fp Turks and Caicos

The attorney general presented several drafts of legislation to the governor’s Advisory Council on June 23, including a bill recommended in the Commission of Inquiry to allow trials without juries.

“It does not mean that every single trial will be heard without a jury,” His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell said.
He explained that the legislation allows prosecutors, defendants and judges an opportunity to apply to have a trial without a jury if they feel there could not be a fair trial with a jury.

Salt Cay finally will get damaged breakwall fixed

Permanent Secretary of Finance Delton Jones passed along the welcome news that the residents of Salt Cay will finally be getting the relief to their dock they have long awaited.

He said there are a few technical issues to work out, but “They have the green light to go ahead,” Jones said.

Other capital projects are on the agenda as the ministry works together with the European Union and the Caribbean Development Bank to get more funds for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Jones confirmed that approximately $7 million is expected in new funding from the EU commission in the coming months.

Much needed funds will be allocated to help individuals rebuild and refurbish their homes after Hurricane Ike, especially in the islands of Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.

Jones said he is very optimistic that the funds will be available before the end of the summer. “As the funding from the British government ends (hurricane relief fund), we hope we can move seamlessly into the funds from European Union,” he said.

Preservation of Grand Turk historic sites approved

The Department of Environment presented two proposals to the Advisory Council to designate the Town Salina and Red Salina in Grand Turk as areas of historic interest under the National Parks Ordinance.

The council approved the proposals as well as suggesting some appropriate draft legislation be sent to the Consultative Forum for its consideration.

At the same time, the council invited the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources in consultation with other interested departments such as the Planning Department, the Attorney General’s chambers, the museum and the National Trust to look at ways in which the area along Queen Street and Front Street in Grand Turk, including the historic buildings, can be preserved.

“To preserve the character of the area and also to make it a more attractive site, ultimately as one of the mainstays of the economy of the island for the tourists who come through the cruise terminal,” the governor said.

No more public pay cuts

Head of the civil service, TCI CEO Mark Capes, and the governor confirmed that no further cuts are planned for civil servants’ pay.
Immigration Board

Capes addressed the rumors of unrest within the Immigration Board. Capes explained that the “misunderstanding” came about when Immigration Advisor Andy Holdon passed to the chair of the Immigration Board a copy of his preliminary report.

“The board itself felt that all members should have it, and that is what we have done,” he explained.

Capes added that the immigration advisor and the permanent secretary had a “very easy and productive meeting” to go through the report on June 23.

“I think the issue has been taken out of context or blown up into something it really wasn’t. It was just a question of if the report when it was ready was going to be handed over, and it has been. So there is no issue,” he said.

District Commissioners

Capes confirmed an inquiry is underway into the circumstances which lead to the suspensions of three district commissioners earlier this month. Capes said he would not comment further on the subject until those inquiries are completed.