SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Impressive young talent captivated the audience at the Harquail Theatre B2 Black Pearl summer camp Kids get to experience one of the biggest skateboard and BMX parks in the world B5 Movies & Television Events Lifestyle ■ ART & CULTURE CARIFESTA bound! Swanky Kitchen Band joins local performers at the Harquail Theatre. B6 Don’t miss ‘Dunkirk’ Opening at Regal Camana Bay on Friday, film is lauded by critics as ‘best of year’ B4 Harbour House Marina Boat Show The annual event is fun for landlubbers too B7 STOLI FLAVOURS2 for $ 56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July OFFER AVAILABLE JULY AND AUGUST FLAVORS REG. $33.99 NOW $27.99 SAVE $ 6 the Talent Exposition great success CAYMAN WEEKENDER CARIFESTA bound! EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 BERMUDA: AN ISLAND IN TROUBLED WATERS High of 90 Low of 78 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY JUICY. TENDER. SEASONED. PRESELL + INSERT PRESELL + INSERT PRESELL + INSERT Work permits rise 22 percent in 3 years BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands has seen a sharp rise in work permits within the past three years, according to figures released to the Cayman Compass by the Immigration Department under the Freedom of Information Law. This week, immigration officials reported 24,880 active permits issued to non-Cayma- nian workers in response to an open records request filed by the Compass. The permits include non-Caymanian workers employed in private sector compa- nies, as well as individuals here on govern- ment contracts. Also included are workers awaiting the outcome of permanent residence applications, of which there are more than 1,100, and non-Caymanians at Cayman Enter- prise City (about 350), which operates under a separate work permit regime. The number does not include permanent resident non-Caymanians, or non-Caymanian spouses of Caymanians. Immigration data reviewed by the Compass in July 2014 showed 20,360 permits active at that time. This week’s figure of 24,880 permits represents a 22 percent increase in the past three years. The numbers reported by the Immigra- tion Department serve as a snapshot of the work permit situation at any given time. The figures can change weekly, or even daily, as non-Caymanian workers depart or arrive in the islands. However, trends can be established by examining work permit data over a period of time. According to Immigration Department statistics provided to the Cayman Compass under the Freedom of Information Law each quarter since January 2010, the territory has seen a steady increase in work permits granted in the past seven years. Work permits and government contracts hit a low of about 18,500 in fall 2010 during a global economic recession, rising to about BUSH FILES ‘NOT GUILTY’ PLEA IN FLORIDA ARREST BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The lawyer for Cayman Islands Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush filed a written “not guilty” plea Wednesday to an allegation of bat- tery against Mr. Bush, according to Broward County, Florida court records. “The defendant hereby enters a plea of not guilty, requests a trial by jury, hereby waives formal arraignment and requests 15 days for the filing of appropriate defensive motions,” the plea record states. Mr. Bush, 62, was arrested Monday night at a casino in Coral Creek, Florida, just north of Fort Lauderdale. According to a statement from the Semi- nole Police Department, surveillance video at the Coral Creek casino showed “Mr. Bush al- legedly wrapped his arm around [a female casino employee’s] lower back and forcefully pulled the victim towards his direction. Ac- cording to the arresting officer, the victim al- leged [Mr. Bush] grabbed her buttocks while pulling her with his right arm.” Seminole Police declined to release the video. The Florida State Attorney’s Office in Bro- ward County said Thursday that no court date had been set and that prosecutors must still decide whether to move forward with formal charges. “The police will present their case, we’ll look at all of the facts and we’ll determine, within 21 days, whether or not to file the charge,” said Kristi Grimm, a media assistant with the prosecutor’s office. Bermuda election result could impact Cayman JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Progressive Labour Party won a landslide general election victory in Bermuda this week, taking power from the one-term One Bermuda Alliance. David Burt, 38, becomes the territory’s youngest-ever leader. Former Premier Michael Dunkley resigned from the leadership of the OBA immediately after the election. The PLP was in power in Ber- muda from 1998 after decades of opposition, but lost the 2012 election amid a financial crisis and mounting public debt. The OBA was credited by some in Bermuda with beginning to re- verse the economic decline, but was beset by a political scandal that unseated their original elec- tion-winning leader Craig Can- nonier within 18 months. They also faced large public opposition to some of their plans, including a scheme to offer “pathways to status” for longtime residents. Car takes early morning sea plunge This Mitsubishi Lancer took a dip in the ocean Thursday morning after the driver says his brakes failed when he swerved to avoid another car. No one was injured in the accident at the harborfront in George Town. For more on this story, see page 10. – PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Beat the heat with a Cool & Refreshing summer treat! Enjoy a Glass or a Pitcher 947-2782 Everyday 9:00am -10pm Sunday 11am ~ 10pm Join our Facebook Page! Cimboco ~ A Caribbean Cafe ENTER TO WIN !! FREE KARATE MEMBERSHIP www.caymankarateacademy.com LEGAL POT SALES BEGIN IN URUGUAY UNDER LANDMARK 2013 LAW MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) – Marijuana aficionados lined up at pharmacies across Uruguay on Wednesday to be among the first in the South American nation to le- gally buy pot as a law regu- lating its sale took full effect. Customers sniffed pun- gent green buds and grinned as they showed off blue- and-white envelopes con- taining the substance, which is now available as part a 2013 measure that made Uruguay the first nation to legalize a pot market cov- ering the entire chain from plants to purchase. Santiago Pinatares, a 35-year-old construction worker, braved freezing tem- peratures in the capital, Montevideo, as he waited outside one of the 16 phar- macies authorized to sell marijuana. He said he has been smoking pot since age 14 but had no choice but to buy on the black market until now. “To be able to buy it le- gally is a huge break- through,” he told The As- sociated Press. “Uruguay is at the forefront of the world on this.” Some customers declined to comment saying they did not want their families or employers to know they were buying marijuana. Authorities say nearly 5,000 people have registered as consumers allowing them to buy up to 40 grams per month. About two-thirds of them live in Montevideo. The price is set at the equivalent of $1.30 per gram, with 90 cents of that going to the two businesses chosen to cultivate marijuana. The rest is split between the pharmacies and the gov- ernment, which will use its share to fund prevention programs. The marijuana comes in packages embla- zoned with a seal of authen- ticity and warnings about the drug’s effects. Uruguay became the first country to regulate a national mari- juana marketplace in an ef- fort to fight rising homicide and crime rates associated with drug trafficking. The law also lets licensed individuals grow marijuana plants and form clubs. “There was a lot of hard work to finally come to this day,” drug czar Diego Ol- ivera said. “It is a chal- lenging and complex project, and today we have taken a step forward.” Man charged for firearms, criminal property CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Ralston Benjamin Ebanks, 41, appeared in Summary Court on Thursday, charged with possession of two unli- censed firearms plus ammu- nition, along with possessing and concealing criminal property. The criminal prop- erty alleged is cash. Ebanks, a resident of George Town, is charged with possession of CI$51,025 and US$12,000 found by police at a West Bay resi- dence on July 6. He is further charged with concealing criminal property, namely CI$128,000 and US$89,000, held in his accounts at a local bank on July 7. A press release from police indicated that the charges were in connection with an operation conducted by police on July 6. Ebanks was arrested on July 19. Attorney Prathna Bodden appeared as duty counsel, but no facts were aired in court and no application was made for bail. Magistrate Valdis Foldats set the next mention for July 25. Duty counsel is appointed when then charges are serious. The firearms for which Ebanks is charged include a .38 revolver and one round of .38 ammunition; a black Ruger semiautomatic revolver and four rounds of Ruger 9-millimeter ammunition. Chadwick Cameron Ebanks, 40, appeared in Sum- mary Court last week and again on July 18 on charges relating to the same fire- arms. He was initially de- scribed as the only occupant of the West Bay premises where the police operation took place. He is scheduled to have his matters mentioned again on July 25. He also faces charges of possession of criminal prop- erty (cash) and possession of ganja with intent to supply as a result of the same po- lice operation. Mexico City floating farms, chefs team up to save tradition MEXICO CITY (AP) – At dawn in Xochimilco, home to Mexico City’s famed floating gardens, farmers in mud- died rain boots squat among rows of beets as a group of chefs arrive to sample sweet fennel and the pungent herb known as epazote. By dinnertime some of those greens will be on plates at an elegant bistro 12 miles (20 kilometers) to the north, stewed with black beans in a $60 prix-fixe menu for well- heeled diners. Call it floating-farm-to- table: A growing number of the capital’s most in-demand restaurants are incorporating produce grown at the gar- dens, or chinampas, using an- cient cultivation techniques pioneered hundreds of years ago in the pre-Columbian era. While sourcing local in- gredients has become fash- ionable for many top chefs around the globe, it takes on additional significance in Xochimilco (so-chee-MIL- co), where a project linking chinampa farmers with high- end eateries aims to breathe life and a bit of modernity into a fading and threat- ened tradition. “People sometimes think (farm-to-table) is a trend,” said Eduardo Garcia, owner and head chef of Maximo Bistrot in the stylish Roma Norte district. “It’s not a trend. It’s something that we humans have always done and we need to keep doing it, we need to return to it.” Xochimilco, on the far southern edge of Mexico City, is best-known as the “Mex- ican Venice” for its canals and brightly colored boats where locals and tourists can while away a weekend day listening to mariachi music and sip- ping cold beers. It has also been a bread- basket for the Valley of Mexico since before the Aztec Empire, when farmers first created the “floating” islands bound to the shallow canal beds through layers of sedi- ment and willow roots. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world, and Xochimilco is desig- nated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. But that World Heritage status and Xochimilco itself are threatened by the pollu- tion and encroaching urban- ization that plague the rest of the sprawling metropolis. Enter Yolcan, a business that specializes in placing tra- ditionally farmed Xochimilco produce in Mexico City’s most acclaimed restaurants Those include places like Gabriela Camara’s seafood joint Con- tramar and Enrique Olvera’s Pujol, which is perhaps the country’s most famous res- taurant and regularly makes lists of the world’s best. Yolcan has been around since 2001, but it’s only in the last year that busi- ness has really taken off with the number of restau- rant partners increasing by a third during that period to 22. Last month five of them teamed up with Yolcan for dinner to benefit chinampa preservation. The company directly manages about its own farm- land and also partners with local families to help dis- tribute their goods, lending a much-needed hand as an intermediary. “The thing about the chinampa farmer is that he does not have the time to track down a market or a person to promote his product,” said David Jimenez, who works a plot in the San Gregorio area of Xochimilco. “Working the chinampas is very demanding.” All told Yolcan’s opera- tion covers about 15 acres and churns out some 2.5 tons of produce per month. Due to the high salinity of the soil drawn from canal beds, the straw-covered chinampa plots are particularly fer- tile ground for root vegeta- bles and hearty greens like kale and chard. Diners reserve weeks in advance for a coveted table at Maximo Bistrot, one of three restaurants Garcia runs. Meticulously prepared plates of chinampa-grown roasted yellow carrots with asparagus puree arrive at the table, accompanied by sea bass with green mole sauce and wine pairings in tall glasses. Garcia estimated he gets about two-thirds of his ingre- dients from Yolcan or other organic farms nearby. He was born in a rural part of Guana- juato state where his family raised corn and largely ate what they grew, so sourcing local is second-nature. “I think all of the world’s restaurants should make it a goal to use these alternative ingredients,” Garcia said, stir- ring a pot of beans flavored with the aromatic epazote herb. “Even though it’s a little more expensive, a little more difficult to find.” Chinampa produce gen- erally sells for 15 percent to 100 percent more than com- parable goods at the enor- mous Central de Abasto, the go-to wholesale market for nearly all of Mexico City’s chefs that is so monolithic its competition sets prices across the country. But chefs who buy from Yolcan are happy to pay a premium knowing they’re getting vegetables free of chemical fertilizers or pesti- cides and also supporting a centuries-old tradition. Diners at Maximo Bistrot also said they enjoyed their meal, especially the burrata with chinampa-grown heir- loom tomatoes. One couple said they are willing to pay the prices of these high-end eateries in order to have the best produce. The firearms for which Ebanks is charged include a .38 revolver and one round of .38 ammunition; a black Ruger semiautomatic revolver and four rounds of Ruger 9-millimeter ammunition. A growing number of the capital’s most in-demand restaurants are incorporating produce grown at the gardens, or chinampas, using ancient cultivation techniques pioneered hundreds of years ago. A woman carries a bag of legal marijuana Wednesday in front of a pharmacy in Montevideo, Uruguay. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 C&W COMMUNICATIONS IN THE VANGUARD OF PRE-5G TESTING IN THE CARIBBEAN Field trial of LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro) technology in Antigua and Barbuda, sets groundwork for next generation of transformative technologies. At the 33rd CANTO Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition in the Dominican Republic, John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications (C&W), announced that C&W has completed a groundbreaking pre-5G (fi h generation wireless broadband technology) trial in Antigua. Once installed, Antigua will be the first country in the region with the most advanced pre-5G network, delivering download peak speeds of up to 800 Mbps. In the trial’s next phase, the Company expects to test a 5G prototype reaching 2 to 5 Gbps peak speeds, which will have a profound positive impact on the island. The announcement came as part of Reid’s keynote address on July 17, 2017, to prominent Caribbean o cials at the 33rd CANTO Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition in the Dominican Republic. “These are exciting times for C&W Communications, as we continue to invest and develop more pioneering innovations to meet the needs of our customers and enable growth in the region through transformative technology,” said Reid. “This pre-5G trial in the Caribbean, is a significant step towards the evolution of C&W’s mobile networks across the region to 5G, and providing Gigabit speeds to our customers in Antigua,” he continued. C&W’s pre-5G technology trial, a combined e ort with parent company Liberty Global, is based on LTE Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro), the latest LTE evolution, that delivers lower latency, more capacity and improved reliability for customers. This translates into a faster mobile internet experience where customers can better participate in advanced technology such as richer video experience and new apps. About C&W Communications C&W, operators of Flow, is a full service communications and entertainment provider and delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. Through its business division, C&W Business, it pr ovides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers. C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region. IN THE CARIBBEAN Field trial of LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro) technology in Antigua and Barbuda, sets groundwork for next generation of transformative technologies. At the 33rd CANTO Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition in the John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications (C&W), announced that C&W has completed a groundbreaking pre-5G (fi h generation wireless broadband technology) trial in Antigua. Once installed, Antigua will be the first country in the region with the most advanced pre-5G network, delivering download peak speeds of up to 800 Mbps. In the trial’s next phase, the Company expects to test a 5G prototype reaching 2 to 5 Gbps peak speeds, which will have a profound positive impact on the island. The announcement came as part of Reid’s keynote address on July 17, (Le to right): Honorable Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, and John Reid, CEO C&W Communications, at the 33rd CANTO Annual Telecom Conference & Trade Exhibition, July 17, 2017, Hard Rock Hotel, Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. In early October, the Company will further test a 5G prototype network designed to deliver wireless data connections above 2 Gbps. If the trials are successful, and the business case favorable, the Company plans to invest another $5 million in Antigua alone to significantly upgrade the wireless infrastructure there. C&W has invested $1.5 billion in the region over the last three years. 5G is a new set of standards beyond traditional 4G/LTE technologies. This set of standards will allow operators to deliver wireless data connections above 1 Gbps and to enable the Internet of Things (IoT). C&W’s pre-5G trial and 5G prototype trials are part of a partnership with Ericsson, who will provide the equipment and so ware in Antigua and across the Caribbean. Learn more at www.cwc.com or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. These are exciting times for C&W Communications, as we continue to invest and develop more pioneering innovations to meet the needs of our customer.” John Reid, CEO “The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 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. For hundreds of years, a key part of the Cayman Islands economy was salvaging the remains of ships that wrecked upon our reefs. It may have been a grim business, but we provided a necessary service to people in their misfortune. In the wake of Bermuda’s election this week, Cayman may be called upon to salvage economic opportunities squandered by the fiscally irresponsible and protectionist policies espoused by the country’s victorious Progres- sive Labour Party. We can’t delight in our sister colony’s misfortune, but we will readily help ourselves to dishes that Bermuda (or anyone) leaves unattended at the economic banquet. In many ways, Bermuda’s struggles and opportuni- ties mirror our own, but – through a confluence of factors such as vision in leadership, historical circumstances and, sure, pure luck – Cayman’s responses in recent decades have consistently yielded more desirable results. We do not hope, but we fear, that the results of Bermuda’s election may be the final mis-steerage that drives the country’s economy off the proverbial cliff … or into a coral reef. In Tuesday’s landslide election, voters overwhelmingly returned the PLP to power, rebuffing the One Bermuda Alliance government despite its forward progress on issues of fiscal responsibility, business-friendly policies and sensible immigration. Did voters believe (or care if) the PLP’s modus operandi has changed since the party last was in power – indebtedness, divisiveness and short-sighted “us vs. them” political rhetoric? Even as an opposition party, the PLP attempted to obstruct progress at every turn by flexing their union muscle. They certainly shouldn’t be expected to govern any differently. Whatever the motivations of individuals, as a whole Bermuda’s voters rewarded political candidates who aspired to power by highlighting divisions between black and white, rich and poor, “native” and “expatriate.” As Ber- muda’s newspaper of record, The Royal Gazette, editori- alized on Wednesday, “It is not too often that a political party can leave the public purse in such a state of disrepair and then return to government at the first time of asking. That the Progressive Labour Party has managed to pull it off says more about who the people want in power than it does for how that authority is to be exercised.” Thankfully, to date, Cayman has not been so polarized – although our own experiences with divisive rhetoric, including in the 2017 election campaign, is evidence that we are not immune from attempts to tear our community apart. As U.S. President Abraham Lincoln famously said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” (The biblical passage that inspired President Lincoln’s quote, from the Book of Matthew, is even more explicit: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.” Even as he took office (in what may have been intended to be a declaration of inclusiveness), Bermuda’s Premier David Burt drew on the divisiveness that carried him into office, pledging, “We will be a government that will put Bermudians first and make sure we work to advance the interests of every single Bermudian in this country.” For a country whose economy is even more depen- dent than ours on international business and foreign investors, Premier Burt’s remark is obviously missing something … or some people. (Hint: non-Bermudians). It is eerily reminiscent of the Bahamas’ 1967 election of Lynden Pindling, which released a storm that foun- dered that country’s once-thriving financial sector. Then, too, investors sought out calmer waters elsewhere – spe- cifically, here – igniting the “Cayman Miracle” that we all benefit from today. If we are called to salvage the economic wreckage that may lie in Bermuda’s future, Cayman is ready to lend a willing, and welcoming, hand. But we must remember that our reputation of offering “calmer waters” is not guaranteed. It must continue to be earned through respect for private property, sensible immigration policies and rational regulations that give businesses the freedom to flourish. So long as we work together for a stronger Cayman, business and skilled labor who find themselves stranded by more myopic jurisdictions always will find safe harbor here, to the benefit of us all. – EDITORIAL – FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS What should be done for little Charlie Gard WASHINGTON – One cannot imagine a more wrenching moral dilemma than the case of little Charlie Gard. He is a beautiful 11-month-old boy with an incurable genetic dis- ease. It depletes his cells’ en- ergy-producing structures (the mitochondria), thereby progressively ravaging his organs. He cannot hear, he cannot see, he can barely open his eyes. He cannot swallow, he cannot move, he cannot breathe on his own. He suf- fers from severe epilepsy and his brain is seriously dam- aged. Doctors aren’t even sure whether he can feel pain. For months he’s been at the Great Ormond Street Hos- pital in London. His doctors have recommended removing him from life support. His parents are deeply op- posed. They have repeatedly petitioned the courts to allow them to take Charlie for ex- perimental treatment in the United States. The courts have denied the parents’ petition. They concluded that the proposed treatment has no chance of saving the child and would do nothing but inflict upon him further suffering. They did, however, allow the Amer- ican specialist to come to London to examine Charlie. He is giving his findings to the court. A final ruling is ex- pected on July 25. The Telegraph of London reports that Charlie’s doctors remain unconvinced by the American researcher. Indeed, the weight of the evidence appears to support the doc- tors and the courts. Charlie’s genetic variant is different and far more devastating than the ones in which nu- cleoside bypass therapy has shown some improvement. There aren’t even animal models for treating Char- lie’s condition. It’s extremely unlikely that treatment can even reach Charlie’s brain cells, let alone reverse the ex- isting damage. What to do? There is only one real question. What’s best for Charlie? But because he can’t speak for himself, we resort to a second question: Who is to speak for him? The most heartrending situation occurs when these two questions yield op- posing answers. Charlie’s is such a case. Let me explain. In my view, two truths must guide any decision: (1) The parents must be sov- ereign, but (2) the parents are sometimes wrong. I believe that in this case the parents are wrong, and the doctors and judges are right. Charlie’s suffering is literally unimaginable and we are simply prolonging it. This is a life of no light, no sound, no motion, only mo- ments of physical suffering (seizures? intubation?) to punctuate the darkness. His doctors understandably be- lieve that allowing a natural death is the most merciful thing they can do for Charlie. As for miracle cures, I share the court’s skepticism. They always arise in such cases, and invariably prove to be cruel deceptions. And yet. Despite all these considerations, I would nev- ertheless let the parents take their boy where they wish. The sovereignty of loved ones must be the overriding principle that guides all such decisions. We have no other way. The irreducible truth is that these conundrums have no definitive answer. We thus necessarily fall back on family, or to put it more sen- timentally, on love. What is best for the child? The best guide is a loving parent. A parent’s motive is the most pure. This rule is not invari- able, of course. Which is why the state seizes control when parents are demonstrably injurious, even if uninten- tionally so, as in the case of those who, for some reli- gious imperative, would deny their child treatment for a curable disease. But there’s a reason why, despite these exceptions, all societies grant parents sovereignty over their chil- dren until they reach ma- turity. Parents are simply more likely than anyone else to act in the best interest of the child. Not always, of course. Loved ones don’t always act for the purest of mo- tives. Heirs, for example, may not the best guide as to when to pull the plug on an elderly relative with a modest fortune. But then again, states can have ulterior motives, too. In countries where taxpayers bear the burden of expensive treatments, the state has an inherent incentive (of which Britain’s National Health Service has produced noto- rious cases) to deny treat- ment for reasons of economy rather than mercy. Nonetheless, as a gen- eral rule, we trust in the im- partiality of the courts – and the loving imperative of the parent. And if they clash? What then? If it were me, I would detach the tubes and cradle the child until death. But it’s not me. It’s not the NHS. And it’s not the European Court of Human Rights. It’s a father and a mother and their desperate love for a child. They must pre- vail. Let them go. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. © 2017, The Washington Post Writers Group Charles KrauthammerKrauthammer 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” Bermuda: An island in troubled watersThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 Bridging the Gap Helping ensure your organization is “best in class” Now more than ever, financial institutions are challenged to meet ever-changing regulatory compliance obligations. As the economic environment promises continued uncertainty, institutions must become more vigilant and strategic as to how they manage risk. This is particularly so in the Cayman Islands, where KPMG’s Regulatory Compliance team have observed a marked increase in regulatory activity. The end result has left licensees asking how to “bridge the gap” between their current operations and minimum regulatory requirements. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (“CFATF”) 4th Round Mutual Evaluation of the jurisdiction began in January of this year, with a desktop review of the Cayman Islands’ technical compliance and operating effectiveness of its Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (“CFT”) regime. Licensees are currently facing increased pressure to ensure that they are compliant with the Cayman Islands Money Laundering Regulations and the accompanying Guidance Notes. This trend will only continue as our jurisdiction continues its preparations for the CFATF’s visit to the Cayman Islands in December. How can we help? To help you “bridge the gap”, our Cayman Islands Regulatory Compliance team has recently worked with several clients who have either been inspected by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”) or who have been issued letters mandating that various compliance initiatives be completed. Examples of some of these engagements have included: • AML Assessment – KPMG compared the client’s compliance policies and procedures to the standards required under local regulations and industry best practice. • Internal Audits – KPMG performed the client’s internal audit function, independently reporting to the entity’s Audit Committee as to the effectiveness of their risk management and governance framework. • AML and Fraud Awareness Training – KPMG performed training tailored for a client in the trust sector. The training covered the mechanisms by which money laundering and fraud occurs and the safeguards which can be implemented to prevent and detect instances of fraud. • Outsourced Investor and Third Party Due Diligence – KPMG performed detailed background checks and due diligence screening on new clients and third party providers for an entity in the insurance sector. • Outsourced Whistleblowing & Ethics Line Services for Staff and Third Parties – KPMG provided a client with an independent and confidential whistleblowing hotline to report fraud, bullying, harassment and other inappropriate behavior. KPMG is a trusted adviser, supporting our clients every step of the way, sharing insights, and providing advisory support in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are committed to assisting clients throughout their compliance journey, helping them realize the true value of their compliance function. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team. We would be happy to assist you. kpmg.ky © 2017 KPMG, a Cayman Islands partnership and a member firm. Joel Dodson Partner, Risk Consulting joeldodson@kpmg.ky Brid Verling Senior Manager, Risk Consulting bridverling@kpmg.ky Alice Adumekwe Senior Manager, Risk Consulting aadumekwe@kpmg.ky6 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 1 (345) 945-4040 | 1 (345) 640-4040 | healthcitycaymanislands.com CELEBRATING Cardiac Electrophysiology Services Electrophysiology is a division of cardiology which deals with patients experiencing fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. These are known as cardiac arrhythmias. Health City Cayman Islands offers some of the most sophisticated and advanced cardiac electrophysiology services in the Caribbean. We are one of the few centers in the region offering Cryo Balloon Ablation for atrial fibrillation. Our team of experienced physicians provide the highest level of care, using state-of-the-art technology to find healthcare solutions tailored to individual patient’s requirements. Electrophysiology services include: • Invasive electrophysiology • Ablation of cardiac arrhythmias • Specialised electrophysiology clinics (syncope and pacemaker) • Cryo balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation • Device implantation • Lead extraction • Non-invasive services Are you ready for the Gravitron? JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Anyone older than 30 in Cayman may remember rides like the Gravitron, the Twister and the Viper from the days when the Rotary Club carnival used to be a seasonal fixture on the island. More than 20 years since the last visit, Mardi Gras Promotions’ Matthew Leslie says he is bringing back the carnival. Mr. Leslie said he has signed an agreement with Midway Carnivals to bring the event to Cayman for six weeks this winter, with the exact date and location to be finalized. The carnival will feature roller coasters, food and en- tertainment and other rides and attractions, and will require an entire cargo ship to bring it all to Cayman. Mr. Leslie said he had an overwhelming re- sponse to the announce- ment this week. “I keep seeing so much bad news in Cayman and I wanted to bring some good news to people,” he said. “I’ve been working on this for quite a while and I think it is going to be huge. “People are excited about it because for many of us, it was one of our best child- hood memories. It was the one big event that could bring you out every night with your friends. It was so family orientated, I used to go with my grandmother, my mum, my brothers. “There is real nos- talgia for it because it was something that people really looked forward to each year.” He said he would also be looking to bring in a ce- lebrity performer for the opening night and is in talks with developers to find a suitable site for the carnival. The carnival, particularly the 100-foot- plus towers of the Mega Drop ride, will dominate the landscape. “The response has been tremendous and we are expecting thousands to turn out for opening night,” he added. Mr. Leslie, whose events company brought Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao to Cayman earlier this year, said this would be the biggest event he has organized. He said it would also provide an economic boost for Cayman. “They will be bringing on staff safety techni- cians and engineers, but there will be plenty of op- portunities for short-term work for Caymanians as well,” he said. He said he would be seeking sponsors for the event but it is expected to fund itself through gate receipts. Season passes will be available as well as one-day or weekend passes, he added. The carnival will feature roller coasters, food and entertainment and other rides and attractions, and will require an entire cargo ship to bring it all to Cayman. The Claw is one of the rides Midway Carnivals will be bringing to Cayman, according to Matthew Leslie.The Carnival is a treasured childhood memory for many in Cayman. Matthew Leslie says he is bringing it back.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The Butterfield Group in- troduced three scholarships this year to be awarded to children of employees across three regions: Atlantic, Carib- bean and Europe. Caymanian student Austyn Burkholder, daughter of Caroline Lackey of Butterfield Trust Cayman Ltd., was awarded the Carib- bean scholarship. Ms. Burkholder, a 2015 graduate of St. Ignatius Cath- olic School with three A’s and a B in her A-levels, is studying medicine at the Uni- versity of York. She is com- pleting her final three years of medical school and after graduation plans to begin training to become a surgeon. “Austyn was an excellent candidate for this scholar- ship,” said Jacqueline Terry, senior manager of human re- sources for Butterfield Group. “Her ambition and clear ded- ication to her field of study helped her to shine in her in- terview, and we are pleased to be able to assist her on her path to becoming a surgeon.” Arin Broderick, who is also pursuing a career in medicine, was awarded the 2017 Annual Butterfield Un- dergraduate Scholarship, now in its 25th year. For more information about Butterfield scholarships, visit www.ky.butterfieldgroup.com. Medical student wins Butterfield scholarship Michael McWatt, managing director of Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Ltd., congratulates Austyn Burkholder, recipient of the 2017 Caribbean scholarship. Mobile units to become classrooms JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two empty mobile units outside George Town Primary School are being relocated to the Lighthouse School where they will be transformed into classrooms for voca- tional courses. The two units were in- stalled as makeshift changing rooms for recent international youth soccer tournaments but had fallen into disrepair. The decision to move them came as a surprise to a karate coach, who had set up a neighborhood coaching program in one of the units. Harold Davis, sensei of Shotokan karate and part of the national Cayman Is- lands Karate Association, said he repaired some of the damage at one of the units, painted the building and installed mats and equip- ment and had been running coaching classes there. Be- tween 10 and 12 children had been taking part in the karate classes. Mr. Davis said he did not have planning permission or authority to use the build- ings, but said he felt he was improving the neighborhood and helping find something for kids to do. “It was being used for drugs and for people just hanging about, he said. “I didn’t think it would be a problem because I was turning a negative into a positive.” He urged the govern- ment to find a new space for his club. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education said, “The modular units were pre- viously placed there by the Ministry of Sports to be used as changing rooms by CIFA for the CONCACAF tourna- ments. They are now being disassembled to be relocated to the Lighthouse School. The modulars will become self- contained classrooms out- fitted with ramps and bath- rooms for the benefit of the students.” The Lighthouse School plans to hold vocational classes for older students in the relocated modulars. Harold Davis, sensei of Shotokan karate, outside the modular unit he had repainted and refurbished to use as a karate studio. The unit is being moved to Lighthouse School. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 21, 2017 The family of the late Daniel (Mike) Simmons wish to express their deep appreciation to everyone who offered kindness and support, sent messages of sympathy and comfort, food and flowers during our recent bereavement. AND ANYONE WE MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED. THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Dr. Kenrick Webster (Webster Tours) Clement Ewers (Uncle Clem’s Meat & Grocery) Pastor James Arch Lorna Marsh Lilly Villanueva Lion Deborah Ebanks Lion Alfonso Wright Lion Ian Yearwood Lion John Edward Ebanks Maxine Hydes Barbara Jackson Eleanor Conolly Pat Wilson Evelyn Rockett Marjane Ebanks-Fellows Olsie Godfrey Stutsie Gill Hyacinth Natty Laurel Martin Etta Ebanks Pilar Bush Ashani Francis-Collins Marvel Mclaughlin Carmella Watson Cordella Cholette Ollie Ebanks Myra Wood Lisa Clarke Chralette Clarke Lions Club of Grand Cayman Lions Club of Tropical Gardens Cayman HospiceCare Bodden’s Funeral Home Trisha’s Roses Intec Research (Cayman) Ltd It’s Your Party (SharleenDuval) Cutting Edge Marketing & Design Welly’s Restaurant Massive Dr. Theodore Turnquest Dr. Darley Solomon Dr. Bella Beraha Nurse Debbie Ann-Whyte Audley Smith John Bodden Eric Williams Ameal Osbourne Dennis Thompson Kenneth Johnson Clinton Douglas Hartwell Mcfield Spellmon McField Joel Francis Leonard Ramoon Dale Ramoon Willie Ebanks Winston Sterling We especially wish to thank: 20,360 in July 2014. The num- bers increased again in Jan- uary 2015 to 21,400, and then to 22,232 in July 2015. As of February 2016, there were 23,097 permits and contracts held by non-Cay- manians working in the is- lands, which was eclipsed by the July 2016 figure, which was stated at 24,077. A year later, the number of permits rose again by about 5 percent, when com- paring 2016 to 2017. However, the 24,880 per- mits reported this month are still below the 2007- 2008 era. The government re- ported 26,659 permits and contracts held here as of November 2008. Unemployment rate The Cayman Islands saw a slight uptick in unemploy- ment among the local popula- tion based on reports issued earlier this year. However, that increase was against the backdrop of a steadily de- clining jobless rate since 2010. According to the govern- ment Economics and Statis- tics Office, the number of un- employed Caymanians grew by 197 people between Oc- tober 2015 and October 2016. The Caymanian unemploy- ment rate went from 6.2 per- cent in October 2015 to 7.1 percent in October 2016. More than 1,400 Caymanians were unemployed and looking for work as of last fall, based on estimates from the Eco- nomics and Statistics Office. The potential for an in- crease in unemployment numbers – which had dropped steadily in the pre- vious five years – was fore- cast by former Finance Min- ister Marco Archer as a result of some of the policies his government put forth. “The age of pension enti- tlement was increased to age 65 in May 2016 and this could have inspired persons 60 and older to re-enter the labor force,” Mr. Archer said at the time. “A minimum wage was also established in March 2016, which could also have encouraged greater efforts to- wards getting a job by per- sons across all age groups.” Nearly one-fifth of all unemployed Caymanians listed in the report had been working in the con- struction sector. The Caymanian unemploy- ment rate stood as high as 10.5 percent as of April 2010, dropping to a low of 5.6 in spring 2016 before rising to 7.1 percent in October 2016. Typically, unemployment rates are higher in the fall months, when Cayman’s tourism- based economy slows. Public debt remains a problem in the territory. The island, which has a similar sized population to Cayman, has a net debt of US$2.4 bil- lion, according to the Royal Gazette newspaper, com- pared with Cayman’s total government debt of just over US$700 million. The OBA was credited with slowing the rate of in- crease of that debt, but the island still faces a $186 mil- lion annual bill for debt ser- vicing and interest – more than is spent on any govern- ment ministry. At his swearing in cer- emony on Thursday, Ber- muda’s Premier Burt said, “We will be a government that will put Bermudians first and make sure we work to advance the interests of every single Bermudian in this country. “We will be a government that will govern with integ- rity and will work every day to improve the conditions for so many of us. “Today the work begins. This is without question an honor but without question there is an incredible amount of work to be done.” Robert Pires, a financial analyst and chairman of Ber- muda Investment Advisory Services, which also has of- fices in Cayman, sees little reason for economic opti- mism following the election, saying the PLP was histor- ically antagonistic toward business and had a poor track record of managing the country’s finances. He said Bermuda’s loss could be Cayman’s gain, eco- nomically speaking. “The antagonistic ap- proach to business during the PLP’s previous 14 years in power caused many busi- nesses to move staffing to other jurisdictions due to the difficulty in gaining work permits, as well as its general antagonism,” he said. “When I started doing business in Cayman around 2000, Cayman was a close second to Bermuda. The more constructive approach to business by Cayman has al- lowed it to surpass Bermuda by a large margin.” If the PLP retains what he sees as an “antago- nistic posture” toward busi- ness, the migration of busi- ness to Cayman could continue, he predicts. “Our license to conduct in- vestment business in Cayman was issued in 2003. After that time, we started to see other Bermuda brands crop up in Cayman – Logic, Appleby, Conyers Dill & Pearman, The Security Group, and more re- cently Bermuda’s BF&M has bought Island Heritage. This represents an investment in Cayman in terms of service infrastructure, employment, and the transfer of intellec- tual capital.” He said the “considerably higher” government fees in the Cayman Islands are the main barrier to further in- vestment in the territory. Despite Bermuda’s eco- nomic malaise, pundits in the territory believe social issues and political scan- dals led to the demise of the One Bermuda Alliance after just one term. The island’s history of ra- cial division is also believed to have been a factor. The OBA received some credit for attracting the America’s Cup to the island, but faced criticism from po- litical opponents for failing to ensure the economic im- pact of the event spread throughout the economy. A plan to privatize air- port services – essentially the same deal that was offered to and rejected by Cayman – spurred controversy, while moves to offer status to long-term residents also met opposition. Don Burgess, who covered Tuesday’s election for Bernews, and is the executive officer of the Media Council of Bermuda, said the One Bermuda Alliance had too many miscues and lost the confidence of the people even though the economy was on the upswing. “They were seen as not putting Bermudians first and this was a critical factor in the huge vote swing,” he said. “The December pro- tests about the new airport saw people pepper-sprayed by the police, which was just one of many catalysts against the OBA.” He said the PLP had struggled to handle the fallout from the 2008 eco- nomic crisis and this had presented the OBA with the chance to pull off a surprise win in 2012. “They mishan- dled it completely, with their first premier having to re- sign in disgrace, and were seen as not being in touch with the people.” He said Mr. Burt, a former chairman of the PLP and shadow finance minister, was highly regarded in Bermuda, despite his relative youth. Mr. Burgess does not ex- pect to see a significant back- lash from the business com- munity to the election result. “There will be a minimal impact on offshore business domiciling in Bermuda. There might be some hesitancy in the first six months or so, but as long as the PLP show good governance, there should be no problem. The tricky part is putting the needs of the av- erage Bermudian first while making sure business thrives to help provide employment.” Mr. Pires expects the move toward pathways to status for expatriates to fall away under the PLP, which strongly opposed the policy. “This further increases the likelihood of reduced in- vestment in the island, as well as a shrinking of the tax base, should interna- tional business move posi- tions to other jurisdictions,” he said. “This contrasts to Cayman’s rumored objec- tive of increasing its popu- lation from around 60,000 to 100,000. Population increase is essential to building your tax base but this strategy is opposed to the Pro- gressive Labour Party’s stated objectives.” Bermuda election result could impact Cayman The island, which has a similar size population to Cayman, currently has a net debt of US$2.4 billion, according to the Royal Gazette newspaper, compared with total government debt of just over US$700 million in Cayman. PLP leader David Burt celebrates winning Bermuda’s general election this week, with his wife Kristin. - PHOTO: BERNEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Work permits rise 22 percent in 3 years CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >