ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 SPORTS | PAGE 17 WITHOUT RONALDO, MADRID HOLDS CITY 0-0 High of 88 Low of 76 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 KEEPING QUIET ON ANIMAL CRUELTY AND CRIME Personal Insurance Pay less for more cover with BritCay! insurance, health, pensions, life Low deductibles and generous benefits are standard cover with BritCay. Ask for a quote and start paying less for more cover now! BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE CO. LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky cgigrp Health debts not to be counted in budget BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government intends to change its financial management law to avoid the formal acknowledgement of a $1.18 billion projected liability in its public health- care system that would otherwise appear in the government’s annual “net worth” figure. Finance Minister Marco Archer said Wednesday that the figure for public health- care liabilities – what the government expects to have to pay at present value to support cur- rent and past employees’ healthcare coverage over 20 to 25 years – is reported in “notes” to the financial statements. However, if that figure was contained “on the face” of the financial statements, it could place the government in a negative net worth position, meaning the public sector would run afoul of the principles of respon- sible financial management – potentially put- ting the U.K. back in direct control of local government finances. Mr. Archer said the lack of formal acknowl- edgement of the healthcare liability under in- ternationally accepted accounting rules is one of the reasons government’s financial state- ments for the 2013/14 budget year were given an “adverse” opinion by auditors. However, he emphasized again that the figure is contained in notes to government financial statements for all who wish to see. Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson has often said that many other jurisdictions, in- cluding the U.S., do not acknowledge projected liabilities for healthcare spending in their an- nual government budgets. In an effort to prevent its financial state- ments from being disclaimed or receiving an adverse opinion in the future, Mr. Archer said government also intends to split up reports for the three pension plans it manages on be- half of public sector employees. Currently, the financial estimates for the civil servants’ pension plan, the legislators’ pension plan and the judiciary’s pension plan GOVERNMENT ‘DOUBLE CHARGED’ ITSELF ON HEALTHCARE PAYMENTS Premier announces changes to insurance fund payments BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government has been “double charging” itself in relation to pay- ments made on behalf of those who cannot af- ford healthcare coverage. Premier Alden McLaughlin announced corrective steps Wednesday that involve no longer charging the public purse for payments made into the Cayman Islands’ Segregated In- surance Fund. Donations The segregated insurance fund is set up to receive donations each month from all those who have healthcare coverage in the Cayman Islands. Each person on a healthcare plan makes either a $10 per month or $20 per month donation into the fund to help cover the community’s uninsured members. The Cayman Islands government makes healthcare payments on behalf of all its civil servants, civil service pensioners and indigent residents. In past years, Mr. McLaughlin said, the government paid the $10 or $20 monthly charge to the Cayman Islands Insurance Com- pany on behalf of those people. CINICO payments CINICO then collected the money and paid it straight back to government’s segregated in- surance fund, where it was paid out to cover healthcare costs for the uninsured. In short, the government counted the Coral ‘trees’ planted to build up Cayman’s reefs The trees are made of PVC pipe KELSEY JUKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com Conservationists are planting several coral “trees” in Grand Cayman’s waters this week to help build up the reefs, thanks to a nonprofit organization dedicated to pro- tecting the ocean environment. The organization, Sea of Change, has do- nated money and materials and brought in experts to help six Cayman Islands compa- nies that have been issued permits by the Cayman Islands Department of Environ- ment to begin coral nurseries. The nurseries, which grow coral, will as- sist in boosting the population of healthy and strong corals here, where the reefs at- tract thousands of tourists each year. How- ever, the reefs are in jeopardy as they face threats from overfishing, boat groundings, pollution and rising ocean temperatures. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Conservationists, in conjunction with four dive shops on Grand Cayman, are working to create coral nurseries to help restore local coral reefs. – PHOTO: LOIS HATCHER PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - WEDNESDAY - THE JUNGLE BOOK 3D (PG) 1:00 I 1:30 2D I 3:30 I 4:00 2D I 6:30 7:00 2D I 9:00 I 9:30 2D THE BOSS (R) 1:00 I 3:40 I 7:00 I 9:30 BATMAN V SUPERMAN DAWN OF JUSTICE 3D (PG13) 12:30 I 3:45 2D I 8:00 CRIMINAL (R) 1:10 I 4:10 I 7:10 I 9:50 ZOOTOPIA (PG13) 12:45 I 3:30 LONDON HAS FALLEN (R) 7:20 I 9:40 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456)640-FILM (640-3456) SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - THURSDAY - MR RIGHT (R) 1:10 I 3:50 I 7:10 I 9:40 THE JUNGLE BOOK 3D (PG) 1:00 I 1:30 2D I 3:30 I 4:00 2D I 6:30 7:00 2D I 9:00 I 9:30 2D THE BOSS (R) 1:00 I 3:40 I 7:15 I 9:50 HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR 3D (PG13) 1:20 I 4:15 2D I 7:20 I 10:00 2D BATMAN V SUPERMAN DAWN OF JUSTICE 3D (PG13) 12:30 I 3:45 2D I 8:00 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 Lawmakers question whether Cayman ready for early elections BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Independent and oppo- sition lawmakers expressed doubts Wednesday about whether the Cayman Is- lands Elections Office would be ready for a general elec- tion if one were to be called during the latter half of this year. Premier Alden McLaughlin has previously indicated this is a possibility, but he has been quiet on the subject of when an early vote might be called. Opposition Leader McK- eeva Bush said Wednesday during a meeting of the Leg- islative Assembly that it ap- pears the Cayman Islands Elections Office and new Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell would have their work cut out if they were to hold a fresh election some- time between September and November. “I don’t see how you all can be ready with all you have said has to be done,” Mr. Bush commented to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson during debate on a parlia- mentary question that was asked about the elections of- fice staff. Mr. Manderson said 21 people are now working ei- ther part-time or full-time with the office on readying Cayman for its next vote, whenever that happens. “We’re talking about something that hasn’t hap- pened yet,” he said. Mr. Bush asked whether, in the case of early elections, Cayman would be ready to hold the vote under the new single-member constituen- cies system rather than the multimember district set-up. Previously, voters in Cayman districts received a different number of votes in each elec- tion depending on where they lived. Under the new single- member district system, voters in each of the 19 con- stituencies will cast only one ballot. Governor Helen Kilpat- rick has said, whenever the next general election is held, it will be conducted under the single-member constitu- encies system. East End MLA Arden McLean pointed out that there are only six regis- tering officers in the elec- tions scheme. He suggested that there should be 19, one for each new single-member voting district. “The law calls for a reg- istering officer for each con- stituency,” Mr. McLean said. “Why haven’t we identified 19 people who can become comfortable with these con- stituencies and appoint them from now?” Some technical changes in the Cayman Islands Elections Law will be needed prior to the next general election. It is not known when those will be completed; they are not on the agenda for the cur- rent meeting of the Legisla- tive Assembly which began on Wednesday. Mr. Bush also questioned whether any public outreach had been done to educate voters about the new system. Mr. Manderson replied that some efforts had been made on social media, but he said a wider public education effort will start in May. “If the government called early elections, then every- thing … would have to be moved forward with post- haste,” Mr. Manderson said. “The most urgent matter would be to get the changes to the Elections Law done. Those changes will go to Cabinet shortly. “I am confident that, if an early election was called, [the elections super- visor] will be able to deliver all of these plans he has put forward.” Police review, succession up to next commissioner BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick said Tuesday that all matters relating to general police operational re- views, as well as training and succession planning for Cay- manian officers, will be left to the next commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. The governor’s statement, issued after a late Monday night vote on what had been a Legislative Assembly “lack of confidence” motion con- cerning police management and methods, did not specif- ically commit to any overall review of the police ser- vice, though it lent support to the idea. “The new commissioner of police will be best placed to conduct a review of policing methodology,” Ms. Kilpatrick said. “I will request that the Cayman Islands government support the incoming com- missioner with any resources needed for the commissioner to add independent experts to his or her review team. “Succession planning for Caymanian officers is already required in the new commis- sioner’s job description.” Police Commissioner David Baines, as well as two key police superinten- dents – Robert Scotland and Mike Cranswick – will be leaving their posts in late May or early June. In addi- tion, Deputy Commissioner Stephen Brougham is due to depart in September, at the end of his contract. Super- intendent Angelique Howell and Superintendent Ste- phen Ratcliffe also departed in recent months. Mr. Baines said last weekend during the police awards gala that the RCIPS is looking at two new super- intendents to replace some of those who have recently left the service. No formal an- nouncements have been made about those hires. Meanwhile, the government is advertising both the commis- sioner’s and Mr. Brougham’s positions in anticipation of their departures. The two top commanders are responsible for supervising a force that consists of more than 450 uni- formed and civilian staff, which provide land, sea and air de- fense of the Cayman Islands, as well as routine policing duties. “The successful candidate will have proven ability to di- rect policing operations in an ethnically diverse commu- nity through a diverse police force,” the job posting states. “An excellent track record in delivering change man- agement, countering serious crime and building citizen confidence is … desirable.” Most of the departures of senior officers were unrelated. Mr. Baines’s decision to leave was based, at least in part, on the filing of the Legislative As- sembly motion that sought the “lack of confidence” vote. Governor Kilpatrick said this motion, along with other de- famatory and damaging com- ments, made the commission- er’s position “untenable.” The lack of confidence motion was rewritten in the Legislative Assembly late Monday after independent lawmakers agreed to a com- promise with the Progres- sives-led government. The compromise was reached after Deputy Governor Franz Manderson criticized the mo- tion, stating it would serve to deter young Caymanians from entering law enforcement pro- fessions in the future and would constitute a “huge dis- service to the brave men and women” in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. According to the com- promise, supported by all 17 voting assembly members, the legislature requested that Governor Kilpatrick appoint an independent team to re- view RCIPS methods and ad- ministration. The legislature also asked that a succession plan be created to appoint a Caymanian officer as com- missioner of police within four years. “We have agreed to a way forward so we don’t have dif- ficulties with our people in the near future,” East End MLA Arden McLean said late Monday. “No one really wanted to send a message that we were against the rank and file of the police department.” RIO GETS OLYMPIC FLAME 100 DAYS BEFORE GAMES (AP) – The Olympic flame was handed to organizers of the Rio de Janeiro Games on Wednesday, 100 days be- fore the opening ceremony. Dressed as a high priestess, actress Keterina Lechou led the brief cer- emony at the Panathe- nian Stadium, a horseshoe- shaped marble venue where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. Lechou, who lit the flame in Ancient Olympia last week, used a torch to light a cauldron inside the Athens stadium. The flame, placed in a lantern, was handed over to Greek Olympic Committee president Spyros Kapralos, who, in turn, passed it to Rio Games organizing head Carlos Nuzman. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who is fighting impeachment over allegations of erroneous budget figures, declined an invitation to visit Greece for the lighting ceremony and start of the Olympic torch’s six-day journey around Greece. During the Aug. 5-21 Games, Nuzman said, Bra- zilians would come to- gether in celebration. “Our mission, dear friends, is bigger than Brazil itself. We represent all the peoples of South America,” he told a crowd of several thousand Athenians. In a highlight of the Greek torch relay, the flame made a symbolic stop Tuesday at a United Na- tions-run refugee camp in Athens. The torch was carried by Syrian refugee Ibrahim Al-Hussein. After Wednesday’s cere- mony, the flame will travel to Switzerland, where it will visit the United Na- tions building in Geneva and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush “The new commissioner of police will be best placed to conduct a review of policing methodology.” GOVERNOR HELEN KILPATRICK Rowing world champion Katerina Nikolaidou of Greece pauses after lighting the cauldron during the handover ceremony for the Olympic Flame at Panathinean stadium in Athens on Wednesday. The flame arrives in Brazil on May 3, and will be relayed across the vast country by about 12,000 torchbearers before the Aug. 5 opening ceremony. - PHOTO: AP3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 Premier Health BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town.Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, Cayman BracTel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Ltd. acts solely as an agent on behalf of various insurers; it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. You asked for a Wellness plan that works. You got it first with BritCay. Revitalising lives! BritCay’s philosophy concerning Wellness is straight forward. It’s about a whole of lifestyle commitment to healthier living and it needs to contain an element of fun and rewards. We have an exclusive partnership with Virgin Pulse and a Wellness plan that delivers positive results. Does it work? BritCay’s Wellness programme has a 96% retention rate. Does it work out? Members use it. Over 1440 habit-building interactions per member per year! 85% say it’s changed their lives! CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky cgigrp In 1984, BritCay joined Colonial Group International (CGI). In 1995, BritCay was the first company to offer Cayman residents an overseas network option with world class facilities. It was the first of many changes to come. notable firsts! Governor approves plan for JPs to join search review Two justices of the peace to work on review of police response to missing boaters report JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Governor Helen Kilpat- rick has agreed to sanction two Caymanian justices of the peace to assist in the in- quiry into the police search and rescue effort for five missing boaters. The decision comes after legislators unanimously backed a private members’ motion, filed by Opposi- tion Leader McKeeva Bush and amended following consultation with govern- ment, that called for Cayma- nian eyes and ears to be in- cluded in the review. The governor had previ- ously announced that U.K. Coastguard Commander An- drew Jenkins of the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency would conduct the inquiry. Some legislators, led by Mr. Bush, questioned the in- dependence of the review if it was carried out solely by a British agency reporting to the Foreign and Common- wealth Office and called for a full judicial inquiry. After a lengthy debate Monday, a compromise solution was put forward, which the governor has now approved. In a statement Tuesday, she said, “I am satisfied that the MCA are a body that is independent of the Cayman Islands Government, the RCIPS, the Foreign and Com- monwealth Office and the Governor’s Office. “However, in response to the motion, I will invite the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to each nom- inate a Justice of the Peace to work with Commander Jenkins to ensure that the review is independent and meets the needs of the Cayman Islands Community. I remain committed to making the findings from this review public.” Calls for an investigation into the police response fol- lowed a series of complaints about the rescue effort, in- cluding allegations that they had been too slow to react to reports that a boat was missing at sea. Three men, Gary Mullings, Edsell Hay- lock and Nicholas Watler, and two children, Kamron and Kanyi Brown, ages 11 and 9, respectively, have been lost at sea since March 6, when they did not return from a trip to 12 Mile Bank. Their upturned boat was found 25 miles off- shore the following day. The inquiry will examine police’s response as well as the island’s search and rescue capability. Following Monday’s debate, Premier Alden McLaughlin said the inclusion of two local JPs on the review team would help assure the credibility of the inquiry in the eyes of the community. Governor Helen Kilpatrick “… I will invite the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to each nominate a Justice of the Peace to work with Commander Jenkins to ensure that the review is independent and meets the needs of the Cayman Islands Community.” GOVERNOR HELEN KILPATRICK CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn withheld bail on Wednesday after hearing an application on behalf of Jona- than Welcome, who is accused of having an imitation firearm with intent to resist arrest. Crown counsel Scott Wain- wright said Welcome, 22, was charged with an imitation firearm because no firearm was recovered after the inci- dent, “so we are in no position to say if it was real or not.” Welcome, 22, is also charged with causing fear or provocation of violence. Both charges relate to an in- cident that occurred around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, when, the prosecution alleges, Welcome threatened two po- lice officers with harm. Officers on patrol in School Road in George Town that night observed three males, one of whom was Jonathan Samuel Welcome, Mr. Wain- wright said. The officers stopped their vehicle and called Welcome over. As one of the officers was exiting the vehicle, he ob- served Welcome take hold of a firearm from his waist and begin running. The two officers gave chase, shouting for Welcome to drop the gun. As they fol- lowed him into Grescott Lane, Welcome pointed the gun at them while con- tinuing to run. Welcome also allegedly pointed the gun at two civilians. Near George Town Pri- mary School, the court heard, Welcome stopped, turned and again pointed the gun at officers. Police said they did not discharge their guns be- cause there were members of the public in the area. Wel- come then made his escape. Welcome was arrested at a Prospect address on April 22, as a result of intelligence police had received. Two fe- males in the residence, one of whom was said to be Wel- come’s girlfriend, told po- lice Welcome had been there but had left the night before. When the officers checked a roof space, they found Wel- come in the attic. Mr. Wainwright noted that Welcome had a previous con- viction for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offense; he had been released from prison in July, 2015. The identification of Wel- come came from two officers who knew him, Mr. Wain- wright said. Defense attorney Prathna Bodden said this was a case of mistaken identity. One of- ficer had said he knew Wel- come previously; the other of- ficer said he recognized him from photographs. The first officer did not initially notice a firearm, she pointed out. It was only after the second officer shouted “Drop your gun” that a firearm was recognized, she said. There was no ID parade and no independent wit- nesses, and the incident oc- curred in the middle of the night, Ms. Bodden said. The magistrate remanded Welcome in custody until Tuesday, May 17, when he is expected to elect whether he wants his case heard in Sum- mary Court or Grand Court. BAIL WITHHELD ON IMITATION FIREARM CHARGEThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Would you like for the bank to give you a check each month for your mort- gage interest payment rather than you paying the bank interest? As mad as that question seems, the fact is that some homeowners in Denmark are now receiving checks each month be- cause their mortgages have negative (below zero) in- terest rates. A negative in- terest rate is the situation in which the lenders pay you to borrow money from them. A number of central banks now have negative in- terest rates, including Japan, the European Central Bank, Sweden, Denmark, Switzer- land and others – all done in the hope of increasing infla- tion (which is more madness). The chairman of the U.S. Fed- eral Reserve has said she is not ruling out negative in- terest rates. Negative, zero or very low interest rates encourage people to buy much more expensive homes than they normally would, which is to their benefit until interest rates rise. Despite stag- nant economies many Euro- pean cities are experiencing a rapid rise in home prices largely because of low in- terest rate policies. This real estate bubble cannot be sustained, so at some point it is going to all come crashing down. If governments can borrow at negative or close to zero interest rates and endlessly roll over their debts, it makes no sense to tax. Just borrow all of the money and get rid of the cost of complying with the tax code, the costs of tax collec- tion by the government and, most importantly, the dis- incentives for work, saving and investment resulting from the tax system. When students study basic finance, they learn that if the risk-adjusted rate of re- turn on investment exceeds the cost of the money to fi- nance the investment, the investment should be made, and vice-versa. For instance, if a fast food store own- er’s analysis shows that the rate of return on an invest- ment of opening a new store after inflation, taxes and ad- justing for the likely risks is going to be 10 percent and he can borrow money at 3 percent, it makes sense to make the investment. The problem is that, in the real world, only govern- ments and large or politi- cally connected companies can borrow at the very low rates. Most smaller and en- trepreneurial businesses and consumers have to pay far higher rates, because of the perceived additional risk and the cost of servicing the loans. Entrepreneurial busi- nesses create most of the new jobs, but the monetary and regulatory policy bias against them reduces their ability to do so. The rate of new business growth has fallen in the United States but is still greater than that in Europe, where the negative and low interest fad has gone even further. The proponents of more government spending often refer to their spending plans as “investments” that will pay for themselves in the fu- ture from better infrastruc- ture, a more secure popula- tion owing to defense and anti-crime spending, a better- educated work force and a healthier population. But many government expendi- tures not only do not pay for themselves but actually re- duce growth and job creation. If the proponents of more government spending really believe their rhetoric that spending has a positive rate of return, then they should be in favor of more govern- ment borrowing and less taxing – when interest rates are very low or negative. If government spending on av- erage provides a positive 3 percent rate of return to so- ciety and the cost of bor- rowing is near zero, why tax at all? If this sounds a bit mad to you, it shows that you have not totally lost your grip on reality. It is the cen- tral bankers and politi- cians who are in denial. A few government programs actually do have positive benefits, but most do not. Studies showed that the in- terstate highway system, despite cost overruns, had a net positive benefit by greatly reducing transpor- tation costs and improving highway safety. Government programs to teach children to read and write and basic arithmetic have huge long- run net benefits, even when poorly administered. Even at normal interest rates, it makes sense to borrow for such programs. On the flip side, most government spending is not cost-effec- tive, particularly income transfer programs, and it makes no sense to borrow or tax for such programs. Negative or low interest rates from central bank ac- tions misallocate capital from its highest and most productive uses, resulting in lower economic growth and job creation. The present madness began with the mistaken belief that mone- tary policy could be used to solve problems caused by too much government spending, taxation and regulation. At some point, there will not be enough savers to continue to agree to accept negative rates on their savings (after infla- tion) to support all of the gov- ernment spending, and the game will be over. And those responsible for the madness will blame others. Richard W. Rahn, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and chairman of the Institute for Global Economic Growth, is on the Editorial Board of Cayman Financial Review. © 2016, The Washington Times “This dog was basically chained to a tree and starved to death. If the police hadn’t been called to the house for a search warrant, the other dog would probably have died too. “This is the worst case of neglect I have seen in the Cayman Islands and it should be brought to the courts and prosecuted.” — Jason Jairam, shelter manager, Cayman Islands Humane Society Police officers raided a home in Prospect on Friday, looking for a criminal suspect. In addition to their man, they found a dog — chained to a tree, sun-beaten and starving, next to another dog that had not survived the same conditions. The incident should serve as Cayman’s “Michael Vick moment” (an allusion to the former NFL star’s conviction for dogfighting); a badly needed wake-up call to the country of the prevalence of barbaric animal cruelty, and, furthermore, that the casual torture of dogs is just one category of innocent suffering that we should not allow to continue to occur. The case of “Lennie” (the puppy who lived) and his unnamed companion (who did not) illustrates three important points about the broader nature of crime in Cayman. First, the connection between animal cruelty and criminality in general: The dog was discovered at a home that was harboring a fugitive from justice. Scientific studies have shown a correlation between disregard for animal life (or laws governing the treatment of animals) and disrespect for human life. Second, the culture of silence and fear: As Mr. Jairam said, the neighbors surely would have seen the two dogs chained to the tree, starving for days or weeks, and yet nobody called to report the cruelty or otherwise did anything about it. Similarly, time and time again, when violent crimes occur in full view of multiple bystanders, police and prosecutors are consis- tently unable to produce witnesses who care enough, or are brave enough, to testify in court. Third, the non-enforcement of our country’s laws: Mr. Jairam said in his 10 years with the Humane Society, “I have seen all kinds of abuse, but I have never seen or heard of anyone being prosecuted.” In a letter that appears elsewhere on this page, 21-year Cayman resident Bill Stevenson writes that he’s not aware of one arrest or prosecution for animal cruelty despite its occurrence being “common knowledge.” Likewise, we at the Compass have investigated the issue and have not been able to discover one instance of the successful prosecution of offenses against the Animals Law. The second and third points are inextricably linked. There is a huge price to pay for silence in the presence of wrongdoing. At minimum, it’s the per- petuation of the misconduct. In Cayman, silence is a plague — among society, the business community and even our leadership — on issues ranging from domestic violence, to shameful neglect of the elderly, to mistreatment of domestic workers, to corruption and dysfunction in government. Dogs, other animals, and also many humans who are suffering do not have the ability or capacity to speak up for themselves. Citizens who do have a voice have an obligation not just to speak up when they see something heinous, but to speak out publicly — and not to stop until something has been done about it. Keeping quiet on animal cruelty and crime RICHARD W. RAHN RICHARD W. RAHN Negative interest rates are crazy LETTER Cruelty laws I have been a resident of Cayman for the last 21 years. I am not aware of one ar- rest or prosecution for animal cruelty during that time, even though it is common knowl- edge that animal cruelty is a problem on the island. When are the agriculture department, the police and the prosecutors going to start to enforce the law? Unfortu- nately, I expect, never. Bill Stevenson If governments can borrow at negative or close to zero interest rates and endlessly roll over their debts, it makes no sense to tax.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 Digital Ship Maritime CIO Forum will discuss the on-going role of IT and communications in the shipping industry with a special focus on: • How is innovation in communications driving the future of shipping? • Technology for the new maritime landscape • Cyber security and future-proofing your IT infrastructure • The future of unmanned vessels • Innovating and investing in the industrial Internet of Things • Big data and analytics to drive innovation, competitiveness and growth • Putting information security onto the boardroom agenda • The Digital Age - maximising efficiencies with next generation solutions for the maritime market • Harnessing disruptive innovation in the maritime sector WISTA and NAMEPA Seminar – The State of the Marine Environment, headlined by marine wildlife artist and marine biologist, Dr. Guy Harvey, and featuring special guest, Colin P. Young of IMO Regional Maritime Adviser Caribbean, will focus on various environmental issues facing the region including: • The emissions challenge for shipping • Port initiatives • Communicating with the public • Technological advances • Prediction and monitoring of pollution and other hazards using simulators, as utilised by the US Coast Guard, built by Transas Transas’ vision is to lead the way in creating an ecosystem of harmonised integrated solutions in safety, navigation and ship operations. In creating these solutions Transas unites global maritime stakeholders in the future of e-Navigation and operations. True to its vision, Transas has introduced THESIS, the Transas Harmonised Eco System of Integrated Solutions. THESIS is a flexible data resource where Ship, Fleet Operations, Academy (simulation & training) and Ship Traffic Control can all be connected to the ecosystem on a cloud based shared data platform. Transas will present its THESIS concept at the conference including a simulation of the Port of George Town. Presentations by Frank Coles - CEO of Transas on (i) Caribbean Port and Coastal Monitoring and Ship Traffic Control and (ii) on Pollution and other hazards prediction and monitoring using simulators, as used by USCG, built by Transas. The Mare Forum 4th Cayman Islands Shipping Summit will focus on the future trends of shipping, the trade and trade patterns affecting shipping, and the yachting business in the region. This conference will explore the imperatives for the Caribbean blue waters, the maritime infrastructure, profitable investments and business opportunities locally and in the Caribbean region, with a special focus on: • The Big Picture. Geopolitical considerations – the future of the American hemisphere, trade patterns, oil and gas renewables and shipping markets outlook. • Profitable investments and business opportunities • Imperatives for the Caribbean waters • Yachting – looking ahead • Doing business in the Cayman Islands To get more information on the event, to register as a delegate or find out about sponsorship opportunities please visit: www.CaymanMaritimeWeek.com or email info@caymanmaritimeweek.com or call +1-345-815-1665 Conference Overview Cayman Maritime Week 2nd - 4th May 2016 - Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort IMS Permanent residence scammers sentenced to prison terms Judge says offenses tarnished Cayman’s reputation CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The promise of perma- nent residence in exchange for money was a “cynical ex- ploitation of vulnerable vic- tims,” Justice Charles Quin declared on Tuesday when he sentenced two women to prison for obtaining property by deception. The women were involved in an immigration scam that led people to hand over more than $2,500 each in the belief that they would be granted permanent residence. Marcia Angella Ham- ilton, 46, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years. She had pleaded not guilty to eight charges of obtaining property by deception. After a judge-alone trial, Justice Quin had found her guilty on six charges, involving a total of $17,500. Judith Francia Douglas, 51, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years. She pleaded guilty in June 2015 to nine counts of ob- taining property by de- ception, involving a total of $20,500. Crown counsel Toyin Salako had asked that Douglas be sentenced after Hamilton’s trial. A third woman, Kath- leen Rosetta Davis, fled Cayman and is believed to be in Jamaica. The women’s offenses oc- curred in 2009-2010. During Hamilton’s trial, various wit- nesses said they had been told that permanent resi- dence was being made avail- able to longtime residents, but there was a fee of $2,500 “because the Cayman Islands government had a big deficit and needed to collect funds.” The program was suppos- edly organized through the office of then-Premier McK- eeva Bush. But that office had confirmed that it did not authorize anyone to collect funds on behalf of the Im- migration Department and there was never any initiative being offered for permanent residence for $2,500. Justice Quin emphasized in his sentencing remarks that neither woman was employed by the Immigration Depart- ment nor by the Office of the Premier; neither was autho- rized to accept applications or money on behalf of govern- ment; neither woman was au- thorized to issue receipts on behalf of government. The defendants targeted people of relatively low in- come, the judge noted. The opportunity to obtain per- manent residence was par- ticularly attractive to people on work permits and sub- ject to the rollover policy be- cause it would have provided security. Many of the victims were domestic workers or caregivers for elderly people. The sum of $2,500 was two or three months’ salary for some, he pointed out. Attorney Margeta Facey- Clarke had told the court that Hamilton was only doing favors for Douglas and Harris and was merely helping family members and friends. But Justice Quin said Hamilton had never ex- plained why immigration of- ficers found so much paper- work when she was arrested – papers in her bedside table, her handbag and her car. She used her car to conduct business and collect money, he said. Ms. Facey-Clarke also de- scribed Hamilton as a victim who was innocently drawn into the scheme, but Justice Quin said Hamilton had con- tinued to take money from other people after asking for her own money back. Attorney Guy Dilliway- Parry had asked that Douglas be given full credit for her guilty pleas, since she had entered them shortly after he came into the matter. She had saved the court time and the expense of a long trial, he pointed out, and 22 witnesses had been spared the anxiety of coming to court. Mr. Dilliway-Parry said the deception started as a small scheme that spiraled out of control as numerous third parties approached the defendants after hearing about the purported program. Douglas was ashamed of what she had done, her at- torney said. She was the only one who accepted full re- sponsibility for her actions. Her neighbors had written a reference for her, calling her an outstanding citizen. Justice Quin noted that only one similar local case had been brought to his at- tention. In that matter, the defendant was sentenced to six years. In his view, the starting point should be four years, with a range of 18 months to seven years. He said the women’s of- fenses had attacked the integrity of the immigration regime and had tarnished the reputation of the Cayman Is- lands. The court had to deter others who might be tempted to try a similar scheme, he indicated. For Hamilton, the only mitigation was that she had no previous convictions, he said. He imposed a term of four years and six months for each offense and ordered that they run concurrently. For Douglas, he accepted her previous good character, her sincere remorse and her apology for wasting court time. For each offense he im- posed a term of two-and-a- half years and ordered that they be served concurrently. Justice Quin cited the legal principle that it would be wrong to order compensa- tion if the defendants do not have means to pay. He directed that they be given credit for time in custody. After court adjourned, Ms. Facey-Clarke confirmed that she is filing an appeal against both convictions and sentence. The women were involved in an immigration scam that led people to hand over more than $2,500 each in the belief that they would be granted permanent residence.THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days Bodden Town In the April 27, 1966 edition of the Cay- manian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the paper’s Personality Parade featured a Bodden Towner: “Full marks for success in a business undertaking go to our ‘Personality’ for this week, Mr. Selkirk Watler, who is one of the island’s leading real estate agents. “Selkirk was born in Bodden Town in 1934, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Watler but from the age of four years was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Watler. Mr. Alfred’s business was raising cattle and his grandson assisted him in this during his schooldays at the Government School. “On Oct. 14, 1954, Selkirk was employed by National Bulk Carriers and remained at sea until 1956. “After this, he left from here on the motor vessel Merco and went to Jamaica where he obtained a visa and joined his father in Ven- ezuela. Here he worked with an oil company for 15 months but decided to go back to sea and joined a ship in Maracaibo. “Returning home early in 1959, he mar- ried Esther Whittaker of North Side, where he lived for some time. There are now six chil- dren in the family, four girls and two boys. “With a sum of money which he had saved whilst at sea, Selkirk bought a piece of property from his grandfather, and from this small beginning he has built up a flourishing real estate business, and today estimates that he owns about 1,500 acres of land in Grand Cayman, a good deal of which is beach property. “Having bought a home in Bodden Town in 1960, the family have now settled there and Selkirk still raises cattle, owning 24 head at the present time. “A few months after going into business, he built a home and a little Anglers Club at Frank Sound, which was later sold to Mr. Leon Hull. Next, he added a cottage next door, which was also purchased by an American. “His next venture in the building line was the erection of his first real estate building in George Town, by Fort George. This is a two-storey office block, 60 feet by 40 feet, with six rooms upstairs and three downstairs. “After this, he tackled two big beach cot- tages at Bodden’s Bay which are available for rent. His latest enterprise is the erecting of a second real estate building, adjoining the first, which will offer 11 offices on the top floor and three at ground level. “Asked if he could put a finger on the se- cret of his success, Selkirk said he guessed the key lay in the fact that he believed in conducting all his business in an honest and straightforward manner. “He is certainly one young Cayma- nian who has done well for himself and climbed the ladder of success rung by rung through his own effort, and we wish him well in the future.” 50 years ago: Selkirk Watler profiled A White House wedding in April ALMA CHOLLETTE achollette@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hugh Cotterell waited 10 years before asking Karen Woon Sam to spend the rest of their lives together. Karen, a court stenographer and Hugh, a public transport in- spector, have known each other since July 2003. The couple, who first met at a gym, have been together since 2005. After making the decision to ask Karen the big question, Hugh went shopping for an engagement ring, taking a friend along. When Hugh did propose, “I was at home,” said Karen, recalling the moment when she realized she was about to em- bark on an exciting new chapter in her life. “I wanted to get married,” she said. On April 2, at the White House in Bodden Town, the couple joined hands in marriage before an esti- mated 36 guests. “I asked her [to marry me] be- cause I love her,” said Hugh. The bride wore a train-free, champagne-colored, halter-neck dress embellished with stones. “I saw it online and liked how it looked,” she said. The wedding ceremony took place at the grand entrance of the White House, followed by a recep- tion in the Marigold Suite and VIP Lounge area of the Bodden Town waterfront venue. Rev. Donovan Myers offici- ated the ceremony and Juliette Heath of Five Star Events planned the wedding. When asked if there was one no- table thing missing on their special day, the couple agreed that for both of them, it was the presence of some of their family members. Nevertheless, “the ceremony and reception was great,” said Karen. “[It was] more than we expected, and we are happy to be married to each other.” For Hugh, his favorite part of the wedding was the ceremony, whereas for Karen, it was the moment she became Hugh’s wife. Both Karen, originally of Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hugh, born in Kingston, Jamaica, are residents of George Town. On April 8, the couple left for their one-week honeymoon on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship. For Hugh, his favorite part of the wedding was the ceremony, whereas for Karen, it was the moment she became Hugh’s wife. Hugh Cotterell and Karen Woon Sam tied the knot before an estimated 36 guests in a ceremony at the White House in Bodden Town on April 2. Rev. Donovan Myers, not pictured, officiated the ceremony.CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 7 DISTRICT DAYS District Days Bodden Town ICCI raises funds in charity walk Students, staff and supporters of the Inter- national College of the Cayman Islands took part in an annual walk, in memory of the col- lege’s founder, earlier this month. On Sunday, April 12, the walk took place for the 14th time in honor of Hugh Cummings, who founded ICCI in 1970. The event raised $2,000 for the J. Hugh Cum- mings Memorial Scholarship Fund for students who are in need of financial aid. The walk, in which 60 people participated, started at ICCI’s campus, with a turnaround at Pedro St. James. Taking part in the fundraising walk were, from left, ICCI President David Marshall, chairman of the ICCI board of trustees Mike Mannisto, trustee April Cummings, ICCI’s President Emerita Elsa Cummings, trustee Heather Bodden, Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden. Cleanup sparks call for further action The tally was consider- able, the volunteers were weary and, in terms of making Bodden Town a cleaner place, the result was a positive one at this year’s Earth Day cleanups in the district. The 50 or so volunteers who took part in the Bodden Town portion of the island- wide Earth Day cleanup on April 16 collected hundreds of bags of trash. “Our area teams were col- lecting 40, 50 bags in their designated zones, just in the few hours that they were out, from around 7-11 a.m. that day,” said Heather Bodden, an advocate for island beau- tification, who helped coordi- nate the cleanup for the local Progressives MLA office. “It’s in my blood,” she says of her passion for con- servation, which she says runs in the family. Notable cleanup coups in- cluded five garbage bags of empty cans and bottles col- lected in just one location, and giant piles of rubbish agglomerated at pickup points throughout the dis- trict, from Savannah to Frank Sound Road. “We all did that on Sat- urday, but there was so much left to do, workers were hired to continue with the exten- sive cleanup that remained to be done in the district,” said Ms. Bodden. She said the cleanup crews worked throughout the following week, into the next weekend. “In our district, we have areas that have garbage piled up for months, telling us that, on one hand, these kinds of cleanups need, for now, to be done more often.” On the other hand, she ar- gues, the amount of trash the cleanup identified signifies a bigger problem. “In the district there was a lot of litter, but also items like mattresses and appli- ances that had just been tossed and left, and it’s giving the impression that at least some people just don’t care,” she said, adding that such items are not only un- sightly but attract vermin and pests. “It’s disheartening to see so much trash, as first and foremost, it’s something I de- spise to see on our beautiful beloved island.” Ms. Bodden said she found it particularly discour- aging that the cleanup vol- unteers and workers found piles of trash so close to available garbage bins. “If we don’t get a handle on this issue, the island will become one big dumping ground,” she said. “We have a landfill, which is where all trash, particularly large items, should be dumped.” Ms. Bodden said the cleanup findings should be motivation for strengthening and enforcing laws that pe- nalize litterbugs. “People need to be made accountable for this kind of behavior, they need to be named and shamed.” Cleanup crew members Dale Bodden, Lisa Daniels (in tire), Crosby Solomon (in yellow), and Katherine Whittaker. Trecia Barnes and her team cleaned up near Bodden Town police station.The mother and daugher team of Lilleth and Indira McLaughlin. A lighted pedestrian crossing sign in front of Savannah Primary School has been knocked down, less than a month after it was installed. Bodden Town Progressives of- fice manager, Heather Bodden said the sign was severely damaged last weekend and a new one will have to be ordered. Ms. Bodden is shaken by the inci- dent since the sign is there expressly for the safety of youngsters leaving the school, which sits on busy Sham- rock Road. “This is unacceptable and a strong message must be sent that the signs are placed for our children’s and others’ safety,” Ms. Bodden said. “We experience a very serious speeding problem on this very street in front of the Savannah Primary School daily,” she added. “Drivers need to adhere to the yellow flashing signals.” Calling the incident “most upsetting,” Bodden Town MLA Os- bourne Bodden was incredulous that a driver had already knocked down a sign that had been up less than a month. “I’ve asked the NRA and RCIPS to make all efforts to find out how this happened and charge the driver, if necessary, and have them pay for the sign as well,” said Mr. Bodden. “I pushed for about a year to get these [lighted crossing signs] for the two school zones [in the district] and it’s very disheartening to see. Suppose this was a pedestrian instead, or God forbid, one of our kids?” It’s not the only sign that has been knocked down in the area recently, Mr. Bodden pointed out. “Drivers have to do better in this busy commerce and school area. I’m asking all drivers to drive with more care in this area, before it’s a person instead of a post.” Savannah school crossing sign flattened The sign in front of Savannah Primary School before it was knocked down. Hopes are high that a new public track at Bodden Town Primary School will benefit students and local athletes, and provide a convenient, safe and easily accessible area for the community to exercise. Minister of Sports Osbourne Bodden, centre front, joined Director of Sports Collin Anglin and other officials at the track’s official opening on April 27. - PHOTO:ALMA CHOLLETTE New track opensThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2016 Screen Printing Digital Printing Athletic Printing Sublimation Print Embroidery Tee Shirts & Sports Shirts Screenprint & Embroidery Tel: 949-3852 171 Eastern Ave. E-mail: LNG@candw.ky www.aceprint.ky are reported jointly. Audi- tors have long argued that this is an inaccurate way to report those figures for retirement savings be- cause each plan is in a dif- ferent financial position. The judicial pension plan, for instance, is fully funded, while the legisla- tors’ plan is barely funded. The civil servants’ retire- ment fund has a significant unfunded liability as well. The healthcare and pen- sion issues were not the only reasons Cayman’s 2013/14 financial state- ments for its entire public sector received an “ad- verse” opinion from au- ditors. Other reasons in- cluded lack of updated information on govern- ment property values and lack of credible informa- tion about government earnings/receivables. The financial statements for government’s 2013/14 budget year, which were completed and signed off by auditors in September 2015, were tabled (made public) in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. Mr. Archer said he spoke about the details of the fi- nancial statements before the House in November, but did not table the financial statements at that time. Following the November meeting, the Legislative Assembly did not meet again until Wednesday. In the 2013/14 audit of government’s financial statements, former Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick said 18 of 26 statutory au- thorities and government companies received the best possible results, an unqualified audit opinion. Government ministries, he said, had struggled with proper financial reporting in the past, but he noted that some of those enti- ties were given “qualified” opinions, meaning some fi- nancial reporting deficien- cies were noted, but that the records were in better shape than they had been. “It’s not what you want, ultimately,” Mr. Swarbrick said at the time. “What your expectation should be is that everybody presents financial statements and they should get unquali- fied opinions. That should be the norm.” However, he said the situation had improved since 2010, when most government agencies and entities were given dis- claimers of opinion or ad- verse opinions on their financial statements. Health debts not to be counted in budget By growing hundreds of new corals from tiny snippets of the most resilient of those marine invertebrates, conser- vationists hope they can help to offset those threats. “Coral reefs are the life of the ocean, so it’s very impor- tant to keep our coral reefs healthy and to grow corals,” said Wayne Hasson, a Sea of Change board member. Mr. Hasson, who is from Cayman but resides in Florida, and other Sea of Change board members are in Cayman this week, along with experts from the Coral Restoration Foundation, to begin installing coral trees and help train dive operators in the process of planting and maintaining the nurseries. In Grand Cayman, per- mits have been issued to Sunset House, Ocean Fron- tiers, Divetech and Cayman Eco Divers to plant nurs- eries. Brac Scuba Shack in Cayman Brac and the Cen- tral Caribbean Marine Insti- tute on Little Cayman also have permits. The Coral Restoration Foundation, which developed the coral tree nursery frame- work in 2010, brought in 20 trees and plans to plant 10 to 15 of them at Grand Cayman sites this week, foundation president Ken Nedimyer said. The trees are made out of PVC piping and re- semble white Christmas trees. Each tree can hold up to 100 corals. The trees float in the water, attached to an anchor with a rope, and can move with storm- generated wave surges, even surviving hurricanes. Coral nursery builders take snippets of what Mr. Nedimyer calls “tough corals” – those that have survived bleaching and disease. The snippets are then tied onto the tree “branches” and left to grow at the nursery for a year or so, and cleaned at least once a month. Mr. Nedimyer said the snippets will usually turn into “basketball sized” corals within a year. When the corals are grown, most are moved from the nursery and planted onto reefs, while the rest are cut into snippets to keep the nursery going. The goal is to keep the nurseries continuously pro- ducing coral by getting rec- reational divers involved in the process. “We’ve refined the process to where it’s very simple to train, very simple to do, and any recreational diver can pick it up [with] an hour of training,” Mr. Nedimyer said. Cameron Higgins, a 17-year-old recreational diver from Pennsylvania, found it easy to learn when he came to Cayman this week to help build the nurs- eries for a school community service project. “A lot of my friends are volunteering at food banks and animal shelters and that’s all important, but people forget how important coral reefs are,” Cameron said. The high school junior said he has been a frequent visitor to Cayman and has seen first- hand how coral reefs have de- graded over the years. “When I was down here maybe four years ago, the problem did not seem as bad,” he said. “It really took a nosedive, and there was a lot of coral bleaching, so I just think it’s important to pre- serve it and let future gen- erations come here and see what’s going on.” Mr. Hasson said he hopes to get more Caymanians in- volved in the coral restora- tion process and Cayman- based businesses to invest in the process. “You live in the environ- ment, you take people diving, you fish, but you don’t nec- essarily think about planting coral,” Mr. Hasson said. “I think it’s an important and phenomenal opportunity for Caymanians to get involved.” Mr. Nedimyer said that when people are actively in- volved in building nurseries and rebuilding reefs, the coral reef becomes their own, in a way. “We’re trying to develop this sense of ownership,” Mr. Nedimyer said. “If you start to own something, you’ll take care of it.” expenditure twice – once when it was paid to CINICO and again when it was paid out for healthcare coverage. “So the government’s ex- penditure was increased,” Finance Minister Marco Ar- cher said. Premier McLaughlin said Wednesday that gov- ernment has changed the system to “eliminate the right pocket to left pocket transfer of funds between government and CINICO.” The change would re- sult in the government no longer “paying twice” for the same healthcare fund. However, Mr. McLaughlin said it would also re- sult in a lower amount of cash being placed overall into the segregated in- surance fund. Typically, government collects between $5 million and $6 million per year for the insurance fund. Government ‘double charged’ itself on healthcare payments CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Typically, government collects between $5 million and $6 million per year for the insurance fund. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Coral ‘trees’ planted to build up Cayman’s reefs Young Caymanian Dimitri Myles works to help set up a coral nursery in the waters off Cayman’s East End. The East End nursery will be the largest in Cayman. – PHOTO: LOIS HATCHER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 TED CRUZ TAPS CARLY FIORINA TO SERVE AS RUNNING MATE INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – In need of momentum after a five-state shutout, Repub- lican presidential candidate Ted Cruz on Wednesday tapped former technology executive Carly Fiorina – a woman who he said has repeatedly “shattered glass ceilings” – to serve as his running mate. The Texas senator an- nounced his pick for vice president at an Indianap- olis rally, an unusual move for an underdog candidate that reflects the increasing urgency for the fiery con- servative to reverse his downward trajectory. Cruz praised Fiorina’s path from secretary to CEO and her past willingness to challenge GOP front-runner Donald Trump. “Carly isn’t intimated by bullies,” he declared, adding, “Over and over again, Carly has shattered glass ceilings.” The 61-year- old Fiorina, a former chief executive of Hewlett- Packard, has been a promi- nent Cruz ally since shortly after abandoning her own presidential bid earlier in the year. She was the only woman in the Republican Party’s crowded 2016 field. “Of all the people who didn’t make it far in the race, she was one of the best about laying out her plan, talking about who she is and her accomplishments,” said Doug De Groote, a fun- draiser for Cruz based near Los Angeles.Next >