ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 High of 91 Low of 78 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 ‘SUPER OMBUDSMAN’: COMPLAINTS FROM THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE LOCAL | PAGE 2 $40K RAISED FOR FEED OUR FUTURE 180913_PRINT-Ad-Strip-BOTY-6colxPage 1 11/30/15 12:30:30 PM Cayman Water calls for utility law rewrite TAD STONER tstoner@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Water has asked government to withdraw and rewrite a proposed bill in- vesting a new utilities regulation office with broad unilateral powers to control the firm’s activities. The company says it was not con- sulted on the bill. Calling the proposed legislation “incomplete at best,” company president and CEO Rick McTaggart, in a four-page, six-point letter, delivered last week to the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and In- frastructure, said, “at worst, the bill turns the clock back more than 30 years” by rejecting “successful and effective water-sector legisla- tion” without consultation and “without pro- viding an equal or better replacement.” The ministry had not responded to requests for comment by press time. In his letter, Mr. McTaggart said Consoli- dated Water, which owns Cayman Water, “a significant stakeholder” and “essential ser- vices provider,” had “for reasons unknown to us,” been excluded from consultation as the new law replaces separate agencies over- seeing telecommunications, electricity, fuel and water with a unified Utility Regulation and Competition Office. Published Sept. 12, the bill is under scru- tiny by the Legislative Assembly as part of ef- forts to streamline administrative functions, saving government $250,000 per year as rec- ommended in a 2014 Ernst & Young report. The new “URCO” legislation will create a nine-member board of directors, meeting at least six times per year and including a chief executive officer, executive directors of EDEN PLANNING POLITICAL EXIT BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Anthony Eden, the political patriarch of Bodden Town district and one of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly’s longest-serving members, confirmed Monday that he is not planning on seeking elected office next year. “I’m 71 gone now, I’ve got five grandchil- dren and I’ve put a lot of time into this [the Legislative Assembly],” Mr. Eden said Monday in an interview with the Cayman Compass. The Bodden Town member was first elected in 1992 and has been re-elected each time he has stood for office since. The issue of his political future came up during a reply he made in a debate last week on his motion seeking a referendum regarding same-sex marriages in the territory. Mr. Eden said during the debate that he was not seeking re-election “at this time.” He confirmed that stance again Monday when asked about it by the Compass. His pending departure from politics comes at a time when Mr. Eden appears to have gotten an increase in support after his VETERAN PINS GOVERNOR WITH FIRST POPPY JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Shadden McLaughlin, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, pinned the first poppy on Gov- ernor Helen Kilpatrick Monday morning, launching this year’s annual Poppy Appeal. Governor Kilpatrick told veterans at the ceremony at the Government Administra- tion Building, “I will wear it with pride.” She added, “It’s always a real pleasure to receive the first poppy. The whole Poppy Appeal Pilates in Pink raises thousands for Cancer Society More than 350 Pilates fans, all decked out in pink, converged on the Arts and Recreation Centre Saturday to raise money for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. Cancer survivor Colleen Brummer, who runs Pilates studio Energy and who organized the event, said more than $9,000 was raised through registration fees, and other donations are still being tallied. Ms. Brummer started the fundraiser 10 years ago. ‘At the very first one, we had about 30 people. It’s definitely getting bigger through the years,’ she said. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Anthony Eden PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Shadden McLaughlin, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, pins the first poppy on Governor Helen Kilpatrick. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. 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. MASTERMINDS (PG13) 1:10 | 3:30 | 7:10 | 9:30 THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (R) 12:50 | 4:10 | 7:20 | 10:00 THE BIRTH OF A NATION (R) 12:40 | 3:40 | 6:50 | 9:45 STORKS (PG) 12:30 | 3:30 THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (PG13) 6:45 | 9:40 MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME (PG13) FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN 3D 1:00 | 4:00 2D | 7:00 | 9:50 2D DEEPWATER HORIZON (PG13) 1:15 | 4:10 | 7:15 | 10:05 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15th, 8PM BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH - TUESDAY - $40K raised for Feed Our Future Around 350 people turned out Saturday night for the sixth annual Island Roast to raise money for Feed our Future, which pro- vides free lunches to school- children. The event raised around $40,000. Featuring food from some of the island’s best restau- rants, a band and DJ, the event at Coral Beach is the charity’s main fundraiser. Stacey VanDevelde, chair- woman of Feed Our Future, said, “It is a really unique event and we are so grateful to everyone that sponsored it and that came out to support. We have really great sponsors that help make the food and the experience top notch.” The Ritz-Carlton kitchen, Agua, Lobster Pot, Saucha, Coccoloba, ABS international, Mise en Place, Smokin Bros and Best Dressed Chicken were among the businesses that provided food. The band Trinity and IMG Entertain- ment provided the music, Camana Bay supplied the venue and The Ritz-Carlton and Camana Bay helped staff the event. In this school year, Feed our Future is pro- viding free school lunches to 165 children. Human rights highlighted for Mental Health Day CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman’s Human Rights Commission has released a booklet describing how human rights can apply to situations involving mental illness. The booklet, intended for people like police and nurses who are often on the front lines of individuals dealing with mental health crises, gives case studies from the European Court of Human Rights as guide- lines for how to handle spe- cific situations. Commemorating Mon- day’s World Mental Health Day, the Human Rights Com- mission highlighted eight human rights that are most relevant to people with mental health issues, in- cluding the rights to personal liberty, to fair trial, and to not be discriminated against. In a press statement, Human Rights Commission Chairman James Austin- Smith said, “The Commission welcomes the opportunity to assist the [Mental Health Commission] in their endeav- ours to strengthen human rights education for mental health professionals.” He added, “Cayman is not immune to mental health concerns and those who suffer from mental health difficulties and their families should be afforded access to the same rights as other individuals.” A report from the World Health Organization last year found that about 4,000 people in Cayman sought treatment for mental dis- orders in 2013. Almost three-quarters of those people, the HRC statement notes, “were diag- nosed with schizophrenia, mood [affective] disor- ders, or neurotic/stress re- lated disorders.” The HRC writes, “As these numbers only reflect those people who have sought treatment, there are likely to be many more in our commu- nity who are suffering in si- lence. Given the severe diffi- culties faced by those trying to deal with mental health issues without professional support, this is a cause for real concern.” Among the other concerns listed in the report is the lack of human rights training for people in the healthcare sector dealing with people who have mental illnesses. Deborah Bodden, head of the Commissions Secretariat, said, “This is [for] people like police officers, doctors and nurses in the ER and court staff who come in contact with people with mental ill- ness, but are not necessarily mental health professionals.” She said the HRC pub- lished 50 copies of the booklet and released PDF and e-reader versions on its website. The case studies look at issues that went before the European Court of Human Rights, the highest court for any human rights issues in the Cayman Islands. One case looks at a man in the U.K. who was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his aunt. There was no space available in a mental hos- pital for several days, so po- lice kept him in a cell at the station without treatment for 75 hours, during which time he refused food, stripped naked, and drank water from the toilet in the cell. He was later diagnosed with a manic episode. The court found that the police’s conduct consti- tuted torture and violated the man’s human rights. The seven other case studies in the booklet look at similar legal situations that affected people with mental illness. Jeana Ebanks, Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Tabitha Crowley and Amanda Clark Attendees got a taste of what the Kimpton Seafire has to offer at the annual Island Roast for Feed Our Future on Coral Beach Saturday. - PHOTOS: MAGGIE JACKSON Feed Our Future board members: Back row, from left, Jeana Ebanks, Frank Balderamos Jr., Daniel Cummings, Simone Ross and Anthony Lawson; front row, Anna Goubault, Stacey VanDevelde and Tabitha Crowley - PHOTOS: MAGGIE JACKSON The Smokin Bros give the charity fundraiser a big thumbs up.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 20%-70% OFF ALL NEW & DEMO INVENTORY & DWELL SALE Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 15-16 9 AM – 6 PM FURNITURE, OUTDOOR, ART, LIGHTING, ACCESSORIES 30% - 70% off ‘less than perfect’ condition items used in model homes and 20% off all new and current fl oor stock 119 Dorcy Drive (behind Airport Foster’s Food Fair in Dwell Warehouse) Tel. 745-4310 119 Dorcy Drive (behind Airport Foster’s Food Fair 119 Dorcy Drive (behind Airport Foster’s Food Fair 119 Dorcy Drive (behind Airport Foster’s Food Fair in Dwell Warehouse) Tel. 745-4310 10,000 sq. ft. Showroom and 25,000 sq. ft. WarehouseThe 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” WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL BOARD A brief history lesson, apropos the annual meet- ings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington this weekend: The Great Depres- sion was something of a two-phase event. Phase One began when the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929; but Phase Two began across the Atlantic, with the collapse of the top bank in German- speaking central Europe, Vienna’s Creditanstalt, in 1931. The second finan- cial panic overwhelmed the global economy’s recuper- ative capacity and dras- tically accelerated the downturn – with political repercussions for Western democracy too familiar, and too awful, to repeat. Small wonder, then, that the wobbly condition of Frankfurt-based Deutsche Bank is top of mind among the assembled financial pan- jandrums. With just over US$2 trillion in assets, Deutsche is Germany’s biggest bank, and one of the 20 largest in the world. Yet analysts have long considered it overleveraged and overextended; and when reports surfaced last month that the Justice Department was threatening it with a US$14 billion fine for alleged mortgage-related misdeeds, Deutsche’s stock fell to a re- cord low. (The shares have since rebounded.) The IMF’s managing director, Chris- tine Lagarde, spoke publicly of Deutsche’s need to settle with the Justice Department soon and “strengthen its bal- ance sheet.” Are we headed for a repeat of the Great De- pression’s Phase Two, with Deutsche in the role of Cred- itanstalt – and U.S. regu- lators as precipitators of the collapse? Probably not. Back in June, long before the pro- spective U.S. fine made head- lines, an IMF report already had labeled Deutsche “the most important net con- tributor to systemic risks” among global banks. And by then, the bank was already deleveraging; it is much better capitalized than it was before the 2008 crisis, with realistic prospects to raise more. The U.S. fine is likely to be negotiated down from US$14 billion. Meanwhile, German Chancellor An- gela Merkel’s emphatic promise that there will be no bailout for Deutsche was a good sign, too, in that she probably would not have risked making it if the like- lihood of having to break it later were high. Nevertheless, Deutsche, like the European banking system of which it is a leader, suffers from poor profit- ability, exacerbated by the prospect that today’s low in- terest rates could prevail for years to come. Even if it has sufficient capital to avoid bankruptcy, Deutsche’s busi- ness model may be outdated – too dependent on a mas- sive balance sheet and hedge fund clients. Its predicament is therefore symptomatic of a wider European malaise; the IMF’s latest report on global financial stability pointed to Europe as the principal source of trouble in ad- vanced-economy banking and called for “deep-rooted re- forms” to address it. The IMF suggested that measures to expedite the sale of nonper- forming loans could improve bank capital by roughly US$156 billion. What the European economy really needs, of course, is accelerated growth, without which in- terest rates can only lan- guish. To be sure, Europe’s fractious leaders keep prom- ising reform, and growth. At some point they will have to deliver, lest they risk either Great Recession Redux, or endless stagnation – either of which could have disas- trous political consequences. © 2016, The Washington Post TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS The en masse resignations of four lawmakers (Bernie Bush, Eugene Ebanks, Ezzard Miller and Alva Suckoo) from the Complaints Commissioner com- mittee are important not so much from a “practical” standpoint as from a “political” one. Practically speaking, the committee has few items on its agenda, in light of the Progressives govern- ment’s plan to merge the functions of the complaints commissioner (vacant since Nicola Williams’s departure in early 2015), information commissioner (vacant since Jennifer Dilbert’s retirement in December 2013) and the never-created police complaints commission into a single “super ombudsman.” The significance of the resignations is they draw public attention precisely to the Cayman Islands gov- ernment’s neglect of those watchdog entities, and send a powerful message that opposition and inde- pendent lawmakers are firmly against the proposed merger. So when we describe the move by the MLAs as a “political” action, we are not speaking strictly in the sense of campaigns and elections, but in terms of attempting to bring public attention to, and possibly influence public opinion on, a policy issue of consider- able substance. Mr. Miller, who was chair of the complaints com- mittee, said, “I do not support the merger that’s taking place. I believe the role, function and achievements of the complaints commissioner are going to be dimin- ished. My fears are that they will not be allowed to function as independently as they have been doing.” Mr. Miller’s criticisms and concerns over the merger echo objections raised by former Complaints Commis- sioner Williams and by former Information Commis- sioner Dilbert. The merger has also been opposed by Acting Information Commissioner Jan Liebaers. We’re not so sure what the potential impact of the transition to a “super ombudsman” might be. The merger proposal promises minuscule cost savings, and stems from a footnote in the EY Report, the vast majority of which the Progressives either expressly rejected or have ignored. We lend little credence to the Progressives’ claimed commitment to greater accountability and transpar- ency, at least via the strengthening of independent oversight bodies, first because they have allowed the two offices to drift in limbo in the two years since the EY Report was unveiled, and second because Premier Alden McLaughlin has described the Freedom of Infor- mation regime as “an unproductive use of time.” We would add a third reason — the fact that the posts of Complaints Commissioner and Information Commissioner have been filled on an “acting” basis for years — but we cannot lay the blame for this on the Progressives’ doorstep. Rather, it is Governor Helen Kilpatrick who is expressly, and constitutionally, charged with making those appointments. In response to a Compass query lodged more than a year ago about the persisting vacancies, the governor’s office pointed to the proposed amalgamation into the “super ombudsman” role. We’re sorry, but interminable bureaucratic delays are a sorry excuse for “good governance.” When it comes to watchdog entities, we would prefer that our government utilize the “West Bay model” — roving, aggressive and fearless packs … few fences, collars and leashes … and no muzzles. ‘Super ombudsman’: Complaints from the complaints committee LETTER TO THE EDITOR Smith Cove fundamental to Cayman Although I am no longer there, I write as someone who spent an unfor- gettable 25 years in Grand Cayman to add my voice to the efforts to acquire Smith Cove in perpetuity and to resist adjacent developments to the site. Having lived in several countries and able to compare, I have come to appreciate the importance of sites such as the Cove (the George Town Barcadere is another) to Cayman not only for their recreational value but more for the worth of such places as integers of the essence of the country. Passing by those sites on an al- most daily basis can lead to compla- cency about them; it is in living away from them that we come to recognize them as what they truly are: funda- mental expressions of natural Cayman, and only Cayman, born at the time Cayman was born. Time and again, particularly in the Caribbean, but in North America as well, I have seen projects promoted under the banner of “development,” for this site or that turn out to be back- ward steps, degrading something that was a feature of the landscape, so it is heartening to hear that private voices are joining the government in keeping the Cove as it is. Whatever kind of Cay- manian you are, Smith Cove should be sacrosanct to you. Dave Martins A Great Recession Redux? Former resident Dave Martins says you have to live away from places such as Smith Cove to understand how truly special they are. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 … Chef George returned from Rome… B k Ble ed… Ready to Rock ‘n CALYPSO IS NOW OPEN Lawmakers lessen police court burden BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A bill approved by Cayman Islands lawmakers on Friday will allow government workers other than police officers to serve court witness summons. According to Attorney Gen- eral Samuel Bulgin, changes made to the criminal proce- dure code identify court bai- liffs and other court personnel to serve witness summonses. Under the current rules, only police officers can summon witnesses to court. “The hope is that it will re- lieve the police of this task and allow them to focus on more primary policing duties,” Mr. Bulgin said. In July, Deputy Police Com- missioner Kurt Walton said that serving hundreds of court summons each month was sapping police ser- vice resources. The witness summonses are not warrants, which are dealt with separately and, in many cases, must be handled by police officers for safety reasons, Mr. Walton said. The witness summons are to get individuals who are providing testimony to court on the correct date. “Every