SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS KAABOO Cayman seeks local bands The music festival extends application deadline B6 Fresh café offers healthy food alternatives Galleria Plaza eatery is about so much more than salads B7 Movies Food & Drink Events Gain ‘Insight’ into students’ imaginations Last chance to see youth exhibition at National Gallery B2 ■ EVENTS Team Cayman is California bound! Local talent heads to World Competition of the Performing Arts. B3 ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ review Lighthearted Marvel film is certified Fresh by critics on Rotten Tomatoes website B4 STOLI FLAVOURS 2 for $56 Until 31 July Fine Wine & Spir its TORTUGA Due to ongoing renovations at the airport, we encourage you to visit our stores and BUY BEFORE YOU FLY ® Rita Estevanovich - Model and actress CAYMAN WEEKENDER Team Cayman is California bound! EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 IT’S TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A ‘U-TURN’ AWAY FROM SOCIALISM High of 89 Low of 77 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY OfReg spent $234K traveling last year Regulator ran nearly $1.5m operating deficit KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Utility Regulation and Competition Office, known as OfReg, spent $234,233 on travel-related activities last year, according to the utilities and commodities regulator’s 2017 annual report. The expenses were nearly twice the $118,027 OfReg budgeted for travel in 2017, and contributed to the office’s nearly $1.5 mil- lion operating deficit for the year. The report states that OfReg’s telecom- munications office spent about $113,000 on travel, its electricity office spent $46,554, its fuel office spent $51,385, and its water office spent $22,838. The annual report does not itemize OfReg’s travel expenses, but states that its “directors traveled more than planned, representing OfReg at conferences.” OfReg also spent $177,368 more than it budgeted on consultancy and professional fees, $36,877 more than budgeted on legal fees, and $49,997 more than budgeted on “other op- erating expenses,” the report states. In addition, the regulator experienced a roughly $2 million shortfall in “revenue from trading with any other person,” the re- port states. OfReg was projected to take in nearly $4.3 million from such revenue, but only collected about $2.3 million, according to the report. In May, OfReg had to ask central govern- ment for a $1 million cash injection to address its budget shortfall. At the time, OfReg Vice President Alee Fa’amoe told legislators that when OfReg was created last year, it was assumed at the time that OfReg’s budget would include funding provided via the territory’s water and fuel reg- ulators. But that has not been sorted out, Mr. Fa’amoe said at a Public Accounts Committee meeting in May. MANDERSON: COMPLAINTS ABOUT GOV. CHOUDHURY ‘BELONG TO UK’ Acting Governor Manderson defers open records request BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Acting Governor Franz Manderson has deferred any public release of the contents of staff complaints made against withdrawn Governor Anwar Choudhury, stating all such records belong to the United Kingdom government. Mr. Manderson responded Thursday to a June 14 Cayman Compass open records re- quest seeking the publication of details of those allegations. “The governor … has determined that the Freedom of Information Law does not apply in this instance as the requested records be- long to the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” the re- sponse received Thursday morning under the governor’s seal read. The Cayman Compass filed a separate open records request with the U.K. government seeking a summary of, or copies of, the staff complaints made against Mr. Choudhury. The Cayman Islands governor is paid by the taxpayers of the Cayman Islands, although he or she is appointed by Her Majesty, the Queen of England via the U.K. Foreign and Common- wealth Office. However, some of the staff mem- bers in the governor’s office are actually for- eign office employees, paid by the U.K. and it is understood in this matter that all com- plaints against Mr. Choudhury were made di- rectly to the foreign office. Mr. Choudhury’s appointment was “temporarily withdrawn” RCIPS light show Anyone using Cayman’s roads will have noticed po- lice cruisers with non-flashing lights passing in recent weeks. At the start of June, the Royal Cayman Islands Po- lice Service began to transition emergency lights on all police vehicles to an upgraded ver- sion in a bid to increase the visibility of its police vehicles and deter crime. According to the RCIPS, por- tions of the low-density lights will remain on permanently when the vehicle is in service. When on regular patrols, the lights on either end of the light bar on top of the cars are vis- ible; when the police vehicles are not moving but engaged in police response, for example, at the scene of a collision or roadblock, the lights will be flashing. When the vehicles are engaged in emergency response, the lights flash more rapidly. “The new capacity of our po- lice vehicles to employ different kinds of lights for police re- sponse is designed to increase our visibility and also the ef- ficacy of our response,” police said in a statement. Royal Cayman Islands Police Service cruisers are being fitted with upgraded lights. - PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY The light strips on top of the police cars will have static red and blue lights while the officers are carrying out non-emergency duties. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS West Shore Center, Seven Mile Beach • 10am to 10pm Fresh, Healthy & Delicious! Cayman Cookin’ Over a Wood Fire! Internati onal Award-Winning Caribbean Chicken! Dine-in!Take-out! Indulge on a feast for 2 to 4 or 6 or more! With an awesome selection of sides to choose from. 945-2290 SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Forecasters at Colorado State University’s Depart- ment of Atmospheric Science have updated their projec- tions for the 2018 hurricane season, and they now believe that conditions are ripe for a mild spate of storms over the next few months. The new projection, up- dated on July 2, puts the odds for at least one major hurricane tracking into the Caribbean at 31 percent, 11 percent lower than the av- erage for the last century. Also, the Colorado State researchers believe there will be 11 named storms, four hurricanes and one major hurricane this season, re- ductions from their earlier projections of 14, seven and three, respectively, in April. For perspective, the me- dian for the period between 1981 and 2010 was 12 named storms, 6.5 hurricanes and two major hurricanes per storm season. The main drivers of this year’s projections are colder ocean temperatures and a weakened El Nino, said Mi- chael M. Bell, an associate professor at Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science. “There’s a large high-pres- sure system that sits over the Atlantic at this time of year. That drives the trade winds which keep you guys nice and cool there in the Carib- bean,” said Mr. Bell, one of the co-authors of the study. “When those trade winds are stronger than normal, that tends to cool the waters. In this case, the pressure is stronger than typical, and that’s what’s leading to those colder ocean temperatures. It’s an atmosphere/ocean in- teraction that’s causing the ocean to cool down.” The study also found that the probability for a major hurricane making landfall on the entire coastline of the United States is 39 percent, down from an average of 52 percent for the last century. Colorado State Universi- ty’s researchers have plotted in the current data and com- pared it to assembled data- sets for the last 36 years to make their projections, and they will have a final detailed forecast on Aug. 2. Mr. Bell said that two sea- sons that closely resemble the current conditions took place in 2009 and 2014, and both of those years fea- tured lower than average storm activity. “We’ve been monitoring the situation closely since our first forecast came out in April,” said Mr. Bell. “It’s interesting how things have changed from that initial forecast where we thought an above-average season was more likely. I think the two biggest things that have changed is that ocean tem- peratures have cooled a lot more than expected off the coast of Africa, which is sur- prising to some degree, and the other big factor that caused us to reduce our fore- cast is the El Nino conditions. “It looks more likely that it will be a weak El Nino, and that I think is a little less surprising.” Mr. Bell said that ocean temperatures reached a near- record warmth last season, which makes it a little more surprising to see them plunge to a near-record cooling this time around. The first month of hur- ricane season resulted in just one named storm – Al- berto – in the Atlantic, but Mr. Bell cautioned that the heaviest storm activity usu- ally does not take place until August and September. That is why the final projection – the one on Aug. 2 – will have the highest expected de- gree of accuracy. The July 2 edition of the study also projected that the east coast of the U.S. – in- cluding peninsular Florida – will have a 22 percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall, as opposed to the average of 31 percent for the last century. The probability of a major hurricane making landfall in the United States is just 75 percent of the long- term average, but Mr. Bell cautioned that people need to be prepared for any contin- gency if they live in the po- tential path of a major storm. “All it takes is one and we always try to emphasize that,” he said. “Even at 31 percent [for the Caribbean], we’re talking about essentially a 1/3 chance for a major hurricane to track through that region. We certainly hope we don’t see any landfall impacts this year, especially after last year. But we’ll just have to wait and see.” New forecast projects milder than predicted storm season SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – A mayor and two former gov- ernment officials in Puerto Rico face public corruption charges in separate cases that involve a total of $8 million in federal and local funds, authorities said Thursday. The suspects are the mayor of the southwest town of Sabana Grande and the former directors of finance for the northern town of Toa Baja, which has struggled to pay its employees amid an 11-year recession. U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez told reporters that the former officials from Toa Baja are accused of using nearly $5 million worth of federal funds to pay the town’s public employees and municipal contractors. “Not only is that illegal, it’s immoral,” she said. Officials said former fi- nance director Victor Cruz Quintero deposited some $2.5 million worth of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Devel- opment into the town’s gen- eral and payroll accounts in October 2014. He also is accused of making similar deposits and transfers of more than $1.75 million in funds from HUD and the Department of Health and Human Ser- vices from September 2014 to February 2016. Toa Baja’s former interim finance director, Angle Ro- berto Santos Garcia, is ac- cused of making similar transactions worth $650,000 using funds from those two federal agencies. It was not immediately clear if Cruz and Santos had attorneys. Rodriguez said the inves- tigation into alleged corrup- tion in Toa Baja is ongoing because officials believe other people are involved. Federal authorities said that Mayor Miguel Ortiz is ac- cused of defrauding the fed- eral government of nearly $3 million in a separate scheme that began in 2013 and ended in 2016. Officials said he is accused of financing projects without prior approval from Puerto Rico’s Department of Education and obtaining funds after misrepresenting the projects’ cost. Authorities said contracted companies and the municipality then re- ceived amounts much higher than what was outlined. Ortiz also is accused of receiving nearly $33,000 in cash from one of the compa- nies and its owner. A spokeswoman for Ortiz could not be immediately reached for comment. The arrests come as Puerto Rico struggles to re- cuperate from Hurricane Maria and tries to restruc- ture a portion of its $70 bil- lion public debt load. Bail granted in wounding case CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man charged with wounding another man by stabbing and common assault relating to two women was granted bail on Thursday after Crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson raised no objections. Kaschef Tevin Pin- nock, 24, faced three charges arising from an incident in West Bay on Monday, July 2. He is accused of mali- ciously wounding a man and behaving toward two women in a manner that led to two charges of common assault. A press release is- sued by police about the incident indicated that all parties were known to each other. The inju- ries to the man were de- scribed as non-life-threat- ening stab wounds. Attorney Amelia Fos- uhene applied for bail on Mr. Pinnock’s behalf. Mr. Ferguson asked that a con- dition be imposed for the defendant not to contact any of the complainants. Magistrate Philippa McFarlane granted bail with that condition and another specifying where Mr. Pinnock is to reside. The matter was set for mention again on July 19. No details of the incident were men- tioned by anyone at this first appearance. MEDIA GROUP DONATES $17.5K TO CANCER SOCIETY Hurley’s Media and Z99 donated $17,536 to the Cayman Islands Cancer So- ciety, money raised at last month’s Ice on Ice casino and cocktail event at the Marriott Grand Cayman. “We are honoured to be the beneficiary charity of this annual event. Ice on Ice is an afford- able and glamorous event that appeals to so many,” said Jennifer Weber, op- erations manager of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. “Everyone got re- ally excited to dress up, play casino games and sip cocktails for a chance to win the diamonds, all while helping CICS help others in Cayman.” Jason Howard, radio operations manager at Hurley’s Media, said the donation was the largest from the event to date. Hurley’s Media and Z99 held its eighth annual Ice on Ice casino and cocktail event at the Marriott Grand Cayman on June 2, with all of the proceeds of ticket sales and casino games going to the Cancer Society. More than 400 people attended the fundraiser to enjoy a night at ca- sino tables, where gaming chips could be redeemed for prizes. Four lucky in- dividuals took away a 0.5 carat diamond found in the bottom of their wel- come drink, courtesy of Rocky’s Diamonds on North Church Street. PUERTO RICO SUES CONTROL BOARD OVER BUDGET DIFFERENCES SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Puerto Rico’s government sued a federal control board on Thursday to resolve a dis- agreement over two com- peting budgets that aim to pull the U.S. territory out of an 11-year recession. Gov. Ricardo Rossello said he is seeking an injunc- tion to stop the board from imposing an $8.76 billion budget that contains various austerity measures, and he accused it of trying to dictate the island’s public policy. “Our north will always be to defend the most vulner- able in all forums,” he said in a statement. The lawsuit is expected to define the powers of a board created by U.S. Congress two years ago to oversee Puerto Rico’s finances. The suit accuses the board of imposing its policy prefer- ences on Puerto Ricans and micromanaging all budget expenditures, warning it could increase the flow of migration to the U.S. main- land, which would reduce the tax base and worsen the is- land’s economic and humani- tarian problems. “The board’s efforts ex- ceed its lawful powers,” the lawsuit states. “[It] cannot do what it is attempting to do: impose mandatory work- force reductions, change the roles and responsibili- ties of certain government officials, criminalize cer- tain acts under Puerto Rico law and otherwise seek to micromanage Puerto Ri- co’s government.” The lawsuit is a result of budget wrangling in Puerto Rico: One budget was ap- proved by the board and an- other was approved by legis- lators and signed by Rossello earlier this week. Puerto Ricans accused of misusing $8M in fundsThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce If you are interested in mentoring a student or serving as a sponsor for the 2019 Mentoring Cayman programme, please call Carolina Watler on 743-9123 or email admin@caymanchamber.ky. The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands congratulate the participants who completed the 2017-2018 Mentoring Cayman Programme. Launched in 2002 by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ministry of Youth. Mentoring Cayman has impacted more than 925 students and mentors in many different industry sectors. The Mentoring Cayman Programme is aimed at motivating high achieving high school students to become the next generation of business and community leaders in Cayman. We would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands for continuously sponsoring this Programme since its launch in 2002, and sponsors Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Ltd., Consolidated Water Company, Cox Lumber Ltd., Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company, and Rocky’s Diamond Gallery. We'd also like to thank Triple C School for allowing the Chamber of Commerce to use their facilities to host the Opening Reception, The Wharf Restaurant for providing their facilities and lunch during the annual luncheon with guest speaker Ms. Faith Gealey (2017 YCLA recipient) and Marine Land Tours for the beautiful sunset cruise. Mentoring Cayman CAYMAN PREP & HIGH SCHOOL StudentMentorOrganisation Andy Meghoo Selgin Amador UCCI Halle Carter Shayma Hamdi-Romanica Cayman Islands Tourism Attraction Board James Macdonald Shawn Brickett Deloitte Jessica Stewart Carmen Martinez Cayman Rehab Services Victor Thompson Joshua Merren Office Supply Ltd. CLIFTON HUNTER HIGH SCHOOL StudentMentorOrganisation Arnold Berry James Moore Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. Ashley Gooden Roz Griffiths Chatterbox Ltd. Deonaundray McFarlane Gary Chernowski Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman Dreshna James Claire Stafford Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. Jada Bodden Dianne Conolly Cayman Islands Government Maria Lewis Maggie Berry Maples and Calder Martina Burton Kerri Marquardt Mourant Ozannes Micharia Lawrence Rebekah Brooks Baptist Health South Florida Rahsheda Wilson Loval Linwood Cayman Islands Government Shemar Crawford Michael Day CIREBA Shenequa Mayhew Regina Clarke Cayman First Insurance Company Ltd. Telisha Barnes Anita Fauset-Khan Radio Cayman Tiandra McKenzie Rebeca De Miguel Celimar Clinic ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL StudentMentorOrganisation Erika Sobers Kathy Fysikoudi Pasadora Family Dental Centre Ethan Cronier Chad Powell Caribbean Utlitlies Company, Ltd. Justine Rhule Tamsin West Walkers Kelsi Persad Angel Ho Marriot Resort, Grand Cayman Madeleine Cronier Alexandra Simonova Deloitte JOHN GRAY HIGH SCHOOL StudentMentorOrganisation Aaron Fualknor Kiril Deliivanov Dart Adrian Powery Anthony Ennis Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Alec Harding Darren Ebanks Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. Dayger Martinez Pedro Reis Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company Gabriel McDermot Sean Hill OTIS AIR Conditioning Ltd. Jabari Walrond Andrew Carter Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. Aidan Bodden Mark Jordan Davenport Development Javaldo Blake Clever Mawarire KPMG Jazmin Sanchez Nancy Barnard Cayman Islands Government Jynette Powell Shanique Lauder Cayman Islands Government Kyle Martinez Jonathan Webster Cayman First Insurance Company Ltd. Leon Harris Tibor Hollos Caribbean Beverages (Cayman) Ltd. Mileybi Giron Rebecca Hume Kombre & Kim LLP Rafael Mckenzie Todd Armstrong KPMG Toni-Ann Daley Anika Conolly Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. Victoria Ebanks Janette Goodman The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman TRIPLE C SCHOOL StudentMentorOrganisation Denise Suico Melissa Comparin The Security Centre Limited Kaylee Scott Olivia Benjamin The Veterinary Clinic & Pet Specialty Board Mansuri Prabhakar Antoinette Gayle UCCI Nasier Levy Phil Reed Jacques Scott Group Ltd. CORPORATE SPONSORSThe 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. “Premier: Pension contributions need to increase” - Cayman Compass, July 3, 2018 “‘Indigent’ healthcare costs soar” - Cayman Compass, July 4, 2018 “More money provided for poor relief” - Cayman Compass, July 5, 2018 Over the past half-century, the Cayman Islands has forged an international identity as a pint-sized economic powerhouse and a dynamic laboratory of financial enterprise. That perception is approximately half-true. In reality, Cayman society is composed of two universes operating in parallel – the private sector and the public sector. Cayman’s private sector, and particularly its financial services sector, is the quintessence of global capitalism, generating wealth where none had previously existed. In other words, the private sector is creative, meaning, liter- ally, that it creates. The public sector, in contrast, operates not according to the principles of capitalism, but socialism. Instead of creating wealth, the public sector redistributes it by levying taxes on the private sector and expending that revenue on programs, subsidies and services. At its theoretical best, the relationship between the private and public sectors is symbiotic, with the private sector funding the public sector, the public enabling the private, and so on. In Cayman, the association has become less of that between two coequal partners, and more of that between host organism and parasite. The “missing ingredient” in the public sector is accountability. Private employers and employees are accountable to supply and demand, profits and losses, income and expenses, etc. Our country’s public entities, and individuals who rely on government largesse, operate according to princi- ples of need, dependency or, in some instances, a sense of entitlement. With a growing civil service, mounting public expen- ditures and astronomical unfunded debt obligations, the cost of Cayman’s public sector threatens to exceed the ability of Cayman’s private sector to pay for it. If this tra- jectory continues, the parasite could kill the host. The economic rise of our islands (the “Cayman Miracle”) has been well-documented. Here is a step-by- step guide to the peril we now face: Step One: Because of the lack of accountability in the public sector, generations of graduates have emerged from our public education system ill-equipped to thrive in the competitive private sector. The government attempts to compensate for this fundamental failure by giving them things – in the form of legal advantages, subsidies, scholarships, direct financial assistance, etc. Step Two: That does not solve the problem of the “unemployable” segment of the population. So the government hires them in significant numbers. (Cur- rently, Cayman’s public service constitutes nearly 6,300 employees – the largest it has ever been.) Worse than the immediate payroll costs are the over-generous benefits packages extended to public employees, that can’t be matched in the private sector, and that government doesn’t have the means to fund. (The latest 20-year estimate of the government’s public healthcare liability is $1.7 billion, and for the public sector pension fund, $220 million.) Step Three: Still ravenous but out of resources, the public sector turns its attention to the private sector. The nanny state becomes coercive, and commands that private businesses hire certain people, educate or train those people, ensure their retirements and provide for their healthcare … in other words, do what individuals them- selves, or the public sector, is rightfully charged with doing. Throughout, the government is perpetually running out of money, slow-paying its own bills, neglecting needed infrastructure projects, inventing new ways to tax and regulate commercial activity and raising fees on the private sector. The cost of work permit fees, for example, has become both exorbitant and extortionate (as high as CI$32,400 per year for an equity partner in a business). Here’s the inevitability: When the cost and inconve- nience of doing business in Cayman reaches a certain threshold, businesses will choose to relocate, close or contract. Such behavior is universal and documented in the work of economist Arthur Laffer (famously known, of course, for the so-called “Laffer Curve”). Unfortunately, our elected leaders have demonstrated no willingness to downsize the civil service, to reduce the scope of government, to renegotiate its crippling benefits pledges or to introduce serious measures of accountability for what is the single largest voting bloc in the country. It’s time for government to take a ‘U-turn’ away from socialism Recently, Alexandria Oc- asio-Cortez, a self-proclaimed socialist, won the Democratic primary for a congressional seat in New York. Why would a sane person advocate a po- litical movement that was re- sponsible for well over a hun- dred million deaths in the last century, as well as untold misery? By her comments, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez revealed a couple of things about her- self. The first is an ignorance of history – because it is un- likely that she really meant to advocate a cause that often results in mass death and destruction – and that she is unable to think beyond stage 1, or the first order ef- fect of a policy. Socialism, in all its vari- ants (democratic socialism, communism, Nazism, etc.), is all about taking property from one person and giving it to another in the name of equality. Families practice voluntary socialism where the breadwinner(s) share in- come and property with other members of the family. Reli- gious groups and voluntary organizations share some in- come and property among members and outsiders – which is a good thing when it is done on a voluntary basis. But the socialism advo- cated by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, as well as Karl Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, and so on, is not voluntary but coercive. That is; “I am going take your property, forcibly if neces- sary.” The Nazis and Fas- cists were also about taking other people’s stuff – just a variant of classic socialism. (For those who have forgotten history, Hitler and Musso- lini imposed income redis- tribution schemes, just like other socialists.) All governments tax and engage in some redistribu- tion. Most taxation is coer- cive and enforced by the po- lice powers of the state. And most people understand that some limited taxation and government is a price to be paid for a civil society. Im- plicitly people understand that government can be an effective means for protecting private property and person, and those basic functions need to be paid for. Few object to a tax rate of 10 percent, and such a low rate has only a small disincen- tive effect on the willingness of the productive to work, save and invest. But as the tax rate increases, the disincentive ef- fect also increases eventually to a point where the produc- tive withdraw so much of their labor and investment that tax revenues actually fall (as illus- trated by the Laffer Curve). It is also well known that as government spending grows as a percentage of na- tional income, it tends to both discourage personal re- sponsibility for one’s eco- nomic well-being and be- comes less efficient in how it is used, eventually resulting in negative economic growth. The historic and modern- day socialists live in a fairy- tale world where they think people will produce as much at a 90 percent tax rate as they will at a 20 percent tax rate, and where all govern- ment programs are adminis- tered with great competence, efficiency, and honesty. This never happens. So in democra- cies, the people finally get fed up and throw out the big-gov- ernment types – the Thatcher revolution in the U.K. in 1979 being a prime example. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and the other socialists advocate “free” healthcare for everyone, “free” higher education, and much other “free” stuff. But they are unable to explain how this is to be paid for. Some mumble about higher taxes on the rich – but again they fail to no- tice the flight of rich people from high-tax states to low- tax states, and from high-tax countries to low-tax countries. The mainstream media is quick to pounce on U.S. Pres- ident Donald Trump for any of his contradictory and silly statements as they should, but many of them give a free pass to the socialists (in- cluding those in the Demo- cratic party) – whose state- ments are often more absurd and dangerous than anything the president has said. One needs to be very unobservant and unthinking to be in Sin- gapore (as many in the media were in covering the Trump- Kim summit) and to be obvi- ously clueless as to why Sin- gapore is so successful. Can you think of one so- cialist experiment that worked in the last several hundred years? There were none: not small utopian com- munities, not massive states – they were all failures. Chil- dren and young people are at- tracted to socialism because it seems to promise “fairness” and security – but, in fact, this attraction is product of an unobservant, unthinking and immature minds. Richard W. Rahn is chairman of Improbable Success Productions and on the board of the American Council for Capital Formation. © 2018, The Washington Times, LLC. FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS The unthinking and the unobservant RICHARD W. RAHN Can you think of one socialist experiment that worked in the last several hundred years? There were none. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 ARSON CHARGED AFTER WEST BAY HOUSE FIRE CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Tommy Orlando Ebanks, 32, appeared in Sum- mary Court on Thursday charged with arson after a house fire in West Bay on Tuesday, July 3. Magistrate Philippa Mc- Farlane told the defendant that arson is a charge that can be heard only in the Grand Court and she trans- mitted the matter there. Defense attorney John Furniss said he was not making any application for bail, partly because Mr. Ebanks did not have a resi- dence to go to at this time because he had been living in the house that was the subject of the charge. Details of the charge are that, at 373 North West Point Road, without lawful ex- cuse, Mr. Ebanks damaged by fire an eight-bedroom single-story dwelling house belonging to Jeff Kennedy Ebanks, intending to damage the property or being reck- less as to whether such property would be damaged. The charge sheet lists Mr. Ebanks’s address as the same address that is in the charge. The next Grand Court date was discussed with Crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson. As a result, the magistrate remanded Mr. Ebanks in custody until Friday, July 13. WOMAN INJURED IN ATTACK An elderly George Town woman is in critical con- dition following an attack Wednesday night at a resi- dence in Tropical Gardens. Police responded to an 11:45 p.m. call of a se- rious assault and found an elderly woman who had multiple lacera- tions. She was trans- ported to Cayman Islands Hospital where she un- derwent surgery. An 83-year-old man known to the assailant has been arrested on suspicion of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and attempted murder. He re- mains in custody as inves- tigations continue. BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Three packed public jail facilities and a newly an- nounced migrant-detention center/remand lock-up will await Cayman’s new full-time director of prisons. Job listings for the prisons boss position went out this week, offering be- tween $100,000 and $122,124 per year for someone with a four-year degree in crimi- nology or related fields and at least 10 years of management experience in corrections. Interim Prisons Director Steven Barrett, who has been in the job since mid-February, has said he would apply for the position with his current six-month posting set to ex- pire in August. Whoever is placed in the full-time job will face a des- perate overcrowding situa- tion at all of the available jail facilities on Grand Cayman. As of late June, the adult male prison population at Her Majesty’s Prison, North- ward had reached 221 people. The facility has a maximum capacity of 213. In addition, the main adult women’s prison had 17 inmates – three shy of its maximum. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police jail was tempo- rarily housing 11 Northward inmates, as well as six other people who had been ar- rested by police during the course of normal operations as of late June. The prison inmates and arrested indi- viduals were being kept sep- arate, police said. However, in ideal conditions, the po- lice cells are not supposed to hold more than 12 people. Faced with an untenable overcrowding situation at all main jail facilities, the gov- ernment announced plans to open the Immigration Deten- tion Centre to prisoners this week – freeing up another 22 spaces in Northward. However, the detention center, which largely houses Cuban migrants who are not classed as “prisoners,” is not a security facility and will have to be “retrofitted,” ac- cording to Ministry of Immi- gration officials, to accommo- date the new arrivals. Moreover, the govern- ment has not fully devel- oped any longer term plans to secure more or different prisoner housing. Mr. Bar- rett was asked about various proposals to increase prison space early on in his term. “I am currently reviewing and pursuing a number of op- tions to help manage the chal- lenges we are experiencing with overcrowding, such as exploring what legislative and operational solutions are pos- sible,” Mr. Barrett said at the time. “This includes seeking engagement with other crim- inal justice partners in re- gards to remanded prisoners, as well as thinking through what reconfiguration of the facility could be made to create additional space. “I assure the public that the situation will not im- pact the department’s stat- utory obligations or com- promise safety.” The interim prisons boss said he is generally opposed to adding onto existing build- ings at the Northward prop- erty in Bodden Town which may not be fit for purpose in any case. Mr. Barrett said at the time that Cayman’s law enforcement and po- litical leadership needed to have better planning for prison facilities. Packed prisons seek full-time manager The search is on for a new permanent prison boss for the Cayman Islands. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS on or about June 12 while an unspecified investigation pro- ceeded against him. U.K. officials said last month that the review was expected to take between four and six weeks. Multiple government sources contacted by the Cayman Compass since Mr. Choudhury’s sudden removal indicated that complaints had been made internally within the governor’s office in Cayman and concerned his behavior while in office. Head of the Governor’s Office in Cayman, Matthew Forbes, has declined to discuss specifics surrounding the allegations. Other media reports in the U.K. stated that Mr. Choud- hury “abused” staff and had gotten involved in a “drunken row” with his mother-in- law during his brief time in Cayman, which lasted less than three months, between March and June. The Compass has been unable to indepen- dently confirm those reports. The Compass has at- tempted to call, text and email message Mr. Choudhury since his temporary withdrawal, but has received no response. Governor Choudhury, 59, arrived in Cayman on March 26, making history as the British Overseas Ter- ritory’s first non-British- born governor and its first Muslim governor. The Bangladeshi-born U.K. diplomat had a far more public persona than previous U.K.-appointed representa- tives had done, advocating for monthly meetings of the National Security Council, backing the creation of le- gally recognized civil unions in Cayman, and taking a leadership role in Cayman’s discussions with Britain con- cerning the future of its fi- nancial services industry. Mr. Choudhury had also stated his intention to work with Cayman on the forma- tion of a strategy to address U.K. requirements that the territory adopt a public reg- ister of company ownership by December 2020. The new governor had also announced plans to sig- nificantly reduce the amount of bureaucracy Cayman residents often have to wade through in dealing with government. A copy of Acting Governor Franz Manderson’s letter certifying that the records requested are not subject to the Freedom of Information Law. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Government seeks to add park to Smith Cove SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The layout of Smith Cove may soon be get- ting a face-lift. Barbara Conolly, the elected representative for George Town South, is holding a community meeting on Tuesday evening, July 10, to discuss the en- hanced development of the beach at Smith Cove. The meeting will be held at the South Sound Com- munity Centre from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and Ms. Conolly said the development will turn the area into more of a park for residents and tourists alike. “I’m going to enhance that piece of land that gov- ernment acquired to add ca- banas, an additional car park, restrooms and barbecue grill facilities,” said Ms. Conolly. “We’re going to be thinning the trees a bit and clearing out the undergrowth so you can actually see from one end of the land to the next.” The government also hopes to build a crosswalk from the existing car park to Smith Cove, alleviating the danger pedestrians face in crossing the street. In November 2016, the Cayman Islands Cabinet ap- proved the purchase of prop- erty adjacent to Smith Cove public beach for CI$4.4 mil- lion following a public outcry when a private developer ap- plied for planning permis- sion to build condo units on the site. Government bought the land from the developer with money from the gov- ernment’s Environmental Protection Fund. Ms. Conolly hopes the work on the site will begin in August, and in the best-case scenario, says it may be com- pleted in advance of Easter 2019 so it can accommodate campers and beachgoers. “It has to be done prop- erly. I’m very excited about it, and I think everybody should be happy that we’re doing something for South Sound,” she said. “It’s for all of us. Not just South Sound people. It’s amazing how many tourists fre- quent Smith Cove during the week when the cruise ships are in. “Smith Cove is special to many people, locals and resi- dents and visitors alike.” Manderson: Complaints about Gov. Choudhury ‘belong to UK’ government “I’m going to enhance that piece of land that government acquired to add cabanas, an additional car park, restrooms and barbecue grill facilities.” BARBARA CONOLLY, MLA, George Town South Government plans to enhance the facilities at Smith Cove. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Rotary to help build Botanic Park’s children’s center The Rotary Clubs of the Cayman Islands are part- nering with the Queen Eliz- abeth II Botanic Park to de- velop the park’s Children’s Education Centre. At a presentation cer- emony at Rotary Central Cayman in Centennial Park in George Town on Sat- urday, June 30, the three local Rotary Clubs jointly committed $150,000 to help construct the facility. Planning approval has been secured for the Ed- ucation Centre, which is being designed pro-bono by John Doak Architecture. The Rotary Children’s Centre will feature a class- room surrounded by en- demic flora, a grand gazebo entrance, an expansive lawn area and other inter- active elements that “will create indelible memories, and positive stimulation for the many children that will be passing through,” ac- cording to a press release from the Botanic Park. Past President of Rotary Central Michael Pratt hands a check for $50,000 to Botanic Park General Manager John Lawrus, in the presence of Past President Dawn Cummings of Rotary Sunrise, President of Rotary Grand Cayman Lawrence Edwards, Past Present of Rotary Grand Cayman Justin Bodden, President of Sunrise Rotary Jerrell Garner.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 Discover an unmatched collection of experiences at Grand Cayman’s top luxury resort A couple and their three young daughters visited Taikun, the exquisite Japanese restaurant located at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. As they sat at their table, Bong, chef at Taikun, noticed that the youngest girl appeared to be upset. The young girl asked the server for extra nori sheets and a bit of rice to play with as they waited and began making small rolls of sushi to entertain herself. Chef Bong noticed this from the sushi station and began to send the girl more colorful ingredients to add to her rolls and she seemed happy at her creations. Being a father of three girls himself, Bong decided to go a step further to ensure that the young girl had a wonderful time at dinner and invited her over to the sushi station to teach her how to make different rolls with even more ingredients. The parents were delighted to see their daughter have such a great time as they looked on from their table. After a few minutes, the other two sisters joined and the sushi-making lesson became a family affair. That evening Bong also engaged in conversation with the family, who excitedly told him about their day and a visit to Stingray City that afternoon. They were so happy with their experience that they decided to return to Taikun for dinner the following night. Bong noticed that the youngest daughter was absent from the table and the parents shared that she had decided to stay in their room resting after a very active day. The next day, he decided to surprise them, went out to buy a sushi mat for the girl, and personalized it with her name. With the assistance of one of the bellmen, the sushi mat, a stuffed stingray toy and a card was delivered to the family’s room. The card read: “Thank you for joining us at Taikun. Here is a token for you to remember us and your time in Grand Cayman.” The family was delightfully surprised and were so grateful for Bong and the team’s gesture! The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is proud to share the stories crafted by our most valuable resource: our Ladies and Gentlemen. ADVER T ORIAL Court blasts police officer in negligence case CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Magistrate Angelyn Her- nandez had strong words on Thursday for a senior police office who was investigating complaints about cosmetic injections that went wrong. The defendant, Zunilda Baldovino, had three trial dates set, but the matter did not go ahead because on each occasion evidence for the Crown’s case was either still forthcoming or had just been disclosed to the defense attorney, Jonathon Hughes. Last week Mr. Hughes argued that this late disclosure had deprived his client of the op- portunity to adequately pre- pare her defense. Ms. Baldovino faces two charges of doing a reckless and negligent act. Two com- plainants were allegedly in- jected in the face by the de- fendant with a silicone-based product while she was em- ployed in a beauty salon in October and November 2016. Crown counsel Darlene Oko told the court last week that recently obtained med- ical evidence would show that the injections had resulted in permanent disfigurement causing irreparable harm that could not be corrected. Ms. Baldovino was charged in August 2017; the matter came to court in Sep- tember and she pleaded not guilty in October. Trial was set to take place on March 26, 2018, but could not go ahead then or in May because evi- dence had not yet been dis- closed to the defense. Ms. Oko said she did not defend the acts of the inves- tigating officer, who held the rank of inspector, in terms of what the officer’s obliga- tions should have been to produce the results of her in- vestigation to the Crown. Ms. Oko accepted that medical records were served late – on May 28 and June 7. Ms. Oko said she and se- nior police service manage- ment took immediate steps to rectify the situation, with a new officer replacing the inspector. Many, many hours were spent bringing the new officer up to speed in the matter, she said. She did not dispute that the Crown would not have been ready for trial in March or May, but said they were ready by the next date, June 12. The issue at this stage was whether Ms. Baldovino could receive a fair trial, she asserted. Mr. Hughes had asked the court to stop the proceedings, saying a clear message had to be sent to those involved in the investigation and pros- ecution of matters. The magistrate agreed that there was no separa- tion between the police and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the handling of cases that come before the court. In this case, she said, the handling of the investigations had been inexcusable, com- placent and incompetent. She found that the investigating officer’s conduct was an “ab- solute disgrace” and fell far short of what was expected of any officer, much less an inspector. How the investiga- tion was handled showed lack of professional conduct, lack of urgency, and lack of respect for everyone concerned – the defendant, the complainants and fellow officers, she said. Given the gravity of the alleged offenses and the in- terests of all parties con- cerned, the magistrate said the late service of evidence was inexcusable but did not prevent the defendant from having a fair trial. She accepted Mr. Hughes’s submission that the recent ad- dition of two new charges of causing grievous bodily harm was an abuse of process. Al- though the evidence would have been the same, the effect of these charges would be sig- nificantly different, she noted, and she dismissed them. She set the trial to com- mence on Aug. 22 and con- tinued the defendant’s bail until then. Mr. Hughes had also argued that his client was undergoing hardship because she could not work while awaiting trial and had to rely on friends for support. The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service issued a statement Thursday after- noon in response to the mag- istrate’s comment. The statement read: “The RCIPS notes the critical com- ments made by the mag- istrate in this matter and regrets the lack of profession- alism shown by the investi- gating officer in this case. The standard of investigation in this case does not comport with the standards of victim care or case management that the RCIPS strives to up- hold as an organization. The RCIPS expresses its regret to both the victims and crown counsel, and has referred this matter to Professional Stan- dards Unit for investigation.” Ms. Baldovino faces two charges of doing a reckless and negligent act. Two complainants were allegedly injected in the face by the defendant with a silicone-based product while she was employed in a beauty salon in October and November 2016. CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Immigration services business owner Paulette An- glin-Lewis was found not guilty of theft by a Grand Court jury Wednesday, following a trial that began last week. Ms. Anglin-Lewis, sole director of Anglin-Lewis and Associates, had been charged with two counts of theft from a client. The first charge was theft of $27,675 between April 3, 2013 and Dec. 15, 2014. The second charge was theft of $27,675 from the same person be- tween April 15, 2014 and Dec. 15, 2014. The total alleg- edly stolen was $55,350. The jury had heard that the client had received per- manent residence but was obliged to pay an annual “right to work” fee. He had used Ms. Anglin-Lewis’s ser- vices since 2009. He said he did not give her or her com- pany permission to use the money for any purpose other than to pay his fee. Had he known the fee for 2013 was not paid to the Immigra- tion Department, he said he would not have given her the money for his 2014 fee. When he received a letter from Immigration about the non-payment, he believed it was an oversight and for- warded the letter to Ms. An- glin-Lewis. When the matter was not cleared up, he bor- rowed money to pay his out- standing fees. The defendant gave evi- dence and said she did not steal the money, claiming there had been a mistake in 2013 and, when she became aware of it in 2014, she made efforts to pay. By that time, the amount owed on this client’s behalf was $55,000 and she said she did not know she could have paid part of the sum. She said she was over- whelmed at the time by business concerns and health issues. Judge Marlene Carter told the jury that theft is the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to an- other with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it. Ms. Anglin-Lewis had paid the money back earlier this year, the judge said, but told the jury not to consider whatever had happened after December 2014. They were to look at what she said and did at the relevant time. They had to consider whether she intended to permanently deprive her client of the money and whether she acted dishon- estly in appropriating the money, she said. Crown counsel Toyin Salako had reminded the jury that Ms. Anglin-Lewis had put the client’s money into a corporate account and had used it to pay her company’s bills. Defense attorney Alex Da- vies referred to attempts by Ms. Anglin-Lewis to raise capital and try to get a loan to keep her busi- ness going when she could have given up and declared bankruptcy. He suggested she was an honest woman trying to steer her business through a storm. BUSINESS OWNER NOT GUILTY OF THEFT FROM CLIENTThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Churchill’s Funeral Home Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Ella Mae Carter, who passed away on Thursday June 21, 2018. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Savannah Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1631 Shamrock Rd, on Sunday July 8, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Viewing will be from 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Interment follows at New Pease Bay Cemetery. e have been asked to announce the passing of . Churchill’s Funeral Home Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Kodah Dixon Nee Jefford, who passed away on Friday June 22, 2018. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Kings Seventh Day Adventist Church, Walkers Rd, George Town on Sunday July 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing: Closed Casket. Interment follows at Prospect Cemetery. e have been asked to announce the passing of The family of the Late Helen Alvena Hislop regrets to announce her passing on Wednesday, 27 June, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, 14 July 2018 at Elmslie Memorial United Church, viewing will be from 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Garden of Reflection Cemetery. bodd fls i The family of the Late Cyril Bert Parchman Sr. regrets to announce his passing on Tuesday, 26 June, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com A funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Crossroad United Baptist Church, West End, Cayman Brac. Interment will follow in West End Cemetery. The family of the Late Jahzarah Mellisa Caballero-Millwood regrets to announce her passing on Wednesday, 20 June, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com A funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, 7 July 2018 at Calvary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Prospect Cemetery. Churchill’s Funeral Home Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Mohamed Kamruddin Munruddin, who passed away on Saturday June 30, 2018. Details of a Funeral Service will be announced at a later date. e have been asked to announce the passing of OfReg’s annual report makes similar statements. “The fact is that insuffi- cient consideration was given to the additional burden to [OfReg] imposed by the inclu- sion of the fuels market and the water sector regulatory functions,” the report states. OfReg’s budget short- fall has led to, among other things, a delay in plans to resolve problems with how emergency calls are routed to the 911 Emergency Commu- nications Centre. Previously, 911 calls have been routed through a third- party service provider and, as has happened in the past, if the service was down, calls could not get through to 911. Former Governor Helen Kil- patrick agreed to green-light a change made by the former Information and Communi- cations Technology Authority that obliged the telecommuni- cations companies to connect directly to 911 and use, as a backup, other telecommunica- tions providers in case their systems failed. Mr. Fa’amoe said at the May Public Accounts Com- mittee meeting that regulators found, in their investigation of the issue, that the 911 cen- ter’s equipment was “obsolete” and that there was no budget to replace it. The former ICTA requested proposals for the 911 upgrade and even went to a vendor se- lection process. “But unfor- tunately, those funds are no longer there,” Mr. Fa’amoe said, referring to the situation now occurring with OfReg’s finances. He said that part of the funds earmarked for the 911 system fix were taken from the former ICTA re- serve fund, which was largely consumed in the operating costs of OfReg. “There was no other way to fund the costs of that en- tity,” he said. Girls’ Brigade off to Zambia JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Eighteen delegates of Cayman Girls’ Brigade are jetting off to Zambia in Af- rica to attend the Interna- tional Conference of the Girls’ Brigade. Chairperson of the Cayman Girls’ Brigade, Debbie McLaughlin, said the conference, which occurs every four years and is being hosted in Zambia this year, takes place July 21-28. “This is a special year in the life of Girls’ Brigade In- ternational because it’s cel- ebrating 125 years of Girls’ Brigade. The theme for the international conference is ‘Fruitful and overflowing,’” Ms. McLaughlin said. The focus of the confer- ence will be about moving the Girls’ Brigade forward. It will also provide training op- portunities and the chance to interact with leaders from 46 countries around the world, as well as meet up with old friends, enjoy a culture eve- ning, a night of fellowship and devotions, and a tour of Zambia, Ms. McLaughlin said. The Cayman delegates funded themselves for the trip, she said. Girls’ Brigade covered the registration costs for the youngest emerging leader and contributed funds toward her airfare. Funds to cover those costs came from their annual govern- ment grant and fundraising by Girls’ Brigade. The cost of the trip varied from $3,000 to $5,000 dollars each. “We are especially pleased to have three emerging young leaders between the ages of 18-35 traveling with the group,” Ms. McLaughlin said, adding that she was looking forward to her first trip to Africa. “It’s the first time for all of us going to Zambia, but some of the group have vis- ited Africa before.” Excitement filled El- mslie Memorial Church Hall Wednesday evening as the group discussed their travel plans, with some of the Bri- gade members planning trips further afield while in Africa, to Zimbabwe and South Africa. “We are as prepared as can be; we’re even packing bug spray,” said Olga Gour- zong, friend of the Savannah Girls’ Brigade. She said she had had all her shots and the group members were taking tab- lets for malaria prevention. Some of the group leave on Thursday, the others fol- lowing sometime next week. Ms. Gourzong said it was her second time attending a Girls’ Brigade Conference but the first time traveling to Af- rica, a place she has always dreamt of visiting. “I’m looking forward to visiting Robben Island, [Table Mountain] in Cape Town South Africa; spending four nights on a safari trip and getting to see the ani- mals up close,” she said. Ms. Gourzong also wants to con- nect with close Girls’ Brigade friends, hear some of the con- cerns they face and compare them with Cayman’s Girls’ Brigade to see how they can help each other. “I am looking forward to meeting up with some old friends, going on a safari and taking in some sightseeing tours that are planned,” said Shari Welcome, charge for North Side Girls’ Brigade. “One thing I do want to see is Victoria Falls,” she added. “I am also looking forward to visiting Victoria Falls and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was kept as a pris- oner,” said Lisa O’Neal, Bri- gade officer for George Town. “I went to Ghana last year for the Youth Conference and didn’t know what to expect, but it was exciting to learn about their culture and how they run their Girls’ Brigade,” said Jennelle McLaughlin, of the George Town Girls’ Bri- gade. “This time I am going with an open mind, I want to learn more about the country and meet new GB friends from around the world.” “This is my third confer- ence,” said Sarena Whittaker. Her first was in Europe and the second in Australia. She said she was looking for- ward to having an enjoyable time, meet other Girls’ Bri- gade groups and visiting Liv- ingstone. Livingstone was, until 2012, the capital of the Southern Province of Zambia. Ms. Whittaker said she had done a lot of research into the religion, economy and political situations in their destinations. “The food looks good so far and I’m looking forward to trying it, especially the wild meat,” she said. The International Confer- ence of Girls’ Brigade is held once every four years, and Brigadiers must be 18 years or older. The purpose of the conference is for all five fel- lowships of the Girls’ Bri- gade – Asia, Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Africa, and Pacific – to come together to attend meetings, elect offi- cials, plan for the develop- ment of Girls’ Brigade in- ternationally and attend workshops and tours. The Girls’ Brigade is a Christian interdenomina- tional uniformed organiza- tion for girls aged 5-19 years. Local companies are formed in churches and sometimes in schools, but each company must be attached to a church of an approved Christian denomination. Cayman Girls’ Brigade delegates discuss plans at Elmslie Church Hall as they prepare to travel to Zambia later this month for the International Conference of the Girls’ Brigade. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY OfReg spent $234K traveling last year POLICE SEEK OWNER OF KAYAK Police are trying to trace the owner of a red two- seater kayak that was found by a member of the public on Wednesday. Police are asking anyone who believes the kayak belongs to them to contact the George Town Police Station at 949-4222 in order to arrange for the kayak to be returned. Proof of ownership will be required. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 LONDON (AP) – Church ser- vices, tea parties and even a medically themed symphony were on the agenda as Britain marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the National Health Service – a battered but beloved institution facing an uncertain future. Public buildings were floodlit in medical blue and prayers were said at Westmin- ster Abbey to celebrate the state-funded service, launched on July 5, 1948, in a country determined to build a fairer society out of the ruins of war. The NHS principle of free medical treatment, funded by taxation, retains wide sup- port. But it has been chal- lenged by rising life expec- tancy, increasing patient expectations and the vagaries of government funding. “In poll after poll, if you ask British people what makes them most proud to be British, they say it is the NHS,” said Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt – a member of the Con- servative government that op- ponents accuse of starving the health service of funds. Since a Conservative- led government introduced public spending cuts in 2010 in the wake of the global fi- nancial crisis, NHS funding has grown by about 1 per- cent a year. But demand is growing by some 4 percent, as the British population grows both larger and older. After a spike in ambulance delays and canceled opera- tions this winter, Prime Min- ister Theresa May last month announced the service would receive 20.5 billion pounds (US$27 billion) in extra funding by 2023-24, a 3.4 per- cent annual rise in real terms. The birthday was marked by an outpouring of affection and reflection, for a gigantic institution that employs more than 1 million people and helped shape the way Britain thinks about itself. The BBC devoted hours of TV and radio programming to the anniversary, including a reality series in which celeb- rities went to work in hospi- tals. It broadcast a specially commissioned symphony that featured bleeps, pings and as- sorted other hospital sounds. Tea parties were held across the country Thursday to raise funds for NHS- linked charities. Roberta Bivins, a professor of history of medicine at the University of Warwick, said the NHS was “part of the na- tional myth of self” in Britain, embodying cherished values of equality and fair play. “The negative side of the picture is that since 1949 politicians have been saying that the NHS is in crisis and using it as a political foot- ball,” said Bivins. In recent years the NHS has become ammunition in Britain’s debate about the European Union. Before the 2016 referendum on EU membership, the “leave” cam- paign plastered a bus with the eye-catching – and inac- curate – claim that Britain sends the EU 350 million pounds (US$460 million) a week that could, once the U.K. leaves, go to the NHS. The net figure Britain sends is about half that much, and many economists say leaving the EU will harm the economy and squeeze public funding. Brexit, which will end the automatic right of EU citi- zens to live in Britain, also threatens the status of Euro- pean workers who make up a big chunk of NHS staff. A recent study by a group of health and economic think tanks found that the NHS provided good value for the amount of money spent on it, but had worse outcomes than comparable countries for some serious diseases, including several forms of cancer. “The truth about the NHS is that by international stan- dards it is a perfectly ordi- nary healthcare system, pro- viding average levels of care for a middling level of cost,” said Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Britons do not hesitate to criticize the health service – but nothing unites the country like an outsider doing it. When U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted in February that the NHS was “going broke and not working,” he drew a rebuke from the British government. MAE SAI, Thailand (AP) – With more rain coming, Thai res- cuers are racing to pump out water from a flooded cave before they can extract 12 boys and their soccer coach with minimum risk, officials said Thursday. A firefighter who has been working on draining the water said parts of a pas- sage leading to the chamber where the group was found Monday was still flooded to its ceiling, making diving the only way out. “What we worry most is the weather,” Chiang Rai pro- vincial Gov. Narongsak Osa- tanakorn told reporters. “We can’t risk having the flood back into the cave.” The boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach went exploring in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in the northern province after a soccer game June 23. Monsoon flooding cut off their escape and prevented rescuers from finding them for 10 days. The boys, although skinny, have been de- scribed as in good health. Authorities have said the soccer players are being looked after by Thai navy SEALs, including medics, staying with them in- side the cave. Narongsak said he asked the SEALs in charge of ex- traction plans to estimate what sort of a risk would be involved to take them out and “what kind of readiness we can have today and decide if we can take that chance.” He said the 13 may not be ex- tracted at the same time, de- pending on their condition. They’ve practiced wearing diving masks and breathing, in preparation for the possi- bility they may have to dive. “This morning, I have asked for 13 sets of [diving] equipment to be prepared and checked the equip- ment lists and place them inside [the cave] in case we have to bring them out in this condition with less than 100 percent readi- ness,” he said. Officials prefer to get the boys out as soon as possible because heavy rain expected by Saturday almost surely will raise water levels again in the cave, making passage in some areas even more dif- ficult, if not impossible. They are hoping that an upgraded draining effort can lower the water in an area where it is still at or near the ceiling. The idea is to get some headroom so the boys would not be reliant on scuba apparatus for a long stretch and could keep their heads above water. The navy has released videos of the boys, showing them smiling and interacting with the personnel sent into the cave to bring supplies, treat their injuries and keep them company. One Thai navy SEAL team member who spent time with the boys said the young soccer players “were always asking about the World Cup.” “I told them that all the big teams had gone home,” the navy SEAL member said. Seeing the boys has boosted the mood of their family members, and offi- cials are working to install an internet cable to the cave so that parents can talk to their children. Kian Kamluang, whose 16-year-old son, Pornchai, is in the cave, said she had thought there was a 50 per- cent chance that her son would be found. “It’s like he has been given a new life,” she said, adding that she’ll never let her son go into a cave or near water again. Cave rescue experts have said it could be safest to simply supply the boys where they are, and wait for the flooding to subside. That could take months, how- ever, given that Thailand’s rainy season typically lasts through October. Experienced divers are wary of taking out the boys through the dark and dan- gerous waters still in the cave, especially since they are untrained. CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY JULY 6, 2018 EU extends Russia sanctions by 6 months The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine for another six months. The sanctions were imposed after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed pro-Russia separatists fighting the government in eastern Ukraine. DOROTHY ROSE SCOTT March 16, 1948 - July, 5 2017 One year has passed since you left us for your heavenly abode, leaving a deep void in our lives. In our hearts your memory lingers sweetly tender, fond and true. We deeply miss you. In Loving Memory UK marks 70th birthday of health service with pride, worry Rescuers race to drain water from Thai cave before rain begins again International rescuers prepare Thursday to enter the cave where a young soccer team and their coach are trapped by flood waters in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand. – PHOTO: AP Britain’s Health Secretary Jeremy HuntNext >