ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 Come meet Peanuts. We are open! Going fresh, local, delicious, quick, convenient, crisp, hot, cool, tangy, healthy, juicy, crunchy, spiced, sweet, salty, wholesome, appetising, delectable, flavourful, fruity, heavenly, mouthwatering, scrumptious, savoury, fizzy, organic, full- bodied, gourmet, hearty, satisfying, homemade, indulgent, lean, lip-smacking and yummy grab and go things. Cross-examination of former UCCI chief starts Monday BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Former University Col- lege of the Cayman Islands President Hassan Syed said Friday that he left the Cayman Islands in April 2008 because he was “very sick” – not because of con- cern about an ongoing audit at the school that uncovered financial irregularities on his university-issued credit card. Syed, now 51, told a jury of five women and two men that he was going through “multiple health issues” at the time, including high blood-pressure, stomach trouble and bleeding behind his right eye. Syed said his condition, cancer in the small intestine, was not successfully diag- nosed until 2012 – some four years after he left Cayman. The former university president is accused in a 12- count indictment of theft, HASSAN SYED TELLS JURY ABOUT HIS DEPARTURE, RETURN TO CAYMAN KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com After nearly a decade of planning, John Gray High School’s new 22,000-square foot gymnasium is ex- pected to be ready for use in time for May exams and a November National Col- legiate Athletic Association basketball tournament. Senior project manager Jonathan Matthews said the facility has come in under budget, but would not specify budget details. “The budget is not some- thing that can be shared at this stage. Until we’ve got to the final account agreed with [contractor] McAlpine, it would be not sensible,” he said during a gymnasium tour. “The budget and final ac- count is confidential. As soon as we finish the project and we’ve agreed on the final ac- count, we’ll reveal what the budget is.” The 18-month, 2016-17 Budget unspecified for new John Gray High School gym Legends take to the court NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@pinnaclemedialtd.com With its usual mix of im- pressive tennis moves and en- tertaining on-court banter and antics, the annual Legends show- case was held at Festival Green in Camana Bay Friday night. John McEnroe faced off against Jim Courier in the men’s singles, followed by McEnroe teaming up with Slovakian player Daniela Hantuchova and Courier with Chris Evert for the mixed doubles match. This year’s Legends was a scaled-down affair, covering just one evening of play, unlike in previous years when it spanned two evenings. The players also took part in a meet-and-greet the following day at the Arts and Recreation Centre. Friday night’s Legends eve- ning was marked with a great deal of skillful play on court – as well as some unexpected bare- chested dancing by McEnroe. After both the men’s singles and mixed doubles matches, he took off his orange shirt and threw it into the crowd and then, joined by laughing ball boys, showed off some of his dance moves. This led his op- ponent Courier to remark wryly to the crowd at the post-match John McEnroe returns a serve. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 14 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 10 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » The annual Legends tournament was held in Camana Bay Friday night, featuring John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Daniela Hantuchova, Chris Evert and local participants. - PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY2 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 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. - MONDAY - JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (R) 12:45 | 3:55 | 7:00 | 9:50 LEGO BATMAN 3D (PG) 12:30 2D | 3:40 | 6:50 2D | 9:45 A CURE FOR WELLNESS (R) 12:15 | 6:30 | 9:40 XXX: RETURN OF THE (PG13) XANDER CAGE 3D 1:00 | 4:00 2D | 7:25 | 10:00 2D FIFTY SHADES DARKER (R) 12:35 | 3:45 | 6:55 | 9:40 Life Extension Gym and Sauna 949-3753 “We make it easier to show up ” Burglary charges include attempted rape Defendant remanded in custody CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Ronnie Rodney Ebanks, 48, appeared in Summary Court on Friday, Feb. 17, charged with offenses arising from an incident at a West Bay Road condominium on Monday, Feb. 13. Ebanks, of a West Bay address, is charged with attempted rape, burglary, in- decent assault and theft. Details allege that he entered a unit at the com- plex as a trespasser with intent to rape, that he at- tempted to have sexual in- tercourse with a named female there without her consent, that he indecently assaulted her and then stole US$240 from a wallet inside the unit. Crown counsel Ken- neth Ferguson began to set out a chronology of events, but defense attorney Lau- rence Aiolfi advised the court that no application for bail was being made that morning, so no background was necessary. Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn said the attempted rape charge could only be heard in the Grand Court; since the burglary and inde- cent assault appeared to be linked, they would be trans- mitted to the higher court also. She pointed out that these two offenses are Cate- gory B – able to be dealt with in either court. However, she noted, the theft was a Cate- gory C – meaning that it can be dealt with only in Summary Court. Mr. Aiolfi asked for two weeks before another men- tion because he had not yet received any papers per- taining to the case. Ebanks was also charged in relation to an incident at a different condominium complex along West Bay Road on Oct. 24, 2016. He is accused of attempting to break into a unit there and damaging a mesh screen. The charges laid were at- tempted burglary and damage to property. Ebanks was remanded in custody until Friday, Feb. 24 for the Grand Court mat- ters. He is to appear in Summary Court again on Tuesday, March 7. PR challenge put off until summer Court to rule on whether damages can be claimed due to delay BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com An accountant who filed a court challenge over how long it took the government to hear his application for permanent residence is likely to have his case heard some- time in June or July. According to attorneys with HSM Chambers, Bradley Carpenter’s judicial review hearing is now listed for “the first open date after May 26” following a directions hearing in court Friday. Cayman’s general election date is May 24. Attorneys expected the hearing would take about three days. According to a judicial re- view request filed in October, Mr. Carpenter, who applied for permanent residence in October 2013, suddenly found that his “permission to continue working” status pending approval of his ap- plication had been changed to a “visitor’s” permit by the Immigration Department. No reason was given in the court records as to why Mr. Carpenter and his wife had their “permission to con- tinue working” designation changed, but they filed a legal challenge Oct. 10, 2016 fol- lowing that decision. Grand Court Justice Ingrid Mangatal scheduled a hearing to consider the judi- cial review application con- cerning Mr. Carpenter’s case for Nov. 8, 2016. Four days before the court hearing, Mr. Carpenter was informed that his permanent residence ap- plication had been granted. Justice Mangatal ruled that the judicial review ap- plication should proceed, de- spite the fact Mr. Carpenter had already been granted permanent residence. According to his attor- neys, Mr. Carpenter’s hearing will be held to consider the legality of the Cayma- nian Status and Permanent Residency Board/chief im- migration officer’s decision not to conclude his applica- tion within a reasonable pe- riod of time. The court will also con- sider whether Mr. Carpenter can claim any damages be- cause of the three-year delay. The period between the date a permanent residence application is filed and when the government considers it has become a crucial legal point in the wake of a U.K. Privy Council judgment re- leased in mid-2016. In that judgment, the Privy Council’s judicial com- mittee overturned an earlier decision of an eastern Ca- ribbean court, ruling that a 19-month delay in regis- tering an application for cit- izenship was too long and was “likely to be unlawful” when considering the ap- plicant’s human rights, ac- cording to the judgment is- sued Aug. 2, 2016. “We … conclude that a period of one year, from ap- plication to registration … is in general the outside limit of a reasonable time and that delay beyond that time, absent special con- siderations, is likely to be unlawful because a fetter on the legitimate appli- cant’s right to be registered,” the court ruled. Saturday’s Coco Fest at Pedro St. James was enjoyed by the hun- dreds of people. Now in its second year, Coco Fest celebrates the Cayman co- conut, a bountiful food source with legendary properties and a traditional staple in the Caymanian diet. On the Pedro grounds in Sa- vannah, vendors showcased every- thing coconut. On offer was plenty of fresh co- conut water and jelly, coconut tooth- paste, ice cream, jello, candy shrimp and products such as wall plaques, paintings, rum, oils and a children’s coconut corner. “It was a success last year and a bigger success this year,” said Debbie Bodden, Pedro’s opera- tions manager. The event is a partner- ship between The Tourism At- tractions Board, vendors and Pedro St. James. HUNDREDS ATTEND PEDRO’S COCO FEST Dominique Rochester’s Healthy Alternatives Cayman coconut products were hot sellers at Coco Fest on Saturday. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Ebanks, of a West Bay address, is charged with attempted rape, burglary, indecent assault and theft.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 JOIN US FOR OUR 5 DAY EVENT February 20th • 9am – 5pm To schedule your preferred appointment please contact Muse hearing aids lead the industry in supreme sound quality and premium features. 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PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” WASHINGTON – It’s a Water- gate-era cliche that the cover- up is always worse than the crime. In the Mike Flynn af- fair, we have the first recorded instance of a cover-up in the absence of a crime. Being covered up were the Dec. 29 phone calls between Flynn and the Russian am- bassador to Washington. The presumed violation was Flynn negotiating with a foreign ad- versary while the Obama ad- ministration was still in office and, even worse, discussing with Sergey Kislyak the sanc- tions then being imposed upon Russia (for meddling in the 2016 elections). What’s wrong with that? It is risible to invoke the Logan Act, passed during the John Adams administration, under which not a single American has been prosecuted in the intervening 218 years. It pro- hibits private citizens from ne- gotiating with foreign powers. Flynn was hardly a private cit- izen. As Donald Trump’s pub- licly designated incoming na- tional security adviser, it was perfectly reasonable for him to be talking to foreign actors in preparation for assuming office within the month. Worst case: He was telling Kislyak that the Trump ad- ministration might lift sanc- tions and therefore, comrade, no need for a spiral of retali- ations. How different is this from Barack Obama telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, on an inadvertently open mic, during his 2012 re- election campaign, “This is my last election. After my elec- tion, I have more flexibility.” Flynn would have been giving the Russians useful information that might well have contributed to Russia’s decision not to retaliate. I’m no Russophile. But again: What’s wrong with that? Turns out, the Trump admin- istration has not lifted those sanctions. It’s all a tempest in an empty teapot. The accusations of misbe- havior by Flynn carry a sub- liminal echo of a long-standing charge against Richard Nixon that he interfered in the Paris peace talks in October 1968 to prevent his Democratic op- ponent from claiming a major foreign policy success on the eve of the presidential election. But that kind of alleged diplomatic freelancing would have prolonged a war in which Americans were dying daily. The Flynn conversation was nothing remotely of the sort. Where’s the harm? The harm was not the calls but Flynn’s lying about them. And most especially lying to the vice president who then went out and told the world Flynn had never discussed sanctions. You can’t leave your vice president undercut and exposed. Flynn had to go. Up to this point, the story makes sense. Except for one thing: Why the cover-up if there is no crime? Why lie about talking about sanc- tions? It’s inexplicable. Did Flynn want to head off lines of inquiry about other contacts with Russians that might not have been so innocent? Mas- sive new leaks suggest nu- merous contacts during the campaign between Trump as- sociates and Russian offi- cials, some of whom were in- telligence agents. Up till now, however, reports The New York Times, there is “no evidence” of any Trump campaign collu- sion or cooperation with Rus- sian hacking and other inter- ference in the U.S. election. Thus far. Which is why there will be investigations. Speculation ranges from the wildly malevolent to the rather loopily innocent. At one end of the spectrum is the scenario wherein these campaign officials – including perhaps Flynn, perhaps even Trump – are compromised be- cause of tainted business or political activities known to the Russians, to whom they are now captive. A fevered con- spiracy in my view, but there are non-certifiable people who consider it possible. At the benign end of the spectrum is that the easily flattered Trump imagines himself the great dealmaker who overnight becomes a great statesman by charming Vladimir Putin into a Nixon- to-China grand bargain – we jointly call off the new Cold War, join forces to destroy the Islamic State and reach a new accommodation for Europe that relieves us of some of the burden of parasitic allies. To me, the idea is nuts, a narcissistic fantasy grounded in neither strategy nor his- tory. But that doesn’t mean Trump might not imagine it – after all, he maintains that if we had only stayed in Iraq to steal its oil, we wouldn’t have the Islamic State. And if this has indeed been his thinking about Russia, it would make sense to surround himself with advisers who had exten- sive dealings there. I believe neither of these scenarios but I’m hard put to come up with alternatives. The puzzle remains. Why did Flynn lie? Until we answer that, the case of the cover-up in search of a crime remains unsolved. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. © 2017, The Washington Post Writers Group MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The Progressives government entered office in 2013 facing tremendous challenges in the public schools system, including stubbornly low test scores, disciplinary issues and inconsistent conditions at various physical plants. Nearly four years later, the Progressives are set to unveil a modest achievement in the field of education: A new gymnasium at the John Gray campus. Pardon us if our enthusiasm seems somewhat subdued. We certainly are not opposed to sports or even new gymnasia, but first things first. Our priority is, and will always be, excellence in our classrooms. Everything else is second. We are especially chagrined about government’s lack of transparency regarding the cost of the new facility. Senior project manager Jonathan Matthews said the cost is “confidential.” Ministry of Education Chief Officer Christen Suckoo said, “Let’s not belabor this, OK?” No, not OK. This is the public’s money, and it is being spent at the same time teachers and parents are com- plaining of shortages of books and even basic supplies in some schools. Considering that the new gym is being constructed amidst a half-finished school project “ghost town” that has cost taxpayers, as of March 2012, more than $54 million, the price tag of the new building is exceedingly relevant. Officials contend that revealing the budget or the cost would harm negotiations with contractor McAlpine. Frankly, we doubt it. Would any private contractor be so foolish to construct a project, especially for Cayman’s government, without first agreeing to terms of compen- sation in written, well-lawyered form? For context, it’s worth noting that the government allocated $7.9 million for new John Gray campus con- struction for the current budget year. While students may enjoy using the new gym for sports such as basketball and volleyball, the new gym may do duplicate duty as a shelter during hurricanes – the inescapable truth is that (outside of gym class) this facility does not help John Gray fulfill its core function as a school: to educate. Think of it this way: In the government’s budget, every dollar is a decision. If you had $7.9 million for educa- tion, would you choose to spend it on a gym? On school supplies? Or on teachers? The John Gray campus, when completed, is likely to cost close to $100 million. This follows the $110 mil- lion-plus expenditure on the Clifton Hunter High School Campus in Frank Sound. This might be a good time to recall the educational truism that “financial input does not equal cognitive output.” In fact, often times there is an inverse relationship between dollars spent and academic achievement. Supposedly, the gym will be completed and ready for use in May. As the government points out, that’s in time for end-of-year examinations. The new gym will also be ready in time for the “Cayman Islands Classic” college basketball tournament – an initiative the Progressives government has been pushing for years, and whose start date of November 2017 was announced back in October 2015. Perhaps coincidentally – but perhaps not – the new gym will be ready in time for Elections Day, May 24. We fear that the motivations underlying the construc- tion, and the timing, of the new gym (rather than the classrooms) are precisely what we suspect them to be – that is, political, rather than educational. John Gray gym: Going through hoops to hide the cost The case of the cover-up in search of a crime Charles KrauthammerKrauthammer Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned after he misled Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador to the United States. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 “It would be great if more small practices came on board to support the LPB. It helps them to progress and to operate based on international professional standards.” John Meghoo Attorney at Law Cayman’s legal industry is recognised around the world for its outstanding practitioners, market-leading strategy and commercial strength. However in spite of these accolades, our legal industry is operating under a law that is more than 30 years old. The Legal Practitioners Bill (LPB) is urgently required for the Cayman Islands to keep up with modern global legal industry standards. Support for the LPB has been voiced by 20 Cayman Islands law Global industry. Global standards. www.caymanlawsociety.org “This is the best attempt at a modern, balanced law that meets the needs of both the legal industry and those of Caymanian lawyers.” Alasdair Robertson President of Cayman Islands Law Society, Global Managing Partner, Maples and CalderDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days George Town MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Almost 200 children took part in Triple C School’s annual Sports Day on Feb. 9. The event is a school tradition going back four generations, in which the school’s three houses, Kings, Saints and Angels, compete for bragging rights and prizes. “The No. 1 thing is character,” said Mable Richardson, principal. “We always say to the students, ‘you’re in it to win it, but at the same time good sportsmanship, good behavior, and learning how to win is important. “It develops everything you need to be a team player, espe- cially in a job and in a family.” The 190 students from grades 1 through 5 competed in events including 50, 100, and 200 meter races, as well as the classic three-legged race. It was organized by phys- ical education teachers Sydonie Pearson, Junior Welcome and Justin White. Hyacinth Rose, board member, said the children learn even when they are not competing. “It’s also for the children who are observing,” she said. “They cheer their team on and feel a part of something that’s bigger than themselves. So when one person wins, it’s the team that wins.” “It develops everything you need to be a team player, especially in a job and in a family.” MABLE RICHARDSON, principal Students stride to success 50 YEARS AGO Undelivered telegram raises fears about overdue plane In the Feb. 22, 1967 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, news from George Town provides an interesting anecdote from an era before instant over- seas communications: “Great concern for the safety of the 92 passengers and 7 crew members of the Pacific Western plane on Saturday the 18th was ex- perienced when a telegram was not delivered to Galleon Beach Hotel. This telegram was sent from Vancouver on Friday night at five minutes to midnight and was stamped as arriving in Grand Cayman at 9:42 a.m. on Saturday. It stated, ‘Flight departure de- layed until 1800 hours Sat- urday due to mechanical and weather ETA Cayman 0800 Sunday ETD approximately noon Sunday, McManus.’ “The plane was due at 10 a.m. and fearing for the safety of the passengers, which included his wife, friends, and friends of his guests who were on the plane, at 11:50 a.m. on Sat- urday Mr. Strieff went to the cable office and enquired if there was a telegram for Gal- leon Beach Hotel, whereupon the boy produced the cable from his pocket and when asked what time it was pro- posed to deliver same he re- plied, ‘After lunch, sir.’ “The expense involved by keeping 23 taxis waiting at the airport for two hours, 2 truck loads of luggage being transported and unloaded, the double change of bed linen when guests had to stay an extra night, is hard to evaluate, to say nothing of the extreme anxiety, which could all have been avoided had this cable been delivered or a telephone call made. There is no telephone at the cable office but the Admin- istrator’s Office is only a stone’s throw away. “A cable giving similar information sent to LACSA by Pacific Western was not delivered to Mr. Norman Bodden until 11:45 a.m. al- though it arrived at 9:45 a.m. “The Air Traffic Con- trol staff took the normal safety precautions when the plane was overdue and sig- nals were sent out which re- sulted in the Coast Guard in Florida standing by. “It is good to learn from Cable & Wireless that they are expecting to take over the telegraph system within the next three months which should result in a more re- liable service by the use of teleprinters. They also intend to have messengers on mo- torcycles which should speed up the delivery service which is essential. The seriousness of this incident suggests that a telephone should be in- stalled at once at the Wire- less Station for use in cases of emergency.” Anthony Chin, grade 3, wins his 200m race. Grade 1 students fly down the field at Triple C School’s annual Sports Day, a school tradition going back four generations. Jayven Bonner, winner of the 50m.Joshua Allen, grade 2, runs to victory.District Days George Town DISTRICT DAYS 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 National Gallery hosts Curious Catboats family day Cayman’s quaint cat- boats were front and center last weekend as the National Gallery welcomed families for an afternoon of activi- ties dedicated to the little blue watercraft. Children of all ages ex- plored the National Gallery’s new maritime exhibitions, Upon the Seas, and Saltwater in Their Veins, created their own ocean-inspired prints, and viewed an authentic Cayman catboat, a press release states. With the help of activity sheets and family guides, participants were able to creatively interact with the artwork as well as ex- plore their creativity with guided art instruction led by Sarah McDougall. According to the release, the Catboat Club’s Captain Kem Jackson and Loxley Banks made a special ap- pearance offering up sto- ries of seafaring and ship- building alongside their life-sized catboat. “It was really special to see the kids exploring the catboat and learning from Captain Kem and Mr. Banks,” said Gallery education intern Jessica Ebanks. “Our current exhibi- tions honour our maritime history and explore our changing relationship with the sea, so to see children interacting with our heri- tage and creating their own art based on the catboat that they have just seen was a wonderful experience for all involved.” Caleb and Dudley Hamilton with their undersea prints.Nikita and Izrael Jackson work on their prints in the studio. Community group gets new executive At its first meeting of 2017, the Prospect Community Group has appointed six officers elected to serve on its executive committee for the coming year. The new executive committee members are Sabrina Turner (chair), Mark Rickman (deputy chair), Gaye Marie Smith (secretary), Marilyn Conolly (deputy secretary), Kara Coe (treasurer), and Des Ebanks (deputy treasurer). According to a press release, the Prospect Community Group is made up of residents from the local area who have come together on a vol- untary basis to make a positive dif- ference in the community and pro- vide assistance where possible to local residents in need. Formerly under the leadership of Carmen Mc- Field, the group has spearheaded a number of community initiatives, including area beautification and removal of derelict vehicles, gift- giving to children at Christmas, and a fish-fry held in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Red Cross, the release states. “I am sure I speak on behalf of most if not all residents in Prospect when I say we love where we live, and on that basis I am honored to chair our community group’s Execu- tive Committee,” said Ms. Turner. “As residents, it is in our interest to work together to keep Prospect as a safe, peaceful and welcoming community that looks out for each other and takes care of our neigh- borhood. We are grateful to Mrs. McField for the great job she has done and I look forward to con- tinuing the momentum and working closely with the executive team and residents to bring about improve- ments in our area.” Mr. Rickman noted that, as well as being an active community group, over 43 residents recently received training from the Hazard Manage- ment Council in order to establish a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Prospect area. “This has greatly increased our resilience and level of disaster pre- paredness,” said Mr. Rickman. “More importantly, it means that in the event of a natural disaster or other hazard affecting the area, our CERT team can quickly mobi- lize, assess damage and report to the Hazard Management Unit. De- pending on the circumstance, if out- side assistance cannot reach us in a hurry, it is important to have a CERT team that can fill in to help residents till help arrives.” The Prospect Community Group meets on the first Monday of the month at the Seafarers Hall at 7 p.m., and all residents are encour- aged to attend. From time to time, representatives from the RCIPS, De- partment of Environmental Health, Elections Office and other organi- zations have been invited to pro- vide information or updates on relevant issues. “The monthly meetings are a great way to meet other people in the neighborhood and provide an opportunity to openly discuss ideas or concerns,” said Ms. Turner. “In addition, there is an email address for contacting the Execu- tive Committee, as well as a Face- book page for sharing news and in- formation more widely,” she said, noting that by liking and following the group’s facebook page residents can easily keep abreast of the hap- penings in the area. “Prospect is one of the largest communities in George Town and I really hope we will see more people coming out to the meetings and playing an active role in improving the community in which we all live,” she continued. “While there is a committee that is trying to do its best to uplift the area, we cannot do it alone and are dependent on support and assis- tance from residents.” To contact the Prospect Community Executive Committee email prospectcommunity345@gmail.com or like the Prospect Community facebook page. “As residents, it is in our interest to work together to keep Prospect as a safe, peaceful and welcoming community that looks out for each other and takes care of our neighborhood.” SABRINA TURNER, Prospect Community Group chair The new Prospect Community Group executive team, from left, are Gaye Marie Smith, Des Ebanks, Sabrina Turner, Mark Rickman, Donald Bennie Moore, Kara Coe and Marilyn Conolly. “It was really special to see the kids exploring the catboat and learning from Captain Kem and Mr. Banks.” JESSICA EBANKS, gallery education internThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS PremierHealth BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town.Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, Cayman BracTel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Ltd. acts solely as an agent on behalf of various insurers; it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. There will come a time when you need your health plan to give you flexibility and choice! Network hospitals popular with Cayman residents: Baptist Hospital Nicklaus Children’s Hospital M.D. Anderson Holy Cross Medical Cleveland Clinic Florida South Miami Hospital Johns Hopkins Hospital Mayo Clinic Jacksonville University of Miami Hospital St. Jude Children Research Hospital cgigrp Sometimes we need a little extra help with our health care. BritCay offers internationally renowned network hospitals recognised for excellence and trusted by Cayman residents. In 2015 the largest single claim that CGI received was for $2 million. In addition we paid $851,000 for a premature birth, 11 claims of over $500,000 each and 52 claims of over $100,000 each. With Premier Health you have more freedom of choice than with any other health plan. CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky government budget, ending in June, outlined $7.9 million to continue developing the school. Work on the new John Gray High School campus began in 2008, but was temporarily halted due to lack of funds. As of March 2012, a re- ported $54.4 million had been spent on the new school. Then-Education Minister Rolston Anglin estimated $43 million more would be needed to finish the project. Ministry of Education Chief Officer Christen Suckoo said the current project budget and the final account are tied and that one influ- ences the other. “Let’s not belabor this, OK? The two are tied together … The final account is going to be the agreed sum between the government and McAl- pine,” Mr. Suckoo said. “So with McAlpine standing here, I will tell you frankly what the issue is. If I reveal the budget account and tell McAl- pine how much money I have available before the project, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to work the budget with them to make sure what we end up with is value for the money and is the appro- priate cost. If I do anything other than that I put the government’s money at risk.” Mr. Matthews said the project budget is outlined in a cabinet-approved business case, to be made public on a later date. He added the project has remained on track since construction restarted in June 2016, when contractor McAlpine was selected to complete the sporting facility. Mr. Matthews said govern- ment has recently approved a strategic outline case to move forward with construc- tion of the main John Gray High School building and repurposing of the current campus, split between JGHS and the former George Hicks Middle School properties. Completion of a business outline case for construction of the actual high school is expected to take another five to six months. Mr. Matthews said government is expected to advertise for consultants to complete this phase is coming weeks. If this phase keeps with the expected timeline, Mr. Matthews said construction of the high school should start in 2018 and would be completed around 2020. The new gymnasium houses the central air condi- tioning for the new campus, and Mr. Matthews said this is one reason it has always been planned for construction be- fore the main school building. The multi-purpose sporting facility has seating capacity for 1,900 people. Beyond educational uses, it has been planned for a wide-range of public needs, including hur- ricane shelter, state funerals and national sporting events. JGHS principal Jonathan Clark said the school cur- rently uses mobile and tem- porary classrooms to accom- modate construction plans. “That creates problems and issues on site, in terms of supervision and keeping an eye on students. We do ac- count for most of it but the students really do need a new school. This is really ex- citing and we have the first phases going through now,” Mr. Clark said. Once construction of the new campus is complete, the current school site will be re- purposed. Proposed uses of current buildings include ex- pansion of the University Col- lege of the Cayman Islands campus, the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre or the Department of Education. John Gray High School principal Jonathan Clark sizes up the school’s new 22,000-square foot gymnasium, which is scheduled to open in May. – PHOTO: MATT LAMERS BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A Cayman Islands immi- gration officer who pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and to leaving the scene of an acci- dent without reasonable ex- cuse has been fired. According to a statement released Thursday by the gov- ernment Ministry of Home Affairs: “The ministry … can confirm that Mr. Nicholas Tib- betts was advised in writing on Jan. 24, 2017 that his em- ployment as an immigration officer was terminated with immediate effect.” Mr. Tibbetts had been on required leave (paid sus- pension) since May 2015, following his arrest in the April 23, 2015 crash that killed bicyclist Donnie Ray Connor, 59, along the Linford Pierson Highway. In July 2016, Mr. Tibbetts pleaded guilty to causing Mr. Connor’s death by care- less driving during the early morning incident, which he has told the court he cannot remember. He received a sen- tence of three-and-a-half months over the incident, with his attorney noting that he had been wearing an elec- tronic monitor for about 19 months following his arrest. Government officials said in July that Tibbetts would re- main on paid leave until the court case against him fin- ishes. “Following the conclu- sion of the court proceedings, a decision will be taken with respect to Mr. Tibbetts’s em- ployment with the Depart- ment of Immigration,” said Ministry of Home Affairs Acting Deputy Chief Officer Michael Ebanks. However, court matters re- garding Mr. Tibbetts were not yet ended. Earlier this month, he appeared before the Traffic Court, to face the leaving the scene of an accident charge. The presiding magistrate, Adam Roberts, told the Crown the decision to proceed with this matter was “ridiculous.” Tibbetts received an abso- lute discharge in the matter, meaning that while the court views it is not expedient that the person involved should face punishment, the convic- tion would remain on the of- fender’s record. Tibbetts had already completed serving his Grand Court sentence in the fatal crash before he appeared in Traffic Court this month. The immigration officer was one of 31 Cayman Is- lands civil servants identified by Deputy Governor Franz Manderson in June as being on required leave. Typically, longer periods of suspension from the civil ser- vice involve matters before the court, Mr. Manderson said. The longest such case he was aware of had been ongoing for about four years. Mr. Man- derson said, if convicted of a crime or of a serious adminis- trative violation, civil servants can be “separated” – termi- nated – from the government. Immigration officer charged in fatal wreck loses job Budget unspecified for new John Gray High School gym CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2017 I need you to touch, I need you to see, I need you so much, I need you with me. My life feels so empty, My heart feels so cold. I need you beside me, I need you to hold. Why were you taken? I ask that each day, But no one will answer, I therefore now pray. I pray that you're happy, I pray that you're safe, I pray that I'll hear you, And that I have faith. That's all I have now I have to believe In life beyond this one, We all must achieve. Come to me, Ty And whisper my name. Tell me you're happy, and I'll be the same. My life at the moment Is empty and dark. The light that once shone Has gone out in my heart. Missing you baby boy. Much Love. DAD Tyler M. Ramoon "TY" October 04, 1995 - February 20th, 2015 New QCs welcomed in court ceremony Six attorneys cited for special abilities, commitment to service CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Friends, relatives and col- leagues filled Court One on Friday afternoon, with an overflow crowd in Court Two watching via CCTV as six local attorneys were recog- nized for their distinguished service and special abilities in various areas of law. Acting Governor Franz Manderson and Premier Alden McLaughlin, both at- torneys, attended the cer- emony in which the newly appointed Queen’s Counsel were elevated to the “Inner Bar” where they are expected to make their expertise avail- able to other attorneys for the public good. Each was presented by a senior QC who referred to the individ- ual’s appointment as counsel to Her Majesty Queen Eliza- beth II because of his or her loyalty, integrity, ability and being “learned in law.” The presenter summa- rized the new QC’s career to date, adding a few per- sonal details. Chief Justice Anthony Smellie recognized each one, calling him or her forward to read a declaration of office and sign the roll, which he witnessed. Duly en- rolled, the QC was then in- vited to address the court. Their professional back- grounds and accomplish- ments can be found on websites, but the speeches revealed qualities that made each new QC seem ap- proachable, possessing at- tributes anyone could ap- preciate. One was described as a proficient pianist and marathoner; another, an en- thusiastic dancer; a third was cited for having steered an associate to the only es- tablishment in Hong Kong known to serve Appleton Rum, a pleasant reminder of the Caribbean. One acknowledged the support of a steadfast spouse who was willing to listen “most of the time.” An- other requested a few sec- onds of silence to honor a deceased parent. All expressed their grati- tude to family members and/ or mentors for encourage- ment and inspiration, for setting “lofty expectations” and teaching the value of hard work and honesty. Attorney Eileen Nervik, appointed a QC in 2013, presented the applica- tions of First Legislative Counsel Myrtle Brandt, So- licitor General Jacqueline Wilson and Attorney Sher- idan Brooks-Hurst. Tom Lowe QC presented the ap- plications of two other at- torneys in the private sector, Hector Robinson and Ross McDonough. Attorney Colin McKie, also appointed a QC in 2013, introduced Attorney Ben Tonner, the first member of Cayman’s criminal bar to receive the QC honor. Ms. Brandt used her speech to explain legislative drafting – how one sentence can take days to write in order to avoid loopholes and express the legislators’ will; then a court can dissect it in minutes. She accepted her appointment as a statement of confidence in the work of her department. Ms. Brooks-Hurst worked with government before forming her own firm in 1990. A leader in local family law, she has provided legal opinions in the U.S. and Canada on Cayman pro- ceedings in matrimonial and children’s matters. She helped establish the first gender equality tribunal and is assisting with revision of adoption procedures. Ms. Wilson served as Crown Counsel in Cayman 1997-2002, then worked as Director of the Legal and Enforcement Division of the BVI Financial Services Com- mission before returning to Cayman in 2012. She was also part of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. Mr. McDonough thanked the partners at Campbells for “the opportunity to work and live in this fantastic ju- risdiction” and Mr. Robinson, now at Mourant Ozannes, said the practice of law still gave him a great thrill made even more enjoyable in the “land of soft fresh breezes.” Both men specialize in com- mercial litigation. Mr. Tonner, best known for defending difficult crim- inal matters, paid tribute to the staff at Samson & Mc- Grath for the painstaking behind-the-scenes work re- quired to present cases. Cayman’s new Queen’s Counsel are, from left, Sheridan Brooks-Hurst, Jacqueline Wilson, Myrtle Brandt, Hector Robinson, Ross McDonough and Ben Tonner. - PHOTOS: CAROL WINKER Acting Governor Franz Manderson marks the occasion with Jacqueline Wilson QC, left, and Myrtle Brandt QC. Sheridan Brooks-Hurst QC introduces her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, to Chief Justice Anthony Smellie. Ross McDonough QC is joined by family and friends at the reception following the calls to the Inner Bar.Next >