High of 88 Low of 76 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. 1 SPECIALFEATURE CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 SUNDAY, MAY 8 “Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” — Robert Browning SPECIAL FEATURE Happy Mother’s Day EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD NOT BE A JOBS PROGRAM ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 180913_PRINT-Ad-Strip-BOTY-6colxPage 1 11/30/15 12:30:30 PM Inaugural Cayman Maritime Week opens KELSEY JUKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com Maritime industry leaders from around the world gathered in Grand Cayman on Monday for the fourth annual Cayman Islands Ship- ping Summit, which also kicked off the first Cayman Maritime Week. The summit, organized by Mare Forum and OreCoal, is under way at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, bringing together industry experts, ship owners and opera- tors, yacht managers and brokers, and other professionals for presentations and net- working events, while showcasing some of the advantages of doing business in the Cayman Islands. “It’s a momentous day in the history of the Cayman Islands and for Cayman shipping,” said Sherice Arman, president of the Cayman Islands chapter of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association. Ms. Arman, who is also a member of the organizing committee, said the event has been 20 years in the making and is the culmination of “an intense year of planning.” Premier Alden McLaughlin, who welcomed attendees at the opening on Monday morning, said the event is unique in that it brings both shipping and yachting industry leaders to- gether, allowing for a “more diverse and broader exchange of ideas and discussion.” With this event, Mr. McLaughlin said, “Cayman is leveraging its highly re- spected shipping registration and flag and showing the international maritime industry leaders … that we are a growing hub of maritime activity.” The premier noted Cayman’s rich mari- time history, saying that although seafaring is no longer a major occupation of Cayma- nians, the jurisdiction has “maintained an en- viable position in shipping” as a crossroads TWO RCIPS FINANCE EMPLOYEES ARRESTED FOR THEFT Unauthorized purchases from grocery store alleged BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two civilian employees in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s finance de- partment have been arrested in connection with what authorities allege was a theft from the police service. The two employees, women ages 37 and 41, were suspended with pay from the RCIPS following their arrest on suspicion of theft. They were arrested on March 31 and April 1 and have since been released on police bail. Neither of the suspects had been charged as of press time Monday. According to sources close to the investi- gation, the thefts involved more than $4,000 in unauthorized purchases from a local gro- cery store. Police became aware of the matter when representatives of the store contacted the RCIPS regarding the unauthorized purchases. “The allegations [in] the case concern transactions conducted on an account the RCIPS holds with a private vendor,” a statement from the RCIPS regarding the arrests indicated. Police said both employees were arrested “as soon as the transactions were discov- ered” and that the two women were placed on required leave. It is typical in cases where criminal wrongdoing has been alleged for civil ser- vice employees to be placed on paid leave until the investigations are completed. First US cruise in decades arrives in Havana HAVANA (AP) – The first U.S. cruise ship in nearly 40 years crossed the Florida Straits from Miami and pulled into Havana Harbor on Monday, restarting commercial travel on waters that served as a stage for a half-cen- tury of Cold War hostility. The gleaming white 704-pas- senger Adonia appeared on the horizon around 8 p.m. EST. Cu- bans fishing off the city’s seaside boulevard, the Malecon, watched it slowly sail toward the colo- nial fort at the mouth of Havana Harbor. The ship stopped off the city’s cruise terminal and began slowly turning into a docking position, the first U.S. cruise ship in Havana since President Jimmy Carter eliminated virtu- ally all restrictions of U.S. travel to Cuba in the late 1970s. Travel limits were restored after Carter left office and U.S. cruises to Cuba only become possible again after Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared detente on Dec. 17, 2014. A violin of their own Eight-year-old students of the RBC Dominion Securities After-School Instrumental Music program at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School received violins from donors to enable them to start weekly violin lessons. Organizers of the Cayman Arts Festival appealed to the public last month through the Cayman Compass to donate unwanted stringed instruments or help with donations. For more on this story, see page 2. - PHOTO: ALMA CHOLLETTE PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Cubans waving their country’s flag greet passengers on Carnival’s Adonia cruise ship as they arrive from Miami on Monday. – PHOTO: AP/RAMON ESPINOSA PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY MAY 3, 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. - TUESDAY - DIARY OF A BADMAN (R) 2:00 I 4:30 I 7:00 I 10:05 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) 3:45 I 9:50 HIGH STRUNG (PG) 1:10 I 3:50 I 7:10 I 9:40 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 (PG13) 12:30 I 6:30 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) LONG TERM RENTALS AT HARBOUR HEIGHTS 2BR/2BA CI$2,600 + utilities + 1 cleaning/wk. 4 separate units. Six to 8 months’ duration. Spectacular on SMB near Public Beach. No children. No pets. Month deposit required. Contact Paula/Shandy at 945-4295 Cayman volleyball star donates stem cells to cancer patient BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands beach volleyball player Jessica Wolfenden arrived home Friday after spending about a week in the U.S. for a bone marrow transplant opera- tion in which she donated blood stem cells to a child cancer patient. Ms. Wolfenden, who made headlines for her team’s per- formance in the NORCECA volleyball tournament last month, rushed to Virginia the same day the tourna- ment ended so that she could begin a nearly week-long medical procedure. She said she still does not know the recipient patient. “We don’t really get any information,” she said Friday. “I do know that throughout the next year I will hopefully get a couple of updates on how things are going. I hope, in the future, I will be able to contact her.” Bone marrow transplant surgery can still be done “the old fashioned way,” by ex- tracting the spongy marrow inside the bone directly from the pelvic area, but this was not the type of donation sur- gery Ms. Wolfenden opted for. In modern medicine, the more common way to donate is via a procedure called pe- ripheral blood stem cell do- nation. This procedure does not require surgery or an- esthesia, but requires a bit more time to perform. The donor receives a shot every day for about four or five days to make the body produce a surplus of stem cells in the blood stream. After the preparation time, a four-hour procedure ensues to extract the blood from one arm and collect the stem cells from the area around the bone. The unused portion of the blood is injected back into the donor. “The peripheral blood stem cells will go into the pa- tient and hopefully attach it- self into her bones and start reproducing,” Ms. Wolfenden said. “They say it’s quite rare to be a match for someone and to go through the whole donation process.” According to the U.S. Na- tional Cancer Institute, it is more common for a person’s own stem cells, or those of a close relative, to be used in the procedure, but strangers with the correct marrow match can be used as well. Both direct bone marrow transplants and peripheral blood stem cell transplants are used to restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of radiation or chemotherapy. The transplant procedures are most often used to assist leukemia and lymphoma patients. Although the preparation period is lengthy, the dona- tion procedure itself is not, and Ms. Wolfenden, who – it should be pointed out – is an internationally competitive athlete, said it did not take long for her to recover. “You’re pretty sore and tired, but you can continue on with your daily activities,” she said. The medical procedure will not interfere with the next beach volleyball tour- nament, an Olympic qualifier in El Salvador in about two weeks, where two Cayman women’s teams including Ms. Wolfenden and Stefania Gandolfi, are due to vie for the top spot and a chance to compete with world leaders in the sport for a place in the 2016 Summer Olympics. For now, Ms. Wolfenden said she is just “chuffed” that she and Ms. Gandolfi made it to the third-place match in the NORCECA tourna- ment here in Cayman, a feat not previously achieved by a local beach volleyball team against top-tier competition. She was also glad the tour- nament did not interrupt the crucial medical procedure, which seeks to save a little girl’s life in the U.S. “Luckily, I was able to do it all,” she said. Students receive donated violins ALMA CHOLLETTE achollette@pinnaclemedialtd.com An appeal for stringed in- struments for talented young musicians tugged at the heartstrings of donors who have supplied students with 10 new violins. The Sir John A. Cumber students who are taking part in the RBC Dominion Secu- rities After-School Instru- mental Music program re- ceived their new violins on April 28. The school’s music teacher, Rebekah Jefferson, said the group of 8-year-olds has been covering the basics, from scales, reading rhythms, to playing melodies and re- vising unpitched percussions, but they needed instruments to enable them to continue their studies and practice. Organizers of the Cayman Arts Festival appealed to the public last month through the Cayman Compass to donate unwanted stringed instruments or to help with donations. In addition to cash dona- tions, violins by Helmut Ger- hart, Cremona and Mendini and Cecilio were handed over to the youth music program. In addition to those 10, two more violins and four cellos are being donated. “We would like to deeply thank all our donors who re- sponded to our appeal for contributions towards our after-school program,” said Cayman Arts Festival Di- rector Marius Gaina. “With their help, we will be able to make the music lessons for students a normal activity and not just a luxury.” Lorna Lumsden, acting principal at Sir John A. Cumber, said, “We are happy to be given the instruments. I look forward to seeing the [students] practice and per- form as they progress.” The after-school music program, started in 2014, provides free lessons and instruments for young stu- dents identified as “gifted and talented” and referred to the program by their music teachers. Sir John A. Cumber stu- dents will hold their first vi- olin practice next week, and will meet two to three times a week with a violin tutor. The Cayman Arts Festival is also asking for assistance in securing clarinets for budding music students in Cayman Brac. To donate, or for more information, call 922-5550 or email director@caymanartsfestival.com. The students check out their new violins last week. – PHOTO: ALMA CHOLLETTE Jessica Wolfenden, left, and Stefania Gandolfi at the NORCECA tournament in Cayman last month. Ms. Wolfenden left Cayman directly after the tournament to donate stem cells to an ill child in the United States. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY CAYMAN SPONSORS BACK BARBADOS INDEPENDENCE DAY Businesses in Cayman are helping to fund the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations of Barbados’s independence this year. Goddard Catering Group’s Anthony Franklin recently handed over a check to Ju- liette Gooding-Michelin of the Barbadian Consulate, and Ishmael Goddard, propri- etor of No. 1 Shoe Shop, has also pledged his com- pany’s sponsorship, Ms. Gooding-Michelin said. “We are very grateful that these community- minded corporate citi- zens have responded to our appeal for sponsor- ship, and hope that their contributions will inspire others, including the Bar- badian-owned or man- aged businesses, to help make this a memorable occasion,” she said. Barbados will cele- brate the 50th anniver- sary of its independence from Britain on Nov. 30. Activities planned in Cayman include a dinner and ball at the Kimpton Seafire resort, a church service at St. George’s An- glican Church, a Bajan cultural fair at the Lions Centre and a Bajan Expo.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 If mom loves to Dwell in style, she’ll love the storewide Mother’s Day sale at Dwell, the furniture and accessories store by IDG. With over 25,000 sq ft of inventory on sale! Give mom a gift certificate for that sectional, dining table or accessory she really wants. The storewide Mother’s Day sale runs May 3rd through May 7th so get mom what she really wants from Dwell - The furniture and accessories store by IDG. 119 Dorcy Drive l 745 4310 l Tuesday - Saturday from 10am - 6pm l www.idgcayman.com LOVE TO DWELLThe 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” On Friday, East End MLA Arden McLean took Deputy Governor Franz Manderson to task on the floor of the Legislative Assembly about a young man who didn’t get a job with the Cayman Islands Prison Service. Though largely a waste of lawmakers’ precious time in Parliament, the exchange of words did serve to shed light on what is right with Cayman’s government, and what is wrong. First we’ll dwell on the positive. According to Mr. Manderson, the recruitment process for new prisons officers was highly competitive. Out of more than 450 applications, six people were hired — including four Caymanians and two permanent residents. (To those new prisons officers, we extend our congratulations and best wishes for a rewarding and meaningful career.) In total, Cayman’s civil service is now made up of 74 percent Caymanian employees, Mr. Manderson said. In regard to the deputy governor’s comment that that statistic is something the jurisdiction could be proud of — we concur, to a limited extent, but only in the context of an additional statement from Mr. Man- derson, which is of far greater importance. “The civil service has been criticized for not doing its job to a high standard, and the only way to change that is to do two things: We train up the people we have now, or we bring in higher-skilled individuals,” Mr. Manderson said. “Would we have liked to employ all seven [Caymanian prison officers]? Absolutely. But we have standards. We are not going to compromise those standards.” Well said, Mr. Manderson. We as a country can certainly take pride in the fact that about three-quarters of our civil servants are Caymanian — but only if that also means that those Caymanian civil servants are of the highest quality and professionalism. Of what value is Mr. McLean’s ideal scenario — a 100 percent Caymanian civil service — if there is no correlation to performance? Who could take pride in such a civil service? Not us and, frankly, we would imagine not too many civil servants either. Mr. Manderson has the proper mindset that our government should be striving toward excel- lence through the raising of standards, not through catering to an entitlement mentality or kowtowing to identity politics. Mr. McLean, on the other hand, seems to believe that the civil service is an employment program for Caymanians. Not only is that the wrong view, it’s also degrading to our country’s civil servants, Caymanians and non-Caymanians alike. The truth is, the civil service plays a very important role in providing vital services to everyone who lives here and supports the government through taxes and fees. That includes all of our residents, including civil servants, who are themselves taxpayers. The civil service should be an aspirational career choice — one that both young and seasoned applicants alike are proud of. The compensation is at the least com- mensurate with the private sector, the benefits far exceed private sector standards and, we trust, upward mobility for high performers is — or certainly should be — ensured. In short, a position in the civil service should never be denigrated by the populace and never be consid- ered by an applicant as a career of “last resort.” The civil service should not be a jobs program TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS FROM CAYMANCOMPASS.COM Public health liabilities $1.12 billion is the current value of future healthcare costs, for Cayman’s retired civil service only, over the next 20-25 years. It has little to do with foreign workers, and will (inevitably) be paid by the Cayman taxpayer. The damaging effect, and most likely why governments (not just Cayman) do not want to recognize the liability on their balance sheet, is the crip- pling effect of compounding. $1.12 billion divided by 25 years equals $45 million that we should be setting aside each and every year. But worse yet, the (health- care) inflation rate is growing by 7 percent in the U.S. That means that the estimated $1.12 billion cost is also growing by $78 million each and every year. To stay with business as usual (i.e. without massive fu- ture tax increases), we would need to be setting aside $123 million each and every year. Each and every year we do nothing, we add $123 million to the remaining years, or an- other $5 million to each and every (remaining) year. Cayman is indeed in a neg- ative net worth position. We have made the $1.12 billion commitment to pay for retired civil service care, after all. Because it is not all due today, does not diminish the liability. If you diminish the liability then one has to also say we may or may not pay for those commitments down the road. Either way, the issues grows by $123 million each and every year. I am not con- vinced that doing nothing, today, is the way to go partic- ularly for the next generation of Caymanians. We should recognize the liability, figure out how we are going to pay for it, and be setting aside money now. Paul Peene LETTER TO THE EDITOR High praise for hyperbaric chamber I have been visiting the Cayman Islands since 1991. Scuba diving is a passion. I have been diving since age 14. I’m writing this letter to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the care I received in the decompres- sion chamber at the George Town hospital. I sustained decompres- sion illness on Wednesday, March 30. I was fortunate enough to be in a place where the illness is under- stood. From the moment I reached the emergency room through all of the treatment, I felt that the physicians and decompression chamber staff were knowledgeable, reas- suring and very caring. When I called Divers Alert Network, they told me I was in the best possible location to treat my problem. I’m happy to report that I have substan- tially resolved. I’m sure the small remnant of symptoms I have will eventually go away. I am a practicing neuro- surgeon in the United States. I understand the impor- tance of the “human touch” and I very much appreciate the care and concern I was shown. The decompression chamber and staff are truly a Cayman Islands treasure. Its value cannot be overstated. I will be eternally grateful for the excellent care I re- ceived. I have every intention of returning to the Cayman Is- lands to dive again. I hope not to see the staff of the decom- pression chamber as a patient. That said, we certainly view them as friends. I wish to spe- cifically thank Dr. Douglas, Dr. Lewis, Richard, Ann, Celine, Peter, Brad, Bradley, Gavin, Aad, Jan, Wendy, David and John. My family and I will al- ways be grateful for their care and concern. J. William Bookwalter III In Dubai: The future of transportation KHALEEJ TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD Back in 2009, Dubai was the first city to roll out a driverless metro rail system – the longest in the world. New lines and routes continue to be added to the network as the city expands. Now, the city is stretching our imagination about driverless transport systems. You simply hop in and out and don’t have to sit behind the wheel of a fuel-guzzling car and waste hours on the road getting to work and back when a new project is im- plemented by 2030. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Presi- dent and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has grand plans for smart transport and connectivity. This is a city that is open 24/7, all through the year, and has a lot to offer to the visitor and resi- dent. It connects the world like no other city does and it wants to connect itself better than any habitation on the planet. This is Shaikh Moham- med’s vision of a futur- istic city, which maximizes human potential and re- sources, while saving the government money when fossil fuels are fading out. What’s important is that it will foster research and development which could drive the push to- wards artificial intelli- gence and robotics in every walk of life. The effect will transform the emirates’ landscape and the way people commute. This move towards robot-driven passenger systems could also save energy, and fits in well with power projects to de- velop alternative, sustain- able sources like solar and wind. Shaikh Mohammed said artificial or driver- less systems would slash transportation costs by 44 percent or Dh900 million (US$245 million). That’s not all. The government said Dh1.5 billion (US$408 million) could be saved because pollution would be reduced – more people would leave their cars at home and opt for public transport instead. Technology has been summoned to make our traveling lives simpler. Smart Governance and Smart City projects are in full steam. With this Smart Trans- port initiative, the UAE and Dubai are going the dis- tance to make travel easier for all people. © 2016, Associated PressThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MAY 3, 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 IMSTUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 6 DISTRICT DAYS District Days West Bay Fishing tournament to honor local angler Registration is now open for the Burnis Ebanks “Lil’B” catch-and-release fishing tournament. The event will be held at Barkers Bay on the June public holiday, the Queen’s Birthday on Monday, June 13. The tournament was planned by family and friends in memory of the late Mr. Ebanks, known to many as “Lil’B,” who lost his life while out snorkeling off West Bay. Until he passed away in 2014 at age 78, Mr. Ebanks was an avid fisherman. Mr. Ebanks was a former seaman, car- penter, North Sound tourist guide and community barber. There is no registration fee for the tour- nament but participants must bring their own fishing lines, bait and supplies, along with chairs and beach towels. Fishing starts at 9 a.m. with a break for refreshments at 11 a.m. and the competition wraps up at 12:30 p.m. “All are invited to come and enjoy a day of reminiscing, refreshments and relax- ation,” said tournament coordinator Ezi- ethamae Bodden. For more information, call Ms. Bodden on 916-1559. COLORFUL HERITAGE KITCHEN COOKING UP RAVES West Bay boasts nu- merous quaint eateries scattered throughout the district, among them the colorful Heritage Kitchen tucked away at the top of Boggy Sand Road by the four-way stop. The eclectic decor and local-focused menu are a draw for tourists and residents alike, and it currently ranks fifth out of 22 West Bay restau- rants on the TripAdvisor travel website. The most recent review on the site de- clares it: “An amazing hole-in-the-wall eatery, this beachfront is a de- light. The food is mainly local fish, and is won- derful. Sitting on picnic- style benches with the ocean metres away is as good as it gets.” Rounding out the top ranked restaurants on the website are, in descending order, Vivo at number 1, Ristorante Pappagallo, Catch Restaurant and Lounge, and Calypso Grill. 50 YEARS AGO: Downed pole causes power outage In the May 4, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, West Bay corre- spondent Leila Yates wrote: “This district was without electricity from midnight on Saturday until 1 p.m. on Sunday. An electric pole was knocked down by a vehicle abreast Mrs. Ada Hydes’ home. Her yard fence was also broken. Mrs. Hydes is quite fortunate the pole fell to the eastward or it would have fallen on her house. “Nurse Icely Smith re- turned on the 28th from Ja- maica where she spent an enjoyable holiday. Arriving on the same plane were Mr. A.G. Hydes and his wife, who is very much improved in health. “Mr. James Anglin ar- rived on the 28th from Na- tional Bulk Carriers where he was employed on the S.S. Petro King, the ship having been sold. “Mr. Richard McDermot left on the 30th to join S.S. Imperial St. Lawrence, also Mr. Roland Hydes to join the same ship. “Mrs. Hazel Rivers left on the 28th for Jamaica to seek medical aid. Her daughter Mrs. Vera Ebanks accompa- nied her. “Mrs. Harvey Ebanks re- turned from Jamaica where she went for medical aid for her baby who is better. “Mrs. Leslie Jackson who has been ailing for some time left on the 28th for Tampa seeking medical attention. Her husband returned home after hearing of her illness and ac- companied her on the trip. “During this week, the members of the Bosun Bay Presbyterian Church will join in daily prayer for wisdom and guidance to the leaders of Colorado Springs, U.S.A. at the 144th synod of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church. Persons who are interested may unite in prayer, a full docket may be seen on re- quest at the Nook, West Bay. “On Mother’s Day at 7:30 p.m., there will be a pro- gramme at the Bosun Bay Presbyterian Church. All mothers are cordially invited. “Mr. Arthur Rivers and family who live in Opa-locka, Florida, are here on vacation. His brother Henry Rivers ar- rived the same day. “Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Par- sons became the happy par- ents of a 7½ pound daughter on the 30th of April. “A programme will be held at Mount Pleasant on the 6th at 7:30 p.m. spon- sored by Mrs. Harley Jackson in aid of a fund for her school building. She is associated with the United Church. This is a worthy cause and no one will regret going. “Mr. Ted. Miller left on the 28th for New York to seek employment.” West Bay’s Heritage Kitchen. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Burnis Ebanks, third from right, pictured with his siblings, from left, Lillis, Rayburn, Arlene, Clearstaine, and Gressmon at a family event in March, 2013. - PHOTO: ZETA BODDENTurning to the arts as a medium for addressing a variety of social issues, Year 6 students of Sir John A. Cumber Primary school recently held their Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition. This year, students worked with the assertion that the arts provide a pow- erful tool to make positive change. The students con- ducted an inquiry on var- ious issues and the current challenges associated with them, and came up with ac- tions that could be taken to alleviate those problems. The students used dance, art, poems, song and drama to express various soci- etal issues such as abuse, crime, war, and bullying during the exhibition, which was held during the week of April 18-22. “It’s a student-centered activity, and its aim was for them to demonstrate an un- derstanding of the PYP,” ex- plained Sir John A. Cumber teacher Annette Vaughan. “The students identi- fied a community issue or problem, and then or- ganized themselves into groups to come up with strategies to address it.” They were guided in their inquiry by men- tors who included parents, teachers and professionals from the community who are connected to their se- lected issue. Miss Cayman, Monyque Brooks, was among the several mentors. “On the completion of their research, the students displayed evidence of their findings in the assembly hall using various media,” said Ms. Vaughan. “The students were able to speak intelligently to their issues of choice.” Ms. Vaughan said the arts component has stu- dents planning and presenting a performance to share their message with the school, parents and wider community. “The presentations em- bodied the PYP attri- butes, learner profile and skills that they have devel- oped throughout their pri- mary school years,” said Ms. Vaughan. Minister of Education Tara Rivers, Ministry Chief Officer Christen Suckoo, MLAs for the district of West Bay and former Coun- cilor for Education MLA Winston Connolly checked out the exhibition and performance. The school’s acting principal Lorna Lumsden and the PYP Coordinator Steve Coles expressed their appreciation to the men- tors and other contrib- utors who gave of their valuable time and exper- tise to assist with the suc- cess of this project. CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 7 DISTRICT DAYS District Days West Bay Exhibition tackles community issues through the arts Year 5 students examine an exhibit on architecture. Breeding season: What to do if you discover a baby bird While the Cayman Turtle Farm’s resident reptiles are its star attrac- tions, the West Bay facility’s exhibits also include a popular aviary and other animal displays. “What may not be as well known to the public is that the terrestrial ex- hibits division also houses a small- scale animal rescue rehabilitation facility,” said Terrestrial Exhibits and Education Programmes curator Geddes Hislop. Mr. Hislop notes that April through June is nesting season for Cayman’s resident birds, and it is not unusual for the farm’s terrestrial staff to receive juvenile birds “rescued” by concerned public. A little foreknowl- edge when it comes to baby birds can go a long way in ensuring their survival. “The rescue birds we receive at the aviary usually comprise the most common species that nest in urban areas: Antillean grackle (ching-ching), northern mockingbird (nightingale), white-wing dove (big dove), common ground dove, and bananaquit,” said Mr. Hislop. “We instinctively feel a sense of pity or concern to care for babies in apparent distress, but immediately picking up a ‘fallen’ chick to cuddle and try to care for it is not always the best move,” he said. He said baby birds are very de- manding and need to be fed almost constantly from sunup to sundown, right up until they leave the nest, and even for some time afterward. “It takes a lot of time, effort and attention to care for them, a job much better suited to their bird parents than an adopted human caretaker,” he said. Here are a few tips Mr. Hislop’s team suggest following when an apparently misplaced baby bird is encountered: ■■ Identify the developmental stage of the chick: hatchlings or nest- lings may be bald (pinkish or greyish) or partially covered with feathers, usually wobbly and not very mobile. Fledg- lings are completely feathered and mobile. They may or may not be able to fly, but can at least hop or scramble away. ■■ If the bird found on the ground is indeed a hatchling or nest- ling, then it may have genu- inely fallen from its nest, which should not be far away. Look up and around. Search the veg- etation, poles or edges of roofs in the immediate area for the nest. If you find it, then gently scoop up the chick and return it to the nest. Do not worry about the myth that your scent on the chick will cause the par- ents to reject it, birds recog- nize their offspring by sight and sound, not by smell. ■■ If you cannot reach or find the nest, then poke some drainage holes in a plastic cup or small container, line it with dry grass, leaves or paper towel and fix it in a sheltered spot off the ground close to the original nest and then leave. The parents should be nearby and will care for the chick. ■■ If the bird is a fledgling, then it is best to leave it alone. Falling from the nest is a natural part of the development of a fledg- ling. Even if you are able to re- turn it to the nest, it will most likely fall out again at some point as it tries to learn to fly. Back away and observe the bird for a while. If it appears to be in a dangerous spot such as on the edge of a road or near a dog or cat, then you can move it or chase it to somewhere safer, but not too far away. You may or may not see or hear them, but the parents will likely be somewhere nearby watching the chick. The parents will con- tinue to care for the fledgling until it can fly and follow them around, which will most likely happen in a few days or less. ■■ If the bird is obviously injured or hurt then it may need inter- vention: put it in a box where it can be in a quiet, less stressful environment. Offer water but do not try to feed it. Contact a vet- erinarian or the Turtle Farm’s Animal Programmes for advice. “Enjoy our local birds, and re- member that most of our native spe- cies are protected under the National Conservation Law,” said Mr. Hislop. For more information on Cayman wildlife, contact the Department of Environment or Cayman Turtle Farm Animal Programmes at 949-3894 x 4301, or email info@turtle.ky. A mockingbird nest holding eggs. A white-wing dove on its nest with a chick.8 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS NOTICE TO THE MEMBERS OF CAYMAN NATIONAL PENSION FUND LTD. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of Members of the Cayman National Pension Fund Ltd. to be held Thursday 5th May, 2016, in the Cayman National Building, 4th Floor Board Room, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman at 4pm. The Agenda is set out below: AGENDA 1. Review the Minutes of the last Members Meeting held on the 3rd March, 2016 and any matters arising. 2. Receive Audited Financial Statements for the period ended 30th September 2015. 3. Report from Investment Committee. 4. Trustee Elections: Herb Strickland retires by rotation and is eligible for re-election. 5. Any other competent business. Bankrupt bank’s offices for sale JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Caledonian building and solar car park in George Town has gone on the market as its liquidators attempt to recover some cash from the defunct company to pay off its creditors. The bank, which had been in business for 44 years, was declared bankrupt in Feb- ruary last year just days after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit in connection with sham stock offerings and penny stock pump and dump schemes. Caledonian House, the three-story office building on Dr. Roy’s Drive, which served as the bank’s headquar- ters, was recently valued at US$6.5 million. However, Avata Prop- erty Services, which has been instructed by liquida- tors EY on the sale, indicated it will listen to all offers for the property. “Obviously, it will ulti- mately be worth what a com- mercial investor believes they will be able to rent it for,” said Matt King, a senior sur- veyor with the firm. He said the building would appeal to an owner- operator or, more likely, a commercial landlord. A unique feature of the building is its distinc- tive parking lot, covered with solar panels. This pro- vides an income of around US$83,000 annually through the Caribbean Utilities Com- pany’s CORE program, ac- cording to Avata. The building itself, which features 17,000 square feet of office space, covers only 11 percent of the site, meaning there is some devel- opment potential. Mr. King said the sale was not listed on the stan- dard property multi-listing system and was being adver- tised specifically to commer- cial investors. In a more general anal- ysis of Cayman’s office rental market, Avata notes that de- mand in George Town is being impacted by quality new developments in Camana Bay and Cricket Square. It states, “The highest vacancies are in the lower classed buildings, the ma- jority of which are located within George Town. We are of the opinion that this due to factors such as the govern- ment consolidating their op- erations into the new building and, in particular, Camana Bay and Cricket Square en- ticing many of the larger cor- porations to new high speci- fication accommodation. “The deterioration of George Town as a location may also be a factor as nu- merous bars and eateries have closed in recent years and areas slated for redevel- opment, such as Mary Street, Eastern Avenue and Shedden Road, have been neglected.” Church versus state in unique planning battle JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com After being refused plan- ning permission for a house of God, a Cayman Islands church is seeking compensation from the Central Planning Authority. However, written legal ad- vice from the Attorney Gen- eral’s Chambers suggests government’s lawyers be- lieve the application does not have a prayer. Representatives for the Bethel Refuge Apostolic Church says its land in Sa- vannah, acquired solely for the purpose of building a new $1 million, 400-seat church, has been rendered worthless by the CPA’s decision to deny planning permission. Citing a little known and rarely used section of the De- velopment and Planning Law, lawyers for the church have submitted a claim for compensation. A letter from the church’s lawyer to the Central Planning Authority, states: “Simply put, there is no alternate type of development which my client would or could engage in, other than a church building. “It is therefore my client’s contention that, given that it cannot use this property for any other purpose than that which is prescribed by its constitutional documents, and given that my client has no other use for the land, it should be compensated in the amount of the market value of the land.” The letter, included in the agenda papers for the latest meeting of the Central Plan- ning Authority, says the land is valued at $260,000 based on a surveyor’s report. It acknowledges that the re- quest for compensation, under Section 31 of the Development and Planning Law 2015, is “perhaps unprecedented.” The section allows for claims of compensation in cases where the refusal of planning permission devalues the land and there is no pros- pect of alternative applications being approved. The church’s letter sug- gests its case fits that criteria because, as a non-profit re- ligious institution, it has no other purpose for the land. Planning permission was ini- tially rejected after complaints from residents in the area about the impact on traffic and property values. In a memorandum from the Attorney General’s Cham- bers to the CPA, also published with the agenda papers, gov- ernment lawyers suggest the claim for compensation is without merit. It states, “The applicant has provided no evidence that the refusal by the CPA to grant planning permission to build the said church was unlawful or unreasonable or was in breach of the rules of natural justice or was con- trary to the Development and Planning Law …” It adds that the refusal re- lates solely to the specific planning application put for- ward and there is nothing to stop the church bringing other applications in relation to the land. The written advice states that the CPA’s decision was in accordance with the law and concludes, “The applicant is not entitled to compensation.” Lawyer Samuel Jackson, who is representing the church in the dispute, said Section 31 was seldom used by jilted ap- plicants. But he said it pro- vided protection against ar- bitrary refusals of planning permission, which served to diminish land values. “One needs to bear in mind that land has no intrinsic value if it cannot be developed, and our legislative framework is posited on a presumption in favour of development, un- less there are good reasons demonstrated for refusing planning permission.” In this case, he said the reasons for refusing the ap- plication were insuffi- cent and the appeal was “summarily dismissed.” He added, “There was no indication that there was any other permission available to my client, either in the form of a modified or scaled back pro- posal or otherwise, just an out- right refusal of permission, for purely speculative reasons. “The effect of this deci- sion is that it shuts down the potential development of the property for this ap- plicant and it seriously im- pinges on their ability to sell the land for its full value since, after such strenuous resistance from such promi- nent objectors, resulting in two successive refusals, it is unlikely that any prudent buyer would even think of acquiring this property as a development site. “An appeal to the Grand Court would be a very costly exercise for my client. Conse- quently, my client has been left with no viable option but to pursue compensation in accordance with the provi- sions of Section 31 of the De- velopment and Planning Law, a provision that has existed since its inception. “I don’t think this is some- thing the Central Planning Au- thority will have seen before, because most applicants don’t choose to go down this route, but the law is clear, they are entitled to compensation.” The church, currently housed in rented buildings in Prospect Park, was first refused planning permission in December 2014, after residents complained about traffic and parking issues and said it would bring down property values. “The intensity of use from the church, including vehic- ular and pedestrian traffic and general human activity, will not be consistent with the character of the surrounding low density area and this will detract from the ability of the neighboring land owners to enjoy the amenity of the area,” the CPA wrote in its original decision, which was upheld on appeal. Several residents wrote to the CPA to complain that the church would adversely af- fect the value of their homes. Others complained about traffic and parking issues and pointed out that the commu- nity of Savannah is already well served with four churches in the surrounding area. The National Roads Au- thority suggested the im- pact on traffic would be minimal. But despite that as- sessment, the CPA said it believed the new building would create “traffic safety is- sues.” In refusing the applica- tion, it also cited parking and the effect of church traffic on the neighborhood. In letters to the planning authority at the time, senior pastor Christopher Murray re- sponded to some of the com- plaints, suggesting that church elders were “taken aback” by residents’ comments that a church would detract from the neighborhood. He adds that the idea that a church would lower property values is without merit. “A house built unto the Lord does not depre- ciate the value of a commu- nity, but on the contrary, en- hances it,” he wrote. Pastor Murray did not re- spond to requests for com- ment this week. Citing a little known and rarely used section of the Development and Planning Law, lawyers for the church have submitted a claim for compensation. Caledonian Bank, based in Caledonian House in George Town, went into liquidation and bankruptcy last year following a run on the bank after the SEC froze its assets. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY MAY 3, 2016 In Loving Memory of Donley Wood 14th February 1945 - 3rd May 2005 Our memories of you will always be with us. We love you and miss you every day that you are gone. Sadly missed by : your loving wife Kinsey, children and grand-children. every day that you are gone. Donley Wood to the Americas and with a strong shipping registry, which was recognized last month by the International Chamber of Shipping as “top of class” in its 2015-2016 an- nual Flag State Performance Table. The registry is one of only 15 flag states to achieve such a distinction, Premier McLaughlin said. He added that the intro- duction of the Cayman Mar- itime Services Park enables businesses in the industry to “efficiently and cost-ef- fectively” set up a physical presence in the islands. “Cayman is actively cre- ating a global maritime cluster that enables those in the maritime industry to take advantage of all the benefits our world-class ju- risdiction has to offer,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “It is our hope that you will be con- vinced to bring your busi- ness to our shores.” Speakers and panelists spent the day discussing a variety of issues relating to the shipping industry from both a global and local perspective. During the first session, on geopolitical consider- ations, panelists discussed the importance of making a concerted effort to better protect the environment, measures to prevent the loss of containers, and the state of the shipping market overall, among other topics. Other sessions of the Mare Forum will address topics related to marine in- frastructure, safety and port and coastal monitoring in Caribbean waters; yachting services and the competitive advantages of varying yacht markets; and advantages and disadvantages of doing business offshore, particu- larly in the Cayman Islands. Cayman Maritime Week continues Tuesday with a seminar on the state of the marine environment, fea- turing local marine biolo- gist and artist Guy Harvey. The seminar is hosted by the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Asso- ciation and the North Amer- ican Marine Environment Protection Association. On Wednesday, the final day of the “week,” the Dig- ital Ship Maritime CIO Forum will address the role of IT and communications in the shipping industry, with a special focus on technology and innovation. The Adonia’s arrival is the first step toward a future in which thousands of ships a year could cross the Florida Straits, long closed to most U.S.-Cuba traffic due to ten- sions that once brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The straits were blocked by the U.S. during the Cuban Missile Crisis and tens of thousands of Cubans have fled across them to Florida on homemade rafts – with untold thousands dying in the process. The number of Cubans trying to cross the straits is at its highest point in eight years and cruises and mer- chant ships regularly rescue rafters from the straits. The Adonia is one of Carnival’s smaller ships – roughly half the size of some larger European vessels that already dock in Havana – but U.S. cruises are expected to bring Cuba tens of millions of dollars in badly needed foreign hard currency if traffic increases as expected. More than a dozen lines have announced plans to run U.S.- Cuba cruises and if all actu- ally begin operations Cuba could earn more than $80 million a year, according to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Eco- nomic Council said in a re- port Monday. Most of the money goes directly to the Cuban gov- ernment, council head John Kavulich said. He estimated that the cruise companies pay the government $500,000 per cruise, while passengers spend about $100 person in each city they visit. Carnival says the Adonia will cruise twice a month from Miami to Havana, where it will start an $1,800 per person seven-day cir- cuit of Cuba with stops in the cities of Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. The trips include on-board workshops on Cuban history and cul- ture and tours of the cities that make them qualify as “people-to-people” educa- tional travel, avoiding a ban on pure tourism that re- mains part of U.S. law. Optional activities for the Adonia’s passengers include a walking tour of Old Ha- vana’s colonial plazas and a $219 per person trip to the Tropicana cabaret in a classic car. Before the 1959 Cuban revolution, cruise ships reg- ularly traveled from the U.S. to Cuba, with elegant Carib- bean cruises departing from New York and $42 overnight weekend jaunts leaving twice a week from Miami, said Mi- chael L. Grace, an amateur cruise ship historian. New York cruises fea- tured dressy dinners, movies, dancing and betting on “horse races” in which stew- ards dragged wooden horses around a ballroom track ac- cording to rolls of dice that determined how many feet each could move per turn. The United Fruit company operated once-a-week cruise service out of New Orleans, too, he said. “Cuba was a very big des- tination for Americans, just enormous,” he said. Cruises dwindled in the years leading up to the Cuban Revolution and ended entirely after Castro overthrew the U.S.- backed government. After Carter dropped limits on Cuba travel, 400 passengers, including mu- sical legend Dizzy Gillespie sailed from New Orleans to Cuba on a 1977 “Jazz Cruise” aboard the MS Daphne. Like the Adonia, it sailed de- spite dockside protests by Cuban exiles, and continued protests and bomb threats forced Carras Cruises to cancel additional sailings, Grace said. The following year, how- ever, Daphne made several cruises from New Orleans to Cuba and other destinations in the Caribbean. Cuba cut back on all cruise tourism in 2005, ending a joint venture with Italian terminal management company Silares Terminales del Caribe and Fidel Castro blasted cruise ships during a four-and-a-half-hour speech on state television. “Floating hotels come, floating restaurants, floating theaters, floating diversions visit countries to leave their trash, their empty cans and papers for a few miserable cents,” Castro said. Today, the Cuban gov- ernment sees cruises as an easy source of revenue that can bring thousands more American travelers without placing additional demand on the country’s maxed- out food supplies and over- booked hotels. First US cruise in decades arrives in Havana Inaugural Cayman Maritime Week opens Premier Alden McLaughlin speaks at the opening of the inaugural Cayman Maritime Week on Monday morning. – PHOTO: KELSEY JUKAM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The protest boat Democracia sails past Carnival’s Adonia before it leaves Miami on Sunday en route to Cuba. After a half-century of waiting, passengers finally set sail on a historic cruise to Cuba. – PHOTO: CARL JUSTE/THE MIAMI HERALD VIA AP People watch as the cruise ship Adonia pulls into the port of Havana, Cuba. – PHOTO: AP/RAMON ESPINOSA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >