ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY ALSO INCLUDING BIG KING ORIGINAL CHICKEN SANDWICH BIG FISH SANDWICHEXTRA LONG CHEESEBURGER BARS PLAN MEMORABLE NEW YEAR’S EVE, DESPITE RESTRICTIONS JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Clubs, bars and restaurants in Grand Cayman shrugged off the controversy over the island’s New Year’s Eve live music ban and in- sisted, “The show must go on.” Some venues have been forced to cancel DJs or live bands after realizing there would be no exemption to the usual Sunday re- strictions under the Music and Dancing (Control) Law. Last-ditch efforts to change the law to allow for New Year’s Eve entertainment proved futile, with government insisting nothing could be done at this late stage. Now, venues are trying to make the best of the situation and make Jan. 31 a night to re- member, despite the restrictions. At Calico Jack’s on Seven Mile Beach, Handel Whittaker is confident the controversy will not dampen the mood. “I don’t think it is going to have an impact. New Year’s Eve, young and old will come out and have a good time, regardless. “We will have background music up to midnight and then 12:01 a.m. is when the real stuff gets started with the DJ.” Luciano De Riso, manager of the Wharf and Grand Old House, said the venues were taking a similar approach. “It was a big disappointment when we realized that there wasn’t going to be any amendment to the law, but we slightly modi- fied our plans and [are] still going to have a great party for our guests,” he said. “This way, we make everyone happy.” He said both res- taurants would be serving dinner all night, with background music, before a fireworks BUSIEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD FOR AIR ARRIVALS Nearly 35,000 people flew into Grand Cayman last month, making No- vember 2017 the busiest November on record, according to tourism officials. A press release from the Depart- ment of Tourism noted that the sta- tistics reflected “a consistent increase of air arrivals from the core markets within the United States,” representing a year-to-date total of 302,634 visitors, an increase of 11.88 percent. For more on this story, see page 6. Cayman avoids EU tax blacklist, for now MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands was not included on a list of 17 countries that the European Union deemed unco- operative in tax matters. However, when the list was released on Dec. 5, Cayman found itself on a so-called graylist of 47 countries and jurisdictions that have made written commitments to meet the EU criteria applied to the process of singling out countries for their lack of tax transparency and “tax fairness.” Cayman complied with most EU criteria in relation to the exchange of tax information or the implemen- tation of the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) program. It also does not offer preferential tax regimes that would treat local companies differently than Cayman-registered overseas companies. Top photos of 2017 A tarpon moves calmly through a swirl of silversides at Eden Rock in June this year in the photo above, taken by James Whittaker. The image below, shot by Taneos Ramsay, shows professional scooter rider Dejion Taylor, 17, from California, performing some gravity-defying stunts to impress and inspire youngsters at a half-term camp at the Black Pearl Skate Park in October. These photos were among some of the impressive images captured by Cayman Compass photographers and reporters during 2017. To see some more of the best photos published in the Compass this year, see pages 10 and 11. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 13 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 13 »2 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Relax under the stars with a feast for 4 from Chicken! Chicken! or a Artisan Pizza from Cimboco. Relax under the stars From All of Our Sta • Daily Matinees Every Day • $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 • Additional charges will apply per 3D/VIP ticket requested 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. - FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) FATHER FIGURES (R) 1:00 (NO FRI) I 3:40 (NO FRI) I 7:00 I 9:40 JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (PG13) 1:10 I 3:50 I 4:05 VIP I 6:45 I 9:30 SUN: 3:10 VIP I 4:00 I 6:45 I 9:30 STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI 3D (PG13) 12:50 2D I 6:35 2D I 8:40 I 9:20 2D VIP SUN: 3:00 2D I 6:35 2D I 8:40 I 9:20 2D VIP THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) 1:30 VIP I 4:05 I 6:50 VIP I 10:00 SUN: 3:20 I 6:20 I 6:50 VIP I 10:00 FERDINAND 3D (PG) 1:00 I 3:40 2D I 6:10 2D SUN: 3:40 I 6:10 I 9:00 PITCH PERFECT 3 (PG13) 12:30 I 2:50 I 5:10 I 7:30 I 9:50 SUN: 2:50 I 5:10 I 7:30 I 9:50 Are you affected by someone’s drinking? Is a family member or friend’s use of alcohol affecting your home, family life of happiness? Join at the Al-Anon Family Group, Where you will find support to talk and express yourself In a safe and anonymous environment. You can contact us at 928-8843 12 left homeless, three injured in fire JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Twelve people were left homeless in a fire in which three were injured Wednesday morning at a small, nine-bedroom resi- dence on Shedden Road. One of the three victims was released from the hos- pital Wednesday, while two remained hospitalized, in- cluding one women who may be flown off island for treat- ment for her burns. The blaze occurred in a house in “Old Yard,” be- hind Archie’s Bar on Shedden Road. Witnesses at the scene Thursday morning said the now burnt-out dwelling con- tained nine rooms, which were all occupied at the time, by at least 12 people. The occupants lost all their possessions, including passports and other per- sonal documents. Firefighters were on the scene at 5:56 a.m. The fire was under control by 6:06 a.m. and flames extin- guished by 6:23 a.m. Carmalee Watson, a friend who is trying to assist the oc- cupants, said she was told there were screams of “Fire, fire” by one of the victims, which alerted the others to get out of the house. She said the people who had lost their belongings in the fire have been receiving do- nations of clothing, but she was appealing to the public for donations to help take the woman by air ambulance off island for treatment. One tenant, who asked not to be named, said she had lost everything in the fire. Items that were not burned were water-damaged when firefighters doused the flames. She said she was not at home at the time of the fire and only learned about it after she was noti- fied by a friend. Sitting under a tree to the side of the burnt home talking with friends Thursday morning, she said she had no idea what to do next. She said she had not secured somewhere else to live yet. George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan visited the premises following the fire. He said he tried to assist the tenants by connecting them with relevant agencies and charities. He said he called the di- rector of the Needs Assess- ment Unit and held an emer- gency meeting to assist a Caymanian woman who lived at the premises. In respect to the other ten- ants, all Jamaican nationals, he said he had contacted the Jamaican Consulate and its representatives, passing along tenants’ phone num- bers and contact details. Mr. Bryan said the consulate had been in contact with each one of them, including the fe- male burn victim. He said the Jamaican Honorary Consul Dr. Joseph Marzouca was working to help arrange an air ambu- lance for the woman. “Cayman does not have the burn unit to deal with that,” Mr. Bryan said, adding that the woman did not ap- pear to have health insur- ance. “She was not covered at the time, which is becoming a bit of an issue.” Police and the Fire Ser- vice are investigating the cause of the fire. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via their confidential tip line at 949-7777. The remains of the burnt-out home in ‘Old Yard’ stand behind Archie’s Bar, off Shedden Road, where three people were injured. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY A burnt mattress and other personal effects litter the walkway from the house to the communal bathrooms, which were also burned in the fire. Drunk driving still a concern during holiday season The holiday season has not stopped drunk drivers from getting be- hind the wheel. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service stated Thursday that it has made nine arrests for driving under the influence and two ar- rests for being in charge of a motor vehicle while im- paired since Dec. 22. So far this month, police have ar- rested 42 people for drunk driving and issued 73 tickets for traffic offenses. Since Dec. 1, 251 motor vehicle accidents of varying degrees of severity have oc- curred, police said. Ten arrests since Dec. 22 stemmed from police pa- trols or stop checks, and one occurred from a police re- sponse to a report of a driver passed out in their vehicle. In one incident, patrol of- ficers stopped a driver who appeared to have a very high blood-alcohol content just past 11 p.m. on Christmas Day. Three children were in the vehicle, police said. Offi- cers had seen the male driver engaged in an altercation with his female passenger while driving. They stopped the car and recovered a quantity of ganja and a drug utensil. The driver was arrested on suspicion of possession and consump- tion of ganja, as well as DUI. The driver was later found to have a blood-alcohol con- tent of .252. The legal limit in Cayman is .100. The RCIPS also singled out an accident that occurred early on Dec. 28, when a gray Infiniti lost control while traveling east on Crewe Road near Desmond Drive. The car, driven by a 22-year-old man, collided with a clothing store and sideswiped several parked cars and poles. The driver was not injured, but he was arrested on suspicion of DUI and later determined to have a blood-alcohol content of .144 percent. “In the course of our oper- ations, we are seeing both re- sponsible and reprehensible behavior,” said Acting Chief Inspector Everton Spence, who oversees the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit. “We are seeing designated drivers and people taking advantage of alternate transportation so they do not drive home in- toxicated after holiday par- ties and outings. “But we are also seeing people behind the wheel who are so clearly impaired, there is no excuse for them or those around them to allow them to drive. We again ap- peal to everyone to do their part this New Year’s weekend to prevent tragedies on our roads. Don’t drink and drive; but beyond that don’t allow those around you to drink and drive.” The RCIPS is helping to sponsor the National Drug Council’s Purple Ribbon Bus, which will be providing free bus service to residents and visitors throughout New Year’s Eve celebra- tions. That bus, which will run from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., will have routes servicing all five districts. The bus service was launched on Dec. 31, 2000, and this year there will be eight buses traveling reg- ular routes between West Bay and George Town and providing hourly service to Bodden Town, East End and North Side. The bus will be easily identifiable to waiting pe- destrians, and it will stop for people who hail it. People who need a safe ride home should be on the watch for a bus with flashing purple lights and purple exterior re- flective signs. Further information can be found at www.ndc.ky/dd-purple-ribbon-bus.html.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 DEC 30: 7AM – 11PM | DEC 31: CLOSED | JAN 1: CLOSED | JAN 2: 7AM-11PMDEC 30: 7AM – 11PM | DEC 31: CLOSED | JAN 1: CLOSED | JAN 2: 7AM-11PM Ring in the New Year with good friends & great food The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 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 DECEMBER 29, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS 2017 editorials: The Compass’s voice on significant issues Jan 3: ‘Project Future’: A progress report (minus the progress) Toward the close of the year, the government pub- lished a “Project Future Up- date Report November 2016,” following a similar update report from May. After pe- rusing the document, we can only assume the reason the government didn’t call it a “progress report” is because there is so little progress to report.… Over the past year, the government has man- aged to complete three “proj- ects,” while 41 are in some stage of review or imple- mentation, and eight have been put on hold. Jan. 9: Cayman’s first fatal police shooting since … In regard to Friday’s shooting death of 34-year-old Norval Barrett, a Jamaican national who had returned to Cayman illegally after being convicted of robbery here six years ago, we know that it is the first fatal shooting of a suspect by RCIPS officers since at least the 1980s, ac- cording to Deputy Commis- sioner Anthony Ennis.… Time and again, our officers have demonstrated incredible re- straint from using their fire- arms, even in cases where they would be justified in de- claring they felt their lives were in danger. Jan. 16: Haunted house: ‘Ghost Caymanians’ and PR limbo Just about everyone in the Cayman Islands has heard stories about duppies. Some may actually believe in them, too. We can assure you that yes, here in Cayman, “ghosts” do walk among us … But not in the supernatural sense. What we are referring to are “ghost Caymanians” – hundreds, perhaps thou- sands, of people who were born in Cayman, have Cay- manian parents, possess a Cayman passport and be- lieve they are Caymanian. But they don’t legally have Cay- manian status.… Make no mistake: Pre- mier McLaughlin and the Progressives are responsible for the current PR morass. They created it through leg- islation. They exacerbated it through delay. They own it. But Cayman will pay for it. Feb. 14: Beach vendors’ victory: Government caves on unlicensed operators We can safely say that after a years-long battle be- tween the government and a handful of beach vendors, we can finally declare a winner: the beach vendors.… If the beach vendors can conduct business without paying costs for permits, planning permission, health- care, pensions or insurance, why should any of their le- gally operating competitors, who are also trying to sell goods and provide services to tourists, follow the expensive and often-onerous rules? If the beach vendors are being given a blanket exemption from regulations, why should any business in Cayman at- tempt to abide by the letter of the law? Why should any individual in their daily life? March 29: Kurt Tibbetts retires: Saluting a titan of Cayman politics During the 21st century, the narrative of our country’s electoral system has been largely defined by the contin- uous combat between [Kurt] Tibbetts – with his even-keeled and genial demeanor, leading the People’s Progressive Move- ment party he founded – and West Bay lawmaker McKeeva Bush and his Cayman Dem- ocratic Party (formerly the United Democratic Party). Both were lions, equally fearless, in battling each other, but also, and probably more importantly, battling for their constituencies and the causes they believed in. Their rivalry made for good theater, often played out on the stage of the Legislative Assembly. Those who know Mr. Tib- betts, and especially those who have engaged in conflict with him, can attest that no matter how fierce and for- midable a foe he might be on matters of policy, when it comes to personal relation- ships, he always comports himself as a true gentleman. April 3: Permanent residence: The Progressives’ explosive legacy On the last day of Feb- ruary this year, the Pro- gressives Cabinet made long-overdue changes to im- migration regulations, with the promise that the backlog of 900-plus permanent resi- dence applications would fi- nally be cleared.… The changes Cabinet made to the Immigration Law in February were prob- ably informed by the 2016 re- port from Ritch & Conolly. In regard to statements about the “Ritch Report,” we em- ploy qualifiers such as “pre- sumably” and “probably” out of necessity – because neither we, nor anyone else outside of Premier Alden McLaughlin and a small circle of offi- cials, knows what the report actually says.… April 20: How much has gov’t spent on the John Gray gym? In mid-February, govern- ment officials – including Minister [Tara] Rivers, Min- istry of Education Chief Of- ficer Christen Suckoo and George Town MLA Joey Hew – were eager to “show off” the new gymnasium. They were happy to pose for a nice “photo op,” to note that the new gym would be ready in time for May final exams, and to promise that the construction project would come in under budget. As to what exactly that budget is, however, they re- main less than forthcoming. Senior project manager Jona- than Matthews described the costs as “confidential,” while Chief Officer Suckoo said, “Let’s not belabor this, OK?” No one should ever be “OK” with government at- tempting to deflect, obscure or shield information about how public officials are spending public money. May 2: $1.7 billion health debt: The public sector crisis everyone saw coming Hear that train whistle off in the distance? A $1.7 billion locomotive – representing the Cayman Islands govern- ment’s healthcare liability – is approaching, slowly but inexorably. The alarm has been sounding for years, but our officials, it seems, con- tinue to snooze in the middle of the tracks. A similar valuation exer- cise completed in mid-2014 estimated the government’s 20-year healthcare liability (the amount of money the gov- ernment expects to pay out for healthcare coverage for re- tired civil servants, veterans and seamen) to be $1.18 bil- lion. The newly released valu- ation pegs that figure at $1.7 billion as of the end of June 2016. That means that over the span of two years, the al- ready-astounding liability grew by an eye-popping, jaw- dropping $500 million.… May 25: One Man, One Vote: Lessons learned from the election As soon as the Progres- sives administration ap- proved the switch to 19 single-member constituencies, we (and everyone else with a pencil and scratch pad) could foretell that the vote totals of winning candidates would be ridiculously minuscule. So they were: North Side MLA Ezzard Miller won with 201 votes; Cayman Brac East MLA Juliana O’Connor-Connolly won with 225 votes; and East End MLA Arden McLean won with 272 votes. A more important (and eye-popping) point than the “magnitude” of the voting totals is the razor-thin- ness of candidates’ mar- gins of victory.… Carving up the country in the name of one man, one vote is a symbolic, prac- tical and political act of divi- sion and divisiveness – one which our insular territory can ill afford. Instead of making Cay- man’s districts smaller, more numerous and more inward- facing, officials should have done the opposite: Make the entirety of the Cayman Is- lands one single district, and allow residents to vote on the same slate of candidates. June 8: Running the country: Cayman’s new ‘management team’ Being in the news busi- ness, we understand a thing or two about assignments. And, as is the case with the governmental responsibili- ties given to Cayman Islands ministers, we know daunting ones when we see them. In the Compass news- room, our assignments are typically of a daily nature.… The ones doled out to the seven members of Cabinet on Tuesday, on the other hand, are four-year commitments. While that may seem like a lengthy tenure – given the complexity, range and diver- sity of each minister’s port- folio, encompassing many hundreds of personnel and millions of dollars – a mere four years seems hardly time enough to get one’s bearings, much less to create, issue and carry out most execu- tive decisions, not to men- tion visionary initiatives for these islands.… The sheer magnitude of the public sector – and the policy and management over- sight it requires – seems to be an inevitable product of Cayman’s system of govern- ment and the vast number of functions and services The Compass editorial is an institutional opinion that reflects discussions among our editorial board. Today we feature highlights from some of what we consider to be the most compelling and im- portant editorials that appeared in the Cayman Com- pass in 2017, dealing with some of the most pressing matters facing our country. Premier-elect Alden McLaughlin, left, signs an agreement with prospective Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush on May 29 to form a coalition government following days of intense meetings. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY 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 findtheirownway” Editor’s note: The Compass will resume publication of a daily editorial in the new year. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 5 »5 OPINION&LETTERS it has accumulated. It also seems inevitable that, with so many responsibilities, ministers will be compelled to prioritize their portfo- lios and where they will al- locate their time and deploy their available resources. The challenge requires manage- rial acrobatics worthy of the Flying Wallendas.… June 13: Exotic pet peeve: Clarity needed on animal smuggling Some might consider the small possum known as a sugar glider to be harmless – even cute. But there is nothing benign about the illegal im- portation of exotic animals into the Cayman Islands. That’s why officials must be more forthcoming about the ongoing investigation into the alleged smuggling of a sugar glider on a Cayman Airways flight from Miami, which led to the discovery of a veritable menagerie of non- native reptiles and snakes at a Grand Cayman property.… How did a contraband animal find its way onto a Cayman Airways jet? Common sense tells us the smugglers either found a way to beat airport security in Miami or they enlisted the help of someone there. July 12: Testing our commitment to quality education … According to figures released to the Cayman Compass in response to a Freedom of Information Re- quest, of the 189 CIFEC stu- dents who retook their math exams in 2016, only 13 – 7 percent – achieved a “level 2 pass” (the equivalent of a “C” or 2.0 in the American grading system). … Cayman’s government schools must aim much higher – and perform far better. A highly effective school system that holds students to high standards and yields excellent results is a neces- sity, not a luxury. Literacy, nu- meracy and critical thinking are fundamental life skills regardless of future profes- sion, but they take on an even greater importance in a country such as ours, where employment opportunities and workforce readiness are in structural misalignment.… Even if these most recent test results are an aberration (and we don’t understand how such an aberration could come about), they sig- nify an opportunity missed. July 24: Police should have no role in the ‘Brawl on the Brac’ Like the magnetic attrac- tion of a schoolyard melee, we are drawn inexorably to the ongoing brawl on the Brac. We refer, of course, to the long-standing and escalating battle between artist/sculptor Ronald Kynes (better known as “Foots”) and, well, nearly everyone else, including his neighbors, preachers and pastors, politicians, and, most recently, the police who arrested Mr. Kynes last week for the “obscene publication” of his artwork.… We certainly do not sub- scribe to the popular nos- trum that it is a worthwhile objective of an artist to create primarily in order to shock – and most artists, of course, do not. But Foots does. Should he do so? Probably not. Does he have a right to do so? Almost certainly he does. July 27: What should Cayman do about Jackson Point? At the top of everyone’s mind this week – for ob- vious reasons – are the fuel tanks at Jackson Point. Over the decades, homes and businesses have grown up around this critical, yet po- tentially combustible facility. The South Church Street area will soon see further develop- ment, including, as reported in today’s Compass, a new 36-unit luxury condo com- plex called Fin. We don’t know (but rest assured, we are looking into) the magnitude of the disaster that could have occurred if firefighters had not been able to control Sunday’s blaze. The only clues we have are that Chief Fire Officer David Hails said it was potentially “cata- strophic” and that emergency responders thought it appro- priate to evacuate hundreds of people within a one-mile radius of the terminal. We do appreciate this week’s post-event press con- ference featuring Chief Hails, but that debrief should have included planning experts, attorneys and perhaps an actuary or two. Chief Hails cannot be expected to speak authoritatively on such is- sues as: What is the down- side risk of having fuel tanks amidst a densely populated and growing area? What is the worst-case scenario if the fuel tanks ignite/combust/ex- plode? Who would be liable? And dozens of others… Aug. 28: Cuban migration: Cayman’s conundrum Cuban migrants arriving at Cayman’s water’s edge present a dilemma that to date has proven intractable: On the one hand, Cayma- nians are a compassionate people, sympathetic to the Cubans seeking a better life for themselves and their fam- ilies. On the other, Cayman simply doesn’t have the re- sources to house, detain or assimilate these refugees into our small society.… While in many ways safe and comfortable, the deten- tion center (currently “home” to 38 migrants) was never de- signed to be a long-term res- idence for so many asylum seekers. Problems range from the lack of segregation of male and female “guests” to deficiencies in legal and translation support.… At its most basic, Cayman’s Cuban migrant problem is this: Our tiny territory does not have the resources, popu- lation or infrastructure to ac- commodate hundreds of polit- ical refugees. Aug. 30: Conservation Law: Revisiting an ‘unnatural disaster’ Four years after the Legis- lative Assembly hurriedly en- acted a convoluted National Conservation Law, it appears poised to hurriedly alter it. We urge them to pro- ceed, but with care and deliberation. We have never supported the law – in fact, we have vig- orously opposed it since its chaotic conception, which produced a piece of legisla- tion distorted and bent by some three dozen amend- ments that legislators, at the time they voted on it, could have had no real idea what they were voting on.… Now that they have had ample opportunity to read the law that they passed and observe its effects, it is en- tirely appropriate for the new Progressives-led govern- ment to reshape the legisla- tion into a statute that is sen- sible, balanced and fair, and that protects Cayman’s envi- ronment without bulldozing the economy and usurping the private property rights of Caymanian landowners. Sept. 11: ‘Snail bail’ justice: ‘Foots’ and the sugar glider … These are only two ex- amples of cases dragging on – and on, ad infinitum – in Cayman. (Will we ever see a rogue motorbiker charged, tried, and then acquitted or convicted?) Such extended use of pre- charge bail undermines our criminal justice system. It casts a cloud of suspicion while denying suspects the chance to prove their inno- cence. It delays (or even de- nies) adjudication and pun- ishment for those found guilty of their crimes. The use of pre-charge bail has been severely limited by England since it is viewed as an unwarranted restriction on people’s rights. There, too, high profile cases had been dragging on without charge or adjudication.… Sept. 29: Liquor Board must resign en masse When the Liquor Licensing Board of Grand Cayman con- venes today for its quarterly meeting, there should be only two items on its agenda: 1) The issuance of a three-month ex- tension for all existing licenses; and, 2) The tendering of mem- bers’ resignations, en masse.… The board is too compro- mised to conduct any further business following these, and other, revelations in the report. The auditor’s report further as- serts that the board relied on a new “policy,” which it did not have authority to create, to re- verse its March 28 decision.… This matter should now be forwarded to the Anti-Corrup- tion Commission, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, or some other suitable body which possesses such inves- tigatory tools. Oct. 13: Mount Trashmore: Good news, goodbye and good riddance! After years of anxiety (and for this newspaper, reporting and editorializing) over what the Cayman Islands is going to do about the hulking health hazard known as the George Town landfill, residents can finally rest easy: The govern- ment has reached an agree- ment with the Dart Group.… Dart is both the obvious and the natural choice to close, cap and remediate the noxious George Town dump; to build a modern waste man- agement facility; and further, to see that it is operated in an effective manner for the next 25 years. Dart has the means, and as the troublesome dump’s immediate neighbor, the mo- tivation to see that the project is executed properly. The com- pany, of course, also has a sterling track record.… Our government and our country cannot and should not rely on any single private sector entity, including Dart, to ride to the rescue every time Cayman confronts a major issue or problem. That being said, when it comes to the landfill, we can think of no better steward than Dart. To quote L. Bell, a frequent commentator to our web- site (www.caymancompass. com), “Finally! No one can do it better!”… Nov. 8: Rejecting ‘prejudice’: The day our premier spoke for all of Cayman … When our country first began to achieve success as a financial services and tourism destination, Cayman’s popula- tion – local and foreign – was largely unified by a sense of common purpose. Over the decades – as the expatriates’ share of the pop- ulation approached 50 per- cent – amid the accumulating trappings of wealth and the evolving physical landscape of our islands, the appearance of inequality (some real, some perceived) simultaneously began to develop.… Premier McLaughlin in his House remarks was calling on the people of these islands to reject purposeful divisive- ness and the hate speech promulgated by the loud and the few.… In truth, many of Cay- man’s actual adversaries exist beyond our borders, and they are launching continual as- saults on our country, the fun- damental underpinnings of our economic model and our conservative social values. These are beliefs worth standing up for and, collec- tively, speaking up for. Nov. 24: Pension ‘exodus’: Bad idea, worse execution … Operating according to motivations that have never been fully explained (which makes us very nervous), the Legislative Assembly de- creed that foreign workers employed by private busi- nesses will no longer be al- lowed to “cash out” man- datory pension funds after they leave the islands. Any worker who wants control of his or her savings must cease their employment be- fore the end of the year … or, perhaps, the end of the month … maybe.… The government should never have forced employees and employers to adhere to those pension plans in the first place. But now that they have been created, those pen- sion funds rightfully be- long to Cayman’s workers – not the pension providers or the government. How and when they spend the money should be no one’s business but their own. Similarly, the government should never have changed the law to prevent foreign workers from accessing their pension funds. But now that they have, the least they could do is provide clarity on how to follow their damaging (and highly suspect) law. CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 Construction of the new John Gray gymnasium was completed this year. In May, the cost was reported to be just under $9 million. - PHOTO: MATT LAMERS Highlighted opinions from the Compass editorial board Considerable controversy followed the Liquor Licensing Board’s decision to allow Red Bay convenience store Peanuts to sell alcohol on Sundays. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS Air arrivals in the Cayman Islands for November were up nearly 20 percent on November 2016. Busiest November on record for air arrivals Nearly 35,000 arrived by plane last month More tourists arrived in the Cayman Islands by air last month than in any other November on re- cord, tourism officials an- nounced Wednesday. The Department of Tourism stated that for the sixth consecutive month – June through November – air arrivals surpassed all previously recorded statis- tics, with 34,999 visitors ar- riving in November, an in- crease of 19.66 percent over November 2016. A press release from the department said the sta- tistics reflected “a consis- tent increase of air arrivals from the core markets within the United States,” repre- senting a year-to-date total of 302,634 visitors, an increase of 11.88 percent. “Of significant note, the Northeast region recorded an additional 2,424 visitors, or 34.71 percent increase year over year, making it the top performing region of 2017 so far. Another region seeing significant growth is the Latin American market, with South America and Cen- tral America increasing by 16.77 percent and 5.66 per- cent respectively,” the state- ment continued. Deputy Premier and Min- ister of Tourism Moses Kirk- connell, commenting on the increased arrivals numbers, said, “The ongoing efforts within the Ministry and De- partment of Tourism to deliver increased visitation and raise brand awareness have been demonstrably successful. I am profoundly proud of the performance of our tourism sector in 2017, whether it be new marketing strategies, ren- ovations, human capital devel- opment or something entirely different, the stakeholders in tourism have been steadfast in progressing the successes of tourism industry.” POLICE REMIND MOTORISTS TO TRANSFER CAR OWNERSHIP Failure to transfer ownership can lead to fine, jail Car sellers who fail to transfer the ownership of their vehicles may find them- selves held legally respon- sible for damages after the car is sold, police warn. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said in a state- ment that police had seen “instances where vehicles that have not been properly transferred after a change in ownership have been used in criminal activities. Prior owners should be aware that in such cases, they can still be held legally responsible for the vehicle and liable for the damage that could occur during its unauthorized use.” Police also advised new owners who fail to re-reg- ister vehicles within 14 days of the sale of a vehicle that they are in breach of the law and liable to a fine of $400 or three months’ imprison- ment, or both. In the statement, police warned that officers will be “strictly enforcing” Article 9 of the Traffic Law (2011 Re- vision) regarding the timely registration of vehicles. “As such, the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit strongly en- courages new buyers of vehi- cles to complete the transfer of ownership with the De- partment of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing Depart- ment within the 14 days pro- scribed by law or face penal- ties,” police said. Sellers of vehicles also have a duty to ensure that registration of their sold vehicle is properly trans- ferred out of their name into that of the buyer, the state- ment continued. “Too often, sellers sign the log book and turn the administrative pro- cess over to the buyer. In such cases, vehicle trans- fers may not be finalized, and vehicles used in a crime may be linked back to prior owners,” police said. The Department of Tourism stated that for the sixth consecutive month – June through November – air arrivals surpassed all previously recorded statistics, with 34,999 visitors arriving in November. Police advised new owners who fail to re-register vehicles within 14 days of the sale of a vehicle that they are liable to a fine of $400 or three months’ imprisonment, or both.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 Fresh, Fun & Friendly! HAppy New Years! Never a membership fee! www.costuless.com West Bay Governors Square, 51 Lime Tree Bay Monday–Saturday: 8am–9pm • Sunday: Closed All items limited to stock on hand. No rain checks. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Like Us on Facebook facebook.com/CostULess 28 THUR 29 FRI 30 SAT Prices in effect Thursday, December 28 – Saturday, December 30, 2017 1399 50 ct. Royal Asia Vegetable Spring Rolls 599 3/25.4 oz. Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider 699/lb New York Steak USDA Choice, Tender Ridge Angus 1699 2 lbs Aqua Star Cooked Shrimp 31-40, Tail-On 699 28 oz. Hillshire Farm LIT’L Smokies Smoked Sausage 599 4/16 oz. Betty Crocker Frosting Variety Pack 1299 72 ct. Ore-Ida Bagel Bites Pepperoni & Cheese 119/ea. Hass Avocados 499 12pk - 12oz. Cans La Croix Sparkling Flavored Water 599 4/15.25 oz. Betty Crocker Cake Mix Variety Pack 599 24 oz. Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies 199/lb Pork Spareribs Product of USA 289/lb Red Seedless Grapes 699 3/12 oz. Spam Luncheon Meat 699 12 ct. Fresh From the Bakery Cupcakes Assorted Varieties 799 45 ct. Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks 699 18 ct. Ferrero Rocher Chocolates8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 • CAYMAN COMPASS In memoriam: Obituaries of 2017 The following summa- ries are based on informa- tion provided to the Cayman Compass. Full articles can be read on the Compass website, www.caymancompass.com. CHARLES FAULKNER DIXON Charles Faulkner “Charlie” Dixon was a skilled cabinet maker and woodworking teacher at the Secondary Modern School and Cayman High School in the 1960s and ‘70s, when vocational and trade classes were part of the curriculum. Known to his students as Mr. Charlie, he was respected for his firm but fair approach to im- parting his craft. After retire- ment from teaching, he con- tinued working in a shop he built at his home. He was Cayman Weekly’s East End correspondent in the 1960s. Born in Kingston, Jamaica on June 25, 1926, the son of Captain and Mrs. George Dixon of East End, Mister Charlie came to Cayman in 1954. He died at home on Jan. 13 at age 90. DAVID JONATHAN EBANKS SR. David Ebanks was born Jan. 14, 1942, the eldest child of Bertram and Al- vernie Ebanks of North Side. His first job, at 17, was with the late Ralph Coatsworth, helping cater to tourists at Rum Point. He then went to sea, achieving the rank of chief mate. Afterward, he re- turned to tourism and was part of the original Cayman Night promotion in the U.S. From 1980 to 2003, he worked as a contractor, then moved to Sarasota in 2004 with his second wife, Marge. He died on Jan. 17, Mr. Ebanks was recognized on Heroes Day, Jan. 23, when a Memorial Scroll was pre- sented recognizing his contri- butions to tourism. LISA TURNER Long-time Cayman resi- dent Lisa Turner died on Feb. 14 after a brief illness fol- lowing surgery. During her early years on island, she worked at the Smuggler’s Cove Bar, later joining In- ternational Design Group. Originally from Canada, she lived here for 25 years and was an ardent supporter of the Humane Society and Cancer Society. In November, a coroner’s jury retuned an open verdict after learning there was no injury caused by the surgery that would have led to her death. Ms. Turner was 61. NELL CONNOR Nell Connor, dubbed “The Queen of Breakers,” died at her home on April 25. She was 96. In her youth, she assisted her mother, who was a mid- wife; she worked with her brother cutting firewood and she sewed clothes for her- self and siblings. She married Earley Vibert Connor in 1946 and moved to Breakers from East End. She was appointed postal agent for Breakers in 1963 and ran the post office out of her home for 35 years. Tourists stopped at her home near Lighthouse Club to buy her handmade baskets and whiskbrooms. At Heroes Day in 2014, she received an award for her contribution to promoting and preserving cultural heritage. JULIAN BLACK Finance lawyer Julian Black died on May 11 at age 48. A former partner at both Walkers and Appleby, and more recently the group di- rector of Estera Trust, he was considered one of the island’s finest advocates. Born in Portsmouth, Eng- land, he joined Walkers in 2000. He was hailed as making a major contribution to Cayman’s success as the leading jurisdiction for struc- tured financial vehicles. Mr. Black was involved with numerous commu- nity causes, including Stay Focused, a charity that helps disabled youth learn to scuba dive. HILDA AGATHA McLEAN Hilda McLean died on May 6 at age 104. Born in St. Mary, Ja- maica, she came to Cayman in 1954 as housekeeper to Dr. Paul Magnus. She later worked at the West Indian Club on Seven Mile Beach. In 1968, she moved to the U.S. and worked as a nurse’s aide, returning to retire in Cayman in 1980. By that time, she had built her own house in Windsor Park. She loved cooking and gardening and was health conscious, trusting to home remedies. Her house was de- stroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Miss Hilda be- came a day care patient at The Pines Retirement Home, where she developed many good friendships. DANIEL ‘MIKE’ SIMMONS Businessman Mike Sim- mons was among the pio- neers of Cayman’s infrastruc- tural development in the 1960s and was a founding shareholder of Cayman National Bank. Originally from Turks and Caicos, he moved to Cayman in 1956. A charter member of the Lions Club, he helped the club get involved in proj- ects to assist people in need as identified by social worker Joyce Hylton, whom he con- sidered his adopted mother. His successful businesses included restaurants and real estate. He died on June 12 at age 81. KIPLING ERNEST DOUGLAS Long-time magistrate and judge Kipling Douglas died in Jamaica on June 18 at age 86. A journalist before he went to law school in the U.K., Mr. Douglas practiced law in Ja- maica, coming to Cayman as a magistrate from 1983 until 1993. He then served as Chief Justice in Turks and Ca- icos, retiring in 1996 and re- turning to Cayman, where he served from time to time on the Grand Court bench. Com- bining his two professions, he wrote “The Courtroom, the Poor Man’s Theatre.” In 1997, Mr. Douglas was made an honorary life member of the Common- wealth Magistrates and Judges Association. DAVE RANBURN CHRISTIAN Dave Ranburn Christian (Feb. 9, 1934 – July 3, 2017) was a jack of all trades and master of many. He began with repairing shoes and barbering, then went to sea with National Bulk Carriers, starting as bedroom steward and working his way up to chief cook. Between voyages he worked in construction and resumed that work after his final voyage, in 1964. He joined with Tommie Bodden and Jimmy Powell to form Ranja Construc- tion and later worked for other companies. He and his wife owned a cement-mixer rental business; he and his best friend owned a backhoe business. In 2003, he re- ceived a Lifetime Achieve- ment Award for his contri- bution to the construction industry. It was presented by Prince Edward. RICHARD M. de LACY Richard M. de Lacy, Queen’s Counsel, thespian and musician, died on July 24 at age 62. Educated at Cambridge and called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1976, he moved to Cayman in 2011 after practising before the Eastern Caribbean Su- preme Court in BVI. He was a founding member of the Cayman As- sociation of Recovery and Insolvency Specialists and deputy chairman of the new Conditional Release Board, interviewing more than 50 offenders and victims before making decisions on release and licensing. Mr. de Lacy played the viola for Cayman Drama So- ciety productions and acted in several others. CHARLES ‘CHUCKIE’ EBANKS Captain Charles “Chuckie’ Ebanks, 30-year proprietor of fishing enterprise Black Everytime you read to a child, you help make that future a little brighter. The moments you share can make a lifetime of difference. Read to your child today. Our children are the FUTURE It all starts with newspapers Everytime you read to a child, you help make that future a little brighter. The moments you share can make a lifetime of difference. Read to your child today. Our children are the FUTURE It all starts with newspapers Everytime you read to a child, you help make that future a little brighter. The moments you share can make a lifetime of difference. Read to your child today. Our children are the FUTURE It all starts with newspapers PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » David EbanksLisa TurnerNell Connor Hilda McLeanMike SimmonsDouglas KiplingRichard de Lacy, QC Charles DixonJulian Black David Ranburn Christian9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017 In Memoriam: Ornon C. Whittaker "He had a nature you could not help loving And a heart that was purer than gold And to those who knew him and loved him His memory will never grow cold." Sadly Missed for 10 years, since Jan. 1, 2007- Gwenivere Winsome, Clyde, Mackie, Kathryn, Fay Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren; Brothers, Sisters and an Extended Family of Nieces, Nephews, Employees, Friends, Associates, Old Fishermen and Schoolchildren. "One Day At A Time" Winsome, Clyde, Mackie, Kathryn, Fay Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren; Brothers, Sisters and an Extended Family of Nieces, Nephews, Employees, Friends, Associates, Old Fishermen "One Day At A Time" In Memoriam: Ornon C. Whittaker In Memoriam: Ornon C. Whittaker Winsome, Clyde, Mackie, Kathryn, Fay Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren; Brothers, Sisters and an Extended Family of Nieces, Nephews, Employees, Friends, Associates, Old Fishermen The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Donald Edward Noe regret to announce his passing on Monday, 25 Decemebr 2017. Mr. Noe will be repatriated to the U.S.A. The Family Of The Late Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. James Howard Huber regret to announce his passing on Thursday, 14 Decemebr 2017. Mr. Huber will be repatriated to the U.S.A. The family of Lois Elizabeth Powery regrets to announce her death on Friday, 22 December , 2017. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Wesleyan Holiness Church, West Bay at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in North West Point Cemetery . Condolences can be registered at boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page. Princess Charters, local per- sonality, craftsman and en- vironmentalist, died on July 30 at age 65. He and his child- hood friends made model boats to play with; when he was barely 13, he built his own 12-foot skiff. The West Bayer helped develop the local water sports in- dustry and played integral roles through the years in tourism. He was an early supporter of protective limits for lobster, conch and the Nassau grouper. Captain Chuckie was on the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Board and Marine Conservation Board. He was elected pres- ident of the National Water Sports Association and served as fisheries officer. JULENE DaCOSTA BANKS Julene Doris DaCosta was born on Dec. 2, 1958 in West Bay. When she was 11, her father purchased an ice cream business and built it into the Silver Sands Cafe, where she worked for a time. A 1975 graduate of Triple C School, she also worked with the Cayman Times newspaper and then with Cayman Airways as flight attendant. In 1981, she married Loxley Banks. In 1986, she was ad- mitted to the Cayman Is- lands (now Truman Bodden) Law School and was called to the bar in 1991, working as Crown counsel until 1997. She used her legal background in serving on government boards and with nonprofit organiza- tions. Mrs. Banks was awarded the Cayman Is- lands Certificate and Badge of Honor in 2010. She died on Aug. 20, after a 20-month bout with cancer. LILLIAN PEARSON Centenarian Lillian Pearson died on Sept. 9, just two days before she would have celebrated her 104th birthday. She lived through two world wars and several major hurricanes. When she was 28, her husband died in a storm off the coast of Nicaragua, leaving her with six children and another on the way. To make a living for her- self and them, she washed clothes, cleaned floors, ran errands and did odd jobs before going back to school and then going to work for British Fidelity. Miss Lillian said the best part of life was having good friends. She enjoyed sharing Caymanian history and culture with her chil- dren and grandchildren. ANDREW GREIFF Commissioner of Police in Cayman from 1973 until 1980, Andrew Greiff en- joyed a distinguished career around the former British colonies. He died on Oct. 13 at age 90. Born in Burma and edu- cated in England, Mr. Greiff joined the Colonial Police Service in 1947 after three years with the Royal Ma- rines. He served in East Africa, British Honduras and Tonga before coming to Cayman. In those sim- pler times, the Cayman Is- lands Police Force under Mr. Greiff was known for being well-organized and highly disciplined. On retirement, he moved back to England and later to France. FRANK E. ROULSTONE JR. Frank Ellsworth Roul- stone Jr., who headed Cay- man’s weather service from the early 1960s until his re- tirement in 1988, died at his home in West Bay on Oct. 26 after a long ill- ness. He was 85. An American, Mr. Roul- stone came to Cayman in 1955. He met and married Beth McTaggart in 1957. He worked at his parents’ Seaview Hotel until joining the weather service, then run by the U.S. government. After training in Texas, he became the first chief meteorolog- ical officer of what had be- come the Cooperative Upper Air Station, with responsi- bility for the weather station in Swan Island. The weath- erman, as he was known, circulated weather informa- tion before Cayman had a radio station. Premier Alden McLaughlin recalled Mr. Roulstone’s care about those less fortunate in the com- munity, his humanitarian service, and the expertise and enthusiasm with which he carried out his work. He called Mr. Roulstone a true nation-builder. LYDIA WARREN The woman who inspired a movement to legalize med- ical cannabis in Cayman died on Nov. 8 at age 37. Lydia Warren’s battle with lung cancer moved her hus- band, Dennie, to advocate for acceptance of the drug. He and supporters were suc- cessful and in October 2016, lawmakers unanimously ap- proved cannabis oils and tinctures with a doctor’s prescription. Mrs. Warren, a teacher at John Gray High School, and a volunteer with the Cayman National Cultural Founda- tion, was a finalist in 2014 for the Young Caymanian Lead- ership Award. She served as chairman of the Primary Lit- eracy Task Force. FRANK FLEIGER Local restaurateur Frank Fleiger died on Dec. 17 at age 55. Mr. Fleiger, who managed the Copper Falls Steakhouse with his ex-wife Dianne Parsons, was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, on Jan. 11, 1962. He was hired to manage Legendz Bar and Grille in 1996, where he worked until Hurricane Ivan dam- aged the premises in Sep- tember 2004 and it had to be closed for a year. That event spurred Mr. Fleiger to pursue his dream of starting his own estab- lishment, opening Copper Falls on April 4, 2005. One of his peers hailed him as the epitome of profession- alism, while his person- ality made him popular with customers and people who worked in the hospi- tality industry. CHRISTIAN SORENSEN Businessman Christian Sorensen, who designed and operated the Crystal Caves attraction in North Side, died on Dec. 23. He was 53. Mr. Sorensen, who was born in Denmark, went to live in Barbados when he was 8 years old. His family there developed the highly successful Harrison’s Cave. In the 1990s, Mr. Sorensen conducted a survey of Cay- man’s caves and found that those in Old Man Bay were unique and full of his- torical significance. From 1997 to 2011 he purchased land and built access roads, fully opening Crystal Caves in March, 2016. Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism Moses Kirkconnell called Mr. So- rensen “a visionary who exemplified delivering Caymankind to all those who visited his world- class caves.” Captain Charles ‘Chuckie’ EbanksAndrew Greiff Frank E. Roulstone Jr.Lydia Warren In memoriam: Obituaries of 2017 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Frank FleigerChristian Sorensen Julene DaCosta BanksLillian PearsonNext >