ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 High of 88 Low of 76 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 PERMANENT RESIDENCE: THE PREMIER’S DEEPENING QUAGMIRE SPORTS | PAGE 17 EXCITING MATCHES HIGHLIGHT PRIMARY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS 182805-Ad-MakeItYours-Compass-Strip6colx1*5.indd 111/9/16 2:25 PM Premier claims release of ‘Ritch Report’ on immigration not in public interest BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin, citing a never-before-used sec- tion of the Freedom of Information Law. on Monday sought to block all efforts to make public a copy of an immigration consultancy report his government requested last year. According to a “ministerial certificate of exemption” under FOI Law Section 25, Mr. McLaughlin states that he has concluded “it would not be in the public interest for ‘the ad- vice’ to be disclosed.” Mr. McLaughlin has previously argued that the consultant’s report by local immigra- tion attorney David Ritch and his firm Ritch & Conolly, constitutes legal advice requested by the government following an August 2015 judgment issued by Cayman Islands Chief Justice Anthony Smellie. The judgment ques- tioned a number of aspects of the system used to grant permanent resident status, which generally allows non-Caymanians to reside in the islands for the rest of their lives. In the certificate of exemption sent to the information commissioner’s office Monday, Mr. McLaughlin said he had given “due con- sideration to the entire matter including the public interest factors” and concluded the consultant’s report would not be released. The premier said a copy of the letter of en- gagement between Ritch & Conolly and the at- torney general’s office was provided to the in- formation commissioner, demonstrating that the report constitutes legal advice. The information commissioner’s office had indicated Friday that it would take the govern- ment to court if a full copy of the consultant’s report was not provided to the office. By press time Monday, no report had been provided to the information commissioner. The decision as to whether the commissioner’s office would continue to pursue a court challenge in light of the premier’s exemption had not been made by press time Monday. The Section 25 exemption in the FOI Law FINANCIAL FORMULA SOUGHT FOR PORT PROJECT JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Government is seeking consultants to help it find a funding formula to finance the cruise port project. Plans for two new piers in George Town harbor were given the green light a year ago. Since then, engineers have been working to re- duce the environmental impact of the design before the project goes out to bid. A key sticking point has been the question of how the project will be financed, exactly how much it will cost, and how the funding formula will be structured to comply with the U.K. government’s restrictions on borrowing. A request for proposals was published Monday for commercial, financial and legal consultants to provide services “in relation to the development of the financial model and tender documents” for the project. The original business case, produced by PwC, envisaged that the project could be funded through a combination of the fees that currently go to tender operators – around $5 per passenger – and a share of the $14 per- passenger “head tax” charged by government for every cruise ship visitor. If government sacrifices a share of pas- senger taxes to cover construction costs, it would likely have to satisfy the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that there would be a NEW CATHOLIC ADORATION CHAPEL DEDICATED CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel was formally dedicated on Dec. 4, on the grounds of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, with hundreds of parishioners present to observe and celebrate. “The chapel is a place where people find peace,” said Father Devon Nash, a former pastor now stationed in Kingston, Jamaica. “It’s a place of prayer and silence and ev- eryone can come.” In fact, people do come, even if they are not Catholic, said Angela Miller, one of the chapel coordinators, adding that they ap- preciate the quiet atmosphere and the op- portunity to sit and reflect. As a coordinator, Mrs. Miller helps schedule a roster of “watchers” – people who volunteer for a specific hour each week in response to the question Christ asked his apostles in the Garden of Olives: “Could you not watch one hour with me?” As a result, the chapel is kept open until midnight every night so that people can stop in when their work and family du- ties allow them a few minutes. The chapel is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.; from 7 a.m. Saturday; and from PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Archbishop Kenneth Richards leads the dedication prayers outside the new chapel, flanked by St. Ignatius pastor Father Suresh Rajaian, left, and former pastor Father Devon Nash. - PHOTO: CAROL WINKER PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 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. 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MEXICO CREATES 4 NEW PROTECTED RESERVES MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexi- co’s president signed decrees creating four new biological reserves and five other pro- tected areas Monday, setting aside about 160 million acres (65 million hectares) for en- vironmental conservation. Enrique Pena Nieto’s of- fice said in a statement that it was the largest amount of land the country has ever decreed as environmen- tally protected, and with it Mexico joins a group of na- tions that have met a com- mitment to safeguard 10 percent of their maritime area. It said Mexico has now designated 23 percent of its sea surface as protected. The decrees establish the reserves of the Pacific Islands, comprising some 3 million acres of waters off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula; the Mexican Deep Pacific, a swath of ocean over 2,600 feet deep from Chiapas state to Nayarit; the Mexican Caribbean, which includes an important reef system; and the Mountains of Tamaulipas, a habitat for various feline species and the source for eight different watersheds. Pena Nieto signed the de- crees as a U.N. Biodiversity Conference was being held in Cancun, Mexico. “Either we change our way of life to stop the loss of biodiversity, or this loss will change our lives forever,” Pena Nieto said in remarks at the conference. Thousands protest corruption in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across Brazil on Sunday to express disgust with public corrup- tion and outrage at what they say are lawmakers’ at- tempts to muzzle the judges and prosecutors pursuing those crimes. Protesters, many dressed in the green and yellow of Brazil’s flag, massed along a major artery in Sao Paulo and along Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Other protests were held in cities around the country. Many demonstrators wore T-shirts or held banners in support of Sergio Moro, the judge who has led a hard- charging investigation into a kickback scheme involving the national oil company, sev- eral construction conglomer- ates and politicians. The investigation, known as Operation Car Wash, has shocked Brazilians both for the scale of corruption it has revealed and for the commit- ment of the judiciary to see it through in a country where many feel the rich and pow- erful act with impunity. But Sunday’s demonstra- tions also united a motley group of protesters whose only common cause appeared to be disgust with elected of- ficials. They represented a cross-section of an increas- ingly fractured Brazil. In ad- dition to those supporting the corruption investiga- tion, some held signs calling for the removal from office of the president and leaders in Congress. Some called for the jailing of a former pres- ident now facing corrup- tion charges. Still others were advocating a return to military rule. “I want people who have character running the country,” said Regina Me- deiros, a 67-year-old retiree, who held a banner that read: “Let’s finish with political parties before they finish Brazil.” “People are losing faith in other human be- ings,” she added. Around 15,000 people protested in Sao Paulo, ac- cording to an estimate from military police; they said they did not have a number for demonstrations in Rio de Ja- neiro. At least another 40,000 people came out in scores of other cities around Brazil, in- cluding the capital of Brasilia, according to estimates from military police published by the G1 news portal. Many hoped that after former President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office ear- lier this year, Brazilian poli- tics would settle, and reforms proposed by the new presi- dent might pull the economy out of deep recession. But instead, those reforms have met with significant protests, President Michel Temer has seen his popularity plummet, and the economic crisis ap- pears to be worsening. Through it all, accusations of corruption against former or current leaders seem to come weekly. Scandal has touched several members of Temer’s Cabinet, and six have resigned. Meanwhile, anger at the scale of corruption and frustration with the im- potence of the government to address it is rising. The one bright spot ap- peared to be the tenacity of the judiciary and its determi- nation to see through Opera- tion Car Wash. But last week, the pros- ecutors leading that investi- gation threatened to quit, ac- cusing Congress of passing legislation that would leave them vulnerable to retribu- tion from those they have prosecuted. The measure, ap- proved in a marathon over- night session in the lower house of Congress as part of a package of anti-corrup- tion laws, would allow de- fendants to accuse prosecu- tors and judges of abusing their authority. Ritz-Carlton boat stolen A boat belonging to The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman was stolen over the weekend from its anchor site off Seven Mile Beach. Police said hotel staff no- ticed the 2011 Zodiac Bay- runner Pro 550 missing from the beach side of the hotel shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday. The boat had been an- chored about 170 feet from shore on Friday night. The boat is gray, 17 feet, 2 inches long, and seats up to nine people. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact George Town CID at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided via the police confidential tip line at 949-7777 or via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS). CORRECTIONS A story titled “Ship owner to pay for Eden Rock restora- tion,” which appeared on page 3 of Monday’s Cayman Com- pass, incorrectly stated that the owner of the ship would pay for restoration of the damaged reef. The ship owner has accepted liability. ---------------------------------------------- A story titled “Pension law changes to come into effect in January,” which appeared on page 2 of the paper, in- correctly stated that domestic workers would be entitled to pensions. In fact, under the National Pensions Law, do- mestic workers will not be required to be given pensions. A Zodiac Bayrunner, similar to the boat stolen from The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman over the weekend. People sing the national anthem during a protest against corruption, on Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday. - PHOTO: AP3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 Fidelity Pension Plan Fidelity Financial Centre on West Bay Road Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 6:00pm - 7:00pm Fidelity Financial Centre, West Bay Road & Esterley Tibbetts Highway Cayman Financial Centre, Dr. Roy’s Drive, George Town info@fidelitycayman.com RSVP: Carolee.Crowley@fidelitycayman.com Phone: 914-2179 Light refreshments 2016 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING [] Officer guilty of assaulting man in custody CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police officer Michael Peart was found guilty after trial of assault causing actual bodily harm to a man in custody, and guilty of common assault against the same person. Magistrate Angelyn Her- nandez announced her ver- dicts on Monday morning after hearing evidence for two days in November. In her judgment, she ex- plained that the charges arose from a routine traffic stop on the night of Nov. 28, 2014. The driver later admitted that he had resisted arrest and other offenses. Peart said that when the vehicle was stopped, the driver threw his license at him, used rude language, and things escalated. The driver was handcuffed and placed in the back of a po- lice vehicle. He denied kicking at the glass in the vehicle or kicking at the backs of the front seats. He said he could not lift his leg because of a pin in it. Peart said he got into the back of the vehicle with the man, whom he described as kicking and acting out. The officer denied using his baton on the man; he said he used his elbow. The man complained of pain to his chest and knee. Photos of the injuries showed four round bruises to the man’s chest. One doctor said the inju- ries were consistent with blunt force trauma. A second doctor looked at the photographs and concluded that the trauma was caused by a circular object. Still photos from the po- lice station showed that by the time Peart arrived there, he had his baton pulled from his belt. The injuries were con- sistent with the man’s com- plaints, and the magistrate concluded that the baton had been used. She then had to consider whether the use of such force was reasonable. “We must give our officers the right to use reasonable force,” she pointed out. Offi- cers have important duties to carry out in their protection of the public, she commented, and they should be able to do so without the threat of prosecution. The magistrate said she accepted that