SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY UK to flout OECD to aid storm-hit territories JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com The United Kingdom is prepared to flout international aid guidelines and change its own legislation in order to use its foreign aid budget to assist hurricane-hit territories in the Caribbean, according to reports in the U.K. Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands were devastated by successive hurricanes last year. However, they were unable to qualify for support from the U.K.’s $13 billion foreign development aid budget because they were deemed “too rich” under a formula set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The formula defines which type of assis- tance qualifies as development aid and counts toward the U.K.’s commitment to spend 0.7 percent of gross national income on develop- ment aid – the United Nation’s target for all developed countries. The Cayman Islands, which has a per capita income similar to the U.S., would also be unable to qualify for such aid in the event of a similar catastrophe. Ultimately, the U.K. found funding from sources other than the approved aid budget to provide a reported 57 million pounds sterling (US$74 million) in disaster relief to its hurri- cane-hit territories last year. It has since unsuccessfully petitioned the OECD Development Assistance Committee for a change in the aid rules to allow wealthier countries to be eligible for such funding if they are impacted by natural disasters. Now, the U.K’s Daily Telegraph newspaper has reported that International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has instructed her department to fund disaster relief from its own budget in future – even if it means breaching international aid rules. She told the newspaper: “The public sup- port the tremendous work our armed forces and UKaid do to help people in dire need, es- pecially in countries which have a close con- nection to the U.K. MILLER: GOVERNMENT FAKING INTEGRITY LEGISLATION BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands government’s ef- forts to maintain the integrity of public proj- ects and hiring processes are “being ignored” by top-ranking officials, Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller said Thursday in a lengthy public statement. Mr. Miller said the failure to implement certain laws, or to follow legislation after it has been implemented, has had a significant impact on major projects such as the Owen Roberts International Airport expansion and the proposed George Town cruise dock. It has also lessened the level of accountability once anticipated for senior public servants, he said. “Several important pieces of legislation that were passed by the Cayman Islands Leg- islative Assembly in the past four years and earlier to safeguard integrity and good gover- nance have not been fully implemented or are not being applied,” Mr. Miller said Thursday. “The impact of this non-compliance is that solid principles of procurement and good gov- ernance are not being observed and the nec- essary accountability for and management of government resources are consequently being undermined.” Mr. Miller specifically referenced three laws passed within the past five years: the Standards in Public Life Law, the Public Au- thorities Law and the Procurement Law as ex- amples of “good governance legislation … that is being ignored.” The Standards in Public Life Law was passed in March 2014 and amended in 2016, but has never been fully implemented. It Cayman seeks new plan to combat mosquitoes $800,000 budgeted for new eradication plan SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman’s government is searching for a new solution to its mosquito problem. The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has developed an advisory board that will provide guidance on a new eradication plan for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The board met for the first time Wednesday, and Minister of Health Dwayne Seymour and Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn attended. Jim McNelly, the director of the Mos- quito Research and Control Unit, is a member of the board but was not available for comment on Thursday. Mr. McNelly did release an official statement about the spe- cific insect that has been difficult for the MRCU to control over the last few years. “The Aedes aegypti mosquito is not en- demic to the Cayman Islands. However, it is widespread and has the potential to transmit a range of diseases,” Dr. McNelly said. “Unlike other mosquitoes, Ae. aegypti breeds only in standing water held in con- tainers. We believe by integrating our sur- veillance and control technologies, we will be able to eradicate this dangerous insect.” The Aedes aegypti mosquito can carry zika, yellow fever, dengue and chikun- gunya viruses. The new board will meet for the next Cayman’s current approach to combating mosquitoes consists of aerial spraying by the MRCU plane, above, fogging from trucks, and the release of genetically modified mosquitoes, among other measures. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » SECTION | PAGE ## TITLE FOR THE SPORT/ BUSINESS SKYBOX FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Lionfish recognizer created by intern ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is crazy good Critics and audiences are loving this strong romantic comedy B4 Food & Drink Music Scene Movies ■ LIFESTYLE & RE CREATION Soto Diving Scholarship Bob Soto’s passion for scuba will be passed on to others. B5 Learning the secrets of Seven Fathoms Rum Aging its product, one underwater barrel at a time B3 September concerts in South Florida Get your fill of comedy, rock, country, hip-hop and rap B7 Could Artificial Intelligence give us the hunting edge? B2 PHOTO: CHRIS COURT CAYMAN WEEKENDER Soto Diving Scholarship EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO ‘NICE’ PROGRAMS High of 90 Low of 78 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 2 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Award-Winning Caribbean Chicken! Fresh, Healthy & Delicious! West Shore Center, SMB 945.2290 • chicken@chicken2.com® Dine-in!Take-out! Celebrating 25 Years! 25th Specializing in: Ladies & Men’s Haircuts Children’s Haircuts Colour/Highlights & Lowlights Beauty Treatments: Braiding • Keratin Treatment • Manicures • Pedicures Acrylic Nails • Waxing Facials • Massage • Full Body Treatments Eyelash & Eyebrow Tinting Tel: 949 8809 Open: Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm West Shore Centre, West Bay Road Ondina – Hair Stylist | Eugene – Hair Stylist Kalpana – Beauty Therapist Our experienced staff: EVERY ONE WELCOME JOIN US ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT LONG CLARIFICATION In relation to a story titled “Push for people’s port ref- erendum,” which appeared in the Aug. 30 edition of the Cayman Compass, organizers of the petition have clari- fied that the petition is not solely organized by opponents of the dock but is supported by and aimed at anyone who thinks the people of the Cayman Islands should decide on the future of the project. Kids ready and set to learn A back-to-school sup- plies drive, called Ready, Set, Learn! last weekend brought out more than 200 students who collected items at the Airport Park as they pre- pared to return to their class- rooms this week. The event was hosted by the Lloyd Barker Founda- tion’s Pursuit of Excellence team, who invited students and parents to collect bags, composition books, pencils, crayons, calculators, geom- etry sets and more. A total of 217 students benefited from the drive. “It was really exciting to see that so many chil- dren came out to col- lect their school supplies,” Lloyd Barker said. “I and the other members of Pur- suit of Excellence felt re- freshed, giving of our best and knowing that many students and families will feel supported, encouraged, and equipped for the new school year.” He said the team had only two and a half weeks to plan the event, but “when there’s a will, there’s a way,” he said. Several local compa- nies stepped up to sponsor the event, provide monetary assistance or services, or do- nate time and resources. Lloyd Barker meets one of the families that attended the school supplies drive. Power outage planned at Galleria Plaza Caribbean Utilities Com- pany is advising commer- cial customers in the Gal- leria Plaza on West Bay Road that they will ex- perience interruptions to their electrical service early next week. The outages are being carried out to facilitate the upgrading of line hardware and utility poles in the area, according to CUC. The power outages will occur from 10:30 p.m. on Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday, and from 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday. Customers affected in- clude the Saltwater Grill, Azure Realty Limited, Wa- terman Cayman Surf, Es- cala, Buy Smart, Trop- ical Optical and FLOW. All other businesses in the Gal- leria Plaza will not be af- fected, CUC stated. The electricity com- pany is also asking motor- ists to drive with caution when using the Century 21 roundabout next to the Galleria Plaza as the street lights in that area and on adjoining roads will be af- fected during the outage. Temporary lighting will be in place. CUC will also have a number of vehicles and personnel in the area. For more information, call 949- 5200 or email service@cuc.ky. PUERTO RICAN WOMAN ACCUSED OF MURDER FOR HIRE SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The long-awaited federal trial of a Puerto Rico woman accused of hiring a hit man to kill her rich Canadian husband began on Thursday, and the judge warned the jury “it would get hot.” A decade has gone by since Aurea Vazquez Rijos was charged with offering a man $3 million to kill real estate developer Adam An- hang. Vazquez at that point was no longer in Puerto Rico, and she was extradited three years ago from Spain with her 1-month-old baby after a lengthy manhunt. “This is a murder case,” Jose Ruiz, assistant U.S. dis- trict attorney, said in his opening statement. “It was to collect money from him.” Anhang was killed Sept. 22, 2005, at nearly midnight on a Friday, on the corner of a cobblestone street in the historic part of San Juan’s capital. He was hit in the head with an object and then repeatedly stabbed. Twelve hours earlier, he had told his wife he wanted a di- vorce, prosecutors said. “That is something she didn’t want,” Ruiz said, adding that the couples’ therapist had earlier re- corded her reaction in his notes: “I am not going to let you go that easy.” The couple had begun dating two years before the killing, with Anhang buying Vazquez a car, an apart- ment and a business in Old San Juan called “The Pink Skirt.” A day before the wed- ding, they signed a prenup, with Anhang’s value esti- mated at more than $24 mil- lion and Vazquez’s at nearly $62,300. If Anhang died, his wife would receive $8 mil- lion. Six months after he was killed, Vazquez sued his parents seeking $1 mil- lion in damages and $8 mil- lion from his estate. Shortly after filing the lawsuit, she left for Florence, Italy. Once there, prosecutors said she wrote emails to her family pleading for money. Defense attorney Lydia Lizarribar rejected the al- legations and told the jury that her client is innocent. She said she would prove that Vazquez had been wanting to go to Italy to study and work since 2002, and that she was living there under her real name. “She was not hiding at all,” Lizarribar said, adding that the couple was a per- fect match and liked to travel together. “The evi- dence will show that Adam was in love with his wife.” Volunteers were on hand to help out at Saturday’s school supply drive.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 ART DECO INSPIRED OCEANFRONT RESIDENCES Choose from one of the two, three, or four bedroom residences or a multi-level penthouse complete with private rooftop garden and infinity plunge pool. The finest in location, design and services combine for an unrivaled residential ownership experience. Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 326 1400 fin@fingrandcayman.com Glass-bottom cantilevered poolOwners' wine room Only seven residences remain from USD $1.8M FIN.cayman fingrandcaymanThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” After an altercation between two workers in the government’s National Community Enhancement program left one in hospital and the other in police custody, the headlines practically wrote themselves … some “NiCEr” than others. Police have arrested one man and are investigating the matter, which occurred early Tuesday afternoon at the George Town landfill. Officials say the stabbing victim suffered injuries that are “serious but not life- threatening.” Opportunities for the exercising of editorial wit aside, the isolated incident should not detract an iota from the NiCE program’s overall reputation and mission. Our support, and we imagine the communi- ty’s, remains unshaken. Perhaps in response to some negative chatter about the program, the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure released a statement calling the situation “unfortunate” but balancing that with reminders of the program’s successes over the past several years. “While Government seeks to provide a structure within which NiCE participants can benefit from a pro- ductive experience it is incumbent on each one to take advantage of this opportunity to the fullest,” the state- ment read. “Many have done so in the past and this year’s program will continue as planned.” The ministry is exactly correct. The beach and roadside cleanup initiatives provide much-needed employment for Caymanians struggling to find jobs while making Grand Cayman a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful place for residents and visitors. In fact, we recently advocated in an editorial for expanding the “NiCE” program into a year-round Cayman Cleaning Corps. Like many in Cayman, we have spotted in recent days teams of NiCE workers at work alongside our highways, and, frankly, their efforts are making a notice- able difference. We would hope that some photographer is shooting both “before” and “after” pictures because the difference is as dramatic as it is welcome. To our friends in the ministry as well as the NiCE workers on the front lines, we would counsel you not to be overly concerned by the incident that happened the other day and the “naming” of your program. Not only is it no big deal – an anomaly at most – it does not compare to what happened in Washington, D.C. in the middle-1970s. City fathers came up with the bright idea of celebrating unity, harmony, brotherhood and love in the capital city. They named their creation “Human Kindness Day.” Well, in 1975, roughly 125,000 people attended the event held on the National Mall, which was headlined by Stevie Wonder. Who can forget (city officials are still trying to) the tally and the toll?: 500 robberies, 600 injuries and 150 hospitalizations. As one letter writer to The Washington Post put it, “So much for kindness. I don’t want to be around on Human Cruelty Day.” And so, NiCE folks, do not feel too bad. We would, however, issue a general caution to those in the “branding biz” in government, the private sector, or, for that matter, parents naming children: Be careful of getting too cute, clever or enthralled with your own creativity. (Remember the Johnny Cash tune, “A Boy Named Sue?”) In Cayman we’ve already got “OfReg,” “WORC,” and, of course, the subject of this gentle editorial, “NiCE.” Might be an appropriate time to hit the pause button … Bad things can happen to ‘NiCE’ programs FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Suddenly, the Reformation makes perfect sense WASHINGTON – For the first time, I understand how the Reformation happened. Reading the stunning letter from Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano – in which the former papal nuncio says he had personally informed Pope Francis five years ago about the serious accusa- tions against then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick – is both heartbreaking and enraging. If Vigano is right, it means the corruption in the Catholic Church has reached not just the highest levels of Roman Curia but the papacy itself. Last week, Vigano effec- tively nailed his 95 theses to the door of St. Peter’s. The archbishop call out not only the Holy Father but also more than a dozen cardinals he says covered up McCarrick’s alleged abuses, including three successive Vatican sec- retaries of state – and calls for Pope Francis to step down. It is virtually without precedent for a Vatican insider to make such serious charges against a sitting pontiff and mem- bers of the Curia – much less to call for the pope’s resigna- tion. Vigano’s allegations need to be investigated, the docu- ments he cites need to be re- leased, and the pope needs to answer these charges. Vigano said he twice wrote to his superiors in Rome, in 2006 and 2008, ex- plaining that McCarrick had, among other things, re- quested “depraved acts of seminarians and priests,” had derided “a young seminarian who tried to resist” and en- gaged in the “sacrilegious cel- ebration of the Eucharist.” He got no response. Eventually, he learned that Pope Benedict XVI had ordered that McCar- rick be “forbidden to cele- brate [Mass] in public, to par- ticipate in public meetings, to give lectures, [or] to travel.” Vigano said he personally discussed the sanctions in his first meeting with McCar- rick at the Nunciature. After Benedict resigned, Vigano was granted a pri- vate audience with the new pope on June 23, 2013, during which Francis asked him about McCarrick. Vigano wrote that he told Francis, “Holy Father, I don’t know if you know Cardinal McCar- rick, but if you ask the Con- gregation for Bishops there is a dossier this thick about him. He corrupted genera- tions of seminarians and priests and Pope Benedict or- dered him to withdraw to a life of prayer and penance.” Francis soon lifted Benedict’s sanctions, Vigano said, and made McCarrick a trusted adviser. “He knew from at least June 23, 2013 that Mc- Carrick was a serial pred- ator,” Vigano wrote. “It was only when he was forced by the report of the abuse of a minor … that he took action.” Vigano also wrote that he discussed the sanctions on McCarrick several times with McCarrick’s successor as archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who Vigano said “lies shame- lessly” in denying knowing about them. In one instance, Vigano wrote that he saw an announcement in an archdi- ocesan publication inviting young men interested in the priesthood to a meeting with McCarrick – a man who is al- leged to have sexually abused seminarians! “I immediately phoned Cardinal Wuerl, who expressed his surprise to me, telling me that he knew nothing about that announce- ment and that he would cancel it,” Vigano wrote. “If, as he now continues to state, he knew nothing of the abuses committed by McCarrick and the measures taken by Pope Benedict, how can his answer be explained?” On Monday, a spokesman confirmed that Wuerl did cancel the event “at the nuncio’s request.” Vigano’s accusations are serious and credible. He has everything to lose by making them public. He cited spe- cific letters and documents that he and others sent to Rome – which he said are readily available in the files of the Holy See and the Ap- ostolic Nunciature in Wash- ington. The Vatican must now release them. And his ac- count was backed on Monday by Monsignor Jean-François Lantheaume, the former first counselor at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, who said Vigano “tells the whole truth. I am a witness.” Most importantly, in his letter the archbishop declared that he is “ready to reaffirm them under oath by calling on God as my witness” – which means he is calling for his own eternal damnation if he is lying. Is Pope Francis willing to do the same? Vigano is courageously sacrificing his own episcopal career to expose the truth. Now is the time for others with inside knowledge to step forward and do the same. Catholic cardinals wear a red hat to symbolize their will- ingness to shed the blood of martyrdom for Christ and His church. Sadly, few seem willing to risk their own po- sition, much less their lives. On his flight back from Ireland, Pope Francis re- sponded to Vigano’s testi- mony by declaring, “I will not say a single word on this.” Sorry, that’s not good enough. Five hundred years ago, faithful Catholics waited too long to root out corruption in the Vatican – with disastrous consequences. We can’t make the same mistake again. Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen. © 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group MARC A. THIESSEN If Vigano is right, it means the corruption in the Catholic Church has reached not just the highest levels of Roman Curia but the papacy itself.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 ARMOUR EXPO 2018 GRAND CAYMAN MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT WEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER - 2 STAGES, 20+ PRESENTERS 6 CPE NASBA, LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE - SIGN UP TODAY BLOCKCHAIN Tokenization Modelling & Digital Economics Ken Bodnar, Blockchain Associates INTERNET OF THINGS Understanding and Managing Risks and the Internet of Things Tyson Macaulay, Chief Product Officer at Infosec Global DATA PROTECTION So You Dodged a Bullet On GDPR, Well Here Comes The Cayman Data Protection Law Iain Kenny, Director, Advisory Services at KPMG WWW.ARMOUREXPO.COM CALL 946 3673 INFO@ARMOUREXPO.COM Amnesty period nets 13-year overstayer BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A total of 14 foreign na- tionals who stayed beyond the period of their legal resi- dence in Cayman – including one who lived here illegally 13½ years – have turned themselves in to immigra- tion authorities during this month’s amnesty period, the Immigration Department an- nounced Wednesday. The amnesty period for certain immigration offenses ends at 3 p.m. Friday. It began on Aug. 1. According to immigration officers, one of the people who turned them- selves in during the month had been in Cayman without permission since 2005. Under the terms of the amnesty, any foreign na- tionals who do not cur- rently have permission to stay in the islands via a work permit, visitors visa or other means, can depart without fear of prosecution. Those who have turned themselves in include 11 adults and three chil- dren. Ten of the overstayers were Jamaican nationals. The other four were from India, Honduras, South Af- rica and the U.S. “I strongly urge those per- sons who are not compliant with the Immigration Law, to quickly utilize the time they have before being identified and subsequently arrested,” Acting Chief Immigration Of- ficer Bruce Smith said earlier this month. “Those who forego the opportunity and do not depart voluntarily can expect the full weight of the Law to be applied as a consequence.” Not all immigration-re- lated offenses are covered under the immigration am- nesty period. The offenses for which clemency is granted include staying without lawful permission in the is- lands, instances where em- ployers hold work permits for foreigners who have no job, or where employment of a foreign national on a full- term permit occurs where the company no longer has full-time work. Anyone who is in the is- lands illegally is allowed to make an airline reservation and leave before the deadline, immigration officials said. Anyone who is found to be il- legally residing in the islands and who does not surrender voluntarily to immigration officers may still be arrested and prosecuted. The amnesty was sug- gested earlier in the year by Magistrate Valdis Foldats, who presided over a court case where a Jamaican na- tional who had overstayed for six years was sentenced to eight months imprisonment. Crown counsel prose- cuting the matter noted that deportation had been con- sidered, rather than taking on the additional expense of keeping the man in Cayman. Mr. Foldats was con- cerned about the message the court would be sending: “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.” “I think we can all agree there are a number of people who have overstayed and not been caught,” the magis- trate commented later. “There might be an amnesty. People might be encouraged to give themselves up.” The Immigration De- partment reported that 336 people were arrested be- tween July 2016 and No- vember 2017 for the offense of overstaying or assisting another person to overstay. Six nominated for environmental award Six community heroes who have worked to protect and preserve the marine en- vironment have been nomi- nated for the Central Ca- ribbean Marine Institute’s People’s Choice Award. The nominees include Captain Charles Ebanks, a fisherman who removed a “ghost net” that was en- snaring sharks and other marine life from Cayman’s waters; Douglas Cameron Jr. who started on-island plastic recycling through Precious Plastic Cayman; and Lucy Collyer, for her leadership in the sea turtle nest monitoring program. Also nominated are Claire Hughes, who started the education and action group Plastic Free Cayman; Aaron Hunt, for his work on coral nurseries in Grand Cayman; and Derek Haines, for raising money to fund CCMI’s Reefs Go Live education program. CCMI is asking members of the public to help de- cide who will receive the award at the annual Fes- tival of Seas Awards and Gala in November The award aims to recog- nize an individual or group who has a made significant positive impact on the ma- rine environment. “Whether through a project, programme or event, nominees must demonstrate leadership and commitment to bringing about a trans- formative impact on the ocean habitats, especially coral reefs, in the Cayman Islands,” CCMI said in a press release. The winner of the Peo- ple’s Choice Award and other 20th anniversary CCMI conservation awards will be announced at the an- nual gala event on Nov. 3 at Grand Old House. Details of each nomination are on the CCMI website at www.reefresearch.org/ peopleschoice2018 and voting will be open from Sept. 3 to Sept. 9. Bruce Smith The amnesty period for certain immigration offenses ends at 3 p.m. Friday. It began on Aug. 1. The award aims to recognize an individual or group who has made significant positive impact on the marine environment.6 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS RCIPS officer who saved lives, fought for cancer treatment options, dies BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com An award-winning and well-respected Royal Cayman Islands Police officer who helped lead the battle for al- ternate cancer treatment op- tions in the islands has died. Mark Luke passed away Wednesday after a long battle with intestinal cancer. Mr. Luke, a decorated senior constable with the RCIPS Marine Unit, won the deputy governor’s award in May 2013 for his service. The trained rescue swimmer received the award after risking his life jumping off Pedro Bluff in Bodden Town to save two distressed swimmers. He was later cred- ited with saving their lives, but refused to take a finan- cial reward offered by one of the swimmers. “[Mr. Luke] recommended that the [reward] money be sent to the police commis- sioner to be put in a welfare fund,” Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said at the time. “He was a gentleman through and through,” said former Ministry of Home Af- fairs Chief Officer Eric Bush on Thursday. “You could al- ways count on his mild and confident manner in any cir- cumstance, on land or at sea. “He was a great Cayma- nian and a fine police officer. He will be missed.” Police Commissioner Derek Byrne said Mr. Luke served the RCIPS with loyalty and dedication since 1990 and is “fondly remembered” by his colleages and friends. “Mark bravely fought his illness and maintained high spirits until his passing,” Mr. Byrne said Thursday. “Mark has left a vibrant and lasting impression in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. In the days leading to his passing, Mark received a steady stream of visitors from the RCIPS where stories and memo- ries were shared. “The RCIPS in the weeks ahead will hold a commemo- rative celebration in memory of Mark at the Joint Marine Unit Base. The celebration will be a fine and dignified tribute to Mark and his work with the RCIPS.” Mr. Luke’s diagnosis with an incurable form of cancer came in 2015, and by 2016, he was running out of op- tions while undergoing che- motherapy. He told the Cayman Compass in August 2016 his doctor advised him to seek the alternate treat- ment of cannabis oil for the intestinal cancer. “If there is a chance it could help me, then I have to give it a try,” Mr. Luke told the Compass during a 2016 interview. Mr. Luke and Cayman Islands resident Dennie Warren, Jr. led both public and behind-the-scenes lob- bying efforts to convince the government to accept can- nabis oil as a potential treat- ment for cancer. Mr. Warren said he found out Mr. Luke had been diagnosed while in Miami in 2015. “I was in the Miami airport, taking my wife [Lydia, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2015] to hos- pital,” Mr. Warren said. “I ran into [Mark] at the air- port and he told me he had an incident where he had collapsed and was taken to hospital. After that, I started communicating more with him and got to know him better.” Mr. Warren said the news of Mr. Luke’s passing Wednesday was “deeply felt.” “He fought really hard, he wanted to live,” Mr. Warren said. “He was really excited about family and his kids. He would always say how im- portant his kids were to him … he made time for them. He was just a simple guy trying to make a difference in a very challenging world.” Although Mr. Warren’s wife and now Mr. Luke are now gone, the government did pass legislation enabling the prescription of cannabis oil for medical uses in 2016. The treatment remains controversial and there is still no definitive med- ical proof that it works, but Premier Alden McLaughlin said at the time the legisla- tion was introduced that it was worth a try. “Government is persuaded that it is better to favor hope and compassion over fear,” the premier said. Mark Luke, center, receives an award for his work in May 2013, with, from left, civil servants Wesley Howell and Eric Bush, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and former Police Commissioner David Baines. “Mark has left a vibrant and lasting impression in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.” DEREK BYRNE, commissioner of police Appeal court urges rules for processing CCTV evidence Burglary convictions unsafe, Gary Oliver wins release CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com A man convicted of bur- glary on the basis of CCTV evidence won his appeal on Wednesday after the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal found fault with the way a police witness viewed the footage and identified a suspect. In delivering the court’s decision, Justice Sir Richard Field suggested that “urgent consideration” be given to amending the Police Standing Order C4 to include a sec- tion on identification of in- dividuals by police officers viewing CCTV footage. Gary Steven Oliver was identified by a police officer as one of three people en- tering or attempting to enter three commercial premises as burglars in the early hours of Aug. 17, 2015. The officer told a Grand Court jury in September 2017 that Mr. Oliver’s tattoo, build and limp helped him make the identification. He ex- plained that he had known Mr. Oliver for eight years. After the jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of burglary and one attempted burglary, Justice Marva Mc- Donald-Bishop sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment. In her summing up of the case before the jury began deliberating, the judge had noted that there had been no fingerprint evidence, no DNA and no phone records. She described as “critical” the offi- cer’s purported identification of Mr. Oliver, which Crown counsel Eleanor Fargin was relying on to prove the de- fendant’s guilt. Defense attorney Philip Rule challenged the officer’s identification of Mr. Oliver because of the absence of safeguards in the process by which the CCTV was viewed. In appealing the convic- tions this week, Mr. Rule based some of his grounds of appeal on the same absence of safeguards. Justice Field listed the various defects in the pro- cess by which Mr. Oliver had been identified. He referred to the U.K. Police and Crim- inal Evidence Act which, as of February 2017, has an added “Code D” – a code of practice for the identifica- tion of persons by police of- ficers. Cayman does not have such a code, “but basic fair- ness is matter of common law,” he said. Footage of the incidents showed two males and a fe- male, with the males having their facial features cov- ered. The investigating of- ficer asked colleagues to view the footage. Justice Field said the CCTV should have been shown to one person at a time to avoid collusion and so the viewer would not be influenced by anyone else; there should have been a re- cord of what was said at the viewing. The officer did not recall where he had viewed the CCTV and did not make notes at the time, but those facts should have been recorded. Other grounds of appeal were also aired and the court found all three convictions to be unsafe. Ms. Fargin, who replied to Mr. Rule’s arguments, said the Crown would not apply for a retrial. After the jury’s verdicts last year, Justice McDonald- Bishop commended both counsel for their conduct of the case. She said Mr. Rule’s legacy in Cayman could be the attention he had brought to the need for a code for viewing CCTV evidence. Ms. Fargin said the matter would definitely be discussed. The appeal was heard by court president Sir John Goldring and Justice Dennis Morrison along with Justice Field. A Court of Appeals judge has suggested that ‘urgent consideration’ be given to amending Police Standing Orders regarding the identification of individuals by police officers viewing CCTV footage. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 Start with Work-X Where endless career paths begin This summer, thirty-four outstanding students made Dart their choice for professional development. The Minds Inspired Work-X programme provides meaningful work in their field of interest, freedom to venture down paths they may not have considered before, and the opportunity to network with world-class thought leaders. We proudly welcome aspiring talent to our offices each year and match them with possibilities as vast as their potential. mindsinspired.ky8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS 1 (345) 945-4040 | 1 (345) 640-4040 | healthcitycaymanislands.com Cardiac Electrophysiology Services Electrophysiology is a division of cardiology which deals with patients experiencing fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. These are known as cardiac arrhythmias. Health City Cayman Islands offers some of the most sophisticated and advanced cardiac electrophysiology services in the Caribbean. We are one of the few centers in the region offering Cryo Balloon Ablation for atrial fibrillation. Our team of experienced physicians provide the highest level of care, using state-of-the-art technology to find healthcare solutions tailored to individual patient’s requirements. Electrophysiology services include: • Invasive electrophysiology • Ablation of cardiac arrhythmias • Specialised electrophysiology clinics (syncope and pacemaker) • Cryo balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation • Device implantation • Lead extraction • Non-invasive services • Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) devices No time line for cryptocurrency regulations KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com With some US$4.2 billion raised by Cayman-registered blockchain companies, this ju- risdiction has raised more funds from initial coin offer- ings – the crypto version of ini- tial public offerings – than any other places in the world. However, Cayman has no blockchain-specific regulations, which officials say are impor- tant for the territory’s reputa- tion and to legitimize the block- chain industry. Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers said in May that her ministry began considering recommendations created by a Cayman Islands Monetary Authority working group, but Francis Arana, the head of the Attorney General’s Chambers’ anti-money laundering unit, said on Wednesday that there is no time line for when anything might be implemented. “I am not certain, but these things do take a lot of time,” Mr. Arana said at a confer- ence on anti-money laundering practices for cryptocurrencies, which was organized by FTS, a financial services consulting firm. “I don’t foresee anything this year. If I were to hazard a guess, it would be early next year when you see proposals being circulated.” The lack of digital-asset leg- islation here is not necessarily because Cayman is dragging its feet, but because there are not any internationally acceptable standards for such a new tech- nology, according to Mr. Arana. “The international commu- nity is just starting to discuss this,” he said. “Do you want to jump the gun?” Cryptocurrency regulations will be a major topic at the up- coming Caribbean Financial Ac- tion Task Force (CFATF) meeting in October, but CFATF Execu- tive Director Dawne Spicer cau- tioned that it’s unlikely that anything definitive will come out of the meeting. Ms. Spicer said that the CFATF has not determined exactly what they should be aiming to regulate. “Actually, there’s not any consensus on what the name should be,” she said. “The initial thinking is that ‘cryptocurren- cies’ is too specific, and virtual currencies is what has been used before. And maybe ‘crypto assets’ is good because ‘crypto assets’ is for the value of any type of asset.” In the meantime, block- chain companies looking to conduct initial coin offer- ings should adhere to due-dil- igence guidelines that dictate other areas of Cayman’s fi- nancial services industry, Ms. Spicer recommended. For example, an audi- ence member at the FTS con- ference expressed concern that having to conduct know- your-client checks on every in- vestor would hamper initial coin offerings, which often at- tract tens of thousands of cus- tomers. Making timely coin purchases is especially impor- tant for investors given the vol- atility of the crypto market, the attendee said. In response, Ms. Spicer said it would be wise to follow the general guidelines of identi- fying the “significant” holders of an initial coin offering. From left, RiskPass AML+Compliance Ltd. co-founder Peter McKiernan, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Executive Director Dawne Spicer, and Attorney General’s Chambers Anti-Money Laundering Unit head Francis Arana discuss regulatory issues in the cryptocurrency industry. - PHOTO: KEN SILVA CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Okeno Nicholas Sol- omon, 25, was sentenced on Thursday to 20 and a half years in prison for three sets of offenses that began with burglary, escalated to bur- glary and indecent assault, and ended with aggravated burglary, theft and rape. Justice Marlene Carter said the court had to act to ensure that Mr. Solomon was not allowed to act beyond this level of offending. “Pro- tection of the public, and es- pecially women, must be at the forefront of this court’s mind,” she said. Mr. Solomon had received a suspended sentence in 2014 for three residential bur- glaries and handling stolen goods. During that two-year period of suspension, he committed another residen- tial burglary and indecent as- sault of the female who was home at the time. While on bail awaiting sentence for those offenses, armed with a weapon, he en- tered a woman’s residence, raped her more than once, and stole her motor vehicle when he left. Justice Carter agreed that Mr. Solomon’s guilty pleas to the last set of offenses had saved the victim from the distress of having to give ev- idence and be cross-exam- ined. She also noted that his DNA was recovered from a condom left at the scene. The judge quoted from a case in another jurisdiction, where the sentencing judge said that, short of homicide, rape is the ultimate violation, an indignity against a person that cannot ever be fully righted “and that diminishes all humanity.” For the suspended sen- tence, she imposed two years’ imprisonment. For the bur- glary and indecent assault, she imposed seven years, with the two years running concurrently. She noted that the max- imum sentence for rape and aggravated burglary is life imprisonment. She set the sentence at 18 years, but gave 25 per cent discount for the guilty pleas. The final sentence for this set of of- fenses was therefore 13 and a half years. This term was made con- secutive to the seven years, for a total of 20.5 years. The judge urged Mr. Sol- omon to take advantage of rehabilitation programs while in custody. Crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson asked for and re- ceived a sexual harm preven- tion order with respect to the two women. The order will be for five years and take effect the day Mr. Solomon is re- leased from prison. RAPIST JAILED FOR 20.5 YEARSThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018 In Remembrance of Berkley L. Kelly On his Birthday September 1st My husband, as I remember you, silently I shed many tears; although I know you will not want me to grieve for long, it’s difficult to face life without your support. Berkley, you were the love of my life and you will always live in my memory as a loving husband, committed father, stable and firm foundation in our family. With our love Daddy, granddad & great-granddad. Our lives go on without our Daddy but nothing is the same. Today as we reflect, daddy’s life was one of hard work, endurance, determination and no desire for praises or to boast about accomplishments. He was a dedicated, hard working man whose entire family came first but he eagerly helped anyone else that needed it. As we think of you we feel the sorrow but Daddy, we thank God for you and all you did to make our lives easier. You are priceless and we will respect you as you live on in our hearts forever. Greatly missed by your loving wife: Tweetsie Children: Dave, Dalvin, Derry, Darney, Donverd, Doey, Darnol Kelly and Ellen Kelly Vernon, daughters-in-law, son–in-law and all grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandson. The family of the Late Donna A.R. Sherwood regrets to announce her passing on Friday, 17 August, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, 2 September 2018 at Savannah Seventh Day Adventist Church. Viewing will be from 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Prospect Cemetery. The family of the Late Ena Glenis Welds regrets to announce her passing on Friday, 24 August, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, 1 September 2018 at John Gray Memorial Church, West Bay. Interment will follow in West Bay Cemetery. Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. John Alfredo Miller Snr, who passed away on Tuesday August 21, 2018. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Webster Memorial United Church, 261 Bodden Town Road, Bodden Town on Saturday September 01, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Viewing will be from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Interment follows at Bodden Town Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at: www.churchillsfuneralhome.com e have been asked to announce the passing of “It is ridiculous that a country which had been flattened by natural di- saster shouldn’t qualify for aid as the day before it was doing quite well. While we lobby to change those rules, we will not let them deter what we consider to be the right thing to do. I believe that is what British tax- payers would wish.” Britain’s commitment to abide by OECD rules and spend 0.7 percent of gross national income on aid was enshrined in U.K. law by the government of former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015. The Telegraph reports that the British government is prepared to change that law if the OECD does not agree to alter its rules. The current rules for offi- cial development assistance, set by the OECD, prohibit the use of such funding to sup- port countries above a cer- tain gross national income. Several British politicians claimed last year that its sup- port to hurricane-hit territo- ries in the Caribbean could have been higher if it had not been restricted in this way. The OECD seeks to ring- fence development funding to fight poverty in devel- oping countries. Ms. Mourdant’s com- ments have attracted con- cern that the U.K.’s actions could set a precedent that impacts funding to devel- oping countries. Julie Seghers, OECD ad- vocacy adviser at Oxfam In- ternational, told global de- velopment website Devex that the international com- munity needs “collective aid rules – of which the OECD- DAC has been a custodian for over 50 years – to ensure aid is being spent well, and is ef- fectively stamping out pov- erty and inequality in devel- oping countries.” “Without a recognized agreement on what can count as aid, the 0.7 percent commitment is a meaning- less promise. If individual donors start walking away from DAC [Development As- sistance Committee] rules, we worry this could lead to a chain reaction of countries self-defining their own aid rules,” she said. requires financial and sub- stantial interest disclosures from elected lawmakers, se- nior civil servants and some appointed board members. The Procurement Law, 2016, is now in force but the over- sight body is sought to create for public tendering has never been established. The Public Authorities Law – gov- erning the management of government’s outside author- ities and companies – took ef- fect June 1, but according to Mr. Miller, it has simply not been followed in some cases. The Cayman Compass contacted Acting Governor Franz Manderson and Pre- mier Alden McLaughlin for comments in response to Mr. Miller’s statements Thursday, but had received no response by press time. The opposition leader said the failure to comply with those three pieces of legisla- tion – the Procurement Law in particular – has left the airport and cruise berthing projects “staggering under the weight of mismanage- ment and non-compliance.” For instance, in the man- agement of the bidding for the cruise berthing project in George Town harbor, Mr. Miller said the Cayman Is- lands Port Authority Board of Directors should have as- sumed a leadership role, but had actually been “sidelined.” Government ministers and their chief officers in the civil service, who should be providing oversight “checks and balances” have effec- tively voided that role, if it is the case that ministers or chief officers themselves are awarding contracts for the cruise dock works. Mr. Miller said similar problems arose in the re- cent agreement for the man- agement of the George Town landfill, where the original three separate bidders were allowed to join together in negotiation of the final deal. “The upshot is the bid- ders are holding the handle, depriving government of the opportunity to select bid- ders based on assessments of competitive pricing – which may mean higher costs to the people,” he said. “We can ex- pect some dire consequences going into the future.” In a presentation to the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce governing council Aug. 8, Tourism Min- ister Moses Kirkconnell ad- dressed some of the bidding processes involved with the cruise pier proposal. During 2017, the number of bid- ders went from 11 to five to a shortlisted three as parties seeking the construction con- tract for the cruise ship pier were winnowed down. Ministry Chief Of- ficer Stran Bodden told the Chamber Council that the final contract should be awarded at the end of 2018. The deal is to include pier design, build, financing and maintenance. Construction is expected to take between three to four years and would include the building of two piers, accommodating four ships along with a redevel- oped cargo dock. Mr. Kirkconnell said Cayman needed both the cruise piers and the ex- panded cargo port. He said he did not believe the cruise pier construction would become a long-term li- ability for the British Over- seas Territory. “All of our efforts are directed at ensuring the berthing facility is owned by the people of the Cayman Is- lands in 25 years – not 50 or 99 as had previously been proposed,” Mr. Kirkconnell said, according to a Chamber press release. few months and unveil its plan for activation in 2019. The advisory board’s members include Kate Aultman, director of re- search for the School of Health Professions at The University of Texas Health, San Antonio; Ro- berto Barrera, the lead of the Entomology and Ecology Team at the Dengue Branch of the U.S. Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention; J. Lyell Clarke III, president of Clarke, a global envi- ronmental products and services company; Ary Faraji, executive director of the Salt Lake City Mos- quito Abatement District in Utah; Dr. Valeska Stem- pliuk, an adviser in health surveillance prevention and control for the Pan American Health Organ- isation; Dr. Samuel Wil- liams-Rodriguez, chief medical officer for the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority; Wil Pineau, chief executive officer of the Cayman Is- lands Chamber of Com- merce; and Joel Victo- rine from the Department of Environmental Health in Cayman. MRCU also plans on enlisting the support of the community to re- move sources of standing water in residential areas and around other build- ings islandwide. The government has allocated $800,000 to de- velop its new eradication plan, but Mr. Seymour and Ms. Ahearn did not imme- diately return a request for comment about how the money will be spent. The government an- nounced a project to test the effectiveness of geneti- cally modified mosquitoes in combination with tra- ditional control methods in May. That project, which cost $588,000, is still ongoing, and it ex- ists independently of the new advisory board cre- ated by the MRCU. Dr. Renaud Lacroix, a Cayman representative for Oxitec, said Thursday that the May project is slated to last 10 months. Oxitec, Dr. Lacroix said, is not involved in the new advisory board. “We’ll be involved at the right stage,” said Dr. Lacroix of the company that produces the ge- netically modified mos- quitoes. “Right now, it’s more of a think tank. The MRCU is weighing its options.” Cayman seeks new plan to combat mosquitoes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The board will meet for the next few months and unveil its plan for activation in 2019. Miller: Government faking integrity legislation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Leader of the Opposition Ezzard Miller “We can expect some dire consequences going into the future.” EZZARD MILLER, opposition leader UK to flout OECD to aid storm-hit territories CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 This photo from Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, shows boats washed ashore in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. - PHOTO: JALON MANSON SHORTTE VIA APNext >