ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 183410_PRINT-Butterfield-6colx1*Page 1 1/13/17 1:10:47 PM Governor Kilpatrick blocks access to ‘Ritch Report,’ nixes court challenge BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick has ruled it “would not be in the public in- terest” for the territory’s information commis- sioner to see a copy of the immigration con- sultant’s report that taxpayers spent $312,000 to obtain last year. According to an email received Monday by the Cayman Compass from Acting Infor- mation Commissioner Jan Liebaers’s office: “The Information Commissioner’s Office was informed by the Cabinet Secretary that Her Excellency the Governor has signed a certif- icate under subsection 45(2) of the Freedom of Information Law. The certificate states that the governor ‘has determined that the exami- nation of the record by the information com- missioner would not be in the public interest’ but gives no further reasons.” The decision by Governor Kilpatrick “shall not be subject to challenge in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings of any kind,” ac- cording to the relevant section of the Freedom of Information Law. The governor’s ruling ends efforts by the Compass and another requester, writing under the name “Bender Rodriguez,” to make public a copy of the document, which has become known as the “Ritch Report,” via the Freedom of Information Law. The consultant’s review was conducted at the request of Premier Alden McLaughlin, whose government was at- tempting to address a series of legal deficien- cies in the process of awarding non-Cayma- nians permanent residence. A backlog of more than 900 permanent res- idence applications filed since October 2013 are still pending. Mr. Liebaers had earlier ordered Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose to produce the Ritch Report for his office to review. That order did not indicate Mr. Liebaers’s intention to release it to the public. Rather, the order was made to assist the information commissioner’s office in its evaluation of whether the document – or any portion of it – should be public record. “In the light of the recent ruling by the chief justice, the governor does not consider that further costly and time-consuming litigation LESLIE SPEAKS OUT ON ONLINE SCANDAL JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com In an interview from his hospital bed, po- litical candidate Matthew Leslie sought to ad- dress an unfolding social media saga about his private life and confirmed he will stay in the race for the May general election. Mr. Leslie became the center of attention last week after his wife went public with al- legations of infidelity that were seized on by opponents as signs that he was unfit for office. The independent candidate for the Pros- pect district, who said he initially believed his Facebook page had been hacked, acknowl- edged Monday that the messages were likely genuine and had been posted by his wife. Mr. Leslie admitted that he sent “inap- propriate messages” to another woman. But he has insisted that his married life is per- sonal and should not impact his chances of being elected. Speaking to the Cayman Compass from his hospital bed at Health City Cayman Islands, where the 350-pound Cayman Islands Brewery manager is recovering from gastric sleeve sur- gery to help him lose weight, Mr. Leslie said the issue would not affect his candidacy. He said, “At the end of the day, I don’t think my married life matters to the voter out there who is trying to make a better life. It doesn’t matter to the voter out there that needs a job, that needs to find a way to get food on the table, a roof over their head. “My married life doesn’t effect a single voter who is trying to better themselves.” The allegations surfaced Friday morning when Mr. Leslie’s wife, who he married in Feb- ruary, posted messages between him and an- other woman that she had apparently found on his Facebook account. In those messages, Mr. Leslie appears to Health City clashes with BritCay over coverage restrictions KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Health City Cayman Is- lands has criticized a BritCay announcement that vastly limits coverage at the East End hospital. BritCay sent a notice to its clients on March 29 informing them that effective April 1 the company would only authorize and reimburse cardiac-related procedures at Health City. The hospital’s CEO Dr. Chandy Abraham said the de- cision was made unilaterally by BritCay and without prior notice to the hospital. BritCay refuted Health City’s claim, saying the hospital was notified a week in advance. “Our first concern with regard to the announcement by BritCay has been the health and safety of our patients,” Dr. Abraham said. “The policy decision by BritCay appears, in our opinion, to be driven by considerations other than patient welfare and could have a negative impact on patients with regard to conve- nience, ancillary expenses and the safety of their health.” The hospital urged that Freedivers to compete in national championship Freediver Kurt Randolph poses at the wheelhouse of the Kittiwake wreck. He is considered one of the main contenders for the men’s title in the Cayman Open National Championship, scheduled for the first time in the islands next month. For more, see page 5. - PHOTO: RICHARD WHITCOMBE PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The Cayman Islands will mark 60 years of women’s suffrage with a documentary, “Her Story is Our History: The Women’s Suffrage Move- ment in the Cayman Islands.” The 22-minute feature will premiere on Thursday, April 6, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. The film tells the story of 358 women from across Grand Cayman who pushed for the right of women to vote and hold office. In addition to the film, the event will feature per- formance pieces and framed copies of the original 1948 and 1957 suffrage peti- tions showing every wom- an’s signature. Gender Affairs Minister Tara Rivers, who commis- sioned the work, said she hoped the film would edu- cate the public and inspire civic involvement. “I know I would certainly not be in this position, as a minister in the government, if had it not been for those brave women who came be- fore me, who fought for the right to vote and equal par- ticipation in the political pro- cess, in recognition of their intrinsic human right to do so,” Ms. Rivers said in a press release. Images and documents were provided by the National Archives for the documentary, produced by Whirlybird Productions. National Ar- chives Director J. Kimlon Lawrence said the historic documents provide a snap- shot of the women’s move- ment and contribute to an understanding of Cayman’s democratic progress. “These courageous women had the foresight to ride the wave of constitutional change in the British West Indies, which has paved the way for many today,” Ms. Lawrence said. The documentary fea- tures the movement’s sur- viving women, who describe the struggle in their own words, said Tammy Ebanks, acting deputy chief officer and senior policy officer for gender affairs. “The willingness of those Caymanian women to indi- vidually and collectively take a chance and push the en- velope further has made the road a little bit easier for those of us who came be- hind them, and for that we all should be grateful,” Ms. Ebanks said in the release. The premiere is free and open to the public, but seats must be reserved by Tuesday, April 4, via www.genderequality.gov.ky. Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 - TUESDAY - GHOST IN THE SHELL 3D (PG13) 12:55 I 1:00 2D I 3:50 I 4:15 2D 6:50 I 7:10 2D I 9:45 I 9:50 2D BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D (PG) 12:40 2D I 3:40 I 7:05 2D I 9:55 KONG: SKULL ISLAND (PG13) 12:45 I 9:45 BOSS BABY 3D (PG) 12:30 I 3:30 2D POWER RANGERS (PG13) 3:35 I 6:55 GET OUT (R) 12:35 I 3:55 I 7:20 I 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) Missing Cat Pure art area. Missing Missing Missing Answers to the name Oreo. If found please call (345)326-4704 Cayman’s women’s movement featured in documentary Free health screenings this week The Health Services Au- thority is offering free health screenings this week to mark World Health Day. Blood sugar and blood pressure checks are avail- able at all district health centers, George Town Gen- eral Practice, Faith Hos- pital on Cayman Brac and at the health clinic on Little Cayman. The daily checks through Friday, April 7, are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Saturday, April 8, there will be free screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at var- ious supermarkets in Grand Cayman. Cholesterol testing will also be offered. No ap- pointment is necessary for any of the screenings. People should indicate to the registration clerks that they would like to register for free blood pressure reading and blood sugar screening. Results are available right away, and counseling and referral will be offered as necessary, according to the Health Services Authority. Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Wil- liams-Rodriguez said the free screenings are part of the Public Health Department’s efforts to emphasize the ben- efits of healthy lifestyles and to assist in early detection of diabetes, hypertension and other diseases. The theme of this year’s World Health Day, which falls on Friday, April 7, is “De- pression: let’s talk.” Dr. Williams-Rodriguez said depression increases the risk of other noncommu- nicable diseases, such as di- abetes and cardiovascular diseases, and conversely, di- abetes and cardiovascular diseases increase the risk of depression. In 2016, the Cayman Is- lands had 46 people treated as inpatients who were di- agnosed as suffering from depression. In 2014, the World Health Organiza- tion Assessment Instru- ment for Mental Health Sys- tems study conducted in the Cayman Islands reported that mood disorders con- stituted 28 percent of per- sons diagnosed and treated in outpatient facilities, ac- cording to a statement from the office of Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is also the Minister of Health. For more information, contact Therese Prehay at the Public Health Department on 244-2632 or email therese.prehay@hsa.ky. The documentary features the movement’s surviving women, who describe the struggle in their own words. Gender Affairs Minister Tara Rivers, seen here signing her election nomination documents last week, commissioned the documentary ‘Her Story is Our History: The Women’s Suffrage Movement in the Cayman Islands.’ - PHOTO: MICHAEL KLEIN Free health checks this week will include blood pressure examinations. LAWMAKERS BOYCOTT TALKS ON SOLVING PARAGUAY POLITICAL CRISIS ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) – At- tempts to solve a sometimes violent dispute over proposed presidential re-election hit a stumbling block Monday when Paraguayan opposition leaders boycotted talks with officials backing the constitu- tional amendment. Lawmakers who re- fused to join the negotiations complained that President Horacio Cartes, who published an invitation to the meeting on Facebook, was not taking part and would be represented by his vice president instead. Without Cartes the talks “would seem to be a joke,” said Efrain Alegre of the op- position Authentic Radical Liberal Party.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 37 bills approved in LA’s final session Lawyers bill, added spending measures left out BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The final meeting of the 2013-2017 Legislative As- sembly may ultimately be re- membered for its failure to ap- prove regulatory changes to the Cayman Islands legal pro- fession, but lawmakers ap- proved more than three dozen new laws or changes to ex- isting legislation. Four bills, the Legal Prac- titioners Bill and three sup- plemental appropriations bills which represented formal ap- proval of extra spending by the Progressives-led govern- ment between 2013 and 2016, were dropped due to time constraints in the assem- bly’s final hours. All government minis- ters reviewed the additional spending in statements given to the assembly, but the appro- priations bills were never con- sidered in the Legislative As- sembly’s Finance Committee or voted on by the full House. The hard-fought lawyers bill was left for the next govern- ment, never having received a third and final vote. Many changes A number of significant pieces of legislation under- went major changes during the assembly meeting’s committee stage review in a lengthy and often confusing process. For instance, in the Trade and Business Licensing (Amendment) No. 2 Bill, which sought to amend 11 sections of the trade and business law, all of those amendments were rewritten in committee. The Water Sector Regulation Bill, 2017, also received wholesale changes in committee. The amendments to the bill were voted “in block” and there- fore never heard by the public during the committee stage. The rewritten versions of both bills have not yet been made public. Other bills were also sig- nificantly changed: For ex- ample, the Cautions (Adults) Amendment Bill, 2017, pro- posed to record convictions against suspects who ad- mitted to more minor crimes, received a police “caution” and therefore avoided having to go to court. Lawmakers amended the bill to set up a new register to record cautions rather than criminal convictions against those individuals. Having a caution by police on one’s re- cord will now be different, as a matter of law, than having a criminal conviction under the new legislation. The Public Lands Bill, en- tirely new legislation that seeks to regulate vendors op- erating on Crown land, es- tablished via committee amendments a larger eight- person commission to review applications from vendors. The bill seeks to replace the pro- cess used to license beach ven- dors and other street vendors on public lands. Public utilities Legislators approved a handful of bills seeking to regulate water supply, waste- water collection and the local fuel markets. The changes are part of an effort to combine the regula- tion of public sector utilities and commodities under the newly formed Utility Regula- tion and Competition Office. Cayman’s water, electricity, telecommunications and fuel sectors are planned to be regu- lated under that office, once all the relevant legislation is ap- proved. The Fuel Market Reg- ulation Bill, 2017, raised the possibility that for the first time the Cayman Islands gov- ernment could attempt to es- tablish petrol price controls in the local fuel market. Planning Minister Kurt Tib- betts said this bill means “mo- mentous change” for the local fuel industry. The utility regulatory of- fice will be given “significant market power” under the pro- visions of the bill to deter- mine whether competition among distributors and re- tailers “truly exists in the fuel market.” If the market is not determined to be competitive, the regulator is authorized to ensure there is “suitable com- petition,” Mr. Tibbetts said. “If these measures fail, then the next step, in consultation with Cabinet, will be outright market price regulation.” Beneficial ownership Early on in the legislative session, three bills were ap- proved enabling the creation of a beneficial ownership reg- istry for corporations. The registry is not open to the public and is searchable only by the approved Cayman Islands authority upon request by a foreign taxing entity or a police force. The approved bills include the Companies (Amendment) No. 2 Bill 2016, the Companies Management (Amendment) No. 2 Bill, 2016 and the Limited Liability Com- panies (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The three bills define bene- ficial ownership and set up the company register, which is sought by the U.K. to assist in financial crime and tax eva- sion investigations. Ombudsman Legislation abolishing the independent offices of the in- formation commissioner and complaints commissioner was approved, creating a new om- budsman’s office to oversee open records requests, com- plaints of government malad- ministration and public com- plaints against the police. The Ombudsman Bill, 2016, gives Cayman’s gov- ernor