ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 High of 85 Low of 74 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 UCCI: CAYMAN’S ‘FLAGSHIP’ SCHOOL STILL FOUNDERING SPORTS | PAGE 16 VETTEL BREAKS FERRARI’S F1 DROUGHT WITH VICTORY AT AUSSIE GP 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. Millions given to cover UCCI losses, loans BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government has spent more than $500,000 since 2014 to cover budget shortfalls at the University College of the Cayman Islands which were partly blamed on declining enrollment and “static” school fees. In addition, the government agreed to con- vert some $2.4 million in loans to the school to “contributed capital,” as financial struggles at the university continued during 2015. The school currently receives more than $4 million per year from the government to run its operations, but the payments and “loan forgiveness” have been made in addition to that amount. Education Minister Tara Rivers told the Legislative Assembly last week that the pub- licly funded university, which began offering four-year baccalaureate degrees in 2004, has struggled with operating losses in each year except one for the past decade. These losses, she said, were partly due to a pension plan deficit of $514,000, and more than $211,000 in “unsubstantiated expendi- ture” that occurred during a previous school president’s tenure. “UCCI has found itself continually op- erating close to break-even,” Minister Rivers said. While the school has struggled along as best it can, Ms. Rivers said, the budget situation means it is “challenging” for UCCI to carry out preventive maintenance work and replace school equipment as it breaks down. “This had a significant impact on faculty and staff morale,” the minister said, adding that while overall costs were contained, the impact of the unexpected costs had “caused a strain on the day-to-day operations” at the university. One example of the disrepair cited by Former PPM leader’s brother on opposition party team BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The opposition Cayman Is- lands Democratic Party will field at least 10 party candi- dates, in addition to supporting some independents for the up- coming election. One of those CDP candidates is Denniston Tibbetts, the older brother of Progressives party founder and former leader, Kurt Tibbetts, CDP officials confirmed over the weekend. Denniston Tibbetts is ex- pected to contest the election in the eastern George Town constituency of Red Bay. Asked in February why he would consider standing against his brother’s party alongside its longtime opponent, West Bay MLA McKeeva Bush, Mr. Tibbetts replied, “I love my brother, we grew up together. But the [Progressives] never did anything for me.” Denniston Tibbetts may not face off directly against his brother in George Town, how- ever, because Kurt Tibbetts’s candidacy in the 2017 elections is in doubt. A number of polit- ical hopefuls have speculated Annika Conolly crowned Miss Cayman Islands Anika Conolly of West Bay, the new Miss Cayman Islands, was crowned at the Lions Centre in George Town on Saturday night. Ms. Conolly also won Best Smile and Best in Gown. For more, see page 8. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY LAWYERS BILL FACES MORE DELAYS AS OPPOSITION REIGNITES BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Concerned that government may walk back its earlier agreement on changes to the con- troversial Legal Practitioners Bill, members of the independent opposition on Friday fired a new salvo in the months-long battle over the legislation. A slate of proposed amendments to the bill expected to put majority Caymanian owner- ship in place at all local law firms within 15 years were not heard Friday; they ended up being pushed back to Monday due to a number of other items on the legislative agenda. One of those matters was a “personal ex- planation” statement by East End MLA Arden McLean in which he read a seven-page letter consisting of legal advice signed by Paul Gar- lick, QC, a London attorney. The advice, which was read under parlia- mentary privilege in the Legislative Assembly, was requested from Mr. Garlick so that he could opine on whether certain alleged actions by local law firms in hiring overseas attorneys could amount to a breach of Cayman laws. The first paragraph of the letter indicated that Mr. Garlick was asked to advise on the questions of whether certain law firms that employ an individual who is not properly ad- mitted to practice Cayman law as per section 3 of the Legal Practitioners Law have com- mitted a criminal offense. “It is … a criminal conspiracy when two or more persons agree to prevent or defeat the execution or enforcement of any law or regu- lation,” the advice concludes, referring to sec- tion 322 of the Cayman Islands Penal Code. “In my opinion, the provisions of section 12(3) PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 »2 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 - MONDAY - GET OUT (R) 12:35 I 4:10 I 7:20 I 9:50 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D (PG) 12:55 I 3:50 2D I 6:50 I 9:45 2D KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3D (PG13) 1:00 2D I 4:10 I 7:05 2D I 9:55 POWER RANGERS (PG13) 12:30 I 3:30 I 6:45 I 9:35 LOGAN (R) 12:30 | 3:35 | 6:40 | 9:45 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. *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. 640-FILM (640-3456) Life Extension Gym and Sauna 949-3753 “A better you = a better world ” Author encourages women to embrace their differences KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com New York Times best- selling author Jeannette Walls brought a message of resilience and hope to Grand Cayman during Friday’s third annual “Power of the Purse” fundraiser. Ms. Walls, best known for her memoir “The Glass Castle,” appealed to the common humanity of the au- dience, encouraging women to embrace their stories. The book, translated into 22 languages and currently being adapted for film, tells the story of Ms. Walls’s un- conventional childhood in the American Southwest and in West Virginia. “I’m just a woman with a past, a woman with a story. The telling of that story has hugely changed my life,” Ms. Walls told a full ball- room at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Ms. Walls talked about the pride that can often pre- vent those in need from ac- cepting help. She encour- aged the audience to support other women in a way that reaffirms their dignity. “Let people keep their sense of self and then offer a way out,” she said. She pushed women to ac- cept their stories as a source of triumph rather than shame. “So many of us have sto- ries and so many of us hide our stories, thinking nobody will understand,” she said. “Sometimes we are our own toughest critics. We think nobody will under- stand. But we’re all weird, we’re all different. You try to pretend you’re not and you’re just going to be a pale imper- sonation of somebody else. Embrace those differences and celebrate.” She described the “glass castle” as a metaphor for hope of better times ahead. In the face of hardship, Ms. Walls said this hope is what often keeps people pushing ahead. Representing sponsor Ernst & Young, Lauren Nelson spoke about addressing the gender parity gap and en- couraged businesses to in- vest in sponsoring and mentoring women. The fundraiser auctioned designer purses and hand- bags to benefit the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre. Denise Gower of the Crisis Centre’s board of directors highlighted the humanity, honesty and bravery of Ms. Walls’s writing. She encouraged the com- munity to continue sup- porting the Crisis Centre shelter, which is raising money to build an- other safe house. The facility recently opened a public office, Estel- la’s Place, on Eastern Avenue. Ms. Gower said the facility’s teen and youth lounge hopes to support young people ending cycles of violence. Minister Osbourne Bodden reflected on the much-needed work of the Crisis Centre. “More women than ever know they can now turn to the Crisis Centre while they rebuild their lives,” he said. Jeannette Walls signs copies of her book. Author and keynote speaker Jeannette Walls, center, with Sloane Muldoon of Scotiabank, left, and Lauren Nelson of Ernst & Young Scotiabank’s Carlene Lyn was among the speakers. From left, Nicola Holdsworth, Helena Takhar, Heather Hobbs, Tash Macfadyen, Erika McDonald, Kirsty Isbister, Petra Berksoy, Jojo Sharma, Julie McLaughlin, Samantha Duivenbode and Kate Heffernan Leah Davis of Scotiabank, Minister Osbourne Bodden, Jeannette Walls and Carlene Lyn of ScotiabankThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 The secret is out. Blue is the new green. doctorshospitalcayman.comThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The residents of the Cayman Islands deserve far better from our country’s “national university.” The University College of the Cayman Islands is losing students, losing money and losing whatever esteem it might retain in the minds of the local professional com- munity. The front-page story in today’s Compass, detailing the millions in “hidden” subsidies the government has been funneling to UCCI in the form of one-time payments and forgiven loans, is further evidence that UCCI is failing to overcome the multifaceted struggles that continue to plague the university. Two years ago, UCCI was at a low point as an institu- tion. A “viability report” questioned the university’s offer- ings and proposed significant reductions in operations and budget. Board Chairwoman Sheree Ebanks tendered her resignation, and on her way out the door offered a frank (and accurate) assessment of UCCI’s associate degree program, saying: “I come from the private sector, and if somebody came to me with an associate degree, I’m really not going to pay much attention. I’m looking for at least a bachelor’s. I’m really looking for a master’s. An associate degree in this day and age is pretty much meaningless.” Less than two weeks later, Ms. Ebanks’s departure was followed by the resignation of fellow board member Linford Pierson, who had spearheaded the critical UCCI report. As detailed in today’s story, the government has spent more than $500,000 to cover UCCI budget shortfalls since 2014 and has agreed to convert about $2.4 million in loans to the school to “contributed capital” (i.e., “more free money”). That’s on top of the $4 million per year the government currently provides to UCCI. Despite the regular subsidy, the school has posted operating losses in nine out of the past 10 years, severely constraining any ambitions for growth UCCI might harbor, even in relatively popular areas such as its nursing program, which was allocated $427,000 during the last budget to build two new classrooms and a clinical nursing facility … none of which has yet materialized. Earlier this month, former UCCI President Hassan Syed was found guilty of stealing more than $500,000 from the university between 2006 and 2008 through dishonest actions that were made possible through astonishing gaps in oversight, accounting and individual accountability throughout the UCCI administration and other areas of government. (The testimony provided by civil servants during the Syed trial was eerily similar to civil service testimony provided in the trial of Canover Watson over CarePay, in regard to the bureaucracy’s apparent “laissez-faire” – or, if you will, “couldn’t care less” – attitude toward the expenditure of public funds.) Insofar as the latest UCCI news provides evidence that the university has cleaned up its act fiscally, it seems entirely to be evidence to the contrary. Two years ago, we expressed hopes that the turmoil at the time would provide a rock bottom from which UCCI could rise, stronger than ever. We wrote in an editorial, “the way forward for UCCI should be one of enhance- ment, expansion and growth … The time is ripe for a metamorphosis of mission at UCCI, which will only be possible with the assurance of full funding and strength- ened support from our elected officials and community leaders.” So much for Plan A … And the alternative? We continued, “If our public sector cannot trans- form UCCI into the flagship educational institution that Cayman needs and deserves, the only other rational alternative, we submit, is for government to get out of the business of college altogether and … [devote] those resources elsewhere.” UCCI: Cayman’s ‘flagship’ school still foundering American democracy: Not so decadent after all WASHINGTON – Under the dark gray cloud, amid the general gloom, allow me to offer a ray of sunshine. The last two months have brought a pleasant surprise: Turns out the much feared, much predicted withering of our democratic institu- tions has been grossly exag- gerated. The system lives. Let me explain. Donald Trump’s triumph last year was based on a frontal at- tack on the Washington “es- tablishment,” that all-pow- erful, all-seeing, supremely cynical, bipartisan “cartel” (as Ted Cruz would have it) that allegedly runs ev- erything. Yet the establish- ment proved to be Potemkin empty. In 2016, it folded pitifully, surrendering with barely a fight to a light- weight outsider. At which point, fear of the vaunted behemoth turned to contempt for its now-exposed lassi- tude and decadence. Com- pounding the confusion were Trump’s intimations of authoritarianism. He de- clared “I alone can fix it” and “I am your voice,” the classic tropes of the dem- agogue. He unabashedly expressed admiration for strongmen (most notably, Vladimir Putin). Trump had just cut through the grandees like a hot knife through butter. Who would now prevent him from trampling, cau- dillo-like, over a Wash- ington grown weak and decadent? A Washington, moreover, that had declined markedly in public esteem, as confidence in our tradi- tional institutions – from the political parties to Con- gress – fell to new lows. The strongman cometh, it was feared. Who and what would stop him? Two months into the Trumpian era, we have our answer. Our checks and bal- ances have turned out to be quite vibrant. Consider: 1. The courts. Trump rolls out not one but two immigration bans, and is stopped dead in his tracks by the courts. How- ever you feel about the merits of the policy itself (in my view, execrable and use- less but legal) or the merits of the constitutional rea- soning of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (embarrass- ingly weak, transparently po- litical), the fact remains: The president proposed and the courts disposed. Trump’s pushback? A plaintive tweet or two com- plaining about the judges – that his own Supreme Court nominee denounced (if obliquely) as “disheartening” and “demoralizing.” 2. The states. Federalism lives. The first immigration challenge to Trump was brought by the attorneys general of two states (Washington and Min- nesota) picking up on a trend begun during the Barack Obama years when state at- torneys general banded to- gether to kill his immigration overreach and the more egre- gious trespasses of his Envi- ronmental Protection Agency. And beyond working through the courts, state gov- ernors – Republicans, no less – exerted pressure on mem- bers of Congress to oppose a Republican president’s signa- ture healthcare reform. Insti- tutional exigency still trumps party loyalty. 3. Congress. The Republican-con- trolled Congress (House and Senate) put up epic resistance to a Republican administra- tion’s healthcare reform. True, that’s because of ideological and tactical disagreements rather than any particular desire to hem in Trump. But it does demonstrate that Congress is no rubber stamp. And its independence ex- tends beyond the perenni- ally divisive healthcare co- nundrums. Trump’s budget, for example, was instantly declared dead on arrival in Congress, as it almost invari- ably is regardless of which party is in power. 4. The media. Trump is right. It is the opposition party. Indeed, fu- riously so, often indulging in appalling overkill. It’s some- times embarrassing to read the front pages of the major newspapers, festooned as they are with anti-Trump editorializing masquer- ading as news. Nonetheless, if you take the view from 30,000 feet, better this than a press ac- quiescing on bended knee, where it spent most of the Obama years in a slavish Pravda-like thrall. Every de- mocracy needs an opposi- tion press. We damn well have one now. Taken together – and suspending judgment on which side is right on any particular issue – it is deeply encouraging that the sinews of institutional resistance to a potentially threatening executive re- main quite resilient. Madison’s genius was to understand that the best bulwark against tyranny was not virtue – virtue helps, but should never be relied upon – but ambition counteracting ambition, fac- tion counteracting faction. You see it even in the confirmation process for Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s su- premely qualified and mea- sured Supreme Court nom- inee. He’s a slam dunk, yet some factions have scraped together a campaign to block him. Their ads are plaintive and pathetic. Yet I find them warmly reas- suring. What a country – where even the vacuous have a voice. The anti-Trump oppo- sition flatters itself as “the resistance.” As if this is Vichy France. It’s not. It’s 21st-century America. And the good news is that the checks and balances are working just fine. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer. com. © 2017, The Washington Post Writers Group Charles KrauthammerKrauthammer5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 +1.954.659.5080 l flgps@ccf.org clevelandclinic.org/flgps The top-ranked hospital in South Florida. Recognized in seven types of care by U.S. News & World Report 2016-17. Permanent residence delays affect divorce proceedings Judge finds application delays ‘unsatisfactory’ BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Delays in processing per- manent residence applica- tions are affecting other Cayman Islands court mat- ters, in addition to the two legal challenges filed last year, the Cayman Com- pass has learned. According to court re- cords, a recent family court proceeding involving a cou- ple’s separation led the Grand Court judge hearing the case to deem the situa- tion with the residence appli- cation delays “unsatisfactory.” Family court proceedings in Cayman do not name the plaintiffs or defendants in- volved, and in this case the Cayman Compass has taken the additional step of not in- cluding any information that could directly lead to identi- fication of the individuals or children involved. The mat- ters related from Justice Richard Williams’s discus- sion of the case deal only with the immigration-related issues raised by the judge. ‘Regrettable current state of affairs’ “As a consequence of the regrettable current state of affairs in relation to the pro- cessing of permanent res- idency applications, this family and the court have been placed in a most un- satisfactory position,” Jus- tice Williams wrote in a Feb. 7 judgment on an application for ancillary relief made by one of the parties in the case. “When the parties made their joint application for permanent residency, if it had been processed efficiently by the authorities, they would have had more financial cer- tainty as a decision would have been made about where this family may reside long- term,” the judge continued. Home ownership issue According to the court re- cords, the division of the par- ties’ respective assets in the separation – which included a Cayman Islands home valued at between US$1.8 million and US$2 million – was in dispute. Ownership of a home would be important to a non- Caymanian individual’s ap- plication for permanent res- idence, which is the right to remain in Cayman for the rest of one’s life. Residency applicants can receive up to 30 points on their applica- tions for ownership of prop- erty, depending on how much has been invested relative to the person’s salary. It was argued by the hus- band involved in the matter that a court order forcing him to give up ownership of the family home would sig- nificantly affect his chances of gaining residence, for which he applied in 2014, ac- cording to court records. The wife involved in the case noted that she would likely be unable to afford the property herself, even with support payments from her estranged spouse, which meant her own application for residence would suffer. The uncertainty of the res- idency application might also affect the couple’s children in that the court must deter- mine what is best for the mi- nors involved in such a case. If the residency application was not successful due to the loss of “points” from home ownership, the husband’s at- torneys argued, he could lose his job, making him unable to support the children. “Where there is such an inordinate delay in the pro- cessing of permanent resi- dency applications there may well be, as there has been in this case, a change of circum- stances for some families due to unfortunate marital break- down during the interim pe- riod,” Justice Williams wrote. “This means the court is left in a difficult position when exer- cising its jurisdiction … and endeavoring to put the inter- ests of the children first. “It would be highly in- appropriate for the court to simply delay making a deci- sion until the outcome of the residency application,” the judge’s ruling continued. “The delay of processing of the joint permanent residency appli- cation, and now of the sepa- rate applications [since the couple’s separation], means that this deficient part of the immigration process is hin- dering this court’s ability to make informed decision about this family’s circum- stances and to carry out its duty to support this and pos- sibly other families within the Cayman Islands who seek as- sistance within the family law justice system.” Justice Williams did render a decision with regard to the division of assets. Court challenges Two high-profile court challenges to years-long de- lays in processing permanent residence applications are still pending before the courts. Neither seems likely to be de- cided before the May 24 gen- eral election. Financial services com- pany trust manager Mark Edmunds’s permanent resi- dence application was filed in June 2014 and has never been heard. Accountant Brad Car- penter’s permanent residence application was filed in October 2013 and was approved shortly before his matter was due to proceed to court. However, a judge ruled that Mr. Carpenter’s claims of damages due to the three-year delay in hearing his case should still be considered by the court. Mr. Edmunds is among more than 900 residents awaiting the outcome of government’s ruling on their residence applications. Cabinet recently amended the points system used to award permanent residence, but neither the Caymanian Status and Permanent Resi- dency Board nor the Immi- gration Department had re- sumed hearing those cases as of Tuesday. “This family and the court have been placed in a most unsatisfactory position,” JUSTICE RICHARD WILLIAMSDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days George Town MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 years ago: Third break-in at GT store In the March 29, 1967 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, news from George Town included: “Mr. Fossie Arch sus- tained his third big loss through robbery over this past weekend when his store on South Church Street was broken into again. “On this occasion he closed the store at 10 p.m. and sometime after that a large stone was thrown which smashed the six- foot square plate glass window at the front of the store. The outside light was burning right over where the window was smashed. “ App roxima t el y 40 pounds worth of merchandise was stolen from this window which was almost entirely wom- en’s wear, e.g. pajamas, slippers, underwear, or- naments, cosmetics, soaps, zippers, sheets, towels, pillow cases, han- kies and belts. “The intruder/s ap- pear to have been dis- turbed and ran as a beau- tiful bedspread valued at 6 pounds was left be- hind and one or two items were dropped along the Boilers Road going though Meringue Town. “Mr. Arch’s brother Seth found a pencilled list on the road which included many of the items stolen. “As on the two previous occasions, Mr. F.E. Arch has his suspicions as to the culprit. The police are investigating.” In the same issue, George Town correspondent Frances Bodden wrote: “Miss F.L. Bodden and Miss Pearl Carter returned on the 21st from Jamaica after attending the Synod of the United Church. They were the guests of Mrs. Leila Webster and had a very pleasant visit finding the Synod meetings most inspiring. “Mrs. S.A. Webley, Presi- dent of the Woman’s Guild of the United Church, arrived on the 25th to at- tend the 22nd Annual Con- ference of the Guild of Grand Cayman which was held on Easter Monday in George Town. “The theme ‘Who is my Neighbour?’ was discussed during the morning session and at the public meeting in the Elmslie Memorial Church at night. Mrs. We- bley was the guest speaker. Lunch and tea were served at the Cayman Prep. School. “During the afternoon session the Rev. Raymond Schember showed slides of the Holy Land which he took some years ago. “Rev. Schember ar- rived on Monday to con- tinue the Church’s stewardship campaign. “Mrs. Webley was the guest of Miss Frances and returned on the 28th after an enjoyable stay. She hopes to return some day. “Mrs. Ruby Levy of the firm of Levy Bros. and Mrs. Hilma Viera of the Income Tax Department in Jamaica are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard St. Aubyn. “We welcome Mr. and Mrs. Heath Bodden and their son Heath who arrived from New Jersey on the 25th to spend Easter with their uncle, Dr. Roy McTaggart. “Mr. Beatty Hurlston of Crewe Road left on the 25th for Miami to join his ship after being at home for some time.” Garden Club celebrates anniversary with flower show JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Garden Club of Grand Cayman is getting set to cel- ebrate its 60th anniversary with a two-day Flower Show at the South Sound Commu- nity Centre this weekend. The show runs from 1-6 p.m. on March 31 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 1. Admission is free and all are welcome. “We are excited for the public to come out, relax and take in the rich history and culture of the Garden Club and its beautiful flowers,” said Ora Hollebon, the club’s president. At the show, a video of the history of the Garden Club will also be shown. The show will also feature an array of orchids and flow- ering plants and the wide range of fruits and vegeta- bles on island. The committee has se- lected some of it most pop- ular themes used in the show since it began in 1961. “Flowers in Praise” aims to showcase ornamental flow- ering trees and plants, with subsections for “Cayman the Beautiful,” specimens of trees such as ylang ylang, broad- leaf and lucky nut; “Rainbow of Flowers,” cut stems of, for example, shell ginger, periwinkle and ground or- chids, as well as cut exam- ples of foliage plants for the themed “Show Time” divi- sion and the “Flowers of the Friendly Isles” displaying or- namental shrubs. For enthusiasts of con- tainer-grown flowers, the section “Spring Explosion” will demonstrate the beauty of gardeners’ favorites such as the begonia, bougain- villea and gardenia. “Living in Paradise” will highlight the aesthetic appeal of con- tainer-grown foliage plants such as crotons, ferns and palms, and “Marathon of Flowers” has been created specifically for orchids. As with all Flower Shows, creativity is of the utmost importance, organizers said. This year’s extravaganza fea- tures nine classes for creative design. Semiformal table and informal tray arrangements, miniature designs, mea- suring no more than 5 inches in height, and small designs not exceeding 8 inches will be delicately crafted, and there will be reflective de- signs, sculptural forms and creative lines. “This year’s theme for budding gardeners aged be- tween 3 and 18 is ‘A Salute to Nature,’ consisting of lov- ingly tended miniature dish gardens, terrariums or deser- tariums,” organizers said. The age range will be di- vided into juniors, 3-7 years; intermediate, 8-12, and high school, 13-18. The show will also include the popular Garden Club of Grand Cayman’s plant sale. Florists are encouraged to submit their designs in a variety of classes to give enjoyment and inspiration to other attendees, and vis- itors are encouraged to leave a donation, which will enable the club to con- tinue providing its services around the island. Ms. Hollebon said fu- ture project of the garden club will involve landscaping the garden of the Boys Scouts Building on Middle Road, George Town, and the four private gardens at the new Cayman HospiceCare building on West Bay Road. The club have also set aside funds to help with the Children’s Garden at Queen Elizabeth 11 Botanic Park, now under construction. The Garden Club, founded in 1957, promotes interest in and knowledge of gar- dening and all things re- lated to the enjoyment of the natural beauty of the Cayman Islands. Membership is open to all, and meetings are held monthly except during July and August. For information on the Garden Club, visit caymangardenlcub. com or call 925-5531. Beautiful table arrangements like this one by Betty-Ann Henderson will be on display. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Garden Club members judge a floral arrangement at a previous show.District Days George Town DISTRICT DAYS 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 Ex-Hells Angel now a jeweler, craftsman and collector JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com South Sounder and ex- Hells Angel Carey Hurl- stone is working to get his name in the Guinness Book of World Records thanks to a rather unusual collec- tion of garments. Thousands of thongs in all sizes and colors are tacked to the rafters of Mr. Hurlstone’s workshop, “the Bikini House,” on South Sound Road, where he welcomes visitors with his handcrafted roadside sign, “Carey’s Black Coral.” In the past 10 years, he has collected more than 1,000 women’s thongs, which he keeps a record of in an offi- cial “Thong Book.” His first thong was donated by Adri- enne Barnave of New Jersey on Jan. 22, 2004. “I like collecting them and often ask people who visit the shop to make a donation,” he said. He also collects bikinis and has hundreds of them as well. On a recent visit to the workshop, the Cayman Com- pass had the chance to find out more about this fasci- nating local character. Born in South Sound in 1936, Mr. Hurlstone, 81, like most young Caymanian men, went to sea for work, joining National Bulk Carrier ships at age 17. But the life of a seaman was not in the books for this interesting and talented South Sounder, who has many amusing tales to tell. Before long, Mr. Hurlstone jumped ship to join the Hells Angels – a motorcycle gang formed in 1948 in California by the Bishop family. Mr. Hurlston said he got involved after one of the gang members saw him per- form judo moves on a man during a fight. They prom- ised to teach him to ride if he showed them judo, and he agreed. “I wanted some ex- citement and I got it too,” Mr. Hurlstone recalled. “I was young and foolish, I wanted to learn about mo- torcycles – but a lot of bad things was done.” He said the Hells Angels did everything that was bad – fight, smash up nightclubs and beat up people. Rolling up his shirt sleeve, Mr. Hurlstone re- vealed the Hells Angels in- signia of “AFFA” – Angels Forever, Forever Angels – tat- tooed on his arm. The taste of the rogue life waned, however, and he left the Hells Angels after being with the gang for more than 10 months, and made his way back to Cayman by boat. But back home, life would not be that easy for him. He found odd jobs as a furniture builder, and built the little workshop in South Sound he still has today. Mr. Hurlstone also started drinking and doing drugs, and he said he went through a few marriages before falling madly in love with a George Town woman named Merrill, who he affectionately called “Kitten.” He said it was she who would save him from further ruining his life. After a night of partying when, he said, he single- handedly smashed up the premises of the old Seaview Lodge, Mr. Hurlstone said she told him he had to stop the drugs and alcohol or she was leaving. He resolved to quit, but he said the withdrawal from drugs and alcohol turned him “thundering mad,” and at times suicidal, for a year and seven months. “Something started crawling all over me, I started to shake and sweat from the withdrawal, but I knew I had to stick it out if I wanted to have my girl,” he recalled. “I fought that demon and finally got off it with the help of my mother, father and girlfriend.” He eventually pro- posed to “Kitten” and the couple married and had a daughter, Princess. “My wife tells me it was Jesus that turned my life around. He only sent her as an instrument to do his work. I’m a good guy now, making a decent living after giving up that life 38 years ago.” He said not even for a prize of $10 million would he take a drink of alcohol again. “It’s a demon asleep in- side that I never ever want to wake again,” he said. An avid collector These days Mr. Hurlstone spends most of his time in his workshop. Along with collecting thongs, he crafts and collects items such as black coral jewelry, knives and marbles. He also has a passion for animals and keeps quite a few around his workshop as friends, in- cluding a handsome rooster he named Einstein. His collection of close to 100,000 marbles is dis- played in bottles around his workshop. “One Christmas morning I found a little bag of mar- bles under the Christmas tree with ‘Carey’ written on it. The collection grew from there,” he said. “When people visit the workshop, some take my address and send marbles from their country.” Like the thongs, the bot- tles are marked with do- nors’ names and dates. He has marbles from as far away as Australia, and said he is proud of the two large light-reflecting green mar- bles that Englishman Keith Raffenty sent him from the United Kingdom. Mr. Raffenty told Mr. Hurlstone the marbles were always kept on his grandparents’ mantle piece, and when they died and left him the house, he found the marbles were still there. Mr. Hurlstone’s collec- tion of hand-carved knives is just as impressive. After meeting founder Bo Randall of Randall Made Knives, he started carving his own knives, some to keep and others to sell. “My knives have never touched electric tools, they are all a labor of love made from Cayman wood, and ivory,” he said. Mr. Hurlstone also col- lects painted plates of Amer- ica’s most famous sailing ships fired by the Danbury Mint in Connecticut, USA. “When my sister-in- law Eve Flowers was alive, she would send one each month from the States,” he said. In a frame display on his workshop wall are 25 beautiful plates. Expensive vintage Luc- chese Western boots are also in his collection. “Boots are the shoes I wear. One of these [pair of] boots in good condition can sell for over $2,000,” he said. Changes Looking back on the changes that have come to Cayman, Mr. Hurlstone is grateful for the times he has lived through. Mr. Hurlstone never went to school but can read and write. He said he was even offered a job by a Hallmark representative because of his beautiful handwriting. “I told her if she brought it to Cayman and let me do it in the corner of my workshop, it was OK with me. When she said I would have to go to America, I told her I would rather stay in Cayman and make little money than go to United States and make plenty money,” he said. A few days ago, he said, he went to the supermarket and saw one hind fish and two white grunt fish pack- aged up and selling for $6. He said he thought to him- self, if he was to go up to the graveyard and show it to his daddy, he would roll over in his grave. “In my young days, we would have to go out in shoal water and get 20 pounds of fish to get $6,” he said. Mr. Hurlstone fished and played marbles a lot growing up. There was no traffic on South Sound Road then and he spent many hours in the sandy streets spinning gigs with his friends. “Those were the good old days – I can look back and honestly say I lived in a pe- riod when it was good times and it was Cayman. That’s what comforts me. But now it’s different,” he said. He said in South Sound there were only a few thatch-roofed houses and dirt roads and the people lived in unity and love. “When the thatch was rotten and leaking on a house in the neighborhood, everyone pitched in to cut thatch and we would boil conch and breadfruit for the people to eat when they were working. We will never see those days again. “I tell my daughter today … I lived through some beautiful days, but it doesn’t belong to us anymore.” Mr. Hurlstone in the door of his workshop. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Carey Hurlstone feeds ‘Einstein’ the rooster. Mr. Hurlstone with his marble collection.8 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Anika Conolly crowned as new Miss Cayman Islands KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com A new queen reigns in the Cayman Islands. West Bay contestant Anika Conolly, 27, was chosen over four other women to wear the Miss Cayman Islands crown, at Saturday night’s compe- tition at the George Town Lions Centre. Ms. Conolly also won a $70,000 scholarship to be used anywhere in the world, and the privilege of repre- senting the Cayman Islands as a cultural ambassador. Ms. Conolly also won Best Smile and Best in Gown. Her response to the evening’s question during the gown segment was met with roaring applause from the audience. Presenter Matt Brown asked all five candidates about their thoughts on the upcoming Caymanian elec- tion and what advice they would give to those running. “I think this is a very ex- citing time for the Cayman Islands because we have been a people wanting change for many years. My advice to the candidates run- ning is to focus on matters that are truly important to us as Caymanians, like edu- cation. Knowledge is power and key to have a bright and prosperous future for the Cayman Islands,” Ms. Conolly responded. The aspiring singer has a bachelor’s degree with a spe- cialization in globalization, and a certificate in human resources. She will serve a year as an ambassador for the Cayman Islands with the Ministry of Tourism. Bodden Town candidate Kristen Amaya, 24, won first runner-up, earning a $5,000, two-year local scholarship, a round-trip ticket through Cayman Airways and several gift certificates. Ms. Amaya also won for Miss Photogenic and the People’s Choice Award, with 3,415 online votes. She tied with George Town contestant Mahalia Seymour, 22, for the title of Best Legs. Ms. Seymour was second runner-up, earning a two-year local scholarship and other prizes. She was also named Miss Congeniality. Other competitors included West Bay’s Taylor Langfitt, 24, and Chante Smith-Johnson, 20. Reigning 2016 Miss Cayman Monyque Brooks took her final walk in the crown and reflected on the sorority of women who have also carried the title. The evening’s proceeds benefited the MS Foundation of the Cayman Islands, an organi- zation the contestants worked with throughout the year. The organized is headed by former Miss Cayman contestant, Alyssa Christian. Presenter and former Miss Teen Cayman Islands, Donna Bush, spoke about the per- sonal development fostered by pageantry. “It’s so rewarding to see these young women come up here and see how they’ve grown and the ladies they’ve become, and how they can take that throughout the rest of your life. It’s just really re- warding,” she said. Premier Alden McLaughlin also presented, recognizing the life skills the contes- tants had built in self-con- fidence, communication and stress management. Miss Cayman Islands committee Chairwoman Derri Dacres-Lee described the pageant as an empow- ering opportunity for the con- testants to further their edu- cation and become leaders in the community. Anika Conolly walks down the stage in the Best in Gown category, which she won.– PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY Former Miss Cayman Islands Monyque Brooks crowns the new queen - Anika Conolly - as Kristin Amaya looks on. Chante Smith-JohnsonTaylor Langfitt Kristin AmayaMiss Teen Cayman Islands Liana DaCosta Mahalia SeymourThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 27, 2017 ELECTIONS NOTICE Elections Law (2013 Revision) FORM 10 section 16(3) REVISION NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the revised lists of electors for the West Bay North, West Bay West, West Bay Central and West Bay South electoral districts for the quarter commencing on the 11th day of April, 2017 will be settled by me the undersigned on the 3rd day of April, 2017 at the Ed Bush Sports Centre – Conference Room, 90 Stadium Drive at 9:30 A.M. Dated this 27th day of March, 2017. Honourable Nova Hall Revising O cer Honourable Nova Hall Revising O cer Elections Law (2013 Revision) FORM 10 section 16(3) REVISION NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the revised lists of electors for the Savannah, Newlands, Bodden Town West and Bodden Town East electoral districts for the quarter commencing on the 11th day of April, 2017 will be settled by me the under- signed on the 5th day of April, 2017 at the James M. Bodden Sr. Civic Cen- tre, 445C Bodden Town Road at 10:00 A.M. Dated this 27th day of March, 2017. Elections Law (2013 Revision) FORM 10 section 16(3) REVISION NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the revised lists of electors for the George Town North, George Town Central, George Town West, George Town South, George Town East, Red Bay and Prospect electoral districts for the quarter com- mencing on the 11th day of April, 2017 will be settled by me the under- signed on the 7th day of April, 2017 at the George Town Town Hall, 43 Fort Street at 10:00 A.M. Dated this 27th day of March, 2017. Honourable Nova Hall Revising O cer Elections Law (2013 Revision) FORM 10 section 16(3) REVISION NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the revised lists of electors for the Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac East electoral districts for the quar- ter commencing on the 11th day of April, 2017 will be settled by me the undersigned on the 4th day of April, 2017 at the District Administration Building – Conference Room, 19 Kirkconnell Drive in Cayman Brac at 10:00 A.M. Dated this 27th day of March, 2017. Honourable Nova Hall Revising O cer Elections Law (2013 Revision) FORM 10 section 16(3) REVISION NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the revised lists of electors for the East End electoral dis- trict for the quarter commencing on the 11th day of April, 2017 will be settled by me the undersigned on the 6th day of April, 2017 at William Allen Mc- Laughlin Civic Centre, 80 John McLean Drive at 2:00 P.M. Dated this 27th day of March, 2017. Honourable Nova Hall Revising O cer Elections Law (2013 Revision) FORM 10 section 16(3) REVISION NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the revised lists of electors for the North Side electoral district for thequarter commencing on the 11th day of April, 2017 will be set- tled by me the undersigned on the 6th day of April, 2017 at Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre, 923 North Side Road at 10:00 A.M. Dated this 27th day of March, 2017. Honourable Nova Hall Revising O cer Iguana cull to start in May Four-month breeding season blitz JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A cull manager will be recruited on a short-term contract to take charge of a four-month blitz on Cay- man’s invasive green iguanas, starting in May. The project involves con- tract cullers who will be paid $2-a-head, and more casual community participants, who will be paid in raffle tickets. Speaking after last week’s National Conservation Council meeting, Fred Burton, manager of the Department of Environment’s terrestrial re- sources unit, said authorities are in uncharted territory in their efforts to reduce the ex- ponentially increasing iguana population, which poses a threat to farmers and to the island’s ecosystem. He said a four-month blitz during breeding season, from May through August, would give the department an idea of the potential for concerted human intervention to deal with the problem. Mr. Burton has previously acknowledged that eradicating iguanas in Grand Cayman may well be an expensive multi- year process, too vast for the DoE to manage alone. He said hiring a manager to lead the cull would prevent the opera- tion from taking over the time and energy of the entire De- partment of Environment, as it threatened to do during a two- week trial cull last year. Another key difference this time is that the DoE will not be responsible for counting and disposing of the dead animals. Instead, cullers will mark the iguanas in Sharpie pen with a unique code and submit pho- tographs for payment. Mr. Burton said cullers will be required to kill iguanas swiftly and ethically and dis- pose of them properly. Anyone found to have caused unnec- essary suffering to an iguana or who tries to cheat the pho- tographic counting system can be banned from the cull or the raffle. “If people are found to be breaking the rules they will get banned from the raffle. If they falsify or Pho- toshop, then they won’t be allowed to participate any more,” he said. The raffle will involve com- munity cullers being awarded a ticket for a cash draw for every 10 iguanas culled. The exact process and guidelines for people to take part will be communicated over the next month. Mr. Burton said the com- munity aspect is necessary because there are not enough commercial cullers to make a significant enough im- pact on numbers. At the latest popula- tion survey in August 2016, 404,000 adult green iguanas were counted. When hatch- lings are included in the count, the number increases to more than 800,000. The fig- ures also show a year-on-year increase in the rate of popu- lation growth. Mr. Burton said the 2017 census would help determine the impact of the cull and the long-term plan.Next >