Boynes gets $20M tax break

After being left out of the PNM's slate of candidates for the 2007 General Election the former Minister of Sport is getting even more backpay payback. It wasnt enough for the Government and its Ministries to hold daily/weekly/monthly retreats in the Resort/Spa... I hope that Roger utilised the Spa for treatment after back surgery...

Boynes gets $20M tax break
By SEAN DOUGLAS Friday, May 9 2008

FORMER Minister of Sport and Toco/Manzanilla MP Roger Boynes and his brother Ronald Boynes, chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman, have enjoyed a $20 million tax break on their Salybia Resort and Spa.

This was revealed by Legal Notice 54 in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette of April 10.

The document cited an order, made under the Tourism Development Act, for a tax-break in the form of a capital allowance on the brothers’ investment of $20,566,731 on the resort as an approved tourism project.

The order also exempts the resort from paying any tax on its gains or profits for five years.

The capital allowance is for five successive accounting periods from 2007 to 2014 at a rate of one-fifth of the $20,566,731 million, or an estimated $4 million per period. This means that no taxes would be paid on the first $20 million the resort makes, as this sum represents the cost of the Boynes’ investment.

The TT Gazette also carried other legal notices announcing similar tax-breaks for the Marriott Courtyard Hotel (which had been built at capital cost of $48 million), Kapok Hotel ($14 million), Stonehaven Villas in Tobago ($36.7 million) and Paria Suites ($14 million). While the main tax-break — the $20 million capital allowance — can be claimed in a period between January 1, 2007 and March 2014, the Legal Notice states the order is deemed to run from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2006, a period when Roger Boynes was a government minister. The order also gives generous tax-breaks on equipment depreciation, business losses and dividends earned on the project. In a recent interview, Ronald Boynes assured Newsday that everything was above-board regarding the Salybia resort.

“Under the Tourism Act hotels including ours are entitled to apply for the relevant tax exemptions allowed by law. It’s been operating since 2003. Initially there was some problem with the legislation which had to be rectified, and now lots of hotels including ours are now coming on-stream.”

So, how had the Boynes’ funded the project?

Ronald Boynes replied: “Through the usual bank facilities. It is a commercial venture, so the bank would be satisfied as to its viability.” He did not name the bank when asked. Ronald said the resort was a venture in a fledgling industry in that region so that incentives were important. “I hope other people will follow. There are several guest houses in the area. We have a long history of pushing for development in the area, including eco-tourism.”

Had there been a conflict of interest between Roger’s involvement in the hotel and his public duties? Ronald said this was not so and that Roger was not a government minister, but an Opposition member when construction had begun.

“We started building the hotel in 1999 or 2000 and it was opened in 2003. I could tell you of the struggles and fights we had faced from the then government (that is, the former UNC administration), but that’s another story.” Ronald said the resort was backed by the banks based on his presentations to them. He said Roger did not make any presentations and had been nowhere near the seat of political power. “Everything is above board.” Ronald said Roger became a minister in 2001, “when the hotel facilities were well advanced.”

Ronald said he did not think any commercial bank would give preferential treatment to a minister because they needed to act prudently in their shareholders’ interest.

Should politicians take a vow of poverty?

Roger replied: “People should conduct their affairs to comply with the ethics of public life and the Integrity in Public Life Act.”

Roger said the resort was located on “family property” which the brothers then directly acquired. “Initially it belonged to an aunt of mine who sold it to us when she decided to migrate. It is a small hotel, but with full service capacity.”

The resort was utilised by Prime Minister Patrick Manning who hosted a five-day induction retreat for his newly-elected Cabinet in November 2007, which a Newsday story had estimated to cost from $328,000 to $369,000 for accommodation and meals, based on a per person daily rate of roughly $1,600 to $1,800. Roger Boynes was Minister of Sport in the previous Manning administration but did not stand for re-selection last election because he had undergone back surgery.

Now why was there no mention of which BANK lent the funds... was it the Government's Bank aka First Citizens...

...he did not think any commercial bank would give preferential treatment to a minister because they needed to act prudently in their shareholders’ interest...

N.Y. court upholds school cell phone ban

It seems that everything is global

The Chancellor's determination that a mere ban on cell phone use would not be sufficiently effective was not irrational. It is now routine before theater, movie and other cultural presentations attended by adults, for patrons to be asked to turn off their cell phones. Even then there is no guarantee that the cell phone of an inattentive person will not ring at an inopportune time. While the vast majority of public school children are respectful and well-behaved, it was not unreasonable for the Chancellor to recognize that if adults cannot be fully trusted to practice proper cell phone etiquette, then neither can children.

What It Means To Be POOR!

Excellent letter to the editor in the Jamaica Star today.

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The Bible says: "Whosoever much is given, much is expected." The prime minister is one of the most powerful men in the society. He has supreme power and much is expected of him. He is like a shepherd leading a flock of sheep.

On the other hand, the members of parliament who sit in the House of Representatives and those who are members of the Cabinet have great responsibility and political power. Therefore, good example, good administration, honesty and sincerity are the main things that will make them successful and will result in good governance. The people look up to them for guidance, good leadership and trustworthiness.

While no one is perfect, it is sad, alarming and embarrassing when members of parliament and politicians are dishonest. It is very sad and disappointing when people we look up to have their hands dirty, and are involved in bribery. And this leads me to the next point.

No wonder many people hold on to their belief that poverty is a crime - a serious one at that. But I have good news for them, good news for all those who are feeling unhappy, isolated and depressed because they are poor. Poverty is not a crime. And this is a fact, not an opinion.

Poverty is not a crime
The Bible did not say that poverty is a crime. And Jesus was one of the poorest men in this world, yet He was the richest, if you know what I mean. Listen to what Jesus said in St Luke 9 verse 58: "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."

A crime is an action that breaks the law. How then can poverty be a crime? If it was, millions of people throughout the world would be arrested and sent to prison.

Poverty contributes to crime, and many are stealing, killing and are involved in all manner of evil because they are poor and have a negative mindset. But they don't have to steal; they have a choice. There is an alternative to poverty. No one has to steal because he or she is poor.

Poverty comes in different ways too. For example, a poor educational background. And there is spiritual poverty - the worst kind. Even the wisest and richest man, King Solomon, knew it. This is what he said in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 2 and 3. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labour in which he toils under the sun?" Poor mannerism is also seen as poverty.

Do you remember these words: "If you want to feel rich, count all the things you have that money can't buy."

I am, etc.,
Donald Jefferson McKoy
St Catherine

Jamaica won't Bow to Gays

the issues herein don't only apply to Jamaica but also to Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean Region... who rely on Tourism...

Jamaica won't bow to gays

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced that the island's buggery laws will not be repealed, despite enormous international pressure.

Egale Canada, a human rights group based in Toronto, Canada, recently announced its intention to call for a tourism boycott of the island, as well as a ban on the country's goods and services. The group issued a May 12 ultimatum on the Jamaican Government and threatened to make a public announcement five days later, encouraging the ban if its demands were not met.

The group appealed for the production of public service announcements denouncing homophobia/transphobia, called for a national homophobia/transphobia education campaign and lobbied for the abolition of the buggery law and any other law that stigmatises or criminalises consensual same-sex acts.

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) had expressed concern about the threats, and added that the Canadian market was a particularly viable one. Wayne Cummings, head of the JHTA, told THE STAR in an earlier interview, "They are a very forward-thinking, liberal country, and I'm sure there may be some credibility to the argument that they could affect us."

Ignoring the issue
However, Prime Minister Golding, speaking at his post-budget press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, said he has seen nothing yet to cause him to consider a review of the buggery laws. The Prime Minister, who has been accused of ignoring the issue by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), said: "There is a road down which I'm not going to allow this country to go under my leadership."

He also voiced his opposition to same-sex marriages. "There are people who use the same philosophical kind of basis to seek, for example, legislative changes to redefine marriage so that marriage in law must mean something different from what marriage is now. Once we embark on that express way I am not certain at what point we are going to get off."

He continued, "As far as this Prime Minister is concerned, marriage means a union sanctified and endorsed by law between a man and a woman. And I don't want to speak with any ambiguity about where this yah Prime Minister rest."

so while the Canadian's agree that "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation"... we in the Caribbean have to continue living with our Christian Leaders decisions... even when they lie...

meanwhile they begging for a VISA
ARTISTES SING 'VISA' BLUES by Krista Henry, Staff Reporter, Jamaica Star.

Who say TSUNAMI?

I have posted about the current 'World Food Crisis' that our leaders apparently didnt foresee... and well I saw a headline today that stood out from the rest...

Food Crisis Is Depicted As
'Silent Tsunami'
Sharp Price Hikes Leave Many
Millions in Hunger

"Hunger is a moral challenge to each one of us as global citizens, but it is also a threat to the political and economic stability of poor nations around the world,"

"With one child dying every five seconds from hunger-related causes, the time to act is now,"

Holding up the kind of plastic cup that the WFP uses to feed millions of children, Sheeran told reporters that the price of a metric ton of rice in parts of Asia had risen from $460 to $1,000 in less than two months.

I went to the grocery yesterday and there were signs asking consumers to take one bag of Flour/Rice... they only had 10Kg bags on offer anyway... no 5lbs bags were available... and it cost TT$12 MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH... AN INCREASE OF 25%... so i wonder what is the markup being used by the Supermarket?... can somebody at NFM tell us the price they selling at... i could do simple math...

I left all the luxury items in the grocery and still spent TT$1000... and I eh buy any fruits, vegetables or rice... I even try to buy in bulk but some of the items more expensive when I did the math... imagine that... the market will hopefully provide the fruits and vegetables at a cheaper rate... no I can't grow anything in a Grow Box... I eh have a front or backyard...

I really wonder how people who earn less than me survive...

In some parts of the world, Sheeran said, the WFP needs to provide food to people who have none. In other countries, she said, food is plentiful but prices have risen so much that people cannot afford it. She said the WFP is considering programs in those countries to provide cash assistance or emergency food vouchers.

Food experts have said such programs could help lower domestic food prices without hurting local farmers -- the kind of balance Sheeran said WFP officials are trying to strike as they deal with a crisis that has different faces in different parts of the world.

In contrast to the WFP position... 'Our' own Government, through Consumer Affairs Minister Peter Taylor, still can't understand the WHY? factor...

"Why should the price of soft drink at the retail end increase from $3 to $5 in the space of a mere four months? Why should the price of indigenous foods such as doubles and bake and shark increase by 75 per cent in the space of three months, when there has not been a corresponding increase in the price of raw materials and other inputs such as labour, equipment and overheads to this extent?"

"This Government therefore serves fair notice to all concerned that it will not hesitate to implement necessary legislation, as it is empowered to do, to discourage any such adverse trade practices which are inimical to the best interests of consumers," Taylor threatened.

I wonder why he didn't just lay the legislation instead of making a speech to do it... we all know that words are just words...

amm... where is the Minister of Agriculture in all this... is this only about the prices at the grocery/market... we cant wait six months for the Cubans to come and plant... we have farmers here... do we need to get all of our labour from foreign... i know i write bout dat before...

Cyber Crime

I was checking out a Jamaican Press article and it said that there is no legislation for cyber crime (in Jamaica) and that the perps are getting away with a crime...

I wonder how many Trinbagonians are victims of these types of crime... how many are slandered in this manner... how many people may have lost their job because of it...

in this time where the Government Speaker of the House of Representatives is clamping down on the use of 'new technologies' what then are the MPs seeking to do about this problem?.. the Ministry of Education has set guidelines for the use of cellular phones and other electronic devices within school premises... but what is the 'punishment' for those that break the rule?.. and what about the degree to which it is broken?.. within the guidelines it is entirely up to the school to implement/enforce...

I shall search the Ministry of Legal Affairs site extensively for any pertinent information... their search box is a waste of time...

hey if found one reference to cyber-crime in the Draft Policy Paper - Consumer Protection in the 21st Century and eleven to the word internet...

The Food Chain

A Drought in Australia, a Global Shortage of Rice

Scientists and economists worry that the reallocation of scarce water resources — away from rice and other grains and toward more lucrative crops and livestock — threatens poor countries that import rice as a dietary staple.

and the article speaks of hoarding in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and set off violent protests in countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The drought is making rice harder to find. For instance, SunRice, the Australian rice trading and marketing giant owned by the country’s rice growers, began preparing to mothball the Deniliquin mill five months ago, when it noticed that Australian farmers were planting almost no rice.

So allyuh see how the Government not lying to allyuh... is a GLOBAL problem

“Rice is a staple food,” said Graeme J. Haley, the general manager of the town of Deniliquin. “Chardonnay is not.”

If you dont want to read the article at least watch the video...

Gary gets it wrong

The Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board held a function on Sunday 'Honouring Brian Lara' and his achievements. The Minister of Sport, MP Gary Hunt, spoke and well... what can I say... he kinda got some things wrong... I could have let them slide but what he got wrong is shameful...

First thing... Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board of Control... Gary... they are known as the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board... ok when they were incorporated by an Act of Parliament there was the word Control but it was subsequently dropped... long before you came into office too...

Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board
Constitution
Preamble
The national authority for the promotion of the game of cricket in Trinidad and Tobago was founded on the 26th June 1956 under the name Trinidad Cricket Council.
The Board was incorporated under Act 34 of 1989 on the 28th day of July 1989.
A review of the Constitution was made at a Special General Meeting held on Saturday 28th June 2003 after a draft was submitted to all stakeholders for comment and amendments.

Article 1
The organization (formerly known as the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board of Control) shall be called the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board.

read their constitution for even more info...

the next mistake is the REAL thing... d man got Brian Lara's records wrong... well not all of them... Mr. Lara, who is perhaps the best batsman (not cricketer) ever, had world record scores of 375 and 501*... not 365 and 556... as the Minister of Sport you shouldn't have erred on these matters... considering you had the correct info for other stats...

Mr. Minister next time call the man and ask him... call the TTCB and ask them for his stats... you could even check Wikipedia (I dont consider it a reliable source)... so instead of promising the stadium would be completed and big games to be played in it... get the stats correct...

watch the vid of his entire speech... blunders included

Barbados and Trinidad invited to join OECS

Saint Lucia's Prime Minister Stephenson King has issued an invitation to Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago to join the OECS... and I think we should but Mr. King has an argument...

“If it is going to be another LIAT I’m not interested in it."

I heard this reported on the news today and well here is where you can read it...

the outsourcing continues

this country is really being run by the most unpatriotic people ever...

US firm to pick new CoP

i dont know how Jumbie didnt see this article...

RIAA... Shut Down The Internet!

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet
Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A landmark legal case on behalf of the Recording Industry Association of America and other global trade organizations seeks to criminalize all Internet file sharing of any kind as copyright infringement, effectively shutting down the world wide web - and their argument is supported by the U.S. government.

Read more...