High of 90 Low of 80 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 AN ODE – NOT AN ELEGY – TO SEPTEMBER HURRICANE IRMA | PAGE 8 LONG LINES FORM FOR AID ON CARIBBEAN ISLANDS ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 4.70% 3 YEAR FIXED* 185331-Ad-Strip-SandCastles-3yearfixed.indd 19/4/17 12:16 PM SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES Church ministers’ letter to governor revealed BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Liquor Licensing Board of Grand Cayman faced significant pressure over a deci- sion to allow petrol stations to sell alcohol on Sundays, according to documents obtained by the Cayman Compass. On the same day the liquor board was de- liberating whether to grant permission for Sunday sales to Peanuts convenience store in Red Bay – March 28 – the Cayman Islands Ministers Association sent a letter to Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick urging the approval of a Cabinet order halting liquor sales on Sundays. “We believe that the issue should be considered in terms, not only of what may be strictly legal, but in terms of an application of good civic common sense, bearing in mind the well-known impairment of judgment caused by alcoholic beverages as well as the serious driving infractions that are already observable on every journey,” the Min- isters Association statement read. “The Cayman Ministers Association under- stands that Cabinet is able to issue a directive in this matter, as it has done in the past, and urges it to do so at this time without hesita- tion,” the March 28 letter went on. Governor Kilpatrick responded to the min- isters’ letter on April 4, stating that she had forwarded their letter to then-government Minister Wayne Panton, who had oversight re- sponsibility for the liquor board. “I agree that this issue needs to be consid- ered with common sense, given the harm that alcohol can cause and particularly combined with driving,” Governor Kilpatrick wrote. “I have forwarded the letter to Minister Wayne Panton … as he would be the minister who would bring a paper to Cabinet about li- censing matters, should he decide that is needed. I have also copied it to the premier so that he is also aware of your concerns.” Mr. Panton, who lost his Legislative Assembly seat in the May 24 general election, was contacted by the Compass Monday. He HURRICANE IRMA STRIKES FLORIDA BEFORE LOSING EDGE SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The wrath of Hurricane Irma played out in full measure over Florida on Sunday, and the new week brought damage assessments and estimates of when vital services can resume again. Irma, which was downgraded to a tropical storm Monday as it exited Florida, forced the state’s six biggest airports to close and blacked out 65 percent of the state’s electricity customers. The airports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Or- lando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Fort Myers were all shut down by the storm, and each underwent a damage assessment on Monday. Fort Lauder- dale International Airport was expected to resume services Tuesday, and Southwest Florida Interna- tional Airport in Fort Myers reported that it will open as soon as commercial power is restored. Tampa International Airport reported minimal damage from the storm, but Miami International Airport endured gusts of wind of nearly 100 mph and sustained “significant water damage.” Cayman Airways flights to and from Miami and Tampa, as well as Havana, Cuba, were canceled Monday. JetBlue reported Monday that it had can- celed approximately 900 flights, and hoped to re- sume some flights Tuesday and all of its Florida schedule by the end of the week. The Florida Division of Emergency Management reported Monday that 6.5 million business and home accounts have had electricity outages. That’s 65 percent of the total electric accounts in the state of Florida, and 72 percent of Florida Power and US Marines use Grand Cayman as staging area for hurricane aid SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hurricane relief came swooping in to Owen Roberts International Air- port in three Super Stallion helicopters Monday afternoon. The U.S. Marine Corps sent a force of 40 Marines in the Sikorsky helicopters, the heaviest in the U.S. arsenal, to help in the regional humanitarian relief mission. These Marines, based in Honduras, are part of a larger joint mission between several branches of the American military. “We know the general area we’re going, but we don’t know specifics yet about lo- cations,” said Maj. Matt Weaver, who hails from Seattle, Washington, of the Special Forces Marine Air-Ground Task Force. “It’s always good to get out and use the machines for what they’re for.” The Marines were not on the ground for long, as they waited to fuel up their helicopters and then got right back in the air to fly to disaster-stricken areas. The Super Stallions, which are 99 feet long and weigh more than 33,000 pounds, were introduced to the U.S. Armed Forces in 1981. Five other American aircraft were also slated to arrive in Cayman on Monday, PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » U.S. Marines arrive in helicopters at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman as part of regional hurricane-relief efforts. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL She is currently studying for a Cayman Islands Monetary Authority certificate in busi- ness accounting. As 2015-16 president of Rotaract Blue Cayman Is- lands, she created the “Put your best foot forward” pro- gram, providing school shoes for children whose families face financial difficulties. She has mentored young Caymanians as part of the Cayman Finance Student Ed- ucation and Work Experience Program, raised money for Meals on Wheels, volunteered with Junior Achievement and serves on its board of directors. “Believe in yourself, you can achieve anything you set your mind to,” Ms. Ramos says. “Your age doesn’t matter. Your past doesn’t matter. And the amount of times you’ve picked yourself up and started over again, definitely doesn’t matter.” Yentel McGaw Ms. McGaw, 26, is im- migration manager and human resources consul- tant at Baraud International with more than four years of human resources experience, which enabled her to lead the Ritz-Carlton Caymanian re- cruitment drive in June. Previously with both the hotel and accounting firm Ernst & Young, Ms. McGaw led a number of community initiatives and projects for each organization. She holds a bachelor’s de- gree in marketing manage- ment from the University Col- lege Birmingham, U.K., and will pursue an MBA in 2018. In 2009, she founded the Youth Community Excellence Award program, nominating candidates for two-year gov- ernment overseas scholar- ships. In 2013, she was a Proud of Them recipient. In 2017, Ms. McGaw led a drug preven- tion conference for 1,000 stu- dents in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and helped raise more than $13,000 for the Francis Bodden Girls Home the same year. Ms. McGaw has served with the NCVO, Meals on Wheels, ARK and the National Drug Council, and helped organized initiatives such as an Earth Day cleanup, an “end polio” fund- raiser with the Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman and food drives through the Women’s Believers Ministry. She also mentors high school girls for NextGen Cayman. “Your character and repu- tation will oftentimes make the first impression long be- fore someone meets you,” she says. “It’s the most important investment you can make in yourself to ensure you are nurturing and investing in your future. Be kind to ev- eryone you meet, stay humble, stay focused and stay hungry for the goals you have …. ” Stacie Sybersma Ms. Sybersma, 27, is an en- vironment, health and safety specialist at Caribbean Utilities Company, and a volunteer on the National Trust’s Environ- mental Advisory Committee. She lectures students on environmental topics, in- cluding a 2015 marine biology course at the International College of the Cayman Islands. She has delivered two TedX talks, one in 2016 on “Ocean Potential,” and in 2017 on “The Ten Years after you Graduate High School.” She said, “As a woman working in science, I under- stand how intimidating it can be to pursue your dreams, and do what you love. However, don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. Find a way to put your passions into every- thing you do. Share what in- spires you, share your tal- ents, and most of all share your kindness.” TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Young leadership nominees announced Dart applies to extend planned West Bay underpass Dart Real Estate has sub- mitted an application to the Cayman Islands Department of Planning to extend the underpass it is planning to build on West Bay Road. Modification of the planned development is also being sought to in- clude the site occupied by the Royal Palms Beach Club, which Dart Real Estate an- nounced that it purchased earlier this month. The underpass is a part of the company’s plan to create “sea-to-sound” connectivity between Camana Bay and Seven Mile Beach. “The underpass will achieve our goal of developing a walkable town, with ease of travel from Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound without having to cross a major road or impacting traffic flow,” said Dart Real Estate Presi- dent Jackie Doak. “The newer, longer underpass will pro- vide additional pedestrian access from Camana Bay to the Seven Mile Beach area.” TAD STONER tstoner@pinnaclemedialtd.com Organizers of the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards on Monday an- nounced 2017’s five final- ists ahead of the Nov. 4 awards ceremony at the Kimpton resort. This year’s finalists are Faith Gealey, Matt Brown, Alice Ramos, Yental McGaw and Stacie Sybersma. Faith Gealey Ms. Gealey, 34, is a speech therapist in the Physiotherapy Department at the Cayman Islands Hos- pital alongside 2016 nom- inee, Kristina Maxwell. Ms. Gealey, with a mas- ter’s degree in communica- tion sciences and disorders from Florida State Univer- sity, is chairwoman of the hospital’s Staff Welfare As- sociation, board member of the Special Needs Founda- tion, deputy chairwoman of the Cayman Islands Na- tional Disabilities Council and a founding member and chairwoman of the Caribbean Speech and Hearing Association. “Seek mentorship in all areas of your life,” she says, “and be open to the guid- ance you receive. Every ex- perience … and piece of ad- vice you receive will help … you to be a valuable member of our community … Use your experience to mentor others, so that the circle of mentorship and support remains an ever- present part of your life.” Matt Brown Mr. Brown, 32, is a re- cording artist and per- former, and in 2014 created George Town TV production and sales company Geezum Entertainment. It is a sub- sidiary of Mr. Brown’s film and television producer Sands Ltd, founded in 2014 with partner Ben Hudson. With a professional re- cording arts degree from Canada’s Art Institute of Vancouver, and an associate of arts in social studies from the University Col- lege of the Cayman Islands, Mr. Brown’s “core message to youth” is “don’t dwell on the past; don’t fear the fu- ture. Happiness is in the present moment.” Alice Ramos Ms. Ramos, 29, is man- ager of operations and re- demptions at Saxon Pen- sions, and a leader of the Saxon Investment Club, teaching youth about mar- kets and the value of saving and investing. She earned a bache- lor’s degree in health ad- ministration with a minor in business from Florida International Univer- sity, where she was a member of the Delta Ep- silon Iota Honor Society. “Don’t dw ell on the past; don’t fear the future. Happiness is in the present moment.” MATT BROWN, TV producer, 2017 YCLA nominee Alice RamosMatt BrownYentel McGawFaith GealeyStacie Sybersma 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. - TUESDAY - IT (R) 1:15 VIP I 2:25 I 3:25 I 6:30 I 7:00 VIP 9:25 I 9:40 THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (R) 12:50 I 3:40 I 7:10 I 10:00 ANNABELLE CREATION (R) 12:30 I 4:20 VIP I 6:35 I 10:05 VIP GIRLS TRIP (R) 1:40 I 6:55 DARK TOWER (PG13) 4:30 I 9:45 THE NUT JOB 2 3D (PG) 12:30 2D I 2:50 I 5:10 2D I 7:30 2D I 9:50 This map shows the location of roadwork and underpasses being undertaken by Dart.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 OCTOBER 2-3rd, 2017 13TH ANNUAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING! COMPLIANCE & FINANCIAL CRIME CONFERENCE The Leading Forum for Financial Services in the Caribbean Challenges of a Financial Eclipse FEATURED PRESENTATIONS: • Putting Crime into Power: How the Criminal World & Federal Security Service (FSB) is connected to Russian Power & Government • Recovering Assets in the $600 Billion Per Year Counterfeit Goods Industry • How Terrorist Resourcing Flows Through Offshore Financial Centres: The Goods & Services that are the Lifeblood of Terrorist Networks • Case Study on a Large, Offshore Ponzi Scheme • Current Cybercrime Scam Trends, Investigating Insider Threats & “Man in the Middle” Email Scams, Detecting&InvestigatingWireTransferEmail Fraud FOR FULL CONFERENCE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FORMS VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.compliancecayman.com GRAND CAYMAN MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. “Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh, so mellow …” – from the musical, “The Fantasticks” As many of our readers are no doubt aware, today Americans observe and celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day, this in the midst of National Bourbon Heritage Month. Ah, September …. September is the ninth month on the Gregorian calendar (the name derives from the Latin “septem,” which means “seven,” and indeed September was the seventh month of the ancient Roman calendar). As the Cayman Islands awakens on this Sept. 12 morn, many of our memories will be of an earlier Sept. 12 – 2004 – when Hurricane Ivan, the most destructive storm in the country’s collective memory, indeed history, left our landscape – but not our people – broken and, some thought, wrongly, beyond repair. It was a time for Godly faith, reverent prayer, and extraordinary human (almost superhuman) resilience and the beginnings of rebuilding. As all wise men and women know, after a harvest, the next generation of crops grows back more robust and more bountiful. That is what has happened in Cayman. And yet, nearly to the anniversary day of our encounter with Ivan, our neighbors to the east, and indeed the north, have found themselves in the path of Hurricane Irma. Ivan and Irma. Four-letter appellations deserving of four-letter epithets to be sure. Of course, Sept. 11 brings back other indelible memories. That date, in 2001, supersedes Dec. 7, 1944 (the bombing of Pearl Harbor) as a “day that will live in infamy.” On the morning of “9/11,” four coordinated attacks by the Islamic terrorist group known as al-Qaida took 2,996 lives on American soil. Two hijacked commercial airliners – American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 – crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in the financial district of New York City. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. (Ironically the ground- breaking for the Pentagon, which houses the Department of Defense, took place on Sept. 11, 1941). A fourth airliner, also commandeered by terrorists, crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all on board. We recall (as does nearly everyone) that fateful morning (and the mourning that followed) in the Cayman Islands. We were attending a presentation from Disney cruise ship representatives, hosted by then-Tourism Minister McKeeva Bush at the Marriott hotel. That is where we learned that first World Trade Center tower (the North Tower) had been hit and, soon there- after, that the South Tower – the first to fall – had also been struck. In 2015, the story got considerably more personal. At Pinnacle Media Ltd., we were recruiting for the position of “business manager” and were interviewing Barrett Nixon, an MBA with Wall Street experience, for the post. Barrett, whom we hired and is still with Pinnacle, knew how to get the attention of an interviewer. He related the harrowing story of being inside the South Tower – on the 43rd floor in the Morgan Stanley complex of offices – when the first plane slammed into the North Tower, followed just minutes later with the second plane crashing into his South Tower. While he managed to escape (he actually found a working elevator which carried him and several colleagues to the ground floor and safety), 614 others in his building perished when the tower collapsed). Sept. 11 is the anniversary of an inordinate number of his- torical events, some heroic (“The Battle of Stirling Bridge,” fought in AD 1297) and some comedic (the debut of the “Carol Burnett Show” in 1967). But we will dwell no further on the past. Let’s look to the future. Since we began this editorial with a song from “The Fantasticks,” let’s close, for all of the victims of Hurricane Irma, with lyrics from “Annie”: The sun will come out tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow There will be sun Just thinkin’ about tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow ’til there’s none When I’m stuck with a day that is grey and lonely I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh The sun will come out tomorrow So you gotta hang on ’til tomorrow, come what may! Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow You are always a day away! An ode – not an elegy – to September TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Will the US Congress be stirred from its slumber? “Congress has been drop- ping in relative power along a descending curve of 60 years’ duration, with the rate of fall markedly increased since 1933. ... The fall of the American Congress seems to be correlated with a more general historical transfor- mation toward political and social forms within which the representative assembly – the major political organism of post-Renaissance Western civilization – does not have a primary political function.” – James Burnham, “Congress and the American Tradition” (1959) WASHINGTON – Today, worse is better. The president’s manifest and manifold in- adequacies might awaken a slumbering Congress to the existence of its Article I powers and responsibilities. As a candidate, Donald Trump vowed devotion to all 12 of the Constitution’s seven articles. As president, Barack Obama, discerning a defect in the work of the 1787 Con- stitutional Convention, sup- plied Article VIII, which has expired. It stipulated: “Be- tween Jan. 20, 2009, and Jan. 20, 2017, the president shall have the power to do whatever Congress declines to do.” So, when Congress did not confer legal status on “Dreamers” (immigrants brought to America illegally as children), he did it. He con- ferred such status and atten- dant benefits on a large cate- gory of people and called this patently legislative act a rou- tine exercise of law enforce- ment discretion. As a candidate, Trump’s policy regarding Dreamers made up in concision what it lacked in reflection: “They have to go.” As a president whose incoherence has a kind of majesty, he says he has “a love for these people” who are “incredible” when they are not engaged in rampant criminality. When he is not pardoning Ari- zona’s scofflaw sheriff Joe Arpaio for his anti-immi- grant criminality, Trump casts immigration as a law- and-order issue. So does Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who preaches fire-and-brimstone law and order when he is not encour- aging legalized theft under “civil forfeiture,” whereby government enriches itself by seizing the property of per- sons not convicted of crimes. Sessions, whose canine loy- alty to Trump is not scrupu- lously reciprocated, seemed to relish the privilege of an- nouncing Trump’s policy that, absent action from a Congress that is especially loath to act on immigration, could punish 800,000 chil- dren for what their parents did long ago. Trump’s policy now is to state that Obama’s policy will expire in six months un- less Congress chooses to “le- galize” – Trump’s word – it. If Congress does not, Trump will do ... something: “I will revisit this issue!” Perhaps his exclamatory punctuation foreshadows something as forceful, meaning as unilat- eral, as what Obama did. What Obama did was popular and unconstitu- tional. The latter attribute probably does not interest Obama’s successor, but the former attribute evidently does. Hence Trump has sent this hot-potato issue where it belongs, to Congress, which now faces the unaccustomed agony of actually setting na- tional policy. The day that Trump and Sessions disturbed Congress’ serenity, Nikki Haley did like- wise. The U.S ambassador to the U.N. and a former ex- ecutive (as South Caroli- na’s governor) intimated that the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran might yet wind up where, constitutionally, it should have started – in the national legislature. An in- ternational pact of this com- plexity and gravity should have been a treaty, submitted to the Senate for committee hearings, floor debate, and ratification by a two-thirds supermajority. Instead, as a redundant expression of Obama’s disdain for Con- gress and the separation of powers, it was submitted to the U.N., and then to Con- gress, where both houses voted disapproval but by margins too small to block an Obama veto. Haley suggested that Trump might declare that Iran is not in compliance with the agreement, thereby initi- ating a 60-day congressional review, potentially culmi- nating in the administration leaving Congress to decide for or against U.S. withdrawal from the agreement. Just as many Republicans, after years of denouncing Obam- acare, flinched from re- pealing it, many critics of the Iran agreement might flinch. Haley said, “I get that Congress doesn’t want this.” Which is a reason – exercising atrophied in- stitutional sinews – for hoping it happens. In 1959, before the exhil- arating experience of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, con- gressional supremacy was still a tenet of conserva- tism. Then James Burnham, a founding editor of the then 4-year-old National Review, wondered whether Congress could “survive as an auton- omous, active political en- tity with some measure of real power, not merely as a rubber stamp, a name and a ritual, or an echo of powers lodged elsewhere.” The slope of the long descending curve might be changing. 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” What Obama did was popular and unconstitutional. The latter attribute probably does not interest Obama’s successor, but the former attribute evidently does.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 C AP TURE YOUR OCEAN HAVE YOU SNAPPED THE PERFECT PICTURE THAT SHOWCASES THE OCEAN OR OCEAN CONSERVATION IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS? WE WANT TO SEE IT! Enter our photography competition for the chance to have your photo displayed at an outdoor photography exhibition in Camana Bay. To enter, log on to www.caymancompass.com/contests by the end of September and upload your picture. Full terms and conditions can be found on the website. Older Persons Month ambassadors chosen MAN BANNED FROM LICENSED PREMISES FOR THROWING BOTTLE Lurlie Scott and Lind- burg Eden are this year’s am- bassadors for Older Persons Month in October. The Department of Chil- dren and Family Services se- lected the two people in rec- ognition of their “continuing contributions to local life,” according to a press release. As ambassadors, the pair will attend several events cele- brating Older Persons Month. The theme of the month is “Stepping Into The Future: Contributions of Older Per- sons in our Society.” Lurlie Scott Mrs. Scott, from Cayman Brac, and Mr. Eden, from Sa- vannah, were photographed on Friday for the Older Per- sons Month calendar, which will publicize all 14 events senior citizens are being en- couraged to take part in. Mrs. Scott lives in Spot Bay and is the proud matriarch of 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, many of whom recently helped cele- brate her 90th birthday with family and friends. “The daughter of William and Victoria Scott, she is a well-known pillar of the com- munity with an outgoing per- sonality and can-do attitude when it comes to supporting special causes and the people she loves,” the press re- lease states. She married William in 1947 and the couple raised five children, including two unofficially adopted. “Widowed since 2004 and having lost her second son Charles in 1977, she finds solace in her unshakable belief in God. An enthusi- astic member of Bethel Bap- tist Church for more than 64 years, she takes justifiable pride in being the church’s treasurer. Her devotion to church duties means she often helps with cleaning the interior and maintaining its yard,” the release continued. Mrs. Scott said in the press release that she is looking for- ward to her ambassadorship in October and thinks it will be a great opportunity to high- light the contributions of older people on all three islands. Lindburg Eden Mr. Eden said he was hon- ored to be chosen as an am- bassador, and he is especially looking forward to recon- necting with former acquain- tances and participating in many of the activities. The 90-year old Mr. Eden is one of seven siblings born to Sarah Leonie and Alex- ander Selwyn Eden. He served as a vestryman from 1954 to 1959. In addi- tion to his formal civic du- ties, he built the Savannah post office and was one of the contractors who refurbished Pedro St. James Castle in the 1960s. A founding member of the Cayman Islands Agricul- tural Society, he was an early member of the Lions Club that raised money to build the Lions Centre. Mr. Eden operated the Savannah Tall Tree General Store and also is well known for having owned and op- erated the CleCoe bottling plant for 15 years with his brother Crosby. In his earlier years, he was a skilled car- penter who could turn his hand to making many things, and was also a keen farmer who raised cattle and enjoyed growing pumpkins, potatoes, cassava and yams. A self-professed “honest man who lives a Christian life,” Mr. Eden is a member of the Savannah United Church. “Looking back, he has fond memories of being one of the Cayman Islands’ first golfers.” the press release states. These days, Mr. Eden spends his time “puttering around” his yard, keeping up with local news on the radio and watching international news on television. CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man who admitted throwing a bottle that hit a person on the head in a bar has been prohibited from entering any liquor-licensed premises for the next year. Ricky Manderson Jr., 30, pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding earlier this year. On Monday, Magis- trate Valdis Foldats imposed a suspended sentence and probation with conditions. He warned that throwing a bottle in a bar was something all courts take seriously because of the possible consequences. The offense crossed the cus- tody threshold, he warned. In Manderson’s case, he had no previous con- victions for violence and he surrendered to police days after the incident. He pleaded guilty the first time he came to court. Senior Crown counsel Candia James said Man- derson was at the Jungle Bar on March 17, 2017, when he became involved in a verbal confrontation with another man. A third person became involved and struck the victim on the head. Manderson threw a bottle that hit the victim in the head. Ms. James accepted that there was no premeditation. Defense attorney John Furniss emphasized Man- derson’s frankness and full cooperation with police, to the extent that he had ad- mitted throwing two bot- tles, although only one hit the victim. Surrendering to po- lice and acceptance of re- sponsibility showed a new level of maturity on Man- derson’s part, the attorney submitted.The magistrate said he would start Man- derson’s sentence at 12 months and give him full one-third credit for his early guilty plea. That left a term of imprisonment of eight months, which he suspended for two years. He ordered probation for one year, with one con- dition being attendance at an anger management pro- gram. He also directed that Manderson pay $200 com- pensation to the victim. He prohibited Man- derson from liquor-licensed premises for a year. That meant bars, restaurants that serve alcohol, or any place with a liquor license, he pointed out. He suggested that Manderson look at this condition as an opportunity to save money and have it to spend on his family. Lindburg EdenLurlie ScottDISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days West Bay TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Two trucks of garbage removed from WB beach Students hold coin drive to help Houston school 50 YEARS AGO: PARSONS-EBANKS WEDDING HELD IN WEST BAY The students and staff of Wesleyan Chris- tian Academy are holding a “Help for Houston” coin drive to help repair a school in the Texas city that was damaged during Hur- ricane Harvey. The Academy aims to fill a 5-gallon water bottle with coins and bills, and when full, a contest will be held among the students to guess the amount. The money will then be counted and sent to a destroyed Christian Academy in Houston. The student who guesses closest to the amount will be treated to a special lunch “out” by Pastor Genie Dickerson. Accelerated Christian Education’s Carib- bean Director David Wilkerson and his wife Joanna visited the Academy last week and joined the students in their fundraising efforts. Parents and supporters who want to help can bring loose change or notes to the school office. In the Sept. 13, 1967 