the driver/com- plainant may have been acting out and that Peart may have thought it necessary to be in the vehicle to control him. But Peart denied using his baton and she could not rec- oncile that with the medical evidence. Both Crown counsel Scott Wainwright and defense attorney Crister Brady had ac- cepted that if the court found that Peart had used the baton, he would be guilty. The common assault charge came from the man’s complaint that Peart had held him against the wall of the police station custody office on two occasions. Peart said the man was cursing and behaving boister- ously and, as a result, he was in fear of his safety and that of fellow officers. The magistrate said she watched and listened to CCTV from the custody suite. She heard the complainant repeat- edly say that he needed to go to the hospital. He was angry and loud and refused to sit down. He was handcuffed with his hands behind him throughout. Peart pushed him against a wall and held him there, once for three minutes and once for about 40 seconds. The desk sergeant told Peart to leave him. The magistrate said he heard the com- plainant say at least 17 times, “Bobby, take your [ex- pletive] hands off me.” Peart told the court that the man had threatened to spit at him. He said it was a safety issue and he was trying to control the situation. One point the magistrate noted was that the man was never placed in a cell and the custody sergeant did not form the opinion that he needed to be placed in a cell. She found that the force used was not reasonable in both situations. Mr. Brady asked for a so- cial inquiry report, and sen- tencing was adjourned until March 27. Peart’s bail was ex- tended until then. Police canvass neighborhood a week after daytime killing CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police officers on Monday gathered at the corner of Martin Drive and Tigris Street one week to the hour from when an unknown assailant shot and killed Damean “Deebo” Seymour. Police are investigating the daytime killing for possible gang connections and, ac- cording to officers, hoped to find new witnesses during the ritual one-week walk-through. Mr. Seymour, 34, died at the scene after being shot around 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 28. Detective Inspector Collins Oremule, senior investigator on the case, said officers were going house to house midday Monday. “We are looking for witnesses,” he said, hoping to find people police officers had not yet spoken with or get new information from people in the neighborhood. Several uniformed and plainclothes officers joined the senior inspector for the canvass. “The majority of the people here don’t want to talk to officers,” he said. A small crowd had gathered on the corner, a block off Shedden Road, likely won- dering what reporters were doing at the still-visible scene of the slaying. When police began to appear, most of the bystanders dispersed. Speaking to reporters at the scene Monday, police public relations officer Jac- queline Carpenter said, “People sometimes see something and they didn’t realize.” She said officers were also leaving pamphlets with neighbors and people passing through the area at the time of Mr. Seymour’s death in hopes that someone may want to leave an anonymous tip. “It shows our con- tinued attention to the issue,” she added. She said police are investigating several angles, but “Clearly, there are gang- related aspects to this.” Mr. Seymour died less than 100 feet from where Jason Powery was shot at close range and killed in the early hours of July 2015. A jury this year convicted brothers Osbourne Wilfred Douglas and Justin D’Angelo Ramoon in that murder.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Permanent residence: The premier’s deepening quagmire “I, Alden McLaughlin, Premier & Minister for Home Affairs, Health & Culture … have concluded that it would not be in the public interest for the Advice to be disclosed.” — “Ministerial Certificate of Exemption” to not release the “Ritch Report” on immigration Premier Alden McLaughlin and his Progressives government spent $312,000 of taxpayers’ money to commission a report on a subject — the Cayman Islands’ permanent residence system — that affects every person living in, or thinking about moving to, this country. And he does not want you to read a word of it. In fact, Premier McLaughlin has taken it upon himself to declare that it would not be in the “public interest” for a single syllable of the report to be exposed to daylight. Keep in mind that some 800 or more people (plus their spouses and children) have applied for perma- nent residence (PR) since the Progressives government changed the immigration law in 2013, and many of those families are about to celebrate their third consec- utive Christmas in Cayman while having no certainty about their immediate future in, or out of, this country. The Ritch Report deals precisely with the PR “points” system that has led to those hundreds of applications, and potentially thousands of lives, being put on indefinite hold. For the record, the Freedom of Information Law provides a very broad definition of the “public interest,” including information that may “promote greater public understanding or the processes or decisions of public authorities,” “provide reasons for decisions taken by Government,” “promote the accountability of and within Government,” “promote accountability for public expenditure,” “improve the quality of services … and the responsiveness of gov- ernment,” “deter or reveal wrongdoing or maladmin- istration,” or “reveal untrue, incomplete or misleading information or acts of a public authority.” Nevertheless, Premier McLaughlin appears to be taking the position that publishing anything from the report would not be in the public interest. May we suggest an executive summary? Or perhaps a redacted version with any legal advice excised might provide a middle ground? Certainly, if the Ritch Report is comprised in its totality of “legal advice” (and its release would not be in the public interest) then we agree it should not become a public document. However, we are becoming increasingly concerned — given the premier’s desperate measures to keep this document secret (such as the unprecedented invocation of Section 25 of the FOI statute that now is likely to be challenged in court) — about what this report contains. To compound our concern, remember that Premier McLaughlin is not only withholding this report from the public, he’s also attempting to shield it from the Information Commissioner’s Office, which normally acts as an impartial “referee” in disputes over records. To keep things in perspective, it is worth remem- bering that the “Ritch Report” is little more than a sideshow in the matter of government’s refusal to issue one grant of permanent residence to 800 appli- cants under the new law in the last three years. Which brings us to the following question: When is Governor Helen Kilpatrick