ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 High of 86 Low of 75 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. ABCDE NATIONAL WEEKLY Worst Week Hillary Clinton3 Politics Jeb Bush to donors: Less is more 6 Obamacare What the arguments signaled 23 Culture Signing off on a long tradition 16 THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON POST New frontier in solving crimes EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 WORK PERMITS AND UNEMPLOYMENT: EXPOSING THE MYTH Builders Law will ‘level playing fi eld’ JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com New regulations requiring builders and trades people to be licensed will help en- sure a level playing fi eld for the industry, ac- cording to Cayman Contractors Association President Heber Arch. Speaking at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors conference on Thursday, Mr. Arch acknowledged the new system would add to the cost of doing business. And he accepted that those costs could be passed on to consumers. He said the Builders Law, which is ex- pected to be approved following the next ses- sion of the Legislative Assembly, would create a level playing fi eld for the industry. Rogue contractors who do not have quali- fi ed personnel or fail to pay pension and in- surance contributions to their employees will be unable to get Trade and Business Licenses under the new framework. Mr. Arch said the law would help pre- vent shoddy work from unskilled or unquali- fi ed contractors and would ensure contractors have the relevant liability insurance. The law, which has been on the table since 2004, was drafted amid concerns that some companies were cutting corners to save costs. It was passed in 2007 but never enacted. It is now being brought into force with a handful of amendments, likely to go to the Legislative Assembly before June. Mr. Arch, fi elding questions on the bill POLICE SCORE LOW IN SURVEY CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Most respondents to a recent poll by the police say the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service does not do a good job at reducing and preventing crime. Even after crimes are committed, most respondents said police do a “poor” or “very poor” job at keeping victims apprised of the status of a case. Respondents to the survey said frontline offi cers need to get out of their cars and engage more with com- munity members. “The information we have received from the public is helping us to shape our strategic priorities and objectives for the coming years. At the same time our initial analysis is already directing allocation of resources. It is also fo- cusing attention on the need for improvement in areas such as: burglary reduction, commu- nity engagement and keeping victims of crime better informed of progress on the investiga- tion of their cases,” said Police Commissioner David Baines. Among the steps police say they will take in response to the survey’s fi nding will be to in- crease foot patrols of frontline police offi cers and purchase speed detection radars. The RCIPS conducted the online survey over fi ve weeks in September and October and almost 750 people from Grand Cayman and the sister islands participated. More than half of respondents said police did a “poor” or “very poor” job reducing vio- lent crimes like assault, robbery and homicide. Only about 8 percent rated police performance in this category as “good” or “very good.” The police scored even lower when they asked how participants would rate the service in reducing non-violent crimes – less than 5 percent rated the police as doing a “good” or “very good” job. When asked how they rated police at Search called off for snorkeler missing off East End CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police have called off a sea search for a man from the United States who went missing while snorkeling off East End Thursday. The man is the third tourist to die or go missing in that area this year. Norman Lee, 47, has worked as an artist for Marvel Comics and DC Comics for 20 years. Friends and family of missing man described him as an avid comics fan and someone ded- icated to his family and his work. He is no relation to Stan Lee, former president of Marvel Comics. Ladies ‘take tea’ to benefi t National Gallery Artist Carol Owen, who was instrumental in the drive to build the National Gallery, joins hostess Ariane Dart and National Gallery Director Natalie Urquhart at the annual tea party fundraiser to benefi t the gallery. Mrs. Owen is the wife of former Cayman Islands Governor John Owen. Below, guest Nancy Binz alongside a Hannah Cook painting she purchased at the Friday afternoon affair. - PHOTOS: MAGGIE JACKSON Norman Lee, at his home near Boston, Massachusetts. - PHOTO: GARY HIGGINS/THE PATRIOT LEDGER PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 • CAYMAN COMPASS www.tonymosleylifeinsurance.com www. REGmovies.com SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © 21st Century Fox UNFINISHED BUSINESS (R) 1:20 | 3:35 | 7:15 | 9:30 CHAPPIE (R) 12:50 | 3:40 | 7:00 | 9:45 KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (R) 3:45 | 9:50 SEVENTH SON 3D (PG13) 1:10 | 7:10 LAZARUS EFFECT (PG13) 1:00 | 3:10 | 5:20 | 7:30 | 10:10 FOCUS (R) 1:30 | 4:10 | 7:20 | 10:00 SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS 3D (PG) 12:45 2D | 3:00 | 5:15 2D | 7:30 | 9:50 2D *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - MONDAY - Machete man robs Maedec A man, armed with a machete, robbed the Maedec Super Centre on Crewe Road Friday night, police say. At about 9:20 p.m. Friday, a man entered the Maedec Super Centre, threatened a clerk with a machete and pushed another employee. He stole cash from the reg- ister and left on foot, ac- cording to police. No injuries were re- ported in the incident. Police say the man wore a mask and gloves, a dark col- ored jacket and pants. He ap- peared to have a light brown complexion, slim build, av- erage height and possibly a ponytail. The man was last seen on foot heading towards the rear of the building. Police say they searched the area but did not find the suspect Friday night. Royal Cayman Islands Police Service asks anyone in the area at the time to contact police. Occupation Day at Bodden Town Primary Students at Bodden Town Primary now have a better idea of what jobs are avail- able to them in the working world, after the school hosted Occupation Day on Friday. Throughout the day, the children met chefs, po- licemen, authors, journalists, customs officers, construction workers, firemen and doctors, with each classroom show- casing a different occupation in the community. Presenters from various sectors made presentations about their job descriptions, and the necessary steps that are needed to enter that field of work. Many of the students were dressed in uniform or in clothing appropriate for the careers they one day hoped to take up. Year 1 student India Bush said, “I want to be a chef be- cause I like to cook and I see my friend cooking bananas at home.” Joshua Acosta wants to be a journalist. “I like to do different kinds of things. I like to take pictures of cars racing and write about foot- ball,” he said. Kimberly Litrico, deputy principal at Bodden Town Primary, said it was very im- portant to host Occupation Day because it gives pupils an idea of what jobs are out there and what professions they can go into. “Sometimes young people may look at an occupation and say being a chef is easy, but they do not [realise] what goes into or behind it. This is a good way to open their minds to know exactly what it entails,” she said. Ms. Litrico said the day was a collaboration between students and teachers. “We looked at occupations of par- ents of pupils in the class- rooms that could offer ex- pertise, and based on what students and teachers wanted, they chose that occu- pation to highlight,” she said. Joshua Acosta, with camera, wants to be a journalist. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Daniel Powery, left, wants to be a policeman, while Jayden Moore has ambitions to be an author. Trial set for Syed case JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The former president of the University College of the Cayman Islands Hassan Syed will face a six-week trial on a string of dishonesty offenses, starting Sept. 7. Syed, who has denied stealing more than $500,000 from his former employer, appeared briefly in Grand Court Friday for his trial date to be set. He formally entered not guilty pleas on Feb. 6 to 13 charges relating to his time as head of the institution be- tween 2006 and 2008. He is accused of falsely claiming to have a doctorate to get the position as president of UCCI. He is also alleged to have used his UCCI credit card for a series of fraudulent ex- penses and purchased a US$20,000 Mitsubishi motor car from Tony’s Toys using a UCCI check. Other charges on the in- dictment include fraudulently obtaining a $70,000 salary ad- vance from the college, falsely claiming official travel ex- penses for family members, and buying bathroom cabinets on his UCCI credit card. He is also accused of sub- mitting false invoices totalling just over $65,000 to UCCI for a company called Lominger International Services. IMMIGRATION TO STAY OPEN LONGER The Immigration Department has announced that it will remain open an extra three hours every Wednesday, dealing with customers up until 7 p.m. The later closing time is in response to customer feedback, the department said in a statement, adding that if the extended service proves popular, it is possible that another day with ex- tended hours will be added. Samantha Bennett, deputy chief officer of the Immigration, said the de- partment realized that “sometimes it’s just too much of a rush for people to take care of Immigration matters on their lunch hours. By extending the opening hours, we are ca- tering to our customers and giving them an option.” According to the state- ment, staff will be re- shuffled to offer the en- hanced customer service, “just one of many changes that are in the works to make Immigration more customer-friendly.” Currently, the normal business hours at the Immigration Department are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The new Wednesday opening hours will be introduced this week. The change in hours applies only to the Immigration Office on Elgin Avenue. VENEZUELA TO INSTALL FINGER SCANNERS TO TACKLE SHORTAGES CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela will begin installing some 20,000 fingerprint scanners at su- permarkets nationwide in a bid to stamp out hoarding and panic buying, which the government blames for long lines and widespread short- ages of basic goods. The oil-rich nation has been selectively rolling out the rationing system for months at state-run super- markets along the western border with Colombia, where smuggling of price-controlled goods is a major problem. On Saturday, President Nicolas Maduro said that seven large private retail chains had voluntarily agreed to install the scanners. “I ask for the comprehen- sion of all of Venezuela, to understand this problem, be- cause there is a lot of manip- ulation taking place,” Maduro said at the inauguration of a state-run supermarket. Economists say the effort is bound to fail. They blame decade-old price controls for destroying local manufac- turing and attracting smug- glers who can resell the goods on the black market and in Colombia for huge gains. In recent days, those profits have become juicier as a result of Venezuela’s tanking currency. The bolivar has slid 35 percent in the past two weeks on the black market and now trades at nearly one-fortieth the offi- cial rate used to import food, according to DolarToday, a website that tracks the illegal rate based on currency trades along the border. The fall of world oil prices by nearly half since November is also diminishing the supply of dollars avail- able to import everything from milk to cars. Crude oil accounts for 95 percent of Venezuela’s exports. As Venezuela’s economic crisis deepens the govern- ment is increasingly lashing out at its opponents and the United States, which it says is trying to sow instability and set the stage for a coup. But many Venezuelans point to Maduro. Recent polls say the embattled president has a 22 percent approval rating, the lowest since the start of the socialist revolu- tion 16 years ago by the late President Hugo Chavez.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass offi ce. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will fi nd their own way” Work permits and unemployment: Exposing the myth The assertion that foreign workers take jobs from Caymanians has been reported and repeated so often that the utterance has attained nearly mythic stature. And that’s where it belongs: in the realm of myth. The cover story of this month’s Cayman Islands Journal will, we hope, lay to rest that fallacy once and for all. The story’s headline will serve as an appropriate epitaph: “Work permits have no negative impact on Caymanian employment.” Unlike some who routinely rely on anecdotal evidence to support their narrative of confl ict between employed expatriates and unemployed Caymanians, the Journal article is founded on incontrovertible facts. And here are the facts, which have been oper- ative and discoverable in Cayman for the last 15 years, at minimum: “... the Caymanian unemploy- ment rate is actually lower when there are more people in the country on work permits. Conversely, when work permit numbers drop, Caymanian unemployment increases ...” When work permits go up, Caymanian unemploy- ment goes down. When work permits go down, Caymanian unem- ployment goes up. In other words, it is simply not evidence-based to equate the issuance of a work permit to an expatriate with a lost job opportunity for a Caymanian. Sorry, Ezzard. We often fi nd ourselves admiring independent North Side MLA Ezzard