ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY Social welfare quagmire: A decade of inefficiencies and rising costs JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The cost of welfare and the number of people seeking financial help from the Cayman Islands gov- ernment have risen sharply over the past decade. Approximately $50 mil- lion per year is now spent on var- ious public programs providing di- rect assistance to people in need, out of central government’s annual revenue of about $600 million. Stipends and benefits to seamen and veterans account for more than half of the $50 million expen- diture, with rising medical costs responsible for the most signifi- cant spending increases in the last 10 years. Precisely comparable statistics for every government aid program are not available, but key programs analyzed by the Cayman Compass show major increases in the annual costs for rental assistance and poor relief vouchers, and other areas. An auditor general’s analysis published last month suggests gov- ernment has made little progress in implementing a coherent and coor- dinated welfare system that repre- sents value for the money spent. The auditor’s remarks follow its 2015 report on government wel- fare programs. That report showed spending had risen from $40 million in 2011 and 2012 to $50 million, a 25 percent increase, within three years. Spending on welfare programs remains at around the $50 million per year mark in the current gov- ernment budget, which spans an 18- month period to December 2017. Premier Alden McLaughlin, out- lining his government’s priorities to the Legislative Assembly in a state- ment last week, said reforming the failing system is a key priority. “Some of the programs we have put in place to support vulnerable people fail them,” he said. “Our so- cial services and welfare programs are inefficient, and the programs, as well as the agencies that deliver them, need reform.” Not all of the figures available to the auditors are publicly acces- sible. However, an analysis of key government welfare programs by the Compass shows that over the past 10 years: ■■ Money spent on pro- viding rental assistance to those in need has quadru- pled to $2 million a year ■■ The number of people re- ceiving “permanent” poor relief has increased to more than 1,000 – an addi- tional cost of $1.5 million ■■ Money spent on poor relief vouchers for food and clothes has tripled to $1.5 million ■■ The cost of health insurance to seamen and veterans has doubled to around $8 million. The number of ex-servicemen claiming the government stipend has gone down over the past de- cade, with the cost of this pro- gram cut in half from $2.25 mil- lion to just over $1 million. However, the Veterans Asso- ciation has said it is aware of only a handful of living war vet- erans who would qualify for the payment, compared with 150-160 listed in the government budget as receiving the stipend. (See sepa- rate story on page 10.) Charitable sector Despite the increases in gov- ernment spending on welfare, non- profits say they are also facing an increasing demand for their ser- vices, and multiple legislators have said they are frequently asked to dig into their own pockets to assist constituents. Michael Myles, formerly the government’s at-risk youth officer, now one of the leaders of the non- profit Youth Anti-Crime Trust, said growing dependence on welfare is an issue that multiple governments have failed to address. He believes rising teen preg- nancy and an increase in unem- ployment and under-employment over the last decade are fueling in- creasing demands on the welfare system that will become unsustain- able without reform. He believes handouts need to be more directly linked to programs aimed at lifting people out of pov- erty. He said government should start by radically revising the Poor Relief Law. “Currently there are no strings attached,” he said. “If you are able- bodied and unemployed, we should be requiring that you are volun- teering 20 hours a week, that you are involved in education or voca- tional programs. You can no longer just sit home and say you are looking for a job.” He said multiple programs, in- cluding parenting classes, voca- tional training and household fi- nances, had been proposed in various reports over the years but never implemented. He also believes people need to take more personal accountability. “If you can afford cable tele- vision, if you can afford internet, you shouldn’t be coming for a food voucher. I have had people come to me for assistance and they are paying $100 a month for cable television. Where are we teaching people finan- cial planning and accountability?” Tara Nielsen, director of Acts of Random Kindness, said the charity is increasingly helping to pay rent for single mothers waiting to be ap- proved for assistance by the Needs Assessment Unit. She said the charity is often called to step in when women needed immediate help while waiting to be processed by the unit. “There is a time-lag for the ap- proval process, so a lot of these women can’t get help when they need it most.” At one stage the charity was paying for tents as a short-term measure for people with nowhere else to stay. She said the NAU has gotten quicker at processing re- quests for rental assistance but does not pay deposits, and the charity sector is often required to help out. She said inefficiencies in the unit, including a failure to pay rent on time, as well as an $800-a-month cap on assistance make it difficult for women with children to find somewhere to live, even when they have been approved for assistance. (See separate story on page 10.) Though she acknowledges that many of the women seeking sup- port are young single mothers who may have made poor choices as teenagers, without proper and timely support, it is their chil- dren who suffer. Needs Assessment Unit The central hub for those seeking support and a focal point for some of the frustration around social assistance is the Needs As- sessment Unit. On any given day, scores of Cay- manians filter through the nonde- script office behind Guy Harvey’s restaurant in George Town. The NAU is responsible for as- sessing applications and admin- istering payments for poor relief, rental assistance and food vouchers, among other programs. Director Tamara Hurlston said the unit’s allocations have increased as the cost of living has gone up in Cayman and to meet demand. The rental assistance cap was raised this year to $1,200 a month for a family of five, though it remains at $800 for smaller families. Staffing levels at the NAU have also increased from 16 in 2014 to PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 11 » 7+100+ 0+ 53+96+ 0+ 35+65+ 0+ 41+55+ 0+ 37+53+ 0+ 5+17+ 0+ 5+14+ 0+ 20+9 $820,000 $11.5 million $6.1 million $11 million $4 million $7.5 million $4.7 million $6.3 million $4.3 million $6.1 million $550,000 $2 million $570,000 $1.6 million $2.3 million $1 million ■ 2006/7 ■ 2016/17 Tertiary Car e for Indigents, Seamen, etc. Medical Car e for Indigents Health Insurance for Seamen and Veterans Poor Relief Payments Ex-Gratia Benefits to Seamen Rental Assistance for Persons in Need Poor Relief Vouchers Benefits to Ex-Servicemen Annual government expenditure on certain social welfare programs, comparing 2006/07 to 2016/17 The comprehensive 2015 auditor’s report found that Cayman’s various welfare programs had developed in an ad hoc manner over several decades, lacked an overall strategy and in some cases lacked underpinning legislative authority.2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Mobile: 345-323-8573 Office: 345-943-8573 / Fax: 345-949-9753 heather.richards@remax.ky / www.remax.ky Heather Richards DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN! 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Unit #125 Cannon Place GT (Formerly Mirco Centre) caymankarateacademy@gmail.com www.caymankarateacademy.com Telephone: 926-5425 Back to School SPECIAL 1 Week Trial Program Including Uniform for $ 29 Hurricane Irma forms far out over Atlantic SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The National Hurri- cane Center issued an advi- sory Thursday about Hurri- cane Irma, the ninth named storm of the season, which by Thursday afternoon had a maximum sustained wind speed of 100 mph. Hurricane Irma is fore- cast as a major hurricane – which indicates that it will have wind speeds of more than 110 mph – as it ap- proaches Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles. The storm formed off the coast of Africa and meteorological models show it moving toward the eastern Caribbean over the next five days. Kerry Powery, chief mete- orologist for the Cayman Is- lands National Weather Ser- vice, said Thursday afternoon that the storm does not look likely to make landfall in the Cayman Islands. “The storm has roughly intensified over the last 24 hours, but it is not too much of a concern for us,” he said. “It will be five days before it gets close to the eastern Ca- ribbean, and there’s a chance it could turn back out to the Atlantic. We have to con- tinue to monitor the progress of the storm.” Mr. Powery said that fore- casting models by the Na- tional Weather Service have greatly improved over time, but they are still “not fool- proof.” Sixty-six percent of storms fall within the pro- jected cone and its margin of error, but Mr. Powery stressed that still means that a third of the storms go out- side the cone. Right now, he said, there’s a general consensus that there is a high-pressure system in the central At- lantic, and while the storm is moving westward, it could eventually turn away from the Caribbean. The storm on Thursday was moving west-northwest near 10 mph, and forecasters say it was likely to continue in that direction through early Friday. According to an Asso- ciated Press report, possi- bilities range from a land- fall on the Leeward Islands in the northeastern Ca- ribbean to the Carolinas and Bermuda – and every- thing in between. “Steering winds will guide Irma close to the Lee- ward Islands and then per- haps Puerto Rico and His- paniola around the middle of next week,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson. WONG TRIAL Attorney claims ‘selective prosecution’ Trial adjourned for mention again on Nov. 2 CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The trial of senior im- migration officer Garfield (Gary) Wong was adjourned on Thursday after defense attorney asked the Crown for further information and questioned why his client had been charged with traffic offenses when an accident reconstructionist had said that Wong was not at fault. Further, he pointed out, the other driver was never before the court, “so this looks like selective prosecu- tion.” Although, according to evidence heard in Jan- uary, the other driver was the cause of the accident, she was never charged, so the cir- cumstances demanded that the matter be fully aired, Mr. Brady declared. The incident leading to charges occurred along Shamrock Road in the early hours of Dec. 28, 2013, and Wong first ap- peared in Summary Court in early May 2014. The matter was adjourned for a month for Mr. Brady to ob- tain disclosure. Trial started on Jan. 10, 2017 with Wong pleading not guilty to careless driving, leaving the scene of the ac- cident and driving under the influence of alcohol. A breath test showed an alcohol-in- blood level of .184. The legal limit in Cayman is .100. Among other things, Mr. Brady said he was seeking the court’s assistance in ob- taining information as to the whereabouts of the officers involved in the case on the night of the accident, spe- cifically between 2:27 p.m. and 2:29 a.m. He also asked for communications be- tween the officers or from their supervisor in relation to the matter. Crown counsel Scott Wainwright said he had dif- ficulty seeing the relevance of some of Mr. Brady’s re- quests. He questioned how some of the records sought would assist the court in as- sessing the reading of the Intoxilyzer 5000 used when Wong was tested. He noted that Mr. Brady wanted additional informa- tion because the officer ad- ministering the test could not remember who was in the room at the time. That did not affect the reliability of the test unless there was some suggestion of nefar- ious activity by someone, Mr. Wainwright said. He said if the defense wanted to