ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 High of 91 Low of 80 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 BREACH OF TRUST: WHY NO WORD ABOUT THREAT TO BLUE IGUANAS? LOCAL | PAGE 5 $180,000 REPORT SUGGESTS TWO CHOICES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE Premier Health This is what smart health insurance feels like! Health insurance that does the thinking for you! Just over 6 out of 10 local and 8 out of 10 US claims are submitted electronically and 95% of claims are settled in 5 working days. British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Limited acts solely as an agent on behalf of Colonial Medical Insurance Company Limited and it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky cgigrp BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LIMITED BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. : insurance, health, pensions, life IMMIGRATION BOARDS SHAKE-UP PR Chairman Waide DaCosta replaced BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government appointed new leadership to the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board amid a slew of changes to immigration-related governing bodies Wednesday. Attorney Waide DaCosta, who had served as chairman of the status and residency board for the past eight years, and former deputy chairman Adrien Briggs are no longer on the board. The board has come under significant pressure for the past few years as a backlog of permanent residence applications grew from a few hundred to more than 1,100. Attorney John Meghoo will take over as chairman, while board member Brenton McLean was elevated to deputy chairman. Mr. DaCosta was contacted for comment earlier in the week, but did not respond. The board appointments were not officially confirmed until Wednesday afternoon. All appointees’ terms on the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board had expired on Aug. 31. Premier Alden McLaughlin did not imme- diately comment on the new appointments. Membership of the board is mixed, with at least six members remaining and a few new members appointed to serve in new positions. The board and Immigration Department staff are in the midst of marathon hearings, meeting sometimes as often as four or five days a week to resolve the residency appli- cation backlog. So far, fewer than one-fifth of the outstanding cases have been heard, but most of those cases have been heard within the past five weeks. Changes to the boards were not expected to slow the approval pro- cess significantly, as many of the residency applications are now being heard by Immigra- tion Department staff members. Amendments Irma pummels islands, maintains Cat 5 strength SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hurricane Irma made its first landfall Wednesday, bat- tering Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy islands. By late Wednesday after- noon, the Category 5 storm was showing no signs of weakening, continuing to register maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. Irma was hitting Puerto Rico at press time and is ex- pected to strike the northern edge of the Dominican Republic Thursday morning. Eric Blake, a scientist for the National Hurricane Center, said on Twitter Wednesday that Irma was the first hurricane in the At- lantic or eastern Pacific Ocean to register 185 mph winds over a 24-hour period. Only one re- cent western Pacific hurricane – Haiyan in 2013 – has been able to match that statistic. Hurricane Irma reached An- tigua and Barbuda overnight Tuesday, and a wind-mea- surement device based on the latter island registered winds of 118 mph before the instru- ment was broken. No fatalities were recorded on Antigua, but ABS Television/ Radio in Antigua and Barbuda reported Wednesday afternoon that Prime Minister Gaston Browne witnessed widespread destruction on his trip to Bar- buda. One fatality was reported, and Mr. Browne apparently in- dicated that much of Barbuda’s housing stock was destroyed by Hurricane Irma. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Hurricane Irma tossed about dozens of yachts at Paraquita Bay, British Virgin Islands on Wednesday. According to the person who posted this photo on the Facebook page ‘BVI Abroad - Hurricane Irma,’ BVI resident Ron Gurney took this photo while the eye of Irma was over the area. - PHOTO: FACEBOOK BACTERIA LINKED TO BLUE IGUANA DEATHS 14 iguanas died, three recovered KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Researchers in Grand Cayman are working to determine why 17 blue iguanas at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park have fallen ill or died over the past two years. The mystery began in May 2015 when a Blue Iguana Recovery Program staff member discovered a blue iguana with signs of leth- argy at the park. The iguana was taken to Is- land Veterinary Services and died the same day from blood poisoning that resulted from a bacterial infection. Since then, both captive and wild blue iguanas at the park have shown symptoms in- cluding lethargy, lack of appetite, weakness of the hind quarters, collapse and sudden death. Fourteen of the sick blue iguanas have died and three recovered, according to the National Trust of the Cayman Islands. Now, attending veterinarian Dr. Ioana Popescu is testing the theory that the en- dangered blues have been hit by Helico- bacter bacteria, possibly spread by invasive green iguanas. Helicobacter occurs in a range of species. In humans, the bacteria can cause gastritis, cellulitis and septicemia. In iguanas, informa- tion on its effects is limited. Dr. Popescu has theorized green iguanas may harbor Helicobacter, threatening blue iguanas due to the close contact and genetic similarity between the two species. “If the disease can be transmitted by the Green Iguana, that population could function as a reservoir for the infection, passing it on to Blue Iguanas at the Botanic Park and other 2 LOCAL&REGIONAL THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – When Pope Francis arrives in Co- lombia, he will be greeted with one of the nation’s most emblematic dishes: the thick soup known as ajiaco. The meal prepared with potatoes, chicken, corn and an herb known as guascas has been keeping Bogotanos in the nation’s chilly capital warm since at least the 1800s. The origin of the dish is unknown but similar soups using starchy root vegeta- bles are found throughout Latin America. Bogota’s ajiaco is served with a side of heavy cream, avocado and capers that pro- vide a contrasting, acidic punch. It is common in family kitchens and working class cafeterias, a fitting dish, per- haps, for the pontiff known as the “people’s pope.” Carmenza Morales, the chef who will cook for the pope, said she will prepare a version that stays true to the traditional Bogota recipe while also keeping with the pontiff’s diet. Now aged 80, Francis generally sticks to simple, low-fat meals. “I have been preparing myself spiritually,” she said. “To welcome the pope, your soul must be calm.” The term “ajiaco” comes from the word “aji,” or chili in English, though many ver- sions no longer use it as an ingredient. Broadly speaking, ajiaco is considered repre- sentative of Latin America’s diverse cultural makeup, a mishmash of flavors that de- pend heavily on where the dish is prepared. Cuban intellectual Fer- nando Ortiz once remarked that, “Cuba is an ajiaco,” re- ferring the fusion of Carib- bean, African and Spanish traditions that make up the island’s cuisine. Culinary traditions in Co- lombia, a nation of 49 mil- lion, vary significantly by re- gion but by the end of the 1800s, ajiaco was considered a national dish. Culinary an- thropologists believe earlier versions included beef but chicken was substituted as prices fell. The addition of cream and capers came later. On restaurant menus, the dish often appears as “ajiaco santafereno,” a ref- erence to the capital city’s former name, Santa Fe, while Colombia was still under Spanish rule. On Sundays at Felinos Restaurant, chef Yadira Vil- legas cooks a giant pot of ajiaco that is typically gone by mid-afternoon. Families with children, the elderly and young couples line up outside the small eatery for a savory taste of home. Owner Alberto Jimenez said that for many Co- lombians the dish re- minds them of tastes and smells of the past. “It brings back memo- ries of afternoons eating in my grandmother’s kitchen,” he said. I Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. 640-FILM (640-3456) SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - THURSDAY - UNLOCKED (R) 12:30 I 2:55 I 5:20 I 7:45 I 10:10 THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (R) 12:50 I 4:15 VIP I 7:10 I 9:55 VIP ANNABELLE CREATION (R) 1:30 VIP I 3:40 I 7:10 VIP I 10:00 DARK TOWER (PG13) 4:30 I 9:45 THE NUT JOB 2 3D (PG) 12:30 I 2:50 2D I 5:10 I 7:30 2D GIRLS TRIP (R) 1:40 I 6:55 I 10:00 THE GLASS CASTLE (PG13) 1:05 I 4:00 I 7:00 I 9:50 Officer identifies burglar from CCTV FLORIDA MAN ASKS PARENTS TO TRAVEL FROM INDIA TO HELP WITH WIFE BEATING Looking to “counsel and discipline” his wife, Devbir Kalsi asked his parents to travel from India to his home near Tampa and help im- prison and beat his wife. Soon they came, police say. On Saturday, desperate to save herself, Kalsi’s wife, Silky Gaind, called her par- ents in India so they could contact local authorities and help launch her rescue. And so they did. Jury returns three guilty verdicts CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Gary Steven Oliver’s tattoo, build and limp helped a police officer identify him as one of three people en- tering or attempting to enter premises as burglars in the early hours of Aug. 17, 2015. The officer’s explanation of how he recognized Oliver from CCTV was accepted by a jury of three men and four women, who returned three guilty ver- dicts on Tuesday afternoon. Justice Marva McDonald- Bishop remanded the de- fendant into custody for sentencing on Oct. 27, by which time it was hoped that a social inquiry report and victim impact report would be prepared. Oliver was found guilty of attempting, with others, to enter as a trespasser the premises of Marshall’s Rent- a-Car on Owen Roberts Drive with intent to steal. He was also found guilty of two burglaries, with others, at Cayman Business Machines on Hospital Road the same night. In the first burglary, cash totaling $1,500 and a tablet valued at $250 were stolen. In the second, $450 cash and 10 checks were stolen. Entrance was gained through a window that had been broken. In her summing up of the case before the jury began deliberating, the judge noted that there was no fingerprint evidence, no DNA and no phone records. She described as “critical” the officer’s purported identifi- cation of Oliver, which Crown counsel Eleanor Fargin was relying on to prove the defen- dant’s guilt. Defense attorney Philip Rule challenged the of- ficer’s identification of Oliver because of the absence of safeguards in the process by which the CCTV was viewed. The attempted burglary occurred when a glass door at Marshall’s was smashed and a block found inside. The business occupied one of sev- eral units in a single building; the electrical cupboard at one end of the building was broken into, the power was cut off and several meters were missing. With no elec- tricity, Marshall’s closed cir- cuit television camera did not work. Another business, how- ever, had a back-up power supply and that camera cap- tured clear images. The investigating officer reviewed that CCTV footage and the footage from Cayman Business Machines. Although facial features were not vis- ible, she was able to recognize the same three people in each video by the way they were dressed and the way they walked. She asked colleagues who had better local knowl- edge to also view the CCTV. The investigating officer agreed it would have been better to show the CCTV to one person at a time so that the viewer would not be in- fluenced by someone else and so there would not be any col- lusion. She also agreed that she had not made a record of what was said at the viewing. Justice McDonald-Bishop pointed out that Cayman has rules for how an iden- tification parade is carried out and how suspects’ pho- tographs are viewed, but no procedure is in place for viewing CCTV. The officer who identified Oliver said he had been in Cayman for 15 years, was a police officer for 10 years and knew Oliver for eight years. He said he saw Oliver several times per month both day and night, at a distance close enough to “bounce fists” and they sometimes ate at the same restaurant. The judge said in her sum- ming up that the officer knew Oliver was “chubby,” had a tattoo on his bicep and a dis- tinct limp. He told the court he had never seen anyone else on the island with that distinctive walk. The officer did not re- call where he was when he viewed the CCTV and he did not make notes at the time. He said he was not influ- enced by anyone else and he would not have named Oliver if he was not sure. The judge cautioned jurors that an honest witness can be mistaken and a mistaken witness can be convincing. They also had to be satisfied as to the quality of the CCTV images, which they saw for themselves. If they were not sure about the quality, they should place no reliance on them. If the images were of sufficient quality, then they had to consider the officer’s identification of the accused. Oliver did not give evi- dence. In his police interview, which was read in court, he agreed that the man in the CCTV had a limp. He did not deny having a tattoo on his arm and he did not deny knowing the officer who had named him. He denied being the person in the CCTV and denied what he was ac- cused of doing. He told po- lice he could not remember where he was the night of the incidents. The judge instructed ju- rors that Oliver had a per- fect right not to give evi- dence and they could not jump to the conclusion that his silence proved the case against him. They still had to go back to the prosecution’s case and if they entertained any doubt they had to find him not guilty. Other evidence included a pair of shoes and a tank top taken from Oliver’s home. They resembled the ones worn by the person in the CCTV, but there was nothing unique about them, the judge noted. Ms. Fargin also called a tattoo artist, who said the Chinese symbol pictured on the person in the CCTV was not unique and he did not re- member drawing such a de- sign on anyone during the time he worked in Cayman. After the jury’s verdicts, Justice McDonald-Bishop commended both counsel for their conduct of the case. She said Mr. Rule’s legacy in Cayman could be the atten- tion he had brought to the need for a code for viewing CCTV evidence. Ms. Fargin said the matter would defi- nitely be discussed. The police officer’s explanation of how he recognized Oliver from CCTV was accepted by a jury of three men and four women, who returned three guilty verdicts on Tuesday afternoon. Colombia cooks up savory welcome for Pope Francis Chef Yadira Villegas scoops up a bowl filled to the rim with the traditional Colombian soup called ajiaco, at Felinos Restaurant in Bogota, Colombia. - PHOTO: AP It was that phone call that led to a knock on the door by depu- ties from the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Of- fice at the home Kalsi and Gaind shared with their 1-year-old daughter. But at around 6:30 a.m. Sat- urday, the knocks at first went unanswered. Sheriff’s office officials told the Tampa Bay Times that Gaind, 33, eventu- ally came to the door and “screamed for the deputy to save her and her child.” Deputies forced the door open, only to find Devbir Kalsi, 33, straining to push the door closed. Of- ficials found Kalsi’s par- ents, Jasbir Kalsi, 67, and Bhupinder Kalsi, 61, in the home as well. Investigators now say that Devbir Kalsi had com- plained about his wife’s disobedience to his par- ents, who left their home in Punjab to hold Gaind against her will at the home in Riverview, Florida. Meanwhile, the beat- ings continued, and dep- uties described Gaind as “badly beaten and bruised over her entire body” from abuse that had “been on- going for an extended pe- riod of time,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. © 2017, The Washington PostThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 INDUCTION CEREMONY th 29 September 2017 Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort Event starts at 6:00pm Dick Bonin - American Combat Diver who made Scubapro the world's premiere manufacturer Kurt Schaefer - Austrian Pioneer of Underwater Film and Photography Krov Menuhin - Australian Underwater Film Maker, Director, Cameraman Gardener Young - Bahamian Dive Pioneer Inventor of the Resort Course PADI - The world’s largest SCUBA diving training organization. THE 2017 ISDHF INTERNATIONAL INDUCTEES: 2017 For more information contact: events@caymanislands.ky CI$75.00 includes dinner Tickets on sale at the Department of Tourism Tel: 1 345 949 0623The 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. A number of Grand Cayman’s beloved blue iguanas apparently are being infected by unusual and poten- tially lethal bacteria. Some of them have died. Not only were we not invited to the funeral, we didn’t even know they were sick. For two years, we now know, the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme and local veterinarians have been identifying and treating infected animals. So why is the public only learning about it now? The endemic “blues” have significant cultural and environmental importance to the Cayman Islands. Only two decades ago, Grand Cayman’s largest native land animal was on the brink of extinction. Even now, after years of conservation, protection and intervention efforts, there are believed to be perhaps three or four dozen free-roaming blue iguanas, and fewer than 200 in captivity at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. So why is Cayman’s human population only learning of an existential threat to the blue iguanas after a Compass reporter unearthed a buried news release written by a foreign interest group and never dissemi- nated to the broader Cayman public? The July 7 news release from the California-based International Reptile Conservation Foundation was alarmingly titled: “Helicobacter Disease Threatens The Existence of the Blue Iguanas.” Equally alarming is that The National Trust for the Cayman Islands did not let the public know about this biological hazard to our native blues. According to the press release, Blue Iguana Recovery Programme staff found a lethargic wild blue iguana at the park in May 2015. The animal was treated by Dr. Ioana Popescu at Island Veterinary Services, but died of blood poisoning the same day. A week later, a second blue iguana became sick with a bacterial infec- tion, was treated and made a full recovery. Over the next two years, approximately 15 more wild and captive blue iguanas at the Botanic Park took ill. Some died. Blood and fecal samples from approxi- mately half of these animals tested positive for a novel strain of Helicobacter. That is a significant number for such a small popula- tion. The public is right to be concerned – and informed – about this latest threat to Cayman’s blue iguanas. Researchers believe that invasive green iguanas may be responsible for spreading the pathogen in question. The California foundation is helping raise funds to help test that theory and, hopefully, develop a plan to treat infected blue iguanas and prevent future illnesses and deaths. Earlier this week the National Trust for the Cayman Islands finally did sound the alarm – but only after the Compass reporter discovered the “un-released” news release and contacted the group with questions. Instead of providing answers over the phone, by email or person-to-person, the Trust proceeded to distribute the news release to all local media and schedule a press conference for Friday on the topic. Sorry, the news waits for no spokesman, and no press conference. We published the story on the front page of today’s Compass. We’ll dispatch a reporter to Friday’s Q&A session, and if anything interesting arises from it, we’ll write about it for Monday’s newspaper. (First question: Why did it take the Trust so long to let people know the blues are in trouble?) There is a clear public interest in protecting blue iguanas. Significant time and community resources have been invested in ensuring a future for Cayman’s blues. In order to build public trust, the National Trust ought to be more forthcoming with the public. We, or the public, can’t help, if we don’t know a problem exists. Breach of Trust: Why no word about threat to blue iguanas? THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Macron’s reforms sure to boost job growth in France I like France, in part be- cause it’s a nice place to visit, but also because I’ve been able to use the country as an example of bad public policy. ■■ Its tax system is a night- mare, leading entrepre- neurs to escape to other nations (hardly a sur- prise when tax rates can exceed 100 percent and politicians equate taxes with patriotism!) In some cases, tax rates are so punitive that revenues fall rather than rise ■■ The French bureau- cratic elite is pampered with costly perks and lavish compensation and the nation’s cos- setted political class is famously self serving ■■ And the regulatory system is a disaster, which not only hinders economic growth but also contributes to an erosion of social cap- ital as people exploit the system and adopt an en- titlement mentality. One reason for the bad tax system is that the French government consumes a huge share of economic output. The welfare state is enor- mous as privileged sectors of the population get expen- sive handouts. It’s hard to pick which policy does the most damage. As a fiscal policy wonk, I’m tempted to blame France’s woes on high taxes and wasteful spending. How- ever, there’s a strong case that labor law is the worst feature of economic policy. France has all sorts of rules that “protect” employees, but the net effect is that workers suffer because these laws discourage entrepreneurs from creating jobs. And even though I get a lot of mileage out of making France a bad example, I ac- tually hope that the nation’s new government will move policy in the right direction. Indeed, this is why I wanted France’s current Presi- dent, Emmanuel Macron, to get elected. Yes, he used to be part of the previous socialist gov- ernment that sought to make things worse rather than better. But I figured he was most likely to enact some pro-market reforms. And it appears my hopes may be re- alized, at least with regard to labor policy. Here’s what he is pro- posing: Reforms that will make it easier for bosses to hire and fire employees, offer more flexibility in negotiating wages and conditions and encouraging small companies to establish workers’ commit- tees that could bypass unions and caping damages that can be awarded to workers for wrongful termination. And he’ll probably get what he wants, both because some of the bigger unions have decided to play ball and also because he’s been granted authority to unilater- ally make changes. By reducing the potential cost of employing workers, the reforms will lead to more employment. And France desperately needs reform. France’s 9.5 percent unem- ployment rate is double the rate in Germany. Unemploy- ment among workers aged 15-24 is 25 percent. As the Wall Street Journal noted, even if Mr. Macron’s reforms take effect, the French workplace will still be considerably more regulated than that of the U.S. Let’s close with some ex- cerpts from a story in the New York Times: “...the government an- nounced sweeping changes on Thursday with the poten- tial to radically shift the bal- ance of power from workers to employers. ...invigorated France is considered critical to the survival of a European Union that is finally showing signs of revival after a lost decade. ...Economists in France and across Europe ex- pressed optimism about the new law... France has stag- nated for years under chroni- cally elevated unemployment and slow growth. The coun- try’s strong worker protec- tions and expensive benefits have been blamed by some for being at least partly at the root of the problem.” Wow, it must be bad if even the NYT is ac- knowledging that gov- ernment is causing the economy to stutter. Amazingly, the story even admits that economic liberal- ization is the right way to get more job creation. “Germany crossed that Rubicon in the 1990s under Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. ...Roughly 15 years ago, ‘France and Germany had economies that were more or less comparable, and that ceased to be the case be- cause the Germans wisely did micro-reforms and the French did not,’ said Sebas- tian Mallaby, senior fellow for international economics at the Council on Foreign Re- lations. So the French ended up with high unemployment, which fed populism, and get- ting out of that trap is vital.” For what it’s worth, I think the reference to German reforms is key. Under a left-leaning gov- ernment, Germany liberal- ized labor markets. The so- called Hartz reforms were a huge success, slashing the jobless rate by more than 50 percent. I don’t know whether Ma- cron’s reforms are as bold as what happened in Ger- many, but any movement in the right direction will create more employment. Daniel J. Mitchell, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and chairman of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, is on the Editorial Board of the Cayman Financial Review. DANIEL J. MITCHELL DANIEL J. MITCHELL France has all sorts of rules that “protect” employees, but the net effect is that workers suffer because these laws discourage entrepreneurs from creating jobs. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 Road User BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, Cayman Brac Tel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. : insurance, health, pensions, life Our comprehensive cover is now even more generous. Free roadside assistance comes with your Road User comprehensive insurance from BritCay. It’s one of many generous benefits that include the lowest deductibles from $200 for no additional premium. Pay up to 15% less for comprehensive insurance Save 10% on car insurance if you have BritCay home insurance New car replacement (new cars only, 12 months max.) No windscreen damage deductible and a claim will not affect your NCD Free US$40,000 rental car damage in USA or Canada. Free $10 million liability limit Fast-track repairs! Authorised Repairer programme Low cost 100% NCD protection Ask BritCay for a quote. CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky cgigrp $250* CERTIFICATE WITH BUILDINGS INSURANCE *$250 BritCay gift certificate applies to new buildings insurance policies only . $180,000 report suggests two choices for social welfare PAC questions need, value of study BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A $180,000 study com- pleted in March as part of an ongoing review of Cayman’s troubled social services net- work looked at the structure of those services rather than how specific services to the poor and indigent might be improved, according to tes- timony in the Legislative As- sembly’s Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday. According to committee members, the study appeared to consider two options for welfare payments to those in need: keeping the current system in place, or moving to an “integrated” operation where social service recipients can go to a “one-stop-shop” for all public assistance pro- grams. That plan, according to committee testimony, called for the creation of a “standard rate” payment for welfare re- cipients – whether they are classed as indigents, seamen, veterans or those receiving temporary assistance. The study was carried out by consultants from KPMG accounting firm with the aim of creating an outline busi- ness case for Cayman’s so- cial services. Ministry of Community Affairs Chief Officer Dorine Whittaker said Cabinet had not yet accepted the busi- ness case and that she was not able to present the docu- ment to the Public Accounts Committee, although some members who asked ques- tions about the review had clearly seen it. Accounts Committee Chairman Ezzard Miller asked whether it was the ministry’s intention to pro- ceed with the “integrated” system suggested in the con- sultant’s review without fixing a number of daunting problems in government’s social services network, in- cluding months-long delays in services, non-payment of rental vouchers and tedious three- or six-month reporting requirements for the elderly or the infirm on permanent social services aid. “I have some serious con- cerns that we are integrating systems that are not working and there doesn’t seem to be a plan to correct the things that are not working in those units before we integrate them,” Mr. Miller said. Ms. Whittaker said de- pending on what Cabinet de- cides, a number of changes required to combine welfare providers with other govern- ment health-related services to those in need will need legislative backing – a pro- cess that could take years, in some cases. “In terms of implementa- tion of the outline business case, we’re really looking at 2021?” Mr. Miller asked. “Yes, sir,” Ms. Whittaker said. Accounts committee member Chris Saunders said this time line would not help one Cayman resident whom he was trying to prevent from losing his home some- time next week. “2021 is too late to get help to the people who need it today,” Mr. Saunders said. “We have people in this com- munity who are hurting, bad. I really have a fundamental problem to see that we take $180,000 that could be used for something else to come back and give us ‘options.’” The Bodden Town West MLA also questioned whether the “integrated” ap- proach to social services suggested in the business case review was the same as what government did before 2013, when the Needs As- sessment Unit was taken out of the government Depart- ment of Children and Family Services and run as a sep- arate service. “We didn’t staff the Needs Assessment Unit correctly … and then we paid $180,000 of the peo- ple’s money [for the busi- ness case],” Mr. Saunders said. “It frightens me for people in this country … this is a basic function of the government.” Ms. Whittaker said inte- grating various social ser- vices did not necessarily re- quire departments such as needs assessment and children and family ser- vices to merge. Rather, she told the com- mittee that it would assist in organizing public welfare ef- forts so that government of- ficials know how many in- dividuals are permanently on the public dole and how many are receiving tempo- rary assistance. The chief officer said the government lacks reliable data in both of those areas, but it is working with the government’s Computer Ser- vices Department to collate those numbers, hopefully by the end of the year. Auditor General Sue Win- spear said she was also concerned about the terms of reference for the busi- ness case report. Ms. Winspear said when her office audited social ser- vices in 2014 and 2015, it recommended government create an overall “strategy” to address failings in social ser- vices programs. “We aren’t talking about how government organizes itself,” Ms. Winspear said. “We’re talking about what’s the policy you’re trying to achieve to help older people … disabled people,” she said. “I’m not persuaded that coming up with a ‘do nothing’ or ‘integrated’ ap- proach gets us to … how are people in need in Cayman best served.” KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Water Au- thority was working Wednesday to fix a major mainline leak that left large portions of George Town without water on Tuesday. While the water supply had been restored to users by Wednesday night, many areas were still experiencing low pressure. As of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, workers were pumping water from the damaged line at Ed’s Plaza near the Butterfield round- about so they could make the necessary repairs. Water Authority Com- munications Officer Hannah Reid said at the time that she was recently at the site, and that workers did not know how long repairs would take. After outages were re- ported on Tuesday, the Water Authority worked throughout the day to discover the source of the problem, finding the leak around 11 p.m. “No residents were af- fected directly by the leak and the pipeline was closed off,” stated a Water Authority press release. “The water supply team will resume their efforts this morning to replace the broken sec- tion of pipeline and restore service to the commercial building affected.” While the commercial building near the broken line is still cut off from the water supply, the Water Authority rerouted water through its network to restore services to the rest of George Town – though certain customers could experience low pres- sure, said Ms. Reid. Broken line affects water services in George Town Ezzard Miller, PAC chairmanChris Saunders, PAC member Water Authority workers repair a broken line Wednesday that affected services for some of the authority’s customers in George Town. - PHOTO: KEN SILVADISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days Bodden Town THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 50 YEARS AGO: Radio station considered; professor visits mosquito unit In the Aug. 23, 1967 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the fol- lowing article titled “Radio Station – Engineering Survey” appeared: “Mr. Cohen, a Senior En- gineer of Thompson TV In- ternational was on the is- land for a few days last week. He had exploratory conversations with Carib- bean Utilities Ltd. and Cable & Wireless (West Indies) Ltd. concerning the installation of a sound broadcasting sta- tion in the Cayman Islands. “Mr. Cohen told the Cay- manian that he was doing an engineering survey with a view to aiding the Gov- ernment in considering the establishment of a radio station here.” A segment titled “News from the Mosquito Con- trol Unit,” in the same edition stated: “The Mosquito Research and Control Unit had the pleasure of a visit from Pro- fessor Douglas Bertram, Di- rector of the Department of Entomology at the London School of Tropical Medicine, who was on the island from August 28-30. “Prof. Bertram is a good friend of Dr. Giglioli and was last here two years ago, just after the Unit began operations. On this occasion, he was on his way home after being in British Honduras on leave and made a stop-over here because he was anxious to see how things were going along. Knowing Dr. Giglioli, he was interested in his particular problems and commitment here, and was desirous of seeing the progress of the work. “He saw a reasonable change and tremendous progress in the short pe- riod of time since he was here, especially considering the fact that major heavy equipment had to be im- ported and was ordered less than two years ago. He was particularly impressed with the development of the dyking scheme which is basically permanent and can be utilised later on for various purposes. “Seeing for oneself is always useful, especially when matters affecting the project are discussed at meetings of the Research Board and other commit- tees, and the literature one reads has more signifi- cance. Thus, Prof. Bertram’s visit will assist him when requests, etc., from our unit are sent to London and dis- cussed at varying levels. “Asked by our reporter to comment on the fu- ture outlooks in the ento- mological field, Prof. Ber- tram said that eradication is a long-term thing and depends largely on the amount of money and suit- ably qualified staff avail- able, but there is no doubt that here we have the be- ginning of something that could be a permanent check on mosquitoes. “Speaking about British Honduras, the Professor told the Caymanian that they have about 60-70 dif- ferent kinds of mosquito breeding in the mangrove swamps along the exten- sive coastal area but so far, very little has been done to attempt to get rid of them, apart from inte- rior house-spraying in Be- lize and other residential areas. It was interesting to learn that the Cayman Is- lands are one of the few areas outside of the United States where something se- rious is being done about the mosquito, where it is only a ‘nuisance’ problem.” Neighborhood crime watch touted for Bodden Town area Residents urged to help police deter crime JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Residents in the Mijall Road and Monument Road area of Bodden Town met with police Tuesday night to discuss setting up a neigh- borhood crime watch. The meeting of residents, community members and po- lice was prompted by a spike in burglaries in the area. The new head of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice’s Neighbourhood Policing division, Inspector Courtney Myles, attended the meeting, along with a panel of officers from the Bodden Town Sta- tion, including Inspector Ru- dolph Gordon, PC Clifford Garcia, PC Lazarus Moraes and neighborhood crime watch member Tony Scott. Inspector Gordon told residents that police could not protect every boat, every home and every business, but urged those resident to assist the police by forming their own neighborhood watch. He also told the residents that a stint of robberies had been recorded in Bodden Town, including in the Monu- ment Road area. He said he had observed that areas with neighborhood watch signs did not have high numbers of burglaries. “The signs might not stop certain incidents but they would reduce the amount of incidents in the area and act as a deterrent,” he said, adding that most crimes re- ported in the area were opportunistic. He is also aware of the lack of confidence that some residents have in speaking with police because of var- ious incidents. He said over his time as a police officer, the majority of his officers are respected, committed of- ficers and he encouraged res- idents to continue sharing in- formation with them. “If you do not feel com- fortable calling, let someone else call; the police will come to address the issue … we are your friend, we are here to serve and provide the public with the best service pos- sible,” Inspector Gordon said. “Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t, but the police are there to help you.” Residents suggested in- vesting in CCTV cameras. Po- lice said it was a great deter- rent and had assisted them in solving many crime. One resident said he had no confidence in police fol- lowing up incident reports. Inspector Myles replied that he would find out why offi- cers were not following up on reports and he would get back to the complainant. Through meetings like this, he said, police know what’s going on and how they could further serve the public. “I welcome com- plaints,” he said. He also told residents to get their local MLAs involved. Mr. Scott said they could not leave everything up to government. In his commu- nity, he said, they put on fundraising events so that people could help others in the community with neighboring watch. Inspector Myles told res- idents to publicize the bene- fits of a neighborhood watch, adding that he saw no reason why they could not achieve the objective of making their community a safer place. Neighborhood watch ini- tiatives enable police and the community to work to- gether to make specific areas more crime resistant, and to increase awareness and enhance observation skills, he said. The police also urged cit- izens to call the non-emer- gency line when they see something suspicious. Tony Scott, a member of neighborhood crime watch, shows residents signs that can be posted around the neighborhood. Residents of Mijall Road gather with police at the meeting in a house on the street Tuesday night. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 to the Immigration Law made in 2013 allow staffers, under the authority of the chief im- migration officer, to hear PR applications. A leadership change was also made on the Business Staffing Plan Board, which oversees and approves appli- cations from businesses that employ more than 15 non-Cay- manians on work permits. Human resources manager Philip Jackson has been ap- pointed as board chairman, replacing businessman Charlie Kirkconnell. Jacque- line Terry has been appointed deputy chairwoman. The Work Permit Board, which approves all work permit grants for non-Cayma- nians who are not included in business staffing plan applica- tions, stayed mostly the same. Chairwoman Sheena Fred- erick-Westerborg and deputy chairwoman Sara Dean Bar- nett will remain in those po- sitions. Only one new member has been appointed to the nine-person board. The mem- bership of the Sister Islands Immigration Board was also appointed on Wednesday. parts of Grand Cayman, or even to the Sister Islands Rock Iguanas,” a National Trust of the Cayman Islands press release said. In a project proposal, Dr. Popescu explained Helico- bacter cases can be difficult to diagnose and research remains to be done on the strain in question. “Presently there is no in- formation regarding this bacteria, and nothing is known about its pathoge- nicity, epidemiology, geo- graphical distribution or whether it is species specific or a multi-host pathogen,” Dr. Popescu wrote. “Helicobacter requires extremely specific condi- tions to be cultured, and there are no readily avail- able tests for the veterinary practitioner.” Through strict quaran- tine, biosecurity and moni- toring protocol, the park’s blue iguanas have been dis- ease-free for six months. Re- searchers are unsure about the cause of blue iguana ill- ness, however, and Helico- bacter remains a concern. In about half of the cases of blue iguana deaths, Heli- cobacter bacteria was found in blood and fecal samples. Examinations by personnel from St. Matthew’s Univer- sity and the Wildlife Conser- vation Society did not find other signs of disease. Dr. Popescu’s study will take fecal samples from eu- thanized green iguanas from the park and across Grand Cayman and send them to the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology for He- licobacter testing. At least 100 green iguanas will be needed for the study. The results could provide a better understanding of how the bacteria is spread, and contribute to pre- vention efforts. “Results of the study may also be useful in guiding fu- ture conservation strate- gies, not only for the Blues, but also for the Sister Is- lands Rock Iguana and other native iguana populations in countries with invasive Green Iguanas,” a National Trust press release said. Anecdotally, Helicobacter outbreaks in blue iguanas have also been associated with heavy, prolonged rains. The relationship between Helicobacter and outside variants such as this will be included in the study. Other threats to blue iguanas in- clude feral dogs and cats, habitat conversion and traffic accidents. Results will be presented to the Uni- versity of Edinburgh, the Department of Environment and the National Trust. The International Reptile Con- servation Foundation has donated US$3,800 for labo- ratory testing. Funds were raised during IguanaFest in Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, Florida, in May 2017. In Cayman, donations for the study can be made sev- eral ways. Direct donations can be made at www.ircf. org/donate by selecting “Blue Iguana Recovery Program” or by emailing clumsden@ nationaltrust.org.ky. Throughout September, donations can also be made through the #blueigua- narecovery challenge by shopping at Beyond Ba- sics Medical Spa, Touch of Thai, The Salon La Femme and Renaissance Salon & Spa. Donation boxes and raffle prizes are available at each location. Raffle draw- ings will be held the first week of October. CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 BE GOOD TO PRESENTED BY CAYMAN HEALTH LIKE. FOLLOW. WIN. ENTER TO WIN A STAYCATION GRAND PRIZE 2-night staycation at the Wyndham Reef Resort in an ocean front room, including a welcome dinner, for you and your guest Enter @CaymanHealth The Grand Prize winner will be drawn on Monday September 11. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bacteria linked to blue iguana deaths Immigration boards shake-up BUSINESS STAFFING PLAN BOARD APPOINTMENTS Mr. Philip Jackson, Chairman Ms. Jacqueline Terry, Deputy Chairman Ms. Tammy Seymour, Member Mr. Ken Thompson, Member Mr. Olson Anderson, Member Ms. Darlene Seymour, Member Mr. Edward Chisholm, Member Mrs. Joanna Martinez, Member Mr. Pierre Foster, Member Ms. Ruth Williams, Member Director of Employment Relations or his deputy or other designate the Chief Education Officer or his designate the Chief Immigration Officer or his designate the Director of Boards and Work Permits or her designate a Secretary an assistant Secretary CAYMANIAN STATUS AND PERMANENT RESIDENCY BOARD APPOINTMENTS Mr. John Meghoo, Chairman Mr. Brenton McLean, Deputy Chairman Ms. Louise Christine Burke, Member Mrs. Wendy Watler, Member Mrs. Denise DeMercado, Member Mr. Roy Grant, Member Ms. Thelda Whittaker, Member Mr. Audley Scott, Member Ms. Rachel Ann Ebanks, Member Ms. Dahlia Webb, Member Ms. Rhonda Ebanks, Member the Chief Immigration Officer or his designate the Director of Boards and Work Permits or his designate Director of Employment Relations or his deputy or other designate a Secretary an assistant Secretary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Sunrise Sunset October1,1931 September7, 2014 Koreen Elesia Smith-Anderson We Miss You Mom From your children and grandchildren A Celebration of Life Three year Anniversary THURSDAY, SEPT. 7 DCI EARLY CLOSING: The Department of Commerce and Investment in Grand Cayman, including its Business Licensing Counter on the first floor of the Government Administration Building, will close at 3 p.m. for a staff meeting. DCI’s main office will reopen on Friday at 8:30 a.m. and the counter will reopen at 9 a.m. SMALL BUSINESS OPEN HOUSE: 5:30– 7:30 p.m. at Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. Free to attend. Open to all. CHAMBER COURSE: Time Management & Productivity. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $150 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. CAYMAN DRAMA SOCIETY: Opening night for comedy “Sistahs.” Performances are at the Prospect Playhouse on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to Sept. 23. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Curtain 7:30 p.m. Tickets for all performances are $25 for adults, $15 for students/ children. Book tickets at www.cds.ky. FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 BRAC ALZHEIMER’S WALK: Observing World Alzheimer’s Month. Free registration, 6:30 p.m. Start 7 p.m. from Brac Beach Resort to Alexander Hotel and back. SATURDAY, SEPT. 9 BRAC LITERACY DAY: Sponsored by Rotary. Brac Library, 9 a.m.-noon. SEA SWIMS POSTPONED: The annual Foster’s Food Fair IGA 800m and 400m sea swims scheduled for today at Governors Beach have been postponed due to a forecast of deteriorating weather conditions. A new date will be announced soon, organizers said. SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 CERAMIC OPEN STUDIO: Visual Arts Society offers Ceramic Open Studio to adults who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Watler House Studio, Pedro St. James. Fee is $15 for members, $25 for non-members and includes glazes, use of tools and studio. Firing facilities are available and clay can be purchased. Email info@visualartcayman.com. TUESDAY, SEPT. 12 SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers needed for weekly sports training. Tuesdays – Track, bocce, football. Wednesday – Lighthouse School swimming at Lions pool. Thursdays – Basketball. Saturdays – Adult swim. Golf is starting soon if interested. Contact Darrel Rankine, national director at soci@candw.ky or 916-2600 for further details. THURSDAY, SEPT. 14 CONQUERING CANCER: Continuing Medical Education seminar at Marriott Beach Resort for all allied and medical professionals, 5:30-9:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up, call the Cayman Islands Cancer Society at 949-7618. CHAMBER COURSE: Effective Negotiation and Conflict Management Styles. 12:30–4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $150 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. CHAMBER COURSE: Debt Collection – How to Avoid and Collect Bad Debt. 9–11 a.m. Chamber of Commerce, Governors Square. $175 for members, $225 for future members. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky. SATURDAY, SEPT. 16 HEALTH FAIR: Free Community Health Fair at the Marriott Beach Resort, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. CRISIS CENTRE GALA: Opa! My Big Fat Greek Gala, to benefit the Crisis Centre. Pappagallo’s, 7 p.m. Welcome cocktail, Greek food, live entertainment, silent auction. Tickets $150 per person or $1,250 for groups of 10. Contact lauren@bermanfisher.com. TUESDAY, SEPT. 19 FIGURE DRAWING: Last day to register. Visual Arts Society offers 6-week figure drawing workshop Sept. 19 to Oct. 24, 7–9 p.m. Watler House Studio at Pedro St. James. This is an opportunity for intermediate artists to develop their figure drawing skills. Fee is $130 for members, or $180 for non-members and includes use of studio/ easels & boards, live model, guidance from a qualified art instructor. Drop-in fee is $25/$35 per session. Email info@visualartcayman.com or 546-9422. SATURDAY, SEPT. 23 COVENANT MORAVIAN CHURCH: Holds its 30th anniversary banquet at Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, 7-10 p.m. Formal attire. Contribution $75. Call 947-7935 for tickets and more information. SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 HIGH SCHOOL REUNION: The Cayman Islands High School Class of 1987 celebrates their 30-year class reunion, 7 p.m. at the George Town Yacht Club, North Sound Road. Tickets are now on sale for $75 at Funky Tang’s or by calling Cassandra Ebanks Powery on 925-1930. Please purchase tickets by Sept. 25 so preparations can be made. GENERAL INTEREST BE A MENTOR: Training provided. Starting at the end of September for one year, mentor a Year 11 student at John Gray High School to help him or her achieve their potential in life and in school. It just takes one hour a week, Tuesday or Thursday lunchtime meetings from noon–1 p.m. in term time at the school. Contact Laura on 328-0300 or Karen on 325-0318. SCHOLARSHIPS: The Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for U.K. government scholarships to study in the U.K. in 2018/2019. Applications for Chevening Scholarships are open until Nov. 7, with applications to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: The Savannah After School Enrichment Programme is enrolling primary-age students for their program, held at the Savannah United Church Hall, Mondays to Fridays, from 3–6 p.m. The program is particularly convenient for children who attend Savannah Primary and Bodden Town primary schools. For registration and fees, call the church office at 947-6071 or email info@savannahunited.ky. GAMEBIRD SEASON: The Department of Environment reminds hunters that the open season for blue-winged teal opens in September (three-bird bag and possession limit). For white-winged doves, the season opens in October (12 bird bag and possession limit). ANNIVERSARY DINNER: Tickets for Wesleyan Christian Academy’s 40th anniversary dinner buffet are on sale. The dinner will be at Schooner’s restaurant at the Cayman Turtle Centre on Sept. 17. Tickets are available to all past/present attendees of WCA and their families, $20 adults, $15 children. Inquiries may be made to 949-3394 or 949-1121. LAW SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Applications are being accepted for one of the new postgraduate programs offered by the Truman Bodden Law School – the master of laws in international finance, law and regulation; and the postgraduate diploma in international finance, law and regulation. Full details on the admissions procedure at www.lawschool.gov.ky. NATIONAL GALLERY: All are invited to view the new temporary exhibition “Mediating Self,” a display of works from the Cayman Islands National Collection that illustrates the ways in which our bodies are used to create and navigate our personal and collective identities. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT SHOP: The shop has moved to Plaza Venezia, next to China Village. The thrift shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. Phone 945-5596. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. LOST DOGS: The Department of Agriculture and veterinary students of St. Matthew’s University provide an online list of dogs housed at the Department of Agriculture Animal Rescue Shelter in Lower Valley. Anyone missing a dog can check www.smustudents.webs.com. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc., in good condition always needed. RED CROSS THRIFT SHOP: The Thrift Shop opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed evenings. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The Greek flag will feature prominently on the night of Saturday, Sept. 16, at Opa! My Big Fat Greek Gala, to benefit the Crisis Centre. The fundraiser starts at 7 p.m. at Pappagallo’s.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 Officials on Antigua in- dicated the island’s air- port would reopen at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Overturned cars, ripped off roofs, structural damage to even the sturdiest build- ings and widespread flooding were seen in St. Martin and St. Barthelemy, which suf- fered a direct hit from the hurricane. Motor yachts and sailboats lay overturned and piled up in the marinas. The airport of Saint Martin was devastated by the storm, with sand and debris on the runway and terminals, and jetways severely dam- aged. According to French media reports, French Min- ister of the Interior Gerard Collomb said after a meeting of the Cabinet in Paris: “The four most solid buildings on Saint Martin have been destroyed, which means that the more rustic dwell- ings have probably been de- stroyed as well.” He added, “Emergency planes have been requested to bring aid to those affected.” St. Martin’s government offices were among the dam- aged buildings. In addition to widespread power cuts, one of the island’s fire stations was flooded and a local po- lice station lost its roof, ac- cording to a government press release. French Minister for the Overseas Territories An- nick Girardin was quoted in media reports as saying that authorities were “pre- paring for the worst” and an- nounced that she would fly to Guadeloupe to monitor rescue efforts. Ben Meade, editor of local sports publication Cayman Sports Buzz, told the Cayman Compass he spent a few anx- ious hours Wednesday trying to get in touch with family members on the affected is- lands. His sons, age 10 and 12, returned to Antigua last week after spending the summer on Grand Cayman. Mr. Meade had not reached his sons as of press time, but he had spoken to friends and cousins who indi- cated they are OK. Mr. Meade spent the early morning hours on Wednesday watching news reports of the storm, and it took him hours to get in touch with his mother, who lives on the Dutch island of St. Maarten. Her home was damaged and lost electricity, but he was re- lieved to hear that she was otherwise all right. “It felt like an elephant was lifted off my chest,” he said. “I almost cried.” The National Hurricane Center in Miami indicated that the Northern Leeward Islands, southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos could be subjected to as much as 8-12 inches of rain over the next few days. Turks and Ca- icos and the southeast Ba- hamas may also be affected by as much as 15 to 20 feet of storm surge. With no side shutters on their apartment, British Virgin Islands resident Freeman Rogers and his girl- friend Deon Morgan decided to head to one of the BVI’s hurricane shelters, a small concrete building on the is- land of Tortola that used to be a schoolhouse. That is where they were with about 20 other people when Irma hit around 11 a.m. The building protected them from the elements at first, but gusting winds began tearing sheets of tin off the roof, causing water to leak inside, Mr. Rogers told the Cayman Compass by phone from BVI. When the eye of the storm was over them, the group left the building and ran to a nearby church. Though some of the windows were blown out of that building, they took shelter in a choir loft in- side and waited out the re- mainder of the hurricane in relative safety. “Luckily, the second half of it wasn’t as bad,” said Mr. Rogers. With the storm past the island by 2 p.m., BVI resi- dents were just coming to grips with the untold millions of dollars in damage they will have to deal with in the coming days. Photos on Face- book show flooded streets, mudslides, and yachts strewn about marinas like toys. One resident even posted that her “cars have blown away.” Mr. Rogers is the ed- itor of the territory’s local newspaper, The BVI Beacon, and he said he still was not sure how he and his staff are going to balance cov- ering the disaster’s aftermath with getting their own lives back together. “I have no idea,” he said. “It’s going to be a while be- fore we get power and essen- tial services back.” Meanwhile, it’s still un- clear what damage has been done some 90 miles west of the BVI in Puerto Rico. A-Shae Bowman, a U.S. Navy yeoman stationed in San Juan, told the Compass Wednesday morning that she boarded up her windows, stocked up on food, and was bracing for impact. Ms. Bowman said she was not sure whether the military will be assisting in dealing with the fallout of Irma, but that she’s “definitely willing to help.” Air travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been affected ahead of the storm. A few flights reached Puerto Rico from New York and Miami- based airports Wednesday morning, but 18 flights from those cities were canceled. Two flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale attempted the trip before turning around and returning to Florida. Eight flights from Orlando to San Juan were canceled, and eight flights from Tampa Bay made it to Fort Lauderdale and Miami only to have their connecting flight canceled. The website cruisecritic. com said that 28 cruises had been canceled, shortened or had their itineraries changed as a result of the hurricane. The National Hurri- cane Center advisories indi- cate that Irma will strike the Dominican Republic early Thursday and the southern edge of the Bahamas that eve- ning. The storm appears set to hit Cuba as it arcs northwest and heads toward Florida, and it could potentially make landfall in southern Florida early Sunday. Experts now worry that Irma could rake the entire Florida east coast from Miami to Jacksonville and then head into Savannah, Georgia and the Carolinas, striking highly populated and developed areas. Tropical Storm Jose was reclassified as a hurricane Wednesday night and is fore- cast potentially to strike the islands affected by Irma later, at the weekend. Jose appears to be arcing north- west into the Atlantic at a steeper angle than Irma, but could strike the Leeward Is- lands on Saturday. Cayman Compass re- porters Michael Klein and Ken Silva contributed to this report. Cayman monitors Irma as it batters region SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The inhabitants of Cayman have been watching the path of Hurricane Irma with dread and trepidation, but the latest advisories have given them relief. The Cat- egory 5 storm arced north- west over the last few days, putting Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands farther out of the menacing swirl of destruction. Irma, the first storm in the Atlantic or Eastern Pa- cific oceans to maintain a maximum wind speed of 185 mph over a 24-hour period, wreaked havoc on the islands of Saint Martin, the British Virgin Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday, and as of press time it was hitting Puerto Rico. Avalon Porter, a meteo- rologist with the Cayman Is- lands National Weather Ser- vice, said Wednesday that the heaviest local activity would hit the Sister Islands Friday afternoon and extend through the weekend. Wind speeds could reach 15 and 20 knots, and wave heights could be be- tween six and nine feet. “About half-an-inch of rain” is likely on both Sat- urday and Sunday, Mr. Porter said, with “heavy clouds, spiral [rain] bands, sitting across from us.” For people who have planned travel to or from the Cayman Islands, Amer- ican Airlines issued an advi- sory stating that it will waive change fees for anyone trav- eling through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando or a host of other Florida airports. That applies to all travelers who booked their flights before Sept. 5 and who were sched- uled to be traveling between Sept. 5 and Sept. 12. Those af- fected customers can change their origin or destination city within 300 miles without paying any additional fees. Tara Rivers, Cayman’s minister of Home Affairs, is- sued a statement Wednesday telling Cayman residents to maintain vigilance and to be prepared for the next storm that may threaten the region. “There are still almost three months left until the end of the 2017 hurricane season, and I urge that all residents prepare with en- ergy and dedication,” Ms. Rivers said Wednesday morning. “We must not let our guard down, and for every potential storm threat I ask that you please be safe, be smart and ensure that you undertake sufficient prep- aration. Mother Nature is truly unpredictable, and we must all be cognizant of the importance of being ready at all times during hur- ricane season, as a storm could quickly develop and be upon us with relatively little warning. We must remember that no two hurricanes are the same, and each storm has the potential to bring its own devastating effects.” Another storm, Hurricane Jose, is traveling on Irma’s earlier path but appears to be arcing away from Cayman and toward the Atlantic Ocean. With hurricane season in full swing, McCleary Fred- erick, director of Hazard Man- agement Cayman Islands, wants Cayman residents to remain aware. Up-to-date information, he said, can be found on www. caymanprepared.gov.ky and on social media. “We keep up to date on Facebook with all the pre- paredness information. We use Twitter to send mes- sages out,” said Mr. Frederick. “Go on Facebook and like our Facebook page. You can keep up to date with what’s going on. We post all the in- formation that the National Weather Service is providing us on our Facebook and on our website. There’s a lot of good information on there.” Cayman Compass re- porter Tad Stoner contrib- uted to this report. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Men tie down wood panels to be used for boarding up windows in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, as Hurricane Irma was approaching. - PHOTO: AP The West Indies Shopping Center in St. Martin is damaged in the wake of Hurricane Irma. - PHOTO: ST. MARTIN NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE Workers erect shutters on Bodden Town’s historic Mission House Wednesday in preparation for rain and winds expected to hit Cayman this weekend. - PHOTO: KEN SILVA Irma pummels islands, maintains Cat 5 strengthNext >