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the fol- lowing report, titled “West Bay Wedding,” appeared: “There was a very lovely marriage ceremony performed at the United Church on Sept. 7 by Rev. R. Coke, in which George Homer Parsons, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carlon Par- sons of George Town, took as his bride Florence Margreta Ebanks, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon Ebanks. “To the strains of the ‘Wedding March,’ the beautifully adorned bride entered the church on the arm of her father. “The bridesmaids who were in orange and lime- green were Misses Abrana Rivers, Ina Claire Ebanks and Carmena Watler. Maid of honour was Spurgene Ebanks, sister of the bride. Groomsmen were Ladner Watler, Leonard Ebanks and Harry Chisholm. Elias Habib was best man. Lucy Bothwell and Janet Ebanks were the flower girls, and Leslie Smith the ring bearer. “During the ceremony, Miss Betty Ebanks sang ‘If God left only you,’ as a solo, and Mr. and Mrs. Cardinall DaCosta sang ‘Hawaiian Wedding Song’ with Mrs. Bessie Arch at the organ. “A reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents. MC Rev. John Gray took charge of the proceedings and toasts were proposed by Mr. Ar- thur Ebanks to the bride and groom, Mr. Lee Ebanks to the bride’s parents, and Mr. Ernest Panton to the groom’s parents. “After the cake-cutting ceremony, a delicious re- past was provided for ev- eryone present.” In the same edition, correspondent Darlene Owens wrote in her “This Week in West Bay” column: “Mrs. Coriel Rivers, her daughter Nella Vane and grandson Bill arrived from New York on the 4th for a visit with relatives. “Seamen arriving home during the past week for their annual vacation were Messrs. John and Ezra Powery and Linhurst Rivers. They are all em- ployees of NBC. “Mrs. Lewin Parson Sr. arrived from Miami after seeking medical aid. Her health has been very much improved; her son Davidson and his wife and daughter also arrived home after spending one year in the U.S.” JACK PAOLINI On the same day that Hurricane Irma made land- fall in Cuba, bringing high seas and winds to Cayman, the Cayman International School community gathered on a West Bay beach to take part in a cleanup. On Saturday morning, Sept. 9, a core group of CIS students from grades 6 to 12, as well as many par- ents and teachers, joined to clean up the beach just south of the Heritage Club on Seven Mile Beach. Heavy winds would not stop this determined group from their mission to posi- tively change the environment. The group loaded two trucks full of garbage and items for recycling. Madison Imparato, Na- tional Honor Society trea- surer and chairperson of the Environmental Com- mittee, said she “was very proud of the diverse demo- graphic from the CIS commu- nity, especially the younger participants.” She added, “It was eye- opening to see how neglected and abused our environment is, [which] only encouraged us to plan more events in the future. I would like to person- ally thank every participant who gave an hour of their time to help our community and greater environment.” Jack Paolini is a grade 11 student and National Honor Society secretary at Cayman International School. Students at the Wesleyan Christian Academy put coins in the 5-gallon container as David Wilkerson of Accelerated Christian Education looks on. Joanna Wilkerson joins students of the Wesleyan Christian Academy in their fundraising efforts for a Houston school damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Students and teachers from Cayman International School, along with some parents, gather on a West Bay beach over the weekend for a cleanup. The Academy aims to fill a 5-gallon water bottle with coins and bills. A CIS student works hard Saturday to clean a West Bay beach.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 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. CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 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 BRAC THATCH PLAITING: Class at Heritage House, 7-9 p.m. $5. Contact simones@candw.ky. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: A meeting is scheduled to advise on the new law. All organizations that accept donations or funds from the public must register. 10-11:30 a.m., Room 1038, Government Administration Building. For more information, persons are asked to contact Policy Officer Wilbur Welcome at wilbur.welcome@gov.ky, in the Department of Financial Services Policy and Legislation. 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 WCA ANNIVERSARY: All are invited as Wesleyan Christian Academy celebrates its 40th anniversary, noon till 5 p.m. Tomorrow, Sunday, there will be special church services at the West Bay Holiness Church at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, call 949-1121. TIME ATTACK: 7 p.m. at Uncle Clem’s loop (behind the airport long-term parking). Registration Friday, Sept. 15, at Parker’s parking lot and also get your car tech inspected. Organized by Cayman Motorsports Association. BRAC YOUTH: Youth to Youth Meeting at Youth Development Centre. 6-9 p.m. DARKNESS TO LIGHT: Free training program for parents and those who work with children. Gain knowledge to recognize and prevent child abuse. 9-11:30 a.m. Free of cost, but pre-registration required. Contact vrm@redcross.org.ky. 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. SUNDAY, SEPT. 17 WCA 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. TUESDAY, SEPT. 19 FIGURE DRAWING: Last day to register. Visual Arts Society offers six-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. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: A meeting is scheduled to advise on the new law. All organizations that accept donations or funds from the public must register. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Room 1038, Government Administration building. For more information, persons are asked to contact Policy Officer Wilbur Welcome at wilbur.welcome@gov.ky, in the Department of Financial Services Policy and Legislation. THURSDAY, SEPT. 21 PUB QUIZ: Fidel Murphy’s, 7 p.m. All proceeds to Cayman Islands Humane Society. $10 per person. Teams of six people maximum. To reserve a table call 949-5189 or email sarah.dyer.81@gmail.com. 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 MENTORING CAYMAN: The Chamber of Commerce is calling for business and community leaders to volunteer as a mentor for the 2017/18 program. Deadline is Sept. 30. Call 743-9123 for further information or visit www.caymanchamber.ky/ mentoringcayman. 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. TOBACCO LICENCES: Tobacco license holders are reminded of the 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, deadline to apply for their annual license renewals. Annual registration renewal fees are $500 for a retailer, $750 for a cigar bar and $5,000 for a wholesale distributor. CAYMAN DRAMA SOCIETY: Performances of the comedy “Sistahs” 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. LEADERSHIP CAYMAN: The Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2018 program. Improve your leadership skills by applying today. Deadline is Oct. 27. Call 743-9121 for further information or visit www.caymanchamber.ky/ leadershipcayman. 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). 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. ARTISAN MARKET: Every Wednesday, noon–8 p.m. at Camana Bay Farmers Market. Visual Arts Society artists display arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand- crafted jewelry and ceramics for sale with 3 tents on display by KARoo Restaurant/Bar. For more info or to inquire about tables space email info@visualartcayman.com. OPEN CANVAS: Every Wednesday. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant located in Camana Bay. 7-11 p.m. No fee. Easels provided for artist of all levels to come out and enjoy painting and socializing with other artists. info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. For more information, call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Mondays, 7 p.m. For details, contact Virginia Castillo at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the Catboat Club clubhouse, North Church Street. All are invited to attend. Call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events.8 HURRICANE IRMA TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS In Loving Memory of a precious Son & Uncle Dr. Astley Rudyard McLaughlin Forever in our Hearts Junie, this is the second year since you left us in silence, You were gone before we knew it, you never got a chance to say goodbye. And only God knows why. We still try to hide the tears when we hear your name, Or see your pictures, our heartaches are just the same. We are so grateful for the short time we had together, for now they mean much more than ever. Loving you always, Mom, Brothers & Nephew Zared Long lines form for aid on Irma-battered Caribbean islands UK DEFENDS HURRICANE RESPONSE AS CRITICS SAY IT’S TOO SLOW MAKE SURE IRMA CHARITIES ARE REPUTABLE, ADVISES REGISTRY LONDON (AP) – The U.K. gov- ernment defended its response to Hurricane Irma on Monday, amid claims it has been slow to help British overseas terri- tories devastated by the storm. The British Virgin Is- lands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos islands were all pummeled by the hurricane last week, leaving thousands without electricity or water and reducing homes to splin- ters. At least five people died in the British territories. The U.K. has dispatched a naval ship, Mounts Bay, and almost 500 troops including medics and engineers to the islands. The Royal Navy flag- ship HMS Ocean is on the way from the Mediterranean to help with reconstruction, and more than 50 British po- lice officers have been sent to help keep order. The Ministry of Defense said British troops in An- guilla have already deliv- ered emergency aid, restored power to the hospital, cleared roads and reopened the air- port’s runway. Businessman Richard Branson said his Virgin At- lantic airline was helping to bring in supplies. In a blog post, he said “every island” in the British Virgin Islands had been devastated, including his own private isle, Necker. Sarah Penney, who lives on the on the most populated of the islands, Tortola, said “it’s like we’ve been bombed.” She told Britain’s Press Association news agency that “people’s ‘everything’ is gone: Their businesses, their homes, their churches, their schools, are gone.” KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com In the aftermath of Hur- ricane Irma, numerous charities have been cre- ated to help the islands that have been hit hardest. However, many of those or- ganizations have sprung up overnight, with no apparent track record of performing charitable deeds. Paul Inniss, the head of compliance for the Gen- eral Registry, said people need to take extra precau- tions in dealing with orga- nizations they may not be familiar with. “It appears many char- ities have been funded through [online crowd- funding], but I would per- sonally be very hesitant to get involved because I have no way of verifying whether the person online will really use your money for the venture you want to support,” he said. “There has been reputable crowd- funding, but how does one really verify that the money is being put to good use?” Mr. Inniss, who has also worked in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice’s Financial Crime Unit, added that giving out per- sonal information to un- known online entities can be dangerous. “Especially in times like this, we’ve seen in the past an escalation in cybercrime. Because people use this as an opportunity to create what we call … phishing emails and fraudulent web- sites, where people click on them to give funds and end up giving away personal data and compromising them- selves,” he said. “So especially at these times, where people want to give and contribute, be very careful of those links online and who you give … access to [your] information.” The General Registry’s head of compliance recom- mends that donations be made through well-estab- lished organizations. “If you’re going to use a charity organization, you should have some prior knowledge about its cred- ibility. That is to say, have you ever dealt with the or- ganization before? Do you know anybody who has dealt with the organiza- tion before? Do your home- work, do your checks and balances to make sure the person getting your money has a reputation for being effective,” he said. “If I were going to get involved in a charitable organization – especially if we’re looking at some place like the BVI – I would reach out to one of the major charities.” Cayman-registered non- profit organizations should be safe channels through which to donate, given the more stringent regulations now in place through the Non-Profit Organisations Law, he said. “[Cayman-registered] charitable ventures are re- quired to keep financial re- cords showing prudent fi- nancial management,” he said. “So there should be records, invoices, board- of-directors resolutions signing off on money being allocated towards partic- ular ventures. Charities under the new law are re- quired to have proper fi- nancial records.” HAVANA (AP) – With ports mended and weather cleared, officials struggled Monday to get aid to Caribbean islands devastated by Hurricane Irma and tried to take stock of the damage caused by the Category 5 storm. At least 34 people were re- ported to have been killed in the region, including 10 in Cuba, whose northern coast was raked by the storm. Cuban state media said most of those died in Havana, where seawater surged deep into residential neighborhoods. To the east, in the Lee- ward Islands known as the playground for the rich and famous, governments came under criticism for failing to respond quickly to the hur- ricane, which flattened many towns and turned lush, green hills to a brown stubble. Residents have reported food, water and medicine shortages, as well as looting. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson defended his government’s response to what he called an “unprec- edented catastrophe” and promised to increase funding for the relief effort. Britain sent a navy ship and almost 500 troops to the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos is- lands that were pummeled by the hurricane. The U.S. government said it was sending a flight Monday to evacuate its citi- zens from St. Martin, one of the hardest-hit islands. Evac- uees were warned to expect long lines and no running water at the airport. A Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship was expected to dock near St. Martin to help in the aftermath, and a boat was bringing a 5-ton crane capable of unloading large shipping containers of aid. A French military ship was scheduled to arrive Tuesday with materials for tem- porary housing. About 70 percent of the beds at the main hos- pital in the French por- tion of St. Martin were se- verely damaged, and more than 100 people needing ur- gent medical care were evac- uated. Eight of the terri- tory’s 11 pharmacies were destroyed, and Guadeloupe was sending medication. Dutch King Willem-Alex- ander flew to St. Maarten, which shares the island with the French dependency of St. Martin, to see the devasta- tion wreaked by Irma and express gratitude to relief workers. Dutch news out- lets showed the king touring the badly damaged Princess Juliana International Air- port, which was named for his grandmother. French President Em- manuel Macron was sched- uled to arrive Tuesday in St. Martin to bring aid and fend off criticism that he did not do enough to respond to the storm. The “whole government is mobilized” to help, said Inte- rior Minister Gerard Collomb. Soon after Irma killed 10 people on St. Martin, Category 4 Hurricane Jose threatened the area, halting evacuations for hours before heading out to sea and causing little addi- tional damage. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, residents of the capital of Charlotte Amalie reported long lines for dwindling sup- plies of basics such as water, food and gasoline. “You get nothing from the city. Nothing. No food. No water. Everything is closed,” said Rene Concepcion, who waited for up to three hours to get water. Complicating the situ- ation is a noon-to-6 p.m. curfew that usually gives people just enough time to get only one essential item, said Gladys Collins. “That period of time is the time that we have to do what- ever we need: water, food, gas- oline,” she said. “Everywhere that you go is a long line.” Also hit hard was Cuba, where central Havana neigh- borhoods along the coast be- tween the Almendares River and the harbor suffered the worst flooding. Seawater pene- trated as much as one-third of a mile inland in some places. Cuban state media re- ported 10 deaths despite the country’s usually rigorous disaster preparations. More than 1 million were evacu- ated from flood-prone areas. Hector Pulpito recounted a harrowing experience at his job as night custodian of a parking lot that flooded five blocks from the sea in Ha- vana’s Vedado neighborhood. “This was the worst of the storms I have been through, and the sea rose much higher,” Pulpito said. “The trees were shaking. Metal roofs went flying.” Cuban state television re- ported severe damage to ho- tels on the northern keys off Ciego de Avila and Cama- guey provinces. The Jardines del Rey air- port serving the northern keys was destroyed, the Communist Party news- paper Granma reported, tweeting photos of a shat- tered terminal hall lit- tered with debris. In Cuba, central Havana neighborhoods along the coast between the Almendares River and the harbor suffered the worst flooding. Seawater penetrated as much as one-third of a mile inland in some places. “I would personally be very hesitant to get involved because I have no way of verifying whether the person online will really use your money for the venture you want to support.” PAUL INNISS, head of compliance, General Registry A resident steps on rubble at his collapsed apartment building where two people died during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 Hurricane Irma strikes Florida before losing edge Light’s customers are in the dark. FPL, which provides service to 4.9 million families and businesses in Florida, said that more than 18,000 workers have been enlisted in the effort to restore electricity. The Port of Miami and Port Everglades both an- nounced Monday after- noon that they will reopen on Tuesday, and Port Tampa Bay also expects to be open for business on Tuesday. Fuel stored at Port Tampa Bay has already been loaded on tanker trucks for delivery all over the region. Cayman escaped the dev- astating effects of Hurricane Irma, but there was a ques- tion of whether its normal port operations would be af- fected by damage to some of its sister facilities in Florida. Joseph Woods, the Port Authority cruise and secu- rity manager, said last week that one cruise ship can- celed its Monday arrival in George Town. “All offices and the Cargo Distribution Centre are open and working as normal,” he said late last week. Thom Guyton, the gen- eral manager of Kirk Market, said that even if the Port of Miami remained closed for a while, supplies could be routed to Cayman from about seven or eight dif- ferent alternatives. “It depends on what shape they’re in,” said Mr. Guyton. “But if they tell us [they are shut], we will op- erate out of Tampa, even for the next three months, and we will just shift our opera- tions a little.” Foster’s Food Fair Ltd. sent out a news release Monday that indicated a shipment is due on Tuesday. “Looking forward, we are still in conversation with both air and sea shipping carriers regarding the ex- tent of damage Miami has endured from Hurricane Irma,” said the press release from Foster’s regarding fu- ture shipments. “Overall, the damage appears to be min- imal, however, there is still no electricity and damage assessments are still being carried out. Once the ships come in tomorrow (Tuesday 12th) we should be in good shape to get us to the next boat, which hopefully will be this coming weekend.” Humanitarian mission from Cayman Premier Alden McLaughlin announced Monday that the government will be sending a humani- tarian mission on board a Cayman Airways 747-300 to Anguilla Tuesday to deliver medical supplies, water, food and toiletries. Members of the Health Services Au- thority, Health City, Hazard Management and the De- partment of Environmental Health will be part of the relief mission. “Most of us know too well the devastation and despair that arises in the wake of a hurricane, especially those of us who lived through our own catastrophic storms of Ivan in 2004 and Paloma in 2008,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “We know well it was our neighbors from the re- gion and our families and friends who ensured that we got much-needed sup- plies. It is time for us to pay it forward. Frankly, Irma could have taken a path to Cayman and who knows, in the peak of hurri- cane season, where the next storm is going to strike?” CUC to help Turks and Caicos Caribbean Utilities Com- pany reported Monday that it has sent a seven-member team from its Transmis- sion and Distribution Oper- ations department to assist FortisTCI in restoring ser- vice to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The CUC employees are ex- pected to help out there for three weeks. The utility com- pany made a similar effort in 2008 after Hurricane Ike. C&W Communications, the parent company of in- ternet and television provider FLOW, said Friday that it had service interruptions on Bar- bados, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago due to damage to underwater cables which run between St. Martin and the British Virgin Islands. Garfield Sinclair, Caribbean president of C&W Communi- cations, said the company is basing its recovery operations in Antigua and hoping for no further outages in Anguilla, Montserrat and the BVI. “Many of our own col- leagues have experienced significant personal loss,” Mr. Sinclair said. “Along with significant damage to their homes and properties, we are still in the process of assessing the damage to our networks and facilities across the markets. “Despite these extremely debilitating circumstances, however, there have also been incredibly inspiring examples of a steely resolve to rebuild lives and communities in the shortest possible time.” Cayman Compass reporter Tad Stoner contributed to this report. Sunday alcohol sales: Church ministers’ letter to governor revealed said he recalled receiving the governor’s April 4 letter at the time, but did not personally respond to it. He said the Progressives-led Cabinet never took any action on the ministers’ association call for the order to stop Sunday liquor sales. “That was in the throes of the election,” Mr. Panton said. “I was extremely busy with a number of other matters.” Governor Kilpatrick said Monday that her April 4 cor- respondence was “categori- cally not” putting any pres- sure on Mr. Panton. “I made it very clear that any action, or no action, would be at Min- ister Panton’s discretion,” she said. “My letter is not in any way urging Minister Panton to act and there is nothing in my letter to that effect.” It has been argued by lawyers for Peanuts station owner Gary Rutty that by the time the governor’s letter was sent, the liquor board had al- ready decided to grant the Sunday sales license. How- ever, the board under former chairman Woody DaCosta denied that and said the issue was deferred until a later meeting. Dueling minutes of the same meeting appeared at various times in the ensuing months, with one set stating that the Peanuts Sunday al- cohol sales license had been granted and another stating that the decision was de- ferred. No published board minutes have appeared which suggested the license was declined. Following the date of Gov- ernor Kilpatrick’s letter, an April 6 email was sent by then- board chairman Mr. DaCosta to then-board secretary Marva Scott. It read: “Please embargo all licenses until our press re- lease and policy is in place as we all discussed at the very last quarterly meeting.” Mr. DaCosta was removed as chairman of the liquor board late last month. The lawyer representing Peanuts on the Sunday li- cense issue, Cline Glidden Jr., said his client discov- ered the ministers associa- tion and governor’s letters last week. They were posted to the ministers associa- tion website, he said. The Compass obtained the doc- uments separately from Mr. Glidden and Mr. Rutty. Mr. Glidden said there had been earlier objections to the Peanuts liquor license from a few local liquor store owners, particularly from Tortuga liquors founder Robert Hamaty, but the ob- jection appeared to be re- lated to the ability of petrol stations to sell alcohol in general, rather than simply opposing Sunday sales. The liquor board has already granted Peanuts the ability to sell alcohol between Monday and Saturday. “We’ve struggled to de- termine where this objection [to the Sunday license] was coming from,” Mr. Glidden said. “It wasn’t [Mr.] Hamaty. So we thought it was possible the objections and motivations came from a different source.” At this stage, Mr. Glidden said, the dispute over the Peanuts convenience store Sunday alcohol sales per- mission has not been re- solved. He said his client be- lieves the permission was granted by the board on March 28 and that any de- cision to withdraw that grant has not been made, nor have reasons been given for why the board had done so. Former board chairman Mr. DaCosta said the de- cision was made some- time in June at an “elec- tronic meeting” of the board, when the Sunday permis- sion was denied. No formal record of that meeting has ever been found. The Cayman Islands gov- ernment ordered an indepen- dent inquiry into the liquor board’s handling of the Pea- nuts application. The inquiry, to be car- ried out by the Internal Audit Service, followed a series of news reports in the Compass highlighting concerns over the application process. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CAL flight to Kingston turned around Sunday BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Confusion over the status of Norman Manley Interna- tional Airport in Kingston con- tinued Sunday as a Cayman Airways plane headed there had to be turned around in mid-flight. Cayman Airways offi- cials said the flight departed Sunday from Grand Cayman after receiving confirmation that Norman Manley Airport would be able to accept it. “However, approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the captain received new and conflicting information from Kingston air traffic control, which resulted in a decision to return to Grand Cayman,” a statement from Cayman Airways released Norman Manley Airport suffered a lightning strike Friday night that knocked out its radar communica- tions and caused the airport to effectively shut down. The shutdown interrupted all Cayman Airways services to Kingston, as well as flights from several other airlines. It was not known if the lightning strike resulted from Hurricane Irma, which was passing well north of Ja- maica on Friday, or if it was due to other stormy weather in the region. On Monday, regularly scheduled flights to Kingston resumed, departing around 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Most of the weekend passengers whose trips were interrupted traveled on those flights. Extra flights to Kingston were added Monday, but were again delayed “due to ongoing issues related to the airspace restrictions” around Norman Manley Airport. Two more “recovery flights” left Grand Cayman Monday af- ternoon for Kingston. “All other Kingston flights are expected to operate as scheduled, but Cayman Air- ways is continuing to mon- itor the situation with air traffic control in Kingston and will update passengers if further changes to our Kingston operations become necessary,” the airline noted. Passengers with tickets for travel between Grand Cayman and Kingston or Montego Bay in the coming days are asked to call Cayman Airways Reservations on 345-949-2311 or 866-759-1372 (toll free in Jamaica) to reconfirm their reservations. Norman Manley Airport suffered a lightning strike Friday night that knocked out its radar communications. but they had not touched down as of press time. The Cayman Islands Airports Authority was expecting three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and a contingent from the U.S. Air National Guard C-130 disaster response team. Hurricane Irma tore a path through the island nations of the Caribbean, damaging the Leeward Is- lands and passing through Puerto Rico, the Domin- ican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. Millions of homes in the region have lost power, and the Associated Press reported that there have been at least 34 fatalities. More than 10,000 ac- tive-duty and reserve ser- vice members, plus ci- vilians in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are part of Hurricane Irma re- lief operations, and the U.S. Northern Command is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide life-sus- taining relief to people in affected areas. “I think it’s prob- ably about what every- body expected,” said Major Weaver of the damage wrought by Irma. “Once it reaches Cat- egory 5, there’s going to be loss of life and a lot of damage,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of places that need relief. And there aren’t a whole lot of gray helicopters laying around.” US Marines use Grand Cayman as staging area for hurricane aid CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 These Marines, based in Honduras, are part of a larger joint mission between several branches of the American military.Next >