ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 High of 88 Low of 76 Seas: Moderate to rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet.Small crafts should exercise caution from early morning. ABCDE NATIONAL WEEKLY Olympics Running under the radar 16 5 Myths The Pacific Rim 23 The first, and what follows Becoming a trailblazer, like the first black president, is never easy. Living with the label can be just as hard. PAGE 12 Politics A party’s identity crisis 4 Nation A higher rebound for the rich 8 THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 . IN COLLABOR ATION WITH THE WASHINGTON POST The Frist, and what follows EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 SECTION 12: LAWMAKERS’ WORK HAS JUST BEGUN NEW SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA ALSO INCLUDING ORIGINAL CHICKEN SANDWICH AND EXTRA LONG FISH SANDWICH Possible 2024 ‘depletion’ of gov’t retirement fund BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Unless government increases employee contributions to the main civil service retire- ment fund, financial advisers estimate that the pension fund for most older government workers and current retirees could be de- pleted by 2024. The projection involves the “defined ben- efit” portion of the civil service retirement plan managed by the Public Service Pensions Board. The defined benefit plan, which pro- vides a monthly payment to retirees based on their final month’s government salary, was closed to new government employees in April 1999. After that date, the vast majority of gov- ernment hires have contributed their pension to a defined contribution plan, which oper- ates more like a 401k retirement savings ac- count and does not secure a “lifetime” benefit for plan members. As of Jan. 1, 2014, Public Service Pensions Plan actuaries estimated that the civil ser- vants retirement plan was underfunded by more than $226 million, meaning the plan’s assets would be significantly lower than its liabilities when estimated over a 20-year pe- riod. It is not a debt or shortfall that govern- ment has to pay immediately. However, actu- aries were concerned enough about the status of the fund to determine that: “A continuation of the current level of contributions to the de- fined benefit plan is projected to result in the depletion of the defined benefit allocated fund BRYAN LAUNCHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Former radio talk-show host and one- time assistant to the premier, Kenneth Bryan, fired the starter’s pistol on election campaign season Monday, becoming the first person to declare his candidacy. Mr. Bryan, a candidate for the Progres- sives at the last election in 2013, will run as an independent in the newly created single- member district of George Town Central. Almost a year out from the putative spring 2017 ballot, Mr. Bryan has launched a mul- timedia advertising campaign on television, radio and in the newspapers. He told the Cayman Compass he plans to use the coming months to consult widely in his community and bring a manifesto into the campaign that reflects the views of his constituents. Mr. Bryan already knows the area well. He said, “This is the area where I was born, the area where I grew up. I remember walking the streets of Eastern Avenue barefoot, as a kid growing up.” He hopes his ties to the community will serve him well under the new one man, one vote system that will see candidates facing off in smaller, distinct districts for the first time. Running his gaze across a map of the con- stituency, which runs from the North Sound to the downtown waterfront, Mr. Bryan said he plans to pound the pavement and ensure his face and his ideas are widely known in the district, which comprises some of the most underprivileged areas in Grand Cayman. “Many of the social ills that are being ne- glected by the government are impacting George Town Central. The people that I stand for are the ones that have been left out the most by this government,” he said. “I don’t see anybody standing up for the average man and woman in this country. “Caymanians need to know they will get the NEWSPAPER VENDOR HONORED WITH MOTHER’S DAY PACKAGE JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Mae Thompson is a fa- miliar sight to drivers near Jo- se’s Rubis every morning where, in rain or shine, she delivers a daily dose of good humor along with the newspapers she sells to commuters. The newspaper vendor re- ceived a surprise early Mother’s Day treat on Friday when the Carnival time in Cayman Thousands of carnival-goers dressed in the distinctive, colorful costumes of Bata- bano, filled the streets of Grand Cayman on Saturday as the country came together for the annual festival. From Public Beach in West Bay to George Town, the participants presented a sea of red, gold and green as far as the eye could see. Thousands more lined the streets to watch as carnival-goers danced through to the pounding rhythms of soca music. The event was one of the best-attended carnivals in recent years, and it was almost 5:30 p.m. before the parade reached its final destination on Harbour Drive in the capital. The carnival and after-parties ap- peared to have unfolded safely, with po- lice reporting no major incidents in the af- termath. For more photos, see page 8. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Mae Thompson sells a Cayman Compass newpaper to an early morning commuter. Ms. Thompson was honored with Mother’s Day gifts by Westin employees on Friday. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Thousands took to Grand Cayman’s streets on Saturday to participate in or watch the annual Cayman Carnival Batabano parade. – PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Cayman Carnival Batabano Chair Donna Myrie Stephen got into the spirit of the parade.2 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY MAY 9, 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. - MONDAY - CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 3D (PG13) 1:00 I 2:00 2D I 4:10 I 7:30 I 9:00 9:30 2D THE JUNGLE BOOK 3D (PG) 1:00 I 1:30 2D I 3:30 I 4:00 2D I 6:30 7:10 2D I 9:40 2D MOTHER’S DAY (PG13) 1:10 I 3:50 I 7:00 I 9:50 HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR (PG13) 1:20 I 4:15 I 7:20 I 10:00 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 Visiting Gynecologist will be available for consultation at Dr. Vivek's offi ce at Smith Road Plaza from 17-25 May, 2016 For appointments please call (345)945-6077 +1 (345) 323-7840 www.drbarryrichter.com Timothy Clarke Director TC Drafting Services Specializing in... Architectural Services Planning Consultancy P.O. Box 11353 Grand Cayman KY1-1008 CAYMAN ISLANDS Cell: (345) 323-0416 Phone: (345) 947-3148 Email: timmy.clarke@gmail.com Mother’s life sentence is 26-plus years for murder Woman killed daughter to exact revenge on husband, court says CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Tamara Olita Butler was sentenced to life imprison- ment on Friday for the Oc- tober 2014 murder of her daughter Bethany, who was six years old. However, under new legislation, she may be eligible to apply for release in 26 years and 191 days. Butler, who will be 39 on May 19, could therefore be out of prison before her 66th birthday. Under the Conditional Release Law, which came into effect in February, when a person is sentenced to a term of life imprison- ment, the judge is obliged to specify the period of in- carceration the person must serve before being eligible to be considered for condi- tional release. For murder, that period is 30 years un- less there are extenuating or aggravating circumstances. Justice Alistair Malcolm explained the principles of the law before citing the fea- tures of what he called “this horrific killing” of a vulner- able child. He noted that the pe- riod of imprisonment has to satisfy the requirements of retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation. In Butler’s case, she was in a position of trust and in- flicted “undoubted physical and mental agony” on her daughter by stabbing her 35 times. These aggravating fea- tures raised the 30-year period to 34 years, the judge said. However, he accepted psy- chiatric evidence that Butler has a paranoid person- ality disorder. That did not amount to a legal defense of “diminished responsibility,” but it did lower her degree of culpability, he said. That was an extenuating circumstance, the judge ac- cepted. He also agreed with defense attorney Lau- rence Aiolfi that Butler was of previous good char- acter and had a history of being an excellent mother to Bethany until the night of the murder. For those reasons he reduced the pe- riod of 34 years by six, for a total of 28 years. From that figure he de- ducted the one year and 174 days Butler has already been in custody. He then told Butler, as the law requires, “The sen- tence is therefore imprison- ment for life with a period of incarceration before you are considered for condi- tional release on license of 26 years and 191 days.” Trial by judge alone took place in March. The defense, led by senior counsel Trevor Burke, argued that Butler was not in her right mind when she committed the crime and should be con- victed of manslaughter in- stead of murder. Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryll Richards submitted that the question was whether Butler knew what she was doing was wrong. Before passing sentence, Justice Malcolm summed up the evidence presented at trial and his reasons for finding Butler guilty of murder. On the night of Oct. 26- 27, 2014, Butler used at least two knives to inflict wounds all over Bethany’s body. The pathologist had listed 35 wounds to the girl’s head, back and chest, with other wounds to the abdomen. The killing took place in the master bedroom, where investigators later found blood on the floor, and seven of Bethany’s footprints were identified in the blood. “Clearly she was moving about trying to escape your attack when she was already severely wounded,” the judge said. “The terror and agony that she must have expe- rienced being attacked in that way by her mother is unimaginable.” Bethany’s father, Lenford Butler, a police sergeant, had locked Bethany in the room at her request because her mother had tried to shave the child’s head after shaving her own. Mr. Butler gave his daughter a phone so that she could call him. “You broke into the bedroom, removed the phone and shaved her hair off before killing her,” Justice Malcolm told the convicted woman. Having heard evidence from psychiatrists called by both the prosecution and defense, the judge said he was not satisfied, on a bal- ance of probabilities, that Butler was acting under the influence of a voice which she told psychiatrists was the voice of God. Neither was he satisfied that she was suffering from a de- pressive type of schizo-af- fective disorder. He preferred the evi- dence that Butler had a paranoid personality dis- order with traits of a narcis- sistic personality disorder. Because of this, the judge said, Butler over-reacted and made grand gestures. When she thought her hus- band was being unfaithful she went into the church pulpit and announced it to the congregation. The shaving of her head was a grand gesture to get attention from her husband, he judge said. When Mr. Butler did not react in the way she wished, she then felt “utterly re- jected, humiliated and fu- rious. Your feelings of anger with your husband were then directed at Bethany, particularly, in my view, be- cause she had refused to have her head shaved and because she had asked to be in a locked bedroom away from you. Dr. Myers [one of the psychiatrists] says in his opinion you vented your rage on Bethany, killing and disfiguring her in a way to exact revenge on your hus- band because you thought he was unfaithful and did not care about you.” CORRECTION A story titled “District students take action for Earth Day” that ran on page 10 in the May 6 edition of the Cayman Compass in- correctly identified Joylyn Ebanks-King position at the school. Her correct title is deputy principal. The Cayman Compass strives for accuracy and is committed to correcting er- rors that appear in the news- paper. Those interested in contacting the paper for that purpose can email the editor at newsdesk@pinnaclemedi- altd.com. CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Maurice David Jackson, 23, charged with attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, appeared in Sum- mary Court on Friday afternoon. Jackson is accused of attempting to unlawfully cause the death of Fer- nando Thompson on April 20. The second charge is in the alternative. Magistrate Valdis Fol- dats explained that the charges could be dealt with only in Grand Court. The matter was set for men- tion in the higher court on May 27. Defense attorney Prathna Bodden did not make a bail application. No other details of the incident were aired in court. A press release from po- lice after the incident said police and emergency ser- vices responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence in the vicinity of Lariat Road in North Side around 7:15 p.m. The officers re- portedly found a small crowd assisting a man, age 36, who was bleeding from stab wounds. ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ COLD FRONT BREEZES THROUGH CAYMAN ALMA CHOLLETTE achollette@pinnaclemedialtd.com A late season cold front blew over the Cayman Is- lands in the early hours of May 5, bringing cloudy con- ditions, isolated showers, moderate-to-fresh westerly winds and choppy seas. Although cold fronts in the Caribbean are more fre- quent from mid-October to early April, “late-season” cold fronts can occur later in the spring. However, according to Fred Sambula, former di- rector of the Weather Ser- vice, a cold front this late in spring is unprecedented in Cayman. Cayman Islands Na- tional Weather Service records show that by last Thursday afternoon winds had shifted to the north- west to north with con- tinuing rough seas. With a cold front, it is normal to experience southerly winds ahead of the front. After the front passes, a shift in the winds to the northwest or north- east usually occurs. A high pressure area behind the cold front will continue to impact the area through at least Tuesday morning. A small craft advisory is in effect from early Monday morning as winds are ex- pected to be east to north- east at 15 to 20 knots, with moderate to rough waves of 4 to 6 feet. “The terror and agony that she must have experienced being attacked in that way by her mother is unimaginable.” ALISTAIR MALCOLM, Grand Court judge Tamara and Bethany Butler ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE SENT TO GRAND COURT3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 CHAMBER PENSION PLAN WWW.CHAMBERPENSION.KY Everyone’s life story is different. Let us write your retirement chapter. James is fascinated with Japanese culture and anime. This inspired him to write and illustrate his own stories and launch his own publishing company. One day he hopes to visit Japan - to explore the culture, beautiful scenery and rich history for himself. Healthcare costs skyrocketing, minister says BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands has 345 outstanding “loans” to residents who do not main- tain healthcare coverage, with unpaid balances of $12.3 mil- lion owed to government. The government’s overall cost of providing health- care to its currently insured employees, retired civil ser- vants, seamen and veterans has increased from $87 mil- lion in 2012 to $107 million this year. The 20-year estimated li- ability government carries for future healthcare ex- penses, measured at today’s value, has ballooned from $654 million in 2004 to $1.18 billion in 2014. “Essential services such as education, national security and health- care are underfunded be- cause of the healthcare costs and the long-term healthcare liability,” Finance Minister Marco Archer said Friday. Minister Archer told the Legislative Assembly in a statement that the gov- ernment “recognized the gravity and significance of the healthcare cost liability facing the country and the struggles it presented in pre- paring the budget annually.” The minister, who faces a re-election by May of next year, said those reasons – as well as some others – explain why government has come to the decision that civil servants will have to start paying a portion of their own healthcare pre- miums by 2018. The problem is so daunting that charging civil servants for a portion of their monthly healthcare costs won’t, by itself, fix the issue, the minister said. Other measures being considered are expected to be implemented shortly. Those include a proposal – expected to come before the Legislative Assembly next month – to raise the civil service retirement age to 65. Increasing the current re- tirement age from 60 would mean government workers pay into the healthcare system longer, putting addi- tional funds toward future liabilities in healthcare. “The proposed increase in the retirement age will benefit civil servants in nu- merous ways, such as al- lowing willing and able civil servants to earn a higher salary [rather than] a pen- sion, or being able to nego- tiate lower mortgage pay- ments with more years to repay their mortgages,” Mr. Archer said. Other options being con- sidered that won’t appear before the assembly in the next meeting include a pro- posed cap on lifetime health insurance benefits per em- ployee. That cap now stands at $5 million. Mr. Archer said even upper-echelon private sector health plans max out at $2 million lifetime benefits. The government is also weighing graduated benefits for retirees; in other words, whether someone who has worked in the civil service for 10 years should receive the same level of healthcare coverage in retirement as someone who has had a 30- year career in government. The cost of healthcare benefits is an issue the U.K. has raised with Cayman in previous budget meetings. Mr. Archer said former Over- seas Territories Minister Mark Simmonds addressed the issue in June 2013, right after the Progressives-led government took office. “The minister stressed his concern about the size of the civil service and the related cost and liabilities and que- ried what the government in- tended to do about it,” Mr. Ar- cher said. Mr. Archer said the gov- ernment has discussed lowering healthcare costs with civil servants and government managers sev- eral times, and added that he stood by statements made last month that indicated it was “pretty much accepted” civil servants would have to pay a portion of their own healthcare costs. “It is pretty much ac- cepted that the implementa- tion of co-pay should come with choice of healthcare services provider,” he said. “What remains to be agreed are the details of who will contribute and how much the contribution will be.” CHIEF JUSTICE ESTABLISHES EDUCATION COMMITTEE With the goal of main- taining a high level of profes- sionalism through continued training, development and ed- ucation of judges and magis- trates, Chief Justice Anthony Smellie last week announced the formation of the Judicial Education Committee. The committee is ex- pected to create a learning environment that embraces both formal local and over- seas opportunities for de- velopment, as well as on- the-job training. “It is well recognized that continued training and learning are essential to en- hancing the quality of pro- fessional services that can be provided by the courts,” said Justice Ingrid Mangatal, committee chairwoman. Ms. Mangatal said the training will “encompass not only basic judicial tools and skills, but will also include developing and increasing expertise and knowledge in particular areas of law practice.” This is of particular im- portance in meeting and serving the needs of the public, especially court users, she said. The committee will sup- port the court adminis- trator in identifying areas for the continuing education and training of administra- tive staff and involving the judiciary in the delivery of training where possible. The committee will also assume primary responsi- bility for the judicial ad- ministration’s annual guest lecture series, and for or- ganizing a program where judges and magistrates will provide oversight and guid- ance to trainee lawyers. The trainee program is to be structured as a formal part of their articles, the final stage of training leading to qualification to practice. The newly appointed committee members are Justice Ingrid Mangatal, chairwoman; Chief Jus- tice Smellie; Court of Appeal Justice Dennis Morrison; Justice Richard Williams; Chief Magistrate Nova Hall; and Mitchell Davies, di- rector of the Truman Bodden Law School. Mr. Davies will work in collaboration with the new court administrator, Su- zanne Bothwell. Marco ArcherThe 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” Cayman Islands lawmakers hit a home run with their repeal of the blanket immunity provision in the Health Services Authority Law – meaning they’re now batting about 1 for 8. We congratulate Premier Alden McLaughlin and legislators for moving relatively swiftly to approve amendments to the HSA Law remedying its trouble- some Section 12, which protects staff members of the public healthcare system, including doctors, from medical negligence lawsuits. However, we can’t help but observe that this “error” had been committed by the lawmakers themselves. We put the word “error” in quotation marks because – even assuming that then-Leader of Gov- ernment Business McKeeva Bush is correct when he says the wording had unintended consequences – that section of the law has been invoked multiple times over the past dozen years in order to prevent the public hospital and its staff from being sued. In other words, even if Section 12 was mistakenly created, it has since been utilized deliberately. Repeatedly. We also must point out that the recent action in the Legislative Assembly is not retroactive, meaning that Section 12 remains a bulwark against previous allegations of medical negligence – including in the case of Norene Thompson, the mother of a child who suffered severe birth defects, and whose inability to claim compensation thrust HSA’s immunity provision into the spotlight. Mr. Bush is urging the government to settle out of court with Ms. Thompson. While we, too, are sym- pathetic to her plight, we must remember that the materiality of Ms. Thompson’s claims has neither been proven nor disputed nor even considered – because, of course, Section 12 kept them from going forward in the first place. And that, in the most general sense, was precisely the trouble with Section 12. It remains a clear-and-present problem in at least seven other laws with similar provisions (according to Mr. Bush’s count). Now that our elected officials have had a suc- cessful swing at Section 12, they should step up to the plate again, stare down the other immunity clauses, and take a crack at knocking them out of the law books as well. Section 12: Lawmakers’ work has just begun MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Trump: The earthquake and the aftermath WASHINGTON – What lies be- hind Donald Trump’s nom- ination victory? Received wisdom among conserva- tives is that he, the out- sider, sensed, marshaled and came to represent a mas- sive revolt of the Republican rank and file against the “establishment.” This is the narrative: GOP political leaders made prom- ises of all kinds and received in return, during President Obama’s years, major elec- toral victories that gave them the House, the Senate, 12 new governorships and 30 state houses. Yet they didn’t de- liver. Exit polls consistently showed that a majority of GOP primary voters (60 per- cent in some states) feel “be- trayed” by their leaders. Not just let down or dis- appointed. Betrayed. By RINOs who, corrupted by do- nors and lobbyists, sold out. Did they repeal Obamacare? No. Did they defund Planned Parenthood? No. Did they stop President Obama’s tax- and-spend hyperliberalism? No. Whether from incom- petence or venality, they let Obama walk all over them. But then comes the paradox. If insufficient resis- tance to Obama’s liberalism created this sense of betrayal, why in a field of 17 did Re- publican voters choose the least conservative candidate? A man who until yesterday was himself a liberal. Who donated money to those very same Democrats to whom the GOP establishment is said to have caved, including Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid and Hillary Clinton. Trump has expressed sympathy for a single-payer system of socialized medi- cine, far to the left of Obam- acare. Trump lists healthcare as one of the federal govern- ment’s three main responsi- bilities (after national secu- rity); Republicans adamantly oppose federal intervention in healthcare. He also lists education, which Republi- cans believe should instead be left to the states. As for Planned Parent- hood, the very same conser- vatives who railed against the Republican establish- ment for failing to defund it now rally around a candidate who sings the praises of its good works (save for the pro- vision of abortion). More fundamentally, Trump has no affinity what- soever for the central thrust of modern conservatism – a return to less and smaller government. If the estab- lishment has insufficiently resisted Obama’s Big Gov- ernment policies, the benefi- ciary should logically have been the most consistent, in- deed most radical, anti-gov- ernment conservative of the bunch, Ted Cruz. Cruz’s entire career has consisted of promoting tea- party constitutionalism in revolt against party leaders who had joined “the Wash- ington cartel.” Yet when Cruz got to his one-on-one with Trump at the Indiana OK Corral, Republicans chose Trump and his nonconserva- tive, idiosyncratic populism. Which makes Indiana a truly historic inflection point. It marks the most radical transformation of the polit- ical philosophy of a major political party in our lifetime. The Democrats continue their trajectory of ever-expansive liberalism from the New Deal through the Great Society through Obama and Clinton today. While the GOP, the na- tion’s conservative party, its ideology refined and crystal- lized by Ronald Reagan, has just gone populist. It’s an ideological earth- quake. How radical a reorien- tation? Said Trump last week: “Folks, I’m a conservative. But at this point, who cares?” Who cares? Wasn’t caring about conservatism the very essence of the talk radio, tea party, grass-roots revolt against the so-called estab- lishment? They cheered Cruz when he led the government shutdown in the name of conservative principles. Yet when the race came down to Cruz and Trump, these opinion-shaping conserva- tives who once doted on Cruz affected a studied Trump- leaning neutrality. Trump won. True, the charismatically challenged Cruz was up against a pre- packaged celebrity, an al- ready famous showman. True, Trump appealed to the economic anxiety of a squeezed middle class and the status anxiety of a formerly dominant white working class. But the pre- vailing conservative narra- tive – of anti-establishment fury – was different and is now exposed as a convenient fable. If Trump is a great big middle finger aimed at a Re- publican establishment that has abandoned its principles, isn’t it curious that the party has chosen a man without any? Trump doesn’t even pre- tend to have any, conservative or otherwise. He lauds his own “flexibility,” his freedom from political or philosoph- ical consistency. And he el- evates unpredictability to a foreign policy doctrine. The ideological realign- ment is stark. On major is- sues – such as the central question of retaining Amer- ica’s global pre-eminence as leader of the free world, sus- tainer of Western alliances and protector of the post- World War II order – the GOP candidate stands decidedly to the left of the Democrat. And who knows on what else. On entitlements? On health care? On taxes? We will soon find out. But as Trump himself says of being a conservative – at this point, who cares? As of Tuesday night, cer- tainly not the GOP. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer. It’s an ideological earthquake. How radical a reorientation? Said Trump last week: “Folks, I’m a conservative. But at this point, who cares?” Charles KrauthammerKrauthammer Happy Mother’s Day, Ms. Thompson! Mae Thompson was all smiles when she found out she was receiving the Mother’s Day special award from The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. The fact that Ms. Thompson was smiling should come as no surprise to those who know her, or the thousands of people who see her five days a week, first thing in the morning, selling the Cayman Compass newspaper on Agnes Way in George Town. Because Ms. Thompson, you see, is always smiling. We are pleased that Ms. Thompson is being acknowledged for her positive attitude, and we are even more pleased that recognition has come with tangible rewards, in the form of a spa treatment package from the Westin, clothes, dinner and taxi service. The truth is, Ms. Thompson – actually the whole team who sell the Compass – are reliable, diligent and enthusiastic colleagues. They are rays of sunshine in a sunny place, and we respect and appreciate them for their hard work and pleasant personalities.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 Cuban boat beaches in South Sound A rickety boat with Cubans seeking to eventually go to the United States beached in South Sound near Walkers Road. Immigration officers said Friday that a boat carrying 43 migrants had washed up in Grand Cayman after experiencing technical difficulties. – PHOTO: ALAN MARKOFF Cayman Kai hotel plan re-emerges JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A planned area develop- ment application, including a hotel, marina, restau- rants and retail properties in Cayman Kai, has resurfaced, with the developer hoping to begin work on the first phase of the project next year. A slightly amended ver- sion of the PAD application, which was first submitted in 2013 and later with- drawn, was filed with the Central Planning Authority last month. Dale Crighton of Crighton Development, which is be- hind the application, said the full project could take as long as 20 years to come to fruition, depending on market demand. He believes demand is al- ready there for a boutique- style hotel and marina, as well as commercial prop- erties, which he indicated would be the first elements of the master plan to get under way, pending planning approvals. The planned area devel- opment essentially seeks to tweak the zoning in the area. Each element of the project would require separate plan- ning applications. When the long-term plan first surfaced in 2013, neigh- boring residents expressed concern over the scale of the development, its envi- ronmental impact and ef- fect on the character of the neighborhood. “We believe that the exis- tence of this 50-acre develop- ment will, by its scale alone, create a nuisance and an an- noyance to our owners and guests and destroy the peace, tranquility and quality of life in our neighborhood,” wrote the executive committee of the strata for The Sea Lodges of Cayman Kai, which is ad- jacent to the site of the pro- posed hotel. The resubmitted plan has not been materially altered from the 2013 version. Mr. Crighton told the Cayman Compass he believes the development would ac- tually improve the area, and called for the neighbors to support it. “The best thing they could do is to help me improve the area. This project is going to enhance their values as well,” he said. He said currently there are no facilities for the many tourists and second-home owners in the area. “There is no supermarket, there is no pharmacy, there is no gym,” he said. “There is demand up there for some of those kind of facilities.” If the PAD application is approved, he expects to seek planning permission for at least 10,000 square feet of retail space in the area and begin work early next year. Any time line for the hotel depends on “finding the right partners,” he said, indicating it would likely be a relatively small property, in the region of 60 rooms. “It’s ripe for a hotel, but it has to be done in the right ambience to fit in with the Cayman Kai culture and de- sign,” he said. “Everything we want to do up there would be in keeping with the Cayman Kai modern Key West-style design. It would be high-end, low den- sity. I would never think of doing a development in that area that would detract from that.” The development state- ment filed with the PAD ap- plication highlights four distinct phases of develop- ment over the next 10 years, though Mr. Crighton indi- cated it could take longer. “It all depends on de- mand,” he said. “I am not going to put anything up there that I can’t sell.” The first phase calls for the hotel, small marina, condos and utilities. The second phase calls for shopping, offices, a service station and boat storage. The third phase calls for residences, apartments, a police outpost, community center and park. The fourth phase calls for retail, restaurant, offices and apartments. Dale Crighton “Everything we want to do up there would be in keeping with the Cayman Kai modern Key West- style design. It would be high end, low density.” DALE CRIGHTON, developerMONDAY MAY 9, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 6 DISTRICT DAYS District Days George Town A large and enthusiastic group of young people recently traveled a total of 15 miles, hiking district to district to bring the partici- pants one step closer to their goal of earning a Duke of Edinburgh Award, a youth achievement award that brings together practical ex- periences and life skills to create committed global citizens and equip young people for life. On April 16, the 56 participants and 22 supervisors gathered at the Strand Shopping Centre along West Bay Road, ready to embark on a two-day quest of camping, working together and exploring the island’s history, all on foot, trav- eling from West Bay road to Hirst Road in Bodden Town. The dura- tion and distance covered would earn all those taking part a Bronze qualifying adventurous journey and the fulfilment of one of the four components, along with ser- vice, skills, and physical recreation that comprise successful comple- tion of the Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh award requirements. Before setting off from the Strand to George Town, partici- pants were divided into small groups, with some traveling road- side and others along the beach, then swapping over. Supervisors guided the groups throughout their journey. Upon reaching the center of town, participants answered ques- tions on a worksheet about the buildings and landmarks they en- countered along the way. Groups then continued along South Church Street to South Sound Road. In support of the Earth Day campaign, Dukers conducted a beach cleanup along the South Sound dock once they arrived there. Earth Day cleanups were also carried out the day before, when approximately 70 participants and 11 leaders volunteered their time to clean the area around Animal House on North Sound Way, and Barkers beach in West Bay. This Earth Day cleanup had the most volunteer turnout the Duke scheme had seen. In addition to the beach cleanup, participants also took part in the National Conservation Council’s beach survey of beach plastics. Led by unit leader Laki Lee, participants collected data and sorted beach debris found along Barkers and Prospect beaches. Eight data forms were later com- pleted and submitted to the Uni- versity of Tasmania, Australia. They will be used for research on the density of beach plastic across the Caribbean. Following the beach survey, participants traveled to the Pros- pect Youth Centre, where they then pitched their tents, lit their camp fires and prepared their meals before taking their rest. The following morning, Dukers journeyed east on foot to Pedro St. James, where they explored the exhibits before traveling along Hirst Road to end their journey at the North Sound launching dock in Savannah, Bodden Town. The journey from West Bay road to Hirst Road calls for a certain level of endurance and a number of miles to be covered when traveling from location to location while lugging backpacks of essentials like food, water and kitchenware throughout the trip. Participants also carried sections of the tent their group would use to sleep under. This journey, according to the awards national chairperson of 27 years, Katherine Jackson, “gave [participants the] opportu- nity to make new friends because they had to work with people in their groups who they have not interacted with before. It’s an ex- perience that they will have when they go to university,” she said. “It also gave them the exposure of having to make decisions based on a group of people rather than themselves.” Additionally, she noted, the journey provided participants with the experience of preparing food over a fire and sleeping outdoors. The following weekend, on April 23, Young Caymanian Lead- ership Award 2015 recipient Kellie McGee-Sandy addressed the par- ticipants and leaders poolside at the Ocean Club condo. Mrs. McGee-Sandy, who has earned a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award, talked about why it was important to remain focused and to take op- portunities when they presented. Mrs. McGee-Sandy, who at- tended the United World College of Southern Africa in Swaziland in 2006, the University of Edinburgh for her bachelor of science in med- ical sciences, and then Imperial College London Business School for her masters in international health management, discussed her experiences and the difficulties she encountered. She also spoke of her involve- ment in voluntary organizations like Key Club and Rotaract Club. In turn, the award partici- pants shared their experiences of their involvement in a wide range of activities for fulfilling the program’s criteria. More than 8 million people have participated in the award in some 140 countries and territo- ries since its inception in 1956 by the Duke of Edinburgh. The award arrived in the Cayman Islands in 1968 when a pilot program was launched in the Girls’ Brigade. The Duke Award scheme al- lows participants to work at their level of award, from bronze, silver to gold, over a period of months. To be awarded their bronze, silver or gold award, par- ticipants are required to com- plete four sections: practicing a skill, such as playing an instru- ment, performing a service (such as voluntary work), partaking in a physical activity, like a sport, and undergoing an adventurous journey/expedition. For Cayman participants, the bronze, silver and gold level Duke Awards journeys are held at var- ious times of the year. Silver jour- neys take place on Cayman Brac where one is scheduled for later this year. The gold level award also in- cludes a fifth component, a res- idential element that is met through participation in the gold qualifying expedition, which is hosted by a different island each year. This year the two-week gold training camp and expedition will be held in Trinidad and Tobago. Through beach cleanups and surveys on Earth Day, this year Dukers contributed to helping scientists know more about the impacts of plastics on regional beaches. After journeying from West Bay, Dukers set up camp in Prospect. Participants take a break before tackling the Pedro Castle worksheet. Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award participants at Pedro Castle on May 1. The 15-mile journeyCAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 7 DISTRICT DAYS District Days George Town Tournament a showcase for creativity Teamwork was a key factor in Cayman’s second annual Destination Imagi- nation tournament held re- cently at the Cayman Inter- national School. More than 100 students from kindergarten to Year 12 participate in the Desti- nation Imagination program, and eight teams from CIS, John Gray High School and Triple C School took part in the tournament held on April 16. The event was hosted by MLA Winston Connolly, CIS Early Childhood/Elementary Principal Angie Leaver, and Destination Imagination af- filiate director David Finch. Destination Imagination is an educational nonprofit dedicated to teaching stu- dents the skills needed to succeed in school, their ca- reers and beyond. Students work in teams to research, design and build a solution to their preferred challenge. The areas of focus for the challenges this year include technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisational, struc- tural and service learning. In solving a challenge, par- ticipants learn the creative process that helps them to assess problems, reflect on their progress, learn from failures, and turn their orig- inal ideas into reality. A non- competitive Early Learning Challenge allows younger participants to build social and problem solving skills. The tournament was di- vided into two components, a six-minute Instant Challenge and a Central Challenge that takes two to three months of planning and building that is presented during the tournament. A challenge for team Swa- galicious Six was to create a vehicle that would travel 40 times across the stage during an eight-minute skit. The ve- hicle needed to have two dif- ferent propulsion systems and two different movement methods. The team spent a lot of time doing research, including paying a visit to Arch Automotive where they were allowed to explore a replica of a NASCAR race car and learned about what it takes to get a vehicle moving. Teams Cayman Kids of Kindness and Possible Num Nums took on a ser- vice learning challenge where they identified a need in the community they could help with. Cayman Kids of Kind- ness held a book drive aimed at improving literacy in the Cayman Islands. The col- lected books were distrib- uted to the Cayman Islands Hospital pediatric ward, the Frances Bodden Girls Home, and the Meals on Wheels after-school program. The Possible Num Nums held a talent show that fea- tured parents, students and even pets to raise money for the Cayman Islands Humane Society. “It was wonderful to see how [the students’] commu- nication, cooperation, cre- ativity and team work im- proved over the past year,” said CIS Teacher and Desti- nation Imagination affiliate growth director Krista Finch. All teams are eligible for the Global Finals Tourna- ment in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 24 to 28 to represent Cayman on a world stage, and five will be going: Swa- galicious Six, Cayman Kids of Kindness, Possible Num Numbs, and the Energy Bun- nies from Cayman Interna- tional School, and Triple C’s team, Kinection. The Possible Num Nums raised money for the Humane Society.Team Cayman Kids of Kindness held a book drive to promote literacy. The May 11, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, reported: “Yesterday was ‘Take-Over Day’ so far as the supply of electricity in George Town and West Bay is concerned. “The official liquidator had completed his legal duties and disposed of the assets of the former electricity company – the Cayman Islands Public Service Ltd. the way was clear for the new company to take over. “The take-over price having been paid, His Honor the Administrator, on behalf of the government signed the franchise for the production, sale and distribution of electricity in the area of Grand Cayman not covered by any other franchise. “Mr. Jack Ewald accepted the franchise on behalf of Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd. “Stockholders of Caribbean Util- ities Company, Ltd., have elected eight persons to the board of di- rectors of the new firm which took over yesterday from the Gov- ernment Electricity Undertaking, the operation of Grand Cayman’s power facilities. “The five officers of the com- pany, whose selection was announced earlier, will serve as di- rectors along with Mr. James An- ders, Mr. Alex Herrington and Mr. A.D. Langford. All three additional directors are businessmen residing in Lexington, Ky., and all have been visitors on the island within the last few months, thus becoming acquainted with the power needs here. The company takes pleasure in welcoming Hon. W.T. Farrington, C.B.E. Capt. Eldon Kirkconnell and Mr. Warren Conolly, all members of the Legislative Assembly, as the three local directors. “The company, which will hold its annual general meeting of stockholders early in January every year at the local offices, expects de- livery in June of a new 500 kilowatt generating unit ordered some time ago to increase the capability of the central power plant. “Other projects are planned to improve both the facilities and the electric service on the island and to extend the service into additional areas. “In the evening a cocktail party was given by His Honor and Mrs. Cumber at Government House to celebrate the occasion and to wish the directors and staff of then new company evert success in their new venture.” 50 years ago: CUC officially takes over The Department of Children and Family Services is inviting families for an evening of board games at the Book Nook in Galleria Plaza May 12 from 6-8 p.m. A time for family fun and friendly rivalry, the game night is an annual event on the Child Month calendar,The Book Nook offers discount coupons as winning prizes. Free pizza is provided by Papa John’s Pizza. For more information, contact the Department at 949-0290 or dcfs@gov.ky. CHILD MONTH GAMES NIGHT AT BOOK NOOK The Escovitch garden lunch and tour takes place on Wednesday. The tour starts at noon and lunch is served until 2 p.m. Assistant Curator Kerri- Anne Chisholm will discuss select works from the tem- porary exhibition “Native Sons – Twenty Years On.” The tour is free and will be followed by a garden lunch inspired by the flavors of Caymanian cuisine. International Nurses Day is on Thursday, and the National Gallery is holding a special event to celebrate caregivers. Starting at 3 p.m. tours will run throughout the event and refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Also on Thursday, “The Gift of Healing” an out- reach exhibition curated by this year’s Deutsche Bank Intern, Candace Wel- come, and featuring work from five different out- reach classes by over 60 participants opens at 5:30 p.m. For more information on these and other National Gallery events, contact 945-8111 or info@nationalgallery.org.ky. This week at National Gallery: lunch tour Patrons enjoy lunch at the National Gallery’s cafe.8 LOCAL NEWS Check out these photos and others by visiting caymancompass.com/photogalleries or on facebook.com/caycompass (and don’t forget to tag yourself and your friends!) The streets of Grand Cayman were filled with color Saturday as the annual Ba- tabano carnival wound its way from Public Beach in West Bay to George Town. The glittering costumes and feathered headdresses made a spectacular sight as thousands turned out to enjoy the parade. MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Grand Cayman was awash in colors and feathers during Cayman Carnival Batabano on Saturday. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Costumed participants at the staging area before the parade – PHOTO: MAGGIE JACKSON This group of participants were ready for the parade to begin. – PHOTO: MAGGIE JACKSON Commisioner of Police David Baines and his wife Anne took in the sights and sounds of Batabano. – PHOTO: DAVID R. LEGGE Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and his wife Nuvia came out to watch the parade. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY One of the music trucks in the parade – PHOTO: MAGGIE JACKSON Batabano ‘jump up’ by one of the Flow parade participants – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Flow parade participants dance to the music. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Even a Cayman blue iguana danced in the streets. – PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKEThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MAY 9, 2016 by the year 2024.” That comment was con- tained in the Public Ser- vice Pensions Board’s annual report for gov- ernment’s 2014/15 budget year. The unfunded lia- bility in the civil service pension plan is largely at- tributed to the defined benefit, or monthly pen- sion portion of the plan. The financial evaluation of the fund recommends that government increase its 12 percent of salary contribution toward civil servant retirement plans to between 16 percent and 19 percent of salaries. If such action were taken, it would represent a 4 per- cent to 7 percent pay cut for civil servants. Now, the government is putting in more than $11 million each year, in ad- dition to the 12 percent contribution for civil ser- vice employees, to make up the projected shortfall in the retirement plan. Fi- nancial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson said Friday that amount is likely to be re- quired in future years to ensure the retirement plan remains solvent. However, the Public Ser- vice Pensions Board stated in the annual report that its objective is to make the civil service retire- ment plan “fully funded in 20 years” from the Jan. 1, 2014 actuarial report date. The board indicated that contribution rates for retirement plan mem- bers on the defined contri- bution scheme would not have to increase, but pay- ments to the defined ben- efit plan would likely have to increase. Acting Auditor General Garnet Harrison, who eval- uated the pension plan’s fi- nancial statements, urged Cabinet to issue regula- tions prescribing the new contribution rates. The current 12 percent contribution rate, he said, is based on a financial evaluation that is more than a decade old. “The continuation of the current scenario…. for the Public Service Pen- sions Plan will be insuffi- cient to meet benefit pay- ments and expenses,” Mr. Harrison said. Problem gets worse Between the actuarial report dated Jan. 1, 2014 and the Public Service Pen- sions Board annual report, dated June 30, 2015, the unfunded liability in the civil service pensions plan increased. “The funded status of the pension plans has likely deteriorated further since the beginning of the year,” government’s finan- cial advisers indicated. 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He said the quality of the public schools, rising crime and the management of the police force, and ac- cess to medical care for the poorest Caymanians, were key concerns. At this stage, he says, he is not putting forward a de- tailed manifesto, but will seek the counsel of the com- munity on how best to ad- dress those issues. “My perspective on rep- resentation is that, in order to solve the problems we are facing, you have to include the people,” he said. “Before I start talking about solutions, I want to involve the people I intend to represent.” Mr. Bryan, who parted com- pany with Rooster’s CrossTalk morning radio show earlier this year, said he had received a lot of public support for his candidacy with people and businesses chipping in what they could afford to support his campaign. Though he insists he will remain an independent can- didate, if elected, Mr. Bryan says, he would be willing to make alliances with other legislators on an issue-by- issue basis. Despite his differences with current Premier Alden McLaughlin, he says he would be happy to support the Pro- gressives on issues where there is common ground. On the possibility of facing Mr. McLaughlin or any of his other former Progressives col- leagues in a single-member district, he insists he is ready to face anyone. “I want it to be a positive campaign,” he added. “What happened in the past is in the past.” Westin resort rewarded her with some gifts and a personal “thank you” for her cheerful- ness and uplifting spirit. “I feel so great. I am so surprised,” Ms. Thompson said after Locksley Hay- lock and Bertha Ebanks from the Westin turned up with the surprise gifts, which in- cluded a stay at the resort, spa treatments, a makeover with clothing and shoes from Lor- na’s Exquisite Fashions, dinner at The Wharf and a taxi ser- vice from Kennedy Tours. Ms. Thompson has been selling the Cayman Compass to commuters for the past 11 years. The mother of four chil- dren, all of whom live in Port- more, Jamaica, has lived in Cayman since 1994. Speaking to the Com- pass shortly after the Westin staff delivered their surprise at her regular spot on Agnes Way, Ms. Thompson said, “This morning when I woke, the first thing I did was pray … then I asked the Lord to bless me. Every day I look forward for someone to bless me. When I turned around looking to sell a paper, I saw these people coming toward me and they said ‘God bless you’ and I said it back to them. They told me they were going to give me a makeover and dinner. “It was such a surprise. I did not even have time to choose someone on the spot, but I will be taking someone along with me to enjoy.” Known for her smile and friendliness to the many cus- tomers to whom she sells pa- pers, Ms. Thompson said drivers often tell her they love to see her beautiful smile early in the morning. “It makes my day, so I just keep on smiling.” Congratulating Ms. Thompson, Westin’s Human Resource Director Mr. Hay- lock said she had been chosen by the hotel’s Care Committee as someone deserving in the community. Ms. Ebanks, the Westin’s supervisor of PBX, who passes Ms. Thompson every morning on her way to work, nominated the vendor as a candidate for the committee’s Mother’s Day special award. Tony James, the hotel’s Human Resources manager, said the Care Committee, wanted to honor a woman in Cayman for Mother’s Day “who deserved to be recognized for her work in the community.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bryan launches election campaign Newspaper vendor honored with Mother’s Day package Possible 2024 ‘depletion’ of the government retirement fund “Funded position is likely to continue dete- riorating unless contri- butions are increased significantly.” The unfunded lia- bility in the civil ser- vice retirement plan between 2014 and 2015 was estimated to have increased by some $25 million. Retirement fund losses were blamed on lower-than-expected returns, as well as on lower contributions from fund participants. Lawmakers pensions The separate pen- sion plan that provides retirement benefits to Cayman Islands legis- lators is “severely un- derfunded,” according to actuaries. As of Jan. 1, 2014, the plan listed as- sets of nearly $8.5 million against lia- bilities of more than $22.5 million. That means the plan is only 36 percent funded, according to the 2014 estimates. “The Public Service Pensions Plan will be insufficient to meet benefit payments and expenses.” GARNET HARRISON, acting auditor general CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Mr. Bryan, a candidate for the Progressives at the last election in 2013, will run as an independent in the newly created single- member district of George Town Central. Kenneth Bryan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >