ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 High of 90 Low of 76 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 ‘NAMING NAMES’ IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Watson’s attorney challenges trial judge CarePay case headed to appeals court BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Former Health Services Authority Board chairman Canover Watson will be allowed to retain Queen’s Counsel in his pursuit of an ap- peal against a seven-year prison sentence fol- lowing a 2015-2016 fraud and corruption trial. Requests were made for additional funding so Watson could hire more experi- enced counsel. These were initially rejected by legal aid staff at the courts, but were al- lowed on an appeal ruling by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie earlier this month, based on the complexity of the case against the former Admiral Administration executive. Watson is seeking legal aid, according to court records, because his “not insignificant” assets – as the court described them – in Cayman are being restrained by the Crown prior to asset forfeiture proceedings. In other words, Watson cannot use his personal funds to pay for his own appeal. Watson was convicted by a seven-person jury on Feb. 4, 2016 of five of six criminal charges against him in connection with the Court officials consider free online access to records SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Following a nebulous pe- riod of about two months when it appeared the Cayman Islands court system had tightened re- strictions on public access to local court records, it now seems officials may be preparing to make those records freely available online. The Grand Court Rules Com- mittee – composed of Chief Jus- tice Anthony Smellie, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin and two local attorneys – met this week to consider revising the proce- dures involved in searching and publishing the contents of open court records. Court Administrator Su- zanne Bothwell said the court could begin making regis- tries available electronically on its own website. “I can confirm that steps are currently under way to make available online, on the Judicial Website, free of cost, the inspec- tion of all public registers, in- cluding unreported judgments,” said Ms. Bothwell. “This is aimed at expanding the public’s access to court records.” In late April, the Cayman court system had begun lim- iting access to court records to include only the taking of hand- written notes, and prohibited photocopying records unless the clerk of court had given permis- sion. The move aimed to pre- vent the wholesale reproduction of court records for commercial purposes by organizations such as U.S.-based online publication OffshoreAlert, which specializes in the exposure of international financial crime. Under the previous policy, members of the public had been allowed to access the phys- ical court documents (which are kept in a room on the third floor of Kirk House) for a search fee of $20, and then were able to photocopy records for a fee of 50 cents per page. TRUMP’S NEW CUBA TRAVEL RULES HAVE WINNERS AND LOSERS President Donald Trump’s new policy on Cuba travel has winners and losers: Group tour operators hope to sell more trips, but bed-and-breakfast owners in Cuba say they are losing business. Five of 12 private bed-and-breakfast owners in Havana and Cuba’s southern colo- nial city of Trinidad told The Associated Press that they received cancellations after Trump’s June 16 announcement. “It’s contradictory that [Trump] says he want to help civil society, the Cuban people, but what he’s doing is hurting them, hurting bed-and-breakfast owners in this case,” said Tony Lopez, who rents rooms for $30-$50 nightly in a three-bedroom, 16th-floor apart- ment in Havana’s trendy Vedado neighbor- hood. Those canceling included two Americans worried about legal requirements, including documenting their spending. “We get a lot of Americans. We’re alarmed,” said Eliset Ruiz, manager of a nine-room bed- and-breakfast in Trinidad. “We’ve had a lot of cancellations for June and July.” Alex Bunten of Charlotte, Vermont, hoped to go to Cuba with his girlfriend in August “without the hassle of tour groups and sched- ules and such. We like watching the world go by, eating good food, not being herded by an umbrella-holding, annoyingly interesting tour guide.” But Bunten nixed the idea be- cause under the new rules, only licensed tour operators can take Americans to Cuba on “people-to-people” trips. That’s “too much of a hassle,” Bunten said. Group tour boom or public confusion Tour operators “should be opening Cham- pagne” because of the new policy, said REPORT: BVI FIRMS HOLD $1.5T IN ASSETS A BVI Finance-commissioned eco- nomic impact report concluded that the British Virgin Islands brings a substantial net benefit to govern- ments worldwide. The report by con- sulting firm Capital Economics found that the 417,000 companies registered in the islands hold about $1.5 trillion in assets globally. For the full story, see Page 14. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » SPORTS | PAGE 17 TEAM NEW ZEALAND ROUTS ORACLE TEAM USA TO WIN AMERICA’S CUP Offshore Alert publisher David Marchant displays a copy of the Cayman Compass at his annual financial services conference in Miami on May 1. Canover Watson2 LOCAL&REGIONAL WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 - WEDNESDAY - 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) CARS 3 3D (G) 1:15 I 3:55 2D I 6:30 2D I 9:05 THE MUMMY 3D (PG13) 12:45 2D VIP I 4:45 I 5:40 2D I 10:00 2D VIP TRANSFORMERS: LAST KNIGHT 3D (PG13) 2:10 2D I 3:30 2D VIP I 5:30 6:45 2D VIP I 8:30 2D I 9:15 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES (PG13) 1:00 I 4:00 I 7:00 I 9:50 WONDER WOMAN 3D (PG13) 1:40 I 2:20 2D I 7:20 Pair of drug suspects appear in court Both resulting from May 22 police operation SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two men arrested in con- nection with a May 22 drug bust that yielded more than 100 pounds of ganja had an opportunity to plead to their respective charges on Tuesday. Christopher Baker, who is already in police custody, appeared before Magistrate Valdis Foldats via videolink and pleaded guilty to illegal landing, importation of ganja and possession of ganja with intent to supply. Baker will be back in court on Sept. 11 for sentencing. Troy Pearson, who es- caped the scene of the raid on May 22 and was later the subject of a police manhunt, pleaded guilty to possession of ganja, resisting arrest and escaping lawful custody. Pearson, 35 years old, also pleaded not guilty to several charges including possession of ganja with intent to supply, importation of ganja, as- saulting police and assaulting a customs officer. Pearson’s attorney, Nicholas Dixie, said that he had been at the scene of the raid to purchase ganja. Pearson will next ap- pear in court for his trial date on Oct. 11. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service’s Se- rious Crime Task Force and Customs Enforcement Unit executed a pair of opera- tions on May 22 that netted a total of four arrests that day. Three people were ar- rested at a home in Water- shed Circle in Savannah and charged with possession with intent to sell. Later that day, Baker was arrested in a raid at a prem- ises on Marina Drive in George Town. Pearson alleg- edly violently resisted arrest that day, assaulting a cus- toms officer and a detective before leaving the scene. Po- lice recovered 110 pounds of ganja at Marina Drive and announced their search for Pearson on June 9. Six days later, Pearson turned himself in to police at the Cayman Islands Govern- ment Detention Center. Colombia takes big step as rebels lay down guns MESETAS, Colombia (AP) – Co- lombia reached a major mile- stone on its road to peace Tuesday as leftist rebels re- linquished some of their last weapons and declared an end to their half-cen- tury insurgency. The historic step was taken as President Juan Manuel Santos traveled to this demobilization camp in Colombia’s eastern jungles to join guerrilla leaders as they begin their transition to civilian life. In a short, symbol-filled ceremony, United Nations ob- servers shut and padlocked the last containers storing some of the 7,132 weapons that members of the Revolu- tionary Armed Forces of Co- lombia have turned over the past few weeks at 26 camps across the country. Yellow butterflies were released and an AK-47 converted into an electric guitar rang out plain- tive chords in honor of the long conflict’s victims. “By depositing the weapons in the U.N. con- tainers, the Colombians and the entire world know that our peace is real and irre- versible,” Santos, winner of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, told an audience of former rebel fighters dressed in white shirts with cuffed hands shaped in a heart and a Spanish hashtag reading “Our only weapon are words.” Though hundreds of FARC caches filled with larger weapons and explosives are still being cleared out, the U.N. on Monday certified that all individual firearms and weapons, except for a small number needed to safeguard the soon-to-disband camps, have been collected. “In a world convulsed by old and new forms of vi- olence, by conflicts whose protagonists appear irrecon- cilable … a successful pro- cess constructing peace in Colombia is also reason for hope and a powerful example for the international com- munity,” said Jean Arnault, head of the U.N. peace mis- sion in Colombia. The day put Colombia one step closer to turning a page on Latin America’s lon- gest-running conflict, which caused at least 250,000 deaths, left 60,000 people missing and displaced more than 7 million. After years of thorny nego- tiations, the rebels reached an agreement with the govern- ment last year to give up their weapons and transition into a political party. But imple- menting the accord has been slow. The initial deal was nar- rowly rejected in a national referendum, congress has struggled to pass laws imple- menting the revised accord, and opposition lawmakers are threatening to overturn key aspects of the agreement if they win the presidential elec- tion next year. Rodrigo Londono, the FARC’s top commander, com- plained about the bureau- cratic, legal and political “traps” in a sternly worded speech in which he called on the government to live up to its end of the bargain and not simply rejoice at seeing its former combat en- emies disarmed. He questioned why im- prisoned rebels who were amnestied six months ago remain in jail and com- plained about the state of the Mariana Paez demobili- zation camp where the cer- emony was taking place. It was supposed to contain con- crete housing units with run- ning water, kitchens and elec- tricity, but instead has been likened to a refugee camp with rebels living under plastic tarps. “The state of infrastruc- ture in this rural zone is the best testimony of the slow pace in which the national government is fulfilling what we agreed to,” Londono said. Still, he and other rebels showed no outward sign of regretting their decision to abandon the battlefield. Stefanía Rodriguez joined the guerrillas a decade ago at age 13. She said she wanted an education that her poor family could not provide. Her weapon, nicknamed Tas- mania after the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character, was a constant companion to the point she would sleep with it during difficult missions. “It was like our other half,” she said. Handing it over was like losing part of herself, she said. But with the prospect of peace, she has been re- united with her mother, who she had not seen in seven years, and now plans to study engineering. “It’s time to silence the weapons that be- cause of the conflict caused so much damage to Co- lombia,” she said. Conservative opponents of the peace deal, led by former President Alvaro Uribe, have questioned whether the FARC movement has turned over its entire arsenal. But experts at Notre Dame University’s Kroc Institute for Interna- tional Peace Studies say the one-gun per fighter ratio seen in Colombia could be one of the highest in the world, far greater than the levels of disarmament seen in recent guerrilla conflicts from Gua- temala to Nepal. Aldo Civico, a Colombia expert at Rutgers Univer- sity, said doubt over the exact number of weapons turned in ultimately does not matter in measuring disar- mament’s success. “There’s always a ques- tion mark,” he said. “What’s more important is we are witnessing step after step the willingness of the FARC to really demobilize and re- integrate and that should be reinforced by the state and government in fulfilling the promises and agree- ments signed.” Beyond disarmament of the FARC it’s still unclear how much more Colombians are willing to work to fulfill the 310-page peace accord’s ambitious agenda of land re- form, a more open political system and an end to the cul- tivation of illegal coca crops. Today a smooth paved road connects Mesetas with Bogota, but the community suffers from the same ne- glect and inequities that gave rise to the conflict. Like many other places torn by war, resi- dents of the small town voted overwhelmingly for the peace agreement last year though many still harbor doubts as to whether the guerrillas will abandon their involvement in Colombia’s flourishing criminal economy. The rebels are also afraid that they could be targeted. Almost every guerrilla at the Mariana Paez camp recalled the decade-long bloodletting that followed a previous at- tempt at peace in the 1980s, when as many 3,000 mem- bers of a FARC-aligned po- litical party were gunned down by right-wing paramil- itary assassins, sometimes in cahoots with state intelli- gence services. A more-recent rash of killings of dozens of social leaders highlighted in Lon- dono’s speech is also height- ening concerns. Some guer- rillas, who now wear jeans instead of fatigues, wonder if it is safe for them to leave. “The tragic experiences of the past cannot be allowed to repeat themselves,” said Lon- dono, who is better known by his alias, Timochenko. “Our motherland has learned from her pain and because Colom- bians will not allow them- selves to be cheated again.” “It’s time to silence the weapons that because of the conflict caused so much damage to Colombia.” STEFANÍA RODRIGUEZ, former guerrilla Musician Cesar Lopez plays his guitar which he merged with a real weapon, and calls ‘Escopetarra,’ or ‘Gun guitar,’ during an act to commemorate the completion of the disarmament process of the FARC, June 27. - PHOTO: AP Police recovered 110 pounds of ganja at Marina Drive and announced their search for Pearson on June 9.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 Act now to get your business featured in the 2018 directory. Call (345) 949-7027 to find out more. Cayman. List in the original search engine. Get noticed in Cayman Islands’ most comprehensive local print directory. 70,000 copies distributed to homes and businesses across Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. 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. The Cayman Compass has a strong policy on anonymity: We’re against it. We require letters to the editor, and comments on stories online, to be signed before we publish them. We believe that requiring people to “own” their words encourages greater honesty, civility and thoughtfulness. We name sources and subjects in our news stories, unless there are compelling reasons for us to grant anonymity. Transparency builds trust with our readers, and helps them evaluate the information we share. That information-sharing is a two-way street. For example, we publish signed letters on this editorial page even when the views expressed diverge from, or are diametrically opposed to, ours. When the content of those letters is serious enough, we deem them worthy of a response. Consider Monday’s missive from local attorney Richard H. Barton Jr. Mr. Barton criticized our coverage of an incident earlier this month, when a small exotic possum called a “sugar glider” got loose on an inbound Cayman Airways flight from Miami. Two people were arrested in connection with the incident, which led to the sub- sequent search of a local property, where other non- indigenous animals were found. No charges have been filed, and officials have not disclosed publicly the names of the people arrested. Nevertheless, this newspaper decided to identify one of the people arrested as Jimel McLean, son of East End MLA Arden McLean. In his letter, Mr. Barton questioned the Compass’ decision to publish Jimel McLean’s name, observing that there appears to be a “vast inconsistency” in the Compass’ coverage concerning the naming of criminal suspects who have been arrested but not yet charged. We freely concede the point: Mr. Barton’s observa- tion is correct. However, rather than “the temptation for sensa- tional and scandalous journalism” (Mr. Barton’s words), our motivations are the opposite. We soberly weigh each decision to publish or withhold the names of people who have been arrested, including in this case. The proverbial “litmus test” for anything we publish, or choose not to, is the public interest. In the case of Jimel McLean, the decision was straightforward, for three fundamental reasons. First, the seriousness of the allegations should not be understated. The illegal importation of exotic animal species into Cayman has the potential to disrupt the environment of our country – i.e., our shared home. Second, we had the facts verified and re-verified before publication. We received information from first- hand sources, cross-checked it with other sources and confirmed it with still other sources, including (off the record) officials in law enforcement. Before we wrote the story, we sought legal counsel (a step no other Cayman media house likely would take) on whether we could lawfully name Jimel McLean, and after the story was written, we waited on our attorneys, who vetted the entire story, to give us the green light before we went to print. Third, it cannot be ignored that Jimel McLean is the son of a prominent elected official. In cases such as these, which involve people in power or their family members, it is important that the public has all the facts, if for no other reason than to dispel specula- tion that the person arrested is somehow receiving favorable – or unfavorable – treatment at the hands of law enforcement. If you’re searching for precedent, look no further than the December 2012 arrest of then-Premier McKeeva Bush, whom police publicly identified prac- tically at the moment of arrest, and long before any charges were filed. In brief, it would not be “responsible journalism” (again, Mr. Barton’s words) if we neglected to report critical details on such a high-profile, high-altitude event that carries serious potential consequences for the entire country. We do not believe in “naming and shaming” people to achieve justice. We believe in “arresting, charging and prosecuting.” All too often, police make arrests without criminal charges – or public exonerations – ever materializing. (In fact, we editorialized about that yesterday.) For decades, Cayman’s media houses, including the Compass, have voluntarily adhered to the local custom of not publishing the names of people who have been arrested but not yet charged. That obligation has been imposed by ourselves as news organizations – not by law. In the future, expect the Compass to depart from that tradition whenever it is in the public interest. Expect more names to appear in this newspaper, not fewer. But we will never do so without extensive delib- eration and, when necessary, before taking competent legal advice. ‘Naming names’ in the public interest WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS TYLER (TEXAS) MORNING TELEGRAPH EDITORIAL BOARD Something strange is hap- pening with the price of oil, even as instability increases in the Middle East. That something is, well, nothing. Instead of oil prices spiking on news reports of missile strikes and terrorism, oil prices are remaining level and even dipping a bit. This is important. It shows that petroleum markets are now truly global in nature, and instability in one region will no longer plunge the whole world into turmoil. Compare that to crises in the Middle East before the shale revolution freed the U.S. from Middle Eastern dom- inance of the oil markets. Here’s the key difference. In the 1970s, U.S. oil production was on the decline. “In the past few years, the forces that have shaped global-energy consumption have resided largely out- side the bounds of geopoli- tics,” the National Interest explains. “High prices in the late 2000s encouraged investment in new, techno- logically advanced methods of extraction in North America: “tight” oil locked in shale rock or the Al- berta tar sands. The rise in North American supply cou- pled with a slowdown in the Chinese economy created a market glut in summer 2014, sending the price tumbling. “Subsequent decisions by Saudi Arabia to increase pro- duction in order to squeeze out competition length- ened the glut, flooring the price below $30 a barrel in January 2016.” What this means is that the Middle East no longer controls the energy fate of the world. The market is truly global in nature now, with the U.S. close to self-sufficient. © 2017, Associated Press BY ANTONIO BENEDI U.S. President Donald Trump announced his Cuba policy in Miami last week. I commend him for many of his efforts. He unveiled a re- placement policy for the di- sastrous Cuba policy Presi- dent Obama put into place. The highlight of Mr. Obama’s policy was lifting an eco- nomic embargo that was placed after the Communist revolution of Fidel Castro brought the world to the brink of nuclear war with the Missile Crisis in 1962. Ten U.S. presidents were faced with John F. Kenne- dy’s embargo on Cuba. Five Democrats and five Repub- licans had upheld the em- bargo. By the end of the fifth Democratic presidency, Mr. Obama decided to break with tradition. He did this without any concessions or reforms by Communist Cuba. Mr. Obama threw the Cuban people under the bus. The policy ensured no guarantees on human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of reli- gion, the right to assemble or have free and fair elections. The Cuban people received nothing in return for this new U.S. policy. Nada. Now we have a “new” policy endorsed by Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta, and Sen. Marco Rubio, both Cuban Americans. The policy states that the United States will no longer deal with the Cuban military or govern- ment; now we will deal with the Cuban people directly. This is a farce. I was shocked when I heard this naive idea that the “Cuban people” are free to do busi- ness and be entrepreneurs in- side Cuba and deal with the United States and U.S. compa- nies directly. Do we remember anything about communism? I traveled to communist occupied countries under the Soviet Union. I visited Belgrade, Yugoslavia. I was traveling with Vice Presi- dent George H.W. Bush in the early 1980s. The secret police followed us everywhere prior to his arrival. Total control of the citizens there was bla- tant. They had no freedoms at all. Could we have dealt di- rectly with them? My family fled Cuba just after Castro and his com- munist misfits came down from the Sierra Maestra with the Argentinean killer Che Guevara. They violently went through the country- side killing everyone they felt were not supportive of the revolution. They took control of the people to secure their obedience and conformity with the new revolution. They suspended the Cuban Con- stitution of 1940, very sim- ilar to the U.S. Constitution. They replaced it with a Soviet style manifesto. They sus- pended habeas corpus and all rights of the individual putting in its place manda- tory allegiance to the Com- munist Revolution. © 2017 The Washington Times. Correcting Obama’s wrong turn on Cuba A new day for global oil markets 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”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 Burglar to be deported after sentence One-year term not to be used as precedent, judge says CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Justice Michael Wood sentenced a man on Friday to one year imprisonment for burglary, but said he did not intend to set a precedent. He told defendant Theo Kuldani Samy, 27, that his sentence was based on sev- eral factors: the prison is full; it now costs in the re- gion of $70,000 a year to keep someone in custody; and “I don’t see why the public should bear the cost of keeping you in prison.” Further, he was recom- mending deportation after Samy completed his sentence. For Samy’s sake and for the sake of everybody, he hoped that would take place as soon as possible. “Why should the prison be clogged up with someone who is going to be deported?” he asked at an earlier stage of proceedings. Samy had pleaded not guilty to the charge of bur- glary, which occurred on the night of Dec. 25-26, 2015 – Christmas Day into Boxing Day, Justice Wood noted. Trial was held earlier this month and a jury found Samy guilty. Crown counsel Neil Kumar conducted the case for the prosecution, while attorney James Stenning defended. The offense was a resi- dential burglary, which could have attracted a sentence in the range of three to seven years. The judge agreed with Mr. Stenning that the tariff in Cayman is high. In England, a similar offense would attract a starting point sentence of one year, with a range extending from community service to two years imprisonment. Justice Wood reviewed the facts, noting that the victims were asleep in their apart- ment, which was located across the hall from where Samy was staying. The male victim was awakened by a sound in the living room; he saw the front door opened and then saw the door closing on the oppo- site side of the hall. The man got out of bed and went to the other apart- ment, where he banged on the door but received no reply. Police were called and they discovered a laptop poorly hidden under a cushion in Samy’s apartment, with other electronic equipment behind a sofa. The items belonged to the male victim. Samy claimed the female victim had sold the items to him for $500. He then claimed that he and she were in a sexual relationship. Justice Wood accepted that Samy had been drinking before the burglary and the victims’ door was un- locked. That said, the evi- dence was overwhelming. Samy had run a dishonest defense, including making scurrilous remarks about the female victim. In mitigation, Mr. Sten- ning said Samy wanted to openly apologize to the vic- tims and to the wider com- munity that had allowed him to work here as a line cook. Samy also apologized to his employer, the people who had written references for him and to his family for disappointing them. As a convicted person, he will now have great prob- lems traveling, the at- torney pointed out. At one point in the hearing, Justice Wood commented that “Burglary is a growth in- dustry in Cayman.” He said the fastest rising categories of offenses here were bur- glary and firearms. He made the observation after dealing with five cases involving fire- arms, as reported in Mon- day’s Cayman Compass. Defendant gets ‘last chance’ sentence CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man was sentenced last week for handling stolen goods after items advertised on EcayTrade were linked to his girlfriend’s email address. Anthony George Morrison, 27, pleaded guilty in May. He had been in custody since January and Justice Michael Wood took that into account when he handed down a sentence of 18 months, sus- pended for two years. The items were a televi- sion set valued at $250 and an HP laptop valued at $600. They had been stolen in a residential burglary. A friend of the victim saw them on EcayTrade and notified the owner, who contacted police. Questioning led to Mor- rison, who said he had found the TV in some refuse and be- lieved someone had discarded it shortly after Christmas. He initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea after a trial date was set. Defense attorney Crister Brady acknowledged Mor- rison’s previous convictions, but pointed out that the de- fendant had chosen the proper course by admitting his guilt and changing his plea. Morrison is now the fa- ther of a young baby and that may have affected his deci- sion, the attorney added. “He should have thought of that in January,” Justice Wood suggested. The judge referred to the defendant’s “awful re- cord” and social inquiry re- port, saying it showed a poor history of complying with supervision. “I’m going to take a chance on you,” he told Mor- rison. Breaching the sus- pended sentence order will mean going back to prison immediately, he warned. “It’s time you grew up and started behaving,” the judge added. The way things had been going, Morrison was no good to his child and no good to his partner. “When did you last use ganja?” He asked. “Yesterday,” Morrison replied. “That’s reassuring,” the judge commented. As part of his order, he directed that Morrison be tested weekly for ganja, starting on a date in August. “If you test positive for ganja, it will be straight back to prison,” he said. “I don’t imagine other judges will be as lenient as I am. This is your last chance. Take it or ….” Morrison thanked the judge before leaving the courtroom. Stolen items seen on EcayTrade At one point in the hearing, Justice Wood commented that “Burglary is a growth industry in Cayman.” He said the fastest rising categories of offenses here were burglary and firearms.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Grace Christian Academy wins Rotary essay competition Cristin Jackson of Grace Christian Academy is the overall winner of Rotary Club of Grand Cayman’s annual essay competition, “Adven- tures in Citizenship.” Students enrolled in Year 10 or Grade 9 islandwide submitted original essays on the question: “How can we better support the youth of my Cayman.” Ms. Jackson’s winning essay detailed the necessity of implementing programs that will aid parents in as- sisting their children with their education and being in- volved in their child’s life. She put forward as her basis for argument that the youth of Cayman cannot suc- ceed without the positive support of parental figures in their lives, who invest in the younger generation. She also begged the ques- tion, “How do you expect to properly raise children if the community around them is not at its best?” Her essay went on to de- tail other vital solutions to assist youth in achieving suc- cess, such as making access to drugs and alcohol more difficult and conducting reg- ular testing for drugs while providing intervention. She concluded her essay by challenging members of the younger generation about their lack of account- ability, and urging them to stand up for themselves and create the change they wish to see. She suggested that no matter what pro- grams and solutions are available to young teenagers, the youth of Cayman must make the choice for them- selves to be responsible and pursue success. Ms. Jackson received an iPad as part of her first place award, and the opportunity to enjoy lunch with the Ro- tary Club of Grand Cayman at The Westin Hotel. She was also invited to participate in a day of “adventure” with other selected finalists from Clifton Hunter, Layman E. Scott High School and St. Ig- natius Catholic School. Students also got to have lunch with Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and take private tours of the Office of the Premier, the Cabinet Sec- retary’s Office, the National Archives, the Grand Court, and the Government Admin- istration Building. Grace Christian students excel at Junior Achievement Students to travel to Canada for leadership conference Junior Achievement re- cently celebrated their achievers in an awards cere- mony at the Marriott Grand Cayman Resort. In West Bay, Grace Chris- tian Academy Grade 10 stu- dents Zariah Anglin and Ashley-Jade Peharie won the Next Generation Leaders Award. In addition to receiving the Next Generation Leaders Award, Zariah also re- ceived the President of The Year Award. The two students were also chosen as two of the top eight achievers from Cayman to go to the International Next Generation Leaders Con- ference in Ontario, Canada during the summer of 2017. Overseas, the student del- egates will meet and create networking relationships with other JA individuals, participate in workshops, and listen to industry experts speak about business know- how. Zariah and Ashley-Jade were presidents of their re- spective companies Beloved Isle Creations, sponsored by DART, and El Terrario, spon- sored by CIBC. They were nominated by their advisers for the award for hard work and out- standing effort on their prod- ucts, determined attempts to better their companies, as well as exemplary lead- ership skills. Several other Grace Chris- tian Academy students were selected to receive awards, including Gayle Taylor and Yaniat Diaz Gonzalez, who won the “Product of the Year” award for their colorful mirror spoons, wood-framed hangers with mirrors, keys bent to act as hooks and Cay- manite bracelets. “Grace Christian Academy commends all stu- dents on their outstanding achievements in the Junior Achievement Program this academic year. “The program is an amazing, educational expe- rience that helps young en- trepreneurs get a head-start on establishing and running a business, creating an inno- vative product, and learning to overcome the difficulties that accompany a career in business and entrepreneur- ship,” the school stated in a press release. 50 years ago: Family welcomes 2nd child In the June 28, 1967 edition of the Cayma- nian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Com- pass, “This Week in West Bay” correspondent Dar- lene Owens wrote: “Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Ebanks are the happy parents of their second child and first son, born at the George Town hos- pital on June 19. “News has been re- ceived of the death of Capt. Willard Borden, which oc- curred at a Tampa hos- pital on June 15. Capt. Borden had been residing in Tampa for over 50 years, and was a veteran of the seas, holding an unlim- ited license, serving in the old sail ship days to the modern [vessels]. He is sur- vived by his widow, Mrs. Marion Borden, (formerly of George Town), two sons and two daughters, all of Tampa, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Tom Ebanks of Mt. Pleasant, and Mrs. Erlin Ebanks of Port Arthur, Texas; and two brothers, Will of Mt. Pleasant, and Wesley of Tampa, Fla. “He is preceded in death by two brothers, John and Lee, they being on board the ill-fated Nunoca; also one sister, Mrs. Geruda Ebanks, who was a passenger of the Ca- ribbean International Air- ways plane that crashed off Palisadoes Airport, Ja- maica. Our sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones. “Miss Olee Hydes left for Jamaica on the 19th to attend the graduation of her sister Eileen, at Short- wood College. She was ac- companied by their cousin Anna Dean Hydes. “Mrs. Felton Dixon and children left for Tampa on the 21st to visit her hus- band, whose ship calls in there regularly. “Mr. Allie Ebanks Jr. ar- rived on the 21st for a visit with relatives and friends. He is an employee of the Standard Dredging Co. “Father’s Day was cel- ebrated at the Pilgrim Holiness Church with a beautiful service in the morning. Speakers were Bros. John and George Jef- ferson, and John Ebanks. They each represented the younger fathers and el- derly fathers, respectively. The spirit of the Lord was greatly felt and at the end of the service, 10 persons responded to the alter call. “Then at night there was a lovely programme rendered by the Sunday School children.” Cristin Jackson, Rotary Club of Grand Cayman annual essay competition winner. Ashley-Jade Peharie and Zariah Anglin were presidents of their respective companies El Terrario, sponsored by CIBC, and Beloved Isle Creations, sponsored by DART.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 www.rbcroyalbank.com/caribbean ® / ™ Trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. IMPORTANT NOTICE RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited wishes to advise its clients that due to a recent change in United States Federal Reserve interest rate, the CI$ and US$ prime interest rate will increase from 4.00% p.a. to 4.25% p.a. effective July 27, 2017. East Bodden Town gets first pharmacy JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com A new Valu-Med Phar- macy in Bodden Town was officially opened by Health Minister Dwayne Sey- mour on Sunday. The full-service pharmacy located at Evron Plaza on the corner of Anton Bodden Drive and Harvey Stephenson Drive is the first phramacy in east Bodden Town. In addition to filling pre- scriptions, the location of- fers over-the-counter med- ications and counseling from pharmacists. Officially opening the first Valu-Med Pharmacy Health Fair, Minister Seymour said the facility is a welcome ad- dition to the community. “While the older genera- tions of the Cayman Islands kept fit through the very na- ture of their lifestyle, we have to be much more conscious about exercise and good eating,” he said. He encouraged young people to find a sport they enjoy to improve their health. “Being in good shape from an early age paves the way for good health in later years. Sports also instills a sense of well-being and pride in those who participate,” he said. Owner Everton Parker said Valu-Med offers a wide range of prescription and non-pre- scription drugs, personal care products, cosmetics, household items, small appli- ances and electronics. Visitors to the new phar- macy received free blood pressure and glucose checks from professionals, and makeovers by Beauty Be- hind The Veil Salon. Adding to the “get fit” part of the day, men and women partici- pated in pushups and squats to win prizes.Caron Crowl gets his blood pressure checked by nurse Joan Manzano. – PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com In an effort to empower at-risk communities, Krav Maga Cayman will offer free self-defense training in July for women, children and law enforcement officials. Slots have already begun filling up for the classes but director Ronnie James Hughes said the gym will at- tempt to accommodate all in- terested participants. “As stands, the amount of people that have expressed in- terest in this kind of scares me because we only have a small space. But regardless, we will manage,” Mr. Hughes said. “We’re taking slots that are available during the week on our timetable and we’re filling them now with opportunities for underprivileged kids, po- lice officers, security, anyone involved in potential conflict positions and also females that need basic self-defense techniques and principles.” With an eye to minimizing violence and injury, courses will focus on four training areas: survival, escape, con- trol and neutralization. “In any conflict, you as the person who is the non- aggressor needs to be able to survive. Not get knocked out, not get killed, not put in a position where you add further harm to yourself,” Mr. Hughes said. “Everything is non-lethal. We are not teaching people to beat people up. First and foremost, what we are teaching people is to survive, escape and control, or in the worst-case scenario, be able to neutralize [the threat].” The classes, sponsored by the Flowers Group, follow a recent spike in robberies and burglaries in Grand Cayman. The need for such courses is nothing new, however, Mr. Hughes said. “There’s always been a need for people, kids partic- ularly, to learn confidence, learn self-defense and struc- tured discipline. I think every parent wants that for their kid. Unfortunately, due to economic reasons, they some- times can’t do that,” he said. The women’s classes will target sexual and domestic vi- olence scenarios. Participants will learn techniques to stave off aggressors and control a situation until help can arrive. For law enforcement, the course aims to reinforce and refresh training for po- lice, security officials, im- migration officers and re- lated professions. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service has not endorsed the classes, but a spokesperson said the commu- nity effort was encouraging. “Obviously we are appre- ciative of this kind gesture from Krav Maga Cayman, and we also appreciate that people in the community are concerned about our of- ficers’ welfare and keep us in mind in this way,” the spokesperson said. Free self-defense training offered Ronnie James Hughes of Krav Maga Cayman hopes free self-defense classes will help empower at-risk communities. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS REMEMBERING We watched you struggle to live, but God had a different plan for you. He took you home to that beautiful place he has prepared for us. You were a humanitarian and compassionate man, who loved, cared for, supported and protected his family above all else. You also gave your services in many capacities and roles to Cayman Islands Community. You shall remain in our hearts and souls and we shall miss you forever. Your loving wife Pauline Poldervaart and daughter Lana Poldervaart. JORIS POLDERVAART Born September 24, 1929 Vlaadingen, Holland Netherlands Died June 28, 2016 Cayman Brac Cayman Islands CarePay public hospital swipe- card contract fraud. The court required Watson, who was accused of lining his own pockets in the scheme to the tune of at least US$350,000, to make restitution to the state. In his judgment of June 16, Chief Justice Smellie agreed that Watson currently has “in- sufficient funds” to pay for the appeal representation, but that he should be required to make a contribution to those expenses if his appeal is ul- timately successful. He was granted $15,000 to pay for local counsel previously, but Justice Smellie said an addi- tional “reasonable” sum should be given to hire senior counsel. In making her argument to increase Watson’s legal aid funding, court documents filed by local attorney Amelia Fosuhene gave some insight as to Watson’s potential ap- peal arguments. Ms. Fosuhene argued that Watson’s trial was occurring simultaneously against the backdrop of former FIFA Vice President and Cayman Islands resident Jeffrey Webb’s guilty plea to racketeering in the U.S. “Whilst [Webb] was not on trial [in Cayman], he was inex- tricably linked to Mr. Watson by the prosecution over and over again,” the court records state. “The guilty pleas [in the FIFA case] came during the course of the Watson preparation for trial and [during the] trial.” Secondly, she notes some of the evidence used in the CarePay trial came in the form of “flash drive” information re- covered from Watson’s former business office at Admiral. Some of this information was used by the Crown in Watson’s cross-examination and the in- formation was disclosed to de- fense attorneys “piecemeal,” the filing states. The late dis- closures probably should have required the hiring of an ac- countant and, possibly, a third attorney to review them, Ms. Fosuhene argues. The court re- cords also allude to a “novel legal argument” that could be made on appeal regarding the definitions applied to some of the charges Watson faced during trial. “It is arguable that the judge did not adequately un- derstand the nature of the role of Mr. Watson in various ap- pointments and therefore mis- interpreted or misunderstood the use of the legislation,” Ms. Fosuhene writes. The statement relates to Watson’s conviction on counts 3, 4 and 6 of the indictment against him; those dealing with official corruption under the Cayman Islands Anti- Corruption Law. Although it did not take place in front of the trial jury, Watson’s attorneys did argue in court that those three charges against him should be dismissed because he did not fall under the legal definition of a “public officer.” Trial Judge Michael Mettyear declined to dismiss those charges fol- lowing a no-case submission by Watson’s attorneys. Ms. Fosuhene states that the judge’s ruling in the Watson case showed he “strug- gled with the argument” put forth by defense counsel rela- tive to those charges. Watson’s lawyers argue that there is also “likely to be significant criticism made about the way in which the original defense was con- ducted” at trial. Justice Smellie said the court would not sup- port any legal aid funding “to criticize [Watson’s] former law- yers’ handling of the case.” “No basis for it is explained,” Justice Smellie said. While agreeing to provide additional legal aid funds for an appeal, the chief justice cautioned that the agreement does not neces- sarily mean Watson’s request for “additional open-ended funding and the appointment of Queen’s Counsel must be met.” Instead, Justice Smellie referred the matter back to the legal aid director’s office for consideration of “a rea- sonable sum” to be paid on a contract basis to Ms. Fos- uhene as junior counsel and whomever is selected as Wat- son’s QC for the appeal. No date has been set for Watson’s appeal. Under the policy enacted in April, in addition to the new requirement for permis- sion from the clerk of court, members of the public who wish to make photocopies of court documents now must pay the $20 search fee, the 50-cent-per-page copy fee, and a new $20 fee for each document that is to be copied. After an interruption in being able to photocopy re- cords, OffshoreAlert recently resumed publishing Cayman court records online. OffshoreAlert Publisher David Marchant said he sent a new researcher down to access court records, and he was able to update suc- cessfully the contents of his website’s public records da- tabase last week. Mr. Marchant, when reached by email, said he was unclear on what had changed in the interim. “I have little or no in- terest as to why the court decided to ban the copying of documents, an act that to me, seemed illegal and dem- onstrated egregiously poor judgment on the part of the court,” he said of the court’s open records policy. “That’s in the past. My immediate concern was that the ban was overturned, which it was. Going forward, I hope it doesn’t happen again be- cause it made Cayman look like a third-world jurisdic- tion, not the first-rate ju- risdiction that I generally know it to be.” Back in April, when the court’s policy shifted, the Cayman Islands Judi- cial Administration main- tained that there had been no change in rules, but the new measures would rectify “unintentional departures in practice over time,” and were intended to protect Crown copyright in court rulings, as well as the copyright of the parties that file writs and other originating docu- mentation with the court. Ms. Bothwell, the court administrator, told the Com- pass via email, “Whilst in- spection to Public Registers continues to be permitted, reproduction beyond uses prescribed under the Grand Court Rules continue to be relevant to the protection of Crown Copyright in respect of some public registers.” She said the Rules Com- mittee will soon finalize its recommendations. “Once the Rules have been finalized regarding the ability to reproduce any given document on a public register (whether hard copy or electronic), these will be communicated to the public at the appropriate time,” Ms. Bothwell said. John Caulfield, former chief of mission of the U.S. In- terests Section in Havana and co-founder of the non- profit Innovadores Foun- dation, which seeds inno- vation in Cuba. In theory, the new rules should spur “an increase in demand,” said Access Trips CEO Tamar Lowell. But some Americans “will be confused by the new policy,” wrongly assuming that all Cuba travel is now off-limits. “The travel operators are going to have to do some work to make people aware that if you go with us, it’s OK,” said Caulfield. “Are we going to see busi- ness fall off?” said Classic Journeys President Edward Piegza. “We could. But it could be good for us.” Ban on business with the military The new rules also ban Americans from doing busi- ness with entities controlled by Cuban military and intel- ligence agencies, including some 50 hotels. Many tour operators say that is no problem be- cause they already use pri- vately owned villas, casas and eateries, and engage with local guides, entrepre- neurs and artists. Caulfield said the Cu- bans can also fill up hotels that are off-limits to Amer- icans with tourists from other countries, thereby freeing up rooms elsewhere for U.S. groups. Meanwhile, small bed- and-breakfast owners plan to create informal associations of neighboring businesses so they can accommodate larger American groups. Piegza said lodging costs increased last year but are coming down, allowing Classic Journeys to drop tour prices from $4,995 for four days in Cuba to $3,995. But Lowell thinks prices could go either way. With fewer individual Americans traveling, private lodging op- tions could increase, driving prices down. But if tour groups forced out of mili- tary-controlled hotels start booking private homes, prices could stay high. Hotels aren’t an issue for cruises because passengers sleep on the ships. But Car- nival Corp. says even its ac- tivities on the ground in Cuba already comply with the new rules. “Many of our current tours have been designed with small family run oper- ations to give our guests an authentic Cuban experience,” said Carnival spokesman Roger Frizzell. Others are revising itin- eraries. “We have had to re- design our women’s trip to Cuba,” said Phyllis Stoller from The Women’s Travel Group, which plans a trip for 15 in March. “Our original op- erator had us visiting some rural areas that are appar- ently owned by the military.” Meanwhile private entre- preneurs worry the govern- ment may not allow U.S. tour groups to simply shift their business from state-run ho- tels to the private sector, at least not without hefty com- missions. In the decade since President Raul Castro began allowing more private sector activity, the government has viewed entrepreneurs as both vital sources of eco- nomic growth and as dan- gerous competitors for slug- gish state-run businesses. Because tour groups are re- quired to use government buses and guides, the gov- ernment controls their move- ments and requires many private businesses that re- ceive tour groups to sign con- tracts that include commis- sions for the government. Visits to major tourist at- tractions like Ernest Heming- way’s estate and the Tropi- cana nightclub should not be affected by the new U.S. rules, since neither falls under military auspices. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, a Cuban-American who sup- ports travel restrictions, sug- gested in tweets that he’d like to ban attractions run by other Cuban government agencies, like the ministries of culture and tourism. But it will be months before the U.S. Treasury Department an- nounces details on which sites are off-limits. Court officials consider free online access to records CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Trump’s new Cuba travel rules have winners and losers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A man takes a photo of a cruise ship in Havana, Cuba. President Trump says he will restore some travel and economic restrictions on Cuba that had been lifted by the Obama White House. - PHOTO: AP Watson attorney challenges trial judge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017 Trump holds first talks with new Irish leader President Donald Trump has held his first telephone conversation with Ireland’s new prime minister, Leo Varadkar. The 38-year-old Varadkar is Ireland’s youngest prime minister. He’s the son of an Indian immigrant and the first openly gay politician in the post. * *Conditions apply. Bonus offer ends July 31, 2017. Subject to credit approval. Offers subject to change without notice. Customers earn 7,000 AAdvantage® miles as follows: you earn a welcome bonus of 3,000 AAdvantage® miles on your first purchase of any amount. Thereafter, you earn an additional 2,000 AAdvantage® miles after you have spent a cumulative amount of USD$1,300 on your new Scotiabank / AAdvantage MasterCard® credit cards, plus you earn a further 2,000 AAdvantage® miles when you add one or more supplemental cards to your account during the first 3 cycles from the account open date. Visit ky.scotiabank.com/sayyes for full Terms & Conditions. American Airlines® reserves the right to change AAdvantage® program rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers at any time without notice, and to end the AAdvantage® program with six months notice. Any such changes may affect your ability to use the awards or mileage credits that you have accumulated. Unless specified, AAdvantage® miles earned through this promotion/offer do not count toward elite-status qualification or Million MilerSM status. American Airlines® is not responsible for products or services offered by other participating companies. For complete details about the AAdvantage® program, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage. Scotiabank issues the Scotiabank / AAd- vantage® card. American Airlines®, AAdvantage® and Million Miler are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. ®MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. #SayYesToMore Apply today and get a bonus of up to 7,000 AAdvantage® miles.* Visit your nearest branch or go to ky.scotiabank.com/sayyes Say yes to more travel WITH A BONUS UP TO AAdvantage® miles* 7,000 Scotiabank / AAdvantage® MasterCard® Earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles on every purchase. Redeem them on flights, hotels, cruises, and more. Details at aa.com. EN H A N C E D C H I P S E C U R IT Y Register at www.fidelitygroup.com or at Fidelity Health Department, Dr. Roy’s Drive on or before June 29th. Participants must attend 1st weigh in on Friday June 29th between 9am and 5:30pm at Fidelity Health Department. Fidelity Health’s 2nd Annual SPONSORS Fulfill weekly challenges to win: Enter to win: 30 Day Health Challenge FitBits Rocky’s Jewelers Gift Certificates Saucha Kombucha Gift Card Brasserie Gift Card Body Works Gift Certificates 6 Months Personal Trainer or Annual Gym Membership Spa Westin Gift Certificate Senate leaders postpone healthcare overhaul WASHINGTON – Facing a rebellion within their own ranks, Senate Repub- lican leaders on Tuesday postponed a vote to over- haul the 2010 Affordable Care Act until after the July Fourth recess. The current proposal by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would cause an estimated 22 mil- lion more Americans to be uninsured by the end of the coming decade while re- ducing federal spending by $321 billion during that time, the Congressional Budget Of- fice concluded Monday. The forecast by Congress’ nonpartisan budget score- keepers appeared to rapidly erode Republicans’ confi- dence in the bill, with at least five GOP lawmakers saying that they would vote against even a procedural motion to start debate. In a sign of the challenge Senate Republicans face in mustering enough votes, Ma- jority Whip John Cornyn, R- Texas, said the procedural vote is likely to be sched- uled for Wednesday rather than Tuesday. Members who have pub- licly come out in opposi- tion are facing a full-court lobbying press from party leaders. Within the past two- and-a-half days, Sen. Ron Johnson, Wis., has spoken with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and House Speaker Paul Ryan, Wis. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., spoke by phone with Trump on Monday and is sched- uled to meet with him at the White House on Tuesday. Johnson described the conversations as helpful but told reporters that he re- mained opposed to moving forward with the bill “for this week.” “Lightning could strike, but I don’t see how I’ll have the information I need,” he said. With Pence ready to cast a tiebreaking vote on the measure, Republican leaders can lose only two of their 52 members to pass the bill, which no Democrat is ex- pected to support. By late Monday, several GOP senators and aides ap- peared nervous and unsure about the path forward. They hedged on the timing of that procedural vote and sug- gested that the workweek could stretch beyond Friday. Further complicating the ef- fort were at least two senato- rial absences Tuesday: that of Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., whose father died Monday; and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, who is undergoing cancer surgery. Hirono’s spokesman Will Dempster said she is committed to returning “as quickly as she can” to the Senate. Despite several Repub- licans’ public opposition, Senate leaders held out some hope for salvaging the effort, pointing to the CBO’s esti- mates of deficit savings as a silver lining that allows them to allocate additional funds to try to ease some mem- bers’ concerns. If the Senate version does emerge, House leaders have not ruled out the possibility of a quick vote without ne- gotiating the differences with their own bill, passed out of the House in May. Ultimately, the measure appeared to be teetering between two dra- matically different outcomes – a rapid defeat and an equally rapid path to Trump’s desk. Ryan would not say Tuesday how his chamber would act if the Senate passes a healthcare bill this week, saying, “We just don’t know what the final bill is going to look like.” But multiple House GOP aides said Monday that there was a possibility that the leader would take a Senate- passed bill and try to move it through to final passage before the July 4 holiday. The GOP whip office advised members that “additional leg- islative items are possible” beyond what is scheduled for the week. “I would not bet against Mitch McConnell,” Ryan said, downplaying the chances that the bill could stall. “He is very, very good a getting things through the Senate even with this razor-thin majority.” The release of the 49-page CBO report late Monday after- noon provided a new hurdle for the bill, which leaders hope to bring to a vote by Friday. No new senators im- mediately said they would back the legislation, and Sens. Johnson, Paul, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mike Lee, Utah, signaled that they would vote against starting debate Tuesday on the bill in its cur- rent form. A fifth senator, Dean Heller, R-Nev., had expressed his opposition last week, and has not shown subsequent signs of changing his mind. Collins, a moderate Re- publican, tweeted that the measure would “hurt [the] most vulnerable Ameri- cans” and failed to solve the problems of access to care in rural Maine, where, she wrote, “hospitals are already struggling.” Lee is still negotiating with Senate leaders on the base bill, his aides said, and he could change his position depending on the outcome of those talks. Others signaled that while they would vote yes on the procedural motion, they remained undecided on the bill itself. Senate leaders quickly began working with unde- cided senators to determine whether any skeptics could be won over with additional spending on priorities such as expanding incentives for health-savings accounts fa- vored by conservatives or a fund to help battle opioid addiction favored by Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va. Leaders can spend about $188 billion on increased spending without running afoul of Senate budget rules. Asked whether McConnell and other Senate leaders have the support they need to pass the measure, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., responded, “Anyone would tell you they don’t.” © 2017, The Washington Post The current proposal by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would cause an estimated 22 million more Americans to be uninsured by the end of the coming decade.Next >