ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 SPORTS | PAGE 18 HARRISON WINS BRONZE IN US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS High of 90 Low of 78 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 CAREPAY AUDIT: NO CLEAN BILL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Personal Insurance Pay less for more cover with BritCay! insurance, health, pensions, life Low deductibles and generous benefits are standard cover with BritCay. Ask for a quote and start paying less for more cover now! BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE CO. LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky cgigrp CarePay audit: US$1.8M spent on non-existent project BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government spent US$1.8 million (CI$1.5 million) on a fraudulent plan to “roll out” a healthcare patient swipe- card system to private sector doctors and in- surers, an audit of the public hospital sys- tem’s CarePay project has confirmed. Not only was there no existing contract for the expenditure of those sums, the entire basis for the payment – made in two tranches be- tween late 2011 and mid-2012 – was a “letter from the former Health Services Authority Board chairman [Canover Watson] to the Min- ister of Health.” The audit review, completed by govern- ment’s Internal Audit Unit at the request of Deputy Governor Franz Manderson ear- lier this year, attributed the payments for the non-existent “national rollout” of the CarePay system to a “lack of an expected standard of care and professional skepticism in the pay- ment of invoices totaling CI$1.5 million by the Health Services Authority.” “The Ministry of Health funded the Health Services Authority for an equity injection on the basis of a request from the former board chairman [Watson],” the audit states. “How- ever, the HSA finance officers advised that they had no knowledge of this equity funding. “The HSA officials, at the instructions of the former board chairman, paid out the funds to Advanced Integrated Systems Cayman without an approved contract of service and despite the fact that the invoices were addressed to the Ministry of Health and not for the HSA.” It was revealed during a criminal trial last year that Watson, along with friend and busi- ness partner Jeffrey Webb, had personal fi- nancial interests in AIS Cayman Ltd., the local arm of the Jamaican company that was paid millions of dollars as a result of the CarePay WEBSTER CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF GROSS INDECENCY Magistrate grants bail BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Errington Albert Webster, 54, was charged with four counts of gross indecency with a minor Wednesday and appeared in the Cayman Islands Summary Court to face the charges. Webster, who was in police custody when he appeared at the courthouse, is accused of indecent acts with an underage girl – one of which was video recorded and distributed via social media and electronic messaging around Grand Cayman Thursday and Friday of last week. The charges relate to one victim whom the court ordered not be identified. Following the release of the video, which was apparently taken by the underage victim herself, Webster was assaulted and beaten outside his home in Belford Estates, Bodden Town, Thursday afternoon. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with the attack. The small courtroom No. 7 in downtown George Town was packed with a number of Webster’s family members who sat quietly and listened while attorneys reviewed the case. After discussions with Mr. Webster’s at- torney, Steve McField, and Crown counsel Ellie Fargin in court Wednesday, Magistrate An- gelyn Hernandez agreed to release Webster Cayman Airways seeks another new plane JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Airways is seeking to lease a second Saab prop plane to operate on the commuter route between Grand Cayman and the Brac. The airline has put out a re- quest for proposals for another aircraft, initially as backup for the existing 34-seat plane, which has been damaged twice since coming into service late last year. It is hoped that the second plane will be in service by October, when the Saab 340 B Plus aircraft that currently oper- ates on the route goes off island for scheduled maintenance. The plan is the latest up- grade to Cayman Airways’ fleet, which is undergoing a major overhaul. All four jets operating on the airline’s international routes will be replaced with new state-of-the-art aircraft over the next four years. Cayman Airways CEO Fabian Whorms said the addition of a second prop plane on the Brac Gary Albert Whittaker speeds through South Sound Sunday as the Cayman Islands Watercraft Association resumed its race circuit. Whittaker was the winner of the expert class in the event. For more, see page 17. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Racers make a splash in South Sound PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL THURSDAY JULY 21, 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. - THURSDAY - THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 3D (PG) 1:00 I 3:15 2D I 7:00 I 9:30 2D THE BFG (PG) 12:15 I 3:00 I 6:30 I 9:20 THE SHALLOWS (PG13) 1:30 I 3:50 I 6:55 I 10:00 GHOSTBUSTERS 3D (PG13) 12:30 I 3:30 2D I 6:45 I 9:45 2D THE LEGEND OF TARZAN 3D (PG13) 12:50 2D I 3:45 I 6:50 2D I 9:50 FINDING DORY (PG) 1:15 I 4:00 I 7:15 I 9:55 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) Sunbathing turtle makes rare appearance on beach Normally nocturnal nesting turtle appears in daylight JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Beachgoers got a rare treat last week when a large sea turtle dragged herself out of the ocean and on to Seven Mile Beach. Normally, nesting female sea turtles only come on to the beach at night to lay their eggs in the cool and the dark, away from potential dangers. Mark Orr, the Department of Environment’s chief en- forcement officer who was called to the scene, said it was extremely rare to see nesting turtles on the beach in daylight. “I have been on the job 17 years and this is only the third time I have seen a turtle come up and nest during the day,” he said. “It was pretty amazing to see it in the daylight like that.” Researchers took mea- surements and tagged the turtle as part of the De- partment of Environment’s ongoing monitoring of the is- lands’ nesting turtles. Mr. Orr said the turtle had made its nest and returned, hot and tired, to the ocean. It has been a busy month for the research team, though the mood was dampened by reports of a discovery of a dead hawksbill turtle entan- gled in fishing line, discov- ered by divers off West Bay. The large male was found discarded with the net still wrapped around its neck, ac- cording to researchers. Funding threatens future of giant telescope in Puerto Rico ARECIBO, Puerto Rico (AP) – The world’s largest single- dish radio telescope is nes- tled deep in the lush green hills of Puerto Rico, where it performs tasks like searching for gravitational waves, lis- tening for extraterrestrial signals and tracking aster- oids that might be on a colli- sion course with Earth. But the outlook is increas- ingly faint for the Arecibo Observatory, which features a 1,000-foot-wide dish used in research involving stars that led to a Nobel Prize. Dwindling funds from the U.S. government and construc- tion of bigger, more powerful telescopes in places like China and Chile are threatening the existence of the telescope even as a group of scientists campaigns to keep it open, saying it can still be used for important research. “It’s the most sensi- tive telescope on Earth, and that’s a very good reason why we should keep funding it,” said Robert Kerr, a former director at the observatory. “With that kind of power, I can hear an ant walking on the surface of Mars.” Each year the telescope