ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 High of 90 Low of 80 Smooth with wave heights of less than 2 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OF THE DAY: CAYMAN’S SCHOOLS SPORTS | PAGE 14 CORPORATE FOOTBALL FINAL SET FOR SATURDAY PremierHealth More claims get an automatic green light with BritCay! 57% of your claims were auto-adjudicated first* with BritCay. BritCay budgets for high volumes of claims. We pay more claims, more accurately and quicker than any other local health insurance provider. BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES 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 MOTION SEEKS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE VOTE BEFORE ELECTION BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A legislative motion seeking support for a referendum on the issue of same-sex mar- riages prior to the May 2017 general election has been accepted by the Cayman Islands Speaker of the House and could be heard on the Legislative Assembly floor as early as next month. Unlike most private members’ motions, which are filed by one MLA and “seconded” by another, the same-sex marriage motion was signed by all five independent Legislative As- sembly members. Opposition party leader, West Bay MLA McKeeva Bush, has also publicly supported holding a referendum on the topic, although none of Mr. Bush’s Cayman Islands Demo- cratic Party members were listed as signato- ries to the motion. Premier Alden McLaughlin has said there is no reason to hold such a public vote be- cause his Progressives-led administration would not support changing Cayman’s Mar- riage Law or the Constitution Order (2009), both of which define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The independent members, Bodden Town MLAs Anthony Eden and Alva Suckoo, East End’s Arden McLean, George Town’s Winston Connolly and North Side’s Ezzard Miller, state they are concerned with a recent decision by the Immigration Appeals Tribunal which “will now require the Immigration Department to register spouses of same-sex marriages as de- pendents on work permits.” The independent members say this “does not reflect the view of many Caymanians.” The immigration case referenced involves former Cayman Islands Law School professor Planning changes clarify rules for 10-story buildings Derelict property enforcement tightened BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Amendments to the Cayman Islands De- velopment and Planning Law and regulations will allow for 10-story structures to be built in hotel/tourism zones in the islands without the need for greater property setbacks from the sea or the road. The changes will also extend the time allowed for challenges to structures built without planning permission and will allow for more extensive enforcement on dilapi- dated properties. Legislative Assembly members are due to vote on the changes during the next meeting of the House, tentatively set for early October. The changes proposed for the planning law regulations are the result of a Grand Court decision this year that threw into ques- tion whether taller buildings in tourism zones should be built farther back from the waterline. The decision by Grand Court Justice Sey- mour Panton on April 8 overturned earlier rul- ings by the Central Planning Authority and the Planning Appeals Tribunal that allowed Bronte Development Ltd. to proceed with the construction of two apartment buildings on Snooze Lane in George Town. According to the application, one of the apartment buildings was to be 10 stories and the other was to be four stories. The land is on a relatively narrow strip between the George Town Villas and the Grand View condominiums. During the planning process, the authority Firefighters back in West Bay station JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Firefighters are back at the West Bay Fire Station after it was closed in late July be- cause of mold in the air condi- tioning systems. Mold has been found in all three of Grand Cayman’s fire stations. A survey of fire sta- tions was carried out by the Department of Environmental Health and the findings of that report are being used to determine what work needs to be done at the individual sta- tions, Fire Chief David Hails said Wednesday at a reopening ceremony at the station. Mr. Hails said they had only “scratched the surface” and there were a list of things that still need to be addressed in the stations. He said the repairs at West Bay cost $45,000, including new air conditioners, which had not been replaced since PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Government officials join firefighters at the reopening ceremony at the West Bay Fire Station on Wednesday morning. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Fire vehicles outside the West Bay Fire Station on Wednesday. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL NEWS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 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 - KUBO AND THE TWO (PG) STRINGS 3D 1:00 | 3:30 2D | 7:00 | 9:30 2D HANDS OF STONE (R) 1:20 | 4:00 | 7:10 | 9:50 PETE’S DRAGON 3D (PG) 12:30 | 3:15 2D | 6:45 | 9:35 2D MECHANIC RESURRECTION (R) 1:10 | 3:40 | 7:20 | 10:10 MORGAN (R) 12:40 | 3:10 | 5:30 | 7:45 | 10:00 DONT BREATHE (R) 12:50 | 3:00 | 5:10 | 7:30 | 9:45 640-FILM (640-3456) Sponsored by: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th 8PM National Trust for the Cayman Islands NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual General Meeting (“the AGM”) of the members of The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (“the Trust”) will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 6:00 PM upstairs at the George Town Yacht Club, the Barcadere Marina at 606 North Sound Rd. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the annual report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and the financial report for 2016. 2. To elect members to the Council of the Trust**. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Dated at George Town, Grand Cayman the 12th day of September 2016. ** In accordance with the section 6(6) of the National Trust Bye-Laws additional proposals of names for election may be made in writing signed by the proposer and a seconder (each being a member in good standing of the Trust) and by the person so proposed for election, to be delivered to the office of the Trust via email: director@nationaltrust.org.ky no later than two days before the date of the AGM. A List of Nominees as put forward by the Nominating Committee, at today’s date is as follows: Andrew Gibb Chairman Sarah Bolton Secretary Tommie Bodden General Council Member John Bothwell General Council Member Deborah Drummond General Council Member Guy Locke General Council Member Joannah Bodden Small General Council Member Catherine Frazier General Council Member Charles Neil Brown General Council Member Wendy Moore General Council Member Christina Kish General Council Member Emma Drysdale General Council Member An up-to-date list of nominees along with a proxy voting form will be available for viewing at the Trust’s office and on the Trust website: www.nationaltrust.org.ky For more information or to RSVP to the AGM please call 345-749-1126 or email: community@nationaltrust.org.ky. Please note – you must be a current (2016) member of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands and be 18 years of age or older to vote at the AGM. Man admits possessing 220 pounds of ganja Defendant says girlfriend did not know about the drug CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com West Bay resident Eduardo Swaby Guti- errez pleaded guilty on Wednesday to possession of 220 pounds of ganja with intent to supply. It was his second ap- pearance in Summary Court on this charge. He first was brought to court on Sept. 7 with his girlfriend, Leonela Cogollo Pedroza, who re- sided with him at the prem- ises where the ganja was found. Both were initially remanded in custody for one week. On Wednesday, defense attorney John Furniss ac- cepted that Swaby, 32, had given a no comment inter- view to police about the ganja. However, he now accepted that all of the ganja was his. He said his girlfriend knew nothing about it. By the time Swaby was being dealt with, Pedroza had already been returned to custody. Her attorney had attended court earlier and her matter was adjourned until Sept. 28. Pedroza, 29, had told police from the beginning that she knew nothing about the ganja. Senior Crown counsel Tricia Hutchinson indicated that the woman’s case might be brought back earlier. Swaby’s sentence was set for Thursday, Sept. 15. Ms. Hutchinson told Magistrate Grace Don- alds that officers from the Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force went to Swaby’s residence at 11:20 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, to execute a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Law. Both Swaby and Pe- droza identified themselves as occupants of the prem- ises. Swaby told the offi- cers there was “weed” in the kitchen and indicated some was in the laundry room also. Officers found five large suitcases and two rice sacks containing the 220 pounds of ganja in the laundry room.Money and other items were also seized. The money, about $7,000, is the subject of a charge of pos- sessing criminal property. Mr. Furniss cited prec- edents from other Sum- mary Court cases in which amounts of ganja in the 200- pound range had attracted sentences of around three years. With a one-third dis- count for the early guilty plea, he suggested that Swa- by’s sentence should be in the two-year range. Wild Spaces and Special Places photo contest The National Trust has opened its first Wild Spaces and Special Places photo competition, challenging professional photographers, dabblers and students to capture Cayman close-up under one or more of the following themes: people, traditions, culture, nature, wildlife, landscapes and historic landmarks. Participants are en- couraged to post photos on the Facebook event page @WildSpacesSpecialPlaces and include the hashtag #CaymanCloseUp for tracking purposes. Photos will be reviewed based on the number of likes on Facebook, combined with the reviews of a panel of judges, who will assess on subject matter, originality and relevance. Calendar and live auction In preparation for the Trust’s 30th anniversary in 2017, the top 52 photos will be featured in a 2017 cal- endar and the top 15 will be featured in a live auction in the Walkers law firm recep- tion lobby on Elgin Avenue on Oct. 20 from 6-8 p.m. Win- ning participants will receive prizes from sponsors and part proceeds from the auc- tion of their photos. The contest is sponsored by Walkers. There is also a student competition category, which will feature two students photos. Prep and high school students are asked to high- light the name of school being represented in the cap- tion of the photo. Winning students will receive part proceeds from the auction to- ward school programs and The school logos of the win- ning students will appear in the calendar. Calendars will be available for purchase Dec. 1 in the Cayman Nature Store in the Dart Family Park, South Church Street. Email marketing@nationaltrust.org.ky to reserve calendars or call 749-1121 for more information. CAL ISSUES SAMSUNG SMARTPHONE ADVISORY Cayman Airways advises owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 that they may still carry the device in their carry-on baggage or on their person when boarding a flight. However, the airline warns passengers in its pre- flight safety announcements that the device must not be switched on. Cayman Airways is also informing passengers that this particular device should not be stored in checked luggage. The warning follows reports of technical prob- lems with the recently re- leased Galaxy Note 7 that in some cases caused the lithium-ion battery in the smartphone to explode during charging. Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker, has since issued a global re- call for 2.5 million of its flag- ship Note 7 devices. The announcement by Cayman Airways is con- sistent with a U.S. Fed- eral Aviation Authority rec- ommendation strongly advising passengers not to turn on or charge these de- vices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage. Samsung plans to issue a software update for its recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that will pre- vent them from overheating by limiting battery re- charges to 60 percent, the Associated Press reported this week. A worldwide recall of 2.5 million Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones is under way. - PHOTO: AP SHOT FIRED IN STORE ROBBERY A shot was fired during a Monday night robbery at a West Bay store. No one was injured in the holdup, police reported. Royal Cayman Islands Police officers were called to Leda’s Plaza on Water- course Road after 8 p.m., after a lone robber entered seeking cash from an em- ployee who was alone in the store. Police said the sus- pect pointed a gun at the 39-year-old woman and took a small amount of cash and her cellphone. No arrests were imme- diately reported. Police are appealing for anyone with informa- tion or who witnessed the robbery to contact West Bay CID at 949-3990 or to remain anonymous to call Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS).3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 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 Boats abandoned at Crystal Harbour Owners slapped with abatement notices JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Covered in graffiti, with shattered wine glasses still hanging in racks behind the weather-beaten bar, the Aqua, a luxury yacht once intended as a floating bar for Stingray City sits abandoned, loosely tied up in the mangroves near Crystal Harbour. The ambitious business venture never got off the ground amid public protests. Now the boat, a shell of its former self, is courting controversy once again. Resi- dents in Crystal Harbour say it is a marine hazard and an environmental risk and warn it could cause damage to properties if it breaks loose during a storm. It is one of several aban- doned boats in Crystal Har- bour that is causing concern. NCB, which manages the development on behalf of the homeowners’ association, last month wrote to the Port Au- thority, the police and the De- partment of Environmental Health to highlight the issue. In a letter to the Depart- ment of Environmental Health, seen by the Cayman Compass, the management company asks for someone to step up and deal with the issue. “The question needs to be asked; Where does the re- sponsibility lie? Should pri- vate individuals have to pay to protect their property from something that another care- less individual has opted to abandon?” the letter says. It highlights instances in which abandoned boats, tied to the mangroves, have come loose and caused damage to other vessels. On one occasion, it says, a floating piece of con- crete dock, tied to the yacht was removed at the expense of the strata after breaking loose and grating against a seawall. The letter warns, “The chance of potential damage, injury, or even death is a real one, even when the seas are calm. In the event of a hurri- cane, the danger posed could prove to be catastrophic, turning these objects into oversized missiles.” After some initial confu- sion about who would take responsibility for the problem and under what legal au- thority, the Port Authority, in consultation with the Mari- time Authority of the Cayman Islands and the Department of Environment, said it is ad- vising owners of abandoned vessels which have sunk or are derelict and in danger of sinking that the vessels are now considered a “statutory public nuisance” under the Public Health Law. “Several of these vessel owners have been identified and will be served with an abatement notice to execute and complete the works nec- essary for that purpose, within a defined time frame,” the Port Authority said in a statement. The notices will be issued by the Chief Environmental Health Officer. Owners who fail to comply could face pros- ecution and the prospect of fi- nancial penalties. “In light of the derelict vessels already being scut- tled, the public is reminded that disposing of a vessel by intentionally sinking it off- shore requires a permit from [the Department of Environ- ment] to ensure that toxic substances are removed and the location is approved,” the statement added. Bernie Bush, who was as- sociated with the floating bar venture in 2010, did not re- turn phone calls on the issue. Mr. Bush took the media on a tour of the boat in July 2010, when it was first brought to the island. At the time, he said the three-deck, 115-foot yacht would cater to up to 350 people with five- star dining and dancing. He anticipated it would cater to weddings, office parties and other functions. The long-term plan was to serve customers at Stingray City, Mr. Bush said at the time. Around five boats, in var- ious states of disrepair, were tied up to the mangroves op- posite the Crystal Harbour es- tate when the Compass vis- ited recently. Some appeared to have virtually sunk. The Aqua, by far the largest of the boats, was floating, but appeared to be in a state of disrepair, its shat- tered windows exposing the interior to the elements. The Aqua floats abandoned and derelict in water near Crystal Harbour. Behind it sits another smaller, abandoned and semi-submerged boat. - PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY The interior of the boat is covered in graffiti.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. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS When teachers are unhappy, we all should be unhappy – and from the tenor of the remarks in yesterday’s Compass, many teachers are very unhappy, indeed. Teacher after teacher during their exit interviews – yes, they have had enough and are moving on with their lives and their careers – told tales of administra- tive dysfunction, unacceptable lack of student disci- pline in the classrooms, lack of support from higher- ups, and a litany of other behavioral issues that would be more understandable if they were ema- nating out of Northward Prison rather than our ele- mentary and high schools. For the record, these exit interview transcripts were not made public by the education ministry; the Cayman Compass secured them though the usual lengthy and labyrinthine mechanism called the Freedom of Information law. Two quotes will prove illustrative: • “Despite what the statistics may be saying, any teacher at [school name redacted] will tell you that these students are far, far behind their international peers in literacy and mathematics, and that isn’t an issue that can be pretended away with political speeches and new-age structures.” • “The students feel they have the run of the school and teachers are second-class citizens. I thought I would be sad to leave but all I feel is relief.” While the Compass freely admits a bias in favor of principals and teachers – the intersection between teacher and student is the point where learning actually take place – we by no means do so blindly. Bad teachers multiply their ignorance by the number of students in their classes, and they must be removed from the system. Note the word “removed.” Not retrained, not trans- ferred to “administration,” not shuffled here or there. Every good teacher and every good principal knows who the “bad teachers” are. It’s no secret. They need to speak up, if not to Education Minister Tara Rivers, then to us at the Compass. Our readers, and our public officials, should know that reporters and editors at the Compass have been talking (on and off-the-record) with teachers, principals, administrators, parents, students and others on the state of public education in the Cayman Islands. In recent weeks, we have published stories about the shortage of supplies, including textbooks and basic essentials, such as paper, in the classrooms – this from a government that administers a near bil- lion-dollar budget. Chief Officer Christen Suckoo in the Education Ministry denied the shortages, despite the complaints from multiple members of multiple PTAs. (One elected member recently visited an elementary school in West Bay and reported that not only was the school out of paper, it was also out of toilet paper.) A veteran teacher and administrator tells us that one reason the schools use so much paper is the shortage of textbooks. There aren’t enough books to go around (and certainly not enough for students to take home, say for homework), so they are photo- copying the books to make do. For the next year, and most likely beyond, this newspaper will focus on our education system, both in our news pages and our editorial columns. We are making a major commitment of resources to this subject, including the assignment of at least one, and possibly more, full-time education reporters, sup- ported by a researcher who will aid in our compiling a database of every salient fact and story on education globally over recent years – what has worked, what has not worked, and why. Education, in our view, is far too important to be left exclusively to the “professional educators.” Every parent, every businessperson, every resident of the Cayman Islands needs to declare with one stentorian voice that we will no longer accept a third-world edu- cation system in our first-world country. The most important lesson of the day: Cayman’s schools A case for comprehensive human capital development I write this short con- tribution as a reflection of the Letter to the Editor of Friday, Sept. 9, by Mr. Mi- chael Allen, your Editorial of Monday 12th, and also within the context of the positive development re- ported by Mr. Allen in Mon- day’s Compass on his pre- vious detailed and apparent gloomy account of Cayman’s human capital state of read- iness, or lack thereof. In reflecting on this se- ries of editorial commen- tary, and I am confident that our media (including our ac- tive social media) is also rich with discourse on the matter, I went to my bookshelf and withdrew a book that I read about 16 years ago, which I bought while on a trip with my wife in South East Asia (including Singapore); this ex- cellent book, titled “Lee Kuan Yew, the Man and his Ideas,” is recommended reading for political and community leaders or anyone else who is interested in effective “nation building.” Readers may recall that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away in recent years, was the “Founding Father” and first prime minister of Singapore, who led that small remote island-nation to polit- ical and economic indepen- dence over 60 years ago, and helped Singapore become one of the most successful, or- derly, and economically vi- brant nations on God’s Earth. In referring to the book and seeking insights for a time such as this, during which our small remote emerging island-nation is facing challenges and oppor- tunities with nation building, I reread the chapter titled “What’s wrong with the Sin- gapore worker.” In that chapter, I found a number of instructive thoughts, and below I excerpt of few which I find both relevant, and prophetic, to Cayman’s current circumstances. “… And they are a dif- ferent generation. Expecta- tions have gone up. Uncon- sciously, we have entered into a free-spending consumer society of the West. Parents spoil their children. There are better clothes, better food, better housing. All the time their expectation goes up and up, believing that it is always going to be up the escalator.” “… And it means training, skills. It means that if you want to do your children good, make sure that they don’t lose the work ethic. Whether the Confucian work ethic, whether it is the Hindu work ethic, whether it is the Muslim work ethic, whether it is the Protestant work ethic, if you don’t work, you are not going to make the grade and no amount of wizardry on the part of the EDB (Economic Development Board) or the Ministry of Finance is going to pull this one off.” “… But requires that con- stant drive and that willing- ness to learn, to achieve, and to be proud of what you are doing; not just minimum of effort, maximum of rewards. That attitude will never take us into the industrial society.” Does this sound fa- miliar to where we are in the Cayman Islands in 2016? Are the behaviors articulated in Mr. Allen’s letter of last Friday simply an exception, something written for ulte- rior motives, or is it a cry for help to address the attitudes and work ethic of an eroding social and economic fabric of our beloved islands and its people? I become discouraged when I hear political leaders suggest that an increase in a nation’s economic growth or its gross domestic product will suddenly solve our em- ployment problems in the long term. I am one who has always advocated for the rights and preferential op- portunity for our Caymanian worker, but at the same time I have also sought to urge our workers to be respon- sible and live up to their side of the bargain and be pro- ductive. I often have told job- seekers, in my various ca- pacities over the past two decades, “you may want a job, but realize that with that job … also comes WORK. So, rather than rely on the “wizardry” of “a rising tide will lift all boats,” I prefer to rely on a holistic, com- prehensive, and deliberate strategy. I have often called for the introduction of a proper Human Capital Devel- opment framework and in- frastructure for the Cayman Islands, even before the con- cept of a Human Resources Authority was proposed in the Vision 2008 10-year Stra- tegic Plan in 2008. Because I do not have any confidence in “trickle-down economics,” I again call for the urgent formulation of a compre- hensive Human Capital De- velopment strategy for these Islands, coupled with and informed by a “Human Cap- ital and Labour Summit” to be held during 2016, as we prepare to embrace the chal- lenges and opportunities of the economically rebounding Cayman Islands. I end this contribution with a famous quote from Lee Kuan Yew: “The whole ground can be against me, but if I know it is right, I’ll do it. That’s the business of a leader.” Mario E. Ebanks Letter writer takes inspiration from the writings of the late Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew. - PHOTO: AP 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”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 Healthcare leaders will join hospital board Move seeks to address CarePay audit concerns BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Four senior medical and civil service officials will be placed on the Health Ser- vices Authority board of di- rectors in order to “help avoid the mistakes of the past,” ac- cording to Health Ministry Councilor Roy McTaggart. The board, which gov- erns operations of the public health authority, cur- rently has seven members, all representing the pri- vate sector. Board member- ship, previously consisting of all civil servants, was changed about a decade ago to place more private sector financial expertise at the struggling entity. Proposed amendments to the Health Services Authority Law now seek to expand the membership to 11, adding the positions of chief officers for the ministries of health and finance, as well as the health authority’s chief exec- utive and its medical director. The other seven directors will be appointed by the govern- ment and must demonstrate “substantial knowledge and experience” in certain areas, including healthcare. The amendments are due to come before the legislature next month. The operations of the board fell into disrepute ear- lier this year when former chairman Canover Watson was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the government in a scheme with his business partner Jeffrey Webb. Watson was found guilty in Feb- ruary of doctoring contracts submitted separately to var- ious government agencies at different times, leading to the ultimate payment of $1.8 mil- lion for nonexistent health- care contracts by the Health Services Authority. A government special investigation audit com- pleted in June following Watson’s conviction re- vealed a number of areas where communications be- tween the Health Services Authority board and senior health managers at the hos- pital, as well as the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company, had broken down. For instance, during Wat- son’s criminal trial it was re- vealed that neither the head of CINICO nor the HSA man- ager had read a US$13 mil- lion, five-year contract for the agency’s patient swipe- card system – known as CarePay – before signing it in December 2010. Those managers were un- familiar with the original agreement, when in 2011, prosecutors said a doc- tored version of it was given to government officials, in- cluding millions in payments for the contract that had never been agreed. Some of the purported payments for the CarePay contract, it was revealed in court, went to pay off a home loan for Webb in Loganville, Georgia, while other funds were transferred to pay off Watson’s personal bills. Internal auditors re- viewing the matter recom- mended the need to estab- lish formal communications between the Health Ser- vices Authority and the Ministry of Health beyond what is normally done each year during the government budget process. “Such communications should set out clear expec- tations for policy directions and should facilitate effective identification of high-risk is- sues and notification to the chief officer and the Minister of Health on key impacting is- sues within a timely manner,” auditors stated. “Communica- tion of pertinent information that affects the management of the HSA should involve the board as well as the CEO of the HSA.” Auditors also strongly criticized the HSA for al- lowing Watson to be ap- pointed as project leader for implementing the CarePay system, a highly technical and specialized IT endeavor, bypassing former hospital IT chief Dale Sanders. “The chairman of the board of the HSA or any other statutory authority should not be assigned op- erational roles for the imple- mentation of policies, such that the assignment could result in conflicts with the roles and duties of senior management within that en- tity,” the Internal Audit Unit report stated. “It is important that we facilitate the interaction be- tween the Health Services Authority and the Minis- tries of Health and Finance to keep abreast of ongoing work,” said Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is also the health minister. CarePay fallout The failure to properly implement the CarePay pa- tient swipe-card system and its associated payment ad- judication function has sig- nificantly affected the health authority’s ability to collect overdue bills, Auditor General Sue Winspear said last week. The CarePay contract was canceled in late 2014 after Watson’s arrest on fraud and corruption charges. Ms. Winspear told the Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee that the system was “intended as a solution to patient collection difficulties.” “The resultant termina- tion … has inevitably set back progress,” she said. The Health Services Authority provision for “doubtful debts” (those older than a year) has increased from $45 million in 2013 to $90 million as of June 30, 2016. CARNIVAL DREAM MAKES UNSCHEDULED STOP Medical emergency prompts brief visit CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com No cruise ships were sched- uled to visit Grand Cayman on Tuesday, so some residents were surprised to see the Car- nival Dream along the western coastline in the evening. A spokesperson for Bodden Shipping Agency Ltd. confirmed that a medical emergency brought the ship to the George Town harbor around 6:35 p.m. The tender Carib Empress went out to meet crew members and the patient, who had been se- cured on a gurney. He was transferred to local medical personnel and taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital. The tender carried crew members back to their ship, which left at 7 p.m. to con- tinue its journey to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Its previous port of call was New Orleans, a Port Security officer said. The Port Authority web- site shows that the Carnival Dream has a passenger ca- pacity of 3,646. The ship is due back in Cayman on Thursday, along with the Carnival Sen- sation and Freedom of the Seas. The three ships together could bring a total of 10,410 passengers to these shores. The agency spokesperson said that although the ship’s call on Tuesday was unexpected, it was not unusual. Such emer- gency stops occur throughout the year, he indicated. Meanwhile, although he could not release any med- ical information, he said that the patient had been seen by doctors. “He is where he needs to be,” he said. Taste of Cayman festival set for Jan. 28 The 2017 Taste of Cayman Food and Drink Festival will be held on Jan. 28 at the Festival Green at Camana Bay, organizers an- nounced this week. “We are extremely proud to have reached our 29th year,” said Tiffany Dixon- Ebanks, executive director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. The event is CITA’s biggest annual fundraiser. After a bid process, CITA hired marketing, communi- cations and events company Tower to oversee manage- ment of the festival. The patient is transferred from the tender to the dock, where he is to be met by local medical personnel. - PHOTO: CAROL WINKER Dan Hollis of Margaritaville, winner of the mixology competition at last year’s Taste of Cayman festival, delivers some of his award-winning drinks to judges. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Roy McTaggartDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days Bodden Town THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Prisoners spruce up Harry McCoy park JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Some of the inmates of North- ward Prison on Saturday took part in an outing for a public cause. The inmates, using machetes, hacked their way through bush and overgrown weeds to clean up Bodden Town’s Harry McCoy Sr. Park and the area around Nurse Josie’s Senior Centre. “We are getting the place cleaned up so people in the com- munity can come sit and enjoy what the park has to offer,” said Agnes McCoy, a member of the Bodden Town Heritage Committee. “The park needed a good cleaning up and most of the com- mittee members are elderly, so we enlisted the prison to come give us a hand,” added Caroline Allison, another committee member. The inmates said they were de- lighted to help, and during their work enjoyed the company of the seniors as they were treated to cool drinks and other refreshments when their work was done. Nurse Josie’s Senior Centre, next to the Harry McCoy Sr. Park, is a historical and cultural center run by the Bodden Town Heritage Committee. The property, which covers more than three-and-a-half acres, also includes a playground and a children’s park. The heritage group has constructed a stage in the park that can accommodate a band. A gift shop is stocked with memorabilia and artifacts, and there is also a chicken coop, pig pen, outhouse, old-time kitchen and caboose. At the back of Nurse Josie’s house are the park and a pond, as well as a bird loft where residents and visitors can see nesting ducks and other birds. A new parking lot at the back of the park can accommodate visitors attending Bodden Town Pirates Week Heritage Day activities. 50 YEARS AGO: Shedding light on district electricity charges In the Sept. 14, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town corre- spondent Haig Bodden wrote: “On Monday night, 5th of September, a public meeting was held at the Town Hall Bodden Town. This evening was called by Messrs. Anton Bodden and Richard Arch, the MLAs for this district. “In a speech that lasted two and one half-hours, Mr. Anton dealt with recent happenings in the House of Assembly. He debated a major act of the Executive Council, an act which is perhaps even more controversial than the Third Party Insurance Act. “The Executive Council acting in con- junction with some technical assistance has set out and made into law regula- tions governing the inspection of prem- ises to be supplied with electricity. “It is impossible to go into the com- plicated schedule of rates, but the Ap- plication Blanks can be obtained free of charge from the Treasury Department. Every householder is urged to get these applications and study them as things are far worse than described by our learned representative. “The schedule lists thirteen different charges that can be legally made on a person who applies to have his premises hooked up to a source of electrical supply. These individual charges range from 10 shillings to 400 shillings. A place with 10 ceiling outlets will cost anywhere from 5 pounds to 100 pounds. The charge for cooker and water heater inspections can be 15 shillings to 400 shillings per unit. The testing of meters will be only two guineas (42 shillings). The inspection re- port will only be three guineas (63 shil- lings) plus mileage charges. “For settling matters in dispute af- fecting contracts on financial disagree- ments or other arbitration by personnel of the inspectorate, a charge of only one guinea (21 shillings) will be made. Technical services will cost only two guineas per hour. “And, of course, it follows naturally that Bodden Town and other forgotten districts will have to pay an extra charge of 1 shilling per mile to cover the trav- elling expenses of the Inspector. Notice that this mileage is three hundred per- cent more that the 4 pence per mile gen- erally paid out by Government to its itin- erant employees. “The acts of most legislative bodies have always been beyond the compre- hension of the man on the street, but this latest act reaches far afield of the wildest dreams of an H.G. Wells novel. “After perusal of the ‘Application for Electrical Inspection’ forms, the reader will come to the conclusion that the rock-bottom cost of the inspection to the consumer will be about 100 pounds and not a penny under 40 pounds. The av- erage Caymanian does not have 40 shil- lings left over on Friday evenings when his or her grocery bill has been paid. It is very necessary to have proper in- spection of any place before it is hooked up to a source of supply of electricity. Why should it cost the consumer so much is a sixty four dollar question?” Upgrades to Savannah Rubis Worker Hopeton Sinclair at the Savannah Rubis station. The station has been closed for several days for upgrades. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Prisoners chop bush with the help of Caroline Allison, a Bodden Town Heritage Committee member. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYDISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days Bodden Town CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 Cafe serving up plenty of fish JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com A few mornings a week before the crack of dawn, a group of workers at a Bodden Town establishment are al- ready up preparing a tasty catch for Cayman fish lovers. The workers, including Paula Martinez, Gina Bagwi and Norvin Parchment, are doing their part to meet de- mand at the Grape Tree Cafe, a local business that is proving to be a hit for cus- tomers, both from the district and from farther afield, who are seeking an authentic fish fry experience. From the exterior, the Grape Tree Cafe is quite un- assuming, just a shack on the beach and a few steps up to the open air window counter. If it were not for the parking lot jam-packed with cars, one might not even think to stop and see what the fuss is all about. But fish lovers have known of the spot for ages, and the sweet smelling scents it carries to the road entice passing vehicles. From Friday to Sunday, the fish shack serves up fish ‘n chips, with a large portion of whole red snapper or chunks of succulent mahi mahi and fries, served with homemade pepper sauce, fried plantain, fritters, cassava and fried breadfruit when in season. It’s helping to make Bodden Town a hot weekend fried fish destination. The numbers speak vol- umes: each week the staff processes about 270 pounds of snapper, 500 pounds of mahi mahi, and 50 pounds of swai. The fish are cleaned, washed in vinegar and lime water and seasoned with salt and pepper before heading for the fryers. At the cafe, visitors order at the window, then grab a picnic table outside, cooled by the sea breeze, content to watch the crystal clear wa- ters and fishermen bringing in their daily catches. The coastal gem, just behind the Rubis station in Bodden Town, was opened by local businessman Os- bourne Bodden and wife Nancy in 2009. Since opening the Grape Tree Cafe, Mr. Bodden said the fish fry station has grown from strength to strength, and this he believed was for two main reasons: the care and time taken with the prepping of the fish; and the good service offered. “We are very proud of what we have managed to do, and it’s a dream come true for me to have a product that is loved locally and by visi- tors alike,” said Mr. Bodden. “We maintain the place to a high standard and we have loyal employees, especially Ms. Martinez who has be- come the face of Grape Tree Cafe,” he continued. “We proved this when she was rolled over a couple of years back and we lost a lot of customers.” Ms. Martinez who is coming up on nine years at the fish shack affec- tionately says it feels like a second home for her. “I like everything about the work, really,” she said. The modest looking fish shack draws diners from near and far. Snapper and mahi mahi ready for the grill. Paula Martinez has built up a loyal customer following.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 15, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 REVIVAL SERVICES: The Wesleyan Holiness Church in West Bay continues revival services tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.; then Sunday, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. Paul Stetler is preaching and the Covenant Quartet from Hobe Sound Bible College in Florida will join Rev. Stetler. All are welcome. FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 HAPPY HOUR ART: The National Gallery hosts a closing celebration of the watercolor exhibition “A Legacy of Light,” 5:30- 7:30 p.m. Organized by the Butterfield Young Patrons Circle, this event features live painting, nibbles and cocktails. Admission is free and curator-led tours will run every 30 minutes. To learn more about BYPC, email info@nationalgallery. org.ky or call 945-8111. TIME ATTACK REGISTRATION: Register today, 7 p.m. at Parker’s for “Time Attack,” a Cayman Motorsports Association event, set for 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, behind Progressive. SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 COASTAL CLEANUP: Dolphin Discovery & Dolphin Cove Grand Cayman hosts a coastal beach cleanup in coordination with the Ocean Conservancy. All volunteers are welcome to help at Barkers Beach in West Bay and Bodden Town Beach from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. BRAC 5K: The Cayman Brac Lions Club Brenda Tibbetts- Lund 5K Memorial Run/Walk takes place at 6 a.m. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. Contact 925-7341 or 929-7884 for more information. TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 CHAMBER COURSE: Moving into Management; Today and tomorrow, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce office, Governors Square; $225 for members, $300 for future members. Sign up online at www.caymanchamber.ky. 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. CERAMIC OPEN STUDIO: Visual Arts Society offers Ceramic Open Studio to adults who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere: 9 a.m.-noon: Watler House Studio, Pedro St. James. Today and 28. $15 pp/$25 pp non-members. Clay, materials, glazes and firing facilities are available. More information at info@visualartcayman.com. THURSDAY, SEPT. 22 LICENSING DEPT. CLOSED: The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing will be closed today. Normal hours of operation will resume at both locations on Friday, Sept. 23: Crewe Road office (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and West Bay Office (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The closure is to facilitate staff training. CHAMBER COURSE: Pensions Master class; 9-11 a.m. Chamber of Commerce office, Governors Square; $175 for members, $225 for future members; sign up online at www.caymanchamber.ky. CHAMBER COURSE: Basic Grammar & Writing Skills Part 1; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce office, Governors Square; $150 for members, $225 for future members; sign up online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, SEPT. 24 DEALS ON WHEELS: The Red Cross mobile shop will be in East End, near Pirates Cove Bar, from 6 a.m. till 10 a.m. Items available include ladies accessories, clothing, shoes, bags, linens, toys and more. NEW EXHIBITION: The new exhibit at the National Gallery, titled “Speak to Me – Understanding the Language of Art,” is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28 SKY OF HOPE: Synchronized lantern release on Seven Mile Public Beach, 6-9 p.m. Presented by Cayman HospiceCare. Individual or family pass is $100, includes two eco-friendly lanterns and one bottle of bubbles/ soft drink. Corporate pass is $1,000, includes up to 20 eco-friendly lanterns and 10 bottles of bubbles/ soft drinks. Contact chc@candw.ky or 945-7447. THURSDAY, SEPT. 29 PALLIATIVE CARE: Free conference for medical professionals and all interested parties. St. Matthew’s University, Leeward 3 SafeHaven, West Bay Road. 3-9 p.m. Pre-registration preferred. 945-7447. www.caymanhospicecare.ky. GENERAL INTEREST SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM: Be a John Gray High School mentor. It just takes one lunch hour a week. Starting Sept. 27 for one year, mentor a Year 11 student to help them achieve their potential in life and in school. Tuesday or Thursday lunchtime meetings from 12-1 p.m. in term time at the school. Training provided. Contact Laura on 328-0300 or Karen on 325-0318. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: The Light of the World Church after-school program has resumed. Children ages 6 to 12 are supervised by qualified, experienced teachers from 3:30 p.m. The focus is on homework, with special emphasis on literacy and numeracy. The fee is $25 per week and includes a snack. For more information, call 926-1541. VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY: Classes offered Mondays in mixed mediums. Tuesdays, from Sept. 13, figure drawing with live model. Thursdays, from Sept. 15, color theory. For more information, email workshops@ visualartcayman.com. VOTERS REGISTER UPDATE: Election Office officials will visit all residents through September to get an accurate electoral list for the May 2017 elections because the electoral boundaries have changed. 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: 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. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The Covenant Quartet from Hobe Sound Bible College in Florida will participate in services on Sunday, Sept. 18, at The Wesleyan Holiness Church in West Bay.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 Leonardo Raznovich, who sought to become a de- pendent on his male part- ner’s work permit after his contract at the law school ended, in order to remain in Cayman. Initially, the immi- gration board that heard the application denied it because the local Marriage Law does not recognize gay unions. That decision was reversed earlier this year by the Im- migration Appeals Tribunal. The members’ motion asks the government to con- sider holding a referendum prior to the May 2017 elec- tions on “whether or not the people of the Cayman Is- lands wish to legally recog- nize same-sex marriages and unions in our laws.” In June, Premier McLaughlin said his administration had “no in- tention” of implementing any changes to local legisla- tion or the constitution with regard to same-sex mar- riages. He agreed with the independents that govern- ment has no mandate to do so, in any case. “This government is not pushing, nor are we pre- pared to move toward the recognition of same- sex unions or civil unions … or any such thing,” Mr. McLaughlin said during a Legislative Assembly meeting in June. “Quite what the U.K. does to this issue is another matter entirely.” The premier said his gov- ernment’s efforts have been targeted at “avoiding as far as possible the making of an Order-in-Council which would impose such things on a country and a people who, thus far, I have no indi- cation would like to see that as part of our culture.” The local Constitution Order (2009) gives the gov- ernor power to legislate in situations where protecting British interests or avoiding contingent liabilities to the U.K. government arise. The last such Order-in-Council issued in- volved the abolishment of the death penalty for murder in the early 1990s. Mr. Eden, a founding member of the People’s Pro- gressive Movement political party (now called the Pro- gressives), announced his de- parture from the government backbench late last year, citing the same-sex mar- riage/civil unions issue as the reason. Mr. Suckoo also announced his departure from the party in late De- cember for the same reason. Mr. Eden and Mr. Bush both broached the refer- endum issue during their debates on the government budget as well. The next Legislative As- sembly meeting is due to start the first week of October. received a number of ob- jections to the new devel- opment from nearby strata members. Eventually, mem- bers of the Grand View Strata Corp. sued the devel- oper and the Planning Ap- peals Tribunal, resulting in Justice Panton’s ruling. In the 34-page judgment, Justice Panton identified the key issue, according to the court, as the existence of property setbacks – the dis- tance the development must be from the high water mark on the beach side. Justice Panton noted that Develop- ment and Planning Law reg- ulations, updated in 2011 and again in 2014, require all structures and buildings of up to three stories in a des- ignated hotel/tourism zone to be set back at a minimum of 130 feet from the high water mark. An additional 15 feet should be added to the setback requirements for the fourth through the seventh stories of a building. The planning law reg- ulations do not indicate what should happen with a building of between eight and 10 stories, Justice Panton said. “Critically, I think, there is no provision for a ten- storey structure,” the judge wrote in his decision. “A subsequent amendment in 2014 in this regulation clar- ified the measurements for the setback up to the sev- enth storey by increasing it to fifteen feet for each of the fourth through to the seventh storey; yet nary a word in respect to the eighth to the 10th storey. There cannot be an ‘anything goes’ attitude in relation to build- ings over seven storeys.” A statement from the premier’s office released Monday indicated that amended regulations “will state explicitly that … no further setback will be re- quired for seven through 10 stories.” Enforcement Under the current de- velopment law, if a struc- ture was built more than three years from the present date without planning per- mission, its construction cannot be challenged before the Central Planning Au- thority or the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Devel- opment Control Board. The proposed legislation would set that period at five years. “It will be more diffi- cult for illegal and deficient structures to be built, as the [planning authority] will be able to enforce against these types of structures, even if they have existed for up to five years,” the pre- mier’s office noted. Also, the amended law seeks to bring wider powers to planning enforcement of dilapidated homes, in- cluding walls and fences surrounding the property. If the legislation is ap- proved, enforcement no- tices can be issued against fences, walls and derelict vehicles if it appears to the planning board that “an area is adversely affected or seriously injured by the ru- inous, dilapidated or other condition” of the building, fence, wall or land due to the deposit of garbage, der- elict vehicles or equipment. Protesters gather outside a ‘family values’ rally at the Lions Centre on Sunday, Sept. 11. Opposition independent legislators have submitted a motion seeking support for a referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage. - PHOTO: MATT LAMERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and new furniture. “It’s now 200 percent better,” said Brian Watler, acting station officer. “Some Saturdays ago, I brought my daughter to the station be- fore the work was carried out and then I brought her back after the work was fin- ished and she said, ‘Dad, now your firehouse feels like a home.’ Imagine, she is only six years old and she could feel the difference.” Mr. Watler said firefighters had been complaining about the state of the station to government for some time. Action was taken after West Bay MLA Bernie Bush brought the issue of mold in Grand Cayman’s fire sta- tions to the attention of gov- ernment earlier this year in a question in the Leg- islative Assembly’s Fi- nance Committee. Mr. Bush, who attended Wednesday’s reopening ceremony, along with government officials and firefighters, said he heard about the mold from his wife and visited the station to see the problem for himself. “It’s too long the men have been treated this way, and we hope the central station in town, which is also in a mess, will be looked at,” Mr. Bush said Wednesday. More work needs to be done on the fire station in West Bay, the firefighters said, including repairs on the front doors, which cannot open. Firefighters said they were told the air condi- tioning would be replaced in all five of the stations – three on Grand Cayman, one on Cayman Brac and one on Little Cayman. Fire Chief Hails said a survey by Antoinette Johnson from the Department of Envi- ronmental Health had found nothing “significant.” However, based on the findings in the report, he said, the air conditioning units at West Bay were re- placed. A new kitchen was installed, and cosmetic changes were made to rest rooms at the Cayman Brac Fire Station. Mr. Hails also said the fire service bought new hydraulic rescue equipment, placed nine automatic external de- fibrillators on the streets for the public, placed spotlights on the front and back of fire vehicles to assist the safety of fire officers, bought thermal imaging cameras and a new rescue launch boat, and is in the process of recruiting new fire officers. “We are going to bring in 15 new fire officers, which will bring the complement up to 145 firefighters. When we achieve that objective, we will then reassess what our requirements are and take it from there,” Mr. Hails said. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Governor Franz Man- derson said the civil service had a responsibility to look after the brave men of the fire service and “when they com- plain, we have to listen.” Addressing the firefighters at the station Wednesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin said, “It is fitting … that we ensure that you, who keep us safe, have a safe environment in which to work. And this is what we have done with the improvements made here – and we are also working to ensure that this is the case for all of our stations.” Motion seeks same-sex marriage vote before election Planning changes clarify rules for 10-story buildings The independent members state [a recent Immigration Appeals Tribunal decision] “does not reflect the view of many Caymanians.” Firefighters back in West Bay station CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Fire Chief David Hails chats with Premier Alden McLaughlin and Education Minister Tara Rivers. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Mold has been found in all three of Grand Cayman’s fire stations.Next >