High of 90 Low of 77 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 EXOTIC PET PEEVE: CLARITY NEEDED ON ANIMAL SMUGGLING Happy Father’s Day SPECIAL FEATURE 1 SPECIALFEATURE CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 185309-Ad-Strip-SandCastles.indd 16/8/17 3:27 PM ‘Invisible hand’ preventing PR progress, law firm alleges HSM attorneys seek class action residency lawsuit BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com An “invisible hand” appears to be blocking attempts to address years-long delays in- volving hundreds of applicants for permanent residence in the Cayman Islands, as the pro- cessing of the applications has again “stag- nated,” according to attorneys from a local law firm. HSM Chambers lawyers had hoped the award of permanent residence grants to two applicants the firm represented last month would “get things going” in the hearing pro- cess for between 900 and 1,000 non-Cay- manians who have sought – since October 2013 – to remain in the islands for the rest of their lives. However, last Thursday marked 28 days since those applications were granted and about three months since government updated the permanent residence “points” system – os- tensibly to allow the backlogged applications to be processed. “Despite our best hopes and aspirations, the position has again stagnated,” HSM Partner Nicolas Joseph wrote in a letter to firm clients Friday. “Three months have passed since the up- dated regulations confirmed the availability of 15 points for each and every occupation, and public pronouncement made that all bar- riers to the consideration of applications … had been removed,” Mr. Joseph said. “We do not know what such barriers ever were to the great many applicants clearly always scoring well in excess of 110 points.” The Legislative Assembly changed the per- manent residence grant process in October 2013 to make it more difficult for non-Cay- manians who were not married to a Cayma- nian or who did not have close family con- nections to remain in the islands. Under that new system, all applicants who had been con- tinuously resident in Cayman for at least eight EXOTIC PET PROBE CONTINUES JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Customs officers are continuing to inves- tigate an attempt to import a sugar glider possum into the Cayman Islands last week. The discovery of the small animal on a Cayman Airways flight, and the dis- covery of other nonindigenous animals, in- cluding snakes and a lizard, in a follow-up search has caused concern among environ- mental watchdogs. They fear imported pets could get loose in the wild in Cayman and threaten the eco- system, as happened with green iguanas, which are believed to have been brought to the Cayman Islands initially as pets. Charles Clifford, collector of Customs, de- clined to reveal what other animals had been found, saying the investigation is still active and there would be no further comment from his department. Customs has already stated that a 31-year- old man and a 26-year-old woman were ar- rested following the incident last Wednesday, when the sugar glider got loose on a flight from Miami. The Cayman Compass understands from several sources that one of the people ar- rested in connection with the incident is Jimel McLean, the son of East End MLA Arden McLean. Attempts to reach Jimel McLean by press time Monday were unsuccessful. Expansion of International School planned JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Dart group is plan- ning a “major expansion” of the Cayman International School, which is struggling to meet growing demand for places. Dart has applied to clear 17 acres of land adjacent to the school ahead of what it de- scribed as an “accelerated con- struction schedule.” Principal Jeremy Moore said there are waiting lists for places at almost every age group in the early childhood and ju- nior sections. He said he would like to be able to increase capacity at the school, from the current 625 children ages 2 to 18, to around 1,100. “There is definitely a need to grow the school. The wait lists are getting longer and longer, particularly in the elementary A tarpon noses its way through a huge bank of silversides inside a swim-through at Eden Rock on Sunday. Divers are flocking to the popular site and nearby Devil’s Grotto off George Town to hang out with the silversides that usually show up for a couple of weeks each year. For more, see page 5. - PHOTO: JAMES WHITTAKER Always look on the silverside PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS SATURDAY, JUNE 17th, 8PM A Contemporary Evening Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 THE MUMMY 3D (PG13) 1:20 2D VIP I 5:00 I 7:00 2D VIP I 9:00 2D CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS (PG) 12:30 I 2:40 I 4:00 I 6:20 BAYWATCH (R) 1:20 I 4:05 I 7:00 I 10:00 A FAMILY MAN (R) 1:00 I 3:55 I 6:45 I 9:45 WONDER WOMAN 3D (PG13) 12:45 I 8:10 I 9:30 2D VIP PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES 3D (PG13) 12:35 2D I 3:30 I 6:30 2D I 9:45 - TUESDAY - 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) LESF GYM AND SAUNA IS FOR YOU! INFOLIFEEXT@GMAIL.COM Extend your potential with us! Webster says he counseled more than 50 children Love for alleged victim was ‘unselfish caring,’ court hears CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Errington Webster, on trial for indecently assaulting a young teenage girl, said on Monday that he had coun- seled more than 50 children who were going through some emotional stress. Webster took the wit- ness stand after Crown counsel Darlene Oko closed the case for the prosecution. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency. Webster, 55, told the court that when he started run- ning for political office in 2013, Bodden Town had in the range of 4,000 voters and a lot of buildings. He said he visited every one from the east side of Spotts-Newlands. He said parents would tell them about their chil- dren’s stress and anger management and he would share his skills. He explained that he had taken a course in “crit- ical incident stress manage- ment” that was required for the position he was in with the Cayman Islands Fire De- partment, from which he was retired. He also had certificates in interpersonal relationships and communications, he said. Counseling Webster told the court that he helped people be- cause he was concerned and he was a politician. He said he was helping the girl who is the com- plainant in the charges against him. He tutored her in social studies and coun- seled her for acute or extreme emotional distress. He agreed he gave her money, saying it was to mo- tivate her and to build up her self-esteem. He agreed he told her he loved her, but it had nothing to do with sexual intimacy, it had to do with “unselfish caring.” The conversations they had were part of his coun- seling strategy, he explained. He denied any inde- cent touching. Attorney Steve Mc- Field asked him specifi- cally about a video, said to have been taken on June 25, 2016, showing him touching himself. He was asked if he had done so. Webster replied, “That is not true. No such thing ever happened in my conscious mind. I would never perform such a nefarious act in the presence of a child.” He said doing so would be evil, “and that’s not the type of person I am as a Christian.” He said he learned about the video only after a man came to his house and at- tacked him. He said he was taken to hospital and re- ceived 14 stitches to his head. After he returned home, family members told him about the video. He had not known anything about it until then. Account of video He related what he said had happened when he was in his vehicle with the girl. He felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. When he got home, he felt the pain again and found himself on the floor with the “car porch” door between his legs. He said had