draws about 90,000 visi- tors and some 200 scientists who come to do research. Cinema-goers have seen it in the Jodie Foster film “Con- tact” and the James Bond movie “GoldenEye.” Scientists use the facility, which resembles a giant sat- ellite dish rather than a typ- ical elongated, lens-based telescope, to detect radio emissions emitted by objects such as stars and galaxies – essentially, humanity’s ear turned toward the cosmos. The first hint the 53-year- old observatory was in peril came a decade ago, when a group of experts recom- mended it be shut down un- less other institutions could help the U.S. National Sci- ence Foundation. NASA now helps, but the Arlington, Virginia-based sci- ence foundation still pays two-thirds of the observa- tory’s $12 million annual budget and has warned it cannot afford to keep oper- ating the facility at a time when its overall budget is being squeezed. “We don’t have the funding to continue to support every- thing that people would like us to support,” Jim Ulvestad, director of the foundation’s astronomical sciences divi- sion, said by telephone. The foundation is pre- paring an environmental impact statement, which Ulvestad said is done “when- ever the federal government is considering a significant change to one of its facili- ties.” Proposals include shut- ting down the observatory, suspending operations or transitioning to an educa- tion-based operation, which would lower the cost of run- ning the telescope. A decision is expected by mid-2017. Government officials also have questioned the rele- vance of the observatory at a time when new telescopes are being built. One recently completed in southwestern China will take over the title of the world’s largest single- dish radio telescope when it begins operations in Sep- tember. And a cluster of radio telescopes was recently in- stalled in northern Chile, where crews are building yet another telescope that will feature the world’s largest digital camera. During a U.S. congres- sional hearing this month, Ulvestad said the new tele- scope in Chile would do a better job than the Arecibo Observatory in identifying asteroids that might threaten Earth. He dismissed concerns that suspending or ending operations in Arecibo would put the planet in danger, noting that other telescopes also track asteroids. “I have been on the job 17 years and this is only the third time I have seen a turtle come up and nest during the day.” MARK ORR, Department of Environment Sea turtles normally nest at night, but this one was seen in broad daylight on Seven Mile Beach last week. - PHOTO: MARK ORR The world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, at the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. - PHOTO: AP ‘GUANTANAMO DIARY’ PRISONER TO BE FREED MIAMI (AP) – A former al- Qaida militant who gained fame with the publica- tion of a diary about life at Guantanamo has been ap- proved for release from the detention center at the U.S. base in Cuba, his lawyers said Wednesday. Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a native of Mauritania who has been in custody without charge for nearly 14 years, was cleared by the Periodic Review Board set up by the Obama administration. The decision was ini- tially announced by his legal team, which included the American Civil Liber- ties Union, and was later confirmed by the Pentagon. He appeared before the board, which conducts pa- role-like hearings, in June. A statement published on the board’s website said it determined Slahi’s de- tention “is no longer nec- essary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States.” Factors cited in the brief statement included his “highly compliant be- havior in detention” and “clear indications of a change in the detainee’s mindset,” as well family and other support avail- able to him upon release. The board did not say when he would be freed from Guantanamo, where he is among 30 prisoners approved for release, or whether he would be sent back to Mauritania. “We will now work to- ward his quick release and return to the waiting arms of his loving family,” said Nancy Hollander, a New Mexico-based lawyer for Slahi. “This is long overdue.” Slahi, who is about 46, received international ac- claim for his “Guantanamo Diary,” a memoir of cap- tivity including accounts of harsh interrogations at the base and overseas. It was published in January 2015. U.S. officials have said in military and court files that Slahi traveled in the early 1990s from Germany, where he was attending college, to Afghanistan to fight with Islamic rebels against a Communist gov- ernment supported by the Soviet Union. He later trained with and swore al- legiance to al-Qaida and had close contacts over the years with significant fig- ures in the organization, in- cluding two men who be- came hijackers in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Slahi was detained in Mauritania in November 2001 and questioned by the FBI in connection with, among other things, the millennium bomb plot, which included a thwarted plan to set off explosives at the Los Angeles Inter- national Airport on New Year’s Eve 1999. Authori- ties sent him to Jordan and Guantanamo, where his al- leged brutal interrogation prompted a prosecutor to resign from his case. For most of his years at the base in Cuba he has been held with another man in their own section of the prison with special perks and privileges.3 LOCAL&REGIONAL CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 GOOD LUCK, FLORENCE Dart and the Minds Inspired family congratulate our 2016 Scholarship Recipient Florence Allan on her selection to represent the Cayman Islands at this Year’s Summer Olympic Games in Rio. We wish you all the best as you sail for gold. MINDSINSPIRED.KY Judge to rule Monday on release of GM mosquitoes KELSEY JUKAM kjukam@pinnaclemedialtd.com A judge will deliver her ruling on Monday on whether millions of genetically mod- ified mosquitoes can be re- leased in West Bay. At a Grand Court court hearing Tuesday, presided over by Judge Ingrid Mangatal, So- licitor General Jacqueline Wilson contended that the ap- plication for a judicial review of the National Conservation Council’s decision to permit the mosquito release was brought on the “flimsiest of grounds.” Lawyers for applicant Dwene Ebanks had argued earlier in the day that the council erred when it failed to carry out a “proper risk assessment” and or an ap- propriate public consulta- tion process before granting the Mosquito Research and Control Unit a permit for the mosquito project. The permit to import mos- quito eggs and breed and re- lease adult male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes was issued by the Department of the Environ- ment — the co-respondent in the case — after the National Conservation Council made its decision on May 18. The project, a collaboration between the Mosquito Research and Control Unit and U.K. bio- technology company Oxitec, was scheduled to begin last week, but last-minute applica- tions for a stay and judicial re- view halted the mosquito-re- lease operation. The purpose of the judicial review is not to assess the risks and benefits of the GM tech- nology but to examine the de- cision-making process of the National Conservation Council and whether it acted within the scope of its powers. Ms. Wilson told Judge Mangatal that it “seems as if [the applicants] did not avail themselves” of the opportunity to bring their complaint to court until the project was ready to launch, in an effort to stop the project.” She submitted that the ap- plication for judicial review lacked any “cogent evidence” and was “entirely without merit and should be dismissed.” Stephen Tromans, QC, part of the legal team representing Mr. Ebanks, who leads a group opposed to the mos- quito project, argued that the National Conservation Coun- cil’s decision was flawed, in