolution.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477.

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Race for the Conch Celebrates 15th Year

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Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – Grace Bay once more delighted swimmers at the 15th annual Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim on June 28, 2025. The 2.4-mile, 1 mile, and 1/2-mile events drew 75 participants from the US, Canada, Barbados, and Mexico along with 35 TCI swimmers. Another 16 youngsters under 10 years and undertook part in the 100-meter swim.

Each race saw several outstanding open water swimmers competing for conch trophies in near perfect sea conditions. Other swimmers wanted to challenge themselves while enjoying the experience of gliding through the inviting turquoise waters. As before, the start and finish took place on the beach in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe.

Local swimmers once more showed they could compete with the best. Sean Walters and Asher Soderquist (just 10 years old) picked up extraordinary 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the 1/2 Mile Men’s Division. Isaac Farley secured a splendid 3rd place in the 1-mile Men’s Division, while Lex Olerenshaw grabbed a superb 3rd place in the 2.4-mile Men’s Division. Several other TCI swimmers placed among the top 5 or 10 in each event.

Orrin Meyer from the US turned in a blistering time of 51 minutes, 15 seconds to win the 2.4-mile (Ironman distance) Men’s Division, just over 10 minutes faster than 2nd place male finisher—his father, Jay Meyer. The Women’s Division swimmers in the 2.4 mile were no less impressive with Samantha Peck from the US coming in 1st with a smashing time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, 31 seconds. She was followed by Nathalie and Carrie Trantner.

Ari Henson won the 1-mile Men’s Division followed by Ryan Williams. while the Women’s Division was won by Julie Henson followed by Mary Mackley and Mary-Anne Savage.

In the 1/2-mile Men’s Division Garry Mahon from Barbados took 1st, while Celia Wolf took 1st in the Women’s Division followed by Stella Lord and Cara Stein.  Race organizers Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann could not be more pleased with the wonderful turnout, especially the increasing numbers of TCI swimmers in the race. Stubenberg said, “It is so gratifying to see how the race has progressed over the years. We love welcoming the new swimmers, as well as reconnecting with the swimmers who return year after year. No venue can match Grace Bay for open water swimming.” Zimmermann added, “We are thrilled at how the race generates so much enthusiasm among participants who all push themselves to go the distance and do their personal best.”

Unsurprisingly, “The Race for the Conch” is consistently listed as one of the top 100 open water swim races in the world by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

Stubenberg and Zimmermann take seriously the second part of the event name, “Eco-SeaSwim” by asking that all swimmers use reef-safe sunscreen devoid of harmful ingredients. To help ensure that request, organizers have partnered with one of the top reef-safe sunscreens in the world, Caribbean Sol, and made it available to all swimmers on the beach.

In addition, the organizers strive to use local services and products. These include conch medals for everyone carved by Stanford Handfield, conch trophies created by Lucie Stubbs, T shirt designs by Alizee Zimmermann, T shirt printing by Wise Solutions, and Proud of My Island goodie bags created by Sammy Kildegaard and Emiliano Otin.

Stubenberg and Zimmermann praised the tremendous support of 20 volunteers on the beach and in the water. “They are the backbone of the event’s success,” they stated. “We could not do this without them or our generous sponsors and providers.” They include: Experience Turks & Caicos, Grace Bay Club, Ocean Club, Projetech, Whole Health, Atlantic Aviation, Hartling Group, Surfside Ocean Academy, Silver Palm Charters, Finishing Touch, Natural Trade Distribution, Visittci.com, Gabriel Kulcsar, Big Blue Collective, Got-U-Covered, Jafooe Computer, DJ Dayhoh, Caribbean Bottling Company, Caicu Naniki Tours, and Marco Travel.

The organizers also want to give a big shout out to the TCI Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources, TCI Marine Police, Provo Ambulance Service, TCI Red Cross, Big Blue Collective, and the TCI Regiment for their essential safety support.

The “Race for the Conch” is a registered TCI nonprofit. Proceeds from the race going to Provo Children’s Home, Red Cross, TC Reef Fund, and Project Inclusion Turks & Caicos.

The next “Race for the Conch” will take place on Saturday June 27, 2026.

More information about the race can be found on their website www.ecoseaswim.com

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Spence Security Demands Gun Reform for Officers After Third Tragic Killing

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – Spence Security & Investigation Services Ltd is calling for immediate legislative change to allow trained private security officers to carry firearms and protective gear—following the third fatal shooting of one of its officers in recent months.

In a strongly worded statement, the company’s founder and chairman said the lack of legal protections and equipment is costing lives.  “Our officers are being slaughtered because they lack the tools, the legal authority, and the support to defend themselves,” he said.   “This is no longer tolerable.”

The slain officer, like many in the industry, was unarmed and not even allowed to wear a bulletproof vest under existing laws.   “He was forced to abandon his cover without the ability to defend himself.   That cost him his life,” the statement said.

The company is urging the government and Governor’s Office to amend the law to permit properly vetted and trained security personnel—many of whom are former police or military—to be armed.   The chairman emphasized that security officers serve on the same dangerous front lines as police yet face escalating threats without the same rights or resources.

He also criticized the lack of response from national leaders.  “There’s been no acknowledgement, no empathy, no call from government officials or the governor.  Our people are dying in silence, and the silence from those in power is unacceptable.”

Beyond firearms, the firm is also calling for legal access to non-lethal tools such as handcuffs, pepper spray, and protective equipment—currently restricted by law.

Spence Security’s statement ends with a stark warning: “Security lives matter. We protect this country’s banks, businesses, and people—but we are left vulnerable.  If we do not act now, more innocent lives will be lost.”

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