witness summons the director of public pros- ecutions needs, … we serve those summonses,” he said. “Every customs case, every marine case. Immigration needs witnesses? We serve those summonses.” The requirement under the criminal procedure code dates from 1975 when Cayman had “maybe 20 witnesses a year,” Mr. Walton said. There are now four officers in RCIPS focused on serving the summonses for court. “There’s no reason why that particular service cannot be outsourced,” he said. The bill approved by legis- lators, which still requires an official third reading and ap- proval by the governor, does not suggest the outsourcing of witness summonses, though in recent years that option has been discussed by gov- ernment as a cost-saving mea- sure. Rather, it states that any person designated by the clerk of the court to serve process would have the authority to carry out those activities. In addition, summonses to court could be served elec- tronically to government em- ployees who often must attend court such as police officers, customs or immigration offi- cers, Mr. Bulgin said. Although he did not oppose the bill, East End MLA Arden McLean said he was con- cerned about the jobs of police officers who were now being used to serve summonses and whether those officers could realistically be put back on full active duty. “Some of those officers serving summonses now are retired police officers back on contract,” Mr. McLean said. “I certainly do not want to condone or subscribe to a changing of the guard and then put Caymanians out to pasture. We need to watch how we do this.” Acting Police Commis- sioner Anthony Ennis also ad- dressed the witness summons issue in the larger context of public calls to “hire more po- lice” to help control crime. Mr. Ennis said he believes RCIPS has “sufficient per- sonnel” to get the job done, if new cadet classes are brought in this year as the department hopes, as long as police offi- cers could be taken off jobs the RCIPS views as non-law en- forcement tasks. As of early August, there were 365 uniformed officers, including auxiliary constables but not including special (vol- unteer) constables and civilian support staff in the RCIPS. Mr. Ennis said the department has been given the budget to hire 24 officers, some of whom will be recruited through a police cadet class starting in January. “The hope is that it will relieve the police of this task and allow them to focus on more primary policing duties.” SAMUEL BULGIN, attorney general Cayman Rotary Club members sent 20 pallets of hurricane relief supplies to their fellow Rotarians in the Bahamas on Friday. The supplies went to local agencies working on the cleanup and to Rotary clubs in the Bahamas to help with their relief efforts. The Ba- hamas has not reported any deaths from Hurricane Mat- thew, which passed through the islands last week, but the Category 4 storm caused hundreds of millions of dol- lars in damage. Eight Bahamasair planes, which came to Owen Rob- erts International Airport to wait out the storm, took the pallets of water, food and other essentials back to Nassau on Friday. A. L. Thompson, former president of the Rotary Club of Central Cayman Islands, said in a press release, “Think about what you needed after Hurricane Ivan. Everything, right? Our neighbors to the north are in the same situa- tion and it’s now our turn to become the givers.” The release from Cayman Rotary states, “Thanks to an amazing effort between Ba- hamas Customs, Nassau Air- port Development, Bahama- sair and the tireless porters, we carted out 20 pallets of supplies through the Interna- tional Arrivals luggage lounge to the three Rotary trucks.” According to the Bahamas Tribune newspaper, Prime Minister Perry Christie es- timated the costs of the re- covery could end up being three to four times greater than the $100 million in damage from Hurricane Joa- quin last year. During a Sunday press conference, according to the newspaper, Mr. Christie said, “Enormous damage has been inflicted on thousands of Ba- hamians, who were not so af- fected in such number with Hurricane Joaquin.” The storm caused major damage to buildings across many of the islands. “In West Grand Bahama, everyone got hit. Some homes fell flat to the ground. In Port Lucaya, the marketplace roof peeled right off. It looks like an earthquake around here almost,” Free- port, Bahamas, administrator Preston Cunningham said in a statement over the weekend. Cayman’s relief efforts to help Haiti and Cuba con- tinue this week. A joint ef- fort between the Cayman Is- lands Brewery, government and Saxon Insurance plans to send a plane full of supplies to Haiti on Tuesday, and the Cayman Islands Red Cross is collecting money to help with the international organiza- tion’s efforts on Hispaniola. Rotarians send supplies to Bahamas FINANCE MINISTER GETS GLOBAL MARKETS AWARD BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Finance Minister Marco Archer is tops in his field among his Caribbean peers, according to Global Markets magazine. The minister, who just turned 50, was named Fi- nance Minister of the Year for the Caribbean this month by the maga- zine, which is a daily on- line and printed publica- tion covering the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Premier Alden McLaughlin read a por- tion of the article that ap- peared in Global Markets (previously Emerging Mar- kets magazine) which noted Mr. Archer’s performance in controlling spending in the territory while reducing debt. The magazine said this was a “particularly significant achievement in the Caribbean.” Mr. Archer told the mag- azine that government be- lieved the best way to cut debt was to grow the local economy, rather than in- creasing taxes. The magazine also lauded his efforts in meeting a June 2016 dead- line for fiscal perfor- mance set by the U.K. and thereby earning “budgetary freedom” for the territory. Rotarians load 20 pallets of hurricane relief supplies sent from Cayman Rotary clubs on trucks at the airport in the Bahamas. Finance Minister Marco Archer holds a copy of Global Markets Magazine in the Legislative Assembly building Monday afternoon. - PHOTO: BRENT FULLERDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 YEARS AGO: Bad conditions spur PTA threat to close school In the Oct. 12, 1966 edition of the Cayma- nian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, West Bay correspondent Leila Yates wrote: “At a recent meeting at the West Bay Primary School, the parents and teachers expressed their dissatisfaction over the way in which the school building is being treated by the public and also the deplorable condition of the toilets. It was noted that these latter were not fit for use. “The PTA deputed Mrs. Ertis Ebanks and Rev. R.G. Coke to bring these two matters to the atten- tion of the Chief of Po- lice and the Acting Di- rector of Education. The PTA further decided that if nothing had been done about these matters within 10 days, then they would close the school. “This meeting was the best attended for a very long time. “Mr. Lee Jackson arrived on the 6th, an employee of National Bulk Carriers. Mr. Alden Ebanks arrived from Miami the same day. “Miss Ella Yates returned to Tampa, having spent two weeks at home. “Mr. J.D. Smith left for his home in New York on the 2nd after spending a short vacation. “Miss Una Yates re- turned on the 6th from Miami, where she com- bined a business and pleasure trip. “Mr. Elworth Ebanks left on the 9th to take up work with National Bulk Carriers. Leaving the same day was Mr. John Par- sons who had been home for some time. “Mr. Burke Franklin ar- rived on the 9th from the U.S. on his vacation. “An interesting eve- ning was given on the 7th in the United Church Hall by the two Brigade girls who went to Canada. Slides were shown which they had taken in Canada, also pic- tures of some of our island which they had taken with them. Betty and Carol Ann entertained with songs they had learned in Canada. Mrs. Coke made the introductory remarks. An offering was taken for the Brigade funds. The national anthem was sung and thus ended an en- joyable evening.” Duxey, Erskin and Cleveland Ebanks GEORGE NOWAK In this image, Duxey Ebanks on the fiddle, Erskin Ebanks on the cow-skin drum, and Cleveland Ebanks on the grater perform for a private party in Dave Mitchell’s suite at the Galleon Beach hotel around 1973. Mr. Mitchell was the general manager of the hotel at the time and would hire the trio on occasion to perform for guests, or during the annual Easter regatta. Cleveland Ebanks was also the chef at the old Galleon. All three have since passed on. However, the lively, traditional music they pro- vided for visitors during this era will never be forgotten. This photograph is from the book ‘The People Time Forgot’ by George Nowak, available at the National Museum. All proceeds from the sales of the book go toward museum projects. ‘Singspiration’ marks special day The Boatswain Bay Presbyte- rian Church held a special ser- vice late last month to support children with cancer. The church urged the congre- gation to wear gold or yellow, representing childhood cancer awareness, to its 11 a.m. wor- ship service on Sunday, Sept. 25. The day was also marked by an infant baptism for 9-month-old Ronisah Webster. The Men’s Fellowship sang “Day by Day,” and after the ser- vice the congregation enjoyed a special occasion cake. During the evening worship service, the church held its Fall Concert/Singspiration, featuring performances from the John Gray Memorial Church Choir, Pauze Entertainment, Edward Solomon and Yendi Parchman, Carlon and Judy Powery, Daphne Orrett, John Ebanks, Laten Bush, Pulse of Purpose and Rupert Ackermon, among others. Taking part in the baptism were, from left, Erlene Hunte, holding Roniah Webster, Elder Henderson Hunte, Heidi Hunte-Webster and Rohan Hunte.Pauze Entertainment were among the performers. The John Gray Memorial Church choir performed at the Singspiration concert. - PHOTOS: EZIETHAMAE BODDEN Duxey, Erskin and Cleveland EbanksDISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days West Bay CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 Skippers face off at catboat regatta A number of Cayman’s beloved catboats were in ac- tion recently at a regatta that was now become a much anticipated annual tradi- tion in West Bay. Familiar catboats and their skippers and crews, in- cluding the Captain D and the Brac Cat, were facing off with some new arrivals on the cat- boat racing scene, including the Destiny, at the annual David Foster Memorial Race, which took place on Sept. 25. With the start at Cap- tain Garvin’s Park, Batabano, the boats raced across the North Sound to a finish at the Foster’s residence at Sand Point, North Side, a press release states. Rommell Ebanks in Brac Cat crossed the start line in first place, followed by Jerris Miller on Dig- nity, Kem Jackson in Cap- tain D and Crosby Ebanks in Going Ahead. The first half of the race saw light winds and smooth water, where Jackson and Crosby Ebanks showed their light air skills, overtaking the entire fleet, with Crosby coming out on top. The second half saw the winds freshening and a tight battle ensued between Going Ahead and Captain D, with the lead changing several times, fol- lowed by a similar battle be- tween Brac Cat and Dignity. These close battles kept up all the way across the North Sound, with Crosby edging out Captain D for first place by three minutes. According to the Cayman Catboat Club, as previ- ously reported in the Com- pass, from the beginning of the 20th Century through the 1950s the catboat was an integral part of the is- lands’ economy. An impor- tant possession for seafaring Caymanians for generations, the little boats were used for transporting people and goods between the districts. In Cayman’s traditional turtling industry, catboats were loaded up on schoo- ners, sometimes stacked one on top of the other, and de- ployed at turtling grounds in the Western Caribbean to catch and carry turtles back to the larger ships. Cayman Catboat club main- stay Kem Jackson noted that the catboats were hand- crafted using a plane, a saw, a hammer and a hatchet with the timbers forming the boats’ interior ribs typically made of hardwood like ma- hogany and plopnut. Over the years as new boat styles and construc- tion methods were intro- duced these traditional little boats began to disappear, with many destroyed in Hur- ricane Ivan in 2004. Today, Cayman’s tally stands at only 7 or 8 operational cat- boats, though the Catboat Club endeavors to pass on the traditional boat building knowledge to younger gen- erations in the hopes of keeping the cultural icons around for many years to come. Those interested in picking up a little catboat history can pay a visit to the Club’s clubhouse on the George Town waterfront. Lo- cated on Whitehall Bay the building is now being used for the construction of new catboats and as an educa- tional hub shedding light on Cayman’s unique mar- itime history. Final results Crosby Ebanks in Going Ahead was in first place; Kem Jackson in Captain D, second; Jerris Miller in Dignity, third; and Rommell Ebanks in Brac Cat, fourth. President of the Catboat Club Jerris Miller said the race, now in its 16th year, is the longest running event for the Catboat Club. It started in 1998 when it was known as the David Foster Race. The name was changed in 2005, upon Mr. Foster’s passing. The Cayman Catboat Club thanked the Foster family and Foster’s Food Fair for their long-term sponsorship. The next races will be the Premiers’ Cup, on a course offshore the Catboat Club in George Town on Oct. 23, and a point race on a triangle course at Captain Garvin’s Park, Batabano, West Bay. There will be two races in November to coincide with the Pirates’ Landing and North Side District Day. The next race will be the Premiers’ Cup, on a course offshore the Catboat Club in George Town on Oct. 23. Kenneth Ebanks getting the Dignity ready for racing. Rommel Ebanks sets out at the helm of Brac Cat. The Captain D and the Dignity. The catboats were among a number of boats that competed at the annual David Foster Memorial Race, which took place on Sept. 25. - PHOTOS: EZIETHAMAE BODDEN The Dignity arrives at the dock.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS reminds us of the sacri- fices people have made, and I think it is absolutely fan- tastic the way the veterans organize themselves and get everyone in the Cayman Islands thinking about people who have served their country.” The annual Poppy Ap- peal raises money for vet- erans in need. It has long been a tradi- tion in the Cayman Islands for the governor to be pinned with the first poppy, and Ms. McLaughlin said she was honored to have done so. The poppy, which sym- bolizes peace, compassion and hope, was chosen shortly after World War I as a token of remembrance for ev- eryone who had suffered the tragedy of war. The appeal kickoff also featured a display show- casing one of 888,246 blood- red ceramic poppies that were created and displayed last year at the Tower of London, England. Each one honored a World War I British or colonial mili- tary fatality. The display will re- main at the Government Administration Building during the Poppy Appeal campaign, veteran Paul Ebanks said. His wife Mary Ebanks bought four of the poppies and gave one to the Cayman Islands Vet- erans Association. A Royal Marine vet- eran, Mr. Ebanks has been a member of the Cayman Is- lands Veterans Association for the past 30 years. He said the poppy appeal not only raises money for the vet- erans, but also serves to edu- cate the general public on the sacrifices that military per- sonnel have made and con- tinue to make. Donations received during the annual appeal are the major source of income for the nonprofit organization. Dale Banks, president of the Caymans Islands Veteran Association, said, “We are glad to help and grateful for the generosity of the people of the Cayman Islands. It’s amazing we get support year after year.” He added that many years ago, veterans collected money for poppies but the money was sent to England. Now, the money is used locally. “If a veteran in Cayman needed assistance, we had to go through England to get the help,” he said, “but since the 1970s, when the Cayman Veterans Association was formed, all that is collected stays in Cayman. “We are a part of the Royal Commonwealth Ex- Services League, headquar- tered in London, which comprises some 55 Common- wealth countries and territo- ries,” Mr. Banks said, adding that former Cayman Islands Governor Thomas Russell was the representative of the Cayman Islands Veterans As- sociation in England until his death his year. Collection boxes will re- main at the Government Ad- ministration building until Remembrance Day on Nov. 14. Veterans and their fami- lies will also be seeking do- nations in front of supermar- kets and other businesses in the coming weeks. “Donate if you can,” Mr. Banks said. “If not, just take a poppy and wear it with pride.” Veteran pins governor with first poppy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Governor Helen Kilpatrick, patron of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association, makes a donaton after receiving the first poppy as part of the annual Poppy Appeal drive. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Legislators weigh in on same-sex marriage debate Lawmakers spent most of the day Oct. 6 debating whether the Cayman Islands should hold a public refer- endum on allowing same-sex marriage in the territory. The referendum mo- tion failed by a 9-to-8 party line vote. Bodden Town MLA Anthony Eden brought the private members’ mo- tion, seeking a public vote on the issue. Below are excerpts from each legislator who spoke in the debate: Alden McLaughlin: “I know we are in that season [referring to the elec- tion campaign] and while I have no doubt … that the Honorable Deputy Speaker [Anthony Eden] believes ear- nestly in the position he has articulated … I cannot be sure that [other lawmakers’] view this as anything other than a very good polit- ical platform from which to launch the next campaign.” Winston Connolly: “It is an affront to other groups, including reli- gious groups and young Caymanian professionals who can’t get to full eq- uity in professional firms, to just be talking about isolated issues. Anything that violates the principle of fair equality of oppor- tunity must be called out and stamped out. “All minorities should be treated equally under the law.” Anthony Eden: “Unless we are living in la-la land, if we want to see what this type of lifestyle brings to people and com- munities, then it doesn’t matter what I say. The greatest nation on Earth is literally becoming a cess- pool, to the north of us. “I will not support [this lifestyle’s] prolifera- tion in Cayman.” Arden McLean: “There is no clamor from my Caymanians who have a different sexual orientation. None to me …. “We have now deter- mined that one man is spouse to another man and [the Immigration Appeals Tribunal] is correct. I am saying they’re wrong. I am challenging the premier to tell this country why he did not instruct the attorney general to get judicial re- view on the decision [of the tribunal].” Alva Suckoo: “What bothers me the most about this is that for as long as we have existed, we have probably had gay and lesbian Caymanians. But what really brought this issue to the forefront was not a battle on be- half of those gay and les- bian Caymanians. “This battle started when two non-Caymanians decided that they wanted to stand up for their rights and challenge our laws and our constitution. “I have to ask: Why didn’t we take up this battle years ago on behalf of the gay and lesbian Cayma- nians? Why were they not so important?” Ezzard Miller: “If I leave here to go to work in another country, I’m not going there because the country is going to be better off. I am going there because I firmly believe that Ezzard Miller and my family are going to be better off socially and economically. “Everybody coming to this country on a work permit knows what the laws in the Cayman Islands state be- fore they come here and I re- sent the fact that they then get on a crusade to change our way of life and our laws to suit them.” Osbourne Bodden: “We live in a more liberal society [today]. My kids, your kids, find themselves living in a different environment …. Let’s say the referendum comes down hard on our po- sition, what are we then sud- denly saying to those others? Are we further ostracizing them? Are we further making a community where we have gay children that are afraid to come back to their own island to live and are daily, some of them, leaving to go and live those lifestyles in other countries? “The longer we go on about this, the worse it’s going to be. We’re going to be looked at like a bunch of old fogies in here because we’re going to be seen to be out of touch with reality.” McKeeva Bush: “What these people have done is perform their cere- mony in another jurisdiction that allows it and then they come and say we must rec- ognize it. That puts us in a dilemma, and it’s not about hating anybody. I think the government needs to come to grips with that issue. We are not changing any law … but your board does something which puts your govern- ment in a defensive position. I can tell you this – my board would not have done me that; they would have been gone the next morning.” Marco Archer: “The results of a refer- endum may not give you the true position …. “My fear is that a refer- endum on the issue prior to the next election may do more harm to the healing of the nation than good …. “I wouldn’t want anyone in the listening public to be misled into believing that if there is a referendum … I don’t want anyone to think that in itself is a deterrent to the United Kingdom im- posing something on us by Order-in-Council.” Moses Kirkconnell: “[My constituents] be- lieve the status quo as it’s defined in our consti- tution and our Marriage Law is what they want … to remain …. “With an election months away, $2 million cost be- fore that on a referendum, I would say that I do not feel comfortable … to vote for a $2 million referendum and then … explain to somebody who comes to a constitu- ency clinic, ‘Well, we were going to do some things, but we had to spend that money on a referendum.’” Wayne Panton: “What would [a refer- endum] resolve? I’ve heard comments from the other side … that it’s time to put this issue through the ulti- mate democratic process, to a referendum, and resolve it one way or another and put an end to it. How does a refer- endum put an end to an issue which involves real people, human beings, how they feel, how they’re born? … “It is no different from whether you’re born with brown skin or light skin, or you’re short or tall or any other feature.” Roy McTaggart: “This debate has caused me much angst, it’s caused me a lot of discomfort. Pri- marily because it has forced me to examine my own up- bringing and the homophobic teachings that I received as a young man growing up …. “I was brought up be- lieving that homosexuality was a sin. I was brought up to believe that it was a choice that someone made, but I have to say after almost six decades on this Earth, I no longer believe that to be the truth.” “I will wear it with pride.” GOVERNOR HELEN KILPATRICKThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2016 John Rockwell Thomson Hobday 10/10/63- 11/10/14 From your loving family and friends worldwide Remembering the rock star of our family – Rocky We celebrate the day of his birth on 10th October 1963 and we mourn the day we lost him on the 11th October two long years ago. Life will never be the same without you, but we honour your memory by trying to live life to the fullest as you always did. “Weep if you must Parting is hell, But life goes on, So…sing as well.” Joyce Grenfell (1910-1979) “Life Goes On” IN LOVING MEMORY OF Anthony James Beenie Conner January 3, 1981 Fourth Anniversary in Heaven October 11, 2016 Fourth Anniversary in Heaven Until we meet again. Those special memory of you will always bring a smile if only I could have you back for just a little While. Then we could sit and talk again I love you and miss you Rest in peace From your loving Mother Sandra Connor information energy and the Chief Petroleum Inspector. The board will wield broad powers regarding prices, sharing of infrastructure, terms of business, service level guarantees and com- pensation payments to re- tail customers. Mr. McTaggart observed that three bills accompa- nying the URCO legislation dissolve telecommunications overseer the Information and Communications Technology Authority; Caribbean Utilities Company overseer the Elec- tricity Regulatory Authority; and fuel industry overseer the Petroleum Inspectorate. However, he said, no sim- ilar legislation had resolved the conflict of interest that government’s statutory Water Authority-Cayman oversees Consolidated Water, its sup- plier and competitor. “No equivalent bill has been published to amend The Water Authority Law,” he said, transferring its “regula- tory powers, functions and responsibilities to URCO or to make the consequential amendments to The Water (Production and Supply) Law and The Wastewater Col- lection and Treatment Law” that would mandate URCO, rather than Water Authority- Cayman, to issue licenses to Cayman Water. As such, he said “the leg- islation does not transfer real power to that new URCO of- fice, so it [the legislation] is not complete.” He told the Cayman Compass that URCO would “govern regulation for years to come,” and that Cayman Water had been expecting consultation, “but we did not receive anything – and we have not had an official re- sponse yet from government. “Cayman Water feels strongly that we would have been able to provide mean- ingful and constructive input to the minister during the de- velopment of this legislation.” Cayman Water supplies water to Seven Mile Beach and West Bay and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Con- solidated Water. Government had been eager to regulate the fuel sector, Mr. McTaggart said, “and we were swept up in it,” with the result that “we don’t think this reflects” the re- ality of Cayman Water’s long- standing and “highly devel- oped regulatory scheme for water utility companies.” Mr. McTaggart also ar- gued the bill “gives URCO the power to unilaterally modify all existing licenses granted under the sectoral legislation … in respect of fixing rates and services.” Under the new law, he said, URCO could require li- censees to change their rates and service standards de- spite “the general rule of law” that contracts cannot be changed without the consent of both parties. Nor does the bill recognize that “one regulatory regime does not fit every market and sector,” he wrote. “It does not make any distinction between regulating an essential ser- vice provider such as a water utility and a fuel supplier.” The bill appears to extend without discrimination rules applying to competitive mar- kets such as telecommuni- cations and fuel to what he called “natural monopolies” such as water and electricity, which “already have a domi- nant position,” and whose li- censes have long governed pricing structures. Finally, he wrote, “the ap- peals process is grossly un- balanced … counter to princi- ples that have been enshrined in water and electricity regu- lation for many years. “This is one of the most important parts, and counter to existing legislation,” he said. “This says URCO can make a decision and does not have to take any information – including objections from the licensee – into account. “It leaves only a judi- cial review process,” Mr. Mc- Taggart said, “and that is like taking a sledgehammer to a mosquito.” “We believe that sweeping regulatory changes to essen- tial services sectors in the country need to be carefully considered, and certainly need to take the country for- ward by incorporating the best of the past while ad- dressing the needs of the future. This bill falls con- siderably short of this goal and requires a major re- write,” he said. Cayman Water calls for utility law rewrite departure from the Progres- sives political party last year, his subsequent vocal support of traditional mar- riages and, later, the refer- endum question. The Bodden Town MLA said he recognizes that he is riding the crest of a political wave at the moment. “I’ve never been this popular,” Mr. Eden said. “I’ve never had more calls in my life as a politician [than] in the stand that I’ve taken on [the same-sex mar- riage issue].” He has had some rela- tively serious health prob- lems in recent years and – although he is in good health now – he said he finds himself wanting to spend more time at home with his family instead of arguing in the assembly these days. “That’s the driving force behind this,” he said. Mr. Eden is also enough of a political veteran to know that there will be attempts to get him to change his mind before nomination day in March 2017. “The pressure is there,” he said. “There will be more pressure, especially from the Christian community.” Mr. Eden still holds po- litical clout within the Legislative Assembly. His departure from the Pro- gressives – of which he was a founding member – prompted the defections of two other government back- benchers shortly afterward. The three members’ exit left the Progressives- led government with the slimmest of majorities – nine seats to eight – in the assembly. Talk of a potential early election has died down re- cently, and the Elections Of- fice has set May 24, 2017 as the general election date. The official nomination day – at which time all can- didates must register to stand for office – is set for March 29, 2017. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Eden planning political exit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 UNEMPLOYED MAN TOOK 69 CONCH OUT OF SEASON Defendant in immigration limbo, attorney tells court CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man who “wanted only food and shelter” admitted taking 69 conch and five lobster from Cayman wa- ters during closed season, Chief Magistrate Nova Hall heard on Monday. Ottis Johnson-Moore committed the offenses, in- cluding taking more than the daily limit, in Sep- tember, 2015 – one week after being placed on pro- bation for other offenses that had nothing to do with marine conservation. Crown counsel Scott Wainwright said officers saw Moore carrying a mask and fins near a beach in East End. Because of pre- vious dealings with him, they kept him under ob- servation. When he ap- proached a vehicle near the beach they spoke to him. In the vehicle was a bucket with 69 shelled conch and five lobster. There was also a hammer and a kitchen knife. Moore admitted having a hook stick, which was also in the vehicle. He said it took him one hour and 45 minutes to catch the marine life. Moore told officers he needed money to pay his rent. Defense attorney Dennis Brady said it was neces- sity that motivated this of- fending rather than any blatant disregard for the law. He explained that Moore’s immigration status was in limbo. He had claimed Caymanian status through his grandfather, but now that status was being challenged, with it being said that Moore was not biologically connected. Moore was still able to get employment, but not consistently because when employers found out about his status uncertainty, they shied away, Mr. Brady said. His client did not intend to flout the chance given to him when he received pro- bation the first time, the at- torney submitted. Moore wanted to secure the ma- rine life for food and then sell the rest to pay his landlord. “He preferred to take the risk rather than become involved in any other offense such as theft. There was no one he could approach for a loan that would satisfy his debts.” The magistrate or- dered Moore to pay $500 for breach of the first pro- bation order. She then ex- tended that order for an- other six months and made a new order for 18 months probation, with the re- sult that they will be par- tially concurrent. Consolidated Water, which owns Cayman Water, wants a rewrite of a bill that seeks to create a single regulatory body for all Cayman Islands’ utility companies. – PHOTO: CHRIS COURT Two arrested after fight One man injured Police arrested two men after a fight outside the Cotton Club on Shedden Road, George Town, in the early hours of Saturday. According to a state- ment released by police Monday, officers responded to a fight involving three men outside the club around 4 a.m. Saturday. When they arrived, they found one man “bleeding heavily from injuries to his face.” Two men, ages 19 and 24, from Bodden Town and George Town, respectively, were arrested on suspicion of assault and taken into custody. Both were re- leased on police bail. The injured man was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital for treatment.Next >