part, because it had relied on an October 2009 risk assess- ment conducted by Oxitec and the MRCU. He said there should have been a more re- cent, independent and exten- sive risk assessment. Mr. Tromans also argued that the decision-making pro- cess was not fully transparent and could have been influenced by the fact that the government had already entered into a part- nership agreement with Oxitec before the application for the permit had even been filed. Human rights lawyer Deok Joo Rhee, another member of the applicant’s legal team, said the matter was an “important constitutional case” for Cayman. She argued that the constitu- tion requires authorities such as the National Conserva- tion Council to consider envi- ronmental impacts and adopt measures to protect the envi- ronment, and that the council failed to do so in this case. In a press statement Wednesday, Ms. Wilson said the respondents’ evidence showed that the potential risk of the project “was a matter of grave concern to the NCC” and that the council “con- ducted its own independent assessment of that risk,” an assessment which involved reviewing reports made by the U.S. Food and Drug Ad- ministration and the World Health Organization. Ms. Wilson said the council also took steps to confirm whether the findings in the 2009 risk assessment were supported by subsequent, more recent, assessments made by other countries. In court, Ms. Wilson also ar- gued that the National Conser- vation Council considered the engagement and public consul- tation process as important for this project and that there was “no shortage” of information concerning the project in the public domain. “In granting approval for the project, the NCC also re- quired the MRCU to continue public outreach efforts,” Ms. Wilson said in the statement. “In this regard, the MRCU has embarked on a comprehensive public awareness campaign that involves all stakeholders. This includes press releases, television programs, media ap- pearances and door-to-door visits in which leaflets and other promotional materials are distributed and answers are given to any questions.” Ms. Wilson also said the National Conservation Council proceeded with the “required degree of transparency” by keeping its general meeting – at which the decision was made – public, and giving notice of the meeting to local media and on the Department of Environ- ment’s website in advance. She said that the applicant’s “insinuation that there is a vested interest by the MRCU in its partnership with Oxitec was robustly denied by the MRCU.” “The MRCU confirmed that its interest in partnering with Oxitec is purely scientific and that the project would not be pursued if there was compel- ling scientific evidence that it poses a risk to human health or the environment,” Ms. Wilson added. Both sides finished their ar- guments late Tuesday afternoon. Judge Mangatal is sched- uled to announce her decision in court at 10 a.m. on Monday. The GM mosquito project is on hold pending Monday’s ruling on the judicial review. - PHOTO: KELSEY JUKAMThe 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. CarePay audit: No clean bill of public health “No doubt, whatever report the Internal Audit Unit produces on the procurement of the CarePay contract will make for interesting reading, that is, whenever the public is finally allowed to read it. What we do doubt, however, is that any material consequences will ensue from the findings of the report, or that any civil servants will be held account- able for any misconduct, neglect or gross ineptitude.” — “Auditing the CarePay audit,” Cayman Compass, Feb. 22, 2016 “As a result of our audit work, and the information which came to our attention, we did not find any evidence of misconduct or corruption on the part of public servants within the entities reviewed.” — “Internal Audit Special Investigation Report of the CarePay Procurement Process,” June 6, 2016 Wait a minute. While we derive little satisfaction from predicting cor- rectly that the Internal Audit Unit’s investigation into the CarePay debacle would yield a list of recommendations and little else, this case deserves further serious scrutiny. For our readers who are new to the Cayman Islands, or who may appreciate a refresher: In February, accoun- tant Canover Watson was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of conspiracy to defraud, fraud on the government, breach of trust and conflict of interest, stemming from his actions while chairman of the Health Services Authority board. Specifically, Watson conspired to skim profits from the contract for the public health system’s swipe-card (known as CarePay). He used his position on the board to direct the award of the multi-million dollar contract to CarePay contractor AIS Cayman Ltd., while disguising his and alleged co-conspirator Jeffrey Webb’s involvement in the company. They made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars. (Watson is appealing the verdict.) Webb, of course, is the former head of Cayman and regional football who has been convicted in U.S. federal court for his central role in the unrelated global FIFA scandal. He is awaiting sentencing in the U.S. At the conclusion of the CarePay trial in Cayman, Grand Court Justice Michael Mettyear told Watson, “The evidence against you was overwhelming. You conspired with Jeff Webb to steal money from the Cayman Islands government. You were able to succeed because of your position of power and trust as chairman of the Health Services Authority.” He said, “You fooled a number of senior civil servants and possibly a minister. You tried to fool the jury, although you failed.” Even though the jury trial resulted in the conviction of Watson, the courtroom testimony (particularly from very senior officials) served as a separate indictment — of the administration of public health in Cayman. In an editorial in February, we wrote, “In totality, the testimony paints a picture of dysfunction within the halls of government, with a broken system of ineffective public servants and appointed board members who deliver neither checks nor balances.” The internal audit report reinforces that impres- sion, in detail, including documentation of how the Public Management and Finance Law was broken during the CarePay procurement process. The report also highlights the role of then-Health Minister Mark Scotland and his close working relationship with Watson in regard to the CarePay contract. Indeed, the prevalence of Mr. Scotland’s presence in the report is matched only by the conspicuity of his absence during the Watson trial. And yet, although the government paid US$3.2 million to set up the CarePay system — including US$1.8 million for which the government received absolutely nothing in return — the internal audit report confines itself to recom- mendations to strengthen the system going forward. In other words, individual accountability is nowhere to be found. Neither has government expressed any plan, or intention, of getting back the taxpayers’ money. The audit report, however, won’t be the last word on CarePay. The police investigation can still be considered “active.” After all, Webb still faces charges as Watson’s alleged co-conspirator. Case closed on CarePay? For the sake of the people of the Cayman Islands who are picking up the tab for this sordid affair, it better not be. THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS What Britain should ask for in Brexit negotiations BLOOMBERG VIEW EDITORIAL BOARD The United Kingdom’s new prime minister, Theresa May, has said that Brexit means Brexit. There’ll be no second referendum. Leaving the European Union, she says, is her mandate. That much may be clear – but little else is. Britain’s fu- ture relationship with the EU could take many forms. At one extreme is an acrimonious di- vorce that would leave Britain more separated from Europe’s economies than many current non-members. At the otherr extreme is something so close to EU membership that in economic terms Brexit would make little difference. The greatest danger for Britain and Europe lies in letting this uncertainty persist. As yet, there’s no blue- print. Supporters of Brexit never agreed on what they wanted. Opponents – such as May’s predecessor, David Cameron – gave the matter little thought, hoping it would never happen. And Eu- rope’s treaties offer no guid- ance: only a two-year dead- line to complete the process, wherever it leads, after the now-famous Article 50 has been triggered. Norway and Switzerland have been discussed as pos- sible models, but they’re of little use. True, both are non- members of the EU with (mostly) unrestricted access to the union’s single market – but they accept Europe’s rules on trade without being able to vote on them, and are required to allow free move- ment of workers into and out of the EU. This last obliga- tion is one May can’t agree to, since restoring control over migration was a main plank of the Brexit campaign. It’s been taken for granted up to now that terms like Norway’s or Switzerland’s are the best Britain can expect, or even legitimately suggest. But Britain is a far bigger economy, with much more to offer the rest of the union. There’s no reason it shouldn’t ask for, and be granted, a new kind of deal. To be sure, if Britain wants access on the same terms as members to the EU’s single market in goods, services and capital, it will have to accept Europe’s rules on trade. Yet it should also be able to maintain a degree of control on migration. The EU’s leaders in- sist that free movement of workers is indivisible from the other freedoms it pro- vides. All they really mean is that, up to now, they have decreed it to be indivisible. Nothing is stopping them from lifting that decree, and letting Britain remain in the single market for trading purposes while granting it a measure of control over movement of people. Some argue that this would be unfair – a case of Britain wanting the privileges of EU membership without the obligations (German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls it “cherry-picking” and says it mustn’t be allowed). This is a puzzling argument. Opting out of free movement carries significant costs in its own right. If Britain is al- lowed to restrict immigra- tion from the EU, its own cit- izens will face restrictions on their ability to work and live in Europe. That’s a tough choice for Britain to make – but there’s no reason to deny a non-member the right to make it. Britain’s new minister for exit, David Davis, may al- ready be the world’s most overworked politician. He needs to plan not just for the most mutually advantageous settlement, but also for what happens if the talks go badly. Nonetheless his first job, be- fore Article 50 is triggered, is to float a proposal that min- imizes the disruption and makes sense for both sides. Forget precedent: There isn’t one. Forget Norway and Switzerland. Maximum eco- nomic integration plus con- trol of migration is the right place to start, and Europe’s leaders should open their minds to it. © 2016, Bloomberg View PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” [David Davis] needs to plan not just for the most mutually advantageous settlement, but also for what happens if the talks go badly. David Davis is the U.K.’s new ‘Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.’ - PHOTO:CHRIS RATCLIFFE/BLOOMBERG5 LOCAL NEWS CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com An elderly Caymanian who suffered from dementia went missing from an as- sisted-living home in Tampa Friday, and family members say his body was found in a nearby lake. Police say Maynell Scott, 82, who is originally from Cayman Brac, suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Hillsborough County, Florida Sheriff’s Office spokesman Larry McK- innon confirmed Wednesday that divers found Mr. Scott’s body in a lake less than a mile from Belvedere Com- mons, the facility where Mr. Scott lived north of downtown Tampa. Mr. McKinnon said the medical examiner in Tampa is working to confirm the identity of the man. Raymond Scott, Mr. Scott’s cousin, who lives on Cayman Brac, confirmed that po- lice notified the family that the body was indeed that of Maynell Scott. Mr. Scott grew up on the Brac, his cousin said, and left as a young man to become a seaman. After serving on ships, Mr. Scott worked at a bakery in Tampa. He moved back to the Brac when he re- tired, according to his cousin, and remained living on the island for about 10 years. Raymond Scott said his cousin’s daughters moved him to the assisted-living fa- cility in Tampa as he had de- veloped Alzheimer’s. He said his cousin “was a very caring, loving father to his family.” “It was always a delight when he came back to visit the Brac” from Tampa, he said. He told the Compass that his cousin’s daughters, who live in Tampa, were on their way to take their fa- ther to dinner when staff at the facility told them he was missing. Speaking to Tampa news station Bay News 9, Mr. Scott’s daughter Yvonne Willis said she called to tell the home that they were on their way, “And they started crying and said ‘I’m sorry, we can’t find him right now.’” “That’s my father,” she told the television station, “The love of my life. He’s taken care of us all our life, and now I will take care of him too.” Local law enforcement used boats to search lakes in the area and bloodhounds to try to track Mr. Scott’s scent. On Tuesday evening, they found his body in a lake not far from the assisted- living home. Police said they do not suspect foul play in Mr. Scott’s death. CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 Elderly Caymanian drowns in Florida Flow president makes the rounds to resolve ICTA issues CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Flow president Michele English spent two days in a whirlwind of meetings with Cayman Islands govern- ment ministers and regula- tors this week. She said she expects final approval from Cay- man’s telecom regula- tors “in the short term” of Cable & Wireless’s recent $5.3 billion acquisition by Liberty Global. Cayman’s Informa- tion and Communica- tions Technology Authority, along with regulators in the dozens of other mar- kets C&W does business in, have to approve the acqui- sition if it is to go ahead. There have been several stumbling blocks, including accusations that some Flow executives in Cayman have not had proper work per- mits to be in the islands. “There have been some issues raised around immi- gration,” Ms. English said during a meeting with re- porters Tuesday without giving specifics. But, she said, “I don’t think there are any underlying issues with the acquisition.” She said she met with government ministers Monday to discuss con- cerns, including complaints about Internet speeds that were discussed at the Leg- islative Assembly last year. She also met with regula- tors Tuesday morning to address more technical issues with the company’s infrastructure, staffing and the acquisition. “We’re all committed to moving this forward,” she said, adding that she ex- pects “to see a conclusion in the short term.” ICTA managing director Alee Fa’amoe declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations over the Lib- erty Global-Cable & Wire- less acquisition. Ms. English said govern- ment ministers brought up complaints over Internet speeds with her during their meeting. She said the company has been working to improve its infrastruc- ture for the fixed network, including storing local ver- sions of Netflix and Google on island to reduce the burden on undersea cables that connect Cayman to the broader Internet. “We can’t guarantee you a speed to Web pages,” she said. “When you get onto the Internet, that’s that whole different beast.” Infrastructure investments Ms. English said Flow had invested $30 million in network infrastructure over the past two years. “Telecommunications infrastructure is impor- tant to growth and eco- nomic development,” she said. Cayman’s main in- dustries, financial services and tourism, both rely on having good connections to the outside world. She said the new ac- quisition by Liberty Global gives Flow more buying power to be able to invest in Cayman’s network and the undersea cables neces- sary to connect off island. She said Flow plans to roll out more fiber, and re- cently upgraded the off-is- land connections. “Reliability is critical,” Ms. English said, because governments, businesses and hospitals rely on the network. Additionally, she said, the company has addressed the problems with 911 that resulted in customers being unable to reach the emer- gency number. Flow’s head of mar- keting in Cayman, Julie Hutton, said “There are now redundancies in place.” Ms. English added that discussions over the 911 system are ongoing with ICTA, but some of the equipment has been moved on island. Liberty Global The license review was sparked by Liberty Global’s US$5.3 billion acquisition of Cable & Wireless, com- pleted in May. U.S. billion- aire John Malone’s Liberty Global operates in Europe under several brands, in- cluding Virgin Media. Liberty Global also op- erates in Latin and South America, running an un- dersea fiber network con- necting more than 30 mar- kets and offering consumer and business communi- cations services in Puerto Rico and Chile. Ms. English said the new ownership will give Flow customers better ac- cess to on-demand content and make big investments less expensive for the com- pany, meaning Flow will be able to spend more on infrastructure upgrades in Cayman. Ms. English said she expects final approval from Cayman’s telecom regulators “in the short term” of Cable & Wireless’s recent $5.3 billion acquisition by Liberty Global. Michele English Maynell Scott Linford Pierson Highway widening under way The National Roads Au- thority is urging motorists to drive with caution while work on widening a sec- tion of the Linford Pierson Highway occurs. The roadwork covers about a mile, from the Silver Oaks roundabout, near the First Assembly of God Church, to the intersection with Agnes Way. During this month, NRA workers are widening the sub-base of the road, mainly the section from the Silver Oaks Roundabout to Halifax Drive on the south side of the roadway. While the NRA, in a press release, stated that it ex- pected minimal traffic inter- ruptions during this phase, motorists are encouraged to exercise caution, and be on the lookout for heavy trucks and equipment entering and exiting the main road. The NRA’s widening project, according to the press release, is expected to provide an increase in vehicle capacity and reduction in traffic congestion during the peak hours of the morning and evening. According to past NRA traffic count records, in 2003 the Linford Pierson Highway accommodated some 13,800 vehicles per day. In 2009 traffic volume aver- aged 18,100 cars per day, and in February this year, daily traffic increased to approxi- mately 19,350 vehicles. Over recent weeks, some land-clearing and minor works have begun along the roadway. The road-widening project will also include the reloca- tion of CUC poles and Water Authority mains. For more information, call 946-7780 or email the National Roads Authority at nra@nra.ky.Heavy machinery is in place to widen the Linford Pierson Highway. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days Bodden Town THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Children have power blast at Launch Pad preschool JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Launch Pad Enrich- ment Centre in Savannah is giving children a power blast over the summer holi- days, by featuring their fa- vorite superheroes. Caught in the glow of gamma radiation, Bruce Banner starts to grow into a big green gentle Incred- ible Hulk, his eyes glaring through his green mask as he shows his big green fists to Spider-Man, as Supergirl, watching nearby in her pink cape, breaks into peals of laughter. A few shouts and hugs later, the children get orga- nized for a group picture. Other superhero charac- ters joining in the fun were Ninja Turtles, Superman, Batman, Spice Girl and Wonder Woman. Camp at Launch Pad started with a soccer camp week at the Bodden Town playing field, where chil- dren got to learn the impor- tance of teamwork and the rules of the game. The second week was all about superheroes, with children designing logos of their favorite su- perheroes on T-shirts and acting out their favorite su- perhero moves. The children also partic- ipated in a superhero trea- sure hunt, searching for powers and things super- heroes wear, and channeled their artistic sides painting their favorite superhero on canvas. On Friday, a major high- light came when campers en- joyed a fire drill carried out by the Fire Department. 50 years ago: Praising seamen and some road humor on serious topic In the July 20, 1966 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Haig Bodden wrote: “Darley Solomon was an Ordinary Seaman on board the ill-fated tanker Texaco Massachusetts when she collided with the Alva Cape in New York har- bour last month. Solomon is an National Maritime Union member. He helped the bosun, a non-swimmer to safety. Another Bodden Towner on the same ship was Norman Bodden. “Hundreds of our seamen now serve on ships around the world. Catas- trophes such as the one mentioned above claim the lives of Caymanians every year. Thirty three seamen of mixed nationalities lost their lives in last month’s disastrous collision. “Founded upon the seas, the Cayman Islands share in all the prosperities or adversities which come from seafaring. “One should never cease to praise the heroism of the gallant men who go down to the sea in ships, and who do business in deep waters. Despite ru- mours to the contrary our seamen are still among the best disciplined in the world, and can always be depended on to behave like men in emergencies. “On the Bodden Town- George Town road one is struck by the misbehav- iour and malpractices of the big vehicles being operated thereon. If it were not such a dangerous sport it would indeed be funny to watch the acrobatics the drivers of small vehicles perform when trying to avoid being hit. “The drivers of this heavy equipment ap- pear to have no knowl- edge of the section of the law which says that ‘When a vehicle is not in mo- tion it must be parked as far to the left as possible.’ Many of these monsters on wheels are stopped and parked at random without any consideration for pint-sized autos. “Nearly all of the heavily armoured vehicles seem reluctant to move from the centre of the tarmac when crossing less defen- sive objects. Motorists in more conventional vehi- cles cannot win in a hand to hand encounter with these automotive monstros- ities, and are, therefore, forced to the very brink of the road, and sometimes barely manage to scrape by in one piece. “There are a few cour- teous drivers of the big ve- hicles but they are far out- numbered by a host of others who hog the road by reason of their superior armament.” Launch Pad youngsters and teachers show off their superhero moves. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY The Incredible Hulk shows off his big fists for the class.DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days Bodden Town CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 YMCA Summer Camp expands to Savannah Youngsters in Bodden Town and the eastern dis- tricts have a new summer camp option this year. The YMCA’s Summer Camp program has expanded to Savannah, bringing a tra- ditional day camp experi- ence to the eastern districts, where children can stay ac- tive, make new friends and have plenty of fun. “Because of the increased community need for safe, productive activities for kids over the summer, the Y ex- panded its summer program to three locations, including Savannah,” said YMCA com- munity relations director Vanessa Hansen. “The Cayman Islands Baptist Church Youth Centre on Pedro Castle Road, with its gym and proximity to local attractions, provides the perfect setting for young campers to explore, learn, and have fun.” At all three locations, which also include Camana Bay and Field of Dreams, campers will participate in outdoor adventures, sports, camp songs, arts and crafts, swimming, and field trips. “What makes the Y pro- gram unique is the focus on character development,” said Ms. Hansen. “We like to have fun at the Y, and we teach our core values of caring, respect, honesty, responsibility, and faith through play.” Learning important life skills is also a feature of the YMCA camps. “Waterproofing our kids is an important part of the program – by the end of summer, we will have campers who will have learned to swim,” said Ms. Hansen. In addition to the camp program, which is for kids from 5 to 12 years of age, the Y offers a Counselors- in-Training (CIT) program. It is designed for young people aged 13 to 17, with a focus on leadership de- velopment. CITs assist the camp leaders while partici- pating in team building and leadership projects. “One of our regular CITs received the Year 10 com- munity service award for his school, which he credits to the opportunities the Y has given him,” noted Ms. Hansen. The Savannah camp runs from July 25 through Aug. 19. Camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, early drop-off and late pick-up are available to cater to working parents. To learn more about these or any other Y programs, visit www. ymcacayman.ky, call 926-9622 or email ysummercamp@ymcacayman.ky. Cemetery maintains a link to past traditions The National Trust notes that in days gone by, there were no community grave- yards in the Cayman Islands. It was the practice for each family to be responsible for the safe burial of their dead. During the 18th cen- tury, people started to set aside a small portion of their land to serve as the family graveyard. Throughout the three is- lands, numerous family plots can still be seen be- tween the road and the sea, one of the few places where the sandy ground was easy to dig, but was poor and therefore unsuitable for growing crops. As the islands’ population grew, it became necessary to allocate space for commu- nity graveyards. By the 19th century, each major com- munity had allocated a plot, again on the shoreline, and these remain in use today. The main Bodden Town Cemetery is located on the eastern side of town, across from the Police Station. The Bodden Town cemetery, like many across the Cayman Islands, is located between the road and the sea. YMCA campers on a field trip to the turtle farm. ‘Ice’ Minelli Tibbetts, ‘Zoom’ Sherlock Brooks, ‘Picasso’ Alyssa Ebanks and ‘Sparkles’ Carrie McCoy having fun during pre-camp training.Aviela Ramirez and Amelia Whyte with staff member Jacob Scott.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS contract being awarded while Watson served as chairman of the HSA board. Watson was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on fraud and corruption-related charges in February. The US$1.8 million pay- ment was in addition to nearly US$1.4 million in “set up” costs for the original CarePay patient card system used by the public hospi- tals. The system’s usage was discontinued in December 2014, the audit noted, a few months after Watson was arrested on corruption and fraud-related allegations. “This was not our finest hour,” Deputy Gov- ernor Manderson said, com- menting generally on the audit Wednesday. “But we’ve taken steps to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.” As to whether the gov- ernment would attempt to recover any of the money spent on the CarePay fi- asco, Mr. Manderson said asset forfeiture proceed- ings involving Watson were ongoing before the court. Watson is accused of per- sonally benefitting from the CarePay/AIS scheme, taking in nearly US$350,000, prose- cutors alleged. Whether the Health Ser- vices Authority would seek to recover any of the US$1.8 million spent on the “national rollout” was a matter for the authority and its board, Mr. Manderson said. HSA Chief Executive Of- ficer Lizzette Yearwood said Wednesday that the hos- pital system was in discus- sions with its attorneys on the issue. The fraudulent “na- tional rollout” was just one of a litany of errors the In- ternal Audit Unit found in the bidding and award of the CarePay project to AIS Cayman in December 2010. There were three particular areas auditors found where government had not com- plied with its own financial management legislation. The first instance oc- curred with the lack of a business case being pre- sented during the procure- ment of the CarePay system. This situation was exacer- bated by the fact that Watson, as the HSA chairman, also sat on the technical evalua- tion committee for the project bids, a situation auditors said should never have been allowed to occur. The second instance in- volved non-compliance with budget provisions that re- quire any capital project to be included in govern- ment entity financial state- ments. The government noted that the CarePay pro- curement was not listed in capital expenditure items during the HSA’s 2010/11 and 2011/12 budgets. Finally, the government did not follow its own public bidding process, in that con- cerns expressed over the ini- tial CarePay project bids were seemingly ignored, or at least not given se- rious consideration by the relevant public sector en- tities. “This lack of con- sideration given for bid queries is not in compliance with the Central Tenders Committee’s open tender process,” the report stated. There were generally a lack of financial controls around the large expendi- ture of sums associated with the CarePay project, audi- tors found, including the US$1.8 million spent for the non-existent “national rollout” of the system to the private sector. “It is unclear why the HSA paid the [national rollout] funds to AIS, given their knowledge that the CarePay system was not demon- strated to be operating suf- ficiently … to be ready for the national rollout,” the report states. The hospital system noted its finance officers understood that the Min- istry of Health would reim- burse the HSA for those pay- ments. The instructions to pay the amount came from Watson, who was the board chairman at the time. Wat- son’s involvement directly in the bid process and eval- uation “blurred lines” with regard to reporting in the project as well, auditors said. There was generally a “deficient government frame- work” surrounding the entire bid and award process, the audit concluded. “The lack of an effective governance arrangement for the procurement … con- tributed to the poor plan- ning, the ambiguities and lack of role clarity, the lack of communication and in- adequate information flows, the fraudulent payment of invoices, the delays in im- plementation and the in- ability of the implemented [CarePay] system to meet the expectations and needs of the HSA, the Cayman Is- lands National Insurance Company and the Ministry of Health,” the report stated. CarePay audit: US$1.8M spent on non-existent project route would add a level of redundancy that would im- prove overall reliability. He said, “As it is imprac- tical to expect no or min- imal service disruptions when operating only one aircraft, acquiring a second aircraft will allow Cayman Airways Express to achieve and maintain the highest levels of reliability, without the need to contract in any temporary service pro- viders whenever we have an aircraft out of service.” The previous 14-seat Twin Otter planes were phased out on the Brac route in late 2014, ini- tially replaced by a 30- seat Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, leased along with its crew on a temporary arrangement with Turks and Caicos-based Inter- Caribbean Airways. That aircraft was re- placed with the Saab, once the training and certifica- tion process for CAL staff had been completed. Mr. Whorms added, “After successfully equipping and certifying the airline last year to operate our ex- isting Saab 340 B Plus air- craft, the work necessary to introduce a second aircraft of this type into the fleet is minimal and will lead to a more efficient, robust and reliable operation, which we are sure our passengers will greatly appreciate.” He said the operating expenses were largely re- lated to flying time and would not be hugely in- creased by the addition of the second aircraft. Speaking at an event last year to welcome the new Saab aircraft to the fleet, Philip Rankin, chairman of the airline’s board of directors, said that CAL was hoping to add a second plane saying it could increase the air- line’s options for smaller regional flights to Jamaica and Cuba. Mr. Whorms said that was unlikely to happen this year but the airline is exploring regional op- tions and opportunities for next year.” on $5,000 bond. The Crown opposed bail for Webster, stating that it had evidence of Webster’s family members – though not Webster himself – approaching the victim’s family and talking about “what can happen if this matter is reported to police.” Mr. McField told the court that there was no evidence Webster, who he said had been in police custody since he was arrested Sunday, had made these approaches and advised that the court could make strict orders to pre- vent that from happening, if it wished. Magistrate Hernandez or- dered that Webster reside under 24-hour curfew at his son’s house in North Side district. Webster’s son has a two-year-old daughter and the judge ordered that Web- ster was not to be left alone with “any minor” during the bail period. In addition, the court or- dered that neither Webster nor any of his family mem- bers were to make contact with the victim or the victim’s family while the case is pro- ceeding through the courts. Ms. Hernandez also or- dered that any copies of the video described in the court be taken from the public domain and destroyed. She warned that anyone distrib- uting the video for any pur- pose could face criminal prosecution as well. Webster was ordered to return to court on Aug. 3 where he was expected to enter a plea to the charges and elect which court would hear the case. His passport was seized by the court and he must inform the RCIPS of any follow-up visits to the hospital as a result of the as- sault against him. Mr. Mc- Field said he believed Web- ster would have to return to seek additional medical care this week. Webster will continue to report to the George Town Police Station on Monday and Friday each week be- fore the adjudication of his criminal matter. Webster had been touted as a potential political candi- date in the upcoming general election and ran unsuccess- fully during 2013 in Bodden Town district. The Cayman Islands Democratic Party, of which he was a member, said Webster agreed to resign from the party on Friday. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “This was not our finest hour, but we’ve taken steps to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.” DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANZ MANDERSON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cayman Airways seeks another new plane The Saab prop plane, which currently services the Grand Cayman- Cayman Brac route, was damaged in stormy weather earlier this year. Webster charged with four counts of gross indecency Errington Webster arrives at court on Wednesday. He faces four counts of gross indecency with a minor. - PHOTO: MATT LAMERS CDC, FLORIDA PROBING POSSIBLE ZIKA CASE FROM MIAMI MOSQUITO MIAMI (AP) – Health offi- cials in Florida were inves- tigating Wednesday what could be the first Zika infec- tion from a mosquito bite in the continental United States. Lab tests confirmed that the person in the Miami area has the Zika virus, according to statements from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Florida’s Department of Health. Health officials said the person has no apparent links to recent travel out- side the country, but no additional information was released. They did not immediately respond Wednesday to questions about why they believe the infection is not travel-re- lated, and whether the pos- sibility of sexual transmis- sion has been ruled out. More than 1,300 Zika in- fections have been reported in the U.S., but none involved bites from local mosquitoes, according to the CDC. Four- teen cases were sexually transmitted and one lab worker was stuck with a con- taminated needle. Miami-Dade County has the most confirmed infec- tions in Florida so far – 88, but all have been found to be travel-related. Mosquito control inspec- tors have been going door- to-door in the area under investigation since health au- thorities alerted them late last week, spraying to kill mosquitoes and emptying containers of the water they need to breed. If the virus is there, they want to keep it from spreading through more mosquito bites. “We’re constantly in the area. We’re doing hand- held spraying, and we’ll do more truck spraying Thursday,” said Gayle Love, a spokeswoman for Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016 CAYMAN ACADEMY P.O. Box 515, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands Telephone – (345) 640 2630 Email:caymanacademyschool@gmail.com A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST INSTITUTION Cayman Academy Invites Applications for CAPE Starting 2016/17 Academic Year Cayman Academy is launching CAPE (the Caribbean Advanced Pro ciency Examination) in the 2016/17 academic year. Students with CSEC or equivalent secondary education certi cation are invited to apply. CAPE is equivalent to the British Advanced Levels (A-Levels), both of which are intended for entrance to regional, Canadian, and British universities. Students entering American universities with CAPE quali cations may be eligible for credits and exemptions in selected subject areas. CAPE grants certi cates for individual subjects, a diploma (a cluster of six subjects) or an associate degree (seven or more subjects). Subjects may be studied concurrently or singly. Cayman Academy starts its CAPE programme this year with the business strand, in the following subjects: Accounts Economics Management of Business Caribbean Studies Communication Studies This year, students may select an additional subject from the following options: Pure Mathematics Environmental Science Information Technology Application forms are available from the Registrar, Cayman Academy, telephone: (6402630 or 9267190) email: caymanacademy@gmail.com Deadline for applications is August 12, 2017 THURSDAY, JULY 21 HUMANE SOCIETY PUB QUIZ: Fidel Murphy’s, 7 p.m. featuring quizmaster Dhara Levers. $10 per person, for teams of maximum six people. All proceeds go toward transferring dogs to their new homes in the U.S. Call Fidel Murphy’s on 949-5189 to reserve your table or email sarah.dyer@gmail.com. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOPS: Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 1; Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $150 for members, $225 for future members. Sign up at www.caymanchamber.ky. POLICE COMMUNITY MEETING ON CAYMAN BRAC: Veterans and Seamen’s Centre, Ashton Reed Drive. 7 p.m. Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Ennis and Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton will join Inspector Wendy Parchment, area commander for the Sister Islands, for an open meeting with the community of Cayman Brac. Call the Cayman Brac Police Station at 948-0331 with any questions. THURSDAY, JULY 22 SUMMER ARTS CAMP DEADLINE EXTENDED AND STAFF SEARCH: The deadline to register students for the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s Summer Arts Camp has been extended until today. Forms are online at www. artscayman.org/creative- kids. Cost is $150 per child for seven days. Snacks and lunch are included. For more information email cncf@artscayman.org or call 949-5477. CNCF is also seeking a camp leader and three performing arts teachers for the camp. People with management and teaching qualifications in the drama, voice (singing) and dance can apply via email, with a cover letter and three references, to cncf@artscayman.org. SATURDAY, JULY 23 SUMMER SPLASH PARTY: The Crescent, Camana Bay. 2-7 p.m. SUNDAY, JULY 24 VETERANS TO HONOR GOVERNOR RUSSELL: The Cayman Islands Veterans Association will hold a ceremony at the Cenotaph at Elmslie Church in George Town to honor Governor Thomas Russell who died earlier this month. The ceremony is at 10 a.m., and will be followed by the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Everyone is welcome to attend. THURSDAY, JULY 28 SUMMARY COURT: Cayman Brac Summary Court will be held July 28 and 29. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOPS: Basic Writing and Grammar Skills Part 2. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $150 for members, $225 for future members, sign up at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, JULY 30 DEALS ON WHEELS: The Red Cross Thrift Shop mobile shop Deals on Wheels will be in West Bay at the junction of the West Bay Town Hall and the Lord’s Church compound from 6-10 a.m. Clothing for children and adults, ladies’ accessories, linens, toys, books and much more. MONDAY, AUG. 1 PIRATES WEEK FOOD VENDOR REGISTRATION: The Pirates Week Festival Office invites participants for the annual Food Festival to submit their vendor applications for operating the George Town food stalls on Nov. 11 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Nov. 12 from 1 p.m. to midnight, and Nov. 13 from 2 p.m. to midnight. Vendor applications must be submitted beginning today to the Pirates Week Office on Shedden Road, George Town, upstairs next to KFC. Space is limited, so submit applications as soon as possible. Deadline for submissions is Oct. 31. All vendors must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Pirates Week Festival office and must present a valid Food Handling Certificate for everyone handling food, by Oct. 31. Food handling certificates can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Health by contacting Gideon Simms on 949-6696 or via gideon.simms@gov.ky. For application forms and more details, contact the Pirates Week Festival Office at 949-5078 or info@piratesweekfestival.com. FRIDAY, AUG. 5 IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT CLOSURE: The Department of Immigration headquarters, including Passport and Corporate Services, Visa Office and Front Counter, will be closed to the public for all but essential services today. Only work permit and permanent residence applications (including applications for permission to continue to work (PCW) that must be submitted before Aug. 6 in order to allow continued employment will be accepted. Time-sensitive applications for visitor extensions will also be accepted. The department will resume normal operations on Monday, Aug. 8, and will also remain open to the public until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3. VOLUNTEER TEACHERS SOUGHT: The CXC Education Programme, offering all interested adults a second chance at an education, invites volunteer teachers to apply. A variety of courses are offered at basic, intermediate and CXC exam levels. Also offered are skills- oriented subjects such as QuickBooks, cosmetology and dressmaking. Registration is Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2 p.m. at the John Gray High School Auditorium; classes begin on Sunday, Sept. 18. Students may register for as many courses as they can manage; registration fee is $100 to cover books and other supplies for the year. For more information, visit www. education.adventisteducation. org or call Dr. L. Smith, 325-6462, or Mrs. L. Wynter-Young, 938-3701. SUMMER CAMPS SHUTTERBUGS: For young photographers. Picture This Studios, Camana Bay. Ages 8 to 11, Mondays. Ages 11 to 16, Fridays. Each session is 9 a.m. till noon; $35. Contact bouke@picturethis. ky or 943-3686. STARFISH VILLAGE: Camana Bay. Enrichment activities for ages 3 to 12, divided by age groups. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. $80 per day, with other rates by the week or half day. Contact info@starfish.ky. WATERCOLOUR KIDS CLUB: Saturday mornings 10 a.m. to noon. National Gallery, until Aug. 13. Free watercolor art activities for kids. These creative drop-in sessions will inspire families of all levels and abilities. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings are not required. For more information, contact education@ nationalgallery.org.ky. SPORTS CAMP: Camana Bay Sports Complex. Weekly, from 8 a.m. to noon for ages 6 to 14. Week starting July 25 is $150. Contact cbsc@camanabay.com. BASKETBALL CAMP: July 18-22 at the Arts and Recreation Centre (ARC). $150 per person. 8:30 a.m. till noon for ages 7 to 12; 12:30-4 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Contact cbsc@camanabay.com or 640-2878. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: “Cow a-bunga farm, growin’ with our faithful God.” Calvary Baptist Church, 191 Walkers Road, George Town. July 18-22, 8:30 a.m. to noon, ages 4-17. Call 949-0629. KIDS SUMMER ART & CRAFT CAMP: Visual Arts Society: Watler House Studio, Pedro St. James. Wednesdays and Thursdays, July 20 to Aug. 18. Open to kids ages 5 to 12. $45 pp; fee includes materials and snack. For more information, visit visualartcayman@yahoo.com. BRAC SPORTS CAMP: Basketball, July 25-29, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Layman E. Scott High School, ages 7-17. KARATE KAMP: Purple Dragon Karate at Mirco Centre offers karate, crafts, field trips, indoor and outdoor activities 8:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays until Aug. 19. $75 per day; $40 half-day; $300 per week; $280 per week for two weeks; $250 per week for four weeks. Call 946-1241 or email purple@candw.ky. SAILING CAMP: Cayman Islands Sailing Club. Children ages 6 to 16 and beginners welcome. Each camp is two weeks, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Games, field trips and lots of sailing in North Sound. All safety equipment is provided. $650 for non- members; $550 for CISC members. Lunch option for two weeks is $80. One- week option available by request. To register, contact sailingcentre@sailing.ky. Call 926-7915. BRAC YMCA CULTURE CAMP: Aug. 1-5. 8:30 a.m. to noon. Brac Heritage House. Cost $50. Contact simones@candw.ky. BRAC SPORTS CAMP: Football, Aug. 1-5, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Brac Sports Complex (Bluff Field). Ages 7–17. BIBLE SCHOOL: Aug. 1–6. Creek SDA Church Vacation Bible School. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Contact Marva Crew at 924-0429. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: “Cave Quest – Following Jesus. ‘The Light of the World.’” Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church, Aug. 1–5 Ages 4 years to teen. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ADVENTURES IN ART: Presented by the National Trust and Art Nest Creative Studio. Held at Dart Family Park Aug. 1-5 and 8-12 for ages 4 to 10. Runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $300 per week includes snack, lunch and materials. After-care till 5:30 p.m. is additional $25. Register at www.nationaltrust.org.ky. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events.Next >