News
Opposition Leader has warning as he debates Constitutional Changes
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, October 25, 2024 – The Leader of the Opposition is generally in support of the suite of changes to the parts of the TCI Constitution which will impact general elections, constituency boundaries, the parliament, the role of the governor and the size of the cabinet he said, but during debate on the 2024 Draft Constitution Amendment Order, Edwin Astwood shared that he had reservations as well.
“While endorsing the entire package asked of the UK, there are things that I had differed with and during the town hall meetings I had pointed it out,” shared the LOO who stood after Washington Misick, TCI Premier presented the Order for debate on October 17.
There was no objection to the House of Assembly graduating to Parliament status, no issue with the elected government having greater autonomy when it comes to decisions with domestic impact and no objection to the cabinet having up to nine ministers, but on the method of appointing a Cabinet Secretary, which is a new role within the governance structure, Astwood raised his dire concerns.
“Where we differ a lot, not in whether there should be a Cabinet secretary, is the appointment. We see in the Cayman Constitution it says, the Cabinet Secretary shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the premier.
Now my thing is, if one premier appoints a cabinet secretary why is it that the next premier cannot appoint a Cabinet Secretary. So that initial Cabinet Secretary, whoever premier appoints that person, they’re going to be in it for the long haul.”
The Turks and Caicos constitutional changes, which are now passed by the House of Assembly establishes a Cabinet Office to be led by a Cabinet Secretary and in the draft document circulated to the general public during the consultation phase, it is not stated how the role would be filled.
“Mr. Speaker, we know in certain democracies, when the government changes, the attorney general changes…. everybody changes and the work goes on. But they make it that in our context, we can’t change anybody. Whoever was there for one government, is to (be there for)
the next government, every government… ‘y’all little people down there, you gatta work with whoever we give y’all’ and I don’t like that Mr. Speaker.”
“Who is the Cabinet Secretary really answering to? Is the Cabinet Secretary answering to the premier or is the Cabinet Secretary answering to the governor and deputy governor? Think about it Mr. Speaker. While we may not see any pre-perceived conflicts, there can be conflicts.”
Astwood spend considerable time on the point, explaining his view that the role is sensitive and the inability of each premier to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary could present a problem, due to the potential for personal biases.
“Like how it is with Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is really selected or appointed by the premier and his team. Just like the speaker of the House the cabinet secretary should come and go with an elected government. We do it for Speakers. You are under no false pretenses that if you party lose you go… I believe the Cabinet Secretary should be the same way,” explained Astwood.
Astwood warned that the lack of a provision for a newly elected premier to select his own team could prove problematic.
“This is the person who is following up on your agenda. This is so core to the functions of your cabinet and for instance, Mr. Speaker, imagine if you were the premier and you come into office and you realise the cabinet secretary is your ex-girlfriend, somebody who really hates you and wants to see you fail, even though they have all of the qualifications and should be professional … imagine the issues you will have getting your agenda, your government, what the people had selected you to do, to get your work done. That is why I was hoping the Cabinet Secretary could be an appointed position by the premier.”
There were other misgivings articulated by the Opposition leader as well.
“Who is this Cabinet Secretary answering to? While it may not happen in this current situation, that doesn’t mean that it cannot happen. Mr. Speaker I have lived long enough and I have been in the House long enough and in Cabinet to work with two governors who were night and day. One tried to help and in my opinion, the other tried to hinder you.”
Within the official proposal, the Cabinet Secretary, is expected to play a non-partisan role; specifically, the draft document explained: “The Cabinet Secretary would – (a) provide frank and politically neutral advice to the Governor, the Cabinet and the Premier on matters of policy; (b) monitor and coordinate the implementation of policy between departments and ministerial portfolios and across the wider Government sector to ensure that Government policy is developed coherently; (c) provide for administrative and secretarial support for the Cabinet and the Premier in order to facilitate government; high-quality and effective (d) arrange the business for, and keeping the minutes of, the meetings of the Cabinet or any Cabinet committee and conveying the conclusions reached at the meetings to the appropriate person or authority; and (e) such other functions as the Governor, acting.”
Members of the Turks and Caicos House of Assembly passed the 2024 Draft Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order on Thursday, October 17.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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