EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 INTERNAL AUDITS, PUBLIC INFORMATION ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY JULY 3, 2015 Key West Relaxation is the key to visiting this popular tourist destination B12 Travel Loving Jolie Jolie is a wonderful, gentle and friendly pooch who would love to find a home of her own B4 ■ Food & drink Tapas delights ‘Man.’ The film Local film set to be released later this year B6 Film Spanish-inspired night at Anchor & Den B11 Beauty Red carpet makeup A step-by-step guide to the perfect smoky eye B15 Friday July 3, 2015 • Cayman Compass Get a quote today. +1 (345) 949 9744 Home • Contents • Motor • Liability • Business • Marin e #203 Alissta Towers, 85 North Sound Road, Grand Cayman KY1-1109. E: Aleisha.Lalor@caribbeanalliance.com www.caribbeanalliance .com Rated A (Excellent) at A.M. Best Company ...IN THE CARIBBEAN Our customers enjoy extensive coverage and competitive premiums on every personal and commercial insurance product. Get a quote today. +1 (345) 949 9744 Home • Contents • Motor • Liability • Business • Marin e #203 Alissta Towers, 85 North Sound Road, Grand Cayman KY1-1109. E: Aleisha.Lalor@caribbeanalliance.com www.caribbeanalliance .com Rated A (Excellent) at A.M. Best Company ...IN THE CARIBBEAN Our customers enjoy extensive coverage and competitive premiums on every personal and commercial insurance product. Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. High of 90 Low of 78 Tapas delights CAYMAN WEEKENDER TUESDAY - FRIDAY - SUNDAY 17.95 $39.95 US seeks extradition of Webb, Takkas Seven FIFA defendants could take months to release BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com U.S. prosecutors issued extradition re- quests Wednesday for seven indicted FIFA of- fi cials arrested in late May in connection with a racketeering and bribery scandal that has shaken world football’s governing body and the Cayman Islands, where FIFA’s regional vice president’s offi ce is based. The extradition requests were submitted just before a July 3 deadline was due to ex- pire. The seven men, including former FIFA Vice President Jeffrey Webb and his attaché, U.K. national and long-time Cayman Islands resident Costas Takkas, were arrested May 27 in Zurich, Switzerland on U.S. federal court charges. The charges alleged that the seven men, all current or former FIFA offi cials, played varying roles in a 25-year scheme that awarded the commercialization rights for in- ternational football tournaments to sports marketing companies that paid bribes to the FIFA offi cials who awarded those contracts. The seven men have been held in deten- tion separately from one another since their arrests, only being allowed visitors intermit- tently. None, at least at this stage, have de- cided to waive extradition and voluntarily re- turn to the U.S. to face charges. Webb, a native of the Cayman Islands, is married to an American doctor and owns TAD STONER tstoner@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two health and science teams arrived in Cayman on Wednesday, spending two days testing at least two dozen people in the Frank Sound area for arsenic poisoning, and mea- suring ground and water contamination. The results won’t be known for a month, however, while government seeks to allay frustrations and cool passions at the 14.5- acre Frank Sound farm, in the wake of rev- elations that the land – and possibly well water – has been infected with soaring levels of arsenic after a decade of storage of ash from the burning of contaminated CRIMESTOPPERS OFFERS $110K REWARD CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com CrimeStoppers is offering a record- breaking $110,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men responsible for a Friday night home invasion. On Friday night, shortly before 9 p.m., three armed men kicked in the door to a Governor’s Harbour home. Two children, a 5-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother, were in the home with a babysitter when the gunmen stole money raised in a recent Rotary Sunrise raffl e. Chris Duggan, deputy chair of Cayman CrimeStoppers, said the $110,000 reward is Man shot and killed in central George Town CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com A 20-year-old man died after being shot in the head in front of a house on Martin Drive at about 11 p.m. Wednesday, police say. Police say they were called to the nearby Globe Bar where they found the West Bay man with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the head. The man was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police. Yellow crime scene tape and two police cars blocked off a small section of Martin Drive, a narrow neighborhood street off Shedden Road, most of the day Thursday. There was blood on the ground in front of the door to a teal-colored house sur- rounded by yellow police tape. The single- story house backed up to a dirt lot, the back walls covered in graffi ti. Neighbors reported hearing one shot late Wednesday night and said police responded quickly to the scene in central George Town. Several people who live in the area, who declined to give their names, said there had been problems with violence at the home before, which was known as a “party spot.” PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 14 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Police tape surrounds the scene of Wednesday night’s shooting off Shedden Road. - PHOTO: CHARLES DUNCAN Jeffrey Webb PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 13 » TESTING UNDER WAY FOR ARSENIC POISONING2 LOCAL&REGIONAL Friday July 3, 2015 • Cayman Compass CARIBBEANCAFEA til 3pm Saturdays , Sundays & Cimboco ~ A Caribbean Café 94-PASTA (947-2782) Located in The Marquee Plaza Brunch/Breakfast HOLIDAY Monday www.tonymosleylifeinsurance.com Shabbat Candle Lighting time on Friday, July 3 6:50pm Chabad Jewish Center of the Cayman Islands jewishcayman.com-345.516.4474 Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky Salsa Tuesdays with DJ Flex Free lessons with Kirk starting 9:30pm Every Tuesday Tuesdays Salsa Tuesdays Salsa Tuesdays Salsa Celebrate