ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 183410_PRINT-Butterfield-6colx1*Page 1 1/13/17 1:10:47 PM Immigration: ‘Zero tolerance’ for employee misconduct Eight immigration staffers serving suspensions BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Following the arrest of three immigration employees in con- nection with a bribery inves- tigation last week, the depart- ment attempted to ease public concerns with the release of a lengthy public statement Sunday evening. The Immigration Department leadership said the three arrests demonstrated a “zero tolerance” policy the department has re- garding employee misconduct and unlawful behavior. “These arrests came about as a direct result of the Immigra- tion Department following the correct procedures and bringing suspected wrongdoers to the at- tention of the authorities for proper investigation,” Acting Chief Immigration Officer Bruce Smith said. The Sunday statement gave no details of the ongoing inves- tigation beyond what was re- leased last week. The Cayman Compass had already confirmed from other sources that three immigration employees had been arrested, along with two others. Government sources told the newspaper that more arrests BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, LAWYERS’ RULES UP FOR DEBATE BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Long-awaited, controversial changes that will have a profound impact on the Cayman Islands financial ser- vices industry will be on the agenda next month in what is likely to be the final Legislative Assembly meeting of the current Progressives-led coali- tion government. Amendments to the Legal Practi- tioners Law and the Companies Law that deal with a beneficial owner- ship registry for Cayman incorporated companies will be debated at the next meeting, which starts on Feb. 22, the premier’s office announced Friday. Neither piece of legislation had been released for public review as of late Friday afternoon, but both issues have been the subject of significant public debate over the past few years. The Companies Law amendments will formalize an agreement Cayman made last year with the British gov- ernment requiring companies incorpo- rated in the islands to maintain a reg- ister of beneficial owners. That register Tourism heroes take center stage More than 400 Cayman tourism leaders were honored on Heroes Day on Monday in a ceremony that recognized the foundations and the future of the sector. Chairs were full of spectators, there to honor early and emerging tourism pioneers. A parade included 300 preschool and primary schoolchildren waving the national flag. Tourism Minister Moses Kirk- connell noted that Caymanian kind- ness and values have driven in- dustry success. For more, see pages 10 and 11. Tourism heroes take center stage M on Monday in a ceremony that recognized the foundations and the future of the sector. there to honor early and emerging take center stage PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Rudy Myles – PHO TOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Gary Nathan Andrei Rankin2 REGIONAL TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - LA LA LAND (PG13) 12:30 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:40 UNDERWORLD: (R) BLOOD WARS 3D 1:30 | 4:15 2D | 7:30 | 10:10 2D SING (PG) 12:45 | 3:45 | 7:15 | 9:50 NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (R) 12:40 | 3:55 | 6:50 | 9:30 SLEEPLESS (R) 1:20 | 4:30 | 7:10 | 9:45 MONSTER TRUCKS 3D (PG) 1:10 2D | 4:00 | 7:15 2D | 9:45 TRUMP’S FIRST 100 DAYS ‘Alternative facts,’ CIA and healthcare WASHINGTON (AP) – Setting the tone for a new administra- tion usually takes a few weeks or months. Not so with U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, the presi- dent, who was inaugurated on Friday, moved to pull the United States out of the pro- posed Trans-Pacific Partner- ship trade pact, fulfilling a campaign promise as he began his first full week in office. “Great thing for the Amer- ican worker that we just did,” Trump said as he signed a no- tice in the Oval Office. The president also signed memorandums freezing most federal government hiring, though he noted an excep- tion for the military, and re- instating a ban on providing federal money to interna- tional groups that perform abortions or provide informa- tion on the option. The regu- lation, known as the “Mexico City Policy,” has been a polit- ical volleyball, instituted by Republican administrations and rescinded by Democratic ones since 1984. Following a tumultuous first weekend in office – con- sumed by Trump’s criticism of the media’s inauguration cov- erage followed by pushback against his comments – the president was seeking to re- focus on the sweeping, yet often vague, promises he made as a candidate. He cam- paigned as a fierce opponent of multilateral trade agree- ments, particularly the 12-na- tion Pacific Rim deal agreed to by President Barack Obama. Earlier Monday, Trump huddled with business leaders and warned that he would im- pose a “substantial border tax” on companies that move their manufacturing out of the United States. He also prom- ised tax advantages to com- panies that produce products domestically. “All you have to do is stay,” he said during a meeting in the White House’s Roosevelt Room. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Marillyn Hewson of Lock- heed Martin were among the executives who attended the meeting. The gathering kicked off a jam-packed day for the new president, including an evening reception with law- makers from both parties and a sit-down with union leaders. Potential chaos for healthcare markets The new president always intended to repeal and re- place the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. But his first small step toward this goal is poised to intro- duce unnecessary chaos into health insurance markets, ac- cording to experts. Trump signed an executive order Friday telling federal agencies to “waive, defer, grant exemptions or delay” any part of the healthcare law that cre- ates a burden for consumers or the healthcare system. While some might welcome this kind of relief, it is equiv- alent to lobbing a “bomb” into the law’s “already shaky” in- surance exchanges, said long- time Obamacare critic Robert Laszewski, president of the consulting firm Health Policy and Strategy Associates. “Instead of sending a signal that there’s going to be an orderly transition, they’ve sent a signal that it’s going to be a disorderly transi- tion,” Laszewski told our col- leagues. “How does the Trump administration think this is not going to make the sit- uation worse?” Coming up this week On Capitol Hill, the Senate is set to consider the nomina- tion of Rep. Mike Pompeo, R- Kansas, for CIA director, while members of the Foreign Rela- tions Committee vote on Rex Tillerson’s nomination for sec- retary of state. On Friday the Senate confirmed retired Gen. James Mattis to lead the De- fense Department and retired Gen. John F. Kelley to lead the Department of Homeland Se- curity. A committee vote on Betsy DeVos, Trump’s pick for education secretary, was re- scheduled for Jan. 31. The Washington Post con- tributed to this article. President Donald Trump hosts a breakfast with business leaders at the White House on Monday. At left is Wendell P. Weeks, CEO of Corning; at right is Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson. - PHOTO: AP TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) – Protesters took control of vehicle lanes at one of the busiest crossings on the U.S. border Sunday to oppose Mexican gasoline price hikes, waving through motorists into Mexico after Mexican authorities abandoned their posts. Motorists headed to Mexico zipped by about 50 demonstrators at the Otay Mesa port of entry connecting San Diego and Tijuana, many of them honking to show support. The demonstrators waved signs to protest gas hikes and air other grievances against the government of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Other protests closed southbound traffic for hours at the San Diego-Ti- juana San Ysidro port of entry, the bus- iest crossing along the 2,000-mile border, and halted southbound traffic at one of two crossings in Nogales, Arizona. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Cal- ifornia Highway Patrol officers closed southbound Interstate 5 to block ac- cess to the San Ysidro crossing, diverting traffic several miles east to the Otay Mesa port of entry. Inspections were normal for all trav- elers entering the U.S. from Mexico. A CBP statement said that Mexico-bound motorists were directed to the other crossing for 5 1/2 hours at the request of Mexican authorities. The demonstrations, which are un- related to the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, have disrupted Mex- ican border crossings for weeks. Earlier this month, police in the Mexican state of Sonora fought a pitched three-hour battle to free a border rail crossing at Nogales that had been blocked by people protesting the 20 percent nationwide hike in gasoline prices that took effect on New Year’s Day. Only a small percentage of motor- ists entering Mexico from the U.S. are stopped for inspection under normal cir- cumstances, but Sunday’s demonstration gave them an open invitation. Guns and cash from drug sales in the U.S. are often introduced to Mexico by car. Protesters said Mexican customs of- ficials retreated within minutes after they arrived at the Otay Mesa crossing. About two hours later, a Mexican soldier stood by, but there were few other signs of government presence. Trump huddled with business leaders and warned that he would impose a “substantial border tax” on companies that move their manufacturing out of the United States. Protesters take control of Mexican border crossing with United States3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 CRUISE PASSENGER’S LAWYER: Evidence amounts to ‘abuse of process’ JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The evidence against a cruise ship passenger ar- rested in Grand Cayman and accused of terrorist of- fenses in Turkey in the 1980s is so poor it amounts to an “abuse of process,” his lawyer claimed Saturday. Celal Kildag will con- test his extradition to the eastern European country in a hearing scheduled for Feb- ruary. Turkish authorities for- mally filed the extradition request on Wednesday. It was certified by the gov- ernor on Saturday, just in- side the 45-day legal dead- line from Mr. Kildag’s arrest on Dec. 7. He was detained after ar- riving in George Town on a cruise ship when police were alerted to an Interpol Red Notice, essentially an inter- national arrest warrant. He is accused of being involved in the “murder of two victims and the burning of two primary schools” as a member of a Kurdish separatist group in eastern Turkey in 1988. He has denied any knowl- edge of the offenses, saying he was living in Germany at the time, having been granted political asylum in the early 1980s. During Saturday’s court hearing, his attorney Lau- rence Aiolfi, who has re- viewed the paperwork provided by Turkish author- ities, said the case against his client was weak and he would be arguing an “abuse of process.” “It seems clear, in our view, that if this case was heard in this jurisdiction it would fall far short of revealing a case to answer,” he added. Mr. Aiolfi also indicated he would be seeking to call an expert on human rights is- sues in Turkey during the ex- tradition hearing, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 21 and 22. Mr. Kildag’s wife and daughter traveled from Germany for Saturday’s hearing, originally sched- uled for Friday but delayed to give the governor’s office more time to review docu- mentation supplied by the Turkish authorities. Mr. Kildag, 58, who has been remanded at North- ward prison since his ar- rest, was granted bail to stay with his family at a Grand Cayman hotel. Speaking after the hearing, Mr. Aiolfi acknowledged the Turkish authorities did not have to prove their case in order for Mr. Kildag to be extradited. But he said the Cayman court would need to look at the evidence in this case. “They don’t have to prove a prima facie case, but there are certain cases where we can look into the evidence and there are going to be in this case because we think it is so poor it amounts to an abuse of process.” Crown objects to bail for restaurant burglary CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Gordon Dilbert, 57, ap- peared in Summary Court on Friday, charged with bur- glary and damage to prop- erty. He raised health issues and was assured he would re- ceive attention. Dilbert, of a West Bay ad- dress, is charged in connection with an incident at Ristorante Pappagallo on Nov. 19, 2016, when an office was entered and ransacked, but nothing was taken. The damage charge related to a broken window. The incident was reported to police on Nov. 20. On Jan. 18, Dilbert was arrested and taken into po- lice custody. On Friday, he appeared before Magistrate Valdis Foldats, and Crown counsel Aaliyah McCarthy ob- jected to bail. The magistrate told Dil- bert he had the right to free advice from a duty defense counsel and he was entitled to a bail hearing. The defendant started to say something and the mag- istrate suggested he wait until he spoke with an attorney. Dilbert said he wanted to speak. He explained that he had been in the detention center for two days. He had been going through a process of surgeries for glaucoma and pressure, and was supposed to have eye drops every day. The magistrate directed that Dilbert be returned to the courthouse cells to await the arrival of counsel. On Friday afternoon, at- torney John Furniss spoke on behalf of Dilbert and elabo- rated on his condition. The magistrate re- plied, “He must have ac- cess to prescribed medica- tion and he must have access to healthcare.” Mr. Furniss spoke with the custody officer and told the court the officer would ensure that Dilbert was seen by the nurse. He did not apply for bail at this time, but asked for a mention again on Thursday so that Dilbert could consider whether he wanted to apply for admission to the Drug Re- habilitation Court. The magistrate told Dil- bert it was a wonderful pro- gram for people having trouble with drugs. Mr. Furniss spoke privately with Dilbert and then told the court, “The defendant states he has medical issues that need immediate attention.” No election was made as to venue for the charges to be dealt with and no pleas were entered. The matter was ad- journed until Thursday. DEFENDANT MUST HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, MAGISTRATE SAYS A Royal Cayman Islands Police Service operation di- rected at reckless driving re- sulted in five arrests and the seizure of three motorcycles on Sunday, RCIPS reported. The operation ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., employing ground units and in one ar- rest, a police helicopter, to target traffic offenses. Investigations are being led by the RCIPS traffic department. FIVE ARRESTED IN RECKLESS DRIVING SWEEPThe 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 JANUARY 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS “The members of the Progressives administration like to style themselves as ‘a government that gets things done.’ On the subject of the George Town cruise dock, they have lived up to that promise.” —Cayman Compass Editorial Board, Oct. 2, 2015 As we say in the newsroom … “Get me rewrite!” Last week’s announcement by Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell was, in reality, more of an admis- sion: The Progressives government, led by Premier Alden McLaughlin, has failed to carry out what would have been one of its signature projects, the George Town cruise berthing facility. As is too often the case in government-led initia- tives, the cruise dock fell victim to a tangle of regu- lations, red-tape, fiscal requirements (of the FFR and RFP variety), and plain old-fashioned politics. To mollify a vocal group of environmentalists, the original design was sent back to the drawing board for a compromise plan that would have put at risk fewer coral forma- tions. Meanwhile the clock was ticking, and eventually time ran out for this government. In the four years since the Progressives have been in power, and the one-and-a-half years since Premier McLaughlin declared his administration’s commitment to the cruise dock, the government never announced its plan (if it had one) for how to pay for the project. Of course, that should have been Step One. Back in October 2015, following Premier McLaugh- lin’s revelation to the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce of his government’s support for the cruise dock, we provided our vocal backing and offered four “guiding principles”: • “First, when something is to be done, it is best that it be done quickly.” • “Second, when Cayman sets out to build something of this magnitude, especially in the tourism sector, it must be of the highest quality.” • “Third, the cruise dock project must fall within the financing scheme that government comes up with.” • “Fourth, while the cruise dock project may be regarded as the catalyst for increased success in cruise tourism, the dock itself cannot be the center- piece or focus of Cayman’s tourism product.” Unfortunately, the Progressives weren’t able to tick off any of those boxes. Last May, we published an editorial marking the beginning of the “Fourth Quarter” of the Progressives administration. At that time, we had already acknowl- edged that the proposed cruise berthing facility was unlikely to move forward before the current govern- ment left office. In addition to the cruise dock, we highlighted a half- dozen other major initiatives begun by the Progres- sives, nearly all of which we supported publicly, and none of which, it appears, will amount to anything more than a stack of expensive consultants’ reports. They include: • The solution to the George Town Landfill problem, which the Progressives assured the country they possessed during the 2013 campaign; • Key recommendations in the “EY Report” (AKA “Project Future”) to reorganize, downsize and streamline the civil service; • The extension of the East-West Arterial (AKA the “Ironwood highway”); • The demolition of the Glass House and creation of a new public park; • Meaningful reform of Cayman’s public education system; and, • A resolution to the permanent residence backlog caused by the Progressives’ 2013 revisions to the country’s Immigration Law. Of the items on that list (as well as others), only the last has a foreseeable chance of moving forward by the May elections, and that will be through the court system – and in spite of the Progressives’ efforts, not because of them. It is important to keep in mind that announce- ments are effortless, and that ground-breakings are not certain harbingers of ribbon-cuttings. Gold shovels make for good photo opportunities but in practical terms are poor substitutes for heavy machinery. In the context of major government initiatives, we would do well to remember that promises do not pre- ordain results, and to recall the now-prescient words uttered by Premier McLaughlin on Sept. 30, 2015, as he publicly committed his Progressives administration to the construction of the George Town cruise dock: “There will not be [dredging] in George Town harbor tomorrow or next week or next month.” Consider that a promise kept. The Progressives’ cruise dock plans: Dead in the water Barack Obama’s self-revealing final act WASHINGTON – Barack Obama did not go out quietly. His unquiet final acts were, in part, overshadowed by a successor who refused to come in quietly and, in part, by Obama’s own endless, sentimental farewell tour. But there was nothing nos- talgic or sentimental about Obama’s last acts. Two of them were simply shocking. Perhaps we should have known. At the 2015 White House correspondents dinner, he joked about whether he had a bucket list: “Well, I have something that rhymes with bucket list.” Turns out, he was not kid- ding. Commuting the sen- tence of Chelsea Manning, one of the great traitors of our time, is finger-in-the-eye willfulness. Obama took 28 years off the sentence of a soldier who stole and then released through WikiLeaks almost half a million mili- tary reports plus another quarter-million State Depart- ment documents. The cables were embar- rassing; the military secrets were almost certainly deadly. They jeopardized the lives not just of American soldiers on two active fronts – Iraq and Afghanistan – but of locals who were, at great peril, se- cretly aiding and abetting us. After Manning’s documents release, the Taliban “went on a killing spree” (according to intelligence sources quoted by Fox News) of those who fit the description of indi- viduals working with the United States. Moreover, we will be in- volved in many shadowy conflicts throughout the world. Locals will have to choose between us or our enemies. Would you choose a side that is so forgiving of a leaker who betrays her country – and you? Even the word “leaker” is misleading. Leak makes it sound like a piece of infor- mation a whistleblower gives Woodward and Bernstein to expose misdeeds in high of- fice. This was nothing of the sort. It was the indiscriminate dumping of a mountain of na- tional security secrets certain to bring harm to American troops, allies and interests. Obama considered Man- ning’s 35-year sentence exces- sive. On the contrary. It was lenient. Manning could have been – and in previous ages, might well have been – hanged for such treason. Now she walks after seven years. What makes this com- mutation so spectacularly in-your-face is its hypocrisy. Here is a president who spent weeks banging the drums over the harm inflicted by WikiLeaks with its release of stolen materials and emails during the election campaign. He demanded a report imme- diately. He imposed sanctions on Russia. He preened about the sanctity of the American political process. Over what? What exactly was released? A campaign chairman’s private emails and Democratic National Com- mittee chatter, i.e. campaign gossip, backbiting, indiscre- tions and cynicism. The usual stuff, embarrassing but not dangerous. No national secu- rity secrets, no classified ma- terial, no exposure of anyone to harm, just to ridicule and opprobrium. The other last-minute Obama bombshell occurred four weeks earlier when, for the first time in nearly a half- century, the United States abandoned Israel on a crucial Security Council resolution, al- lowing the passage of a con- demnation that will plague both Israel and its citizens for years to come. After eight years of reassurance, Obama seized the chance – free of polit- ical accountability for himself and his potential Democratic successor – to do permanent damage to Israel. (The U.S. has no power to reverse the Secu- rity Council resolution.) Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. who went on to be a great Democratic senator, once ar- gued passionately that in the anti-American, anti-dem- ocratic swamp of the U.N., America should act unwaver- ingly in opposition and never give in to the jackals. Obama joined the jackals. Why? To curry favor with the international left? After all, Obama leaves office as a rela- tively young man of 55. His next chapter could very well be as a leader on the international stage, perhaps at the U.N. (sec- retary-general?) or some trans- national (ostensibly) human rights organization. What better demonstration of bona fides than a gratuitous attack on Israel? Or the about-face on Manning and WikiLeaks? Or the freeing of a still unre- pentant Puerto Rican terrorist, Oscar Lopez Rivera, also pulled off with three days remaining in his presidency. A more likely explanation, however, is that these are acts not of calculation but of au- thenticity. This is Obama being Obama. He leaves office as he came in: a man of the left, but possessing the intelligence and discipline to suppress his more radical instincts. As of Nov. 9, 2016, suppression was no longer necessary. We’ve just gotten a glimpse of his real self. From now on, we shall see much more of it. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. © 2017, The Washington Post Writers Group Charles KrauthammerKrauthammer Obama considered Manning’s 35-year sentence excessive. On the contrary. It was lenient. Manning could have been – and in previous ages, might well have been – hanged for such treason. Now she walks after seven years. 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 JANUARY 24, 2017 january 28, 2017 at the festival green @TasteofCayman TasteofCayman.org CAYMAN’S CULINARY MAGAZINE VIF Very Important Foodie Tickets!ONLY $150 Buy your ticket now at tasteofcayman.org/tickets, or in store at Bon Vivant, Funky Tangs, Tower and all Digicel, Foster’s, BlackBeard’s and Big Daddy’s stores. Access to Camana Bay VIP Hospitality Lounge DRINK TICKETS 25 one experience voucher DRINKS & CANAPES Welcome Private cash bar EXPRESS ENTRY FOOD & MEDIA LTD. HURLEY’S Cruise ship passenger bought ganja Local man arrested in connection with incident CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A cruise ship passenger ended up spending a couple of extra days on the island after he was seen last week taking part in a transaction that turned out to be the pur- chase of ganja. Alexander Barentine, 23, appeared in Summary Court late Friday, when he pleaded guilty to buying a small quan- tity of ganja in the George Town harbor area on Jan. 18. He had come ashore from the Carnival Freedom. A Port Authority schedule showed the vessel’s expected arrival time as 7:44 a.m. and its de- parture at 4:30 p.m. The incident that led to Barentine’s arrest occurred around 12:45 p.m., Crown counsel Aaliyah McCarthy told Magistrate Valdis Foldats. She said customs of- ficers were driving in the area of Shedden Road and South Church Street, near the Cayman Islands National Mu- seum, when they observed a local person of interest. The officers had previously re- ceived information that he was selling drugs to tourists. The man was seen to ap- proach the tourist – Barentine – and then hand him some- thing. After observing fur- ther interaction between the two men, the customs offi- cers exited their vehicle. The local man tried to leave the scene but was detained, as was Barentine. The Customs K-9 Unit was called and on arrival alerted officers to a small packet in the museum yard. It was wrapped in clear plastic and contained vegetable matter that proved to be ganja. The dog also alerted officers to the tourist’s backpack, which con- tained a small packet of ganja. Both men were arrested. Barentine was trans- ported to the Fairbanks de- tention center, where he was interviewed and made full admissions. The magistrate asked him, “Why did you think it was OK to come to a foreign country and break the law?” The defendant said he did not know how seriously the matter was taken here. He said he was from Oklahoma, where there is “still zero tol- erance,” but he was able to make road trips to Colo- rado [where ganja is legal]. He said he suffered from de- pression and ganja was the only thing that balanced his mentality. The magistrate said Bar- entine was taking a chance, regardless of his reason. “You don’t know how you’re going to be treated in other countries,” he pointed out. “The sentence could be jail – or worse.” In this case, he said, the sentence would ordinarily be a fine of $500, but he could reduce that to $300 because of the guilty plea. He also re- corded a conviction because this was not an inadvertent breaking of the law. The magistrate noted that Barentine was going to have to fly home, which would be another added expense. After court adjourned, Mrs. McCarthy confirmed that the local person had not yet been brought to court. The Financial Crime Unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is warning the public about two employ- ment scams targeting off-is- land job seekers. The advertisements, cir- culated via email, claim to be recruiting staff for two hotels on Grand Cayman, the Westin and another un- named “luxury” hotel, the po- lice said in a press release. The Westin informed the RCIPS that the advertise- ment is not genuine. The emails ask applicants to send money via Western Union to pay for half of their airfare to Grand Cayman, as well as the FedEx cost for the plane ticket and their work permit. The emails refer job seekers to a purported im- migration lawyer, “Marilou M. Cariazo,” as the receiver of the funds. The advertise- ment claims to be from “Mr. C. Velasquez, the CEO of the Westin Hotel.” There is no immigration lawyer in the Cayman Islands or person affiliated with the Westin by either name, the police release said. A second advertisement appears highly suspi- cious, the FSU said, and job seekers are strongly recom- mended not to respond to it. The Financial Crime Unit reminds job-seekers that le- gitimate employers in the Cayman Islands do not seek work permit costs up front and that money should never be wired in response to any job advertisements. Such ads and emails should be treated as highly suspicious and not responded to, au- thorities warn. Email scams target off-island job seekers The Westin informed the RCIPS that this advertisement is not genuine.This ad also appears highly suspicious, the Financial Crime Unit said.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days George Town Lions of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman and Tropical Gardens, alongside Leos and other community partners, marked a milestone for the organization this month and welcomed new members. Lions donned their blazers in pride on Jan. 14 at Ragazzi restaurant, where they cel- ebrated the 138th birthday of founder Melvin Jones and recognized 100 years in “Li- onism,” which aims to provide global community service. They also welcomed eight new Lions, a press release states. In 1917 at age 38, Mr. Jones, a Chicago busi- nessman, along with other businessmen, founded Lions Clubs to improve the com- munity, according to the press release. Mr. Jones urged members of his local business club to reach beyond business is- sues and address the bet- terment of their communi- ties and the world. He asked, “What if these men, who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and am- bition, were to put their tal- ents to work improving their communities?” A celebratory event is held annually to bring awareness of his achievements and devo- tion to service. According to the release, the first Lions Club in the Cayman Islands was founded in October 1972 under the leadership of the late Thomas “Tommy” Hurlston. Today Lions have more than 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and 1.4 million members worldwide, a press release states. The new Lions inducted this month were Patricia Forbes, Michael Havlin, Georgia Harding, Florette Ancel and Patrice Hanson, who joined The Lions Club of Grand Cayman, and Andra Ebanks, Phillip Laing and Dionne Nmai, who joined the Tropical Gardens club. Out of the Lions com- munity, three were awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship award: Ian Yearwood, Letitia Lawrence and Ewan Jacques. Lions Tannya Mortimer, Alphonso Wright and An- drew Eden received Pro- gressive Melvin Jones Fellowship awards. “I am so proud to be a member of this honor- able club and be a part of to this momentous occa- sion,” said Lions President Tannya Mortimer. “As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2017, it’s a moment to look back on our long and proud tradition of service and the numerous achievements of our asso- ciation with Lions around the world who continue to change lives through humani- tarian service.” Zone Chairwoman Deborah Ebanks noted the year brings a new era for the Cayman Lions family in forming their very own Zone: Zone 4C. “As the inaugural chair- person, I am extremely proud that we continue to volun- teer service to the less for- tunate and to increase our numbers by another eight members which speaks volumes to the commitment of Lions ensuring that ‘Where there is a need, there is a Lion as We Serve.’” Guest speaker Joel Walton, a past Leo, reflected on the evolution of Lions locally over the years, unity in Li- onism and how collaboration achieves more. He also encouraged Lions to continue the great ser- vice provided locally over more than four