High of 90 Low of 78 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. Nicola de Lima Building a fashion empire B13 Fun activities Keeping teens occupied this summer B10 Fashion Leisure Leisure Fabulous Taren ■ Beauty Summer beauty Replicate this season’s hottest trends B7 Luxury jewelry trends Geometric shapes and mixed metals are on point this season B8 Friday June 26, 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. Contact a Customer Care Representative today or visit www.logic.ky for promotion details. Surf the Fibre Wave! Who can resist this gorgeous boy? Taren is a friendly, loving pooch who can’t wait to find his forever home B6 cayman weekender Summer beauty Editorial | pagE 4 ‘Reality judge’: MagistRate Foldats tells it like it is eSTaBLISHed 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRiday june 26, 2015 TUESDAY - FRIDAY - SUNDAY 17.95 $39.95 289 businesses not billed for trash BRent FulleR bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hundreds of local businesses and strata- governed condominium complexes did not pay government fees for trash collection in 2014, and may not have paid those fees dating back to 2010, an internal audit report released to the Cayman Compass has revealed. “During the January-June 2014 billing pe- riod, 289 customers categorized as ‘business’ customer[s] were not billed,” the Internal Audit report, made public through a Freedom of Information request, stated. The issue was noted during a follow-up audit done by the unit last year, after revela- tions in 2010 that duplicate bills for trash fees were sent out and unauthorized waivers for those fees to churches and schools were given. The government made changes in 2010 to the system used to track garbage fees – known as EVMAS – to waive those fees on selected trash service routes. Department of Environmental Health managers said the changes made at the time were related to the government’s decision to stop billing residen- tial homes for trash pick-up. The waiver only applied to standalone properties, or was intended to do so at the time, internal auditors noted. “However, upon our review, there were sev- eral service codes [in the EVMAS system] not related to residential units that were also as- signed with zero fees,” the 2014 audit stated. “This includes hotels, offices, small businesses and rental containers.” Department management who spoke to in- ternal auditors said they had been aware of the problem and were working to resolve it from April 2013. Work on the changes were delayed due to technical issues and other rec- ommended changes to the EVMAS system. The department said a review of the fees Lifetime achievement award for hotel owner jaMes WhittakeR jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com From flying tourists to the island as one of Cayman Airways’ youngest ever captains, to hosting them at his East End hotel resort, Kel Thompson was recognized for three decades of service to the island’s tourism industry. Mr. Thompson, owner of the Reef Resort, now rebranded as Wyndham, and founder of the Century 21 Real Estate firm, was the winner of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association’s lifetime achievement award at the organization’s annual Stingray Awards gala on Tuesday. “I would never have thought in my wildest imagination, I would have ever been thought about for such a thing,” said Mr. Thompson, who has been involved in var- ious developments around the islands. He said he was grateful for the honor and hopeful for the future of Cayman’s tourism industry. “Tourism is doing pretty good at the mo- ment but this is a touch-and-go business in Cayman because of the cost of doing busi- ness compared with rival destinations in the region.” Mr. Thompson, also a former managing director of Cayman Airways, believes the redevelopment of the airport is key to the future of the industry. But he would also like to see the runway expanded to accom- modate long-haul flights from Europe and DA: CAymAn CompAny info beAts U.s. BRent FulleR bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands is better positioned to police terrorism financing than the U.S., an American congressional subcommittee heard Wednesday. The comments came from New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, who was called before the U.S. House Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Finance. “On a near daily basis, we encounter a company or network of companies involved in suspicious activity, but we are unable to glean who is actually controlling and bene- fiting from those entities, and from their illicit UCCi reConsiDers job CUts jaMes WhittakeR jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The new leadership of the University College of the Cayman Islands is hoping to improve the institution’s perilous financial po- sition without adopting some of the more rad- ical cost-cutting measures recommended in a recent report. The report, “Towards a Viable UCCI,” rec- ommended several courses be cut, the number of lecturers reduced by 25 percent, and the campus closed during the summer in an effort to save around $500,000 annually. Since the publication of that report in December, both Sheree Ebanks, the chair PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Kel Thompson, center, receives a lifetime achievement award from Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell, left, and Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Ken Hydes at the 2015 Stingray Tourism Awards. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL MIAMI (AP) — Two prize- winning, U.S.-based au- thors with roots in a divided Caribbean island are urging a range of protests against the deportations of migrants from the Dominican Republic. Dominican-American writer Junot Diaz and Haitian- American writer Edwidge Danticat rallied Wednesday night with about 150 activ- ists and community members in Miami, calling for political pressure, travel boycotts and consumer choices over items such as sugar to strip power from the governments and corporations benefiting from a policy that they say targets black migrants. “Starting in the commu- nity where we live – how we are spending our money to make these choices, from your sugar to your vacation – to think about what’s being done in your name, what you’re sub- sidizing. What your presence means – and what your ab- sence means,” said Danticat, whose memoir “Brother, I’m Dying,” about her elderly un- cle’s fatal attempt to emigrate from Haiti to the U.S. was a National Book Award finalist. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola, but the countries have long had an uneasy re- lationship, particularly over migrant workers. An esti- mated 460,000 Haitian mi- grants live in the Dominican Republic, but Dominican of- ficials have said just 10,000 have provided the documents required by an immigration registration program aimed at regulating the flow of mi- grants across its border. The Dominican government says it will deport non-citizens who didn’t submit applications to establish legal residency be- fore a June 17 deadline. Advocates for the migrants say the program is discrimi- natory, and both Haitian and Dominican communities have led protests in Miami and New York since last week. Diaz, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” said he found the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo in “a state of terror” last week just as the dead- line passed, with the govern- ment’s critics receiving death threats and taking their fami- lies into hiding. Danticat said she was wor- ried about images of women and young children who had nowhere to go after being de- ported to Haiti. Diaz and Danticat linked the deportations to violence against blacks in the U.S., in- cluding the mass shooting of nine people last week at a South Carolina church, as well as migrant surges at Mexico’s border with the U.S., across the Mediterranean into Europe and in Asia. At blame, Diaz said, is in- difference to racial and po- litical tensions that exploit migrant workers and their countries’ resources while stripping humanity from people “who are attempting to save themselves from the ruin inflicted by other people.” But the Dominican gov- ernment is vulnerable to po- litical pressure from travel boycotts and protests wher- ever Dominican officials make trade trips, Diaz said. “I’ve been working on targeting all the intellec- tual authors of this, not only identifying them but also boy- cotting and finding that way to interrupt their access to their easy privilege here in the United States,” Diaz told The Associated Press. “There’s a lot of us who are putting a lot of money in these corrupt human beings’ pockets, and questions have to be raised at a personal level and at an or- ganizational level.” Friday June 26, 2015 • Cayman Compass Shabbat Candle Lighting time on Friday, June 26 6:49pm Chabad Jewish Center of the Cayman Islands jewishcayman.com-345.516.4474 OMEGA BAY - Trophy Cres. 3b, 3b, 2245s/f garden view Modest home In need of TLC Great starter home l l l l NEW LISTING! CI$274,000 Member CIREBA MLS#404543 345-945-4411 info@cirealty.ky caymanislandsrealty.com “BOOGIE NIGHTS” Finally the last Friday of the Month has arrived! Friday, June 26th Old School Dance Party 70’s disco & 80’s classics Music By DJ FLEX Starting at 9:30pm NO COVER Celebrate Saturday, 4th of July with Barefoot Man & Sea N’ B 8pm Fireworks at 9:15pm NO COVER Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky NEXT WEEK Friday, July 3rd “Country Night” Barefoot Man with Sea N’B & Andy Martin “The Cayman Cowboy” 8:30pm till MIDNIGHT Come for dinner stay for dancing NO COVER Mobile: 345-323-8573 Office: 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 READY TO BUILD! Whispering Waters Lot 0.3086 acres New Sub-division off Hirst Road, Savannah includes underground utilities, cleared and ready to build. Easy access to all amenities. MLS 403439 Priced to Sell - CI $76,000 345.623.1400 • SALES & RENTALS • MEMBER OF CIREBA • COMMERCIAL LEASES • capitalrealty.com.ky “We Do The Homework” Call Us Today 623.1400 SOUTHAMPTON GARDENS, 7MB AREA CI$299,000 MLS 403987 2 bed/2.5 bath townhouse, Gym, pool, tennis, Quiet! CALL HEIDI KISS, 525.1126 COME SEE US AT THE ISLAND LIVING SHOW TONIGHT AND SATURDAY Enjoy a Cimboco breakfast of *Two Eggs (Done to your liking) *Your Choice of Apple Smoked or Canadian Bacon *Herb Roasted Potatoes *Honey Wheat Toast For ONLY $5.00!!! Finish it o with a cup of Java for .99¢ Start your day o right! Mon-Fri * 7:30-11:00am *Except Holidays Brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Royal Cayman Islands Police Service are inves- tigating a three-car crash off West Bay Road late Wednesday night that in- volved a local radio sta- tion’s van. Police Superintendent Adrian Seales said the Z99 station van had apparently collided with two other ve- hicles, a Mercedes and a Honda Civic, in the parking lot of the Queens Court Plaza just before midnight. The two other vehi- cles were parked at the time they were hit, Mr. Seales said. “The offending driver who fled the scene was in a van … belonging to one of the local media houses,” Mr. Seales said Thursday. No one was hurt in the collision, but it was under- stood at least one person was in the vicinity of the two vehicles when they were struck. Police had reported no arrests in the crash by press time Thursday. Police investigate Z99 van hit-and-run Authors decry deportations in Dominican Republic Haitians wait for the opening of the border between Jimani, Dominican Republic, and Malpasse, Haiti. - PHOTO: AP A story on page 3 of Wednesday’s Cayman Compass about the new Labour Relations Bill 2015 mistak- enly called the new “Constructive Dismissal” provision “Constructive Discharge,” complaints of which would be heard by the Labour Tribunal Board and would not have to go to Grand Court. Additionally, paid maternity leave time would not change with the bill as stated in the original article. 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. CORRECTIONThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Friday June 26, 2015 UPGRADE TO 4926 LIME - SAMSUNG S6 Offer - Full Page Ad - CMYK - 10.33 x 15.97 - 24 June 2015 LIME Terms & Conditions Apply SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 SMARTPHONE Upgrade to a Samsung S6 or iPhone 6 for just $24.99 a month. We’ll throw in 3 months of mobile data for free. You’ll also get Deezer Premium+ music absolutely free. Visit any LIME store today. $ 2499 MONTHLYThe 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. 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 findtheirownway” John Tamny Forbes While the term “tax haven” has taken on pejorative quali- ties in modern times, the ac- tual truth about these essen- tial locales is very bullish. To understand why, we have to remember that wealth, short of being stuffed under a mat- tress, never lays idle. The above is impor- tant mainly because it’s a reminder of the impor- tance of countries like the Cayman Islands to the global economy. Wealth domiciled there doesn’t sit in bank vaults; rather it quickly flows with the click of a mouse all around the world to the com- mercial concepts seen by pro- fessional investors as offering the greatest potential returns. In short, wealth that finds its way to Cayman funds the as- pirations and dreams of en- trepreneurs everywhere. Of equal or greater impor- tance, the existence of locales like Cayman keeps other gov- ernments around the world more honest. Indeed, so long as the Cayman Islands is seen as a viable way to shield always limited wealth from the capital-destroying hands of politicians, the global economy will be better off. Forced to compete with the ultimate bidders for capital that are light-tax regimes like Cayman, politicians nec- essarily shorten the arms at- tached to hands that are in- variably grabbing the wealth created by others. All of this bears men- tion in light of the recent news from Cayman involving the country’s premier, Alden McLaughlin. Responding to a June 3 editorial published in the Cayman Compass that was critical of his govern- ment, Mr. McLaughlin raged against what he deemed a “reckless … treasonous at- tack on the Cayman Islands and on all the people of Cayman.” Mr. McLaughlin also proceeded to pull all government advertising from the newspaper co-published by David and Vicki Legge. Though initially placed under 24-hour protective guard by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the publishing duo then fled the island na- tion to an undisclosed loca- tion in the United States. So what was it that so en- raged Mr. McLaughlin? An editorial that called for a re- duction in the very govern- mental corruption that Mr. McLaughlin campaigned against in 2013. The edito- rial in particular called for a thorough investigation of Caymanian Jeffrey Webb; Webb, a former FIFA vice president and Cayman Islands Football Association presi- dent. Without commenting on the good or bad of the U.S. Justice Department’s seeming overreach into global sporting matters, the Compass edito- rial saw it as important that potential money-laundering by a highly ranked Caymanian be fully looked into. Moving toward the more quotidian doings of govern- ment, the editorial essentially called for what we in the U.S. would refer to as “broken win- dows” policing; in this case of governmental activities that cross the line into corruption. As the editorial put it: “Whether it’s securing a vehicular inspection sticker [for a car that doesn’t pass], an exemption to develop- ment regulations, approval for work permits, the sup- port of a particular block of voters, or, allegedly, mil- lions of dollars in bribes in relation to sporting events – lurking behind the scenes are shadows of impropriety, influence, and inscrutability.” The Compass was making the non-controversial point that good reputations for in- dividuals and countries are hard won. Because they are, it’s imperative that even the small instances of corrup- tion like ill-gotten inspec- tion stickers be addressed in a serious way. Just as the policing of broken win- dows in cities ultimately leads to reductions in bigger forms of crime, so arguably does a focus on tiny abuses of power create a culture of cleanliness that makes the truly horrid governmental abuses of power less likely. All of this is important for the Cayman Islands simply because its sterling reputa- tion as a sophisticated inter- mediary for global wealth al- location could easily be lost, and with it, a big driver of Caymanian prosperity gone. Though it’s fair to presume that the allegedly tawdry deal- ings of Webb with FIFA are probably endemic to a gov- erning body of soccer that has long been operating well out- side the bounds of propriety, the point of the Compass ed- itorial was once again quite valid. With the long term very much in mind, government there must focus on rooting out the little things that de- fine initial abuses of power to avoid the even bigger in- stances of corrupt behavior among the political class that invariably reveal themselves. A prosperous economic future for Cayman depends on this. Much the same, a pros- perous economic future for the rest of the world is de- pendent on the health of “tax havens” like the Cayman Islands. If they’re seen as corrupt, and perhaps worse, as bullying of their people and press, the latter will embolden more traditional governments to more ag- gressively fleece their own citizens. If the world’s wealth creators lack squeaky-clean locales like Cayman as an op- tion, their economic chances vis-a-vis their own politi- cians won’t be as robust. Premier McLaughlin has crossed the line, and his ac- tions should concern indi- viduals well beyond those who reside in the Cayman Islands for what they signal to the world’s wealth cre- ators. Since the only closed economy is the world economy, what’s happening in the Cayman Islands has the potential to ripple in negative fashion around the world. One can only hope that Mr. McLaughlin stands down quickly. John Tamny is Political Economy editor at Forbes, editor of RealClearMarkets, and author of the new book “Popular Economics: What the Rolling Stones, Downton Abbey and LeBron James Can Teach You about Economics.” © 2015, Forbes. Friday June 26, 2015 • Cayman COmpass Former Manhattan Family Court Judge Judith Sheindlin — better known as “Judge Judy” — has for nearly two decades presided over one of TV’s most- watched daytime programs, in the process becoming one of the most highly paid celebrities on the small screen. Through her no-nonsense demeanor and practical approach to justice, cutting to the essence of small claim disputes and making fair determinations within her half-hour time slot, Judge Judy has won legions of admirers and earned contracts worth tens of millions of dollars per year. We believe the basis for Judge Judy’s popularity is that she provides viewers with a daily glimpse into how the justice system is supposed to function. Frankly, we in the Cayman Islands could use a little — no, make that a lot — more Judge Judy in our court- rooms. That’s the reason why we are applauding local Magistrate Valdis Foldats for speaking his mind to Crown counsel and defense attorneys for wasting his time (and by extension, the taxpayers’ money). “Too often the court is doing the job of counsel, pointing out defects in charges,” the magistrate said. The context of his remarks is that at least four defendants in front of him that day were facing charges that had wrong or missing information, which, as the magistrate noted, could have important con- sequences in regard to potential penalties and trial venues. The onus for making sure charges are correct falls first, of course, on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions — but also as the magistrate noted, on the defense attorneys who are responsible for representing the interests of their clients. “These sorts of issues are cropping up all the time,” the magistrate said, providing, we hope, a much-needed spritz of WD-40 into Cayman’s creaking wheels of justice, which by their nature already tend to move methodically, rather than hastily. On top of all of that, the magistrate had to deal that day with a dozen defendants who had been charged with “failure to surrender to custody” — meaning missing a court date without a valid excuse. Some of the charges dated as far back as eight months ago, to last October, but were listed for the first time this week. Again, the magistrate tried to take the most direct course possible. “I’m going to be blunt about it,” he said, saying that if they pleaded guilty, he would not record a conviction against them, but would impose costs (which turned out to be $100 apiece). Three of the defendants took the deal. Three others gave reasons ranging from illness, to work obligations, to being in custody at Northward Prison. Six others, also charged with not showing up for court, didn’t show up for court. It’s no surprise that Magistrate Foldats appeared exasperated. Too often in our judicial system, in minor and major matters, cases are postponed, delayed or dismissed due to problems with procedures, paperwork, over- worked attorneys or general issues of overcrowding. As we’ve observed before, and as we’re sure Magis- trate Foldats would concur, our country’s system of law and order is a three-legged stool, comprising the police, prosecutors (and defense counsel) and the judiciary. If any one of those components is unstable, the whole apparatus comes crashing down under its own weight. ‘Reality judge’: Magistrate Foldats tells it like it is The global implications of corruption in CaymanThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 Cayman Compass • Friday June 26, 2015 MORE PEACE OF MIND TAKE OUR EXCLUSIVE DATA TEST DRIVE FOR 3 MONTHS CAREFREE DATA USE TO WORK OUT WHAT POSTPAID DATA PLAN IS RIGHT FOR YOU. VISIT STORES FOR DETAILS.6 LOCAL NEWS Friday June 26, 2015 • Cayman Compass Retired judge joins Dinner Martin Attorneys Carol Winker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Retired Grand Court Judge Alexander Henderson has joined the firm of Dinner Martin Attorneys following his call to the Cayman bar earlier this month. Justice Henderson’s retire- ment was announced at the opening of the Grand Court this year by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, who ob- served that Justice Henderson “has dealt with every kind of case coming before the court with consummate fairness, skill and efficiency.” Although local media em- phasized his work on scores of criminal cases, a press re- lease from Dinner Martin pointed out that he also pre- sided over “hundreds of con- tentious matters, including in- solvency, breach of contract, directors’ duties, disputes be- tween shareholders, variation of trusts, injunctions, assis- tance to foreign courts, asset tracing, foreclosure, probate, and judicial review proceed- ings, among others. During his time on the bench, he wrote the second highest number of reported decisions and added greatly to the Cayman Islands’ body of judicial knowledge.” Called to the bar in British Columbia, Canada, Mr. Henderson was assistant city prosecutor in Vancouver before going into private practice. Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992, he began serving as a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1995. He first came to Cayman in 2000 as an acting judge, serving full-time from 2003. He was also Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2001. He received his accreditation as an Arbitrator in 2007. On joining Dinner Martin, Mr. Henderson said, “This is an innovative and energetic firm which I look forward to working with. Upon re- turning to the private sector, my desire was to be associ- ated with a talented group of attorneys in a full-service yet boutique setting. Dinner Martin provides that for me.” Partners David Dinner and Randall Foster Martin said they were honored to welcome an attorney of Mr. Henderson’s caliber and ex- perience to their firm. “Justice Henderson will have an im- mediate impact on helping us grow our practice, and, as he is a natural teacher, our asso- ciates and support staff can only stand to benefit from his wisdom,” Mr. Dinner said. Dinner Martin is a full service law firm engaged in the practice of law in the Cayman Islands, comprising both civil litigation (with a focus on commercial litiga- tion and personal injury) and traditional solicitor practice areas such as immigration and employment law, busi- ness establishment and li- censing, trusts, wills, estates and conveyancing. Mr. Henderson alan Markoff amarkoff@pinnaclemedialtd.com The handover of $30,000 to Meals on Wheels by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman last week formally ended the service organization’s com- mitments to the charity that delivers meals to senior citi- zens of need on the island. Rotary had been holding the funds in trust while a new Meals on Wheels corpo- ration was formed to replace the one started by Rotary. The Meals on Wheels pro- gram got started in 1997 when Larry Chomyn, then the president of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, witnessed the Meals on Wheels program in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, which, organized by the Rotary Club in that city, had benefited his par- ents and many others. Rotary clubs around the world often support Meals on Wheels programs and Mr. Chomyn decided he wanted to start it in Cayman as one of commu- nity service projects during his year as Rotary president. Mr. Chomyn worked with Rotarian Sophia Harris, then the community service director on the board, to launch Meals on Wheels on Grand Cayman 1997. Two years later, Rotary Meals on Wheels was officially incorporated in the Cayman Islands as a not-for-profit company with the Rotary Club as the sole shareholder. Separately from the Meals on Wheels initiative, Martha McField had begun cooking and delivering meals on Sundays to elderly friends and neighbors in George Town. Ms. Harris approached Ms. McField about working with Rotary on the Meals on Wheels program, and she agreed. The meals were initially delivered to 14 seniors in George Town, with the food supplied pri- marily by the Baptist Church. Eventually, Ms. McField’s daughter, Beulah McField, took over the day-to-day op- erations of Meals on Wheels in George Town. Later, through a partnership with another organization, deliv- eries were expanded to West Bay, Eventually, Bodden Town and East End were added as well. In its 50-plus years on Grand Cayman, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman has estab- lished many community proj- ects and maintained close sup- port and control over them until someone else in the com- munity could take them over and be self-sufficient. In July 2012, Rotary formally handed over reins of the pro- gram to Beulah McField, who formed a new Meals on Wheels non-profit company, with the Rotary Meals on Wheels en- tity being dissolved. However, as they have done for the past 18 years, Rotarians have com- mitted to continue supporting Meals on Wheels, which now delivers meals to some 170 se- niors, in any way they can. Formal commitment over, Rotary to continue Meals on Wheels support Mr. ChomynThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Friday June 26, 2015 The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Friday June 26, 2015 • Cayman Compass that were not billed was un- dertaken in December 2014. “With regards to retroactive fees, a policy decision from the government would need to be determined,” the management response to the audit states. Trash fee collection A private consultant review of the Cayman Islands govern- ment, completed last year, rec- ommended the outsourcing of both waste collection and landfill services to the private sector. However, in order to do that, it was proposed that waste disposal fees should be reinstated for all system users. “Current waste collec- tion fee arrangements in the Cayman Islands are ineffective with most residents and many commercial entities not paying for services,” the consultant’s report done by accounting firm Ernst & Young states. To realize the estimated $2 million cost savings it iden- tified, the EY report makes it clear that the initiative would require the enforced collection of waste disposal fees. “In order to successfully outsource waste collection, it is a necessary preceding step to implement a collection fee structure and system.” In ad- dition to fees for waste collec- tion, the report states, charges should be introduced for those bringing waste to the landfill site “for both private garbage collection companies and pri- vate citizens.” The EY report also noted several risks to implementa- tion of collection of waste dis- posal fees, stating that there would be a cost to collection, plus the need for enforcement and regulatory change. In ad- dition, it stated that those not willing to pay may illegally dump their waste. of the board of gover- nors, and Linford Pierson, the deputy chair, have left their positions. Lemuel Hurlston, who took over as head of the board of governors at the end of March, said discus- sions had continued with UCCI staff on how to make the institution more fi- nancially viable. He believes the same level of savings can be achieved without resorting to such drastic measures. “Some of the original rec- ommendations have been challenged and another per- spective has been offered,” he said. “The faculty have come up with some recommenda- tions of their own initiative. “We are looking at recom- mendations to raise revenue, not just cutting costs. We are not focusing on cutting any particular program or re- ducing staff.” He said the recommen- dations coming out of the report and the discussions with faculty would be re- viewed individually and would either be dismissed or go forward to management for implementation. “This is a joint team ef- fort and we are pretty confi- dent we can improve the fi- nancial position. We may end up with a larger overall saving,” he said. Mr. Hurlston acknowl- edged that more could be done at the college to seek corporate partnerships and donations. “That will be part of the overall strategy going forward. “Education is everybody’s business and there are tre- mendous opportunities for course sponsorships. “There is more that can be done in developing part- nerships and relation- ships so that education can be a shared burden and a shared responsibility.” The initial viability report suggested several courses are not financially viable, with some degree programs being delivered to as few as three students. Education Minister Tara Rivers has insisted that gov- ernment grant funding will be maintained at current levels – just over $4 million of the total $7 million operating cost of the institution. UCCI leaders accepted that cuts must be made to avoid the need to go back to government for sup- plemental funds. UCCI reconsiders job cuts Lemuel Hurlston, who took over as head of the board of governors at the end of March, said discussions had continued with UCCI staff on how to make the institution more financially viable. 289 businesses not billed for trash CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Flare gun charge dismissed Magistrate finds charge is defective CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man charged with possessing an imitation firearm – a flare gun – had the charge dismissed after a magistrate agreed with his attorney that the charge against him did not specify an offense. Codey Moxam, 24, de- fended by attorney Prathna Bodden, was charged with possession of an imita- tion firearm with intent to commit an offense on March 23, 2014 in West Bay. Crown Counsel Neil Kumar read three witness statements into evidence. Two statements were from police officers who said they were called to a residence that Sunday morning. There was no disturbance. When Moxam arrived, he mentioned an incident that had occurred the previous day. Officers advised him to go back to his own residence in the eastern districts and avoid contact with a named individual. Moxam agreed to leave after he got his personal watercraft. Around 10:45 a.m., offi- cers on patrol were stopped by a relative of Moxam’s who told them that Moxam had a flare gun in the car he was driving. The of- ficers saw Moxam and followed him. When they stopped him, they asked about a flare gun. He told them he had one under his seat, with car- tridges in a console beneath the radio. He told them he had taken the gun from a boat and he told them the name of the person who owned the boat. The officers confiscated the flare gun and cartridges. The court heard that Moxam later allegedly told the relative, “I can kill you just like I can with [named person]. If people in this yard don’t take me serious, anybody can get kill.” After the Crown closed its case, Ms. Bodden pointed out that merely being in possession of a flare gun is not an offense. “For the case to continue, you would have to be sure beyond reason- able doubt that at the time of having the item, he had the intention of commit- ting an unspecified offense. Looking at the charge, you can’t be sure what was in- tended – robbery? assault? making threats?” Ms. Bodden pointed out that the threats reported were made after the gun was removed; anything said afterwards could not relate to the offense. She noted that two of the three wit- nesses statements had re- ferred to Moxam as calm. His actions did not indi- cate any threat: “He was not waving [the gun] around. He was not doing anything with it,” she emphasized. If it were a different charge, or if the charge were drafted in a different way, then it could be said that the court was properly di- rected as to what it was being asked to find,” Ms. Bodden submitted. In this case, there was simply not enough ev- idence to support any charge, because having a flare gun is not an offense, she concluded. Magistrate Grace Donalds dismissed the charge. “You are found not guilty,” she told Moxam, “and you are discharged in this matter.” “During the January-June 2014 billing period, 289 customers categorized as ‘business’ customer[s] were not billed.” Internal audIt unItThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Cayman Compass • Friday June 26, 2015 We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Alodia Veronica Bodden affectionately known as “Lodie” who passed away on Monday, June 22nd, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday, June 27th, 2015 at East End United Church at 3:00 p.m. Viewing will be from 2:15-2:45 p.m. Interment to follow at Gun Bay Cemetery Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Marylin Magdalene Ebanks who passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015 A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church, Walkers Rd., (next to Cayman Academy & Calvary Baptist Church) at 3:00 p.m. Viewing: 2:00 -2:45 p.m. Interment to follow at Boatswain Bay Cemetery, West Bay Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Marylin Magdalene Ebanks who passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015 A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church, Walkers Rd., (next to Cayman Academy & Calvary Baptist Church) at 3:00 p.m. Viewing: 2:00 -2:45 p.m. Interment to follow at Boatswain Bay Cemetery, West Bay Condolences can be registered at: Condolences can be registered at: Condolences can be registered at www.churchillsfuneralhome.com: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com: activity,” Mr. Vance said. “In other words, we can’t identify the criminal. “This is not because the entities are incorporated in an offshore tax haven like the Cayman Islands. That country actually collects ben- eficial ownership informa- tion. Often, that entity is in- corporated in the United States – and it’s incorpo- rated in the U.S. precisely be- cause we don’t collect bene- ficial owner information. In this important way, the pros- ecutor sitting in the Cayman Islands is better positioned to root out terrorism finance in her own markets than I am in ours.” Mr. Vance gave what he termed a “shocking” account to the congressional subcom- mittee where a district at- torney’s office investigator, “putting on her best French accent,” called an incorpo- ration services company in Delaware, USA. The “under- cover” investigator told the company representative she spoke to that she wished to incorporate an entity in Delaware, but wished to re- main anonymous because of “estate issues” in France. “She was told that this would not be a problem, a corporation could be set up in five minutes – she needed to provide only a name and email address,” Mr. Vance said. Mr. Vance, along with his predecessor in the of- fice, Robert Morgenthau, have long backed the U.S. bill known as the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act. In 2009, Mr. Morgenthau told a congressional com- mittee that the passage of the legislation through con- gress would assist local, state and federal investigations into penny stock “pump and dump” schemes, illicit cash movements from state-spon- sored terrorist groups and money laundering activities as well. “The bill focuses on en- suring that law enforcement officials with a valid sub- poena or summons may ac- cess beneficial ownership in- formation and it explicitly permits states to restrict the provision of beneficial own- ership information to per- sons other than law enforce- ment,” Mr. Vance said. The position with regard to beneficial ownership is the same one taken by Cayman Islands Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton, who has supported strengthening the islands’ beneficial owner- ship registry information, but who has opposed its general release to the public. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has urged all British Overseas Territories to adopt a public beneficial ownership registry. “We see no need for a [public] central registry that would increase costs to busi- ness and the country and also create a potential single data source which moti- vated and skilled individuals would hack into for gain,” Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said ear- lier this year. “None of the G-20 principles speak to a public registry at all. I sus- pect this is for a good reason, because it is a bad idea. None of the G-20, other than the U.K. will likely imple- ment it, and neither will the Cayman Islands.” Money laundering The U.S. Attorney General’s Office, while inves- tigating criminal allegations against a number of FIFA of- ficials, has flagged up “the centrality of the U.S. finan- cial system” in the numerous bribes and kickbacks de- scribed in the scheme. Those bribe payments, federal prosecutors allege, were made by sports mar- keting companies to ranking members of FIFA in ex- change for receiving the commercialization rights to various football tourna- ments, including World Cup qualifying matches. While the indictment filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York does acknowledge the “use of shell companies, nominees and numbered bank accounts in tax havens in other secre- tive banking jurisdictions,” it focuses on the American fi- nancial structures used in the racketeering scheme. “The defendants and their co-conspirators relied heavily on the U.S. financial system in connection with their activi- ties,” the indictment states. “This reliance was signifi- cant and sustained and was one of the central methods and means through which they promoted and concealed their schemes.” Those instances included allegations that: ■■ FIFA wired billions of dol- lars from a major Swiss bank to beneficiary ac- counts in the U.S. ■■ CONCACAF [FIFA’s re- gional organization in North and Central America and the Caribbean] and CONMEBOL [FIFA’s re- gional organization in South America] con- ducted business in ac- counts at New York and Florida banks ■■ The Caribbean Football Union, along with two South American football associations, also con- ducted business at New York and Florida banks ■■ FIFA defendants, in- cluding Jeffrey Webb and Costas Takkas, per- sonally controlled bank accounts in New York, Miami and San Francisco. further afield. “Tourists from Europe would stay longer and spend more money. The only thing I don’t like about them is that we are not getting any.” A consultant’s report on the airport suggested the runway expansion should not be an immediate priority. Government’s current plan involves expansion of the terminal buildings at Owen Roberts International Airport. Mr. Thompson welcomes those improvements but be- lieves broadening Cayman’s market beyond the U.S. is essential. “The idea that we don’t need a longer runway because we have not tapped into that market yet is a crazy thing to say. As long as we have a 7,000 foot runway, we are not going to get jets that require a runway of 9,200 feet.” Mr. Thompson, who opened the Reef Resort in 2000, recently oversaw the rebranding of the business as a Wyndham property in March this year. “Business has been doing OK. Unlike a lot of hotels, we weath- ered the storm and we think being a part of the Wyndham brand is going to make us strong for the future.” Despite those achieve- ments, Mr. Thompson be- lieves his proudest moment in tourism was becoming a captain at Cayman Airways at 26. “I think being a captain at Cayman Airways at such an early age was a great honor and something I really enjoyed.” The winners of the 2015 Cayman Stingray Tourism Awards were: Accommodations ■■ Manager: Shelly Ann Myrie, Silver Rain a La Prairie Spa at The Ritz- Carlton, Grand Cayman ■■ Employee: Fernando Yorke, Southern Cross Club. Allied ■■ Manager: Joelle McCrae, Cayman Turtle Farm ■■ Employee: Damion Francis, Majestic Tours. Restaurant ■■ Manager: Carol Boulton, Rum Point Club ■■ Employee: Juliet Bucknal, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. Water sports ■■ Manager: Sarah-Jane Whitehill, Red Sail Sports ■■ Employee: Tony Chisholm, Seasports Diving ■■ Long Service: Sadie Chollette, Plantana Condominiums ■■ Rising Star: Sarah Hydes, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. Lifetime achievement award for hotel owner CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Stingray Tourism Awards recipients and presenters at Tuesday night’s awards ceremony. Mr. Vance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 DA: Cayman company info beats U.S. Heaps of stolen goods found in apartment Brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com More than a dozen items believed to have been taken in burglaries prior to June 14 were re- covered following a po- lice search of the apart- ment where two suspects arrested in connec- tion with the break- ins stayed. The items recovered include watches, jewelry, a camera and a pair of headphones. The two men ar- rested in the case were employed in Cayman on work permits. They were arrested on June 15 on suspicion of burglary after being spotted in the South Sound area of George Town. The two appeared in court Friday, June 19. A Royal Cayman Islands Police officer on patrol late that night saw the two men, ages 31 and 25, “acting suspiciously dressed in black hoodies and gloves.” The men, who are from the Dominican Republic, ran after they were spotted by po- lice, but were captured soon afterward. Police searched the immediate area and found a private home that was empty at the time had been broken into. A car connected to the two men, according to police, was found nearby and certain ar- ticles taken from the home were found inside the car. A third suspect is still being sought in connec- tion with the burglary. RCIPS officers request owners of the items who wish to recover them to bring any photographs or proof of ownership, whether that be serial numbers, receipts or any other method of iden- tification to the George Town Police Station. The items recovered include watches, jewelry, a camera and a pair of headphones. Next >