ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 High of 88 Low of 75 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 CAYMAN’S SUCCESS DEPENDS ON GROWTH AND DIVERSITY LOCAL | PAGE 2 AUTHORITIES HOLD MORE THAN 250 PRISONERS Road User Call 949-8699 www.britcay.ky cgigrp BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town, P.O. Box 74, KY1-1102 Tel. 949-8699 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. : insurance, health, pensions, life Enjoy comprehensive cover with free roadside assistance, $200 deductible, zero windscreen deductible and many other free benefits! Ask for a quote! COUPLE FILES LEGAL CHALLENGE TO GAY MARRIAGE BAN JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A same-sex couple has filed a legal challenge to the Cayman Islands ban on gay marriage. Chantelle Day, a Caymanian lawyer, and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush, a nurse from the U.K., have filed for a Judicial Review of government’s decision to refuse their applica- tion to marry. If successful, the suit would force the Cayman Islands to follow changes that have occurred in many countries in recent years, giving same-sex couples equal ac- cess to marriage. In a writ filed Wednesday with the Grand Court, lawyers for the couple argue that the section of Cayman’s Marriage Law, which de- fines marriage as between “one man and one woman,” is incompatible with various rights guaranteed under the islands’ Constitution. They argue that the Marriage Law has to be modified and re-interpreted in light of the Cayman Islands Bill of Rights, which guaran- tees the right to private and family life, the right to freedom of conscience and the right to non-discrimination. The two women are seeking a declara- tion from the court that the decision to re- fuse their marriage application was unlawful and that they are entitled to be married in the Cayman Islands. According to court documents, Ms. Day and Ms. Bodden-Bush are in a committed re- lationship and have an adopted child together. They chose to live in London because of the lack of protection for same-sex couples in the Cayman Islands, but now wish to return to the territory to live, work and be married. Ms. Day wrote to Premier Alden McLaughlin Magistrate suggests overstayer amnesty CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The balance between proper punishment and costs to the state was debated in Summary Court on Tuesday when a Ja- maican national pleaded guilty to overstaying for six years. After passing a sentence of eight months imprisonment, Magis- trate Valdis Foldats wondered if amnesty would encourage over- stayers to leave. Joseph Milton Messan, 59, was charged with remaining in Cayman from 2012 to 2018 after his work permit expired and was not renewed. Senior Crown counsel Candia James said Immigration offi- cers were on patrol in West Bay on June 19 when they saw Mr. Messan. He resembled “a person of interest,” so they asked him for identification. A check with Immigration headquarters re- vealed that Mr. Messan had no status on the island. In interview, he admitted being in Cayman illegally and working “sporadically.” In court, Mr. Messan declined the offer of an attorney to as- sist him. He told the magistrate Gas up 30 cents since April BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Grand Cayman has seen a 30 cent av- erage per gallon hike in the price of reg- ular, unleaded gasoline sold by the two large petroleum importers since the begin- ning of April, according to figures provided by the territory’s utilities and commodi- ties regulator. In late March, average fuel prices were around CI$4.43 per gallon. By June 19, the average among the Rubis and Sol stations on Grand Cayman for the lowest priced un- leaded fuel was up to CI$4.74 per gallon. Those prices do not include fuel sold in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are much higher. They also do not include fuel prices at new market competitor Refuel, which is op- erating in George Town and where prices are much lower. Refuel prices were CI$4.29 per gallon for 87 octane fuel and CI$4.48 per gallon for 90 octane as of June 19, according to OfReg. Most Rubis and Sol stations sell 89 octane and 93 octane petrol. The petrol figures for the two large dis- tributors were hit with an average 13 cent per gallon price increase between June 5 and June 19, according to the regulator. Most Esso stations saw a 15 cent per gallon price increase during the two weeks, and most Rubis stations experi- enced between a 10 cent and 15 cent per gallon increase. Refuel was the only petrol station where prices went down over the period, dropping PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Cayman drivers have been feeling the pinch of higher petrol prices in the past few months. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY GENDER GAP WIDENING FOR COLLEGE-BOUND CAYMANIANS Keeping with a longtime trend, Caymanian women are attending overseas colleges and universities in greater numbers than Caymanian men. They are also receiving more scholar- ships. In recent years, the education gender gap has continued to grow. Please turn to page 3 for more. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS THURSDAY JUNE 21, 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. - THURSDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) INCREDIBLES 2 (PG) 12:40 I 3:25 I 6:30 I 9:15 AVENGERS INFINITY WAR PART 1 (PG-13) 12:35 I 4:00 I 6:50 I 9:55 BREAKING IN (PG-13) 1:30 I 3:50 I 7:20 I 10:00 SUPERFLY (R) 12:30 VIP I 1:10 I 3:50 I 6:35 VIP 7:10 I 9:50 OCEANS 8 (PG-13) 1:15 I 3:20 VIP I 7:15 I 9:25 VIP SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (PG-13) 3:50 I 9:35 Police investigate 10-year-old’s death BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A 10-year-old girl died Tuesday morning fol- lowing an accident at her family’s West Bay district home. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service is looking into the sudden death incident, which they termed an “accidental death,” but declined to re- lease any details Tuesday. Initial reports from the accident scene indi- cated the child slipped and fell while in the bath- room, which led to a serious injury. The child was not im- mediately identified. The Ministry of Edu- cation confirmed Tuesday that the child was a Year 6 student at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School. “The Ministry of Ed- ucation, Department of Education Services and the school offer their sin- cerest condolences to the family during this most difficult time,” a ministry statement read. A Department of Edu- cation team was deployed to the school, including Department Director Ly- neth Monteith and sev- eral counselors to offer the necessary support and counseling to the staff and students, particularly those in Year 6. “Parents/Guardians … are asked to pay extra close attention to their chil- dren over the next several days,” the ministry state- ment read, adding that par- ents were encouraged to notify their child’s teacher or the school principal of any concerns so the school can provide additional sup- port, if needed. Authorities hold more than 250 prisoners Prisons, police ‘double up’ cells BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Both Her Majesty’s Prison, Northward and the police de- tention center in Fairbanks, George Town were overfilled as of Wednesday morning, with Cayman Islands author- ities housing more than 250 adult prisoners or arrested suspects in local jails. The numbers included 221 adult male prisoners at Northward, where the stated capacity of 213 prisoners had been exceeded. Prison officials confirmed they were being forced to “double up” inmates in cells to make room. Similarly, in the police holding jail in Fairbanks, there were a total of 15 pris- oners being held Wednesday. Nine of those prisoners were “on remand” – being held awaiting trial – from North- ward and six others had been arrested by police. Usually, police can only hold people they’ve arrested for up to 48 hours prior to release. The police detention center has 12 high-security cells which can, if necessary, hold a total of 24 prisoners. However, the police service typically does not put two prisoners per cell due to human rights and general safety concerns. On Wednesday, left without available space, po- lice started “doubling up” the remand prisoners sent over from Northward. The ar- rested suspects were being kept alone in separate cells. “Additional staff have been employed at the deten- tion center to ensure safety, and more inter-departmental measures are being consid- ered,” an RCIPS statement on the matter indicated. At the women’s prison, also in Fairbanks, there were 17 adult prisoners being held, but that facility is not at capacity. In total, there were 253 prisoners – either arrested suspects, remand prisoners or inmates serving sentences – within the Cayman Is- lands prisons system. That figure does not include the 13 Cuban migrants being kept at the Immigration Detention Centre awaiting the outcome of asylum appeals or the re- patriation process. However, in the middle of the day Wednesday, a man who was not Cuban was brought to that detention center in handcuffs. It was not clear where that individual had come from, according to sources which spoke to the Cayman Compass. Typically, Cuban migrants would not be handcuffed for any reason unless they had committed a criminal offense. The dire overcrowding sit- uation was raised in court Tuesday during a hearing for a suspect before Summary Court Magistrate Valdis Foldats. During consideration of the matter, Mr. Foldats was informed by veteran defense attorney John Furniss that “there’s no room at the inn” – referring to Northward Prison – for his client to go. Mr. Foldats agreed to put the suspect on an electronic monitoring device. The holding capacity of Northward Prison has been an issue addressed before the courts in several cases so far this year. The numbers fluctuate from day to day; however, since the beginning of the year, the Prison Service has been forced to send remand prisoners to the police cells for temporary holding due to a lack of space. Even the smaller num- bers of remand prisoners can cause police signifi- cant problems. “On a given weekend, 20-30 people are arrested,” an RCIPS statement read. “Many are bailed; however, there are those high-risk or prolific of- fenders who are kept in cus- tody. On average, there are about six to eight arrestees on a given weekend kept in custody. Officers do a risk assessment when managing space issues, with a view to taking measures to keep pro- lific or high risk/violent of- fenders in custody.” Both RCIPS and prisons officials have acknowledged the situation is not ideal. In- terim Prisons Director Steven Barrett said the Prison Ser- vice has been well aware of the overcrowding situation at Northward and said that plans were being developed to address it. “I am currently reviewing and pursuing a number of options to help manage the challenges we are experi- encing with overcrowding, such as exploring what leg- islative and operational solutions are possible,” Mr. Barrett said. “This in- cludes seeking engagement with other criminal justice partners in regards to re- manded prisoners, as well as thinking through what re- configuration of the facility could be made to create ad- ditional space. “I assure the public that the situation will not im- pact the department’s stat- utory obligations or com- promise safety.” HOSPITAL SECURITY WORKERS ARRESTED IN CORRUPTION PROBE BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Two supervisors at the Health Services Authority’s se- curity office were arrested Monday in connection with an ongoing criminal probe into staff overtime payments. The two men, aged 48 and 57, from George Town were ar- rested on suspicion of multiple offenses under the Cayman Is- lands Anti-Corruption Law, ac- cording to the Anti-Corrup- tion Commission. The commission had not identified either man Monday because neither has been offi- cially charged with any offense. The allegations against the men include suspected bribery of a public officer, fraud on the government, breach of trust and false claims by public officers. Both suspects, as health services employees, are consid- ered public officials under the Anti-Corruption Law. The Cayman Islands Anti- Corruption Commission was notified of an ongoing internal audit at the Health Services Au- thority regarding “irregulari- ties” in overtime payments to security officers sometime in February. However, the com- mission, via its spokesperson Deborah Bodden, did not state whether its officers were inves- tigating the overtime payments. The Anti-Corruption Unit of the appointed Anti-Corruption Commission is a separate in- vestigative body from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. The Cayman Compass had reported earlier in February that the Cayman Islands gov- ernment’s Internal Audit Ser- vice was looking into “irregu- larities” in overtime payments made to security officers working at the Health Services Authority. The audit review has come amid the suspension of a number of the HSA’s secu- rity officers. A statement released at the time by the public hospital’s board of directors read: “In dis- cussion with the board and in accordance with the organiza- tion’s fraud and corruption pre- vention policy, [senior staff] re- quested an audit of the security department from the HSA’s In- ternal Auditor, who is currently on secondment to the govern- ment Internal Audit unit. “This review is currently under way and we await a formal report.” Security staff members, numbering about a dozen, were informed via letters of the internal audit review. Ac- cording to the notice that was sent to those security officers: “In order to facilitate an inves- tigation into irregularities in the security section, it has been decided that it would be in the best interest of the Health Ser- vices Authority to place you on required leave effective imme- diately. You will remain in that status for 30 days or until the investigation is completed.” “Required leave” is suspen- sion with pay. Although that no- tice was sent in February, it is understood the officers remain on required leave at present. HSA Board Chairman Jona- than Tibbetts and Chief Exec- utive Officer Lizzette Yearwood declined to comment about the investigation on Monday. The hospital security of- ficers have been replaced for the time being with em- ployees from a private se- curity company. FIVE MEN ARRESTED FOR SMUGGLING GANJA Police arrested five men early Tuesday morning on suspicion of smuggling ganja into Grand Cayman. About 3:30 a.m. that morning, officers with the Joint Marine and Air Op- erations Units were con- ducting border patrols along South Sound when they spotted a vessel being offloaded on the beach near Smith Barcadere. Pa- trol officers responded, pursued several men along the beach and arrested them. They confiscated the vessel, two vehicles and a significant quan- tity of drugs. The five men – ages 29, of West Bay, 25, of Bodden Town, and 15, 25 and 30 of George Town – remain in custody as investiga- tions continue. Her Majesty’s Prison, Northward, housed 221 inmates as of Wednesday. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 2018 SUMMER DAY CAMP Y JUNIOR CHEF Ages: 9-12 years When: 8:30am-4:30pm Pre/post camp is available from 7:45am-5:15pm at $25* per camper, per week Dates: July 3-20 (WK 1-3) Where: Field of Dreams Fees: $170 per camper, per week - July 3-6 (WK 1) $135 e/post camp is available from 7:45am-5:15pm - July 3-6 (WK 1) $135 CHALLENGE CAMPTRADITIONAL DAY CAMP Ages: 9-12 years When: 8:30am-4:30pm Pre/post camp is available from 7:45am-5:15pm for $25* per camper, per week Dates: July 3-August 24 (WK 1-8) Where: Field of Dreams Fees: $210 per camper, per week* *July 3-6 (WK 1) $17 0 Ages: 5-12 years When: 8:30am-4:30pm Pre/post camp is available from 7:45am-5:15pm (additional fees apply) Dates: July 3-August 24 (WK 1-8, schedules vary by site) Where: Field of Dreams, Camana Bay Sports Complex & CIBC Youth Centre (Savannah) Fees: $140 per camper, per week* *July 3-6 (WK 1) $110 ISLAND EXPLORER TEEN CHALLENGE CAMP Ages: 13-17 years When: 8:30am-12:30pm Dates: July 23-27 (WK 4) & August 6-10 (WK 6) Where: Field of Dreams Fees: $120 per camper, per week To apply: contact us at ysummercamp@ymcacayman.ky Ages: 7-12 years When: 8:30am-4:30pm Pre/post camp is available from 7:45am-5:15pm at $25 per camper, per week Dates: July 23-27 (WK 4) & August 6-10 (WK 6) Where: Camana Bay Sports Complex Fees: $200 per camper, per week Awesome Camps -3 Locations! Our Mission: To help people reach their God-given potential by putting Christian principles into practice in ways that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Camp scholarships are available for all camps for those in financial need. Email us at ysummercamp@ymcacayman.ky if you are interested in finding out more. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Gender gap widening for college-bound Caymanians MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com Young Caymanian women appear to be attending over- seas colleges and universities at more than twice the rate of their male counterparts. For years, more female students have received gov- ernment scholarships at greater numbers than male students. Ministry of Educa- tion figures going back de- cades show that since 1975, female students receiving overseas scholarships have outnumbered males. But in the past seven years for which figures are available, as the number of students attending col- lege has increased overall, the gap between men and women has widened by more than one-third – a significant 36-percent jump. Deirdre Carmola manages the scholarship program for the Ministry of Education. She said no one she knows has analyzed the trend. “It could relate to a lot of things,” she said of the factors behind the increasing gap. More than two-thirds of overseas scholarship recipi- ents in 2016 were women. In 2010, 322 students re- ceived overseas scholarships, with 205 going to women and 117 to men. By 2016, those numbers had increased to 321 women and 146 men for a total of 467 students – a 27-percent overall increase. Women’s numbers jumped by 31 percent during the seven-year period, while male students saw just a 20 per- cent increase. While the scholarship numbers are not an exact re- flection of all Cayman stu- dents – non-Caymanian stu- dents are not eligible, and not all Caymanians have high enough grade point av- erages or college entrance exam scores to qualify for the grants – the gender gap does reflect a trend also seen in other parts of the world. In the United States, 56 percent of college students enrolled in fall 2017 were women, ac- cording to the U.S. Depart- ment of Education. A 2014 study by the Pew Research Center looked at reasons behind the broadening gap. “Some have pointed to economic factors,” the study said. “As labor market bar- riers to women have been lowered, the benefits of a col- lege education grew more for women than men. Others say the higher incidence of behavioral and school dis- ciplinary problems among boys may be a factor.” The ministry’s data also show some interesting trends in what subjects students are pursuing, with big increases in the areas of professional and education degree pro- grams, and a substantial drop off in those studying the humanities. Ms. Carmola said she knew of no one who studies such trends. She did say she has seen an increase in applications for scholar- ships to pay for graduate- level studies, but she did not have any statistics to quan- tify any changes. For years, the dominant subject areas Cayman stu- dents pursued were engi- neering, technology and sci- ence, along with education. That began to change in the 1990s, when social and busi- ness studies and professional programs began to rise in popularity. Since 2010, enrollment in humanities degrees has de- clined by 40 percent, making it the least popular of the six categories the ministry breaks out in its data. Social and business studies grew by 49 percent during that pe- riod and is the most popular area of study. Professional and education programs saw the largest amount of growth at 133 percent and 128 per- cent, respectively, during the seven years. NATIONAL GALLERY HOSTS FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY Kid-friendly activities are at the heart of Under the Sea Family Day, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Activity sheets, games and art activities will be available for children of all ages. Self-guided tour packs, available at recep- tion, will help families ex- plore the current exhibi- tion, “Coral Encounters.” In addition, the gallery, along with Plastic Free Cayman, will be hosting a workshop from 10-11 a.m., where families can use items collected from beach clean-ups to create art. Materials will be provided, however fam- ilies are encouraged to bring their own recycla- bles from home or from a local clean-up. Children under 12 must be accom- panied by an adult who can assist them. The events are free. However, pre-registration is recommended for the art workshop, which is limited to 20 students. Email education@nationalgallery.org.ky or call (345) 945-8111 to register. More Caymanian women than men are pursuing overseas studies as they graduate from local institutions.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. Cayman’s success depends on growth and diversity “Cayman is easily the most cosmopolitan country in the region. You’re just as likely to hear Spanish or Tagalog spoken in the bars or on the streets these days.” – Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin Too often on the political campaign trail and in Leg- islative Assembly debate, speakers devolve into two ideological camps: one focused on “protecting” Cay- manians from foreign immigration and influences, and the other championing the opportunities that new resi- dents and ideas create for everybody in the Cayman Islands, including Caymanians and other residents. Therefore it was refreshing to hear Premier Alden McLaughlin – talking to an international group of public officials visiting Cayman this week – publicly acknowl- edge the importance of our country’s newer residents, and indeed extol the diversity of Cayman’s population as a distinct virtue. Effectively, what Premier McLaughlin did before the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association confer- ence was to expose the “Caymanians vs. foreigners” argument for what it is – artificial, empty rhetoric. The truth is, of course, that there is no hard line between Caymanians and non-Caymanians, and dis- tinctions blur and eventually disappear as expatriates assimilate into the Caymanian population, and the Caymanian population adapts to the new influences. Over a period of years, those who were once consid- ered “foreign” become “local,” and this perception passes on to their children and their children’s children. As the premier put it, they become “part of the per- manent Cayman fabric.” According to statistics cited by the premier, in the past two decades, both Cayman’s overall population and the number of Caymanians have increased by about 70 percent. Many if not most of the 15,000 new Caymanians created during that time did not arrive in Cayman via the Cayman Islands Hospital’s maternity ward, but by the arrivals hall at Owen Roberts Interna- tional Airport. In other words, they are immigrants (or their children). Over the last 20 years, the proportion of Cayma- nians in the population (57 percent) has not changed. What has changed is what Caymanians look like, and what they sound like. The very malleability of the definition of “what is a Caymanian” has infused the country with energy and stability through uneven times and challenging circumstances. Unfortunately, local legislation and political rhetoric, when it concerns the country’s growing population of “foreign-born,” have not kept pace with Cayman’s evolving demographics. In particular, the laws gov- erning right of franchise deprive roughly half of Cayman’s residents from electoral representation. The eligibility requirements for which Caymanians can hold elected office are even more restrictive. The result is that a significant minority of voters set policy for a much larger group of people. About 16,000 of Cayman’s 21,000 registered voters cast ballots in the 2017 election, selecting the members of the Legislative Assembly charged with governing 63,000 individuals – including Caymanians, permanent residents, work permit holders, dependents, etc. It is good that Premier McLaughlin has correctly recognized the increasingly cosmopolitan makeup of our growing society, and the growing diversity among the Caymanian half of our population. Perhaps, it is time to begin exploring forms of polit- ical representation for the other half. THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS LETTER TO THE EDITOR Celebrate values like courage and fairness I am writing this note from far off Guyana a few weeks after I visited Grand Cayman to appear in Rundown, and also following the tragic passing of two Caymanian stalwarts, Kirkland Nixon and Bo Miller. I knew both of those individuals well, par- ticularly Mr. Nixon with his involvement in the Tourism Attraction Board (TAB) re- sponsible for Pirates Week. My purpose here is to make the point that in so many of the Caribbean so- cieties with which I am fa- miliar there is a reluctance, perhaps even an embarrass- ment, within us to openly ac- knowledge the value of per- sons such as Kirkie and Bobo and Ormond Panton to us (humility may also be in play) until time or circumstance make it impossible. In a time when cultures in so many countries are under threat (some self-generated, some imposed) it is in the example of individuals like those that we have a nucleus to sustain and retain, and when we do not exalt those persons in their lifetime we are harming our own cause. There should have been significant and specific atten- tion paid to such persons in their time, for their own sat- isfaction, of course, and that of their families, but more for the impact on the rest of the population now and on the ones yet unborn. I recall an occasion during my time in Cayman, when I was with Newstar maga- zine, being in a somewhat heated conversation with a major American investor in the country’s diving sector – it had widely to do with “Cay- manian content” – and the gentleman said to me at one point, “What is this Cayma- nian way that you’re always talking about?” I ignored the somewhat sarcastic tone of his question and said, “It is a somewhat complex creature, particularly for someone like you coming from a different world, but one approach to understanding it would be to ignore me and spend some time with people like Norman Bodden, Beatman Ebanks, Or- mond Panton, Ezzard Miller, Kirkland Nixon, Joey Wood, Lewie Ceato Hydes, Ena Watler – and others like them, and from that an awareness will emerge. Its roots are hu- mility and integrity and re- solve. Marine traditions and rustic farming ones, are part of it. Look at the country’s coat-of-arms; the thatch rope pictured there is way more than a decoration; it refers to a way of life.” I doubt that the Amer- ican took my advice – indeed, he’s long gone from Cayman – but there is a singular re- missness in the region that we continue [to be] reluctant to elevate our own. My song, “Where Are Your Heroes, Ca- ribbea” is on that topic, and as I return to it today, more than 20 years later, the problem is still with us. The project here is way more than this letter to the editor, but I must mention Mr. Nixon and Mr. Ormond in this space; they are prin- cipal heroes to me. Over and over again, in my 25 years in Cayman, I have seen Kirkland Nixon display strength of character and integrity seem- ingly without even thinking about it. I cannot talk about his relations with the coun- try’s Governor, but I saw him stand up to Ministers in the Government on three sepa- rate occasions, soft-spoken but unshakable. I talked about this from the stage in Cayman recently, but I saw Kirkland Nixon toe-to-toe with captains of industry and high-priced attorneys on fundamental principles, and on each occasion principle to him was like bedrock, and I heard from others about other examples of this resolve where I was not present. Mr. Ormond had a similar back- bone, to the point where he engaged in more than one fist fight with the British Admin- istrator/Governor of Cayman over some point of differ- ence; such was the tenor of his stance; such was his commitment to “doing the right thing.” We must find ways across the Caribbean to raise a shout for such courage and firm- ness. We must have public memorials or printed recol- lections of substantial people in our past. We are now at the stage where the American divemaster could legitimately pose the question he put to me. We have to get about fixing that. It is a project screaming for attention. Dave Martins A funeral wreath bearing Mr. Nixon’s image – PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY 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” I saw Kirkland Nixon toe-to-toe with captains of industry and high-priced attorneys on fundamental principles, and on each occasion principle to him was like bedrock.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 Please be advised there will be no newspaper on Monday, July 2nd, Constitution Day (Public Holiday) Constitution Day PUBLIC HOLIDAY Monday, July 2nd PUBLICATION DEADLINES: Celebrate (345) 949-5111 • sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com EDITION BOOKING DEADLINE Monday July 2 No Publication Tuesday July 3 Thursday June 28 Wednesday July 4 Friday June 29 Thursday July 5 Friday June 29 Friday July 6 Tuesday July 3 Ex-boyfriend sentenced for assault, harassment that went on for months Defendant gets five years for ‘continuous bullying’ CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Sven Brett Connor, 37, was sentenced on Friday to five years imprisonment for seven offenses in which the victim/complainant was a former girlfriend. The offenses, summarized by Crown counsel Garcia Kelly, included one assault causing actual bodily harm, two common assaults, three offenses of causing harass- ment, alarm or distress, and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The offenses oc- curred between May and November 2017. The assaults took place in May, July and August. On two occasions in Au- gust, Mr. Connor told the woman he would shoot her in her face. In November, his words were, “When I come out of prison I will kill you.” In November he attempted to pervert the course of justice by offering the woman $1,000 to “drop the charges” and not give evidence as a witness in a judicial proceeding. Mr. Kelly said the woman and the defendant became involved in an intimate rela- tionship in 2015. There were occasions when she made reports to police about Mr. Connor but then dropped the matters when he asked her to. Things changed in 2017 when Mr. Connor assaulted her and caused actual bodily harm at a restaurant on West Bay Road, Mr. Kelly said. He outlined other of- fenses, including an assault and threat that occurred at her workplace. Defense attorney Alex Da- vies said Mr. Connor accepted that his was a serious course of offending. The relationship had been “toxic and volatile” and Mr. Connor had been in- jured by the woman on one occasion but had dropped the matter at her request. The defendant had written a letter expressing re- morse and acknowledging his “stupid and jealous” behavior. For the actual bodily harm charge, he admitted that he and the woman had been arguing and there was pushing and shoving; she tried to hit him and he hit her, pushing her to the ground and causing injury to her face. The defendant did not accept that he had kicked her in the face – there were bruises and abrasions, but no broken nose. The attorney agreed that it may have been more by luck than good sense that the injuries were not more serious. There was a notable lack of premedita- tion, Mr. Davies pointed out, and no weapon was used. The assault in July oc- curred after an incident that caused emotional distress to Mr. Connor and he blamed the woman for it. The attorney described Mr. Connor’s difficult up- bringing and history. He was unable to deal with high levels of emotional stress. Now he wanted to change his behavior, apologize to the woman and throw himself on the mercy of the court. The matter had been set for trial and Mr. Connor could have wasted the court’s time, Mr. Davies noted. He asked for a 25-percent discount. Asked if he wanted to address the judge directly, Mr. Connor said, “It’s all my fault. I take responsibility. I’m the man; I’m supposed to walk away. If I do see her on the street, I’m going to stay far away.” Justice Carlisle Greaves described the offending as a relentless pattern of con- duct in which Mr. Connor had continuously bullied the complainant and exacted her obedience by a pattern of beating and threats. “No woman should be subject to treatment such as this,” he commented. The loyalty and love of a woman cannot be bought by brutality, the judge continued. “Women are to be loved, not beaten and those who, like the defendant, choose to beat them demonstrate their own weakness, insecurity and personal self-hatred,” Justice Greaves declared. He said the courts had to send a strong message that women will be protected by the courts and the men who beat them will pay a stiff penalty. “I hold the view that until you completely change, you are unfit for the company and affection of anyone’s daughter,” he said. A sentencing concern was totality and whether sen- tences should be consecutive or concurrent. He imposed 18 months for the assault causing ac- tual bodily harm. He said ag- gravating factors raised the sentence for the first common assault to 15 months, but a discount of three months took it back down to 12 months, which he made consecutive. The three August offenses were close in time, so he made those sentences of 12 months concurrent to each other, but consecutive to the earlier sentences. He found no mitigating factors in the two November offenses and imposed 12 months on each. The judge concluded that the final sentence was five and a half years. Mr. Davies noted that the maximum sen- tence for common assault is 12 months, so the judge ad- justed his sentences and ar- rived at a total of five years. The defendant asked about credit for his time in custody, which was 10 months. The prosecutor pointed out that Mr. Connor had been subject to a suspended sen- tence of four months, which could be deducted from the time in custody, leaving Mr. Connor with credit for six months. The defendant was not happy with that course, but was told to watch out before he made the judge go back into his office and calculate again. “Women are to be loved, not beaten and those who, like the defendant, choose to beat them demonstrate their own weakness, insecurity and personal self-hatred.” JUSTICE CARLISLE GREAVES Bail refused in burglary of Humane Society Glass door smashed, two sodas taken CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Charges of burglary and damage to property were laid against a George Town resident after the Humane Society building on North Sound Road was broken into earlier this week. Albert Frank Ebanks, 34, was charged with en- tering the premises as a trespasser on June 18 and stealing two cans of soda. In the incident, he was fur- ther charged with damaging a glass door with a value of less than $3,000. Crown counsel Emma Hutchinson said entry to the premises was by way of the smashed door and CCTV showed Mr. Ebanks entering. He then helped himself to two sodas from a cooler. Defense attorney Jona- thon Hughes asked for bail before any plea was en- tered. He said there was no reason the matter could not proceed quickly, but he had not received all of the pa- pers in the case. The burglary took place under cover of darkness, he pointed out, so the court could impose a curfew to ensure that the defen- dant was not out during nighttime hours. He could also be placed on electronic monitor, Mr. Hughes suggested. Magistrate Philippa Mc- Farlane refused bail, but asked Ms. Hutchinson to provide the necessary pa- pers to the defense within 24 hours. She set the next men- tion for June 27. Crown counsel Emma Hutchinson said entry to the premises was by way of the smashed door and CCTV showed Mr. Ebanks entering. He then helped himself to two sodas from a cooler. Lottery scam seeks personal bank info A lottery scam is currently being circulated through email and potentially other forms of social media, the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit advised. The scam falsely claims to be part of the lottery orga- nization “Euro Lotto Spanish Sweepstake Lottery” and states that the recipient is the winner of €1,250,000. The document also requests the recipient to fill in their per- sonal financial and residen- tial details, including bank name, bank account number and personal home address. While the document fea- tures stamps and signa- tures that appear legiti- mate, recipients of this document are advised to de- lete it immediately.The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS THURSDAY, JUNE 21 SKY OF HOPE: HospiceCare presents a synchronized lantern release at Seven Mile Beach, 6–9 p.m. All are invited to remember loved ones past and present with release of eco-friendly lanterns. Group pass, $500 for 10 lanterns and five bottles of bubbly/soft drinks. Family pass, $100, two lanterns, one bottle refreshment. Individual pass, $50, one lantern, one bottle. No alcohol option, $25, one lantern, soft drink. Food available for purchase. To reserve lanterns contact fundraising@ caymanhospicecare.ky or call 945-7447. SATURDAY, JUNE 23 AMATEUR RADIO: Cayman Amateur Radio Society, invites anyone interested in Ham Radio operation to participate in our annual Amateur Field Day exercise, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Seven Mile Public Beach. This activity is supported by Ham Radio operators from around the world. KIDFEST: Family Fun Day at Pedro Castle noon to 4 p.m. Games, entertainment, arts and crafts, animal petting. Kids 13 and under, free admission. 14 years and up, $25. Tickets available at the gate and booth on the Paseo, Camana Bay. Honoring baby Nolan Evans (June 22, 2017 – Jan. 25, 2018) to help kids with congenital heart defects. Food and drinks on sale. BOOK SALE: The Red Cross Thrift Shop holds its quarterly book sale at Foster’s Strand, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hard cover books are $2 each. Soft cover, $1. Children’s books, 50 cents. INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL: At St. Ignatius School courtyard. 5-8 p.m. $10 ticket includes two choices of cuisine. Phone 949-6797 or email ignatius@candw.ky for tickets or further information. SUMMER FESTIVAL: The Celebrate Cayman Committee hosts a special summer festival on Harbour Drive. The National Museum will be open 5–9 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 CONSERVATION COUNCIL: The National Conservation Council will hold a general meeting from 1 p.m. at the Government Administration Building in room 2024. The agenda of the meeting will be posted on the DoE website www.doe. ky/natl-conservation- council/general-meetings. This meeting is open to observers from the public and press. If anyone wishes to submit comments or questions to the Council in advance of the meeting they may do so via email to conservationcouncil@gov.ky. SATURDAY, JUNE 30 DEALS ON WHEELS: The mobile Thrift Shop of the Cayman Islands Red Cross will be in North Side, junction of Hutland and North Side Roads, from 6-10 a.m. Items available include ladies’ accessories and bags, clothing and shoes, books, toys, linens, household items and more. GENERAL INTEREST OLIVE MILLER EXHIBITION: At the Old George Town Library. Ms. Olive Miller is one of three Cayman residents who were recognized in the U.K.’s New Year’s Honors List. Betty Baraud and the late Dr. Bill Hrudey received MBEs, and are also featured in this exhibition, which is open until July 31. SEAMEN AND VETERANS: The Ministry of Community Affairs is providing additional dates for recipients of the Ex-Gratia Seamen & Veterans Benefit who need help completing the Seaman & Veterans Continuation Confirmation forms. Contact the ministry at 244-2426 or the Community Development Officers. Bodden Town, Flavia Gardner, 926-0490. West Bay, Vanda Powery, 916-7902. George Town, Dorline Welcome, 925-4083. NEW LICENSE PLATES: The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing has uploaded its list of new electronic license plates that are ready for collection. An additional 1,200 plates are now ready to be picked up from the DVDL office on Crewe Road. Vehicles owners are reminded that they must bring in the temporary/old plates, the windshield tag, as well as their logbook. The list can be viewed on the department’s website at www.dvdl.gov.ky. ESO FIELDWORK: Staff from the Economics and Statistics Office will be in various communities across all districts collecting basic housing information necessary to update the ESO’s Household Register. ESO staff members can be identified by their ESO IDs; residents should ask the field workers to present their IDs before providing any information. They may also call the hotline at 516-3329 for verification of enumerators or to express any concerns they may have. CONTRACTORS REGISTRATION: The Builders Board has extended the deadline for all local contractors to register with the board. The contractors’ deadline is now Tuesday, July 31, 2018. For fees and registration forms that are available online, contractors should visit www.planning. ky/boards-all/builders-board. 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 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 centers. 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. FARMERS ARTISAN MARKET: Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Visual Arts Society artists sell arts, crafts, paintings, prints, hand-crafted jewelry, ceramics and more at the VAS tents by KARoo Restaurant. For more information or to inquire about table space, email info@visualartcayman.com. ART OPEN CANVAS: At KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay, Wednesdays 7-11 p.m. Artists of all levels are welcome to come and enjoy painting and socializing with other artists. Includes use of easels, lights, space, beverage ticket. No fee. For more information, contact 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, Tuesdays, 7:15 p.m. For details, contact Vanessa Gilman 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. The 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. Visit 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 The Wharf 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. 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. A family fun day will be held at the Pedro Castle grounds Saturday with games, entertainment, arts and crafts, and a petting zoo.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 How Bodden Town Road was built Exploring the history around Cayman’s first capital JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Thatch baskets, beach rocks, white sand, a bit of in- genuity and hard labor were the ingredients that made Bodden Town Road years ago. Founded in the 1700s, Bodden Town was named after William Bodden, a gov- ernment leader and former chief magistrate. Mr. Bodden resided in the town during his tenure from 1798-1823. According to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, there was no road between Bodden Town, the former cap- ital, and East End until 1935. What’s so special about Bodden Town Road? A group of men from the district built the first road while driving off swarms of mosquitoes. ”Practically every able- bodied man that could work in the district at the time worked on the Bodden Town road, especially coming into Christmastime,” said 79-year- old resident Neville McCoy. “That’s the only place we could get a job,” he added. Before that, he said it was just a dirt track of red mold. Mr. McCoy recalls working alongside friends and neigh- bors, including Freddie Watler, Cedric Levy, James Wood, Cardinal Carter, Alfred Solomon, Samuel Foster, Luis and Lorenzo Berry, Royal Frederick and other men in the community on a later phase to upgrade the road. He said it was the early ‘40s to late ‘50s when William McCoy was the foreman in charge of upgrading the road using a “packing method.” The only equipment the men had to work with was a few rakes, a few hand tools, some shovels and thatch baskets to carry the rocks. The men used shovels to fill two public works trucks driven by Halsey Watler and Elias Habib with white sand. The rocks were smashed and placed in the holes, then hammered into place and covered with white sand. “It was just wide enough for one car. If two vehicles met on the road, the other one had to find somewhere to back into until the other one passed,” Mr. McCoy said. He also said there were three vehicles in the dis- trict of Bodden Town at the time, owned by Logan Bodden, Harding Watler and Clifton Hunter. Government paid each man 9 pence a day. “That could get a lot those days – flour, sugar, salt, beef, fish, and still at the end of the week, there was a couple shilling left to play around with,” Mr. McCoy said. “It was challenging work those days; we had to do every- thing by hand.” Business development along Bodden Town Road was sparse. Logan Bod- den’s Shop was near the Gun Square cannons, Biddle Shop was close to Mostyn’s Esso gas station and Anton Bod- den’s Shop was just before the corner of Manse Road. An old Chapel Church was also in the vicinity. “All along Bodden Town coastal road were boat sheds,” Mr. McCoy said. “From Ashford Minzett house in Manse Road to Pease Bay was nothing but dories lining the beach … every man in the district had a little boat.” As government finances grew, so did roadwork. Gov- ernment enlisted a company from the Bahamas to widen the road with heavy equip- ment and pressed it with marl. Then in the ‘70s, as the island started to progress and more vehicles started traveling the Bodden Town route, the road was paved with asphalt. The original Bodden Town Road has been re-routed in some places, said Freddie Watler. Pieces of the original road ran around the back of the Bodden Town Cemetery, continued passed William Wood’s house by Pease Bay, and made its way back to the existing road on “Goat Hill” or “Big Bluff, an area known today as Moon Bay. Other Bodden Town roads Monument Road is lo- cated across from the Bodden Town’s Coe Wood Public Beach. Before that it was known by locals as “Sundial Road.” A sundial is a device that tells the time of day, when there is sunlight, by using the position of the sun in the sky. In later years, a concrete slab was erected at the en- trance by residents to com- memorate Queen Victoria, and a small cemetery behind the monument bears wit- ness to the presence of the Wood clan, a prominent local family in the district. Mijall Road, down Monu- ment Road, was home to the Lawrence Wood chicken farm years ago. When it was time for slaughtering, the women and some children of Cumber Avenue would bag the freshly plucked birds to be taken to the George Town market. Mr. Lawrence supplied the whole island with fresh local chicken meat. He named Mijall Road after his wife and children – Mary, Iris, Jan, Ann, Lucy and Lawrence. There is also an old stone wall down Monument Road that is believed to have been constructed by slaves. Mijall Road was pur- chased by James Law- rence, who constructed the road as an access to property on which he was building his home. His wife Mary Law- rence said: “In the absence of present day heavy equip- ment, the rock ridge over which it runs had to be broken down by man power, using the old Caymanian “fire and water” method, and then pounded into a flat surface with a sledgehammer before being covered with sand.” Gun Square Gun Square is believed to be one of two historic defense points for the town – the other being the Guard House. Two 18th century cannons pointing out to sea guard the opening of Gun Square. Gun Square was named by residents in the area after they discovered a cannon in the sand. According to the Na- tional Trust, one of the can- nons lay buried in the sand for many years, until around 1910 when four Bodden Town men – Henry Bodden, Prock- lington McCoy, Conwell Sol- omon and Thomas Tatum – dug it out and placed it in its original position at the eastern end of the square. The other cannon was found by men in the district. There was a big up- roar by residents when gov- ernment wanted to change the name from Gun Square to Cannon Way. A man living alongside Bodden Town Road by the name of Royal Frederick blew off one finger when checking to see if the cannon still worked. He placed a dy- namite cap in the cannon hole, struck it was a nail and hammer and, voila, it fired and blew off his finger. The men in the com- munity called him “Thumpy” after that. The road between the two cannons leads to the Bodden Town Mission House. Originally a single-story, wattle and daub building, the homestead was restored by the National Trust after Hurricane Ivan. Harry McCoy Sr. Park is also located on Gun Square Road in Bodden Town. The site was founded in 2008 by Bodden Town residents Florence Wood, Betty Wood, Agnes McCoy and Ellen Eden. The park was named in memory of Harry McCoy Sr. Mr. McCoy, along with other men in the community, en- listed in the navy in Trinidad and fought in WWII. The Nurse Josie Senior Centre, a traditional Cayma- nian cottage fitted out with furniture and fixings from times of old, is also located on Gun Square Road. Inside the house, visitors can view relics more than 100 years old and colorful artwork painted on the walls. Spice Drive Spice Drive in Bodden Town was once known as Coto Ground and then Shamrock before it became Spice Drive. Neville McCoy, one of the first settlers on Spice Drive, said he has not the faintest clue why it was called Spice Drive. All he remembers be- fore the place became pop- ulated with homes was the huge amount of shamrock that grew in the area. Today, Spice Drive is a sprawling community with residents keeping the area well maintained with lots of fruit and produce trees. Louis Moncrieffe, a re- tired civil servant and former chief accountant, lived on this road. He was involved with the commencement of the Credit Union, along with six colleagues. Safe, tranquil and full of culture, there are many ex- citing things to explore along Bodden Town Road, both old and new today. With beautiful residen- tial homes and historic prop- erties, its atmosphere still maintains the appealing vibe of an authentic local town. The cannons at the entrance of Gun Square are enmeshed in Bodden Town’s history. Harry McCoy Sr. Park is located down Gun Square Road.A sign welcomes visitors to the Bodden Town Mission House. Bodden Town Road connects some of Cayman’s most historic areas. – PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS from CI$4.32 per gallon for 87 octane fuel on June 5, to CI$4.29 per gallon on June 19. The higher 90 octane fuel did increase from CI$4.44 per gallon to CI$4.48 per gallon at Refuel during the period. A political dispute over high petrol prices during late 2014 and 2015 led to wholesale changes in how the Cayman fuel market is governed, including the in- troduction of OfReg as the regulator and new require- ments for price reporting for Cayman’s two main fuel distributors. In the U.S., prices at the pump have risen steadily since the beginning of the year, going from an av- erage of US$2.53 (CI$2.08) per U.S. gallon (.83 im- perial gallon) for regular unleaded on March 31 to US$2.87 average as of Wednesday. That is a 13 percent increase in av- erage prices for regular unleaded in less than three months. By comparison, Cay- man’s per gallon price in- crease during the same period only represented a seven percent rise in av- erage prices for regular, un- leaded fuel at the pump. Internationally, prices per barrel of Brent crude – a key international bench- mark for oil prices – have risen steadily since July 2017, going from US$46 per barrel to US$69 per barrel in January 2018. Average Brent crude prices are now hovering around US$75 to US$76 per barrel. Cayman fuel prices have not reached above CI$5 per gallon at the pump since the third quarter of 2014, when av- erage prices for regular, unleaded gasoline reached CI$5.59 per gallon. Prices then fell to below $4 per gallon early in 2015. he had worked in the water sports industry as bus driver, boat captain and mechanic. He said when his boss got sick, the business stopped and never started back. Asked how he had sup- ported himself for six years, he said he did “side work” as a mechanic. He also advised the court that he had two children in Cayman that he had to pay maintenance for until they are 18. Ms. James said the max- imum penalty for overstaying is five years and a fine of $30,000. In this case, it did not seem that the defendant was able to pay any penalty. She said a deportation order was contemplated rather than keeping him here. The magistrate asked, “What message does it send to other people if he goes home and says, ‘Hey, I over- stayed for six years and got a free ride home!’ There should be some penalty.” He pointed to a tension between competing values – paying to keep someone in prison versus not having a deterrent. He urged authori- ties to think outside the box. Maybe there could be a sen- tence that would impose full-time community ser- vice, with the guilty person being kept at the Immigra- tion Detention Centre but al- lowed out to work. “I think we can all agree there are a number of people who have overstayed and not been caught,” he com- mented later. “There might be an amnesty. People might be encouraged to give themselves up.” Ms. James said the offi- cers present could take that idea back to their superiors. Speaking to the defen- dant, the magistrate said, “Your case presents a number of difficulties. You were breaking the law for six years. The court wants to send a message to you and to other like-minded in- dividuals. The court nor- mally sends the message through a jail sentence. The difficulty the court strug- gles with: keeping you in jail costs money. If we keep you, we have to feed and shelter you at significant costs. But if we send you home, there is no punishment.” The magistrate decided that the offense was grave and there had to be a de- terrent. It would cost the country, but there had to be punishment. He hoped that news of what happened in court would get back to the defendant’s home country. With a starting point of 12 months’ imprisonment, he gave a one-third discount for the guilty plea. The result was a sentence of eight months. Mr. Messan said what re- ally had kept him here was paying maintenance for his children. The magistrate replied, “You should have gone to Im- migration and got a stamp in your passport.” An informal check of Cayman Compass archives indicates that an overstayer amnesty was held in July 2010. The newspaper re- ported that 67 males and 20 females were allowed to leave without prosecu- tion. Of that total of 87, 50 were from Jamaica, 10 from the U.S. and the rest from 13 other countries. There was also an am- nesty in December 2005, which was extended to Jan. 6, 2006. A complete figure was not readily available, but as of Dec. 23, 2005, 39 people had left without prosecution. in September 2017, stating the couple’s intent to marry and urging him to “end dis- crimination on grounds of sexual orientation and avoid litigation.” In April 2018, in the ab- sence of any response, the couple flew to the Cayman Is- lands and applied to the Gov- ernment General Registry for a license to marry. The application was refused. Now they are asking a judge to review and reverse that decision on the grounds that it violated fundamental rights guaranteed through the Constitution. Law firm McGrath Tonner, which represents the women, indicates in the court filing that the legal definition of marriage as between people of the opposite sex only is unsustainable in light of the couple’s right to protection from discrimination. The writ argues that it is self evident that the couple is being discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation. It states: “Their relation- ship being a homosexual re- lationship was the reason why it was not solemnized as a marriage in the Cayman Is- lands. As a consequence they are denied the same rights and responsibilities as het- erosexual couples.” It adds that the Mar- riage Law as it stands de- nies same-sex couples nu- merous legal rights that flow directly and exclusively from marriage, including immi- gration, adoption, property ownership, healthcare and pension rights. According to the writ, the Constitution has supremacy over other laws, which are required to be interpreted with “such modifications, adaptations, qualifications and exceptions as may be necessary” to conform with that document. In effect, the lawyers argue, that the registrar could and should have con- strued the Marriage Law as allowing same-sex unions and approved the cou- ple’s application. They also argue that the Marriage Law should be modified to explicitly rede- fine marriage as a union be- tween two adults, without specifying sex. The writ indicates that the right of same-sex cou- ples to a legally recognized civil union is guaranteed by the European Conven- tion on Human Rights, of which Cayman is a signatory through its territorial rela- tionship with the U.K. But it suggests this is a “minimum standard” and that Cayman’s courts should go further and allow full and equal access for same-sex couples to marriage. Denying the appli- cants the right to marry on the basis of their sexu- ality is “as justifiable as de- nying marriage based on the color of a couple’s skin,” the writ states. “This discrimination will not and cannot be rem- edied by same-sex civil partnerships.” It adds that Cayman Is- lands residents are entitled to the same rights as other British citizens, pointing out that the U.K. and the vast majority of its territo- ries have legalized same- sex marriage. “United Kingdom citi- zens have access to same- sex marriage almost from pole to pole from Antarctica to Shetland and around the equator from Pitcairn to As- cension via the Indian Ocean territory. It is incumbent on the respondents to state why the Cayman Islands ought to be different, why they alone may deny marriage to same- sex couples.” The court filing also ar- gues that there is no scope for a defense of a ban on same-sex marriage on reli- gious grounds. “The applicants are en- titled to complain that their belief in same-sex marriage as an institution deserves legal protection … they have established that those funda- mental rights have been vio- lated and there can be no re- ligious justification for this curtailment.” The Governor, the Deputy Registrar of the Cayman Is- lands Government General Registry and the Attorney General of the Cayman Is- lands are listed as respon- dents in the suit. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Gas up 30 cents since April “I think we can all agree there are a number of people who have overstayed and not been caught.” VALDIS FOLDATS, magistrate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Magistrate suggests overstayer amnesty Couple files legal challenge to gay marriage ban CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Puerto Rico privatizes its power company SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Puerto Rico’s governor signed a historic bill on Wednesday to privatize the U.S. territo- ry’s troubled power company in a move many hope will help minimize power outages that have followed Hurri- cane Maria and stabilize the production and distribution of energy amid an 11-year- old recession. The bill allows Puerto Ri- co’s Electric Power Authority to sell its power generation plants as the company faces more than $9 billion in public debt and relies on infrastruc- ture nearly three times older than the industry average. It also allows the government to create public-private part- nerships for the transmission and distribution of power, and services including billing and meter-reading. “We’re here to make trans- formational changes for Puerto Rico,” said Gov. Ri- cardo Rossello, adding that he believes the bill will help attract more investment. “It’s no secret that Puerto Rico’s economic development has remained stagnant in re- cent decades.” Rossello said initial market studies have revealed “a lot” of interest in taking over the generation and dis- tribution of power in Puerto Rico. But contracts will not be awarded anytime soon. Legislators now have 180 days to approve another mea- sure to establish a public en- ergy policy and regulatory framework that Puerto Rico’s Energy Commission will use as a guide to award contracts. Puerto Rico Rep. Victor Pares said privatizing certain assets will help boost Puerto Rico’s economy and create a more resilient power grid. “This is possibly the most important project in de- cades,” said Pares, president of the House Commission for Economic Development, Planning, Telecommunica- tions, Public-private Partner- ships and Energy. However, those who op- pose privatizing the power company’s assets say it does not guarantee a more wide- spread use of renewable en- ergy or cheaper power bills on an island where the cost is nearly twice the average of the U.S. mainland. “This measure does not contain any guarantee of lower rates as promised by the government,” Freddyson Martinez, vice president of a union that represents power company workers, said in a phone interview. Rep. Denis Marquez, a member of Puerto Rico’s In- dependence Party, voted against the measure and told The Associated Press that the company should be over- hauled but remain in gov- ernment hands. “Energy is a human right,” he said, adding that he be- lieves Puerto Ricans will be hit with higher