ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 High of 91 Low of 80 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 ’TIS THE SEASON FOR GLITZ, GLAMOUR AND GENEROSITY WORLD & REGIONAL | PAGE 9 SEARCHERS CONTINUE TO DIG AS MEXICO CITY REOPENS A FEW SCHOOLS 185333-Ad-Strip-SandCastles-3yearfixed-DEC.indd 19/22/17 5:01 PM ‘Robot’ video promotes 2018 alternative investment forum The organizers of the 2018 Cayman Al- ternative Investment Summit have enlisted the help of a “robot” to announce the theme of the next conference. “Brian Bionic,” an actor in a robot cos- tume, explores the conference venue, the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, in a new pro- motional video for the event. The fifth annual Cayman Alternative In- vestment Summit, scheduled for Feb. 7-9, will focus on how technology is impacting the alternative investment industry. The theme is “WIRED: The Rise of Alternative Investments in a Digital Age.” Panel discussions will cover such topics as “Rise of Quants: The New Kings of Wall Street” and “Harnessing the Transformative Powers of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.” The promotional video, created by Moca Films in association with Mas- sive Media, features Brian Bionic staying at the Kimpton resort and enjoying Seven Mile Beach. The video can be viewed online at www. caymansummit.com, which is now also open for registration for the event. Dan Scott to lead Education Council BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Ernst & Young Managing Partner Dan Scott has been appointed to lead the Cayman Is- lands government’s Education Council, re- placing the chairmanship formerly held by the education minister. The change to a private sector professional rather than a politician chairing the council was mandated by 2016 amendments to Cayman’s Education Law. Mr. Scott is the first chairman appointed under the revamped legislation. Mr. Scott, who has previously served with Cayman Finance and as chair of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, said educa- tion is an issue that has been “near and dear” to his heart, in large part because of his father, the late Layman “Teacher” Scott, for whom the Cayman Brac High School is named. “With the talented people on this council … we have an opportunity to co-develop what we really need to do around education,” Mr. Scott said. “Our country’s economy is really a knowledge-based economy and we need to look at what we are doing to maintain standards, giving Caymanians every opportunity to excel.” Mr. Scott is not the only new face on the council, and there is still a political pres- ence. Progressives backbench MLA Barbara Conolly, who is also the councilor for educa- tion under Minister Juliana O’Connor-Con- nolly, has been named deputy chairwoman. Ms. Conolly said the new membership will include Cayman Islands Monetary Au- thority Managing Director Cindy Scotland, First governor’s war medals stolen SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Thieves pried open a safe and stole the war medals and other treasured personal effects of Athelstan Charles Long, the first governor of the Cayman Islands, earlier this month. A reward has been offered for anyone who safely returns the medals to their rightful owner. Mr. Long, now 98, resides in the Pines Retirement Home. His medals and other personal effects were stolen from an office in George Town on Sept. 14. CCTV footage captured the alleged perpetrators climbing the office bal- cony at 2:21 a.m. and exiting the of- fice at 4:50 a.m. Amanda Roberts, Mr. Long’s at- torney, hopes that the items will be recovered. “I look after all Mr. Long’s affairs and manage his care,” she said. “He is a 98-year-old veteran of World War II and I’ve known him for a long time. When he and his late wife Zadie used to live near Pedro, we were neigh- bors and I would pop around to visit them and we became friends. I am also his attorney.” Mr. Long fought for Great Britain in World War II. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese during his service in the Pacific theater. He also served in the foreign service after the war. Mr. Long served as Cayman’s last administrator from 1968 to 1971 and as the first governor from August 1971 to August 1972. Mr. Long’s son, Charles Long, a prominent Cayman painter, told the Cayman Compass Monday that among the medals stolen were his fa- ther’s cross denoting membership in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. Athelstan Charles Long wears miniatures of his army service medals at an event in 2015. Several of his medals were stolen from a safe on Sept. 14. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY ‘Brian Bionic’ walks through the lobby of the Kimpton Seafire hotel in the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit promotional video. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 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 - VICTORIA & ABDUL (PG13) 1:00 I 3:55 I 7:25 I 9:50 KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (R) 12:20 VIP I 12:45 I 3:35 I 6:30 6:40 VIP I 9:35 IT (R) 12:55 I 3:30 VIP I 6:50 I 9:50 VIP THE NUT JOB 2 3D (PG) 12:30 2D I 5:05 2D I 9:55 GUN SHY (R) 2:50 I 4:10 I 7:30 I 10:00 AMERICAN ASSASSIN (R) 4:35 I 6:55 I 10:00 Man in court on rape charges Woman charged with murder AIRPORT FENCE SMASHED IN ONE OF 25 WEEKEND ACCIDENTS First cruise ship since Irma docks in Key West Case sent to Grand Court for Oct. 6 mention CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Brianna Michelle Watler, 25, appeared in Sum- mary Court on Monday, charged with the murder of Azzan Sherieff on Sept. 17 in North Side. Mr. Sherieff was 23. No details of the charge were aired in court. Magistrate Valdis Foldats told the defendant that be- cause of the seriousness of the charge she was entitled to apply for legal aid. Further, he advised, be- cause murder is a charge that can be heard only in the Grand Court, he was trans- mitting the charge to the higher court “forthwith.” He pointed out that any bail application could be made there and he set the next mention date for Friday, Oct. 6. Director of Public Pros- ecutions Cheryll Richards appeared on behalf of the Crown. Defense attorney was Jonathon Hughes. A woman who drove an SUV through the Owen Rob- erts International Airport fence Saturday night was one of 25 car accidents re- ported to the Royal Cayman Islands Police this weekend. Police said the 38-year- old driving a Hyundai Tucson “appeared to have lost control of the vehicle and collided [with] the air- port fence.” The SUV then “ran into the grass just be- fore the runway,” police said. The crash happened at about 10 p.m. A portion of the airport fence was knocked down, but the woman was not se- riously hurt. She was later arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Other weekend smashes included a two car crash on the Linford Pierson Highway around 9 p.m. Sat- urday. A Toyota van and a Ford SUV collided near the highway’s intersection at Agnes Way, causing the van to catch fire. Fire trucks quickly arrived to extin- guish the flames. Neither driver was hurt in the collision. Just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday, a Toyota truck with four people on board smashed the wall outside a Bodden Town home along Shamrock Road. The passengers all suf- fered what were described as minor injuries and the driver was arrested for careless driving. The total number of 25 collisions is at least twice the number the RCIPS usu- ally sees during an av- erage weekend. KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) – Royal Caribbean International’s Empress of the Seas docked in Key West on Sunday – the first cruise ship to visit since Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys ear- lier this month. Officials said resuming cruise ship port calls is sig- nificant for the region’s economy, and vital for resi- dents whose livelihood de- pends on serving visitors. “Being a tourist-based economy, we need our vis- itors to come to town, and that is our primary economy,” said Key West Mayor Craig Cates, who was on hand to welcome the ship’s 878 passengers and 600 crew members. “They come here to see our beautiful resources, our beautiful town and architec- ture – and the servers, the bartenders, the hostesses, ev- erybody, depends on them. “The people need to go back to work, and this is a huge part of our re- covery,” Cates said. Keys county and tourism officials were to meet Monday to discuss formal opening dates for visitors to return to the Keys. Electric and water restoration is al- most complete. In addition to the port, Key West International Air- port has reopened for com- mercial service. Officials say most hotels and visitor fa- cilities in Key West have re- covered and are resuming normal operations. Still some attractions and businesses were still closed in Key West on Sunday, such as the Hemingway Home and Museum. One of the top at- tractions in the Keys, the one-time residence of Ernest Hemingway is still under- going landscaping cleanup, but suffered no structural impacts and all of the prop- erty’s six-toed cats are well, according Mike Morawski, who runs the museum. While Hurricane Irma, which struck Sept. 10, caused varying degrees of damage along the 125-mile Florida Keys island chain, Key West and the northernmost island of Key Largo reported the fewest impacts. A number of Keys spe- cial events scheduled for mid- to late October – in- cluding Key West’s Fan- tasy Fest, Marathon’s Stone Crab Eating Contest and Key Largo’s Humphrey Bogart Film Festival – are to take place as planned, according to organizers. Charges related to incident in Prospect CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man charged with two counts of rape was re- manded in custody after appearing in Summary Court on Monday. Okeno Nicholas Solomon, 24, had five charges against him transmitted to Grand Court, where he is scheduled to appear on Friday, Oct. 6. The two rapes, involving one complainant, are al- leged to have occurred at a residential complex in Pros- pect on Sept. 13. Solomon is further charged with aggravated burglary in connection with the same incident – entering as a trespasser with intent to commit rape and having a knife with him at the time of entry. The three charges are re- quired by law to be trans- mitted to Grand Court, Magistrate Valdis Foldats told Solomon. Two other charges were also sent to the higher court because they arose from the same set of circumstances. Solomon was also charged with burglary – en- tering as a trespasser with intent to steal and stealing a quantity of jewelry and other items, including a Dell laptop from the same complainant/victim. A theft charge alleges that Solomon stole a Kia Pi- canto motor car from the complex parking lot. Valued at more than $5,000, it was the property of Cayman Rent A Car Ltd. The defendant, a resi- dent of West Bay, was repre- sented by attorney Jonathon Hughes. No bail applica- tion was made. The two rapes, involving one complainant, are alleged to have occurred at the Lantern Point residential complex in Prospect on Sept. 13. Magistrate Valdis Foldats told the defendant that because of the seriousness of the charge she was entitled to apply for legal aid. The SUV then “ran into the grass just before the runway,” police said. IN MEXICO, $2 PER HOUR WORKERS MAKE $40,000 SUVS MEXICO CITY (AP) – Auto worker Ivan Flores spends his days transporting parts for U.S.-bound Audi SUVs at a plant in central Mexico, but he laughs when asked if he could ever buy one of the $40,000 Q5 SUVs the plant produces on his $2.25 per hour salary. “For us it is a dream to buy a Q5; we never could,” said Flores, 40, who supports three sons on his roughly $110 weekly paycheck. The premise of the auto industry since the times of Henry Ford was that workers would make enough to buy the cars they produced. Across the U.S. and Europe, the arrival of an auto plant meant the creation of middle- class communities, with em- ployees taking vacations, buying homes, cars, perhaps even cottages and boats. But in Mexico – where the auto industry has boomed under the North American Free Trade Agreement, with plants like the Audi factory that opened in Puebla state in 2016 – the industry has created something different: a class of workers who are barely getting by, crammed into tiny 500-square-foot apartments in government- subsidized projects that they pay for over decades. Many cannot afford even a used car, taking home as little as $50 per week after de- ductions for mortgages and cafeteria meals. The key in Mexico’s auto industry may be the so-called “protection” contracts signed long before plants open. As in many factories in Mexico, very few of the cur- rent Audi workers ever voted for their union leader, and they will not get any chance to vote for years. Government records show that on Jan. 24, 2014 – al- most three years before the Sept. 30, 2016, inauguration of the Audi plant – the com- pany signed a union con- tract that specified wages as low as $1.40 per hour, up to $4 per hour. The union says nobody receives the lowest wage, with most earning about $2.25. So when the plant’s 5,000 workers finally were hired two years later, they were faced with a union and a contract only a handful had voted for. Given Mexico’s lack of good jobs, many do apply, including college graduates. The contract locks in wage increase of about 6 percent per year – which outpaced inflation for a few years but now trails it – through 2019. A Nissan plant in another state pays between $2.40 and $4.75 per hour. But workers at many other plants also get vouchers to buy groceries, which Audi workers do not. Mexico’s minimum wage – which few people make – is about 50 cents per hour. Mexico recently changed its constitution to demand that unions signing labor contracts have to show they have the support of the workers they represent. But there has been little to no enforcement. The Labor Department refused re- quests for comment.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Here in the Caribbean, we do not experience the annual cycle of spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, we do observe “seasons” of our own. Hurricane Season, for example, ranks near the bottom of our “favorites” list. Right at the top is Gala Season. Elsewhere in the world, temperatures are dropping and Mother Nature is preparing to unveil her cus- tomary foliar fashion show. Here in the Cayman Islands, The Ritz-Carlton, Kimpton, Marriott and other elegant venues will soon burst into life as well. Soon they will be hosting a “who’s who” crowd decked out in evening gowns and black tuxedos – living proof that “looking good” and “doing good” can be as perfect a pairing as canapés and Champagne. This year, thanks to the overwhelming success of Friday’s childhood cancer research fundraiser, more than a few of Cayman’s gala-goers may be modeling a hot new fashion accessory – namely, a wig. Before a crowd of more than 1,000 people at Cricket Square, 107 sporting volunteers, including 27 women, submitted to having their heads shaved to raise more than $267,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Child- hood Cancer Research Foundation. The success of the Hannah’s Heroes Big Shave is an auspicious kickoff to a months-long social season that promises not only to be entertaining, but also to raise significant funds for, and awareness of, a multi- tude of needs on our islands and overseas. Several worthy events are scheduled for this weekend, including the Central Caribbean Marine Insti- tute’s Festival of Seas – the theme this year is “Beach Ball” – at the Kaibo Yacht Club. Funds raised will help ensure the health of our reefs and oceans for genera- tions to come. Those who desire more casual philan- thropic fun can opt for slippers and cozy pajamas at Cayman’s first Adult Slumber Party and Breast Cancer Fundraiser at the Marriott Beach Resort. There are a number of industry-specific events on the horizon, too, including the 10th annual Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants gala, where members of CIIPA – one of the largest profes- sional societies in the Cayman Islands – gather to cel- ebrate their profession and their colleagues’ success. The Compass and its parent company, Pinnacle Media, are pleased to serve as media sponsor for many of these worthy events, including the Oct. 7 Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation Gala, cel- ebrating survivors and raising funds for local nonprofit organizations. This year the event will feature special guest speakers Giuliana and Bill Rancic, who will share their experiences as a five-year survivor and spouse. The list could go on and on. Be sure to check the Cayman Weekender (included in Friday editions of the Compass), the daily newspaper and our website, www.CaymanCompass.com, for details about upcoming events. In the wake of recent devastating hurricanes, and as Cayman’s new nonprofit regulations have taken effect, the mechanisms and effects of charitable giving have been on the minds of many. As officials in the U.S. and Cayman have warned, it is important to verify that your kind contributions are directed to a repu- table relief organization, and not “misdirected” for irrelevant or even fraudulent purposes. Participating in one of Cayman’s many well-estab- lished galas is an ideal way to ensure that your money (and your evening) are well spent. ’Tis the season for glitz, glamour and generosity LETTER TO THE EDITOR A centre for national culture and recreation The real estate section of the Cayman Compass of Sept. 22 carried an adver- tisement of the sale of The Cayman Islander land, 5.67 acres, for US$16.385 mil- lion (“Land”). The Land is located on the east side of West Bay Road, just north of the site of the pro- posed Cayman HospiceCare building and just south of Pepper’s restaurant. In my opinion, the Land should be acquired by the Cayman Islands Govern- ment as the site of a Na- tional Cultural and Recre- ation Centre (“Centre”). The Centre would link up with, by means of pedestrian walk- ways, the Harquail Theatre, the National Gallery and the various playing fields pro- posed by Dart on the western side of the Esterley Tib- betts Highway. The Land could be the site of a world-class outdoors aquatics facility. Cayman is the ideal site for such a fa- cility at which our swimmers could not only train, but host swimmers from other coun- tries for training and compe- tition. Think of the prospect of U.S. colleges and those of other countries and national teams holding training ses- sions in Cayman during in- clement weather up north. Perhaps it is wishful thinking but, in addition to the Harquail Theatre, one can imagine a building which would serve as the perma- nent home for the national orchestra and choir. The Centre would stretch from West Bay Road to the Esterley Tibbetts Highway and would consist of a series of walkways, gardens and a small lake linking build- ings and facilities of na- tional importance. Cayman is already on the world stage for financial ser- vices; it is time that audacity and imagination carried Cayman to the world stage in culture and recreation. Paul Simon Britain is still dithering over Brexit BLOOMBERG VIEW In her Brexit speech last week, British Prime Min- ister Theresa May faced three main challenges. She met one and fell short on the other two – and as a result, the threat of a disorderly Brexit continues to mount. The best part of May’s speech was its tone: Positive and friendly, she offered Eu- rope a close future partner- ship, stressing modesty and mutual interests. Given the acrimony that has marked Brexit negotiations thus far, this is no small achievement. When it got into specifics, however, the speech faltered. Brexit negotiations, which face a deadline of March 2019, have been paralyzed by a dispute over exit liabil- ities. May told Britain’s EU partners they would not be forced to “pay more or receive less over the remainder of the current budget plan as a re- sult of our decision to leave. The U.K. will honor commit- ments we have made during the period of our member- ship.” This acknowledges that a substantial sum will be due, but it’s still too vague. One man’s “commitment” is another’s misunderstanding. And the reference to “the cur- rent budget plan” is another bone of contention – an offer on that basis will fall far short of the number that the EU has in mind. The other sticking point May failed to address ad- equately was a transitional deal that would freeze ex- isting EU arrangements until a new EU-U.K. pact can be concluded. May talked not of a transitional arrange- ment but of an “implemen- tation period.” That implies there will be a plan to imple- ment at the moment of exit. There won’t be. In March 2019, Britain exits, and at that point talks on the long-term future part- nership may not even have started. The two years May proposes for “implementation” of the new deal will probably be insufficient for the difficult negotiations to come, let alone for the subsequent execution of what, if anything, is agreed. She did acknowledge that during her so-called imple- mentation period, “access to one another’s markets should continue on current terms,” which is good. There’s no time for anything more compli- cated. But even just extending current arrangements is far from simple, and – given how slowly the EU makes deci- sions – the real deadline for agreeing the terms of exit is now only a year away. What’s missing is a sense of urgency. Guided by her main political concern – to reassure her country’s Brexit hardliners that they aren’t about to be betrayed – May is still in the realm of big themes and broad ambitions. By now, she should have moved the U.K. past that. The exit terms need to be settled at once, or else re- ferred to independent arbi- tration – and British citizens must be persuaded to accept a number they will not like. A freeze of the current arrange- ments then needs to be agreed with no set limit on its du- ration. Many Brits won’t like that either. With all this done, the focus can shift to talks on the future partnership. For now, making Brexit work is a matter not of big ideas but of small details. To avoid inflicting unneces- sary damage on Europe and a shattering blow on Britain, May and her government need to move much faster. © 2017 Bloomberg View 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 • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 #ShareTheRoadKY A BRIGHT IDEA ALWAYS WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING & LIGHTS WHEN RUNNING, WALKING OR CYCLING AT NIGHT. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE Broadcasting Ltd. Civil servants hand out Meals on Wheels JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Twenty-eight civil ser- vants set out on 14 routes Monday, from George Town to West Bay, to deliver 100 meals to the elderly, disabled and housebound. Civil servants from a wide cross section of government departments volunteered their service after being asked by Meals on Wheels to support the organization’s Dress Down Day, which takes place Friday, Sept. 29. The volunteers gave up their lunch hours to attend the Meals on Wheels kitchen in George Town to pick up meals, ready to deliver them to the recipients. Meals on Wheels delivers food to 200 people across the island Monday through Friday. There are another 150 people on the waiting list, with the majority of those being in West Bay. Meals on Wheels has four kitchens in the community and is hoping to get a fifth one up and running before the end of the year. Meals on Wheels’ new general manager Erin Bodden said the volunteer service of- fers more than just a meal to recipients – it also provides a safety check for seniors. “It means they are not alone because at some point during the day someone is checking in on them and saying ‘How you are doing today?’ We ask volunteers to report back anything that is a bit off, needs addressing, or seeking additional attention,” Ms. Bodden said. Ms. Bodden took over the Meals on Wheels position after former general manager Beulah McField retired. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson was at the Meals on Wheels kitchen in George Town Monday morning to thank the civil servant volun- teers for donating their time, and to pick up the meals that he had volunteered to deliver. “One of our missions in the civil service is to be more sociably responsible and to show the public that we care,” said Mr. Manderson. “I can’t think of a better way of doing it than by coming out and supporting the Meals on Wheels Organization, who do a fantastic job in the community.” Volunteering from the Immigration Department, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Samantha Bennett said it is a wonderful charity to give back to. “I really wanted to do it before, but there are limited spaces and that is a good thing. Straight- away I jumped on board and wanted to be a part of it today,” she said. Karen Christian, volun- teering from the Portfolio of the Civil Service, said she volunteered because she has seniors in her church that use the program, and she felt it was appropriate for her to do so. Ms. Bodden said volun- teering with Meals on Wheels not only gave civil servants a chance to give back to the community in a tangible way, but also allowed them to see the work that the charity is doing in the community. “We receive a government grant each year, however, three-quarters of the funding is through donations and fun- draising,” Ms. Bodden said. She said Meals on Wheels currently has enough vol- unteers on the West Bay and George Town routes, but volunteers are needed for North Side, East End and Bodden Town. She said many seniors may not like people to know it, but they need help, as they are at home by themselves a lot during the day. “It’s hard to cook at a stove and manage a walker, and some are bedridden and it’s a struggle for a lot of them to afford meals, get care and have mobility,” Ms. Bodden added. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, front row, center, leads civil service volunteers who lent their lunch hour to Meals on Wheels, delivering lunch to recipients from George Town to West Bay. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 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. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27 DEH CLOSURE: Both of the Department of Environmental Health’s Grand Cayman offices will close at 12:30 p.m. for a staff meeting. The Brac office and GT landfill will operate with limited staff from 12:30 p.m. until normal closing hours. Businesses that need to dispose of large amounts of waste at the GT landfill should do so before 12:30 p.m. The 24-hour public drop-off site will remain open for disposal of small amounts of waste from residential customers. All DEH offices and the GT landfill resume normal business on Thursday, Sept. 28 For more information, contact 949-6696. THURSDAY, SEPT. 28 NS DISTRICT COUNCIL: All residents of North Side District are invited to a Council meeting 8 p.m. in the Clifton Hunter High School auditorium. BRAC COURT: Summary Court is held at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre today and tomorrow. FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 FAMILY CONFERENCE: The Church of God Chapels host an All Family Conference – Building Lasting Relationships, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Family Life Centre, Academy Way, Walkers Road. Guest speakers will be Dr. Clarence and Brenda Schuler. Cost, $25 for couples; $15 for singles. Free baby-sitting will be provided. For more information, visit www.ChurchofGodEvents.com or call 922-0002 or 949-9393. WALK FOR THE CURE: Today is the deadline to register for Sunday’s CIBC 5K walk/run. $15 adults 12 and up, $10 for ages 3–11. Contact Shadden at 815-2405 or shadden. mclaughlin@cibcfcib.com or Joy at 815-2407 or joy.anglin@cibcfcib.com. SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 HERO NOMINATIONS: Today is the deadline for nominations for 2018 National Heroes Day. Submit nominations of deserving individuals who have made or continue to make significant contributions in the area of sports. Visit www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky for all information, or check www.facebook.com/ CaymanIslandsProtocol. DEALS ON WHEELS: The Red Cross mobile thrift shop will be in North Side from 6-10 a.m., at the junction of Hutland and North Side roads. OUTDOOR MOVIE: Family Empowerment Cayman presents the movie “Flywheel” at the park at Seven Mile Beach, next to the Kimpton resort. Free. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Visit www.facebook.com/ fecayman or call 916-6182. MENTORING CAYMAN: The Chamber of Commerce is calling for business and community leaders to volunteer as a mentor for the 2017/18 program. Today is the deadline. Call 743-9123 for further information or visit www.caymanchamber.ky/ mentoringcayman. HIGH SCHOOL REUNION: The Cayman Islands High School Class of 1987 celebrates its 30-year reunion, 7 p.m. at the George Town Yacht Club, North Sound Road. Tickets are 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. SUNDAY, OCT. 1 WALK FOR THE CURE: CIBC 5K walk/run from Public Beach. Grouping starts 6 a.m. start time 6:30 a.m. See Friday Sept. 29 for registration. CUT-A-THON: Eclipze hair and beauty salon offers services at huge savings in this fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. Staff from Eclipze Hair Design and Spa, Focus Hair and Beauty, Artista Salon, Spa Esprit and Privé Beauty Studio are participating. Event will be held at Eclipze. Wet cuts for men, women and children, mini manicures and eyebrow threading, $1 a minute massages, reflexology at $2 a minute. These last two services can be scheduled in advance. TUESDAY, OCT. 3 CISBA OPENING: the Cayman Islands Small Business Association opens its office at 151 Mary St. in George Town. All are invited to join members for the official opening with food, wine and live music 5:30–7:30 p.m. RSVP 946-3147 or email cisbacayman@gmail.com. THURSDAY, OCT. 5 INTERIOR DESIGN WORKSHOP: Today is the deadline to register for the Visual Arts Society’s “Personalize Your Home” four-week Interior Design workshop: Oct. 5-26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (one make-up class if needed). At Watler House Studio, Pedro St. James. Redesign a room or plan a new home. Four- week workshop fee is $175 for members. Non-members, $200. Fee includes vision boards, use of studio, qualified interior designer. Contact info@visualartcayman.com or 546-9422. SATURDAY, OCT. 7 ROADSIDE CLEANUP: West Bay Community Emergency Response Team will do a roadside cleanup at 6 a.m. in the vicinity of the West Bay Cemetery and Fire Station. Members of the community are invited to assist with this beautification project. For information, call 929-9932. FRIDAY, OCT. 13 VOICES FOR HOSPICE: An evening of song and dance with the theme of Nostalgia. Prospect Playhouse. Champagne gala tonight. Tickets are $100. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Show 7:30 p.m. Contact 945-7447 or fundraising@ caymanhospicecare.ky. SATURDAY, OCT. 14 VOICES FOR HOSPICE: An evening of song and dance with the theme of Nostalgia. Prospect Playhouse. Tickets are $50. Doors open 6 p.m. Show 7 p.m. Contact 945-7447 or fundraising@ caymanhospicecare.ky. SATURDAY, OCT. 21 SMALL BUSINESS EXPO: The Cayman Islands Small Business Association invites the public to the annual Small Business Expo UCCI Fellowship Hall. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Anyone interested in having a booth should contact 946-3147 or email cisbacayman@gmail.com. GENERAL INTEREST HURRICANE RELIEF: The Adventist Church has started a fund in aid of Hurricane Irma victims in the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. Financial contributions may be made at the local office, 209 Walkers Road, during business hours, or at the nearest Adventist Church. Donations may also be deposited at the Royal Bank of Canada, to ADRA account number 500-6234. 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. Tuesday or Thursday lunchtime meetings from noon to 1 p.m. in term time at the school. Contact Laura on 328-0300 or Karen on 325-0318. SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Volunteers needed for weekly sports training. Tuesdays – Track, bocce, football. Wednesdays – 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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 email info@visualartcayman.com. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. CIBC First Caribbean and Cancer Society representatives, along with Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, third from left, and former Miss Cayman Tonie Chisholm, far right, line up for a previous Walk for the Cure. This year’s fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 OCTOBER 7, 2017 The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman www.breastcancerfoundation.ky info@breastcancerfoundation.ky Featuring Special Guest Speakers PRINT MEDIA SPONSOR Featuring Special Guest Speakers Rancic Bill & Giulianna THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL MENTION SPONSORS BVI gets disaster management assistance from Cayman Islands Hazard Management Cayman Islands has sent Danielle Coleman, the agen- cy’s deputy director of pre- paredness and planning, to the British Virgin Is- lands to assist with aid ef- forts. Ms. Coleman will as- sist the BVI Red Cross and BVI Department of Disaster Management in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Ms. Coleman flew to BVI on Friday and is expected to stay there a month, according to a press release. She was tabbed for the mission fol- lowing an official request from the Red Cross to the Cayman Islands government. In a request to the Cayman Islands government, Kevin Studds, country man- ager of the overseas branches of the British Red Cross, said, “Through our conversation with the Cayman Islands Red Cross we are aware of the tremendous support and soli- darity the Government of the Cayman Islands has shown towards the people of An- guilla. I am reaching out to ask whether you would be able to further extend that solidarity by kindly consid- ering whether a member of the Hazard Management, Danielle Coleman, could be released temporarily to be deployed to the British Virgin Islands to support the relief efforts there.” Ms. Coleman worked for the Cayman Islands Red Cross for five years and worked closely with col- leagues in other British Over- seas Territories in the Carib- bean. Ms. Coleman is also a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross’s Emergency Response Unit (logistics), the Americas Re- gional Intervention team and a trainer for both community based psychosocial support and the National Intervention team. She has also undergone significant training in shelter and security management. “Given her current role at Hazard Management Cayman Islands, she also has an un- derstanding of the workings of a national disaster man- agement office, which will be important in order to sup- port the BVI Department of Disaster Management to the best effect,” said Mr. Studds. “She knows the staff and volunteers of the BVI Red Cross well, and would in- tegrate seamlessly, which is so important in the cur- rent context, when time is of the essence.” Ms. Coleman is expected to work in damage assess- ment in communities, aid distribution and coordi- nating with other emer- gency relief organizations. Ms. Coleman contributed to the Cayman Islands gov- ernment’s response and re- covery following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and she un- dertook recovery work in Thailand for six months fol- lowing the Indian Ocean tsu- nami later that year. “I am really honoured and humbled to have been selected for this deployment by the British and BVI Red Cross,” she said in the press release. “Having worked with the overseas branches of the Red Cross for several years, I look forward to assisting them and the BVI Govern- ment with the response and recovery from the dev- astation caused by Hurri- cane Irma. I strongly be- lieve that such experience can not only help BVI but also our own response-ca- pacity in the future here in the Cayman Islands. “I am very pleased that Ms. Coleman is going to help our neighbours-in- need in the British Virgin Is- lands,” said Premier Alden McLaughlin in the release. “Ms. Coleman is experienced in disaster relief and we are proud that she has been called upon to assist during this urgent situation.” Hazard Management has sent one of its emissaries, Danielle Coleman, to BVI to assist with recovery efforts. Ms. Coleman is expected to work in damage assessment in communities, aid distribution and coordinating with other emergency relief organizations. This Sept. 16 photo shows storm damage to the Biras Creek Resort in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. - PHOTO: GUILLERMO HOUWER VIA APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS as well as Maples attor- neys Maxine Bodden and Christina Bodden. Returning council mem- bers include Foster’s Food Fair Managing Director Woody Foster, specialist ed- ucation experts Jacque- line Ebanks and Debra McLaughlin, and private schools representative Deb- orah Thompson. Ms. Conolly said she’s hopeful the council will be- come “less political” and more focused on the law it- self and getting results from the local education system. She said she hoped the new board membership would in- dicate a renewed focus on all Cayman schools, not only the ones government operates. “With the new mem- bership [on the council], it brings a wider perspective on things,” Ms. Conolly said. The updated Education Law gives the minister re- sponsible significant au- thority to delegate educa- tion-related matters to the council, although the body is merely considered advisory to the minister. The revamped law al- lows the council to directly make decisions on matters delegated to it, including the registration of schools, preschools and day cares and “otherwise regulate the teaching profession in accor- dance with standards set by the ministry.” One issue that has raised significant public concern in recent years involves the scholarships handed out by the Education Council which are limited to $20,000 per student each year they are in tertiary education, as long as they maintain a certain grade average. Ms. Conolly said there have been many requests to increase that amount, but she’s not certain that can be supported in the next budget cycle [2018-2019]. “We would like to [in- crease the amount], but it’s based on budget,” she said. The government will de- cide its spending plan for the next two years after the new budget is pre- sented to the Legislative As- sembly on Oct. 13. Education Law The new law was unani- mously approved during the last term of the Progressives- led coalition, replacing 1970s era legislation that allowed corporal punishment for children, among other issues. The new legislation creates a framework for charter schools, as well as an independent schools inspectorate. A number of local pri- vate schools receive some funding in a stipend from government, similar to charter schools in the U.S., but that total funding has never exceeded $2 million per budget year. Ms. Roberts said the elder Mr. Long’s prized Burma Star medal was also stolen. Mr. Long’s family has not yet done a full inven- tory of his honors and is not certain which of his other medals were stolen. The safe that held the medals was lined with con- crete, and it housed com- memorative coins and an- tique jewelry that were also stolen. “This is a sad and ter- rible thing to happen at this stage of Mr. Long’s life and for his family,” said Ms. Rob- erts of the crime and its col- lateral damage. “A concrete- lined combination-lock safe should have been safer than any home. You hear of home invasions and residential burglaries all the time now, so his family felt it best to put the medals and valu- ables in an office safe. It is an unconscionable act.” Police are investigating, and a reward is offered for the safe return of the medals or for information leading to their recovery. Andrew McLaughlin, acting president of the Cayman Islands Veterans As- sociation, expressed his re- gret for the crime and his hope that Mr. Long’s posses- sions will be found. “It’s unfortunate because I’m sure some of the medals can’t be replaced,” he said. “We would hope that the people would come forward and give back the medals be- cause they have very high sentimental value for him and his descendants. Those things are passed down from generation to generation.” Anyone with information can contact the RCIPS Burglary Unit at 949-4222 or call Crime Stoppers (800-TIPS/800- 8477) or message 936-3676. This concrete-lined safe, which housed Athelstan Long’s medals, was broken into in the early morning of Sept. 14. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 First governor’s war medals stolen Cull competitors bring in 591 lionfish JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Culling lionfish is some- times compared to pulling weeds. As soon as you clear one patch, new specimens spring up elsewhere. “We don’t ever expect to eradicate them completely,” said Mark Orr after the 23rd Cayman United Lionfish League culling competition over the weekend. “All we can do is keep the numbers down. Man is the only consistent predator for them and we have to keep up the pressure,” Mr. Orr said. The tournament, post- poned on a couple of occa- sions, saw a relatively high yield from a much smaller number of teams than usu- ally turn out for the quar- terly tournaments. Just five teams partici- pated, culling 591 fish be- tween them. Over various tournaments, cull numbers have fluctuated between 500 and 1,500, though typically there are more than a dozen teams competing. In the last tournament in May, 12 teams collectively culled 503 fish. “We didn’t have many teams this time, but those that did participate culled a lot of fish,” said Mr. Orr, chief conservation officer for the Department of Environment and one of the organizers of the event. Divetech culled the most fish in this weekend’s compe- tition, 299. Ambassador Divers won the award for most fish per culler, the three-man team taking 186 fish. Ambassador Divers also won the biggest lionfish, smallest lionfish and most weight per culler. Mr. Orr said the lower overall number and anecdotal evidence from the cullers sug- gests numbers of the invasive species were generally lower than a few years ago. But he cautioned that the number could also be due to the much lower number of cullers. He said one team had filled an ice chest full of fish at a single site off Jackson Point. Regular tournaments are important, he said, be- cause they incentivize cullers to look beyond the usual dive sites. The next tournament is planned for mid-November to coincide with Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation’s Ocean Conservation Month. Cullers, cookers and eaters of lionfish gather at The Lobster Pot in downtown George Town Sunday following the 23rd Cayman United Lionfish League culling tournament. Culling teammates Jason Washington, left, and Zach Larrabee with the largest lionfish caught in the tournament. - PHOTOS: KATIE O’NEILL Dan Scott to lead Education Council CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Prospect bar robbed at lunchtime A Prospect bar lo- cated next door to the Cayman Islands Brewery was robbed just after noon Monday. Police said a suspect “brandished a handgun” during the holdup at Da Station Bar, for- merly Johnny’s Bar, on Shamrock Road. Police did not immedi- ately state what was taken, or if anyone was hurt. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call 911 or the George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Da Station Bar was cordoned off following an armed robbery Monday. - PHOTO: BRENT FULLER Dan ScottThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 Former NY representative sentenced Former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, 53, was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison for sexting with a 15-year-old girl in a case that rocked Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the White House in the closing days of the race. Searchers continue to dig as Mexico City reopens a few schools Puerto Ricans hunt for precious WiFi and cell signals SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Margarita Aponte and her relatives cleared the road in front of her house with two oxen, then drove an hour from her devastated home- town in central Puerto Rico to the old telegraph building in the capital of San Juan. There, thousands of Puerto Ricans gathered for a chance at a resource nearly as precious as power and water in the wake of Hurri- cane Maria – communication. “It’s ringing, it’s ringing, it’s ringing!” Aponte, a janitor, screamed as her phone con- nected to free WiFi and her Facetime call went through to the mainland on Sunday. Her eyes filled with tears as she talked with nephews, uncles, brothers and sisters in Florida and Massachusetts for the first time since Maria destroyed nearly every cell- phone and fiber optic con- nection on this U.S. territory of 3.4 million people. The low murmur at one of two free WiFi hotspots is oc- casionally interrupted by the cheering of someone getting through the largely jammed network. Most spend hours frowning at their phones, un- able to connect. “There’s no communica- tion. We’re in God’s hands,” Yesenia Gomez, a kitchen worker, said as she left a message for her mother in the neighboring Domin- ican Republic. Dozens of other Puerto Ri- cans opted to pull over to the side of the road along various highways where cellphone signals were strongest. Carlos Ocasio, a main- tenance worker, picked his way through tree branches and broken glass bottles as he found a spot with a good signal. Soon, he was able to reach his brother in New Jersey. “My throat got a little choked up and I couldn’t talk for a minute,” he said. “They’re calling me from ev- erywhere, asking when I’m going to arrive.” Others in Puerto Rico and abroad called a local radio station to provide names, numbers, exact ad- dresses and pictures of their loved ones in hopes of reconnecting. But for hundreds of thou- sands of Puerto Ricans living on the U.S. mainland, there has been only silence from the island. Shirley Rodriguez, a resi- dent of New York’s Brooklyn borough, said she has more than 30 relatives in Puerto Rico but she is especially concerned about her 66-year- old mother, Mildred Rodri- guez, who has diabetes and pulmonary hypertension and lives in Hormigueros on the island’s west coast. Rodriguez last spoke to her family before the storm and her relatives were planning on being together for it. Since then, calls to their cellphones have gone to voicemail. “I’m absolutely numb at this point. It’s a roller- coaster of emotion,” she said. “Not knowing is ex- tremely agonizing.” Her mother-in-law is in the San Juan area and somehow managed to con- nect with someone who works for the mayor of Hor- migueros, who was able to tell Rodriguez that the area where her parents live es- caped flooding. But she still does not know what the ac- tual conditions are like. Some in Puerto Rico ex- pressed anger over what they said was a lack of commu- nication from cellphone pro- viders about which towers were working so they could drive in that direction. “They’re not giving us any information,” said Ricardo Castellanos, a business con- sultant. “We’re in a state of emergency.” Castellanos visits the WiFi hotspots twice a day to try to reach his two daughters in the central town of Gurabo and has been able to send a few pictures to friends on so- cial media of the devastation the hurricane left behind. As people continued to search for a connection in silence, some occasionally spoke up to offer unsolic- ited advice. “I didn’t move my phone around, and I got a signal,” said one woman to a man complaining that he was in a dead zone. Nationwide death toll at least 324 MEXICO CITY (AP) – Search teams were still digging in dangerous piles of rubble Monday, hoping against the odds to find survivors at col- lapsed buildings in Mexico City, where the death toll from the Sept. 19 earthquake rose to 186, and 324 nationwide. Officials said they had cleared only 103 of Mexico City’s nearly 9,000 schools to reopen Monday. The need to inspect 98 per- cent of the capital’s public and private schools nearly a week after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake was a stark in- dicator of just how long the path back to normalcy will be. Federal Education Sec- retary Aurelio Nuno said it could take a couple more weeks to inspect all of the schools, and the govern- ment will announce each day which schools have been cleared to resume classes. For schools found to have structural damage, stu- dents could be put in tempo- rary classrooms. “For the safety of the boys, the girls, the teachers and for the peace of mind, of course, of all the fathers and all the mothers, all schools will be inspected,” Nuno said. Rescue operations aimed at finding survivors remained active in at least three sites in Mexico City – two apart- ment buildings and an of- fice building – but hope dimmed every time rescuers had to retreat due to in- stability of debris. No one has been found alive since Wednesday, when a woman was pulled from debris. Prayers from families As darkness fell Sunday, prayers were held by families who have been gathered near the collapsed office hoping missing relatives will be found. A crowd of onlookers watching swelled, and so did the number of volun- teer workers. Teachers at one corner tried to entertain chil- dren of some of the waiting families. There also appeared to be more people offering psychological support. Hugo Luna, whose cousin Erika Gabriela Albarran was believed trapped in the fallen building, complained that officials had not im- mediately informed families when two bodies were re- moved Saturday night. “There is a lot of distrust of authori- ties,” he said. His aunt, who was also inside the building when the quake hit but escaped, is traumatized, he said. “Nothing happened to her, but now she has panic at- tacks,” Luna said. “You open the door, she hears a noise and she gets scared.” For the family of Adrian Moreno, a missing 26-year- old human resources worker at an accounting firm, the emotional roller coaster is getting to be too much. More- no’s mother had a look of an- guish and largely stopped being able to speak. His boy- friend, Dario Hernandez, also looked lost, his gaze tear- stained and unfocused. “Just hearing the earth- quake alarm was horrible,” Hernandez said of a siren that rang during a 6.1 quake Saturday morning that was an aftershock of an even bigger temblor that struck in southern Mexico on Sept. 7. Looking at the huge pile of rubble, Hernandez started to comment. “Something moves and …,” he said, his voice trailing away at the unspeak- able thought that the whole pile could suddenly collapse. “There is a lot of nervous- ness, a lot of desperation,” he finally said. “ … This is the worst thing I have ever seen in my life, the worst.” A total of 38 buildings in the Mexican capital – mostly apartment blocks or office buildings – collapsed in Tues- day’s earthquake. The first days saw a dra- matic scramble with picks, shovels and bare hands to reach survivors, and well over 100 were saved. Damaged houses too dan- gerous to occupy Thousands of people are homeless because their houses or apartment build- ings, while still standing, are too dangerous. Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said about 9,000 damaged properties had been examined so far and more than 8,000 were deemed safe, needing only minor repairs. Mancera told the Televisa network that about 700 were going to need some repairs but would be habitable again. About 300 either needed major structural reinforcement or would have to be demolished. One by one, the searches have closed down in recent days, after sniffer dogs were sent in and did not find life and thermal imaging devices turned up no body heat sig- natures. Heavy machinery moved in to begin removing the mountains of debris. Empty lots began to ap- pear where just days ago a building stood. At one of the collapsed apartment buildings still being searched, members of a Japanese search and rescue team pulled a small white dog from the rubble alive Sunday, cradling and petting it as they brought it down. The dog’s rescue gave hope to residents and neigh- bors of the building who suc- cessfully got an injunction from a judge Saturday night requiring the rescue oper- ation continue for at least five more days. Rescue operations aimed at finding survivors remained active in at least three sites in Mexico City, but hope dimmed every time rescuers had to retreat due to instability of debris. People use their devices to communicate as they congregate on the street at one of the few WiFi hotspots in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday. - PHOTO: AP Rescue workers on Monday use a crane to lift a section of concrete floor as they remove rubble in hopes of reaching dozens of people believed to be trapped inside a collapsed office building in Mexico City. - PHOTO: APNext >