SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Reaching for the stars Auditions open for World Championship s of Performing Arts B2 Dressing down for Meals on Wheels Local charity encourages residents to go casual for a cause B5 Music Food & Drink Events ■ THEATER ‘Sistahs’ succ ess The review is in for the latest production at the Prospect Playhouse Theatre. B3 Looking for less pop in my country, please Barefoot Man bemoans the state of musical affairs B4 Camana Bay Flavour Tour mixes it up The popular Wednesday night social adds different stops and new delights B6 STOLI FLAVOURS2 for $ 56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July 20% OFF 700mL and 1L formats. Month of September only. A SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY Reaching or World Championship s of Performing Arts PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY CAYMAN WEEKENDER ‘Sistahs’ success EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 IMMIGRATION CONSTERNATION High of 90 Low of 80 Seas rough with wave heights 5 to 7 feet tonight. Small craft should exercise caution over open water. ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 $ $ Irma continues on destructive path SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hurricane Irma continued its inexorable march through the Caribbean on Thursday, battering the northern coast of the Dominican Republic and nearing the southeastern edge of the Bahamas. Irma was expected to hit Turks and Caicos late Thursday and to sweep northwest toward Florida by Sunday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued hurricane warnings for Turks and Ca- icos and the southeastern, central and north- western range of the Bahamas chain. The Cat- egory 5 storm, the strongest in the history of the Atlantic basin, slowed from 185 mph to 175 mph peak winds on Thursday. By press time Thursday, at least 13 deaths had been reported across islands where Irma had struck. Puerto Rico reels from damage Irma passed over Puerto Rico on Wednesday, causing major damage and leaving 68 percent of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s customers in the dark. Sev- enteen percent of Puerto Rico’s population was without water, according to Gov. Ricardo Ros- sello, who held a press conference Thursday. Multiple Puerto Rico residents contacted by the Cayman Compass on Thursday said they could not talk because they needed to conserve the batteries on their cellphones. Mr. Rossello said 6,200 people and 500 pets sought refuge in government-run shelters on Wednesday night, and he indicated that public schools and government offices will be closed until Monday. San Juan’s major airport, Luis Munoz Marin International, announced at midday Thursday that no major damage had been done to its infrastructure and that it is ready to resume air operations. Cuba, Bahamas prepare The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for many of the provinces along Cuba’s north BAIL GRANTED 4TH TIME IN ‘SUGAR GLIDER’ CASE BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police have extended bail for the fourth time for the suspects involved in the alleged smuggling of an exotic pet known as a “sugar glider” into Cayman. “The suspects’ bail has been extended until Oct. 4 and no charges have been filed as yet,” Collector of Customs Charles Clifford con- firmed Wednesday. According to earlier reports in the Cayman Compass, bail was granted shortly after the initial arrest in June, then again in July, Au- gust and now this month. The 31-year-old man and the 26-year-old woman who were arrested and bailed after the animal got loose on board a Cayman Airways ‘FOOTS’ TO REPORT BACK TO POLICE ON OCT. 16 KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police bail for Cayman Brac artist Ronald “Foots” Kynes was extended Wednesday for a second time since the sculptor’s July arrest for alleged obscene publications. Mr. Kynes appeared at the Cayman Brac Police Station in the morning for his sched- uled hearing and sat down with officers for an interview. At this time, he said police had him sign off on a bail extension for Oct. 16. He has not been charged. Government: No major delays from PR board change BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Changes that introduced five new mem- bers, including a new chairman, to the im- migration board that decides on grants of Caymanian status and permanent residence will not significantly delay any pending res- idency cases, senior government officials said Thursday. The Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board has reviewed more than 200 applications during a series of hearings since May from non-Caymanians who are seeking to remain here for the rest of their life. The terms of the appointment for the en- tire board expired Aug. 31, when the former members of the appointed body had their final meeting. Reappointments were an- nounced Wednesday, one day before the board was set to meet again. Immigration Ministry Chief Officer Wesley Howell said the new appointments, including new board chairman John Meghoo, will need some training and time to get up to speed with board procedures, but that would not significantly delay processing of any applications. “The quorum of the Caymanian Status East End Primary students celebrate Literacy Month Acting Education Minister Barbara Conolly reads ‘Peter Pan’ to East End Primary students Thursday as part of Literacy Month. Ms. Conolly visited the school with representatives from Camana Bay, which donated books to the school. For more, see page 2. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » BAILS EXTENDED2 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS FOR SALE 3 Gallon Pots- $30.00 each Call (345) 916 2417 or (345) 947 1577 Award-Winning Caribbean Chicken! Fresh, Healthy & Delicious! West Shore Center, SMB 945.2290 • chicken@chicken2.com® Dine-in!Take-out! Celebrating 24 Years! 24th American facing fiream charges allowed to travel because of Irma David Dean Meadors pleads guilty to possession of handgun, BB gun CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com An American citizen charged with firearm offenses was bailed on Thursday so that he could travel to Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma’s an- ticipated impact there. David Dean Meadors, 52, first ap- peared before Justice Marlene Carter in her chambers on Wednesday, when he pleaded with the court to let him go back to Florida to safeguard his family, property and business from the looming hurricane, defense attorney Ben Tonner explained. The judge considered the matter overnight and agreed to vary Meadors’s bail conditions to allow him to leave the island Thursday afternoon. Before bail was discussed, Meadors entered pleas to the charges against him. He pleaded guilty to importa- tion and possession of a Glock 9mm handgun in Cayman Brac without the required licenses on or before July 7, 2017. He pleaded not guilty to impor- tation and possession of 240 rounds of 9mm ammunition, also on or before July 7. A fifth charge was possession of an unlicensed Smith & Wesson BB gun at his Brac residence the same day. As previously reported, the ammuni- tion was discovered when a container was being checked by Customs officers at the site where the defendant was building a home for his planned retire- ment. The discovery and subsequent in- terview led to finding the guns. In open court on Thursday, Mr. Tonner said Meadors had traveled from Cayman Brac on Wednesday and had surrendered his electronic monitoring device. He proposed to return to the Brac via Grand Cayman on Sept. 17. Crown counsel Scott Wainwright ob- jected to bail because of the danger Meadors would not return. Having pleaded guilty to importation and pos- session of a firearm without the required licenses, Meadors was subject to a man- datory minimum sentence of seven years. “I know the defense will say excep- tional circumstances apply,” Mr. Wain- wright continued. He indicated he would disagree. Most importations of unlicensed firearms are inadvertent, he pointed out. In this case, Meadors had told police that he and his wife trav- eled by boat and he would be uncom- fortable without a weapon in inter- national waters. Mr. Wainwright said someone facing seven years would have every reason not to return. Justice Carter said she was minded to grant the application to vary bail to allow Meadors to travel on Sept. 7 and return Sept. 17. She ordered that the charge on Meadors’s Brac property be increased from $200,000 to $400,000. His travel documents were to be re- turned to him and he is to surrender them by Sept. 19 and be refitted with the electronic monitor by Sept. 20. “Your counsel has persuaded me to allow you to travel for this specific pur- pose,” the judge told Meadors, who ex- pressed his thanks. 500 POUNDS OF GANJA SEIZED MAN ARRESTED AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE IN GT Primary students encouraged to read Cancer awareness, health fair set for next week Police raided a home in the Windsor Park area of George Town Tuesday morning and seized 522 pounds of ganja. Following the 10:15 a.m. raid, a 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of im- portation, possession and possession with intent, and other drug-related offenses. No charges had been laid by press time. KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police have released more details about a man who was arrested after leading offi- cers on a high-speed chase through George Town, col- liding with two vehicles in the process on Wednesday around 3 p.m. Police public relations of- ficer Jacqueline Carpenter said on Thursday that the 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm and suspicion of possession of cocaine with intent to supply. Additionally, an 18-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car was arrested on suspicion of the same of- fenses, she said. Both were given police bail. Ms. Carpenter added that a firearm was recov- ered at the scene, the 19th re- covered so far this year. According to Ms. Car- penter, officers had cause to begin following a man driving a white Mercedes-Benz. After the man apparently noticed that he was being fol- lowed, he began driving reck- lessly to evade police. The man refused to stop even after officers activated their emergency lights and sirens, and three police cars pursued the Mercedes. Ms. Carpenter said the Mercedes collided with two vehicles along Sound Way. Police chased the car along Sound Way, through the intersection at Shedden Road and North Sound Road, and onto Smith Road. Police eventually blocked the Mercedes’ path and the man was arrested when the car came to a halt on Pines Drives, off Smith Road, she said. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Acting Education Min- ister Barbara Conolly vis- ited students at East End Primary School Thursday to read to them as part of Literacy Month. The joint initiative be- tween Camana Bay and the Ministry of Education aims to reinforce and encourage a love of reading, while also supporting local nonprofit organization LIFE (Literacy is For Everyone). “Promise me to read at least one book for the week or more,” Ms. Conolly said. “Reading is very impor- tant and you will need it to get far in life. “It’s a great experience, reading for the students …. In education we encourage and promote literacy, and we want the kids to all take an interest in reading because it is ulti- mately the most important thing in terms of learning.” Ms. Conolly was also going to read to stu- dents at Savannah Primary School and at George Town Primary School. On Thursday, Ms. Conolly read a chapter from “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie. A number of adventure books and pen- cils were given to students at the school by Camana Bay, which has chosen “Ad- venture” as this year’s theme. Children can take part in a scavenger hunt, where they will go in search of their fa- vorite storybook characters, hidden throughout the Town Centre. To participate, they must collect a map key from Books & Books. Laura Bryson, manager at Camana Bay, said they also brought a couple of ad- venture theme books to do- nate to the school to help in- spire the kids to read. Marilyn Conolly, Literacy Is For Everyone executive di- rector, said,“We look forward to working with [Camana Bay] in the future to promote literacy on the island.” East End Primary Prin- cipal Allison Greaves said it was a pleasure to have the group visit the school to read. She said she was sure the students would make good use of the books in the library. “They promised the acting minister and I am sure they will keep their promise to read the books,” she said. A free health fair for the public and educational events for healthcare pro- fessionals will be held at the Grand Cayman Mar- riott resort next week. Sponsored by the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, the “Conquering Cancer V – Let’s Fight Cancer Together” series starts Sept. 14, with pre- sentations for the medical sector. Registration opens at 5 p.m. and presenta- tions begin at 5:30 p.m. At- tendees will receive four hours of continuing edu- cation credit. On Sept. 15, visiting doctors will give presenta- tions to local companies. A free health fair for the public will be held at the Marriott from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 16 featuring sessions about healthy living and cancer risks and prevention. There will also be oral cancer screenings and screenings for body mass index, cholesterol and glucose. Participants should fast for at least 10 hours be- fore the tests. Vouchers will be dis- tributed for free pap smears, mammograms and PSA blood tests for those without insurance coverage for the tests. Attendees will also be able to talk to doc- tors one-on-one. A registered dietitian will provide information on antioxidants and cancer- Hossania O’Connor presents Acting Education Minister Barbara Conolly with a scrapbook from the students. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY fighting foods. Speakers at the Marriott will be from the Cancer Treat- ment Centers of America, Cleveland Clinic, Conceptions Florida, CTMH Doctors Hos- pital, Health City Cayman Is- lands, Holy Cross Hospital, Moffitt/Memorial Healthcare Systems, Miami Cancer Insti- tute, Perseus Cayman Clinical Trials and Treatment Center, and the University of Miami Health Systems.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Which one is yours? 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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. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS The dysfunction in the Department of Immigration is becoming unbearable, indeed intolerable. The “labor function” of the department, namely who gets work permits, how long the process takes, and how long the workers get to remain in their jobs is becoming an existential problem for the business community which — need we remind anyone — is the economic engine of these islands. Almost inconceivably, the department has been operating without a permanent “CEO” since 2014. Bruce Smith has been serving as “acting” chief immi- gration officer for the last three years, since Linda Evans was suspended without explanation (but full pay and benefits). (What on Earth, other than perhaps building Camana Bay, takes three years?) Also on leave (again with full pay and benefits) is Assistant Chief Immigration Officer Jeannie Lewis, while she faces court charges of violating, of all things, immigration laws. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Garfield “Gary” Wong has his own legal affairs to navigate, as his trial on charges of careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence of alcohol continues to crawl its way through court. (The precipitating incident took place in December 2013.) Then, earlier this week, Acting Information Commis- sioner Jan Liebaers took the Immigration Department to task in not-so-subtle terms: “The department’s refusal to provide reasons for withholding the [docu- ments requested] can only be described as willful, egregious and unlawful,” labeling the department’s nonperformance as a “blatant lack of respect for the laws of the Cayman Islands.” May we ask a simple question: Who is in charge here? On Wednesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin appar- ently had had enough. He appointed three new chairmen of three separate immigration boards, including the Caymanian Status and Permanent Resi- dency Board, replacing Mr. Waide DaCosta, who had been in his post for the previous eight years. On Mr. DaCosta’s watch, more than 1,000 permanent residency applications, marinating over a period of more than three years, have gone unprocessed. A number of resulting lawsuits are currently before the courts. (To be fair, Mr. DaCosta has been highly vocal behind the scenes about the lack of clear policy direc- tives from the ministry — but virtually silent publicly. He should have been more forceful, and more vocal. He would have been wise to consider the adage, “If you’re going to be good at your job, you have to be willing to risk losing it.”) We’re not sure whether to wish Mr. DaCosta’s suc- cessor, attorney John Meghoo, all the best in his new post or, frankly, our condolences. We’re firm believers in the principle that one should not accept the respon- sibility to fix a broken system without the authority to do what’s necessary. Taking the broader view, the volume of work performed at the Immigration Department is as enormous as it is important. The department oversees everything from border control to visas, work permits, residency and status grants as well as passports for Caymanians wishing to travel overseas. Since January through July 2017, the department received 18,847 work permit applications and is struggling with 11 vacant positions in its administrative ranks. It’s no wonder the system is collapsing. The newly minted government of these islands, under the leadership of Premier Alden McLaughlin, would be well advised (in the words of the late Steve Jobs of Apple) to “Think Different.” A complete “rethink,” and likely revamp, of the entire immigration apparatus is in order — from management and staffing to policies and processes. “Musical chairs” at the board level is not nearly enough. Perhaps more than in any other area, immigration reform presents an opportunity to reinvigorate the once-touted private sector/public sector partnership that engendered the social tranquility and economic success of these islands. Immigration consternation Trump is threatening war with North Korea. But what kind? WASHINGTON – The U.S. Air Force “sniffer plane” was col- lecting air samples off Rus- sia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sept. 3, 1949, when it gath- ered evidence of radioactivity, confirming that the war-shat- tered Soviet Union had tested a nuclear device. The Soviets’ Aug. 29, 1949, test had come faster than expected. Dating from the detona- tion at Alamogordo, New Mexico, on July 16, 1945, the basic science of nuclear ex- plosions is more than 72 years old – three years older than the North Korean nation. Ballistic missile technology is more than 60 years old. The problems of miniaturizing warheads for mounting on missiles, and of ensuring the warheads’ survival en route to targets, are not sufficient to stymie a nation – consider Pakistan, whose annual per capita income is less than $2,000 – that is determined to have a nuclear arsenal. North Korea has one and is developing ICBMs faster than expected and with os- tentatious indifference to U.S. proclamations. On Jan. 2, President-elect Donald Trump scampered up the rhetorical escalation ladder, unlimbering his heavy artil- lery – an exclamation point – to tweet about North Korea’s promised ICBM test: “It won’t happen!” It did. North Korea’s most audacious act, firing a missile over Japan, came seven days after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson praised North Korea’s “restraint.” Pyongyang’s “signaling” does not involve abstruse se- miotics: It wants a nuclear arsenal, and as The Econ- omist magazine says, the world’s unpalatable options are the improbable (produc- tive negotiations), the feeble (more sanctions) and the ter- rifying (military pre-emp- tion). Concerning the latter, there is no bright line, but there is a distinction to be drawn, however impre- cisely, between pre-emptive war and preventive war. The former constitutes self-de- fense in response to a clear and present danger – repel- ling an act of aggression presumed with reasonable certainty to be imminent. The latter is an act of antic- ipation – and, to be candid, of aggression – to forestall the emergence of a clear and present danger. When Trump threatened North Korea with “fire and fury like the world has never seen,” was he threatening to cross the nuclear weapons threshold? This has been con- templated before regarding North Korea. Former Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who had been fired by President Harry Truman for insubor- dination, handed President- elect Dwight Eisenhower a memorandum on how “to clear North Korea of enemy forces”: “This could be accom- plished through the atomic bombing of enemy military concentrations and installa- tions in North Korea and the sowing of fields of suitable radio-active materials, the by-product of atomic manu- facture, to close major lines of enemy supply and com- munication …. “ MacArthur badly mis- judged Eisenhower, whose bi- ographer Jean Edward Smith says that during the Potsdam Conference (July 17-Aug. 2, 1945), when Eisenhower was told of the Alamogordo test – his first knowledge of the new weapon – “he was appalled” and “was the only one at Potsdam who opposed using the bomb.” Smith says: “As president, Eisenhower would twice be presented with recommendations from his National Security Council and the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the bomb be used; first, in Vietnam to protect the French at Dien Bien Phu, then against China at the time of the Formosa Strait crisis. Both times Eisenhower re- jected the recommendations. As a former supreme com- mander, Eisenhower had the confidence to do so, where other presidents might not have. And by rejecting the use of the bomb, there is no question that Eisenhower raised the threshold at which atomic weaponry could be employed – a legacy we con- tinue to enjoy.” But for how long? The non-proliferation regime has been remarkably successful. During the 1960 presiden- tial campaign, John Kennedy cited “indications” that by 1964 there would be “10, 15 or 20” nuclear powers. As pres- ident, he said that by 1975 there might be 20. Now, how- ever, North Korea, the ninth, might be joined by Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, among others, unless U.S. leadership produces, regarding North Korea, conspicuously cred- ible deterrence. The reser- voir of presidential credibility is not brimful. On Aug. 1, Sen. Lindsey Graham said that Trump had told him that “there will be a war with North Korea” if it continues to develop ICBMs capable of reaching the United States. “We’ll see,” said Trump on Sunday, responding to this shouted question: “Will you attack North Korea?” You? Are Congress’ constitu- tional powers regarding war so atrophied that it supinely hopes for mere post facto no- tification? Ten months after Nov. 8, that day’s costs, until now largely aesthetic, are suddenly, although not al- together unpredictably, more serious than were per- haps contemplated by his 62,984,825 voters. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2017, Washington Post Writers Group. GEORGE F. WILL GEORGE PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 © 2017 KPMG, a Cayman Islands partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Celebrate Literacy Day KPMG has provided thousands of books to children in the Cayman Islands and actively supports and contributes to educational research and LIFE (Literacy Is For Everyone). LIFE provides paired reading and book donations to local schools, along with hosting leveled literacy intervention, parent involvement and computer-assisted literacy solution programs. Join us as we celebrate literacy month and make a difference in the lives of our children and our country. kpmg.kyThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS coast. Irma was expected to travel the length of Cuba over the next two days. Hubert Minnis, prime minister of the Bahamas, is- sued a mandatory evacuation order Wednesday for six is- lands with a collective pop- ulation of about 2,000, ac- cording to the 2010 census. Florida braces for storm The hurricane is projected to barrel north through Florida on Sunday morning, and many coastal areas are bracing for the impact. Miami-Dade County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for barrier is- lands and low-lying areas, and Broward County issued a man- datory evacuation for all citi- zens who live east of Federal Highway. All drawbridges in Broward County will be locked down as of noon on Friday. Florida Gov. Rick Scott has called for 7,000 members of the Florida National Guard to be mobilized this weekend to help in rescue and recovery efforts. The Florida Highway Patrol has been enlisted to es- cort fuel trucks to gas stations to help more citizens evacuate ahead of the storm. Much of Florida remains in the cone of Irma’s projected path, and the National Hurri- cane Center’s advisory states that the storm will likely still retain much of its power when it reaches the state. “There are no obvious rea- sons why Irma will not remain a powerful hurricane for the next 3 days while approaching Florida,” it said. “Thereafter, an increase in the wind shear could lead to gradual weak- ening, but Irma is expected to remain a major hurricane until landfall occurs.” Georgia mobilizes National Guard Farther up the coast, Georgia is preparing for Irma as if it will be a major ca- lamity. Gov. Nathan Deal has mobilized 5,000 members of the state’s National Guard and has also issued a state of emergency for 30 coun- ties and a mandatory evacu- ation order for all areas east of Interstate 95. “The state is mobilizing all available resources to en- sure public safety ahead of Hurricane Irma,” Deal said in a press release Thursday afternoon. “I encourage all Georgians in our coastal areas that could be impacted by this storm to evacuate the area as soon as possible.” Ileana Ebanks of Cayman, who has family in Florida awaiting the storm, told a Cayman Compass reporter Thursday that her brother Rafael has chosen to wait out the storm with his wife and children in Orlando. She has other family members who plan on staying in Tampa Bay and Miami. “My family in Miami is staying put, even though we tried to tell them to go further north,” she said on Thursday. “They wanted to stay put, they don’t think it will be that bad.” Those family members may change their mind after seeing images of the havoc Irma has wreaked in the Ca- ribbean, she said. “My brother is telling them to at least come up to Orlando,” she said. More storms coming Two occurrences previ- ously classified as tropical storms – Katia and Jose – have been upgraded to hur- ricanes. Eric Blake of the Na- tional Hurricane Center said on Twitter that there has never been three hurricanes threat- ening landfall in the West At- lantic Basin at the same time. Katia, brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, is poised to make landfall Friday evening. A hurricane warning is in effect from Cabo Rojo to Laguna Verde. Jose is traveling along Irma’s early path, and there is a chance it could pass over the northern Leeward Islands at some point on Saturday. Antigua and Barbuda, struck hard by Irma, have hurricane watches in effect for Hurricane Jose. Cayman Compass re- porter Ken Silva contributed to this story. Irma continues on destructive path CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Relief efforts begin for devastated islands Turks and Caicos braces for impact KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com After Hurricane Irma flat- tened homes throughout the British Virgin Islands when it struck the territory on Wednesday, untold hundreds of residents have had to seek refuge in churches, schools and other public shelters. And those people are the lucky ones. “[We’re] sleeping outside because there is nowhere to go or to be at this point,” BVI resident Christina Kis- soon texted a Cayman Com- pass reporter early Thursday morning via WhatsApp. “It’s very dark and very windy still. I feel uneasy because people around are hurt and we do not have access to our pathways because it’s blocked. Morning could not come any sooner.” The BVI is one of several jurisdictions in the eastern Caribbean that have been devastated by the most pow- erful hurricane ever recorded in the Caribbean. Relief efforts are begin- ning to be mobilized. BVI Premier Orlando Smith turned away support from the U.K. when the terri- tory was hit with 17 inches of rain in 17 hours last month – reportedly causing at least US$10 million in damage in that storm – but this time the U.K. has boots on the ground in the BVI and Anguilla in the aftermath of Irma, according to a statement from the For- eign Commonwealth Office. “We have the fleet auxil- iary boat [RFA] Mounts Bay in the vicinity, we have people on the ground,” said Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday. “But what we will be doing now is making an urgent assessment of the fur- ther needs of communities in the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla to see what more can be done in terms of financial and humanitarian assistance.” U.K. Prime Minister The- resa May also reportedly pledged 32 million pounds for the affected British Over- seas Territories, though there are few details about how the money will be disbursed. While U.S. organizations will likely be focused on re- covery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico – where most public utilities and other services are still offline – the British Overseas Territories and the other Caribbean jurisdictions can likely expect help from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and the International Monetary Fund’s rapid-credit facility, the Economist Intelligence Unit reported on Thursday. For Cayman’s part, Rota- ract Club of Grand Cayman is mobilizing to help its fellow Rotaract district mem- bers, which include the USVI, BVI, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barts and Anguilla, said club member Ileana Ebanks. “We want to see what’s needed before we can do anything,” she said. Meanwhile, those still in Irma’s path were bracing for impact Thursday. Hayden Boyce, the editor- in-chief of the Turks and Ca- icos Sun, told the Cayman Compass that he’s expecting that Irma could be the worst storm the Turks and Caicos Islands has ever faced. “We’re expecting this to be a combination of Hannah and Ike,” he said, referencing the hurricanes that smacked the islands in August and Sep- tember of 2008. Mr. Boyce said Hurricane Hannah brought heavy rainfall and flooding to the islands, Hurricane Ike brought extreme winds, and Irma is expected to bring both. As long as his newspaper has access to internet and power, it will provide up- dates on the Turks and Ca- icos, he added. St. Martin reeling from hurricane damage Several commercial banks in the British Virgin Islands were gutted by Hurricane Irma. - PHOTO: EUSTACE FREEMAN, FACEBOOK MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com Most of the French part of eastern Caribbean Island St. Martin has been destroyed, the president of the territo- ry’s assembly Daniel Gibbs said on Wednesday. “This is an enormous ca- tastrophe; 95 percent of the island is destroyed,” he told Radio Caraïbes International via cellphone. “I am under shock. It is frightening.” There are at least eight dead and 21 injured on the French side of St. Martin, confirmed Eric Maire, gov- ernor of Guadeloupe, another French territory that is far- ther south and was not af- fected by Irma. But, speaking to journalists in Guadeloupe, he warned this was not a “de- finitive” figure: “Far from it.” While he estimated that “perhaps 60 to 70 percent” of residential properties on St. Martin were destroyed, Mr. Gibbs, who is on the island, was more pessimistic. “If another hurricane hits us on Saturday, it is not the number of deaths we will count but that of the living,” he said. The island needs emer- gency assistance, Mr. Gibbs added. “I have sick people to evacuate, I have a population to evacuate because I don’t know where I can shelter them,” he said. Hurricane Jose, currently in the Atlantic, is following Irma’s path. Although ear- lier predictions expected the storm to veer north, the latest computer models are making it more likely that Hurricane Jose will affect the Leeward Islands this weekend. After initial estimates of two fatalities, French Pres- ident Emmanuel Macron had warned that the public needed to be prepared for a “more cruel” tally and exten- sive damage to the territory. Speaking to reporters in Paris, French Interior Min- ister Gerard Collomb said the airport on the French side of the island had “not been hit as much,” allowing helicopters and eventually other aircraft to fly in emer- gency rations, fresh water and equipment. But rescue efforts were made more difficult due to the damage to police and fire service vehicles. “The de- struction is massive,” he said. Before Hurricane Irma crossed St. Martin and St. Barths, Overseas Territories Minister Annick Girardin on French radio Franceinfo crit- icized “the inappropriate be- havior of individuals” who “were still out in the open” or had refused to seek shelter either at home or, if their residence was not sturdy enough, in public shelters like schools. St. Martin has a popula- tion of 78,000, with about 41,000 living on the southern, Dutch side of the island. On the Dutch side, St. Maarten, Hurricane Irma has caused “enormous dev- astation,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Fol- lowing crisis talks with his Cabinet, Rutte confirmed “there is no power” and the island’s “infrastructure is badly damaged.” There were no reported fatalities, but communi- cations with the islands were still difficult and con- ducted mainly through mili- tary channels. Many people are wan- dering around aimlessly, as they have no homes anymore and do not know what to do, Paul de Windt, editor of St. Maarten’s The Daily Herald, said in a telephone inter- view with Curacao’s Paradise FM radio station. “It was far worse than expected. People are walking on the streets in the rain. Many are confused.” The ferocity of the storm is difficult to describe, he said, as even solid buildings were blown away. The Dutch Navy has posi- tioned two ships, the Zeeland and the Pelikaan, in the re- gion and a video filmed from one of its helicopters cap- tured widespread destruction of the island. It showed shipping con- tainers in the port strewn like broken Lego pieces, roof damage to most residential and commercial buildings, sail boats either overturned, submerged or with snapped masts, and debris scattered in roads and public spaces. The island’s Juliana Air- port, famous for the images of tourists lying on Mayo Beach with planes landing just yards behind them, is damaged. Al- though the runway has been cleared, the Dutch Navy said it is still unreachable. “Alas, the island is not reachable at this point be- cause of the huge damage to the airport and the harbor,” Prime Minister Rutte told re- porters in the Netherlands. He called on the Dutch public to donate to a spe- cial fund set up by the Dutch Red Cross. The two Dutch Navy ships were expected to deliver aid to the island Thursday. “The priority now is to bring emergency aid to the people … consisting of sending food and water to 40,000 people over the coming five days,” Dutch Interior Min- ister Ronald Plasterk said. “This is an enormous catastrophe; 95 percent of the island is destroyed. I am under shock. It is frightening.” DANIEL GIBBS, St. Martin assembly presidentThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 The artist was detained by police on July 18 after re- fusing to remove a series of nude sculptures displayed on his property and publicly visible in Cayman Brac. The sculptures in ques- tion have fueled public de- bate for their depictions of homosexuality and religious iconography. Mr. Kynes said they were on display for at least three months be- fore his arrest. When asked by officers to describe images of his art, he said, “I explained, my art is an expression of my thoughts, feelings and emotions.” He does not plan to hire a lawyer for his de- fense. However, he said he does plan to file a law- suit against the Cayman Is- lands government. “I don’t need a lawyer and I don’t want a lawyer. I’ve done nothing wrong,” he said. Mr. Kynes questioned the legal definition of ob- scenity. He pointed to a painting recently donated to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and featured in local media that depicts a topless mermaid. “I asked the police lady, ‘what do you consider ob- scenity? Consider a painting with bare breasts and erect nipples,’” he said. “This law is vague. This thing could be thrown to pieces in the court of law.” The Cayman Islands Penal Code prohibits the distribution or public exhi- bition of obscene writings, drawings, paintings, em- blems or “any other object tending to corrupt morals.” The court may order de- struction of the material re- gardless of whether there has been a conviction. A petition against Mr. Kynes’s installations was started several weeks ago on Change.org by a group called “Cayman Brackers United,” asking govern- ment “to protect the pri- vacy, rights, reputations, and freedoms of everyone in our community, especially chil- dren, from obscene and of- fensive ‘public expressions’ that intentionally threaten Public Morality and Public Order, and are in breach of the Penal Code.” While the petition does not name Mr. Kynes, it fea- tures an image of his sculp- tures. The petition has not reached its goal of 200 signatures. ‘Foots’ to report back to police on Oct. 16 plane. The man who was ar- rested was earlier identified as Jimel McLean, son of East End MLA Arden McLean. After the June arrest, a follow-up search at a Grand Cayman property by Customs and Royal Cayman Islands Po- lice officers found a number of other animals not endemic to the islands, including snakes and a lizard. A sugar glider is a small marsupial, in the same family as the kangaroo and the koala, with web-like membranes that stretch back from its paws, al- lowing it to glide (but not fly) through the air. The six-inch marsupial is endemic to Australia and the southwest Pacific. It is some- times owned as a pet. It is illegal under the Cayman Islands Animals Law for any animal to be imported without a valid import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture. Bail granted 4th time in ‘sugar glider’ case and Permanent Residency Board is five voting members, and six of the members are reappointments, including the deputy chairman,” Mr. Howell said, explaining those members will have signifi- cant experience to assist the newcomers. “The plan is to continue with meetings this week or next week and the training of the new members will be completed within the next couple of weeks.” In practice, the majority of the permanent residency applications are now being heard by half a dozen Immi- gration Department staffers who review and make rec- ommendations before they are sent to the board. A number of residency appli- cations which clearly have enough points or clearly do not have enough can be de- cided by staff. Mr. Howell said staff would continue reviewing ap- plications this week. “The 2013 Immigra- tion law provides for the chief immigration officer to issue delegations to Depart- ment of Immigration staff to make decisions on perma- nent residency applications, independent of the board,” Mr. Howell said. Just before hearings re- sumed for permanent resi- dence applications in the spring, records obtained by the Cayman Compass revealed that more than 1,100 people were awaiting word on those applica- tions, some of which were filed as long ago as the last quarter of 2013. A few applications were heard during 2013 and 2014, but by January 2015 the board decided to no longer hear those cases due to legal uncertainties re- garding how points should be awarded to applicants for their job titles. The delay lasted for about two-and-a-half years, until a handful of longtime residents began filing legal actions against the government over delays in hearing their mat- ters. All eight of those people have since been awarded per- manent residence. Thus far, applicants who awaited a board or staff hearing of their cases have succeeded about 60-65 per- cent of the time. Immigration staff have been considering residency applications between four and five days a week since August, and Premier Alden McLaughlin has said get- ting through the back- logged requests is one of government’s top priorities early in the term. Government: No major delays from PR board change Sugar gliders are small marsupials endemic to Australia and the southwest Pacific. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Airlines offers ‘evacuation’ fares, flights TAD STONER tstoner@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Airways has an- nounced cancelation of 20 flights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday related to the pro- jected path of Hurricane Irma. CAL has canceled Friday flights KX106 and KX107 to and from Miami. The airline has also stopped all Saturday flights in and out of Miami – KX102, KX123, KX104, KX105, KX106, and KX107. Sunday flights between Cayman and Miami have been canceled: KX102, KX103, KX104, KX105, KX106, and KX107, as well as flights KX200 and KX201 in and out of Tampa. In addition, Sunday’s two Havana flights, KX832 and KX833, have been can- celed, as have Monday’s flights KX106 and KX107 to and from Miami. “Cayman Airways Reser- vations agents are in the pro- cess of contacting all affected passengers for resched- uling,” a statement from the airline notes. Evacuation flights In an effort to get people out of Florida before Hur- ricane Irma strikes, the air- line is offering flights on Friday, Sept. 8, for $69 one way. There will be one flight from Tampa and two from Miami. There will be addi- tional flights added if needed, according to a government statement. The Miami air- port will remain operational until winds reach 35mph. In a press release, Premier Alden McLaughlin said, “As a government we need to make every effort to get people home and safe from harm’s way. It is our obligation and our mission.” Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said, “We ex- pect the Miami airport will be closed on Saturday, so we need to get our people home [Friday]. There are al- ready mandatory evacu- ation orders in place in South Florida, so we need to do all we can to help.” The airline is also offering “evacuation fares” of US$69 each way between Cayman and Tampa or Miami, which will supersede previously is- sued hurricane fares, the air- line said, stipulating that travel with this fare must be completed by Sept. 17. “This special fare has no change-fee penalties, and in- cludes the standard two free checked bags up to 55lbs,” the airline said. Change fees will also be waived for anyone can- celing reservations between Cayman and Miami, Tampa, and Havana. The waiver ap- plies to passengers who are holding ticketed reser- vations made on or before Sept. 5, for travel between Sept. 5-12, 2017. Travel for changed flights may be rebooked within six months of the original travel dates, or within 12 months of the original purchase date, whichever is sooner, the airline said. CAL cancels 20 Florida flights The Cayman Islands Red Cross has started a Hurri- cane Irma appeal to help those in the region affected by the storm. “We really don’t know the extent of the damage as full assessments haven’t been conducted yet, but based on what we have seen and heard, Irma has been cata- strophic for several nations,” Director Jondo Obi said in a press release. “The Anguilla Red Cross has lost its head- quarters, and as has now been widely reported, the is- land of Barbuda has basically been declared uninhabitable. The Red Cross appeal is strictly for monetary dona- tions, and the organization urged residents not to make arrangements to send sup- plies to the affected areas. Red Cross deputy director Carolina Ferreira said, “The items that most people would like to donate, like clothing, shoes, household items and toys, are not a priority in the immediate aftermath of a ca- tastrophe, and when they ar- rive into affected areas they create numerous problems for workers on the ground.” Keith Ford, disaster man- ager for the Cayman Islands Red Cross, said money col- lected in Cayman goes di- rectly to the most affected areas as part of the larger appeal by the British Red Cross and the Interna- tional Federation. Donations can be made by direct deposit to Bank of Butterfield account 1360350540060 or at the Red Cross Corporate Centre of- fice on 27 Hospital Road, first floor. For more informa- tion, contact 916-3345 or di- rector@redcross.org.ky. Meanwhile, Governor Helen Kilpatrick and Premier Alden McLaughlin held a di- saster management meeting with Hazard Management Cayman Islands and the National Weather Service Wednesday to discuss how to deliver a coordinated aid response to territories af- fected by Irma. “The Governor’s Office is in direct contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices crisis response unit in London. This is to ensure a calibrated relief effort from the Cayman Islands through that agency,” a statement is- sued by government said. “The estimated damage is likely to run into the millions of dollars. In view of this, the public is asked not to collect aid supplies in a bid to avoid duplication of effort. Fur- ther details as to what aid is needed, and how to donate, will be issued in due course,” the statement continued. Red Cross starts Hurricane Irma appeal FUN RUN STILL ON, OTHER WEEKEND EVENTS POSTPONED One event scheduled for this weekend in Cayman will go on as scheduled, but a number of others have been canceled or postponed be- cause of inclement weather related to Hurricane Irma. Fidelity Bank’s 2-mile Fun Run starting on Walkers Road opposite the former John Gray High School on Saturday will go ahead as scheduled. Registration closes 15 minutes before the 7:30 a.m. start time. The annual Foster’s Food Fair IGA Sea Swim, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed. A new date for the 800m race and 400m kids’ swim has not been announced. The weekend’s Lobster Pot Lion Fish cull, named “Slam Dunk,” has also been postponed. Cayman Brac’s Alzheim- er’s Walk this weekend was postponed as well. No new date has been announced.9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 In loving memory of Dad James David Edward Bernard First Year in Heaven 10 Sept, 1948 – 26 Aug, 2016 From your loving Wife, and your Sons and Family. He never looked for praises He was never one to boast He just went on quietly working For the ones he loved the most. His dreams were seldom spoken His wants were very few And most of the time his worries Went unspoken too He was there ...A fi rm foundation Through all our storms of life A sturdy hand to hold on to In times of stress and strife A true friend we could turn to When times were good or bad One of our greatest blessings The man that we called Dad. In Loving Memory of Frank Davito Who left us on September 2nd, 2012 Five sad years ago. His journey’s just begun. Don’t think of him as gone away- His journey’s just begun, Life holds so many facets - This earth is only one… Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears In a place of warmth and comfort, Where there are no days and no years. Think how he must be wishing That we could know today That nothing but our sadness Can really pass away. And think of him as living In the hearts of those he touched… For nothing loved is ever lost - And he was loved so much. From your “Brown Sugar” Frances, Your children and grandchildren. In Loving Memory of Frank DavitoIn Loving Memory of Frank Davito Who left us on September 2nd, 2012Who left us on September 2nd, 2012 His journey’s just begun.His journey’s just begun. In the hearts of those he touched…In the hearts of those he touched… For nothing loved is ever lost - For nothing loved is ever lost - And he was loved so much.And he was loved so much. In Loving Memory of Frank DavitoIn Loving Memory of Frank Davito Who left us on September 2nd, 2012Who left us on September 2nd, 2012 From your “Brown Sugar” Frances,From your “Brown Sugar” Frances, Your children and grandchildren.Your children and grandchildren. And he was loved so much.And he was loved so much. From your “Brown Sugar” Frances,From your “Brown Sugar” Frances, Your children and grandchildren.Your children and grandchildren. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Marco Tulio Duarte, Sr. of South Sound, George Town, who passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 3:00p.m. at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, 163 Pedro Castle Road, Savannah. Viewing will be from 2:00-2:45p.m. Interment follows at Prospect Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Douglas Anthony Dawson of Savannah, Grand Cayman, who passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 3:30p.m. at First Baptist Church, 920 Crewe Road. Viewing will be from 2:30-3:15p.m. Interment follows at Prospect Cemetery. Extradition case adjourned, defendant in hospital Cayman pharmacist honored at regional conference GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES FUNDS FOR RED CROSS Cayman Islands Hos- pital pharmacist Samantha Conolly was honored in Be- lize last month for her vol- unteer work to advance the pharmacy profession and her dedication to the field. At the 37th Caribbean Association of Pharmacists Conference, Ms. Conolly re- ceived regional recognition for her contributions. She serves as the second vice president on the Carib- bean Association of Pharma- cists executive board and has volunteered as deputy chair of the Health Prac- tice Commission’s Phar- macy Council. Previously she was president of the Cayman Islands Pharma- cists Association. Ms. Conolly has also filled several roles at the Al- zheimer’s and Dementia As- sociation of the Cayman Is- lands, and has made more than 75 presentations on the illnesses across the region. “I deeply appreciate the recognition for my volun- teer service and dedication to enhancing the profession of pharmacy. The saying is so true: ‘When you love what you do, it does not feel like work,’” Ms. Conolly said. Before serving as second vice president, she was a member of the asso- ciation for 14 years and served as a council member for three years. The Health Services Au- thority’s Chief Pharma- cist Colin Medford con- gratulated Ms. Conolly for her work and the recogni- tion she has brought to the Cayman Islands. “Samantha continues to fly our flag internationally by continually being recog- nized and awarded for her [local and regional] work by the Caribbean pharmacists’ community. Her achieve- ment demonstrates the in- novative and progressive na- ture of pharmacy practice here at the Health Services Authority,” Mr. Medford said. The Caribbean Associa- tion of Pharmacists works to advance and develop the pharmacy practice in the Caribbean. This year, the as- sociation’s week-long con- ference addressed ways to improve community health and wellness, medical mari- juana and continuing educa- tion for pharmacists. RBC Royal Bank con- tinued its 20th year of sup- port for the Cayman Islands Red Cross charitable golf tournament on Sept. 1, do- nating $15,000 to the cause. To further celebrate the milestone, RBC launched the “20 for 20” campaign, en- couraging employees and the public to help raise an addi- tional $5,000, for a total of $20,000 to support the local Red Cross “and in recognition of our 20 year partnership,” a press release states. The oversubscribed tour- nament, which featured a four-man scramble format with a shotgun start, was held at the North Sound Golf Club. More than 100 partic- ipants from organizations across Cayman gathered to play and raise money for the Red Cross. Omari Corbin, Country Manager and Area Vice Presi- dent, Personal Banking, RBC Royal Bank, Cayman Islands, said the bank was pleased to continue its commitment as a title partner of the annual tournament and added, “We are also grateful for all the volunteers who ensured that all aspects of the tournament ran efficiently.” The money collected from the event directly benefits the four main program areas of the Cayman Islands Red Cross: disaster management; first aid and CPR training; child protection education; and volunteer development. Jondo Obi, director of the Cayman Islands Red Cross, said, “The funds raised at this event are instrumental for us to continue offering aid to those who desperately need it. We are extremely grateful for the continued support of RBC Royal Bank as well as all of our sponsors and volunteers.” Magistrate sets case management for Sept. 28 CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A woman wanted in Ha- waii on criminal charges did not appear in Cayman’s Sum- mary Court on Thursday be- cause she was in the hospital, Director of Public Prosecu- tions Cheryll Richards said. Rosemarie Delatorre, 59, is charged with 23 counts al- leging dishonesty in Maui County, Hawaii, where a court issued a bench warrant for her arrest in September, 2011. The court now seeks her extradition from Cayman. Charges against Dela- torre include identity theft, check forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards. The al- leged victim was an 86-year- old woman who was in De- latorre’s care. Ms. Richards told Mag- istrate Grace Donalds that the defendant was “pres- ently receiving inpatient treatment” at the Health Ser- vices Authority. Defense attorney Jona- thon Hughes went into fur- ther detail, saying Delatorre’s health complications were quite serious and she was in the Intensive Care Unit. Delatorre first appeared in court in Cayman on Thursday, Aug. 31. She wore a surgical mask and moved slowly, appearing to have dif- ficulty when she stood or sat. Mr. Hughes said at the time that his client had lupus. Bail was to have been of- fered on conditions that in- cluded a doctor’s letter about the state of her health. On Thursday, the magis- trate set Thursday, Sept. 28, for case management. Mr. Hughes agreed, saying he did not expect the matter to resolve itself any sooner. Ms. Richards also ac- cepted the date. Charges against Delatorre include identity theft, check forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards. The alleged victim was an 86-year-old woman who was in Delatorre’s care. Omari Corbin of RBC presents Cayman Islands Red Cross Director Jondo Obi with a $15,000 donation. Samantha ConollyNext >