High of 89 Low of 79 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Pirate golf tournament Buccaneers can win booty at the North Sound Golf Club B2 Nicely priced Pied à T erre wines Get the lowdown on these vintages from California that won’t break the bank yet make quite a splash B4 Events Events Food & Drin k ■ EVENTS NCVO Radio/Telethon An annual tradition of giving returns. B6 Spooktacular scares at Camana Bay Goblins and their ‘mummies’ gather for ghoulish fun B3 A shake here, a jigger there Cayman Cocktail Week kicks off on Friday B5 Family owned and opera ted since 1984 14 stores island-wide and May Lou’s in Cayman Brac | For more information, please call 949-77 01 A reg istered merchant of CaymanGiftC ertificates.com Connect with us on Facebook: facebook.com/Tortu gaFineWinesan dSpirits 20% OFF on 75 0 ml. bot tles Triple distilled 10 0% pure Blue Agave Tequila • Silve r • Añ ejo • Resposa do • Sele ct Barre l Reserve ® Family owne d and operated since 1984 14 stores island-wid e and May Lou ’s in Cayman Brac | For more information, plea se call 949-7701 A registe red merchant of Cayman GiftCertificate s.com Con nect with us on Facebook: faceb ook.com/Tortug aFineWinesandSpiri ts 20% OFF on 750 ml. bott les Triple dis tilled 100 % pure Blue Agave Tequila • Silv er • Añ ejo • Resposado • Selec t Barre l Reserve ® STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $ 56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $ 56 Until 31 July Registered Merchant of CaymanGiftCertificates.com $ 7 OFF Regular $37.99. NOW ONLY $30.99. Offer valid for the month of October. Fine Wine and Spirits Family owned and operated since 1984 Family owned and operated since 1984 Family owned and operated since 1984 Family owned and operated since 1984 Family owned and operated since 1984 Family owned and operated since 1984 15 stores island-wide and mary Lou’s in Cayman Brac. For more information, please call 949-7701. The smoothness to blend in.The backbone to stand out. CAYMAN WEEKENDER NCVO Radio/Telethon EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 ‘RELENTLESS’! ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 Government ordered to hand over ‘Ritch Report’ to FOI office BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose has been ordered to turn over an immi- gration consultant’s report to the information commissioner’s office, after the government initially denied the information commissioner access to the report. The consultant’s report, which was completed at the behest of Premier Alden McLaughlin by law firm Ritch & Conolly, is the subject of an open records request filed by the Cayman Compass. The government ini- tially denied the request; it is now being ap- pealed to the information commissioner. According to an email the Cayman Com- pass received from the information com- missioner’s office this week: “[The office] requested the responsive records from the premier’s office a few weeks ago. The premier’s office has denied the infor- mation commissioner’s office access to the Ritch & Conolly report. “We were provided with the letter of en- gagement [for the Ritch & Conolly law firm] which was reviewed by the Cabinet Secretary and formed the basis for his decision to ex- empt the report.” The information commissioner’s office noted that it had indicated to Mr. Rose that it wished to review all records – including the consultant’s report itself – before deciding whether the report, or any part of it, should be exempted from public release under the Freedom of Information Law. “The acting information commissioner has issued an order to the Cabinet Secretary,” the information commissioner’s office email MEPCO IN LIQUIDATION, 50 LAID OFF CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Contractor MEPCO shut down its opera- tions this week and approximately 50 em- ployees at the company lost their jobs, ac- cording to the liquidators who took over the business on Tuesday. MEPCO’s highest-profile project recently has been working on the condos at Dart’s new Kimpton Seafire hotel on Seven Mile Beach, but that contract ended abruptly in August. A statement from MEPCO called the quick de- parture an “amicable agreement” with Dart’s development company DECCO. At the time, MEPCO representatives said the company would keep its four other on- going contracts with DECCO. Responding by email, MEPCO liquidator Kenneth Krys said, “The company is insolvent and unable to con- tinue trading.” Mr. Krys and Christopher Smith have been appointed as liquidators. Mr. Krys said employees had been paid up until Tuesday, but will have to make a claim in the voluntary liquidation for severance pay. Local businessmen Jimmy Laurenson and Michael Brown jointly owned the company. Calls to company representatives were for- warded to Mr. Krys’s company, KRyS Global. MEPCO’s website displayed an “Offline” mes- sage Thursday, saying, “The site is down for maintenance. Please check back again soon.” MEPCO, established in 2008, according to the company, works on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and other building services. The company’s Facebook page boasts 150 employees in three offices: Cayman, Turks and Caicos and Tortola. Mr. Krys said the liquidation applies only to the Cayman office. Margaritaville developer plans new business hotel JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The group behind the planned Margaritaville resort has bought a second property on the Seven Mile Beach strip, which it plans to transform into a boutique hotel aimed at business visitors. The three-story building on West Bay Road, near the inter- section with Lawrence Boule- vard, was built as a small hotel by the previous owner, but never opened. Now the Howard Hospi- tality Group, which is close to completing the renovation of the old Treasure Island property, has bought the property. James Stephen, the group’s director of sales and mar- keting, confirmed the group aims to renovate the property and open a 42-room hotel. He said there would also be retail and restaurant space on the ground floor. The Howard group has es- tablished an office in Grand Cayman and is looking at other potential development opportunities. It aims to open Margaritaville Investment conference theme defies gravity ‘Defying Gravity’ is the theme of February’s Cayman Alternative Investment Summit and that’s exactly what organizers did with an event invitation. It was attached to a weather balloon launched from Seven Mile Beach and ascended 20 miles above Grand Cayman. For more, see page 8. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 13 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Casual indoor & outdoor dining with a local flair. Family friendly & affordable. 94-PASTA [ 947.2782 ] • Marquee Plaza Enjoy Dinner Tonight at Try One of Our Signature Dishes Banana Wrap Snapper Mobile: 345-323-8573 Office: 345-943-8573 / Fax: 345-949-9753 heather.richards@remax.ky / www.remax.ky Heather Richards DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN! Cayman Islands Member of CIREBA Buy • Sell • Lease First Choice for all your Real Estate Needs Outstanding Service 323-8573 Salsa Tuesdays SalsaSalsa TONIGHT! Friday Happy Hour 5pm-7pm with DJ Flex Free lessons with Kirk starting 9.30pm Every Tuesday Tarpon Fish Feeding 7:30pm & 9:00pm Nightly Fish Feeding Friday October 28th is Costume Party with Prizes for the Best Costume Friday October 28th isFriday October 28th is Costume Party Friday October 28th is Call 949-2231 or email: thewharf@candw.ky CLOSING DOWN SALE GROCERY ITEMS, DETERGENTS, SODAS, SNACK ECT. ALL ITEM MUST GO! & MINI MART STONE CREST PLAZA Red Cross raising money for Haiti The Cayman Islands Red Cross is participating in an international Red Cross Federation effort to raise US$6.9 million for Haiti relief after much of the country was devas- tated by Hurricane Mat- thew two weeks ago. The Cayman Islands Red Cross said in a press release that the interna- tional federation aims to help 10,000 families over the next 12 months. The release states, “Ini- tial priorities have been identified as clean water (with a very high risk of a significant rise in cholera), food (with extensive damage to plantations in the worst affected areas), shelter (with 175,000 cur- rently living in tempo- rary accommodation) and emergency health ser- vices (with 60,000 people currently in need of medical help).” Several local compa- nies are pitching in, in- cluding a charity cruise last week on the Jolly Roger, and promotions at Foster’s and BlackBeard’s giving part of the pro- ceeds from specific items. Cayman Red Cross Di- rector Jondo Obi said, “The Haitian people af- fected by Hurricane Mat- thew were also the first to respond to the disaster. They know better than anyone else what their immediate needs are and the International Federa- tion of the Red Cross rec- ognizes that they should be consulted and involved in relief efforts, particu- larly with their intimate knowledge of the area they live in.” The Cayman Islands Red Cross Hurricane Matthew Appeal will re- main open until Friday, Nov. 11, according to the press release. The international Red Cross came under fire in recent years for their re- sponse to the 2010 earth- quake in Haiti. A re- port released in June by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley found that the American Red Cross used an es- timated US$125 million on management and fun- draising costs and did not properly account for more than US$350 million given to partner organiza- tions in Haiti. The Red Cross dis- agreed with the findings. A statement issued by the nongovernmental organi- zation, refuting the sena- tor’s findings, noted, “Our statement that 91 cents of every dollar donated went to our programs and services in Haiti is ab- solutely true.” For information on how to donate, contact the Cayman Islands Red Cross on 949-6785. Crown calls shooting of Jason Powery ‘public execution’ CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Justice Charles Quin heard submissions on Thursday on behalf of Justin D’Angelo Ramoon and Os- bourne Wilfred Douglas, who have been convicted of mur- dering Jason Charles Powery in July 2015. The penalty for murder in Cayman is life imprison- ment, but the Conditional Release Law that came into effect in February re- quires that a judge impose a specific term before a pris- oner is considered for pa- role. For murder, the term is 30 years before the con- victed person is eligible to apply for release, subject to extenuating or aggravating circumstances. Ramoon and Douglas, who are brothers, were found guilty of murdering Mr. Powery on the night of July 1, 2015, in the vicinity of the Globe Bar on Martin Drive, off Shedden Road. Justice Quin, who heard the case without a jury at the defendants’ request, de- termined that Ramoon had shot Mr. Powery and Douglas had handed him the gun. The judge indicated that any circumstance that would cause him to alter the 30-year sentence would have to be exceptional. Director of Public Pros- ecutions Cheryll Richards cited the only murder sen- tence Cayman has had since the new law came into effect. Tamara Butler, who killed her young daughter, received 26-plus years, taking account of the time she had already been in custody. The judge noted that mental issues were a factor in that case. In the Ramoon/Douglas case, Ms. Richards pointed out that the shooting occurred in a public place; referring to it as “a public execution.” She submitted that there was some premeditation. She said previous convictions also should be considered. Ms. Richards referred to a victim impact statement from Mr. Powery’s mother, who said after the trial that she sometimes walked into her son’s room to see if he was there because she could not believe he was gone. Sometimes she choked on her food because he was not there eating with the family. Attorney Sean Larkin addressed the court via video-conference on behalf of Ramoon, with attorney Prathna Bodden in court. He said their position was that there were no ex- ceptional features in the matter. He said many mur- ders took place in crowded public places. He called the shooting unpremeditated in the proper sense of the word, saying that “an inci- dent flared up.” Attorney Laurence Aiolfi, speaking on behalf of Douglas, argued against premeditation, pointing out that no one expected Mr. Powery to be present that evening. He asked the court to consider that his client’s convictions were more than 10 years old and therefore should not be considered an aggravating feature. Justice Quin said he would need a little time to consider his sentences. Court adjourned with no date fixed. Cuba freezes new licenses for private restaurants in Havana HAVANA (AP) – Cuba is freezing new licenses for pri- vate restaurants in Havana as it struggles with the run- away success of one of the most important openings in the state-run economy. The country was once famed for its dire state res- taurants and cafeterias, but it’s developed a vibrant dining scene since private restaurants were legalized two decades ago. A sector that began with enterprising Cubans setting up a handful of tables in their backyards has expanded into an in- dustry of hundreds of restau- rants with offerings ranging from freshly caught sushi to sophisticated interpretations of classic Cuban dishes. However, the private res- taurateurs lack a wholesale market or legal way to im- port supplies and equipment, so they have been emptying the shelves of retail shops and buying other goods on the black market. That has led to rising food prices and shortages of goods for other Cubans. Acting Vice President Is- abel Hamze told state media on Wednesday that Havana’s provincial government is tem- porarily freezing the approval of new licenses and is in- specting restaurants to detect violations ranging from prosti- tution, drug use and excessive noise to illegal importation and purchase of stolen goods. She said one business had been closed because it was operating a bar and night- club in violation of a license exclusively meant for restau- rants. Hamze’s statements ap- peared intended to reassure restaurant owners and Havana residents that the measures were not a crackdown on pri- vate restaurants but rather an attempt to impose common- sense regulations on issues ranging from closing times and parking spaces. The Cayman Islands Red Cross Hurricane Matthew Appeal will remain open until Friday, Nov. 11, Judge considers murder sentences for brothers3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 PROMOTION RUNS OCT 1 – 31 DRAWING & EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBER ANSWER QUESTIONS | DASH THROUGH THE STORE | WIN MONEY | HELP CHARITIES 3 TEAMS | $1,600 IN PRIZES | $1,000 FOR CHARITY STOCK UP ON PUMPKINS, CANDY, AND MUCH MORE ! PROMOTION RUNS OC T 1 - 31 DRAWING & EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBERThe 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” FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS – Premier Alden McLaughlin. speaking about the Cayman Compass Although it is unlikely Premier McLaughlin intended for us to take it as a compliment, being labeled “relentless” is among the highest praise a newspaper could ever hope to receive. We’ve already got the T-shirts in production. We assure our readers that, as we pursue the truth behind the implausible narrative that the premier is promulgating relative to his government’s deliberate inaction on some 800 (and counting) applications for permanent residence, we will only become more and more relentless. So, we presume, will the courts. The rhetorical sleight-of-hand the premier attempted to pull off during Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon was cynical and disingenuous on a number of different levels. Where to start … One of the first things a good speaker does when preparing remarks is to assess the audience he is about to address. What Premier McLaughlin did – before a collection of the smartest, most successful and most educated business owners, managers and professionals in the Cayman Islands – was to peddle a linguistic and legalistic fiction – to a decidedly “nonfic- tion” crowd. In brief, the premier attempted to excuse his gov- ernment’s refusal to consider PR applications on “systems and processes in place for many years” and a continuing journey toward a “sensible resolution” to a “complex” matter. Huh? As we say in the news business, get me “rewrite.” Here’s what’s really happened: Three years ago, the premier’s Progressives-led government passed an immigration law establishing new guidelines for expa- triates to apply for permanent residence. Since then, about 800 people have applied for PR under the new law … and zero have been approved. In the meantime, judges – ranging from local Chief Justice Anthony Smellie all the way up to the U.K. Privy Council – have weighed in (directly and indi- rectly) on the miscarriage of justice when govern- ments refuse to decide on immigration applications in a timely fashion. Hundreds of PR applicants, and their families, have been suffering while their futures have been held in abeyance by this government – and, Mr. McLaughlin, we assure you they are highly likely to sue and, when they do, they are likely to win. The Privy Council has recently ruled (on a different, but similar, immigration matter) that monetary damages can be awarded to plaintiffs in these cases. (As an aside, but a matter of interest, Cayman’s government is collecting – and holding – millions of dollars in associated fees from permanent resident applicants as their cases drag on.) When our premier puts his head on his pillow each evening, we imagine he hears two clocks ticking: one on the forthcoming PR bomb and the other on the 2017 election. In order to find a way out of this mess – and perhaps to buy more time – Premier McLaughlin sought out celebrated local attorney David Ritch to conduct a thorough review of the PR imbroglio (cost: $312,000). Our hypothesis is that Mr. Ritch did too good a job, delivering a legally and politically explosive report to the premier, thereby creating an entirely new problem: How to keep the report secret. The solution (let’s call it the “Hillary Clinton solution”) was obvious: Simply reclassify the document from “report” to “legal advice,” and then label it “privi- leged” (meaning not for public consumption). The Compass immediately challenged that asser- tion using the Freedom of Information Law. The govern- ment’s response has been non-cooperation and non- compliance with the Information Commissioner’s Office. In fact, as we report (“relentlessly”) on the front page of today’s newspaper, the Cabinet Office had refused to let FOI officials peruse the Ritch Report to determine if it does indeed contain legally privi- leged information. In response, Information Commissioner Jan Liebaers has now issued a binding order to govern- ment to produce the document within 45 days. Tick tock, tick tock … ‘Relentless’! Redefine education to rekindle growth Technical training is the only way to ride the wave of innovation Americans face daunting challenges beyond the ap- parent grasp of the principal contenders for president. Re- kindling growth and creating enough good-paying jobs will require wholly rethinking how we educate and socialize young people for work. Economic growth since the financial crisis has been a disappointing 2.1 percent, and this year it has slowed to about 1.6 percent. That is not enough to finance our com- mitments to seniors, rising health care costs and an ad- equate national defense, never mind provide for fed- erally subsidized child care and other initiatives pro- posed by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Consumers are spending again, but growth is held back by lackluster business investment. And more is at work than high business taxes, onerous regulations and competition from Chinese imports. With accelerating tech- nological progress – 3D printers, automated checkout machines and pocket phones that double as personal as- sistants – economists would expect a surge in capital spending and the creation of significant new, higher- paying jobs to implement those innovations. Not just for whiz-kid engineers and industrial designers but also for folks to make and ser- vice the devices that replace assembly line workers, store help and clerical workers. Those haven’t happened for two reasons. Many of the newest machines are fairly inexpensive to install and run, hence businesses can modernize and expand with less capital than in the past. And as retailers and other service enterprises automate and manufacturers switch over from assembling prod- ucts to making smart ma- chines and robots that do all these things, they face pro- found skill shortages among American workers. Consequently, the dol- lars spent on new capital equipment throughout the economy remain depressed, and the new jobs created to manufacture and deploy new technologies are simply too few to adequately employ the working-age population. Big tech companies like IBM and Hewlett-Packard are shrinking, and Apple and Mi- crosoft are more challenged to grow, not because they can’t innovate but because smaller enterprises and the self-employed often can do so more nimbly and efficiently. The latter often can pro- vide business services, hard- ware and software with more flexible product designs and fewer workers. Simply, most big compa- nies are locked into high ad- ministrative costs – eight- figure salaries for executives to preside over armies of paper shufflers – bureau- cratic decision-making, and rigid, quasi-permanent em- ployment relationships that make responding quickly to changing customer expec- tations too impractical, and redeploying and retraining workers as technology evolves too costly. Many big-company workers develop job-specific skills only to be jettisoned by the next wave of innovation and re- trenchment, and then they can hardly match their old salaries in the labor market. The gig economy is so potent because it permits small businesses to scale up and down, and empowers workers with flexible skills and the capacity for self- direction. More than two- thirds of contract workers do so by choice because they revel in the freedom it offers and ability to define their own career path. Sadly, the American work force is sharply divided be- tween those educated at top universities, colleges of engi- neering and better post-sec- ondary training programs – who possess the technical and entrepreneurial skills to move frequently among em- ployers or be self-employed – and those who attended second-tier colleges or have general high school diplomas and often still expect – or at least hope – to land a posi- tion with an employer who offers training, good pay and a career track. Unfortu- nately, the IBMs, back offices of banks and government bu- reaucracies are not creating enough of those kinds of po- sitions, and many are disap- pearing altogether. Further subsidizing college tuition and more resources for public schools won’t ad- dress that problem. University presidents and other educa- tion leaders are too disinclined to downsize liberal arts to ad- equately increase opportuni- ties to study engineering or re- quire that each child learn to write code instead of reading Chaucer. And faculties are too locked into promotion lad- ders and tenure to compre- hend the gig economy and pre- pare young people for what they may expect when they leave school. At minimum, we need to dramatically expand engi- neering and other applied arts as was once the primary mis- sion of state universities, send fewer students to four-year colleges, and steer more young people and resources into vo- cational tracks at commu- nity colleges. The Germans have great success with skills-based ed- ucation through cooperative programs with industry – and that should be our point of de- parture. In case anyone has noticed, its industrial sector is thriving while ours goes beg- ging for qualified workers to modernize and grow. Peter Morici is a professor at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. He served as chief economist of the U.S. International Trade Commission from 1993-1995. He tweets @pmorici1. PETER MORICI to rekindle growthThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 182703-Ad-CompassFPg- 6colx16-MC-Grammys.indd 110/19/16 4:27 PMDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days East End North Side FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Conch shell stalls a familiar sight in Cayman’s eastern districts JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The roadside stands dis- playing an array of the beau- tiful shells of the queen conch the Cayman Islands are known for are a familiar sight to motorists passing through the eastern districts. The shells on offer are carefully cleaned and buffed to a shine, providing an at- tractive memento of a sea- side vacation that also of- fers reminiscences of a time gone by. In the days of Cayman’s early settlers, out of neces- sity, Caymanians relied on the sea and the land, not only for nourishment but for many of the necessi- ties of daily life. Innovative uses were found for what the sea and soil offered up: coral fans for sieving flour, fish skins for scrubbing, the washwood plant for soap, and conch shells for blowing and for warning ships out to sea of the dangers of rocks in the water near the shoreline. In Cayman’s early days, no one sold conch shells, and conch meat was hardly ever sold either. Bartering was much more common and money rarely changed hands, so the meat was given away in exchange for something else. Today, conch shells are commonly sold at stalls at the side of the road. Some are now even using the beau- tiful queen conch shells to create pieces of art and dec- orate their yards along with white sand, especially during Christmas time. Conch shell seller and fisherman Isen Powery, 61, of West Bay, says to clean the shells and get them looking pretty, he soaks them for a couple of hours in a bucket of bleach and soap water, and uses a scrubbing brush to re- move the dirt and slime. Mr. Powery claims in- creasing competition and tighter supply is making it harder to make a living selling conch shells on the roadside. Conch shells at a North Side stall sell for $5, but in some places in West Bay conch shells are sold for $10 and $20 apiece – espe- cially if it is a queen conch. The Department of Envi- ronment website states that since conch shells are taken from Cayman waters as a by- product of local fishing for their meat, and acquisition of the shell is incidental to this activity, “and because there are currently laws in place to limit the amount of conch fished in Cayman waters, the export of a small number of shells (no more than three) by individuals as souvenirs does not require a CITES export permit.” The open season for conch in Cayman begins on Nov. 1 and runs until April 30. During that time, up to five conch can be taken from the water per person or 10 per boat per day, whichever is less, according to the regulations. Conch can only be taken from areas that are not within designated marine protected areas around the three islands, including Wild- life Interaction Zones. 50 years ago: New managers at Rum Point, fishermen return The Oct. 19, 1966 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, featured a column by ‘Sandys’ on the new management at the Rum Point Club: “Bet Alice’s eyes opened wide at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party but am sure they would have opened wider if she had seen what I saw last Sunday at Rum Point. “The Club is under new management and Bruce and Doris Parker are ‘mine hosts.’ They have come here from the Bahamas where they both spent many years and are expert underwater performers. Between them they have passed out ap- proximately 25,000 Scuba students with no fatali- ties. I had my first lesson in the Scuba and I was im- pressed with the great care with which safety precau- tions are stressed. The first lesson was in 4 feet of water – no nonsense of taking one into deep water the first time out. “Doris has spent many years in water carnivals and exhibitions and has many interesting reminis- cences. One in particular amused me, though it prob- ably didn’t amuse her at the time. Her stunt in the par- ticular show was to ride a bicycle into the water and fail to reappear to the ob- vious bewilderment of the spectators. The secret was that before the show, a full Scuba tank was left for her, weighted down on the bottom, into which she nor- mally climbed, adjusted her breathing apparatus and there she stayed put until the end of the show. However, on this occasion the chap who was supposed to put the equipment there had had a thick night and forgot. Fortunately, Doris had a snorkel and spent the next 20 minutes sneaking up to the surface taking furtive breaths. “At the end of the jetty at Rum Point is about three feet of water, they have built up a collection of coral, sea eggs, etc., and at 3 p.m. every day Doris goes out and feeds the fish who are ready, willing and waiting for her there. I got a great kick out of holding a sardine and watching those marvelously coloured little fellows come and get it, but the thing that would have really fixed the Mad Hatter was Bruce holding out a piece of conch in front of a rock where there is a conger eel. Sure enough, out it came, had several mouthfuls and then went back into its house, strangely enough without any of Bruce’s fingers. “The Parkers are doing a fine job in the redecorating of the rooms and clubhouse but I shall have more to say about that anon.” In the same issue, East End correspondent Charles Dixon wrote: “Mr. Roy Bodden re- turned from the U.S. on the 6th to spend his vacation. Born to Nelda Connor on the 5th was the precious gift of a daughter. Also to Mrs. Valda McFarlane on the 6th the gift of a son. Both babies and mothers doing well. “Mr. Kenneth Christian arrived on the 6th to spend some time with friends. “Messrs. Aturo Bodden, Stanford Rankin, Robert Conolly, Bradford Connor, Robinson Dixon and Warrel Dixon returned from the Cays after spending three months on the fishing grounds. They all agreed that this was a very successful trip. “Messrs. Vilbert (Will) Jackson, Willard Wel- come and Wilson Levy re- turned on the 9th to spend their vacation. “Born to Mr. and Mrs. Dorren Green on the 11th the precious gift of a son, their third child and first son. Mother and 9½ pound baby are fine. “Born to Mr. and Mrs. Austin Bell on the 12th God’s precious gift of a daughter, their second child. “Mr. Baldwin Wel- come returned on the 13th to spend his vacation. He works for Imperial Oil. “Mr. Evans Connor left on the 13th to work for Na- tional Bulk Carriers. “Miss Virginia Pearson returned on the 16th after spending nine months in Jamaica.” It takes a lot of work to get a shell cleaned and buffed. A visitor browses a conch shell stand in North Side. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY In Cayman’s early days, no one sold conch shells, and conch meat was hardly ever sold either. DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days East End North Side CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 Children’s Garden gets a boost from generous young donor The new Children’s Garden at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park re- cently received a boost from a local youngster, its youngest donor yet. At his 8th birthday party held on Sept. 18, Kaz Conolly Basdeo re- quested that friends give a small donation to the Children’s Garden at the Botanic Park rather than giving presents, a press release states. “I really love those ideas for the garden. It’s cool how you thought of all of that to put in the Chil- dren’s Garden,” Kaz wrote in a hand- written letter to the Botanic Park manager, John Lawrus. “I am going to do a presentation and ask my classmates for ideas. I am also going to ask my teachers if my class can go on a field trip when it is finished.” Kaz went on to explain that he would be donating all of the money he received from his 8th birthday party to the Children’s Garden, and that he was very much looking for- ward to the final “masterpiece.” He raised more than $200, which he personally delivered to Mr. Lawrus inside a handmade card on Sept. 24. The release states site works on the garden are scheduled to begin in late November of this year, and the project is hoped to be completed by late 2018. “The value of botanic parks in our society is tough to measure, as a simple walk in nature provides much relief to our daily stresses that we always don’t even realize,” said Mr. Lawrus. “Not only the importance of con- servation of our natural world, but the passive learning that goes on as a child looks at the shape of a leaf, or discovers an insect pollinating a flower are only a small part of what is intended to be accomplished by the Children’s Garden. “In addition, the outdoor class- room will provide a location for all schools of the Cayman Islands to teach an earth sciences class without having to go back on the bus. The Children’s Garden will be the classroom for all of our youth to use.” Kaz’s mother Marilyn Conolly said she hoped that her son’s dona- tion would encourage other children and families to support the Chil- dren’s Garden. “Leading up to his birthday, Kaz was home sick for a week so I sug- gested he research some charities he might be interested in helping for his birthday,” said Ms. Conolly. “We discussed how he should give to a cause that he really cared about, which for him is protecting the Earth, so I gave him a few sug- gestions and after thoroughly re- searching, he came up with the new Children’s Garden.” Ms. Conolly said Kaz then called Mr. Lawrus to tell him what he hoped to achieve and got an enthu- siastic response. “John sent him some informa- tion on the garden, and Kaz was so impressed and excited by what he saw,” said Ms. Conolly. “He really wanted to share what he’d learned with a presentation to his class.” Patrick Thompson, acting CEO of the Tourism Attraction Board which manages the property, said he was very proud to see such a young Caymanian take an in- terest in the park. “It gives us great confidence in the future role of the Park in our community, and indeed in that of the TAB in its overall efforts to pre- serve and protect local nature and culture,” said Mr. Thompson. Mr. Lawrus said he was very honored and pleased to receive the letter from Kaz regarding his dona- tion to the Children’s Garden. “It gives us great encouragement and joy in knowing that this is something our children and future leaders are excited about,” he said. “Nature is so delicate and ever- changing, and without the under- standing and respect from young person’s such as Kaz, it may be lost on future generations as we move ever so quickly in the digital age. The Children’s Garden will ensure that our youth will be part of the important process of preserving and protecting this natural land- scape, particularly through interac- tion, learning, and fun,” he added. “To have a young person with the mindset of how equally impor- tant it is to give back to the com- munity is truly heart-warming.” Originally designed to show and preserve the Cayman Islands’ native flora and fauna, as well as to promote education, conserva- tion and recreation, the park now has more than 30,000 visitors each year, many of whom come to enjoy its tranquility, culture and natural beauty. With more than 62 acres of trop- ical landscape, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including many of the islands’ 56 species of butterfly, native birds, the Cayman parrot and the endangered Cayman blue iguana. The park features multiple floral gardens, woodland trails, wetlands, a lake and many species of palm trees. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents receive a discounted rate of $5 per adult, with free admission for children under 12 and seniors over 60. For more information, call 947-9462 or email manager@botanic-park.ky. World’s largest orchid in bloom The ‘Queen of Orchids’, Grammatophyllum speciosum, is starting to bloom at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. “Currently the flower spike is 3 to 5 feet in length, and may reach up to 7 to 8 feet in length,” said the park’s gen- eral manager, John Lawrus. “With the first bloom opening a few weeks ago, it should be in bloom for another month at least,” he said, adding that the flower spike can grow up to a half inch a day in perfect conditions. To see this beautiful plant, Mr. Lawrus advised park vis- itors to make their way to the gazebo in the color garden and look to the far right-hand corner. The ‘Queen of Orchids,’ Grammatophyllum speciosum Botanic Park manager John Lawrus receives the donation from Kaz Conolly Basdeo.8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS In Loving Memory of Dr. Astley Rudyard Mclaughlin Oct 20, 1954 – Sept 9, 2015 Today is your birthday Junie For all you were to us in life, and all the joy you brought; We think of you every single day, we just love you in our own special way. e pain we felt at losing you will never go away. e moment that you died our hearts were torn in two, One side lled with heartache, the other side died with you. But you are still an inspiration, and your memory keeps us strong. For what it meant to lose you, only those who loved you know. God saw the road was getting rough, the hills too steep to climb. He gently closed your eyes and whispered, ‘come home my son, your mine.’ Lovingly remembered by Mother, Brothers, Special nephew Zared, other nephews, nieces, and cousins. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Justin Devon Manderson who passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2016. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Ninety & Nine Outreach Ministries, Powell Smith Drive, West Bay at 2:00p.m., with viewing from 12:30-1:45p.m. Interment to follow at Boatswain Bay Cemetery. School segregation set back Cayman Islands, premier says JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Premier Alden McLaughlin says his government plans to desegregate the islands’ schools in the long term, al- lowing foreign students to sit in classrooms along- side Caymanians. He said the long-standing policy decision not to allow the children of expatriates to attend government schools was one of the most regres- sive decisions the country had ever taken. Speaking during the de- bate on a new Education Law in the Legislative As- sembly this week, he said the decision was “one of the greatest setbacks not just to education, but to the so- ciety we have.” He suggested one of his aims in sanctioning new school builds during his tenure as education minister was to pave the way for inte- grating the schools. “My move, for which I have been beaten with many stripes for many years, to get us the physical plant we need to accommodate the sheer number of students was based, in part, on the fact that we would seek to accom- modate all persons of educa- tion age resident in Cayman. “We are moving forward with the construction of John Gray [High School]. God and the electorate willing, we will have another term and we will complete John Gray and we will move on to whatever we need to do to create the space and the capacity to ac- commodate all who are of ed- ucation age in these islands, whether they are Caymanian or otherwise.” The Education Law does not affect the right of expa- triate children to go to gov- ernment schools, which is characterized by the Ministry of Education as a preferential admissions policy based on capacity. In a 2014 response to questions on the policy from the Cayman Compass, the ministry indicated that it does allow some foreign stu- dents to attend government schools if places are avail- able, though school fees are charged. At the time, one in 10 students in the public school system was non-Cay- manian. Caymanians have first priority, followed by children of Caymanians, children of government employees and then children of permanent residents. Former education coun- cilor Winston Connolly re- ignited the debate last week, calling for public-private partnerships to create new integrated schools. Mr. McLaughlin, in his remarks in the Legisla- tive Assembly, supported Mr. Connolly’s contention that the schools should be desegregated, though he did not indicate how the new schools should be funded or operated. The Education Law pro- vides the legal framework for public-private partner- ships in operating schools, and Mr. Connolly said Cayman should use that op- tion to meet the needs of its growing population. “I’m happy we are talking about different types of schools and that we now have provisions for different types of governance in our schools. I think we have reached the stage in our history where we have to partner with the private sector to enhance the product of education. “The ministry and the government can only go so far. We have to acknowledge that some of that will mean shared control.” He said government could maintain an oversight and regulation role, including setting the national curric- ulum, while giving up gov- erning control of some indi- vidual schools. Mr. Connolly suggested there are private sector groups willing to invest in Cayman’s schools. “We need to properly vet them, to engage with them and see how their pro- posals will enhance educa- tion in Cayman.” Investment conference theme defies gravity Conference reaches new heights Organizers of the Cayman Alternative In- vestment Summit liter- ally launched the theme of the conference, “De- fying Gravity: the future of alternative investments in exceptional times,” by sending a weather balloon carrying an event invita- tion from Seven Mile Beach into near space. The “CAIS in space” stunt was organized in con- junction with U.K. com- pany Sent Into Space and involved attaching the CAIS invitation to a spe- cially tailored meteorolog- ical balloon. The invitation then traveled over the is- land and out of the atmo- sphere to nearly 20 miles above sea level, before eventually bursting and re- turning to Earth, via para- chute, nearly 31 miles off of Seven Mile Beach. A video of the balloon’s journey, captured on a GoPro camera, is featured on the investment con- ference website. The Cayman Alternative Investment Summit will take place at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa. Under this year’s De- fying Gravity theme, it will explore the impact of cen- tral bank policy, the oppor- tunities in credit and infra- structure investing, and a discussion on how artificial intelligence and blockchain technology are changing in- vestment operations. There will also be panels on how to improve client service and how to advance philan- thropic efforts locally and internationally. Chris Duggan, director of the Cayman Alterna- tive Investment Summit and vice president of community development for event sponsor Dart, said, “These are turbulent times for the alternatives industry and with our theme, we are looking to over 500 of the world’s leading thinkers and decision-makers from across the globe to come to- gether and discuss the cur- rent threats, with the aim of identifying ways we can turn the challenges into opportunities.” He added, “The Cayman Alternative Investment Summit gets bigger and better every year, so we knew we had to do some- thing special to announce the theme of our next event. How better to announce a ‘defying gravity’ theme than by initiating Cayman’s first space launch?” Premier Alden McLaughlin The Cayman Islands Alternative Investment Summit invitation is captured on a GoPro camera as it floats in near space as part of a promotion for the conference in February. Premier Alden McLaughlin said the long- standing policy decision not to allow the children of expatriates to attend government schools was one of the most regressive decisions the country had ever taken. “How better to announce a ‘defying gravity’ theme than by initiating Cayman’s first space launch?” CHRIS DUGGAN, director, Cayman Alternative Investment Summit ? Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying!9 LOCAL NEWS BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Alden McLaughlin said Wednesday that he would seek one more term in elected office as leader of the Pro- gressives political party and as premier if his party col- leagues and/or like-minded independents receive ma- jority support of the elec- torate next year. After that, the premier said, he would embark on a different career path. “I will retire to my farm in the bush in East End, worn out, but contented,” Mr. McLaughlin told the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legis- lative Luncheon at The Ritz- Carlton, Grand Cayman. Mr. McLaughlin is term- limited as premier by the Cayman Islands Constitution Order (2009), which states that the same individual can hold the premier’s office for just two consecutive terms. The elected member may still serve as an MLA for the “off-term” and can then seek the premiership again, if he or she wishes. Mr. McLaughlin said Wednesday that he would do no such thing, although he acknowledged that he felt the work of his Progressives- led coalition government could not all be completed in the current term of the leg- islature, which ends in late March ahead of the May 2017 general election. “I acknowledge full well that there is more work to be done,” he said. “We will fight hard for the opportunity to return to office and build on the work of another term.” Before hundreds of local business leaders gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the premier sought to make his case for the Pro- gressives as a government that “gets things done” and which has been able to build bridges between government and the private sector. He pointed to examples where he said this had oc- curred, including the renego- tiation of the National Roads Authority agreement with the Dart group of companies and government’s work to sup- port the Ironwood project in the eastern districts. The premier also pointed to government’s successes in managing a four-year budget surplus of nearly $400 mil- lion, reducing the central government debt from $575 million to about $500 mil- lion and meeting all U.K.-im- posed budget requirements to “return control” of public sector finances to the territo- rial government. “To succeed as a govern- ment, we understand that there has to be give and take, that you must have the ma- turity to disagree on issues but still be able to continue to work together in the best interests of the country,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “There is no room for selfish, narrow- minded thinking when you are running a country.” Mr. McLaughlin’s long- time political rival, opposi- tion leader McKeeva Bush, said his Cayman Democratic Party was not planning on Mr. McLaughlin having another term in elected office, whether as premier or otherwise. “We must make sure that, come May 2017, God willing, [it] is his last time,” Mr. Bush said. “Cayman cannot withstand four more years of [the Pro- gressives’] self-serving, self-ag- grandizing mismanagement.” Mr. Bush said despite the Progressives’ claims of fewer unemployed Caymanians, the repossession of business properties and homes had increased during the current government’s term in office. He said the territory’s businesses and workers “had suffered under the dirtiest, most discriminatory immi- gration policies,” and that teachers and schoolchildren had suffered even more due to conditions in public schools. “With not even toilet paper in the bathrooms or copy paper, the education system is being patched up under Alden,” Mr. Bush said. “Caymanians, expatri- ates and owners of busi- nesses just cannot afford four more years of Alden and the [Progressives].” CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016 The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Gloria Decordova regret to announce her passing on Tuesday, 11 October 2016. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, 22 October 2016 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Adoration Chapel Fund at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Richard James William Fish regret to announce his passing on Thursday, 6 October 2016. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, 22 October 2016 at John Gray Memorial Church, viewing will be from 1:00 PM one hour prior to the service. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Martin Bodden Sr. regret to announce his passing on Monday, 17 October 2016. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Clara Smith regret to announce her passing on Monday, 17 October 2016. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. We regret to announce the passing of Cynthia Deleon Who departed this life on Monday, 26 September 2016. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Mrs. Deleon was repatriated to the Philippines. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Karen Doran regret to announce her passing on Wednesday, 12 October 2016 A funeral service will be held at 4:30 PM, Friday, 21 October 2016at First Baptist Church. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Karen Doran regret to announce her passing on Wednesday, 12 October 2016 A funeral service will be held at 4:30 PM, Friday, 21 October 2016at First Baptist Church. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Karen Doran regret to announce her passing on Wednesday, 12 October 2016 A funeral service will be held at 4:30 PM, Friday, 21 October 2016at First Baptist Church. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Hugh Keating regret to announce his passing on Monday, 17 October 2016, on Cayman Brac. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Gloria M. Hunter regret to announce her passing on Sunday, 16 October 2016. A funeral service will be held at 3:30 PM Saturday, 22 October 2016 at St. George’s Anglican Church, viewing will be from 2:30 PM one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the St. George’s Anglican Church, Outreach Programe. Premier makes case for one more term “I will retire to my farm in the bush in East End, worn out, but contented.” PREMIER ALDEN MCLAUGHLIN Premier Alden McLaughlin speaks at Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon. - PHOTO: BRENT FULLERNext >