High of 87 Low of 76 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. Film Gorgeous Kiara ■ fashion Kenzie Rose Arriba! Restaurant Casa 43 offers authentic taste of Mexico B7 Food & Drink Resident fashion designer launches website B8 “Caymanian Art - A New Frontier” Local filmmaker puts spotlight on National Gallery’s Permanent Collection B3 “Return to Cayman: Paradise Held Hostage” Cayman adventure novel will appeal to divers, readers B4 Literature Friday June 12, 2015 • Cayman Compass Sweet Kiara’s loving, patient nature will easily melt your heart. Can you offer her a loving home? B6 CAYMAN WEEKENDER Kenzie Rose Editorial | pagE 4 Keeping Cayman’s foCus on fifa ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – friday June 12, 2015 TUESDAY - FRIDAY - SUNDAY 17.95 $39.95 Chamber Council urges government to repeal ban on Compass advertising Brent fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Citing a concern about local and global im- plications of the ongoing dispute between the Cayman Compass and the ruling Progressives administration, the Chamber of Commerce has called on government to reverse its de- cision to pull advertising from the country’s oldest newspaper. “We support the right to freedom of ex- pression as exercised by the Cayman Compass and all local media and as guar- anteed and protected under the Cayman Islands Constitution,” a statement from the Chamber Council released late Thursday read. “We also support freedom of expression ex- ercised by those within our community that disagree with the editorial or other content in the newspaper. While we may not agree with what is said or written, we believe it is impor- tant for everyone to be able to state his or her views, whether that be the premier, the editor of the Cayman Compass or anyone else. “We do not support, however, the finan- cial sanction proposed and passed hastily during proceedings in [the Legislative Assembly’s] Finance Committee on Monday, June 8 as this sets a dangerous precedent and would negatively impact the important role that a free press plays in our democ- racy,” the council statement continued. “The council calls on the government to repeal the advertising ban immediately.” The Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly voted Monday to ban all government adver- tising, both for jobs and for public notices, from the pages of the Cayman Compass fol- lowing a motion made by East End MLA Arden McLean. Premier Alden McLaughlin and his government members supported the motion largely due to an editorial that the Compass published on June 3 that Mr. Cayman airways drops panama route James WhittaKer jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Airways has dropped its seasonal flight to Panama, with government signaling a switch in policy from attempting to attract new tourists from South America. Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said the country was focusing on its core mar- kets as well as attempting to open up access, through Dallas, to “pockets of wealth” on the west coast of the U.S. He said the tourism budget had been cut by 30 percent and the funds were not available to make speculation in South America successful. “Strategically we would like to be reaching out to that new South American market, but for the next 12-month period we have taken our resources and we are looking at strength- ening our core market,” he said during a Finance Committee hearing on Cayman Airways annual budget. He suggested that tourism industry fig- ureheads, who partner with the DoT, on mar- keting and promotion of the island were cur- rently more interested in tapping into the U.S. west coast market. The Panama flight ran at a small $60,000 profit, Mr. Kirkconnell said in response to ques- tions from opposition leader McKeeva Bush. “We believe we can take that plane and move it to another gateway and have a better return on investment for the country,” Mr. Kirkconnell said. He acknowledged that American Airlines was now opening a route from Dallas into Floating cruise pier idea sinking James WhittaKer jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A floating cruise pier – pro- moted by local businessmen as an environmentally friendly al- ternative to dredging George Town harbor – would face sig- nificant technical challenges, ac- cording to government’s marine engineering consultants. The consultants looked at the proposal as part of their Environmental Impact Assessment on the cruise berthing project and questioned its ability to withstand hurricanes. “Conceptually it is a great idea. In reality there are many questions about how you do that,” said Dave Anglin, of the coastal engineering firm Baird. Citing concern about the en- vironmental consequences of dredging the harbor to build fixed piers, hotelier Reginald Delapenha and architect Burns Conolly teamed up with a Dutch engineering firm to produce con- cept designs for the project. In its review of those proposals, Mango season is here The peak of the Grand Cayman mango season has arrived, with local mangoes now available in abundance. Pictured here, Brendon Lyons purchases mangoes from Jasmin Gravador at Willie’s Fruit Stall in Red Bay. See story on page 12. - photo: Jewel levy PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS Friday June 12, 2015 • Cayman Compass Shabbat Candle Lighting time on Friday, June 12 6:46pm Chabad Jewish Center of the Cayman Islands jewishcayman.com-345.516.4474 PICCADILLY CENTRE FOR LEASE Over 18,000s/f rentable Secure multi storey parking Fully refurbished l l l Competitive lease rates Member CIREBA 345-945-4411 info@cirealty.ky caymanislandsrealty.com Eugenio Leon Harpist Extraordinaire, serenades tableside tonight and every Friday night! Salsa Tuesdays with DJ Flex Free lessons with Kirk starting 9.30pm Every Tuesday Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky Tuesdays Salsa Free lessons with Kirk starting “BOOGIE NIGHTS” Don’t forget Next Last Friday of EVERY MONTH! Friday June 26th Old School Dance Party 70’s Disco & 80’s classics Music By DJ FLEX Starting at 9:30pm Tarpon Fish Feeding 7:30pm & 9:00pm Nightly Tonight! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm with FREE Hors d’oeuvres + Drink Specials Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm with FREE Hors d’oeuvres + Drink Specials Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Mobile: 345-323-8573 O ce: 345-943-8573 / Fax: 345-949-9753 heather.richards@remax.ky / www.remax.ky Heather Richards DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN! Cayman Islands Member of CIREBA Doubletree Lane Spotts Newlands Spacious and modern 3b/2b family home has nice quality furnishings, granite counter-tops and SS appliances. Beautifully landscaped and well fruited with gazebo. Easy access to George Town, Schools and conveniently located. MLS 403789 CI $250,000 345.623.1400 • SALES & RENTALS • MEMBER OF CIREBA • COMMERCIAL LEASES • capitalrealty.com.ky “We Do The Homework” Call Us Today 623.1400 PARK PLACE VILLA 3 bed/2.5 bath 265 yards from The Ritz Carlton! CIREBA MLS 404491 CI$399,000 CALL HEIDI KISS, 525.1126 SOUTHAMPTON GARDENS 2bed/2.5 bath Great location, pool, gym CIREBA MLS 403987 CI$299,000 CALL HEIDI KISS, 525.1126 CALL DEB MORRISON, 324.0190 Cayman’s Most Affordable Brunch & Breakfast till 3pm Saturday, Sunday & Holiday Monday! Cayman’s Police ‘clinics’ seek community input Brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service will begin meeting with local resi- dents to hear their concerns and advice in a different way starting this month. The police service plans to host a number of “com- munity clinics” at various locations around Cayman during the week of June 22- 27. The meeting places are still being confirmed, but will include supermarkets, hospital district clinics and other public places. “We have decided to take this route having seen the poor turnout at public meetings,” Acting RCIPS Superintendent Angelique Howell said. “We decided to come to the community rather than ask the com- munity to come to us.” The idea with the com- munity clinics is to allow an “open forum” where resi- dents can speak to the po- lice in a more informal manner, rather than in a public meeting where some individuals may feel un- comfortable speaking out. Superintendent Howell said the clinics will hope- fully “ensure early iden- tification and treat- ment of emerging community ailments to re- duce community impact.” The effort is also aimed at improving the RCIPS’s public image. Most respondents to a survey done by the police that was released in March said the RCIPS does not do a good job at reducing and preventing crime. Even after crimes are com- mitted, 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 community members. The RCIPS conducted the online survey over five weeks in September and October 2014 and nearly 750 people from Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands participated. More than half of re- spondents said police did a “poor” or “very poor” job reducing violent crimes like assault, robbery and homi- cide. Only about 8 percent rated police performance in this category as “good” or “very good.” While the public percep- tion may be poor, the crime statistics released for the first three months of this year do not necessarily re- flect poor performance. Total crime reports made to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service de- creased by nearly 24 per- cent in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter last year. Offenses considered “serious” crimes by po- lice stayed about the same compared to the first three months of 2014. Reported burglaries, a trouble spot for the department in re- cent years, numbered 147 in the first quarter this year; there were 146 cases during the same period last year. According to police sta- tistics for the quarter, rob- beries increased from three to six, attempted burglaries increased from 15 to 20, and murders increased from one to two cases, all in the first quarter of 2015. Reports of abduc- tions, rapes, attempted rob- beries, wounding and de- filement all went down in first quarter of 2015. The big decrease in re- ported crimes came in the area of lesser offenses, often called “volume crimes” by police. Thefts, damage to prop- erty reports, threats and common assault cases all declined significantly in the first quarter of 2015. Theft reports in first quarter 2014 were 190, compared to 123 this year. Similarly, damage to prop- erty fell from 99 reports to 58 reports. RCIPS chopper spots Cubans adrift The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service he- licopter spotted a group of 18 Cuban migrants adrift aboard a makeshift watercraft while on rou- tine patrol Wednesday. The 18 Cuban mi- grants were about 25 miles southwest of Little Cayman in a dilapidated craft and going nowhere, the RCIPS Air Support Unit observed. A rescue opera- tion was launched from Grand Cayman with the Joint Marine Unit ves- sels Cayman Guardian and Tornado. Both ves- sels were guided to the scene by the helicopter crew and all 18 mi- grants were taken aboard the Guardian. Police said three of the migrants were se- verely dehydrated. When the police patrol boat re- turned to Grand Cayman, two of the three men were taken to hospital for further treatment. The other 16 were trans- ferred to the Immigration Detention Centre. The makeshift vessel was sunk by marine unit staff so that it would not pose a marine hazard. “There can be no doubt that 18 lives have been saved by the patrol strategy of our helicopter crews and timely re- sponse of the Marine Unit vessels, and working with our colleagues from the Immigration Department,” RCIPS Chief Inspector Robert Scotland said. The 18 Cuban migrants were about 25 miles southwest of Little Cayman in a dilapidated craft and going nowhere. “We have decided to take this route having seen the poor turnout at public meetings.” Angelique Howell, superintendent, RCIPS Ms. HowellThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Friday June 12, 2015 4937 - LIME - NEW iPhone 6 Offer - Full Page Ad - CMYK - 10.33 x 15.97 - 13 May 2015 UPGRADE TO iPhone 6 $ 299 iPhone 6 isn’t just bigger _ it’s better in every way. Larger, yet thinner. More powerful, yet power efficient. It’s a new generation of iPhone. BUY NOW | LIME.COMThe 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 office. Friday June 12, 2015 • Cayman COmpass The world football scandal continues to draw top billing in the international press, with the Cayman Islands remaining as a central node in the alleged network of bribery, corruption and racketeering. In the midst of the ongoing local “Sturm und Drang” regarding this government and this newspaper, it is important that we not lose sight of Cayman’s role in the FIFA scandal, namely the arrest and indictment of Cayman’s former football leader Jeffrey Webb and the growing list of other local entities and individuals who have found themselves ensnared by association in the worldwide probe of U.S. allegations. For starters: • Mr. Webb, the former FIFA VP, CONCACAF presi- dent and Cayman Islands Football Association pres- ident, remains in Swiss custody pending extradi- tion to the U.S., where he faces 15 counts related to alleged bribery, money laundering and racketeering. • Costas Takkas, Mr. Webb’s CONCACAF attaché and former CIFA general secretary who spent more than two decades in Cayman, was arrested along with Mr. Webb and others in Zurich on May 27. He faces seven counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering con- spiracy. U.S. prosecutors allege that millions of dollars in bribery payments to Mr. Webb were routed through Cayman’s Fidelity Bank (Mr. Webb’s former employer) via accounts controlled by Mr. Takkas. • Canover Watson, former CIFA treasurer, sat on a three-person CONCACAF committee that evaluated bids for a US$15.5 million contract that now forms part of the U.S. investigation into FIFA. Separately, Mr. Watson (the former chairman of Cayman’s Health Services Authority) faces 10 charges in Cayman’s Grand Court, including six charges for alleged money laundering, related to a local inves- tigation into the public health agency’s CarePay system. At least one cash payment Cayman pros- ecutors have connected to the case involves an account at Fidelity Bank. • Cindy Scotland, the head of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, is married to former Minister Mark Scotland, who was in Zurich with Cayman’s football delegation when Messrs. Webb and Takkas were arrested. Last year, Mr. Scotland began working for Mr. Webb as youth develop- ment director of CIFA. The Compass Editorial Board — while highlighting that Mr. Scotland has not been accused of any wrongdoing whatsoever — has called on Mrs. Scotland to recuse herself from all matters that come before CIMA involving the unfolding FIFA scandal. To date, she has not done so. • Inanotherrealorperceivedconflictofinterest, Gloria Glidden, deputy head of CIMA’s banking division, is married to former Minister Cline Glidden (also accused of no wrongdoing whatsoever), who has been working with CONCACAF on the creation of a regional football dispute resolution court and who, too, was in Switzerland with the Cayman del- egation at the time of Mr. Webb’s arrest. Addition- ally, Mrs. Glidden is a former employee of Admiral Administration, where she worked with Mr. Watson. Tellingly, on Monday night, lawmakers on the Finance Committee voted, with no debate, to continue the provision of public funding to CIFA to the tune of $127,775 for the coming year. We are not saying that legislators should have revoked or even reduced funding for CIFA’s local programs. However, when they were presented with a germane opportunity to speak on the topic of interna- tional allegations of actual corruption involving Cayman and FIFA, the premier and his Progressives government gave the parliamentary equivalent of “no comment.” As we enter our long holiday weekend and prepare to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Eliz- abeth II, we want to assure our readers that our reporters will continue to focus on covering — and never ignoring — the news events that are important to Cayman, Caymanians, expatriates, residents, investors, visitors and observers ... in short, our readers. Keeping Cayman’s focus on FIFA The politics behind Greece’s wild swings Marc chaMpion Bloomberg View This late in the game, it’s worth considering whether the Greek government actu- ally wants to reach a deal with its creditors. These negotiations have been going so badly, for so long and with so little prog- ress that “What are the Greeks playing at?” has be- come a frequent question. Bloomberg View columnist Mark Buchanan gives the in- triguing answer that Greece and its creditors may be stuck in something called the “ultimatum game” – a situ- ation in which two unequal sides can’t reach the log- ical agreement, because the weaker party is too insulted by what’s on offer. As Buchanan says, there have been a lot of attempts at explaining the Greek govern- ment’s erratic actions, often encouraged by the game theory expertise of Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. My fear is that this is not a game and that the Greek position may be determined by ra- tional, if venal and misguided, political calculations. Put yourself in the shoes of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. He heads an umbrella party called Syriza, which brought together more than a dozen fringe groups, ranging from neo-Marxists and Trotskyists, to feminists and environmen- talists. What they have in common is that they are all, broadly, anti-capitalist and anti-establishment. None had ever been close to reaching national govern- ment, or until a year or two ago really expected to. Aligning them behind any policy that suggests a serious concession to the establishment – which in this case includes Germany, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank, as well as the mainstream parties in Greece – would be like herding cats. What’s more, Syriza’s sup- port base includes many of Greece’s long-term unem- ployed, who have nothing to lose from Greece leaving the euro or imposing capital con- trols, as well as people with vested public and private sector interests who have ev- erything to lose. This problem is reinforced by the way in which Syriza gained power, promising ev- erything to everyone. Tsipras and his party campaigned on a pledge to stop complying with the core terms of the largest bailout of a sover- eign nation in history. They objected (correctly) to the el- ements of austerity within it, and (wrongly) to its require- ments for economic reform. At the same time, Syriza couldn’t get elected by saying this would require defaulting on the debt and leaving the euro, because most Greeks didn’t want the drachma back – and according to a poll ear- lier this month, 74 percent still don’t. So the party offered a proposition that could be met only if Greece’s euro area partners and the IMF capitu- lated: End the bailout terms, but keep the bailout. This has put Tsipras and his negotiators in an invidious position. To ac- cept something that simply tweaks the bailout but con- tinues austerity and reform would incur huge political risk. Tsipras recently got a taste of that when he came back to Athens with a new offer from creditors; much of his party revolted and he changed his apparently open- minded stance within hours. At the same time, if Tsipras were to simply walk away from the talks, default and Grexit would follow. Most Greeks would be ap- palled, and would blame him for causing a debacle they didn’t vote for. So he’s damned if he makes a deal the creditors will accept, and damned if he doesn’t. The honest way out of this dilemma would be to hold ei- ther a referendum or fresh elections to answer the clear question of whether Greeks prefer to abide by the bailout terms, or leave the euro. But there is another possibility. What if it isn’t the Greek side that walks away, but the euro area and IMF? In that case Greeks might blame a Grexit on them, rather than Syriza, which could claim to have done its best and to still want a deal. Perhaps that’s what German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble had in mind when he said on Tuesday, “Syriza has tried to some extent to play a blame- game against Germany,” and that “we’d be pretty daft if we were engaging in it.” Greece, in that case, might be in terrible shape, but Syriza would survive politi- cally, for a while. I hope these aren’t the calculations be- hind the Greek government’s recent actions, such as sud- denly adding debt relief back onto its list of demands for what is, after all, only a pre- liminary agreement to com- plete the current bailout. Debt-relief-for-reform would be a proposition you’d expect for the new bailout arrange- ment that would follow. If Tsipras has given up on a deal and is now just trying to engineer an endgame that retains his political support, not only would Greece suffer more than it has, but I suspect his political career would be short-lived. Syriza simply isn’t equipped, either ideologically or in terms of competence, to pull off a rapid recovery from default. The economic reforms such a feat requires would make the demands of the bailout look timid. Marc Champion writes editorials on international affairs for Bloomberg View. © 2015, Bloomberg View 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 find their own way”The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 Cayman Compass • Friday June 12, 2015 Changing the way we do things. It's time for us all to say, You've got two ears, but one mouth, so talk less, and listen more. That's what we've been doing. You've got two ears, but one mouth, so talk less, and listen more. That's what we've been doing. And the world we all live in. treatment and first-class service. Changing the way we do things. And the world we all live in. You deserve DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS. JOIN US CHANGING. So we know you're... Bored with ordinary. Listening to you. THAT'S WHY WE'RE It's time for us all to say, Fed up with average. And tired of ok.6 LOCAL NEWS Friday June 12, 2015 • Cayman Compass EVERY TUESDAY JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 7PM, GARDENIA COURT 16 JUNE THE CROODS (2013, PG) 23 JUNE MAMMA MIA! (2008, PG-13) 30 JUNE HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (2008, PG-13) 7 JULY DESPICABLE ME 2 (2013, PG) 14 JULY ANNIE (2014, PG) 21 JULY THE LEGO MOVIE (2014, PG) 28 JULY FIELD OF DREAMS (1989, PG) 4 AUGUST MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED (2012, PG) 11 AUGUST HOME (2015, PG) 18 AUGUST THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY (2014, PG) 25 AUGUST RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981, PG) For more information on movies and other summer experiences, visit CAMANABAY.COM/SUMMER NRA to receive dedicated annual road maintenance cash BReNt FulleR bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The government authority that has responsibility for maintaining and improving local roads will receive an annual fund of up to $10 mil- lion for that task, if legisla- tion made public this week is approved by lawmakers. The National Roads Authority [Amendment] Bill seeks to establish two rev- enue streams that would pro- vide a maximum of $10 mil- lion each year to pay for the authority’s operating costs “in particular, the construc- tion, upgrading, rehabili- tation and maintenance of public roads.” The revenues are pro- posed to be taken from fuel import duty charged and col- lected on gasoline and diesel with the exception of duties charged to diesel fuel im- ported by Caribbean Utilities Company. In addition fees collected for motor vehicle drivers licenses will go to- ward the road maintenance fund, referred to the bill as the “road fund.” The bill, if approved, will provide revenues for the roads authority for the cur- rent budget year which ends this month. The government made a temporary provision to fund the roads authority ahead of the current year’s budget. Finance Minister Marco Archer said last year that the $10 million taken from the taxes, which typi- cally goes into government’s general fund budget, would be given to the National Roads Authority specifi- cally for road maintenance and construction. The $10 million, plus ad- ditional losses from the re- duction of the fuel duty charged on the importation of CUC, cost the government about $13 million in annual tax revenues during the cur- rent year. The roads authority has sustained major staff losses due to government budget cuts over the last few years. The roads authority’s budget was slashed from $8.3 million in the 2011/12 fiscal year to $6 million in 2012/13. As a result of the budget cuts, in October 2012 the board and management sub- mitted a report to the min- istry including their “recom- mendations for right-sizing the NRA to make the au- thority more efficient and ef- fective going forward.” In 2013, according to au- thority board minutes, there was real concern that the NRA’s more than 100 workers at the time could lose their jobs. According to the min- utes, “In regards to the gen- eral morale and mood of the staff, it was noted that most employees are unsure of their work status and some em- ployees are actively seeking employment elsewhere.” Then-Acting NRA managing director, Paul Parchment, who eventu- ally took over the job full- time, said staff morale was shaken but there was “still relative uncertainty with re- gard to the future funding issues of the authority.” A maximum of $10 million each year to pay for the authority’s operating costs “in particular, the construction, upgrading, rehabilitation and maintenance of public roads.” This mess on Selkirk Dr. is one of a number of areas where road patches are needed around Grand Cayman. – Photo: taneos RamsayThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Friday June 12, 2015 The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Friday June 12, 2015 • Cayman Compass is now accepting applications from first degree students who have received acceptance from a university or a college but have insufficient funding to cover their general expenses only. (For The John R Gray Memorial Fund) Application forms are available online at www.ncvo.org.ky or by emailing ncvocoordinator@ncvo.org.ky and must be submitted in full by Friday 17th July 2015 New Applications should also contain the following information: a) Proof of provisional or full acceptance from a university or a college; b) Proof of being Caymanian & date of birth c) Information regarding the course of study to be pursued; d) The overall costs; what funding the applicant currently has and from what sources; e) SAT scores or High School grades if applicable; f) Letter from applicant in support of application; g) Three written character references. h) Information on specific expenses (e.g. food, books, transport, accommodation etc) for which the funds are required and the amount requested (up to US$2,500 per year). Existing Applicants need to submit: a) Letter requesting continued funding b) Current grades from university or college c) Letter from their university confirming type & length of course Enquiries to Janice Wilson or Alta Bodden-Solomon 949 2124. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS Baird wrote, “The proposed floating pier concept pro- vides a number of potential significant benefits as com- pared to a fixed pier con- cept, including reduced en- vironmental impacts as well as a reduced duration of on- site construction activities and the associated reduc- tion in impacts to existing businesses and operations. “However, there are a number of significant technical challenges to ad- dress in the design of such a facility, and it is not ap- parent that these issue is- sues have been consid- ered by the proponent at this time.” It adds, “The proposed concept is unique, and without precedent, for a site exposed to hurricane waves. Based upon the in- formation available at this time regarding the floating pier concept, Baird ques- tions whether the concept is technically feasible.” The report recom- mends the group be- hind the plan be given the chance to address those concerns, through a more detailed proposal. Technical challenges If the technical issues can be addressed, it says, developers should be in- vited to bid on the project. Mr. Delapenha urged government to invest the necessary funds to look in more detail at the floating pier concept. He said Tuesday night’s public meeting showed there was overwhelming opposition to govern- ment’s preferred project, which would impact more than 30 acres of coral reef and cost the dive industry millions of dollars in tourist spending. “I think they need to take a closer look at it. I don’t think that is unreasonable given the challenges with the current proposal. “Regardless of whether they go with our proposal, this one is not going to fly. “I trust that government is not foolhardy enough to just go ahead and do it anyway. It is the country’s future and I can’t see them ignoring all the opposition and forging ahead.” Baird’s examination of the floating pier concept, which would extend the pier beyond the reef wall eliminating the requirement for dredging highlighted a number of potentially “fatal flaws.” “In particular, Baird questions the ability to de- velop a sufficiently robust mooring system given the significant water depths into which the floating piers would extend.” Grand Cayman on Saturdays – the same day as Cayman Airways. He said CAL’s schedule was already in place and could not be changed in response, though that could happen eventually. He said the route was good news because the aim was to maximize flights from Dallas to increase profits for the island. Cayman Airways plans to start running direct flights between Miami, Cayman Brac and the coastal city of Holguin in eastern Cuba, in the next financial year. Fabian Whorms, president of the airline, said he did not believe the thawing of rela- tions between the U.S. and Cuba would negatively impact plans to open up the route. He said the number of seats available for people in the U.S. to get to Cuba was currently at less than 10 per- cent of the demand. “It is actually an early stage in the game,” said Mr. Whorms. He said any easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba would actually work in CAL’s favor in the short term because larger airlines would not be able to “switch capacity” to meet demand. Mr. Kirkconnell said the route would help Cayman attract new business from tourists making dual destination trips. Legislators approved a total of $22 million in appro- priations to the airline. These include $2.85 million for the domestic service to the Brac and Little Cayman, $14.5 mil- lion for “strategic tourism” routes and a $5.1 million eq- uity injection to help address past debt. Two men charged for pistol and ammunition Bail applications are not successful Carol Winker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two men were remanded in custody on Wednesday af- ternoon after Magistrate Grace Donalds heard details of one of the charges against them: possession of an unli- censed 9 mm Browning semi- automatic pistol loaded with a clip containing seven rounds of ammunition. She also heard about their immigration status, ganja charges, and – for one man – charges alleging assault and possession of an imitation firearm. Otis Brown, 24, and Marlon St. Aubyn Miller, 35, are jointly charged with having the handgun on Sunday, June 7, in a vehicle outside a Bodden Town residence. Crown Counsel Scott Wainwright explained that the charges arose from events that began in George Town on Wednesday, June 3, when a woman filed a complaint. She told police she had been in a relationship with Brown, whom she knew as “Indian,” for about two months. On June 3, around 9:40 a.m., he came to her George Town resi- dence with Miller, whom she knew as “Rasta.” An argument developed between her and Brown and she accepted that she slapped him across his face. She then alleged that he punched her with a closed fist, causing bruises to her face. He then began chasing her and she fell in a puddle on the road. As she looked up at him standing over her, he pro- duced from the waistband of his trousers a silver 9 mm handgun with a black handle. She said Rasta took the gun away from Indian and the men left. She called police and gave the registration number of the vehicle the two men were in. Officers looked for the ve- hicle and located it at an ad- dress in Bodden Town. When police went there on June 7, both men were in the car. Brown was in the passenger seat and Miller was in the driver’s seat. Both seats were reclined and the men appeared to be asleep. Officers banged on the boot and ordered the men to exit. When the vehicle was searched, a silver nine-mil- limeter pistol was recovered from the footwell on the pas- senger’s side. It was partially wrapped in a green t-shirt, but was readily visible. Mr. Wainwright handed up photographs of the gun and ammunition. He said a local firearms expert test-fired the gun and without difficulty it fired one of the rounds seen in the photos. The gun has been sent away to be examined for fingerprints and DNA. Results were expected in 10 to 14 days. Also recovered from the car was a small amount of ganja, leading to charges against both men of possessing and consuming the illegal drug. On the back porch of the resi- dence, officers found two small ganja plants. Both men were interviewed under caution. Brown admitted being in- volved in the June 3 incident, but he denied producing any weapon or threatening anyone. Asked about the gun in the car, he denied all knowledge. Cautioned as to his immi- gration status, he said he had come to Cayman four or five months ago and claimed to have a work permit. However, immigration officers found no record of him ever landing here and no record of any work permit. Brown is being charged with illegal landing. Miller admitted being present at the June 3 incident but denied any knowledge of any firearm. He has been in Cayman a number of years, but his work permit expired in April this year. Mr. Wainwright said both men are Jamaican nationals. Defense attorney John Furniss spoke for Brown, pointing out that his client had provided DNA, finger- prints and all information asked for, including how he got here. Brown has a close friend here who could be ap- proached to provide a surety and potential residence. Mr. Furniss said the ar- gument between Brown and the woman started over the fact that he had asked her to do his laundry and he would have paid her for it. When the woman slapped him, he pushed her off and she fell. The attorney said it seemed ridiculous that an argument like that could escalate to in- clude a firearm. He asked for bail so that everything could be sorted out. He said as far as he was aware Brown had no previous problems here or in Jamaica. Defense attorney Prathna Bodden emphasized that Miller was here legally. He had receipts showing payment for a renewal of his work permit, but now the permit has been revoked. She said Miller has strong local ties, including family members who live here. He had given a full account to police and was confident that when the results of the forensic examination were known, he would be exonerated. Ms. Bodden suggested that an electronic monitor could meet all objections to bail and save government the cost of keeping Miller in custody, given that the annual cost is now al- most $70,000 per prisoner. After the magistrate with- held bail, the next mention date was set for June 23. Ms. Bodden said she hoped that pleas and elec- tion (choosing Grand Court or Summary Court) could take place on that day. Floating cruise pier idea sinking Cayman Airways drops Panama route McLaughlin denounced as “treasonous.” Opposition party members McKeeva Bush and Bernie Bush ab- stained from voting on Mr. McLean’s motion due to Mr. McKeeva Bush’s objection about the propriety of the matter being brought be- fore the Finance Committee rather than the full House. Repeated attempts to seek clarification from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin and Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson this week about the legality, scope and specifics of the proposed government ad- vertising ban have not been met with a response. Mr. Manderson said only that it was his understanding the motion “speaks to all adver- tising for central government and the statutory authorities and government companies.” “We are concerned that, as a result of the actions of both parties, this matter con- tinues to unnecessarily es- calate with the effect that it is creating negative interna- tional media coverage,” the Chamber Council statement noted. “This is reflecting poorly on the Cayman Islands and the wider busi- ness community and we en- courage both parties to act responsibly to resolve this matter urgently. The statement continued, “Doing so is in the best in- terest of the Cayman Islands’ reputation which is being unfairly damaged as a re- sult of this matter. It would also be in the best interest of the continued right to freedom of expression by all local media as well as our wider community.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Chamber Council urges government to repeal ban on Compass advertising CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “We believe we can take that plane and move it to another gateway and have a better return on investment for the country.” DepuTy premier moses KirKconnell9 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Friday June 12, 2015 Scouts need help to outfit new headquarters Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands Scouts is seeking public as- sistance to outfit its new headquarters on Middle Road, George Town. The new building is antic- ipated to be ready for opening later this summer, hopefully with a celebrity former scout to cut the ribbon, the organi- zation said. “The building is up and looking magnificent,” said Charles Jennings, one of the project’s major fundraisers. “There’s still a lot of finishing work to be completed before it can begin operations.” Mr. Jennings said air con- ditioning, cabinet installa- tion and painting needs to be finished, and most impor- tantly, the building needs to be equipped. Orrett Connor, the scouts commissioner said they have prepared a “wish list” of equipment and furni- ture they need. “We have raised a lot of money from many generous people to get this far, and frankly we’ve just about run out,” he said. “I ask everyone to look at this list and see if there is anything they can donate or would like to pay for us to buy something on [the list],” he said. The building, which cost slightly more than $700,000 to erect, replaces the old government structure cur- rently used by the scouts, which was damaged during Hurricane Ivan. The building will also be home for the Girl Guides and the Girls Brigade and will include office space, a general assembly hall, a computer room, scout shop, kitchen and meeting and training rooms. “The Scout Association has not had a stable place of operation since the ad- vent of Hurricane Ivan, and so this facility provides a much-needed home... This will provide a venue where parents, guests and scouting visitors to the Island can be accommodated,” said Scouts Executive Commissioner Winston Hayle. Mr. Jennings said there are also plans to help the building pay its own way by hiring out the facilities for approved business ac- tivities such as meetings and conferences. The building was de- signed by Burns Conolly Group and built by Titan Development. Government has leased the property to the Cayman Islands Scouts Association at a peppercorn rate for 33 years, with the option to renew twice more for a total of 99 years. Scouts’ history The world scouts move- ment currently has over 40 million boys and girls in over 200 countries. The Cayman Islands Scout Association is a branch of the UK Scout Association. Scouting has thrived in Grand Cayman since the late 1920s and remains one of the Islands’ foremost character and leadership building orga- nizations. Many Caymanian leaders, businessmen, clerics and civil servants were scouts when boys. Currently, just over 300 Scouts function out of 15 troops, packs and colonies. Scouts include beaver scouts [ages 6-8], cub scouts [8-11], scouts [11-16] and venture scouts [16-20]. Adult scout leaders are invariably former scouts, drawn from varied back- grounds and professions, including teaching and the police. People wishing to donate to the Scouts wish list should contact Charles Jennings at 945-3354 or 525-5546 or email charles@jennings.ky Scout HeadquarterS WiSH LiSt WH Office Conference Room Training Room(2) Retail space KitchenBathroom (4) Storage Room Reception Area Assembly Hall Desk Conference table (10/12 ft) 6ft tables (14) Glass display counters Refrigerator Soap dispenser LadderTelephoneBlinds ChairChairsChairs Mannequins (2) Stove Paper towel dispenser Desk Water cooler Filing Cabinets TelephoneTelephoneShelvingCutleryMirrorChair Folding chairs (50) Computer (monitor/ cpu/surge protector) HDMI TV (40-52inch) Whiteboard + markers Cash Register Crockery Garbage bin Sofa/Chairs Billiards table !!! TelephoneLaptop Projector/ laptop Telephone GlassesBlindsSofa/chairs Shredder Extension cords (varying lengths) Book shelves Garbage bin Can opener Side tables (2) Picture frames Printer/ Photocopier/ Scanner CredenzaGarbage binBlinds Garbage can Picture frames Book shelves Whiteboard + markers First Aid kit Coffee maker Garbage binEaselNatural plant Toaster oven and Water cooler First Aid kit Medium sized refrigerator Plant potsMop Guest chairs Coffee makerBlindsBroom BlindsArea rugRoom dividerMop bucket ReclinerNatural plants Water coolerKnives First Aid kitIce bucket Fire extinguisher Fire Extinguisher BlindsBlinds Drapery Cayman Scouts new headquarters on Middle Road in George Town. - Photo: SubmittedNext >