TCI News

TCI: Former Premier Michael Misick Press Statement

Published

5 years ago

October 31, 2019

#Providenciales, October 31, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – On hearing that the Premier was making a National Address I waited with baited breath, intense anticipation, hoping that the Premier after being missing in action for months, had a major announcement to make on tackling crime, Immigration and civil servants pay. An announcement of a breakthrough in the Constitutional talks would have been a game changer or maybe a first major investment since coming to office was about to be lauded for which she could have finally claim honest credit.

But to my disappointment non of the above happened. Instead in her typical roddy, bullying style she used the national radio to try to intimidate the striking air traffic controllers, politicians and ordinary citizens who stood with them for exercising their Constitutional right to peacefully protest.

Let me be clear; I am not intimidated by Sharlene Cartwright or any of her fake Facebook accounts. I have stood with the workers of the Turks and Caicos Islands fighting for jobs, better pay and working conditions, respect and against discrimination all of my adult life. Where was Sharlene when I and others stood with the workers of club Med in the 80s and cost it to be shut down until they changed their discriminatory practices? Where was Sharlene when I and others stood up against the racism that was perpetrated on our people by the then owner of the Yacht Club, Jack Albershadt, who we ran out of town? So my record of standing with my people is undeniable I dare Sharlene to show anything comparable on her behalf.

Unlike her and Doug Parnell, I am not running for political office this time. Therefore, I don’t need a photo opt. I have served my country for more than 25 years and my record speaks for it self. I stood with the air traffic controllers because it was the right thing to do.

I was first made Tourism Minister in the early 90s and my government formed 2003 to 2009 has done more to promote these islands including putting these islands on the map as a high end tourist destination. So I do not need no “Johnny Come Lately” politician to lecture me about destroying an industry which my government helped to create . While we must protect the tourism industry, we cannot continue to do so at the expense of our own people, be they the air traffic controllers or the hotel workers. I will always stand with the people of this country when threatened by big business that seeks to exploit them or a government that seeks to take advantage of them.

The simple fact of the matter is that since 2009, the people of this country have seen a complete regression in their economic fortunes whether in their personal lives or their businesses. They have seen crime increased, unsolved homicides and their quality of livelihood adversely affected like never before. They are watching Grace Bay develop and cannot see a meaningful future there for them or their children as entrepreneurs or property owners.

All this is taking place while the Government boasts of record surpluses but our people cannot get their children in public schools or generate any savings on their bank accounts. Our people are either living from paycheque to paycheque or from hand to mouth with no hope in sight. The roofs of their homes still have gaping holes in them in the aftermath of the hurricanes of 2017.

The Premier is a complete failure!! She can fittingly be called “a do nothing Premier with all talk and no action”. There is presently a major crime ring that is affecting our country – where was she during the highest murder occurrence a month ago? She didn’t even have the decency to show up to her own press conference on crime. We now know where her priority lies and it isn’t with us.

The sloops keep coming in weekly and her solution is she can’t stop the sloops. Again in her so called national address she said nothing about illegal Immigration. She never takes responsibility for anything. Instead she can be relied on to deflect and lie whenever she is confronted with an issue relating to this country.

In her address, she gave the public the impression that the Airport Authority has nothing to do with the Government. The Authority is a statutory body that is wholly own and run under the direction of the Government. The Board reports to a minister; in this case, she is the minister responsible for the Airport Authority. Her PS of Finance sits on the Board. The reason for this is to ensure that Sharlene, as Premier and Minister responsible is kept abreast of essential matters of the Authority.

As the Minister responsible she should have known what was brewing and should have dealt with it long before it got to a crisis point for the young and committed air traffic controllers who had to strike to get her attention. For her to now come out of hiding and spew out the garbage she did in her address is in true conformity to her style of deflection.