the power to appoint an ombudsman to the new post for seven years with no pos- sibility of reappointment. The governor’s selection must be made in consultation with the premier 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 com- plaints. Power to deal with complaints against police is given directly to the om- budsman but may be dele- gated, according to the bill. The bill makes no men- tion of any data protec- tion regime, which was once planned to operate under the information commissioner’s direction. However, data pro- tection was revived at the last minute during the March legislative assembly session. The Data Protection Bill, 2016, which seeks to protect personal private informa- tion about individuals, was amended during a committee stage meeting of the Legisla- tive Assembly, but the final version of the legislation has not been made public. Public lands In addition to the legal changes requiring an ap- pointed board to hear appli- cations from vendors seeking to use Crown land, two other bills were approved regarding the use of public land and public spaces. The Prescription (Amend- ment) Bill, 2017, sets a new model for public right-of- way disputes in beach ac- cess cases that allows the government to act on behalf of citizens in those disputes. Previously, a private prop- erty owner or a complainant seeking right-of-way access had to defend or initiate such a case on their own, which lawmakers thought was un- reasonable and expensive. The Registered Land (Amendment) Bill, 2017, will create “volumetric par- cels,” believed to be a first in Cayman. A volumetric parcel, often referred to as an “airspace parcel,” is the area above the surface (and sometimes below the land) which the land owner has rights to. Police powers The power to issue “cau- tions” to suspects in more minor crimes like thefts or threatening violence, rather than arresting the suspect and bringing them to court, will be granted to police under the Cautions (Adults) Amendment Bill, 2017. Separate changes to the Penal Code allow the di- rector of public prosecu- tions, in concert with the police, to issue “sexual harm prevention orders” in cases where the order is needed to protect any member of the public from a sexual predator. Older persons The Older Persons’ Bill, 2017, sets out the Cayman Is- lands’ first attempt to safe- guard the rights of its elderly residents. The legislation cre- ates a Council of Older Per- sons that acts as a watchdog for the elderly. According to the legislation, it seeks to ensure that the elderly are able to access and partici- pate in “all aspects of society” as per the Cayman Islands Constitution Order’s 2009 Bill of Rights.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. 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” “Government did not have in place a process to properly determine the cost to remediate the George Town Landfill …” – Angela Cullen, Cayman Islands Auditor General’s Office The foregoing statement sums up the “progress” made by the Progressives government on the country’s solid waste problem. Four years after campaigning on the pledge of “No dump in Bodden Town” and the promise of having an alternative solution, the Progressives were never able to figure out how much an “on-site” remediation project would cost … much less where the money to execute the project would come from. According to government’s auditors, the value of the George Town Landfill could be worth less than zero. Simi- larly, after factoring in the tons of additional garbage and trash that have been heaped atop Mount Trashmore over the past four years, and the millions of dollars spent on reports, studies and ancillary ventures, the Progressives’ progress on the dump could also, in fact, be negative. The pinnacle of the government’s achievement on the issue may perhaps be the front-page photo op that appeared on the cover of our newspaper on March 22, featuring an outstanding image of Premier Alden McLaughlin hurling an old tire into the shredding machine that has been tasked with dealing with the stockpile of at least half a million of tires on the landfill site. However, “recycling,” in a generic sense, is more of a slogan than a solution. The costs associated with recy- cling often outweigh its practicality. Read just a few lines from an exhaustive report by John Tierney in the New York Times Science section: “Despite decades of exhortations and mandates, it’s still typically more expensive for municipalities to recycle household waste than to send it to a landfill …. Cities have been burying garbage for thousands of years, and it’s still the easiest and cheapest solution for trash. The recycling movement is floundering, and its survival depends on continual subsidies, sermons and policing. How can you build a sustainable city with a strategy that can’t even sustain itself?” Four years ago, perhaps two-dozen protesters, led by political candidates, took part in a rally against the Dart Group’s cash-free proposal to remediate the George Town Landfill, turn the site into a public park, and establish a new solid waste facility between two industrial quarries in a secluded section in far east Bodden Town. That smattering of opposition, we are sorry to say nurtured by a passive press, captured the imagination of Progressives politicians, who jumped on the “No dump in Bodden Town” bandwagon and, once in power, led the country in broad, sweeping circles that have ended, four years later, just about where it all began. So here we are, at the commencement of another political campaign season, with another May election on the horizon. The George Town Landfill is still there, unre- mediated, befouling the island with its appearance and smell, and threatening the population with its toxins. It is therefore useful, we think, to remind our readers to keep in mind throughout this quadrennial exercise in democracy that any serious proposal, whether it’s from the public or private sector, needs to start with a dollar sign – with specific estimates and realistic sources of funding. Anything else might as well be on a Christmas wish list. (“Dear Santa, I’ve been very good this year. Can you please bring me a new landfill, cruise berthing facility and high school campus? And, by the way, I’d appreciate the vote of you and your elves!”) As country music icon Lefty Frizzell famously crooned, “If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time.” But if the politicians floating the proposals don’t have the money or a credible financing plan, then they’re simply wasting everybody’s time. Four years of landfill promises are worth less than nothing TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Nuclear energy in peril WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL BOARD The bankruptcy of West- inghouse, the venerable American nuclear-reactor maker now owned by Ja- pan’s equally prestigious Toshiba, is a blow to two of the greatest names in global business – a devastating one. More important for the United States, and the planet, is what the debacle means for the future of nuclear en- ergy, which still supplies 19.5 percent of this country’s elec- tricity, all of it carbon-free. Ideally, nuclear should be a part of the global solution to climate change. Deep cuts in carbon emissions “will re- quire more intensive use” of nuclear as well as renew- able energy, the Intergov- ernmental Panel on Climate Change noted in its 2014 as- sessment report. One reason France emits only a third as much CO2 per capita as the United States is that three- quarters of its electricity comes from nuclear. As al- ways, though, the questions are about safety and cost; and, of course, legitimate concerns about the former drive up the latter. Westinghouse thought it had come up with a new de- sign that was both more reli- able and, potentially, simpler to build. This AP1000 reactor, which relied less on electric- powered cooling pumps of the kind that failed so cata- strophically at Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, promised to lead a renaissance in the U.S. nuclear industry, with po- tential for sales in emerging markets as well. Alas, West- inghouse still fell prey to the old bugaboos of the nuclear industry – delays and cost overruns. Now the four reac- tors that the company was building in the U.S. South are in limbo. The first of them will not come on line until 2019 at the earliest. Even before this debacle, nuclear energy faced an un- certain future in the United States due to what is other- wise a positive development for both the U.S. economy and the climate: the rise of cheap natural gas and wind energy, both of which proved more cost-effective as elec- tricity sources in certain re- gions than nuclear. Once billed as “too cheap to meter,” nuclear energy never quite lived up to its po- tential, either economically or environmentally. Yet na- tions that abandon it, as Ger- many did in the wake of Fu- kushima, add greatly to the costs and logistical challenges of meeting carbon-reduc- tion goals. The United States should keep using nuclear en- ergy during what is bound to be a long transition from the current energy mix to a com- pletely renewable system, but it needs to rethink how best to do that. A carbon tax, undoubtedly, would help sup- port the carbon-free industry. A long-term solution for ra- dioactive waste disposal is also in order – specifically, using the Yucca Mountain site that has long since been de- termined to be safe, but has been blocked by politics. Government and the pri- vate sector need to support new reactor designs. If the United States lacks a robust nuclear industry, it may be less capable of influencing international policy on is- sues ranging from reactor safety to weapons prolifera- tion. Maintaining a solvent, innovative nuclear industry would serve national security as well as the environment. © 2017, The Washington Post LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Rule-breaking on West Bay Road Bicycles, crosswalks, etc. (Items 1-4 refer to approx- imately 20 percent of users.) 1. Bicycle riding is not allowed on West Bay Road sidewalks. (Worst of- fenders are riders on white-colored bikes.) 2. Lawrence Boulevard and West Bay Road pedes- trian crosswalks: At least 10 times while the pedes- trian walk sign has been on, drivers haven’t stopped for me. (Worst offenders are drivers with yellow li- cense plates.) 3. On West Bay Road the speed limit is now 25 mph. (Worst offenders are local drivers.) 4. Motorcycle riders are going twice the speed limit and passing in the center lane. They are extremely dan- gerous. (Worst offenders are local drivers.) Possible solutions for the above items: 1. Have police periodi- cally riding bicycles to con- trol offenders. 2-4. Obtain photo cameras and rotate them. C.T. Carlsen Segways Segways on the West Bay Road sidewalks limit pedestrians from using the sidewalk. Pedestrians have to edge off onto the main road al- lowing these vehicles to pass. This is an accident waiting to happen, not to mention most of the riders on these Segways look like they will fall off into the road. Kerrie Jackson Dusk falls on the Takahama nuclear power station in Japan. – PHOTO: TOMOHIRO OHSUMI/BLOOMBERG5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 Reservation highly recommended for this special night, Please call 945-4755 STEAKHOUSE A Rare Steakhouse, Very Well Done Celebrating Our 4th Birthday Saturday, April 4, 2009 For one special night, All of our valued guests will receive 10% off their entire bill. Opening Hours are 5:30 – 10:30 Nightly Located across from the Strand Shopping Center, 43 Canal Point Drive Reservation highly recommended for this special night, Please call 945-4755 STEAKHOUSE A Rare Steakhouse, Very Well Done Celebrating Our 4th Birthday Saturday, April 4, 2009 For one special night, All of our valued guests will receive 10% off their entire bill. Opening Hours are 5:30 – 10:30 Nightly Located across from the Strand Shopping Center, 43 Canal Point Drive Tuesday, April 4th 2017 For one special night. All of our valued guests Will receive 10% off Their entire bill. Opening Hours are 5:30-10:30 Nightly Located across from the Strand Shopping Centre, 43 Canal Point Drive Reservation highly recommended For this special night, Please call 945-4755 Celebrating Our 12th Birthday Freedivers to take plunge for national championships JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com When Mark Tilley first started freediving in the Cayman Islands six years ago, he was one of only a handful of people involved in the sport. His assortment of weights, his giant fins and safety gear, and his claims to be able to dive beyond 200 feet on a single breath prompted quizzical looks. Now the sport is moving into the mainstream with the islands’ first national championship. Organized by lawyer Jeremy Walton, founder of the Cayman Is- lands Freediving Association, the national championship is timed to coincide with the in- ternational Deja Blue tourna- ment in mid-May. Mr. Walton said the sport is growing in popu- larity. There is now a core of around 30 divers going out regularly, and the newly formed association provides a focal point to develop the sport and provide training opportunities for divers in a safe environment. “This national champion- ships is really the next stage in the evolution of Cayman freediving,” said Mr. Walton. He said Cayman’s divers would compete alongside world champions here for the international tournament, but in their own local category. “It is going to be fantastic for the Cayman competitors to compete at the same time as the international athletes,” he said. “From experience, I can say it is tremendously in- spiring to be in the same competition as world cham- pions. It is a rare opportunity in any sport.” He said the atmosphere around the sport is sup- portive and even the best athletes are happy to share tips with local divers and ready with a high-five for anyone who makes their personal best. The Cayman Open Na- tional Championships will be over several categories – con- stant weight, where breath- hold divers fin-kick to depth; free immersion, where divers pull themselves down a rope to depth; dynamic apnea, where divers swim under- water horizontally in a pool; and static, where competitors do timed breath-holds with their face in the water. Mr. Tilley, with a personal best of 73 meters depth, Kurt Randolph, a local dive in- structor who represented the U.S. in the world team freediving championships, and Richard Collett will be the main contenders for the men’s title, Mr. Walton said. Mr. Walton believes the Cayman Islands could poten- tially host a world champion- ship event at some point. He said establishing a national championship, certified by world governing body AIDA, the International Association for Development of Apnea, is the first step in that direction. Mr. Tilley said the terri- tory is among the best places in the world to dive. “There are perfect condi- tions for freediving,” he said. “You can swim out from shore and find a few thousand feet of depth almost immediately. You can dive on the west side 330 days a year.” He said Cayman’s free divers are a tight-knit group. “You have to have a great deal of trust in the people you dive with, because you really are trusting them with your life. It makes it hit home a bit. “There is a really good community making sure people dive safely,” he said. Jeremy Walton competes in a pool discipline at a Deja Blue freediving competition in Cayman last year. - PHOTO: JOAKIM HJELM/WWW.JOAKIMHJELM.COM Man admits ganja charge, seeks to clear co-defendants CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two men held in custody on charges of possessing ganja with intent to supply appeared in Summary Court on Monday, when their at- torney handed up a confes- sion signed by one of them at Northward Prison. Attorney John Furniss, who was appointed duty counsel for the men, gave the letter, which had been wit- nessed by a justice of the peace, to Magistrate Kirsty- Ann Gunn after reading it aloud in court. Mr. Furniss spoke first on behalf of Toney Edward General, 56, and then made a bail application for Allan Garfield Ebanks, 38. The men first appeared in court on Monday, March 27, when the magistrate re- manded them in custody. They had been arrested on Friday, March 24, in the School Road area of George Town. In the letter read by Mr. Furniss, General admits pos- session of all the drugs found in his yard and in a yard across the road. He said Ebanks, and an- other person referred to by first name only, had no knowl- edge of the drugs, “as they were mine and mine alone.” On that basis, the magis- trate put the charge to Gen- eral and he pleaded guilty. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a utensil used in the consumption of a controlled drug. Sentencing was set for May 22 so that a social inquiry re- port could be obtained. The magistrate then heard the bail application. She pointed out that she had heard the Crown’s summary of the allegations last week. Officers had gone to the area and, at one address, found 40 packets of ganja wrapped in cupcake pa- pers, a glass jar of vegetable matter and a wrap of what appeared to be crack cocaine, among other items. At a premises across the road, they found a black plastic garbage bag with eight glass jars of ganja. Mr. Furniss noted that fin- gerprint evidence was still outstanding. Given Gener- al’s letter and no forensic ev- idence to link Ebanks to the ganja, he urged the court to grant bail. The magistrate agreed. She referred to a summary of a police officer’s observa- tions, which included the of- ficer’s opinion that Ebanks was involved in a transac- tion, though no money or drugs were found on him, there was no mention of him going to either premises, and there was no indication of another person involved in the alleged transaction. The magistrate granted bail with conditions that in- cluded residence at a spec- ified address, a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, the wearing of an electronic monitor, prohi- bition from the School Road area and non-contact with co-defendants. Ebanks was directed to return to court on Monday, April 10. The third man mentioned in General’s confession is charged with being con- cerned in the possession of ganja and has been on bail throughout. He is to return to court on April 10. Crown counsel Neil Kumar said his office would have to consider General’s letter. In the letter read by Mr. Furniss, General admits possession of all the drugs found in his yard and in a yard across the roadDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 years ago: Meeting finds in favor of constitutional change In the April 5, 1967 edition of the Cayma- nian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, West Bay correspondent Leila Yates wrote: “His Honour the Admin- istrator was the speaker at a meeting held at the Town Hall on March 28. He was welcomed by Mr. T.W. Far- rington. His Honour then addressed the audience and then gave information re: the progress being made in the islands, e.g. roads, agriculture, fresh water supply, Public Works De- partment, etc. Mr. Hewitt Rivers asked a question on the proposed constitution, and received a reply. Mrs. Ardyth Smith asked a few questions on duties, etc., on which His Honour gave information. The meeting was closed by singing the National Anthem. “Mr. Benson Ebanks ad- dressed the audience re- minding them of the pre- vious meetings that were held by the three represen- tatives explaining to the people the proposed change in our constitution. He said at this meeting a count of hands wold determine the voice of the people for or against the change. Revs. R. Coke and Dewey Johnson were asked to take the count. There were 23 per- sons against a change, with 26 for a change. Two MLAs were included in this latter number. Several persons re- mained neutral. “Mr. and Mrs. John Ebanks (Margaret Ann) became the happy par- ents of their first child on March 29, a son named John Audley, weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces. “Mr. and Mrs. Garston Smith and two sons re- turned from Jamaica March 28. Their son Tenworth had a tonsillectomy operation in St. Joseph’s Hospital, which was successful. “The Greenwood Baptist Church in New York was the scene of a lovely wedding on March 18 when Miss Gaynell M. Ebanks of West Bay was united in mar- riage to Mr. Marion Owens of New York by Rev. James Wagine. Mrs. Ludvic Ebanks was Matron of Honour and her husband Best Man. “Mr. and Mrs. Tharpe Parsons and son Arden re- turned from Jamaica after obtaining their U.S. im- migrant visas. “Mr. and Mrs. Norman Smith celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on the March 26. “After spending his va- cation in Miami with rela- tives, Mr. Lenord Ebanks returned on the 28th, and reports an enjoyable visit. Mr. Verion Ebanks arrived the same day from National Bulk Carriers. “Rev. J.B. Ziets of Lima, Ohio arrived on March 20 and was here for two weeks. He held services at the Pil- grim Holiness churches at West Bay and North Side. This is his third visit and it was a real pleasure to have him. He has spent the past three months on an evangelistic tour through the West Indies. “Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell Ebanks, formerly Aldice Ebanks, from North West Point and daughter arrived on the 28th from Baltimore where they reside. They are visiting relatives. “An Easter fair was held in the United Church Hall on the 27th. The children enjoyed the egg hunt, also a sale of cake, candies, etc., which collected the amount of 12 pounds.” 12 choirs perform at annual festival Twelve choirs performed before a capacity crowd at the Berea Seventh-day Ad- ventist Church’s annual choir festival last month. The fourth annual Sev- enth-day Adventist Church Conference-wide event at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School on March 25 was or- ganized by the Berea Church, which normally worships at the much smaller Grace Christian Academy on Cres- cent Close, off Boltins Av- enue in West Bay. According to a press re- lease, Minister for Education, Employment and Gender Af- fairs Tara Rivers and Leader of the Opposition McK- eeva Bush were among the attendees, as well as the church’s administrators and other leaders, led by Pastor Shian O’Connor, president of the Adventist Conference. Presenting the Charge, Pastor O’Connor reminded the singers that their job was not to perform or to enter- tain, but to please God with their praise, saying that it was the act of worship in it- self that entertains God. He urged the congregation to sing in thankfulness for what God has done, as well as with regard to what He is about to do. “Sing as if you have al- ready gotten” what was asked for, he encouraged the participants. Minister Rivers paid tribute to the Adventist Church for involving youth in the church and in the community, and thanked the church for its commitment to community service, the re- lease states. “We really have to get back to being our neighbor’s keeper,” she said. “We can’t reach all people, but each of us can at least reach one, and if we do, the domino effect can be immeasurable. Make it your mission to reach one and you would be amazed at how you can transform the community of West Bay and the country as a whole.” Mr. Bush also thanked church members for doing work in various parts of the district. “This is what church should do – not only preaching sermons, but going into the commu- nity and meeting needs,” he said, thanking those who persevered in the West Bay community. “I am glad you hold the faith and that the church is alive and active in building our community, works with us, and feels what we feel,” he said. Among the choirs par- ticipating in the festival was the Cayman Academy school choir, directed by stu- dent Jaison Harvey, and the ACKy Choir representing the Cayman Chapter of the Northern Caribbean Uni- versity Alumni Association. The latter sang the spiritual “Ain’t Got Time to Die.” The Filadelfia Church sang in its members’ native Spanish, “En Grande Cido Sea Dios,” while the Berea Church Choir, in the final rendition for the afternoon, brought the house down with its ren- dition of Andrae Crouch’s “Mighty Wind,” with lead soloists Winsett Blake and Robert Lawrence. The Cayman Academy Choir, under the direction of student Jaison Harvey.Winsett Blake sings a solo the Berea Choir’s performance of ‘Mighty Wind.’ The Blake brothers, Lee-El and Liran, perform on saxophones, accompanied by their music teacher Junior Hinds. He urged the congregation to sing in thankfulness for what God has done, as well as with regard to what He is about to do.DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days West Bay CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 The students at West Bay’s Sir John A. Cumber Primary School now have a few more reading resources thanks to some recent donations of reading and school supplies. A donation of books and school supplies by a family visiting from overseas was presented to the school on Monday, March 20. Donors Joshua and Katie Brown were visiting the island from St. Louis, Missouri, with their 6-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, Sir John A. Cumber teacher and li- brary resources coordinator Annette Vaughan told the Cayman Compass. The gift was presented on the platform of the inter- national group, Pack for a Purpose, and was organized through The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. It was re- ceived on the school’s behalf by Deputy Principal Lorna Lumsden, and was witnessed by a select group of students. The collaboration was coor- dinated by the chair of the Community Footprints Board for The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Yentel McGaw. The family also took time to volunteer their services in classrooms, reading with students and assisting in learning centers in two Re- ception classes. According to Ms. Vaughan, they enjoyed the experience and the staff, teachers and students appre- ciated their acts of kindness. The Brown family’s dona- tion adds to the growing col- lection of reading resources the school has received in re- cent months. A donation of some 3,500 books was pre- sented to the school in De- cember 2016. Organized by charitable organization Lit- eracy Is For Everyone, known as LIFE, in partnership with private firms KPMG and Walkers and members of Cayman Prep’s High School Key Club and primary school Student Council, it is be- lieved to be the largest re- corded gift of reading mate- rials given to a government school in Cayman. The majority of the books have gone toward creating individual classroom li- braries at the school and will also assist with LIFE’s paired reading initiative, both aimed at fostering literacy in young readers. In addition, a number of hardcover books were donated to the school’s library collection. According to a press re- lease, almost 2,000 of the books were collected in a book drive organized by Cayman Prep and High School’s Key Club and its primary school’s Student Council. Another 700 were donated by Walkers through an in- ternal campaign. KPMG vol- unteers then sorted the books so they could be distributed to the correct grade level in the school. “It continues to be a real pleasure to partner with LIFE, Walkers, KPMG, and service organizations like Key Club,” said Education Min- ister Tara Rivers. “LIFE has consistently helped support reading de- velopment across govern- ment schools along with our other community partners … It is essential that students have a variety of interesting books that are readily avail- able and easy to access. LIFE and their partners have just made it easier to put quality books into the hands of our students.” LIFE and the Ministry of Education are working to establish in-class leveled li- braries in every key stage 1 government classroom, which covers Years 1-3, in this in- stance helping Sir John A. Cumber move toward a goal of 15 books for every child. “This is an ambitious un- dertaking that, once com- pleted, will make a tremen- dous impact in the lives of each student in the pri- mary schools,” said Ministry of Education Literacy Spe- cialist Brad Wilson. After the books were dis- tributed, teachers, students, parents and volunteers from the Community Footprints program helped the 16 key stage 1 classes that received the books enhance their reading areas. “One objective was to transform the reading en- vironment into a more at- tractive and purposeful one, and the teachers succeeded in achieving that goal,” said Ms. Vaughan. The areas were developed around various themes, in- cluding Leap into a Great Book, Buzz into Reading, and Reading at the Beach, and one focusing on the chil- dren’s author Dr. Seuss, Ms. Vaughan said. Classes used cush- ions, benches, pillows, rugs, rockers, beanbag chairs and oversized stuffed ani- mals to create a comfortable reading environment. LIFE Executive Di- rector Marilyn Conolly and Mr. Wilson visited the school on March 6 to tour the classrooms and see the reading areas. Ms. Conolly noted that in- class leveled libraries provide much needed books while children are still in the stage of learning to read and pre- vent the later problems en- countered when illiterate children are in high school and are reading to learn. “LIFE remains committed to promoting literacy and a love of reading, while also providing successful literacy interventions through our many programmes and with the support of the commu- nity,” she said. “Together we can en- sure that all children will leave primary school with a love of reading.” Donations give young readers a boost Students with the Brown family and deputy principal Lorna Lumsden (rear, right) and donated items. Katie and Joshua Brown at one of the school’s Reception learning centers. Reception students Naomi Powery, Alison Parsons and Joshua Rivers in their classroom’s ‘Leap Into a Great Book’ themed rich reading area.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Mr. Luis Howard Bodden, better known as “LuLu” of Cayman Brac and Honduras passed away at La Cieba Medicentro Hospital, in Honduras on the 10th of March at the age of 84 years. He was laid to rest at English Cemetery in Honduras on the 11th March. He leaves to mourn his loving wife Digna, 2 Daughters Pat & Lolita, 1 Son Philip, 3 step children, 9 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren, 1 Daughter in Law, 2 Sons-in-Law and a host of other relatives and friends. A Candlelight vigil for the Late Mr. Luis Howard Bodden better known as “Lulu” will take place on 5th April at Smith Road Villas, Paxston St #29 @6.00pm, Everyone is asked to bring a white candle and wear some thing Blue as this was his Favorite Colour. DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com Brian R. Limbrick regret to announce his passing on Tuesday, 21 March, 2017. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Dr Shoucair 97 years old was a doctor here in CAYMAN during the 1940’s. Friend of late Doctor Roy McTaggart used to travel here by sea plane from Jamaica. One of the founding members of the George Town Hospital. TUESDAY, APRIL 4 POST OFFICES CLOSED: All of Grand Cayman’s post offices will close at 12:30 p.m. today for a staff function. Post offices on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman will operate as normal. GOV’T SCHOOLS REGISTRATION: Registration for students enrolling in or transferring to government schools is under way and closes June 30. Registration takes place at the Department of Education Services and the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre. Parents may pick up registration forms at government schools, the Department of Education Services at 130 Thomas Russell Way, George Town, the Cayman Brac Teachers Centre, or download from www.des.edu.ky. DARKNESS TO LIGHT: A free Red Cross training program for parents, teachers and others who work with or provide services to young people. From 6:30-9 p.m. Gain knowledge and skills to prevent child sexual abuse; recognize signs of abuse and learn how to react responsibly. Pre-registration is required. Contact vrm@redcross.org.ky. THURSDAY, APRIL 6 CHHS PTA: The Clifton Hunter High School PTA invites all parents and guardians to the meeting this evening at the school. SATURDAY, APRIL 8 GARAGE/BOOT SALE: St. Ignatius School Hall and car park. 6-11 a.m. Lots of bargains, all kinds of items. Breakfasts on sale. Book a selling spot for $25. Anyone wishing to donate items (in good condition) can drop them off by April 7. Phone 949-6797 or email ignatius@candw.ky to book a selling spot, arrange for collection of larger items, or to volunteer to help out. All proceeds to St. Ignatius Food Pantry. SLOW FOOD DAY: Farm- to-Table Tasting Market, 10 a.m.-noon, The Crescent, Camana Bay. This event is free and open to the public. Kids’ Seed2Plate Workshop, 12:30-2 p.m., Gardenia Court, $35. Harvest Dinner, 7 p.m. at Abacus, $150. SUNDAY, APRIL 9 PADDLE FOR HEART CHALLENGE: A 3-mile paddle event in the watercraft of your choice. All proceeds for Hart for Hearts. Check-in noon to 1:30 p.m. Race starts 2 p.m. at Hemingways. $25 per adult, $15 under 16. Register online at www.CaymanActive.com. Those registered must provide their own watercraft. MONDAY, APRIL 10 EASTER BREAK CAMP: YMCA of the Cayman Islands holds two camp sessions. Session A, April 10-13. Session B, April 18-21. 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (Pre/post camp available). Fees are $110 per camper. Contact 929-1850 or ysummercamp@ ymcacayman.ky. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 PENSIONERS APPRECIATION: The Public Service Pensions Board in partnership with the government and others is hosting a Pensioners’ Appreciation event for retired members at Pedro St. James. The event, from 3-9 p.m., celebrates its 25th anniversary and will include community outreach booths, free health screenings, food and entertainment. Free bus transport to and from the event is available. To confirm attendance, please call 917-8851. EASTER CONVENTION: West Bay Wesleyan Holiness Church, Turtle Farm Road. Tonight until Easter Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Speaker is Rev. John Parker of Alabama. No service on Saturday evening. Choirs and ensembles will be singing nightly. All are invited. SATURDAY, APRIL 15 CHALKFEST: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Market Street, Camana Bay. Treats, games, live music and an artisans market. The competition is open to artists of all ages and abilities. $5 for kids, $10 for adults. Proceeds benefit the National Gallery Outreach Program. Chalk will be provided free and participants are encouraged to bring rags, sponges and buckets to help with blending and covering large areas. Free water and sunscreen available to all participants. EASTER SERVICES HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 13 ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Walkers Road. Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Cayman Brac. Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday. GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14 ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Walkers Road. Stations of the Cross, noon. Passion Service, 1 p.m. STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Cayman Brac. Stations of the Cross, noon. Passion Service, 1 p.m. CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH: West Bay. Stations of the Cross, noon. Passion Service, 1 p.m. HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 15 ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Walkers Road. Easter Vigil Mass, 7:30 p.m. EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 16 ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Walkers Road. Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., Spanish Mass, 7:30 p.m. STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC CHURCH: Cayman Brac. Mass, 11 a.m. CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH: West Bay. Mass, 11 a.m. GENERAL INTEREST POSTAL VOTING: The Elections Office reminds registered voters that the period during which they may request postal ballots or mobile voting will continue until close of business on Friday, May 12. People who will be away from Cayman on Election Day may request a postal ballot by filling out Form B, available on www.elections.ky, at portal. elections.ky/files/downloads/ forms/2016/FORMB.pdf. The completed form and proof of travel may be emailed to office@elections.ky. MOBILE VOTING: Voters who will be in Cayman, but unable to physically attend the polls, may apply for mobile voting using Form C, available from www.elections.ky at portal. elections.ky/files/downloads/ forms/2016/FORMC.pdf. Elections Office polling staff will either visit successful applicants in person, or facilitate their vote before polling day at an early voting station. DG 5K CHALLENGE: Registration for the Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge is open at www.caymanactive. com/dg5K. Led by Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, the event aims to raise $60,000 for the YMCA of the Cayman Islands. The DG’s 5K Challenge will be held on Cayman Brac on Sunday, April 23, and on Grand Cayman, Sunday, April 30. The charity event is open to all ages and fitness levels. FISH FRY: St. Ignatius School Canteen. Snapper or cod, plus sides, $7 to $12. 5-8 p.m. Dine in or carry out. Proceeds support religious education and youth programs. ADULT ACTING CLASSES: Offered through the Cayman Drama Society. April 9, sketch workshop. May 7, method acting. June 4, the actor’s voice. $40 per class. Contact training@cds.ky. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. FRIDAY, APRIL 7 CHAMBER FORUM: Cayman Brac East candidates, 7-9 p.m. at Veterans and Seamen’s Society Hall. SATURDAY, APRIL 8 CHAMBER FORUM: Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman candidates, 7-9 p.m. at Veterans and Seamen’s Society Hall. MONDAY, APRIL 10 CHAMBER FORUM: East End candidates, 7-9:30 p.m. at Clifton Hunter High School. TUESDAY, APRIL 11 CHAMBER FORUM: North Side candidates, 7-9:30 p.m. at Clifton Hunter High School. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 CHAMBER FORUM: Bodden Town East candidates, 7:15-9:30 p.m. at Bodden Town Civic Centre. EZZARD MILLER: North Side. Cynthia Whittaker’s residence. 8 p.m. POLITICAL MEETINGS, FORUMSThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 In lieu of fl owers a donation in Patsy's memory can be made to any of the following Charitable Organizations all of which Patsy admired and helped during her lifetime: - The NCVO -the Foster Home The Cancer Society The Humane Society Paws The family of the late Mary Patricia Alberga (Patsy) who passed away on Monday the 20th March 2017 wish to announce that a Memorial Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of her life will be held at the Georgetown Church of Christ which is situated at 43 Anthony Drive (near to Pasadora Place) on Sunday, the 9th April commencing at 4 p.m. negotiations with BritCay remain transparent. BritCay and Health City were ex- pected to meet Tuesday to discuss coverage updates. A BritCay spokesperson said the company informed Health City of the change in insurance coverage on March 24 and is working closely with the hospital on reviewing changes. The insurance provider said it signed an agree- ment with Health City in 2014 for tertiary level car- diac services, but the hos- pital has since expanded its scope of services. “As a result, we have to make sure that all the services provided at Health City are compliant with our contractual re- quirements,” a company spokesperson said. The insurer will only cover non-cardiac proce- dures at Health City that were authorized before April 1. A BritCay spokesperson said the decision came from parent company Co- lonial Group and was not intended to send more pa- tients off island for care. “If a BritCay patient is currently undergoing a pre- viously authorized treat- ment, for example, but not limited to, chemotherapy, physiotherapy or surgical follow-up, the patients will be allowed to continue with that treatment at Health City,” the company spokesperson said. “We also understand that there may be circum- stances where the need for non-urgent local treatment outside of cardiac-related procedures may be required at Health City and those cases will be considered by BritCay as presented by the referring or attending phy- sician for authorization to provide the care.” BritCay reminded pa- tients that it will continue to provide access to care at other Cayman Islands fa- cilities and through its net- work of hospitals in the United States. Health City said the an- nouncement has raised questions among pa- tients about the hospital’s quality of care. “We would like to reit- erate that Health City pro- vides service of the highest standard to all of our pa- tients. We are the only med- ical facility in the Cayman Islands that has third party verification of our quality in the form of our accred- itation by the Joint Com- mission International,” Dr. Abraham said. “We are also fully compliant with every government-imposed reg- ulation in the Cayman Is- lands, as evidenced by the Health Practice Com- mission accreditation of our services.” Employers in the Cayman Islands expressed unease as details of the cov- erage changes came to light. Paperman’s Coffee- house manager Paul Story suggested that the com- pany may drop the insur- ance provider. Mr. Storey said in a message to BritCay: “If you are not offering full coverage to allow my em- ployees and myself the op- portunity to choose where we receive our medical care within 60 days, I will ac- tively seek out another in- surer. I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way.” on this matter is in the public interest,” Governor Kilpat- rick’s office stated Monday. The governor’s decision was made the same day – March 31 – the Compass re- ported on Mr. Liebaers’s in- tention to appeal a Jan. 26 ruling by Chief Justice An- thony Smellie that prevented the release of the Ritch Re- port to the information com- missioner’s office. Typically, the information commissioner is given wide powers under the FOI Law to request such documents from government authorities, ex- cept in cases where the gov- ernor has determined it not to be in the public interest. Ms. Kilpatrick’s decision to that effect on Friday is the first time the territorial gov- ernor has made such a ruling. Mr. Liebaers said last week that he was concerned about the impact of Chief Justice Smellie’s Jan. 26 de- cision on the FOI Law and open records in Cayman, re- gardless of what decision was reached on the release of the Ritch Report. “The information com- missioner’s office believes that there are several find- ings within the chief jus- tice’s ruling which raise sig- nificant legal questions about the Freedom of Information Law, and therefore, merit further consideration by the courts,” the notice from Mr. Liebaers’s office read. It is unclear whether that appeal will proceed, given Friday’s decision by Governor Kilpatrick. Mr. Liebaers said Monday that the office was considering how to proceed in the matter. Chief Justice Smellie was brought into the matter when Premier McLaughlin’s min- istry failed to turn over a copy of the consultant’s re- view at the request of Mr. Liebaers’s office. The infor- mation commissioner had sought the report, not for public release, but to ex- amine it privately to deter- mine whether any part of it could be made public. Mr. Li- ebaers ordered the Cabinet Secretary to release a copy of the report last year, using powers granted to him under the Freedom of Information Law. Premier McLaughlin re- sponded by issuing a “min- isterial certificate of exemp- tion” – preventing the Cabinet office from releasing the re- port to Mr. Liebaers. Mr. McLaughlin argued that the consultant’s report, completed by local law firm Ritch & Conolly, amounted to legally privileged advice and that the advice should be protected just as any other confidential advice given by an attorney to a private cit- izen client. The information commissioner’s office took the matter to court, seeking a ruling by the chief justice. Chief Justice Smellie ruled in favor of the premier’s posi- tion on Jan. 26. Mr. Liebaers said Thursday that he hopes to get clarity from the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal on several issues raised in the chief justice’s judgment. Those include directions on the powers the information commissioner’s office has to order government entities to release documents and the powers of government minis- ters to prevent release. The chief justice ruled it would not be “appropriate” to enforce the information commissioner’s order for gov- ernment to produce the re- port. Chief Justice Smellie said there was no indica- tion that government offi- cials were in contempt of the information commission- er’s order or that Premier McLaughlin had acted in “bad faith” by refusing to dis- close the report. be attempting to convince the woman to come visit him in the hospital. On another oc- casion, he seems to be at- tempting to arrange a liaison in a hotel room for “love and cuddles.” At one point, he agrees to give her $200 and cab fare. When he was first ques- tioned about the messages in a television interview Friday night, Mr. Leslie in- dicated that he believed he had been hacked. He now acknowledges the messages seem to be gen- uine, though he claims not to have read them in detail, and that it was his wife who had posted them on social media, rather than a hacker, as he first assumed. He said the messages were “inappropriate” for a married man, but said they went no further than flirtatious “trash talk” and that he had not, in fact, been unfaithful to his wife. He said he loaned and gave money to people all the time and the offer of $200 to the woman had been read out of context by some of his harshest critics. “They’ve obviously ex- panded on a conversation and jumped to major conclu- sions as to the significance,” he said. “People come to me all the time asking for help, asking for money.” The messages snow- balled on social media amid broader allegations of in- appropriate behavior to- ward women, some of them broadcast on Rooster radio’s “Crosstalk” show Monday morning by Sandra Hill, a community activist who had been outspoken about the posts from Mr. Leslie’s wife on Friday, reposting them across Facebook. Mr. Leslie acknowledged that he had “partied hard” in his 20s and that he had some fun as a single man. But he classified it as a party stage that was in his past and denied more se- rious allegations of inappro- priate behavior. He says he is talking to his wife, but wishes the de- tails of their marriage to remain private. “I apologize to my wife for this public embarrassment, but at the end of the day it is our private affair that I wish to remain private ….” Mr. Leslie said his per- sonal life was not a factor in his public service or his desire to be in the Legisla- tive Assembly. He said there are current and former pol- iticians who had been ac- cused of infidelity and others whose marriages had broken down while in office. He said there were ru- mors of all kinds about many candidates and he does not believe personal issues of this nature have any bearing on their ability to do the job. “We have had politicians that were great family men and some that were perfect disasters,” he said. When it comes to casting a vote, he hopes people will focus on his good deeds. “All the things that I have done, whether it was putting people in homes, sending aid to Haiti or getting help for people who reached out with problems, nothing in my per- sonal life ever prevented me from doing any of that, nor will it prevent me from doing anything else for this country in the future,” he said. Mr. Leslie said he has been inundated with mes- sages of support following his operation, which he said was designed to help him live a healthier lifestyle, and that he is looking forward to get- ting back to campaigning, while trying to lose weight. Mr. Leslie is running against Austin Harris, an in- dependent candidate, and Lu- cille Seymour, of the Progres- sives, in the Prospect district. Governor Kilpatrick blocks access to ‘Ritch Report,’ nixes court challenge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Governor Helen Kilpatrick Health City clashes with BritCay over coverage restrictions Leslie speaks out on online scandal Matthew Leslie reads messages of support at Health City on Monday. – PHOTO: JAMES WHITTAKER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >