SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Get your PJs on! Don’t miss the adult slumber party at the Marriott on Sept. 30 B2 Cute for Cayman The National Trust launches its latest awareness campaign B5 Events Food & Drink Events ■ EVENTS Hannah’s Heroes Residents dare to go bald at The Wicket this Friday. B7 Festival of Seas on the beach The annual marine institute event offers a night under the stars B3 Is anything safe to eat? Barefoot Man navigates the minefield of experts’ opinions B6 REGULAR $11.99. NOW ONLY $9.99. Offer available for the month of September only. SAVE $ 2 SANTA RITA 120 WINE FROM CHILE Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 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 CAYMAN WEEKENDER Hannah’s Heroes EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 IMMIGRATION NIGHTMARE: TIME FOR CAYMAN TO ‘GIVE UP THE GHOST’ High of 91 Low of 80 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY ALSO INCLUDING BIG KING ORIGINAL CHICKEN SANDWICH BIG FISH SANDWICHEXTRA LONG CHEESEBURGER Government seeks $15.9M in unpaid bills BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Despite debts piling up for healthcare pa- tients, garbage collection fees and other public services for years, the Cayman Islands govern- ment has not been aggressive about collecting the millions it is owed. In the more than six years since the Fi- nance Ministry set a policy that it would not sue debtors to collect revenue owed, that policy has not been changed by succes- sive administrations, according to govern- ment auditors. Meanwhile, an August 2016 report by the Internal Audit Service found that in 21 percent of the cases it reviewed, initial demand letters seeking debt repayment were never issued by the government entity responsible – the Debt Recovery Unit. When debt collection letters were issued, they stated the government could take legal action to force payment, even though the Min- istry of Finance decided in April 2011 that it would no longer do so. By last year, the Debt Recovery Unit was monitoring more than 1,800 accounts owed to government, according to the Internal Audit Service, with the largest three types of debts being overseas medical loans, garbage fees and travel [tourism] taxes. Those three areas account for $15.9 million in unpaid bills, about 90 percent of what the debt unit seeks to recover. Overseas medical loans totaling $12.4 mil- lion represent the largest portion of the debts. They are often the most difficult to collect. In 2014, then-Finance Minister Marco Ar- cher sought Cabinet approval to write off more than $14 million from 662 debts that had accumulated. The proposal also sought to reinstate the policy of suing public debtors. When the August 2016 audit was completed, nearly $16 million was owed. In practice, no one had been taken to court for nonpayment of debts since the 2011 direc- tive, including for overdue hospital bills. In CAUSE OF CAYMAN AIRWAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION UNKNOWN KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Airways does not yet know the cause of a mechanical issue that forced the emergency landing of a B737-800 aircraft bound for Tampa, Florida, earlier this month. Flight KX200 had been in the air only briefly on Sept. 14 when a right-hand engine began vibrating and had to be shut down. The aircraft was then redirected back to Owen Roberts International Airport, where workers awaited its landing in “full emergency” mode. Cayman Airways CEO Fabian Whorms said the airline is working with the engine’s manufacturer to determine the cause of the malfunction. “Cayman Airways is unable at this time to determine the cause of the mechanical issue without the engine being disassembled at an approved overseas repair facility. I can con- firm, however, that there is no externally vis- ible damage to (the) engine, and the mechanical issue is therefore related to one of the engine’s internal components,” Mr. Whorms said. “I can also confirm that there have been no related mechanical issues or indications with this engine to date. The aircraft and its engines have also been correctly and metic- ulously maintained in accordance with the manufacturers specifications and this internal engine issue (is) not attributable to any form of deficiency with the maintenance of the air- craft and/or engines.” The aircraft was manufactured in 2003 and previously operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle. Cayman Airways acquired the plane in No- vember through a two-year leasing agreement Cayman takes in 170 hurricane evacuees, more may come BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A total of 170 evacuees have arrived in Cayman in the wake of Hurricane Irma and more are anticipated as a result of Hurri- cane Maria which this week pounded a number of eastern Caribbean Islands, ter- ritories that were already reeling from cata- strophic storm damage. As a category 4 hurricane, Maria devas- tated Puerto Rico Wednesday. It was down- graded to a category 3 as it bore down on the north coast of the Dominican Republic Thursday. Hurricane warnings were in place in the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas on Thursday. The number of hurricane evacuees in Cayman, confirmed by senior immigra- tion officials Thursday, includes displaced workers, their spouses and children. Immigration Department administra- tors said the evacuees are mainly workers whose financial services firms have had to shift operations temporarily because offices in their home country were de- stroyed or unusable. Many of the same companies oper- ating in the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas have offices in Cayman. The Im- migration Department, working alongside those firms, has set up a temporary resi- dence process for the displaced employees. Acting Chief Immigration Officer Bruce Smith said 33 financial services firms have requested temporary relocation for em- ployees thus far as a result of Hurricane Irma. “[There are] three firms from the PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » People walk next to a gas station flooded and damaged by the impact of Hurricane Maria, which hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. For more on Hurricane Maria, see page 2. - PHOTO: AP2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS In the capital of San Juan, towering eucalyptus trees fell nearly every other block over a main road dotted with pop- ular bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, some of which were damaged. Outside a nearby apartment building, 40-year-old tourism com- pany operator Adrian Pa- checo recounted how he spent eight hours in a stair- well huddled with 100 other residents when the hurricane ripped the storm shutters off his building and decimated three balconies. “I think people didn’t expect the storm to reach the point that it did,” he said. “Since Irma never re- ally happened, they thought Maria would be the same.” Hurricane Irma sideswiped Puerto Rico on Sept. 6, leaving more than 1 million people without power but causing no deaths or widespread damage like it did on nearby islands. Maria, however, blew out win- dows at some hospitals and police stations, turned some streets into roaring rivers and destroyed hundreds of homes across Puerto Rico, in- cluding 80 percent of houses in a small fishing community near the San Juan Bay, which unleashed a storm surge of more than 4 feet. “Months and months and months and months are going to pass before we can recover from this,” Felix Del- gado, mayor of the northern coastal city of Catano, told The Associated Press. The sound of chain saws began to fill the silence that spread across San Juan late Wednesday afternoon as fire- fighters began to remove trees and used small bull- dozers to lift toppled con- crete light posts. Some neighbors pitched in to help clear the smaller branches, including Shawn Zimmerman, a 27-year- old student from Lewis- town, Pennsylvania who moved to Puerto Rico nearly two years ago. “The storm didn’t bother me,” he said. “It’s the devas- tation. I get goosebumps. It’s going to take us a long time.” Maria has caused at least 10 deaths across the Carib- bean, including seven in the hard-hit island of Dominica and two in the French Ca- ribbean territory of Guade- loupe. Puerto Rico’s governor told CNN one man died after being hit by flying debris. Mobile: 345-323-8573 Office: 345-943-8573 / Fax: 345-949-9753 heather.richards@remax.ky / www.remax.ky Heather Richards DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN! Cayman Islands Member of CIREBA 4 bed, 3.5 bath. Well appointed 3000 sq. ft. solidly built home. Spacious, bright rooms. Modern eat-in kitchen with gas range. Great location with easy commute to GT. MLS 405438. Call today, won’t last long! CI $445,000 Savannah Meadows SNUG HARBOUR EXECUTIVE RENTAL Gorgeous Contemporary Townhome 3Bed/3.5Bath, fully furnished, multi-zone A/C., pool. Children Welcome. No pets. Great Location schools restaurants and shopping in minutes. Walking distance to Camana Bay. Available Now. CALL TO VIEW! 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At West Shore Center, Seven Mile Beach Open Daily 10am-10pm 945-2290 Sunday October 8th & Monday October 9th 2017 LABOUR AND PENSIONS OFFICE CLOSING EARLY FRIDAY The Department of Labour and Pensions will close at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, for a staff meeting. The of- fice will resume its normal business hours on Monday, Sept. 25. NO AUTOPSY YET FOR SECURITY CENTRE GUARD The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service is waiting for an autopsy to be performed on Melito Fernandes, The Security Centre guard who was found dead at Eden Rock in downtown George Town on Wednesday. No characterization has been made as to the circumstances regarding his death. The autopsy is likely to be performed this weekend, a police spokeswoman said. A stunned Puerto Rico seeks to rebuild after Hurricane Maria Storm headed toward Turks and Caicos SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Rescuers fanned out to reach stunned victims Thursday after Hurricane Maria rav- aged Puerto Rico, knocking out electricity to the entire island and triggering land- slides and floods. The extent of the damage is unknown given that dozens of municipalities remained isolated and without commu- nication after Maria hit the island Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years. Uprooted trees and wide- spread flooding blocked many highways and streets across the island, creating a maze that forced drivers to go against traffic and past police cars that used loudspeakers to warn people they must re- spect a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed by the governor to ensure everyone’s safety. People resorted to rafts and kayaks to get around because flooding made many roads re- mained impassable. “This is going to be a his- toric event for Puerto Rico,” said Abner Gomez, the is- land’s emergency manage- ment director. President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for Puerto Rico. Previously a Category 5 with 175 mph winds, Maria hit Puerto Rico as the third- strongest storm to make landfall in the U.S., based on its central pressure. It was even stronger than Hurricane Irma when that storm roared into the Florida Keys ear- lier this month. Electricity poles and lines lie on the road after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Maria was even stronger than Hurricane Irma when that storm roared into the Florida Keys earlier this month. - PHOTO: AP The sixth annual Walk for the Cure 5K fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1. Pro- ceeds will benefit the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. The walk, which is or- ganized in Cayman and throughout the Caribbean by CIBC FirstCaribbean, be- gins at the Public Beach on Seven Mile Beach at 6:30 a.m. The turnaround point will be at the roundabout at Blue Cilantro restaurant on West Bay Road. Last year’s Walk for the Cure raised more than US$68,000 for the Cayman Is- lands Cancer Society. So far this year, donations across the Caribbean have exceeded US$250,000, and staff at the bank hope the grand total will exceed last year’s US$500,000. Organizers said the walk is expected to attract more than 20,000 walkers and run- ners across the 17 territo- ries where CIBC FirstCarib- bean operates. “We are really excited about this year’s walk. There is a surge of energy throughout our organization as hundreds of our staff are already busy with a number of fundraising events, as well as planning for the various walks,” said Trevor Torzsas, executive co- chair of the walk and man- aging director, Customer Rela- tionship and Management. The other executive co- chair, Mark St. Hill, who is managing director, Retail and Business Banking, said, “As a corporate family, we know the pain and loss that cancer inflicts. Raising awareness, championing early detection and making life just a little more comfortable for those with cancer, their families and caregivers is what our walk is about.” Organizers said in a press release that the money raised is used to provide as- sistance, care and coun- seling to patients and their families, and to raise aware- ness through education cam- paigns across the region. “They also help the var- ious organizations to as- sist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients,” the release states. Over the past five years, the bank has raised more than US$1.3 million from the event, primarily supported by corporate donors and fund- raising events hosted by staff. The deadline to register for the Cayman event is Friday, Sept. 29. Entry fees are $15 for adults and $10 for chil- dren ages 3-11. Anyone wishing to take part can register at any of the three CIBC First Caribbean branches in Cayman or sign up at Kirk Market on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8-11 a.m. Walk for the Cure fundraiser set for Oct. 1 Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, center, and former Miss Cayman Monyque Brooks, third from right, join CIBC First Caribbean and Cancer Society representatives at last year’s Walk for the Cure. This year’s walk takes place on Sunday, Oct. 1.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 th 29 September 2017 Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort .00 Event starts at 6:00pm - CI$75 THE 2017 ISDHF LOCAL HONOUREES: CEREMONY 2017 For more information contact: events@caymanislands.ky includes dinner Tickets on sale at the Department of Tourism and CITA INDUCTION Tel: 1 345 949 0623 Kent Dalmain Eldemire Jason Wyatt Washington Chief officer of government welfare takes early retirement LIONFISH CULLING TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND Community services under fire BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The longtime head of the Cayman Islands government’s Community Affairs Ministry, responsible for the adminis- tration of social welfare pro- grams, has agreed to early re- tirement, according to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson. Ministry Chief Officer Do- rine McGee (formerly Whit- taker) has come under heavy criticism since a 2015 auditor general’s report criticized the territory’s social services net- work, stating that the govern- ment had spent more than $50 million annually, for which au- ditors said questionable value had been received. Attempts to contact Ms. McGee this week about her re- tirement were not successful. A statement from Mr. Manderson said Ms. McGee would retire at the end of this month after 32 years in gov- ernment service. The deputy governor made no mention of the numerous issues surrounding social wel- fare services in his send-off to Ms. McGee. Mr. Manderson thanked Ms. McGee for her long service. “The Ministry of Commu- nity Affairs is an entity that deals with many challenges that have a considerable im- pact on our society and well- being,” Mr. Manderson said. “On behalf of all of us in the government we wish her a wonderful retirement and God’s richest blessings.” In a statement released by government on Wednesday, Ms. McGee said, “It has been a privilege and an honor to be a civil servant for over three decades, and I intend to find ways that I can continue to serve people during retirement. “I have been fortunate to have both the support of a wonderful work family, and a family at home that took care of me and my son so that I could dedicate my time to serving the public. It is im- portant to me to now spend time with them.” Lawmakers angry Frustrations with the state of social services in Cayman boiled over this month when members of the Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee blasted a $180,000 consul- tant’s report they said looked at the “structure” of local wel- fare programs rather than how to fix them. Accounts Committee Chairman Ezzard Miller asked whether it was the ministry’s intention to pro- ceed with the “integrated” social services system sug- gested in the consultant’s re- view without fixing a number of daunting problems in gov- ernment’s social services network, including months- long delays in services, non- payment of rental vouchers and tedious three- or six- month reporting require- ments for the elderly or the infirm on permanent social services aid. Ms. McGee said de- pending on what Cabinet de- cides, a number of changes required to combine welfare providers with other govern- ment health-related services to those in need will need legislative backing – a pro- cess that could take years, in some cases. “In terms of implementa- tion of the outline business case, we’re really looking at 2021?” Mr. Miller asked. “Yes, sir,” Ms. McGee said. Committee member Chris Saunders walked out of the Sept. 6 hearing in frustra- tion, stating that this time line would not help needy Cayman residents. “2021 is too late to get help to the people who need it today,” Mr. Saunders said. “We have people in this com- munity who are hurting bad. I really have a fundamental problem to see that we take $180,000 that could be used for something else to come back and give us ‘options.’” The Bodden Town West MLA also questioned whether the “integrated” approach to social services suggested in the business case review was the same as what govern- ment did before 2013, when the Needs Assessment Unit was taken out of the govern- ment Department of Children and Family Services and run as a separate service. “We didn’t staff the Needs Assessment Unit correctly … and then we paid $180,000 of the people’s money [for the business case],” Mr. Saun- ders said. “It frightens me for people in this country … this is a basic function of the government.” A two-day lionfish culling tournament that was post- poned earlier this month be- cause of Hurricane Irma gets under way Saturday. In the 23rd Cayman United Lionfish League, known as CULL, teams will dive at sites throughout Grand Cayman to spear the invasive species. The event, sponsored by Foster’s Food Fair-IGA, will include cash prizes for big- gest and smallest lionfish, as well as the most fish caught and the greatest weight culled per team member. The weigh-in will be held at Lobster Pot restau- rant, where lionfish will be served for participants and supporters. A statement from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said Ms. McGee would retire at the end of this month after 32 years in government service. Dorine McGee (nee Whittaker)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. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Policymakers’ failure to confront the problem of “ghost Caymanians” has created an exponentially more complex problem: a second generation – and perhaps soon, a third – of Cayman Islands residents with murky or restricted rights. Cayman is home to an unknown number of people who do not have Caymanian status, but who were born here or raised here by parents who later became Caymanian. Instead, they exist in a kind of immigra- tion limbo … here but also not here. Many of these “ghosts” – there could be several hundred or more – do not learn of their precarious situation until they attempt to apply for a job, travel overseas or secure residency rights for a spouse. Consider the following scenario: A husband and wife move to Cayman as work permit holders. While in Cayman, they have a child. Later, the parents obtain Caymanian status, which gives the child Caymanian status “by entitlement.” When the child turns 17 (but before the age of 24), the child must apply for continu- ation of that status from the chief immigration officer. If for some reason the child does not make that application, he loses his Caymanian status and a “ghost Caymanian” is created. The issue was identified years ago, but successive elected governments have failed to remedy this unfor- tunate and untenable situation. Unlike the Cuban migrants of today who wash up on Cayman’s shores and are repatriated or seek asylum, there is no formalized process or structure for dealing with “ghost Caymanians.” They may be from here, but they have little recourse under the current law. More than a decade ago, lawmakers passed an intended fix – a special provision in Immigration Law that allowed anyone born in Cayman to non-Cay- manian parents between March 27, 1977 and Jan. 1, 1983 to apply for Caymanian status. The law gave a deadline – Dec. 21, 2007. For whatever reason, many people did not grab hold of that life preserver, either. People born to “ghost Caymanians” after Jan. 1, 1983, cannot obtain Caymanian status through their parents, even though they may have never called any other country but Cayman “home.” Doing the math, it seems inevitable that a third generation of “ghost Caymanians” is on the horizon, if not already among us. No doubt, personal responsibility plays a role in some of these cases, but the root cause is Cayman’s flawed and convoluted immigration framework. Cayman has a responsibility to the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of members of our community who are “Caymanian” in every sense of the word except for the strict legal definition. Whether it’s achieved through Cabinet action, immi- gration legislation or some combination of the two, the only rational solution is for these people to be regu- larized and recognized as the Caymanians they are. Doing so would not constitute an act of charity but the long-overdue correction of governmental error. If lawmakers do not act swiftly, Governor Helen Kil- patrick and the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office should consider intervening. Authority over immigra- tion matters has been devolved to local authorities, but responsibility shifts hands from Cayman to the U.K. when grievances grow to become potential human rights violations … particularly when many of the people whose rights are being violated may also have substantive claims to British citizenship. Remember, these residents are not actual “ghosts” – they are living and breathing individuals who are part of Cayman’s society. Immigration nightmare: Time for Cayman to ‘give up the ghost’ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Look beyond ‘business as usual’ to find cancer cure Last Saturday I attended the cancer symposium that was put on by the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and others at the Marriott hotel. These folks must be congrat- ulated on a job well done. Cayman is so fortunate to have the caliber of folks rep- resenting some of the best hospitals and cancer ex- perts to come down here and make their time and exper- tise available for anyone who was interested. As a cancer patient, I am continuously researching and discussing with my doc- tors and other experts on what miracles are on the horizon that would ben- efit me. I was amazed, sur- prised and excited to know that some of this cutting- edge treatment in the form of immunotherapy is hap- pening right here on Grand Cayman. After two years of surgery, chemo and radiation, I have exhausted all the tra- ditional treatments. But im- munotherapy is making in- credible advances and every person who is interested in this subject should pay atten- tion. The presentation made by Dr. George Peoples of Per- seus Cayman Clinical Treat- ment Center was incredible. I urge the Cayman public and the government to em- brace and support these ini- tiatives which are all FDA approved and being con- ducted on island. As everyone knows, the pharmaceutical industry is the biggest business in the world and the FDA is a slow bureaucracy. There are medi- cines which have been ready for clinical trials for over 10 years but held up in the belly of the FDA bureaucracy, while people die. Thankfully, the new Trump administra- tion is shaking this up and expediting these approvals. The cure for cancer will not be coming from an in- dustry and government whose sole purpose is treat- ments and the billions of dol- lars generated from this an- nually. I believe the cure will come from those brave enough and smart enough to step outside of the “busi- ness as usual” box and chal- lenge the status quo; ex- amples of these people are all around us – the electric light, the telephone, the in- ternet and the Apple iPhone are just a few. If Cayman can play any part whatsoever in facili- tating and expediting these vaccines and processes in further developing immu- notherapy, this would cer- tainly be a proud achieve- ment. More importantly, it will save lives. The Cancer Society is a life saver for so many and I understand they are assisting almost 300 people, many without insurance, income or savings. The generosity of the private sector to continue supporting this worthy cause is without doubt one of the truly unique qualities that make Cayman so different and so special and it should make us all proud. When we are looking for folks to put on our heroes wall next January, look no further than the Cayman Is- lands Cancer Society. Bo Miller Pearson was loved, will be missed My family and I wish to offer my condolences and sympathy to the family of Lillian Pearson who recently died. Lillian was my aunt and I was named after her. She was my father’s sister and was just 2 years old when he left home to go to sea to help his father raise his other siblings after their mother died. I loved my aunt Lil- lian and met her and my other relatives several times. She came to the States to meet her brother for the first time since he left home. By then, he was in his 70s. Won’t you please convey this message to the family of Lillian Pearson, es- pecially to cousins, Mae and Ella. She will never be forgotten. Lillian Ozella Connor Georgia, U.S. VISITOR IS CONCERNED BY GROWTH I have been coming to Grand Cayman since 1983. Nice island, good people and beautiful water. I had occa- sion to spend some time there recently for the first time in several years. As I usually do, I rented a car and drove around the is- land. I was stunned at the mas- sive growth and increase of traffic. I hope you get a handle on things. It’s just like driving around in the U.S.: stressful. As a Caymanian told me, “We have lost our island charm.” Sadly, she’s right. Larry Neichter Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 Continues: Protect our Workers and Yourself: Think Orange in Construction Work Zone! DATE: 2 0th - 24th November – 201 7 LOCATION: PWD Training Room cost: CI$120 TIME: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Facilitated by: TO ASSIST US IN PREPARATIONS FOR THIS EVENT Please confirm your attendance by emailing Anita.Smith@NRA.ky TWO LOCAL DIVERS TO GET HALL OF FAME HONOR Cayman divers Kent El- demire and Jason Washington will be honored at the 2017 In- ternational Scuba Diving Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 29 for their contributions to the dive industry. “We are proud to recognize these individuals and place their names alongside other inductees who have had an impact on the dive industry both in Cayman and around the world,” said Tourism Min- ister Moses Kirkconnell. Mr. Eldemire trained mem- bers of the Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service to dive, is a founding member of the Cayman Islands Watersports Operators Association, and a founding member of the Cayman Islands Pirates Week Development Board. Mr. Washington founded the Cayman United Lionfish League, known as CULL, an or- ganization responsible for the removal of tens of thousands of lionfish from local waters. He also started iDive Cayman Islands, which has introduced potential divers to the territo- ry’s dive sites. The 2017 Hall of Fame in- ductees are Dick Bonin, co- founder of U.S. diving com- pany Scubapro; Krov Menuhin, an Australian underwater film- maker who filed the first un- derwater footage of a blue whale; Gardner Young, who created the first tourist diving and training resort in the Ba- hamas; and Kurt Schaefer, who designed several early under- water camera housings in the 1940s in Austria. The ceremony will be held on Sept. 29 at the Marriott Beach Resort. Tickets, $75, are on sale at the Department of Tourism. For more information, contact isdhf@caymanislands.ky. CCTV catches woman’s attacker Court imposes four years for indecent assaults CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Private sector and gov- ernment CCTV helped po- lice identify and prosecute a man who was sentenced this week to four years’ imprison- ment for indecently assaulting a woman to whom he had of- fered a ride home. Magistrate Valdis Foldats told defendant Chaz Leo Kadri Powery, 30, that his actions in the early hours of April 14 bor- dered on the crimes of abduc- tion and attempted rape. With a maximum sentence of 10 years for the offense of indecent as- sault, the magistrate fixed six years as the appropriate sen- tence but then gave one-third discount for the guilty pleas. Facts and mitigation were set out last week, when Crown counsel Darlene Oko explained that the victim had been at a hotel bar with friends, but left alone and decided to walk home. At a point along West Bay Road, a man stopped his vehicle and offered her a ride. She did not know him, but she accepted the offer. The court heard that rather than take her home, he drove to a secluded area where he assaulted her. Then, while driving to another area, he as- saulted her again. He took her phone before driving her home. Ms. Oko said the woman reported the matter the next morning, detailing where she had been and approximately what time she had left. Po- lice checked CCTV outside the hotel. It showed her leaving and walking toward West Bay Road. Officers then checked government cameras in the area where she said the man had offered her a ride. The CCTV showed a vehicle stop- ping and driving off. By continuing to track the vehicle by means of cameras at different points, officers were able to identify the color and make of the vehicle and its license number, which led them to the owner – Powery – several days later. He admitted picking up the woman, but initially claimed she was the sexual aggressor. Ms. Oko suggested it was an aggravating factor that the man was a stranger to his victim: “Not knowing what he is ca- pable of is more terrifying,” she argued. The magistrate replied that an aggressor is either a stranger or else is known to the victim, in which case the of- fense is breach of trust. Defense attorney John Furniss read from the social inquiry report and victim im- pact report. He said the young woman seemed to be level- headed and sensible; she was dealing with a traumatic event in a practical way. He said Powery had instructed him to apologize to the woman through the court. Ms. Oko said any woman should feel safe walking along the street and even accepting a ride. The magistrate summa- rized the offenses in his sen- tencing remarks. He said Pow- ery’s actions had verged on abduction, although he was not charged with that offense. He had by deceitful means induced the woman to ac- cept a lift and then “callously detoured to a secluded area for his own malicious pur- poses. This was not a momen- tary lapse of judgment while under the influence of alcohol resulting in a boorish sexual touching; this was a sustained confinement that began with deception and escalated to persistent and terrifying vio- lence and threats,” he said. Powery had treated the woman as an object for his own sexual gratification, he continued, “forcibly grabbing the victim, positioning her and partially stripping her with the express aim of sexual in- tercourse despite her active resistance. This represents a clear threat of rape, a night- mare scenario – the inherent gravity of which was obvious.” Powery had exposed him- self to the woman and told her he wanted sex despite her pro- tests and resistance. The mag- istrate said sexual crimes will be denounced and deterred through severe sentences. Cayman is small, he noted, and he hoped the message would be heard clearly and forcefully. Another point he consid- ered was that Powery took his victim from a tourist area. “The fact that he initially struck in a tourist area is a serious aggra- vating factor that affects the islands as a whole and, on its own, merits specific and firm emphasis,” he said. Powery’s remorse had been called into question, given the false narrative he had pro- vided to the probation officer. However, he later accepted his guilt and wrote a letter of apology. The magistrate said he interpreted the false story as an act arising out of fear of imprisonment and separation from family that would result. The remorse was accepted as a mitigating factor. In giving a full one-third credit for Powery’s guilty plea, the magistrate said offenders must be encouraged to “come clean” and accept responsibility for their actions. He pointed out that a defendant could plead not guilty and exercise his right to have a trial, even when the outcome would be inevitable. That would be a waste of time, energy and expense. In a sexual assault case, sparing the victim from the trauma of testifying was perhaps the most impor- tant benefit of a guilty plea, he pointed out.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days East End North Side FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS NS council plans new public beach District residents invited to meeting at Clifton Hunter High School CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A new public beach in Old Man Bay is one of the priority projects for the re- cently elected executive com- mittee of the North Side Dis- trict Council. Committee members in- vite all district residents to a meeting at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, to discuss the project along with other initiatives. The meeting will be held at the Clifton Hunter High School compound, in the theater. Chairwoman Debra Brod- erick said the new venue is intended for the convenience of people who live in the Frank Sound area. The inten- tion is to alternate between the high school and the Crad- dock Ebanks Civic Centre. Meetings are held the last Thursday of each month, ex- cept in December. Those who attend will be encouraged to sign up for a committee activity, or at least come and have their say. The public beach project will involve a cleanup and planning amenities for the site, on Old Robin Road be- hind the Miller Cemetery. “Bo Miller initiated pur- chasing the beach for the public. I convinced gov- ernment to buy it,” MLA Ezzard Miller said in a recent interview with com- mittee members. The area is known as Jackie Bay, after John “Jackie” Miller, a shipwright, pastor and farmer who is consid- ered one of the founders of the North Side district. His son Willbanks also built boats and ideas for the site include some kind of feature that would educate visitors about this history. Other activities the execu- tive would like people to get involved in include beautifi- cation, sports and commu- nity events such as Pirates Week and holiday celebra- tions. Bingo nights are al- ready planned Friday, Oct. 27, and Friday, Nov. 24. Residents may want to join a hurricane and hazard management subcommittee, which will work in conjunc- tion with Cayman’s Commu- nity Emergency Response Team program. A Neighbor- hood Watch subcommittee will liaise with police. Mr. Miller pointed out that the North Side Dis- trict Council has a constitu- tion which makes the district representative a non-voting member of the executive committee. “I am the conduit through which our district council gets access to gov- ernment resources,” he ex- plained. If he is on the agenda for any meeting, it is to re- port on legislative matters. He said he was excited about the new executive com- mittee because it has the same enthusiasm and in- volvement that was present when the district council started in 2009. Ms. Broderick picked up on the involvement as- pect. “North Side used to be close-knitted. We want to get that back, get people to- gether,” she said. Working with her to- ward this goal are deputy chairman Hal Ebanks; secre- tary Carol Saunds; treasurer Shelly Miller; and members Brian Watler Jr, John Levy and Ransford Myers. The public beach project will involve a cleanup and planning amenities for the site on Old Robin Road behind the Miller Cemetery. 50 years ago: Young North Siders join church fellowship In the Sept. 20, 1967 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, “North Side News” correspondent Nettie McCoy wrote: “Divine Worship in the United Church on the 17th was conducted by Rev. L. Williams, Minister of the Charge. During the service, four young candi- dates were received into the full fel- lowship of the Church – Ezzard Miller, Handel Whittaker, Jewel Whittaker and Lynne Greene. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was observed at the close of the service. “It was a very impressive service and the minister preached a very suit- able and inspiring sermon. “Those leaving for the U.S. recently were Mr. Oriel Smith to Hagerstown, Miss Glenda Miller to Miami for a two-week visit, Mr. Randolph Ebanks to Jacksonville, Messrs. Billy Ebanks, Franklin Smith and Stanley Douglas to take up work with NBC, Messrs. John Wesley Ebanks and Sammie Ebanks to the S.S. Imperial Ottawa. “Mrs. Doris Parker of Rum Point re- turned from a short visit to the States on the 11th. On the same plane were a group of divers who were staying at Rum Point. Unfortunately, the weather was not so fair, owing to the effects of Hurricane Beulah. “Those leaving for Jamaica re- cently were Mrs. Lewis Mc- Field to take her child back to St. Christopher’s School and Mr. and Mrs. Rhyworth Whittaker and daughter Jessie.” The North Side District Council executive committee is comprised of, from left, Debra Broderick, chairwoman; Hal Ebanks, deputy chairman; Carol Saunds, secretary; Shelly Miller, treasurer; and members John Levy, Brian Watler Jr. and Ransford Myers.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 CELEBRATING Whether you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, or have been living with the disease for many years, our new Diabetes Education Centre provides support and education for diabetes management. Weekly sessions will cover topics including nutrition, stress management, fitness and medication management, with our experienced team of Health City dietitians, pharmacists, psychiatrists and nurses in a supportive environment. Dates: From Tuesday October 3rd, and each Tuesday following for 4 weeks Attendees: People with pre-diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and caregivers Location: Multipurpose Room, Health City Cayman Islands Times: 10am - 11.30am Covered under insurance/self pay ($40 per session) For more details and to register, please call 1 (345) 640-4040. Learn more about managing your diabetes 1 (345) 945-4040 | 1 (345) 640-4040 | healthcitycaymanislands.com | info@healthcity.ky Bahamas, one from Miami, with the majority of requests coming primarily from the British Virgin Islands,” Mr. Smith said. He said the foreign fi- nancial services workers are being allowed in as visitors on a 60-day pass “without any need for a work permit.” However, Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is the min- ister responsible for immigra- tion, cautioned that Cayman is likely in for a longer haul when it comes to assisting Irma/Maria evacuees. “There remains a substan- tial risk that the region may be impacted further by addi- tional tropical cyclones,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “We expect … that locally registered fi- nancial services companies will require our support to facilitate the relocation of their staff for short periods of time in some instances, while others may require re- location for several months.” The new arrivals will be allowed to provide services only to their overseas clients. If they stay beyond the 60- day visitor permission, they will have to be processed for temporary work permits, typ- ically for three to six months, immigration officials said. “Temporary work per- mits will be processed as a means to regularize staff working remotely for only short periods once their ini- tial landing permissions have expired,” Mr. Smith said. “Given the extent of the dev- astation in the territories, and in the event impact from additional storms does occur during this season, compa- nies will require our con- tinued support to facilitate the reallocation of staff for longer periods.” Any longer-term work permits for the evacuees will have to go through the normal process, subject to Cayman Islands Immigration Law requirements. The displaced workers, who in some cases have brought their families and their pets, are being assisted by their employers in finding places to stay, but they are doing so in the tightest rental market Cayman has seen in a decade. RE/MAX agent Jennifer Powell said a number of real estate firms are helping out by acting as go-betweens for storm evacuees and their employers and local land- lords who, in many cases, do not use agents to advertise their properties. “All of the rentals that are available right now are owner- managed,” Ms. Powell said. “I send [apartment-seekers] what’s available and give them a little script about how to ap- proach a property manager. There’s hardly anyone left who is willing to do short- term leases.” Most agents registered with the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Associa- tion are suggesting renters and landlords come to agree- ment on 12-month leases that contain some kind of “break” clause that takes effect if the renter goes back home during the lease period. In reality, Ms. Powell said, it is unlikely that most of the displaced workers will be able to return within the 60-day “visitor” period set out by immigration. “It’s going to be at least four to six months, based on what we’ve heard of the damage in the BVI,” she said. In addition to the already tight rental market, most fi- nancial services firms are staffing up for their bus- iest time of year, around Oct. 1. The tourism high-season starts in December, and a sig- nificant number of seasonal workers are typically brought in around that time. All of those workers are entering an already glutted rental market on Grand Cayman. With a scarity of places to stay, many displaced workers are staying with their new co- workers in Cayman. “Partners are putting people up in their houses … If someone has a spare room, they offer it,” said Pricewater- houseCoopers Director Chris Bailey. “And then, other com- panies have just borne the cost of accommodations to make people happy and as secure as possible.” Employees from PwC and other firms in Cayman have also donated their spare clothes, toys, toiletries and other supplies for the in- coming displaced workers. Dart Enterprises allowed the firms to use an open unit at Camana Bay, where in- coming hurricane evacuees can go and pick up those sup- plies between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Mr. Bailey said the initiative has so far helped more than 50 families and in- dividuals who came here “with pretty much nothing.” Former BVI resident Clare Chilton, her husband, and her 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, are among those who have been helped. “We’re starting again, so this has been really helpful,” she said. “We had to leave ev- erything behind.” Mr. Bailey said the donation center will be open through this weekend. as a placeholder for two new B737-8Max airplanes, ex- pected to be delivered in November 2018. The B737-800 was taken out of service the day of the malfunction. Cayman Air- ways did not specify how long the plane would be out of service. Mr. Whorms said the airline has adhered to a strict maintenance program for its planes. “Our aircraft are main- tained in accordance with the manufacturers’ strict specifi- cations, and also in compli- ance (with) the stringent reg- ulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands,” he said. He added that the airline also follows standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Avi- ation Organization and In- ternational Air Transport Association. “Please be reminded that Cayman Airways has a safety record over its 49 years of operation which is second to none in the industry. This in itself is an assurance of the airline’s extremely high safety, operating and main- tenance standards,” Mr. Whorms said. None of the 128 passengers on board the flight was injured. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cause of Cayman Airways engine malfunction unknown Cayman takes in 170 hurricane evacuees, more may come CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A donation center for evacuees has been set up at Camana Bay.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS In Loving Memory of Martin W Bodden Sr 23 September 1930 - 17 October 2016 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. Remembering and missing you on this day and always Your wife Madre Mae and your children and their families Remembering and missing you Remembering and missing you The family of the Late Kathrin M. Mayr Regrets to announce her passing on Saturday, 16 September, 2017. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page Miss Mayr’s ashes will be laid to rest in Austria, on a later date. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Jorge “George” Rivers-Wallace of West Bay, Grand Cayman, who passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. A Service of Thanksgiving will take place on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 3:00p.m. at Church of God Full Gospel Hall, West Bay, Capt. Reginald Parsons Dr, Mount Pleasant, West Bay. Viewing will be from: 2:00 – 2:45p.m. Interment follows at West Bay Cemetery We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Florence Virginia Berry affectionately known as “Biggie” of George Town Central and Savannah, Newlands, who passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 2:00p.m. at Church of God Chapel, Academy Way off Walkers Rd. Viewing will be from 1:00 -1:45p.m. Interment follows at Dixie Cemetery. We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Florence Virginia Berry affectionately known as “Biggie” of George Town Central and Savannah, Newlands, who passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2017. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 2:00p.m. at Church of God Chapel, Academy Way off Walkers Rd. Viewing will be from 1:00 -1:45p.m. Interment follows at Dixie Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com some instances, a lien was placed on debtors’ property by the Health Services Au- thority in an attempt to en- sure repayment. Medical loans Internal auditors looked at a sample of loans for overseas medical expenses and found that in two- thirds of the cases exam- ined, no security had been posted for the loan. Most of the loans were for sig- nificant amounts, including $436,329 between June and August 2007, a total of $166,370 between November 2008 and December 2010 and $101,753 in May 2013. “The Debt Recovery Unit manager stated that she could not provide an expla- nation or justification for the failure to obtain securi- ties prior to her employment,” auditors noted. The May 2013 loan was granted for urgent treat- ment overseas. “When loans are extended after treatment, as often occurs, the Debt Recovery Unit is not able to demand that a charge be registered,” it was explained. “Given the nature of this particular loan scheme, in- dividuals often enter into the repayment plans under stressful circumstances and frequently do not follow up on the commitments made,” the Debt Recovery Unit noted in its response to the audit. “It is difficult to get these individuals to comply with the terms of the repayment agreement after treatment is received.” Since the audit, the Debt Recovery Unit noted it has amended its loan documents, allowing government to place a charge on an individual’s property before an overseas medical loan is granted. Trash fees The non-collection of fees for garbage collection has been a problem for Cayman’s government for more than a decade. A response to a re- cent query by the Cayman Compass revealed that $8.9 million in unpaid trash fees have been amassed – with most of that viewed as being uncollectible. Of the current out- standing balance, about $6.1 million relates to garbage collection charges owed be- fore July 2010 when the gov- ernment agreed to exempt home owners from paying for trash collection, ac- cording to figures provided by the Ministry of Health. Trash fees are still collected from businesses and condo- minium complexes. The remaining unpaid bal- ance, just under $2.8 million, is owed between mid-2011 and this year. That means the government is not collecting more than $460,000, on av- erage, in garbage fees owed each year – about 18 per- cent of the full amount it is typically due. Department of Environ- mental Health officials sent out a warning notice on Aug. 1 urging businesses and condo strata to pay their out- standing fees or lose their operating licenses. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Government seeks $15.9M in unpaid bills POLICE TO HOLD RECRUITMENT DAY ON BRAC The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service will hold an open recruitment day Sat- urday, Sept. 23, on Cayman Brac from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cayman Brac po- lice station. Senior police officers and representatives from a va- riety of divisions within the RCIPS will be on hand to explain to attendees what working for the police service entails. The recruitment drive is part of RCIPS efforts to re- cruit 75 new officers by 2020. The police service in- vites Caymanians to apply for positions. Organizers said refresh- ments would be served. The current recruitment campaign ends on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Applications can be found at www.rcips.ky. Canadian leader spotlights his own country’s injustices at UN UNITED NATIONS (AP) – On a stage where many world leaders spotlight their suc- cesses, Canadian Prime Min- ister Justin Trudeau told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday about one of his nation’s historic failures: the injustices long faced by its native people. “For indigenous peo- ples in Canada, the experi- ence was mostly one of hu- miliation, neglect and abuse” under successive govern- ments that didn’t respect their rights, he said. “We are greatly ashamed,” Trudeau said. “And for far too many indigenous people, that lack of respect for rights still persists today.” Trudeau’s speech, which detailed measures Canada has taken to right the wrongs, struck an unusual tone at the annual gathering of presidents, prime minis- ters and monarchs, many of whom use their U.N. speeches to boast about their coun- tries, complain about others or discuss global flash points. Earlier in the day, South Korea’s president urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and seek dialogue to prevent con- flict breaking out on the di- vided peninsula. President Moon Jae- in voiced support for stronger sanctions in re- sponse to the North’s re- cent weapons tests, but his tone contrasted with Presi- dent Donald Trump’s dark warning at the General As- sembly on Tuesday that North Korea would be “to- tally destroyed” if it at- tacked. Another U.S. ally, Japan, said Wednesday that pressure, not dia- logue, was needed. It is rare for a leader of Canada, a nation that prides itself on its image of toler- ance and social harmony, to talk about the plight of the country’s native people in a global forum. Still, General Assembly speeches are often designed to appeal to audiences at home, and “talking about in- digenous issues and women fits with Trudeau’s do- mestic political and policy agendas,” said University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman. Trudeau said he wanted “to tell you our story because I know that the challenges we have faced – and continue to face – are not unique in the world,” and “we remain hopeful – hopeful that we can do better.” Many indig- enous people are frustrated by the disparities between their lives and those of their fellow Canadians. Indigenous people make up 4.3 percent of Canada’s population. But the propor- tion of indigenous adults in jail or prison is about nine times higher than it is among other Canadians. Youth suicide rates are far higher and life expec- tancy is five to seven years lower than for non-indige- nous Canadians. Indigenous people in Canada did not have the right to vote in federal elec- tions until 1961 and were not allowed to leave a res- ervation without a permit until 1951. In much of the last century, 150,000 indig- enous children were taken from their families to state- funded residential schools where they were barred from speaking native lan- guages and forced to con- vert to Christianity. Many were beaten or abused, and up to 6,000 were said to have died, before the policy ended. Trudeau pointed to re- cent progress. Investments have made water safe to drink in more than two dozen indigenous commu- nities, and nearly 4,000 new homes are being built, he said. Earlier, South Korea’s Moon cautioned that North Korean nuclear issues need to be “managed stably” to prevent a spike in tensions and military clashes – a prospect that has overshad- owed this year’s U.N. gath- ering. Pyongyang conducted its most powerful under- ground atomic test explosion and fired missiles over Japan twice in the past three weeks. The standoff over North Korea’s weapons develop- ment has intensified as its autocratic leader Kim Jong Un has accelerated his na- tion’s development of a nu- clear-tipped missile that could soon strike the conti- nental United States. Yet it is still South Korea, and its capital of Seoul close to the heavily militarized frontier with the North, that faces the greatest immediate risk in a military conflict. North Korea “must imme- diately cease making reck- less choices that could lead to its own isolation and downfall and choose the path of dialogue,” Moon said. “We do not desire the collapse of North Korea. We will not seek unifica- tion by absorption or arti- ficial means, if North Korea makes a decision even now to stand on the right side of history, we are ready to as- sist North Korea together with the international com- munity,” he said. Moon met later Thursday with Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – their second three-way summit in two months – to show a common front in the pressure campaign against North Korea. Trump said the U.S. will impose addi- tional sanctions over the communist country’s nu- clear weapons buildup.9 LOCAL NEWS for local testing is signif- icant because “it further enhances the capabilities of the HSA to not only de- tect in real time certain vi- ruses, but provide timely intervention in the man- agement of patients and enhances our public health surveillance and response capabilities.” He said Cayman previ- ously had to wait between three and five weeks for re- sults from the regional lab. “This presented a challenge for clinicians in the de- livery of patient care and created emotional anxi- eties for patients and fami- lies,” he said. A statement to the Cayman Islands Health Ser- vices Authority from the Centers for Disease Control said: “CDC is pleased to in- form you that the Cayman Islands Health Services Au- thority, Public Health lab- oratory has successfully completed the Trioplex Real- time RT-PCR verification panel with a score of 100% correct, indicating that the assay is performing as ex- pected in your laboratory.” Dr. Williams-Rodriguez noted that “The equipment can also test for almost any other viruses that could pose a threat to public health, which is an important ad- vancement of our capabili- ties given the emerging and re-emergence of mosquito- borne viruses and other dis- eases in the region.” CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT PUBLIC VEHICLE AUCTION Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services 386 North Sound Road, George Town September29, 2017 at 8:30am #YearMakeModelStarting Bid $ 1 2005 Hyundai HD651,500 2 2006 DodgeRam1,500 3 2008 KiaSportage1,000 4 2005 FordE-3502,500 5 2005 HyundaiTrajet800 6 2006 ChevyEpica800 7 1997 Ford F-250500 8 1997 FordE-150500 9 2004 AircraftTug1,000 10 2003 AircraftLoader1,000 11 1998 International4900DT3,500 12 1999 FordF-4503,000 13 1998 FordF-8035 In Brac2,500 14 2005 FordFocus1,000 15 2000 ToyotaYaris1000 16 2005 FordEscape1,500 17 1997 InternationalNavisar4,000 18 2006 FordE-3502,500 19 2008 ToyotaYaris1,500 20 2006 FordFocus1,500 21 2009 ToyotaYaris1,500 22 2007 Toyota Hilux1,500 23 2007 ToyotaHilux1,500 24 2007 HyundaiMatrix 1,000 25 2006 Thomas builtFreightliner5,500 26 1991 OshkoshT-25003,000 27 2005 FordRanger1,000 28 2000 DaihatsuSirion1,000 29 2005 FordRanger1,000 30 2005 FordRanger 1,000 31 2006 MitsubishiOutlander1,500 32 2001 ChevroletSilverado In Brac1,000 33 2007 JeepPatriot 4X41,500 34 2007 FordF-4504,000 ALL VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD “AS IS” Woman scarred by attempted rape Man sentenced to 12 years for offense CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A woman who was the victim of an attempted rape still has a scar on her face from the attack. Every time she looks in a mirror, she is re- minded of it, Justice Charles Quin was told in a recent sen- tencing hearing. The impact on the victim was just one factor he took into account before sentencing Josh Alexander Bodden to 12 years’ imprisonment. Bodden had pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried by judge alone. He said that what had happened between him and the woman was consensual. Justice Quin accepted the woman’s evidence that she had been walking her dogs in the early hours of the morning when she was joined by Bodden. She recognized him as being related to someone who was a good friend, so she was not alarmed. She said Bodden sug- gested that the dogs would enjoy going into the water, so they went down to the beach. While they were talking he was perfectly decent, but then went “ice cold,” she said. He struck her in the face, causing swelling and bleeding. He tried to have sex with her against her will; when he did not succeed, he forced her to perform sexual acts. When she tried to escape, he stopped her and said if she tried again he would kill her. Only when it started get- ting light did he decide to leave. He told her, “If you say anything, I know where you live. I will come for you.” The woman went home and told her husband what had happened and po- lice were called. The husband also gave a statement. He said his wife has been a changed person since the incident. “It has im- pacted our lives and our mar- riage,” he told the interviewer. “I feel helpless. It hurts me to know she is hurting ….” The probation officer who wrote the victim impact re- port said the attempted rape had impacted the woman sig- nificantly, both emotionally and psychologically. Having to go through the trial had made it worse. Justice Quin said the of- fending was sustained, and in- cluded both threats and vio- lence. The attempted rape was virtually indistinguishable from the full offense, he said. The maximum sentence for attempted rape in Cayman is 14 years and the starting point is typically eight years, he noted. Because of the gra- tuitous violence, he raised that to 10 years. But Bodden had previous convictions for vio- lence and was on bail at the time of this offense. These ag- gravating factors raised the sentence to 12 years. The defendant had pre- viously received prison sen- tences, community service or- ders and fines, but nothing had deterred him, the judge noted. Defense attorney Jonathon Hughes had said he could not disagree that the woman suf- fered humiliation and degra- dation, “but that was part and parcel of this type of case.” As to apparent lack of remorse, Mr. Hughes said Bodden “may be starting to come to terms with what has taken place” and had written a letter of apology. Senior Crown counsel Ni- cole Petit, who conducted the prosecution’s case, provided sentencing precedents. In addition to 12 years for attempted rape, Justice Quin imposed concurrent sentences of two and a half years for actual bodily harm and four years for each of the indecent assaults. He commented that the Legislative Assembly might wish to raise the 14-year maximum to life imprison- ment. That maximum would correspond to the law in the U.K., he noted. Testing for mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya can now be carried out in the Cayman Is- lands after the Health Services Authority’s laboratory was au- thorized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to do the screenings. Previously, the only labora- tories in the region that were accredited to test for the dis- eases were in Jamaica and Trin- idad. Cases in Cayman had to await results from those labs. According to a press release from the HSA, the waiting time for confirmation of mosquito- borne diseases “can be signifi- cantly reduced.” While the testing will be carried out in Cayman, test samples will still be sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams- Rodriguez advised. The improvements in capa- bilities of the lab were made possible by the acquisition of an Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System and training of the laboratory staff, a press release states. Dr. Williams-Rodriguez said authorization by the CDC Cayman authorized to test for Zika, dengue A forensic DNA scientist uses the Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System, which the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority lab will be using to test for dengue, Zika, chikungunga and other viruses.Next >