ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 High of 90 Low of 80 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 LEARN ABOUT ‘LITERACY MONTH’: KEEP READING … SPORTS | PAGE 18 EUROPEAN TEAMS PREPARE TO KICK OFF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS RoadUser Save up to $400 with home and car insurance Buy BritCay’s buildings insurance and receive a $250 gift certificate. If you have home insurance, you also receive a 10% discount on car cover. With the lowest deductibles at $200, you also save when you claim. Ask for a quote! 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 FREE $10 Million ASSET PROTECTION! with motor cover* *private car insurance cgigrp ‘Partnership schools’ on back burner JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A recommendation to introduce U.K.-style academy schools run by boards of business leaders, parents and former students is off the agenda for now, according to Education Min- ister Tara Rivers. A KPMG report on the Cayman Islands school governance model, published last year, suggested “Cayman Partnership Schools” funded by government but controlled by pri- vate boards of governors as the new model for the education system. Similar to charter schools in the U.S. and academies in the U.K., such schools have had a mixed record in other jurisdictions. Ms. Rivers said the concept, also recom- mended in the EY report on government cost cutting, is still being reviewed, but would not be pursued before the election, anticipated in May 2017. “As it relates to the partnership school,” she said, “we are going in to a crucial year and we don’t want to introduce something else into the pot before we give a chance for what we have put in place for the last two years to start to bear the fruit.” She said an increased focus on improving school leadership and the quality of teaching and learning in Cayman’s schools are key to improvement, regardless of who runs them. “We haven’t actually come to a firm posi- tion on that as yet. We are seeing the progress we are seeing now because we are being tar- geted and focused in specific areas. Irrespec- tive of the model, these fundamental things won’t change,” she said. “The actual model, if it is a hybrid model, HISTORIC FLIGHT FROM US LANDS IN CUBA SANTA CLARA, Cuba (AP) – The first commercial flight between the United States and Cuba in more than a half century landed in the central city of Santa Clara on Wednesday morning, re- establishing regular air service severed at the height of the Cold War. The flight of JetBlue 387 opens a new era of U.S.-Cuba travel, with about 300 flights a week connecting the U.S. with an island cut off from most Americans by the 55-year-old trade em- bargo on Cuba and formal ban on U.S. citizens engaging in tourism on the island. “Seeing the American airlines landing rou- tinely around the island will drive a sense of openness, integration and normality. That has a huge psychological impact,” said Richard Fein- berg, author of the new book “Open for Busi- ness: Building the New Cuban Economy.” The restart of commercial travel between the two countries is one of the most important steps in President Barack Obama’s two-year- old policy of normalizing relations with the island. Historians disagree on the exact date of the last commercial flight but it appears to have been after Cuba banned incoming flights during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Twitter that the last commercial flight was in 1961. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes and a spe- cially selected five-member crew of Cuban- Americans were slated to be on board the 150-seat Airbus A320. “It’s a positive step and a concrete contribu- tion to the process of improving relations be- tween the two countries,” Cuba’s vice minister of transportation Eduardo Rodriguez told jour- nalists Monday. Neta Rodriguez, a 62-year-old Havana- born South Florida homemaker, checked in Wednesday morning with her daughter, Literacy celebration highlights Roald Dahl’s works ALMA CHOLLETTE achollette@pinnaclemedialtd.com Camana Bay will be celebrating the 100th birthday of renowned children’s au- thor Roald Dahl through September, which is designated Literacy Month. In addition to featuring Dahl’s works and their adaptation to film, many other ac- tivities for families will be on offer. Camana Bay will be screening the 1971 adaptation of Dahl’s “Charlie and the Choc- olate Factory,” starring the late Gene Wilder, and other film adaptations of the author’s work, including “Matilda,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “The Witches” and “BFG (Big Friendly Giant)” – a 2016 Disney film – each week on Saturday. Through Oct. 1, Camana Bay will also host special themed story times in celebra- tion of the author at Books & Books and Regal Cinemas. For Tawnie Farinez, who frequents story time at Camana Bay with her 4-month-old daughter Valentina, Dahl is a great choice and theme for Literacy Month. “I like the focus on Roald Dahl because of the playfulness that’s involved with all of his stories, [and] that it speaks to both children and adults,” said Ms. Farinez. “It’s something that we can all be entertained by and also something that can spark [Valenti- na’s] imagination.” In a related event, Bon Vivant will host one-hour cooking classes with a theme of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach” for children ages 4-12. The classes are on Sept. 17 and 24, and will include snacks, recipes, lessons and activities. Best of all, the children get to take home their creations. Starting on Sept. 8, children ages 8-12 can take part in the “Revolting Rhymes” con- test, based on Dahl’s poems. It is open to all PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » Children attend Story Time at Regal Cinemas, hosted by Camana Bay. The stories are shown on the big screen, making it easy for kids to read along. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 »2 REGIONAL NEWS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 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. Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - THURSDAY - MECHANIC RESURRECTION (R) 7:00 I 9:45 PETE’S DRAGON 3D (PG) 12:30 I 3:15 2D I 6:45 I 9:30 2D SUICIDE SQUAD 3D (PG13) 12:45 I 3:50 2D I 6:55 I 9:50 2D BEN-HUR (PG13) 12:20 I 6:30 HELL OR HIGH WATER (R) 1:30 I 4:15 I 7:30 I 10:05 JASON BOURNE (PG13) 12:50 I 3:40 I 6:50 I 9:40 SAUSAGE PARTY (R) 4:00 I 10:00 640-FILM (640-3456) The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Hermine has formed from a system swirling in the Gulf of Mexico. The Miami-based center says a hur- ricane hunter plane has determined that a tropical depression strength- ened Wednesday into the named storm and Hermine now boasts top sustained winds of 40 mph. The center says the tropical storm should turn more toward the north- east with increasing speed on Thursday and is on a forecast track that would approach the northwest Florida coast about Thursday afternoon. It says Hermine is centered about 415 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida and is drifting at 2 mph toward the north. The storm is forecast to hit north of the Tampa Bay area, a re- gion already beset by heavy rain and thunderstorms. Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 42 counties ahead of an expected landfall. “By declaring a state of emergency in advance of this storm, we are ensuring that state, regional and local agencies can work together to meet the needs of our communities,” Scott said in a state- ment Wednesday. Scott says the declaration eases access to disaster resources and funding and allows the state to seek federal assistance. – Files from AP Tropical Storm Hermine heads toward Florida SANTO DOMINGO, Domin- ican Republic (AP) – A po- lice spokesman in the Do- minican Republic says a 15-year-old girl has been arrested in the slaying of a Canadian man living in the Caribbean country. Nelson Rosario says the girl is in custody and will be prosecuted as a juvenile. Rosario said Tuesday that the girl has admitted fa- tally stabbing 81-year-old John Verne Ward at his home in the coastal town of La Romana on Aug. 24. He says she told authori- ties that she was in a re- lationship with Ward and that she stabbed him after they got into a fight when he tried to prevent her from leaving. Ward’s hometown in Canada was not available. The girl’s name was not re- leased because of her age. Dominican police arrest teen girl in slaying of Canadian SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – A U.S. counter-narcotics task force is reporting three large seizures of cocaine in and around Puerto Rico. A Caribbean Corridor Strike Force statement puts the estimated street value of the more than 2.3 metric tons at around $60 million. On Tuesday, U.S. and Puerto Rican authorities found 1,000kg of cocaine on a beached boat. $60 MILLION OF COCAINE SEIZED NEAR PUERTO RICO RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina’s Outer Banks will be spared from a trop- ical system that has been moving toward the state for days, threatening to drench the state with up to 5 inches of rain. The National Weather Service said Wednesday morning that the tropical de- pression was moving away from the state. Highest winds were still 35 mph. The system was about 75 miles east of Cape Hatteras and was moving to the northeast at 35 mph. A tropical storm warning for the North Carolina coast was dropped Tuesday night. Only a few clouds were re- ported and winds were only about 5 mph on the Outer Banks Wednesday morning. In North Carolina, busi- ness owners on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands said they’ve experienced a drop in foot traffic. But by late Tuesday, many tourists had decided to stay and brave the storm. Officials issued an advi- sory saying wind problems could be “mostly minor,” advising residents in case trees topple or lightweight objects are blown around. Crowds had thinned on Outer Banks’ beaches ahead of the storms. On Tuesday morning, a slow stream of dozens of cars from places including Maryland, New York and Ohio headed north toward a bridge to the main- land – but other vacationers stayed and some surfers dove in for taller waves. Some beaches were all but empty. Near Rodanthe, a couple and their 11-year- old son had the shore to themselves for a morning stroll. Joe and Kelley Walker of Markham, Virginia, said their family plans to wait out the rain with movies or card games. In nearby Frisco, whipped- up waves attracted out-of- town surfers. A break in the rain before more showers were expected also brought families out at midday. Steven Kavika, a 58-year- old surf instructor, said he relished the opportunity. “I saw it coming in last week and kind of made a prediction of what day would be best to come down,” said Kavika, who drove down with a friend from Virginia Beach, Virginia. At Ride The Wind Surf Shop on Ocracoke Island, owner Bob Chestnut said he canceled all of his kayak tours and other rentals for Tuesday because he was con- cerned about the wind. Foot traffic was sparse. Byron Miller, manager of The Ocracoke Harbor Inn, said one person canceled be- cause of the forecast, and business is a little slower than usual. Hawaii braces for Hurricane Madeline Preparing for what could be the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in years, residents on the Big Island are stocking up on food and water. The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning as the storm dubbed Madeline churned west to- ward the island, urging resi- dents to rush through prepa- rations to protect themselves and their property and ex- pect hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours. Tropical system spares North Carolina Surfers vie for a spot on a wave at Surf City, N.C., Tuesday. A tropical storm warning for the coast was dropped Tuesday night. - PHOTO: AP Drivers make their way in the rain along I-95 in Miami. Tropical Storm Hermine is forecasted to approach the northwest Florida coast about Thursday afternoon. - PHOTO: AP SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – U.S. congresswoman Mia Love said Wednesday she will call on the State Department to do more to free a Utah man who’s been jailed in Ven- ezuela for two months on weapons charges. The congresswoman from Utah said she is pre- paring to send a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting he demand Joshua Holt’s release. Love wants other mem- bers of Congress to support the letter before she sends it to the State Department. JAILED US MAN IN VENEZUELA GETS ATTENTION IN CONGRESS Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 42 counties ahead of an expected landfall.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 PLATINUM SPONSOR to our Thank ou OCTOBER , The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman www.breastcancerfoundation.ky info@breastcancerfoundation.ky Cnthia Nxon Featuring Celebrity Keynote Speaker and Breast Cancer Survivor PRINT MEDIA SPONSOR Plans approved for new hospice facility Work to begin this year on community funded project JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Plans have been approved for Cayman HospiceCare’s new $2.5 million, four-bedroom facility on West Bay Road, paving the way for construction on the community funded project to begin before the end of the year. Funded through charitable do- nations, including $1.3 million from former police officer Derek Haines, who ran six marathons in a year to raise the money, the hos- pice will provide a comfortable, home-like environment for termi- nally ill patients. Chris Duggan, chairman of Cayman HospiceCare, said he is delighted that the plans were ap- proved at a meeting of the Central Planning Authority this month. He said construction should begin at the site, donated by the Dart group, next to Coconut Joe’s, in the latter part of this year. Mr. Duggan said, “This project has been an incredible community effort to date, and we will abso- lutely ensure that the end product will be reflective of the extraordi- nary efforts that have been put in by the entire Cayman community. This will very much be a commu- nity building, built by the commu- nity, to serve the community, and we are really looking forward to making it a reality.” A sketch of the proposed facility by architect John Doak, who is con- tributing his work as an “in-kind” donation, shows a large Cayman- style home set amid lush gardens, dotted with palms. Mr. Duggan said the aim is to create a comfortable, spacious building with kitchen facilities and family living spaces and chil- dren’s play areas that provide a home-like atmosphere for patients and their visitors. He said it will be a “very com- fortable, ‘non-clinical’ atmosphere, conducive for friends and family to be able to spend quality time with their loved ones, and to help make the end of life journey as comfort- able as it can be.” The facility will also be home to the administrative offices of Cayman HospiceCare, bringing the operations, fundraising and clinical staff under one roof. The organization will maintain its home-care program to help keep people comfortable and work with their families when they choose to stay at home at the end of a ter- minal illness. Cayman HospiceCare currently uses a leased two-bedroom villa at the Pines for its in-care facility. Mr. Duggan said the planning approval was an important first step in the process. “We still have a lot of work to complete with the architect, engineers and project managers as we move to- wards groundbreaking,” he said. The hospice facility is expected to take a year to build. It will be accessible via a new road off West Bay Road. Mr. Duggan said the aim is to create a comfortable, spacious building with kitchen facilities and family living spaces and children’s play areas that provide a home-like atmosphere for patients and their visitors. An artist’s sketch of the new hospice facility.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. 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 findtheirownway” Consider this editorial not as polite applause for the good people at Camana Bay for their upcoming celebration of “Literacy Month.” Consider it a standing ovation! Beginning today and throughout September, Camana Bay, along with Books & Books and LIFE (Literacy Is For Everyone) will present a series of creative and fun events to entice children, and their families, into the wonderful world of reading. Many of the events are focused on the children’s books and their adaptation to films by beloved author Roald Dahl, whose 100th birthday falls on Sept. 13. The month of activities include themed Story Times and Saturday-morning matinee movies based on Dahl’s works, including “Matilda,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Witches,” and “The BFG” (Big Friendly Giant). We don’t know what to expect from the “revolting rhymes contest” or the gustatory delights likely to emerge from the cooking classes (based on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and other Dahl works), hosted by Camana Bay’s Bon Vivant. There will be a writing contest open to all local schools and a Reading Tree on the Crescent where readers can exchange books — bring one of your own and swap it for someone else’s. Keep the cycle going; keep reading. At the Compass, all of our editors and reporters are avid readers. In fact, it is a truism that you cannot be a writer if you’re not a reader. You certainly cannot work in our newsroom. Our newest and youngest reporter, Alma Chol- lette, probably doesn’t know it, but here’s how she got her job. Her interview was going just fine but it got a lot better once we asked her what she read. She answered “everything.” When she explained what “everything” was, we hired her on the spot. (See her Page One story today for more details on Literacy Month at Camana Bay.) Patrick Brendel, who recently was elevated to Exec- utive Editor of the Compass, estimates he reads about 10 hours every day. That would not be unusual for our staff – but Brendel (who is also a two-time Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee finalist) reads Marcel Proust and James Joyce – for intellectual nourish- ment. (Ever try to read Proust? It ain’t easy!) Then there’s Basia McGuire who edits “District Days” for the Compass. How do you think Basia got on the internationally televised game show “Jeopardy”? By reading. It’s fair to say that the world can be divided into two groups: People who read and people who don’t. Perhaps an International Paper advertising campaign in the early-1960s said it best: “Send Me a Man Who Reads!” And so, in closing, let us again thank Camana Bay (and by proxy the Dart family), LIFE, and Books & Books for sponsoring and celebrating Literacy Month and, especially, introducing our young people to what we hope will be a lifetime of reading. But, let’s not let the toddlers have all the fun. What a great opportunity for adults to rediscover reading — to turn off the TV, forget Facebook, abandon Twitter, and leave the bed unmade because you soon will be curling up under the covers with, well, a good book! Learn about ‘Literacy Month’: Keep reading … THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS A ‘slush fund’ by any other name WASHINGTON – Because truth in labeling laws are among the laws from which Washington feels exempt, the titles of congressional legislation often take liber- ties with the facts (e.g., the Patient Protection and Af- fordable Care Act). The Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, however, precisely names the ailment for which it is the remedy. The Justice Department has negotiated “bank settle- ment agreements” whereby banks make restitution to the government for the damage they allegedly did in connection with the cre- ation and sale of residential mortgage-backed securities in the subprime mortgage crisis. Our subject here is not, however, whether the sums extracted from the banks (e.g., Citigroup $7 bil- lion, Bank of America $16.65 billion, JPMorgan $13 bil- lion) are proportionate to their alleged culpabilities. Rather, our subject is what Justice does with millions of these dollars. Justice allows banks to meet some of their set- tlement obligations by di- recting “donations” to var- ious nongovernmental advocacy organizations that serve Democratic constitu- encies and objectives – orga- nizations that were neither parties to the case nor vic- tims of the banks’ behaviors. These donations are from money owed to the govern- ment, money that otherwise would go to the U.S. Trea- sury, money the disposition of which is properly Con- gress’ responsibility. So the donations are, in effect, appropriations of public money. The pesky Constitution, however, says: “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropri- ations made by law.” As a congressman allied with Grover Cleveland once said to a fellow legislator who considered one of his ini- tiatives unconstitutional, “What’s the Constitution be- tween friends?” Progressives, who favor expansive notions of execu- tive discretion, and hence the marginalization of Con- gress, regard the “donations” as just another anodyne manifestation of inherent presidential discretion in enforcing laws. At a May congressional hearing, three constitu- tional scholars – George- town University law pro- fessor Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz, The Heritage Foundation’s Paul Larkin, and Boyden Gray, White House counsel to George H.W. Bush – disagreed. Because everything gov- ernment does costs money, the appropriation power, Rosenkranz testified, is Congress’ “most potent check on executive over- reach” – “the ultimate back- stop” against “a willful pres- ident.” If presidents could disburse money without an appropriation, “the careful constitutional separation of powers would be thrown into disequilibrium.” The current president re- lies on disbursements that circumvent the Appropria- tions Clause: The U.S. Dis- trict Court for the District of Columbia has held that his administration has, in sup- posedly enforcing the ACA, illegally disbursed billions of dollars to insurance com- panies without a congres- sional appropriation. “Congress,” Larkin re- minded Congress, “does not give the president a credit card or a cashbox that he can use to purchase goods and services or disburse appropriations as he sees fit. Congress identifies pre- cisely who may receive fed- eral funds.” With the “do- nations,” Justice rewards congenial groups without any direction from Congress or judicial oversight. Al- though it is, Larkin said, “a federal offense for a govern- ment officer to spend money in excess of the sum that Congress has appropriated,” he noted that the donations represent executive law- lessness known at the state level: When Chris Christie headed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, he “negotiated a non- prosecution agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb in which the company agreed, among other things, to make a $5 million gift to Seton Hall University’s law school – Christie’s alma mater – in order to avoid prosecution for securities fraud.” Woodrow Wilson, a former New Jersey governor and the Democrats’ first pro- gressive president, was the first president to criticize the American Founding. He was particularly hostile to the separation of powers, which he considered an anachronistic impediment to executive efficiency. The bank settlement donations are another step nullifying the Appropriations Clause’s 16 words, which buttress the separation of powers. “In the end,” Gray tes- tified, “every other consti- tutional power runs into the appropriations power.” This is why presidents have “consistently endeavored to seize the appropriations power from Congress.” The Constitution was just 20 years old when, in 1809, Congress felt the need to enact “legislation de- signed to prevent the presi- dent from repurposing ap- propriated funds from one object to another.” Subse- quent presidents have obli- gated funds in excess of ap- propriations, thereby forcing Congress to choose between appropriating the funds or impairing the country’s credit. Congress often has been complicit in its own diminution, as when it em- powered the Consumer Fi- nancial Protection Bureau to commandeer funding from the Federal Reserve System. Base motives of self-ag- grandizement have im- pelled many presidents to disregard the separation of powers. Progressive presi- dents do this as a matter of principle, which is worse. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2016, Washington Post Writers Group GEORGE F. WILL GEORGE As a congressman allied with Grover Cleveland once said to a fellow legislator who considered one of his initiatives unconstitutional, “What’s the Constitution between friends?”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 WE ARE NOW LOCATED AT 4 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS. FREE PICK UP AND DELIVERY MAIN BRANCH - EASTERN AVE. MON-FRI 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM SAT 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1103, Cayman Islands Company Phone: (345) 949-7104 Company Fax: (345) 949-6860 Email: puritangc@candw.ky WEST BAY – CENTENNIAL TOWERS MON-FRI 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM SAT 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Phone: (345) 945-4508 ELGIN AVENUE GEORGE TOWN MON-FRI 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM SAT 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Phone: (345) 949-2452 COUNTRYSIDE SHOPPING VILLAGE, SAVANNAH MON-FRI 10:00 AM -1:30 PM 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM SAT 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Phone: (345) 946-1884 Puritan has gone Eco-friendly with the “Cadillac” of dry cleaning machines the Union HL-860! It’s a lean, GREEN cleaning machine!! Puritan now offers Eco friendly dry cleaning with the revolutionary DF2000 Green Solvent that’s dominating the cleaning industry. DF- 2000 ... leaves clothes cleaner, brighter, and odor free!! With odor absorbing Prewash Detergent and a secondary detergent that moisturizes and conditions your fabrics, like a day at the spa, cleaning is completed with top fi nishing agents, leaving your clothes with body, style, feeling and looking like new!! Your garments are then hand fi nished by the island’s most experienced garment fi nishers. Treat your clothes to Puritan’s new, Eco friendly cleaning system. Puritan Cleaners … meeting the world’s green standard, with over 58 years of service, in the Cayman Islands. Nominations open for Heroes Day Deadline for submissions is Friday, Sept. 30 JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Nominations are now open for the 2017 National Heroes Day Awards. The awards will pay tribute to pioneers in tourism, honoring those who have made significant con- tributions to the past and ongoing development in the field in the Cayman Islands. During a press conference Wednesday to introduce the public nomination period, Roy McTaggart, councilor in the Ministry of Health and Cul- ture, read a message sent by Premier Alden McLaughlin. “We are asking people to nominate people who have played a pivotal role in the tourism industry,” he said. The committee has chosen tourism as the 2017 theme because the sector is a vital part of the country’s past, present and future. Mr. McTaggart said he was proud to recognize those who had given of themselves to make the Cayman Islands a better place. Over the years, National Heroes Day has featured a variety of themes, such as cul- ture, heritage, agriculture, ed- ucation, healthcare and avia- tion. Mr. McTaggart said he strongly encourages everyone in the community to take the time to submit a nomination form and recognize someone who they believe has made exceptional strides in the tourism industry. “Don’t take the chance that someone has filled out a nomination form for that person. Recommend and nominate that person your- self,” he said. Minister of Tourism Moses Kirkconnell said he was pleased that next year’s event allows the is- lands to acknowledge and thank the hard-working individuals who are the foundation of the tourism and hospitality sector. Chief Officer at the Min- istry of Health and Culture Jennifer Ahearn said anyone can send in a nomination, from anywhere in the world. The honorees are restricted to people who have made a con- tribution to the Cayman Is- lands tourism sector, she said. Heroes Day nominations can be made in five cate- gories: Early Pioneer; Pi- oneer; Emerging Pioneer; Memorial Scroll; and Long Service Award. Mr. McTaggart said the re- cipients of the Emerging Pi- oneer category will receive a commemorative insignia along with a certificate at the ceremony in January. This was previously given only to Early Pioneers and Pioneers. The committee has in- creased the quota for all three pioneer categories, from 50 to 75 nominees in total. Deadline for submis- sions is Friday, Sept. 30. Only completed nominations re- ceived by the deadline will be considered. Nomination forms for the 2017 National Heroes Day Awards are available at the reception desk of the Government Administration Building and online at www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky. Councilor in the Ministry of Health and Culture Roy McTaggart, Minister for Tourism Moses Kirkconnell and Chief Officer at the Ministry of Health and Culture Jennifer Ahearn speak at a Heroes Day press conference, Wednesday, at the Government Adminstration Building. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days Bodden Town THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 YEARS AGO: Road complaints reveal historical tidbits In the Aug. 31, 1966 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Haig Bodden wrote: “In the early part of this year a feeble attempt was made to repair the road which links Newlands with Savannah and the rest of the island. “Although some free la- bour has been contributed towards this project, a lot re- mains to be done before this road is put into shape again. It is true that Newlands being part of Bodden Town politically can never hope to receive any fringe benefits … “If ever any place suffers from neglect it is Newlands. Always remote it is now threatened with annihila- tion due to the rapid and unchecked deterioration of its only link with the out- side world. As far back as 1900 there was a trail which led through Newlands to the sea on the north coast of the island. Today one can still see the grooves cut by the iron wagon wheels of old man Newlands who was one of the earliest settlers of this area, and whose name the place now bears. “Mr. Newlands made countless trips over this trail carrying materials for the repair of the sailing ships which were often pulled ashore there. The ‘hauling down’ of these ves- sels to use the terminology of the old mariners – was a regular event in the his- tory of the early days. With the disappearance of the sailing ships, the natural dry-dock as it really was, has become obsolete. But it is indeed a pity that the old trail has never been opened up as Newlands remains one of the most picturesque sights on the north side. It is certainly a tourist attrac- tion if developed. “The shoemaker’s wife always goes bare and that is exactly what has happened in this case. For countless years Newlands has been the source of supply of a very high quality marl used in the construction of roads throughout the island. It does seem a little ungrateful to have let its road become almost impassable just for the lack of machinery to spread the raw materials which are so abundant. “The only hope of sur- vival that can be held out to Bodden Towners (New- landers included) is to keep their phones buzzing with complaints … “Mr. James A. Miller, a former MLA for this dis- trict, will be leaving to- morrow for Tampa, Florida. The object of his trip is to continue his study of the latest techniques of pest ex- termination and wood pre- serving. Mr. Miller, an engi- neer and mechanic of wide experience, sees the need for educating and helping the public in their war against termites. “As mentioned in last week’s column, Mr. Ornan Whittaker, a pioneer in the novel restaurant-on-wheels trade, has brought in an- other unit. The van has just been painted and is named Whittaker’s Lunch Wagon. “Ornan, sensing the need of the daily commuters to George Town, has put his whole heart into this enter- prise. The absence of well balanced snacks, especially for schoolchildren, will soon be corrected. Parents who send three or four children to George Town every school day cannot afford the meals served at the restaurants. Now it will be possible for the children to obtain hot soups and fresh milk on the school premises. As the new school, about to be opened, is located away from the eating places in town it is necessary that the kitchen be taken to the children. “This van will be sta- tioned close to the new school and the Truth for Youth School. Another van, which is in Miami awaiting shipment to Grand Cayman, will be stationed at the Secondary Modern School during the lunch hour.” A horse named Barefoot Man Four-legged Barefoot Man is “Quite the character” Bodden Town district’s own Barefoot Man, George Nowak, was pleased recently to learn that a young horse has been named Bare- foot Man, and naturally, George, for short, after him. “I’ve been coming to the island for 40 years and remember Bare- foot Man from the Holiday Inn days,” said Barefoot Man’s owner, Jan Big- elow, who along with her husband Roy Smith breed sport horses near Collingwood, Canada. Of their 11 horses, three are brood mares, others are foals and the rest are youngsters. “We hope to breed athletic and good-minded horses. Some are for amateurs and others are for profes- sionals,” she said. Ms. Bigelow’s connection to Cayman stretches back many years, and continues to this day. “I first visited Grand Cayman when I was about 17 and could gallop the local ponies on Seven Mile Beach with nobody there,” she recalled. “We stayed at Holiday Inn, and guess what the entertainment was?” Back in the day, Barefoot Man was a frequent performer at the now-defunct Holiday Inn. These days, the couple often stays at Morritt’s in East End. “We were at Morritt’s in April and would love to visit this autumn, and if not, next spring before the next ba- bies are born,” said Ms. Bigelow. She and her husband recall discussing horses with Mr. Nowak a number of times while staying at Morritt’s. Mr. Nowak’s wife is a riding instructor and he is a great horse lover himself. Barefoot Man the horse, by German warmblood Oldenburg stal- lion Braecrest Beaumont, out of Thoroughbred mare Cool Dolly, was born on July 8. “He’s a delightful, bold, curious colt,” said Ms. Bigelow. Ms. Bigelow explained the name of the foal had to start with a B to show the sire’s line. “German bloodlines follow the stallion’s lines,” she said. “If the stallion’s name starts with A, then the foal’s names start with A, and so on. Barefoot Man’s sire is Braecrest Beaumont, and his sire is Banderas.” She noted that naming horses of Dutch breeding is different, in that each year the foals’ names start with a different letter, like U.K. car license plates. As for how the couple finally landed on a name for the foal, it was a case of weather and timing aligning. “Roy and I were sitting on our deck and it was really hot, so we checked the temperature in Cayman,” said Ms. Bigelow. “We were also thinking up names for Cool Dolly’s foal. As it turns out, it was hotter in Canada than in Grand Cayman, and then ‘The Horse’ by Barefoot Man played on Roy’s phone. The result was a no- brainer,” said Ms. Bigelow. Mr. Nowak says having known Ms. Bigelow and Mr. Smith for many years, he was glad he could have been a source of inspiration. “We are a horse family, as my wife is a riding instructor and my daughter’s a vet with a special in- terest in horses,” said Mr. Nowak. “I’ve written a lot of songs about horses because I get in- spired by them. My new album actually has a song on it called ‘A man on a horse took her away,’” he noted, adding that his song “The Horse” is always a popular request. “I’m definitely honored they named him after me. How many people can say they have a horse named after them when you think about it?” He’s looking forward to see what’s in store for his namesake as the young horse grows. “He is very well bred and has a wonderful personality,” Ms. Bigelow said. “His father has mega jumping bloodlines, and mom has really good race bloodlines. What will he be when he grows up? He’s very athletic and smart, so we guess he’ll make up his own mind.” Barefoot Man the horse, by German warmblood Oldenburg stallion Braecrest Beaumont, out of Thoroughbred mare Cool Dolly, was born on July 8. Barefoot Man at just a few days old.DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days Bodden Town CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 New pharmacy taking shape Construction continues on the Valu-Med pharmacy at the corner of Anton Bodden Drive and Harvey Stephenson Drive in Bodden Town. The store will be part of phase 1 of a 9,500-square-foot, two-story building, which will also accommodate other businesses. Another building, phase 2 of the project, will house a barber shop, salon and bank, among other businesses. PROUD OF THEM Youths honored for academics, music Bodden Towners Giselle Ebanks and Bruce Gordon were among the 12 Proud of Them finalists honored at a reception at the George Town Yacht Club this month. Candidates were nominated by friends, acquaintances and com- munity members for achievements in academics, sports, career, culture, business and community service. Giselle Ebanks Giselle Ebanks, 14, is already an example to her peers, and is making great strides in her academic career. Giselle was named the top Year 10 student at St. Ignatius School. She made school history when she earned a grade point average of 4.32, the highest in all of Year 10. Previously, the highest GPA of a stu- dent at St. Ignatius over the last 20 years was 4.26. During her school’s end-of- year ceremony, Giselle, who is also a member of the school’s concert band, was presented with a Sean Darby Award for most outstanding student. She took home four sub- ject awards for the highest aca- demic achievement in business studies, English language, French and physics. Giselle also received an award for perfect attendance. Giselle was able to achieve all of the above despite facing tragedy. In 2013, her mother died at the end of summer holidays. Despite her grief, Giselle worked hard to be an ex- ample to her younger brother, Kiefer. Giselle demonstrates the quali- ties of determination and fortitude, and continuously strives for excel- lence, according to a press release. Bruce Gordon It’s not every day that a person can say their work has gone viral, but it’s a claim 20-year-old Bruce Gordon can make. The artist, who is also known by his stage name “Yung Fusion,” has a hit song, “Move- ments,” that to date, has millions of views on YouTube and 16 million plays on SoundCloud. Bruce’s road to success took a lot of hard work, passion and initiative. While perusing SoundCloud, a social sound platform that allows users to create songs and share them, he found an audio track from the Polish artist Pham. Upon hearing the beat, Bruce realized it was something he could create lyrics to. He reached out to the pro- ducer and together they created the viral hit “Movements,” in which he is credited as songwriter and singer/rapper. The song got him international recognition with many music blogs and magazines highlighting the hit. It also exposed him to the business and legal side of the music industry. He had to navigate the world of in- ternational copyright and intellec- tual property rights, a path made particularly challenging with the lack of a manager or agent. Bruce continued to collaborate with other international producers, as well as local artists. He has found a mentor in Grammy nominated Caymanian producer Jason “JG” Gilbert. He has also been sharing his knowledge of the industry with up-and-coming Caymanian art- ists, with many coming to record their songs in his home studio, which he built by saving his lunch money to buy the equipment. Currently Bruce is working on creating an EP which he expects to release soon. Bruce has been balancing the challenges of building a career in the music industry with pursing a degree in computer science at the University College of the Cayman Islands. In high school, Bruce achieved 10 level two CXC passes, and grad- uated with honors and as head boy. While he initially was able to maintain that standard at univer- sity, he experienced a dip when dealing with the first stages of his music career. With encouragement from his family and friends, he has been able to improve his grades and find a bal- ance between success at school and his music career. Giselle Ebanks with Education Minister Tara Rivers and Youth Minister Osbourne Bodden.Bruce Gordon with Education Minister Tara Rivers and Youth Minister Osbourne Bodden.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 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. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS FRIDAY, SEPT. 2 SISTER ISLANDS LICENSES: Liquor license holders – including those with music and dancing licences – in the Sister Islands must submit their licensing renewal applications by Friday, Sept. 2. Submissions received after the deadline will not be heard at the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Liquor Licensing Board annual general meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. in the District Administration Building’s conference room in Cayman Brac. Application forms can be downloaded from the Department of Commerce and Investment website. FISH CONSERVATION: Today is the deadline for public comment on a Species Conservation Plan for Fish. A copy of the plan is available at www.DoE.ky or may be viewed at the Grand Cayman Department of Environment office, District Libraries and the Little Cayman DoE Building. Written submissions are invited by the National Conservation Council and should be sent to ConservationCouncil@gov. ky or to the Conservation Council, c/o Department of Environment, PO Box 10202, KY1-1002, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, or by hand to the Department of Environment office, 580 North Sound Road, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: There will be a back to school children’s program at the West Bay Wesleyan Holiness Church at 11 a.m. All school-age children will be rewarded. RUGBY SEVENS 5K: Camana Bay Town Centre, 7 a.m. Cayman Rugby holds a fundraising 5K race, with seven ways to participate – run, walk, skateboard, scooter, inline skate, bike or use a stroller (for infants). Registration is $20 for ages 13 and older, $15 for ages eight to 12, and free for ages seven and under. Proceeds will benefit the national rugby team to qualify for the Hong Kong 7s in April 2017. For more information, contact caymanrugby7s@gmail.com. MONDAY, SEPT. 5 YOUTH CHOIR: Cayman Youth Choir welcomes youth aged between 11 and 16 to audition, 6-7 p.m., at Cayman Prep, Smith Road. The Cayman Youth Choir exists to provide youth with the opportunity to experience the challenges, joys and rewards of choral singing of the highest caliber. For more information, contact Miss Ems on music_ems@icloud.com or through Facebook on www. facebook.com/KYyouthchoir. GIRLS BRIGADE RESUMES: West Bay company meets at John Gray Memorial Church Hall, 5:30-6:45 p.m. North Side company meets at William Pouchie Memorial Church Hall, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade is a Christian, international, inter- denominational organization for girls ages 5 to 19. BOOK LAUNCH: Artist/author Gordon Solomon launches his book “Doctor Moody” at the National Gallery, 4-6 p.m. All are invited. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7 GIRLS BRIGADE RESUMES: George Town company meets at Elmslie Memorial Church Hall 5:15-7 p.m. Savannah company meets at Savannah United Church Hall, 6-7 p.m. Bodden Town company meets at Webster Memorial Church Hall, 6-7 p.m. SUNDAY, SEPT. 11 ADULT EDUCATION: Registration is today at 2 p.m. at the John Gray High School auditorium for the CXC Education Program, which offers all adults a second chance at an education. Volunteer teachers are invited 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. Classes begin on 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. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14 THE BOOKENDS CLUB: Meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Books & Books. All are invited to join members as they review their latest pick, “Up the Spiral Staircase” by Karen Armstrong. Share insights and impressions in an open discussion. The Bookends Club gathers on the second Wednesday of every month and new members are always welcome. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21 FLOETRY: Meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Books & Books. All are invited to join poets and performers as they share their work during an open mic night of poetry and readings. Feel free to share your own work or come along and listen to others. GENERAL INTEREST VOTERS REGISTER UPDATE: Election Office officials will visit all residents from now through September to get an accurate electoral list for the May 17, 2017 elections, because the electoral boundaries have changed with the introduction of 19 single-member electoral districts over the three islands. Election officials will register new voters and update the details on the existing voters’ list. They will carry IDs and items provided by the Elections Office to establish their bonafides. ROALD DAHL STORY TIMES & MOVIES: Sept. 1 through Oct. 1. Story times are Tuesdays, 11 a.m., Regal Cinemas for ages infant-4; Thursdays 3 p.m., Books & Books for ages infant-3; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., Books & Books, ages 2-7. Movies are Saturdays 10 a.m., Regal Cinemas. Story times are free. Movies are offered at $5 per ticket. VOLUNTEERS FOR PIRATES WEEK: The Pirates Week Office is seeking volunteers to assist in planning its upcoming events. For more information or to receive a volunteer application from, contact the Pirates Week Office via email at info@piratesweekfestival.com or 949-5859. VISUAL ARTS: Learn more about Literacy Month in September, and two Roald Dahl-art-inspired competitions. For more information, contact info@visualartcayman.com 546-9422 or jar.was@gmail.com. NCVO PRESCHOOL: Miss Nadine’s, the NCVO preschool, and Jack & Jill Nursery now have spaces for children 3 months to 5 years. They are on a first-come, first-served basis, so parents are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Contact Miss Nadine’s Preschool at 945-1078 or email ncvopreschool@ncvo.org.ky. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Center is owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. PINK LADIES: Coffee Shop at Cayman Islands Hospital is open Monday- Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, drinks, snacks. Call 244-2661. Money is donated back to the community. Contact pinkladiescayman@gmail.com. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Contact humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards, etc., in good condition always needed. ARTISANS MARKET: Camana Bay Artisans Market every Wednesday. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale between noon and 8 p.m. near KARoo restaurant. For more information on displaying work, visit vascayman@gmail.com. OPEN CANVAS: Wednesdays in August. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant, located in Camana Bay. 7 p.m. to close. No fee, easels are provided. Participating artists receive two complimentary tickets for house wine or beer. vascayman@gmail.com SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers are needed. Tuesdays at the Truman Bodden Complex at 5:30 p.m. for track/field, football and bocce. No experience necessary, just a smile and patience. Wednesdays at Lions Pool 10:15–11 a.m. You do not have to swim, just be able to walk in water chest-deep. Thursdays at First Baptist Church for basketball, 5:30–7 p.m. Saturdays, volunteers needed for Adult Special Olympic swim conditioning at CIS pool 9:30–10:30 a.m. Deck support and in-water swimming assistance needed. For more information, contact Penny McDowall at 516-2578 or pjmcdowall@gmail.com. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Red Cross headquarters. Book bargain every Thursday and Friday, a bagful for $5. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. For more information, call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail. com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-Step Recovery Group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Mondays, 7 p.m. For details, contact Virginia Castillo at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the Catboat Club clubhouse, North Church Street. All are invited to attend. For more information, call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. In this 2014 file photo, Girls Brigade seniors donate toiletries to Prison Acting Director Claire Range, left, to benefit female inmates of Fairbanks Prison. The West Bay and North Side clubs resume meeting on Monday, Sept. 5. The George Town, Savannah and Bodden Town clubs resume on Wednesday, Sept. 7.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 Kerry extends India visit U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is extending his stay in India and will join President Barack Obama in China for the G-20 this weekend. Kerry will remain in the Indian capital New Delhi until Friday or Saturday, when he will leave for the summit in Hangzhou. FIND YOUR BEST DEALS DREAM CAR AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE OVER 10,000 CARS IN STOCK Tel : +81 42 440 3440 | Email : top@beforward.jp www.beforward.jp Shipped to George Town Cayman Islands DREAM CAR AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE DREAM CAR AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE May firmly rejects notion of second referendum LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Theresa May has firmly rejected the notion of a second referendum on the country’s membership in the European Union, insisting Wednesday that the U.K. would not attempt a back-handed ef- fort to remain in the bloc. May underscored her po- sition before chairing a Cab- inet meeting at her country retreat, Checkers. She seemed intent before the session – her first since returning from summer vacation – to squelch rumors that the gov- ernment might be seeking a retreat from the results of the June 23 referendum. “We must continue to be very clear that ‘Brexit means Brexit,’ that we’re going to make a success of it,” she said. “That means there’s no second referendum; no attempts to sort of stay in the EU by the back door; that we’re actually going to deliver on this.” The meeting at the Checkers retreat comes amid reports of feuding among the three min- isters tasked with making the break from the EU a reality. “This really is a very signif- icant moment for the country, as we look ahead to the next steps that we need to take,” May said before the meeting. “We have the opportunity to forge a new positive role for the U.K. in the world.” The session also comes after her office sidestepped questions on whether Parlia- ment will be given a formal vote on triggering Article 50, the EU treaty clause that sets up Britain’s departure from the 28-nation bloc. Downing Street has said lawmakers will be given “a say,” but adds there’s “no legal obli- gation” to consult Parliament.Prime Minister Theresa May holds a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. - PHOTO: AP Brazil’s Rousseff ousted by Senate BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) – Brazil’s Senate on Wednesday voted to remove Presi- dent Dilma Rousseff from office, the culmination of a yearlong fight that paralyzed Latin America’s largest na- tion and exposed deep rifts among its people on everything from race relations to social spending. While Rousseff’s ouster was widely expected, the decision was a key chapter in a colossal polit- ical struggle that is far from over. Rousseff was Brazil’s first female president, with a storied career that includes a stint as a Marxist guerrilla jailed and tortured in the 1970s during the country’s dictator- ship. She was accused of breaking fiscal laws in her management of the federal budget. “The Senate has found that the president of the federal re- public of Brazil, Dilma Vana Rous- seff, committed crimes in breaking fiscal laws,” said Chief Justice Ri- cardo Lewandowski, who presided over the trial. Opposition lawmakers, who made clear early on the only solution was getting her out of office, argued that the maneuvers masked yawning def- icits from high spending and ulti- mately exacerbated the recession in a nation that had long enjoyed darling status among emerging economies. Nonsense, Rousseff countered time and again, proclaiming her in- nocence up to the end. Previous presidents used similar accounting techniques, she noted, saying the push to remove her was a blood- less coup d’état by elites fuming over the populist polices of her Workers’ Party the last 13 years. The opposition needed 54 of the 81 senators to vote in favor for her to be removed. They got many more, winning in a landslide of sorts, 61-20. “Today is the day that 61 men, many of them charged and corrupt, threw 54 million Brazilian votes in the garbage,” Rousseff tweeted min- utes after the decision. Rousseff won re-election in 2014, garnering more than 54 million votes. In a second vote about 30 min- utes later, Rousseff won a minor vic- tory as a measure to ban her from public office for eight years failed. The 42-36 vote fell short of the 54 votes needed for passage. In the background of the entire fight was a wide-ranging investiga- tion into billions of dollars in kick- backs at state oil company Petro- bras. The two-year probe has led to the jailing of dozens of top busi- nessmen and politicians from across the political spectrum, and threatens many of the same lawmakers who voted to remove Rousseff. Rousseff argued that many oppo- nents just wanted her out of the way so they could save their own skins by tampering with the investigation, which Rousseff had refused to do. Many lawmakers and Brazil- ians nationwide, meanwhile, blamed Rousseff for the graft even though she has never been personally im- plicated. They argued that she had to know, as many of the alleged bribes happened while her party was in power. Rousseff’s removal creates many questions that are not easily an- swered. Michel Temer, her vice presi- dent who became her nemesis, will serve out the remainder of her term through 2018. He was expected to be sworn in later Wednesday. But Brazilians have already gotten a taste of Temer’s leadership, and they are clearly unimpressed. In May, Temer took over as in- terim president after the Senate impeached and suspended Rous- seff. The 75-year-old career politi- cian named a Cabinet of all-white men, a decision roundly criticized in a nation that is more than 50 per- cent nonwhite. Three of his ministers were forced to resign within weeks of taking their jobs. Police in Sao Paulo, Brazil, fire tear gas on supporters of suspended President Dilma Rousseff during a rally Monday. Brazil’s Senate voted to remove her from office Wednesday. - PHOTO: APNext >