going to step in to this human rights imbroglio under her constitutional obligation to promote “good governance” in the Cayman Islands? It is true that “immigration” is a task delegated to the local government; however, when the execution of that responsibility is breached or abused to the point that it conflicts with international human rights con- ventions (to which the U.K. is a signatory), it becomes incumbent on the U.K., through its Foreign & Com- monwealth Office and its designated representative, namely the governor, to intervene. Many of the 800 permanent residence applicants are U.K. nationals. Who, we would ask the governor and the FCO, is looking out for their interests? We wonder aloud whether officials in the U.K. know the full extent of Cayman’s PR and immigration misbehavior? Do they, by their silence, condone it? The best path to Brexit is painful BLOOMBERG VIEW EDITORIAL BOARD Britain will begin talking to the European Union about its impending divorce when Prime Minister Theresa May formally starts the process – by the end of next March, she says. And while the sub- stance of those negotiations is unclear, their length is not: two years, which is not nearly enough time. Britain and the EU need a transitional deal – a tem- porary agreement that can stand for as long as it takes to work out a comprehen- sive new pact. Many sup- porters of Brexit hate the idea. They’re wrong, and May needs to say so. It took Canada and the EU seven years to negotiate their relatively simple Com- prehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. A deal with Britain should be both broader and deeper, and agreeing to terms will take time. If nothing is signed by March 2019, Britain will lose its EU trading preferences at a stroke. This would be hugely disruptive not just for Britain but for the rest of the EU. A smoother transition ought to be possible. Least disruptive would be some- thing like the Norway model. Norway’s a member of the EU’s single market but not the EU, and it makes budget contributions and accepts freedom of movement. It has no say in EU policy-making and, in effect, adheres to the rulings of the European Court of Justice. A temporary deal of this kind for Britain would all but eliminate the economic disruption. The idea horrifies many Brexit advocates. They’d see it as a barely disguised at- tempt to reverse the ref- erendum decision and ac- cuse May of breaking her word that “Brexit means Brexit.” And they’d be ab- solutely right – if the ar- rangement were intended to be permanent. To be clear, the Norway model or something like it is worse than ordinary EU membership from a Brexit advocate’s point of view – combining the main polit- ical drawbacks (free move- ment, budget outlays, and the ECJ’s writ) without the benefit of a say in policy- making. Yet that’s precisely why nobody would see it as the final outcome. The de- fects are so glaring they all but guarantee the deal would be temporary – not a draft of the final settlement, but merely a way to nego- tiate without the pressure of an unduly tight deadline. For that very reason, many in the EU will join Brexit advocates in resisting a transitional deal. They think it would make Brexit too easy. A suggestion for those who want it to hurt: Dwell on the benefits of an orderly separation for the rest of the EU, and take note of the displeasure of many in the Brexit camp. Accept their squeals as proof that a price has been paid. A transitional deal asks a lot of May. The idea won’t sell itself, either at home or with the EU. Yet it ought to be an acceptable outcome all around – and without doubt, it’s better than the alternative. © 2016, Bloomberg View LETTER TO THE EDITOR ‘Stealing’ or ‘sharing’? There seems to have been a recent upsurge in fruit stealing from private gardens. One friend was waiting for her mangoes to ripen, only to find the tree was stripped bare one morning. Another good friend had every avocado stolen from their tree. Yet another caught some young person in the act, up the ladder that he had bought with him on the roof of his car, stealing their co- conuts. He had a car full of coconuts that I assume he was planning to sell. She chased him off and called him a thief. He re- plied, “I’m not stealing them ma’am. I’m sharing them.” A new meaning of the sharing economy I suppose. Pretty sad that one can’t even grow a little fruit in your own garden without them being stolen. But how do you stop them? Norman Linton Prime Minister Theresa May exits 10 Downing Street. - PHOTO: BLOOMBERG PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS Making a difference Thank you, Consolidated Water for helping us build a stronger community! The YMCA of the Cayman Islands Corporate Founders campaign is raising funds to firmly root the Y locally and establish a solid foundation for lasting impact. We are dedicated to building strong communities by focusing on character development and the core values of honesty, caring, respect, responsibility, and faith. To learn more, contact Vanessa Hansen at vhansen@ymcacayman.ky ymcacayman.ky (345) 926.9622 IT’S MY Y’ FOR GIVING BACK! “Cayman Water believes that every child should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. The core values of the YMCA and their various programmes are designed to establish a firm foundation for children and youth. Given the strides that the Cayman Islands YMCA has made in becoming one of the foremost organisations serving Cayman’s communities, the decision to support the Corporate Founders Campaign and become a part of this mission was an easy one.” SILVER LEVEL FOUNDER Film festival organizer plans media academy in Cayman 2017 launch for training school JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A new Cayman Media Academy which aims to train locals to work in the film industry will launch with a series of evening classes in 2017. Tony Mark, the organizer of the CayFilm movie festival, said the academy would ini- tially offer night classes in acting, writing and other as- pects of film making. He said he hopes that eventually it will be able to offer trade certifications through a partnership with the University College of the Cayman Islands. The fledgling academy will host a seminar on Tuesday and Wednesday this week with television pro- ducer Calia Brencsons-Van Dyk, best known as the pro- ducer of the Martha Stewart show. The two-day sem- inar will cover the funda- mentals of film and televi- sion production. Mr. Mark said it would be a sample of things to come from the Cayman Media Academy, which has set up a headquarters at Cayman En- terprise City. “We are building up to the launch of the Cayman Media Academy,” he said. “We will start by offering evening classes in different aspects of film making. We are looking at eight-week classes starting in April and May and leading up to CayFilm.” He said the long-term plan is to expand the academy by linking up with a U.S.- based film school and of- fering more comprehensive training locally. “We are working with En- terprise City with the hope of having the facility in their new media park. Ultimately, we want film makers to be able to come and shoot here and find crew locally.” The shortage of trained personnel has been high- lighted as one of the bar- riers to film and televi- sion production companies shooting in the Cayman Is- lands. While the Cayman Film Commission acknowl- edges it is unlikely that Hol- lywood producers would set a multimillion-dollar movie project in the Cayman Islands, it has highlighted movie scenes, music videos, commercials and reality television shows as areas of potential growth. Mr. Mark said the media academy project aims to en- sure Caymanians could take advantage of career opportu- nities in the industry. This week’s seminar will be a broad overview of some of what it takes to make a ca- reer in television and movie production, he said. “It will cover everything from coming up with an idea to getting it made and pro- tecting it from a copyright perspective,” he said. Ms. Brencsons-Van Dyk is also a member of the board of advisers for the Cayman Media Academy and CayFilm. “We will start by offering evening classes in different aspects of film making. We are looking at eight- week classes starting in April and May and leading up to CayFilm.” TONY MARK, CayFilm organizer CayFilm Director Tony Mark welcomes fans to the Star Wars panel at this year’s film festival.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 YEARS AGO Smith-Ebanks and Manderson-Laidler weddings In the Dec. 7, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, West Bay corre- spondent Leila Yates wrote: “Florence Alice Ebanks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Ebanks, became the bride of Mr. Ernest Sheridan Smith on the 3rd. The cere- mony was performed by the Rev. R. Coke at his home. The bride’s assistant was Mrs. Jack Smith, sister-in-law of the groom. Mr. Joseph Smith, brother of the groom, was best man. The only witnesses were the immediate families. “Miss Wendy Lou Ebanks returned from New York after spending 6 months with her grandfather Mr. Jacob Manderson. “Mr. and Mrs. Harold Banks and daughter arrived on the 4th from New York. Mrs. Trilby Grant and 2 chil- dren from New York. Mrs. Una McCarthy from Miami, where she met her husband, and Mr. Raymond Ebanks is here to visit relatives, and spend the holidays. “Mrs. Mack Henning and little daughter left on the 4th for their home in the USA. “On Saturday, Dec. 3, Mr. McArthur Manderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Man- derson, took as his bride Miss Florence Heather Laidler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Laidler of Vancouver, Canada. The ceremony took place in Kingston, Jamaica by the Rev. Jacobs, the couple re- turned on the 4th. “Departing passengers for the U.S. on the 1st were Messrs. McLurn Anglin and Burley Ebanks to their jobs with West Indian Lines, Messrs. Noah Ebanks and Rudolph Garvin to their jobs, bearing legal papers, George Hydes Jr. on a short busi- ness trip, and Mrs. Raymon Ebanks having spent 17 days with relatives.” Storyteller visits primary students The students of the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School enjoyed a rare treat Thursday when Jamaican storyteller Amina Black- wood-Meeks came by the school. She captivated the students with a thrilling Anansi (African folktale character) story. “Telling stories is the most important thing that I do,” said Ms. Blackwood- Meeks, who is a frequent visitor to the Cayman Is- lands and is a regular con- tributor to National Cul- tural Foundation’s Gimistory festival, held this year from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3. On the same day as Ms. Blackwood-Meeks’s visit, Bill and Karen Salisbury of the Children’s Gospel Cru- sade in Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, USA, visited students ages 8-11. The couple, who have traveled the world for many years in their ministry, shared stories and other les- sons of Jesus through pup- petry, ventriloquist dolls and other props. Student Gage Rivers- McLean said he thought the presentation was “awesome.” Fellow student Marlon Scott said, “It was Godly, if people do what the presenters say, the world would be much better.” The Salisburys have min- istered to children on four continents and continue to be engaged in evangelistic crusades, children’s mis- sionary conferences, camps, daily vacation Bible schools and teacher training semi- nars. On this, their first visit to the Cayman Islands, they were guests of the pastor and members of Calvary Baptist Church. Amina Blackwood-Meeks is a frequent visitor to Cayman.The students were captivated by Amina Blackwood-Meeks’s stories.Karen and Bill Salisbury from the U.S. also visited the school. Amina Blackwood-Meeks with Sir John A. Cumber Primary School students.DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days West Bay CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 Local teen wins design award A young Caymanian who has been garnering attention for his creative skills recently won a second award from Vissla for his sustainable surfing designs. Last year, West Bay native Danny Link placed second in the Under 16 category in an “upcycle” contest held by the Vissla surf products company that sought creative, sus- tainable designs for surf products. Vissla is a member of the Surf Industry Coastal Defenders pro- gram, a group that supports the Surfrider Foundation’s mis- sion to protect and enjoy oceans, waves and beaches. Danny’s design of a hand plane, a small device for bodysurfers to carve waves, won praise for is ap- pearance and use of recycled wine box materials. This year, Danny’s latest design, a wakeboard made out of shipping pallets, won him second place in the 16 and Under category, and a return invitation to the awards ex- hibition in California. “I got involved with this project and the contest about a year ago,” said Danny, a student at St. An- drew’s College in Canada who pre- viously attended Cayman Prep. He is an avid surfer and water sports lover who used to go wake- boarding with his friends every day after school, or surf every chance he got. He says he appre- ciates the Cayman lifestyle more than ever now that he’s going to school in Canada. “I was already designing and making water craft out of some old wood from my grandfather’s shed, so when this contest came up, I thought ‘This is perfect, because it already fits in with what I was doing.’ I’m interested in art and de- sign when it comes to things do to with the water and surfing,” he said. He has been experimenting with woodworking since he was young, and feels at home around a workshop. Danny recently gained some local attention for lifestyle videos he was making for fun with his friend Ben Woodford, which turned into a summer internship with Dart. Later on, he came across the Vissla contest and decided to enter. “The contest was run and en- tries were submitted on Instagram, so when they posted an ad for it, I thought that it would be fun and worth giving it a try,” said Danny. The contest called for entrants to upcycle an old or found object into a functional wave riding craft like a surfboard, handplane, fin, skim board or boat. All contestants were required to enter a video or several photo- graphs showing their project from start to finish via Instagram. Four finalists in two categories – 16 and Under and Open Divisions – were selected and asked to send in their projects for verification and final voting. Finalists were awarded prizes and invited to a show on Oct. 28 at Interval Gallery in San Clemente, California. Danny explained that for his first design, before the contest last year, he was experimenting using wine boxes to make fins for some boards he was making, as well as hand planes. “When I found out about the contest, I only had two weeks left before I left for school, so I de- cided to make a hand plane out of some of the wine box,” Danny ex- plained, noting a hand plane is ba- sically a mini surfboard that goes on your hand for body surfing. He submitted this to Instagram in four pictures, and Vissla contacted him about a week later by email to get further information. “Going to San Clemente was probably one of the best experi- ences I have had,” he said. “The city alone was pretty cool and the surf culture there was booming, and they loved their tuna. That was def- initely a plus. “At the competition, I met a lot of my role models that run the surfboard shaping industry. I also had the chance to meet a few pro- fessional surfers.” “I am really happy with some wakeboards that I have made, and when I go out with my friends, I normally bring one along and end up using that more that my normal one,” he said. “This year, I decided to make a wakeboard out of shipping pal- lets. It has an asymmetrical design so basically one side has more rail and more volume than the other to make edging out easier and to make cutting in faster. “It has four fins glassed onto the back, all made out of some scrap wine box. Last year, I wanted to submit a design like this but the ones that I had already made I forgot to document the build, so I was pretty happy to get the chance to try and do that again this year.” Once again, he was invited to California, and his work was dis- played alongside that of profes- sional designers, and he met some prominent surfing personalities. “I love what I do. It’s fun, and I am just excited about what my next project will be,” he said. This year, Danny’s latest design, a wakeboard made out of shipping pallets, also won him second place in the 16 and Under category, and a return invitation to the awards exhibition in California. Danny Link poses with his winning wakeboard design, made from wooden pallets, at the exhibition in California. White sand yards sign of Christmas A sand yard at the home of Ethel Ebanks on Town Hall Road in West Bay is one of several in the dis- trict getting spruced up in time for the Christmas season. Sand yards deco- rated for the season are a Caymanian Christmas tradition, perhaps influenced by tales of forebears and seamen who saw snow-covered yards on their voyages. Sand was “backed” in thatch baskets from the beach, spread neatly with rosemary brooms, and the walk- ways decorated with conch shells. Town Hall Road in West Bay features several traditional sand yards like this one. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, DEC. 6 STEWARDS OF CHILDREN: The Red Cross “Darkness to Light” is a free training program, 6:30-9 p.m., for parents, teachers and others who work with or provide services to young people. Cost is free. Gain knowledge and skills to prevent child sexual abuse; recognize signs of abuse and learn how to react responsibly. Pre-registration is required. Contact vrm@ redcross.org.ky. GEORGE TOWN: Bulk waste cleanup until Dec. 10. Bulk waste should be placed curbside where items can be accessed but not obstruct traffic. Bulk waste includes household appliances, furniture and yard waste. Construction and demolition debris will not be collected. Separate metals, vegetation and other recyclables. Items should not be put out after the district dates. For more information, in Grand Cayman call the Department of Environmental Health solid waste dispatch unit at 949- 8793; in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, call 948-2321. CAYMAN BRAC AND LITTLE CAYMAN: Bulk waste cleanup until Dec. 15. See George Town, above. MOONLIGHT AND MOVIES: Gardenia Court at Camana Bay. 7 p.m. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Free admission. Set up a picnic on the grass, or just bring a blanket, relax and enjoy the show on the big outdoor screen. THURSDAY, DEC. 8 CHAMBER COURSE: “The Secret – What Great Leaders Know and Do.” 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $175 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. CHAMBER COURSE: Basic Grammar & Writing Skills Part 2. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square; $150 for members, $225 for future members; register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, DEC. 10 CHRISTMAS CONCERT: “A Tale of Two Christmases,” a choir and orchestra concert, 7 p.m., The Crescent at Camana Bay. Performances by the UCCI and Westchester University students. FISH FRY: The Red Bay Primary School holds a fish fry 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the school grounds. Fish will be sold for $10, including a drink. Buy tickets at the school office of call 927-1645 for more details. JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT MARKETS: Today and next Saturday, 4-8 p.m., at The Crescent at Camana Bay. Holiday gifts for sale feature products that students in Junior Achievement created. FAMILY DAY: Say it in Paint Family Day, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Gallery. Free art activities based on the art exhibition “Speak to Me.” Activity sheets available for children of all ages. Self-guided tour packs can be collected at reception. Snacks available for purchase in the Art Café. Admission is free. For further details, email education@nationalgallery. org.ky or call 945-8111. CHRISTMAS DINNER: The North Side Community hosts its annual Christmas dinner at 5 p.m. at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Center. For more details, contact Alex Johnson on 916-8232. ARTS AND CRAFT BAZAAR: Christmas Arts and Craft Bazaar 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Loyola Hall, St. Ignatius Catholic School, Walkers Road. Arts, crafts, handmade jewelry, mosaics, baked goods, henna tattoos and more. Meet local crafters and artists. Great holiday gifts. All are welcome, free admission. For more information, contact Allison Taylor at 939-0220 or ataylor2005@hotmail.com. All proceeds go toward Girlguiding Cayman Islands. SUNDAY, DEC. 11 CHRISTMAS SERVICE: All are invited to a Christmas Service at East End United Church at 7 p.m. MONDAY, DEC. 12 WEST BAY: Bulk waste cleanup to Dec. 17. See George Town, above. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14 CONCERT AND FUNDRAISER: St. Ignatius school band concert and Christmas fundraiser, 7 p.m. Grand prize of $25,000 and lots of other prizes. Tickets are $25 and are available at St. Ignatius and from a number of local supermarkets and other businesses. THE BOOKENDS CLUB: Meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Books & Books. All are invited to join as members review their latest pick, “Disgrace” by J.M. Coetzee. Come and share your insights and impressions in an open discussion. The Bookends Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month and new members are always welcome. THURSDAY, DEC. 15 BRAC CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: Cayman Brac Primary Schools combine their talents for this Christmas musical. 7 p.m., Aston Rutty Centre. FRIDAY, DEC. 16 YOUTH AMBASSADORS: Today is the deadline for Caymanians ages 18-27 to apply for posts as the Cayman Islands’ CARICOM Youth Ambassadors. Some overseas travel will be necessary and the successful candidates, one male and one female, will serve for up to three- years on the program. To be eligible applicants must live in the Cayman Islands. For further enquiries and to obtain application forms, contact Acting Head of the Youth Services Unit, James Myles at James.Myles@gov.ky. GENERAL INTEREST CHRISTMAS MEAT: The Department of Agriculture reminds farmers of the process for using its abattoir services – especially before the Christmas rush. Animal owners should follow the appropriate protocols for butchering meat, which is done free of cost, inclusive of delivery to the specified supermarkets or butcher shops. Call 947-3090 for information. Farmers must provide details of the livestock, and the dates and locations for the delivery of their meat. SINGLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCIES: The Elections Office invites voters, potential candidates and their agents to learn more about recent changes to the Elections Law that have created 19 single- member electoral districts. Email office@elections.ky to ask questions or request short presentations for groups or organizations. The public should also stay tuned to local media for information on upcoming meetings, which will aim to address questions. MARINE LIFE: The Department of Environment advises that the take of Nassau Grouper anywhere in Cayman waters is now prohibited between Dec. 1 and April 30. People can legally fish for conchs and whelks from Nov. 1 to April 30. Only queen conch (Strombus gigas) can be taken. The catch limit is either five conchs per person or 10 per boat (with two or more people), whichever is fewer. For whelks, 2.5 gallons in shells or 2.5 pounds of processed whelks per person are allowed each day. Chiton, periwinkle and bleeding teeth species cannot be taken at any time. Persons who suspect poaching of conchs and whelks can call 911, or DoE enforcement officers directly: Grand Cayman, 916-4271; Cayman Brac, 926-0136; Little Cayman, 916-7021. For more information on conch and whelk seasons, contact the DoE on 949-8649 or email DoE@gov.ky. CERAMIC OPEN STUDIO: Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. till noon until Dec. 14; Watler House at Pedro Castle. Contact ceramics@ visualartcayman.com. Also first Sunday of the month, 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Contact humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards, etc., in good condition always needed. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Center is owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. ARTISANS MARKET: Camana Bay every Wednesday, noon till 8 p.m. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. OPEN CANVAS: Wednesdays. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay. 7-11 p.m. No fee, easels provided. Contact info@ongart.com or jar.was@gmail.com. SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers are needed. Tuesdays at the Truman Bodden Complex at 5:30 p.m. for track/field, football and bocce. No experience necessary, just a smile and patience. Wednesdays at Lions Pool 10:15–11 a.m. You do not have to swim, just be able to walk in water chest-deep. Thursdays at First Baptist Church for basketball, 5:30–7 p.m. Saturdays, volunteers needed for Adult Special Olympic swim conditioning at CIS pool 9:30–10:30 a.m. Deck support and in-water swimming assistance needed. For more information, contact Penny McDowall at 516-2578 or pjmcdowall@gmail.com. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: The Thrift Shop new opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed evenings. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. For more information, call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail. com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-Step Recovery Group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Mondays, 7 p.m. For details, contact Virginia Castillo at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the Catboat Club clubhouse, North Church Street. All are invited to attend. For more information, call 924-4170 or emailinfo@adacayman.com. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The National Gallery is holding a free Say it in Paint Family Day on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016 sufficient increase in the number of passengers to divert those fees without seriously affecting overall annual revenues. Last month, Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell indicated that he believed a contract would be signed for the cruise project early next year. He said the deci- sion had been made to se- cure Cayman’s future in the cruise business and all possible steps had been taken to limit the environ- mental impact. “We know what the cruise lines are saying; we know what our com- petitors are doing. Taking into account all those fac- tors, and knowing that we have to increase cargo, we have taken the deci- sion to do the cruise fa- cility,” he added. 10 a.m. Sunday. The dedication ceremony began with prayers led by the Archbishop of Kingston, Most Rev. Kenneth Richards. He then walked around and through the building, sprin- kling it with holy water and burning incense. Sunday Mass was then offered inside the larger church building. Afterward, the archbishop carried the Blessed Sacra- ment in a monstrance from the church to the chapel in a solemn procession. With the monstrance installed on the chapel altar, parishioners filed through to view what their hard work had achieved. Earlier, their pastor, Father Suresh Rajaian, re- minded them that the building project started in January with a $200,000 fun- draising goal, and ground was broken in April. He thanked them for coming to- gether as a community. “Whenever I approached people, nobody said no,” he told the congregation. He saluted the care and concern invested by workers who built the chapel and landscaped the grounds. Costs of the project were met by donation pledges, and fundraisers that included a Mother’s Day tea, a multicul- tural dinner and a garage sale. One especially meaningful project was the Remembrance Tree, for which people could purchase leaves on which were engraved the names of family members, living or deceased. The metal art hangs on the back wall of the chapel. St. Ignatius has had a chapel for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament since Father Nash began the devo- tion in 1998, but the chapel was in the back of the church sacristy, behind an area that also contained storage cabinets, a water cooler, toilet facilities and a small library. Everyone agreed that the chapel needed to be some place special and Father Suresh took up the challenge. Elie Kozaily of Kozaily Design was the architect who made the new building distinctive while blending with the structure of the church. He also served as project manager. Joseph Out Of Let’s Go Building and Maintenance organized a work crew that was me- ticulous in attention to de- tail. Parishioners voted on the name for their chapel and Divine Mercy Adora- tion Chapel was the over- whelming choice. After viewing the inte- rior of the chapel, guests ad- journed to the school court- yard for a celebratory lunch and fellowship. Meanwhile, the first watchers were in their place. allows either the governor or “the minister respon- sible” for the subject matter of the open records request to issue an exemption and provide the reasons for the exemption. According to the law: “Where a certificate is is- sued … under the hand of the governor, it shall be conclusive that the record is exempt and no judicial proceedings or quasi-ju- dicial proceedings of any kind shall be entertained in relation thereto.” The ability to preclude any judicial proceedings is not extended under the FOI Law to any member of Cabinet, including the pre- mier, according to Acting Information Commissioner Cory Martinson. The record requested may still become public “if such access would never- theless be in the public in- terest,” according to Section 26 of the FOI Law. However, that section does not apply to legal advice given by or behalf of the attorney gen- eral of the Cayman Islands. The premier’s certifi- cate of exemption listed one area of exemption against the records release – a claim that the Ritch & Conolly consultant’s report was legally privileged. It did not explore any areas of potential public in- terest in favor of releasing the document. An estimated 800 people residing in Cayman are currently awaiting word on the outcome of their applications for perma- nent residence; some of them applied as far back as late 2013. Last week, one of the ap- plicants – who applied for permanent resident status in June 2014 – sued the government, alleging it had acted unlawfully in failing to hear his application. In the application request for a Grand Court judicial re- view, the government is ac- cused of adopting an “un- lawful moratorium” on permanent residence appli- cations since the enactment of the revised Immigration Law, which took effect on Oct. 26, 2013. A congregant takes a quiet moment inside the chapel. - PHOTO: CAROL WINKER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 New Catholic adoration chapel dedicated CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Financial formula sought for port project CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Premier claims release of ‘Ritch Report’ on immigration not in public interest Liquor store owners fear for their future Hamaty: Gas station beer sales open ‘Pandora’s Box’ BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Granting liquor licenses to a local gas station/Burger King complex in Prospect will open a “Pandora’s Box” that could eventually “kill off” locally operating liquor stores, three store owners told the Liquor Licensing Board Monday. The objections of the li- quor store owners to busi- nessman Gary Rutty’s appli- cation to sell beer and wine in his soon-to-be-opened convenience store on Sham- rock Road were merely at- tempts to “maintain their monopoly” over the local al- cohol industry, according to Mr. Rutty’s attorney. The liquor board had not made its decision on Mr. Rutty’s application as of press time Monday. Local attorney Cline Glidden, Jr., representing Mr. Rutty, told board members that his client was a well-es- tablished businessman who had run a number of cus- tomer service establishments, including the local Burger King franchise and Stingers Restaurant at the Comfort Suites hotel. Mr. Glidden said there was no reason to be- lieve Mr. Rutty and his wife would run the new business on Shamrock Road any dif- ferently than the others. “The objections [of the li- quor store owners] are not founded in any deficiencies in my client’s application,” Mr. Glidden said. “They see it as in their best interests to limit competition.” None of the objec- tors, who included Tortuga founder Robert Hamaty and Liquor-4-Less owner Pren- tice Panton, said their con- cerns involved Mr. Rutty, who Mr. Hamaty described as a “family friend.” Rather, Mr. Hamaty said, a suc- cessful application by Mr. Rutty would pave the way for an international con- glomerate, Rubis, to open other gas station liquor stores and get into the li- quor distribution side of the business. Mr. Hamaty said that he was aware of other inter- national retailers operating in Cayman, including Cost- U-Less, who were keen to get into the liquor distribu- tion business. Eventually, Mr. Hamaty said, even “the big boys” in the local liquor business would be underpriced and cut out of the distribution end of the market, where the “real money” is made, he said. Liquor sales, mean- while, would occur at every corner store, supermarket and petrol station. “There [are] going to be umpteen applications,” he told the board. “There are 76 retail package stores [on the island]. My company employs 120 people. If every gas station gets a li- quor license … the industry is threatened.” One of the key points raised by the objectors to Mr. Rutty’s liquor license was that a Cabinet order, first made in 2002, forbade the sale of intoxicating li- quor at gas stations. Mr. Hamaty said that Cab- inet order was continued through the present day, save for a handful of petrol stations (one in George Town and two in Bodden Town) who had effectively been “grandfathered” in for their own liquor licenses during the 1970s and 1980s. However, Mr. Glidden said that Cabinet order was made by a previous govern- ment and he argued that changes approved to the local Liquor Licensing Law, which took effect last year, made the order moot. Mr. Hamaty asked for the attorney general to issue an opinion on the matter. The gas station/Burger King complex on Shamrock Road is nearing completion. It may be able to sell beer and wine when it opens, depending on what the Liquor Licensing Board decides. - PHOTO: BRENT FULLERNext >