ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 High of 87 Low of 74 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 RULES OF THE ROAD: TAMING CAYMAN’S ASPHALT JUNGLE LOCAL | PAGE 5 HYMAN SO CLOSE TO GLORY ON THE GOLD COAST 188009-Ad-Strip-6colx1*5-UEFA-2018.indd 13/20/18 3:52 PM ‘Visionary’ Bo Miller dies at 66 JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Tributes have been paid to a “Caymanian patriot” following the death of Derrington “Bo” Miller Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 66. Mr. Miller ran for office on three oc- casions, twice in North Side and once in George Town, as an independent candidate and was instrumental in the grassroots campaign for a “one man, one vote” system, which was introduced at the last general election in 2017. He was also an influential advocate for the North Side community, where he grew up, and a widely respected businessman who was hailed as a pioneer of Cayman’s tourism industry. Politicians on both sides paid tribute to Mr. Miller for his contributions to the devel- opment of the country and his unwavering commitment to the Cayman Islands. His death comes just two weeks after family, friends and community leaders gath- ered in North Side to dedicate a new public beach in his honor. Close family friend Donovan Ebanks, who first met Mr. Miller when they attended North Side Primary School together, said his friend’s campaign to open the beach for the public epitomized his “can do” spirit. “For him to have the opportunity to see that project come to fruition was really sat- isfying. A lot of people made the effort to come and see him and it really warmed his heart and lifted him up,” he said. Mr. Miller leaves behind two children, Justin and Kimberley, and three grandchil- dren, Harrison, Zoe and Mia, as well as long- time partner Catherine Crabb. In a joint statement to the Cayman Compass, the family paid tribute to his vi- sionary spirit. “We got more than love from our father, grandfather and friend. We got our most im- portant values from him,” they said. “We are all obviously saddened by the tremendous loss and take comfort in knowing that he’s at peace and surrounded by the loved ones that went before him. “He was a man ahead of his time and a one-of-a-kind pioneer in so many ways. Our hope is that his visionary spirit for the country that he loved so dearly will be- come a reality.” Outside of his public life, Mr. Miller was a family man who doted on his grandchil- dren, who knew him as Papa. “We truly think they were his greatest joy and among the hardest to leave behind,” the family said in the statement. “He had big plans and many years of memories he intended to build and lessons he planned to teach, including how to steam fish Cayman style, pick a lobster, all about our family heritage and Cayman traditions, not to mention the rides he planned for them in his convertible BMW.” Mr. Miller had been suffering from cancer for more than two years. He passed away at home on Sunday afternoon. His friend Mr. Ebanks said, “He’s had a long hard battle and, in a way, it is a blessing that he doesn’t suffer any more. “He was a unique individual, a natural leader and a visionary sort of person.” He said his friend was driven by what he could do for Cayman as a country, some- times at the expense of his electoral chances in campaigns which tend to focus on local issues. “I remember Captain Charles Kirk- connell telling him after one of his elec- tion campaigns, ‘You ran a great campaign and all the smart people voted for you. The only problem was there was not enough smart people.’” On a personal level, he said Mr. Miller was much loved by a close group of friends. “He poked a lot of jokes and made a lot of fun. Everybody loved him,” said Mr. Ebanks. Mr. Miller started his professional life as an accountant with Price Waterhouse, be- fore going on to establish numerous busi- ness ventures in the financial services and real estate arenas. Sargassum seaweed returns to Cayman Beachgoers reported an in- flux of sargassum seaweed this weekend at a number of beaches and coastal areas on the south side of Grand Cayman and in parts of West Bay. Identifiable by its distinctive smell and berrylike, gas-filled bladders, sargassum weed has caused problems for beachfront residents and businesses in pre- vious years. Last year, around June, Seven Mile Beach was lined with the seaweed. Passengers flying into and out of Cayman this weekend re- ported seeing “blankets” of the seaweed floating out at sea. While not an unusual event, the sighting and reporting of the seaweed has increased sub- stantially in recent years. Due to warming ocean tempera- tures in the Atlantic, there has been a significant increase in PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » Sargassum seaweed washes up at Spotts on the southern coast of Grand Cayman. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Derrington ‘Bo’ Miller, 1951-2018 PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) PHANTOM THREAD (R) 12:45 I 3:40 I 9:40 BLACK PANTHER (PG13) 12:55 I 3:55 I 6:50 I 9:50 PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING 3D (PG13) 1:00 I 4:10 2D VIP I 7:00 2D I 10:00 2D READY PLAYER ONE 3D (PG13) 1:00 2D VIP I 3:50 2D I 6:35 2D I 9:35 9:50 2D VIP PETER RABBIT (PG) 12:20 I 2:40 I 5:00 I 7:20 ACRIMONY (R) 1:40 I 4:25 I 7:10 I 9:55 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA: BACK TO THE FUTURE (PG) 7:00 VIP ICCI PLANS 5K FUNDRAISER The Dr. J. Hugh Cum- mings Memorial 5K Walk- athon is scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to noon Sat- urday, April 14 at the In- ternational College of the Cayman Islands. The event, named after one of the founders of the college, raises scholarship funds for ICCI students. Registration cost for the event is $25 for adults, $15 for children under 12, and includes a commemora- tive T-shirt. Some refreshments will be provided. Online registration is available at www.icci.edu.ky/drjhcmwalk or on the day of the event, starting at 6 a.m. For more information call 947-1100. Study: Violence risks if Mexico co-hosts 2026 World Cup (AP) – FIFA inspectors begin evaluating Mexico’s suitability to stage World Cup matches in 2026 on Monday after a study com- missioned for the North American bid highlighted concerns about violent at- tacks on female fans, human rights activists and reporters in the country. Mexico City is the first stop on a five-day trip by the FIFA task force, which also will visit Atlanta, To- ronto and the New York met- ropolitan area, where the bid committee proposed the 2026 final be held at East Rutherford, New Jersey. The FIFA delegation will score the rival Moroccan bid the following week be- fore delivering assessments, which could disqualify a contender ahead of the June 13 vote in Moscow by the FIFA congress. The evaluation of bids is more stringent following con- cerns about the votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and rights abuses in Russia and Qatar. FIFA mandated 2026 bid- ders to commission and submit independent human rights reports that weigh risks linked to the tour- nament. Morocco has de- nied repeated requests from The Associated Press to re- lease its report. The North American doc- ument, prepared by human rights assessors Ergon, stated the likelihood of worker abuses is signifi- cantly reduced in the U.S., Canada and Mexico be- cause no stadiums or sig- nificant additional infra- structure must be built. Morocco, by contrast, plans $15.8 billion in construc- tion projects to prepare the country for what would be its first World Cup, in- cluding $3 billion to build or renovate every stadium or training facility. But Ergon identi- fied key risks associated with Mexico hosting 10 of the 80 games in 2026 in Mexico City, Guadala- jara and Monterrey, which the bid has proposed solu- tions to address. “The majority of women in Mexico City have experi- enced some form of sexual violence (including verbal harassment and unwanted touching) in their daily commute,” Ergon wrote, citing the United Nations, “which raises issues in rela- tion to the safety of women workers, fans and spectators when they commute to, or are inside competition build- ings and spaces.” The report also iden- tifies a “key risk relates to discriminatory inci- dents,” pinpointing gay slurs by Mexican fans at matches, including one chant that translates as “male prostitute.” If the bid is victorious, Ergon believes there could be violent attempts to sup- press scrutiny of Mexico. “Violations of the right to freedom of expression have been flagged over the past years as one of Mexico’s most pressing problems by national and international entities,” Ergon wrote. The report pointed to “several documented reports of violence” against “human rights defenders” and the military being deployed to halt protests. “There are also, unfor- tunately, significant ex- amples in Mexico of jour- nalists being subject to verbal, physical and vio- lent threats and actual vi- olence, including murder, based on their activities,” Ergon write. “This risk may will [sic] only be exagger- ated in the context of a FIFA World Cup.” Mexico is “one of the world’s most dangerous places” for reporters, Ergon said, citing the watchdog Freedom House. The bid said it wants “zero harms to protesters or journalists” and will be “creating and exercising le- verage to ensure respect for human rights in all as- pects of planning and exe- cuting the event.” Limiting the risks pre- sented by Mexico’s partic- ipation would be the first World Cup co-hosted by three nations. The U.S. would host 60 games, including all from the quarterfinals on. The Ergon report flags “reports of law enforcement unfairly targeting minorities and migrants” in the U.S. and “some potential discrimina- tion in relation to travel re- strictions for some citizens from certain states.” President Donald Trump, who would have completed a potential second term be- fore 2026, has tried to im- plement a ban on travel to the U.S. by residents of six majority-Muslim countries. The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for April 25 on the legality of restrictions, which have been repeatedly blocked and struck down by lower courts but which Trump says he deems necessary for Ameri- cans’ security. “Our three governments are committed to collabo- rating to ensure that every law-abiding person is wel- come to enjoy the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the North America bid said in its human rights strategy. While Ergon’s report is intended to report before the rosters with risks asso- ciated with World Cups, the researchers acknowledge the U.S., Canada and Mexico are “well-established democ- racies where citizens can freely participate in the con- duct of public affairs.” FIFA mandated 2026 bidders to commission and submit independent human rights reports that weigh risks linked to the tournament. Argentines race to save stranded whale BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Conservationists, coast- guards and volunteers are working around the clock to save a whale that was stranded two days ago on Ar- gentina’s coast. Local officials say that the humpback whale swam aground Saturday in the coastal city of Mar del Plata, about 250 miles south of Buenos Aires. Rescuers have been dig- ging around the six-ton whale with heavy ma- chinery. They have also used a crane to lift it and improve its hydration. Dozens of Mar de Plata residents joined the effort to keep the whale alive Monday, dousing the animal with water and covering it with moist cloths. Coastguards have de- signed a special harness to protect the whale when res- cuers try to pull it back into the ocean using a tugboat. Members of the Argentine Naval Prefecture and volunteers work to rescue a stranded humpback whale in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Monday. – PHOTO: AP 12 years’ prison for ‘cocaine cowboys’ pilot for stolen cars MIAMI (AP) – A smuggler who flew loads of drugs for Colombian cartels during Miami’s “cocaine cowboys” era in the 1980s was sen- tenced to 12 years in prison Monday for using his old talents in a sophisticated auto theft ring. U.S. District Judge Robert Scola imposed the relatively harsh sentence – more than four years higher than prosecutors recommended – because of the intricacy of the theft scheme, a total loss of about $1.8 million and because 72-year-old Mickey Munday boasted and bragged con- stantly for years about his cocaine smuggling past. “All of his comments have involved braggadocio and zero remorse,” Scola said at a hearing. Munday spent most of the 1990s in prison after pleading guilty to drug smuggling charges involving tons of cocaine from Pablo Escobar’s Medellin cartel and the Cali cartel during the 1980s. He frequently talked about his exploits in media interviews, social media posts, and in a star- ring role in the 2006 docu- mentary “Cocaine Cowboys.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein said Munday transferred his abilities to evade law en- forcement to the auto theft ring because he could not resist getting back into the criminal game. “It wasn’t enough to talk about the past. He couldn’t resist the urge to get back in the criminal action,” Rothstein said. “He traded his wings for wheels.” But at the hearing, Munday said much of what he said over the years was enhanced or fictional and that he was hoping to land a movie deal for his life story’s rights.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 www.rbcroyalbank.com/caribbean ® / ™ Trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. IMPORTANT NOTICE RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited wishes to advise its clients that due to a recent change in the United States Federal Reserve interest rate, the CI$ and US$ prime interest rate will increase from 4.50% p.a. to 4.75% p.a. effective May 7, 2018. 3 months in jail for overstaying 12 days CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A female crew member of a cruise ship who stayed in Grand Cayman after her ship left on March 22 was sen- tenced to three months in prison for illegally remaining on the island for 12 days when she appeared in Sum- mary Court on Friday. Yusmaidys Ortiz Perez, 34, who had worked as a bar waitress aboard the MSC Opera, came ashore while the cruise ship was in port on March 22 and did not re- turn to the ship. Defense at- torney Prathna Bodden told the court that Ms. Ortiz Perez “broke down” after leaving the ship because her partner in Cuba had threatened to kill her and a manager on the ship was “exploiting” her. “While on the ship, she was exploited by a man- ager and she was asked to perform certain duties and if she didn’t, she was told she would lose her job,” Ms. Bodden said. The court hearing began with Magistrate Adam Rob- erts asking if the defendant, a Cuban national, needed an interpreter. She indicated that she understood more English than she spoke and she was ready to go ahead. The magistrate then put the charge to her: that be- tween March 22 and April 3, she had illegally remained in the Cayman Islands. She pleaded guilty. Crown counsel Aaliyah McCarthy said Ms. Ortiz Perez arrived on the cruise ship and came ashore, but did not return to the ship by 4 p.m. This fact was reported to Cayman’s Immigration au- thorities. Ms. Ortiz Perez was located and arrested in Mount Pleasant, West Bay, on April 3. She had no legal basis for remaining in the Cayman Islands, Ms. McCarthy said. Police sent out a press re- lease on April 3 advising that Ms. Ortiz Perez had been lo- cated. It also stated that the circumstances of her time in Cayman were under investi- gation. An earlier press re- lease from police, sent out on March 28, had requested as- sistance from the public in locating her after authorities received a report on March 27 that she “went missing.” Ms. Bodden related the woman’s story, noting first that she had no previous convictions. Ms. Ortiz Perez has a 2-year-old child, who is in the care of Ms. Ortiz Perez’s mother. Ms. Ortiz Perez began working on the ship in December. The attorney indicated that Ms. Ortiz Perez did not welcome the attention from the manager. When invited to his room or other places on the ship, she would say no because she had been working 11 hours or because she did not want to. There is a “Cuban com- munity” on the ship, Ms. Bodden explained. Ms. Ortiz Perez had a partner back in Cuba and a message was sent to him that she had taken up a relationship with that manager. Her partner sent word back that he was going to kill her. A message Ms. Ortiz Perez received said, “As soon as you come to the dock, somebody will be waiting and this is what is going to happen to you.” According to a website itinerary, the MSC Opera would have returned to Ha- vana on March 24. Ms. Ortiz Perez came off the ship in Cayman and broke down, Ms. Bodden said. Ms. Ortiz Perez told her that she was approached by strangers who offered to help her. They took her to a place that was clean and gave her food. Nobody else was there and a few days passed. Then they took her to another place, where she was also alone, and gave her food. “They did not take advan- tage of her in any way,” Ms. Bodden emphasized. Then the strangers did not come back. They seemed to have panicked, real- izing they were doing some- thing they should not, Ms. Bodden suggested. In response to a query from the Cayman Com- pass, police confirmed the woman was not at a resi- dence when she was located by officers and no other ar- rests were made in the case. Ms. Ortiz Perez accepted that she should not have stayed in Cayman, her attorney said. “She still wants to work and look after her family.” The magistrate said that the offense of remaining in Cayman illegally would normally be met with a deportation order. In this case, the only place Ms. Ortiz Perez could return to was Cuba. “I accept you are in dis- tress and find yourself in a difficult position,” the mag- istrate told Ms. Ortiz Perez. “The sentence will allow you to get help, while ex- pressing disapproval of what you’ve done.” He handed down a term of three months’ imprisonment, with a recommendation for deportation on completion of the sentence. Ms. Bodden asked him not to recom- mend deportation, “because it would happen anyway, if she hasn’t found a legal way to stay here.” The magistrate said he felt he had to be consis- tent with other court deci- sions for such an offense. “Either she gets permis- sion to stay or she doesn’t,” he pointed out. Ms. Bodden asked if Ms. Ortiz Perez could be kept at the Immigration Deten- tion Centre, but the mag- istrate said that where she served her sentence was not a matter for the court. An immigration officer said the prison would have to make the final decision. Yusmaidys Ortiz Perez PEDESTRIAN, MOTORBIKE RIDER HURT IN SEPARATE CRASHES A pedestrian and a motor- bike rider were seriously in- jured in separate collisions Sunday evening, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice reported. The first crash happened just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday along Mount Pleasant Road in West Bay. Police said a woman walking in the area was struck by a grey Hyundai Accent. The injured woman was taken to the hospital with several broken ribs and re- mained there for further treatment Monday. The second accident, which hap- pened about an hour later on Shamrock Road, involved a motorcycle and an Audi Q5. Police said the crash hap- pened near Savannah Gar- dens around 7:40 p.m. The motorcycle rider was thrown from his ve- hicle during the crash. He was transported to hospital, treated and later released.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. 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” During the month of March, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service issued 341 tickets for speeding as part of a “crackdown” on traffic offenses. That averages out to 11 speeding tickets per day, or about one ticket every two hours. If those figures represented the work product of a single on-duty officer, they might be considered impressive. But for a uniformed force of 390 active officers and auxiliary constables over six districts, the numbers are absolutely anemic. As anyone with a passing familiarity with Linford Pierson and Esterley Tibbetts highways (where much of the enforcement operation was concentrated) could tell you, it would not be unreasonable to expect police to be able to issue citations to more than 341 speeders per day. Double or triple that if you throw in other obvious offenses, such as illegally tinted windows, failure to wear seat belts, burned out brake lights, etc. (It’s like “Tasering” fish in a barrel.) The unlucky few who “got caught” were not barely creeping over posted speed limits. According to police, most of the tickets were issued to drivers barreling through 40-mph zones at speeds in excess of 60 mph, with some offenders doing 70 or even 80 mph. Cayman, we would remind our populace (and our police), is not the German Autobahn or Circuit de Monaco. Most of our roads are old, narrow, over- crowded and dangerously “diverse” (cars, trucks, bicycles, pedestrians, baby strollers and on and on – a too-often lethal vehicular cocktail). Putting a stop to the “Mad Max” mentality on Cayman’s roads is literally a matter of life and death. But that’s not the only reason compelling police to “take back” our streets. Traffic enforcement is a singular police activity that captures the attention of the public. In an automobile-centric society such as Cayman, it is the most visible and universal demonstration of police authority. The police force’s unwillingness or inability to maintain “law and order” on our roads sends the message that brazenly breaking the law carries no meaningful consequences. Neglecting the straightforward duty to enforce traffic laws breeds a dangerous lack of respect for police and undermines the essential concept of law and order. Question: Do our authorities not notice what vir- tually every driver encounters every day on our roadways, namely a bumper crop of expired coupons, illegible license plates, illegal window tinting, burned- out taillights, smoke-spewing rust buckets, mobile phone-using drivers, dangerously overloaded trucks and, of course, gangs of dirt-biking Evel Knievels raising terror on two wheels? Of course, the burden of keeping our roads safe does not fall exclusively on the shoulders of police. At the most fundamental level are the motorists them- selves. Then there is the performance of the Depart- ment of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing, which bears responsibility for, among other things, the country’s fleet of obviously out-of-code vehicles that somehow have up-to-date registration and inspection permits. Further, factor in the judicial bumper-to-bumper in Cayman’s Traffic Court, and it is clear that the “bad behavior” on Cayman’s roads is linked to dysfunction and disorder at multiple levels. The infractions we cite, if they are not taken seri- ously and addressed robustly, will eventually erode Cayman’s reputation as a law-abiding society. Rules of the road: Taming Cayman’s asphalt jungle YOMIURI SHIMBUN EDITORIAL BOARD Neither country should embark on a fruitless trade war. Realizing their respon- sibility to underpin the in- ternational economy and trade system, both the United States and China should strive to find a solution that will not give rise to turmoil. The United States un- veiled a draft list of puni- tive duties on Chinese goods, as Washington views Chi- na’s infringement of intellec- tual property rights as prob- lematic. The list covers about 1,300 items, which center on high-tech products, repre- senting more than ¥5 trillion in Chinese goods. China plans to implement retaliatory measures, on the same scale, involving U.S. products. Beijing unveiled a list of duties on 106 key U.S. products,. The latest moves came on the heels of similar actions taken by the two countries. Intensifying trade fric- tions would inflict a major blow on both economies. The bilateral discord be- tween the United States and China, which make up a combined 40 percent of the world economy, would in- evitably effect the global economy as a whole. Taking into account their positions as economic powers, both countries have to do their utmost to avert a game of tit for tat. The infringement of in- tellectual property rights in China is a deep-rooted issue pointed out also by Japan and the European Union. To rectify China’s infringe- ment of intellectual property rights, it is essential for devel- oped countries to strengthen their cooperation. In dealing with the problems concerning the transfer of technology, Japan, the United States and European countries have dis- cussed making a joint appeal to the World Trade Organiza- tion. These efforts should be promoted steadily. The WTO was inaugu- rated in 1995 with the objec- tives of trade liberalization and establishment of interna- tional trade rules. As the member countries increased in number, however, its decision-making on such matters as mapping out new rules has become difficult. The WTO’s dispute-settling procedures often take at least several years – as a result, its effectiveness in avoiding trade friction is limited. To stem the spread of protectionism in trade, WTO reforms are also unavoid- able. Japan will be respon- sible for taking the lead in such discussions. © 2018, The Japan News/Yomiuri TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Teaching entrepreneurship LLEWELLYN KING Innovation and entrepre- neurism, these are strains of the American Dream. That dream is simple: to be self- employed, to own your own business, to be answerable to customers and not to bosses, as well as to make a better living and to enjoy the bene- fits of the tax system that fa- vors business. It may be fundamental to the dream, but students pouring out of universities are, by and large, unpre- pared to follow the business- of-their-own dream. We do not create in the educational system people equipped to launch companies that create jobs and protect the fabric of our society, giving it strength and texture. At the base of the ed- ucational tower, students graduating from many high school systems are poorly equipped for little more de- manding than fast-food ser- vice or day labor. Graduates of liberal arts colleges have to seek jobs in large companies or in govern- ment. It is darn hard to start a history company or a soci- ology service, or to incorpo- rate as a geography business. In short, the liberal educa- tion system is skewed against entrepreneurship, particularly against small startups where sweat equity is the principal financing and where a single skill can be the foundation of a healthy enterprise. When I first learned of a small college – minus- cule, you might say, because there are fewer than 100 stu- dents – in Charleston, S.C., I was gladdened– and when I learned that about a third of its graduates had gone on to start their own small busi- nesses, I was ecstatic. The institution is the American College of the Building Arts. Its mission is not to create entrepreneurs, but to meld together trade crafts and liberal arts. Entrepreneurism is a by- product, an unexpected bonus. The combining of the lib- eral arts with skilled artistry is a potent concept at a time when there is an extreme shortage of craftsmen, and a real dearth of those who reach the master level, both men and women. About a third of the stu- dent body at ACBA are women. In two days reporting at the college, I found women doing complex forgings in the blacksmithing depart- ment, chiseling stone in the masonry classes, and doing timber-frame construction. The same students, away from the forges, chisels, hammers and saws are to be found studying Charles Dickens’ “Hard Times” and the Industrial Revolution or puzzling over Palladian con- cepts in the architectural drawing class. If I sound enthusiastic about this concept in educa- tion, it is because I am. My father was a blue- collar worker and small busi- nessman, but he missed in his life, which was hard, the joy of literature, the stimu- lation of art and the wonder of the theater. He missed the liberal arts. For myself, I miss the satisfaction that he got from making a deco- rative gate in wrought iron or putting up a barn. I find the idea the liberal arts can be taught along- side trade craft to be stimu- lating. ACBA President Colby Broadwater III, a retired three-star general, acknowl- edges the college is so small – it came out of a shortage of skilled artisans to do res- toration after Charleston was hard hit by Hurricane Hugo in September 1989 –that it is less than a grain of dust in the stone carving room compared to big universities. But it is important, a frontier in education. “Who said artisans shouldn’t be educated?” says Broadwater. Quite so. I might add, “Who says they shouldn’t build craft skills into businesses?” They are chiseling, ham- mering, plastering and sawing a new kind of ed- ucational future in a very small college. Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of ‘White House Chronicle’ on PBS. His email is llewellynking1@gmail.com. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Eliminate unilateralism in trade5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 ... − , 12 , 6–8 , , ... − , 12 , 6–8 , , ... − , 12 , 6–8 , , THE JEEP COMPASS LAUNCH Governor tours The Pines Governor Anwar Choud- hury visited The Pines Re- tirement Home Friday, where he met residents and staff of the home. The home’s man- ager Lynda Mitchell, its first manager and cur- rent resident Olive Miller, and board member Pa- mela Webster accompa- nied the governor on his tour of the 48-bed facility, during which Ms. Miller explained the signifi- cance of The Pines’ Wall of History, which exhib- ited memorabilia charting highlights since the home was opened in 1983. Sybil Bodden was among the residents that the governor met and talked with, who de- spite being bedridden, was talkative when she was introduced to her VIP visitor. The governor also met and chatted with several residents in the day room, including Carlene McTaggart, James Parsons, Jerry Harper, Louise Kidd and Emily Bodden. Pines resident Barbara Ebanks presented the governor with a framed, knitted place mat of Grand Cayman that she had made, and Ms. Miller gave him a signed copy of her latest poetry book “Cayman Rhyme Time with Ms. Olive” for him to give to his daughters. Hyman so close to glory on the Gold Coast Sprinter 5th in 100m final Cayman Islands sprinter Kemar Hyman came within a split second of a po- dium finish in the Com- monwealth Games 100 me- ters final on Australia’s Gold Coast on Monday. Hyman, who was second fastest in qualifying, had to settle for fifth in the final, just two-hundredths of a second behind Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who took bronze. South Africa’s Akani Sim- bine took gold in 10.03 sec- onds with his compatriot Henricho Bruintjies second in 10.17. Blake picked up bronze in 10.19, edging out Nigeria’s Seye Ogunlewe in a photo finish. Hyman was fifth in 10.21. Only two Caymanians have ever medaled at the Commonwealth Games. Ka- reem Streete-Thompson took bronze in the long jump in Manchester in 2002 and Cy- donie Mothersill won gold in the 200m at the 2010 games in Delhi. Hyman had gone into Monday’s final believing he could join that elite group after blitzing to vic- tory in the semifinal with a season-best 10.10. After the final in the Car- rara Stadium on the Gold Coast, he said he was proud to have got so close. “It was a great expe- rience. It’s only showing me that I can do greater things in the years to come,” he told Cayman pool re- porter Ben Meade. Hyman, competing out of lane three, was in contention right to the line, with Jamai- ca’s Blake, who stumbled out of the blocks, just catching him in the final meters. Simbine, running in lane 7, was also a slow starter but accelerated in the final half of the race to take the victory. Hyman added, “I don’t think I got a great start like in the heats and the semis. That’s something I need to fix when it comes to big champi- onships like this, not only to stay in the blocks but to get a great start to win a race … I just got to keep working on it. “I’m still happy and proud of myself. I really wanted a medal because I was focused this time, but I’m not upset about it at all.” Blake, who was the pre- race favorite, told reporters he never recovered from a stuttering start. “I’m disappointed be- cause I’ve been feeling good. I didn’t get the start and I was all over the place. I couldn’t recover from it.” Elsewhere, Cayman Is- lands hurdler Ronald Forbes finished sixth in his heat with a time of 13.88. He did not advance to the finals. He said, “I went out there and executed to the best of my ability. I don’t have any regrets about it. I raced to the best of my ability, regardless of what the results show.” Only two Caymanians have ever medaled at the Commonwealth Games. Kareem Streete-Thompson took bronze in the long jump in Manchester in 2002 and Cydonie Mothersill won gold in the 200m at the 2010 games in Delhi. Governor Choudhury talks to Pines resident Sybil Bodden. CUSTOMS OFFICER ARRESTED FOR EVADING DUTY FEES A senior officer with Her Majesty’s Customs ser- vice was arrested Friday on suspicion of evading customs duty. Customs Collector Charles Clifford did not iden- tify the officer arrested and no charges had been filed as of press time Monday. Mr. Clifford said the of- ficer was placed on required leave (paid suspension) and released on police bail. The senior officer was ar- rested in an operation by HM Customs Thursday eve- ning, Mr. Clifford said. Kemar Hyman finishes fifth in the Commonwealth Games 100 meters final in Australia. Hurdler Ronald Forbes finished sixth in his heat with a time of 13.88. - PHOTOS: BEN MEADE6 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Security council to hold first meeting since last October New governor says group is not a ‘talk shop’ BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands Na- tional Security Council, cre- ated under the territory’s 2009 Constitution Order, will meet Tuesday for the first time in about six months. The last meeting, in Oc- tober 2017, was only one of eight such meetings held since the Progressives-led government first took of- fice in May 2013. Except for several meet- ings held between late 2014 and early 2016, the council meetings were generally held about 10 months apart. They were held in Sep- tember 2013, July 2014, No- vember 2014, January 2015, November 2015, February 2016, January 2017 and Oc- tober 2017, according to government records. The advisory panel, cre- ated to participate in stra- tegic decision-making with the U.K.-appointed governor, has fallen short of that stated role, according to Pre- mier Alden McLaughlin. “The [National Security Council] must be permitted to function as the consti- tution contemplated,” Mr. McLaughlin told the Legis- lative Assembly last month, adding that advice from the council should be advice that the “governor is obliged to take,” barring exceptional circumstances. The Constitution Order in section 58 states that it should advise the governor on security matters with the exception of police op- eration and staffing, which are a matter for the commis- sioner of police. “The governor shall be obliged to act in accor- dance with the advice of the council, unless he or she con- siders that giving effect to the advice would adversely affect Her Majesty’s interest [meaning the interest of the U.K. government] …,” the constitution reads. This is not how the se- curity council has op- erated during his gov- ernment’s first, or so far second, term in office, Mr. McLaughlin said. Opposition lawmakers have asked the premier if his government supports delegating some direct re- sponsibility for law enforce- ment matters to an elected minister of government, rather than to the governor via the police commissioner. However, Mr. McLaughlin said that is not what his government is suggesting, nor is it what the constitu- tion requires. “The National Security Council should have reg- ular, monthly meetings, and … some real say into non- operational policing mat- ters,” the premier said in March. “The U.K. government needs to rethink the posi- tion of the governor having full responsibility for the Royal Cayman Islands Po- lice Service.” Governor Anwar Choud- hury, who arrived in Cayman March 26, has said the Na- tional Security Council and other matters surrounding law enforcement and public safety will be his first and primary focus during his term in office. In early public appear- ances, Mr. Choudhury has publicly supported state- ments by Mr. McLaughlin concerning the establish- ment of a Cayman Islands coast guard and the devel- opment of neighborhood- oriented policing. He has also seemed to support giving elected government ministers more say in police strategic development. The new governor has also supported monthly council meetings. “It won’t be a talk shop,” Mr. Choudhury said, stating his hope that the meeting agendas would be kept brief and to the point – no more than 90 minutes at a time. “[The security council] needs to work. It needs to be clear on the priority and needs to be action oriented.” Governor Choudhury said gun crime and burglaries were already identified as areas of public concern. He also noted that the premier is leading certain law en- forcement initiatives like the border control services merger and the proposed creation of an independent coast guard for Cayman – which the U.K. supports. The governor said he was “encouraged” to see crime seemed to be a “national unity” issue in Cayman, rather than a political battle- ground. “That’s a real com- pliment to the politicians … and the people of the Cayman Islands,” he said. The governor chairs the security council and the pre- mier, two appointed govern- ment ministers and the op- position leader attend. Two members of civil society are also appointed, one by the premier and another by the opposition leader. The deputy governor, attorney general and police com- missioner, or their desig- nates, also attend as non- voting members. Governor Choudhury said gun crime and burglaries were already identified as areas of public concern. Premier Alden McLaughlin Bail refused for burglary suspect Defendant asks to be considered for Drug Court CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Marty Dean Whittaker, 46, appeared in Summary Court on Monday after- noon charged with two res- idential burglaries that oc- curred earlier this month. Crown counsel Darlene Oko objected to bail, noting that one of the burglaries occurred at night while the occupants of the home were present. She explained that the victims had retired to bed in their Hirst Road home around 10 p.m. on April 2. They had locked the doors and secured the windows, except for one left open for ventilation. Around 3 a.m., they were awak- ened by a noise in their living room and the woman went to check. She saw a man in- side the home; he grabbed a handbag and ran out the door. A police report of the matter said that the handbag contained cash, but no amount was men- tioned in court. The second incident oc- curred during the day on April 5, when a maid was cleaning villas on Bodden Town Road. She had left her cellphone in one villa while she was in another. When she went back to get it, she saw a man coming out of the unit with some- thing in his shirt pocket. She was able to snatch it out of his pocket before he ran from the scene. Arrested on April 6, Mr. Whittaker admitted con- suming cocaine. Defense attorney John Furniss asked for bail. He explained that Mr. Whit- taker had borrowed his father’s boat and then pawned it. He now had a job lined up that would earn enough money to get the boat back and return it to his father. The defendant was willing to wear an elec- tronic monitor and re- port to police once or even twice daily, Mr. Furniss emphasized. He was also requesting that the charges be brought back on Thursday at 2 p.m. so that Mr. Whittaker could apply to the Drug Rehabil- itation Court. Magistrate Adam Rob- erts refused bail, but set the matter for Thursday as requested. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to Capitol Hill: ‘It was my mistake, and I’m sorry.’ Facebook CEO Mark Zuck- erberg expressed contrition for allowing third-party apps to grab the data of its users without their permission and for being “too slow to spot and respond to Russian in- terference” during the U.S. election, according to his pre- pared remarks published by the House Energy and Com- merce Committee. Zuckerberg plans to open his remarks with a familiar recitation of the social media platform’s ability to link far- flung people together but then pivot into an acknowl- edgment of Facebook’s in- creasingly visible dark side. “It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm as well,” Zuckerberg plans to tell lawmakers. “That goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections, and hate speech, as well as devel- opers and data privacy. We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. It was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.” The testimony’s release, ahead of the first of two hearings this week, came as a suit-clad Zuckerberg and some of his top lob- byists and aides made the rounds on Capitol Hill, hud- dling with lawmakers who planned to grill him Tuesday and Wednesday. The meetings included a session with Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, as a cluster of re- porters waited outside. Exiting that meeting, Zuck- erberg ignored shouted ques- tions from reporters. Nelson afterward said he pressed the Facebook chief executive on everything from its privacy practices to the efforts by Russian agents to spread dis- information on social media during the 2016 election. “If we don’t rein in the misuse of social media, none of us are going to have any privacy any- more,” Nelson said. The company has been reeling since the November 2016 election, during which phony news reports spread widely on its platform and Russian operatives mounted an ambitious campaign to di- vide American voters, damage Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and bolster the chances of Republican candi- date Donald Trump. Facebook appeared to be recovering from those contro- versies until last month’s rev- elation that a political con- sultancy hired by Trump and other Republicans improp- erly gained access to data on 87 million Facebook users, in- cluding 71 million Americans. The company acknowledged last week a separate problem in which “malicious actors” were able to identify and col- lect data on Facebook users on such a massive scale that most of the company’s 2.2 billion users were affected. As the company has mo- bilized to quell rising polit- ical opposition, including the possibility of major legisla- tion affecting how technology companies handle user data, Facebook also is battling gov- ernment investigations in the United States and Europe. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating alleged viola- tions of a 2011 consent decree over privacy policy at Face- book that could lead to record fines against the company. The release of the testi- mony, for Wednesday’s ap- pearance before the House Energy and Commerce Com- mittee, is part of a major public relations push by Facebook to acknowledge its failings in protecting user privacy and not acting quickly enough to thwart sev- eral Russian disinformation campaigns, including one during the 2016 presiden- tial election. Zuckerberg was scheduled to meet with Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, chairman of the Commerce Committee, and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Ju- diciary Committee. The Face- book chief executive also planned to appear before a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday. Those remarks are expected to be similar. © 2018, The Washington Post Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives for a meeting with Sen. John Thune on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A PRIZE PACKAGE VALUED AT $1000 WHICH INCLUDES: • Two VIP tickets to Batabano events and screenings from April 16 • Two adult costumes from Tribal Carnival to wear in the 2018 parade • $300 shopping spree at Le Classique • Two Batabano swag bags with 35th anniversary items Carnival to wear in the 2018 paradeCarnival to wear in the 2018 parade • $300 shopping spree at Le Classique$300 shopping spree at Le Classique • Two Batabano swag bags with Two Batabano swag bags with 35th anniversary items35th anniversary items BATABANO 35TH ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY ENTER TO WIN REGISTER TO WIN AT caymancompass.com/contests DEADLINE TO ENTER: Sunday, April 15 DRAWING: Monday, April 16 Contest details online the amount of sargassum seaweed floating across the ocean. Strong currents and high winds push the sar- gassum across the Carib- bean and onto beaches in the region. Sargassum is an algae that floats in the ocean, typically after becoming dislodged from sea- beds or coral. The Sar- gasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean gets its name from the sargassum that grows there in abundance. Although sargassum can be unsightly and mal- odorous once it begins to decay, it is often easier to remove it once it “dries out” after a few days, as it be- comes lighter. The Department of En- vironment has, in the past, urged residents and busi- nesses not to use heavy equipment to remove the seaweed due to the damage that can be caused to the beach and potentially to turtle nests during nesting seasons by doing so. He partnered with top Nashville country music art- ists for the completion of the Treasure Island Hotel – at the time the largest prop- erty on Seven Mile Beach. For more than 20 years he operated a wastewater treat- ment business, Wastewater Purification Systems Ltd. He was also involved in var- ious public boards and com- mittees over the years, in- cluding Cayman Airways, the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Action Group, and founded The Young Cay- manian Businessmen’s Asso- ciation and the North Coast Tourism Council. The Ministry of Tourism released a statement Monday describing him as a leg- endary figure and ceaseless advocate for the industry. “Bo’s association with tourism goes back more than three decades and in- cludes many successful ven- tures, including the con- struction and management of tourist accommodations in North Side and George Town and the establish- ment of the first North Coast Tourism Council,” according to the statement. “Bo had the biggest of hearts and frequently put the needs of others be- fore his own. He was as much loved for his wisdom and business acumen as he was for his spirit of Caymankindness, which was evident in all he did throughout his life.” Alva Suckoo, who worked alongside Mr. Miller on the one man, one vote cam- paign, said he would be sadly missed. “Mr. Miller was a Cayma- nian patriot. He made valu- able contributions to the de- velopment of our country and worked very hard to im- prove our islands,” he said. “His strong-willed and determined approach may not have always won him friends in the political arena but he was respected for his unquestionable love for this country and his people. His memory will serve as an in- spiration to us all.” Bo Miller, in red, with his family. Mr. Miller passed away on Sunday afternoon, at the age of 66. ‘Visionary’ Bo Miller dies at 66 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bo Miller Sargassum seaweed returns to Cayman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Strong currents and high winds push the sargassum across the Caribbean and onto beaches in the region. Sargassum seaweed lines the beach by the Red Bay dock in South Sound Sunday. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, APRIL 10 GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS: An information session takes place today at the George Town Public Library 5:30-6:30 p.m. Anyone planning to apply for a government scholarship for 2018/2019 is encouraged to attend. All who are planning to apply for a local government scholarship for the 2018/2019 academic year are invited to complete the required forms online by visiting www.education. gov.ky/scholarships. SATURDAY, APRIL 14 MEMORY CAFE: All persons with moderate stage dementia or any other form of forgetfulness along with their family members and care partners are invited to a Memory Cafe. There will be sing-alongs, storytelling, art, crafts and games. Lunch and snacks will also be provided. The Memory Cafe is free and will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Sound Community Center. Call 924-4170 to RSVP. ICCI 5K: Dr. J. Hugh Cummings Memorial 5K Walkathon to raise scholarship funds for International College of the Cayman Islands. 6:30 a.m. to noon at ICCI. Registration $25 for adults, $15 for children under 12. Register online at www.icci.edu.ky/ drjhcmwalk or on the day from 6 a.m. Call 947-1100 for more information. SUNDAY, APRIL 15 HEALTH FAIR: The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens is celebrating 25 years of giving back, by hosting a free community fair at the Lions Centre, 8:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. Screens for BMI, blood pressure, sight, diabetes and cholesterol, as well as massage, healthcare insurance advice, cancer education and mental health advice. Bouncy castle for the children and refreshments on sale. OLDER PERSONS HEALTH INSURANCE: Today is the deadline for people to share their opinions on how Cayman can better meet the unique healthcare needs of older individuals. Residents of all ages are invited to take part in a survey that will help health insurance officials evaluate the possible development of a Standard Health Insurance Contract for those aged 65 and older. Those interested may complete the survey at the Department of Health Regulatory Services website www.dhrs.gov.ky. Hard copies are available at the Government Administration Building and from all district health clinics. Contact melissa.maize@gov.ky. BRAC DG’S 5K CHALLENGE: Registration is open for the 2018 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge. The walk/run is being held on Cayman Brac on Sunday, April 15, Little Cayman on Sunday, April 22, and Grand Cayman Sunday, April 29. The event is raising money for five good causes. Funds raised in Cayman Brac will go toward the provision of meals at Kirkconnell Community Care Centre and, in Little Cayman, money will be used for a “grow box” at the island’s school. Register at www.caymanactive.com/dg5K. TUESDAY, APRIL 17 SEAFARERS: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association advises all members of a general meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Seafarers Hall, 11 Victory Ave. Prospect. Buses will be provided from West Bay Town Hall at 6 p.m. A bus route has been added in George Town, leaving the public library parking area at 7 p.m., stopping at Cayman Compass building and the Airport Fosters. The bus is blue and marked Bobo $1, but there is no charge. THURSDAY, APRIL 19 PUB QUIZ: Fidel Murphy’s. 7 p.m. To benefit the Humane Society. SATURDAY, APRIL 21 ROTARY SCIENCE FAIR: 10 a.m. until noon. The Arts & Recreation Centre. All are invited. EARTH DAY FAIR: Sir John A. Cumber Primary School Field, 4-9 p.m. Music, food stalls, exhibits, kids zone, artists corner, eco- friendly vendors. Admission free. Organized by West Bay Central Earth Day Committee. GENERAL INTEREST VEHICLE & LICENSING DEPT.: The Crewe Road office of the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing has resumed its normal hours of operations. The office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. No extended hours for license plate exchanges on Wednesdays. No Saturday openings. CADET CORPS: The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps is looking for new recruits, ages 11-16, to join the Band Detachment or the Marine Detachment and School Detachments at John Gray High School, Clifton Hunter High School, Layman E. Scott High School and Triple C School. Program includes drilling, field craft and adventure, navigation, first-aid, competition shooting, physical and leadership training, music and band, water-based activities. For more information, contact the Cadet Corps at 938-8821/22, 946-9810 or email cadetcorps@gov.ky. On Cayman Brac, call 948-8824 or 938-8824. Website is www.cicadetcorps.ky. EARLY CHILDHOOD FEES: The Ministry of Education provides financial assistance for Caymanian children between 3 and 4 years of age before Sept. 1, 2018, to assist with payment of fees at an early childhood center between September and June 30. Application forms can be downloaded from www.education.gov. ky or collected from the Government Administration Building, the Department of Education Services and all early childhood centres. Contact Renee Barnes at 244-5735, Turnette Stewart at 244-5724 or email ecap@gov.ky. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc., in good condition always needed. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. OPEN CANVAS: Every Wednesday. Visual Arts Society supports this event at KARoo Restaurant located in Camana Bay. 7-11 p.m. No fee. Easels provided for artist of all levels to come out and enjoy painting and socializing with other artists. Email info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. MUSEUM TOURS: The National Museum provides guided tours for students and school groups free of cost. Students will gain an understanding of Cayman’s geological formation, flora and fauna, seafaring and rope-making heritage, political history and more. Contact the museum to book a tour in advance at 949-8368 or email info@museum.ky. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. Call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Mondays, 7 p.m. For details, contact Virginia Castillo at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at ADACI’s office, 4th floor Cardinall Plaza, 30 Cardinall Ave., George Town. All are invited to attend. Call 924-4170 or email info@adacyman.com. GRAND CAYMAN TOASTMASTERS: Club meets each Thursday 6-7:15 p.m. on 3rd Floor, George Town Public Library. Visitors and guests welcome. Local contact is George R. Ebanks, 322-9369 or Grand Cayman Toastmasters club on Facebook. Email info@ toastmastersclub2686.org. ROTARACT BLUE OF CAYMAN: Meets Wednesdays 6 p.m., at Royal Palms Beach Club, West Bay Road. Contact rotaractblue@gmail.com or www.rotaractblue.org. LEO CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 6:30 p.m. at the Lions Community Centre. For more information, contact Secretary Letisha Allen at 924-2819. THE LIONS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets every first and third Thursday 7:30 p.m. at the Lions Community Centre. For more information, email LionsClubGCM@hotmail.com. THE LIONS CLUB OF TROPICAL GARDENS: Meet every first and third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Elizabethan Square (corner unit). Members of the public are invited to attend. ROTARY CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN SUNRISE: Service club meetings 7 a.m. every Wednesday at George Town Yacht Club, 612 North Sound Road. website at www.rotarysunrise.ky or contact info@rotarysunrise.ky. KIWANIS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 12:30 p.m., at Britannia Golf Course Restaurant. Projects include promoting well-being of children in the community and schools. Email president@kiwanis.ky or view www.kiwanis.ky. OPTIMIST CLUB: Meets first and third Thursdays at the Hibiscus Conference Room, Cayman Islands Hospital at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at www. optimistcayman.com. THE MODEL AIRPLANE FLYING CLUB: Meets Sundays 2 p.m. at the J. Bodden Marlpit/Old Raceway. Call 916–2327. PARENT AND TODDLER PLAY GROUP: For children from 2 weeks to 4 years. Meets Mondays 9:30- 11:30 a.m. in the South Sound Community Centre. Children must be accompanied by parent or helper. Toys, activities, light refreshments provided. $6 per session per family. Email sspg@foxwood.ky. HEARTS THROUGH HANDS: Meets Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to noon at The Family Life Centre, Room 10, Academy Way. Women make crafts for charity and missions. Call 946–3067 or 947–1863. THE WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE: Breast-feeding Clinics every Thursday 10 a.m. to noon in the Women’s Health Centre. No appointments, no fees. Phone 244–2649. CAYMAN BRIDGE CLUB: Meets Tuesdays 7 p.m. at Comfort Suites, West Bay Road; Fridays, 9 a.m. at the Rugby Club. For further information, contact Helen Haines at 947-3217 or Alex Wood at 947-3693. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens will offer healthcare screenings, including blood pressure, BMI and diabetes checks, at a free community health fair at the Lions Centre on Sunday, April 15.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 Qatar island proposal escalates Gulf feud Saudi media are reporting a proposal to dig a maritime canal along the kingdom’s closed border with Qatar, further isolating the peninsula-nation. Saudi Arabia would transform part of its side of the border into a military base and another area would become a dump site for nuclear waste. Hungary: Pro-refugee NGOs first targets of new parliament Trump confers with military on suspected gas attack in Syria WASHINGTON (AP) – Presi- dent Donald Trump plans to confer with senior mili- tary leaders Monday, after he threatened a “big price to pay” for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria that killed women and children. Trump was set to get a briefing and have dinner with military leaders. Monday is the first day on the job for his new na- tional security adviser, John Bolton, who has previously advocated significant air- strikes against Syria. The White House delibera- tions came as Russia and the Syrian military blamed Israel for a pre-dawn missile attack on a major air base in central Syria, saying Israeli fighter jets launched the missiles from Lebanon’s air space. A war-monitoring group said the airstrikes killed 14 people, including Iranians ac- tive in Syria. Syria’s state news agency SANA initially said the attack on the T4 air base was likely “an American aggression,” but Pentagon spokesman Christopher Sherwood quickly denied the United States was behind the strike and the agency then dropped the accusation, blaming Israel instead. Saturday’s suspected poison gas attack took place in a rebel-held town near Damascus amid a resumed offensive by Syrian govern- ment forces after the col- lapse of a truce. Syrian ac- tivists, rescuers and medics said the attack in Douma killed at least 40 people, with families found suffo- cated in their houses and shelters. The reports could not immediately be indepen- dently verified. Officials in Washington worked Sunday to verify the claim by Syrian opposi- tion activists and rescuers that the Assad government was responsible. Just over a year ago, Trump ordered dozens of cruise missiles to be fired at a Syrian air base after de- claring there was no doubt Assad had “choked out the lives of helpless” civilians in an attack that used banned gases. White House advisers said at the time that images of hurt children helped spur the president to launch that airstrike, and television new shows on Sunday aired sim- ilar depictions of suffering young Syrians. “Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” Trump tweeted. “Area of atrocity is in lock- down and encircled by Syrian Army, making it com- pletely inaccessible to out- side world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are respon- sible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for med- ical help and verification. Another humanitarian di- saster for no reason what- soever. SICK!” The developments come as Trump has moved to dra- matically scale back U.S. goals in Syria, pushing for a quick military withdrawal despite resistance from many of his national security ad- visers. Trump has given no formal order to pull out the 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria or offered a public timetable other than to say the U.S. will withdraw as soon as the remaining Islamic State fighters can be vanquished. But Trump has signaled to his advisers that, ide- ally, he wants all troops out within six months. Republican Sen. John Mc- Cain of Arizona said Assad heard Trump’s signal that he wanted to withdraw from Syria and, “emboldened by American inaction,” launched the attack. In a statement, McCain said Trump “re- sponded decisively” last year with the airstrike and urged Trump to be forceful again to “demonstrate that Assad will pay a price for his war crimes.” Images released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, a volunteer organi- zation, show children lying on the ground motionless and foaming at the mouth. The Assad government, in a statement posted on the state-run news agency SANA, denied responsibility. Trump’s homeland secu- rity adviser, Thomas Bossert, noted on ABC’s “This Week” the timing of the suspected chemical attack – almost a year to the day of the U.S. missile strikes. Asked about the poten- tial for an American missile strike in response, Bossert said: “I wouldn’t take any- thing off the table. These are horrible photos. We’re looking into the attack at this point.” Trump’s decision to single out Russian President Vladimir Putin in a tweet for supporting Assad ap- peared noteworthy because Trump long has been re- luctant to personally criti- cize the Russian leader. Last month, Trump called Putin and, against the counsel of his advisers, congratulated the Russian president on his re-election and invited him to the White House. Trump also invoked Iran in his series of tweets, further challenging Tehran while sig- naling he may scuttle its nu- clear deal with the West. The president has often blamed his predecessor, Barack Obama, for Assad’s continued grip on power after years of civil war. Obama said in 2012 that Syria’s use of chemical weapons would be a “red line” that would change his decision-making on inter- vening in the war and have “enormous consequences.” After such an attack in 2013 killed hundreds outside Da- mascus, American ships in the Mediterranean were poised to launch missiles. But Obama pulled back after key U.S. ally Britain, as well as Congress, balked. He opted for a Russian- backed proposal that was supposed to remove and eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has won a third consecutive term in office on a virulently anti-migra- tion platform, and it’s likely that advocates for refugees and asylum-seekers will be among the first casualties of his drive to prevent Hun- gary from becoming an “im- migrant country.” “We created the oppor- tunity for ourselves to de- fend Hungary,” Orban said after his landslide win in Sunday’s vote. An official from Orban’s governing Fidesz party said Monday that lawmakers from the right-wing populist group are expected to approve a draft law targeting refugee advocates as soon as May. Parliamentary spokesman Janos Halasz the party would be able to push through the so-called “Stop Soros” bills thanks to its new super-ma- jority in the legislature. Orban claims that the op- position – collaborating with the United Nations, the Euro- pean Union and wealthy phi- lanthropist George Soros – wants to flood Hungary with mostly Muslim migrants, threatening its security and Christian identity. The new laws could make it very hard for groups working with asylum-seekers to continue their activities in Hungary. It would force them to get government permits, their income re- ceived from abroad would be taxed and they could be banned from going nearer than five miles from Hunga- ry’s borders, where asylum- seekers file claims. According to the Orban government, Hungary will de- scend into chaos should it be- come an “immigrant country” like France or Belgium, with funds meant for Hun- garian families or the coun- try’s underpriviledged Roma minority diverted to mi- grants, whose presence will weaken Hungary’s security and increase its terror risk. If migrants settle in Hun- gary, Orban claims Hun- gary’s economic develop- ment will end, its support for rural areas will dwindle, women and girls will be “hunted down” and Buda- pest, the capital, will become “unrecognizable.” “If the dam bursts, if the borders are opened, if immi- grants set foot in Hungary, there will be no going back,” Orban said during his cam- paign-closing rally on Friday. “The greatest threat of all is posed by the millions of im- migrants coming from the south, and Europe’s leaders … have no intention of de- fending the borders.” Orban’s clampdown on non-governmental organi- zations is also based on his belief that only elected pol- iticians have the right to be involved in politics. The government spokesman made that very clear during the wait for Sunday’s election results. “The loopholes still present in the legal system which allow unauthorized organizations to rummage around, so to speak, in the doings of political life, in po- litical decision-making, need to be closed,” Zoltan Kovacs told news website Index.hu. The Hungarian Civil Lib- erties Union also expects to become a target of govern- ment “legislative and commu- nications attacks.” “I don’t expect that this will be an easy two years to come and I believe that the government will do ev- erything in their power to minimize our impact,” said HCLU executive director Ste- fania Kapronczay. “However, human rights is an ideal and it cannot be shut down.” An official from Orban’s governing Fidesz party said Monday that lawmakers from the right-wing populist group are expected to approve a draft law targeting refugee advocates as soon as May. Syrian activists, rescuers and medics said the attack in Douma killed at least 40 people, with families found suffocated in their houses and shelters. The reports could not immediately be independently verified. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center, flanked by his team, greets his supporters in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday. - PHOTO: APNext >