power bills. The Electric Power Au- thority currently serves 1.47 million customers, with more than 4,300 of them still without power nine months after the Category 4 storm hit Puerto Rico and destroyed up to 75 percent of distribu- tion lines, causing the lon- gest blackout in U.S. history. Crews are still repairing lines and installing new power poles as U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Elec- tricity works with Puerto Ri- co’s power company to start strengthening the grid even as the new Atlantic hurricane season has started. Rossello stressed that the grid has to be modernized. “If we leave it like it is, it will fall apart with the slightest wind,” he said. The bill allows Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority to sell its power generation plants as the company faces more than $9 billion in public debt.9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018 The family of the Late Helen Fleming regrets to announce her passing on Thursday, 31 May, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook Page A memorial service will be held at the William Pouchie Memorial United Church on Friday, 22 June, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's and Dementia Association of the Cayman Islands or Cayman HospiceCare. Cayman Drama Society performs Shakespeare in the park SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Would a performance of any other playwright have been as sweet? The Cayman Drama So- ciety treated the public to an outdoor Shakespeare fes- tival Saturday, when they performed a number of se- lections from the Bard’s catalogue at the Dart Park Amphitheatre. A cast of performers ranging in age from four to 60-something ran through scenes from The Tempest, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, among others. Kirsty O’Sullivan, ed- ucation and operations man- ager for the drama society, said the Shakespeare Festival was a gigantic success. “I was absolutely de- lighted,” she said. “I think taking on Shakespeare with the different ages we had is not easy. They rose to the challenge, had a lot of fun with it and did a fantastic job. It was really lovely to see them take to the stage with such ownership of words they previously didn’t know the meanings of.” Ms. O’Sullivan estimated that somewhere between 100 and 150 people witnessed parts of the four-hour pro- duction, and she noted that there were 47 performers in- volved in the festival. The ac- tors worked on seven dif- ferent scenes, and three of them were performed twice during the event. The 5-7 age bracket put on a performance called The ABC’s of Shakespeare, and the 8-12 class put on mini ver- sions of Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. The 12-16 age group performed selections from A Midsummer Nights’ Dream, and the adults did a scene from The Tempest and The Taming of the Shrew. The performances were held at Dart Park, said Ms. O’Sullivan, because their usual venue, the Prospect Play- house, is temporarily unavail- able due to the showing of the musical Grease. The drama society will offer summer camps and adult comedy sketch and improv camps at the playhouse this summer. “Our next offerings are summer camps, which will take place and have a perfor- mance at the Prospect Play- house,” Ms. O’Sullivan said. “We’ll certainly be using Dart Park again in the fu- ture if they let us, because it was just fantastic and I think the youth really en- joyed the opportunity to per- form outdoors.” YMCA SUMMER CAMPS START JULY 3 The YMCA of the Cayman Islands will run its summer camps from July 3 to Aug. 24 at the Little League Field of Dreams, the Camana Bay Sports Complex and the Cayman Islands Baptist Church Youth Centre in Sa- vannah. There will also be a location on Cayman Brac, the organization announced. Parents and kids can choose from five different camps that will be open to varying age groups: Tradi- tional Day Camp for 5- to 12-year-olds, Island Explorer Camp for 7- to 12-year-olds, Y Junior Chef Camp for as- piring chefs between the ages of 9 and 12, the Challenge Camp for 9- to 12-year-olds, and the Teen Challenge Camp for 13- to 17-year-olds. The Traditional Day Camp offers a variety of activities, including swimming, field games, arts and crafts, sports, and camp songs. Each week campers will explore a dif- ferent theme that is woven into the traditional camp ex- perience. Traditional Day Camp runs for the full eight weeks and is spread across all three Grand Cayman camp locations. Island Explorer Camp will involve campers spending their time visiting exciting attractions islandwide, from local heritage sites and some of Cayman’s top visitor at- tractions to a fun afternoon at the movies. The Junior Chef Camp of- fers the perfect opportunity for campers to get hands- on experience in the kitchen as they explore and create different cultural and tra- ditional foods. The Challenge Camp and Teen Challenge Camp provide an opportunity for kids and teens to take on a whole new kind of physical challenge by putting their outdoor skills to the test. Activities include taking on the Y’s new ropes course, climbing, archery and nature hikes. Campers will learn the basics of climbing, as well as participate in fun outdoor challenges focused on teambuilding and leader- ship development. “The YMCA is pleased to offer another summer of fun to parents who are seeking a safe environment for their children to stay active, learn new things and make new friends. Our caring, well- trained staff members are dedicated to helping campers grow physically, mentally and spiritually,” said camp orga- nizer Jenny Stuesser. On-site registration for the Y camps is open every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Field of Dreams until Friday, June 29. For more information, log on to www.ymcacayman.ky. Scholarships are also available to those in financial need. For more information on camp scholarships, email ysummercamp@ymcacayman.ky. 50 years ago: Education Law sparks controversy In the June 20, 1968 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the fol- lowing story, titled “New Education Law Under Fire,” appeared: “The new education law passed by the Legisla- tive assembly on May 29 is sparking a religious con- troversy. The furore started when a member of the se- lect committee which studied the bill, Miss Annie Bodden ‘strenuously opposed’ the of- fending section of the Bill. “Paragraph 17 – subsec- tion 2 states: “If the Parent of any pupil in attendance at any Government School re- quests that he (the pupil) be wholly or partially excused from attendance at Reli- gious Worship in the school, or from attendance at both Religious Worship and Re- ligious Instructions in the school, then until the request is withdrawn, the pupil shall be excused from such atten- dance accordingly. “At the time the bill was passed Miss Bodden was the only dissenting voice in the Assembly. She wrote a letter to The Caymanian pub- lished on June 6. “She claimed that stipula- tion in paragraph 17 of the Education Law ‘has made it possible and very easy for ir- religious parents to have re- ligion banned from our Gov- ernment Schools, and by doing so, the thin edge of the wedge has been put in to ban the knowledge of God being taught in the Government Schools in our Islands.’ “The lady legislator pointed out that there were no stipulations made in the Education Bill to exclude the teaching of any subject, save that of religion. In a sarcastic vein, she said, ‘Re- ligion is too old fashioned to be a compulsory subject taught in modern Cayman Schools in 1968.’ The following week, the Director of Education, Mr. V.L. Jackson [Mr. Vernon Jackson] wrote that Miss Bodden’s letter ‘seems to be causing some confusion among parents.’ He said that any country that includes the teaching of Religious Knowledge in its schools also includes the ‘Conscience Clause’, whereby a parent may have a child ex- cused from Religious Wor- ship or Religious Instruction.” A story titled “Bodden Town School Making Mag- azine” was also found in this issue. “Senior pupils from the Bodden Town School came in an educational tour of The Caymanian office last Friday morning. The pupils are cur- rently gathering material for a magazine, BTS Gazette, which they hope to have published during the first week of July. “They came on a familia- rising tour to see how mate- rial is prepared for printing and publication. “Our varitypist Betty Evans demonstrated the working of the Varitype Ma- chine. Margaret Parsons showed them how large our headline printing is done. She also accompanied Ed- itor Bill Bodden to the dark room or photographic de- partment where the pupils watched intently as she de- veloped a film. Pressman David Parchment rolled the printing machine, and dem- onstrated the machine used to fold papers.” Performers of all ages put on a Shakespeare festival at Dart Park over the weekend.Next >