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Opposition Leader questions Governor’s Motive in Appointing Haiti and DR-born Members to HOA; Governor responds

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By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 11, 2022 – On Thursday, the Leader of the Opposition in the Turks and Caicos Islands rose up with a bold, provocative question and statement challenging the motive and meaning of the Governor’s two appointments to the House of Assembly.

While both Honorable members are more than cable of functioning in the position, and have being given strong representation on national issues, and one is also my cousin; appointments made along these Ethnic lines comes as a slap in the face, not only to myself, but also to the majority of the Turks & Caicos Islanders. The appointment of any member to our House of Assembly, with ethnicity and or place of birth being one of the major factors was completely wrong and perhaps a cause for great concern given our current social context.”

The issue resurfaces after one year and one month of a new make up in the House of Assembly, but emerges following the last debate in parliament where some took exception to statements made by Hon Harold Charles and Governor Nigel Dakin in relation to amendments to the Immigration Ordinance.

In a statement issued following his presentation in the House yesterday, Astwood says:  “The Turks & Caicos Islands is, and has been, a melting pot of nations for a long time and our Caribbean neighbors are certainly represented in our citizen population.  However, this representation has never been called into question until recent times. Particularly, through the intentional appointment of members who the British Government identifies as representing the people in our country that are from Haiti and Dominican Republic.”

Edwin Astwood is speaking of Harold Charles and Willin Belliard, both men are Turks and Caicos Islands citizens but hail originally from the island of Hispaniola, home to the DR and Haiti.  Both were appointed by the Governor who at the time said:  he was constitutionally compelled to ensure shades of opinion were represented in the House with his appointments, he also believed the two men would help relations with the two islands from which they originate.

Today the Governor issued a statement explaining:  “This is an important statement by the Leader of the Opposition and, in terms of its core message, one that I welcome.  Anything that commits to the representation of the views of the many, rather than the few, blind to ethnicity, seems to me a good news story and one I have no doubt he will, as a man of his word, see through in terms of actions, as well as words, within the Legislature.”

He referenced his statement of February 24, 2021:  “…in every conversation I have, I do not know of a senior politician or informed private citizen, who has given this thought, who does not recognize that the question around unity or disunity, inclusion or exclusion, is a pressing issue here in TCI.

People might not agree on how it should be settled, but they do believe it does need to start to be settled. It is though very hard for an elected politician to talk in these terms publicly because of the strength of feeling it generates from those who elect them. So I hope I can play some part in catalyzing and sustaining that debate over the course of this Parliament through those I appoint.

Whatever the solution is, that comes out of that conversation, it will need to be designed and managed by the Turks and Caicos Islanders– whereby – TCI can build an inclusive society particularly for those who were born here, who have yet to properly integrate, but who clearly are part of these Islands future.”

Astwood said he does not believe the singling out of the nations was necessary as Turks and Caicos Islanders, are already a multiplicity of peoples… he said the them and the they within the TCI is already a part of us.

“Why is there a need for such types of ethnic appointments? Are we to expect appointment form the Philippines and Jamaica next? This can only seek to create further polarization of these individual nationalities within our already fragile social fabric. In so doing, divisions will be created and further separation of our people may occur.

When I see Turks and Caicos Islanders, and hear their family name, I see “our people forge and blend with multiplicity, of race and kind and creed and tongue, united by our goals,” as stated so eloquently in our national song, written by Dr. Rev. Conrad Howell. This is the truth about our Turks and Caicos Islands. Therefore, our Caribbean neighbours, and others, are already represented in our House of Assembly, and already represented in top positions of our government. Hence there is absolutely no need to directly focus on appointing members of certain ethnic origin to the House,” said Hon Astwood in his statement.

In the end, the People’s Democratic Movement Party leader expressed that he believes the appointments were designed to divide and not unite the people.

 

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Kew Town Man gets a Year in Prison for 2024 Burglary of a business

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.

On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.

The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.

A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.

Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.

Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.

“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems.  If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”

The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.

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Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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PUBLICATION OF THE 2025/2026 ELECTORS LIST

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025.  Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)

After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections.  Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5  of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.

An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7.  The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.

Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc

The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/

All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.

The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:

See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]

 

ED 1 – Grand Turk North                                           ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay

Fulford’s Gas Station                                                  IGA Supermarket

Sunny Food Store (West Road)                                  Do-it-Centre

Durham’s Home Centre                                              Sunny Foods

John Missick Bar (West Road)                                   Grand Turk Library

Shop Rite Grocery Store                                             Grand Turk International Airport

Things Galore Store (Over Back)                               DC’s Office Salt Cay

A&H Hair Supply (Over Back)                                  Community Centre (Salt Cay)

Fishermen Paradise (Over Back)                                Grand Turk Liquors

Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street)                          Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)

 

ED 3 – South Caicos                                       ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos

Airport Terminal                                                         Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar

District Commissioner’s Office                                  Community Centre, Bambarra

Seaview Marina                                                          Government Clinic, Lorimers

Super value Supermarket                                            Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek

G & H Enterprise                                                        Kevin’s Enterprise

Government Treasury                                                 Digicel Store Bottle Creek

Community Centre Kew

Community Centre Whitby

Community Centre Sandy Point

 

ED 5 – Leeward                                                          ED – 6 The Bight

Sand Castle Convenience Store                                  Ocean Club Convenience Store

TCI Ferry Service                                                       Ocean Club Convenience Store

IBO Store                                                                    Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store

Rick’s Flamingo Café                                                 Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart

Rubis Gas Station

Grace way Gourmet Supermarket

Rubis Gas Station Longbay

 

ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill                     ED – 8 Blue Hills

The Library                                                                 Keyse’s Variety Store

Grant’s Gas Station                                                     Publo Wash House

The Post Office                                                           Chicken Shack

Betty’s Store Kew Town                                            The African Store

Black’s Store Kew Town                                            Grace Variety Store

Chinson’s Grill Shack                                                 Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners

Discount Liquors                                                        G K Supermarket

Provo Discount Store                                                  Parker’s Variety Party Store

Building Material Do-It-Centre

Grace way IGA Supermarket

 

ED 9 – Five Cays                                                        ED 10 – Wheeland

Mackey’s Automotive                                                Froggies on the Beach

Kitch’s Restaurant                                                      Frank’s Store 4U

Hole in the Wall Restaurant                                       Red Zone Variety Store

Gilly’s Café International Airport

Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service

Walkin Service Station

Liz Bakery

Caicos Oil Mart

 

Lister Dudley Lewis

Supervisor of Elections

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