Saturday, 4th of July with Barefoot Man & Sea N’ B 8pm Fireworks 9:15pm NO COVER Friday, July 3rd “Country Night” Barefoot Man with Sea N’B & Andy Martin “The Cayman Cowboy” TONIGHT TOMORROW 8:30pm till....... Come for dinner stay for dancing NO COVER Come For Dinner Stay For Dancing PALM TREE PARADISE 3 bed + D, 3 bath, 2000s/f Ocean front in Frank Sound More than 180 degree views Fabulous island home l l l l REDUCED! US$595,000 Member CIREBA MLS#403986 345-945-4411 info@cirealty.ky caymanislandsrealty.com Two years for four business burglaries Three burglaries committed while on police bail Carol Winker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man who pleaded guilty to the burglary of four business premises was sen- tenced on Wednesday to two years imprisonment. Magistrate Philippa McFarlane said she would recommend that the defen- dant, Rogelio Regado Acena, be deported after com- pleting his sentence. Acena, 44, had pleaded not guilty to the four charges and they were set for trial; at least six witnesses were present Wednesday morning. They were thanked for their attendance and released after the defendant entered his new pleas. Defense attorney John Furniss said he and the Tagalog language interpreter had spoken with Acena sev- eral times and explained the forensic evidence – including blood and fingerprints – that the Crown had against him, but Acena had maintained his not guilty pleas because he was ashamed. Mr. Furniss told the court that his client had been well respected by his em- ployer and fellow employees. He had worked here 2004- 2010 and then was rolled over. He went home to the Philippines and returned to Cayman in 2012. The burglaries appar- ently began when Acena’s teenaged son in the Philippines became sick and needed money for med- ical treatment. Crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson said the first bur- glary occurred at the Digicel store in Countryside Village in the early hours of Nov. 27, 2014. The store was equipped with an alarm system and CCTV. When the store manager arrived, he saw that a back window had been forced open. He called the security company and CCTV footage was reviewed. Between 1:16 and 2:19 a.m., a short male was ob- served going in and out; each time he left the premises he had an items in his hand. The stolen goods included cell phones and tablets with a total value of $4,792. Police received infor- mation and went to Cash Wiz in George Town, where a black Nokia was recov- ered. Documentation for the transaction showed it was Acena who had brought in the phone for a $100 loan. Police continued their investigation by going to Acena’s place of employ- ment. There the man- ager gave them a phone and tablet which had been handed over to him by a se- curity guard who said Acena had given him the items as security for a loan of $1,000. Acena was arrested on Dec. 2. When cautioned, he said he had found the phone behind a building when he dropped his girlfriend off for work. Officers searched his vehicle and found the receipt from Cash Wiz. He was bailed by police and re- turned for several more in- terviews with an attorney and interpreter resent. Asked about the tablet he had given to the security guard at his work place, he said he had won it in a raffle; the woman who ran the raffle had since returned to the Philippines, he told police. He was bailed again until Feb. 28, but did not show up. By this time, he had stopped going to work. His employer attempted to contact him several times, but efforts were futile. The employer then wrote to Immigration saying Acena was no longer employed; his work permit was can- celed on March 10 this year. The next three bur- glaries occurred on March 10, 25 and 26. A concrete block was thrown through the front glass of a beauty salon on Smith Road and $400 was stolen; blood spots were seen on the floor and police took swabs for DNA analysis. A concrete block was thrown through glass at the front of a premises on Eastern Avenue and goods with a total value of $800 were stolen. Again, officers found traces of blood at the scene and swabs were taken for DNA analysis. The last burglary was at a bar on Shamrock Road, where a rear window was smashed. Two point-of- sale computers, valued at $3,300, were stolen. One was found outside the premises and fingerprints were obtained from it. Mr. Ferguson said the DNA and fingerprints from the March crime scenes matched the samples Acena had provided when he was processed in connection with the November burglary. Mr. Furniss asked that his client be given credit for his guilty pleas; even though they had come late, they had still saved the court time, he said. The magistrate told Acena that, based on what she had heard, he had made a sensible decision when he changed his pleas. As a man of mature age and good reputation, he had to know what poor decisions he had made when he thought he had to commit these crimes. As a result, he will almost certainly not be allowed to return to Cayman. She pointed out that the last three burglaries were committed while on police bail for the first one and this was an aggravating fea- ture. Because of his previous good character, the first sen- tence would have been nine months, but she reduced this to six months because of the guilty plea. For the next bur- glaries, if they had gone to trial, the sentence would have been 24 months each, but she gave him a one-fourth dis- count for his pleas. The resulting 18 month sentences are to run con- currently, but consecutive to the six months, for a total of two years. For overstaying after his work permit was canceled, he received 30 days, also concurrent. Mr. Ferguson said the DNA and fingerprints from the March crime scenes matched the samples Acena had provided when he was processed in connection with the November burglary. Jamaican citizen sentenced for lottery scam Jamaica: Drought prompts water restrictions HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — A Jamaican citizen living in Virginia has been sentenced for his role in an interna- tional lottery scam. Federal authorities say 32-year-old Carlos O’Brien Ricketts was sentenced