submit that any officer had perjured himself, then that needed to be put to the officer fairly and squarely. Mr. Brady said the de- fendant was a highly re- spected senior civil servant and his reputation could not be treated as being of no value. He submitted that he had the right to request any evidence that could assist his client. Otherwise, this would not be “an impar- tial, professionally executed prosecution,” he asserted. Mr. Wainwright indi- cated he did not know if the information Mr. Brady wanted even existed, so he did not know how long it would take for him to obtain it. The magistrate set Nov. 2 as a mention date, by which time any available informa- tion should be known. Mr. Brady also asked for a court order in order to ob- tain further information from 911 transmissions on the night of the accident. On Wednesday, Mr. Brady called Wong’s personal physi- cian, who said he diagnosed Wong as having gastritis in January 2013, with sev- eral incidents of gastric re- flux since then. Magistrate Grace Don- alds has already heard from expert witnesses on the subject of “mouth al- cohol,” and whether it af- fects breath tests. The theory is that if there is excess al- cohol in the stomach, a “wet belch” could contaminate the breath sample and make the reading higher. The witness for the pros- ecution stated that the device used for Wong’s test would detect the mouth alcohol. The witness for the defense has said the machine cannot dis- cern between alcohol present in the mouth and alcohol in the blood, so the reading would be affected. MEXICO GIRDS FOR POSSIBILITY OF WORLD WITHOUT NAFTA MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico is taking U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to leave the North American Free Trade Agreement more seriously as a second round of talks opens Friday in Mexico City on renegotiating the 1994 trade pact. In the aftermath of Trump’s Sunday tweet saying that Mexico and Canada are “both being very difficult, may have to termi- nate,” Mexico says it is de- veloping a “Plan B” in case Trump withdraws from the trade pact. “Is there a possibility we could hit an impasse that we can’t overcome? That cannot be discounted,” Mex- ico’s Economy Secretary Il- defonso Guajardo told the country’s Senate. “We have to have an alternative plan per- fectly prepared. A scenario without NAFTA is something we have to think about.” Guajardo said key sticking points include U.S. demands to modify NAFTA’s dispute resolution process and tighten labor standards. He said that about 15 of the 25 negotiating groups have run into differences after the first round of talks started on Aug. 16 in Washington. “There are 10 working groups where we are starting to see difficul- ties … the chapter on labor issues, electronic com- merce, franchises,” Guajardo said this week.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 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 reality, I believe, is most of our [social welfare] programs are failing, are not at all fit for purpose and are not addressing the issues that we face.” – Premier Alden McLaughlin The Cayman Islands are on a troubling economic and social path that if not corrected, will lead inexo- rably to a social welfare state. We are already far down that path, and there are few comforting signposts along the way. Consider: • The government currently spends approximately $50 million per year on direct financial assistance to the needy, accounting for more than 8 percent of central government’s $600 million budget. The $50 million number is deceptive because it does not include a myriad of other programs and outlays, adding up to tens of millions of dollars of additional expenditures that masquerade as something other than “welfare.” • In only one decade, Cayman Islands government outlays for rental assistance quadrupled. Spending on food and clothing vouchers tripled. The cost of health insurance to seamen and veterans doubled. • Equally troubling, the Cayman Islands govern- ment, in addition to not knowing what it is actually spending on social assistance programs, also does not know why many of those checks and benefits are still being disbursed. In a months-long assignment, senior journalist James Whittaker entered the quagmire of Cayman’s welfare apparatus, attempting to make some sense of its scope, its effectiveness and, importantly, its internal review and control mechanisms – in other words, the management checks and balances built into this metastasizing system. (See his articles, beginning on the front page of today’s Compass.) What he discovered was almost universal dysfunc- tion, a “make-it-up-as-you-go” patchwork of programs and payments. For example, the government has spent millions of dollars annually on veterans’ benefits with little, if any, verification that the recipients ever donned military uniforms. Similarly, once an individual or family is accepted into a “permanent program” of assistance, they are likely to receive checks and benefits – well, forever. The beleaguered staffers at the Needs Assessment Unit simply do not have the resources to follow up ade- quately on the massive number of people that have been approved for government grants. At the least, simple humanity dictates that our country – indeed any country – provides for the least- able among us (the elderly, the infirm, the very young) and enables them to live lives of dignity that go beyond mere sustenance and survival. Cayman, to give ourselves some credit, is trying to do this. What we cannot abide, however, is the misallocation of even one dollar due to poor management practices, lack of proper assessment and review procedures, or payments to the able-bodied among us who opt for a welfare check over a paycheck. What Cayman must guard against, at all costs, is a welfare lifestyle which becomes generational. We are not so foolish as to think we are so wise that we can even begin to solve these intractable social issues in a 500-word editorial such as this. But, perhaps collectively, we as a people can come together to create a state that we all are proud to live in. It certainly will not be a welfare state. A ‘needs assessment’ of our welfare services FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS LETTER TO THE EDITOR Visitor enjoyed her trip to the Brac I hope you can find a spot to present my views on my visit to Cayman Brac. It was an absolutely charming stay. Right from the get-go (i.e., the commuter service from Grand Cayman), the staff, the general helpfulness of ev- eryone, and the arrival at a very fine airport – built with vision as the runways can take modern and larger air- craft – on time. I stayed at a lovely bou- tique guest house named The Breeze, on Beach Road, prob- ably about two miles from the airport. The drive was lovely, almost desolate, and the in- frastructure great. On arrival at the Breeze, there was com- plimentary fruit cake and two bottles of wine (there were four of us). The manager was there to help make us com- fortable and familiarize us with places of interest and answer questions. The view of the briny foam of the Ca- ribbean was breathtaking. Having traveled quite a bit, I can say the Brac can hold its own with the most beautiful spots in the world. There are many lovely places to eat and enjoy a cock- tail and a glass of wine before dinner. In the surrounding area there are local artists selling their art, no heavy sales chatter, just lovely, low-key interest in why you are visiting and how long you are staying. If you want a more stylish evening, there is the beautiful Soleil D’or, a first-class res- taurant, pricey but certainly worth a visit during your stay. Finally, there are all the usual water sports – surfing, diving, or leisurely sailing. It is low key, not commercial, and a lovely place to vacation, with delightful people inter- ested in leaving a good im- pression of their island. Mary Ellen Berardi 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” Houston eventually will recover, but will it change? CONOR SEN As Houston continues to grapple with the devasta- tion wrought by Hurricane Harvey, the immediate con- cern is saving lives. But as at- tention shifts to recovery, the question needs to be asked: Can Houston resume the growth that has driven it in recent decades? Harvey may have changed the calculus. There is no template for Houston’s recovery. The most recent urban devastation that comes to mind would be Hurricane Katrina. But the growth trajectory of New Or- leans in 2005 is not a model for Houston in 2017. The pop- ulation peak of New Orleans was in 1960, 45 years before Katrina. New Orleans is an important, iconic city for a va- riety of cultural and industry- related reasons, but it never adopted the model practiced in Houston and other Sun Belt metro areas: Sprawling, cheap housing and fast popu- lation growth. Since 2010, the Houston metro area has accounted for a larger share of US popula- tion growth than any other metro. It’s one of the most diverse metro areas in the country. Between the energy sector, health care and real estate development, it boasts an impressive mix of cyclical, countercyclical and non-cy- clical industries, making it difficult to have an all-out bust the way more-concen- trated cities can have. And yet while Houston may be similar to Sun Belt peers like Atlanta and Dallas in that it has relied on cheap land and low regulation to drive business, what makes Houston different, as we’ve seen before but are seeing in an unforgettable way now, is how prone it is to flooding. It’s partly a function of its prox- imity to the Gulf Coast and partly the cumulative impact of decades of development that has paved over the land that used to absorb water. Throughout American his- tory, disasters have turned out to be catalysts in urban trans- formations. Harvey provides an opportunity for Houston to enact changes that might oth- erwise never occur. Hopefully, the vast majority of property that has suffered flood damage can get repaired as quickly as possible. But history suggests some percentage of proper- ties won’t be worth salvaging, or their owners won’t be able to afford to salvage them. As they become vacant or sold, they create the possibility for redevelopment. By comparison, undevel- oped lots in the exurbs may be seen as less attractive. If laws or norms change to take flood risk into account, that raises the cost of low-density development, making higher- density development rela- tively more attractive. Harvey could push Houston away from sprawl and toward a more sustainable density. Conor Sen is a Bloomberg View columnist. © 2017, Bloomberg View.The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 INSPIRED MINDS. William A. Dart Memorial Scholars Julian and Matthew have blazed a trail of excellence with their outstanding undergraduate achievements. Always looking to achieve and learn more, they are an inspiration to all around them and are well on their way to joining Cayman’s next generation of leaders. Julian and Matthew - good luck as you continue your adventures in education. Julian Solomon Julian completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management at King’s College, London in 2016, and went on to earn a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP University in London in 2017. Julian begins his MSc in Real Estate this fall at London’s Cass Business School. Matthew McTaggart Matthew graduated Summa Cum Laude from Penn State University with concurrent Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering in May 2017. He returns to Penn State University this fall to pursue his combined Masters/PhD in Electrical Engineering. Julian Solomon Julian completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management at King’s College, London in 2016, and went on to earn a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP University in London in 2017. Julian begins his MSc in Real Estate this fall at London’s Cass Business School. Matthew McTaggart Matthew graduated Summa Cum Laude from Penn State University with concurrent Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering in May 2017. He returns to Penn State University this fall to pursue his combined Masters/PhD in Electrical Engineering. MINDSINSPIRED.KYDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days East End North Side FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 years ago: No Pan Am flights In the Aug. 30, 1967 edition of the Cayma- nian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the following article titled “No Pan Am flight: Lack of hotel accommodation cited” appeared: “At his press interview on Saturday morning last, His Honour the Adminis- trator put paid to the ru- mour circulating that Pan Am were intending to intro- duce scheduled flights into Cayman later this year. “In a letter dated Aug. 15 from a vice president of the airline, it is stated quite clearly that the company has reviewed the traffic sta- tistics and hotel accom- modation information fur- nished by His Honour in a letter, dated May 12. It con- tinued, “Unfortunately it ap- pears that the number of present hotel accommo- dations and hotel facili- ties are insufficient to sup- port another carrier such as Pan American. “In conclusion, the letter states that the company will be willing to review this matter when there has been an increase in hotel accommodation. “This is all very disap- pointing as our Govern- ment. has asked Pan Am for just one flight per week in each direction as an exper- iment, and it appears that even this the company is not able to consider. “This seems to be the old problem of which comes first, the hen or the egg, for only last week a man came to our office to urge us to continue our campaign to secure more scheduled flights as he wishes to build a hotel here and is not going to lay one brick until he is certain that the people who would fill the beds have less difficulty in getting in and out than he has at present. He had been on the wait list for days trying to get here. “Perhaps if the prospec- tive hotelier did in fact put down his first brick so that the government could say to an airline: ‘Here is proof that we will be able to supply … more beds by …,’ we might break the vicious circle in which we at present find ourselves. “Mr. Walter Girling has promised that BWIA winter schedules will reach us shortly.” East Ender’s jerk chicken draws crowds JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman does not lay claim to inventing jerk chicken, but one young man in East End is producing his own fiery blend of char-grilled perfec- tion to tantalize customers. Five years ago, Jameion Bodden, 34, did not know he would end up a cook with his own business. The idea took root after he received high praise for his jerk chicken from family and friends. His jerk stand occupies a spot just down the main road from Pirate’s Cove Bar in East End. After a few drinks, customers wander down the street as the aroma of chicken roasting on the grill lures them. Customers from across the island travel to East End to sample his chicken. Friday night last week was no ex- ception. Within minutes of his white truck with its black smoker hitched to the back pulling in, a group of people began placing orders. “Jerk chicken ready?” a well-dressed couple ready for a night on the town in- quired as they made their way across the road. Past the smoker where Mr. Bodden was busy turning chicken on the grill, they stopped at the serving table and placed an order with Mr. Bodden’s fiancée Deany. The chicken is chopped into bite-size pieces on a butcher block and placed in a Styrofoam container, a towel is quickly spread over the chopping block and the chicken is doused with a blend of homemade sauce if requested. Two slices of bread are placed on top and rice and beans can be added to the serving. Don’t ask what’s in his blend of sauce and sea- sonings. Like any cook, Mr. Bodden closely guards his se- cret recipe. “All I can tell you is the chicken is seasoned days in advance,” he said. He’s not a “regular” jerk cook either. If you want it dry, wet, half-cooked, burned or whatever, he ac- commodates you. The style of seasoned food called jerk refers to a way that foods, whether chicken, beef, pork, goat, fish, vege- tables or fruit, are seasoned and cooked. The style comes from Jamaica and typically uses a marinade or paste that includes at least pimento, the berries of which are called allspice, and Scotch bonnet peppers. “I know people coming from George Town, West Bay, passing so many jerk pans on the way … there must be something special in East End, so I want to make ev- eryone comfortable,” he said with a chuckle. “Lots of people love the chicken and jerk pork too … I put a lot a love into it,” he said, adding that some people are always calling to find out where he’s parked. “The way it’s going it looks pretty good, and I get lots of support from locals and visitors.” Some Friday nights, Mr. Bodden, who lost his right eye in a fireworks accident, prepares food until 2 a.m., but he says it’s well worth it. He also offers catering for parties, weddings, cruises and other functions. Originally from East End, Mr. Bodden says the birth of his daughter Jameilia was the impetus for his choosing to go into business for him- self, after working for years in his day job with the Na- tional Roads Authority. “Be- fore that I was wild,” he said. He calls his jerk busi- ness “Jameion Jerk Chicken MIEE, Made in East End.” He wants to leave a legacy for his daughter. At just 3 years old, Jameilia already knows about running the business. When her mother slips on gloves to serve the chicken, Jameilia follows suit. Then it’s off to the smoker with dad. She picks up the spray gun and be- gins to douse the chicken as Dad turns the chicken on the grill. Mr. Bodden always had a love for cooking, which he said began at the age of 8 from watching his grandmother Reta Rankine in the kitchen. “Grandma Reta was a very good cook. She could cook beef stew, turtle stew and fish … she cooked ev- erything good. I always thought I would be cooking something one day, I just didn’t think it would be jerk chicken,” Mr. Bodden said. Looking back on life, he thanks God for letting him watch his grandmother in the kitchen. “Reta Rankine raised me … it was kind of difficult but I think she did a great job,” he said. Mr. Bodden has a dream of one day having jerk lo- cations in East End, North Side and George Town. “A lot of people want me in town, I just need to get another grill,” he said. The ambitious young man has used his Made in East End brand on a wide range of clothing, hats, shoes, belts and other accessories. He admits it’s a strain working by day and making jerk chicken by night, but Mr. Bodden says he has plans to hire help in the future. Some people even want him to offer his jerk chicken on Sundays, but that is the time he says is spent with family. Jameion and friend Daniel McLean show off his brand MIEE, Made in East End.Jameion and Deany serve a batch of jerk chicken. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Jameilia helps her dad Jameion Bodden grill chicken.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 Hawaiian woman charged with conning 86-year-old victim arrested in Cayman BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A woman accused of taking everything from an elderly Hawaii resi- dent who was in her care nearly a decade ago was ar- rested in Grand Cayman on Wednesday during a police warrant sweep. Rosemarie Delatorre, who insisted her name was le- gally changed to Rosemarie Bodden, has used four dif- ferent names and three pass- ports over the past 10 years, the Cayman Islands Grand Court heard. Hawaii state district court records show she was being sought on a bench warrant from the Maui County court in Sep- tember 2011. It was on that extradition warrant that offi- cers with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service arrested her. Hawaii court records show that in 2009 Delatorre was charged with 23 counts alleging she stole the iden- tity of an 86-year-old woman in her care, forging checks and fraudulently using credit cards. When Delatorre appeared in Hawaii district court in 2009, prosecutors alleged she had stolen more than $70,000 from the woman, who had no way of supporting her- self any longer, according to reports from the Hono- lulu Advertiser. The thefts from the el- derly woman were al- leged to have occurred be- tween early 2006 and mid-2008, according to Maui County prosecutors. Delatorre’s attorneys noted at the time of her 2009 court appearance that she was ill, had no crim- inal record and was essen- tially confined to her own home at the time. It’s not clear when she ar- rived in Cayman, but an at- torney who spoke on her be- half in court Wednesday said she has been living with family members in Prospect. Delatorre approached the court dock wearing a surgical mask, moving slowly and struggling to stand up and sit down at Magistrate Grace Donalds’s direction. Defense attorney Jon- athan Hughes, who had just been instructed to rep- resent Ms. Delatorre on Wednesday, said she suf- fered from lupus, was taking about “11 different medica- tions,” was very weak and suffered from chronic pain. Mr. Hughes told the court that her health could be in danger if she was remanded in custody and urged the court to grant her bail. Director of Public Prose- cutions Cheryll Richards did not formally object to bail, but noted that the request should be made subject to a physician’s confirmation of her condition. Mr. Hughes said it was not possible to provide that medical information on Wednesday, but Ms. Rich- ards indicated it should not take too long to retrieve med- ical records if Delatorre was already receiving extensive care in Cayman. Magistrate Donalds or- dered bail to be granted on a $15,000 bond with addi- tional conditions including the surrender of travel doc- uments and regular re- porting requirements to the George Town Police Sta- tion until her next court ap- peared on Sept. 7. Ms. Richards noted that Delatorre had numerous pass- ports and “must have known a trial was set” and did not ap- pear for trial. That trial date was set in September 2011. Delatorre was advised of her rights relative to the ex- tradition process. Cayman has a legal arrangement to extradite criminal suspects to the U.S. The court noted it is up to Delatorre whether she decides to waive ex- tradition proceedings or challenge them. Former Miss Cayman talks about island heritage Former Miss Cayman Is- lands, attorney Theresa Lewis Pitcairn, kicked off a series of lectures at the Cayman Islands National Museum this week with a discus- sion on a “Purposeful life be- yond the crown.” Ms. Lewis Pitcairn’s pre- sentation was the first in the museum’s “Speaker Series.” She spoke to an audi- ence of about 20 about her experiences of growing up in Cayman in the 1960s, en- tering the Miss Cayman pageant, her international travel, becoming an attorney, and the diversity in the Cayman Islands. Museum staff said their mission is to ensure that fu- ture generations have the opportunity to experience the territory’s natural and cultural heritage. They do this through monthly lec- tures such as “Speaker Se- ries” and other events such as “Looky Ya!” Every month they choose a different topic that touches on the history/cul- ture of the islands in an in- formal setting. Theresa Lewis Pitcairn discusses a ‘Purposeful life beyond the Crown’ at the Cayman Islands National Museum on Tuesday.8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 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 Civil service hiring ‘moratorium’ ends Moratorium lasted a decade BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A hiring “moratorium” that a number of government managers complained was slowing efforts to fill civil service job vacancies for the last 10 years has ended. Since 2008, all requests for new hires in government had been required to go to a two-member “moratorium committee,” presided over by Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, who would ulti- mately decide whether there was sufficient funding for the position. Requests that previously had to go before the com- mittee included filling any new or currently vacant gov- ernment post, the renewal of a non-Caymanian employee’s government contract, or the contract arrangements for a Caymanian who reached the mandatory retirement age but who the department wanted to keep in that job. Committee’s role shrunk Gloria McField-Nixon, chief officer of the Portfolio of the Civil Service, said Tuesday that the committee’s role since April had shrunk significantly. “Normal hiring,” she said, is done by the var- ious ministry chief officers or department heads re- sponsible. Those requests no longer need to go to the com- mittee, she said. “Exceptional hiring” cases, where a post is filled without public advertisement, for ex- ample, still have to go to the committee, which consists of Mr. Manderson and a repre- sentative from the portfolio. “The deputy governor de- cides such matters and the portfolio gives policy advice on the [job] applications,” Ms. McField-Nixon said. The moratorium com- mittee was formed at a time when the civil service had grown to about 3,800 em- ployees and was widely viewed as overstaffed. Gov- ernment employment re- cords show civil service jobs dipped to a low of about 3,500 after the hiring mora- torium was put in place, but had grown to about 3,600 as of last year. By 2015, numerous com- plaints were being voiced about “bureaucratic de- lays” which had stymied the hiring of necessary per- sonnel, leading to vacan- cies in the police and fire services, among others, and leaving several leadership posts unfilled. East End MLA Arden McLean in 2015 compared Cayman’s government to Hol- lywood, given that so many people in civil service star- ring roles were “acting.” Growing civil service In 2016, for the first time in a number of years, the growth in the central civil service outpaced employee growth in the outside au- thorities and companies, which are managed by inde- pendently appointed boards rather than directly under ministries or portfolios. Central civil service hires increased by 116 employees compared to 2015, pushing the total staff to 3,600. Job numbers for the cen- tral government do not rep- resent the full picture of Cayman Islands public sector employment. Nearly 6,000 people worked in the Cayman Is- lands public sector during 2016, according to figures produced by the government. The 5,961 public service employees counted as of June 2016, as well as the related statutory authorities and government-owned compa- nies, represent about a 3 per- cent increase in government staff from 2015. Since 2008, all requests for new hires in government had been required to go to a two-member “moratorium committee,” presided over by Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, who would ultimately decide whether there was sufficient funding for the position. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson MAN CHARGED FOR SHINING LASER AT HELICOPTER Two-day trial set this month CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two helicopter pilots and at least three police officers are scheduled to be witnesses in the trial of a man accused of illegal use of a laser. In Summary Court on Wednesday, defense attorney John Furniss said Javonnie Silburn would admit “one shining by the defendant to the helicopter.” Crown counsel Emma Hutchinson said that basis for a guilty plea was not ac- ceptable, so the matter would have to go to trial. No other details were discussed in open court and Magistrate Philippa McFarlane set the trial for Sept. 13 and 14. She marked it as a priority. Specifics of the charge against Silburn are that on April 29, 2015, at East End, he used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior within the sight or hearing of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress. A search of Cayman Com- pass archives did not reveal any incident involving a he- licopter and laser in April 2015. In November 2015, however, police issued a warning after an incident in West Bay. A press release stated that the action of en- dangering an aircraft is an offense in the Cayman Is- lands that is taken seriously and any offender could face imprisonment. The release pointed out that in addition to posing a risk to aircraft crew, such an action distracts them from their operational tasks and diverts resources away from other duties. Defense attorney John Furniss said Javonnie Silburn would admit “one shining by the defendant to the helicopter.”9 LOCAL NEWS from Saskatchewan-based CanniMed Therapeutics. Cronos Group did not specify how much oil it sold to the Cayman Islands buyer. The group’s grower, Peace Naturals Project, recently built a commercial oil pro- duction lab in Canada that is expected to become fully op- erational this month after ap- proval from Health Canada. The producer is also working on a 28,000-square-foot greenhouse for low-cost can- nabis extraction and a 1,200- square-foot pharmaceutical- grade extraction lab. Cannabis oils have also been imported to the Cayman Islands from Jamaica, in- cluding from Cayman- owned and Jamaica-based Lion’s Garden. Although the Cayman Is- lands government legalized medicinal cannabis oils and pastes in October 2016, the products are not approved for production in Cayman. An old George Town neighborhood is slated for a makeover this month. Home- owners from East Boule- vard and Apollo Link, off Walkers Road, are plan- ning a mass cleanup and revitalization of the area throughout September. Neighbors hope to breath life back into the streets through home beautifica- tion, landscaping, manicuring and removing large trees, painting fences and build- ings, placing speed bumps and unblocking drainage. A sign will be erected to officially identify the area as East Boulevard and Apollo Link, and shine a light on the neighborhood, where many older Caymanians reside. “As with many of the older neighborhoods throughout the islands, the residents who were once hardworking Caymanians, who were vet- erans, seamen and solid con- tributors to society, are now aged and are either too ill to care for their once beautiful yards themselves or simply do not have the help to do so,” said organizer Tonya Mitchell in a press release on the initiative. The revitalization plan in- cludes enhancing police pres- ence and implementing a neighborhood watch to main- tain the low crime rate. Organizers hope to work with the Department of Chil- dren and Family Services to improve elder care, and is seeking the help of local businesses to provide exper- tise and assistance. According to organizers, MLA Barbara Conolly will be taking part in a cleanup in the area on Saturday to show her support. Those interested in contributing should contact Ms. Mitchell at tonyamit@candw.ky. CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 First Year in Heaven David Anthony Ngyou Jun 26 1970 – Sept 3 2016 S.I.P Dad “Champion” Our Father was a man who had smiles to brighten your days who always made you feel good with his warm words of praise. And what’s more he knew what to do to make wishes come true. He was our Father. Our Father was someone who always had good stories to tell, But just as importantly he knew how to Be a good listener as well. He was patient and kind and the very best friend you could ever hope to nd. He was no ordinary man. And we’re proud to tell the world that he was our Father. From your loving Princesses: Asyria, Ciera, Hasina, Ayanna, Aaliyah, alia “I miss you, forever in my heart” From: Kassia The only gifts today will be the gifts you left behind; the laughter, joy and happiness… Precious memories…the best kind. Today I’ll do my best to try and fi nd a happy place…. struggling to hide my heavy Heart and the Tears on my face. May the angels hold you close and Sing you a happy song… and we’ll be sending wishes to you today and all year long. We Love you forever your Mom & Stepfather Happy Birthday Leon a.k.a. Lee Lee / Cingo 2nd September 1983-14th June 2010 The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Eslin I. Christian affectionately know as“Linnie” regret to announce her passing on Saturday, 26 August 2017. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, 3 September 2017 at the Church of God Holiness, Spot Bay, Cayman Brac. Viewing will be from 2:00 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow in Spot Bay Cemetery. f Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Ronald Spencer Bennett affectionately known as “Chee-Chee” of George Town, Grand Cayman, who passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, September 3, 2017 at 2:30p.m. at Church of God Universal, Walkers Road. Viewing will be from 1:30-2:15p.m. Interment follows at Prospect Cemetery. We have been asked to announce the passing of who passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017. New Credit Union chief appointed Patricia Estwick has been appointed as the new CEO of the Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Co-op- erative Credit Union Ltd., known more usually as the Credit Union. Her appointment became effective Aug. 1 after a com- petitive selection process, ac- cording to a press release from the Credit Union. Ms. Estwick succeeds Corinne Glasgow, who is retiring as CEO of the Credit Union after ten- and-half years. Chairman of the board of directors Michael Nixon said Ms. Estwick has been a member of the Credit Union for more than 38 years, during which time she volun- teered her time and services. “Specifically, she previ- ously served on the board as a director and as treasurer in the 1990s. And over the years, she has offered her exper- tise in the areas of finance, audit, and risk management. Her voluntary service also in- cluded serving as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and as a member of the Credit Risk Committee,” the press release stated. Before taking up her ap- pointment as the CEO of the Credit Union, Ms. Estwick worked as a financial con- sultant there, and before that was with the Cayman Islands Ministry of Finance. For 17 years, she served as chief financial officer of a fi- nancial services group in the Cayman Islands. She also worked for the Cayman Islands government for 19 years in various de- partments, culminating her public service career as the director of Internal Audit, Portfolio of Finance and De- velopment, a post she held for five years. She started her accounting career as an audit profes- sional with Ernst & Young in the United States and in the Cayman Islands. Ms. Estwick also has served on several boards and committees, including the board of Cayman Airways as director responsible for fi- nance, and Pines Retirement Home board. She is currently a director of the Cayman Is- lands Monetary Authority and the National Insurance Company – CINICO. Ms. Estwick grew up in George Town and is mother of two children – Jamaal, a Cayman Airways pilot, and Kiah, who is pursuing a law degree in the U.K. Ms. Estwick graduated in 1988 from Pace Univer- sity with magna cum laude honors in accounting, and earned her Certified Public Accounting designation in 1990. She holds a Master of Business Administra- tion degree from the Univer- sity of Miami. She has more than 25 years of experience in fi- nance, audit and risk. Treasurer of the board Christopher Goddard said that the retiring CEO, Ms. Glasgow, provided out- standing leadership and ser- vice to the members of the Credit Union, which now number 17,500, and also to the regional and international credit union movement. Mr. Goddard said Ms. Glasgow will be missed, but “since she is a Credit Unionist at heart,” he said he is confident that she will continue to be involved in the Credit Union. Ms. Estwick replaces Corinne Glasgow, who is retiring as CEO of The Credit Union, a position she has held for ten- and-half years. Patricia Estwick CANADIAN INTEREST IN CAYMAN CANNABIS MARKET GROWS KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com A second Canadian cannabis company has exported therapeutic oils to the Cayman Islands, adding to a growing list of international producers interested in entering the island’s recently legalized medical marijuana sector. Toronto-based Cronos Group announced this week that its wholly owned licensed producer, Peace Naturals Project Inc., sent its first shipment of med- ical cannabis oils to the is- lands through Caribbean Medical Distributors Ltd. The buyer, an affiliate of Professional Pharmacy Services Ltd., located in CTMH Doctors Hospital, is the same one that im- ported 3.42 U.S. gallons of cannabis oils in May Community revitalization project planned in George Town Cleanup work in the East Boulevard/Apollo Link area of George Town, off Walkers Road, begins this weekend. Toronto-based Cronos Group announced this week that it had sent its first shipment of medical cannabis oils to the islandsNext >