High of 86 Low of 75 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. SPECIAL FEATURE 1 FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 CAYMAN COMPASS SPECIAL FEATURE Warm Easter wishes EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 FAST FORWARD: CAYMAN’S PAST AND FUTURE ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 RECYCLE YOUR OLD PHONE BOOKS TODAY! Dates for Drop Off: February 22nd through March 20th Foster’s Food Fair Locations Hurley’s Supermarket Camana Bay, Regal Cinema Camana Bay, Mail Boxes Etc. Yellow Pages Office A.L. Thompson's, George Town CONVENIENT RECYCLING BIN LOCATIONS: Final Weekend! PREMIER ALDEN MCLAUGHLIN: Hospital immunity to be removed JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Patients who are victims of hospital neg- ligence will have their right to seek compen- sation through the courts returned once leg- islative changes are approved, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Thursday. Mr. McLaughlin said Cabinet has approved drafting instructions to change the wording of controversial section 12 of the Health Services Authority Law, which gives blanket immu- nity from lawsuits to all authority staff, in- cluding negligent doctors, except where bad faith can be proved. The amendments will be brought to Legislative Assembly at its next sitting. “We can’t have a situation where someone suffers injury or harm as a result of negli- gence and there is no redress. It’s wrong,” said Premier McLaughlin, who is also the health minister. He acknowledged the decision exposed the hospital to financial risk, but said it was the right thing to do. “We are certainly concerned about liability because it is the government that has to pay. “The way to avoid liability is by striving to avoid negligent treatment not through legislation. It is a basic principle of equity and fairness that there can be no wrong without redress.” Politicians, including former Premier McKeeva Bush and former Health Minister Gilbert McLean, have claimed the clause, intro- duced under the United Democratic Party gov- ernment in 2004, was never meant to provide immunity for negligent doctors and was in- tended to indemnify directors from legal action. John Gray principal’s passion: ‘turning lives around’ New school principal dreams big JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Jon Clark is feeling optimistic. Three weeks after taking up one of the most challenging and important jobs in the Cayman Islands, the new principal of John Gray High School sees plenty of reasons for hope. “I never want to go and take over as principal of a school that is already out- standing. I want to be on that journey,” he told the Cayman Compass this week. “My passion is for turning kids’ lives around,” he said. “I think if we can har- ness the energy, resilience and the determi- nation that these students have, the prog- ress we can make will be huge.” His appointment follows a highly crit- ical inspection report and ongoing concerns about student behavior at the school. Mr. Clark, a specialist in behavior management, said he has arrived with his “eyes open,” prepared and excited for the challenge. “I am the sort of guy that prefers to be POLITICAL SUBVERSION ALLEGED AGAINST ‘THE JORDANIAN’ BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com An outspoken Cayman Islands resident was accused in 2012 and again in 2014 of en- gaging in politically subversive activity by a lawmaker, according to government records obtained by the Cayman Compass. The resident, Amjed Zureigat, who has be- come known locally as “the Jordanian” be- cause he is originally from Jordan, is a fre- quent commenter on local talk radio programs and is a well-known supporter of the Cayman Islands Democratic Party (formerly the United Democratic Party) and its leader, West Bay MLA McKeeva Bush. Mr. Zureigat has denied the allegations and said he believes they were refuted by the Cayman Islands Immigration Department. He said he is trying to get official confirmation of that via a Freedom of Information request made to the department. So far, there has been no response. Immigration officials have not responded to queries from the Cayman Compass seeking comment on the matter. “I don’t hide that I support [the Cayman Islands Democratic Party],” Mr. Zureigat said Tuesday. “I support what is good for the country. I have my freedom to say my views about things. That’s the law of the Cayman Islands.” According to records seen by the Compass, North Side MLA Ezzard Miller complained to the chief immigration officer on Nov. 25, 2012 about certain behavior by Mr. Zureigat. Mr. Zureigat made the complaint letter public recently, after his application for Caymanian PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Taking his best shot: John Gray Principal Jon Clark shoots hoops with Grade 9 student Rasean White before class on Thursday. – PHOTO: MATT LAMERS PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Eugenio Leon Harpist Extraordinaire, serenades tableside tonight and every Friday night! Salsa Tuesdays with DJ Flex Free lessons with Kirk starting 9.30pm Every Tuesday Don’t forget Music By DJ FLEX Starting at 9:30pm Tonight! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Drink Specials Tonight! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm NO, IT’S NOT APRIL FOOLS! Good Friday is the last Friday of the month. Boggie Nights will be moved to April 1st for this month only Friday, April 1st Old School Dance Party 70’s disco & 80’s classics “BOOGIE NIGHTS” TOMORROW! Saturday, March 19th LIVE Playing all the classics! From 8 pm-11pm The one & only ManGoJam Saturday, MarchSaturday, March Playing all the classics! From 8 pm-11pm ManGoJamManGoJam Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky Salsa Free lessons with Kirk starting Award-Winning Caribbean Chicken! Fresh, Healthy & Delicious! West Shore Center, SMB 945.2290 • chicken@chicken2.com® Eat-in!Take-out! (345) 936-5625 (LOCK) r.deadbolt@hotmail.com Residential • Commercial • Industrial FAST, RELIABLE ONSITE SERVICE Rob Ward Certifi ed Locksmith • Locks Rekeyed • Locks Repaired and Installed • Keys Made • Master Keys • High Security Locks • Deadbolts • Door Knobs • Panic Bars • Door Closers • Safe Maintenance r.deadbolt@hotmail.com FAST, RELIABLE ONSITE SERVICE • Master Keys• • BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com An $8,000 reward is being of- fered for further information about a January robbery in North Side where a homeowner was beaten and threat- ened with a knife, police said. Cayman Crime Stoppers is seeking more information about the robbery on Jan. 11 on Rum Point Drive in Cayman Kai in which jewelry, money and electronics were taken. Royal Cayman Islands Police officers have arrested David McLaughlin-Martinez, 38, in con- nection with the robbery. In court last month, he pleaded not guilty to a robbery charge and to a charge of grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident. A trial date has been set for May 30. Officers said Thursday they are looking into the possibility that an- other suspect may have been involved in the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers tip line, 800-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers Chairman Malcolm Ellis said callers will not be asked to identify themselves, only to provide information. Cayman Crime Stoppers is facilitating a reward of up to $8,000 for information leading to the recovery of stolen property and information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the robbery, Mr. Ellis said. A 65-year-old man died Wednesday after a scuba diving accident on Cayman Brac. James B. Campbell of Kentucky was pronounced dead at about 11 a.m. at Faith Hospital. Police said officers re- sponded to reports of an un- conscious man being taking to the Brac Reef dock on a dive boat at 10 a.m. Mr. Campbell received CPR on the boat but did not regain consciousness, ac- cording to police. This is the second scuba- related death in 2016. In late January, Michael English, 54, of Colorado died while visiting Grand Cayman to celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary. He ran into difficulties while diving off North West Point. CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com An inquest into the death of Roger Roylin Powell, 30, in a car acci- dent resulted in a verdict of misadventure. Mr. Powell died after his car collided with a utility pole in Breakers on Nov. 22, 2014. A coroner’s jury heard Monday that laboratory tests showed the presence of alcohol above the legal limit of 0.100. One test re- sult was 0.246; the second test was 0.280. The jury also heard ev- idence that Mr. Powell was driving in excess of 65 mph along a 30 mph stretch of road. Queen’s coroner Eileen Nervik read the statement of Vincent Walters, an ac- cident reconstructionist, and gave jurors copies of photographs and a sketch of the scene. They show a sharp right-hand bend in the road east of the Lighthouse restaurant. Mr. Powell was coming from the east, driving to- ward George Town. Mr. Walters noted that the speed limit in the area is 30 mph. The maximum speed at which the curve could be negotiated safely was 65 mph. The car failed to follow the curvature of the road and went onto the road shoulder and then onto a rocky grass surface for 236 feet before colliding with the pole. Mr. Walters said the car failed to follow the curve of the road because it was traveling in excess of 65 mph. There was a dark skid mark on the road shoulder, indicating that Mr. Powell applied his brakes. He also steered to the right, causing the car to rotate clockwise 90 degrees and continue sliding sideways, Mr. Walters said. Pictures showed scat- tered parts of the vehicle, with the main body of the car in two pieces and the speedometer needle stopped at 60 mph. Dr. Shravana Jyoti told the court that the post- mortem examination showed high-speed blunt impact trauma injuries to the head, chest and ab- domen. An injury to the heart was fatal in itself. The pathologist noted that Mr. Powell had been wearing a seat belt. In her summing up, the coroner noted there was no evidence to show that anyone else was involved. A story on page 1 in Tuesday’s Cayman Compass titled “Luxury home sells for record price” included a photograph, supplied by International Realty Group, which was of a different home. A story on page 3 of Wednesday’s Compass titled “10 months for causing road death” misspelled two names. The defendant is Fitzroy Marvin Roache. Sentence was passed by Justice Alastair Malcolm. The Cayman Compass strives for accuracy and is committed to correcting errors that appear in the newspaper. Those interested in contacting the paper for that purpose can email the editor at newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com. $8,000 reward offered in North Side robbery US tourist dies in Brac diving accident Speed, alcohol were factors in 2014 fatality CORRECTIONS construction site in Lower Valley this week, according to police. Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a call shortly after noon on Tuesday on Natures Circle off Beach Bay Road to a report of serious injuries. Mr. Hedges died from in- juries caused when he was “struck by a concrete slab,” a police spokeswoman said. Police said they are treating the death as an accident. The Department of Labour and Pensions is now in charge of the investigation. CI Precast, the company working on the construction site, did not comment on the accident as of press time, but a company representa- tive did say that investiga- tors were at the office taking statements Thursday. Police identify man killed in construction accident CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Longtime George Town resident Cecil Hedges, 63, died in an accident at a residential The scene of Tuesday’s industrial accident in Nature’s Circle in Beach Bay. – PHOTO: BRENT FULLERThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 discoverflow.ky/myplan Flow terms and conditions apply. Get the Samsung Galaxy S6 right now and spread the cost over 12 months. Then, in a year’s time upgrade your smartphone again – the choice is yours. $ 10 stay ahead with the samsung S6 for less than per monthThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS According to our flag, the Cayman Islands was founded “upon the seas.” Cayman’s modern economy, on the other hand, was founded upon something else — speed. You see, the “Cayman Miracle” was predicated upon the fact that, once upon a time, it was incredibly easy to conduct business in our country. Lawmakers were quick to pass legislation to enable the growth of the private sector, within the bounds of “common-sense” regulations that were not designed to be onerous or punitive. Decades ago, for example, we used to brag that a person could set up a company in Cayman within 48 hours, which for the time was an astonishingly quick turnaround. Speed was a key selling point for our country. It was valid — and it worked. Skip ahead to the present day. How did a country that used to be so effortlessly fast, evolve into a place where everything is so painfully slow? Part of the reason may be that the rest of the world has sped up. (In New Zealand and Mace- donia, for example, you can set up a legally operating business in less than 24 hours. Several others have broken the two-day barrier.) Additionally, the international financial sector has grown much more complex and scrutinized over the years. Funds and banking aren’t as simple as they once were. However, in our opinion, the primary factor for Cayman’s lethargy isn’t external; it’s internal, even self- inflicted. Over the years since Cayman has entered the international stage, our country has created thousands upon thousands of civil servants, boards and regula- tors, each standing in the way between you and what you need. In many, if not most, instances, it’s not that those individuals don’t want to help, or they aren’t trying. It’s that collectively our unwieldy systems have become so clogged up that almost nothing can be done in a timely and efficient manner. Where to start? How about the lines at the Department of Vehicle and Driver’s Licensing … or the Department of Immigration … or the Needs Assessment Unit? Departing from physical queues to paperwork pile- ups, consider the hundreds of people stuck in legal limbo for years as the government ponders its own legislation on permanent residence applications. Mean- while, Caymanian applicants for social welfare often wait weeks or even months, just to get an appoint- ment with an assessment officer. In our courts, delays and continuances can push back hearings and verdicts on even small cases for months, if not years. Moving up in magnitude from “individual customer service” to larger public projects, the government’s processes are equally congested and congealed, if not more so. We’re not just talking about traffic con- gestion, but the 25-plus years lawmakers have spent talking about, but not acting on, the George Town Landfill; the decades spent discussing ideas for cruise berthing in the George Town harbor or elsewhere; or the years that have elapsed without a true expansion to Grand Cayman’s airport (or permanent relocation). The last time we went downtown, the country still does not have a new courts building, despite years of pleading from Cayman’s judges. On Elgin Avenue, the Glass House still stands, despite suffering irreparable structural damage in Hurricane Ivan in 2004, being vacated in favor of the new Government Administra- tion Building in 2011, and lawmakers’ targeting it for demolition by January 2016 (a deadline that obviously has come and gone). And so on. The “world of Cayman” is not the world in which everyone else is living. In the wider world, it’s not the big that eat the small: It’s the fast that eat the slow. Our country — with its 5,000 distinct flavors of work permits — seems increasingly ripe for consumption. If the next elections are called according to the usual schedule, that means the Progressives govern- ment has about 12 months to take care of the coun- try’s business. Our readers have surely heard the age-old adage, “Carpe diem” — “Seize the day.” Our government would do well to adjust the Latin, and adopt a new motto, “Carpe annum” — Seize the year. Fast forward: Cayman’s past and future Obama’s Brexit ‘hypocrisy’ CLIVE CROOK Boris Johnson, mayor of London and a leading figure in the campaign to get Britain out of the European Union, recently launched a pre-emptive strike against an expected U.S. inter- vention. President Barack Obama is apparently plan- ning to drop by between now and the referendum in June, to help Prime Minister David Cameron and his gov- ernment by saying, not for the first time, that Britain shouldn’t leave. Johnson writes: “The American view is very clear. Whether in code or en clair, the President will tell us all that U.K. member- ship of the EU is right for Britain, right for Europe, and right for America. And why? Because that – or so we will be told – is the only way we can have ‘influence’ in the counsels of the nations. “It is an important ar- gument, and deserves to be taken seriously. I also think it is wholly fallacious – and coming from Uncle Sam, it is a piece of outrageous and ex- orbitant hypocrisy.” He has a point about hypocrisy. Remaining a member of the EU involves a substantial, and in all like- lihood increasing, surrender of sovereignty to EU institu- tions – its parliament, execu- tive and supreme court. It’s inconceivable that Obama or any U.S. president would even consider such an ar- rangement for America. Johnson isn’t exaggerating when he says that the U.S. defends its own sovereignty with “hysterical vigilance.” Yet Americans typically see British concerns about sov- ereignty as quaint and be- side the point. Even for a middle-sized country such as Britain – even for countries a lot smaller than that – sover- eignty isn’t a myth or illusion. Economic and geopolitical re- alities constrain choices, and the smaller and poorer the country, the tighter the con- straints. But people can still ask, where do those choices, constrained as they may be, reside? Who is making them? It isn’t meaningless to say that Costa Rica has a larger measure of self-government than Kansas. Putting Britain’s preoccu- pation with self-government to one side, a quite different question is worth considering. Is Obama right about where American interests lie in all this? Does Britain’s member- ship of the EU make it a more valuable American ally? That’s harder to say. In international affairs, Britain is usually aligned more closely with American rather than with European ways of thinking – not just on sovereignty, but also on American leadership, the need for strong national de- fense, and the use of force in pursuit of global secu- rity. At the moment, the view from Washington might be that the U.K. can serve U.S. interests two ways, first as an ally in its own right, and second as a spokesman for the American world- view within the EU. Why would America want to see that second role inhibited or ended by Brexit? In the short term that looks correct: For the mo- ment, Britain in the EU gives the U.S. the best of both worlds. But with time Britain’s obligations to the EU are likely to change. It may never merge into the United States of Europe that some still envisage (Cameron just secured an opt-out from the treaty commitment to “ever closer union”) but closer cooperation out of choice or necessity seems probable, including in foreign affairs. Britain’s pro-American senti- ments will presumably per- sist but its ability to act as an independent ally might not. With or without full po- litical union, the EU could in- hibit the U.K.’s ability to act alongside the U.S. The question would then be, which is more valuable to America – a fairly reliable medium-sized military ally, or an EU slightly more in- clined, thanks to British in- fluence, to see things the way America does? The balance could fall ei- ther way. A lot depends on how influential in Europe you think the Brits might be, sup- posing they could put their minds to the task of persua- sion and stopped being per- petually at odds with their EU partners. I’m not op- timistic on this score. The European project is guided in part by the desire to push back against American power, so resistance to British en- treaties on this will be strong. Also, I doubt the Brits will ever settle happily into Europe’s ever closer union, or that the EU will ever stop resenting and resisting Britain’s demands. I’ve reluctantly con- cluded that, despite the cost in diminished sover- eignty, the U.K. should stay in the union. This isn’t be- cause the British will ever stop grumbling or feel they belong, but because the al- ternative to staying in would be a ruinously ex- pensive divorce, and that would be worse. Where U.S. interests lie in this choice is harder to judge, but Johnson is right about one thing: Obama might at least pay the Brits the courtesy of understanding their dis- tinctively American ideas about sovereignty. Clive Crook, a Bloomberg View columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg View editorial board. © 2016, Bloomberg View PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” The question would then be, which is more valuable to America – a fairly reliable medium-sized military ally, or an EU slightly more inclined, thanks to British influence, to see things the way America does?The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 Located on The Paseo / Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm 345.640.5337 / IslandCompaniesLtd.com CAMANABAY.COM CAMANA BAY WELCOMES ISLAND JEWELLERS Rediscover a dazzling array of fine jewellery, diamonds and watches in the heart of our Town Centre As the largest jewellery retailer in Cayman with a history dating back to 1978, Island Companies has fittingly renamed their flagship Camana Bay store to reflect who they really are – your Island Jewellers. Pay them a visit and browse exceptional timepieces by Ulysse Nardin, Hermes and Tissot, shop beautifully designed jewellery from the collections of Hearts on Fire, Tacori and FRED or choose from the largest selection of diamonds on island. From engagements and anniversaries to birthdays or just because, let Island Jewellers help you find the perfect memento to celebrate all of life’s special occasions.6 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS We are currently accepting applications for our 2016 Summer Intern Programme. Are you a confident, outgoing, professional and disciplined student with a keen interest in learning about a career in the offshore legal services industry? If so, we want to hear from you! Eligible students will have completed at least one year of sixth form or law school by the start of the 2016 internship. Candidates should be confident, outgoing, professional and disciplined with a keen interest in learning about a career in the offshore legal services industry. Internships range from three to six weeks, and all applicants must be fully committed for the entire period of the placement. For more information, or to apply, please contact Anjuli Muttoo on 814 9181 or anjuli.muttoo@mourantozannes.com Closing Date: Friday 15 April FUTURE IT'S Y OUR LE T'S B UILD IT T O GE THER Mourant Ozannes | Summer Intern Programme mourantozannes.com/careers BVI / CAYMAN ISLANDS / GUERNSEY / HONG KONG / JERSEY / LONDON We are currently accepting applications for our 2016 Summer Intern Programme. Are you a confident, outgoing, professional and disciplined student with a keen interest in learning about a career in the offshore legal services industry? If so, we want to hear from you! Eligible students will have completed at least one year of sixth form or law school by the start of the 2016 internship. Candidates should be confident, outgoing, professional and disciplined with a keen interest in learning about a career in the offshore legal services industry. Internships range from three to six weeks, and all applicants must be fully committed for the entire period of the placement. For more information, or to apply, please contact Anjuli Muttoo on 814 9181 or anjuli.muttoo@mourantozannes.com Closing Date: Friday 15 April FUTURE IT'S Y OUR LE T'S B UILD IT T O GE THER Mourant Ozannes | Summer Intern Programme mourantozannes.com/careers BVI / CAYMAN ISLANDS / GUERNSEY / HONG KONG / JERSEY / LONDON We are currently accepting applications for our 2016 Summer Intern Programme. Are you a confident, outgoing, professional and disciplined student with a keen interest in learning about a career in the offshore legal services industry? If so, we want to hear from you! Eligible students will have completed at least one year of sixth form or law school by the start of the 2016 internship. Candidates should be confident, outgoing, professional and disciplined with a keen interest in learning about a career in the offshore legal services industry. Internships range from three to six weeks, and all applicants must be fully committed for the entire period of the placement. For more information, or to apply, please contact Anjuli Muttoo on 814 9181 or anjuli.muttoo@mourantozannes.com Closing Date: Friday 15 April FUTURE IT'S Y OUR LE T'S B UILD IT T O GE THER Mourant Ozannes | Summer Intern Programme mourantozannes.com/careers BVI / CAYMAN ISLANDS / GUERNSEY / HONG KONG / JERSEY / LONDON Application Period: 1st March - 30th April 2016 Please visit our website to apply and obtain the required forms: www.education.gov.ky/scholarships Those Year 11 CHHS, JGHS and LSHS students wanting to pursue A Level studies beginning in Fall 2016 must also complete this application process. No Late Applications will be accepted! (Do not delay applications because final grades or acceptance are not yet available) Contact the Scholarship Secretariat at: Email: scholarships@gov.ky Tel: 244-2482 Local Scholarship Opportunities Applications Must Be Made Online At: www.education.gov/Scholarships Scholarships are available to attend: UCCI, ICCI, UWI Open Campus, Law School or A Levels Foster seeks long-term solution to employment problems JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Grocery store boss Woody Foster says he has agreed to partner with government on its “back to work” program, but insists it must be more than a short-term solution. Mr. Foster, who is co-chair with Alden McLaughlin of the Ready2Work KY scheme, believes government and the private sector need to pool their resources to deal with the issue. “We have a big problem in this country and we need to find solutions that get Caymanians back to work sustainably,” he said. He said Foster’s Food Fair, as the second largest private sector employer on the island after The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has a vested interest in ensuring there is a strong local workforce. The premier revealed in January that $1.7 million from the Labour Department budget has been ear- marked for the Ready2Work KY program. Government is attempting to match workers with pri- vate sector jobs and will pay their salaries and benefits for up to six months. Participants are being identified through the National Workforce Development Agency. Mr. Foster said the scheme is a good first step, but he wants government and the private sector to work together to find a long- term solution. “The energy needs to go towards a strong sustain- able program that can make the changes needed for this country. To my mind, it has to go further than a temporary program. From what I am hearing from the committee, that is what is intended.” He said any plan to get unemployed Caymanians back to work needs buy-in from businesses and pol- iticians on both sides of the fence. “This is something that has been going on for de- cades. We all have to ac- cept blame,” Mr. Foster said. “Nobody wants to accept re- sponsibility, then we start throwing stones at each other and nothing gets done. Who cares who is to blame? We are where we are.” Prior to his appoint- ment at the Ready2Work task force, internal discus- sions were going on at the grocery store about poten- tially establishing a work- force academy to develop local employees. He believes this idea could be expanded in partnership with govern- ment, the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre and other businesses. The concept would be similar to the tourism school, where entrants combine classroom work and soft skills training with on-the- job training and part-time work at various businesses, including Foster’s. “We would be willing to put resources behind it, and I think others would too. If the businesses are involved in delivering the training, they have a vested interest in making it work and in hiring the people that come out of it.” He acknowledged that businesses have been guilty, in the past, of wanting the “perfect employee.” But he said it is naïve to dismiss the real issues that many employers experienced with some Caymanian workers, who were often ill-prepared for the world of work. “What Caymanians are up against is expats who are coming from all over the world and are very hungry to work. They are willing to do whatever it takes to send money home, and in a lot of instances they are also edu- cated,” he said. He said work permits and labor legislation have a role to play in giving Caymanians a fair chance in the workplace, but he be- lieves the focus should be more on raising the level of local applicants. “The government can shut off all work permits and bring in draconian labor legislation, but then what quality are we going to pro- vide for the world? “We are expected to pro- vide a high-end product, but we are not putting enough in, in terms of education and workforce development.” He said the majority of businesses are simply trying to make a living and stay profitable. “We can only do that by hiring good people, We need to have access to strong employees and to be able to promote them to senior positions. “We can’t be dumbing down our companies. People say we should be doing this or that, but when they get to the business for services, they want it to be perfect. They want goods on the shelf, they want friendly staff, they want the same types of things they can get in the U.S. or the U.K.” He said the same issue is happening all over the world. “There are a lot of Caymanians that are great employees. When we talk about this issue, we are talking about the minority not the majority and that’s the same in any country.” Mr. Foster and Premier McLaughlin are co-chairs of a task force which also in- cludes politicians and se- nior civil servants, as well as other key business leaders, including Dart boss Mark VanDevelde, Chamber of Commerce President Paul Pearson and Garth Arch of construction firm Arch and Godfrey. Mr. Foster said the group includes a “good cross sec- tion of people” and he is hopeful they can come up with long-term solutions. “We have a big problem in this country and we need to find solutions that get Caymanians back to work sustainably.” WOODY FOSTER, co-chairman, Ready2Work KY Woody FosterThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. David Constantine Thompson who passed away after a long illness on Sunday, March 6, 2016. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre, Cayman Brac at 2:00p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00-1:45p.m. Interment to follow at Spot Bay Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. June Virginia Walton nee Terry who passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Elmslie Memorial United Church, Harbour Drive, George Town at 10:00a.m. Viewing will be from 9:00-9:45a.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Charles Leonard Walton, Sr. affectionately known as “Nicky”, who passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Church of God Chapel, Walkers Road at 2:00p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00-1:45p.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Clyne Rhysworth Whittaker who passed away after a long illness on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the Church of God Chapel Frank Sound, Northside at 3:30p.m. Viewing will be from 2:30-3:15p.m. Interment to follow at Old Man Bay Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Joyce Brenda Holness affectionately known as "Brenda" of School House Road, George Town who passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2016. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the Church of God Chapel, Walkers Road at 2:00p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00 until 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 A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Friday, Political subversion alleged against ‘the Jordanian’ 2-0 down and trying to come back and win 3-2,” he said. “I like to be the underdog.” He has actually been pleasantly surprised by what he has seen at John Gray so far: a vibrant school community, a strong lead- ership team, excellent teaching in some areas and a school-improvement plan in place to lift standards in other areas. “We have got students that can compete with any on the islands,” he said. “Look at our students in Youth Parliament this week, they are going to set the world alight. “They have excelled coming through a tough system and their resilience is going to make them incred- ibly rounded people. We want to increase the number of students like that.” Some of the John Gray student population come from difficult family back- grounds and bring a variety of social issues to school with them. Mr. Clark, who has worked to turn schools around in disadvantaged areas of London amid mul- ticultural communities riven with gang violence and knife crime, sees nothing so far in Cayman that suggests there are unique issues that cannot be surmounted. If students have problems at home, school should be a safe place where their eyes are opened to options beyond their immediate environment, he said. “The answer is al- ways education.” Arriving in the middle of a school year, with Year 11 stu- dents preparing for their end- of-school exams, he acknowl- edged that now is not the time for a revolution. But, he said, quiet re- form is taking place. Simple things like ensuring children are in class on time, have be- come a priority. “This week, we have started a real push to maxi- mize learning time. I want teachers to start lessons on time and I want the kids to get to the lessons on time. We have got senior management out around school hustling people and reminding them of our school values – right time, right place.” Other subtle reforms will follow. He is concerned about attendance at par- ents’ evenings, often as low as 30 percent. “In every issue, we are trying to dig a bit deeper. If we want to get parents en- gaged, we are going to have to do something different.” One idea under consider- ation is taking parents’ eve- nings, also known as re- porting sessions, on the road, potentially holding occa- sional sessions in West Bay to make it easier for people to attend. “The school is part of the community, so we need to get out in the community,” Mr. Clark said. “We need the support of parents if we are going to succeed.” After analyzing data on suspensions of students over the past few years, he said, the statistics show a high number of exclusions, but a relatively small number of repeat offenders. “What the data shows is that 90 percent of our students are doing the right things every day. They have a really clean behavior record and haven’t been in- volved in any issues.” He said the school needs to deal with the consistent offenders, giving them the additional support and at- tention, as well as targeting lower level behavior, dis- rupting lessons. “My focus is on allowing teachers to teach and stu- dents to learn,” he said. “Anybody who disrupts learning in a classroom will be dealt with severely.” Another immediate focus is on improving reading and math skills for those stu- dents who come out of pri- mary school, ill-equipped for a high-school curriculum. “If we put resources into those students early on, then we will see the benefits throughout their time at the school and we will have hap- pier students who can access the curriculum and are less likely to misbehave.” Many of the building blocks are already in place, he said, in what he de- scribed as a strong school improvement plan imple- mented by officials in the aftermath of last year’s in- spection report. “I need to speak to stu- dents, speak to parents, speak to staff and really form a vision that comple- ments that plan,” he said. For the students who do seize their chances, he be- lieves the Cayman Islands is a place of enormous op- portunity. In the past few weeks, students have been involved in learning op- portunities at Health City and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the Youth Parliament and an interna- tional underwater robotics challenge. Employment and further education opportunities in the Cayman Islands and overseas are accessible, and scholarship funding is in place. “In many ways, this is an amphitheater of oppor- tunity. We need to equip our students to make the most of those opportunities.” status was rejected. There was no suggestion in any documentation from the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board that Mr. Miller’s complaint was even con- sidered relative to that status application. The allegation in the November 2012 letter states: “This person [refer- ring to Mr. Zureigat] is very much involved in political activity. He appears to be a staunch supporter and a designated promoter of the [then] United Democratic Party and, in particular, of [former George Town MLA] Ellio Solomon, a member of the United Democratic Party. This person call [sic] the radio talk shows both Talk Today on Radio Cayman and the morning talk show on Rooster. “On both talk shows he is particularly critical and insulting to myself and the elected member for East End [Arden McLean], but also members of the PPM [People’s Progressive Movement]. I believe that his political activities are in contravention of section 38 [1] [of the Immigration Law].” That section refers to an individual who organizes or engages in subversive po- litical activity, or organizes, causes or promotes racism in the Cayman Islands. “I am requesting that the enforcement arm of the Immigration Department investigate this matter and determine if Mr. Amjed Zureigat is in con- travention of this section of the Immigration Law.” Mr. Bush, the former pre- mier, said Tuesday that Mr. Miller’s complaint amounted to “an injustice.” “Come on, how can any- one’s preference of a polit- ical party or team be called subversive?” Mr. Bush said. “No matter how strongly we feel about protecting Caymanians. Ezzard’s com- plaint is not about pro- tecting Caymanians. It’s a personal matter. It’s abso- lutely wrong.” Mr. Miller said Tuesday that he did not wish to comment further on the matter, adding only that he believed he had done “his civic duty” in reporting the issue to the Immigration Department. Further documentation seen by the Compass indi- cates that Mr. Miller then took the issue to Ministry of Home Affairs Chief Officer Eric Bush on Sept. 12, 2014 in another letter. The letter states: “I be- lieve, if inquiries are made on Mr. Amjed Zureigat you will find that his political activities have intensified since my letter of Nov. 25, 2012. His criticism of mem- bers of the current govern- ment, the elected member for East End and myself have been raised to an un- acceptable level of polit- ical subversion. He has announced on the radio shows that he has formed a pressure group called Justice for Cayman. I am still of the view that he con- travenes section 38 [1] [of the Immigration Law] and should be investigated.” Mr. Zureigat also alleged, as did Mr. McKeeva Bush, that Mr. Miller’s complaints against him amounted to a “personal issue.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 John Gray principal’s passion: ‘turning lives around’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Amjed Zureigat ‘I am the sort of guy that prefers to be 2-0 down and trying to come back and win 3-2. I like to be the underdog,’ says John Gray High School Principal Jon Clark. - PHOTO: MATT LAMERS “I think if we can harness the energy, resilience and the determination that these students have, the progress we can make will be huge.” JON CLARK, principal, John Gray High SchoolThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 It’s been 5 years’ mother, since you passed away. The way I miss you is different now. I hope you know how much you meant to us. I still think about you every day. I just love and miss you in my own special way. The moment that you died, my heart was torn in two. One side fi lled with heartache, the other side died with you. Mother you left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide. Although we cannot see you, you’re always at our side. From your loving daughter Alba, your sons and all your family. In Loving Memory of Our Mother Virginia Del Carmen Carter July 5, 1964 – March 22, 2011 I just love and miss you in my own special way. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. A Celebration of the Life of Orma will be held on Sunday March 20th 2016 at 2:30pm at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre in North Side with interment to follow at the North Side cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Orma’s memory to the Cayman Islands HospiceCare. In Loving Memory of Orma Mae Ebanks, Cert. Hon November 6 1928 – March 12 2016 Left to mourn her passing are: her children Kerry Nixon, Roger Ebanks and Bruce Moore; son-in-law Reginald; daughters-in-law Waldina and Solvena; grandchildren Michael, Craig, Derry, Sheena, Randy, Charlecia, Nickolas and Ann-Alecia; great grandchildren Kobe, Grayson and Shyain; sisters Iola and Emmie-Mae; brothers Harold, Robert and Benjie; brother-in-law Leroy Walton; sister-in-law Adelaide Ebanks; special “daughters” Lillian Burgos and Elizabeth Smith; and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. We regret to announce the passing of Freddy Gardstein Wood who departed this life on March 11, 2016 at the Pines Retirement Home A Service of Thanksgiving will take place on Saturday March 19, 2016 at the Bodden Funeral Chapel 117 Walkers Road at 10:am FIFA paid Blatter $3.76M in 2015, reports $122M loss ZURICH (AP) – FIFA finally revealed Sepp Blatter’s pay deal on Thursday, which was $3.76 million in 2015 as soc- cer’s embattled governing body reported a loss of $122 million for a year marred by scandal. After years of secrecy about presidential earnings, FIFA disclosed its disgraced former leader’s pay package three weeks after his employ- ment officially ended. Blatter, who was sus- pended on full pay last October and later banned for unethical conduct, had a base salary of 2,964,379 mil- lion Swiss francs (US$3 mil- lion) but received no perfor- mance bonus in 2015. The total included a payment of almost $450,000 in “variable compensation” – a long-ser- vice entitlement for reaching 40 years employment at FIFA. FIFA’s loss, its first since 2002, was expected after failing to sign any new World Cup sponsors. Despite the corruption crisis, FIFA’s total income was $1.152 billion in 2015. Expenses of $1.274 billion in- cluded spending $61.5 million on “legal matters.” That helped ensure that FIFA’s reserves fund fell by $183 million to $1.34 billion. FIFA spent $27.9 million last year paying executive committee members and se- nior management, including Blatter. That total was $39.7 million in the 2014 World Cup year. FIFA’s now-fired secre- tary general, Jerome Valcke, got 2.125 million Swiss francs (US$2.2 million) in 2015. One hour after FIFA re- vealed Valcke’s pay, Swiss fed- eral prosecutors said they opened a case against him for suspected “criminal mis- management” during his eight years as Blatter’s right- hand man. In other pay de- tails, each executive com- mittee member got $300,000 last year, and senior vice president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon got an additional $500,000 for chairing the fi- nance committee. FIFA agreed to start pub- lishing executive pay in mod- ernizing reforms approved last month, as a response to American and Swiss federal investigations of corruption implicating dozens of soccer officials, including Blatter. “With the recently ap- proved reforms, I believe that we have turned a corner and that FIFA is poised to emerge stronger than ever,” Gianni Infantino, Blatter’s successor, said in a statement. FIFA has acknowledged that potential commercial part- ners were put off by fallout from the scandals. Top-tier sponsors Sony and Emirates Airlines have not been replaced since the 2014 World Cup, and 27 of 34 commercial slots re- main unsold for the 2018 tour- nament in Russia. Legislature debated hospital’s legal ‘immunity’ in 2004 Opposition voted no, ruling party voted in favor BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Amendments to the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority Law that a local judge said provides authority employees with blanket immunity except in cases where “bad faith” is proven, were fully debated more than a decade ago with the ruling government sup- porting the legal change over the protests of then-opposi- tion members, the Cayman Compass can reveal. Legislative Assembly Hansard records from December 2004 show amend- ments to the bill introduced by then-Health Minister Gilbert McLean changing the language of the former section 12 of the Health Services Authority Law to state: “Neither the authority, nor any director or employee of the authority, shall be li- able for damages for any- thing 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.” Then-Leader of the Opposition Kurt Tibbetts pointed out in the Dec. 13, 2004 House debate that the language at the end of that section was proposed to be changed from the pre- vious law that stated “un- less it is shown that the act or omission resulted from their dishonesty, fraud or willful neglect.” Mr. Tibbetts said law- makers needed to under- stand what the change in ter- minology meant. “It seems to me that ‘bad faith’ is an all- encompassing term and one may have the question: Where does neglect come into it?” Then-freshman op- position member Alden McLaughlin added: “I am re- minded of the old adage that the chickens do come home to roost. No doubt all will be revealed if the litigation pro- ceeds and if there is eventu- ally a result.” The litigation Mr. McLaughlin referred to in- volved a case in the courts at the time. Last month, a judg- ment issued by Grand Court Justice Richard Williams upheld section 12 of the Health Services Authority Law, granting what amounts to blanket immu- nity for hospital employees. However, Justice Williams stated in the ruling that he was “uncomfortable with such immunity.” The ruling was made in the case of Norene Thompson, whose child had severe birth defects which she alleged were due to neg- ligence in the management of her delivery at the Cayman Islands Hospital. The doctor involved in the delivery has denied she was negligent. According to Mr. McLaughlin in 2004: “If em- ployees and [HSA] directors have done something which is, to use [the law’s 2004 wording], dishonest, fraud- ulent or willfully neglectful, then in my respectful view, they ought to be held liable for it. I take issue with the government bringing this bill at this time.” Mr. McLaughlin, now pre- mier of the Cayman Islands, advocated at the time that section 12 of the law should not have been amended to in- clude the “bad faith” phrase. Minister Frank McField argued during the debate that “bad faith” should en- compass all dishonest, fraudulent or willfully ne- glectful acts. Minister McLean indi- cated in his reply to the de- bate that “There is cer- tain disagreement still with the legal wording, but the wording that I have to use or to bring to this Honorable House is that which satis- fies the legal department of the government and the at- torney general. “It is my understanding, under advice, that the words ‘dishonesty,’ the ‘acts of dis- honesty,’ ‘fraud’ and ‘willful neglect’ are covered under the term ‘bad faith.’” Mr. McLean said. The Hansard records show a divided Legislative Assembly approved the amendments to the HSA Law later that same day, with gov- ernment members McKeeva Bush, Gilbert McLean, Frank McField, George McCarthy, Kurt De Freitas, Kenneth Jefferson and Rolston Anglin supporting it. Opposition members Kurt Tibbetts, Alden McLaughlin, Anthony Eden and Edna Moyle voted against it. Absent from the vote were then-Minister Roy Bodden, Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Capt. Eugene Ebanks, Cline Glidden, Lyndon Martin and Arden McLean, according to Hansard records. Mr. McLaughlin said Legislative Assembly Hansard records from 2004 showed this was not the case. “They clearly intended it. It was debated at length,” he said. The premier’s interven- tion follows weeks of de- bate about the merits of Section 12 after Justice Richard Williams ruled last month that the Health Services Authority did have the right to use the clause to protect its staff, including doctors, from lawsuits. Norene Ebanks, whose child suffered se- rious birth defects as a re- sult of what she alleges was the negligent management of her labor and delivery at the Cayman Islands Hospital. had attempted to sue for damages. The judge said he was uncom- fortable with the immunity but the wording was “clear and unambiguous.” The disputed clause states, “Neither the au- thority nor any director or employee of the au- thority shall be liable in damages for anything done or omitted in the dis- charge of their respective functions or duties un- less it is shown that the act or omission was in bad faith.” The wording of the amendments have yet to be finalized but Mr. McLaughlin indicated the reference to employees would be removed and neg- ligence would be added alongside bad faith as an exemption to the immunity. He said government would also be looking at similar clauses in other laws, highlighted in the Cayman Compass earlier this week. Hospital immunity to be removed The case of Norene Ebanks, who tried to sue the hospital after her daughter suffered birth defects as a result of what she claims was medical negligence, sparked the debate about Section 12. – PHOTO: MATT LAMERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >