Seas: Rough with wave heights 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open waters. High of 83 Low of 73 How many Saturdays? App measures lifespans in interesting ways B6 Pink Ladies Bazaar Popular craft bazaar and tea will get you in the spirit B7 Theater Community Technology ■ art Recycled Art Recycled Art Lazarus collection on display B5 Fallen Angel and Devil Concubine Play returns to Harquail stage after 24 years B2 Friday November 27, 2015 • Cayman Compass BUY 2 BOTTLES 750 ml ENTER TO WIN! I Phone 6S 64GB $ 1950 No Minimum Purchase Required Please insert Your Receipt In The Draw Box Island Girl to National Hero Review of Miss Sybil McLaughlin’s autobiography B8 Maureen Lazarus. - Photo: StePhen Clarke Recycled Art cayman weekender Editorial | pagE 4 When limited infrastructure limits groWth eSTaBLISHed 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – friday november 27, 2015 StRategic Policy Statement Gov’t says no new taxes or borrowing Economy forecast to continue slow but steady growth in coming years charles duncan cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Releasing government’s 2016-2017 stra- tegic policy statement, an annual exercise to set spending priorities, the premier and finance minister said the budget includes no new taxes or fees. Releasing the plan, the premier said his government does not plan on taking on any new debt and will continue to pay off bonds. Finance Minister Marco Archer, pre- senting the policy statement on Wednesday, said government expects the economy to grow steadily over the next three years. As the economy grows, Mr. Archer said, so does government income. “Government does not plan to introduce any major new revenue measures during the next three financial years,” the min- ister said. He continued, “Instead, we are focusing our efforts on improving the en- forcement and rate of collection on the ex- isting suite of revenue measures.” The 2016-2017 year will be an 18-month fiscal year as government moves from a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year to budgeting on the calendar year. Because of the longer budget year, Mr. Archer forecast government oper- ating expenses at about $850 million in the years to come, with revenue at about $896 million. Adjusting for the longer fiscal year, revenue is down about 10 percent over fore- casts for the current year, while expenses are up by about $40 million. “Economic growth will be directly influ- enced by several large construction projects from both the private and public sectors,” caRePay tRial Crown: HealtH Ministry duped into paying $1.2M Funds paid for Webb’s house, Watson’s home entertainment system brent fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands businessman Canover Watson deceived local government officials into paying an additional US$1.2 million for the expansion of a public hospital patient swipe-card system by “doctoring” copies of the initial CarePay card contract and sending it to Ministry of Health officials in August 2011, Crown prosecutors said Thursday. That proposed expansion of the CarePay patient card system to private sector health insurers in the Cayman Islands never hap- pened and was not agreed to in the initial contract government signed for the service in December 2010. It was included, prosecutors alleged, in the doctored copy of the CarePay contract Watson sent to former Health Minister Mark Scotland and other Health Ministry officials on Aug. 15, 2011. “[The] alteration suggested that the contract signed in December 2010 had made specific provision for the national rollout [expansion of CarePay] to be undertaken by AIS Cayman,” Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Patrick Moran told jurors Thursday. Dart, government confirm highway expansion deal James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Esterley Tibbetts highway will be expanded to four lanes along the full length of the route within the next 18 months after government and developer Dart Realty confirmed they had finalized the outstanding details of the National Roads Authority agreement. The deal also involves the US$14.6 mil- lion purchase by the Dart group of the Dragon Bay lands on the North Sound, pre- viously held by the developer on a long- term leasehold agreement that still had 75 years remaining. The highway project involves the expansion of the road to four lanes between Camana Bay and the Butterfield Roundabout, next to the A.L. Thompson’s store. The stretch of road is currently a bottle- neck for traffic, causing congestion during morning and evening rush hours. Dart will construct and fund the expan- sion as far south as the Lakeside apart- ments, where a new roundabout is planned to provide additional access to the Cayman International School and link to a future airport connector road. The $8.5 million cost of completing the expansion beyond the Lakeside apartments will be borne by the government, though the Dart group has agreed to do the work. The developer is already working on a The expansion of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway into four lanes throughout its route is expected to ease traffic congestion. - pHoto: taneos raMsay PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 16 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL NEWS Friday November 27, 2015 • Cayman Compass Enjoy a Cimboco breakfast of *Two Eggs (Done to your liking) *Your Choice of Apple Smoked or Canadian Bacon *Herb Roasted Potatoes *Honey Wheat Toast For ONLY $5.00!!! Finish it o with a cup of Java for .99¢ Start your day o right! Mon-Fri * 7:30-11:00am *Except Holidays TOMORROW TONIGHT FINALLY the last Friday of the MONTH has arrived! “BOOGIE NIGHTS” Friday, November 27th Old School Dance Party 70’s disco & 80’s classics Music By DJ FLEX Starting at 9:30pm Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky Saturday, November 28th Barefoot Man and Sea N’B Starting LIVE at 8:00pm Come for Dinner Stay for Dancing 345-945-4411 info@cirealty.ky caymanislandsrealty.com Silver Sands #17 2bed, 2.5bath, 1351s/f Low density complex 2nd Floor Townhouse US$824,900 Member CIREBA MLS#405201 BEACHFRONT ! Residents, staff, visitors and friends of the Pines Retirement Home in George Town got together Thursday to celebrate American Thanksgiving. As well as having a traditional Thanksgiving lunch of turkey with all the usual trimmings, the residents of the home enjoyed some music and dancing, courtesy of weekly visitor Dexter Bodden, the Calypso Cowboy. Pictured are Pines residents Brenda Quin, 87, and Olive Miller, 94, both seated, with, from left, Abraham Thoppill, Shawn Pitterson, Sharon Robinson, Anthea Matthews, Sherene Mullings and Joni Ebanks, all of Maples and Calder, which sponsored the event. - Photo: Jewel levy pines celebrates Thanksgiving Year 3 students at St. Ignatius, shown above, are getting into the holiday spirit by helping the school sell tickets to its annual Christmas concert and fundraising event. In addition to school bands, steel pans and choirs performing popular Christmas songs and carols, the program includes a gate prize drawing for $25,000. There are also several other cash and certificate prizes. The event takes place Wednesday, Dec. 16 in Loyola Hall, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets, which include entry in the draw, are $25 each and are on sale at various businesses on Grand Cayman and outside the major supermarkets during the first half of December. Kids help with st. Ignatius Christmas fundraiser MIAMI (AP) – Hurricane Sandra strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm in the eastern Pacific off Mexico’s coast on Thursday. The hurri- cane’s maximum sustained winds Thursday morning are near 130 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says rapid weakening is ex- pected during the next two days and Sandra is forecast to become a remnant low on Saturday. Sandra is centered about 495 miles south of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and is moving north near 12 mph. hurricane Sandra StrengthenS to a category 4 Storm Happy Thanksgiving! Foreshore Corporate Services Ltd. celebrated American Thanksgiving and its rebranding to eShore with an afternoon of turkey, pumpkin pie and Detroit Lions football at its offices on Albert Panton Street in George Town on Thursday. Pictured here in holiday-themed hats are some of the owners, employees and friends of the company. - Photo: alan markoffThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Friday November 27, 2015 OFF Flow TV % 50 discoverflow.ky/xmas let the warmth flow Sign up for Flow TV and get 50% off for the first 3 months plus a FREE Samsung Sound System worth $200. You'll also be automatically entered to win a magical vacation to Disney World and weekly draws for 48" smart TV's. Win $1000 each week plus you’ll be entered into the Supermark et Sweep to win all your Christmas goodies as well as $5000 cash Flow terms & conditions apply switch on toThe 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. “We have lost millions of dollars of inward investment because of our lack of high-quality telecom infrastructure.” — Alee Fa’Amoe, managing director, Information Communications and Technology Authority The above declaration, made by the head of the Cayman Islands’ telecommunications regulator, should give reason for pause and reflection. The story, appearing in Thursday’s Compass, on our country’s difficulties with Internet service, really covers two distinct topics: “truth in advertising” about connec- tion speeds, and concerns that are more general — and in our opinion, far more serious — about the quality and reliability of Cayman’s telecom infrastructure. The former problem is something that lawmakers will attempt to tackle through measures, such as fines and/or legislation to allow dissatisfied consumers to switch providers more easily. We won’t focus in this editorial about the wisdom of those strategies, other than to say that in general we favor free-market incen- tives over government punishments. Of greater concern to us is Mr. Fa’Amoe’s observation that, overall, Cayman’s telecom infrastructure is lagging behind the demands of potential investors. This is not something that the government can hope to address overnight through amended statutes or new regulations. Rather, our Internet issues comprise one facet of an overarching quandary that calls into question the very economic future of our islands: In light of our leaders’ unwillingness to reduce the size and cost of the country’s sprawling civil service, the only viable way forward (in our opinion) is to increase dramatically the flow of revenues into government’s coffers, which means significant, sustained growth in Cayman’s popu- lation and development. How, though, can Cayman hope to attract and accom- modate all of these new residents (taxpayers) — when our existing infrastructure is inadequate for the needs of the people and businesses who are already here? As Mr. Fa’Amoe says, “The fact that Cayman has to turn away investors who would like to move their companies here but who can’t, because the quality of our Internet services is simply not good enough, is very disturbing.” In the same vein, Health City Cayman Islands devel- oper Gene Thompson highlights two specific IT issues that concern the folks running Grand Cayman’s most- ambitious and most-promising economic diversifica- tion initiative, and, therefore, should concern all of us: First, “the lack of off-island diversity” in that only two undersea cables connect Grand Cayman to global information networks. Mr. Thompson said they believe there should be at least three. Second, that “much of the data/telecom infrastruc- ture is pole-mounted, and this creates vulnerability in the event of a hurricane and also in the event a pole is hit or knocked over.” Now, discussions of telecommunications technology can veer into the obscure quite quickly, but Cayman’s inadequate infrastructure should be apparent to our readers who brave our congested roads during rush hour (especially when there’s flooding … meaning after every moderate rainfall), who travel near the dan- gerous George Town landfill, or who must avail them- selves of Cayman’s overburdened public health system. Lest Cayman’s aspirations toward greatness impair your vision, keep in mind that we are a society that has failed even to create a centralized sewage system. And don’t get us started on the state of Cayman’s gov- ernment-run schools. In brief, the public infrastructure of Cayman is simply not sufficient to meet the needs of today, much less the demands of tomorrow. For future expansion to take place, Cayman must first lay the technological, intellectual and physical groundwork. The key questions, as usual, are: Do we as a country have the vision and necessary political resolve? And, of equal importance, do we have the money and, if not, how are we going to finance our future? When limited infrastructure limits growth Friday November 27, 2015 • Cayman COmpass Argentina’s opportunity WAshington Post EditoriAl BoArd For most of the past 75 years, Argentina, once upon a time a wealthy nation, has iso- lated and impoverished itself with a mix of economic pop- ulism and jingoistic nation- alism. The past dozen years of rule by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her late hus- band, Néstor Kirchner, were no exception: Like numerous previous regimes, theirs pro- duced a boom-and-bust eco- nomic cycle and poor rela- tions with democratic states. Now, however, a surprising presidential election has given the country a chance to rejoin the Western world – and dealt a blow to Latin America’s al- ready flagging socialist camp. The winner of the election, Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, is a rightward-leaning former businessman who de- feated the nominee of the Kirchners’ Peronist movement. Macri offered voters a simple but, in the Argentine context, radical agenda: to return the country to mainstream eco- nomic policies and end the au- tocratic attacks on the media, judiciary and other institu- tions. In the short term, Macri promises to remove capital and export controls that have drained the country’s hard currency reserves while cre- ating a thriving black market. He could also seek a deal with international creditors that would end Argentina’s 15-year- long exclusion from global capital markets. The economic restructuring will likely be an uphill battle, obstructed by Peronist con- trol of the National Congress and unions, and Macri has in- dicated he will proceed cau- tiously, holding off on priva- tizations and cuts in social benefits. He is no doubt mindful that all three of the previous non-Peronist civilian presidents elected since 1955 were driven from office before completing their terms. However, Macri could quickly have an impact in foreign policy, where he ap- pears ready to rupture the Kirchners’ cozy relations with China, Iran and – espe- cially – the Chavista govern- ment of Venezuela. In his first news conference, Macri said he would seek Venezuela’s ex- pulsion from the Mercosur regional trading group be- cause of its violations of democratic norms. He could also seek sanctions under the democracy charter of the Organization of American States. Lilian Tintori, the wife of imprisoned Venezuela op- position leader Leopoldo López, was at Macri’s side on election night. The Argentine’s willing- ness to take a stand is par- ticularly important because of Venezuela’s upcoming leg- islative elections on Dec. 6. At best, the threat of multilateral sanctions could help to deter the government of Nicolás Maduro from trying to im- pede what polls show will be a decisive opposition victory. Even a successful election will leave Venezuela – ground zero for the self-defeating au- tocratic populism that in- fected Latin America in the 2000s – a long way from re- constituting its institutions or rescuing its collapsing economy. But under Macri, Argentina could forge a path that new leaders in Caracas, and eventually other coun- tries, could follow. The for- mula is not complicated: It amounts to embracing the free-market, trade-promoting policies that are working for Chile, Mexico, Colombia and other Latin American democ- racies. The problem has not been technocratic, but po- litical – the susceptibility of some Latin electorates to cheap populist appeals. The fact that Argentines, who have fallen for those nostrums more often than virtually any other nation, finally have chosen a different course can only be encouraging. © 2015, Washington Post Argentina’s president-elect Mauricio Macri waves to supporters on election night in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sunday, Oct. 25. Macri defeated ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli in a subsequent runoff vote, pledging to return the country to mainstream economic policies. - Photo: BloomBerg News 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”The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 Cayman Compass • Friday November 27, 2015 6 LOCAL NEWS James Whittaker jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Benefits payments to veteran sailors or their widows are facing new scru- tiny as part of a shake-up of the system. Government announced a series of changes to the eli- gibility criteria for ex-gratia seamen’s benefits, partly in response to concerns that payments may have been going to the wrong people. Just over 900 people currently receive the $550 monthly payment, costing the government around $6 mil- lion annually. Legislators have previ- ously raised concerns that there was not enough money in the public coffers to fund a growing waiting list of long retired seamen. Under the new rules, only seamen who made an inter- national voyage prior to 1985 and have a sworn affidavit from either of the Seafarers Associations on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac will be eligible to apply. Minister for Community Affairs Osbourne Bodden said responsibility for the payments would be put under the Needs Assessment Unit, which he said had the manpower and exper- tise to monitor eligibility more effectively. All current recipients will be “grandfathered” in, meaning the new criteria does not apply to them. However, Mr. Bodden said anyone whose original ap- plication was found to be fraudulent would be dropped from the list. “Those that the Seafarers Association has not signed off on will be particularly scrutinized to ensure they are legit and receiving the benefit as necessary,” said Mr. Bodden. The changes also raise the income threshold for eli- gibility to $3,000 per month and remove the specific re- quirement to have spent at least three years at sea. The payments to veteran sailors were introduced in 2000 in recognition of their contribution to developing the Cayman Islands. Administration of the fund has been a concern from the outset, however. An audit review in 2013 re- vealed numerous discrepan- cies, including one seafarer whose account was cred- ited with benefit payments totaling $11,500 over a 20- month period after he died. During Wednesday’s debate in the Legislative Assembly, East End MLA Arden McLean again raised concerns that some legitimate applicants were unable to get the payments because too many were re- ceiving benefits without having earned it. Mr. Bodden acknowl- edged the system was still “not perfect.” He said. “The min- istry is confident that these changes will stream- line the process while en- suring the intended out- come of the policy is preserved – to provide re- lief to seamen and ex-ser- viceman who on becoming seniors had no fixed in- come and no dependable means of livelihood.” Friday November 27, 2015 • Cayman Compass DRIVE THRU OPEN LATE FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS Now serving you from 2 locations: Savannah and Seven Mile Beach Shake-up for seamen’s benefits The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association headquarters. The government has announced plans to change how ex-gratia benefits for seafarers are paid. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 Cayman Compass • Friday November 27, 2015 GIVE THE GIFT THAT’S PICTURE PERFECT at Sunset House Hotel 390 S. Church St. • Phone (345) 949-7415 Nik on ® is a registered tr ademark of Nik on Corpor ation. ©2015 Nik on Inc. Made for Generation Image. nikonusa.com D3300 Nik on ® is a registered tr ademark of Nik on Corpor ation. ©2015 Nik on Inc. COOLPIX P900 at Sunset House Hotelat Sunset House Hotelat Sunset House Hotel 390 S. Church St. • Phone (345) 949-7415390 S. Church St. • Phone (345) 949-7415390 S. Church St. • Phone (345) 949-7415390 S. Church St. • Phone (345) 949-7415390 S. Church St. • Phone (345) 949-7415 Made for Generation Image.Made for Generation Image.Made for Generation Image.Made for Generation Image.Made for Generation Image.Made for Generation Image.Made for Generation Image. D3300 CathyChurch_Compass Black Friday Ad.indd 111/16/15 9:28 AMThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Friday November 27, 2015 • Cayman Compass We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Roslin Clarisa General affectionately known as “Clarice” and “I.E.”, who passed away on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday November 28th, 2015 at Elmslie Memorial United Church, Harbour Drive, George Town at 2:00p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00 to 1:45p.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Roslin Clarisa General affectionately known as “Clarice” and “I.E.”, who passed away on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday November 28th, 2015 at Elmslie Memorial United Church, Harbour Drive, George Town at 2:00p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00 to 1:45p.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com churchillsfuneralhome.com Church, Harbour Drive, George Town at 2:00p.m. We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Richard Wesley Ebanks better known as “Boom man and Sirless” who passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Richard Wesley Ebanks better known as “Boom man and Sirless” who passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at A Service of Thanksgiving will be announced at a later date. We regret to announce the passing of Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com Mr. Waugh will be repatriated to Jamaica. Lando Martin Waugh Who departed this life On Saturday, 21 November, 2015 Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Coreen Erselena Smith who passed away on Wednesday, November 21st, 2015. Funeral Arrangements will be announced at a later date. who passed away on Wednesday, who passed away on Wednesday, Funeral Arrangements will be previously approved first phase of the expansion, which involves re-routing the highway through Camana Bay, via a new four-lane stretch slightly to the west of the existing road. That project involves the creation of two new un- derpasses which will ul- timately allow the devel- oper to expand Camana Bay across broad land- scaped bridges, linking the town center to a new hotel development on Seven Mile Beach. Jackie Doak, chief oper- ating officer of Dart Realty, said, “The expansion of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway as a four-lane bypass from Batabano Road in West Bay to the Butterfield round- about in George Town rep- resents a major achievement in government’s plan for roads infrastructure to ac- commodate Cayman’s cur- rent and forecast growth.” She said the developer had “meaningful conver- sations” with government about the timing of con- struction of the new airport connector road, but it is not an immediate priority for either party. The final piece in the NRA agreement involves the purchase, by Dart, of the Dragon Bay lands north of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman property, including the site of the North Sound golf course. Dart acquired the long-term leasehold on the land from Ritz-Carlton developer Mike Ryan and had been seeking to con- vert the arrangement to freehold ownership. Ms. Doak said develop- ment of that piece of land had been inhibited by the leasehold arrangement for many years. She said the interest in Crystal Harbor and Vista Del Mar showed there was high demand and limited inventory in the area. Dart Realty initially plans to sell home lots around the golf course and is working on an overall master plan for the en- tire site, which could also include condominium development. In his Strategic Policy Statement to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin said government was get- ting a good price for the land and would continue to benefit from stamp duty as plots were sold. “Dart has committed to developing the property and Government will make revenue from property sales and development as a result,” he said. School aide denieS indecent aSSault KELSEY JUKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com A former teacher’s aide pleaded not guilty Thursday to 10 charges of indecent assault on seven primary schoolgirls. The man is accused of in- decently assaulting the girls, aged from 6 to 10, at a govern- ment primary school between Aug. 26 and Nov. 27, 2014. The Cayman Compass is not naming the school or the ac- cused to protect the privacy of the alleged victims. The Bodden Town man, who was 19 when police charged him earlier this year, worked as a special support aide at a pri- mary school until late last year. He resigned on Dec. 1, 2014, shortly after the Ministry of Education received the first re- port of possible sexual abuse against the students on Nov. 27, 2014. The man was arrested on June 25 this year. During a hearing in August, the defendant’s at- torney, Karin Thompson, asked the court to order psy- chological assessments for her client, because she was concerned that he may not be fit to plead. The report was ordered, and at a subse- quent hearing in November, Magistrate Valdis Foldats said the man was fit to plead. On Thursday, the defense elected for a trial in Summary Court. Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez set a case manage- ment hearing to be held Jan. 14, 2016. Dart, government confirm highway expansion deal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Jamaican stargazers to help Cayman students see in the dark ELPHINA JONES ejones@pinnaclemedialtd.com The stars aligned in a meeting of the presidents of the Jamaican and the Cayman Islands Astronomical soci- eties recently with heaven- sent results. Chris Cooke, presi- dent of the Cayman Islands Astronomical Society, and his Jamaican counterpart, Jamaica Defense Force Lieutenant Colonel Martin Rickman, president of the Astronomical Association of Jamaica, met at the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday Nov. 22, for their first-ever meeting. They were joined by Errol Rickman, im- mediate past president of the Astronomical Association of Jamaica. During the informal talks, they discussed “several mat- ters of mutual interest, in- cluding the community out- reach work … undertaken by [their] respective societies.” Lt. Col Rickman said that the meeting was highly pro- ductive in opening commu- nications and establishing relations between the two astronomical societies. In underscoring the im- portance of such meetings, the Astronomical Association of Jamaica president said that fostering closer ties was vital in encouraging the sharing of information and ideas. “What it is important to appreciate is that a lot of objects in space were dis- covered and subsequently named by amateur astrono- mers,” he said. Educational gift During the meeting, Lt. Col. Rickman donated 12 telescopes to the Cayman Islands Astronomical Society in his role as national co- ordinator of Astronomy Without Borders, an inter- national organization which fosters global cooperation through astronomy. The Galileoscopes are small refractor devices, which are model replicas of the one made by the fa- mous 17th century astron- omer. Mass produced to mark the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, 4,000 of the high-quality, easy to- assemble kits were distrib- uted to organizations and schools in developing coun- tries to celebrate and pro- mote the science based on Galileo’s first use of his telescope in 1609, they are ideal for use by children as they are easy to assemble and are good teaching aids, both Messrs. Cooke and Rickman confirmed. “I believe that some- where in the Caribbean is a future great astronomer or future cosmologist. Our aim as societies is to provide opportunities to such in- dividuals, to reach out and guide them and give them better opportunities region- ally,” Lt. Col Rickman said. Mr. Cooke said, “I was surprised and delighted to receive the telescopes on behalf of our society from Astronomy Without Borders. It seems they had a small surplus and thought, given the extent of our schools’ work, that we could find them good homes in Cayman and provide any initial tech- nical support needed.” A proviso of the dona- tion is for recipient schools to try and set up an astro- nomical club. “We’d like to see that every one of the telescopes ends up impacting more than one child,” Lt. Col. Rickman said. Cayman Islands Astronomical Society Cayman’s Astronomical Society is a small club that relies entirely on public do- nations and membership fees. It provides key sup- port in promoting the sci- ences for clubs, schools and the general public locally. Its most recent collabora- tion was in partnering with the University College of the Cayman Islands earlier this year to help organize the International Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) confer- ence. Through this and other events over the past five years, the society has built up useful relationships with other astronomical organiza- tions and academic institu- tions across the Caribbean, Mr. Cooke said. Given the society’s hands-on approach when promoting astronomy and the sciences within the com- munity, Mr. Cooke said, “I’ve a couple of ideas of which schools would really benefit from them but I’ll need to discuss this with members at our next meeting. “Any school chosen to re- ceive a Galileoscope would, of course, be given free help and advice by the society to encourage their astronom- ical club to become estab- lished and grow.” The Cayman Islands Astronomical Society has visited schools and societies on a regular basis for as- tronomy outreach for many years in Grand Cayman but due to financial limitations has not yet visited schools in the Sister Islands. The so- ciety is currently looking at ways in which such visits could be funded and would welcome any sponsorship to facilitate a Sister Islands outreach program. Students in Jamaica try out a Galileoscope.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Cayman Compass • Friday November 27, 2015 We regret to announce the passing of Clarin Christian Who departed this life on Thursday, 19 November, 2015. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page Interment will follow in Spot Bay Cemetery. Funeral services will be held at the Bethel Baptist Church, Spot Bay, Cayman Brac Saturday, 5 December 2015 at 3:00 PM. Viewing will be from 2:00 PM, one hour prior to the service. We regret to announce the passing of Annice Maria Duffell Who departed this life on Monday, 23 November, 2015. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page Interment will follow in North West Point Cemetery. Funeral services will be held at the John Gray Memorial Church, West Bay, Saturday, 28 November 2015 at 3:00 PM. We regret to announce the passing of Morris Gilbert McLaughlin “Dr. Silk” Who departed this life on Tuesday, 24 November, 2015. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page Funeral services will be held at the Countryside Church of God, East End, Sunday, 6 December 2015 at 2:00 PM. Viewing will be from 1:00-1:45 prior to the service. Interment will follow in East End Cemetery. We regret to announce the passing of Bert Watler Who departed this life On Tuesday, 24 November 2015. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, 5 December 2015, at Webster United Memorial Church, Bodden Town. Interment will follow in Old Bodden Town Cemetery. We regret to announce the passing of Mark Bettencourt Who departed this life On Sunday, 15 November 2015. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com Mr. Bettencourt will be repatriated to the USA We regret to announce the passing of Douglas Carney Who departed this life On Sunday, 15 November 2015. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com Mr. Carney will be repatriated to the USA Mr. Archer said, including the new Kimpton and Beach Bay hotels, redevelopment of the airport and other projects. Mr. Archer said with the forecasts for economic growth and higher employment levels could lead to inflation. He told legislators, “Controlling infla- tion is of particular concern and interest to the govern- ment as it impacts the lives of everyone by affecting the cost of doing business and the cost of living.” He continued, “Given our Islands’ high dependence on imported goods we are par- ticularly vulnerable to infla- tion caused by external fac- tors. As a government, we will continue to exercise the in- terventions available to us to manage domestic inflation.” Fiscal compliance Both Premier Alden McLaughlin and the finance minister said government’s budgeting was on target to meet requirements in the Public Management and Finance Law by the June 30, 2016 deadline. Speaking to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. McLaughlin said, “I am espe- cially pleased that all of this has been achieved without the need to impose any new taxes on our people or busi- nesses and without the need for any new borrowing.” Mr. Archer said the new Strategic Policy Statement met with “unconditional agreement” from the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office under the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility. He said, “The short time frame within which we have received such agree- ment is a real testament to the quality of our forecasts and the increased levels of confidence that the United Kingdom has in our ability to deliver on our promises of fi- nancial reform.” This is the first year, the minister said, that the gov- ernment has been compliant with the framework since it became effective in November 2012. “The importance of this achievement cannot be over- stated. It did not come easily and is the direct result of this government’s focused policy of practicing fiscal prudence and ensuring that we take the time necessary to follow the estab- lished business processes.” He said the three-year stra- tegic plan will likely be in line with the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility except in 2019, when Mr. Archer said govern- ment will pay off a US$312 million bond originally secured in 2009 to help the government get through the global finan- cial crisis. Mr. McLaughlin said this will be a “technical breach” of the framework but he said government will work with U.K. officials to make sure it’s not seen as an actual violation of fiscal rules. Strategic Policy Statement government says no new taxes or borrowing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 UK escalates beneficial ownership demands Michael Klein mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com The United Kingdom is seeking direct access by its law enforcement agencies to information about the ben- eficial owners of compa- nies and other entities in the Cayman Islands and other Overseas Territories. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Premier Alden McLaughlin said “the U.K.’s position has evolved yet again,” following a phone call between Overseas Territories Minister James Duddridge and the premiers of Cayman, the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda last week, during which the min- ister said the U.K.’s law en- forcement agencies should have direct access beneficial ownership information. “I have advised him that this is not some- thing to which the Cayman Islands can agree,” Premier McLaughlin said. The U.K. government has called for a centralized reg- ister of beneficial ownership information in all its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies since 2013. However, in early 2014 a public consultation in the Cayman Islands rejected the idea with 81 percent of the respondents stating they were opposed to it because the existing regime, reliant on corporate service pro- viders, was better than a self- reporting system. A centralized register would also impose addi- tional costs and create se- curity and privacy risks, respondents said. In its public consultation report, the Cayman Islands govern- ment said the existing system adhered to the G-20 High- Level Principles on Beneficial Ownership Transparency and declined to implement a centralized register. But government said it would in- stitute measures to speed up the process. Corporate service pro- viders in Cayman are re- quired to collect beneficial ownership information and make it available to law en- forcement, tax and regula- tory authorities under in- ternational tax information exchange agreements. Premier McLaughlin said existing systems worked well “and our position is that they should continue to be the means by which the U.K. and other countries obtain infor- mation on beneficial owner- ship of legal entities in the Cayman Islands.” He said, “To do other- wise would place the Cayman Islands at a competitive dis- advantage with other juris- dictions that do not permit unfettered access to benefi- cial ownership.” Yet, it is not clear whether the existing mechanisms work effectively for the U.K., after a number of tax information exchange requests faced legal challenges in Cayman and in other jurisdictions. Minister Duddridge said in response to a parliamen- tary question earlier this month, “U.K. law enforcement and tax authorities must be able to access company ben- eficial ownership information without restriction, subject to relevant safeguards.” In addition, competent authorities should be able to quickly identify all compa- nies that a particular ben- eficial owner has a stake in without needing to submit multiple and repeated re- quests and companies or their beneficial owners must not be alerted to the fact that an investigation is under way, he explained. Under the existing system, beneficial owner- ship information has to be requested from Cayman’s Tax Information Authority, which has to ensure that the request complies with the underlying tax information exchange agreement. When an information re- quest is made as part of a civil proceeding, the tax- payer has to be notified to have the opportunity to chal- lenge the information re- quest and to ensure the tax- payer’s rights to privacy and a fair trial under the Cayman Islands Constitution. In a criminal proceeding, the taxpayer is not notified to avoid “tipping off,” but Cayman’s Tax Information Authority has to make an application with the Grand Court for a production order. Service providers who hold the information are po- tentially in danger of violating the Confidential Relationship Preservation Law if they comply with an information request that was unlawful. Premier McLaughlin said the information con- cerned did not belong to the Cayman Islands government and was the property of the owners of the respective legal entities. “There is no country in the world that allows unre- stricted access to beneficial ownership information by the law enforcement agen- cies of another country,” he added. “What we are not pre- pared to do is to adopt a scheme which our competi- tors (some of whom are G-20 member states) do not sub- scribe to, put ourselves at a competitive disadvantage and thereby cause our busi- ness to migrate to competitor jurisdictions. That will not serve our interest obviously but ironically neither would it serve the interests of those who would have us do that: business would simply move to less well regulated juris- dictions,” the premier said.Next >