She lied about the situation regarding Hon. Ralph Higgs who has a matter before the Integrity Commission. The fact of the matter is that when she was in the Opposition she made numerous reports to the Integrity Commission about PNP Ministers including Premier Ewing and Minister Amanda Missick.

It was the PDM with her help in 2008 that wrote fictitious letters to the British Foreign Affairs Committee complaining about my government and alleging systemic corruption causing the suspension of the Constitution and the last ten years of investigation and trial.

Of further concern to all right thinking people, isn’t it alarming or damn right shameful how the British Government selected her and others who were highly conflicted to sit on the Consultative Forum to enact laws to persecute, sorry I meant “prosecute” her political opponents. Wasn’t it convenient and beneficial to Sharlene and her associates to repeal the rights to jury trials and the treatment of hearsay evidence and to establish a sham kangaroo court so that she could be elected as the next government?

If this is not Sharlene dealing in your own self-interest, then tell me what is? And she and others like her have the audacity to call me and my colleagues corrupt? Ain’t this exactly what the United States of America is dealing with in the impending impeachment of Donald Trump? As they would say here….”Child Please”.

I believe the majority of the people in this country can see and know exactly what is going on and history will judge Sharlene and people like her accordingly.

Sharlene Cartwright you are a dishonest hypocrite, a Liar and a two faceted bully who is surrounded by drug dealers and henchmen who are shaking down the Ritz Carlton investors and others for access and favors. Maybe the Integrity

Commission should perform a close examination of this.

But it ain’t long now the people of the Turks and Caicos will remember you at the polls and will make sure you are a one term Premier.

Enough is Enough

Release: Michael Misick, TCI former Premier

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

13 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

Published

14 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

TCI Court

Eight Months facing Police Accusations and Court, now Pedro Grant Exonerated

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

With no evidence to support their claim, the prosecution has dropped their case against Pedro Jose Alfredo Grant Gallon, the Dominican Republic citizen who was accused of impersonating an officer in September 2023.

The Police, who publicized the arrest and charge, have not yet commented on the matter despite Magnetic Media queries.

Grant, for his part, has always vehemently denied the accusations that he was impersonating an officer and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unfair.

He contends that on the evening of July 13, 2023, he was being followed by a strange driver, concerned, he waited until the man pulled off at a bar, then took his license plate number and called the police, but police never came to help Grant. He alleges that the next time he saw them, they came with handcuffs to arrest him. In a search, police found his IDs which included his documentation for humanitarian work with the International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) and police lights attached to his vehicle. In explaining the possession of those lights, Grant said he told officers that they had been in his car from his time in the Dominican Republic where he was involved in law enforcement.

Since that time, Grant has maintained several facts:

The Police did not have a warrant to search his home and car;
The Police took his documents including passports and IDs, one of which was issued by the IDA, and to date have not returned them despite being court-ordered to do so;
The Police intimidated his wife with threats of deportation;
He never showed any ID, flashing lights at the man following him, or claimed to be an officer.

Police have steadfastly refused to comment on the case despite numerous queries into the bizarre circumstances, even with serious allegations like intimidation against them. Grant was officially charged with Impersonating an Officer in September but IDA Head Jerrod Crockett told Magnetic Media despite seizing documents from Grant to support their case, no one even called the organization to see if they were real or fake.

Now, when called to provide evidence to the court as to why they arrested and charged the resident, the police and DPPs office drew a complete blank as Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, confirmed it was a lack of evidence that got the case dropped.

Despite this win serious damage has been done Grant claims, describing his life as a ‘living hell’ and ‘miserable’ since the accusations were publicized.

The IDA says it has been affected as well.

“That really put a hurt on us for the last six to eight months now because of accusations of fraudulent documents that everybody else has seen. We’re trying to prove our legitimacy now because you guys can’t verify any documents— before you put everything out there as public information,” Crockett said of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)

The president also told our news team they had lost thousands of dollars in funding.

Following the closure of the case we reached out again to police to find out on what grounds Grant had been arrested and charged but no response was issued.