Wednesday to 10 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Michael Urbanski also ordered Ricketts to pay $74,450 restitution to his victims. A federal grand jury in Harrisonburg indicted Ricketts last November, and he pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Ricketts partic- ipated in a lottery scheme based in Jamaica that in- duced elderly victims to send thousands of dollars to cover fees for sweepstake prizes that the victims re- ally had not won. KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica’s environment minister says residents must adhere to water re- strictions as reservoir levels diminish due to a worsening drought. Robert Pickersgill told reporters Wednesday that watering gardens, filling swimming pools and washing cars with piped water has been prohibited. He says residents of the southern city of Portmore will be without water from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays while Kingston residents will be blocked at night. Rural communi- ties often have no piped supply or low water pres- sure. The hardest-hit areas are getting water supplied by trucks. Jamaica joins Cuba, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands strug- gling with drought. The drought is expected to worsen as the region is forecast to receive below- normal rainfall during the hurricane season that began in June.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Friday July 3, 2015 UPGRADE TO 4926 LIME - BIG Data - Racers - Full Page Ad - CMYK - 10.33 x 15.97 - 22 June 2015 LIME Terms & Conditions Apply BIG DATA DATA Get rolling with a Samsung S6 or iPhone 6 for just $24.99 a month. We’ll throw in 3 months of mobile data for free. You also get Deezer Premium+ music absolutely free. It’s kind of a big deal. Visit any LIME store today. BIG YOUR LIFE. BIG YOUR DATA WITH LIME. $ 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” Friday JuLy 3, 2015 • Cayman COmpass This week and last, the Cayman Compass has published stories revealing persistent problems with airport parking, hundreds of local businesses not being billed for trash collection, the existence of basic but potentially disastrous problems with government’s information security systems, and a bureaucratic morass festering behind the scenes at the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. Believe it or not — we consider this to be good news. From a public relations standpoint, the Cayman Islands government may not consider these revela- tions to be “positive,” but we believe the simple fact that the findings have been revealed to represent a significant positive step in the development of both public policy and public information in the territory. At the present moment, we will refrain from com- menting on the substance of this latest batch of Internal Audit Unit reports, other than to make the obvious observation that government auditors have once again exposed serious weaknesses and flaws within the public sector, and ought to be recognized for the good (and often thankless) work they continue to perform. By the same token, the Internal Audit Unit’s work itself deserves to be recognized by top government officials. For too many years, such internal audits been completed, reviewed, then buried within some cata- combs somewhere, never again to see the light of day — until and unless the reports were summoned spe- cifically by an exercise of the Freedom of Information Law. For the past several years, the Compass has been retrieving internal audits by doing just that — lodging separate open records requests and forcing the gov- ernment’s hand. Whilst considering our latest FOI request for the internal audit reports, Portfolio of the Civil Service Chief Officer Gloria McField-Nixon wrote, “The prior practice of the release of internal audit information in an ad hoc manner and only upon request is flawed.” She continued, “The premature release of informa- tion before an audit is completed could have an inhib- iting effect on the internal audit process. “However, the passage of time will have an impact on the likely level of prejudice caused in favor of the public interest disclosure.” We don’t disagree. Like a cake in an oven, there’s a proper window of time for government documents (especially those that are still “works-in-progress”) to be taken out into the open — too soon, and their release can spoil their intent; too late, and they have lost all useful or nutritive value. Toward that end, the portfolio is introducing a phased publication schedule for the proactive release of internal audits, depending on the nature of the report. Annual follow-ups of audits will be released within one month of completion; regularly scheduled audits will be released within six months of completion; and audits requested by agencies on their own volition will be released “not later than” 12 months after com- pletion. The last and lengthiest time frame is designed to encourage agencies to seek out help from the Internal Audit Unit in diagnosing problems, by giving them additional opportunity to correct those problems before they become public knowledge. We shall see if the portfolio adheres to the publi- cation schedule it has announced (and more impor- tantly, if the agencies concerned address shortcom- ings identified in audit reports), but for now we regard the change from “reactive” to “proactive” release as a step in the right direction. That is, of course, the gov- ernment recognizing it had a problem in the first place. Internal audits, public information Why they stay While we don’t always know the facts regarding every domestic violence case that appears in our local press, we feel it is im- portant for people to un- derstand why both women and men stay in abusive re- lationships and why they need our ongoing support if they are to eventually find their lives free of violence and intimidation. These are some of the reasons people stay: 1. Fear/threat Abusers commonly threaten their partners to keep them from leaving or to scare them into dropping charges: threats to hurt or kill the victim, her/his chil- dren, other family members, or pets. He/she may also threaten to commit suicide, file false charges against the victim, or report her/him to child services. 2. Embarrassment Victims do not want to be known as victims, nor do they want loved ones to know their “per- fect” partner is not so per- fect. They may feel a sense of failure. An abuser deni- grates the victim, and if she is convinced she is worthless and that no one else will want her, she is less likely to leave. Insults and shaming, particularly in public, are weapons of abuse designed to erode someone’s self-esteem and make them feel powerless. 3. Low self-esteem The victim has been brainwashed to believe she deserves punishment, that it is her fault. She thinks if she can do or be better, the abuse will stop. Abusers are very good at blaming their behavior on a bad child- hood, a bad day, and their victims: “if you weren’t so stupid, I wouldn’t have to hit you.” 4. Love “I thought love could conquer all,” tweeted @bevtgooden. Victims hope it will change, that they can change their loved ones, particularly when he says he is sorry. She wants the violence to stop, not the re- lationship to be over. People do not fall in love with “abusers”; they fall in love with the softer, tender per- sona that shows itself. 5. Belief that abuse is normal This is most likely if the victim grew up in an abusive home. The familiarity is com- fortable. The world outside is unknown and terrifying. 6. Social/peer pressure If the abuser is “popular” or well-known in the commu- nity, the victim thinks: “Who will believe me?” 7. Cultural/religious/ societal acceptance reasons Divorce is sometimes viewed negatively and there is a degree of acceptance of domestic violence in society. Many of our clients are en- couraged to return to abu- sive situations by their pas- tors/church and to forgive their partners. 8. Children She believes the kids need a father; that families are better with the parents to- gether. She may also fear that he may take the children, or that the children will blame and resent her for breaking up the home. 9. Distrust of the police/judiciary Thinking that she will not be believed or that the perpe- trators always get away with it anyway. 10. Language barriers or immigration status She would not have any ability to stay and work if she is an expatriate and is on her own. This is partic- ularly relevant if the victim has Caymanian children. 11. Isolation To increase the depen- dence on him or her, an abusive partner will me- thodically cut off victims from the outside world, pre- venting them from seeing people, working, and con- trolling finances. Family members may also cut sup- port “after what happened last time,” when a victim re- turned to his/her abuser. 12. Guilt Victims may believe that they can help the abuser overcome his or her own childhood abuse issues. Statistically, one in four women (almost 28 percent) will be physically assaulted by a partner at some point in their lives and approxi- mately 15 percent of men will be abused. It takes an average of seven times be- fore a victim finally leaves her abusive partner for good. And, the most dangerous time for a woman is in the first week after she leaves. This is when the majority of domestic violence murders take place. We explain this because it is important for people to understand the dynamics of domestic violence, but ultimately, we want to start changing the conversation, moving it away from fo- cusing blame on the vic- tims to a focus on abusers. It is time. In the words of Leslie Morgan-Steiner, author of “Crazy Love”: “Why don’t therapists, researchers, po- lice officers, judges, and legislators ask more ques- tions about the abusers who perpetrate the terrible cycle of family violence? Without abusers, we’d have no abuse … I believe long- term change will only come when the hard questions shift to the perpetrators, rather than the victims of family violence.” If you or someone you know is being abused – in any of the ways listed above – call our 24-hour confiden- tial emergency hotline at 943-2422. We accept calls from everyone and can help you to find a path to a life free from violence. Denise Gower, chairwoman, on behalf of the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre Board [I]t is important for people to understand the dynamics of domestic violence, but ultimately, we want to start changing the conversation, moving it away from focusing blame on the victims to a focus on abusers. It is time.The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 Cayman Compass • Friday July 3, 2015 Visit rbc.com/caribbean We’re incredibly honoured to be named 2015 Global Bank of the Year – the first bank in the world to receive this international recognition, two years in a row. We are very proud of this award because it reflects the dedication and passion of our employees—their commitment to our clients and to the communities we serve. This award is also about our clients, who put their trust in us to help them create the future they want. They inspire us to reach new heights every day. A really BIG thank you to our employees & clients A really BIG thank you to RBC Royal Bank wins Best Retail Bank In The World... again. - Retail Banker International It’s All About You6 LOCAL NEWS Friday July 3, 2015 • Cayman Compass IN OVER 90% OF NETWORK TESTS ACROSS MORE SPEED GEORGE TOWN, WEST BAY, BODDEN TOWN AND EAST END, DIGICEL’S LTE NETWORK WAS BODDEN TOWN AND EAST END, DIGICEL’S LTE NETWORK WAS FASTEST. VISIT STORES FOR DETAILS. ACROSS THE ISLAND Happy 11th Birthday Jamaica Gail I will always be there for you Love Dad Jamaica GailJamaica GailJamaica Gail ‘Rollover’ backlog finally cleared Brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Thousands of applications for permanent residence or other immigration-related statuses, some of which were pending for nearly a decade, have been cleared from the Immigration Department’s books following final adjudi- cations by the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose confirmed this week that about 180 applica- tions for permanent resi- dence, challenges to work permit denials or refusals of Caymanian status appli- cations remain to be heard by the appeals board. Mr. Rose estimated that, at one time, the tribunal had 3,900 cases pending regarding these matters. Many of those cases had already been heard by one of Cayman’s three immi- gration-related boards and had reached the appeals tri- bunal stage. A few have pro- ceeded from that point to the Grand Court. Since revisions to the Immigration Law took effect in October 2013, another 350 people have applied for per- manent residence and an- other 200 are estimated to have applied for Caymanian status. However, those num- bers do not come close to the application backlog Cayman saw during 2006 and 2007, when more than 3,500 people were awaiting word on resi- dency status. “I don’t think we’ll see those types of backlogs again at all,” said Immigration Appeals Tribunal Chairman Buck Grizzel, who added that tribunal members, who are volunteers, had been meeting twice a week to clear up the work for a number of months. Mr. Grizzel said the changes in the Immigration Law in 2013 make it an of- fense to file a “frivolous” ap- peal to the tribunal and noted that measure has signifi- cantly reduced the number of appeal applications the ap- pointed body is receiving. “[Under the previous law] they could just pay a $250 fee, file an appeal and stay in Cayman until it was decided,” Mr. Grizzel said. The 3,900 appeals backlog number quoted by Mr. Rose was reached in 2009, Mr. Grizzel said. Even by late 2011, Cayman’s Immigration Appeals Tribunal reported that it was struggling with a backlog of more than 1,600 cases – a few of which dated from 2004 – as it tried to wade through var- ious work permit, permanent residence and Caymanian status applications. Work permits are required for all foreign workers living in Cayman. Permanent res- idence allows foreign na- tionals the right to remain in Cayman for the rest of their lives, and Caymanian status is the final step toward be- coming a Caymanian or, in legal terms, obtaining “be- longer” status within the ter- ritory. Applicants for all three of those permitted statuses have the right to appeal deci- sions of the various immigra- tion boards that make them to the tribunal. According to former chair- person of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal, the backlog problems began with the in- troduction of Cayman’s seven- year term limit on residency for foreign workers – known locally as the rollover policy. That term limit has now been extended to nine years. “The number of appeals [has] significantly escalated since the introduction of the legislation introducing the rollover policy,” said then-Immigration Appeals Tribunal chairperson Sophia Harris during an interview in late 2011. The first iteration of the term limit, which took effect in January 2004, allowed any foreign workers who had re- sided in Cayman for at least five years to apply for per- manent resident status. Normally, a foreigner would have to remain in Cayman for eight years in order to apply for that status. Appeals tribunal statis- tics show a sharp jump in the work permit appeals backlog beginning in 2006, and in 2007 the same thing hap- pened with permanent resi- dence cases. The tribunal in 2011 had more than 768 ap- peals of work permit denials, and more than 683 appeals of denied permanent resident status that were filed be- tween 2008 and 2010. Ms. Harris said that, during that period, the ap- peals tribunal was totally overwhelmed and was strug- gling to apply the rules of the pre-rollover immigration system to the current one. Her comments were sup- ported by the release of gov- ernment’s Internal Audit Unit report review of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal, completed late last year. “Our audit has assessed that [a number of tribunal] de- ficiencies may be due to the lack of personnel designated to perform independent re- views and monitoring of com- pliance with the provisions of the law and best practices,” the audit found. “We also noted inefficient work prac- tices which are compounded by inadequate staff resources to handle the work load.” Many of the non-Cayma- nian workers remaining in the islands while awaiting rulings on their permanent residence or work permit ap- plications were previously given the status of “working by operation of law,” which meant they could remain working in the territory pending the outcome of their application and any subse- quent appeals. The revised Immigration Law has changed that. Applicants for permanent residence, for instance, can obtain a “permission to con- tinue working” from the chief immigration officer. However, those denied permanent resi- dence are no longer allowed to work in the territory while awaiting their appeal to the immigration tribunal. Mr. RoseThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Friday July 3, 2015 Cayman - our current port is not a viable option for the FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. Cruise lines have indicated they will reduce operations if Cayman’s berthing facility is not improved. We pay a larger premium on imported goods because our port cannot take LARGER CARGO SHIPS. Our government is investing strongly in our cruise tourism and port infrastructure to ensure we remain equal to or AHEAD OF WORLD STANDARDS. Decisions that will have a LONG-LASTING EFFECT on our country should not be made based on perceptions, rhetoric, assumptions and opinion. We need to have a CONSIDERED, THOUGHTFUL and HONEST DISCUSSION regarding the proposed cruise berthing facility. Scaremongering by those with a vested interest in keeping the status quo is not helpful. We support economic growth through the efficient use and development of Cayman’s port, while protecting and managing our world-class marine assets. Opinions vary on the actual environmental impact and amount of live coral affected. We need to investigate further and have all the facts The livelihood of many Caymanians depends on cruise tourism Government income from cruise tourism helps to fund services such as schools, hospitals and roads Any dredging and construction for the port can be managed in accordance with the principles of ‘avoid, mitigate, offset’ Approximately 90% of goods are brought to the islands by cargo ship C ONSIDER Know the facts. Be informed. TODAY is the deadline to let your voice be heard to safeguard the future of the Cayman Islands. Voice your support for the proposed Cruise Berthing Facility by emailing the Department of Environment at doe@gov.ky www.CaymansPortCaymansFuture.com/CaymansPortCaymansFuture/CaymansFuture8 LOCAL NEWS Restaurant will close if not sold AlAn MArkoff amarkoff@pinnaclemedialtd.com The owners of Karma Restaurant and Lounge in West Shore Centre have put the popular establishment up for sale and will close it by the end September if no buyer is found. Matthew Wight, who owns the restaurant with his father Ian Wight, said they have decided not to renew the current five-year lease when it expires at the end of September. “We don’t want to sign another five-year lease,” he said. “Dad is almost 65 and I have a million and one things on my plate right now and I just can’t commit to it for the time period. Over the next couple of months, we’ll see if someone will take it on.” The restaurant has 22 staff members. The Wights first became involved in an Italian res- taurant, then called Post, at the Karma location. After taking that restaurant over, they changed the name to Dolce Vita. After going sep- arate ways with the part- ners in that restaurant, they opened Karma in the location in October 2010. Karma’s location in the northeast corner of West Shore Centre has seen many restaurant over the past 25 years. In addition to Karma, Post and Dolce Vita, the location has been home to Captain Morgan’s Steakhouse, La Bodega Latin Lounge and Grill, McCoy’s Restaurant & Lounge and Stax Restaurant & Bar. Mr. Wight also owns Da Fish Shack Restaurant in George Town with his father, as well as having a stake in the Papa John’s pizza fran- chise and in the Minus5 Ice Bar in George Town. Karma, which serves an eclectic mix of Asian-fusion, sushi and pub fare, was par- ticularly popular with Grand Cayman residents because of its chic ambiance, affordable prices and nightlife enter- tainment later in the evening. An advertisement, under the heading “Exceptional Business Opportunity,” ap- pears on page 16 of the Classified section of today’s newspaper offering the res- taurant for sale, although the asking price is not quoted. “It is well known for its outstanding Asian cuisine and as a popular evening destination, making it a fa- vorite amongst tourists and residents. It has a loyal cus- tomer base,” the advertise- ment states. Although Mr. Wight ac- knowledges that a purchaser could create an entirely new restaurant at the location, he said he is hopeful a pur- chaser can be found to ei- ther take the restaurant – and its name – as it is, or to buy it and just make minor modifications. “It has a good name and a good reputation,” he said. The news of Karma’s potential closing comes a little more than a week after another popular res- taurant, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, announced it would close on Aug. 30. A family-friendly pizza and pasta restaurant will open in that restaurant’s Camana Bay location. Friday July 3, 2015 • Cayman Compass Ormond Williams, CNB President hands over cheque to Gregory Smith, CEO YMCA and Ricardo Forbes of AMF Partners Ltd. Cayman National backs new youth and parent resource Cayman National has done it again with a seemingly unlikely pairing for the banking industry. Last year Cayman National joined forces with the nursing profession to offer the first ever local nursing scholarship. Today Cayman National, YMCA Cayman Islands, AMF Partners Ltd and Connect with Kids, an educational and instructional media company in Atlanta Georgia that develops evidence-based programs focused on improving student health, behavior and parent engagement, have joined forces to offer the youth and parents of the Cayman Islands a new resource at no cost. The partnership will deliver a one of a kind website and tool for the entire Cayman Islands community. The website will provide a comprehensive, non-fiction video library on social and emotional issues relevant to the Cayman Islands and many videos, lesson plans, professional development modules and parent resources on topics such as bullying and violence prevention, character development, attendance, college and career readiness and more. “When Mr. Ricardo Forbes of AMF Partners Ltd approached us with this opportunity we felt the need to assist but knew this strategy would have an even more significant impact if we engaged an organisation that is already invested in developing our youth” says Ormond Williams Cayman National Bank President. This is when Mr. Forbes met with YMCA CEO Gregory Smith who immediately showed interest in championing the programme on island. With the YMCA’s commitment and Cayman National’s financial contribution the way was paved to get started on preparing the tool which will be beneficial to both parents and students alike. “Supporting the positive development of our youth should be an obligation of the entire Cayman Islands community. Cayman National is pleased to partner with the YMCA and AMF Partners Ltd in a programme that takes a holistic approach to youth development” Ormond Williams further comments. Mr. Forbes of AMF Partners Ltd. said “he has always had a passion and a desire, to offer a product with solutions, that he feels and knows will make a difference in the lives of Kids, and Parents in the Cayman Islands. His goal is to continue to raise awareness on the Social and Emotional, and Health and Wellness challenges that we are experiencing on these islands. He would like to thank CNB and the YMCA of Cayman, for having the vision and the commitment, to partner with AMF Partners Ltd, and CWK Network, to make it a reality.” Gregory Smith, CEO YMCA Cayman Islands comments “As the YMCA continues to seek collaborations that strengthen our community, we have recognized this educational tool as more than just a great resource for youth, parents, educators, counselors and coaches. The website also provides an excellent platform to strengthen relationships between like-minded, community and youth-based organisations. As we work together from a common ground, linked to this shared resource, our potential for impact becomes far greater than we could ever achieve independently. The Y is extremely grateful for the visionary leadership and support of CNB, which has made these tools available to strengthen our community”. About Cayman National Established in 1974, Cayman National Group comprises of banking, trust & company management and wealth management. The Cayman National Group of Companies comprises: Cayman National Bank Ltd., Cayman National Fund Services Ltd, Cayman National Securities Ltd, Cayman National Trust Co.Ltd, Cayman National Bank & Trust Company (Isle of Man) Ltd. and Cayman National Fund Services (Isle of Man) Ltd. The Group also has representative offices in Dubai and Panama. Cayman National is a public company with its shares being traded on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. Cayman National boasts a workforce of over 300 staff with over 92% being Caymanians. For more information regarding Cayman National Bank, please contact Shari Whittaker, Manager of Bank Marketing on 815-5244 or shari.whittaker@caymannational.com or www.caymannational.com. karma for sale “Over the next couple of months, we’ll see if someone will take it on.” Matthew wight, owner, Karma restaurant Matthew Wight in front of Karma Restaurant & Lounge, which will close by September if no buyer is found. - Photo: AlAn MArkoff Talent show brings donation to school Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The New Self-Help Foundation has donated $3,000 to assist with building a new performing arts center at George Town Primary School. The Foundation’s CEO JC Connor, Lloyd Barker, Arden Rivers and Jason DaCosta presented Cheyenna Stewart, president of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, with the money raised at the 2015 Talent Exposition of the Arts at Harquail Theatre, which was held last Sunday night, June 28. Ms. Stewart said she was grateful for the donation. “The arts center will be built in the style of the modern black box theater,” she said. “It will allow children of a very early age to develop their talents. It will also give opportunities to students who may not be able to af- ford them otherwise.” The school is expecting to break ground on the center later this summer. Mr. Connor said the Foundation is proud to support the George Town Primary School’s performing arts center project with the funds raised at Talent Exposition of the Arts. “The foundation’s main goal is to help youths of today develop a sense of self- worth and to help them rec- ognize their full potential,” Mr. Connor said. Commenting on the talent show, Ms. Stewart the con- cert was an amazing display of Caymanian talent. “The school’s Year’s 3, 4 and 5 vio- linists and cellists were able to perform with these very talented young performers. It was a great opportunity for them to see what they can aspire to,” she said. The estimated cost of the new building for the performing arts center is about $360,000. 9 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Friday July 3, 2015 We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Andrea Cantave nee Solomon who passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Daphne May Collins who passed away on Monday, June 29, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Daphne May Collins who passed away on Monday, June 29, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at:Condolences can be registered at:Condolences can be registered at www.churchillsfuneralhome.com: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com: We have been asked to announce the passing of We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Alvis McLean, better known as “AL-AL” who passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday, July 4th, 2015 at Elmslie Memorial United Church, George Town at 2:00 p.m. Viewing: 2:00-2:45 p.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Joyce Helen Rankine who passed away on July 1st, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Joyce Helen Rankine who passed away on July 1st, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at: We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Nora Genevieve Powell who passed away on July 2nd, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Nora Genevieve Powell who passed away on July 2nd, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at: SchoolS report Education chief ordered report changes James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A highly critical report of behavior management in Cayman’s schools was extensively cut at the re- quest of the chief officer in the Ministry of Education, emails released under the Freedom of Information Law suggest. The emails, between ed- ucation officials and con- sultant David Moore, show their dissatisfaction with his original draft report, which highlighted serious concerns about the han- dling of bad behavior, par- ticularly at John Gray High School. Ultimately, the emails in- dicate, Mary Rodrigues, chief officer at the time, asked for Mr. Moore’s report to be re- written by ministry staff, claiming it did not meet the expected standards. Criticisms of his draft, contained in the messages, include that it was not posi- tive or encouraging enough in tone, the language was too negative in places, and it did not include enough in- formation on the successes of the system. Mr. Moore’s original 28- page draft was trimmed down to 15 pages, with many of his more critical comments and recommen- dations removed. Neither version was released to the public until they were ob- tained by opposition legis- lators and tabled during a Finance Committee hearing in 2014. Release of the emails, re- quested last August, was initially declined by the Ministry of Education, but the records were finally re- leased last month after the Compass appealed to the Information Commissioner. The messages show ten- sion between education of- ficials and the consultant following the submission of his report. In an email to Jo Wood, a senior policy advisor in the ministry at the time, Mr. Moore acknowledges the officials’ concerns that his report needs to be more encouraging, but cautions against glossing over problems identified in his review. “I understand about tone and the need to be positive but we must not underplay some of the profound weak- ness that lead to poor be- havior,” he wrote. “I also appreciate your comments on recommenda- tions and put some in, out- side the remit, to flag how important they are so the system knows what is actu- ally going on in schools.” In an earlier email, Mr. Moore commented, “John Gray High School is, as you already know, in crisis and our first visit confirms that.” The original draft of his report reflected this view, reporting that a small mi- nority of students influ- enced by “criminal in- tent and drug abuse” were having a disproportionate effect throughout the school, allowing other students to exploit the “sense of crisis” and disrupt learning.” The initial document contained eight pages of recommendations, in- cluding calls for principals to discipline and ultimately sack teachers who don’t perform, instead of moving them around the system. It also recommended prin- cipals have more power to hire new teachers. Those recommendations and the observations about John Gray were cut from the final report. In a February 2013 email from Ms. Wood to Mr. Moore, she writes that Ms. Rodrigues was not happy with the report and had re- quested a rewrite. “For the time being, she is not satisfied with the re- port. It does not meet ex- pectations for reporting,” Ms. Wood wrote in the email, summarizing Ms. Rodrigues’s criticisms, in- cluding that the use of cer- tain phrases stress “un- necessary negativity and sensationalizes.” The feedback also says there is not enough infor- mation included about the successes of the school system, including invest- ments in the after-school program and behavior sup- port teams. The email adds, “You found that the specialist staff were a strength, but the report was introduced and stresses more negativity. This will cause damage to the system.” It concludes that Ms. Rodrigues “has asked Favourita (Blanchard) to al- most rewrite the report until it meets the expected standard.” No response from Mr. Moore to that email is in- cluded in the FOI response, and he does not appear in the email chain from that point on. In an earlier email to Ms. Wood, he acknowl- edged that it is ultimately up to the ministry to decide what stays in the report. He wrote, “For my part what recommendations stay in are up to you at that end, as I don’t want any there that will not aid your pur- pose. If there are some that ought to be added, then do so. If there are others that should for the time being be removed, do that too.” Ms. Rodrigues told leg- islators at the 2014 Finance Committee session that there were serious quality concerns about the orig- inal report and suggested it had been “finalized” by senior education official Favourita Blanchard. Ms. Blanchard later denied that she had any part in “al- tering or doctoring” the re- port. The emails indicate that she was instructed by Ms. Rodrigues to rewrite the report, though whether she actually did so re- mains unclear. An earlier message in- dicates Ms. Blanchard had worked on the earlier draft but had indicated she did not want to “tamper with the integrity of the report” and had simply concen- trated on making it read more smoothly. Ms. rodrigues Mr. Moore’s original 28-page draft was trimmed down to 15 pages, with many of his more critical comments and recommendations removed. the largest ever offered by the organization in the Cayman Islands. “We cannot sit back and watch these criminals destroy our community and ter- rorize our young children like this,” he said. “We’ve had enough.” A number of local com- panies, including KPMG, CIREBA and Dart, pledged money to boost the reward. The children’s parents were out for the night when the sitter called to tell them what had happened. “I used to read about things like this in the newspaper and think, ‘this will never happen to me,’” the father said in a recent interview. The mother and fa- ther spoke to the Cayman Compass this week about the experience, and the news- paper is withholding their names because of the young victims involved, at the re- quest of the parents. “Here we were living what we thought was a good, simple life. We go to church, we volunteer, we give back to our community. This hap- pened to us and that means it could happen to you, to your children, to your family,” the mother said. Cayman CrimeStoppers takes anonymous tips from a call center in Florida op- erated by the international CrimeStoppers organiza- tion, Mr. Duggan said. He stressed that tipsters are al- ways anonymous and iden- tifiable information is never sent to police or anyone else in Cayman. “This has been a terrible ordeal for the family and re- ally galvanized the commu- nity,” Mr. Duggan said. Rotary Sunrise president Christine Mathews declined to say how much money was stolen Friday night. “Our focus remains on providing support to the family who had to endure a horrific and unimaginable experience,” she said. “We truly appreciate the individuals and businesses in the community who have not only pledged to cover the stolen funds so that our pro- grams can continue uninter- rupted but who have also pledged to assist with efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Ms. Mathews said. Anyone with information can call cayman crimeStoppers at 949-8477. crimeStoppers offers $110k reward We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Kenroy Solomon who passed away on July 2nd, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Kenroy Solomon who passed away on July 2nd, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com Condolences can be registered at: We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Coriel Luzuna Smith who passed away on June 27th, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Coriel Luzuna Smith who passed away on June 27th, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at: Mr. Duggan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >