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Open Letter from Five Cays

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#TurksandCaicos, September 11, 2023 – Calling Hon Rachel Taylor, Elected Representor for Five Cays, along with your PNP Government, The Commissioner of Police, and The Superintendent of Police.

You were Elected, and now we feel Neglected! DID YOU COME FOR THIS “WOK”? I hope this letter finds you well.

We are writing to address the urgent matters that affect the residents of the Five Cays community, sometimes it’s good to sit and be silent, allowing the happenings of today to pass and the action of tomorrow to be realized. It is time to break the silence and take meaningful action to address the challenges we face. We can no longer wait idly for the elected Government and the Police Department to fulfill their responsibilities. We need concrete steps and real progress, not merely symbolic gestures.

First and foremost, we are seeking answers.

The faith we once had in our leaders has been eroded by recent events.

With four deaths in a single week during June alone, coupled with the escalating violence over the past two years and a lack of effective communication on prevention and deterrence, our faith is diminishing each day. We must now question the methods employed and demand transparency.

How are the CCTV cameras being utilized? Has data collection been conducted to ensure the cameras are adequately positioned in the Five Cays area, particularly in high-crime zones? How has this substantial investment contributed to crime-solving efforts in one of the most challenging areas? Furthermore, communication is of utmost importance.

Currently, there is a severe lack of updates provided to families and communities regarding ongoing investigations. It feels as though we are left in the dark, only receiving updates when arrests are made. However, what about the families eagerly awaiting news while investigations are ongoing? Why is there so much radio silence? A system for regular updates and information dissemination needs to be established to address this issue effectively.

We, the residents of Five Cays, deserve more than last-minute road repairs and empty promises. We yearn for a time when our community is viewed with respect and admiration, rather than being perceived as a haven for violence and unanswered questions.

We long for the day when we can traverse the roads you so eagerly repair and feel acknowledged and understood. It is disheartening to realize that Five Cays does not appear to be the focus of your work.

We implore our elected officials to roll up their sleeves and genuinely commit to the tasks they vowed to undertake. You must provide answers, make meaningful efforts, and implement necessary changes to transform Five Cays into a place of decency and respectability.

The good news is that we genuinely want you to succeed in your endeavors. We desire a better Turks and Caicos culture and reject the path of violence and diminished quality of life. We want to afford the elected Government a fair opportunity to guide us toward a prosperous future for the next generation—one where the Turks and Caicos Islands boast a thriving, vibrant culture.

Therefore, we kindly request a face-to-face meeting, inviting you to join us in our backyard. It is time to get your hands dirty and visit the areas where none of you reside, where the fear of safety does not haunt your every step.

We seek a chance to sit down with you, and the elected officials, and discuss how we can collaboratively find workable solutions and foster better relations for the benefit of Five Cays. It is crucial to remember that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and presently, our chain is in pieces.

We eagerly anticipate your positive response and willingness to engage in dialogue that will lead to the transformation we so desperately need. Together, let us strive towards building a stronger, safer, and more united community.

Sincerely, The Concerned Residents of Five Cays

NB: Please do not take this letter lightly. Enough is Enough!

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Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

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CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

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By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

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