ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 sports | page 18 lebeau keeps dolphins afloaT Profile on flag quarterback High of 91 Low of 81 Smooth to slight with wave heights less than 2 feet. editorial | page 4 kaTe ClayTon’s deaTh: WhaT happened aT The publiC hospiTal? 178210_PRINT-Compass-6colx1*5.pdPage 1 12/8/14 11:20:19 AM Minister: US cash shortage ‘temporary’ Charles dunCan cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com A shortage in U.S. cash could lead to de- valuation of the Cayman Islands currency, but Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton said Monday that he expects the shortage will be temporary. Money transfer companies, used primarily by expat workers to send cash overseas, started shipping U.S. cash off island after Cayman National Bank stopped providing banking services for the transfers. The minister, speaking on Radio Cayman, said Cayman National had to stop offering the cash transfer services or risk losing its own access to the U.S. banking system. Mr. Panton said Cayman’s banks are having trouble getting U.S. cash at the stan- dard 84-cent exchange rate, with some banks having to pay as much as 88 cents CI per U.S. dollar. “If it became a long-term issue, it would have an impact on our economy, a neg- ative impact,” he said. JN Money Services, which operates all the remaining cash transfer agencies in Cayman, stopped accepting Cayman dollars at the end of August when its account with Cayman National was closed. The transfer compa- nies are currently restricting transactions to US$500. The issue for money transfers companies such as MoneyGram and Western Union is re- lated to increasing regulation in the U.S. over concerns that cash transfers could be used to launder money or fund terrorism. When Fidelity Bank stopped offering Western Union services over the summer, executives there cited higher risk and costs of compliance, along with declining fees for the transfers. Earlier this month the International Monetary Fund, presenting on these issues in St. Kitts and Nevis, called on Caribbean states to come up with a regional strategy to address correspondent banking for money transfers. In the short term, Charles Enoch and Jacques Bouhga-Hagbe noted in their presentation, LegaL aid biLL sets $20K initiaL fee Limit brenT fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com An initial limit of $20,000 per case is pro- posed in the latest attempt by the Cayman Islands government to rewrite legislation gov- erning its legal aid services budget. The Legal Aid Bill, 2015, made public Friday, also seeks to give an unspecified gov- ernment minister a significant degree of influ- ence over the budget that provides indigent criminal defendants, and in some cases par- ticipants in civil court matters, with funding for attorneys to represent them. The proposal, one of several that has sought to reform the current legal aid system in the past decade, would, if approved by law- makers, broaden the types of court cases that might qualify for legal aid. The bill proposes legal aid be made available not only in crim- inal matters, but for certain civil cases and family court proceedings that directly relate to the care of a minor. The bill also seeks to identify certain court cases that would not qualify for legal aid from government, including defamation cases, legal actions against real estate agents and legal actions related to a political election, among other civil matters. A director of legal aid – a civil servant to be appointed by a ministry chief officer – would supervise expenditures and “shall not, without the prior written approval of the court admin- istrator and the clerk of the court, authorize any expenditure in any one legal aid matter in excess of $20,000.” That cap could be exceeded depending on such issues as the length and complexity of the case, among other determinations. The use of foreign counsel would be limited to Volunteers clean up Rock Hole property JeWel levy jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Community volunteers are helping transform a neglected property in the Rock Hole area of George Town into a vocational and educational center. The property was originally intended as a new site for George Town Primary School. Part of it will be used to restart a voca- tional program for at-risk youngsters. The rest of the property will be used for sports, recreation and family activities. The charity Youth ACT is looking for private sector partners to help make the vision a reality. The project got a kick-start on Saturday morning when volunteers including partic- ipants from Youth ACT, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, George Town Primary School, and electrical program coordinator Allan Moore brought machetes, picks and strong muscles and went to work. Years ago, Mr. Moore, who is also a member of Youth ACT, offered vocational and technical training programs for youths, said Bonnie Anglin, chairwoman of Youth ACT. However, funding dried up in the past few years, the program was halted, and the property became overgrown, she said. She said Youth ACT hopes to partner with the private sector to get the appren- ticeship programs in plumbing and elec- trical work up and running again, in addi- tion to using the site for recreation, sports and family activities. “The area is just one example of how we can work and contribute to engage young people in positive careers and activities,” she said. Mr. Moore said, “I have used my ex- pertise to teach young people about elec- trical work. They need a location, and that is what part of the cleanup around the property is about.” PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » Bonnie Anglin, chairwoman of Youth ACT, center, and other volunteers clear a patch of ground in Rock Hole on Saturday. - PHOtO: JeWeL LeVY2 LOCAL&REGIONAL Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 • Cayman Compass www. REGmovies.com SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - TUESDAY - $8.00 BLACK MASS (R) 1:10 I 4:00 I 6:50 I 9:45 THE PERFECT GUY (PG13) 1:20 I 3:45 I 7:00 I 9:35 THE VISIT (PG13) 1:10 I 3:30 I 7:10 I 10:00 MAZE RUNNER 2 3D (PG13) 12:40 I 3:40 2D I 6:40 I 9:40 2D MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (PG13) 6:45 I 9:50 THE TRANSPORTER (PG13) 1:00 I 4:15 I 7:30 I 10:05 SHAUN THE SHEEP (PG) 12:45 I 3:00 Jewish community observes Yom Kippur Cayman’s Jewish com- munity this week will ob- serve the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Rabbi Berel Pewzner in- vites the Jewish community, as well as anyone who may be interested in finding out more about the religion and its High Holidays, to attend Yom Kippur services at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman on Tuesday and Wednesday. “Everyone is welcome,” the rabbi said. “Yom Kippur marks a new beginning and new opportuni- ties to start afresh,” he added. The Jewish community is observing its High Holidays, which began with the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashana, on Sept. 13–15, through the Ten Days of Repentance, culmi- nating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, from sun- down Tuesday to sundown Wednesday this week. During Yom Kippur, the Jewish community abstains from eating or drinking from a few minutes before sunset on Tuesday until nightfall on Wednesday. In Cayman, the fasting begins at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday and continues until 6:54 p.m. Wednesday. During that period, the congrega- tion attends services Tuesday evening and most of the day on Wednesday. Cantor Shlomo Glick will lead the services, accompa- nied by the Soul Key Choir from Israel. The Kol Nidrei opening service will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Services on Wednesday are from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with closing services from 5-7 p.m. For more information, visit www.jewish.ky. Jamaica prime minister touts imF record KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) – Jamaica’s prime minister has told supporters that her ad- ministration passed every test of the International Monetary Fund during the island’s latest loan agreement. At the annual confer- ence of the People’s National Party, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller touted the record of nine passed tests while calling the terms of the IMF deal “challenging yet necessary.” She acknowledges employ- ment rates are “not yet where we want them to be,” but says Jamaica’s economy is moving in the “right direction.” The opposition disputes that. Jamaica has been trying to turn around its economy with a four-year, $930 mil- lion package with the IMF. In recent decades, Jamaica had one of the world’s slowest growing economies. The party held its 77th annual conference Sunday at the island’s National Stadium. tropical storm ida strengthening MIAMI (AP) – Tropical Storm Ida is getting stronger in the open Atlantic but is not a threat to any land. The storm’s maximum sustained winds Monday morning increased to near 50 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says ad- ditional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, followed by slight weakening on Wednesday. Ida is centered about 995 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and is moving north-northwest near 7 mph (11 kph). Meanwhile, a trop- ical depression is bringing heavy rain as it moves in- land from the Pacific over Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The depression’s maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph. Weakening is forecast and the de- pression will likely degen- erate to a remnant low by Monday night. ObiTuary: billy F. Mitcham Jr., 1948-2015 Mitcham Industries President and CEO Billy F. Mitcham Jr. passed away surrounded by his family on Friday at the age of 67. A resident of Texas, Mr. Mitcham and his family were frequent visitors to the Cayman Islands, and he is remembered fondly by his friends here. “We had a lot of happy times with their family at Cayman Kai,” said Cayman resident Helen Hislop. “He was a wonderful, kind, caring person, and I’m really sad- dened by his death.” Mr. Mitcham had been battling leukemia for more than a year. Born on Jan. 8, 1948 in Brawley, California, Mr. Mitcham grew up in Texas. He graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1966 and then enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam for four years. He began his career in the oil and gas industry with Halliburton Services in 1970. In 1979, he joined his father Billy Mitcham Sr. in the family business, Mitcham Associates, in Houston. In 1987, Bill Jr. presided over the formation of Mitcham Industries, a publicly held international supplier of geophysical and seismic equipment to the oil and gas industry. His family described Mr. Mitcham as a “devoted hus- band, a loving son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle to his large family and a treasured friend to many.” He is survived by Debbie, his wife of 16 years; his mother, Polly Cree; his sons and their families, and many other members of his large family. a celebration of life service will be held Wednesday at Northside baptist Church, Huntsville. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions in Mr. Mitcham’s name be made to: Northside baptist Church, youth building Program, 1207 FM 980, Huntsville, TX 77320 or The Society of Exploration Geophysicists, billy Mitcham Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. box 702740, Tulsa, OK 74170. billy F. Mitcham, Jr. Jessie perry Family grateFul For support James WhittaKer jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The family of crash victim Jessie Perry have thanked the entire com- munity for their support in helping the 21-year-old get vital medical care. Ms. Perry was flown to Jamaica, where she is re- ceiving treatment for se- rious burn injuries fol- lowing a car accident in West Bay last week. Her aunt, Jacqueline Ebanks, said support had been flooding in from all cor- ners of the community. “We want to send a huge thanks to everyone that has offered support. We have had offers of help from the Jamaican community, from the Caymanian community, from all parts of the is- land. Jessie still has a long recovery ahead, and we are so happy for all the support we are get- ting,” she said. An account has been set up with First Caribbean Bank in the name of Save Jessie Emergency Fund, with the account number 1045-9786. anyone who wishes to help may contact Ms. Ebanks on 322-5673. ex-treasurer oF Brazil ruling party sentenced on corruption RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The former treasurer of Brazil’s governing Workers’ Party was sentenced Monday to over 15 years in prison for his role in a kickback scheme at state- run oil company Petrobras. Joao Vaccari was found guilty of taking at least $1 million in bribes, including money handed over in the form of campaign donations made by oilfield services company Toyo Setal between 2008 and 2012, according to the ruling by federal judge Sergio Moro. Also sentenced was Petobras’s former head of cor- porate services, Renato Duque, who got over 20 years on cor- ruption charges. Moro said that Duque was responsible for funneling the cash to Vaccari and that he had also taken at least $9 mil- lion in bribes in exchange for helping construction and en- gineering firms win inflated contracts with Petrobras. Both men can appeal their sentences, but will re- main in prison as their likely appeals play out. Vaccari’s arrest in April brought the Petrobras scandal closer to President Dilma Rousseff, who served as chairwoman of Petrobras’s board for several years as the sprawling kickback scheme is alleged to have played out. She herself has not been accused of any crimes and has repeat- edly maintained her innocence. Prosecutors say at least $2 billion in bribes were paid for over a decade, mostly by construction and engineering firms to high-level Petrobras executives. In return, the com- panies were awarded inflated contracts for building refin- eries, drilling platforms and ships, among other services. Described by authori- ties as the biggest corrup- tion scheme ever uncovered in Brazil, the scandal has shaken the nation’s political and business establishment. Over 50 sitting con- gressmen and other top polit- ical officials are under inves- tigation, including the leaders of both houses of Congress. Both men can appeal their sentences, but will remain in prison as their likely appeals play out.3 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 OCTOBER , The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman www.breastcancerfoundation.ky info@breastcancerfoundation.ky PRINT MEDIA SPONSOR PLATINUM SPONSOR to our Thank ou Joan Lunen Featuring Celebrity Keynote Speaker and Breast Cancer Survivor Five fisherman rescued from sinking boat James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A boat captain came to the rescue of a group of fish- ermen discovered clinging to the upturned hull of their sinking boat in waters off South Sound. The stricken vessel was located after a police he- licopter crew responded to an emergency call on Saturday night. The air crew used its searchlight to locate the boat and alert a nearby vessel to assist. Nelson Villalobos, who was out fishing nearby with his friend, followed the heli- copter’s lights to locate the five men and pull them on board and to safety. He said, “The boat was completely capsized. Everything was in the water. Two of the guys were on top of the boat and two were clinging to the sides. The other guy was just in the water swimming. They were all being swept to shore.” A police spokeswoman said the helicopter crew had used its lights and thermal imaging system to find the stricken vessel and used the helicopter’s loudspeaker to alert Mr. Villalobos to the emergency. “I was fishing about half a mile away,” said the boat cap- tain. “I had seen them when I came out earlier. Later on, I heard them making some noise and I didn’t think any- thing of it, I thought they were just having fun.” He said it was just before 8 p.m. and too dark to see the action on the other boat. “When I saw the chopper with its lights on, I knew something wasn’t right. I followed the lights of the chopper and saw the other guys had capsized.” None of the men in the water, all Filipinos according to Mr. Villalobos, were in- jured, but the vessel sunk shortly afterward. “This was a superb ex- ample of the police and community working to- gether in an emergency sit- uation to save lives,” said Steve Fitzgerald, executive officer of the Air Operations Unit. “I would like to thank Mr. Villalobos and his crew- mate for their quick response and the use of their boat in this instance.” Mr. Villalobos, an electri- cian originally from Costa Rica and a permanent resi- dent in Cayman, said he was happy to help. “They were very scared,” he said. “I would have been scared too. I was very glad that they were not hurt. I’m happy for them.” He said he was told the boat had capsized after losing its anchor and then losing its throttle. Cargo plane makes safe emergency landing An IBC Airways cargo plane with two people on board landed safely after emergency landing proce- dures were put in place at Owen Roberts International Airport on Monday. The Saab twin engine aircraft, which landed just before noon, had reported a problem with its landing gear upon approach. No one was injured. Airport officials later confirmed the plane was experiencing hydraulic problems with its flaps and landing gear during its flight from Miami to Grand Cayman. The Royal Cayman Islands Police helicopter was launched to check the aircraft’s landing gear prior to its touchdown on the runway. Traffic around the air- port was closed off for about half an hour during the emergency response. Bullets strike vehicle, Building Gunshots fired in the early morning hours Saturday struck a vehicle and a building in George Town’s Scranton neigh- borhood, Royal Cayman Islands Police reported. No injuries were reported. Police said the call was re- ported around 3:30 a.m. on Martin Drive. Officers who responded to check the area found a Suzuki SUV with bullet holes in it. A building nearby had also been struck by the gunfire. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call George Town CID at 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers at 800- 8477(TIPS) to remain anonymous. An IBC cargo plane touches down at Owen Roberts International Airport Monday after reporting a problem with its landing gear. - Photo: taneos ramsay An image from the police helicopter shows the stricken vessel. Nelson Villalobos came to the aid of the capsized boat.The 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. “The deceased Kate Laura Louise Clayton … was treated at the Cayman Islands Hospital … and in the course of treatment had a failed tracheostomy proce- dure where the procedure and its management pre- vented oxygen reaching Miss Clayton’s brain for a period of at least eight minutes resulting in hypoxic brain injury. “Miss Clayton’s subsequent death … was as a direct result of the failed tracheostomy ...” — U.K. coroner Sarah Whitby “Neither the authority, nor any director or employee of the Authority, nor any Committee member, shall be liable in damages for anything done or omitted in the discharge of their respective functions or duties unless it is shown that the act or omission was in bad faith.” — Cayman Islands Health Services Law, Section 12 “We are not aware of any other jurisdictions that precludes claims in this way. Certainly, the most devel- oped countries, including the U.K. and the U.S., allow claims for negligence.” — James Kennedy, partner, Samson and McGrath Attorneys-at-Law “Nothing can bring her back, but if there is some- thing that can be done that prevents another family going through what we have been through, then we welcome that.” — Kate’s mother, Jo Clayton “Due to reasons of privacy and patient confiden- tiality we are unable to comment on this story.” Lizzette Yearwood, CEO, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, March 23 “The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has repeatedly declined to discuss specific details of Kate Clayton’s case, citing patient confidentiality requirements.” — Cayman Compass, Sept. 21 It is a pernicious system that reigns within the cor- ridors of Grand Cayman’s public hospital. Even if it is demonstrated that the actions, or failures, by Health Services Authority personnel directly caused the death of a patient, the law shields the agency and its civil servants from legal conse- quences, in ironclad language akin to the statute granting our legislators “parliamentary privilege” on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. It is perhaps surprising that Cayman’s hospital offi- cials feel comfortable in issuing “no comments,” citing, of all things, the confidentiality of the patient … who has died and whose family is still seeking answers. Now, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has taken the unusual step of launching an investigation into “the circumstances surrounding [Kate Clayton’s] death,” which, in the broad dialect of law enforcement, may include any number of possibilities. Confronted with external scrutiny, the natural response of any bureaucratic organization is to circle the proverbial wagons, to deny, deflect and, if the opportunity presents itself, make a scapegoat of an ancillary individual. This must not be allowed to happen. It should be clear to everyone who is not a member of the public health apparatus (and probably to many who happen to be) that, in a situation such as that of the late Miss Clayton, two things are absolutely necessary: 1. Transparency as to what exactly took place at George Town’s government hospital 2. Recourse on the part of Miss Clayton’s family, if they believe fault to be found, to pursue damages in court. If this requires a change in the HSA administra- tion or the legislation governing our Health Services Authority, then so be it. Kate Clayton’s death: What happened at the public hospital? Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 • Cayman COmpass From CaymanCompass.Com “Department of Environment director speaks out on cruise port project,” Sept. 21 This has been a vendetta from people who just don’t want any kind of new proj- ects that may change Cayman for the better. Whether it is swampland or North Sound or Red Bay or Half Moon Bay. They will get someone to say whatever. We need a dock. If not George Town, which has been through previous en- vironmental impact assess- ments before for 30 years, then where? Common sense tells you we need jobs that pay fair wages. We still have people who ask a question without seeing the proof provided by ex- perts, tourists and people who are scientists and engineers. We know the reefs are dying or dead. Many people have proclaimed this argument throughout the world and es- pecially in the Caribbean. There are 365 dive sites around the island. If so, and they claim they don’t use them, give it back to the districts who fish there, and close it to diving. You can’t have it all. The question that fails to be asked is, “If our coral reefs die what will we offer next?” David miller “It is critical that the pre- dicted economic benefits of the berthing facility are based on real data and fac- tual information and that the economic business case does not rely on assumptions, speculation and the opinions of those directly involved in the cruise tourism industry.” That is spot on and the one thing missing from this whole project is a viable business case. The concept of “if we build it they will come” may work for the little wooden bird boxes you put in your garden, but to base a project of this magnitude on it is insane. So far there has not been one single positive response to the dock project from the cruise lines – that should set a few warning bells going. David Williams Maybe it’s time to change out the Department of Environment. Talk about a bunch of doomsday prophets. This is beyond ridiculous. We have other organizations that fear-monger the public into submission, and we call those “cults.” “From where I sit, the economic business case does not appear to have been held to the same standard of ac- tual data collection and ro- bust analysis and scrutiny as the environmental impact assessment …” [Ms. Ebanks- Petrie said.] This is absolute and utter rubbish. The EIA is basically a list of worst possible out- comes imaginable, it’s not falsifiable science … Where is the indisputable scientific factual data that shows the port will destroy the reefs with certainty, along with the ecosystem and marine life as we know it in Cayman? FYI: There is already a dock there! And guess what, when it was built, the reef survived, Seven Mile Beach survived, and boats come and go daily at the port. The water is still crystal clear right under the docked boats, and crystal clear all the way up to the shoreline of the present man made dock. The silt didn’t destroy the envi- ronment then, why now? I can’t wait until the dock is built, so that when abso- lutely nothing happens to the environment besides having had to move of couple of rocks, I will come here and talk about these doomsday eco prophets every single day. aJ Ebanks Something seems ex- tremely fishy when the head of the Department of Environment, the chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board and member of the National Conservation Council decides that it is a good move to be featured in an article or press release that is being paid for by a lobby group. It makes it fairly clear that bias has been a heavy influ- ence through this whole pro- cess. It does not seem like the Department of Environment director considered the pro- fessionalism needed in such a sensitive situation. This puts her motive and objectivity into question and I think it would be fair of anyone to make the request that she not be involved with the port pro- posal going forward. Ms. Ebanks-Petrie has done a lot of great things while in and running the Department of Environment. It is a shame to see such lack of judgement on her part in what is one of the largest infrastructure projects pro- posed in Cayman’s history. Jonathan Barnes If Cayman feels they can afford to miss out on the great advantages of cargo berths, up-to-date cruise ports and the much-needed tourism, then sit on your front porches and wave bye bye to the cruise ships as they pass by us. Lukishi Brown If the Department of Environment really gave a crap about the environment, it would have seriously ad- dressed the dump decades ago and had an island-wide recycling program in place. Political posturing for each new party in power. Bob William Ms. Ebanks-Petrie is more than qualified to speak out against this. So are the other people who are against this and I can only see people who have knowledge and good sense that are speaking out against it. It’s not the Department of Environment that needs to change out. It’s the govern- ment itself that needs to be changed. These same ones who all they have on their mind is to make a name for them- selves and they are the same ones hindering anything the Department of Environment has tried to do. If the depart- ment had the proper backing from the start, they would have had a lot of good things in place. But it’s kind of hard to fight when your hands are tied, especially when they are tied by the very people who you need to support you. This government is making a name for itself; yes, they are making that name at a cost to this island as proven in other projects they started that are just sitting around going to waste. Jonathan Rivers I have known Gina Ebanks-Petrie since Hurricane Ivan. Perhaps not as long as many of you, but I have the greatest respect for her in- tegrity and knowledge in the Department of Environment. Earlier today I read this article and considered of- fering up my support im- mediately but deferred, not being a born Caymanian. After reading the comments offered including someone actually suggesting she ought to be replaced for her valu- able opinion, I realized some balance needed to be offered. The Department of Environment is not a revenue- producing part of the govern- ment, and needs to maintain a working relationship with the other departments to func- tion smoothly. Blaming the Department of Environment for the dump is unfair as there are no control vehicles to be applied to that problem. The pro-pier lobby claim complete environmental awareness as to what this construction will do to the waters around George Town and Seven Mile Beach. This simply is not true. They believe they have all the information and enjoy complete knowledge of poten- tial environmental pitfalls but this is not the case. No one can say with assurance what a bad nor’wester will do or what the sand movement along Seven Mile Beach will be. It is important to not allow bullying tactics to sway the voicing of opinion on vital national projects, thus my need to respond. Disagreement in local is- sues is often met with severe ridicule and disrespect, and I would hope a higher level of discourse could be had on this important issue. Jack augsbury The discussion over cruise berthing plans for George Town harbor continues, as a decision from Cabinet on the project looms. - Photo: Chris Court Printed and Published by: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town send us yOur VieWs Or neWs: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com adVertise With us: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS daVid r. legge and Vicki l. legge EdITOR-In-CHIEf daVid r. legge A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 SEP 25 & 26 INTE RACTIVE TRADE SHO W SEE OUR CIRCULAR IN THE FRI, SEP 25, EDITION OF THE CAYMAN COMPASS AND AT ALTHOMPSON.COM Scholarship offered to doctors for specialist training KELSEY JUKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association will sponsor two Caymanian doctors over the next four years as they train to be- come specialists. Two qualified Caymanian doctors will be selected to receive a scholarship of $60,000 a year for four years of training. Scholarship re- cipients will agree to return to the Cayman Islands to work for the Health Services Authority after their training, the Seafarers Association said. The association pre- sented a check to Health Services Authority officials at a press conference Monday, which was also attended by Premier Alden McLaughlin, Education Minister Tara Rivers and Finance Minister Marco Archer. “There are many Caymanian doctors, but we’re in danger of not having enough specialists and having to rely on specialists overseas,” Mr. Archer said. He said that conversations with various healthcare pro- fessionals made him realize the need to provide more sup- port to individuals who wish to become specialist physi- cians, but that the budget would not allow the govern- ment to provide that support in 2015 or 2016. He approached the Seafarers Association with the idea to provide the scholar- ship, since the association has provided significant financial support to the Health Services Authority in the past. Seafarers Association Treasurer Leonard Ebanks said that in the three years that he has been treasurer, the association has donated at least $100,000 to the Health Services Authority, primarily for purchasing equipment. One piece of equipment funded by the association, for example, is a telemedicine robot which al- lows specialist doctors abroad to remotely diagnose patients in the Cayman Islands. Mr. Ebanks said the new scholarship will help to en- sure that Cayman Islands res- idents can receive specialist treatment at home, rather than having to go overseas. “It was a very easy de- cision for us to make, as we’re conscious of the fact that the government pro- vides healthcare for seamen,” Mr. Ebanks said. “We think this is an excel- lent way [of] giving back and paying it forward.” Health Services Authority CEO Lizzette Yearwood said the scholarship will help fill areas of need, such as pathology, neurology and oncology. Elizabeth McLaughlin, acting chief medical officer with the Ministry of Health, added that radiology, espe- cially interventional radi- ology, is another area that re- quires more specialists. “Specialization is neces- sary for all physicians, but it is also important for the de- velopment of healthcare in the country,” Ms. McLaughlin said. “And there is something very gratifying about treating your own people and being treated by your own people.” Ms. Yearwood said about 15 Caymanian doctors are eli- gible for the scholarship. The application process opens this week, and a committee will interview and deliberate on the candidates over the next four weeks. Mr. Archer said the gov- ernment will establish a scholarship fund in the next budget to provide funds to doctors to receive specialist training. From left, Finance Minister Marco Archer, HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood, Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth McLaughlin, Seafarers Association President Ivan Farrington, Seafarers Association Treasurer Leonard Ebanks, Education Minister Tara Rivers and Premier Alden McLaughlin. - Photo: Kelsey JuKam Resident brrraves Polar Bear Plunge for charity KELSEY JUKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com Most people avoid swim- ming in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New York State in January when the water temperature hovers around a numbing 40 de- grees, but not Cayman Islands resident Steven Sokohl, who plans to join the “Polar Bear Plunge” in East Hampton in an effort to raise $20,000 for local charities. The chill-water dips are annual events held most notably in Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, usually around New Year’s Day. “You just kind of get out there with a bunch of crazy people, people in costumes – there are people in Santa suits – and they run in and wade around,” Mr. Sokohl said. Mr. Sokohl, who grew up in New Jersey, remembers seeing members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club on their New Year’s Day plunge. The club, which was formed in 1903, is said to be the oldest winter bathing organi- zation in the United States. “In Yiddish there’s an ex- pression, this crazy bunch of mashuganas,” Mr. Sokohl said. “There are all these people, young and old, from 3 years old to 85 years old, and I just grew up seeing this crazy bunch of people doing this and I said, maybe at some point in my life, I’m going to do it.” Most polar bear plunges in the U.S. partner with char- itable organizations and ask participants to make dona- tions. The Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge, for instance, raises money for Camp Sunshine, a respite camp for children with life-threat- ening illnesses and their fami- lies. The East Hampton event raises money for the local food pantry. Mr. Sokohl, who has been an active Rotarian for the past seven years, decided to leverage his “plunge” as a way to raise money for charities on island. “It’s always been on my bucket list of things to do,” Mr. Sokohl said. “Why not try to do it and raise money for local charities?” All of the money raised by Mr. Sokohl in Cayman will go to Rotary Sunrise, which, in turn, supports sev- eral charities. Mr. Sokohl said he is also trying to raise money in the U.S., and will give donors there the option of donating to Caymanian charities or U.S. charities. Mr. Sokohl has already raised about $5,000 since he started fundraising a month ago. He has three months left to make it to his goal of $20,000, and he is looking for more donors. “Anything from $1 to $1,000 helps,” Mr. Sokohl said. He is offering prime real estate to whatever entity makes “the right con- tribution” – their logo embla- zoned on a super-hero cape he plans to wear when he takes the plunge. For more information, email Mr. Sokohl at sgs1118@gmail.com. PROud OF THEM Vitoria Buttrum recognized for academic achievements 13-year-old is youngest recipient AShAni FrAnciS-coLLinS afrancis-collins@pinnaclemedialtd.com Vitoria Buttrum, 13, of Bodden Town is the youngest recipient of the Proud of Them award, which she received for her achievements in academics. “I was honored to know that I was recognized as an awardee for the Proud of Them committee, espe- cially being the youngest recipient ever,” said Vitoria. “It is a good feeling, which puts a meaning to ‘hard work pays off.’” This year she will con- tinue her high school education at Cayman International School, as she has received a four- year scholarship based on academic merit. When she is not busy making A grades in the classroom, Vitoria said she loves reading, writing and being on stage. She also said she en- joys swimming and tech- nology, including creating websites and software. Although she is inter- ested in media and enter- tainment, Vitoria says she will probably keep those fields as a hobby. For now, she has de- veloped a new interest in philosophy. “I would like to thank everyone who supported me and continues to sup- port me on my journey to success,” she said. “This was a wonderful op- portunity but is just a foundation for what is yet to come.” The Proud of Them initiative recognizes the positive achievements of young people ages 10 to 25. Through a public nom- ination process, individ- uals are honored in the categories of academics, careers, business, sports, culture or community ser- vice. Each young person selected is featured for six months at a time on bill- boards across the Cayman Islands, and receives a cer- tificate and $500. Vitoria Buttrum Mr. SokohlThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Community Calendar ■ Community Calendar is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 • Cayman Compass TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 PAINTING, DRAWING CLASSES: At Watler House Studio on the grounds of Pedro Castle every Tuesday through Nov. 24. Location painting and drawing, 9–11 a.m.; life drawing, 7-9 p.m. This is an opportunity for artists of all levels to have instruction and guidance from a qualified art instructor. $25 per session/$35 non- members, or 10 sessions $200 or $280 non-members. Contact visualartcayman@ yahoo.com or 546-9422. AWAKENING: Dennis Wilson Ministries. First Assembly of God, 195 Old Crewe Road. Continue this evening and tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 CONSERVATION COUNCIL: The National Conservation Council holds a general meeting 2-5 p.m. in the ground floor meeting room (1038) of the Government Administration Building. This meeting is open to observers from the public and the press. The agenda is available on the Department of Environment’s website, www.doe.ky. MARINE PARKS: Public consultation meeting on the proposed Enhanced Marine Parks System takes place at Bodden Town Primary School Hall, 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.doe.ky/marine/ marine-parks-review. To submit an opinion, email conservationcouncil@gov. ky. General queries can be directed to doe@gov.ky. PRAyER & PRAyz: A Prayer and Worship Conference with guests including Minister Jermaine D. Gordon, evangelist Kimola Brown-Lowe and Pastor Cassius Feare; tonight through Sept. 25, 7 p.m. This will end with a worship feast on Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Light of the World Christian Fellowship. 65 Smith Road. THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 ART LECTURE: At the National Gallery with “tIDal Shift” exhibition curator Natalie Urquhart. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Event includes behind-the-scenes tour. Tour is free of charge, donations welcome. Lunch and refreshments available for purchase in the Art Café. GARDEN PICNIC: Lunch in the National Gallery gardens. A set menu including soup and sandwiches will be served noon-p.m. Lunch packs will also be available for those on the go. Stop by the exhibition halls. For menu details, email events@ nationalgallery.org.ky or call 945-8111. Reservations recommended for groups of four or more. AWAKENING: Dennis Wilson Ministries. West Bay Assembly of God, 100 Finch Drive, off Stadium Road, West Bay. Tonight and tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. MARINE PARKS: Public consultation meeting on the proposed Enhanced Marine Parks System takes place in North Side at the Civic Centre, 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.doe.ky/marine/ marine-parks-review. To submit an opinion, email conservationcouncil@gov. ky. General queries can be directed to doe@gov.ky. BRAC COURT: Summary Court held in the Aston Rutty Civic Centre, from 10 a.m. today and tomorrow. NATIONAL TRUST AGM: The Annual General Meeting of the members of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, 6 p.m. upstairs at the George Town Yacht Club, the Barcadere Marina at 606 North Sound Road. FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 WALK FOR THE CURE: The walk is on Oct. 4, but registration closes today. To register contact Shadden McLaughlin, walk manager, at 815-2405/2407 or shadden. mclaughlin@cibcfcib.com The walk is from Seven Mile Public Beach, 7 a.m. Runners welcome. Fee is $10 for ages 12 and up; $5 for ages 3-11; under age 3, free. Refreshments and prizes post walk. Adult T-shirts free, or personalized for $25 pledge. Proceeds benefit the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 BAKE SALE: In front of Book Nook, Galleria Plaza, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. West Bay Community After-school Program. All proceeds go toward playground improvement. For info, contact Lucy at 916- 4494 or wbcafterschool@ outlook.com. BARGAIN STORE: At St. George’s Anglican Church off Eastern Avenue behind Cox Lumber. Big sale. 7-11 a.m. All are welcome. 949-5583. WRITE IT NOW: Writers symposium presented by Avodah Productions, 10 a.m. Admission is free, but registration is required. Presenters are Michel Powery, Catherine Tyson, Jermaine Gordon and Karen Chin. kyliteraryaward@ candw.ky. SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 5K WALK/RUN: Starts 6 a.m. from Seven Mile Beach Public Beach. The Hope Foundation organizes this event to raise funds for and awareness about its halfway house for recovering addicts. To register, call Brent Hydes at 928-9099 or Christopher Burke at 326-6783. Entry is free; trophies for top finishers in different categories. Raffle tickets available for $25. MONDAY, SEPT. 28 CHAMBER COURSE: Workshop on Creating a Service Mentality Internally and Externally. Presented by Catherine Tyson. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Governors Square. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. Chamber members, $150. Future members, $225. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30 CHAMBER COURSE: Workshop on the Exceptional Presenter. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Governors Square. Presented by Julie McLaughlin, deputy chairman, Cayman Islands Association of Mediators and Arbitrators. Register online at www. caymanchamber.ky. Chamber members, $150. Future Members, $225. LABOUR AND PENSIONS BILLS: Today is the final date to comment on the Labour Relations Bill and the National Pensions (Amendment) Bill. They can both be accessed at www.education.gov.ky/ labourpensions. Feedback can be provided by emailing lpl@gov.ky. SATURDAY, OCT. 3 MUSEUM ANNIVERSARy: Cayman National Museum’s 25th anniversary fundraiser. 7 p.m. at the Cayman Turtle Farm. $50 per person includes dinner with dessert and soda or ice tea. Cash bar available. Music, silent auction. Call Eziethamae at 916-1559 for tickets or visit museum gift shop. GENERAL INTEREST DRAMA SOCIETy: Cayman Drama Society presents the musical “Rent.” Show runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. Due to adult content, strictly PG 13 with parental supervision. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for students. SPECIAL OLyMPICS: Volunteers are needed as training resumes. Tuesdays at the Truman Bodden Complex at 5:30 p.m. for Track/Field, Football and Bocce. No experience necessary, just a smile and patience. Wednesdays at Lions Pool 10:15-11 a.m. You do not have to swim, just be able to walk in water chest-deep. Thursdays at First Baptist Church for basketball, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Saturdays, volunteers needed for Adult Special Olympic swim conditioning at CIS pool 9:30-10:30 a.m. Deck support and in-water swimming assistance needed. For more information, contact Penny McDowall 516-2578 or pjmcdowall@gmail.com. CAyMAN NATIONAL CHOIR: The choir is looking for new members. All are welcome to come and sing with the country’s national choir. No audition required. Every Monday from 7:30-9 p.m. at Cayman Prep and Primary School Hall on Smith Road. For more information, contact 923-6915 or info@ caymanchoir.com. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: Open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Red Cross headquarters on Thomas Russell Way. Book bargain every Thursday and Friday, a bagful for $5. READING TREE: The book swap is open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. until the end of September in Cassia Court at Camana Bay. Everyone is invited to come by, take their pick and replace it with one of their books. With a back-to-school theme, books include children’s storybooks, fiction, and motivational and career-focused books for older students. REEF RESTORATION: Certified divers are invited to work on the Cayman Magic Reef restoration in George Town. A schedule of work dates and times is posted on Facebook under Cayman Magic Reef Recovery. Dates, times and places are listed under Events, for volunteers to check and sign up. NCVO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers are needed for various activities within the National Council of Voluntary Organizations Children Services programs. Contact Alta Solomon at 949-2124 or ncvocoordinator@ncvo. org.ky. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Center is owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. PERIPHERAL SPACES: Open Tuesday to Saturday. Noon to 8 p.m. (closed by 3 p.m. on Saturdays). Market Street across from Bay Market. Pop up working studio/art gallery with local artist works displayed for sale. Art classes Tuesday and Thursday, 6-8 p.m., plus other special events. For more information, email marymccallum@candw.ky. ARTISANS MARKET: Camana Bay Artisans Market every Wednesday. Visual Arts Society has artists displaying arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale between noon and 8 p.m. near KARoo restaurant. For more information on displaying your work, email info@ visualartcayman.com. DEMENTIA/ALzHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the Catboat Club clubhouse, North Church Street. All are invited to attend. For more information, call 924-4170 or email info@ adacayman.com. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@ museum.ky. PINK LADIES: Coffee Shop at Cayman Islands Hospital is open Monday- Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, drinks, snacks. Takeout orders welcome, call 244- 2661. Funds are donated back to the community. Contact pinkladiescayman@ gmail.com. HUMANE SOCIETy BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Contact humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc. in good condition always needed. OPEN CANVAS: Wednesdays from 7 p.m. at KARoo restaurant in Camana Bay. No fee, easels provided. Artists of all levels invited. KARoo offers two complimentary tickets for wine or beer. Contact visualartcayman@yahoo. com or jr@cib.ky or 546- 9422 for more information. SPECIAL NEEDS FOUNDATION OF CAyMAN: For anyone who is a parent, relative, friend or carer of a special needs child. Also for professionals interested in special needs. SNFC provide information, resources, education and support with meetings, social events and newsletters. Contact www. specialneedsfoundation.ky. PAWS THRIFT SHOP: Bodden Town Shopping Plaza, opposite Bodden Town Post Office. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Please do not leave donations outside shop. Call Sharon, 324-9760; or Susanna, 916-3957 for more information. All proceeds for animal welfare. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.compasscayman. com/caycompass/portal/ community-calendar.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 Heidi Kiss, Broker/Owner 525.1126 heidi@capitalrealtycayman.com www.capitalrealty.com.ky CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WITH 10 GREAT AGENTS! Snug Harbour Villas # 14 MOVE in NOW! 3bed/3.5bath townhouse Beautifully furnished, hurricane shutters and screen porch. Rents for CI$3200 per mth. CI$414,000 CIREBA MLS 404618 central banks could step in to provide the banking services. The IMF reports that 10 banks in at least five coun- tries had pulled out of corre- sponding banking relation- ships as of June, following a global trend of banks getting out of the cash transfer business. In an article in the IMF’s September Caribbean Corner newsletter, Mr. Bouhga-Hagbe wrote: “The potential loss of correspondent banking rela- tionships could destabilize fi- nancial systems and economic activity in the Caribbean.” JN and Cayman National, along with Mr. Panton’s min- istry, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and other banks in the area were in- volved in negotiations for weeks in August trying to find a solution that would allow the remittance companies to continue operating even after the bank closed the account. The current solution, Mr. Panton said, involves flying the cash to Florida to deposit in a bank there, but that has caused a shortage in U.S. cur- rency in Cayman. The minister described bank restrictions on U.S. dollars as an “overreac- tion” to a short-term problem. Some banks have re- stricted U.S. cash with- drawals only to customers, while other banks are charging fees to non-account holders to get U.S. cash. He said there could be “a bit of profiteering going on.” Minister Panton said he has heard some reports of hoarding U.S. currency and said some banks are having to import U.S. cash. People in the Cayman Islands sent almost $180 mil- lion overseas as remittances in 2014. Most of that, more than $110 million, went to Jamaica through cash transfers. More than $23.5 million in remit- tances went to the Philippines. Mr. Panton said his min- istry continues to work with JN to find a solution so that the company will not have to ship the cash off island. One pos- sible solution, he said, could include working out a model so that the Cayman Islands Development Bank could start taking the deposits and acting as the correspondent bank to move the deposits into the U.S. banking system. “Everybody is trying to find a solution to this,” the minister said. Fidelity Group shut down its Western Union operations in Cayman, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas in July. Mr. Panton said his ministry is working with Western Union to reopen here. Minister: US cash shortage ‘temporary’ He said former portable classrooms on the property donated by government will be used for electrical training and musical classes through the Cayman Islands Steel Band association. Longtime friend Renard Moxam said Mr. Moore “wants to have more young people join the program. He’s also looking [for] financing to carry the projects through.” “If we don’t re-engage with young people, then they will end up in prison,” Mr. Moxam said. “We need to start some- place. There are some chal- lenges and wrinkles that need to be ironed out. Nothing in life is smooth. We just have to face the challenges together, get past them and reestablish a proper sense of community in [our] society. Allan Moore has been one of those persons trying and trying, and I think more people need to join in.” Mr. Moore started his career with government in 1977. After his retire- ment as chief electrical in- spector, he was approached to assist Caymanians on how to study for the Cayman Islands electrical examina- tion. In later years he formed what is known today as the Community Vocational Training Centre. Volunteers clean up Rock Hole property legal aid cases designated as “complex,” according to the bill. The law also provides a limit on fees to attorneys who take legal aid cases to 10 hours per day, barring certain exceptional circum- stances. Attorneys who ac- cept legal aid cases could also be limited by the legal aid director to the number of such cases in which they are allowed to represent defen- dants in any given year. The going rate for legal aid ser- vices is $135 per hour. “With the rate being sug- gested, the number of attor- neys willing to take on legal aid cases will continue to dwindle and may create sub- sequent breaches of right to fair trial based on lack of representation, lack of suit- ably competent people pre- pared to do the work and lack of equality of arms with the director of public pros- ecutions who is not so lim- ited when she instructs out- side counsel,” the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission observed ear- lier in the year. “[Section 25 of the bill] provides for uplifts on legal aid rates in specific circum- stances. The HRC welcomes this development but greater clarity needs to be given as to what these rates will be.” The award of legal aid in any matter would still fall under the purview of the legal aid director in consul- tation with the courts ad- ministration. Government ministers would not be in- volved in deciding who qual- ifies for legal aid. However, the unspecified minister who is to have over- sight of the legal aid budget under the legislation is per- mitted to give “general di- rections as to the policy to be followed by the [legal aid] director” and states that the director “shall give effect to such directions.” The bill also leaves it to the Cabinet – after consul- tation with the chief jus- tice – to determine whether a person who receives legal aid is able to pay at least part of the cost for their representation. The min- ister responsible for legal aid oversight is also given the ability to refuse to re- cover money from a grant of legal aid if he decides collecting the debt would cause “serious hardship” to the person or if the cost of collecting is likely to be more than the amount of debt itself. Cost concerns The latest draft of the Legal Aid Bill seeks to pro- vide the service to those in the community who need it, while allowing elected members of the Legislative Assembly some level of ac- countability and control with regard to the legal aid budget, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin said earlier this year. The cost of pro- viding legal representation to indigent criminal defen- dants, as well as in certain civil and family court cases, has nearly doubled over the past five years. Mr. Bulgin told the Legislative Assembly in May that the legal aid budget had increased from what was a “$1.5 million [per year] con- stant” to $2.7 million in the upcoming 2015/16 govern- ment fiscal year. “This has been brought about in large part by the ad- vent of a bill of rights [in the Cayman Islands Constitution Order, 2009] as well as a new Children Law and the in- creased need for legal aid as- sistance,” Mr. Bulgin said. One of the requirements in the bill would ensure that a “duty counsel” is available to provide legal advice to detainees at police stations prior to the subject being in- terviewed by officers. The ar- resting officers are required to inform the arrested in- dividuals of their right to counsel in such cases, the bill states. “It is a constitutional re- quirement,” Mr. Bulgin said. Legal aid bill sets $20K initial fee limit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 US weighs abstention on Cuba embargo vote at UN WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration may allow the U.N. to condemn America’s economic embargo against Cuba without a fight, The Associated Press has learned, an unprecedented step that could increase pres- sure on Congress to end the 54-year-old restrictions. As it does every year, the U.N. General Assembly will vote as early as next month to demand the embargo’s end. But this time, U.S. officials told the AP that the United States could abstain instead of voting against the resolu- tion as it normally does. It is unheard of for a U.N. member state not to oppose resolutions critical of its own laws. And by not actively op- posing the resolution, the ad- ministration would be ef- fectively siding with the world body against the Republican-led House and Senate, which have refused to repeal the embargo despite calls from President Barack Obama to do so. The U.S. and Cuba re- stored diplomatic relations this year, and leaders of the two countries want to im- prove commercial ties. But the embargo remains. “Obviously, we have to obey the law,” State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday. “It doesn’t mean you can’t take a position that you want the law changed.” No final decision on how to vote has yet been made, said four administration offi- cials who weren’t authorized to speak publicly on sensi- tive internal deliberations and demanded anonymity. White House spokesman Josh Earnest also declined to weigh in because he said the proposed resolution wasn’t final. He noted, however, that U.S. policy has changed since the last time the world body assessed the embargo. The very idea of an ab- stention prompted immediate Republican criticism. Republican presiden- tial candidate Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American senator from Florida, said that by abstaining, Obama would be “putting international popularity ahead of the na- tional security and foreign policy interests of the United States.” The embargo, he said, denies money to a dictator- ship that can be used to fur- ther oppression. General Assembly resolu- tions are unenforceable. But the annual exercise has given Cuba a stage to demonstrate America’s isolation on the embargo, and it has under- scored the sense internation- ally that the U.S. restrictions are illegitimate. In this July file photo, members of the Security Council vote at United Nations headquarters. The Obama administration may abstain for the first time from the annual U.N. vote condemning the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. - Photo: AP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 • Cayman Compass Sexual assaults on college women Nearly a quarter of undergraduate women surveyed at more than two dozen U.S. universities say they experienced unwanted sexual contact some time during college, according to a report released Monday. Pope presses message to Cuba: Be willing to change HOLGUIN, Cuba (AP) – Pope Francis marked a personal anniversary Monday – the day as a teenager he de- cided to become a priest – by pressing a subtle message to Cubans at a delicate point in their history: Overcome ideo- logical preconceptions and be willing to change. Francis traveled to Cuba’s fourth-largest city, Holguin, and celebrated a Mass where Cuban rhythms mixed with church hymns under a scorching tropical sun. Later, he was scheduled to go to Santiago on Cuba’s eastern end before flying Tuesday to Washington for the U.S. leg of his trip to the two former Cold War foes. Singing children and a small crowd waving Cuban and Vatican flags greeted Francis on arrival, some crying out, “Francis! Holguin is with you!” Holguin’s Plaza of the Revolution was packed with thousands of people, many dressed in white to pro- tect themselves from the sun. Security agents did not appear to be letting members of the crowd get close to him. On Sunday, an apparent dis- sident hung on to the pope- mobile and seemed to be ap- pealing to the pontiff before the man was dragged away. The head of the opposi- tion group Ladies in White said 22 of 24 members who wanted to attend Francis’s Mass on Sunday were pre- vented from going by Cuban security agents. And two well-known Cuban dissidents said agents detained them after the Vatican invited them to the pope’s vespers service at Havana’s cathedral. The Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, con- firmed that some dissidents were invited to events to re- ceive a greeting from the pope but said he did not know why it didn’t come to pass. Asked if the Holy See would lodge an official pro- test, Lombardi demurred. He stressed that what was planned was just a “passing greeting,” not an official meeting, and that it was set up at the last minute out of a “desire to show an attention for everyone, including dissidents.” In his homily in Holguin, a city of about 300,000, Francis pressed some of the subtle themes he has developed during this delicate balancing act of a visit, telling thou- sands in Holguin the story of how Jesus picked a lowly and despised tax collector, Matthew, and instructed him to follow him without casting judgment. That experience of mercy changed Matthew for- ever. Francis told the Cubans that they, too, should allow themselves “to slowly over- come our preconceptions and our reluctance to think that others, much less ourselves, can change.” “Do you believe it is pos- sible that a tax collector can be a servant?” he asked. “Do you believe it is possible that a traitor can become a friend?” It was a theme Francis sketched out Sunday night in an off-the-cuff encounter with young people. He en- couraged them to dream big about what their life could be like, and not be “boxed in” by ideologies or preconceptions about other people. “If you are different than me, why don’t we talk?” Francis asked the crowd. “Why do we always throw rocks at that which separates us?” The message comes at a delicate time of change in Cuba as the communist country negotiates normaliza- tion of ties with its longtime foe, the United States, and un- dertakes modest free-market reforms that have opened some sectors of the economy to private enterprise while keeping large-scale enterprise in state hands. Cuba has long defined it- self by its rejection of the competition and self-interest that many see as central to life in the U.S. and other de- veloped countries. Detente with the United States has raised hopes on both sides of the Florida Straits that the millions of families divided by the 1959 Cuban revolution will be re- united. Francis’s homily also reflected a very personal story of his own faith and willing- ness to change. On Sept. 21, 1953 – 62 years ago Monday – a 17-year-old Jorge Mario Bergoglio went to confession at his parish church in the Flores neighbor- hood of Buenos Aires. During the confession, he later wrote, he “realized God was waiting for me,” and he decided to be- come a priest. Bergoglio would not enter the seminary for several more years, but Sept. 21 – the feast of St. Matthew – has re- mained a crucial reference point for the pope. His motto – Miserando atque eligendo (Having had mercy, he called him) – is inspired by the feast day and the story of Matthew, a sinner who was looked upon with mercy by Jesus and was changed forever. People arrive Monday at the Plaza of the Revolution to attend a Mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis in Holguin, Cuba. – Photos: AP US Catholic lawmakers thrilled by upcoming visit of Francis WASHINGTON (AP) – House Speaker John Boehner has been trying for 20 years to get a pope to come talk to Congress. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says it is “thrilling beyond words.” This week’s historic ad- dress by Pope Francis to a joint meeting of Congress has lawmakers of all po- litical affiliations and reli- gious backgrounds buzzing. For the many Catholic law- makers on Capitol Hill, in- cluding Republican Boehner and Democrat Pelosi, the oc- casion carries special signifi- cance, even as they brace for the unconventional pontiff to make both parties squirm with his focus on hot-button political and social issues. Ahead of Thursday’s speech, many lawmakers said they hope that the leader of the globe’s 1.2 billion Catholics will provoke mem- bers of Congress to pause, re- flect, and refrain, if only tem- porarily, from the partisan struggles and political bick- ering that normally dominate the House chamber where he will speak. At the same time, law- makers have begun in- voking the pontiff to make points on one issue or an- other, with Democrats in par- ticular hopeful that he will provide backing against the Republican majority on is- sues such as income in- equality, immigration and cli- mate change. “There’s always the hope of epiphany,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, a leading voice in Congress pushing for action to combat global warming. Some in the GOP are sus- picious of the pope’s ac- tivist stance on such issues. One House Republican, Paul Gosar of Arizona, announced plans to boycott Francis’s speech because of reports that the pontiff might focus on climate change. Gosar ar- gued that “if the pope wants to devote his life to fighting climate change, then he can do so in his personal time” and said the pontiff should use his foray into “hell’s den” – Congress – to focus on reli- gious tolerance and the sanc- tity of life. But Republicans can take comfort in other posi- tions Francis advocates, in- cluding opposition to abor- tion, and may hear him speak about that amid pres- sure from conservatives to use must-pass spending legislation in coming days to remove funding for Planned Parenthood. Senate Republicans scheduled a bill to block most late-term abor- tions for Tuesday, just ahead of Francis’s arrival, provoking complaints from Democrats. “I just hope that what we hear are things that are less close to specific policies be- fore us than the higher aspi- rational goals for the world,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for me. Billions of Catholics never get to be in the same city with him, versus being in the same room, so I’m just excited to be there and to hear what he has to say.” With Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden, another Catholic, seated behind him, Francis will become the rare religious leader to address a joint meeting of Congress. According to the House his- torian, the first was Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. The British monarch is also technically head of the Anglican Church. Officially Francis will be speaking in his capacity as head of state of Vatican City. Tens of thousands of people are expected to throng the Capitol, where Francis’s address will be broadcast on Jumbotrons on the West Front to those who were able to get tickets. After he speaks to Congress he’s expected to step out to the West Front to greet the crowds. His entire visit to the Capitol is scheduled to last just 90 minutes, yet the planning and preparations have been intense: a combi- nation of “a State of the Union address and an inauguration,” Pelosi told reporters. Competition for tickets has been intense. Lawmakers were granted one each to dis- tribute for the House gallery, and one each for the West Front, plus 50 standing-room tickets for the West Lawn for House members, and 200 for senators. In advance, House and Senate leaders sent a letter to lawmakers emphasizing de- corum, “out of respect for the pope’s schedule and the expec- tations of a timely address.” U.S. House Speaker John Boehner U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi9 WORLD&REGIONAL Cayman Compass • Tuesday sepTember 22, 2015 Over 3,000 of the World’s Finest Fabrics. Precise measurements taken to assure perfect fit. Suits from US$745 and Shirts from US$75. Messenger delivery six weeks from the date of order. Over 18,000 satisfied customers worldwide. 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Leaders are trying to manage an un- precedented influx of people caused by the turmoil around their borders while assuaging the concerns of their voters. “There won’t be a solution overnight,” Merkel said in a speech in Berlin on Monday. “These deliberations will be important, but they surely won’t allow us to set aside the problem. We will need patience and stamina.” The U.S. will admit at least 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year, with the total number allowed to re- settle rising to 100,000 in the 2017 fiscal year from 70,000 last year, Kerry said in Berlin on Sunday. Migrants continued to stream through the EU over the weekend, with more than 20,000 arriving in Austria, mostly from Hungary, where authorities are passing on migrants traveling from Croatia. Croatian authorities suspended traffic for trucks entering from Serbia at a main highway crossing, local border police chief Djordje Bordjoski said by phone. Serbia has become a bot- tleneck for refugees trying to get into EU members like Croatia and Hungary on its borders. Hungary re-opened a crossing into Serbia over the weekend which had ear- lier been closed following clashes with migrants. “Serbia cannot allow it- self to become an concen- tration camp, surrounded by wires and with traffic closed,” Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said in Warsaw on Monday, according to Tanjug news service. The EU, the U.S. and Gulf states need to come up with at least 5 billion euros (US$5.7 billion) in the next few months to support the countries around Syria pro- viding food, shelter and med- ical supplies, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said in Vienna on Saturday. The EU’s share should be about 1.5 billion euros (US$1.7 billion), he said. Instead of assigning quotas, Hungary wants the EU to strengthen the bloc’s external border and help Syria’s neighbors house mil- lions of refugees to deter them from traveling on to Europe, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told lawmakers on Monday. The foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia met on Monday in Prague to align their positions ahead of the EU summit. The Czech Republic won’t support man- datory quotas, CTK new ser- vice reported, citing Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka while Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said her country should show “solidarity” as long as economic migrants are excluded and the ex- ternal borders of the pass- port-free Schengen area are strengthened. There needs to be a “com- prehensive approach” by the EU to remove rejected asylum seekers from the bloc, Helen Bower, British Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokes- woman, told reporters on Monday in London. Cameron will discuss migration and Syria at a dinner with French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday evening, she said. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere pro- posed over the weekend that the EU set an upper limit to the number of people it ac- cepts as asylum seekers, though he failed to imme- diately win the backing of Merkel’s coalition partners for the plan. “We will not be able to take in all of the world’s ref- ugees as well as those who want to be able to improve their economic future in Europe,” de Maiziere said on Monday, pledging to speed up processing of asylum seekers already in Germany to deter- mine if they qualify to stay. © 2015, Bloomberg News Migrants wait for buses after crossing the border from Hungary into Nickelsdorf, Austria on Monday. - Photo: AP Suicide cAr bomber tArgetS SomAliA’S PreSidentiAl PAlAce NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – A sui- cide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the gate of the Somalia’s presidential palace in the capital on Monday, killing at least four people, a police of- ficial said. The bomber rammed his vehicle near soldiers guarding the Mogadishu compound that is the offi- cial residence of the presi- dent, prime minister and the Speaker of parliament, Capt. Mohamed Hussein told The Associated Press by phone. The bomber appeared to target foreign officials who were leaving the presidential palace, killing two of them, he said. He did not say the nationality of the officials. At least two soldiers also died in the blast, he added. Huge smoke could be seen billowing over the scene of the blast and soldiers fired into the air to disperse the crowd who gathered around, according to witness Abdirahman Mohamed, who lives near the presidential palace. Ambulances rushed to the scene to transport the blast victims to hospitals. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Somali Islamic extremist group al- Shabab often carries out such bombings. Despite being forced out of many of their strongholds, al-Shabab fighters are still able to launch lethal attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere in Somalia, often targeting African Union troops and government officials. Hungary posts ads in Lebanon, Jordan media warning migrants BEIRUT (AP) – The Hungarian government posted ads in Lebanese and Jordanian pa- pers on Monday, warning mi- grants not to enter Hungary illegally, saying it is a crime punishable by imprisonment. The move comes as Europe is reeling under pres- sure from tens of thousands of refugees making the per- ilous trek to the continent to seek sanctuary there. In a terse statement pub- lished as a full-page an- nouncement in several news- papers, including Lebanon’s leading An-Nahar and Jordan’s Al-Rai, the gov- ernment of Hungary said that “the strongest pos- sible action is taken” against people who attempt to enter Hungary illegally. “Do not listen to the people smugglers. Hungary will not allow illegal im- migrants to cross its terri- tory,” it said in both English and Arabic. Lebanon, a country of around 4.5 million people, has more than 1.1 mil- lion Syrian refugees, while Jordan, with a population of 6.5 million, has about 630,000 – some of whom have already shown readi- ness to migrate to Europe be- cause of dwindling aid and work opportunities. Hungary, which closed its border with Serbia on Sept. 15, has erected another steel barrier at the Beremend border crossing with Croatia to try to slow the flow but the migrants keep coming. Many, fleeing violence and poverty in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, cross the Mediterranean in rickety smuggler boats and rush from one European border to the next to try to reach welcoming countries such as Germany and Sweden. The majority of those arriving on the shores of Europe are Syrians. Hungary’s ads were not the first. Earlier this month, Denmark’s Ministry of Immigration, Integration and Housing posted advertise- ments in Lebanese newspa- pers aiming to deter migrants, saying that the Scandinavian nation has reduced social aid to migrants by 50 percent re- cently. Denmark also warned that migrants whose appli- cations are rejected will be deported immediately. Syria’s civil war, now in its fifth year, has killed more than 250,000 people and generated more than 4 million refugees. Meanwhile in Lebanon, the education minister ap- pealed to donors to remain committed to helping the country deal with the flux of refugees, including providing free schooling to hundreds of thousands of refugee chil- dren currently here. Elias Bou Saab said his government would absorb more Syrian refugee chil- dren in schools this year, aiming to double those en- rolled from last year to reach 200,000. But this, he warned, leaves roughly the same number – about 200,000 – still without schooling. “There are a still a great number of students out of schools, and that is a danger, danger to Lebanon and to the region,” Bou Saab told re- porters as he launched the Back to School campaign, for which the government raised $94 million in grants – $25 million short of the needed funds. “When they lose hope that there is no job opportunity or chances to go to school or chances that give them hope in life, they start to look for legitimate and illegitimate ways to go from one place to another,” he added, referring to the exodus to Europe. Tonya Chapuisat, the UNICEF representative in Lebanon, said the Lebanese government has the school capacity to absorb more chil- dren but needs long-term donor commitment to do so. “If there was funding, we would hope that would go up to 300,000” students, she told The Associated Press. Syrian refugee students sit in their classroom at a Lebanese public school in north Lebanon. The Lebanese government plans to register 100,000 new students from among the Syrian refugee population in its public schools. - Photo: APNext >