Miller for his maverick style of politics, his patent devotion to his district and, most of all, his fearless outspokenness. Many a time has an off- the-cuff remark from Mr. Miller brightened the pages of the Compass on an otherwise “slow news day.” However, when Mr. Miller or anyone else suggests that the proper public policy position on reducing Cay- manian unemployment is to restrict the authorization of work permits, he has no factual foundation or justifi - cation to support his specious argument. As explained in the Journal article (the fi ndings of which are based on the Cayman government’s own fi gures, the best possible cache of statistics on the topic), there is no demonstrable negative correla- tion between the number of work permit holders in Cayman and the number of employed Caymanians. There just isn’t. Actually, a stronger argument can be made for the obverse – that more work permits result in fewer unemployed Caymanians. But we don’t think that’s quite right, either. What we divine from the data is the lack of a direct link, negative or positive, between the number of work permits and the number of unemployed Caymanians at any given time. Rather, the two series tend to move together because they have a common cause: namely, the prevailing state of the local economy. Thankfully, as far as the continuing prospects of Cayman’s business environment are concerned, that’s the viewpoint espoused by the majority of Cayman’s leaders, including Premier Alden McLaughlin and Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush. Simply put, the healthier Cayman’s economy, the more job opportunities are available ... for everybody – expatriates and Caymanians alike. MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 • CAYMAN COMPASS WASHINGTON – Michael Froman received from a Harvard Law School class- mate, Barack Obama, a job that validates the axiom that the unlikelihood of any ne- gotiation reaching agreement grows by the square of the number of parties involved. In trade negotiations, even one’s own country is trouble- some, as the catfi sh conun- drum illustrates. And the de- gree of diffi culty in achieving a free trade pact is pro- portional to the number of Democrats in Congress. As U.S. trade represen- tative, Froman’s goal is completion and ratifi ca- tion of the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership involving the United States and 11 Asia- Pacifi c nations, from Chile to South Korea, who generate 37 percent of the world’s economic product. The TPP aims not just to liberalize trade but to reform some of these nations’ domestic poli- cies, particularly concerning labor and environmental is- sues, partly to entice certain Democratic constituencies to soften their opposition to free trade. Some developing na- tions, such as Vietnam, wel- come some compulsory ra- tionality – being required by trading rules to limit subsi- dies to sclerotic state-owned enterprises. But beware of ostensibly altruistic pro- tectionism – protectionism with moral pretensions. Sometimes poorer nations want higher standards forced on them. Other times rich nations use higher standards to raise produc- tion costs in, and thereby lower the competitiveness of, poorer countries. Negotiation and ratifi - cation of TPP will be easier if Congress gives Obama what prior presidents have received – “fast track” au- thority guaranteeing an up- or-down vote on the agree- ment without amendments. But Obama’s aggressive ag- grandizement of execu- tive power through unilat- eral actions (regarding the Affordable Care Act, immi- gration, etc.) has been un- precedented in its sweep and undisguised in its disdain for Congress. This has pro- duced the much-praised but elusive joy of bipartisanship: Conservative Republicans, eager to express separa- tion of powers rectitude, are joining liberal Democrats, eager to derail any agree- ment, in opposing fast track. Immersed in this polit- ical equivalent of three-di- mensional chess, the ad- ministration is serenely confi dent that there will be enough Democratic votes to join with large majorities of Republicans to ratify what is negotiated, even without fast track. And even if Republicans representing Southern cat- fi sh farmers must be molli- fi ed by restricting imports of Asian catfi sh that are pro- cessed in American plants in blue states. The two largest achieve- ments during Bill Clinton’s presidency occurred in spite of Democrats. Welfare re- form was forced upon him by a Republican-controlled Congress (he vetoed it twice before relenting), and the North American Free Trade Agreement was ratifi ed in spite of congressional Democrats (a majority of whom voted against it). Now, TPP – potentially the best re- sult of the Obama years – de- pends on Republicans. Democrats are plucking up the protectionist banner unfurled by 19th-century Republicans, who were tire- less defenders of the strong (manufacturers) against consumers. Today, many Democrats agree with Connecticut’s Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who says America “has lost 5 million manufac- turing jobs since NAFTA.” Notice the slippery lan- guage (“since NAFTA”) and remember the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy: The rooster crows and then the sun rises, therefore the crowing caused the sunrise. Manufacturing jobs have been declining as a share of total employment since 1950 and in actual number since 1979. But because of productivity improvements, manufacturing production and exports are near all- time highs. Granted, Froman says, some imports substitute for domestic products. But many imports are “intermediate goods” that go into the pro- duction of domestic goods, some of which are exported. And, he says, 50 percent of imports from Canada and Mexico, our fi rst and third largest trading partners, are used as inputs in the manu- facturing of American prod- ucts. Furthermore, Froman says, free trade is progres- sive in the sense that lower- income Americans spend a larger portion of their dis- posable income than more affl uent Americans spend on such imports such as food and clothing. You who are reading this column probably have a chronic, indeed incurable trade defi cit with your barber or hair dresser. You regularly buy what he or she sells yet he or she never buys any- thing from you. But things somehow work out. As they do between nations, because as the late Robert Bartley, editor of The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page, once wrote, “International transac- tions are always in balance, by defi nition.” “Protectionism,” said Clinton during the NAFTA debate, “is just a fancy word for giving up; we want to compete and win.” But now, even more than then, Democrats are the party of an America in a defen- sive crouch, fl inching from globalization’s challenges. Besides, progressivism’s constant agenda is to ex- pand the role of government and contract the role of mar- kets in allocating wealth and opportunity. Republicans rescuing Obama’s best idea would be an interesting coda to his presidency. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2015, Washington Post Writers Group Obama needs GOP for Trans-Pacifi c trade deal GEORGE F. WILL GEORGE 5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 PremierHealth BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, Grand Cayman KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, P.O. Box 254, Cayman Brac KY2-2101 Tel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Ltd. acts solely as an agent on behalf of various insurers; it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. Premier Health. The health plan that works at one speed. First for service and benefits! A health plan with BritCay prioritises the needs of patients and providers with timely and efficient access to benefits. Fast, efficient service is essential for customer satisfaction. Efficiency controls costs and ensures more premium dollars are spent on claim benefits.Speed and efficiency enabled us to settle an average 540 claims per day* in 2013, 95% in 5 working days. *197,373 total claims 2013 91% of our busiest local providers registered online 36% average network savings 20,251 telephone calls pickup ave. 0.13 seconds 197,373 claims settled 2013, 95% in 5 days The richest benefits plan your money can buy CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky Students hear that crime doesn’t pay JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Clifton Hunter High School opened its doors to the Youth Anti-Crime Trust on Friday for a series of lec- tures on the causes, conse- quences and penalties of a life of crime. Throughout the day, Year 8 students were shown what of- fenders face on a daily basis. The theme of the Youth Crime and Prevention Day was “Loss of Freedom.” It in- cluded videos and lectures addressing such issues as the use of guns and offensive weapons; gangs and the dan- gers of gangs; bullying; life in prison; sexually transmitted diseases; and crime, drugs and sexual trauma. Students also watched “Unspeakable,” a video that confronts sexual abuse of chil- dren in the Cayman Islands. Anthony Stewart, a police presenter, said it was impor- tant to get the message of the dangers of firearms “the ear- lier the better.” On the subject of video games that often focus on guns and violence, he warned that “guns are dangerous weapons and guns kill. There is no coming back from it,” He said parents often avoid speaking to their chil- dren about gun violence. “If you are going to get them games [that] have anything to do with guns, you need to make the child understand this is just a game. The re- ality is, having a gun in your possession is a crime; use it, it is a crime,” he said. Personnel from the Family Resource Centre, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Her Majesty’s Prison Service, local churches, Hope for Today halfway house, and social services shared their experiences in dealing with behavioral problems and crime. Youth ACT, a nonprofit or- ganization, created the pro- gram to address and imple- ment effective responses to antisocial behavior and to reduce and prevent youth crime. It was formed in 2012, and the first pilot programs were delivered in May 2013 to students of various gov- ernment high schools. Drug addiction A drug addict’s dream is never to become a drug ad- dict, Pastor Mitchell Exctain told students, adding that their dreams once had been just like theirs – to be a footballer, lawyer, accoun- tant, game creator, film star or gymnast. Pastor Exctain and Brent Hydes, director of Hope for Today, a halfway house in West Bay, spoke with stu- dents on the subject. “A lot of things come into life that steal and destroy your dreams, but you need to protect your life, and protect your dream, be your own best friend,” said Pastor Exctain. He described what happened to him – a person with big dreams who became a drug addict, criminal and prisoner. His best friend offered him crack cocaine and he was foolish enough to try it, he said. “I lost everything,” he said. Now free from crack co- caine addiction, the pastor gives thanks to God that his life has been restored to him. “I had to make [the] right de- cision for myself and be my own best friend. Protect your destiny,” he told the students. Addicted to cocaine for 32 years, Mr. Hydes told the children that once a person starts taking drugs, they often don’t know when to stop – the best decision is to just not start. “If you choose to do wrong and make bad choices, there are consequences,” he told them. He started high school telling himself it would not happen to him. “I too wanted to become a professional football player and the op- portunity did present itself, but because of my activity, and all the drugs I had put in my body, other things in my head seemed more impor- tant,” he said. Mr. Hydes left Cayman to go to Chicago to play foot- ball and when he got there, he went out to celebrate. One drink led to another until he wanted the harder substance. “The progression of il- legal substances can be detri- mental to your health. When you put drugs in your body, we don’t know where it will takes us,” he said. Weapons Over the last 19 years, there have been 37 murders committed in the Cayman Islands involving guns – 23 of the offenders have been convicted and are serving time, the students heard. Police Officer Stewart gave students an opportu- nity to see a gun at close range and to learn how of- fensive weapons cause death and injury. He said acts of violence in a district create a stigma which can affect the whole community, and which can eventually broaden to other communities. “Firearms have no head, heart, feeling or re- spect. It is not a toy. Once a person pulls a gun, it is le- thal,” he said. Students were also shown a training pistol – a replica of an original handgun – and a 9 millimeter bullet, which Officer Stewart said cost just 15 cents but can cause untold mayhem. He told students gun con- victions can ruin travel plans. “If you get involved in gun crimes and convicted you will pay the consequences,” he said. If found in possession of illegal firearms and found guilty, you will automatically go to prison for 10 years, he warned. A criminal record below six months may ex- pire after seven years, while a sentence of less than 2.5 years can lead to a 10-year criminal record. If convicted for 2.5 years or more, your criminal record stays for life. “You can be treated as an adult for gun crimes as early as [10 years old] – once you know right from wrong,” he said. This had students asking a lot of questions. “This is the stage you take on responsibility, bearing in mind you do something bad, you will pay the conse- quences,” he said. Students from Clifton Hunter High School learn reasons not to get involved in crime.6 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 • CAYMAN COMPASS Garden party raises funds for National Gallery JENNY PALMER jpalmer@pinnaclemedialtd.com Supporters at the National Gallery donned elegant hats and chic tea dresses for the an- nual Ariane Dart Tea Party on Friday. Guests at the fundraiser were greeted at the entrance to the Coral Beach Cottage Garden with Hibiscus Vanilla Delight and Elder Flower Cordial iced teas and then ex- plored the garden where they viewed six botanical pieces of art by Hannah Cook, and Saba, which were for sale in aid of the National Gallery. The garden, a peaceful place full of secret spaces, hanging orchids, waterfalls, wooden elevated walkways, railway sleepers and handmade butterfly, fish and shell patterned tiles, is the site of the annual tea party, which was held for the 12th time this year. The menu, prepared by Mise en Place, in- cluded tiny tea sandwiches with salmon, lob- ster or coronation chicken, homemade scones with jam and cream, and a selection of des- serts including chocolate cognac truffles, fruit tarts and raspberry meringues. Jasmine, rose, earl grey and chamomile teas were supplied by Tea Time in Cayman. Natalie Urquhart, director of the National Gallery, and Nancy Barnard presented the auction, which raised more than $17,000. Seven lots included an ultimate wellness package donated by Life Extension Cayman, a mother and daughter garden party donated by the Cabana – Lilly Pulitzer, a girl’s night out package donated by Bon Vivant, a staycation sponsored by the Westin Casuarina Resort, and an art adventure in Jamaica sponsored by the National Gallery Board and Cayman Airways with support from the National Gallery of Jamaica. Sponsor a scholar envelopes were placed on the tables for further donations to go towards the National Gallery’s education program. As usual, in what has become one of Cayman’s most glamorous day- time fundraising events, everyone was dressed to impress. Betty Baraud wore a ivory lace dress by BCBG, cream patent leather bag by Louis Vuitton and hat by Caymanian designer Laura Anderton. There were gorgeous hats from NKY in all shades, and delicate fascina- tors. Prue Lawson wore Ralph Lauren with a cream Coach clutch; Bryony Robottom wore Jasper Conran; and Derbhil O’Riordan wore a draped floral silk Moschino tea dress with an elegant wide black straw hat. Vicki Calvert-Das wore a striking bold pat- terned fitted dress by Diane von Furstenberg; Jess Deegenaars a gorgeous animal print dress by Camilla; and Pia Hall wore an Anthropologie dress, Jimmy Choo bag and Kate Spade shoes. Malin Ratcliffe, Regina Oliver and Debi Bergstrom Claire Coleman Pinnacle Media table: Back row, Christina Pantelidis, Michelle Pankhurst Taylor, Kelly Irmen, Joanna Lewis, and Emily Suter. Seated are Vicki Legge, Jennifer Ebanks, Vicki Wheaton and Jenny Palmer. - PHOTOS: MAGGIE JACKSON Nancy Barnard on auction duty. Petra Berksoy, Jana Hlavacova, Eileen Keens, and Jane Cebo Dara Flowers-Burke Samantha Nehra7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 PremierHealth BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, Grand Cayman KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, P.O. Box 254, Cayman Brac KY2-2101 Tel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Ltd. acts solely as an agent on behalf of various insurers; it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. BritCay has one word to describe policy holders. People. People not policy holders. Health insurance is for people not policy holders. Fast service and easy access to benefits are essential for customer satisfaction. In 2013, BritCay settled 540 claims per day*. BritCay is the only company offering providers free access to online verification and billing services. 91% of our busiest local providers are registered, which we think is a measure of our commitment to you. * Cayman 197,373 claims, 540 per day based on 365 working days. 2013 data. CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky CLAIMS Total 2013 197,373 (654,250 CGI) CLAIMS Speed3 days5 days10 days 80%95%99% Financial Accuracy 99.79% Statistical Accuracy 99.25% COMMONWEALTH DAY Message from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to ex- change ideas and to de- velop common goals, won- derful things can happen. So many of the world’s greatest technological and industrial achievements have begun as partnerships between fami- lies, countries, and even con- tinents. But, as we are often reminded, the opposite can also be true. When common goals fall apart, so does the exchange of ideas. And if people no longer trust or understand each other, the talking will soon stop too. In the Commonwealth we are a group of 53 nations of dramatically different sizes and climates. But over the years, drawing on our shared history, we have seen and acted upon the huge advan- tages of mutual cooperation and understanding, for the benefit of our countries and the people who live in them. Not only are there tremen- dous rewards for this coop- eration, but through dialogue we protect ourselves against the dangers that can so easily arise from a failure to talk or to see the other person’s point of view. Indeed, it seems to me that now, in the second decade of the twenty first century, what we share through being mem- bers of the Commonwealth is more important and worthy of protection than perhaps at any other time in the Commonwealth’s existence. We are guardians of a pre- cious flame, and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replen- ished for the decades ahead. With this in mind, I think it apt that on this day we celebrate ‘A Young Commonwealth’ and all that it has to offer. As a concept that is unique in human history, the Commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young and fresh and relevant to all generations. The youthfulness and vi- tality that motivate our col- lective endeavours were seen in abundance last year in Glasgow. They will be seen again in a few months’ time when Young Leaders from is- lands and continents gather to make new friendships and to work on exciting initiatives that can help to build a safer world for future generations. And last November in India, talented young scientists from universities and research insti- tutes conferred with eminent professors and pioneers of dis- covery at the Commonwealth Science Conference where to- gether they shared thoughts on insights and inventions that promise a more sustain- able future. These are stirring exam- ples of what is meant by ‘A Young Commonwealth.’ It is a globally diverse and in- clusive community that opens up new possibilities for development through trust and encouragement. Commonwealth Day provides each of us, as members of this worldwide family, with a chance to recommit ourselves to upholding the values of the Commonwealth Charter. It has the power to en- rich us all, but, just as impor- tantly in an uncertain world, it gives us a good reason to keep talking. As a concept that is unique in human history, the Commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young and fresh and relevant to all generations. Queen Elizabeth II DRESSING UP FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS Group suggests wearing purple to raise awareness Throughout this month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is asking organizations, schools and individuals to sup- port its campaign to raise awareness and funds to help youngsters in Cayman reach their full potential. Pilar Bush, Big Brothers Big Sisters chair, urged people to get involved. Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs mentors with chil- dren and young adults “in a bid to guide, inspire and motivate young people as they develop, helping them choose a positive life path,” she said. “Our mission is to pro- vide children facing ad- versity with strong and enduring, professionally supported relationships that change their lives forever. Through one-on-one inter- actions and group activi- ties, matched mentors spend quality time each week with matched children.“ The organization is ap- pealing to everyone to do- nate a little of their time or money during the “Dress for BBBS Month.” “It would be great if people can get together and choose a specific day when they can pledge fundraising, perhaps within their school, office, community group or even as an individual, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” she said. The group is suggesting that people wear purple as a symbol of their support or have a casual dress or jeans day in corporate offices. “Employees could do- nate a small sum such as CI$5 to dress down or wear purple for the day and stu- dents could pay CI$2 to wear purple,” she said, in a state- ment about the appeal. “In addition, we encourage em- ployers to match employees’ contributions, dollar for dollar. We also would wel- come corporate donations and encourage everyone to play their part in helping Cayman’s youth have access to caring mentors (our Bigs) who help children and young people (our Littles) achieve their fullest potential.” This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the Cayman Islands. According to the organization, hundreds of young people have been helped and dozens continue to be helped onto a positive path in life, “thanks to the dedication of the volunteers who choose to be mentors.” “Inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life,” Ms. Bush said. “BBBS provides chil- dren facing adversity with caring, committed mentors who invest dedicated time each week in that child. Over the years, we have seen time and time again how BBBS mentors have helped young people to have higher aspi- rations, develop more confi- dence, avoid risky behaviors and achieve greater educa- tional success. It’s very im- portant that we continue the momentum to ensure that BBBS is able to continue the great work.”The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 • CAYMAN COMPASS Dr. Wayne Porter Dermatologist CALL : 946-9020 BETWEEN 9AM TO 5PM Now located at Dees Plaza #282 on Crewe Road, GT He will be in of ce from Mar 9th - Mar 14th, 2015 Grand Opening Special 4 Weeks Karate $ 69.00 4 Weeks Karate $ 69.00 Call 926-Kick (5425) caymankarateacademy.com or email: bobdaigle@me.comor email: bobdaigle@me.com New location #1 Alexander Place, Dorcy Drive from business owners at the Marriott hotel last week, said the Contractors Association supported the law. “A lot of people are doing work and they don’t carry in- surance or pensions, they don’t comply with the Labor Law,” he said. “This registration will see that is done, so there will be an equal playing field, but that could affect costs.” Mr. Arch believes the law will improve industry standards. “It is up to us to make sure things are properly built, to es- tablish capability to make sure whoever does the work is doing it well. “Everyone will have to have pensions, insurance and will have to satisfy the law that they are performing properly. If they don’t, the board can pull their licenses.” He said he did not believe there was a conflict of interest in having contractors on the board, responsible for vetting qualifications. “Nobody can assess contrac- tors better than other contrac- tors,” he added. Mr. Arch said the eight-member board, which will police the new law, would be broad enough to ensure that no one company was advan- taged by its involvement. The law has different catego- ries of registration from general contractors to sub trades, like plumbers, roofers and masons, with a sliding scale of require- ments and fees. At the top end, general con- tractors, businesses qualified to engage in construction, and civil contractors, businesses that build roads, docks, bridges and utilities infrastructure, must meet the strictest criteria for experience and qualifications. Smaller or less experienced busi- nesses can apply for a separate category of “building contractor” for construction of commercial industrial or residential build- ings less than 25,000 square-feet or three stories. A fourth cate- gory of “residential contractor” is for businesses that construct or renovate buildings comprising four homes or less. Mr. Arch said not all busi- nesses in the industry would qualify in the category they wanted, but there should be a place within the new framework for the vast majority of the es- timated 580 contractors oper- ating in Cayman. Separate legislation is be- lieved to be in the works for ar- chitects and surveyors. Kevin Drysdale, general man- ager of Charterland, speaking at the same event, added, “I wel- come the registration of archi- tects and, as a quantity surveyor, I look forward to the registra- tion of quantity surveyors as well. I don’t see it as a threat to my profession, I see it as a com- mercial advantage. These are not threats, they are just changes.” Premier Alden McLaughlin said the Builders Law would regulate contractors and protect consumers. “The law will bring the com- petency of the construction in- dustry to a standard that will protect, as well as give confidence to, consumers,” he said. “Once the law is passed, it will guarantee that plumbers are plumbers, electricians are electricians; car- penters are carpenters.” solving crimes, more than 70 percent rated the RCIPS at “fair” or worse. RCIPS Chief Superin- tendent Kurt Walton, who is in charge of police op- erations, said, “We’ve held meetings this year across all districts as part of our com- mitment to engage the com- munity directly and hear their concerns. We have also implemented processes such as commanders contacting victims of crime for feed- back, and will continue to look for areas where we can do better.” Mr. Walton added: “We undertook the survey knowing that there would be criticism of the RCIPS, but we are determined to improve the quality of our services and the perfor- mance and professionalism of our officers.” Survey participants said they wanted more traffic enforcement and better street lighting. Police repre- sentatives said the depart- ment included funding in next year’s budget for more speed detection radars. They also said concerns with street lighting have been passed to the Public Works Department to look into pos- sible improvements. When is come to the state- ment “The police are usu- ally courteous,” respondents were split with about 45 per- cent saying they “agree” or “strongly agree” and the same number saying they “dis- agree” or “strongly disagree.” More than 60 percent of participants said they dis- agreed with the statement: “In general, Cayman Islands police officers treat all citi- zens equally according to the law.” RCIPS plans to survey businesses later this year and then another follow up survey for community members next year to gauge performance. Builders Law will ‘level playing field’ Mr. Lee went missing while snorkeling with his wife off the Reef Resort on Thursday morning when the two became separated. The woman swam back to shore when she couldn’t find her husband and raised the alarm about 11.20 a.m. She told au- thorities they were about 250 yards off shore near the channel through the reef. The marine police unit and Department of Environment boats, joined by local dive boats and Wave Runners scoured the waters off East End Thursday. Police put out a call late Thursday for volunteer divers to help in the search. The police he- licopter is currently out of action but Cayman Islands Helicopters, which typically offers scenic tours to visitors, provided aerial support to the search. Friday afternoon, police said, the search oper- ating turned into a search and recovery effort. Eight divers volun- teered to help Friday, with search efforts staged out of Tortuga Divers, the Morritt’s dive shop. Police called off the search as the sun went down Friday. “The currents in that area are strong and it is unlikely that we will make any recovery at this stage,” said RCIPS Chief Inspector Brad Ebanks. Mr. Ebanks said that from 6 p.m. Friday, the search was stood down “from an active search to calls of sightings of interest and continued ma- rine enforcement vessels in the area.” Police spokesman Adrian Seales said Mr. Lee was last seen wearing white beach shorts, black and blue fins and clear goggles. Mr. Lee, an “inker” who puts ink to the pencil sketches in comic books, has lived in Weymouth, near Boston, with Jan, his wife of five years, according to col- leagues quoted by the Boston Globe newspaper. On Wednesday evening, the night before he went missing, Mr. Lee posted a photo to Facebook from the Reef Resort looking out over the sea as the sun went down. Since then, friends, colleagues and fans have posted words of hope and condolences on Mr. Lee’s Facebook page. Police score low in survey Search called off for snorkeler missing off East End Norman Lee, a comic artist with DC and Marvel Comics, went missing while snorkeling off the Reef Resort on Thursday. – PHOTO: GARY HIGGINS/THE PATRIOT LEDGER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Liberia removes Ebola crematorium as disease outbreak is contained MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Marking the progress in con- trolling its Ebola outbreak, the Liberian government dis- mantled a crematorium and removed drums containing the ashes of more than 3,000 Ebola victims cremated during the height of the epidemic, whose last patient was dis- charged last week. Liberia resorted to cre- mating the bodies of Ebola victims when communities rejected burials in their areas for fear the disease could spread and contaminate their soil and affect them. The cre- mations were very controver- sial because they were against traditional burial practices. But those customs, including washing and touching the dead, spread the deadly Ebola which brought the government to impose cremations. Religious leaders gathered Saturday at the former crema- torium outside Monrovia and prayed for the victims who came from many different religious groups, Acting Information Minister Isaac Jackson told The Associated Press. The 19 barrels of remains will be buried on a 25-acre plot bought by the government as a cemetery for Ebola victims. “These activities – these prayers services – are taking place in an effort to accord these people the utmost re- spect considering the circum- stances under which they were cremated and they parted with their families,” Jackson said. “We think it is only but proper that we now accord them – the over 3,000 people cremated – respect in a more dignified way.” Liberia Thursday discharged from a Chinese-run treatment center, a 58-year-old English teacher, Beatrice Yardolo, the last confirmed Ebola case of the West African outbreak that killed more than 4,100 in Liberia. Sierra Leone and Guinea are still struggling to contain the outbreak that has killed nearly 10,000 people. With its last Ebola case being declared cured on March 5, Liberia is now counting 42 days until April 16 when, if no new cases are reported within that period, the country can be declared Ebola-free. The 19 barrels of remains will be buried on a 25-acre plot bought by the government as a cemetery for Ebola victims. Among the steps police say they will take in response to the survey’s finding will be to increase foot patrols of frontline police officers and purchase speed detection radars.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 Man spends night on parliament roof London: A man was arrested Sunday after spending the night wandering around the roof of the British parliament. The 23-year-old man, who has not been named, spent around eight hours on top of the Palace of Westminster. Rachel Lera Parchment March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013 “Mama” You are gone, but your presence lives on every day in my heart and life! You taught me so many things in my life and perhaps because I was your only little girl, who was always by your side. You ensured that I had the best of everything you could provide - guidance, valuable life lessons, cooking classes, a good education, support and the list could go on and on. When I lost you, I realized that I had lost my “Greatest Fan”, but I am comforted by the fact that you are watching over me and guiding me still with your presence. Happy Birthday in Heaven. I will always love you! Missing you - Your loving daughter, Julie Hunter and the rest of your family. Rachel Lera ParchmentRachel Lera Parchment March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013 Rachel Lera ParchmentRachel Lera Parchment March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013 Rachel Lera ParchmentRachel Lera Parchment March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013 Rachel Lera ParchmentRachel Lera Parchment March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013March 9, 1930-Oct. 21, 2013 MH370 report: Black box locator beacon battery had expired KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The first comprehensive report into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 revealed Sunday that the battery of the locator beacon for the plane’s data recorder had expired more than a year before the jet vanished on March 8, 2014. The report came as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the hunt for the plane would not end even if the scouring of the current search area off Australia’s west coast comes up empty. Apart from the anomaly of the expired battery, the de- tailed report devoted pages after pages describing the complete normality of the flight, which disappeared while heading from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, setting off aviation’s biggest mystery. Families of the 239 people who were on board the plane marked the anniversary of the Boeing 777’s disappearance, vowing to never give up on the desperate search for wreckage and answers to what hap- pened to their loved ones. Despite an exhaustive search for the plane, no trace of it has been found. In late January, Malaysia’s govern- ment formally declared the incident an accident and said all those on board were pre- sumed dead. The significance of the ex- pired battery in the beacon of the plane’s flight data recorder was not immediately ap- parent, except indicating that searchers would have lesser chance of locating the aircraft in the Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed, even if they were in its vicinity. However, the report said the battery in the locator beacon of the cockpit voice recorder was working. “The sole objective of the investigation is the preven- tion of future accidents or in- cidents, and not for the pur- pose to apportion blame or liability,” the report said. Even though the beacon’s battery had expired, the in- strument itself was func- tioning properly and would have in theory captured all the flight information. The two instruments — commonly known as “black boxes” – are critical in any crash because they record cockpit conversations and flight data through the end of a flight. The 584-page report by a 19-member independent in- vestigation group went into minute details about the crew’s lives, including their medical and financial records and training. It also detailed the aircraft’s service record, as well as the weather, com- munications systems and other aspects of the flight. Nothing unusual was re- vealed, except for the previ- ously undisclosed fact of the battery’s expiration date. The report said that ac- cording to maintenance re- cords, the battery on the beacon attached to the flight data recorder expired in December 2012, but because of a computer data error, it went unnoticed by mainte- nance crews. “There is some extra margin in the design to account for battery life vari- ability and ensure that the unit will meet the minimum requirement,” it said. “However, once beyond the expiry date, the (battery’s) ef- fectiveness decreases, so it may operate for a reduced time period until it finally dis- charges,” the report said. While it is possible the battery will operate past the expiration date, “it is not guaranteed that it will work or that it would meet the 30-day minimum re- quirement,” it said. The report gave insight into the physical and mental well-being of the flight’s pilot, Capt. Zaharie Ahmad Shah, saying he had no known his- tory of apathy, anxiety or ir- ritability. “There were no significant changes in his life- style, interpersonal conflict or family stresses,” it said. It also said there were “no behavioral signs of social iso- lation, change in habits or in- terest, self-neglect, drug or alcohol abuse” by Zaharie, his first officer or the cabin crew. Financial checks also showed nothing abnormal about their spending pat- terns. It said Zaharie held several bank accounts and two national trust funds. He had two houses and three ve- hicles, but there was no re- cord of him having a life in- surance policy. The co-pilot, First Officer Fariq Abdul Hamid, had two savings accounts and a na- tional trust fund. He owned two cars and “spent money on the upkeep” of his cars. “He does not have much sav- ings in his bank account. He has a life insurance policy,” the report said. It also said 221 kilograms (487 pounds) of lithium ion batteries packed by Motorola Solutions in Malaysia’s Penang state didn’t go through secu- rity screening at Penang air- port. The shipment was in- spected physically by the airline cargo personnel and went through customs inspec- tion and clearance before it was sealed and left Penang a day before the flight. The report came as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the hunt for the plane would not end even if the scouring of the current search area off Australia’s west coast comes up empty. Dai Shuqin, second from right, and Jiang Hui, right, relatives of passengers on board Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 that went missing on March 8, 2014, speak to journalists during a gathering of family members of the missing passengers, in Beijing on Sunday. - PHOTO: AP SELMA, Ala. (AP) — In four minutes, President Barack Obama gave his daughters a living history lesson on the civil rights movement. Obama paid tribute Saturday to civil rights legends sung and unsung by leading a symbolic march across an Alabama bridge where throngs who protested their lack of voting rights 50 years ago were beaten by police on what is known as “Bloody Sunday.” Clasping hands with “one of my heroes,” Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., and Amelia Boynton Robinson, who was badly beaten on Bloody Sunday, Obama led several dozen people across the infa- mous Edmund Pettus Bridge in his shirtsleeves under- neath Alabama’s bright sun. Malia and Sasha, his teenage daughters, marched along with first lady Michelle Obama, her mother, Marian Robinson, and former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. Lewis, an original Bloody Sunday participant whose head was cracked open by po- lice as he led a group across the bridge, held court when Saturday’s group stopped after about four minutes, just after passing beneath the bridge awning bearing the name of Pettus, a brigadier general in the Confederate army. “I want to say what an extraordinary honor this has been, especially to have Sasha and Malia,” Obama said of his 13-year-old and 16-year-old. Obama had said he was taking his daughters to Selma to “remind them of their own obligations.” “There are going to be marches for them to march, and struggles for them to fight. And if we’ve done our job, then that next generation is going to be picking up the torch, as well,” Obama said at a Black History Month observance at the White House last month. Obama says Selma a living history lesson for his daughters President Barack Obama, fourth from left, walks holding hands with Amelia Boynton Robinson, who was beaten during ‘Bloody Sunday,’ as they and the first family and others including Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga, left of Obama, walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama for the 50th anniversary of the landmark event of the civil rights movement on Saturday. - PHOTO: APNext >