been on a liquid fast at the time and had consumed juice when taking medication for hy- pertension and cholesterol that morning. He had been warned that the medica- tion reacted with grape- fruit juice, and he did not re- alize that his wife had mixed grapefruit juice into what he had consumed. His wife had wanted him to go to the doctor “because I was acting like I was drunk,” he told the court. He did not go to the doctor, but concluded that the juice interacted with his medica- tion and “caused my mind to be in an awkward state.” Webster was con- tinuing to give his testimony at press time. Double Impact contest winner Julian Foster, senior marketing manager at Foster’s Food Fair IGA, is the winner of the Cayman Compass ‘Spring Up and Double Your Impact’ contest. Foster’s Food Fair advertised in both the Mother’s Day and Easter features in the Compass and in return was selected, at random, for a $500 spa package. Mr. Foster is pictured with Compass sales representative Alanna Garcia. Police officer leaves scene of crash Police on Monday were attempting to locate a police inspector who left the scene of an acci- dent in which he was in- volved on Saturday. A collision occurred just before 4:15 p.m. at the Hur- ley’s roundabout on Crewe Road, police said. “A white Pontiac SUV was reported to have col- lided into the back of a silver Land Rover. The driver of the white SUV had left the scene of the acci- dent; the driver and occu- pants of the silver Land Rover were not injured,” po- lice said in a statement. According to police, of- ficers who responded de- termined that the driver of the white SUV is an inspector with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. “Officers have made nu- merous attempts to locate him over the weekend and enquiries are continuing,” the police statement said. TEEN CHARGED WITH WOUNDING AFTER STABBING Victim suffered collapsed lung after being stabbed in chest SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com A 15-year-old boy ap- peared in Summary Court on Monday, charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm following the stabbing of a male teenager in George Town earlier this month. The case was referred to the Grand Court, as the charge is classified as a Category A offense. The teen is scheduled to appear there on June 30. The youth was arrested Sunday in connection with an alleged stabbing on June 3 off West Bay Road. The male victim, also age 15, was stabbed in the chest and suffered a collapsed lung, the court heard.. The victim has been re- leased from the hospital and is recovering. The defendant’s fa- ther and sister were in court on Monday, and Magistrate Valdis Foldats thanked them for being there in support. Webster said he was helping the girl who is the complainant in the charges against him. He tutored her in social studies and counseled her for acute or extreme emotional distress. Errington Webster Nightclub owner reflects on massacre: ‘We are one Pulse’ ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – At 2:02 a.m. Monday, the names of 49 people killed in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history were read out loud outside the Pulse nightclub, marking the exact time a year ago when a gunman started firing during “Latin Night” at the gay club. “I realize that gathering here in this place, at this hour, is beyond difficult,” Or- lando Mayor Buddy Dyer told survivors, victims’ families, club employees and local of- ficials during the private ser- vice. “But I also know that the strength you’ve shown over the past year will carry you through today and in the future.” The service began what would be almost 24 hours of observations to re- member the victims and the dozens of Pulse patrons who were wounded when Omar Mateen opened fire and pledged allegiance to the Is- lamic State. He was even- tually killed by police after a three-hour standoff on June 12, 2016. Later Monday morning, hundreds of people dropped off flowers, drawings and cards at a memorial near Pulse. Another midday ser- vice was held, followed by an evening gathering in the heart of downtown Or- lando and a final, music- filled late-night service at the nightclub. “It still hurts, it’s still very raw,” said Erin Anderson, a friend and former co- worker of Pulse victim Xavier Serrano Rosado. Jeannine Williams used to live within walking distance of Pulse and was a frequent visitor. She had made plans to be there the night of the shooting but decided to go another night club. “A year later I think the thing that is most important is this community and why I live here and why I’m so happy to live here,” Williams said through tears. “The sup- port we not only have from our city government, it’s not fleeting support, it’s not sup- port on certain days. It’s the way the community is. This is Orlando. This is why I just love living here.”3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 Premier Health BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LIMITED BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town.Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, Cayman BracTel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. : insurance, health, pensions, life British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Limited acts solely as an agent on behalf of Colonial Medical Insurance Company Limited and it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. The world is smaller when you have a bigger health plan. cgigrp Overseas college, business trips and vacation travel are all easier with Premier Health. No other health plan matches the number and geographic spread of network providers throughout North America. Your Premier Health ID card is accepted by over 1.1 million US providers, offers worldwide travel assistance and pharmacy benefits as easy to use in North America as they are at home. CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky Tourist lands in court after too much sun and alcohol More woes accrue because his U.S. prescription for ganja was not good in Cayman CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A red-faced tourist ap- peared in Summary Court on Friday, when he pleaded guilty to damaging an ATM machine and possession of ganja and utensils used in the consumption of ganja. Defense attorney Crister Brady told the court that Mat- thew Thaler, 30, was red in the face not only because he was embarrassed, but also because he had sustained first- and second-degree burns to his face and body from too much sun. He was taken to hospital for treatment after his arrest. “He came on vacation for some sun, sand and sea,” Mr. Brady told Magistrate Adam Roberts. “Unfortunately, he had more sun than he intended.” Thaler also admitted he had too many alcoholic drinks and became intoxicated. Thaler’s condition was complicated by the fact that he was on prescription drugs, which the attorney named and explained their use. Crown counsel Eleanor Fargin detailed the charges. She said police received a call around 10:17 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, about a man using a piece of steel and trying to open an auto- matic teller machine at a bank branch on West Bay Road. Officers attended and processed the scene. The man was not there, but they dusted for fingerprints and checked the CCTV, noting transactions. They found that the ATM was being used at the time by Thaler. Police then checked with immigration officials and found where Thaler was staying. On Tuesday, June 6, they went to the hotel, where they arrested and cautioned him. They took him to hos- pital for treatment for his burns and he admitted he had gone to beach, got sun- burned and drunk. He said he went to the ATM to get money for a taxi, but he had cash on him. He acknowledged he was at the machine when it was dam- aged, but he was not sure why he damaged it. He said he had no intention to steal and no such charge was laid. Mr. Brady indicated that the defendant accepted the summary of facts. Thaler had tried to use a credit card that did not work in the ATM, he said. The reaction of his med- ication plus sun and alcohol “had a very adverse effect on his behavior.” Thaler’s U.S. prescription for medical marijuana was of no use to him here, the at- torney conceded. “He is very remorseful and apologetic and wants the bank to know that. He is concerned to find himself in a strange place in frightening condi- tions,” Mr. Brady concluded. Arrangements were being made to have a family member send money to com- pensate the bank. Ms. Fargin advised that Thaler had been in custody since his arrest. She said the bank had confirmed that $3,000 would cover the cost of parts to repair the ATM. The magistrate said he was giving Thaler full credit for his guilty pleas at the earliest op- portunity. Visitors must be aware that Cayman expects proper behavior, notwith- standing susceptibility to too much alcohol and sun – which is one of the attractions of the island, he acknowledged. The magistrate accepted that Thaler had been in cus- tody for four days and sen- tenced him to four days’ im- prisonment for the damage to property. He said the defen- dant could be prevented from leaving until the compensa- tion was paid. Told that Thaler had $500 cash, the magistrate fined him $300 for possession of ganja and $200 for pos- session of two ganja pipes. Those amounts are in the range of fines typically im- posed for ganja offenses. The defendant asked, “Once I pay I’m free to go?” The magistrate said yes, adding that the police of- ficer in the case would ar- range a flight. “I sincerely apologize to you and the Cayman Is- lands,” Thaler said. “Have a safe flight home,” the magistrate replied. The reaction of his medication plus sun and alcohol “had a very adverse effect on his behavior.” CRISTER BRADY, attorney Rental car stolen in South Sound Police are looking for a rental car that was stolen during a burglary at a resi- dence in South Sound Road in George Town over the weekend. The blue, 2014 Kia Cerato was taken from outside the premises in the early hours of Saturday, June 10. Police also said several items were stolen from the residence. The car’s registration number is 155 772. Anyone who sees the vehicle or who has information about it is encouraged to call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Tips can be provided to the RCIPS on 949-7777 or to Crime Stoppers on 800-8477(TIPS). A Kia Cerato similar to this one was stolen from outside a residence in South Sound Road early Saturday. - PHOTO: RCIPS MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING POLICE OFFICER A 25-year-old man ap- peared in court Friday, charged with assaulting a police officer and six other charges following an in- cident in which an officer was bitten on the arm while making an arrest. Wayne Bellafonte of North Side was arrested outside a li- censed premises on West Bay Road on Thursday, June 8, on drug-related offenses. He was remanded in custody Friday after being charged with the assault, as well as possession of ganja, possession of ganja with intent to supply, attempt to escape custody, resisting ar- rest and damage to property. He is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, June 20.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. TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Some might consider the small possum known as a sugar glider to be harmless – even cute. But there is nothing benign about the illegal importation of exotic animals into the Cayman Islands. That’s why officials must be more forthcoming about the ongoing investigation into the alleged smug- gling of a sugar glider on a Cayman Airways flight from Miami, which led to the discovery of a veritable menagerie of non-native reptiles and snakes at a Grand Cayman property. The idea that foreign species of snakes are being brought on island is enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine. But more poisonous than any snake is the toxic uncertainty of not knowing how widespread and how deeply entrenched the illegal exotic animal trade may be in Cayman. How did a contraband animal find its way onto a Cayman Airways jet? Common sense tells us the smugglers either found a way to beat airport security in Miami or they enlisted the help of someone there. It certainly would not be the first time airport or airline employees were involved in circumventing the law. We well remember the 2015 case involving a ramp coordinator for Cayman Airways who was involved in evading duty for cigarettes imported into the island. Nor would it be the first failure of security in a U.S. airport, where weary travelers must wait in long lines, empty their pockets and shed their shoes and belts in the name of public safety, but where (as we’ve seen repeatedly) contraband items commonly make it through to Cayman without detection. How often have security officers at Owen Roberts International Airport spotted security risks that other airports have missed? We would not have enough space here to list all the instances of outbound visitors caught with ammunition in their luggage, even if we used “bullet points.” As Magistrate Valdis Foldats remarked during a case in January, “It seems that people in different countries, with different laws from ours, don’t seem to take it seriously.” And while ammunition might seem a greater threat than “exotic pets,” the fact of the matter is bullets don’t procreate. Animals can – and do. Consider the devastation wreaked by the estimated thousands of Burmese pythons (descendants of dis- carded pets) on the Everglades in Florida, or, closer to home, the estimated one million green iguanas in Grand Cayman. Cayman residents well know how quickly unchecked populations of even seemingly harmless species – such as dogs, cats and chickens – can grow to become a nuisance, encroaching upon native flora and fauna. Some – such as lionfish – can decimate entire ecosystems. And some, such as disease-car- rying species of mosquitoes – threaten the health of the human population. One reason why answers have been slow in coming in this smuggling case may be the proliferation of bureaucratic agencies connected to this issue: the Customs Department, Department of Agriculture, National Conservation Council, Department of Envi- ronment, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and Cayman Airways, to name a few. To date, requests for comment have been directed to Collector of Customs Charles Clifford, who has opted to keep information close to his vest – overly close, we believe. It is a diktat of human nature that when infor- mation is lacking, people will draw their own conclu- sions or invent their own reality. Factual information is our only antidote for misinformation, and we would encourage Mr. Clifford to be as forthcoming as possible with the public as this story of illegal importation of exotic species into the Cayman Islands unfolds …. Exotic pet peeve: Clarity needed on animal smuggling 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” The EU will not help a weakened Theresa May LEONID BERSHIDSKY The only decent argu- ment in favor of U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s de- cision not to step down as prime minister after a di- sastrous election is that the first round of Brexit talks is scheduled for June 19. The clock has been ticking on the two-year process since March 29, when May trig- gered Article 50; and May has just wasted two months on a failed election cam- paign. More delays would almost certainly carry a cost, and there’s something to May’s stated desire to “get on with the job” – but there’s also an edge of despera- tion to it. European leaders won’t do much to take off that edge; it’s up to May to save herself. “Get on with the job of government” is the new mantra replacing “strong and stable,” which didn’t play too well in the election: May’s Conservatives lost their majority and are now forced to make a deal with the right-wing Democratic Union Party in Northern Ire- land to be able to govern. But on Brexit, May still prom- ises to deliver “stability and certainty,” something sorely lacking from U.K. politics. There is, however, no con- cealing that May really has no clear mandate on how to negotiate anymore. “No deal is better than a bad deal” – something May repeated in her speeches and enshrined in her party’s manifesto – no longer applies because the other parties, and princi- pally Labour, which has im- proved its representation in the election, are for a softer version of Brexit. Even Nigel Farage, the former leader of UKIP and one of the archi- tects of the Brexit vote, is now talking of “backsliding” to a Norway-style deal that keeps the U.K. in the Eu- ropean Union’s common market – and, by impli- cation, allows free move- ment of labor with the EU. A Turkey-style deal which would keep the U.K. in the EU’s customs union and out- side the common market is also back in play. As it stands, the “no deal” formula wouldn’t struggle to get through the U.K. par- liament. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, an indepen- dent-minded figure within May’s party who actually achieved a measure of suc- cess in the election, beating back the anti-Brexit Scot- tish Nationalists, isn’t likely to lend her 13-strong par- liamentary group’s support to the hardliners: They are unpopular in Scotland. Da- vidson has called for “an open Brexit, not a closed one.” The DUP, May’s last-ditch coalition partner, is pro- Brexit – but its manifesto stressed its support for the soft border with the Republic of Ireland. Since Northern Ireland, which voted against Brexit last year, is a net recip- ient of EU subsidies, the DUP would like the “ability to opt- into EU funds where proven to be cost-effective and add value.” None of this is pos- sible with a hard Brexit. May appears to under- stand she’ll have to be more accommodating in negotia- tions now. Though she has reappointed most of her old cabinet and brought back arch-Brexiteer Michael Gove in the relatively unimportant role of environment min- ister, she has also made Da- mian Green, an old ally and a vocal “remainer,” her second in command as first secre- tary of state. Meanwhile, there is no reason for EU leaders to make May’s life easier. So far, the Brexit-related chaos has helped pro-EU politicians beat nationalist populists in major Western European nations. French President Emmanuel Macron, whose brand-new party has almost secured a historic victory in the French parliamentary election, and Merkel, who is riding high in the polls and is likely to be re-elected in September, have the strong mandates necessary for a pitched battle. If it goes on, it will probably strengthen the chances of Italy’s ruling centrists beating the anti-EU Five Star Movement in the next general election as they did in Sunday’s local polls. So the initial strategy – playing for time and let- ting the U.K. punish itself – looks better than ever after the U.K. election. It doesn’t really matter to EU negotia- tors whom they face across the table – May or her sud- denly strengthened rival, La- bour leader Jeremy Corbyn or someone else. It’s up to May to start ac- tually pushing a softer ver- sion of Brexit. If she does, the optics for EU leaders of rejecting her approach will be terrible. The EU leaders – both the Brussels bureau- crats led by European Com- mission President Jean- Claude Juncker – will avoid looking as though they’re kicking May when she’s down. Searching for compro- mise is, after all, what Eu- rope does by default and what it does best. The reac- tion in her own party is an entirely different matter. The worst mistake May can make is to continue pre- tending she has a strong hand to play. That would cause the EU to lose interest and disengage, letting her fail and expecting the U.K. po- litical process pick them a new negotiating partner with even less time to complete the talks. The strong presence of Brexiters in May’s cabinet makes such a scenario likely – but it’s not too late for May to try to stave it off and put some compromise, Norway- style or Turkey-style pro- posals on the table. Bershidsky is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the founding editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the opinion website Slon.ru. © 2017, Bloomberg View There is no reason for EU leaders to make May’s life easier. So far, the Brexit-related chaos has helped pro-EU politicians beat nationalist populists in major Western European nations. 5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS Making a difference Thank you, Global Captive for helping us build a stronger community! The YMCA of the Cayman Islands Corporate Founders campaign is raising funds to firmly root the Y locally and establish a solid foundation for lasting impact. We are dedicated to building strong communities by focusing on character development and the core values of honesty, caring, respect, responsibility, and faith. To learn more, contact Vanessa Hansen at vhansen@ymcacayman.ky ymcacayman.ky (345) 926.9622 IT’S MY Y’ FOR GIVING BACK! “Global Captive Management is committed to giving back to the community that we call home. The YMCA’s mission to create a healthy spirit, mind and body for all really resonated with us. They provide support and encouragement for our young people most in need, and serve in a way that brings the whole community together. We look forward to seeing what the next five years will bring.” SILVER LEVEL FOUNDER Silversides: A divers’ favorite returns to Cayman’s caves MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com One of the most spec- tacular visual treats that divers can encounter in Cayman, or anywhere in the world, is back. For only a few weeks each year, schools of tiny silver- sides form massive pulsating clouds in the caves, tunnels and swim-throughs around Devil’s Grotto and Eden Rock in George Town. The spectacle makes the shore dives off the Eden Rock and Don Foster’s dive shops in George Town especially popular whenever the silver- sides return. Large schools of silversides are often also visible at offshore dive sites like Big Tunnels and can be encountered during wreck dives at the Oro Verde and the Kittiwake. Huge groups of the fish were alternating between Devil’s Grotto and Eden Rock in recent days. The display is a draw for divers and especially under- water photographers. Rays of sun piercing through small cracks in the caves’ rock ceil- ings and the movements of the silversides make for a perfect combination to cap- ture the reflection of sun- light off the silver scales of the tiny fish. Silversides are only a few inches long, narrow- shaped with two dorsal fins and a silvery sheen. They are found at depths from 10 feet to 100 feet and feed on plankton and other small marine animals. Silversides is a generic term for about 10 species of small, silver-colored, fork- tailed fish. They typically form large schools and fill caves and other enclosed areas like wrecks. Silver- sides are common in the Ca- ribbean, where they are a major food source for reef predators like tarpon, jacks and groupers. At Devil’s Grotto and Eden Rock, tarpon will often dart through the silversides, causing a constant ebb and flow as the tiny fish move as one unit, creating small openings and shifting direc- tions to confuse and evade the predators. Diving directly through a school of silversides can easily emulate what a tarpon must feel. A diver might ex- perience a brief loss of orien- tation as groups of fish part close to the diver’s mask only to reveal hundreds and thou- sands of shiny silver specks. Silversides are filling caves and swim-throughs. - PHOTO: JAMES WHITTAKER Tarpons swim through silversides at Eden Rock on Sunday. - PHOTO: NINA BAXA Kirsty Whittaker was among the many divers at Eden Rock to see the silversides on Sunday. - PHOTO: JAMES WHITTAKERThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 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 JUNE 13, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, JUNE 13 CHAMBER COURSE: Basic Accounting Made Easier. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $150 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 THE BOOKENDS CLUB: Meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Books & Books. Join members who meet to review their latest pick, “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov. Share insights and impressions in open discussion. The Bookends Club gathers on the second Wednesday of every month and new members are always welcome. THURSDAY, JUNE 15 HUMANE SOCIETY QUIZ: Join the monthly trivia quiz to raise funds for the Humane Society. Fidel Murphy’s, 7 p.m. Hosted this month by Dhara Levers. $10 per person entry fee. CHAMBER COURSE: Intellectual Property Basics: Copyright, Trademarks & Patents. 9–11 a.m., Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $175 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, JUNE 17 QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY: The Cayman Islands will celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday today with a brief ceremony at the Legislative Assembly at 9 a.m. Attendees are asked to be in place by 8:30 a.m. The annual Garden Party follows, 10-11:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the governor’s residence. All are invited. DADURDAY: Celebrate Father’s Day with Dadurday from 1-6 p.m. at The Crescent at Camana Bay. Games (including beanbag toss, ladder ball, foosball, jumbo Jenga and more) with prizes, crafts including kite-making. MONDAY, JUNE 19 BRAC CELEBRATION: The Brac District of the National Trust invites everyone to the 5th annual Queen’s Birthday Celebration 4-6:30 p.m. at the Heritage House, Northeast Bay. Afternoon tea, raffles, plant sale, art show, and split the pot. Tickets are $7 at the door. All funds benefit the National Trust Cayman Brac Land Fund. TUESDAY, JUNE 20 CHAMBER COURSE: Situational Self Leadership. Today and tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $350 for members, $425 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. THURSDAY, JUNE 22 CHAMBER COURSE: Essentials of Supervision – Developing Your Team. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $150 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, JUNE 24 MANGOES AT THE MUSEUM: Local food and mango products, mango-peeling competition, arts and crafts, bungee jumping, rock climbing. Cayman Islands National Museum on the waterfront, from 3-7 p.m. Free admission. DEALS ON WHEELS: The Red Cross Mobile Thrift Shop will be in West Bay. 6-10 a.m. at the Lord’s Church Compound, junction with the West Bay Town Hall. Items available include clothing and shoes for children and adults, ladies’ accessories and bags, linens, household items and more. TUESDAY, JUNE 27 TALK ABOUT TURTLE MEAT: Megan Hogseth speaks about “The Sailor’s Soup Pot in the 17th and 18th Centuries – Sea Turtle Meat Consumption & Trade” at 6 p.m. at the National Museum. $10 admission includes refreshments and admission to all exhibits. Season pass to speaker series, $50. GENERAL INTEREST HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT SHOP: The shop has moved to Venetia Plaza, next to China Village. The thrift shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. Phone 945-5596. DVDL REPLACES TEMP PLATES: The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing is replacing all Temporary Registration Plates. Customers who have been contacted by the department are asked to collect their new registration plates. They are reminded to bring the temporary registration plates, windshield coupon (if not expired) and log book. HIGH SCHOOL PTA: The John Gray High School PTA seeks sponsors, vendors and volunteers for its June 24 summer fair and raffle. Money raised will assist students going overseas to represent the school and country in track/field, swimming, fine arts, academics and more. The PTA invites applications from visual and performing artists, food vendors and volunteers. Email ptajghs@gmail.com for registration form. If you have a product you would like to sell at the fair, sign up. Booths are $50 and $75. CONTRACTORS REGISTRATION: The deadline for residential and building contractors is June 30; trade contractors’ deadline is Aug. 31. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc., in good condition always needed. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: The Thrift Shop opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed evenings. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers are needed. Tuesdays at the Truman Bodden Complex at 5:30 p.m. for track/field, football and bocce. No experience necessary, just a smile and patience. Wednesdays at Lions Pool 10:15–11 a.m. You do not have to swim, just be able to walk in water chest-deep. Thursdays at First Baptist Church for basketball, 5:30–7 p.m. Saturdays, volunteers needed for Adult Special Olympic swim conditioning at CIS pool 9:30–10:30 a.m. Deck support and in-water swimming assistance needed. For more information, contact Penny McDowall at 516-2578 or pjmcdowall@gmail.com. OPEN STUDIO: Every Thursday 10 a.m. till noon and every Monday 1-4 p.m. at Watler House Studio on grounds of Pedro Castle. Offered by Visual Arts Society to adults/youth who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere. Contact info@visualartcayman.com. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. ARTISANS MARKET: Camana Bay every Wednesday, noon till 8 p.m. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale. Email info@visualartcayman.com. OPEN CANVAS: Wednesdays. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay. 7-11 p.m. No fee, easels provided. Contact info@ongart.com or jar.was@gmail.com. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. For more information, call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Mondays, 7 p.m. For details, contact Virginia Castillo at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the Catboat Club clubhouse, North Church Street. All are invited to attend. For more information, call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. TOASTMASTERS CLUB: Cayman has three chapters of Toastmasters International, geared toward development of public speaking and leadership skills. Grand Cayman club meets at George Town Public Library, 3rd floor, 6-7:15 p.m. every Thursday. Eloquent Speaker club meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday 6:30–7:45 p.m. at Savannah United Church Hall. Eminent Orators club meets 2nd and 4th Monday 6–7:30 p.m. at Cayman Academy Canteen. Contact George R. Ebanks at 916-0687/322-9369 or georger.ebanks@gmail.com. ROTARACT BLUE OF CAYMAN: Meets Wednesdays 6 p.m., at Royal Palms Beach Club, West Bay Road. Contact rotaractblue@gmail.com or check www.rotaractblue.org. LEO CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 6:30 p.m. at the Lions Community Centre. For more information, contact Secretary Letisha Allen 924-2819. THE LIONS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets every first and third Thursday 7:30 p.m. at the Lions Community Centre. For more information, email LionsClubGCM@hotmail.com. THE LIONS CLUB OF TROPICAL GARDENS: Meet every first and third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Elizabethan Square (corner unit next to the MLA’s office). Members of the public are invited to attend. ROTARY CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN SUNRISE: Service club meetings 7 a.m. every Wednesday at George Town Yacht Club, 612 North Sound Road. website at www.rotarysunrise.ky or contact info@rotarysunrise.ky. KIWANIS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 12:30 p.m., at Britannia Golf Course Restaurant. Projects include promoting well- being of children in the community and schools. For more information, email president@kiwanis.ky or view www.kiwanis.ky. OPTIMIST CLUB: Meets first and third Thursdays at the Hibiscus Conference Room, George Town Hospital at 6:30 p.m. Email optimistcayman@yahoo.com. THE MODEL AIRPLANE FLYING CLUB: Meets Sundays 2 p.m. at the J. Bodden Marlpit/Old Raceway. Call 916–2327 for more information. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The Cayman Islands will celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday on Saturday, June 17, with a brief ceremony at the Legislative Assembly at 9 a.m.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 DR. STEVE TOMLINSON CORPORATE SERVICES LTD Lions unveil plaque to honor charter members The Lions Club of Grand Cayman celebrated its mem- bers past and present this month with an awards cer- emony and a plaque un- veiling at the Lions Com- munity Centre. At the June 1 event, which was packed with many Leos, Lions, invited community leaders and friends, the club unveiled a plaque at the en- trance to the hall which bears the names of the 58 men who signed their names to be recognized by Lions International as the clubs’ charter members. Lion President Tannya Mortimer said in a press release, “Each year the club hosts celebrations in honor of our charter mem- bers, but paying recogni- tion with the form of a per- petual plaque has long since been discussed.” She added, “The event was very well attended by charter members, their spouses and/ or children and I know it was a very proud moment for these families.” Lion Andrew Eden was an- nounced as Lion of the Year. The Distinguished Lead- ership Award and the John Ebanks Humanitarian Award went to Lion Letitia Law- rence. The Inaugural Com- mittee Chairs were presented to Alfonso Wright for the Ms. Kippy Foundation and to Mi- chael Troop for the Commu- nity Restoration Committee. Project Chair went to Eric Anderson for the Golden Age Home in West Bay and Sun- rise Cottage in East End. Special recognition was given to Joel Walton, Lloyd Samson, James Kennedy, Lion Gina Berry-Barnes, Foster’s Food Fair and Kirk Market. Acknowledgement was also given to Quick Im- ages, which provided “im- peccable service and top quality products for all the memorabilia and awards distributed throughout the Lionistic Year,” a press release states. Also supporting the awards event was Lion Dis- trict Governor Errol Lee. Lions Peter Balls and Lennie Hew shared reflec- tions of when the club was chartered in 1972. They re- called how charter President Lion Tommy Hurlston, along with Lion Louis Chung and Mr. Balls who were mem- bers of the Kingston club which had sponsored the Grand Cayman club, was in- strumental in structuring and organizing the Grand Cayman club. Burglars break into GT Primary School Man charged in relation to shootings Police recover stolen safe Burglars broke into George Town Primary School Friday and stole a safe containing food tickets and cash, police said. Officers were called to the school after 6 a.m. on Friday, June 9, after a re- port of a burglary. After carrying out a search of the area, police officers, along with scenes of crime officers, recovered the safe nearby. The safe had been damaged, but all the contents, including food vouchers and cash, were recovered. According to Prin- cipal Marie Martin, can- teen workers discovered the break-in when they ar- rived at the school around 5:30 a.m. Friday. She said the suspects gained entry through an exterior window left un- locked in the school’s as- sembly hall. After en- tering the hall, the burglars smashed their way through the kitchen door to gain ac- cess to the safe, which was on the kitchen counter. Ms. Martin said the door had to be replaced from the force of the im- pact. She also said that other schools should be on the alert since she had heard that another school had also been broken into. According to the school’s canteen caterer, Claire Collins, the burglars took the safe off school property and smashed it with bricks in an attempt to open it. She said some of the lunch tickets appeared to have been burned. MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED DANGEROUS DRIVING Armed police arrested a 40-year-old man from West Bay Saturday afternoon for alleged dangerous driving. Police said the driver failed to respond to police hails to stop. Several po- lice cars followed the ve- hicle, which was eventually stopped on North West Point Road around 1:30 p.m. The driver was also ar- rested for other alleged traffic violations. He is on po- lice bail, and a police investi- gation continues. SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Joshua Ebanks, a 24-year- old West Bay resident, was charged with possession of an imitation firearm Monday in a case arising from an early morning shooting on June 3. Ebanks, who was held without a bail hearing, is to make his next court appear- ance on Tuesday, June 13. His attorney, Crister Brady, asked for more time to prepare a defense after being apprised of a closed circuit video of the suspect that he had not seen before entering court on Monday. The police recorded two reports of shots fired in the early morning, one at the Roof Top Bar on Mary Street and another at a residence shortly thereafter. The police stressed in a statement Monday that Ebanks has not been charged with those shootings, but with a crime in connection to the shootings. Lion of the Year Andrew Eden, center, receives his award from Lion District Governor Errol Lee and Lion President Tannya Mortimer.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS EDITION BOOKING DEADLINE Monday June 19th NO PUBLICATION Tuesday June 20th Wednesday June 14th Wednesday June 21st Thursday June 15th Thursday June 22nd Friday June 16th Friday June 23rd Tuesday June 20th PUBLICATION DEADLINES: Celebrate the Monday June 19th Public HolidayPublic HolidayPublic Holiday Queen’s Birthday (345) 949-5111 • sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Please be advised there will be no newspaper on Monday, June 19th, Queen’s Birthday (Public Holiday) OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JUNE 19TH SMALL BUSINESS CENTRE Proudly organised by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ministry of Financial Services and Home Aairs. Visit our website at www.caymanchamber.ky for the schedule of upcoming free micro and small business workshops. Thursday, 22 June, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. New Cayman Islands Trade Marks and Design Laws explained Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square FREE SMALL AND MICRO BUSINESS WORKSHOP This workshop is the latest in a series of SME Workshops to be held at the Chamber’s Small Business Centre, and is run in partnership with the Ministry of Financial Services and Home Aairs. Does your small business use a trade mark? How about a custom logo design? If so, the practice of re-registering UK and EU trade mark registrations to the Cayman Islands will end on 31 July 2017. The Trade Marks Law 2016, the Design Rights Registration Law 2016 and the Patents and Trade Marks (Amendment) Law 2016, which were passed late 2016 will become effective in the Cayman Islands on August 1, 2017. On Thursday, 22 June Sophie Davies will be facilitating a free workshop to cover all of the changes to the Laws and what their impact will be. Ms. Davies is a qualified attorney and expert in the field of Intellectual Property (IP). Sophie worked on the Committee responsible for drafting the new IP legislation in the Cayman Islands and is also a member of the Intellectual Property Caribbean Association (IPCA), AIPLA and MARQUES. She currently works for HSM Chambers where she manages a team of highly skilled and professional IP Paralegals. Mr. Clifford said, “Once the investigation is com- pleted, the file will be sent to the director of Public Prosecutions for a prosecu- torial decision, which is the normal practice.” The confiscated animals have been handed over to the Department of Agri- culture. The DOA referred all questions about the in- vestigation and the ani- mals to Customs. The department has not commented in relation to this incident, but spoke gen- erally about the issue of ex- otic pet imports in a pre- vious media commentary. At the time, a DOA offi- cial said, anyone looking to import an unusual animal needed to apply for a permit. Speaking specifically about sugar gliders, which are popular as pets in Florida, the official said the department would be un- likely to offer a permit for that type of animal. “With regards to sugar gliders, these are insec- tivores/omnivores and would pose a very signifi- cant threat to local insect and plant populations,” the official said. Fred Burton, who heads the National Conservation Council’s invasive species committee, said the Depart- ment of Environment acts as a consultative body on animal imports. For species like sugar gliders, he said, his un- derstanding is that under current DOA policy, per- mits for such species would be refused. “Otherwise, they would consult with us, and we would offer our advice from the invasive species con- cern perspective, which is normally accepted and acted upon,” Mr. Burton said. “What that means in practice is that novel ex- otic animal pets are not al- lowed to be imported here, because we know from ex- perience that unexpected consequences can be ex- tremely severe.” Trump to host Indian Prime Minister Modi WASHINGTON (AP) – Presi- dent Donald Trump will wel- come Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Wash- ington this month, seeking closer economic and defense ties and cooperation in fighting terrorism, the White House said Monday. The June 26 meeting will be the first between the leaders of the world’s two largest democracies, home to 1.6 billion people. U.S.-India relations pros- pered under President Barack Obama, particularly after Modi took office in 2014. India was seen as a partner to balance China’s growing weight in Asia. But Trump has so far fo- cused more on building ties with China as he looks to win its cooperation in tack- ling North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and with U.S. allies in East Asia. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the two leaders were expected to set forth a “common vi- sion” on expanding the U.S.- India partnership. He cited fighting terrorism, pro- moting economic growth and reforms and expanding security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region as shared priorities. He said bilateral trade has grown sixfold since 2000, reaching $115 billion in 2016. India’s foreign ministry said the two leaders’ dis- cussions “will provide a new direction for deeper bilat- eral engagement.” Indian officials hope that Trump and Modi will hit it off. They share a populist streak and a taste for so- cial media, and have spoken three times by phone. During the U.S. elec- tion campaign, when Trump often criticized for- eign leaders as he propa- gated an “American First” agenda, he courted Indian- American voters. He praised Modi for championing bu- reaucratic reform and economic growth. But there could be strains in the relationship too. Trump has ordered a re- view of the H1B visa pro- gram, under which thou- sands of skilled Indian workers go to the U.S. New Delhi was also irked by Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate ac- cord. In making the an- nouncement, the U.S. pres- ident said New Delhi had made its participation “con- tingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid.” In- dia’s foreign minister Su- shma Swaraj has denied that, and said India will continue to be part of the global accord, regardless of U.S. participation. India hopes Trump’s vow to take a harder line on Is- lamic extremism will mean a tougher stance on Pak- istan over militants that India blames for attacks on its territory. Modi will also want to hear that Wash- ington remains committed to the security of Afghani- stan – subject of an ongoing U.S. policy review. U.S.-India defense ties have grown significantly in recent years. While India steers clear of a formal al- liance with Washington, the two militaries conduct fre- quent joint drills and India has turned to U.S. sup- pliers to help modernize its armed forces. Modi, a Hindu nation- alist, has visited the U.S. three times since he took of- fice in 2014. The last time was in June 2016, when he ad- dressed Congress and de- scribed the U.S. as an “indis- pensable partner.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Exotic pet probe continues Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi A sugar glider, similar to this one, got loose on a Cayman Airways flight from Miami last week.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY JUNE 13, 2017 years were to be judged on a number of areas, including employment, salary, age, com- munity involvement, invest- ment in Cayman, nationality and education, among others. A few applications were heard early in the process, but none was approved and legal uncertainty over how points for employment categories should be awarded have held up all residency applications since at least January 2015. Two people who applied for permanent residence under the current system, financial services professional Mark Edmunds (applied in June 2014) and accountant Derek Larner (applied in December 2013), were awarded that status under threat of signifi- cant damages claims against the government over delays in hearing their applications. Those men and a third claimant, accountant Bradley Carpenter, who sought resi- dence under the pre-October 2013 residency application system, are still pursuing damages claims because of the lengthy delays in consid- ering their applications. There were other perma- nent residence applicants who filed for that status be- fore Mr. Larner and Mr. Ed- munds, but it appears the government took those two men “out of turn” as a result of the litigation they had filed. Mr. Joseph suggested in his Friday letter that a number of other permanent residence applicants might have to take the same path in order for their matters to be heard. “Although clear utterances have been made that appli- cations are being progressed, and even that requests for up- dates are being sent out, we have seen no actual evidence of this,” he said. “For reasons that we do not know, it ap- pears clear that no actual progress is being made in re- lation to anyone’s applications. “There seems to be an ‘invisible hand’ preventing progress,” the letter stated. “Whose it is, and where they sit, is yet to be understood or determined.” The letter outlined the steps HSM clients might take to engage in a class action lawsuit against the govern- ment, first by having the firm write a letter to the relevant authorities on their behalf, then filing for judicial review before the Grand Court if the letter is not answered within a certain time. Once the matters are all filed, the attorneys would seek to have them “joined” together – which could serve to reduce the costs of making such an application. Damages claims would likely have to be heard on a case-by-case basis, since all applicants are in a dif- ferent personal situation, Mr. Joseph said. “Each time that someone has had their PR ap- plication considered, it has regrettably been on the eve of a court hearing,” he con- tinued in the letter to clients. “Litigation is not to be taken lightly. Nevertheless, we are aware that many of you are anxious to have your applica- tions considered. “[The applicants] … are suf- fering the impact of the on- going delays to varying de- grees. Some have children crossing important threshold ages, while others cannot prog- ress in your careers. Others of you are managing or are em- ployed in businesses who now sadly are placing personnel in other jurisdictions in direct re- sponse to the circumstances, and expansion opportunities in Cayman are being lost. “Even without such con- siderations comes nagging uncertainty, and the seem- ingly irrational, unreason- able, disproportionate, and therefore of questionable lawfulness, six-month blood checks and police record re- quirements, with associated expense and disruption.” Premier’s problem The HSM letter of Friday put an emphatic point on the enormity of the problem Pre- mier Alden McLaughlin faces in trying to revamp the im- migration/employment pro- cess during what he has said would be his final four-year term in office. Mr. McLaughlin will head a new Ministry of Human Resources, which will com- bine the government depart- ments of Immigration, La- bour and Pensions. “There are significant problems there on a whole range of [immigration/ employment] issues,” Mr. McLaughlin said last week. “From leadership, personnel issues, obviously issues with permanent residence, issues with the speed and efficiency with which work permits are dealt with. We’ve got to sort out immigration generally.” Mr. McLaughlin did not give any indication of when his government might delve into the issue of permanent residence awards, but he made clear during pre-elec- tion debate appearances that this would have to be done. “We do have to make sig- nificant changes to the points system and the way points are awarded and determined,” Mr. McLaughlin said during a late April Red Bay candidate forum at Mary Miller Hall. “It is a critical issue. It is very important to Cayman long- term. The work is already under way by my administra- tion to resolve the issue.” school and pre-K,” Mr. Moore said. There are currently between two and three classes in each age group. Mr. Moore added, “What we think is tenable for the school and a service for the island is to grow to a four- section school. That’s the vision we have.” The school is part of the U.S.-based Interna- tional Schools Association, though the buildings are owned by Dart. Mr. Moore said he is working closely with Dart’s design team, but ultimately the future growth of the facility is down to them. He would like to see the different elements of the school split into separate purpose-built areas, po- tentially including an early childhood center. Improved arts and sports facilities are also needed, he believes, to fur- ther improve the school. “There is potential, if the school were to expand and build some key facili- ties, for this to be a world- class international school, not just in the Caribbean, but beyond. Right now, it has limitations due to size,” Mr. Moore said. He said growing the school is important from an economic as well as a social perspective. “Some people will choose to relocate or not to Cayman based on the quality and affordability of education for their chil- dren, so if we have an ex- panded, even higher-quality facility, then inherently you are going to attract people who might not have other- wise decided to come here. Just adding seats could be a very important aspect for the community.” Population growth has been steady over the past few years, with new de- mand for places coming from expatriates, who are not allowed to send their children to public school, and Caymanians who elect to send their children to the school. He said the school’s test scores are good, higher than the international school average in the In- ternational Baccalaureate exams, and graduates are consistently getting into top-tier universities in the U.S. and the U.K. Increased numbers have also helped the school par- ticipate in new programs, including the model United Nations program, commu- nity service trips to central America and international athletic competitions. Mr. Moore said fur- ther growth would open up more academic and extra- curricular options. ‘Invisible hand’ preventing PR progress, law firm alleges Expansion of International School planned CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Puerto Rico upholds statehood demand in contentious vote SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Puerto Rico’s governor is vowing to make the U.S. terri- tory the 51st state after state- hood won in a non-binding referendum hit by a boy- cott and low turnout that raised questions about the vote’s legitimacy. Gov. Ricardo Rossello told a couple of hundred sup- porters waving U.S. flags late Sunday that he will soon create a commission to ap- point two senators and five representatives to demand statehood from the U.S. Con- gress, which has to approve any changes to the island’s political status. “The United States of America will have to obey the will of our people!” Rossello yelled to a crowd clutching U.S. flags and dancing to a tropical jingle that pro- moted statehood. But experts say it is highly unlikely a Republican-con- trolled Congress would ac- knowledge Sunday’s results, let alone accept them because Puerto Rico tends to favor Democrats. The referendum has sparked dozens of memes that turned viral, including some showing the tropical is- land covered in snow. More than half a mil- lion people voted for state- hood during Sunday’s refer- endum, followed by nearly 7,800 votes for free associa- tion/independence and more than 6,800 votes for the cur- rent territorial status. Voter turnout was just 23 percent. It was the lowest level of participation in any election in Puerto Rico since 1967, noted Carlos Vargas Ramos, an associate with the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College in New York. He told The Associated Press that even among voters who supported statehood, turnout was lower this year com- pared with the previous ref- erendum in 2012. “Supporters of statehood did not seem enthusiastic about this plebiscite as they were five years ago,” he said. Rossello brushed aside those concerns, noting that the referendum was a dem- ocratic process in which the majority prevailed as he questioned why more people did not come out to defend alternatives to statehood. He also said that participa- tion rates varied from 7 per- cent to 35 percent for states including Wisconsin and Ha- waii when they were rati- fied as states. Three of Puerto Rico’s po- litical parties including the main opposition party had called on their supporters to boycott the referendum, which they labeled a failure. Former Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla, who did not seek re-election last year and whose party supports the status quo, rejected Sunday’s results. “Whoever claims that statehood triumphed is being intellectually dishonest,” he said. “The boycott de- feated statehood.” The referendum coincided with the 100th anniversary of the United States granting U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ri- cans, though they are barred from voting in presidential elections and have only one congressional representative with limited voting powers. Many believe the island’s territorial status has con- tributed to its economic crisis, largely caused by de- cades of heavy borrowing and the elimination of federal tax incentives. Puerto Rico is exempt from the U.S. federal income tax, but it still pays Social Se- curity and Medicare and local taxes and receives less fed- eral funding than U.S. states. Gov. Ricardo Rossello and Washington resident commissioner Jennifer Gonzalez celebrate at the headquarters of the New Progressive Party after learning about their victory in the political status referendum, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday. - PHOTO: AP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >