News

PDM responds to PDA’S false allegations

Published

7 years ago

November 25, 2016

Providenciales, TCI, November 25, 2016 – On Wednesday November 23^rd, a Facebook Page (People For the PDA TCI), that is affiliated with the PDA put out a false claim that PDM is paying persons to make survey calls from overseas numbers. The PDM has not contracted any person or company to conduct these surveys. Our supporters, family, and friends have been subjected to the same harassing phone calls. We advise persons receiving these calls to not participate in this survey process. The PDM Team and the electorate knows that there will be a change in Government on December 15^th. Voters across the lengths and breadth of the Turks and Caicos Islands have been telling us for months that “Enough is Enough and It’s Time For A Change”. We do not need any surveys to inform of us of what voters have been expressing to us for months.

This PDA supporter or affiliated page also produced a video falsely claiming that the PDM is being funded by a powerful foreign businessman with properties in Turks and Caicos and that this businessman was promised concessions, more guest workers, and no new hotel developments. PDM refutes these false allegations and reminds voters that all political parties and independent candidates must submit a report on all political campaign funds received and expenditures incurred to the Integrity Commission, an independent body that investigates all submitted declarations. We have made not one promise to any investor or would be investor in or outside the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We note with interest that the Leader of the PDA and his team has not reported this Page that uses its logo to Facebook which leads us to believe that the Leader of the PDA is in full support of this Page whose whole purpose is to slander the PDM. The Leader of the PDA writing a note in the comment section denouncing this Page does not demonstrate a true effort to distance his Party from a propaganda Page. We also noted with interest that at the PDA Press Conference held yesterday, the Leader of the PDA stated that he is working with “… a certain major developer, the likes that never before seen in the Turks and Caicos and that Donald Trump will be good in terms of bringing investment here… so from a Turks and Caicos personal standpoint, Donald Trump is the best thing that thing that could happen to us”. The PDM is also concerned that the PDA Leader would suggest that Turks and Caicos Islands is a country where Republicans can “hide” or “stash” their monies. We are committed to complying with local and international financial regulations and laws and for full compliance with all Laws. But voters must ask themselves who is this certain major developer?

The Political Activities Ordinance states that foreign companies or companies not registered in the TCI cannot donate to political campaigns, so voters must ask in what ways are the PDA’s leader and his candidates currently working with this major developer? What promises did the PDA and his Team make to this developer? Is this Developer behind the PDA supporter or affiliated Facebook Page that was created to attack the PDM? Is this major developer behind the US phone surveys being conducted? Why would a major developer be working with a PDA party whose leader was only able to attract 11 candidates apart from himself to run in the December 15^thelections?

We ask all voters to look at and question the source of the constant attempts to discredit the PDM. We expect these attacks to escalate in the upcoming weeks as we approach Election Day and we will refute them when necessary.

The Peoples Democratic Movement is the only Political Party that will be the true agents of change that our country needs. We will contain to maintain our campaign at the highest standards and solidly based on issues and real plans for real change. On December 15, 2016 vote for all 15 PDM candidates and help us win 15 seats on December 15^th. Vote PDM Straight Down The Line.

News

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.

We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.

The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.

All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.

The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.

We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.

Caribbean News

GRACE BAY BEACH RANKED AMONG TOP BEACHES IN THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BEACHES

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Press Release

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.

The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.

Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.

The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.

The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.

Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.

This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.

In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.

Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.

She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.

Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.

News

Family of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence

Published

6 days ago

May 2, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The family of a 16-year-old who died in Grand Turk six years ago while on a Carnival Cruise into Grand Turk is a little closer to closure as the Turks and Caicos Islands Coroner’s Court has opened his case for an inquest.

“On Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Police and Emergency Medical Officials responded to a two-jet-ski collision that left a 16-year-old male dead, near the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk. Two people were involved in the collision. The second male did not receive any injuries. This incident is under Police investigation.”

That was the brief police report in the aftermath of Nicholas Twyman’s death.

In the comments dozens of residents and visitors claim to have been on the scene that day, as the boy was pulled ashore, some trying to assist while others looked on, horrified.

Coroner Mickia Mills called up the case on March 21, 2024 almost six years after the incident occurred. Mills is in charge of finding out what exactly happened that day in Grand Turk and whether there was any negligence or if it was simply a terrible accident.

That verdict will be for the coroner and her potential jurors to decide. However, the family has shared their version of what happened that day.

A lawsuit filed in Florida Courts in October 2019 (Twyman v. Carnival Corp) detailed the heartbreaking hours that led up to the death of Nicholas. In it, the plaintiffs, listed as Gyjuanna TWYMAN and Michael Twyman, claim that they docked in Grand Turk and were curious about using the jet skis; both parents and the son were told by the Carnival team aboard the ship that there was not a formal shore excursion in Grand Turk involving jet skis, but that jet skis would be available for rent by the hour.

The family from Indiana claims three jet skis were rented, one for Nicholas, another for his father, Michael, and another for a different passenger, while their mother remained ashore. Wet Money Enterprise is listed as the jet ski company.

The family says they were given little instruction on using the Jet Skis, especially their son who was a new rider. The lawsuit maintains that Michael was not given any instructions other than being told where the kill switch was and not to ride too close to the cruise ship.

Sometime during his excursion, the young man crashed into the other jet ski. The family claims that neither Carnival Cruises nor representatives from the jet ski company responded. They say it was his father who spun around on his own jet ski, dived into the water for his son, and brought him to shore.

Once there, it was the young man’s mother, a registered nurse, who started emergency medical care.

When Turks and Caicos’s EMS did arrive after 15 minutes the family claims they were unsure how to use certain medical implements and had to be directed by the distressed mother.

The court documents list the cause of death for the young man as blunt force trauma and drowning, similar to what is listed in the TCI courts.

Coroner Mills, who took up her position in 2024, will oversee the proceedings which continued on Tuesday, April 23rd.