SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX CAYMAN WEEKENDER Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. High of 90 Low of 77 YARA Global Steakhouse FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Dirty Vegas return to clean Cayman The Grammy Award-winning DJ duo are back! B3 Bolshoi Ballet on the big screen Culture at the Cinema brings the famous dance company to life B5 Events Travel Art & Culture ■ FOOD & DRINK YARA Global Steakhouse Chef Dylan Benoit and mixologist Laurie Eaton team up. B2 Father’s Day Get the lowdown on all the ways to celebrate Dad B4 The Brac Escape Join the party on the July public holiday weekend B7 CRAWFISH BOIL 1 ST ANNUAL TORTUGASPONSORED BY LIVE MUSICFresh Louisiana crawfish June 10, 2017 • 2pm – 6pm all you CAN eat crawfish ALL YOU CAN DRINK Abita ONLY $25 SALTY’s in Grand Harbour PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKE EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 FLOWERS SEA SWIM: CAYMAN’S ‘SPLASHIEST’ CHARITABLE EVENT ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY & EY pledges $300,000 to ICCI Accounting and consultancy firm EY has committed US$300,000 to the International Col- lege of the Cayman Islands to support the de- livery and growth of the college’s programs. The money will also be used to expand ICCI’s online education initiatives. EY has already provided ICCI with US$120,000, as part of its commitment. The re- maining amount will be paid over the next three years to the privately run college. “The financial investment and commitment that we are announcing today has helped ICCI invest in technology and will help ICCI meet its goals in continuing to provide high quality, ac- cessible and affordable education to better pre- pare students across the Cayman Islands for the workplace of the future,” Dan Scott, EY’s re- gional managing partner, said in a press release. Mr. Scott said EY and ICCI share a goal of building a better working world and better com- munities. The financial commitment will “give more Caymanians access to the practical knowl- edge and skills they will need to succeed in to- day’s competitive employment market,” he noted. ICCI Board Chairman Mike Mannisto em- phasized that a strong economy and affordable higher education are key to building better com- munities in the Cayman Islands. “We are grateful for the private sector’s con- fidence in ICCI as demonstrated by donations and commitments such as this donation from EY. Investment from the private sector is critical in helping ICCI continue to build on its nearly 50-year legacy.” Founded in 1970, ICCI was the first college in the Cayman Islands. It aims to build better communities, and its mission is to prepare students for career placement and enhance- ment by equipping them with critical thinking, problem solving and self-directed learning skills, ICCI said in the press release. Since it opened, more than 2,000 people have graduated from the college. ICCI’s focus will be on extending access to its degree programs to more Caymanians and continuing to invest in building an online learning platform. The financial investment that BERMUDA’S FIRST GAY WEDDING RAISES PROSPECT OF CHANGE JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Amid continuing community protests, Ber- muda held its first gay wedding last week, sparking renewed confidence among cam- paigners in the Cayman Islands that the terri- tory could soon follow suit. Bermuda was forced to change its stance on same-sex marriages after a landmark court ruling in May. A judge in the British Overseas Territory ruled that Bermuda’s Marriage Act, which states that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, was inconsistent with the provisions of the country’s Human Rights Act, which prevents different treatment on the basis of sexual orientation. The legal picture in Bermuda and the community debate, including substantial opposition to gay marriage from a largely Paddle for the Planet comes to Cayman JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Bob Purdy frequently had to dust the snow off his paddle- board and chop through the ice on Okanagan Lake on his way to setting a remarkable record of 2,100 consecutive days paddling. The veteran Canadian pad- dleboarder, founder of the Paddle for the Planet move- ment, expects sunnier climes and calmer conditions in Grand Cayman this weekend. Mr. Purdy has teamed up with Cayman organization Keep Calm and Paddle On to host his annual Paddle for the Planet day on Seven Mile Beach. Cayman’s paddleboarders will gather at the beach be- fore the Flower’s Sea Swim on Saturday to paddle and raise money for charity. An 80-mile crossing from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman originally was planned as part of the weekend events, but with rough condi- tions forecast, Keep Calm and Paddle On’s Jasmin Muratagic said that may have to be trun- cated to a 30-mile paddle. Similar sponsored paddle events will take place all over the world at noon in different time zones on June 10 to raise money for various charities. “We have people taking part in Abu Dhabi, Puerto Rico, North and South America. It is a truly global initiative,” said Mr. Purdy, who initially created World Paddle for the Planet Day to raise money for environmental causes. The proceeds from this year’s event will go to Keep Calm and Paddle On, set up to use the sport to support Cayman charities, including the National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ foster home and for the Special Needs Founda- tion Cayman. “There are lots of events going on all over the world for different causes, but we are encouraging everyone involved to donate to KCPO,” said Mr. Purdy. Bob Purdy, who paddled for 2,100 consecutive days in Canada, expects calmer conditions in Cayman this weekend. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » FLOWERS SEA SWIM THIS WEEKEND Registration has closed for the Flowers One Mile Sea Swim on Sat- urday and for the 5K and 10K races on Monday. Swimmers for Saturday’s race will need to be at the starting line between noon and 1:45 p.m. Check-in closes at 1:45 p.m. sharp, according to organizers. For more on this story, see page 28.2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Lunch /Dinner 11am-10pm Daily 94-PASTA (947-2782) Located in the Marquee Plaza CARIBBEANCAFEA Cayman Orthopaedic Group Dr. Krishan Rajaratnam, M.D., F.R.C.S.C. Joint Reconstruction & Upper Limb Specialist will be at #1 Smith Road Plaza Monday, 12th June, 2017 to Friday, 16th June 2017 Please call 945-8380 for appointments Witness denies keeping video to blackmail defendant CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A young teenager who is the alleged victim in an in- decency trial told a Grand Court jury Wednesday that she “cut” a video she made of defendant Errington Web- ster last summer. In response to questions from defense attorney Steve McField about a video she took to police in July 2016, she said she had recorded it on her phone about three weeks earlier, when she was in Webster’s vehicle with him and he began to touch him- self as he was driving. The girl said she did not want to do the things Web- ster wanted her to do. She decided to videotape what he was doing because she “wanted these things to stop happening.” Webster is charged with three counts of indecent as- sault relating to incidents that occurred before the video was taken. The video incident resulted in a charge of gross indecency. He de- nies the charges. Mr. McField asked the girl about her smartphone, and she agreed, “you could add things onto it from other phones and computer, too.” Questioned earlier by Crown counsel Darlene Oko who asked if she did any- thing to the video, the girl acknowledged, “I cut it shorter so I couldn’t see myself.” Ms. Oko asked if she did anything else and the girl said no, she did not know how. Mr. McField suggested that she was blackmailing Webster and only wanted to see him in the picture. He asked who had helped her with the video. She answered, “Me, myself and I.” She agreed that when she carried the video to police to “expose” Webster, she did not tell them about any previous incidents that involved him touching her. “I didn’t want to tell them because I was ashamed,” she said. Mr. McField put to her the specific allegation of the three indecent assault charges and said Webster had never done those things. Her answers were basically, “Yes, he did.” His final question was why she had continued to call Webster and ask him for money after all the things she said he had done to her. “I just wanted it,” she replied. In re-examination, Ms. Oko asked the girl if she had done anything to the video other than take out the portion with herself. “No, ma’am,” the girl replied. She also clarified that all of the indecent touching occurred before she took the video. Earlier, she had told the court that she took the video and kept it because, “If I was to accuse him of any- thing and didn’t have evi- dence then the whole case would be dropped.” Mother’s evidence The girl’s mother gave evidence on Thursday. She said she knew the defendant from growing up in the area. More recently, she knew he was running for office and he would come by and speak about politics. She said he and his family knew she was struggling as a single mother. After December 2015, she became concerned when she saw Webster talking to her daughter by herself. The girl told her Webster talked to her about school because she had indicated what career she wanted to pursue. The girl was 13 at the time. The mother asked if any- thing was said about sex “and she would always tell me, no.” The mother said the first time she knew about Web- ster taking her daughter for food, it was with another child. The next time the girl went with Webster alone. The mother said she would not have allow that if she had known about it. Ms. Oko asked the mother if she would have given Webster permission to buy her daughter clothes. She said yes, if he came to her first and if he treated her children equally. The witness said she knew Webster showed a little more interest in one of her daughters than the other, but she did not know why. She said her daughter had a phone and when she learned that the girl had a second phone, she asked where it came from. She then learned that Webster had bought a phone for both of her daughters. Later, when questioned by Mr. McField, she said her daughters told her that Web- ster was trying to help ev- erybody in the community so they would vote for him. She was asked if she knew that the younger daughter had asked Webster for money. “Only for ice cream,” she replied, adding that he bought ice cream for every- body. She was not aware that her daughter had asked Webster for money to get her hair done. She said she became aware of a video con- cerning Webster and her younger daughter when an adult phoned her. She was shown the video and “I was shocked,” she told the court. She went to police about it. She agreed that she had fi- nancial difficulties and some- times did not have money for school lunches. Once, when she needed to pay overdue licensing fees on her car, Webster gave her $400. “He just told me to remember to vote for him.” Asked if she would have voted for him, she replied, “If this hadn’t happened, yes.” She added, “We didn’t expect this at all.” Girl admits she ‘cut’ video in Webster case CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – NASA chose 12 new astro- nauts Wednesday from its biggest pool of applicants ever, hand-picking seven men and five women who could one day fly aboard the nation’s next generation of spacecraft. The astronaut class of 2017 includes doctors, sci- entists, engineers, pilots and military officers from Anchorage to Miami and points in between. They’ve worked in submarines, emergency rooms, univer- sity lecture halls, jet cock- pits and battleships. They range in age from 29 to 42, and they typically have led the pack. “It makes me person- ally feel very inadequate when you read what these folks have done,” said NA- SA’s acting administrator, Robert Lightfoot. Vice President Mike Pence welcomed the group during a televised cere- mony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. He offered President Donald Trump’s congrat- ulations and noted that the president is “firmly committed to NASA’s noble mission, leading America in space.” Pence assured the crowd that NASA will have the resources and support necessary to continue to make history. He said he would lead a resurrected National Space Council to help set the direction of the program. Under Trump, “America will lead in space once again, and the world will marvel,” Pence said. More than 18,300 people threw their hats into the space ring during a brief application period 1 ½ years ago. That’s more than double the previous record of 8,000 set in 1978, when the space shuttles were close to launching. The 12 selected Wednesday will join 44 astronauts already in the NASA corps. U.S. astro- nauts have not launched from home soil since 2011, when the space shut- tles were retired, thus the low head count. Americans have been hitching rides aboard Russian spacecraft in the meantime, but that could change next year. NASA PICKS 12 NEW ASTRONAUTS FROM CRUSH OF APPLICANTS CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Three Venezuelan na- tionals appeared in Sum- mary Court Thursday when they all pleaded guilty to im- porting cocaine. The three were charged with being concerned in the importation of 1.814 kilos (3.99 pounds) of co- caine into the Cayman Is- lands between May 1 and June 3 this year. The defendants were named as Lesme Romualdo Perez Ruiz, 51; Jose Leon- ardo Parra Ferrini, 32; and Yoandry Jose Mo- rales Molina, 22. The charge sheet listed their address as an apart- ment at a resort along Seven Mile Beach. Magistrate Grace Don- alds read the charge to them and, with the assis- tance of a Spanish language interpreter, they each re- plied “Guilty.” They were represented by attorney Crister Brady, who did not make any application on their behalf. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Patrick Moran asked for an adjournment, advising that the Crown would have more information later that would be relevant to sentencing. The next date was set for Thursday, June 29, al- though it was agreed that sentencing might not go ahead at that time. The men’s appearance in court follows a joint opera- tion by police and customs officers on Friday, June 2. A press release issued by po- lice afterwards indicated that cocaine and a quantity of cash were seized. The release further stated that two other people, in- cluding a customs officer re- siding in Bodden Town, had been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the importation of cocaine. No mention of these individ- uals was made during Thurs- day’s proceedings. Police confirmed that both those individuals remain on police bail. The arrested cus- toms officer has been sus- pended from duty. His final question was why had she continued to call Webster and ask him for money after all the things she said he had done to her. Three Venezuelans plead guilty to cocaine charges Vice President Mike Pence poses for a group photograph with NASA’s 12 new astronaut candidates on Wednesday. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 184051_PRINT-IH-ChrtyDrive-WellDPage 1 5/30/17 1:29:24 PMThe 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. FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS “Swimming – 4 pm C.L. Flowers one mile swim, starting at Coral Stone, south of the Holiday Inn, entry fee $8, $4 for children” — Friday, July 9, 1993, Caymanian Compass, Page 28 “Sic Parvis Magna … Thus from small things, great things come” — Motto, coat of arms, Sir Francis Drake (first recorded English visitor to Grand Cayman, 1586) Over its 25-year history, the Flowers Sea Swim has grown from a back-page notice in tiny type, to a front- page headline-grabbing annual athletic tradition. The Sea Swim, sponsored by the Flowers family, has become one of the Cayman Islands’ premier events (sports-related or not), and this year will host some 1,100 participants in the signature one-mile distance Saturday morning. It starts at the Kimpton Seafire Resort and ends at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The awards ceremony takes place at the Westin. People who don’t want to “get their feet wet” can sign up for the “Walk and Watch” – which is exactly what the name implies. The Sea Swim is the world’s richest open water event, with more than US$100,000 in prizes, ranging from fuel vouchers, to sunset sails, to gym member- ships to plane tickets to international destinations such as Dublin, Rome, Paris, New York and Rio de Janeiro. Swimmers who break event or world records can win US$5,000 or US$10,000 in cash. (If you’re feeling particularly fit this Saturday, the men’s world record in the ocean mile is 16 minutes flat.) In addition to the one-mile swim, Flowers is holding international 5K and 10K races starting at the Westin on Monday. As if that weren’t enough, in conjunction with the Flowers Sea Swim, the Union Americana de Natacion Pan American Open Water Swimming Cham- pionships are also being held this weekend. Among the hundreds of visitors flying in for the occasion are some two-dozen Olympic swimmers and other elite athletes. Satellite events include clinics, an Olympian Gala Charity Dinner at the Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort and an Olympic Luncheon at KARoo. Taken altogether, the Flowers Sea Swim adds up to one spectacular sports tourism extravaganza – and all for a most-worthy charitable cause. Event registration fees (and earnings from the charity dinner) will benefit the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. Last year’s event raised $75,000 for the Cancer Society, with the money allotted to adding 1,000 people to the Caribbean Bone Marrow Registry, which helps connect patients to potentially life-saving transplants. The choice of the Cancer Society as beneficiary is very personal to the event organizers. Family matri- arch Eve Flowers died last April after a year-long battle with cancer. Before she passed away, Mrs. Flowers requested that the proceeds of the 2016 swim go to the bone marrow registry. Her husband, and swim founder Frank Flowers, said at the check presentation last year, “This cause was very important to us this year because we recently lost my wife to acute myeloid leukaemia because she could not find a 100 percent bone marrow donor match for a transplant. We want to make sure that never happens again. People from the Caribbean are grossly underrepresented in bone marrow registries around the world, so we wanted to change that. “All this money will help to create that change, and help to create awareness.” We at the Compass are well aware just how much the Flowers Sea Swim has come to mean to the Flowers family, to the Cancer Society and to the Cayman Islands as a whole. While the swimmers are pulling themselves through the one mile of turquoise waters off Seven Mile Beach on Saturday, we’ll be pulling for everyone involved with this special event. Flowers Sea Swim: Cayman’s ‘splashiest’ charitable event PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” What ‘privatizing air traffic control’ actually means ASHLEY NUNES Special To The Washington Post Change could soon be coming to the skies above America. At least that’s what the Trump administration is hoping for. On Monday, President Donald Trump laid out his vi- sion for overhauling the Fed- eral Aviation Administration (FAA) – the agency that over- sees all aspects of civil avia- tion. Part of Trump’s vision involves privatizing the agen- cy’s air traffic control (ATC) function. Here’s what you should know about it. How does air traffic control currently work? Air traffic services are provided by the FAA. The agency has within its ranks more than 13,000 licensed controllers who are spread across the country at re- gional control centers. The agency also employs tens of thousands of engineers, technicians and special- ists who maintain the tech- nology and infrastructure needed to keep the skies open and safe. The FAA is largely funded by aviation user fees. Taxes are imposed on such things as passenger tickets, air travel miles and jet fuel, with the revenue being deposited into a trust fund. However, the use of these funds must be authorized by Congress as part of the annual appropria- tions process. What exactly has Trump proposed? The president’s proposal transfers responsibility for providing air traffic ser- vices from the FAA to a private, nonprofit organi- zation. The process is ex- pected to unfold over three years, taking 30,000 FAA employees – controllers and technicians included – off the federal payroll, “at no charge.” White House officials say the new entity will be funded entirely by user fees and overseen by representa- tives from airlines, unions, general aviation and airports among others. Trump’s plan is based largely on legislation crafted by Rep. Bill Shuster. The Pennsylvania Republican, who heads the House Trans- portation and Infrastruc- ture Committee, pushed for privatization last year but his efforts stalled. Presiden- tial backing gives those ef- forts new life. What are the main criticisms of the current system? There are several. Some argue that because the FAA gets its funds from Congress, the agency ends up obliging political interests rather than the passengers it is set up to serve. According to the FAA, the budget uncertainty cre- ated by this model affects its ability to perform its duties. Another concern is the agency’s organizational structure. In addition to pro- viding air traffic services, the FAA also provides safety oversight for those services. This, some worry, creates an inherent conflict of interest. Advocates of change point to a 2001 International Civil Aviation Organization rec- ommendation that signatory states (including the United States) separate air traffic functions from safety over- sight within two years. Finally, critics say that government bureaucracy makes it hard to adopt new technologies that benefit the flying public. They suggest a nongovernmental organi- zation would be better posi- tioned to do so, more nimbly cutting through the bureau- cratic red tape that has long hindered the FAA. What are the main criticisms of Trump’s proposal? Many Democrats argue that changing the status quo is unnecessary given that flying in the United States is as safe as it’s ever been. They also point to recent computer glitches at major U.S. airlines, questioning whether these carriers can actually handle more advanced technologies. Corporate jet pilots also oppose the plan as do their counterparts in general avia- tion. Both groups worry that user fees levied by a private corporation will drive up the cost of flying. Others argue that privatized governance gives too much control of the nation’s skies to a select few – most notably airline execu- tives – for their own benefit. Can this actually be done? The White House cer- tainly hopes so. Privatizing the largest and arguably most complex air traffic system in the world would be a huge political win. But it won’t be easy. Many Democrats disagree with the idea of turning over taxpayer funded infrastruc- ture – like control towers, navigation antennas and radar displays – to private corporations for no charge. Some Republicans wonder whether a private entity can legally impose what may be viewed as taxes on the flying public. Perhaps most impor- tantly, many lawmakers from across the aisle are hesi- tant to cede regulatory au- thority – akin to political power – to others. Nunes is a research scientist at MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics. © 2017, Washington PostThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 Which one is yours? Contact us to learn more about these listings and other luxury real estate in Grand Cayman. +1.345.640.7000 | info@provenanceproperties.com provenanceproperties.com 6 Bed / 10 Bath | 24,413 SqFt Crystal Harbour PENINSULA ESTATE Price Upon Request 4 Bed / 4 Bath | 7,225 SqFt Ritz-Carlton Residences, Seven Mile Beach 612 RITZ-CARLTON $13,500,000 USD 2 Bed / 2 Bath | 3,075 SqFt Ritz-Carlton Residences, Seven Mile Beach 776 SEVEN SOUTH, RITZ-CARLTON $4,895,000 USD 3 Bed / 4 Bath | 4,731 SqFt South Sound CASA LUNA VILLA #1 $1,775,000 USD 3 Bed / 3.5 Bath | 2,948 SqFt Seven Mile Beach THE RESIDENCES AT SEAFIRE $3,500,000 USD 4 Bed / 4.5 Bath | 3,883 SqFt Seven Mile Beach THE RESIDENCES AT SEAFIRE $5,500,000 USD Every home has a story. The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS To make a reservation Creating sun-drenched escapes since the 1970s, the team at Cayman Villas has the expertise to make your vacation memorable – whether seeking the perfect condo, private villa, or beach front cottage. Cayman Villas exclusive properties offer the best of boutique concierge services, indulgences and personal touches to make your stay seamless from beginning to end – all in line with your budget, interests and expectations. It’s what makes Cayman Villas the trusted choice in luxury accommodation. CREATE A REAL STORY FOR DAD THIS FATHER’S DAY LONG WEEKEND. CREATE A REAL STO THIS FATHER’S DAY LONG WEEKEND. To make a reservation CLICK: www.caymanvillas.com CALL: 345.945.4144 EMAIL: reservations@caymanvillas.com VISIT: 177 Owen Roberts Drive ‘Aggressive action’ needed to save coral reefs JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Climate change targets set out in the Paris Agreement are “inadequate” to prevent the devastation of the world’s coral reefs, the head of Little Cayman’s marine research center has warned. In an article for the United Nations Chronicle, written before president Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the international climate ac- cord, Carrie Manfrino, presi- dent of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, argued that the goals set in Paris where not ambitious enough. She wrote that while the Paris agreement targets, ini- tially adopted by 195 coun- tries, would mitigate the con- sequences of climate change for humankind, they would not reverse the decline of the ocean’s coral reefs. “Much more aggressive ac- tion and education” is needed to protect the “most threat- ened ecosystems on Earth,” she wrote in the United Na- tions quarterly journal. “The emissions goals set in Paris at COP 21 would lead to temperature increases by 2030 that would be devas- tating for coral reefs,” she wrote. Ms. Manfrino warns that warming ocean tem- peratures have already con- tributed to the destruction of some 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs, with a further 24 percent under im- minent risk of collapse. Speaking to the Cayman Compass this week, Ms. Man- frino said she hoped the U.S. would lead a global move- ment to protect the world’s oceans, in spite of Mr. Trump’s stance. “We want the conserva- tion world to increase the goals for coral reef protec- tion. The need is for a mas- sive expansion of protection because coral reefs are criti- cally threatened. The unfor- tunate decision by the Trump administration to back out of the Paris agreement makes matters worse,” she said. With more than half of the world’s population living within 100 kilometers of the ocean, Ms. Manfrino wrote in her article, massive loss of coral reef ecosystems could cause widespread economic and social issues. “The collapse of coral reefs has far-reaching impli- cations for the entire ocean, for people and, indeed, for the planet. Going forward, the focus must be on how to conserve what is left, ideally taking bold, decisive steps to reverse the unthinkable tra- jectory,” she wrote. Ms. Manfrino highlights increasing the size of no- fishing zones and improving cooperation to deal with is- sues that transcend interna- tional borders as important factors in helping reverse the decline of coral reefs. But she warns this must come with education and op- portunity for communities who feel their livelihoods are under threat from in- creased regulation. “Conservation relies on strong governance that is often overshadowed by pri- vate interests. Changing human behavior and the con- ditions that influence be- havior, including poverty and the effects of globalization, would be a necessary first step in many areas. “Teaching sustainable fishing, and providing oppor- tunities for renewable energy and ecotourism are strategies that have successfully in- creased the rates of employ- ment and improved sanita- tion while decreasing poverty, malnutrition and pollution. “Good governance could effectively reduce overfishing, stop anchor damage and re- move direct human impacts so long as the human is- sues and community percep- tion are included as elements of the plan.” Ms. Manfrino concludes that strong leadership is needed to help reduce the de- cline of coral reefs. “With estimates that coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, the dire need for so- cietal-level changes to re- duce human impacts on coral reef ecosystems is no longer a debate … “Actions that protect top predators, identify key her- bivorous fish species for protection, halt destructive fishing, boating and diving, and manage exploitation of reef fish cannot hurt. Nev- ertheless, much more ag- gressive action and educa- tion from the top down to grassroots efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral planet are required to protect coral reefs; otherwise, we’re just whistling past Davy Jones’ locker.” CCMI president Carrie Manfrino investigates coral bleaching on a reef off the coast of Sri Lanka during a research project funded through the Fulbright Scholarship program. A suspect bit a police of- ficer who was handcuffing and arresting him on suspi- cion of a drug offense in West Bay early Thursday morning. Officers responded to a 911 call about a man selling drugs in the parking lot of a licensed premises on West Bay Road just before 1 a.m. They saw a man fit- ting the description given and searched the suspect, police said in a statement. After officers found a small amount of ganja on him, they arrested him. “As the man was about to be handcuffed, he began to resist arrest, struggling with officers in an aggres- sive and combative manner. In the course of this struggle, he bit one officer on the arm and damaged police personal safety equipment. “He was ultimately sub- dued and arrested for damage to property as well as pos- session of ganja,” police said. A police spokesperson said the personal safety equipment was a taser which was damaged in the incident. Officers found more ganja in the man’s vehicle in the parking lot. He was further arrested on suspicion of pos- session of a controlled drug (ganja) with intent to supply. The arresting officer was treated for minor inju- ries at the hospital and re- leased, police said. The man remained in po- lice custody at press time. Suspect bites police officer’s armThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 Bridging the Gap Helping ensure your organization is “best in class” Now more than ever, financial institutions are challenged to meet ever-changing regulatory compliance obligations. As the economic environment promises continued uncertainty, institutions must become more vigilant and strategic as to how they manage risk. This is particularly so in the Cayman Islands, where KPMG’s Regulatory Compliance team have observed a marked increase in regulatory activity. The end result has left licensees asking how to “bridge the gap” between their current operations and minimum regulatory requirements. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (“CFATF”) 4th Round Mutual Evaluation of the jurisdiction began in January of this year, with a desktop review of the Cayman Islands’ technical compliance and operating effectiveness of its Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (“CFT”) regime. Licensees are currently facing increased pressure to ensure that they are compliant with the Cayman Islands Money Laundering Regulations and the accompanying Guidance Notes. This trend will only continue as our jurisdiction continues its preparations for the CFATF’s visit to the Cayman Islands in December. How can we help? To help you “bridge the gap”, our Cayman Islands Regulatory Compliance team has recently worked with several clients who have either been inspected by the Cayman Islands Monetary Association (“CIMA”) or who have been issued letters mandating that various compliance initiatives be completed. Examples of some of these engagements have included: •AML Assessment – KPMG compared the client’s compliance policies and procedures to the standards required under local regulations and industry best practice. •Internal Audits – KPMG performed the client’s internal audit function, independently reporting to the entity’s Audit Committee as to the effectiveness of their risk management and governance framework. •AML and Fraud Awareness Training – KPMG performed training tailored for a client in the trust sector. The training covered the mechanisms by which money laundering and fraud occurs and the safeguards which can be implemented to prevent and detect instances of fraud. •Outsourced Investor and Third Party Due Diligence – KPMG performed detailed background checks and due diligence screening on new clients and third party providers for an entity in the insurance sector. •Outsourced Whistleblowing & Ethics Line Services for Staff and Third Parties – KPMG provided a client with an independent and confidential whistleblowing hotline to report fraud, bullying, harassment and other inappropriate behavior. KPMG is a trusted adviser, supporting our clients every step of the way, sharing insights, and providing advisory support in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are committed to assisting clients throughout their compliance journey, helping them realize the true value of their compliance function. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team. We would be happy to assist you. kpmg.ky © 2017 KPMG, a Cayman Islands partnership and a member firm. Joel Dodson Partner, Risk Consulting joeldodson@kpmg.ky Brid Verling Senior Manager, Risk Consulting bridverling@kpmg.ky Alice Adumekwe Senior Manager, Risk Consulting aadumekwe@kpmg.kyThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The family of the late Minard Steve Foster would like to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to each and everyone for their prayers, love and kindness. Your thoughtful donations to the Veteran’s & Seaman’s Society of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and/or Cayman Islands Hospice Care is much appreciated. May Steve’s soul rest in God’s peace and may God bless you all. Thanks again. Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com Celebrating The Life of Julian Black The family of Julian Black will be holding a celebration of Julian's life at their home, 89 Buena Vista Drive, Spotts on Saturday 10th June 2017, 4.30pm-7.30pm. Please dress in Caribbean Colours. Limited Parking. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Julian Black Community Star Trust Fidelity KYD 20175592 USD 20175600 COUNCILORS NAMED FOR CAYMAN GOVERNMENT Premier Alden McLaughlin announced on Thursday the assign- ments of three recently elected legislators as coun- cilors in the Cayman Is- lands government. In a statement released by government, Prospect representative Austin Harris was named councilor for human resources, immigra- tion and community affairs, the portfolio which falls under the ministerial remit of Premier McLaughlin. Barbara Conolly, the elected representative of George Town South, was named councilor for educa- tion, working with Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who is minister for that portfolio. David Wight, George Town West representative, will be councilor for sports and transport, two separate ministries. Ms. O’Connor- Connolly is also the minister for sports, while the trans- port ministry is led Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell. Capt. Eugene Ebanks, the West Bay Central rep- resentative, is councilor for environment and housing, ministries which are led by Dwayne Seymour. The premier also con- firmed that West Bay North’s Bernie Bush will be deputy speaker of the house and has not been appointed as a councilor. “This is the sixth time we have held the event, but the first time I have gone inter- national with my own per- sonal paddle.” Mr. Purdy, from Kelowna in British Columbia, is also the subject of a documen- tary, “The Paddler,” which will be screened Friday night at Duke’s bar and restaurant on West Bay Road, following a family fun day on Seven Mile Beach. The fun day in- cludes free lessons, races and clinics at Public Beach, starting at 2:30 p.m. The movie focusses on his five-and-a-half years of pad- dling on consecutive days in all types of weather and his dedication to the cause of en- vironmental awareness. “My message was simple. We need to change the way we live on the planet. My aim was to encourage and promote change in what- ever form that takes,” he said. Saturday’s event brings to an end a week of paddle- boarding activities in support of Keep Calm and Paddle On. Mr. Muratagic urged anyone interested in the sport or in supporting the two charities to come out on Friday or over the weekend. conservative Christian population, is similar, though not identical, to that in Cayman. Bermudians voted overwhelmingly against gay marriage in a non-binding referendum last year. But the courts intervened after Bermudian Winston Godwin and his Canadian fiancé, Greg DeRoche, chal- lenged the registrar-gen- eral’s rejection of their ap- plication to marry on the island. Just weeks after that decision, in May, another gay couple took advantage of the change in the law to marry in Bermuda’s first same-sex wedding. The changes in Bermuda have been forced through by the courts, rather than coming from the territo- ry’s legislature. There re- mains strong opposition to same-sex marriage in Ber- muda, with more than 3,000 people taking to the streets to protest the court’s de- cision in May. Campaigners in the Cayman Islands have taken note of the changes in Ber- muda and the manner in which they have been brought about. They believe it will likely require similar action through the courts to change Cayman’s laws. Leonardo Raznovich, a lawyer who won the right to be listed as a dependent on his same-sex partner’s work permit in a challenge to Cay- man’s immigration proce- dures, said the Bermuda decision left the Cayman Is- lands among an increasingly small minority of British Overseas Territories that were not in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. “The recent judgment in Bermuda is groundbreaking. It is influential from both a political and legal stand- point,” he said. He believes the U.K. should intervene to compel Cayman and other non-com- pliant territories, including BVI and Turks and Caicos, to fulfil their “legal obligation” to create a framework for the registration of same-sex relationships. “The U.K. government now has an even greater duty to step in and address the in- equality that exists, and force the remaining recalcitrant vi- olators of their obligations under the European Con- vention on Human Rights to align their laws with those of the United Kingdom and of the majority of its British Overseas Territories,” he said. The Bermuda court’s deci- sion would be a “persuasive legal authority in the Cayman Islands,” if a couple were to seek to challenge the mar- riage laws here, he added. Mr. Raznovich said it was a common misconception that Cayman’s constitution outlawed same-sex marriage. The actual wording of the clause on marriage in the constitution is, “Govern- ment shall respect the right of every unmarried man and woman of marriage- able age (as determined by law) freely to marry a person of the opposite sex and found a family.” He said this simply af- firms the state’s commitment not to interfere in marriages of heterosexual couples and does not constitute a ban on same-sex marriage. He believes the consti- tutional ban on discrimi- nation, for any reason, is far more valid in this case and would form the basis of a legal challenge, if a gay couple were denied the right to marry in Cayman. Based on the Bermuda decision and on case prec- edent in Europe, which has established that states are required to have a frame- work for civil unions for same-sex couples conferring the same package of rights as marriage, he believes such a challenge would be successful. Billie Bryan, founder of Colours Cayman, a grass- roots organization which aims to help eradicate dis- crimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, said the move in Bermuda was positive. But she warned it would take similarly brave couples to challenge the law through the courts, rather than waiting for government to act. “I’m fairly confident that Bermuda’s recent same- sex marriage ruling will in- deed have a significant im- pact on the Cayman Islands and surrounding nations, if only by the mere fact alone that LGBTQ+ rights are be- coming a more relevant issue every day and the con- tinued global efforts to rec- ognize them as having equal weight as any other human right only adds more pres- sure to governments such as ours to enact the necessary policies and legislation to support them. “While the Cayman Is- lands government will re- main silent on these issues, as it always has and as was much the case in Bermuda, it’s then largely up to those most at risk, such as my- self, to speak up, act out and challenge our current system, before any significant change can occur.” Bermuda’s first gay wedding raises prospect of change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “While the Cayman Islands government will remain silent on these issues, as it always has and as was much the case in Bermuda, it’s then largely up to those most at risk, such as myself, to speak up, act out and challenge our current system, before any significant change can occur.” BILLIE BRYAN, Colours Cayman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Paddle for the Planet comes to Cayman During his epic 2,100 consecutive days of paddling, Bob Purdy frequently had to fight through snow and ice.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 Wife Doralee, Children & Grandchildren Missing You on your Second Birthday away from us “Dr Silk” Another sad day to get through, As on with life we try to go. Today is full of Memories, Happiness and tears, of birthday celebrations. We shared throughout the years. We feel that you are with us, so we’ll celebrate your birthday. But we’ll spend it missing you. Missing you, The Family of the late Martha Carolyn Milburn Johnson (nee Bush) Would like to thank everyone for your love and support with cards, flowers, phone calls, messages,visits and prayers throughout our time of grief. Special thanks go to A.L. Thompson Jr., Berna Cummins and Isabel Geiger. Thanks to Bodden Funeral Home, and the Staff of Health City. Sincerely Buddy & Ethel Bush and Family. hank You Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. King Samuel Grant affectionately known as “Tommy” of West Bay, who passed away on Friday May 26, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 10:00a.m. at Churchills Funeral Home, 328 Eastern Avenue, George Town. Viewing will be from 9:00-9:45a.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Jennie A. Fletcher nee Forbes of George Town, who passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 3:00p.m. at Savannah Seventh-day Adventist Church 1631 Shamrock Road, Savannah. Viewing will be from 2:30-3:00p.m. Interment to follow at Prospect Cemetery. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Alexander Darwood Clyne regret to announce his passing on Tuesday, 30 May 2017. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, 11 June 2017 at Aston Rutty Centre, Cayman Brac. Interment will follow in Spot Bay Cemetery . The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Beverley L. Owen regret to announce her passing on Saturday, 3 June 2017. Mrs. Owen will be repatriated to Jamaica. EY has already made and is committed to making in the future will go a long way to- ward helping ICCI meet that goal, the college said. “Many of our students require credentials to im- prove the lives of their fam- ilies, but overseas education and costly online programs are not within their reach,” Mr. Mannisto said. “High quality education is im- portant to help these stu- dents achieve upward ad- vancement, especially with the changing skills required by employers.” According to the latest Cayman Islands Labor Force Survey Report, released in the fall of 2016, more than 75 percent of working Cay- manians do not have a col- lege or university degree. The college’s press state- ment noted that “when you layer on a significant amount of projected eco- nomic growth and de- mand for more talent in the coming years, this is a very concerning statistic.” Mr. Mannisto said ICCI wants to change this. The college will begin an en- rollment drive and give away two new iPhone 8s when they are released later this year. “We wanted to select leading innovative tech- nology as the prize for this challenge, since at ICCI, world-leading technology is a key part of our learning environment, thanks to donations from the pri- vate sector such as EY,” Mr. Mannisto said. “For ex- ample, we have 100 percent smart technology in every one of our classrooms. Our students are using their mo- bile devices to listen to lec- tures, take online courses, do quizzes, check their grades, collaborate with other students and faculty from around the world, in addition to numerous other things that increase the value and quality of the ed- ucation they are receiving, and at the same time make higher education more ac- cessible to them.” EY’s donation has been used to support the devel- opment of critical compo- nents of ICCI’s fully digital campus. The college wants to build on this with EY’s future commitment and do- nations from other partners in education. ICCI is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC) as a Premier Col- lege. The college’s business programs were recently ac- credited by the Interna- tional Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), a U.S.-based pro- fessional accrediting orga- nization for international college and university busi- ness programs. EY pledges $300,000 to ICCI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 WASHINGTON (AP) – Presi- dent Donald Trump sought comfort in the figurative em- brace of his evangelical sup- porters Thursday as the FBI director he recently fired told Congress about their conver- sations. The president told a religious gathering that “we’re under siege” but will emerge “bigger and better and stronger than ever.” Trump made no refer- ence to James Comey in his remarks to the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual gathering. But hours before the president’s first public comments of the day, Comey told the Senate intelligence committee that Trump tried to get him to pledge loyalty and drop an investigation into former National Security Ad- viser Michael Flynn. Trump abruptly fired Comey last month. Trump’s attorney said the president never asked Comey to stop in- vestigating anyone. In his remarks to the con- ference, Trump pledged to al- ways support the right of evangelicals to follow their faith, which some conserva- tives believe is under attack by government. “We will always sup- port our evangelical commu- nity and defend your right and the right of all Ameri- cans to follow and to live by the teachings of their faith,” the president told more than 1,000 activists meeting at a hotel across town from Cap- itol Hill, the scene of Comey’s nationally televised testimony. “And as you know, we’re under siege, you understand that. But we will come out bigger and better and stronger than ever. You watch,” Trump said. “You fought hard for me and now I’m fighting hard for all of you.” Trump spoke about his ac- tions to safeguard religious freedom and continued, for the second straight day, to label congressional Demo- crats as “obstructionists” who are blocking his agenda. There are also differences of opinion among Republicans, who con- trol both houses of Congress, that are standing in the way of what Trump wants to do on healthcare and other issues. Trump mentioned his nomination of federal judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, which pleased Chris- tian conservatives. He also has directed the IRS to ease up on using a rarely enforced rule barring partisan political activity by churches and tax- exempt organizations. “As long as I’m president, no one is going to stop you from practicing your faith or preaching what is in your heart,” he said. Trump won an over- whelming 80 percent of the white evangelical vote in the November election. A recent Pew Research Center survey marking his first 100 days in office found three-fourths of white evangelicals approved of his performance as pres- ident. Thirty-nine percent of the general public held the same view. Trump said restoring freedom also meant repealing and replacing the healthcare law enacted in 2010 by then- President Barack Obama, saying high deductibles and premiums have turned it into a “catastrophe.” But a re- placement healthcare bill has yet to clear Congress despite seven years of pledges by Re- publicans to scrap the law and start over, and despite the fact that the GOP has full control of the White House and Congress. The Republican-controlled House passed a bill with the bare minimum of GOP votes and none from Demo- crats. Senate Republicans are working on their version of the bill, but are divided about the approach. Trump over- looked the intraparty squab- bles and blamed Democrats. He said Democrats have gone so far to the left in terms of opposing him that “they’re bad right now for the country.” Democrats oppose disman- tling Obama’s health law. The president urged the audience to help send more Republicans to Congress in next year’s midterm elections, noting the GOP has just a 52-48 edge in the Senate and a slim advantage in the House. “We have to build those numbers up because we’re just not going to get votes” from Democrats, he said. “Sadly, we’re going to have to do it as Republicans because we’re not going to get any Democrat votes and that’s a very, very sad, sad thing.” Trump to evangelicals: We’re ‘under siege’ U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to a Faith and Freedom conference in Washington on Thursday. - PHOTO: AP Trump pledged to always support the right of evangelicals to follow their faith, which some conservatives believe is under attack by government.Next >