decades, con- cluding that no matter how long a Lion is absent, coming back to the club always feels like home. TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 YEARS AGO Strike halts airport work for three days In the Jan. 25, 1967 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a pre- cursor of the Cayman Compass, news from George Town included: “A labour walkout of 90 per- cent of the staff at Caribbean As- phalt Co. Ltd. last week halted the company’s operation [at the Air- port] for three days, the Cayma- nian has learned. “The walkout stemmed from the refusal of management to de- mands for higher wages for la- bourers and plant operators, according to Fred Cartwright, Di- rector of the firm. “The men, he said, were earning 5 shillings 5 pence per hour, or 2 pounds 3 shillings 4 pence per day, which is a standard wage for such labour in Grand Cayman. Most of the men, it was pointed out, earn more than this with their overtime salary.” Other news included: “A few member hotels con- nected with the Cayman Islands Hotel Association have – as a re- sult of the visit here last week of a number of tourism promoters – decided to admit tour operators on a trial basis, the Cayma- nian has learned. “The Hotel Association, a spokesman said, has in the past adhered to a policy of not dealing with tour op- erators because of ‘commu- nications difficulties.’ Some Association members now feel that these difficulties can be overcome through more extensive use of North American hotel representatives. “This could be a boon to tourism here – and to Cayman,’ the spokesman said. “The Hotel Association also an- nounced that a new President was elected at last week’s meeting. Mr. Bob Brenton, Manager of Cayman Kai, succeeded Mr. John Hatch, Beach Club, as President of the As- sociation for the next year. “Vice President elect is Mr. Ted Henson of La Fontaine, Secretary, Mrs. Jeanne Brenton who was re-elected to the office, Treasurer, Mr. Tony Le Grice, Royal Bank of Canada, and Parliamentarian, Mr. A.J. Scott, of Jacques Scott and Co. Ltd., Imports …. “The Coral Caymanian Hotel will have its grand opening next Monday, offering theatrical en- tertainment featuring Prince Zamba (from Nassau) and Lord Bromo, better known as ‘Mr. Ca- lypso’ and a dance with music by the Infernaires. “Mr. John Zullo, agent for the hotel, said the entertainment will also include a charming lady named ‘Estrelita’ the Ca- lypso Chorus Girls and Brendon n’ Patricia – adding up to an enjoyable evening in thatch decor. “The troupe, known as ‘Calypso Island – the most exciting show in the West Indies’ will be at the Coral Caymanian two nights, opening night and on Wednesday, with the dance beginning at 9 p.m. and the show scheduled for 11 p.m. Cover charge will be 12 shillings. Dress – white shirt for the gentlemen. “The five year old hotel, now under new management, is pres- ently being renovated, but Mr. Zullo said rooms are available. Dinner will not be served at the hotel this season, however.” In the same issue, George Town correspondent Frances Bodden wrote: “Please note that sodium chlo- ride treatment for children may be obtained from the dental clinic. Parents are urged to have the bottles refilled at their earliest convenience as this treatment is not only essential but most benefi- cial. Mrs. Hebe Massias, the dental nurse is on duty at the clinic daily as from 8 a.m. until 12 noon … “Mr. Ethon Lowe, student of the University of West Indies, ar- rived on the 20th to collect liz- ards for Harvard University. He will visit Cayman Brac and Little Cayman before returning to Ja- maica. We welcome this zoologist and hope that his mission will be successful and that he will enjoy his brief stay here. “We note with pleasure the re- pairs being made to the highway leading up to George Town and do sincerely trust that an effort will be made to repair the awful potholes near the Royal Bank of Canada, Mr. Fossie Arch’s store and outside Miss Amy Bodden’s house on South Church Street. Thank you in anticipation … “Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Joyce left for Jamaica on the 21st by jet, also Miss Cynthia Jackson.” Many members were recognized for their service.The newly inducted members of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman and the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens. Lions Club marks a century of ‘Lionism’ Three Lions were awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship award: Ian Yearwood, Letitia Lawrence and Ewan Jacques. DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days West Bay CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 50 years ago: Capt. Robert Ebanks passes In the Jan. 18, 1966 edition of the Cayma- nian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, West Bay correspondent Leila Yates wrote: “Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Ebanks (Bill) be- came the happy par- ents of a son on the 8th named Elvis McLurn, weighing 6 pounds. “Gwenda Rivers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rivers, celebrated her 9th birthday with a party and received many lovely gifts. “Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth Ebanks received the gift of a son on the 9th weighing 9 pounds 7 ounces. “Mr. Roland Hydes ar- rived home on the 10th from the U.S. and left on the 15th for Jamaica to obtain a legal visa for admission to the U.S.A. “Messrs. Creston Powery and Livingston Powery left on the 10th to join S.S. Steineger for National Bulk Carriers. “Elder and Mrs. Hol- burne Conolly arrived on the 11th from Utilla Spanish Honduras where they were doing missionary work for the S.D.A. Church. “Mr. Malachi Ebanks ar- rived on the 13th from New York where he resides. He is on a visit to relatives but when his four children are finished in school he in- tends to retire here. He is a U.S. citizen.” Thomas D. Ebanks son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Ebanks of West Bay celebrated his 10th birthday on the 15th. “Capt. Robert Ebanks of North West Point died at his residence on the 11th after being in failing health for 10 months. He was a hard working, trustworthy seaman all his life. He was 81 years of age. He is sur- vived by one sister, Annie in Cuba, Capt. Allie O. Ebanks in Cayman, several grand- children, and great grand- children. Funeral service was held in the Church of God by Pastor Fossie Arch, with Pastor W.T. Bodden and Rev. R. Coke assisting. Interment was in the West Bay cemetery. “Master Kervine Glidden son of Mr. and Mrs. Al- stead Glidden had an emer- gency appendectomy on the 9th. We are glad to say he is back home and recuper- ating nicely.” In the Jan. 25, 1967 edi- tion, Ms. Yates wrote: “Miss Tilda Bush and her brother, Tyrone, chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Edingston Bush from Miami, Florida, paid a short visit to relatives. They went to Jamaica to obtain their legal residence in the U.S. They were born here. “Messrs. William (Billy) Powery and Barex Powery left on the 21st for jobs in the U.S. Barex has legal admission. “We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Sam Henning on the arrival of their first son in Miami on the 16th named Samuel Loraine Weighing 7 1/2 pounds. “Mr. Evans Coe who lives in the U.S. paid a visit here. He has taken his sister Thelma, who had been living with rela- tives in Batabano and also cared for by kind neigh- bours, with him. “Messrs. Darby Powery, Austin Ebanks, and Danley McLean left on the 17th to join the S.S. Emperor of Na- tional Bulk Carriers. “Mr. and Mrs. George Hydes left for Miami on the 13th. Miss Alice Ebanks North West Point has gone to Michigan to work for a family. Leaving the same day was Mrs. Euldine Boncek for her home in Miami. “Mr. James Williams ar- rived home on vacation from S.S. Prud Wood of Na- tional Bulk Carriers. “Mr. Buel Welds of Il- linois Glass Co. returned home on the 17th. “Lisa McLaughlin cel- ebrated her first birthday on the 17th. Lisa’s mummy is the Matron of our hos- pital and we congratu- late Mr. and Ms. Stanton T. McLaughlin on their fine daughter.” CARE welcomes pets at Sir John A. Cumber Owners, dogs, veterinarians and vol- unteers attended CARE’s first Operation Grassroots of 2017 last weekend at West Bay’s sports field by Sir John A. Cumber Primary School. CARE is a local animal welfare or- ganization using education on respon- sible pet ownership, animal welfare and animal behavior as a way to prevent ill treatment, cruelty and suffering to all domestic animals, and which also works to eliminate over-population of domestic animals with its community spay and neuter program. The West Bay grass-roots program is targeted at assisting under-serviced communities to improve the lives of pets by offering preventive veterinary care and sterilization. It is funded from a do- nation last year of $29,000 from the 100 Women Who Care Cayman charity. “It was great to finally get into West Bay, and we had an extremely busy afternoon meeting a whole menag- erie of dog breeds,” said Lesley Agosti- nelli of CARE. She said owners or caretakers of 27 dogs and one cat signed up for the program at the event. The animals re- ceived their first vaccine, deworming, other necessary treatments, a micrcohip and had a full health check, under the supervision of Dr. Brenda Bush of Is- land Veterinary Services, assisted by the veterinary clinic’s Joanna Laws and Jennie Boyers. Ms. Agostinelli noted that many of the dogs had already come through the organization’s spay and neuter program, so it was very encouraging to see the an- imals’ owners or caretakers moving for- ward with further preventive healthcare. Three of the dogs brought by the West Bay clinic were scheduled for spay and neuter surgery, while one dog that was suffering from a large ear hema- toma was brought in for surgery and is now on the road to recovery. At the clinic, four dogs tested posi- tive for heartworm, so CARE will be as- sisting the owners to start them on a treatment course. “We had two pregnant dogs, so we will be staying in touch with the owners once the puppies are born, but moms all got a good deworming, which is great for those unborn pups,” said Ms. Agostinelli. “A huge shout-out to the volunteers who worked super hard keeping the lines of registration flowing – Joan, Re- bekah, Sabrina, Monika and Mark, thank you for giving up your afternoon to care for the community and the animals. Without you all, it would not be pos- sible,” she said. Mary-Anne Henderson-Lawrence and Jennie Boyers assist at the clinic.Zana gets a checkup from Dr. Brenda Bush. Joanna Laws helps with a health check. 50 years ago: Capt. Robert Ebanks passes8 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Rónán Nadaraja 22nd April 1973 - 24th January 1998 Remembering with love our darling younger brother, Rónán Not a day passes that we don’t think of you and wish you were here. We miss you so very much. Your loving sisters and brother, Ingrid, Fiona and Seán Firearm recovered from crashed truck Two men, ages 47 and 24, were taken into custody after 2 a.m. Sat- urday after their vehicle was fol- lowed by police, ending in a colli- sion near A.L. Thompson’s in George Town, a spokesperson for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said. What appeared to be a loaded and unlicensed firearm was recovered from the men’s pickup truck, which was also seized for the investigation, the RCIPS said in a press release. Chief Inspector Patrick Beersingh said the men failed to stop for po- lice on Shamrock Road. Police then followed the vehicle until the driver lost control, resulting in a collision with a utility pole on Sound Way, just off North Sound Road. The men were treated for injuries at the Cayman Island Hospital and released into police custody. Chief Inspector Patrick Beersingh said the men failed to stop for police on Shamrock Road. A utility pole is replaced Saturday morning. The driver of a truck being followed by police lost control and collided with the pole, police reported. - PHOTO: MATT LAMERS were expected in connection with the probe, which in- volved alleged bribes paid to officials in exchange for var- ious services the immigra- tion department provides. The three employees ar- rested in the Anti-Corrup- tion Commission probe are among eight immigration staffers now on required leave – suspended with pay – for “various reasons,” ac- cording to Mr. Smith. Others include Chief Im- migration Officer Linda Evans, who has faced po- tential disciplinary action following her suspension in December 2014. Ms. Evans, who faces no criminal alle- gations, has never had the administrative accusations against her resolved. Also suspended is Assis- tant Chief Immigration Of- ficer Jeannie Lewis, who faces allegations of assisting an illegal migrant to remain in the Cayman Islands. Deputy Chief Immi- gration Officer Garfield Wong, who is also before the traffic court in connec- tion with a DUI case, re- mains on the job. Mr. Smith’s statement re- leased Sunday indicates that more than 160 people work at the Immigration Depart- ment. These employees were responsible for more than 500 arrests alleging various immigration offenses during 2016, as well as the collec- tion of $400,000 in adminis- trative fines during the year. “The people of the Cayman Islands rely on us to stop dangerous people from entering the country, prevent illicit, dangerous goods such as drugs and weapons from reaching their communities and take effective action against those who break our rules,” Mr. Smith said. “We cannot and will not let them down.” is allowed to be searched by a local authority in response to formal queries from law enforcement or tax agencies from other countries. Legal changes will also seek to require limited li- ability companies in the Cayman Islands to establish beneficial ownership registers. The beneficial ownership register will not be made public in Cayman, according to government ministers. The Legal Practitioners Law amendments, which have been debated for the last 15 years, are an attempt to pass modern regulatory standards for Cayman Islands lawyers ahead of an international fi- nancial review here set for mid-2017. Lawmakers tried to ap- prove that legislation in Oc- tober, but were foiled by pres- sure from certain interests in the local legal fraternity and opposition members. The crux of the dispute over the current lawyers bill centers on law firms that wish to expand their pres- ence in overseas financial ser- vices markets to remain com- petitive in what has become a global industry, on the one hand, and on the other hand, Caymanian-born attorneys who fear they will be left be- hind in that expansion and believe that globalization will lead to outsourcing. A number of other signifi- cant pieces of legislation are on the agenda for the Feb- ruary meeting. A total of 18 bills are due to be brought be- fore parliament. Ombudsman Abolishing the indepen- dent offices of the information commissioner and complaints commissioner, newly released legislation proposes to create an ombudsman’s office to oversee open records requests, complaints of government maladministration and public complaints against the police. The Ombudsman Bill, 2016, gives Cayman’s governor the power to appoint an om- budsman to the new post for seven years with no possibility of reappointment. The gover- nor’s selection must be made in consultation with the pre- mier and the opposition leader, according to the bill. Two deputy ombudsmen will serve under the om- budsman, one to manage Freedom of Information mat- ters and the other to handle maladministration complaints. Power to deal with complaints against police is given directly to the ombudsman but may be delegated, according to the bill. The proposal to combine the independent offices of the information commissioner and complaints commissioner has been in discussion for more than two years and has been touted by government as a cost-saving measure. The om- budsman office will replace two department directors at a savings of approximately $205,000 per year. The proposal requires changes to at least six laws, in- cluding those governing the in- formation commissioner and complaints commissioner, as well as government public ser- vice management and financial management legislation. Public authorities Legislation that seeks to “normalize” pay in the Cayman Islands government’s sep- arately operating public authorities is also set to come before lawmakers. The Public Authorities Bill, 2016, would place rank-and- file workers and senior man- agers in the statutory author- ities and government-owned companies under “the same terms of conditions of service” as a rank-and-file civil servant or civil service manager. In ad- dition, the bill seeks to give Cabinet members far greater control – through appointed boards – over the financial management of those sepa- rate entities. The government has ap- proximately 26 authorities and companies for which Cabinet members now appoint boards, and in recent years lawmakers have alleged – backed by re- ports from the auditor gener- al’s office – that those entities’ spending was excessive and ir- responsible in many cases. In one example from 2014, lawmakers revealed that the executive directors of the port, Cayman Airways and the airports authority made more than Premier Alden McLaughlin at the time. Health insurance Stricter rules for health in- surance providers are also con- sidered under the Health In- surance Amendment Bill, 2017. The legislation seeks to give the Health Insurance Commission power to issue a certificate to show the insurer has been approved to provide health insurance in Cayman. Certificates granted under the law are good for a year but can be revoked if the in- surer does not provide proper health coverage to individuals or groups under its plan. Insurers can dispute the health commissioner’s deci- sion to revoke a certificate to the Grand Court. Water, gas Legal changes that allow for greater regulation of the fuel and water supply sec- tors in Cayman are also due to be brought during the Feb- ruary meeting. The effort began in October with the creation of Cayman’s Utility Regulation and Compe- tition Office [URCO] and is ex- pected to be completed with the approval of the Water Au- thority Law and amendments to the URCO legislation. Budgeting The Cayman Islands gov- ernment will publicly report how much money it earns and how much it spends every three months, begin- ning in January 2018, ac- cording to changes proposed in the Public Management and Finance Law. In addition, legal changes will allow gov- ernment to pay off debt early if it wishes. Beneficial ownership, lawyers’ rules up for debate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Immigration: ‘Zero tolerance’ for employee misconduct CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Amendments to the Legal Practitioners Law and the Companies Law that deal with a beneficial ownership registry for Cayman incorporated companies will be debated at the next meeting, which starts on Feb. 22.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2017 InsideOut magazine and Tomlinson Furniture have joined to bring you “Your Sleep Sanctuary”, a luxurious CI$4,000 mattress package. A LUXURIOUS SLEEP SANCTUARY A LUXURIOUS Enter to WinEnter to Win Enter online at www.caymancompass.com/contests Two ways to enter Entry deadline: Friday, February 3, 2017 Or visit Tomlinson Furniture on Walker’s RoadNext >