SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS The Lighthouse hires well-traveled sushi chef From the sheikhs of Qatar to the coast of Cayman B5 Last Internationale in concert New York rock band booked for breast cancer fundraising event B7 Movies Events Food & Drink February concerts in South Florida Fans of classic acts like Paul Anka and Barry Manilow will be in their glory B2 ■ SPORTS Super Bowl LII The Patriots face the Eagles in Minneapolis this Sunday. B6 Camana Bay Cinema releases It’s gonna be all about the sequels this month B4 STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July Registered Merchant of CaymanGiftCertificates.com Fine Wine and Spirits TORTUGA 15 stores island-wide and Mary Lou’s in Cayman Brac. For more information, please call 949-7701. BUY BEFORE YOU FLY TORTUGA NOT AVAILABLE AT AIRPORT DUE TO RENOVATIONS PHOTO: WINSLOW TOWNSON CAYMAN WEEKENDER Super Bowl LII EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 CAYMAN GOVERNMENT: UCCI’S ‘SILENT PARTNER’ High of 85 Low of 75 Seas: Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet today, rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet late tonight. ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY Hyatt signs deal for Pageant Beach hotel Biker sues police for negligence after accident SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com A 22-year-old man is suing the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service for injuries he sustained in an accident following a 2016 high-speed pursuit. Roger Wood Jr., who suf- fered extensive injuries in the accident, filed suit against the police on Jan. 24 and hopes to recoup costs, damages and interest. Mr. Wood’s writ of summons laid out the case against the RCIPS, and it alleges that he was riding on a Honda 450-R motor- cycle that collided with a Ford Taurus driven by a police officer. The accident occurred on April 7, 2016, and the plaintiff has been recovering from his injuries over the last 20 months. Mr. Wood was allegedly the target of a police chase after being suspected of committing a robbery at the Ice Bar on Fort Street in George Town. The pursuit, which was re- corded on CCTV by the police On the crest of a wave From the frosty shores of Cape Cod, to the glorious beaches of Grand Cayman, traveling photographer James Robinson always has an eye open for nature’s beauty. The talent agent, who represents many of the speakers at the Fidelity CEO conference, snapped this image of a powerful wave pounding Seven Mile Beach this week. “I grabbed my camera and literally raced down to the shore,” said Mr. Robinson, 40, who is staying with his parents, who live in Cayman. “These photographs are never easy, and I shot many frames, mostly up to my waist in water. But this was the one. Since I was half drowned by now, I titled it, ‘Sea Monster.’” Mr. Robinson won the annual Cape Cod Life Magazine award for photograph of the year in 2015, and specializes in seascapes and landscapes of New England. An exhibition of his work, based on the loneliest winter months on Cape Cod, is due to open in Fort Lauderdale this spring. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » The planned 5-star hotel at the Pageant Beach site will be a Grand Hyatt-branded property. WATSON ORDERED TO PAY US$1.1M Cayman Islands businessman Canover Watson, who is currently serving a seven-year sentence, has been ordered by a court to pay the government US$1.12 million over his role in the CarePay hospital swipe-card fraud. To read more on this story, turn to page 8. AIRPORT WARNS QUEUES ‘INEVITABLE’ Airport bosses say staff are doing their best to cope with an increasing number of passengers amid space re- strictions caused by the renovation of the Owen Roberts International Airport, but warn that long lines can still be expected during the busy tourism season. For more on this story, see page 2. PREMIER: STRICTER HIRING RULES NEEDED Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin vows to introduce stricter enforcement against local businesses who use hiring practices designed to skirt immigration rules. Read more about the premier’s ad- dress to the Cayman Economic Out- look forum on page 6. JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Luxury hotel chain Hyatt is returning to Grand Cayman after announcing a deal to operate the new five-star resort on Seven Mile Beach, expected to open late 2020. Hyatt Hotels Group revealed Thursday that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a fran- chise agreement with developer Pageant Beach Hotel Ltd. for the 351-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel and Residences. The Howard Hospitality Group, the com- pany behind the development, was granted full planning permission last month for the 10-story resort at the southern end of West Bay Road. David Tarr, senior vice president of de- velopment for Hyatt, said the resort would be a welcome return to the Cayman Islands for the brand. “We are delighted that the Grand Hyatt brand is expanding in the Caribbean, and es- pecially in Grand Cayman where the hospi- tality and tourism sector is primarily aimed at the luxury market,” he said. The shell of the old Hyatt hotel, once an PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 11 »2 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Casual indoor & outdoor dining with a local flair. Family friendly & affordable. 94-PASTA [ 947.2782 ] • Marquee Plaza Enjoy Dinner Tonight at Try One of Our Signature Dishes Banana Wrap Snapper Cayman Orthopaedic Group Please call 945-8380 for appointments DR. TIMOTHY CAREY M.D., F.R.C.S.C. Paediatric Spine, Trauma, Foot & Ankle Surgery will be at Unit #1, Smith Road Plaza Monday, 5th February, 2018 to Friday, 9th February, 2018 PLEASE CONTACT LUCA RESTAURANT ON (345) 623 4550 OR RAGAZZI ON (345) 945 3484 FOR TICKETS/MORE INFO. IN COLLABORATION WITH: Airport seeks improvement but warns queues ‘inevitable’ 2,900 passengers arrived in a single day last weekend JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Airport bosses will in- troduce expanded covered waiting areas in anticipation of another busy weekend at the facility. Albert Anderson, CEO of the Cayman Islands Air- ports Authority, said staff were doing their best to cope with an increasing number of passengers amid space restrictions caused by the ongoing renovation of the airport. He said the situation last Saturday, which saw visitors stuck in long lines outside the new Arrivals Hall, was unusual because of a sharp spike in arrival figures. But he warned further long lines were possible during what is expected to be Cayman’s bus- iest ever tourism season. Even in the context of record arrival numbers, last weekend was excep- tionally busy. Saturday saw 2,900 visi- tors arrive in Grand Cayman, compared with 1,600 the pre- vious Saturday. There were 32 flights during the course of the day on Saturday, including six jets that touched down be- tween midday and 12:41 p.m., and another six be- tween 1 p.m. and 1:49 p.m., according to arrivals data from the Cayman Islands Air- ports Authority. Mr. Anderson said the number of incoming flights had not increased signifi- cantly, but more planes were arriving with full loads. “One or two airlines may have added an additional flight but it is not signifi- cantly different, it is more about passenger loads,” said Mr. Anderson. “We suspect a lot of traffic that would have gone to the eastern Caribbean is coming here instead.” He said airport staff were in discussions with various airlines this week in an ef- fort to better manage the sit- uation and find out ahead of time the likely numbers of ar- riving passengers. He added that with so many flights coming in at once, lines were inevitable. “We are going to have queues,” he said. “There is no question we are going to have queues. “We are trying to find more covered space, more people that can work the lines and bring people water and stuff like that. “Ourselves, customs and immigration are working to- gether. For us, it is about making the passengers as comfortable as possible, and for customs and immigra- tion, it is a case of processing passengers as quickly as possible, without impacting border security.” He said staggering flight arrivals was a longer-term conversation for tourism of- ficials but he believes the airlines set their sched- ules to meet the demands of the industry, including resort packages which typically run from one weekend to the next. He said there had also been long wait times on certain peak days over Christmas. However, the ar- riving passengers were able to wait in a tented area, adjoining the old im- migration hall. The new immigration hall opened last week Wednesday, but until construction is complete it remains roughly the same size as the old hall and lacks the adjoining tented area. It is currently only half the size it will be once completed. “I hope this Saturday it will be a lot better,” said Mr. Anderson. “We are cre- ating more covered space outside which will replicate as far as possible what we had before. We just have to make it as comfortable as possible for the people that have to wait.” In the long term, he said, a project to allow passengers arriving from Miami to pre- clear customs and immigra- tion in the U.S. could help al- leviate congestion, if a trial run proves successful. MASKED MEN ROB HOME Two masked men armed with a knife and a crowbar entered a home on Prospect Point Road Wednesday night and stole cash and personal items from the occupants, police stated. Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officers re- sponded to the report of an “aggravated burglary” shortly after 9:30 p.m. The robbers had threatened the occu- pants with the weapons and demanded cash. Police said no one was in- jured in the robbery. Officers searched the area but found no one matching the descriptions of the men. The suspects are both de- scribed as being about 5 feet, 10 inches or 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Both were wearing full masks and gloves. Officers from George Town Criminal Investigation Department are investigating. Sentencing delayed for former officer The sentencing of former senior police officer Adrian James Barnett for dangerous driving, driving while impaired and leaving the scene of an acci- dent was postponed when he appeared in Traffic Court Wednesday. Mr. Barnett, the former head of the police’s Traffic Management Unit, pleaded guilty Monday to all three charges stemming from an incident in June 2017. He will next appear in court on Feb. 28. Mr. Barnett, 53, was for- mally charged with the offenses on Dec. 12 and made his first court ap- pearance on Jan. 8. He sur- rendered his driver’s li- cense on Monday. NS SCHOOL HOLDS FUNDRAISER The Edna M. Moyle Pri- mary School in North Side will hold a fundraiser Sat- urday night at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre, next door to the school. Organized by the PTA, the event has been dubbed “Zumba Glow” and the whole community is invited. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets include two glow sticks, a slice of pizza and a drink. Activities get under way from 6:30 p.m. EAST END ROAD WORK The National Roads Authority will begin work Monday along Seaview Road in East End from near the west end of Lovers Wall to near the Blow Holes on shoulder construction, paving and installation of guard rails. Crews will work week- days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Drivers are asked to exercise caution. Owen Roberts International Airport is undergoing extensive renovation and expansion work. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 Another carnival season kicked off recently with Swanky International’s 2018 Band Launch and Digicel is extremely pleased to be Swanky International’s title sponsor. This exciting partnership will benefit Digicel’s valued customers, as they will be eligible to win VIP Carnival Packages as well as exclusive discounts on costumes. This year’s ‘Live on Broadway’ theme for the designs of the band were inspired by the musicals: Lion King, Grease, Aladdin and others. Digicel customers will have the opportunity to win 50% off discount on Swanky costumes and the chance to win VIP Carnival Packages – that include a FREE frontline costume, free fitness sessions, hair and make-up for the ladies and special spa treatments for the men. Now is also an opportune time to switch to Digicel, as every new customer who signs up to one of the top three Postpaid Red Plans will get $100 off any of the Swanky Costumes. For those who missed the Band Launch and are in need of an early taste of Carnival, Swanky International will be showcasing their seven (7) costume sections, on Wednesday, February 28th, at 5:30 pm, in Digicel’s Camana Bay Store. The event is open to the public and will feature a DJ spinning the best in Soca music. All current and new customers will have the chance to win costume discounts for the CayMAS Parade on Saturday, May 19, 2018. The parade will start downtown and end with the “Aftermas” free party on the Seven Mile Beach. “Digicel is extremely excited about its partnership with Swanky International. We are especially looking forward to the benefits our existing and new customers will receive by being part of Swanky. Swanky masqueraders will receive the best prices and discounts this Carnival season on Digicel plans and wide selection of smartphones as well as the opportunity to be a part of Swanky, the best band in CayMAS” said Raul Nicholson- Coe, Digicel Cayman CEO. To switch to Digicel and get $100 off your costume this carnival season, please contact our sales team at: caysales@digicelgroup.com or 623-8057. Digicel & Swanky International ADVERTORIAL Phot os pr ovided b y C or tez V ernon P hot ogr aph y. Drug dogs to patrol streets, beaches KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Officers with drug-de- tecting dogs will soon be regularly patrolling the ter- ritory’s streets and public beaches, according to Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Commissioner Derek Byrne. Mr. Byrne was speaking Wednesday night at a com- munity meeting in West Bay, where a number of other topics were also discussed, including the RCIPS commu- nity policing program, the issue of unlicensed bikers speeding through the streets, the behavior of police offi- cers, and the planned coast guard project. His announcement about the drug dogs came in re- sponse to a remark by West Bay MLA Tara Rivers, who la- mented the “really, really of- fensive smell of marijuana use” at Seven Mile Beach and other public beaches. “I know, because I’ve experienced it person- ally,” she said. Mr. Byrne said his depart- ment has tried covert officers on the beaches in the past, but have had limited success. But drug dogs can be hugely effective, he said. The RCIPS is in the “final stages” of purchasing drug- detecting dogs, according to the commissioner, and they should be in use in one or two months. Community officers for 12 beat areas Community officers will also be making regular pa- trols soon, though the pro- gram is ramping up incre- mentally, said Mr. Byrne. Four new officers gradu- ated on Thursday, and about another 18 began training on the same day, he said. “Most will be de- ployed to the community arena,” he said. RCIPS Superintendent Robert Graham added that Grand Cayman will be split into 12 beat areas, each with one officer assigned to it – potentially two officers by April. Officers will spend time in their area on foot pa- trol, he said. The RCIPS will hold a press conference next week to unveil more details about the program. A West Bay resident asked about the nationality of the new recruits. “I opened up the recruit- ment campaign last year on a permanent basis to Cay- manian nationals only,” Mr. Byrne responded. “I’ve had very little feedback into that in terms of making applications.” However, all the new re- cruits have Caymanian status, he said. The resident said that she’s concerned that offi- cers from other jurisdictions – particularly Jamaica – have been abusive and arrogant to- ward the local citizens. Mr. Byrne took issue with the resident’s com- ment – “we are a diverse group of officers with var- ious nationalities, and I was a little concerned when you said my officers have no in- terest in their communi- ties,” he said – but promised that any unethical behavior by his officers will be dealt with accordingly. “We are paid civil ser- vants. If we’re not delivering that service, we must be held accountable,” he said. “I re- ceive complaints on a daily basis, but I’m dealing with them. I accept that I have ar- rogant police officers, and we’re trying to deal with it as best as we can.” Dirt bikers The issue of unlicensed bikers was also raised by an- other resident, and RCIPS In- spector Courtney Myles said that government has given bikers a “designated piece of land” to use, and that he hopes to have the facility ready in about two months. “There are persons in the community that have prom- ised to assist financially, so I know it will get off the ground,” he said of the planned track. A resident responded that bikers from West Bay are unlikely to travel all the way to East End to ride, but Mr. Myles begged to differ, pointing out that a group of riders loaded their bikes in trailers and traveled to Breakers Speedway last week. The ones who continue to ride illegally will have the law enforced against them, he promised. Mr. Byrne also spoke about his department’s efforts to es- tablish a coast guard unit. In December, two senior U.K. of- ficers came to Cayman to ex- plore the possibility of cre- ating a new coast guard and border protection agency. Mr. Byrne said the project is still in its planning stages. “[The U.K. officers] didn’t come in to set up a coast guard. They came in to look at the possibility of estab- lishing a coast guard,” he said. “We’re working through the multiple complex issues it will take to set it up. “There’s nothing more that can be said about it at the moment.” Police Commissioner Derek Byrne addresses the West Bay community Wednesday evening at a public meeting. - PHOTO: KEN SILVA The RCIPS is in the “final stages” of purchasing drug-detecting dogs, according to the commissioner, and they should be in use in one or two months.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS In dating parlance, “ghosting” refers to ending a rela- tionship by simply severing communication with a signifi- cant other, rather than confronting them, calling them or even leaving them a “Dear John.” Suddenly and with no explanation, voicemails and text messages are left unreturned, in the hope that the “ghostee” takes the hint and moves on down the road. Nevertheless, “ghosting” is widely regarded as a cowardly and disrespectful dating tactic. It’s doubly suspect when it occurs in the profes- sional world, and particularly when the person doing the “ghosting” is your boss – which is the situation in which the University College of the Cayman Islands board of governors apparently finds itself. Bewildered UCCI board chairman Lemuel Hurlston said that Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has not once met with the UCCI board since the May 2017 election, despite the board’s repeated requests. (We are reminded of the National Conservation Coun- cil’s inability to secure a tete-a-tete with Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour, amid speculation about the council’s future, or lack thereof, which we wrote about last October.) Additionally, on a narrower legal issue concerning the government funding of UCCI and control over curricula, the entire Ministry of Education, as well as the Office of the Solicitor General, went radio-silent on the college for six weeks. Then, without notice, the board was presented with signed documents successfully securing the govern- ment’s $4 million annual check to the college (which has a total budget of $7.5 million). “I was pleasantly surprised,” said Mr. Hurlston. The education ministry’s, and education minister’s, pro- longed snub of UCCI comes during a critical time, not only for the college but for the future of higher education in our country – and just at a moment when it is especially vital for avenues of information to be kept wide open. As it so happens, both UCCI and the private Interna- tional College of the Cayman Islands are in a period of transition, as each is engaged in a search for a candidate to fill the vacant (or in UCCI’s case, soon-to-be-vacant) office of the president. Meanwhile, the oft-pondered but never-advanced idea of somehow combining UCCI and ICCI has emerged in embryonic form, with the UCCI board approving a “feder- ation agreement” with ICCI, which would enable the two colleges to collaborate on courses and to seek interna- tional accreditation as a single entity. Next, the proposal will be laid on ICCI’s table for consideration. We are lukewarm on the concept of “federation,” viewing it as, at best, a half-step. What does quicken the pulse, however, is the tremendous potential that could be created by joining the resources and talents of UCCI and ICCI together as a single whole that, in turn, could draw universal support from the people of Cayman. As we have said before, both UCCI and ICCI are searching for new presidents. That doesn’t mean the colleges are leaderless, however. UCCI is extremely fortunate to have as its board chairman Mr. Hurlston, who of course is well-known and highly esteemed throughout Cayman, not the least for his impeccable track record as a public servant, including as the territory’s Chief Secretary and Deputy Governor. His counterpart at ICCI is Mike Mannisto, who is held in equal regard in the community, and is a partner at Ernst & Young accounting firm. These capable gentlemen grasp the vision of deliv- ering superior higher education in Cayman through col- laboration rather than divisiveness. There is, however, a third member to this tertiary tri- umvirate – Education Minister O’Connor-Connolly. Without the input and support of Ms. O’Connor-Connolly, her ministry and her government, there is little in the way of the transformational that Mr. Hurlston, Mr. Mannisto, UCCI and ICCI can effect. Our country has the means, and we believe the will, to establish a superior higher education institution in Cayman. But in order to be successful, we have to do it together. Minister O’Connor-Connolly: Please, pick up your phone. Schedule an appointment. Join our country’s cause. Cayman government: UCCI’s ‘silent partner’ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ‘School is in’ at Layman E. Scott Sr. High School The secondary modern high school opened 50 years ago this year on The Brac and boldly boasts of students excelling in CXC, IGCSE and in other extracurric- ular activities. “Whatsoever thy hand fin- deth to do, do it with all thy might” was the motto when we attended the school. Stu- dents have won countless inter-island school debates, excelled in mathematics and science fairs and in sports. There was a time if a fe- male student became impreg- nated, the lass would have been expelled and not allowed to graduate. Today, a young student discovered pregnant is still allowed to walk the aisle and receive her diploma in certain instances. In the past, if a student did not pos- sess the correct uniform, one could also be expelled and not allowed to graduate. Times have changed. Today’s faculty will no doubt have issues with lack of discipline and lack of self control on the part of some scholars; yet there is no com- parison of the physical alter- cations of years gone by where a student would angrily as- sault a teacher. Once a male student injured another male with a baseball bat for flirting with his girlfriend. We hear of no such bad news these days. Bus wardens didn’t ride on buses and once an off-duty police officer had to board the bus at a bus stop to separate a serious student fight. Many good teachers have served and given of their best to the education of Brac high schoolers over the many years. An often thankless pro- fession, many Brackers and Caymanians are not choosing a vocation in education as teachers. Those who are trained usually leave after becoming frustrated with the system that they perceive is working against them. As a result, the high school is staffed with teachers from Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, North America and the U.K. There’s a lack of Cay- manian history, though gen- eral Caribbean history and world history form part of the school’s curriculum. There is but one female security officer to protect property, staff and students. The security officer is un- armed. A few students (not normally allowed the wifi passcode) have been reported for texting inappropriately and “sexting” on a campus where smartphones are not allowed in classrooms. This does not make headlines in local newspapers, instead bullets found on campus makes the news. What is next? A gun brought into school by a troubled teenage student? God forbid. During break and lunch- times, there needs to be more staff on duty to monitor stu- dents from getting into un- becoming behavior. At an age where older teens will natu- rally start dating someone of the opposite sex their age (or same-sex), fondling and inappropriate sexual exper- imentations should not be tolerated, yet continues to happen. A parent once en- tered the school compound at the close of the school day only to discover her daughter in the changing room with an older male who had al- ready graduated. The parent was not impressed with what was discovered. The high school on the Brac has a referral policy and misbehavior is not tolerated, but rather dealt with. Stu- dents are encouraged to be punctual. As soon as a stu- dent arrives for class after the second bell, which is sounded 3 minutes after the first bell to signal the end of class, that student is con- sidered late and a referral is given. Students are made aware that by the second bell, they should be in line outside the classroom in preparation to enter for their next session. Obscene language is not tolerated on campus. If any staff member hears a student using expletives, a referral is given immediately. Cursing a teacher has more severe con- sequences. The high school has a no bullying policy and all staff and students must show respect to each other. If a teacher witnesses a stu- dent bullying another stu- dent while in class, that stu- dent is removed, given a referral and reported to the head of department. Students are required to attend classes in neatly pressed uniforms. Failing to do so will require a letter from the parent stating why the teenager is not in cor- rect attire. Hair must be groomed and no student should have visible tattoos or body piercings, except for fe- male students with studded earrings – not hanging elabo- rate earrings. To keep the campus safe, should all students be searched regularly or on a daily basis? Some on the PTA disagree. The media and po- lice have received reports of marijuana being found on campus in the past and oc- casionally HM Customs have been called in with a trained search dog. Still, the good of the school far outweighs the negatives. Cayman Brac High School, now called Layman E. Scott Sr. High School, is one of the leading secondary schools in the Cayman Islands. Yes, school is in! Quincy Brown PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 These improvements will impact vehicle and pedestrian fl ow around the construction zone. New temporary pedestrian crossings and wayfi nding signage have been put in place to safely guide pedestrians. It is important to use the appropriate cross walks through the short-term parking to access the car rental facilities. Additionally, all vehicles will be re-routed through the two-lane service road in front of the construction zone. Owen Roberts International Airport Vehicle and Pedestrian Temporary Wayfi nding Follow the Signs! We are advising the general public and all stakeholders to pay close attention to signage around the construction zone to ensure their safety and to remain on the designated foot paths. Additional Customer Service team representatives, easily recognized in orange shirts, will be present to guide and answer any questions that may arise. All vehicular tra c must exercise caution around the construction zone and maintain the restricted minimum speed for pedestrian safety. When entering the two-lane bypass of the construction zone, through tra c must stay in the right lane, and drivers dropping o passengers at the check-in hall must stay in the le lane. All drivers must pay attention to tra c merging from short-term parking from the right when exiting the two-lane bypass. As part of the ongoing construction works at Owen Roberts International Airport, the face of the old terminal building, including the A-frame entrance, is currently under demolition to make way for the new archway that will connect the new check-in and arrivals halls.6 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS CAYMAN LOCALS APPRECIATION Valentines Day Special This Valentines, show your love and appreciation by giving the best, Stunning and unique EFFY designs from New York’s #1 jewelry design house. Receive $100 off any purchase of $500 or more* Visit EFFY jewelry for a free Effy Pendant, no purchase necessary! 19 Fort. St, George Town, Grand Cayman Offers valid now thru February 14th *discount not applicable to clearance selections or promotional items RUBY Diamond Cluster Earrings set in 14K White or Yellow Gold .47 Diamond Cluster Ring set in 14K White Gold Diamond Ring set in 14K White, Yellow & Rose Gold $595 $995 $750 Or free diamond and gemstone earrings and pendant with any purchase over $1500 (your choice of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald or Tanzanite) Ganja grower gets six-month suspended sentence Defendant was going to use oil for medicinal purposes CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man charged last year with growing 42 ganja plants was sentenced on Wednesday to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. Michael John Ramos, 37, previously pleaded guilty and the court ordered a social inquiry report before pro- ceeding to sentence. Defense attorney Jona- thon Hughes elaborated on what the court had heard at Mr. Ramos’s first appearance: that the defendant seemed to believe ganja was going to be legal soon and he would need a large amount to produce oil for his personal use. Mr. Hughes said Mr. Ramos had wanted the ganja for medicinal purposes; he had since seen a doctor and sought a legal remedy for his condition. The social inquiry report indicated that Mr. Ramos was a dedicated, hard worker who was a responsible pro- vider for his children. He did have a suspended sentence for a previous of- fense and Mr. Hughes asked that it not be activated by this new offense. Magistrate Grace Donalds agreed be- cause the previous offense was of a different nature to this one. The six-month sentence was for cultivating ganja without being authorized to do so. For possession and consumption of ganja, she imposed concurrent sen- tences of three and two months respectively. At the request of Crown counsel Eleanor Fargin, she ordered the ganja and ganja trees to be forfeited and destroyed. Premier: Crackdown coming for business staffing plans, job ads BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin has prom- ised stricter enforcement against local businesses’ hiring and promotion prac- tices that are designed to skirt immigration rules. The comments came Thursday morning during a speech to a packed Fi- delity Cayman Economic Outlook conference at the Kimpton Seafire resort. The address covered a broad range of topics, from block- chain currency to U.S. Presi- dent Donald Trump’s opposi- tion to high taxes. However, woven throughout the speech was the premier’s recently re- peated message about local businesses doing their part to ensure “full Caymanian unemployment.” “I am not playing poli- tics, or playing at all,” Mr. McLaughlin said of his pledge to effect “zero Cayma- nian unemployment.” “I am very serious about my government’s determina- tion to give every Caymanian who is willing, able and qual- ified to work the opportunity to do so,” he said. Mr. McLaughlin, who is also the head of the Min- istry of Human Resources, Immigration and Commu- nity Affairs, said his ministry intended to “strengthen” Cay- man’s business staffing rules. At present, every company which employs 15 or more non-Caymanians on work permits must file a business staffing plan, which is re- viewed by the relevant im- migration board. The regime was put in place more than 10 years ago to ensure Cay- manian workers were hired at some of the larger compa- nies on island. These staffing plans set out the general operations of the business, the names of employees holding various positions and future plans for development and growth. In the case of a plan that contains the hiring, promo- tion or development of a Cay- manian employee, immigra- tion staff would check to see if those plans were followed. “To ensure that quali- fied and experienced Cayma- nians are not being wrongly overlooked for promotion, we will strengthen the business staffing plan regime to en- sure that commitments given by employers with respect to the hiring, training and pro- motion of Caymanian em- ployees are being fulfilled,” Mr. McLaughlin said. Mr. McLaughlin also raised the issue of job ad- vertisements placed in local printed media and online publications. He said gov- ernment would seek to “close loopholes” in current immi- gration regulations that work against local employees. “[These include] insisting that jobs must be advertised locally before being adver- tised overseas,” he said. There is also a concern within government that the content of local ads does not match those being advertised overseas, the premier said. “We cannot continue to allow a low salary with few benefits to be advertised in Cayman, whilst a more ad- vantageous salary and ben- efits package for the same post is advertised over- seas, “ he said. Government is also likely to consider legal require- ments that any company looking to hire an employee state their name in the adver- tisement. There are job ads posted from time to time that contain only a phone number and no reference to a con- tact name or the name of the business doing the hiring. Finally, the premier pledged that government would also review “the role of employment agencies and their negative impact on the employment of Caymanians.” “The Caymanian suc- cess story has been built on the implicit understanding that Caymanians must have a real opportunity to par- ticipate in, and benefit from, our economic growth,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “This is the Cayman “economic contract” that created the success from which we now all benefit.” Tax justice? Speaking before an inter- national audience, the pre- mier took a jab at a report released Tuesday by the U.K.- based Tax Justice Network which named the Cayman Is- lands as the “third most se- cretive jurisdiction in the world,” behind Switzer- land and the U.S. Mr. McLaughlin said the U.K.-based Organisa- tion for Economic Co-oper- ation and Development has confirmed Cayman’s com- pliance with international financial services regula- tions, putting the British territory “in the league” of countries such as Germany, Canada and the U.K. “Yet [in the Tax Jus- tice Network report] China is ranked 28th and Russia 29th,” the premier said. “Surely, no report with these rankings can be credible.” Premier Alden McLaughlin “I am not playing politics, or playing at all.” PREMIER ALDEN MCLAUGHLINThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE THANK YOU TO ALL THE BUSINESSES WHO HELPED BRING THE YELLO MARKETPLACE TO LIFE! SMOKIES BBQ SMOKEHOUSE • THE FARMACY • AI RENTALS • FAST SIGNS • TOWER FIND THEM ON THE YELLO MOBILE APP RESTAURANTS FLIGHTS MOVIESThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS BOOKKEEPING, ACCOUNTING AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS OFFERED OPEN HOUSE ON 10TH FEBRUARY 2018 SERVICES OFFERED: INTRODUCTION TO BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING TUTORING IN BOOKKEEPING, ACCOUNTING AND LITERACY SKILLS Courses to begin the week of 13th February 2018 Call 916-2155 or email dorine.whittaker@hotmail.com to register and for more details Court orders Watson to pay US$1.1M over CarePay scheme Order does not limit further confiscation claims BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands busi- nessman Canover Watson was ordered Thursday to pay the government US$1.12 mil- lion (CI$925,995.58) over his role in the CarePay hospital swipe-card fraud, for which he was sentenced to seven years in prison. The confiscation order comes almost exactly two years after Mr. Watson’s Feb. 4, 2016 conviction for de- frauding the government and various corruption-related of- fenses in connection with the scheme that prosecutors said benefitted Mr. Watson and others by about US$6.8 mil- lion between 2010 and 2013. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Patrick Moran said the court ordered Mr. Watson to pay that sum within six months, but that it was likely the defendant would request an extension of time to pay. Mr. Watson can legally ask for an addi- tional six months, meaning he could delay the payment for up to a year. If he does not pay within time limits set by the Grand Court, Mr. Watson could have his prison sentence extended for a further six months, Judge Marlene Carter said Thursday. Mr. Watson is still under investigation in connection with another criminal case involving some US$1.2 mil- lion in controversial “loans” given to the Cayman Islands Football Association, which a U.S. federal court lawsuit al- leged were actually covert bribes paid to former associ- ation President Jeffrey Webb. Mr. Moran clarified that the present confiscation order does not limit the court in pursuing further confiscation claims against the defendant, depending on the results of any other investigations pro- ceeding against the defendant. Mr. Webb was jointly charged, along with Mr. Watson, in connection with the CarePay fraud. However, Mr. Webb’s arrest and guilty plea in the FIFA racketeering investigation has delayed his return to Cayman indefinitely. He is due to be sentenced in the FIFA case on March 7. Justice Carter said the confiscation order against Mr. Watson “does not sat- isfy any other confiscation order in relation to the same joint benefit” – meaning the US$6.8 million benefit the Crown identified from the CarePay fraud. Although the funds taken mainly came from two gov- ernment statutory authori- ties, the Health Services Au- thority and the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company, there was no re- quest made for those enti- ties, specifically, to be reim- bursed. The money paid by Mr. Watson will likely go into government’s general reve- nues, but prosecutors said that decision was not one for the Crown to make. Mr. Watson’s attorney Amelia Fosuhene said earlier in the confiscation proceed- ings that her client had about US$1 million in available as- sets, The confiscation ordered Thursday would take all of those assets. ‘Joint benefit’ The US$6.8 million figure represents the Crown’s esti- mate of the full illicit “take” from the public hospital swipe-card contract, which was initially a five-year, US$13 million deal to provide ID cards for Cayman Islands National Insurance Com- pany patients who use the hospital and health clinics. Those cards were to be used as a “real-time” healthcare claims adjudication service, meaning customers who used public health services would be recorded and billed, if ap- plicable, for those services at the time the cards were used. The claims adjudication service was never fully imple- mented, and proposals aimed at putting private sector in- surance customers onto the CarePay system never came to fruition. The CarePay cards are still in use by CINICO-in- sured patients. Prosecutors said during the first stage of Mr. Wat- son’s confiscation hearing that some US$4.8 million was “creamed” from the CarePay contract and put into a Fi- delity Bank account that Mr. Watson set up through sham frontmen. A further US$1.8 million was spent on the proposed expansion of the CarePay card system – known as the “national rollout” – to pri- vate sector insurers. How- ever, subsequent government audits revealed this amount was paid for no legitimate purpose and ultimately went to Mr. Watson and Mr. Webb. A further $147,000 was spent on a proposed phar- macy contract linked to the CarePay card system that also never happened, prosecutors said. If he does not pay within time limits set by the Grand Court, Mr. Watson could have his prison sentence extended for a further six months, Judge Marlene Carter said Thursday. helicopter, proceeded along West Bay Road and onto the Esterley Tib- betts Highway. The motorcycle and car collided as the pur- suit reached Shamrock Road in the vicinity of Mangrove Avenue and the Lantern Point round- about. Mr. Wood’s writ al- leges that the police officer who struck his motor- cycle was guilty of negli- gence in controlling his ve- hicle and failing to keep a proper lookout. The writ noted that Mr. Wood suffered a pelvic fracture, a lumbar spine fracture, paralysis in his lower right leg, a dislo- cated right hip and road rash to his right arm as a result of the accident. He is still recovering from his ailments, and he recently underwent a spinal surgery to aid his recovery in Miami, Florida. Mr. Wood’s writ did not specify a dollar amount be- cause he is still receiving treatment for his injuries and he cannot be certain of the full extent of future damages. But he is seeking compensation for pain, suf- fering and loss of ame- nity in addition to med- ical treatment costs, care and assistance. The plaintiff’s defense team has requested several documents from the police, including the accident re- port, the vehicle examina- tion report, the audio tape of the Control Room’s com- munication with officers and the download of the events data recorder fitted to the defendant’s vehicle. Biker sues police for negligence after accident CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Mr. Wood was allegedly the target of a police chase after being suspected of committing a robbery at the Ice Bar on Fort Street in George Town. EL SALVADOR: CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BLOCKED SAN SALVADOR, El Sal- vador (AP) – El Salvador’s Su- preme Court is putting the brakes on a constitutional change that would bar same- sex marriage. The ruling blocks law- makers from ratifying the measure, which also would constitutionally recognize matrimony as being between a man and a woman “born that way” and prohibit same- sex couples from adopting children. The Legislative As- sembly approved the measure in April 2015. For it to be rati- fied, it would need 56 of the 84 lawmakers in the current assembly to vote in favor.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 5243 | APPLEBY | LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME AD A | FULL PAGE 10.333 X 15.8975 IN | COMPASS | 30 JAN 2018 | BB&P | BBANDP.COM | +1 345 949 2933 APPLEBYGLOBAL.COM The perfect life balance begins with joining the right firm. If you’re a young Caymanian looking for a fulfilling career in law, Appleby offers Legal Scholarships, Internships and Articles of Clerkship. Submit your application before 31 March 2018. Learn more now at applebyglobal.com/careers When Articled Clerk and past Appleby scholarship recipient Appolina Bent isn’t at work, she’s indulging her passion for salsa dancing. APPOLINA HAS FOUND HER RHYTHM. YOU CAN TOO, AT APPLEBY.Next >