ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – Wednesday June 24, 2015 SportS | page 22 us advances to quarterfinals US defeats Colombia 2-0 High of 90 Low of 78 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. editorial | page 4 one man, one vote: Grand cayman, on the choppinG block bush response: ex-governor, premier in on removal plan brent fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Former Cayman Islands Governor Duncan Taylor is accused in court documents filed Friday of “conceiving” what Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush alleges was a long-running and wide-ranging conspiracy to remove Mr. Bush from public office. Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin is accused in the documents filed with the Grand Court of assisting former Governor Taylor by not contesting the formation of a “minority government” following Mr. Bush’s removal as premier in December 2012. The statements made in the court re- cords are part of a legal response made by Mr. Bush’s attorneys to a defamation law- suit Mr. McLaughlin filed against the West Bay MLA in May. Mr. McLaughlin’s lawsuit was filed after Mr. Bush presented a private members’ motion in the Legislative Assembly that accused a number of individuals, in- cluding the former governor, the local police commissioner and Mr. McLaughlin of con- spiring to “topple a democratically elected government” during 2011-2012. Mr. McLaughlin’s lawsuit stated Mr. Bush intended to infer that the premier and others had “conspired together wrongly” and “by abuse of executive power … institute and maintain the prosecution of [Mr. Bush]” against any evidence that existed “for their own personal political ends.” The response to Mr. McLaughlin’s initial writ of summons denied that any such spe- cific accusation of unlawfully instituting or maintaining a prosecution against Mr. Bush had been made against Mr. McLaughlin. Rather, the response to the lawsuit states that the various alleged conspirators all played dif- ferent roles in attempts to remove the former United Democratic Party government. “[Mr. McLaughlin] had correspondence in his possession which showed that [Mr. McLaughlin] was indeed party to discus- sions about, and had agreed to, an undem- ocratic plan to ensure that [Mr. Bush] was permanently removed from office,” the law- suit response states. Mr. Bush was arrested on Dec. 11, 2012 Takeover an opTion for low-performing schools James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Underperforming schools can be placed under new management or closed down completely, under government’s new Education Bill. The bill establishes an independent Quality Assurance unit that will be responsible for school inspections. Any school that persistently fails to make the grade and does not comply with recom- mended remedial actions can be placed under new leadership once the Bill is passed into law. The policy, similar to the U.K. system of “special measures” for schools that re- ceive poor inspection results, was explained by Education Minister Tara Rivers during a public consultation meeting on the proposed law in George Town on Monday. Minister Rivers said the law also included a last resort option of closing schools where there were health and safety issues or irre- deemable deficiencies. She said schools that received poor inspec- tion results would be given every chance to improve through a school support plan and would only be taken over if they were un- willing or unable to comply with the mea- sures suggested. The law also applies to Michael’s Genuine to close in Cayman alan markoff amarkoff@pinnaclemedialtd.com Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink will close its Camana Bay location on Aug. 30, the restaurant announced on Tuesday. “It’s never easy to close the book on a project you feel genuinely proud of, but it’s time to move on,” said Michael Schwartz of his namesake restaurant. “I’m honored by the support we have received over the years in Cayman and from our partners at Camana Bay.” Mr. Schwartz, whose businesses in South Florida expanded significantly in re- cent years, said his restaurant group would now focus its attention on growing the core of business in Miami. The restaurant in Camana Bay opened in June 2010, a month after Mr. Schwartz won a James Beard Best Chef: South award, and became one of the main driving forces for the emergence of the farm-to-table dining concept on Grand Cayman. “When we got there, there was just a little bit of a farm-to-table movement at Brasserie [Restaurant],” he said, adding that the opening of Michael’s Genuine, which was already embracing that movement at its Miami restaurant, helped create greater demand for local agriculture in Cayman. “I think it takes a little bit of momentum PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink at Camana Bay will close Aug. 30 after a five-year run. - phoTo: Taneos ramsay PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL WEDNESDAY JUNE 24, 2015 • CAYMAN COMPASS Boost your TV & Internet experience by signing up for any Logic Fibre Bundle starting at $99 and get one month free service including the HBO premium pack. 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He had been charged with assault causing ac- tual body harm, causing fear or provocation of vi- olence and insulting the modesty of a woman, fol- lowing an incident that occurred at Lawrence Boulevard on Feb. 24. Crown counsel Neil Kumar told Magistrate Valdis Foldats that the complainant had provided a statement withdrawing her complaint. He advised that the director of public pros- ecutions had reviewed the matter and leave was sought to withdraw the charges. The magistrate said all three charges were with- drawn. “They are dis- missed. You are free to go,” he told the defendant. Branson says 2020 Miami launch for Virgin Cruises MIAMI (AP) – British busi- ness mogul Richard Branson says the new Virgin Cruises line will set sail from PortMiami in 2020. Branson and Virgin Cruises CEO Tom McAlpin announced Tuesday the signing of a letter of intent with Italian ship- building company Fincantieri for three new mid-size ships that will feature 1,430 cabins to host 2,800 guests. The first ship will be de- livered in 2020. The other two ships will be delivered in the two following years. Virgin Cruises plans to offer a range of seven-day Caribbean cruises sailing out on Sundays. “This is a very exciting day for Virgin and travelers around the globe,” Mr. Branson said in a statement released by the Virgin Group. “We now have the right partners in place to build a world-class cruise line that will redefine the cruising expe- rience for good.” McAlpin said the brand would go for smaller, “more boutique” vessels to achieve an intimate experience, but did not offer additional details. According to the Virgin Group, the PortMiami agreement will be presented to the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners for their con- sideration and approval on June 30.The announcement, which featured Branson ar- riving by helicopter, was made at the new downtown Perez Art Museum Miami. Mother accused of murder has case adjourned again Attorney still waiting for medical report CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A woman accused of murdering her six-year-old daughter appeared in Grand court on Friday only to have her case adjourned again, this time until July 17. Tamara Butler, charged with the murder of her 6-year-old daughter Bethany, appeared in Grand Court on Friday for an update on the progress in her case. Tamara Olita Butler, 37, has been in custody since her arrest on Oct. 27, 2014, a few hours after Bethany’s body was found in a car parked in the bush along the Queen’s Highway in East End. Defense attorney Laurence Aiolfi told Justice Charles Quin that he was awaiting further informa- tion regarding his client’s medical condition. Butler first appeared in the Summary Court on Nov. 14, when the matter was transmitted to Grand Court. On Nov. 28, Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryll Richards said the Crown was still awaiting forensic evi- dence and the defense team was awaiting a medical and psychiatric report. Since then, the defendant has been brought to court about once per month for any progress reports. There has also been a change in the defense team. On Friday, Crown counsel Greg Walcolm observed that the matter had been going on for some time. Justice Quin told Butler he was sorry for the delay, but it couldn’t be helped. Sir Richard Branson CORRECTION A graphic and a story on page 8 of Tuesday’s Compass about the FIFA- Cayman connections er- roneously stated that Peter Campbell was in Zurich at the time of Jeffrey Webb’s arrest. Mr. Campbell was not in Switzerland, he was in the Cayman Islands when Swiss authorities ar- rested the FIFA officials last month. The Cayman Compass strives for accuracy and is committed to correcting errors that appear in the newspaper. Those interested in contacting the paper for that purpose can email the editor at newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com. MINING DEATHS TO BE PROBED GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) – Guyana’s new president has ordered an investigation into a series of gold mining acci- dents that have resulted in at least 11 deaths. David Granger says en- gineers and members of a miners’ association will form a team to look at how the mines have been designed. At least 10 miners died last month in a camp near the border with Venezuela when the adjacent open- pit gold mine collapsed and buried them. Another miner died in an open-pit mine last week. Officials say heavy rains have weakened mines. Tamara Olita Butler, 37, has been in custody since her arrest on Oct. 27, 2014, a few hours after Bethany’s body was found in a car parked in the bush along the Queen’s Highway in East End.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Wednesday June 24, 2015 MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, YOUTH & SPORTSThe 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. A picture says a thousand words. In the case of single-member district voting in the Cayman Islands, we expect the new boundary maps will spark thousands upon thousands of words of discussion. Imagine, for example, the potential haggling over whether the inclusion of one neighborhood, or the exclusion of another, appears to put one political can- didate at an advantage over an opponent. Or, whether a boundary line on the new map seems to split apart a distinct “community of interest,” or joins two disparate areas into a single voting district. In regions where regular redistricting is a way of life – i.e., the United States – these kinds of debates rage on and on, for years on end, through election cycles and inside the courts. Indeed, redistricting tends to ignite into one of those incendiary topics (in the company of abortion, gun rights and religion) to which lawmakers, lobbyists and special interest groups invari- ably flock, like moths to a flame, resulting in many burns, much heat and little light. We must ask, and not for the first time, is this the kind of debate that we in Cayman should be inviting upon ourselves? We are well aware that one of the primary planks in the Progressives’ campaign platform was to implement “one man, one vote,” the underlying principle of which, as we understand it, is to ensure that each voter’s ballot counts about the same, and that each member of the Legislative Assembly represents approximately the same number of people. Cayman’s current system of voting does not, arithmetically, achieve this ideal. For example, in the three largest districts – George Town, Bodden Town and West Bay – each elected member “represents” more than 1,000 voters. In the two smallest districts on Grand Cayman – East End and North Side – each member “represents” about 600 voters. On the Sister Islands, the number of voters per member is closer to 500 … But that arrangement has been enshrined in the Cayman Islands Constitu- tion, and so, in the absence of a referendum, will be preserved regardless of the Progressives’ decision on single-member districts for Grand Cayman. However, neither East End nor North Side enjoys such constitutional protections. Accordingly, if the driving purpose of “one man, one vote” is “equal representation,” then the Boundary Commission cannot avoid addressing the flagrant violations of that principle by the current compositions of those eastern districts. Put another way, it makes no sense to carve up George Town, Bodden Town and West Bay – while leaving sacrosanct East End, North Side and the Sister Islands – and invite all the unintended consequences of divisive parochial politics, as well as the unknown horrors of redistricting, if the new maps do nothing to achieve the basic concept of equal representation. Our current system, while idiosyncratic, is not inadequate – and at the very least, there is much historical precedent for, and a long-standing famil- iarity with, its flaws. If we are to make fundamental changes to the way we elect our representatives, we should face increas- ingly outward, not inward, and should move in the direction of having fewer, not more numerous, voting districts. If the Cayman Islands is to have a bright future, our government’s decisions cannot be driven by neighborhood politics. Quite the opposite. The individual success stories of West Bay, George Town, Bodden Town, East End, North Side, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman have always been, and will continue to be, determined by the overarching narra- tive of the Cayman Islands as one single unified whole – never the other way around. One man, one vote: Grand Cayman, on the chopping block Wednesday June 24, 2015 • Cayman COmpass Puerto Rico is America’s Greece Like Greece, the Puerto Rican government has more debt than it can service, and some are calling for a bailout by United States taxpayers. The major Puerto Rican state- owned or controlled enter- prises are all losing money, including the power au- thority which is insolvent. Puerto Rico is an American territory that was acquired from Spain in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. The is- land has a population of about 3.6 million, which is declining as many Puerto Ricans emi- grate to the U.S. mainland or elsewhere because of the con- tinuing economic stagnation. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, but their per capita income is about half that of Americans living in the main- land. Puerto Ricans are largely self-governing at the local level, and do not pay most U.S. income taxes. Plebiscites have been held periodically con- cerning Puerto Rico’s status as a territory. Most Puerto Ricans prefer a change but they disagree about whether they want independence, a free association with the United States or statehood. Hong Kong was a small British territory, with the British legal system, but no self-government; yet, it has become rich – having more than twice the per capita in- come of the average American – without receiving aid and subsidies from Britain, which the United States has and continues to provide to Puerto Rico. The operative question is why has Hong Kong become so much more successful than Puerto Rico? The most immediate chal- lenges facing Puerto Rico are what to do about the debt problem and how to revive the economy. Some believe if Puerto Rico were given partial debt relief by allowing state entities, such as the power company, to go into Chapter 9 bankruptcy, all would be well. Chapter 9 only applies to U.S. states and their munic- ipalities, which does not in- clude Puerto Rico. There is a bill before Congress now that would allow Chapter 9 for Puerto Rico. This bill would only apply to a third or less of Puerto Rican debt and would stick it to the bondholders and American taxpayers. This is a bad idea on a number of counts. Many mil- lions of Americans, either di- rectly or indirectly through their mutual funds, have bought Puerto Rican bonds, in large part because the U.S. Congress gave them tax-free status as is provided for U.S. state and local bonds. Those who bought Puerto Rican bonds did so with the legal understanding that they would not be subject to Chapter 9, and that, in case of insolvency, the bond-issuing entity, such as public corporations like the power company, would be put under a receivership instead. It is unethical to change the rules in midstream. Chapter 9 might make sense for fu- ture bond issues, but the bond buyers should clearly under- stand the course that would be taken in case the issuing agency was not able to pay. As long as Puerto Rico and its state-owned entities continue to lose money and run deficits, Chapter 9 pro- vides only a temporary fix on the backs of the bondholders – such as American retirees – rather than on the backs of those who were respon- sible for the mess. One of the major reasons the power company is insolvent is that the government has not paid its electric bill and it is the single biggest customer. Puerto Rico has a bloated government with far too many employees, unsustainable pen- sion obligations, and an intol- erable level of corruption. The proper solution to the Puerto Rican debt problem is for the U.S. government to estab- lish a “control board,” which Congress has the authority to do. This past Friday, Rep. Jeff Duncan, South Carolina Republican, of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to his fellow law- makers advocating a control board for Puerto Rico, much like the one they created for the District of Columbia a couple of decades back, when D.C. was in danger of default because of mismanagement. Puerto Rico needs funda- mental restructuring of its pension and civil service sys- tems. It needs to sell all of its interests in the fully or partially state-owned enter- prises. That is, privatize them. In Hong Kong, even most of the transportation infrastruc- ture is in private hands – and it is clean, efficient, attractive, and works without govern- ment subsidies. Puerto Rico needs to rad- ically reduce government spending, taxes and regula- tion so it begins to attract foreign capital again rather than driving it away. Puerto Rico is now a welfare state with a labor force participa- tion rate one-third less than in the United States. Many of the most productive Puerto Ricans have moved to the mainland – but could be at- tracted back with their high- level job skills if the economic environment was made attrac- tive again. Puerto Rico needs to embrace the Hong Kong economic freedom model, rather than the Greek model of too much government. Richard W. Rahn, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and chairman of the Institute for Global Economic Growth, is on the Editorial Board of Cayman Financial Review. © 2015, The Washington Times RichaRd W. Rahn 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”5 LOCAL NEWS James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A high school math teacher will spend his summer vacation in Turkey doing humanitarian work with refugees affected by the conflict in Syria. Ted Todd, a teacher at John Gray High School, is planning a return trip after bringing school supplies to the region last year. Mr. Todd, who works with a charity called Small Projects Istanbul, helped run classes for refugee children in the Turkish capital. He said, “The work that I do is two-fold, to deliver supplies and also to work on a day-to- day basis in different capaci- ties, either teaching English classes to children or this year renovating some rooms that can be used as a community center in Istanbul for refugees to get information.” He also plans to spend some time at refugee camps on the border with Syria. “I will be driving some basic school and med- ical supplies down to the border areas for a couple of weeks,” he said. “In these areas, the level of support for refugees is much more basic and you have people living in temporary accom- modation, old warehouses and things like that.” Mr. Todd was first in- spired to travel to Syria in 2014, following news reports of the devastation caused by the civil war in that country. He is also trying to use his trip and his experience to help educate youngsters at John Gray about the world beyond Cayman’s borders. Some of the costs of sup- plies for the children have been raised through fund- raisers, including the sale of T-shirts at John Gray and St. Ignatius schools. A quiz night is planned for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fidel Murphy’s to raise funds. More information on how to enter or to donate can be found at the Facebook page “From Cayman to Istanbul.” Cayman Compass • Wednesday June 24, 2015 Rates so low they put a smile on your face... again †Customer must comply with the Terms and Conditions of the “Mortgage Promotional Rate” promotion and all other Scotiabank products. This 2 year term fixed special mortgage rate promotion is for applications received beginning February 6, 2015 up to and including June 30, 2015 with funding no later than October 31, 2015. Available for mortgage purchases, switches and refinances, on primary residences and owner owned properties. For Switch mortgages there is a maximum amount of Switch Fees payable by the Bank. *For further terms and conditions, please visit cayman.scotiabank.com. The Bank reserves the right to remove or to end the promotion or incentive program at any time subject to applicable law. *Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license. Discover what’s possible • Flexible payment options† • Leverage the equity in your home • Switch and we will pay your legal fees!† EXTENDED to June 30, 2015 3.49 % † Enjoy a 2 year fixed rate† cayman.scotiabank.com/thehomeyouown Act NOW. Talk to us today! Find us at /ScotiabankKY Crisis Centre eleCts new exeCutive Committee The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, Cayman’s only women’s shelter, elected a new executive committee at its annual general meeting this month. Board member Denise Gower is the newly elected chairwoman of the orga- nization. She is joined by Melisa Johnson as vice chairwoman. Johnson is also chairwoman of the fundraising committee. Zena Merren-Chin was re-elected as secre- tary and William Fleury was re-elected as trea- surer. The other board members are: Richard Simms, Dawn McLean- Sawney, Charmaine McGowan and Janette Goodman. Taking her role as chairwoman, Ms. Gower thanked outgoing chairman Len Layman for his contributions to the women of Cayman. “Len has left behind big shoes to fill. He has a vi- sion for the Crisis Centre that we will continue to strive towards, that being to eventually close the doors of the Centre be- cause its services are no longer required,” she said. The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre provides tempo- rary housing and services for victims of domestic vi- olence and their children, helping them find lives free from violence. The Crisis Centre also provides a child and youth aftercare and outreach pro- gram, sponsored by Hedge Funds Care. The organi- zation has an active fun- draising committee that works to raise the $250,000 per year needed to keep the Crisis Centre operating. “I am proud to have been one of the founding members of the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and honored to have been chosen to lead the organi- zation since it opened its doors in 2003,” said Mr. Layman. Since that time, staff at the facility have helped more than 900 women and their children as they worked to transi- tion to lives free of violence. “I am grateful for all who have helped make the [Crisis] Centre what it is today, and confident the new board will continue to provide these much needed services to our community,” he said. The Crisis Centre has a 24-hour emergency hotline on 943-2422. teacher plans new syria aid mission Ted Todd is returning to Turkey to work with refugees from the conflict in Syria.The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Wednesday June 24, 2015 • Cayman Compass WE’RE CHANGING THE WAY WE DO THINGS. WE’RE CHANGING THE W DO THINGS. Brac graduates 22 students Twenty-two students gradu- ating from Layman E. Scott Sr. High School saw a large turnout by residents at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on Saturday. Stacie Scott, a 2008 Brac graduate and guest speaker for the night, encouraged gradu- ates to set their dreams and, with hard work and determina- tion, they could all succeed. “Under your seats, each of you will find a piece of puzzle. Each piece represents you. And putting them together, you’ll make the world,” Ms. Scott said. Headmaster Adrian Jones spoke of the school’s continued success and said that the com- munity could be proud of the 2015 graduates. After a musical item by the Layman Scott Sr. High School Choir, led by Cassandra Scott, Joanna Tibbetts and Tamishura Dilbert gave the valedictory ad- dress. Minister of Education Tara Rivers also had some sound advice for students, making reference to the success of the world’s fastest sprinter, Usain Bolt. “First there is a dream, and with hard work and persistence dreams can become reality,” she said. Speaker of the House Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Minister of Tourism Moses Kirkconnell and Brac District Commissioner Ernie Scott pre- sented students with diplomas, certificates and awards. Story contributed by Quincy Brown. private schools, which would be required to foot the bill for the new leadership. Ms. Rivers said, “The law does give the government power to go in and manage the school to bring up stan- dards if the remedial plans are not bringing expected re- sults. It should not be needed but the law does provide for that. It shows we are serious.” Government’s school in- spection unit dwindled to zero, following the retire- ment of the sole remaining inspector early in 2014. Consultants were hired in the current school year to carry out “baseline in- spections” on all schools, while the new inspec- tions team is in the process of being assembled. Under the new bill, the office of Education Quality Assurance will be required to inspect schools at least every four years. Ms. Rivers said, “By put- ting this in the law we have recognized that this is the kind of experience we have to have on an ongoing basis to take the temperature of our schools and make sure they are performing at the level they need to be at.” Ms. Rivers, her councilor in the education ministry Winston Connolly and senior policy advisor Clive Baker are on the road this week for a series of public meetings across the Cayman Islands to explain the new bill and get feedback. At Monday’s meeting at Mary Miller Hall in Red Bay, the officials fielded questions from a small but passionate crowd of around 15 people. Suggestions from the au- dience included mandatory parental involvement in edu- cation, extending school age to 18 and adding sixth forms to the high schools. Ms. Rivers said officials were looking at ways to ex- pand the offerings of the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre. More meetings will be held on Wednesday, June 24 at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay, Thursday, June 25 at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre in North Side, Tuesday, June 30 at East End Primary and Wednesday, July 1 at Savannah Primary. All meet- ings start at 7:30 p.m. “First there is a dream, and with hard work and persistence dreams can become reality.” Tara rivers, education minister Education Minister Tara Rivers, Education Councilor Winston Connolly and Senior Policy Advisor Clive Baker at The bill establishes an independent Quality Assurance unit that will be responsible for school inspections. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Takeover an option for low-performing schools Lighthouse students make the grade Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Nine students were hon- ored at Lighthouse School on Tuesday in a graduating ceremony. Graduates Albert Bodden, Alia Gomez-Brown, Cody Conolly, John Henkis, Chloe Walter, Jordan McLean, Marcus Scott, Michael Evans and Shaun Ebanks received leaving certificates from Winston Connolly, Ministry of Education, Training and Gender Affairs councilor. A number of students received top awards from Acting Chief Education Officer Lyneth Monteith, as Chloe Walter and Shaun Ebanks delivered moving addresses. Mr. Ebanks said his time at Lighthouse School was fun and he had gained a lot of confidence and was happy to have made employee of the month at his job. He thanked parents, teachers and the community for their involve- ment and said he would al- ways try his best. Ms. Walter said she would always re- member friends, teachers and her counselor. She was fortunate to get job expe- rience at Conyers, Dill and Pearman and had done very well, she said. To her peers, she said “good luck” in the world with their endeavors. Deputy Principal Olga Gourzong introduced guest speaker Kasinda McField. Ms. Mcfield, a University College Cayman Islands graduate, diagnosed as having Kniest dysplasia told students that despite chal- lenges they could make it. “Even though each one of us is different, I believe each one of you can con- tribute positively to society in your own way. We need to embrace unity, love, and respect for each other and others, and embrace and em- power and encourage each other,” she said. “Don’t allow anyone to define your ability, or put you in a box. Be your- self. Show your uniqueness; show them that you can ex- ceed your expectations.” In the principal’s report, Carla MacVicar said stu- dents should trust in God as they entered the next stage of life. “There are many tests and trials that you will go through, however, remember that such experiences make us stronger and build our character. Thomas Edison said it best, ‘Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to suc- ceed is always to try just one more time.’ So when life throws you a few hard balls, don’t give up but seek God’s wisdom and you will suc- ceed,” she said. Founded in 1976 the Lighthouse School meets the educational needs of special needs children. Lighthouse School is the only all-age government school in the Cayman Islands catering specifically to stu- dents between the ages of 4 years, 9 months to 18 years with moderate to profound disabilities and/or multiple disabled, noted Master of Ceremonies Cheryl Thompson during her introduction. To graduates, Education Councilor Mr. Connolly said, “Dream chasers, go chase your dreams. Let no one ever tell you you can’t. Remember our motto, “Yes we can … you can do it,” he said. Ashani Francis-Collins contributed to this report. Graduates Albert Bodden, Alia Gomez-Brown, Cody Conolly and Chloe Walter celebrate their graduation from Lighthouse School, to the tune of ‘Say The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Wednesday June 24, 2015 YOU DESERVE MORE THAN JUS T OK. on suspicion of theft and var- ious corruption-related of- fenses being investigated at the time by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. A week later, a majority of Legislative Assembly members approved a no-confidence motion against the then-United Democratic Party government, leading to a split in the party – some staying loyal to Mr. Bush and others veering off to form their own group known as the People’s National Alliance. Between mid-December 2012 and late March 2013, when the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly was dis- solved ahead of the May 2013 elections, a “minority govern- ment” of five MLAs – all mem- bers of Mr. Bush’s former UDP led by Cayman Brac and Little Cayman MLA Juliana O’Connor-Connolly – governed the country. Meanwhile, four other UDP members – including Mr. Bush – sat on the opposition benches with Mr. McLaughlin’s Progressives party and inde- pendent MLAs Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean. Mr. Bush was charged with common law misconduct in public office and corruption related offences on March 18, 2013. Theft charges initially filed against him were later dropped. Mr. Bush was ac- quitted of all charges against him following a jury trial in Grand Cayman last year. The lawsuit response states: “Prior to [Mr. Bush’s] ar- rest … [Mr. McLaughlin] held secret discussions with the police commissioner, the gov- ernor and/or others acting on behalf of the governor, and agreed with them a plan of events as far ahead as the general election in May 2013, which was designed to bring about [Mr. Bush’s] removal and to ensure that he was not re- elected and/or able to form a new government as premier after the election. “It was an essential fea- ture of the plan conceived by the governor, which was part of the events as planned until May 2013, that, following [Mr. Bush’s] removal from office, [Mr. McLaughlin] would not take the steps available to him in the Legislative Assembly to bring down the minority gov- ernment under [Ms. O’Connor- Connolly], and so to force a general election, before crim- inal charges were able to be brought. [Mr. McLaughlin] agreed not to do so.” According to the Cayman Islands Constitution Order, 2009, if a no-confidence mo- tion succeeds in the Legislative Assembly the territorial gov- ernor has two options: The governor can accept a new majority government or can dis- solve the Legislative Assembly and immediately call for new elections. In December 2012, Mr. Taylor agreed to accept the five- member alliance as the ruling party until the dissolution of parliament on March 27, 2013. The response to Mr. McLaughlin’s lawsuit filed by Mr. Bush’s attorneys also makes a number of allegations against Mr. Taylor, including that he conducted himself contrary to the constitutional duties of his office by “interfering in and ma- nipulating the political, demo- cratic and criminal justice pro- cesses” in the following ways: ■■ Ordering an acceler- ated police investiga- tion aimed at causing “maximum political damage” to Mr. Bush ■■ Leaking confiden- tial police information to journalists, both in Cayman and abroad ■■ Ensuring the media was present to film and broad- cast Mr. Bush’s arrest ■■ Directly or indirectly ex- erting pressure on the director of public pros- ecutions to bring for- ward criminal charges ■■ Putting personal pressure on elected MLAs within Mr. Bush’s party to sup- port the ‘no confidence’ motion brought before the LA in December 2012 ■■ Secretly agreeing to a plan with the de- fecting UDP MLAs to allow them to continue to govern until the May 2013 general elections. Evidence of these claims, the lawsuit response states, was given during Mr. Bush’s criminal trial in October 2014. Bush response: Ex-governor, premier in on removal plan to push it to the next level and I’d like to think that by us meeting all the farmers and let- ting them know there was an- other outlet for their products, it created some excitement for them to produce more and different things.” Local farmer Hamlin Stephenson said Michael’s Genuine was “very, very im- portant” to the development of local agriculture in recent years. “Michael’s was really the leading one to focus on local agriculture to supply its res- taurant,” he said. “It’s going to hurt the farming industry when it closes.” Mr. Stephenson said Michael’s was directly respon- sible for his farm growing some specific crops like kale, purslane and mizuna and that the restaurant was a big sup- porter of what has become one of Cayman’s most successful winter crops in recent years, cherry tomatoes. Michael’s Genuine also led the way creating a demand for lionfish as a food fish. The in- vasive species of fish is a vo- racious feeder on smaller reef fish, posing a threat to reef ecosystems. Michael’s Genuine Chef Thomas Tennant was among the first chefs on island to embrace the use of lionfish in the kitchen at a time when many residents were still skep- tical about the safety of eating it. Now, many restaurants on Grand Cayman regularly serve lionfish and Tennant’s lionfish dish has been a favorite of the attendees of the annual Taste of Cayman food festival in the past two years. “I really had nothing to do with that,” said Mr. Schwartz, giving all the credit to Chef Tennant, but noting that the decision to serve lionfish fit perfectly into what Michael’s Genuine is all about. “At lot of it is the common- sense approach to the way we operate our restaurants and Thomas is a great example. He’s been with us so long, he’s ad- opted some of our approach, and when he brought [the idea to serve lionfish] to our atten- tion, we were all for it.” Michael’s Genuine also blazed the trail on Grand Cayman for bars/restaurants to offer a selection of imported craft beers on its menu, and several other local restaurants have started doing the same since then. In 2012, Michael’s Genuine also co-founded the annual Slow Food Day event with Slow Food South Sound. That event, which started out as a part of what was then called Cayman Culinary Month, pairs farmers and chefs together in an effort to highlight locally produced ingredients and how they can be used in cooking. Mr. Schwartz said he saw the event as a comfortable way residents “could wrap their brains” around the need to sup- port local farmers. “We were willing to do whatever we could do to get people engaged and supporting local agriculture,” he said. In 2014, the Dart Group and Camana Bay took over the lead sponsorship and or- ganizing role of Slow Food Day in partnership with Slow Food South Sound. “We look forward to con- tinuing our support of the Slow Food movement that Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink helped to flourish in Cayman,” said Kristy Rivers, senior manager, events and experiences for Dart Realty. “We have a strong rela- tionship with Slow Food South Sound and are enhancing the ‘All About Local’ experience at Camana Bay. We are excited for even more opportunities that showcase what our local food community has to offer.” Over its final two months in Cayman, Michael’s Genuine will keep its regular business hours and offer some of the same things that have made it popular over the past five years, as well as some special events like a July 4 “Rum & Q” bar- becue and rum tasting. During the month of August, it will offer three-course lunch and dinner prix fixe menus for a special price. At some point be- fore closing, Mr. Schwartz said he plans to come to Cayman to personally thank all of his sup- porters and particularly his hard-working staff. Dart Realty Chief Operation Officer Jackie Doak offered praise for the impact Michael’s Genuine has had on the Camana Bay dining scene. “Michael’s Genuine has been an important part of es- tablishing Camana Bay as the place to be for food enthusi- asts in the Cayman Islands, and we appreciate all that Michael and the team have done to strengthen Grand Cayman’s cu- linary community,” she said. The space where Michael’s Genuine is located on the Camana Bay Crescent won’t re- main vacant for long after the restaurant closes. “This fall we look forward to introducing a new family- friendly pizza and pasta restau- rant which will be operated by a group of local restaurateurs, bringing a new experience to Camana Bay’s already diverse offerings from a dozen restau- rants, cafés and eateries,” said Mrs. Doak. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Michael’s Genuine to close in Cayman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Michael Schwartz, second from left, along with, from left, Chef Andrea Reusing, Brand Director Jackie Sayet and Chef Thomas Tennant at the 2014 Slow Food Day event. - Photo: AlAn MArkoffThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Wednesday June 24, 2015 • Cayman Compass The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Cayman Compass • Wednesday June 24, 2015 Senate vote on Pacific trade pact President Barack Obama’s Pacific Rim trade pact moved closer to a final U.S. Congress vote, with lawmakers agreeing on Tuesday to limit debate on legislation that would grant Obama authority to speed trade deals through Congress. To Our Customers and the Filipino Community We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Ramonito Iguin on Wednesday June 10th, 2015, after a brief and sudden illness. Ramon was a dear and valued member of the Entech Sewer & Drain Family and will be greatly missed. US won’t threaten to prosecute hostages’ families over ransoms WASHINGTON (AP) – Softening longstanding policy, the Obama adminis- tration will tell families of Americans held by terror groups that they can commu- nicate with captors and even pay ransom without fear of prosecution. The shift comes as part of a broad review of U.S. hostage guidelines that will be released Wednesday. President Barack Obama ordered the review last fall after the deaths of Americans held hostage by the Islamic State. The families of some of those killed complained about their dealings with the administration, saying they were threatened with criminal prosecution if they pursued paying ransom in exchange for their loved ones’ release. Two U.S. officials familiar with the review said there will be no formal change to the law that explicitly makes it a crime to provide money or other material support to terror organizations, nor will Obama directly approve of families paying ransom. However, the administra- tion will make clear that the Justice Department has never prosecuted anyone for paying ransom and that that will continue to be the case. While the government has long turned a blind eye to family contacts with ter- rorists, officials acknowledge that the unspoken policy has been applied unevenly. The inconsistencies have been magnified in recent months with the kidnappings and killings of Americans by terror groups. Four Americans have been killed by the Islamic State since last summer: journal- ists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. After the release of grue- some videos showing the be- headings of some hostages, Obama approved an airstrike campaign against the Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria. The families’ anguish has been deepened by the fact that European governments routinely pay ransom for hos- tages and win their release. The U.S. says its prohibitions against the government and private individuals making any concessions to terrorist demands are aimed both at preventing more kidnappings and preventing more income for terror groups. However, the Obama administration did nego- tiate with the Taliban last year to win the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was captured after walking away from his post in Afghanistan. Five Guantanamo Bay detainees were exchanged as a con- dition of his release. White House officials say those ne- gotiations were permissible because Obama sees a spe- cial responsibility to leave no American service member behind on the battlefield. Elaine Weinstein, whose husband Warren Weinstein was accidentally killed by a U.S. drone strike in April while being held hostage by al-Qaida, argued Tuesday against the government making such distinctions be- tween U.S. citizens. “The people who take American citizens working abroad as hostages do not discriminate based on their job or employer, and nei- ther should our govern- ment,” Weinstein said in a statement. Even as the administra- tion eases restrictions on families, officials said the ban on the U.S. government directly paying ransom or making other concessions to terrorists would remain. “The president does con- tinue to believe that it’s im- portant for the United States of America to adhere to a no- concessions policy,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. The policy clarification for families was first reported by Foreign Policy magazine. The officials familiar with the review confirmed the de- tails Tuesday on the condi- tion of anonymity because they were not authorized to do so publicly ahead of Wednesday’s release. Obama planned to speak about the full review Wednesday after meeting with some of the families who participated in the pro- cess. The White House invited the families of 82 Americans held hostage since 2001 to participate in the review, and 24 agreed to do so. The National Counterterrorism Center, which oversaw the review, also consulted with hos- tage experts from the U.S. and other countries. As part of the review’s findings, Obama will an- nounce the creation of a hos- tage recovery “fusion cell” that will coordinate the mul- tiple government agencies in- volved in such issues. The new office aims to address family frustrations about getting contradictory infor- mation from different agen- cies by creating a single point of contact. “We had no one account- able for Jim,” Diane Foley, the mother of James Foley, said earlier this year. The Foley family has also said the gov- ernment uses its policy of not paying ransom or negotiating with terrorists to avoid an- swering families’ questions. The administration is not acquiescing to the requests of some families to house the fusion cell in the White House’s National Security Council. Instead, the office will be at the FBI. Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., who has worked closely with the Weinstein family, said the administration is con- sidering putting a senior FBI official in charge of inter- agency hostage-recovery ef- forts. Delaney said he and the Weinsteins would rather have those efforts overseen by a higher-level government official with the authority to cut through bureaucracy. Obama is also expected to announce the creation of a State Department special envoy post that will head the administration’s dealings with foreign governments on hostage matters. This image, taken from a video released by Islamic State militants last year, purports to show the killing of kidnapped journalist James Foley by the militant group. - PHOTO: AP Warren Weinstein, a 72-year-old American development worker, was kidnapped in Pakistan by al-Qaida. - PHOTO: AP Trains through Channel tunnel canceled amid Calais chaos PARIS (AP) – Eurostar said Tuesday it has canceled all passenger trains for the rest of the day through the tunnel that links France and England, after striking ferry workers swarmed the train line setting tires alight. The rail company said all trains are returning to their cities of depar- ture and none are stuck in the tunnel, which has been closed for all traffic until further notice. The move followed a day of chaos in the French port city Calais that began be- fore dawn. The strike by the ferry workers threw the Eurotunnel into disarray, as truckers who diverted to the train line got snarled in traffic and migrants hoping to reach England swarmed the vehicles, trying to sneak on board. Video filmed near the en- trance to the Eurotunnel showed migrants racing to catch a slow-moving truck. Late Tuesday afternoon, about 50 strikers made it onto the tracks by the freight terminal building, torching tires and closing service in both directions, tunnel oper- ator Eurotunnel said. The union is protesting feared job cuts. Meanwhile, thousands of migrants are camped in Calais, hoping to make it to a better life in England. Britain’s foreign office updated its travel advice, warning travelers around Calais to keep doors locked against illegal migrants trying to reach Britain. Eurostar carries about 10 million passengers a year between Britain, France and Belgium through the Channel Tunnel.Next >