High of 90 Low of 79 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Silence is golden MUTED silent party will be music to your ears B10 Blade is coming to CayFilm! Wesley Snipes confirms that he will attend the festival B11 Film Events Food & Drink ■ LIFESTYLE Mas band matriarch Reba Dilbert creates colorful carnivals – B5 Wines for Dad Skip the Scotch and reach for the reds B8 STOLI FLAVOURS2 for $ 56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $ 56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July Registered Merchant of CaymanGiftCertificates .com EVAN WILLIAMS BLACK 1L SAVE $ 6 SAVE $5 Regular $32.50 NOW $26.50 Regular $28.99 NOW $23.99 Offer valid until 30 June EVAN WILLIAMS BLACK 1L EVAN WILLIAMS HONEY 750ml ‘Legacy of Light’ Watercolor artists bring Cayman’s natural wonders to life B3 Photo: Stephen Clarke CAYMAN WEEKENDER Mas band matriarch EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 THE PRICE OF PAYING RESPECT ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 CAYMAN EYES SWITCH TO ELECTRONIC VEHICLE REGISTRATION Traffic management, law enforcement touted BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands plans to move to an electronic vehicle registration system that will improve government’s ability to enforce local traffic laws and to collect traffic fines, as well as monitor traffic patterns to help ease congestion, Planning Minister Kurt Tib- betts said last week. Mr. Tibbetts said the new system will allow the Department of Vehicle and Drivers Licensing to create its own license plates for vehicles, as well as its own registration cou- pons to put in the windows of cars. Both the plates and the coupons used under the electronic registration system are “tamper proof,” the minister said, meaning they will be ruined if individuals try to re- move them. “You cannot take those plates from where they are installed to put them on another car, like some people do now and create all kinds of havoc,” Mr. Tibbetts said. Mr. Tibbetts also indicated that “monitors” would be placed throughout the country when the electronic tagging system is up and run- ning. The monitors allow every vehicle that crosses over them to be tracked. “We’re working with the Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service. I know they need help,” the minister said. “Once the system is up and running, it means many less times the RCIPS [will] have to chase down a vehicle, because Premier: ‘Huge mistake’ made with National Security Council McLaughlin says local advice on policing ignored BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said Thursday that he believes the U.K. government is “constitutionally wrong” in the way its representatives are handling advice from members of the Na- tional Security Council – the law enforcement oversight body chaired by the British Over- seas Territory’s governor. The body, which consists of elected govern- ment members and private sector appointees, has met just three to four times over the past year, the premier said, and few suggestions, if any, from local representatives appear to have been implemented. Mr. McLaughlin said he did not wish for his comments to be taken as direct criti- cism of Governor Helen Kilpatrick or “how she was managing things.” However, he in- dicated the “awkward” situation created by the current state of affairs regarding the di- rection of law enforcement in the territory “is not a good fit anymore.” Governor has ultimate responsibility Cayman’s Constitution Order, 2009, gives the governor ultimate responsibility for po- licing and national security matters, which are to be operationally directed by the police commissioner. However, the governor is ex- pected to act in accordance with the advice of the National Security Council on policy mat- ters, the premier said. “The view has been taken that this council was only advisory in nature,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “It doesn’t matter what the members of the council say.” Cayman Islands could join Branson’s energy challenge Little Cayman ‘a realistic target’ JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government is in discussions with Sir Richard Bran- son’s Carbon War Room initiative to make Cayman part of the “Ten Island Chal- lenge,” which seeks to help small islands move away from fossil fuels. The British entrepreneur’s experts pro- vide advice in drafting requests for pro- posals and grid management to incorporate new technology. Sister Islands MLA Moses Kirkconnell said it is a realistic target to take Little Cayman completely off the grid. “The vision for Little Cayman and the Brac is that they would be branded as part of the Ten Island Challenge,” he said. The challenge is a partnership between Branson’s group and the Rocky Mountain Institute in the U.S., which provides tech- nical support and in some instances se- cures grant funding for Caribbean islands aiming to reduce their reliance on oil. Mr. Kirkconnell said he first discussed the possibility of Cayman being involved when he met with Mr. Branson during PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Little Cayman could become part of the Ten Island Challenge. - PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKE PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Premier Alden McLaughlin2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Cayman’s Most Affordable Father’s Day Brunch & Breakfast till 3pm Saturday, Sunday & Holiday Monday! Most Affordable Eugenio Leon Harpist Extraordinaire, serenades tableside tonight and every Friday night! Salsa Tuesdays with DJ Flex Free lessons with Kirk starting 9.30pm Every Tuesday Tonight! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Tonight!Tonight! TOMORROW SATURDAY, JUNE 18th Barefoot Man and Sea N’B Starting live at 8:00pm Come for dinner Stay for Dancing Or come to our beautiful Oceanside Bar and listen to the Sweet Sounds of Barefoot Man “BOOGIE NIGHTS” Friday, June 24th Old School Dance Party 70’s disco & 80’s classics Music By DJ FLEX Starting at 9:30pm Salsa and listen to the Sweet Sounds of Barefoot Man “BOOGIE NIGHTS” Old School Dance Party 70’s disco & 80’s classics and listen to the Sweet Sounds of Barefoot Man “BOOGIE NIGHTS” Old School Dance Party 70’s disco & 80’s classics Don’t forget NEXT WEEK Last Friday of EVERY MONTH is almost here! Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky Salsa Free lessons with Kirk starting Mobile: 345-323-8573 Office: 345-943-8573 / Fax: 345-949-9753 heather.richards@remax.ky / www.remax.ky Heather Richards DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN! Cayman Islands Member of CIREBA 4 bed, 3.5 bath. Well appointed 3000 sq. ft. solidly built home. Spacious, bright rooms. Modern eat-in kitchen with gas range. Great location with easy commute to GT. MLS 405438. Call today, won’t last long! CI $445,000 Savannah Meadows Husband shows up 12 hours after crash, wife testifies CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The wife of a lawyer on trial for causing grievous bodily harm to two pedes- trians described how her husband, Simon Courtney, turned up bloodied and cov- ered in mud 12 hours after the accident occurred. Elle Courtney, testifying as a defense witness, said that after her husband left the car following the accident, she did not see him again until around 5:30 the next morning at their home after he knocked on the bedroom window. He was disheveled, covered in mud and had dried blood on his face and a cut on his eyebrow, she said. Mr. Courtney, in his evi- dence earlier in the week, said he had woken up the next day on a golf course. Mrs. Courtney gave evi- dence Thursday morning in the trial of her husband, who is charged with causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous or reckless driving as a result of the incident along West Bay Road on Jan. 25, 2015. Mrs. Courtney said she and her husband went to brunch at The Ritz-Carlton most Sun- days and did so that day. She said she had broken two toes and could not drive a manual shift, so her hus- band drove. He knew he would be driving home, so “he was drinking with care and I was carefree.” She said she had abso- lutely no concerns about his driving. When they left The Ritz-Carlton, he turned left onto West Bay Road and then all she remembered was the car heading into oncoming traffic. She braced herself, thinking she would be hit head on, she told the court. Her husband’s sunglasses flew across the car, hit her window and landed in her lap. She said she asked if he was all right and he replied, “I am, but she’s not.” He left the car and walked to where a woman was lying, and he knelt down. Then he got up, walked in- side the Villas of the Galleon property (where the collision occurred) and she did not see him again at the scene. Asked whether her hus- band had a cellphone with him that day, she replied, “He quite frankly despises them.” Her cellphone was home, she added. Asked if she had seen the cut immediately after the ac- cident, she explained that it was on his left side and she was sitting on his right side. Later that morning after he returned home, he went to the police station and then he and Mrs. Courtney went to the Cayman Islands Hos- pital where they remained for several hours and he was treated by a doctor. He stayed home from work for a couple of weeks, Mrs. Courtney said, sleeping a great deal and being slow to speak. He saw many doctors, who assessed him and sent him for tests. In testimony on Wednesday, Mr. Courtney agreed he did not submit medical evidence to support his assertion that he had suf- fered a concussion because he was dissatisfied with the treatment he had received. Mrs. Courtney agreed that she had signed a state- ment in which she told po- lice that she and her hus- band left the hotel on the day of the accident, turned left, and then the car started skidding. Mrs. Courtney said, “I wasn’t weighing my words.” She did not agree that she was modifying her account to assist her husband. Cayman pays tribute to Queen in book The Cayman Islands has paid tribute to Queen Eliza- beth II’s long reign in a two- page spread in a commemo- rative publication of “Queen & Commonwealth: 90 Glo- rious Years.” Published by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the hardcover book issued this week contains 172 pages highlighting the Queen’s life and reign over the past nine decades. The book, which includes the Queen’s special interests and passions and her dedica- tion to the Commonwealth, also features birthday mes- sages from Commonwealth member countries. It includes a two-page tribute from the Cayman Is- lands, produced by Govern- ment Information Services. Among the images fea- tured are an aerial shot of Grand Cayman by photog- rapher Courtney Platt, past royal visit photography by Lennon Christian, stamps from Ivan Burges and the Cayman Islands National Archive, and currency from the Cayman Islands Mone- tary Authority. The tribute states: “The people of the Cayman Is- lands extend heartfelt fe- licitations to Her Maj- esty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her 90th birthday. As a British Over- seas Territory, we share in the joy of this special cel- ebration being marked by millions throughout the world. “From our stunning white sand beaches lapped by the beautiful blue Ca- ribbean Sea, we pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and stable reign serving us with diligence and dignity.” The book can be viewed on the Cayman Islands government’s Facebook page or online at http://bit.ly/1S65oc7. DRUG LORD IMPRISONED ON RETURN TO MEXICO MEXICO CITY (AP) – Drug lord Hector “El Guero” Palma, one of the founders of the Sinaloa Cartel, returned to his na- tive Mexico after serving almost a decade in a U.S. prison and was im- mediately transported to another maximum- security lockup where he will await trial for two murders. U.S. authorities handed over Palma in Matam- oros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, according to a statement from the Mexican At- torney General’s Office. Palma had been released from federal prison in Cal- ifornia on Friday and put into the custody of U.S. immigration officials. The drug lord was flown to Mexico City late Wednesday and then trans- ported to the Altiplano prison outside the cap- ital, the same prison that Sinaloa Cartel leader Joa- quin “El Chapo” Guzman escaped from in 2015. Palma was detained under an arrest order from the western state of Nayarit. He is accused of or- dering the 1995 killings of a deputy police chief and a person who was with the officer, a federal offi- cial with knowledge of the case told The Associated Press on Thursday. The of- ficial was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Premier meets Gonsalves Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, paid a courtesy visit to Premier Alden McLaughlin on Thursday at the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Gonsalves is in Cayman to speak about terrorism and global insecurity at the University College of the Cayman Islands on Thursday evening as part of the University College Distinguished Lecture Series. A page in the ‘Queen & Commonwealth: 90 Glorious Years,’ which celebrates Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, and her years as monarch and Head of the Commonwealth.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 Big on control Small on price Restart live TV. Record multiple channels at the same time. Pause, rewind and play TV shows over and over again. With 50% off all Flow TV packages. It’s all yours from as little as $ 19.50 a month for three months. discoverfl ow.ky/tv Conditions apply.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Over the next year, the Cayman Islands govern- ment is allocating about $20 million on monetary and healthcare benefits to more than 1,000 retired seamen, military veterans and their widows. That works out to more than $20,000 per beneficiary, per year. We recognize that Cayman has made a conscious effort to honor and support our country’s seamen, whose remittances were Cayman’s economic life support for many decades before the explosion of tourism and financial services, and our veterans, who served to protect our way of life. However, in any context, $20 million per year is a considerable amount of money. For example, $20 million per year is equivalent to how much the government gives to the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. It’s more than the govern- ment spends on the Cayman Turtle Farm, or on local and overseas scholarships for Caymanian students, and it’s nearly as much as the government subsidy for Cayman Airways. Given the significant expenditure on seamen’s and veterans’ benefits, it is concerning how unclear members of the Legislative Assembly’s Finance Com- mittee appeared to be on the specifics of the health- care program. That observation is not necessarily a criticism of those lawmakers. We, too, find ourselves squinting at the blurry figures. As we reported on the front page of Thurs- day’s Compass, the seamen’s and veterans’ benefits program is actually composed of several different programs — with the buckets of money including funding for CINICO premiums (about $7.5 million per year), specialist healthcare coverage ($6.3 million per year) and monthly “ex-gratia” payments for seamen and veterans ($10.5 million per year). While those projected dollar amounts have been presented down to the decimal point, the number of individuals receiving those benefits are not so precise, with budget documents presenting ranges of indi- viduals who might take advantage of the benefit. For example, “1,300 to 1,355 seamen and veterans, widows and dependents” are expected to use the tertiary healthcare benefits over the next 18 months, and “between 950-1,060” seamen and veterans receive the monthly stipend of $550. Again, we understand and share the reverence our country has for former seamen and military veterans. We’re also aware that for politicians the notion of tin- kering with benefits for “widows and dependents” is almost an unthinkable thought. Regardless, whenever our government deigns to redistribute $20 million in taxpayer funds, (or $50 million for social welfare benefits, or, indeed any amount for any purpose whatsoever), it is imperative that proper financial controls be in place. From a broader perspective, we continue to urge caution in expanding government’s commitments to providing additional entitlement benefits, which, once in place, tend to grow rather than dwindle over the decades. We’ll close with the opening paragraph of an article published in the April 2011 issue of The Economist: “When Gertrude Janeway died in 2003, she was still getting a monthly check for US$70 from the Veterans Administration — for a military pension earned by her late husband, John, on the Union side of the American civil war that ended in 1865. The pair had married in 1927, when he was 81 and she was 18. The amount may have been modest but the entitle- ment spanned three centuries, illustrating just how long pension commitments can last.” The price of paying respect How the EU pushed Britain to leave CLIVE CROOK So Britain might actually do it. With a week to go be- fore the referendum on June 23, recent polls say the cam- paign to quit the European Union is ahead. The govern- ment and its allies in the Stay campaign are alarmed. Why is this happening? The excellence of the Leave campaign certainly isn’t the reason. Advocates of Brexit made a weak case, un- able to say what leaving the EU would mean for the coun- try’s future trade arrange- ments or which parts of EU law would be re-adopted and which discarded. It wasn’t because these issues can’t be debated in advance – they can – but because Leave ad- vocates are divided among themselves on what leaving the EU ought to mean. But while the Leave cam- paign was bad, the Stay campaign was worse. Prime Minister David Cameron and his allies were more com- petent than the other side in technical terms – maybe to a fault. They bombarded voters with study after de- tailed study predicting dire results for the economy if the U.K. quits. But voters remember the earlier ex- pert consensus that Britain should ditch sterling and join the euro system, and they see how that would have worked out. The dismal record of ex- pert insight on Britain and Europe created a credibility problem, and the endless repetitions and recyclings of Cameron’s “Project Fear” were never going to solve it. Failing to get traction, the Stay campaign then made things worse by trending to- ward hysteria. All signs sug- gest that life outside the Eu- ropean Union is possible; Switzerland isn’t mired, so far as one can see, in per- petual poverty. Yet the em- phasis on the Britain’s bleak future without the blessings of the European Commission went on. A television audience re- cently laughed at Cameron when an interviewer asked him, “Which will come first, prime minister, World War Three or the Brexit reces- sion?” Donald Tusk, presi- dent of the European Council, went one better recently, declaring that “Brexit could be the beginning of the de- struction of not only the EU but also of western political civilization in its entirety.” Project Fear was a poten- tially fatal mistake. The posi- tive case for a British future in Europe needed to be made as well. But spare a thought for Cameron: Europe’s other leaders left him little choice in this. The starting point for the campaigns – the reason Cam- eron proposed a referendum in the first place – was long- standing disaffection with the European project, lately amplified by fears over un- controlled immigration. Cam- eron judged that this sen- timent couldn’t be ignored, partly because it threatened to split his party. He thought he could quell it by negoti- ating new terms with the EU and by promising to put the deal to voters. Europe’s other leaders could and should have helped him. They should have recognized him as an ally – and in doing so would have strengthened the European project. Certainly, to judge by Tusk’s comments, they recog- nize their interest in keeping Britain in. And they surely understand that Europe as a whole needs to change – that anti-EU sentiment is on the rise in many other countries. Yet they sent Cameron away from his vaunted rene- gotiation with too little. And the tone of their response was even more damaging than the lack of substance. The message came through loud and clear: It isn’t Brit- ain’s place to tell Europe how to change. Polls can be wrong. There are still enough undecided voters to give Cameron the win he’s staked his career on, so long as they split dispro- portionately in his favor. They probably will, because unde- cideds usually play it safe. The betting markets, unlike the polls, still expect a vote to stay, though less confidently than before. Nonetheless, it’s finally dawning on people that Brexit could happen. It’s the wrong choice. Quitting the EU would be a huge risk. The “Brexit re- cession” that Cameron was teased about might happen. Even if things didn’t go cata- strophically wrong, the costs would likely outweigh the gains. But if the U.K. does vote to quit, give the EU due credit. By demonstrating, at a critical moment, its impa- tience with popular opinion and implacable resistance to reform, it did all it could to make Brexit more likely. Clive Crook, a Bloomberg View columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg View editorial board. © 2016, Bloomberg View Project Fear was a potentially fatal mistake. The positive case for a British future in Europe needed to be made as well. But spare a thought for Cameron: Europe’s other leaders left him little choice in this. 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 EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 Q. How does the technology work? A. The friendly Aedes aegypti is a genetically modified male mosquito that cannot bite or transmit diseases. When it mates with a local female Aedes aegypti mosquito, the offspring die before being able to reproduce. Hence with successive releases, the population of the Zika, chikungunya and dengue mosquito is reduced. Q. Why is this project being done? What is the need/benefit? A. The aim of the project is to better control Aedes aegypti, with initial roll-out in an area of West Bay in Grand Cayman. This mosquito is able to transmit Zika, chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever and potentially additional viral diseases, so an improved method of control is in the public health interest as existing methods are not effective enough. Q. How long will the project last? A. The first phase has nine months of releases after a period of community engagement. Q. Why was West Bay chosen for the project? A. It is a ‘hot spot’ for Aedes aegypti, and there have been cases of chikungunya and dengue there previously. The project may subsequently be expanded to other areas, subject to regulatory and government approval. Q. Has there been a proper approval process in Cayman? A. Yes. The project was firstly approved by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment. Following the implementation of the National Conservation Law, the project then was also approved by the National Conservation Council, concluding that there would be no impact on the environment or the population. About MRCU The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) was established in 1965 to suppress mosquito populations so as to minimise discomfort from mosquito biting, to protect residents and visitors from mosquito-borne disease, and thereby enhance the quality of life and promote the economy of the Cayman Islands. The department has many years’ experience in utilising integrated control to reduce the risk of local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. About Oxitec Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK). Oxitec is a subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), which engineers biology to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. In the interest of public health, the Mosquito Control and Research Unit (MRCU) is launching new controls to combat the dangerous Aedes aegypti mosquito. This invasive species of mosquito, which is not native to the Cayman Islands, carries life-threatening viruses including Zika, chikungunya and dengue. There is currently no cure or vaccination against these viruses, which are prevalent in the region. MRCU is launching the new controls in collaboration with biotechnology company Oxitec, which uses genetically modified mosquitoes to target and control the Aedes aegypti. The GM controls will be used in an integrated programme with existing methods, which are not fully effective. Known as the “Friendly Aedes aegypti Project”, the following are frequently asked questions: Friendly Aedes aegypti Project An effective tool to fight the mosquito that transmits Zika, chikungunya and dengue. MRCU Dr. Bill Petrie MRCU Director Ph:+1 (345) 949 2557 Web: www.mrcu.ky Facebook: @MRCU.Cayman Oxitec Dr. Renaud Lacroix Oxitec Project Manager Email: renaud.lacroix@oxitec.com Ph: +1 (345) 925 8728 Web: www.oxitec.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/oxitec Twitter: www.twitter.com/oxitec CONTACTS Aedes aegypti Project Aedes aegypti Project Aedes aegypti Aedes aegypti Friendly Wild female Offspring die Q. Was the public consulted? A. The choice of mosquito suppression tool is a matter for government and has been made in the public health interest, based on the most appropriate interventions available. The regulatory process is transparent and included public sessions. We are actively engaging in education of the public. Q. Is this a tested technology? A. Yes. The project in Cayman comes after successful trials of the technology in East End in 2009 and 2010, and elsewhere, achieving more than 90% reduction in local Aedes aegypti populations. Furthermore it is consistent with the World Health Organization’s recent recommendation for operational use of Oxitec’s mosquitoes in response to the international emergency related to Zika virus, as well as the other diseases carried by the Aedes aegypti. FURTHER INFORMATION Diseases spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito: Dengue fever infects an estimated 400 million people globally every year with about half of the world’s population at risk. Chikungunya swept into Central America and the Caribbean in 2014 with an epidemic spiking to over a million cases within only a year. Zika virus is rapidly spreading into new countries and has caused a state of emergency in Brazil where it has been linked to a sudden increase in birth defects (microcephaly) and nervous system disorders (Guillain-Barré syndrome). Yellow fever, also carried by Aedes aegypti, is a major health threat. Globally, there are an estimated 200,000 cases of yellow fever, causing 30,000 deaths each year, with 90% cases occurring in Africa.6 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Nominations are now open to recognise young persons for outstanding achievements in Nomination forms are available at www.mcays.gov.ky or www.gov.ky Deadline for submission is Friday,8 July 2016 Celebrate the success of our young ambassadors and let them be an inspiration to others. Academics Career Business Sports Culture Community Service Deadline for unlicensed vendors nears MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com Trade officers with the Depart- ment of Commerce and Investment have issued warnings to 36 unli- censed businesses who operate on public land. Minister for Commerce Wayne Panton confirmed that 14 of those businesses will have until Tuesday to obtain their licenses and approvals or they could be fined. Responding to questions in Fi- nance Committee, Mr. Panton said government does “not want to be in a position of fining businesses” but rather “facilitate” to ensure that ven- dors on public beaches and other businesses comply with the new Trade and Business Licensing Law. Department of Commerce and In- vestment officers have so far focused on businesses in areas where the de- partment received complaints from the public, such as the Seven Mile Beach and West Bay public beaches. Most of the vendors, who sell any- thing from beach chairs to coconut water, have operated in those areas without a license for years. The new law came into force on Jan. 1 and gives trade officers more enforcement powers. Additional staff members have also allowed the de- partment to better police unlicensed vendors. The law contains two sets of enforcement notices for unli- censed businesses, giving them 14 days each time to apply for a license. After these warnings have been is- sued and at least 28 days have passed, trade officers are allowed to issue ticket fines. Talks with the unlicensed vendors are still ongoing, the minister confirmed. The new law also demands addi- tional information and confirmation from businesses for the renewal and grant of business licenses. In partic- ular, businesses need to demonstrate that their employees have a pension and health insurance. Minister Panton admitted that the changes caused some issues with applicants who had not been able to show that they are in compliance with the National Pensions Law and health insurance requirements. “There were some issues initially in the first several months. Our num- bers indicate that there were around 20 applications which were being de- ferred on a weekly basis as a result of these issues. That number has de- clined significantly now to around five,” Mr. Panton said. The new Trade and Business Li- censing Law, he explained, attempts to create a culture of compliance and a level playing field in terms of all businesses bearing the same costs. The law, however, has been criti- cized for bringing additional layers of red tape. MLA Alva Suckoo said he receives “almost daily complaints that the process is too bureaucratic.” Minister Panton responded that the department is active on social media and in radio ads asking li- censees to come forward with any problems they experience. “We are aware from social media that there are certain people who have had some issues.” A tremendous amount of effort was made to ensure there was as much education as possible about the changes in the law, he added. “We have interacted directly with the Chamber and the Small Business Association, specifically asking what their members are experiencing and if they have any issues they want to raise. “By and large the interaction and experience of most applicants and li- censees has been very positive and we have had some positive feedback.” Nevertheless, the minister said, the department wants to know if there are customer service or educa- tion issues or problems with the spe- cific requirements. Other criticism of the new li- censing rules related to pension and health insurance providers charging small businesses fees, as high as $75, for issuing letters confirming that a business is compliant for li- censing purposes. The minister said that he is aware that some but not all pension ad- ministrators are charging those fees. “That is not something that makes me happy,” Mr. Panton said. “I would encourage them to reexamine their policy in respect to that.” In terms of reducing red tape, the minister noted, the department has taken some action by introducing a self-certification confirmation pro- cess for businesses that do not have any employees. Police investigate more complaints against chiropractor JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police are investigating fresh complaints in connec- tion with a chiropractor ac- cused of taking inappropriate pictures of his patients. The 47-year-old, who has not yet been named by law enforcement, has not been officially charged and is ap- parently free to continue to practice. He was arrested and bailed last week on suspi- cion of causing alarm, harass- ment or distress to a patient at a local medical practice fol- lowing an investigation into a complaint from a female pa- tient who believed he had taken unauthorized and in- appropriate pictures of her during treatment. Since police revealed the arrest last week, officers have received several more complaints which are now also under investigation, a police spokeswoman said. Asked what precautionary measures were in place to protect patients, she said “cer- tain conditions” had been at- tached to his bail. She said police did not have the power to suspend the license of a medical professional and had alerted the Council for Profes- sions Allied with Medicine. “We have received no in- formation from CPAM re- garding any changes to the license of the doctor in ques- tion and also eagerly await news in that regard,” she said. The Cayman Compass has been seeking comment from the Council for Professions Allied with Medicine on what action it is taking since news of the allegations emerged. Council chairman Clement Von Kirchenheim said last week that the council was deliberating on the matter and would make a com- ment shortly. He has not re- sponded to further emails on the matter this week.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 CAMANABAY.COM “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… Get on your way!” Dr. Seuss CAYMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CLASS OF CONGRATULATIONSThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS YOU NEVER You never said I’m leaving You never said goodbye You were gone before I knew it, And only God knew why A million times I cried If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died In life I love you still In my heart you hold a place, That no one could ever fi ll It broke my heart to lose you, But you didn’t go alone For part of us went with you, The day God took you home. From your Daughters: Tanya Walton-Liverpool & Dellakay Walton Son Charles L Walton Jr. Happy fi rst father’s day in heaven Daddy We love and miss you so much. Charles L Walton May 26,1944 - March 02, 2016 YOU NEVER We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Claudine Annmarie Simons who passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2016. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Elmslie Memorial United Church, Harbour Drive, George Town at 10:00a.m. Viewing will be from 9:00-9:45a.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Claudine Annmarie Simons who passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2016. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Elmslie Memorial United Church, Harbour Drive, George Town at 10:00a.m. Viewing will be from 9:00-9:45a.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at We have been asked to announce the passing of We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Norma Maria Ebanks who passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2016. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 3:00p.m. at Wesleyan Holiness Church, Northwest Point Road, West Bay. Viewing will be from 2:00-2:45p.m. Interment to follow at Northwest Point Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. William Leighton Bush who passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2016. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10:00a.m at Churchill’s Funeral Home, 328 Eastern Avenue, George Town. Viewing will be from 9:00-9:45a.m. Interment to follow at West Bay Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. William Leighton Bush who passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2016. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10:00a.m at Churchill’s Funeral Home, 328 Eastern Avenue, George Town. Viewing will be from 9:00-9:45a.m. Interment to follow at West Bay Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.comCondolences can be registered at We have been asked to announce the passing of June 18, 2016 at 10:00a.m at Churchill’s Funeral First Year in Heaven Marlyn Magdalene Ebanks 15 Mar, 1936 – 18 June, Our hearts still ache with sadness, And many tears still fl ow. What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know. We hold you close within our hearts, And there you will remain. To walk with us throughout our lives, Until we meet again. From your loving Family Always in our Hearts Until we meet again.Until we meet again. Happy Father’s Day In Memory of our beloved Father Jacques Robinson For all the love and care, For all the moments shared, For all the joys you brought, For all the things you taught, You have always made us glad. Rest in Peace Dad! You’ll be in our hearts forever! Mr. McLaughlin said in his view, “that is constitu- tionally wrong.” “The result of the way the game is played now is that … the elected govern- ment doesn’t exercise any influence over national se- curity policy,” the premier continued. “I think that is a huge mistake on the part of the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office.” Elected government ‘should stay out’ Mr. McLaughlin said operational details of po- licing should be left to whoever is the next police commissioner and that the elected government should stay out of such matters. For instance, during Thursday’s Legislative Assembly Finance Com- mittee meeting, it was suggested by East End MLA Arden McLean that Grand Cayman’s eastern districts receive 24-7 on- site policing in the dis- trict, adding staff to the RCIPS to ensure that oc- curred, if necessary. Mr. McLaughlin said while the government sup- ported round-the-clock po- licing, there was no in- dication at the moment that police staffing levels overall were inadequate. The premier said a re- view of the RCIPS, to be directed by the next po- lice commissioner, would help in sorting out some of those issues. “I don’t know that the answer to all of these is- sues is necessarily more resources, which is a constant refrain,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “It may well be a different ap- proach in terms of struc- ture or the way the service is administered [is needed]. “If we come through this review process and the government is per- suaded that additional re- sources are something that is needed to provide better policing … But I don’t want to preempt that exercise now.” Opposition Leader has questions Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush asked Mr. McLaughlin how he ex- pected to effect change in control of police oversight without changing the ter- ritory’s constitution. “We can’t even ask them questions in Na- tional Security Council,” said Mr. Bush, who is also a council member. “We could challenge their interpretation [of the council’s role] through the courts, but if we don’t get a change in attitude … as long as they want to retain this kind of control, they’ll do it,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “The work needs to be done on persuading them. “I believe that … that is something we can do without a need [for] constitutional change. It just requires polit- ical will and the [foreign office’s] assent.” [the vehicle] can’t hide.” The system is eventu- ally expected to boost rev- enue from traffic tickets, al- though this will not occur in the near term because of dif- ficulty in issuing citations to addresses. Cayman’s govern- ment postal system does not currently allow delivery to home addresses. However, Minister Tibbetts said one of the benefits to the electronic vehicle registration system is that it can issue tickets automatically. “The en- forcement ability of the RCIPS will be increased tremen- dously,” he said. A number of countries and territories worldwide, from Bermuda, to South Africa, to Mexico have implemented electronic vehicle registration in some form or another. Technology varies, but typically it involves mini- chips which emit UHF fre- quencies that are embedded in registration coupons and license plates. The UHF chips com- municate with devices in- stalled along roadways and can communicate with hand- held readers – giving the users immediate information on who the vehicle is regis- tered to, and whether their registration and car insur- ance is up-to-date. The technology differs somewhat from many speed cameras on the market that typically work with closed circuit TV monitoring sys- tems, similar to those Cayman has installed along public rights of way. Speed cameras are now legal for use in Cayman, but they have never been in- stalled to work with the CCTV system. The CCTV system al- ready has what are known as automatic number plate readers or ANPR cameras. These devices capture images of the license plates of vehi- cles on public rights of way. The ANPRs are useful for tracking down individ- uals who may have been in an area at a time a crime was committed. How- ever, using them to catch speeders or drivers who jump stoplights is unlikely, according to an analysis done by the 911 Emergency Centre in 2014. Ministry of Home Affairs chief officer Wesley Howell has noted that while speed cameras are now legal under the Cayman Islands Traffic Law, issuing traffic tickets electronically would require legislative changes. “But it is possible with the tech- nology that is on the market now,” he said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cayman eyes switch to electronic vehicle registration Premier: ‘Huge mistake’ made with National Security Council Immigration: Work permits ‘mask’ gambling BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Senior Cayman Islands Im- migration officials confirmed Thursday that work per- mits had been granted that “masked” the illegal activities of some individuals employed in the Cayman Islands and in- dicated the department had investigated certain instances of that occurring. “They have been out there selling numbers,” East End MLA Arden McLean said during a meeting of the Leg- islative Assembly’s Finance Committee. “There are many people in this country now on work permits and they sell numbers all day long. That’s a breach of many laws.” Acting Chief Immigration Officer Bruce Smith told the committee that the Immigra- tion Department was aware of certain of these activities being undertaken from time to time, though he did not refer- ence any specific cases. “Of course, it’s done in a way to mask what is hap- pening,” Mr. Smith said. The situation involving a work permit holder who ar- rives on island and simply does not take up the job he or she was hired to do can become somewhat compli- cated, since it is essentially up to the employer to cancel the work permit. “It’s not an offense because no one is working,” Mr. Smith said. “The employer, from an economic standpoint, would be best to cancel that.” However, if someone was found to be selling numbers for gambling purposes, Mr. Smith said it would certainly fall outside work permit terms since all gambling is officially illegal in the Cayman Islands. “In that case … that is where the offense of working outside the terms of the permit will occur,” Mr. Smith said. “Engaging in criminal ac- tivity, such as gambling … is a Penal Code matter.” Mr. McLean asked whether the person who hired the numbers seller would also have committed an offense. Mr. Smith said that would be the case in most instances, as long as the evidence was there to support such a claim. With regard to immigra- tion-related offenses, Mr. Smith indicated that the de- partment was more often leaning the way of adminis- tratively issued fines, rather than taking suspects to court – although the latter option can and does still happen, he said. He said immigration would also work with other local law enforcement on issues of lawbreaking that fell into the realm of the criminal courts. Premier Alden McLaughlin said the administrative fines, which are settled in a less formal manner, derive addi- tional revenue for the Immi- gration Department as well. “Therefore the cost of op- erating the department … is correspondingly reduced,” Mr. McLaughlin said. Since July 1, 2015, Mr. Smith said, immigration offi- cials brought in 537 people for questioning on various immi- gration offenses. A total of 354 people, about 65 percent of those, were administratively fined without having to ap- pear in court. The Immigration Depart- ment imposed about $372,000 in fines during the year, he said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016 A Heartfelt Thank You The family of the late Faith Muriel Ebanks nee Bush Would like to thank all those persons in the West Bay district and throughout the island who took time out of their busy schedule to visit, pray and send messages of condolences at a time when such kindness and support was needed. We specially thank our pastors . Pastor Wallick and Pastor Dickerson for sincere and constant pastoral care together with our church family of the West Bay Wesleyan Holiness Church. The Most Hon. Andrew Holness O.N., M.P. Prime Minister, Jamaica. The Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller O.N., M.P. Leader of the Opposition, Jamaica. The Hon. William Shagoury Custos of Clarendon, Jamaica and other Caribbean Leaders. Pastor Garrie Haylock and his congregation for their various prayer meetings during her illness. Pastor Stanwyck Myles for pastoral care. The choir of the All Nations Pentecostal Church for their excellent music. Superintendent Harlon Powery and other members of the RCIPS Churchill’s Funeral Home The staff of the West Bay Health Clinic HSA Ambulatory Services All volunteers who assisted before and after the funeral services. We will all miss and cherish the memories of our Mama. Most of all for anchoring herself in our hearts. Ray, Clara, McKeeva, Elizabeth, Karen, Dana & our families A Heartfelt Thank You Faith Muriel Ebanks nee Bush Would like to thank all those persons in the West Bay district and A Heartfelt Thank You The family of the late Faith Muriel Ebanks nee Bush Would like to thank all those persons in the West Bay district and throughout the island who took time out of their busy schedule to visit, All volunteers who assisted before and after the funeral services. We will all miss and cherish the memories of our Mama. Most of all Ray, Clara, McKeeva, Elizabeth, Karen, Dana & our families The staff of the West Bay Health Clinic All volunteers who assisted before and after the funeral services. We will all miss and cherish the memories of our Mama. Most of all for anchoring herself in our hearts. Ray, Clara, McKeeva, Elizabeth, Karen, Dana & our families his visit to Camana Bay in 2015. Kurt Tibbetts, the minister for planning and infrastructure, is also involved. If a partnership is agreed, the experts would provide support to the Electricity Regulatory Au- thority in managing and speeding the transition to- ward renewables on all three islands. Mr. Kirkconnell said there is an opportunity for the Sister Islands, partic- ularly eco-friendly Little Cayman, to lead the way. “Part of the conversa- tion is project modeling to transition Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to high- penetration renewable mi- crogrids,” he said. “We want to be involved in this and see how we can start moving in the direc- tion of zero [percent energy from fossil fuels]. It would have to be based on good business decisions.” Government is re- viewing the scope and likely cost over a three- year-period of a proposed partnership with the group. Charles Farrington of the Electricity Regulatory Authority said, “If they are willing to work with us, we would be happy to utilize whatever services they can provide. It would be great to have an independent party like that to look at the various things we are doing, and what we need to do.” He said moving toward 100 percent renewable en- ergy is not something that would happen over- night, even on the smaller Sister Islands. He said battery costs would have to come down to make it eco- nomically viable. Cayman Islands could join Branson’s energy challenge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 $6 million allotted for land conservation JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The National Conserva- tion Council has welcomed the allocation of $6 million from the Environmental Pro- tection Fund to buy up land to create protected areas. The appropriation sparked debate in Finance Committee on Tuesday, with some legislators opposed to allocating money for as yet unspecified land purchases. Though the fund, levied from travelers passing through the airport, was set up with the intention of buying environmentally sensitive land, particularly Grand Cayman’s central man- grove wetlands, it has rarely been used for that purpose. Environment Minister Wayne Panton, speaking during Tuesday’s Finance Committee hearing, said he could not say which prop- erties the National Conser- vation Council had recom- mended for purchase at this point as it depended on nego- tiations with owners. He dismissed fears raised by North Side legislator Ez- zard Miller that govern- ment could use a compulsory purchase mechanism to force people to sell. He said once the money was allocated, the council could finalize its recommen- dations and negotiations could commence. He said buying up environmentally important land to protect for future generations was one of the primary purposes of the Environmental Protec- tion Fund and governments worldwide routinely made such purchases. He said the interna- tional “rule of thumb” was for countries to aim to pro- tect 15 percent of land within their borders. Of the $6 million, he said, “This amount reflects sev- eral proposals from the Na- tional Conservation Council in respect of land they have identified as being of signifi- cant environmental value …. There are no inked or signed agreements in respect of the properties. It wouldn’t make sense to disclose where the properties are at this point.” Christine Rose-Smyth, chair of the conservation council, confirmed the law only allows for the purchase of land from willing sellers and government could not use its powers to force sale, as it can with road projects. She told the Cayman Compass, “On behalf of the Conservation Council, I am delighted that a sum has been appropriated in this budget from the Environ- mental Protection Fund for one of the principal purposes of that fund, acquisition and management of protected areas, as provided for in the National Conservation Law. “The law’s nomination process is open and trans- parent and requires evalua- tion according to strict cri- teria, landowner consultation and involvement at every step and, ultimately, agreement with Cabinet. There is no possibility for compulsion in the law. If a landowner is not willing that her land be purchased by the Crown, the council is not permitted to make any recommendation.” During Tuesday night’s debate, North Side MLA Mr. Miller raised concerns that any purchases would likely be in his constituency, saying “everything else has been destroyed.” Mr. Panton said there was no focus on any specific dis- trict and the council would be seeking to find land of en- vironmental significance. East End Legislator Arden McLean suggested the pro- posal was too vague and that government should not al- locate the money until more specific plans were in place. Mr. Panton said it would be impractical to come back to Finance Committee for every negotiation. The appropriation was approved over the objec- tions of independent leg- islators Mr. Miller, Mr. McLean, Winston Connolly and Alva Suckoo. Police host community clinics The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police is hosting a number of community clinics at various locations on Grand Cayman through Saturday, June 18. At Kirk Market on Thursday, lunchtime shop- pers were filling out forms, collecting pam- phlets and speaking directly with police officers about community concerns. “The idea of the clinics is that we go to the residents, instead of residents trying to find the time in their busy schedules to come to us,” said Acting Chief Inspector Lloyd Marriott, acting area commander for George Town district. The clinics are a contin- uation of the informal, open meetings that police held last year in areas with high foot traffic, such as super- markets, malls and hospitals. The objective of the meetings is to create a more comfort- able and convenient way for residents to speak directly to officers in the course of their daily business, a police spokeswoman said. “Community meetings continue as well, but po- lice have found that many members of the public prefer the convenience of the Clinics and the ease with which they can speak one- on-one with officers in this format,” the spokeswoman added. The schedule is: Friday, June 17: Foster’s Airport, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Foster’s Strand, 3-6 p.m.; and Chisholm’s Market North Side, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 18: A.L. Thompson’s, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Foster’s Republix, West Bay, 9-11 a.m.; Foster’s Coun- tryside, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Cost-U-Less, 1-3 p.m. Wayne Panton Sir Richard Branson Kirk Market lunchtime shoppers fill out forms, collect pamphlets and speak directly with officers about community concerns. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYNext >