Topic: Government
World records: Cayman's open data flaws
Typically, a letter grade of "C" means "average." But when it puts your country on par with the likes of Pakistan and Russia, what it really means is "unsatisfactory."
From the National Conservation Council
National Conservation Council responds to Compass editorial.
Paris climate deal prompts call for action in Cayman
The Cayman Islands must set more aggressive targets on increasing renewable energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the light of the Paris agreement on climate change, green energy advocates have said.
CarePay trial: 'No way' ministry could pay contract, says witness
A government financial manager refused to authorize a US$1.2 million payment for the proposed expansion of the CarePay patient swipe-card contract, even though his superiors at the Ministry of Health had already green-lighted the payment, jurors in the criminal trial of Canover Watson heard Tuesday.
Economic impact of Cayman Enterprise City continues to grow
Cayman’s special economic zone, Cayman Enterprise City, reported that companies operating in the zone and their staff had a $23.6 million impact on the local economy this year.
Letter to the Editor: Public burial spaces
Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush says government has an obligation to provide public cemeteries.
Professor: Same-sex unions legislation 'inevitable' in Cayman
When human rights professor Robert Wintemute visited the Cayman Islands in January to deliver a critique of the islands’ “out of date” laws on rights for homosexuals, he hoped to start a conversation.
CarePay trial: Government pays US$1.8M, then asks, 'Where is contract?'
As late as September 2013 – two years after it had already spent the majority of the funds – the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority was still trying to find a copy of the business contract that purported to authorize government to spend up to US$2.4 million on the proposed expansion of the CarePay patient swipe-card system, a Cayman Islands jury heard Monday.
Cayman gets a 'C' on open data in global rankings
In a global index on open government data the Cayman Islands scored 61, on par with Pakistan and Russia.
Lighted beacon shines the way home
Lighted beacons were strategically placed around the island to aid mariners in navigation.
New Sir John A. Cumber Student Council aims high
While hard at work learning the three 'R's, a number of Sir John A. Cumber Primary School students are also honing their political and leadership skills as members of the school’s student government.
New warning over paraquat threat
The deadly weed killer paraquat remains a potential threat to pets over the festive season, despite a government ban on imports.
The Council: Conservation consternation
It's difficult (but not impossible) to give the protection of the environment a bad name, but the National Conservation Council is making some headway.
Rolling out the Kimpton carpet for One Young World
The opening of Dart's Kimpton Seafire Resort in late 2016 foreshadows a much-needed renaissance in Cayman's lagging mid-level to upscale tourism room inventory.
CarePay trial: Defense: Witnesses brought to police interview by gov't minister
What was described as a surprise police interview conducted with three civil servants during the CarePay contract investigation last year was arranged by a Cayman Islands government minister, defense attorneys suggested during testimony Friday.
Enterprise City campus gets zoning approval
Zoning approval has been granted for Cayman Enterprise City’s proposed campus on a 70-acre site in South Sound.
PR application, appeal take eight years
A man whose application for permanent residence took more than eight years from the date it was filed to when it was rejected by an appeals body has sued the Cayman Islands government, seeking re-consideration of the case.
Soto biography book signing at Book Nook
A book about Bob Soto's extraordinary life, aptly titled "Extraordinary Adventures" will be launched on Dec. 15 with a book signing on Dec. 18.
CarePay trial: Contract was 'highway robbery,' witness says
Fees that were expected to generate more than US$2 million a year for a Jamaican company providing services to the Cayman Islands public hospital system under the CarePay contract were called “highway robbery” by a Crown witness who testified Thursday in an ongoing criminal trial.
Cayman cemeteries face grave problem
Two Cayman Islands districts face looming problems with cemetery space, with the problem in West Bay district being the most severe and East End looking to close one of its cemeteries next year.
Cayman Economic Outlook conference date, speakers set
Inequality will be the theme of the 14th annual business conference presented by Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Ltd. on Jan. 19.
Festive music is in the air
East End Primary was the scene of festive songs and celebrations for the school’s annual Christmas musical, “A King is Coming to Town.”
Panton proposes beneficial ownership deal
Government proposed what it calls a “centralized platform” for beneficial ownership information where service providers would keep the information and investigators would be able to access the data when necessary.
Thoughts on the sensitive subject of cemeteries
Intertwined with culture, religion and public health, the practice of burial is a defining characteristic of the human species.
50 years ago: 'Stitch in time' could help Civil Service
Bodden Town notes from 1965
CarePay trial: Witness says 'half dozen' companies wanted CarePay deal
About “half a dozen” companies, both local and international, had expressed interest on bidding for a Cayman Islands public hospital patient swipe-card contract prior to the contract being awarded to a Jamaican-St.Lucian firm, according to the former chief information officer for the local Health Services Authority.
'Hails' to the chief: Cayman's new top firefighter
Based on his résumé, the hiring of David Hails as chief fire officer appears to be an unqualified recruitment triumph.
New registration and licensing center set to open in January
The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing will start offering inspection, registration and drivers’ licensing to more conveniently service Grand Cayman’s eastern districts starting in January.
Esterley Tibbetts Highway widening project begins
The project to widen the southernmost portion of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway to four lanes, which was announced on Nov. 25, is already under way.
Webb fired from Cayman football association
Jeffrey Webb has been officially terminated as president of the Cayman Islands Football Association after pleading guilty to involvement in racketeering and bribery schemes at world football’s governing body, FIFA. CIFA’s executive committee said it would hold elections for the role “at its first congress in 2016,” though it has not set a date for the meeting.
CarePay trial: Minister Archer raised questions about swipe-card company
The former head of the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company said she was contacted last year by Finance Minister Marco Archer about the CarePay swipe-card contract for the local public hospital system.
FIFA scandal: Cayman football in Webb’s shadow
In the United States, the trial of Jeffrey Webb is over before it began. Here in the Cayman Islands, however, the stain of Webb's legacy is only beginning to become apparent.
700 hired for seasonal work program
Seven hundred Caymanians have been selected to take part in the government’s Christmas work program.
CarePay trial: AIS contract was 'not going to be stopped,' says ex-medical chief
The former medical director of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority said that he was “not comfortable” with either the CarePay patient swipe-card contract or a subsequent contract for a pharmaceutical tracking system being awarded to the local operator of a Jamaican-St. Lucian company, but admitted he did not formally object to either deal.
Christmas wishes: Keep it kind, Cayman Islands
Our elected statesmen would do well to draw inspiration from the sounds of Christmas, and utilize the feelings of goodwill and politeness to temper their political discourse.
Clifton Hunter value: $69.2 million
The Cayman Islands government lost $41.6 million on the construction of Clifton Hunter High School between the date the school opened and the time a valuation of the North Side property was completed in May 2013.
Designs unveiled for Beach Bay resort
Dramatic and futuristic designs for a planned US$250 million luxury resort in Bodden Town were unveiled Saturday at an event in Miami Beach.
Beach Bay Land Ltd. announced TEN Arquitectos of Mexico City and New York as the winner of its design competition for work on the resort at St. James Point, Beach Bay. The firm’s concept designs show hotel and condo buildings curving along the coastline.
UK fire service veteran named new chief
For the first time since the Cayman Islands Fire Service was created, a non-Caymanian has been appointed to lead the department.
West Bay residents reflect on Christmas
On a recent Thursday morning the Compass headed to West Bay, looking for residents to interview about Christmas in Cayman.
'Aunt Julia' laid to rest
Family and friends gathered Saturday to remember Julia Hydes, Cayman's oldest resident, who passed away Nov. 30.
Cayman gives thanks at Agriculture Grounds
Locals and tourists enjoy a bit of Cayman-style Thanksgiving over the weekend.
Fallout from Webb guilty plea continues
Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden calls for an independent inquiry into Cayman football’s governing body in the wake of allegations that Jeffrey Webb embezzled funds intended for youth soccer programs.
Landfill conundrum: ‘Location, location, location’
In irony almost beyond words (but not quite), the government's "solution" to the George Town dump site is to make it permanent.
Ten airport severance packages totaled $173,000
Cayman's airports authority promises ad hoc 'severances' won't be paid to employees again.
Wrecked drug facility lies empty
A facility for recovering drug addicts will take a million to half a million dollars with donations and support to get it up and running again.
Premier: Cayman unmoved on beneficial ownership
The Cayman Islands and other U.K. Overseas Territories have agreed to implement centralized registers of beneficial owners of companies or “similarly effective systems” at the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council Meeting this week.
Intriguing stories continue to run
The biggest local sporting event – the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon – is staged on Sunday and, as always, there are plenty of intriguing athletes’ stories.
Law Reform Commission calls for consumer protection law
A new report from the Law Reform Commission calls for new rules to protect consumers in the Cayman Islands.
CarePay trial: Judge asks about US$2.4 million 'contract'
The payment of US$2.4 million for the proposed expansion to the private sector of the Cayman Islands Hospital’s CarePay patient swipe-card system prompted questions from the Grand Court judge presiding over the trial.
Daylight Saving Bill published
Government has published a Daylight Saving Time Bill as it pushes ahead with plans to adopt the system of changing clocks with the seasons.
Gambling Law assent clears way for fundraising raffles
Fundraising “raffles” officially are not considered gambling in legislation assented to by Governor Helen Kilpatrick and gazetted, just in time for the holiday giving season.
McKeeva Bush: Rest in peace, dear 'Aunt Julia'
McKeeva Bush says farewell to his cousin, "Aunt Julia" Hydes.
Christmas cleanup
Writer says government should be doing more to help people gain jobs or social assistance.
Lack of new landfill raising questions about waste management
The failure to identify a new site for landfill undermines government’s attempts to develop a long-term waste management strategy, critics have warned.
2016 public holidays announced
The government on Tuesday confirmed the dates of the public holidays for 2016.
Animal tethering practices in Cayman questioned
Roni Wildoner was traveling along the eastern coast of Grand Cayman in October when she spotted a bull tethered on the side of the road near Breakers. She investigated and found that the animal was tangled in his rope. A plastic makeshift water trough, with jagged, sharp edges, was empty, save for a handful of leaves. Tethering animals on the side of the road is a traditional practice in Cayman, but some say it's time for the tradition to end.
Brac center for disabled adults faces funding shortfall
Before Harmony Learning Centre was founded in March 2011, there was no place in Cayman Brac where disabled adults could go to learn life skills – or even just participate in fun activities.
CarePay trial: Watson collected, deposited check for CarePay contract
Canover Watson personally collected and deposited a check for US$686,000 that represented the first payment for the implementation of the CarePay patient swipe-card system, jurors heard Tuesday.
Gay rights battle paralleled in Bermuda
A landmark ruling in the Supreme Court of Bermuda giving same-sex couples equal rights on immigration and employment issues has been cited as further evidence that the Cayman Islands needs to modernize its own laws.
Handouts to voters: Charity or vote buying?
When it comes to standing up in the Legislative Assembly against the practice of “vote buying,” George Town MLA Winston Connolly stands alone.
Overseas Territories, London officials expect to broach beneficial ownership issue
Premier Alden McLaughlin and a six-member Cayman Islands delegation attended Tuesday afternoon’s opening session of the three-day annual Joint Ministerial Council in London. Ongoing questions of beneficial ownership are expected to be among the more contentious subjects addressed among the group of 12 Overseas Territories and Foreign and Commonwealth Office leaders.
Tourism officials launch food drive
Civil servants are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items to stock the Elmslie Memorial United Church’s pantry.
CarePay trial: Health chief 'shocked' by emails of Watson's dealings
Cayman Islands Health Services Authority chief executive Lizzette Yearwood said she was “shocked” by certain email communications from former HSA board chairman Canover Watson.
Commissioner: Corrupt police played part in drug theft
Suspected corrupt police officers are under investigation over the theft of more than 50 kilograms of cocaine and ganja from the George Town Police Station, Commissioner David Baines has acknowledged.
Finance minister says government audits improving
Finance Minister Marco Archer says accounting and financial controls are improving, despite an adverse opinion and other criticisms from the auditor general on government financial statements from the past two years.
Free AIDS testing this week
Six days of free HIV/AIDS testing have been organized this week as part of the observance of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.
How a wealthy country can be so broke
Q: Why can’t our emergency responders have nice things? A: Because our public officials keep spending the money on other stuff.
JN Money Services pushes CIMA on cash transfer move
Just days after the sudden reopening of Western Union, Jamaica National Money Services says it is renewing calls for government to help the remittance company resume taking Cayman currency.
MLA Alva Suckoo silent on future plans
Bodden Town MLA Alva Suckoo declined to discuss on Monday any future political plans he may have with regard to political party membership.
50 years ago: News from George Town
In the Dec. 1, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, George Town correspondent Frances Bodden reported on some of the happenings in the district:
CarePay trial: 'Everyone' supported CarePay system, claims defense
Defense attorneys in the CarePay trial say Canover Watson was made the scapegoat for the failures of many.
Eden's Progressives departure sets off political uproar
The departure of long-serving Bodden Town MLA Anthony Eden from the Progressives-led government last week sparked a behind-the-scenes political scramble and was viewed by some Cayman politics insiders as a potential foreshadowing of others leaving the Progressives party.
Mr. Eden said he would sit on the other side of the Legislative Assembly when the House next meets in the new year.
