High of 92 Low of 82 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. Friday September 11, 2015 • Cayman Compass Beautiful Beethoven Beethoven is a big, beautiful hunk of a dog who is waiting to win your heart B11 Recolor your world This app will bring color into your life B10 Food & Drink Art & Culture Technology ■ Art & culture ‘tIDal Shift’ National Gallery exhibit examines Cayman’s past, present. B9 Thali night Flavors of traditional Indian cuisine showcased at Icoa B5 ‘Dr. Moody’ Artist Gordon Solomon’s emotional new exhibit to open at National Gallery B8We carry 5 quality brands with 20 models to choose from! Sleek modern scooters and motorcycles so you can have fun while looking good! FINANCING AVAILABLE Sales: 925-6686 170A Seymoure Dr, Industrial ParkParts & Repairs 929-7172 info@centerlanemotors .ky www.centerlanemotors.ky Zongshen Z-One S $2,450 Daelim Roadwin R 125cc $3,950 Vespa S $3,750 Zongshen Prance 125cc $2,450 Dirt Bikes For Kids FROM $650 $1,250 FaceOff Heist 250cc $4,950 $2,750 Piaggio Fly ‘Flux of Self’ by Davin Ebanks (2013) cayman weekender ‘tIDal Shift’ Editorial | pagE 4 We support the GeorGe toWn dock eSTaBLISHed 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – Friday september 11, 2015 Silver for young track star James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Teenage runner Jamal Walton has set his sights on future Olympic glory after winning a silver medal for the Cayman Islands at the Common wealth Youth Games in Samoa. The 17yearold clocked an im pressive time of 46.46 seconds to become the first Caymanian to medal at the games. The 400meter runner said he was pleased with his performance after resuming training only three weeks ago, following a minor injury. “I felt short as I wanted to come away with the win, but felt good that I was getting a silver medal,” he said. The youngster, who also won gold at the Junior Pan American Games in Bush: PR system ‘not helPing’ Caymanians oR exPatRiates brent Fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman’s immigration system, including its various processes for permanent resi dence and Caymanian status applications, is helping neither local workers nor the economy, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush said Thursday. In a statement sent to the Cayman Compass, Mr. Bush noted that an Aug. 28 ruling by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie served to emphasize the need to make changes now to the territory’s immigration legislation. “The [permanent residence system] as passed by the People’s Progressive Movement is discriminatory, particularly so against people of the Caribbean,” Mr. Bush said. “It does not work and it is hurting both sides [re ferring to Caymanian and expatriate workers.] “It must be that a balance can be found where our people must be employed without any form of discrimination and persons who are living here long enough [have] the same right as anyone else once they are legally here and behaving themselves. It is time for the PPM to accept that they are wrong. “The Immigration Law [2013 Revision] has to be changed now to allow people and busi nesses to survive for the sake of [the] country.” The issues identified in the chief justice’s August judgment dealt with two major areas: First, the actions of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal in two cases where nonCaymanians had applied for permanent residence – the right to remain in the territory for the rest of their lives – in which the tribunal’s actions were determined to be a “miscarriage of jus tice.” Those applications were made under a former version of the Immigration Law. The second matter involved the current Jamal Walton with his silver medal in the men’s 400-meter race in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa this week. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 10 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 10 » government breaks ground on airport expansion Governor Helen Kilpatrick, center, joined by Premier Alden McLaughlin, fourth from left, and members of government and private sector involved in the airport expansion, donned hard hats and picked up shovels to break ground at Owen Roberts International Airport on Thursday. The $55 million expansion will more than double the size of the airport and significantly boost the capacity of the overloaded facility. Originally designed to handle about 500,000 passengers a year, the airport currently handles twice that number, according to tourism officials. For full story, see page 5. - Photo: ChaRles DunCan Poor teaching blamed for school failures James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Inspectors were highly critical of teaching standards across Cayman’s schools in a se ries of damning reports that recommend substantial changes across the islands’ education system. Overall standards at 10 of 15 government schools were deemed “unsatisfactory” – the lowest option on the grading scale used by the inspection team. Only Layman E. Scott High School on Cayman Brac and Prospect Primary School got positive reviews. An overview of all 15 reports high lights “significant underperformance at all stages of education.” It states, “The weakness in achievement is notably related to teaching quality.” The report adds that teachers gener ally have low expectations of what students can achieve, many struggle to manage bad behavior, and some arrive for lessons late and underprepared. It also criticizes leadership and manage ment at Cayman’s schools, which in most cases was deemed unsatisfactory, and says data on student performance is not used ef fectively to improve standards. The baseline inspection reports, produced by the Independent Schools Inspectorate Consultancy, were released Thursday along side a national “Plan of Action” aimed at ad dressing some of the issues raised. Education Minister Tara Rivers said PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 10 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL Friday September 11, 2015 • Cayman Compass Open daily 10am-10pm • West Shore Center, Seven Mile Beach With every purchase during the month of September, enter to win a fantastic prize ENTER to WIN 345-945-4411 info@cirealty.ky caymanislandsrealty.com Shoreway Townhome #20 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 1663s/f Double Garage and Patio Great Location Pool and full landscaping CI$208,000 Member CIREBA MLS#404758 NEW LISTING! Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky Tonight! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Drink Specials Tonight! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm CHEF’S DAILY 3 COURSE DINNER SPECIAL ONLY CI$39 EVERY MONDAY - SATURDAY NOW SERVING A la Carte and Kids Menu also available Drink Specials Oktoberfest Starting 5 pm till LATE.... Draught Spaten Beer Authentic German Food Authentic German Draught Beer NO COVER Friday, October 2nd 2015 SALSA TUESDAY Every Tuesday 9:30pm TARPON FEEDING Nightly 7:30 & 9:00pm OPEN MONTH OF SEPTEMBER MON - SAT Premier’s former aide takes radio role James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The premier’s former po- litical assistant, Kenneth Bryan, is back in the public eye and on the airwaves as the co-host of morning radio show “Cayman Crosstalk.” Mr. Bryan, a former tele- vision journalist and a can- didate for the Progressives party in the last election, joins Woody DaCosta, in hosting the talk show on Rooster FM. He said he hopes to bring a new perspective to the show and will not shy away from asking the hard ques- tions and tackling the big is- sues affecting the country. Despite his previous po- litical affiliation and his acri- monious sacking from his role as Premier Alden McLauglin’s political assistant, Mr. Bryan said he will bring a balanced approach to the role. “The offer will be put out to the premier to come on the show. I don’t know if he will accept; that is his decision. I am profes- sional enough for it not to be an issue. The show is not about Kenny Bryan or Alden McLaughlin, it is about con- structive debate and infor- mation for the people of this country.” Mr. Bryan said he will reach out to politicians from all parties, as well as inde- pendent legislators, to invite them on the show. “Hurley’s Group and Rooster FM offer a platform for the elected members to inform the people about what actions they are taking, and I think it is their responsibility to take up that offer,” he said. He dismissed concerns that he would show any bias against his former em- ployer and said the show, despite having two former Progressives candidates as hosts, would be politi- cally neutral. “It is a show for PPM people. It is also a show for UDP people, for C4C people and for people who sup- port the independent can- didates. The show is for Cayman,” he said. Mr. Bryan has made no secret of his intent to run for election again in 2017 and currently plans to stand as an independent candidate. “It’s a political show, so in some respects my involve- ment in politics is an ad- vantage. I think Woody and I will be a great combina- tion and I hope to offer a fresh perspective. I suspect things will spice up quite a bit in the next few weeks and months,” he said. Mr. Bryan has entered not guilty pleas to charges of disorderly conduct and assaulting police in connec- tion with allegations that he got in an officer’s personal space and stuck a finger in his face outside a nightclub last year. On the first day of his trial in August, the court heard evidence from a fe- male police officer that Mr. Bryan was protecting her from being assaulted by her ex-boyfirend. The trial was adjourned until November. After the charges were brought, Mr. Bryan was suspended and later dis- missed from his role as Mr. McLaughlin’s po- litical assistant. School aide child sex abuse case to resume in October CarOL WiNker cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The case against a school aide charged with indecently assaulting primary school girls has been adjourned until Oct. 22. The defendant, 19, faces 10 charges of indecent as- sault on a female – girls be- tween the ages of 7 and 10 – at a government primary school between September and November last year. When he appeared in court on Thursday, his attorney Karin Thompson advised that he had attended appoint- ments for psychiatric and psychological evaluations, as requested in August. However, the doctors’ reports were not ready and it would take four weeks for them to be sub- mitted, the court heard. Ms. Thompson suggested it would be realistic to give the Crown and herself a week to consider the reports before returning to court. Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez agreed, but said the matter has to proceed as it has been before the court since July. The charges can be dealt with in Summary Court or in Grand Court, but the de- fendant has not yet elected in which court he wants the matter heard, and he has not entered any pleas. The Cayman Compass is not naming the defendant or the school in order to pro- tect the identities of the children involved. Royal Navy, otheR couNtRies help DomiNica staff aNd Wire rePOrts The British naval vessel Lyme Bay is wrap- ping up a week spent off Dominica, bringing as- sistance to the tropical storm-wracked Eastern Caribbean country. The Lyme Bay was part of an international relief effort following Aug. 27’s Tropical Storm Erika, which brought se- vere flooding and mud slides, particularly to Dominica’s southern coast. Vessels from the U.S., Venezuela and the Netherlands have also pitched in to en- sure a steady flow of needed supplies. “In a few short hours, we saw just how vul- nerable we all are to the effects of climate change,” British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Victoria Dean said. “RFA Lyme Bay has made such a significant contribution to dealing with the worst of the storm’s aftermath.” Crew members aboard the Lyme Bay have assisted both on shore and off by bringing in food, med- ical and other needed sup- plies to areas of Dominica worst-hit by the storm. cRaft caRRyiNg boDies was fRom Jamaica BreNt fuLLer bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A small fishing boat found Aug. 25 with two de- composing bodies inside was registered in Jamaica, but Cayman Islands au- thorities have not been able to determine what caused the deaths of its occupants. A postmortem has been completed on the two bodies, which were discovered by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Marine Unit in the boat floating 13 miles south- west of Little Cayman. One of the men was estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old. The other was thought to be over 50. The bodies had decom- posed to the extent that a coroner who was brought to Cayman to perform the autopsies could not im- mediately determine the cause of death. Police did not state whether they be- lieved the circumstances of the deaths were suspicious. Formal identification of the men is pending from an- other jurisdiction, police said. Hours after the 28-foot boat was found drifting off Little Cayman, it was towed by the Marine Unit craft Guardian to neighboring Cayman Brac. The bodies were initially examined there by local doctors. Kenneth Bryan joins Rooster as a co-host.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 4993 LIME - BACK TO SCHOOL - BROADBAND OFFER - Full Page Ad - CMYK - 10.33 x 15.97 - 18 August 2015 BROADBAND BIG GRADES WITH SUPERFAST BROADBAND ALCATEL POP 7 TABLET LIME Terms & Conditions apply. Score a FREE 7 inch Alcatel tablet with 1GB of mobile data when you sign up for any new Superfast Broadband plan. Sign up online or visit any LIME store today. MOVE UP TO PLUS GET A $25 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT PRICED RIGHTThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. Friday SepTember 11, 2015 • Cayman COmpass We support the George Town dock The proposed George Town cruise berthing facility constitutes the largest public works project in the history of the Cayman Islands. The consequences of pursuing, or not pursuing, the cruise dock will be with us for generations to come. Accordingly, the Cayman Compass Editorial Board’s “official” position on the cruise dock has not been arrived at haphazardly. To the contrary, it is the product of months of observation, analysis and research. We have taken into account recommenda- tions from experts, critiques from opponents and argu- ments from supporters, and have listened to feedback from our journalists who gather information in the course of their duties. Our conclusion? In order for our cruise tourism sector to remain competitive and viable, Grand Cayman needs cruise berthing. At this juncture, Cayman has the opportunity to create such a facility, and in a way that ensures that the Cayman people ultimately retain ownership and control over the port’s assets and operations. Therefore, we offer our full support to government in its endeavors to construct, finally, the cruise dock in George Town harbor. We urge our elected officials to pursue the project responsibly — and expeditiously. Allow us to elaborate: We acknowledge that the construction of the cruise dock will result in significant damage to reefs in the downtown harbor. However, that by itself does not merit aborting the project. Of course, every reasonable mitigation strategy should be employed to preserve and protect as much of the underwater environment as possible. The building of the berthing project does not guar- antee — or even necessitate — a substantial increase in cruise visitors. However, because the cruise dock will result in Grand Cayman’s becoming a more attrac- tive cruise destination, it will likely attract more pas- sengers. More importantly, however, is that the dock will accommodate the largest Oasis-class ships, which tend to attract “higher-demographic” passengers who spend more at their ports of call. On an island as small as ours, we should always strive for “class over mass,” “quality over quantity.” Often overlooked in the current debate is that the berthing project also includes a badly needed expanded facility for commercial cargo. Consultants estimate that the maximum physical capacity of the cargo port — which is already below-optimal for our population — will be exceeded in the next 10 to 20 years. To relocate the cargo port would be extremely costly (estimates range as high as $200 million) and extremely impactful on the environment. The best option, in our view, is to expand and upgrade the cargo facility in conjunction with the revenue-generating cruise project. Our two most persistent questions have been 1) whether the government can afford to pay for the cruise dock, and 2) whether the government can bring about the related infrastructure improvements that are necessary to make George Town “camera ready” for future tourists and residents as well. We are satisfied on both counts. First, we have seen detailed calculations that dem- onstrate the feasibility of the government financing the cruise dock, so long as the cost of the project does not balloon far beyond the $150 million estimate, using existing revenues from tender fees and a modest growth in passenger head taxes — with little to no loss in income to government. Second, we are familiar with beautification plans (prefaced by the current expansions and improve- ments to George Town roadways) that will result in the rebirth of downtown as an inviting pedestrianized attraction — for tourists and residents alike. Finally, we cannot ignore consultants’ estimates that the new cruise port will create nearly 1,000 jobs and inject $250 million or more into the local economy over 20 years. That, to us, is an important reason for pursuing the project. It will improve the financial well- being of residents whose livelihoods depend upon steady business from cruise ships, it will beautify and reinvigorate our downtown and, by extension, it will improve the quality of life for everyone in Cayman. Our ‘poor’ queen! TOm meTcalf Queen Elizabeth II be- came the longest-reigning monarch in British history Wednesday, and while her country might have lost in- fluence in the world, she has ruled over an unprecedented period of wealth creation. Besides the unwinding of an empire and the economic booms and busts, her time as head of state has been marked by the rise of the super-rich. The emergence of billionaire financiers, entre- preneurs and oil-rich sheikhs has left the woman who in- herited one of the richest thrones in the world in 1952 a relative pauper a little over six decades later, albeit one with palaces, stables and an expensive stamp collection. The 89-year-old’s esti- mated personal fortune, largely inherited from her family, is about US$425 mil- lion, according to an analysis by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. That’s a mere 3 percent of the wealth of the richest Briton, Gerald Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster. Europe’s richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt, has a US$32 billion fortune. The monarchy is still one of Britain’s most valuable in- stitutions, with a value of 57 billion pounds (US$87 billion) to the U.K., according to a re- port by brand valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance. The figure includes contribution to the economy through tourism and such things as the effect of royal babies on fashion brands. However, its 20 billion pounds of tangible assets, in- cluding Buckingham Palace, the Crown Jewels and the Royal Art Collection, are held in trust for future genera- tions and aren’t the queen’s private property. While precise details of her personal fortune are as closely guarded as the Crown Jewels, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index calculates she holds US$75 million of investments, US$160 million of assets in- herited from her mother, per- sonal property of US$110 mil- lion, a US$75 million stamp collection and the US$10 mil- lion rated Royal Stud. The Palace declined to comment on the queen’s net worth. The value of her invest- ment holdings is derived from a statement by John Colville in the Times of London in 1971, a director at Coutts & Co, the queen’s bank, which es- timated her fortune at 2 mil- lion pounds. Its appreciated value is calculated from an in- vestment allocation of stocks, bonds, commodities and cash that was averaged about 5 per- cent a year over the last 25 years. That’s in line with re- turns typically targeted by similarly wealthy investors. The queen inherited her mother’s 70 million-pound es- tate in 2002, according to a report by BBC News at the time. The reported value has been adjusted by the U.K.’s rate of inflation to account for any increase in the value of the assets. She also owns the Balmoral and Sandringham es- tates, which are valued based on discussions with London- based Charles McDowell, founder of prime real estate broker Charles McDowell. The stamp collection of her father, George VI, is valued based on the sale of John du Pont’s stamp collection in June 2014 and discussions with Keith Heddle, managing director of London-based Stanley Gibbons Investments. Her stable, which has about 25 horses in training each season, according to the British Monarchy’s offi- cial website, is valued based on sales data from horse auc- tioneer Tattersalls and discus- sions with thoroughbred ana- lyst Nancy Sexton. The stud’s stake in the stallion standing at Sandringham is valued based on guidance from blood- stock analyst, Bill Oppenheim. Her Majesty could be worth more. Other assets, in- cluding a flock of racing pi- geons, jewelry and a lifetime of gifts from visitors and ad- mirers could add to her for- tune. Moreover, the royal prov- enance of her estate could push its market value much higher. Even so, the queen’s reign has seen her steadily slip down the rankings of Britain’s richest people. As of Sept. 9, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary has been queen for 63 years and 216 days. She overtakes her great- great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who cemented Britain’s position as a super- power with an empire span- ning almost a quarter of the world’s land area. That status diminished after the two world wars be- fore Britain’s economy went through a transformation from state-owned industry to the free-market capitalism of the 1980s and 1990s. What followed was an his- toric era for wealth genera- tion, with self-made billion- aires building fortunes of more than US$3 trillion since 1995, according to a May re- port by UBS Group AG and PwC. That’s seen the queen leapfrogged by British bil- lionaires such as Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and retailer Philip Green. The number of million- aires in the U.K., at least on paper, has jumped 41 percent to 715,000 in the past five years alone, according to a report by Barclays Plc. The Crown Estate, which owns London property, the U.K. seabed as well as forests, wind farms and the Windsor Estate, reported net assets of more than 11 billion pounds in its latest annual report. Bloomberg did not include the Queen’s 15 percent share of profits from the estate in her fortune because the money is used to cover palace upkeep, payroll and other costs of the Royal family. At least the queen is able to enjoy – if not own – the Royal palaces, land and the art col- lection, landmark assets that would be the envy of any bil- lionaire. Buckingham Palace with its 775 rooms and 40- acre garden could be worth about 2 billion pounds were it ever sold, according to Ollie Hooper, founder of luxury resi- dential broker Huntly Hooper. “Priceless is perhaps more accurate,” he said. “Given the nature of the asset.” © 2015, Bloomberg View Printed and Published by: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town send us yOur VieWs Or neWs: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com adVertise With us: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS daVid r. legge and Vicki l. legge EdITOR-In-CHIEf daVid r. legge A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”6 LOCAL NEWS Friday September 11, 2015 • Cayman Compass Spectacular coral spawning delights divers James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Like “snowflakes in re- verse,” tiny bundles of coral spawn drift to the ocean’s surface. It is the moment of conception for new coral reefs that will form over hun- dreds of years in the waters around the Cayman Islands. Amid concern for the fu- ture of reefs in George Town harbor and across Cayman generally, experts say the an- nual natural phenomenon provides hope for the fu- ture health of the islands’ marine environment. At Ocean Frontiers dive shop in East End, scuba divers and photographers gathered last week to watch the show. During a limited window of time, late at night in September each year, many of the corals on Cayman’s reefs spawn simultaneously, releasing eggs and sperm to- gether to cross-fertilize and scatter in the current. “It is comforting to know that new corals are ‘born’ every year, and we can only hope that some of them bond to Cayman’s reefs and form new coral colonies,” said Steve Broadbelt, owner of Ocean Frontiers. The dive operator has worked with marine biolo- gist and photographer Alex Mustard over the past 13 years to predict when the an- nual spawning, connected to water temperatures and the lunar cycle, will occur. Ocean Frontiers sched- ules late-night boat dives to see the show in action, and this year was able to predict the timing of the spawning within five minutes. Mr. Broadbelt said some visitors had traveled thou- sands of miles to observe the phenomenon. Mr. Mustard said the ap- peal of watching corals spawn is the thrill of seeing something that few others get to witness. He added, “It is like diving in a blizzard, with the tiny fat-filled bundles drifting slowly to the surface like snowflakes in reverse.” He said he and Ocean Frontiers had incredible suc- cess in predicting the timing of the spawning, though the exact triggers remain a mystery. “This is nature and you can never be totally certain when chasing five minutes in a whole year. That, of course, is part of the thrill. “As humans, we are too used to bending the natural world to our will, but to see coral spawning, we have to dive to nature’s rhythm.” The annual coral spawning gets under way. - PHOTO: CATHY ZURA Underwater robotics program aims to get kids into science keLseY JUkam kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com Underwater robots oper- ated by schoolchildren invaded a hotel pool in Grand Cayman this week. The demonstration was part of an educational initiative called SeaPerch, de- signed to get kids interested in a future career in STEM fields. Career opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathe- matics) are plentiful and high- paying, but not enough stu- dents are choosing to go into these fields, according to SeaPerch Executive Director Susan Giver Nelson. A program such as SeaPerch, which teaches basic engineering and science con- cepts by giving students and teachers the resources they need to build an underwater, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), “can change your mind if you’re not sure about STEM and help us find the next generation of STEM profes- sionals,” Ms. Giver Nelson said. In Cayman, some are hoping that SeaPerch will help get kids to see that there are job opportunities beyond the financial and tourism in- dustries, and that there are all kinds of STEM-related ca- reers available in the mari- time industry. That’s why the Cayman Island’s chapter of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association reached out to SeaPerch to see if the program could be brought here. To give students and teachers a feel for the program, SeaPerch hosted sessions Wednesday and Thursday at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites for classes from sev- eral secondary schools. After hearing about STEM careers and the SeaPerch curriculum, students were given the op- portunity to drive the robots in the hotel’s pool and to try to manipulate the robots to pick up yellow rings in the water. Students also got a hands-on lesson in robot building. “We had them assemble a couple of parts just to get a feel for it, and we educate them on a couple of concepts related to Archimedes and buoyancy,” Ms. Giver Nelson said. The robots are built from pre-cut kits provided by SeaPerch and include PVC pipe, wire, small motors, film canisters, wax, switches, small propellers and circuit board components. It typically takes about 10 hours for students to build and test a SeaPerch robot. Some schools choose to take a whole semester on the project, incorporating other activities and teaching units with the robot-building. Although SeaPerch is based in the United States, it has been implemented in 10 countries. To date, more than 250,000 students have par- ticipated in the program, ac- cording to SeaPerch. Sherice Arman, president of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, said teachers have already been asking her how to jump-start the program in schools in Cayman. “I couldn’t have expected it to go any better,” Ms. Arman said of the sessions. “I think the level of excitement from the kids is tremendous. This is exactly what we were hoping for.” Once the program is imple- mented, the next steps will be to organize a local competition and to send a winning team to the annual national SeaPerch competition in the U.S. At the competition, stu- dents get to put their robots to the test by completing various tasks, which are often simula- tions of real-world tasks un- derwater that ROVs might complete. For instance, at one national competition, students were asked to cap a well of spewing ping-pong balls and gather them with their robots, simulating how an ROV might cap an oil well during a spill. “I really expect that we’re going to have some kind of local competition going amongst the schools soon,” Ms. Arman said. If there is a local competi- tion, one team to look out for might be composed of stu- dents from the Year 10 elec- tronics class at John Gray High School. As the SeaPerch session was winding down Wednesday afternoon, stu- dents Sean Evans, John Tatum and their friends were already brainstorming ways of modi- fying and improving the robot by adding arms and using solar power. They have their sights set on going to the na- tional competition in Baton Rouge in May 2016. “We will be heading to na- tionals,” Evans said. Naval architect Bruce Rosenblatt tosses a SeaPerch robot into the water as students from John Gray High School prepare to drive the device. - PHOTO: TAneOs RAmsAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Friday September 11, 2015 8 LOCAL NEWS Friday September 11, 2015 • Cayman Compass 10 September 1944 – 9 August 2014 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Sadly missed by your husband Franklin Wright, daughters, Meggan Simmons, Rockella Wright-Smith and Francine Wright I N M E M O R Y O F We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Matthew Omar Owens who passed away on September 5, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at the Church of God Chapel, #22 Academy Way, (Off Walkers Rd.,) George Town at 3:30 p.m. Viewing will be from 2:45-3:15 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 Mr. Matthew Omar Owens who passed away on September 5, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at the Church of God Chapel, #22 Academy Way, (Off Walkers Rd.,) George Town at 3:30 p.m. Viewing will be from 2:45-3:15 p.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery 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 Ms. Patricia Lavern Webster affectionately known as “Vernie”, who passed away on Thursday, August 31st, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Webster Memorial Church, Bodden Town, on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be from: 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Interment to follow at Pease Bay New Cemetery Condolences can be registered at www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Patricia Lavern Webster affectionately known as “Vernie”, who passed away on Thursday, August 31st, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Webster Memorial Church, Bodden Town, on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be from: 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Interment to follow at Pease Bay New Cemetery Condolences can be registered at www.churchillsfuneralhome.com who passed away on Thursday, August 31st, 2015. We have been asked to announce the passing of who passed away on Thursday, August 31st, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Webster Memorial Church, Bodden Town, on Saturday, Interment to follow at Pease Bay New Cemetery Herman Lloyd Simpson Late of Falmouth, Trelawny and Grand Cayman, passed away on September 3rd, 2015. He leaves behind mother Cynthia Simpson, wife Angela, daughter Shmona, sons Munair and Kearton, sister Gertrude Warren & her family, cousins Tony & Althea Anguin & their families, and other dear relatives and friends. Death Announcement Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Herman will be held at the St. Peter's Anglican Church in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Saturday 19th September, 2015 at 11:00am. Interment will follow at the Hillview Memorial Gardens, St. James, Jamaica. Herman Lloyd Simpson Late of Falmouth, Trelawny and Grand Cayman, passed away on Cynthia Simpson, wife Angela, daughter Shmona, sons Munair and Kearton, sister Gertrude Warren & her family, cousins Tony & Althea Anguin & their dear relatives and friends. A million times I’ve needed you A million times I’ve cried, If love alone could have saved you You never would have died. In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still In my heart you hold a place, No one else can ever fill. It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone Part of me went with you. The day God took you home Deeply missed and forever cherished by Your beloved wife Fern McLaughlin, children and grandchildren. Carlyle B. McLaughlin SNR Born: October 5th 1923 Departed: September 11th, 2014 We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Isaac Wolseley Welcome who passed away on Friday, Sept. 4th 2015, A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com Proud of Them All-rounder Nathaan Whittaker recognized for achievements AshANi FrANcis-colliNs afrancis-collins@pinnaclemedialtd.com Nathaan Whittaker, 17, from Bodden Town re- ceived the Proud of Them award for his substantial contributions to and ac- complishments in all five categories: academics, ca- reer, business, culture and community service. “It was a surprise [to re- ceive the award] because at the time I was in the U.S. working with my church youth group’s yearly mis- sions trip,” Nathaan said. His mother collected the award on his behalf. “That was just perfect for me,” he said. “Without God and her, I would not be able to achieve this great accomplishment.” As the only recipient to be recognized in all cate- gories, Nathaan credits his achievements to his hard work and diligence. “I believe I received the award because of my per- severance and dedication to do well, for taking respon- sibility and taking care of my family,” he said. Nathaan said that he es- pecially had to step for- ward when his mother was battling cancer by taking care of his younger brother, who has special needs, and helping to pay the bills while still being in school. “I want to always be the kind of man that never abandons his family or people, especially when they need you the most, no matter what the situ- ation is,” he said. “I want to always help however I can.” Nathaan is a se- nior at Triple C School and said he intends to become an attorney. “I am working hard to become an attorney to rep- resent and protect the best interests of families like mine,” he said. “I am also interested in corporate law.” When he is not working with the ARK Foundation assisting families in need, going on mission trips with his church group, participating in Junior Achievement, working at banks during his breaks from school, or partici- pating in the Cadet Corps, Nathaan said he enjoys spending time with his brother and friends, going fishing, shopping, and cooking with his mother. Working with the ARK Foundation, which stands for Acts of Random Kindness, is particu- larly close to his heart be- cause they have assisted his family in the past. “You would be surprised how many of our people are in need of a can of soup or just anything to eat, period,” he said. “When a stranger that doesn’t even know you comes to your house, listens to your needs and helps, it is like a prayer answered from God.” The preservation of Cayman’s culture is also extremely important to Nathaan. “As a part of the upcoming generation, it is important to learn from our elders and preserve our rich history and, most importantly, represent our country well for the whole world to know what a Caymanian is capable of doing and doing it well.” Nathaan said he aims to always encourage and help others around him. “I want people of all ages to know that we need to never give up, even when you don’t see the way out,” he said. “We must support each other and not hide behind shame or pride. Unfortunately, our culture has this tendency at times. “I thank God every day for his mercy and grace over my life and my brother, and thank God for a phe- nomenal strong mother and survivor, who teaches me every day what is truly im- portant in life.” The Proud of Them initiative recognizes the positive achievements of young people ages 10 to 25. Through a public nomination process, individuals are honored in the categories of academics, careers, business, sports, culture or community service. each young person selected is featured for six months at a time on billboards across the Cayman Islands, and receives a certificate and $500. Nathaan Whittaker Armed robbers hold up West Bay store A West Bay store was held up by two armed robbers late Wednesday afternoon, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service reported. Police said the masked men entered Deliza Grocery & Variety Store on North West Point Road around 5:20 p.m. They took some cash and left on a black scooter. Police said one of the suspects was car- rying what appeared to be a silver handgun. No one was injured. No arrests were made following a police ground and aerial search Wednesday evening. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Bay CId at 949-3999 or Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS). As the only recipient to be recognized in all categories, Nathaan credits his achievements to his hard work and diligence.9 LOCAL&REGIONAL Cayman Compass • Friday September 11, 2015 IT IS WITH DEEP SADNESS AND REGRET THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE PEACEFUL PASSING OF PASTOR ESAU BROOKS ON TUESDAY 18th AUGUST, AT HIS HOME IN BREAKERS FUNERAL SERVICES FOR THE LATE PASTOR ESAU BROOKS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY13TH SEPTEMBER, 2015 AT THE CHAPEL CHURCH OF GOD ON WALKERS ROAD, GEORGE TOWN AT 3:00 PM VIEWING OF THE BODY 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM INTERMENT FOLLOWS AT THE PEASE BAY CEMETARY IN BODDEN TOWN. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE BREAKERS CHURCH OF GOD BUILDING FUND WHICH WILL BE DEDICATED TO HIS MEMORY. Condolences can be made at BODDENFUNERALSERVICES.COM & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Cayman and Honduras congregations mourn pastor Jewel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com A service for Pastor Esau Brooks, who passed away last month at his home in Breakers, will be held on Sunday. Pastor Brooks, affection- ately known as “Bro Brooks,” was a minister in Cayman and in Honduras, and also regularly preached in the United States. His family said he passed away peacefully at his home in Breakers, Bodden Town, on Aug. 18. He was 82. He had lived in Breakers for more than 50 years. At the time of his death, he was the resident pastor at the Breakers Church of God, a post he had held for more than 20 years, succeeding Pastor Luke Forbes of Savannah. Pastor Brooks was born in Roatan, Honduras and started preaching when he was just 17 years old. He arrived in the Cayman Islands for the first time in December 1951, having been invited by a church to preach the gospel here. He met his wife Elizabeth “Queenie” Powell-Brooks in Cayman in February 1952, and they were married in January 1955. After the wedding, Pastor Brooks and his wife initially resided in Roatan. When their children became of school age, they moved back to the Cayman Islands. As a missionary, Pastor Brooks and his wife traveled exten- sively and regularly went to Honduras and the U.S. to at- tend and preach at revivals and camp meetings. During his visits to Honduras, Pastor Brooks was involved in many civic and community projects and was instrumental in set- ting up the first bilingual school there. In acknowledgement of his involvement with and as- sistance to Roatan and the other Bay Islands over the years, a request was made by officials and church members in Honduras for his body to be taken there so that a ser- vice could be held to cele- brate his life. His body was flown there on Sept. 8, ac- companied by members of his family and friends, and a service in his honor was held to acknowledge the man who had made a difference not only in the lives of the people there, but also in the country. Thousands attended the Service and viewed the body. There was also a short com- memoration ceremony at the Government House, where the flag flew at half–staff, tributes were given in his honor, and his wife was pre- sented with a plaque. “It turned out to be an ex- tremely emotional service, with a huge outpouring of love for my dad, the high- light of which was former president Leonardo Callejas ceremoniously draping the Honduran Flag over the casket,” said Sheridan Brooks-Hurst, one of Pastor Brooks’s daughters. After the service and the viewing, the body was re- turned to the Cayman Islands on the same day in prepara- tion for funeral services in Grand Cayman on Sunday. Interment will be at the Pease Bay Cemetery. In addition to Sheridan Brooks-Hurst, Pastor Brooks and his wife have four other children: Arlond Brooks, Sharon Brooks-Wyckoff, Wilma Brooks-Nelson and Edric Brooks. Funeral services for Pastor Brooks will be in Grand Cayman on Sept. 13. Interment will be at the Pease Bay Cemetery. Tropical Storm Henri moving across Atlantic MIAMI (AP) – Tropical Storm Henri on Thursday was moving more quickly across the Atlantic well east of Bermuda with no change in strength. The storm had maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph with some strength- ening forecast in the next day or so. Henri was cen- tered about 200 miles east of Bermuda Thursday afternoon. Henri became the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season Wednesday night. As of Thursday afternoon, the storm posed no threat to Bermuda, other than a few glancing rain showers. It re- mained disorganized, but could strengthen if wind shear lessens. Thursday marked the peak of the Atlantic hur- ricane season, which ends on Nov. 30. Tropical Storm Linda Meanwhile in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Linda con- tinued to weaken and was expected to become a tropical depression later in the day. Linda’s maximum sus- tained winds have decreased to near 40 mph. The storm was centered Thursday about 250 miles west-southwest of Punta Eugenia, Mexico, and was moving north- west at 7 mph.The islands’ most-trusted news source 10 Friday September 11, 2015 • Cayman Compass José Santiago A. L. THOMPSON’S announces the sudden death of José Santiago on 31 August 2015 in Florida. José was a sales representative for PGT Industries for several decades. During that time, he established a strong friendship with owners, staff, and customers of A. L. Thompson’s and worked there in the Contractor Sales Department in 2012/13. All who knew him will miss him. Rest in peace, José. Edmonton, Canada, and is ranked fifth in the world for his age group, hopes to go on to make a career in athletics and compete for Cayman in the Olympics. Sprinter Cydonie Mothersill, who won Commonwealth gold in the 200m in 2010, and is with Cayman’s athletes in Samoa, predicted a big fu- ture for Walton. She said the country needs to unite and give him the support he needs to succeed. “Jamal is a talented in- dividual and he is poised for great things,” she said. “The possibilities are endless. He is such a fighter and a fierce competitor, he gives his all whenever he competes, be it a relay or his individual race.” She said she hopes Walton’s success will moti- vate younger athletes. “I think it’s a tremen- dous accomplishment for the Cayman Islands to se- cure a medal at these Games. It’s not just a major accomplishment for the Cayman Islands, but ath- letics as well,” she added. Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden said the medal capped a magnifi- cent season for Walton and pledged to continue sup- porting his progress. The Cayman Islands Athletics Association added its congratulations, hailing Walton as an ambassador for the islands in a state- ment Thursday. They also praised Daneliz Thomas and Lacee Barnes for their performances in Samoa. Thomas just missed out on a medal in the jav- elin, finishing fourth with a throw of 39.79 meters. “I was excited about representing my country at these Games,” she said. “I wanted a medal, but it was not to be. However, it has motivated me to train harder for the 2016 season.” Barnes, competing in the shot put and discus, finished sixth and seventh, respectively. She said she was disap- pointed in her performance but motivated to work hard in the 2016 season. “The Commonwealth Games in Samoa was ex- otic. It’s a beautiful island and the people were all very nice,” she added. Cayman was also com- peting in swimming, boxing and rugby sevens at the Games, which conclude Friday. Full results were not available at press time. Silver for young track star permanent residence system and how points toward that status are awarded to applicants. Chief Justice Smellie con- cluded in his judgment that there were “immediate and obvious concerns” about the current two-tiered system for awarding permanent res- idence applicants a total of 15 points for their occupa- tion and another 15 points if their job is considered a “pri- ority occupation,” according to regulations attached to the Immigration Law. “It is difficult to imagine a policy that could be more opaque, uncertain and prone to arbitrariness than one by which points are to be allo- cated to occupations based upon merely subjective as- sessments of their importance in the context of the local economy,” the chief justice wrote in his 40-page judgment. Government officials con- tacted this week said the current immigration pro- cesses are being reviewed in light of the judgment, but that no final decisions have been made. Premier Alden McLaughlin said Monday that his government is taking the chief justice’s ruling “very seriously” and plans to make some announcements relative to it in the coming weeks. On Thursday, Mr. Bush said he took particular issue with one of the cases refer- enced in the judgment that involved a Jamaican na- tional whose permanent res- idence application had taken nearly a decade to wend its way through the system. That case has now been sent back to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal for a new hearing. “I know people who were here 20 years, had a house and were refused permanent residence under this regime,” he said. The chief justice’s ruling cited what Mr. Smellie de- scribed as “unconscionably long delays” in hearing that particular case. Michelle Hutchinson-Green’s resi- dency application was sub- mitted in November 2006 and was not finally rejected by the appeals tribunal until October 2013. During that pe- riod, the Immigration Law was amended more than 10 times, the judgment stated. “And each time they changed the law, it made things worse,” Mr. Bush said. Bush: PR system ‘not helping’ Caymanians or expats Mr. Bush CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 improvement plans were being designed for each school, with specific targets for the coming year. “This government has no intention of having these re- ports sit on a shelf,” she said. “The results are in and the work continues. Improvements need to be made. We are shifting to a system of ac- countability for all.” The plan includes men- toring, coaching and training for under-performing teachers as well as more rigorous mon- itoring of lessons and eval- uations of teaching quality. New targets have been set for reading levels, particularly at primary schools, and special educational needs staff have been employed in all govern- ment schools. According to the inspec- tors’ overview report, there is currently insufficient support for teachers in the classroom. “Teaching assistants do not provide effective support and are not usually suitably trained or deployed,” the in- spectors wrote. At John Gray High School, inspectors also highlighted a lack of resources to deal with students with severe behav- ioral difficulties. “Behavior presents a sig- nificant challenge in too many lessons, although the reasons for poor be- havior are often linked to the quality of teaching,” the inspectors wrote. The inspectors said there was room for improvement in more than half the les- sons observed at John Gray and the standard of teaching in one in five lessons was deemed a “cause for concern.” The number of students achieving satisfactory exam results is improving but is still “very low” and very few students achieve top grades, the report notes. Standards at the new Clifton Hunter High School were also judged to be “un- satisfactory” and teaching was a “cause for concern” in a quarter of lessons observed. Inspectors were also crit- ical of the open-plan layout of the new Clifton Hunter school building, which they said was a “barrier to improvement.” Across the high schools in general, the inspectors said: “In too many lessons, the teaching is uninspiring, stu- dents become disinterested, behavior deteriorates, and little is accomplished. “Teachers have low ex- pectations of what students can achieve and present them with low-level, me- chanical tasks which offer little challenge, especially for the most able students, who become bored. “Conversely, students with special educational needs are frequently expected to com- plete the same work as ev- eryone else, and there is insuf- ficient additional support to enable them to make progress.” The report highlighted similar issues in primary schools. “No school provides teaching that is consistently good across all age groups and subjects. Teaching does not often reach a dependable stan- dard that would support and sustain students’ progress.” Standards in mathematics were a particular cause for concern generally, and the inspectors noted, “results in assessments show that across all schools standards in mathematics are low. Attainment is well below that expected for students’ age and ability, particularly for the younger age range.” The reports indicate that achievement overall is “below age related expectations” and falls behind U.K. norms in all subjects by a year or more. “The level of attainment both in primary and in sec- ondary schools indicates that students make insufficient progress in relation to the U.K. average for students of similar abilities,” it adds. Christen Suckoo, acting chief officer in the Ministry of Education, said the minis- try’s response focuses on pro- viding schools with the addi- tional support they need to improve. The “Plan of Action” also focuses on strengths highlighted in some of the in- spection reports and seeks to spread these “best practices” throughout the system. The introduction to the plan, posted in full on the ministry’s website, states that it “will specifically seek to im- prove the quality of teaching through the provision of ef- fective support for existing staff in the form of mentoring, coaching and training.” The youngster, who also won gold at the Junior Pan American Games in Edmonton, Canada, and is ranked fifth in the world for his age group, hopes to go on to make a career in athletics and compete for Cayman in the Olympics. “The Immigration Law has to be changed now to allow people and businesses to survive for the sake of [the] country.” McKeeva Bush, opposition leader Poor teaching blamed for school failures InspectIon results ■■ Good: Layman e. Scott High School, prospect primary ■■ Adequate: CiFeC, Lighthouse School, red bay ■■ Unsatisfactory: Creek and Spot bay primary, bodden town primary, Clifton Hunter High School, east end primary, edna moyle primary, George town primary, John Gray High School, Savannah primary, Sir John a. Cumber primary, West end primary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Iran nuclear deal survIves: democrats block dIsapproval vote WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Democrats voted to uphold the hard-fought nuclear ac- cord with Iran on Thursday, overcoming ferocious GOP opposition and delivering President Barack Obama a legacy-making victory on his top foreign policy priority. A disapproval resolution for the agreement fell two votes short of the 60 needed to move forward as Democratic and in- dependent senators banded together against it. Although House Republicans continued to pursue eleventh-hour strate- gies to derail the international accord, the outcome in the Senate guaranteed that the dis- approval legislation would not reach Obama’s desk. As a result the nuclear deal will move forward un- checked by Congress, an im- probable win by Obama in the face of unanimous oppo- sition from Republicans who control Capitol Hill, GOP can- didates seeking to replace him in the Oval Office and the state of Israel and its al- lied lobbyists in the U.S. Beginning next week, Obama will be free to start scaling back U.S. sanctions to implement the agreement negotiated by Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers. The accord aims to constrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for hundreds of bil- lions of dollars in relief from international sanctions.Next >