ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 High of 89 Low of 78 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 ‘AFTER IVAN’: REFLECTIONS ON AN ANNIVERSARY SPORT | PAGE 17 CAYMAN LOSES TO REGGAE BOYZ IN CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIER 187840_PRINT-Ad-Strip-Compass-FiPage 1 8/31/18 7:08:06 PM Threats of physical violence erupt at contentious OfReg board meeting JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com OfReg chair Linford Pierson threatened to “box” his deputy during a heated board meeting after it was suggested Mr. Pierson may have broken the Anti-Corruption Law, according to minutes of the utilities regu- lator’s board. Minutes of a special board meeting held in August describe a fiery verbal dispute between Mr. Pierson and deputy chairman Ronnie Dunn, in which both men threatened to strike each other. At one point, the minutes indicate, Mr. Dunn left the meeting, claiming he was going to call the Anti-Corruption Commis- sion to report the chairman’s behavior. The documents, from three special meet- ings of the board of directors of the Utility Regulation and Competition Office, known as OfReg, were uploaded to the web- site Cayman Marl Road over the weekend. People present at the meetings in August, including Mr. Pierson himself, confirmed to the Cayman Compass that the draft min- utes, which are unsigned, are genuine, though some aspects of what they describe are dis- puted. Mr. Pierson acknowledged that he had a heated verbal disagreement with his deputy Mr. Dunn, though he claimed the de- scription of this in the minutes contained some “hyperbole.” He said he had taken extreme offense to a remark by Mr. Dunn that he may have breached the Anti-Corruption Law by at- tempting to secure a commitment from board members to support his appointment as acting CEO of the organization. Mr. Pierson says he did not break any law and has obtained written legal advice that shows his actions were not in breach of section 15 of the Anti-Corruption Law, as Mr. Dunn had suggested. Speaking to the Compass from his home office on Monday, Mr. Pierson vowed to continue as chair of the board of OfReg – the “super regulator” responsible for over- seeing the telecoms, water, electricity and fuel industries. Some of Cayman’s largest companies fall within its remit, including Flow, Digicel, CUC, Consolidated Water, Sol and Rubis. He said his words were regrettable but he had never intended to strike Mr. Dunn and had reacted angrily to what he con- siders a defamatory allegation. “That is not normal for me. Some words were said in anger and they were retracted and apologies made. We shook hands and we are friends again, as far as I am concerned.” The dispute arose amid OfReg’s at- tempts to find a replacement for its CEO J. Paul Morgan, who completed his con- tract on Aug. 6. The altercation is the latest in a series of controversies involving the organization. The Compass has previously reported that OfReg ran a nearly $1.5 million operating deficit in 2017, its first year of existence, racking up more than $1 million in con- sulting and professional fees, $2.2 million in salaries and benefits for 22 full-time staff members, some $234,000 in travel expenses, $244,000 in legal fees, and $305,000 in “other operating expenses.” According to the leaked board minutes, at the first of three special board meet- ings in August, Mr. Pierson, who as chair of the board is responsible for appointing the new CEO, put himself forward as a candi- date to take on the role on an interim basis for one year. The board chair is a voluntary role which attracts a small stipend, while the CEO, is a paid position which attracts a salary of be- tween $158,400 and $179,196. Minutes of the meeting, on Aug. 16, in- dicate that Mr. Pierson told fellow board members that Cabinet had concerns about the progress of OfReg and wanted to tem- porarily halt the recruitment process for a new CEO. He went on to say he had told the acting minister, Austin Harris, that “he Rainy weather soaks Cayman Three active hurricanes affect Atlantic KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com As the 14th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan arrives, Cayman and its Caribbean neighbors are eying three hurricanes – Flor- ence, Isaac and Helene – that are moving through the Atlantic. In Cayman, a deluge of rains throughout Sunday and Monday sent a reminder to residents that the peak of storm season is under way. The Cayman Islands Na- tional Weather Service estimated that 3.4 inches of rain fell on Grand Cayman over a 24-hour period, starting midday Sunday. Forecaster Allan Ebanks said another inch of rain was ex- pected to fall through the rest of the day Monday. A mid-morning squall led to the Jolly Roger pirate ship slipping its mooring in the George Town harbor and run- ning aground on a sandbank (see page 7). The squall also resulted in some flooding on land and a power outage in Bodden Town. A low-pressure trough, lo- cated west of the islands, began forming over the weekend and brought widespread showers and thunderstorms to much of the northwestern Caribbean Sea. The U.S. National Hurricane PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » Ronnie DunnLinford Pierson PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » A boat attempts to dislodge the Jolly Roger from a sandbank in George Town harbor after the pirate ship broke free from its mooring Monday due to bad weather. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY2 REGIONAL NEWS TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) THE NUN (R) 2:00 I 4:40 I 7:20 I 9:30 VIP REPRISAL (R) 7:30 I 9:45 CRAZY RICH ASIANS (PG13) 1:35 I 4:25 I 7:20 I 9:50 MISSION : IMPOSSIBLE FALLOUT (PG13) 1:45 I 3:50 I 9:30 PEPPERMINT (R) 1:55 VIP I 4:25 I 10:10 CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) 1:25 I 5:00 I 7:00 THE MEG (PG13) 1:40 I 4:20 VIP I 7:15 I 9:40 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA: BIG (PG) 7:00 VIP Visiting Gynecologist will be available for consultation at Novo Clinic, Britcay House 236 Eastern Avenue from 4-26 September, 2018 For appointments please call +1 (345) 746-6082 clinic@novocayman.com Argentines seek soup kitchens, barter markets amid crisis Last defendant in Jamaican lottery scam case going to trial BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A Rhode Island woman accused of fun- neling lottery scam money be- tween the U.S. and Jamaica through her airline job goes on trial in federal court in North Dakota this week. She is the last of 27 defendants in the case that began seven years ago this month. Here’s a look at the case and the upcoming trial of Melinda Bulgin, which is expected to last up to 10 days. The Federal Trade Com- mission estimates that lot- tery scams could be a bil- lion-dollar-a-year industry in Jamaica. This is believed to be the first large-scale Ja- maican lottery scam tried in U.S. courts, and it will create a template for future inves- tigations, Assistant U.S. At- torney Clare Hochhalter said. The U.S. attorney’s office expects many more investiga- tions in both the U.S. and Ja- maica, though Hochhalter be- lieves it will take a combined effort of governments, citi- zens and law officers to put a serious dent in the Jamaican lottery scam industry. Scammers call victims about bogus lottery win- nings, persuading them to send advance fees to receive the purported winnings, then keeping the money without paying anything to the victims. In the scam that launched this case, a woman was told she had won $19 million and a new car, and needed only to pay taxes and fees to col- lect the prizes. In September 2011, 86-year-old Edna Schmeets, of Harvey, North Dakota, paid those “fees” and lost her life savings of more than $300,000. Authorities opened a case in 2012. The probe in- volved the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Organized Crime Drug En- forcement Task Force. Authorities dubbed the case “Operation Hard Copy,” a reference to lists of pro- spective victims’ contact in- formation used by scammers. They say the investigation determined the sophisti- cated scam bilked at least 90 mostly elderly Americans out of more than $5.7 million. Court documents list vic- tims in North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina and Texas, with illegal scam-re- lated activity also alleged in New York, New Hampshire, California and Florida. Prosecutors eventually filed conspiracy, fraud and money laundering charges against 27 people. All have pleaded guilty or been con- victed except Bulgin, of Prov- idence, Rhode Island. Prosecutors say Bulgin worked as a customer ser- vice representative for Delta Air Lines and took advantage of the fact that she was able to travel “virtually free” to funnel money. They call her “not a minor player” in the scam and say she has a past that in- cludes getting expelled from Pace University in New York in 2013 for “untruthful and dishonest behavior” that in- cluded forgery, cheating and unlawfully obtaining federal student loans. Defense at- torney Kevin Chapman says that isn’t relevant. In 2015, Jamaican airport authorities said they found nearly $15,000 in Bulgin’s handbag that she had not de- clared to customs officials. She was arrested three months later in Rhode Island. She was interrogated in both countries. Chapman maintains that the authorities mishandled the interrogations and vio- lated Bulgin’s rights. Bulgin initially faced 66 counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering. Pros- ecutors late last month sought the dismissal of 51 of the counts, saying it would “allow the United States to ef- fectively focus attention and resources.” U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on Tuesday approved the request. He’ll oversee her trial in Bismarck. Prosecutors say they will introduce evidence including money transfer records, bank records and emails, and also have testimony from an FBI special agent who has re- viewed hundreds of thou- sands of emails, documents and other records. Schmeets is on the gov- ernment’s lengthy witness list, as is Lavrick Willocks, who authorities said master- minded the scam. There’s another up- coming court hearing of note – Willocks is to be sen- tenced Oct. 15. Willocks pleaded guilty in July 2017 to conspiracy in a deal with prosecutors. He faces up to 40 years in prison, though prosecutors will recommend about 10 years because he cooperated. Those who have been con- victed in the case have been ordered to pay restitution, but it’s not known how likely it is that will actually happen. Hovland in July also or- dered that cash and jewelry seized from Willocks be liqui- dated and the proceeds doled out to victims. The property includes the equivalent of nearly $12,000 in U.S. currency and jewelry of unknown worth including gold chains, gold rings, gold and silver bracelets including one with a diamond, and Rolex watches. Hochhalter said authorities are making other efforts to locate forfeit- able assets but it’s a challenge. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Men wait outside the metal- grill door of a soup kitchen in a slum, hoping to get a small serving of beef and mashed potatoes. At a barter market on the capital’s outskirts, a woman tries to persuade an- other to exchange for her granddaughters’ tiny shoes. Argentines are struggling in crisis in what was once one of the world’s most pros- perous nations. Consumer prices are soaring, unem- ployment is high and the Ar- gentine peso has plunged, bringing back haunting mem- ories of the country’s eco- nomic meltdown in 2001 that pushed millions into poverty. A growing number of people arrive at the “Happy Kids” soup kitchen in the Villa 1-11-14 shantytown, where servers try to stretch out steaming pots of stew because many more than ex- pected are lining up for food. “The city government gives us money for 440 ra- tions a day, but we’re being forced to prepare smaller portions so that we can cover 600 rations,” said Cintia Garcia, who runs the soup kitchen. A series of events bat- tered the economy. First, a severe drought damaged crop yields in the world’s third-largest exporter of soybean and corn. The sit- uation worsened beginning in the first quarter of 2018 as world oil prices increased and then interest rate rises in the United States led in- vestors to pull dollars out of Argentina. That caused jitters among Argentines, who have stashed away dollars as a cushion since the 2001 economic implosion, and a rush to buy scarcer dollars pushed the peso’s value down. De- spite several interest rate hikes by the Argentine Cen- tral Bank, the peso has lost more than half its value in less than a year. President Mauricio Macri had to seek a $50 billion loan from the International Mone- tary Fund. Last week, he an- nounced a series of austerity measures, including new taxes on exports and the elim- ination of several government ministries. He said he would allocate more economic aid and strengthen food plans for poor Argentines. With unemployment around 9 percent and con- sumer prices surging, some Argentines are again turning to barter clubs, which first emerged during the collapse nearly two decades ago. The tumbling peso has pushed up prices for fuel and, in turn, transportation costs. That has affected food prices in a country where most grains and other goods are transported in trucks. In- flation is expected to reach an annual rate of more than 40 percent this year, the Cen- tral Bank says. The price of beef has also increased in one of the world’s top meat-consuming countries. Nicol Alcocer, a teenager who attends an ed- ucational workshop where the food is distributed in the slum, said that previously she would eat roast every Saturday. “Now it’s every four months,” she said. The rapid fall in the peso brings frequent boosts in the prices charged by ven- dors, leading to anger. Some slum dwellers recalled that when the peso recently fell to 40 to the dollar, they lined up at small local stores but the owners refused to sell to them. The crisis 17 years ago was so bad that one of every five Argentines was out of work and more than half of the population fell into pov- erty. The peso, which had been tied to the dollar, lost about 75 percent of its value. Banks froze deposits and barricaded behind sheet metal as thousands of pro- testers unsuccessfully tried to withdraw savings. More than 20 people died in pro- tests and looting that swept Argentina in December 2001 as Latin America’s third- largest economy unraveled and eventually defaulted on a debt of more than $100 billion. The current economic woes are far from that col- lapse. But analysts say that poverty, which affects about a third of the population, will rise this year, and the economy will take a dive. Those forecasts are far from the promises of Macri. The conservative president took office in 2015 vowing that he would revive Ar- gentina’s weak economy and end poverty. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that lottery scams could be a billion-dollar-a-year industry in Jamaica. People line up for a small meal outside a soup kitchen Thursday at a community center in a shantytown on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. - PHOTO: APThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 Learn about innovations, recent trends, future challenges and emerging technologies from those leading the transition to real alternatives. REGISTER NOW September 13-14, 2018 Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Grand Cayman www.cteccayman.com 2018 Adrian Grenier Actor and UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador NASA Science on a Sphere Maurice Henderson Cayman National Energy Policy Hon. Joseph Hew Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, Cayman Islands Government Waste as a Renewable Resource Angelos Bacopoulos President, Bacopo Environmental Solutions, Inc. CI$500 TICKETS MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE CREA SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Learn about innovations, recent trends, future challenges and emerging technologies from those leading the transition to real alternatives. REGISTER NOW September 13-14, 2018 Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Grand Cayman www.cteccayman.com 2018 Adrian Grenier Actor and UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador Islands together- taking climate action now Ambassador Ronny Jumeau Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations Islands: Hubs for innovation Jerry Barber Inventor and Chairman of the Board Jan Behrendt Ibsø Senior Advisor and Member of the Board, BarberWind Turbines Islands: Our solutions, our strength, our future Dr the Hon. 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Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. “Cayman Islands residents are picking up the pieces as they prepare to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, which left almost every building damaged in Grand Cayman, with some being destroyed. “A survey of the destruction points to it being nothing short of a miracle that there has been no reported loss of life.” So began the lead story of the Caymanian Compass on Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 – the first issue published after Hurricane Ivan brought 160 mph winds and cataclysmic flooding to Grand Cayman, 14 years ago today. For the portion of our population who were not present when the hurricane hit, it is somewhat difficult to express (but nearly impossible to overstate) the impact that Ivan had on the physical landscape and societal fabric of this country. Perhaps the following anecdote can put Ivan’s devas- tation into context: In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, our publishers David and Vicki Legge (who at the time did not yet own the Compass) were in Florida, en route back to Cayman after a short visit to the States. They made it as far as Miami – but no farther. With traditional communications lines out of service in Cayman, in a couple of days Mr. Legge managed to contact then-Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush via one of the country’s few working satellite phones. Being in touch with the organizers of a makeshift relief effort by Cayman residents in the U.S., Mr. Legge asked Mr. Bush a basic question: How can we help? What does Cayman need? Food, water, generators, supplies? Mr. Bush replied: “Everything.” Just as the Western World demarcates time according to a singular event – “Before Christ” and “Anno Domini” – there are two distinct time periods in the modern history of Cayman – “Before Ivan” and “After Ivan.” Now, we are in the midst of our seasonal vigil over the Atlantic Basin, currently frothing with tropical activity, including three hurricanes: Florence (Category 3 and strengthening rapidly), Helene (Category 2) and Isaac (Category 1); as well as an unnamed system that lashed Grand Cayman with rain and wind on Monday, and that has 50 percent odds to develop into a tropical storm within the week. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Florence is projected to slam into the U.S. Eastern Seaboard as a major hurricane on Thursday or Friday, while Helene’s five-day track puts it nearer to Newfound- land than the Caribbean. Of the trio of named storms, only Isaac is forecast to pose a potential threat to Cayman. The Compass will continue monitoring Isaac’s progress with attentiveness and concern. If there is any portent of hope in hurricanes, it is to be found in the resilience of human beings and life in general. Organisms, and their habits, adapt and evolve. Perhaps learning from their less-than-stellar responses to past disasters in British Overseas Territo- ries, including Ivan in Cayman and hurricanes Irma and Maria last year in the Eastern Caribbean, U.K. officials have installed a new satellite communications system in Cayman, to maintain our country’s contact with the outside world when catastrophes occur. Supplied by the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the system at the Government Administration Building has been tested and deemed ready for use immediately. Our publisher distinctly recalls, after Ivan, gazing around at the obliterated foliage, blighted landscapes and dead brown grass … and thinking to himself that Cayman’s flora would never recover. Today, 14 years “After Ivan,” surrounded by lush canopies, vibrant flowers and universal verdure, we can say, of course – of course – Cayman’s plants recovered. And so did the country. ‘After Ivan’: Reflections on an anniversary TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Mississippi election tells an American story “To understand the world, you must understand a place like Mississippi.” – Attributed to William Faulkner OXFORD, Miss. – Time was, there was no other Amer- ican place quite like it. Fifty- six years ago – a long time in adaptable America’s ad- justment of its behavior to its creed – this university town was a few weeks from the U.S. Army’s arrival to assist the matriculation of James Meredith. Today, at a restaurant on Courthouse Square, Democrat Mike Espy is tucking into one of the state’s signature products, farm-raised catfish – as Bill Clinton’s first agriculture secretary, Espy got the Army to serve it to soldiers often – for fuel as he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat. Espy’s maternal grand- father, T.J. – Thomas Jef- ferson – Huddleston, Sr. – was Mississippi’s richest African-American (nursing and funeral homes). In 1986, Huddleston’s grandson be- came the first African-Amer- ican congressman from Mississippi since Recon- struction, winning the first of four elections in the na- tion’s most impoverished district. It was created, in conformity with the 1965 Voting Rights Act, to have a slight African-American majority. Then as now, his axiom was: “You must excite your black voters and not in- cite your white voters.” Today he is 64 and has three major opponents. Re- publican Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi’s former agri- culture and commerce com- missioner, was appointed to the Senate in April when Thad Cochran resigned for health reasons in his sev- enth term. Chris McDaniel, also a Republican, is a fire- breather who recently has been informing voters that Robert E. Lee “opposed both slavery and secession.” Es- py’s initial fear was that Donald Trump would get McDaniel out of the race – “offer him an ambassador- ship” – to make it easier for Hyde-Smith to reach 50 per- cent on Nov. 6. All three will then be on the ballot, with no party la- bels. Polls show Hyde-Smith slightly ahead of Espy, but both under 30 percent and double digits ahead of Mc- Daniel. If neither Espy nor Hyde-Smith wins 50 per- cent of the vote, there will be a run-off three weeks later. Here is the arithmetic Espy is using to try to pry open the wallets of national Demo- cratic donors: Assume that he wins 95 percent of the African-Amer- ican turnout. If that turnout is 33 percent of the total state turnout, as it was in 2016 when Hillary Clinton expended no resources on Mississippi, he needs 28 percent of the remaining vote. If African-American turnout is 35 percent – the African-American portion of the state’s registered elec- torate – he would need 26 percent of the other votes. If African-American turnout mirrors the African-Amer- ican portion of the state’s population (37 percent), he needs to receive 24 percent of the remaining vote. If the African-American turnout is 39 percent of the total, a surge in turnout similar to what occurred in the Ala- bama special Senate elec- tion won by Democrat Doug Jones, Espy will need just 22 percent of the remaining vote. He won 12 percent of the white vote in his first congressional election, 40 percent in his third. Because it has the highest percentage of African-Amer- icans among the 11 formerly Confederate states, Missis- sippi is demographically more favorable for Demo- crats than Alabama (26 per- cent). But Alabama’s African- American electorate is more urban (Birmingham, Mobile) than Mississippi’s and hence easier to mobilize. Mississippi voted slightly less emphatically for Trump (57.9 percent) than did the four contiguous states: Al- abama (62.1), Tennessee (60.7), Arkansas (60.6) and Louisiana (58.1). And these four were less smitten with Trump than were five states outside the Deep South (Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Wyoming). Espy worked with Bill Clinton in the centrist Dem- ocratic Leadership Council, has won the National Rifle Association’s “silver rifle” award, and he supported the 2007 re-election of Re- publican Gov. Haley Barbour after Katrina smashed Mis- sissippi’s Gulf Coast in 2005. Espy resigned as agricul- ture secretary when accused of corruption, but repeatedly refused a special prosecu- tor’s plea deals and was ac- quitted. His son was one of quarterback Eli Manning’s receivers at Ole Miss. Something in this state’s social soil – a rich loam of complexities and tragedies – has nourished writers: Eu- dora Welty, Walker Percy, Shelby Foote, today Jesmyn Ward (“Sing, Unburied, Sing,” “Salvage the Bones”), and of course this town’s William Faulkner, who wrote: “Your illusions are a part of you like your bones and flesh and memory.” The odds are somewhat, but only some- what, against Espy, so the possibility of victory is not an illusion. He is cam- paigning within the param- eters of normal politics, which makes this a satis- fying American as well as local moment. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. © 2018, Washington Post Writers Group The odds are somewhat, but only somewhat, against Espy, so the possibility of victory is not an illusion. GEORGE F. WILL 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 • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 Four men remanded for ganja at sea Police recover 513 pounds 27 miles from Grand Cayman CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Four Jamaican nationals were remanded in cus- tody on Monday after ap- pearing in Summary Court charged in connection with approximately 513 pounds of ganja recovered by police some 27 miles east of Grand Cayman last week. Crown counsel Greg Wal- colm told Magistrate Adam Roberts that police had video footage of the four men “un- loading the boat.” The men were identified as Martin Anthony Trench, 32; Kendale Jerome Strau- mann, 31; Andre Junior Rus- sell, 33; and Basil Anthony Smith, 45. Mr. Trench is from Hanover Parish, while the other three had addresses in Westmoreland. Details of the charge against hem are that, on Sept. 6, on a ship that was not registered in any country or territory, located 27 miles southeast of Grand Cayman, they had a controlled drug in their possession – ap- proximately 513 pounds of ganja – knowing or having reasonable grounds to sus- pect that the drug was in- tended to be imported into the Cayman Islands. Defense attorneys Dennis Brady and Lee Halliday- Davis advised that they were making no application for bail at that time. Mr. Walcolm asked for a mention of the matter again in two weeks. He explained that there was telephone ev- idence that had to be evalu- ated, plus geographic evidence from navigational equipment. A police press release is- sued on Friday indicated that officers of the Air Operations and Joint Marine Units were conducting proactive border patrols when they spotted a vessel acting suspiciously. On approach, officers observed men on board throwing pack- ages overboard. The packages were retrieved and the men taken into custody. The defendants are sched- uled to return to court on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The mag- istrate directed that avail- able evidence be disclosed to the defense attorneys by the end of the week. Bail granted in cocaine case Case not strong without forensic evidence, Crown says CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Ezekiel Carter, 33, ap- peared in Summary Court on Monday, when he was granted bail on a charge of possessing cocaine with in- tent to supply. Mr. Carter was charged after police and customs officers from the Joint Task Force conducted a search at an address off the Es- terley Tibbetts Highway shortly after 6 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 7. The quantity of cocaine involved was 143 grams. Crown counsel Greg Walcolm told Magistrate Adam Roberts that he was not objecting to bail be- cause at this stage there was “not such a strong case.” He indicated that forensic evidence was needed to link Mr. Carter to the cocaine found outside the premises. Given the amount of money found on Mr. Carter, the Crown said forfeiture would be sought at a later stage. The amount of money was not specified, but a po- lice press release issued Friday referred to it as “significant.” Defense attorney Prathna Bodden did not challenge the conditions of bail set by the magistrate. They include residence at a specified address, curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., a cash bond of $5,000 and the wearing of an elec- tronic monitor. Ms. Bodden suggested that the next mention be on Oct. 30 in order for the Crown to ascertain what forensic evidence they had, if any. CRISIS CENTRE TEEN LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN DAY Lounge offers safe space for youth, ages 14-21 The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre’s TAYA Lounge will host an open house Wednesday, Sept. 12, to let the public know more about what ser- vices it offers. TAYA Lounge Coordi- nator Natalie Baldwin said she is looking forward to opening the doors of the center to new and pro- spective youth. “TAYA Lounge, now in our second year, is a welcoming, non-judg- mental, safe space for at- risk young people aged 14-21,” she said. “We offer a safe place for youth that are experi- encing problems at home, such as domestic vio- lence, including physical, sexual, emotional and psy- chological abuse, loss of a family member, substance abuse or any other prob- lems where they might just need someone to talk to,” she added. After-school program The TAYA (teens and young adults) program is an after-school, certifi- cate-based initiative which “aims to give youth the tools to become caring, re- sponsible and produc- tive young adults.” It is open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. The program has been developed in Cayman and uses Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to help teens learn healthy life skills. The TAYA Lounge opened its doors in Feb- ruary last year, offering a place where teenagers and young people could gather after school or college and hang out. Since then, it has more than doubled in size and can currently accom- modate 30 teens. It comprises 10 vol- unteers fully trained in trauma counseling, who teach young people how to incorporate life skills, therapeutic concepts, healthy lifestyle and com- munity involvement to es- tablish positive behaviors for the future. The open house on Wednesday will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Estella’s Place, 2nd Floor, Crown Square, Eastern Avenue. Anyone aged 14-21, par- ents, teachers and families who would like to tour the facility and find out more about the program are wel- come, organizers said. For more information about TAYA Lounge or the open house, contact 321-5129, taya@cicc.ky or visit www.cicc.ky. Employer charged with attempted rape Charges sent to Grand Court CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com An employer charged with attempted rape and indecent assault was granted bail on Monday, with the condition that he have no contact with any employees. The man, 49, appeared in Summary Court, where Crown counsel Greg Wal- colm told Magistrate Adam Roberts that the investiga- tion was ongoing. He said he and defense at- torney Oliver Grimwood had discussed bail conditions for the magistrate to consider. The defendant is charged with attempting to have un- lawful sexual intercourse with a female who did not consent, while he knew or was reckless as to whether she consented. The incident leading to the charge occurred at a residence on Monday, Sept. 3. A charge of inde- cent assault was also made against the man. Mr. Walcolm indicated he would consent to conditional bail as long as there would be no direct or indirect con- tact between the defendant and any employee, and no contact with the complainant or her husband. Mr. Grimwood agreed that a director of the company and another named person would take over the day-to- day running of the business. The magistrate also re- quired the defendant to re- port to the George Town Po- lice Station once per week at a specified time. He com- mitted the charges to Grand Court, where they were scheduled to be mentioned on Friday, Sept. 21. CHARITY OFFERS FINANCIAL HELP FOR KIDS WITH HEART DEFECTS Hart for Hearts is offering financial assistance to fami- lies with children born with congenital heart defects. The organization is the pediatric arm of the Cayman Heart Fund, which raises public awareness and pro- vides financial assistance to families and expenses asso- ciated with urgent pediatric cardiology healthcare. Since 2015, Hart for Hearts has assisted a number of families in Cayman with funds that enable them to pay utility bills, travel or ac- commodation expenses and allow parents to take time off work so they can be with their child and seek guidance from doctors. Funds are raised through donations and various events put on by Hart for Hearts and the Cayman Heart Fund. The first Hart for Hearts Foundation Kidfest fun day fundraiser was held in June at Pedro St. James to honor the late Nolan Evans. The organization was founded by Ben Hart. His son Hugo was born in 2012 with a rare congenital heart defect, which required his family to be based in the United States over three months. Due to his fam- ily’s journey, the cause of bringing awareness to the problems families in Cayman face when their ba- bies are born with a congen- ital heart defect is one that is close to his heart. In an effort to high- light these problems as well as raise funds to as- sist these families, Mr. Hart, along with his wife Char- lotte, created the “Hart for Hearts” initiative. To apply for financial assistance or to find out more, contact the Cayman Heart Fund on 916-6324 or email info@caymanheartfund.com. On approach, officers observed men on board throwing packages overboard. The packages were retrieved and the men taken into custody. The incident leading to the charge occurred at a residence on Monday, Sept. 3. A charge of indecent assault was also made against the man. Ben, Hugo and Charlotte Hart The quantity of cocaine involved was 143 grams.The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or nonprofit organizations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be faxed to 949-2662, brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Rd. or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, SEPT. 11 SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Be a volunteer and join the fun as athlete training begins this week at Truman Bodden Sports Complex 5:30 p.m. for basketball skills, track, bocce and football. Swimming on Wednesdays at the Lions Pool 10-11 a.m. or on Saturdays at the Cayman International School pool, 9:30 a.m. Email soci@candw.ky or call 916-2600 for more information. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12 THE BOOKENDS CLUB: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Books & Books at Camana Bay. Join The Bookends Club as they review their latest pick, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. Come share insights and impressions in open discussion. The Bookends Club gathers on the second Wednesday of every month and new members are always welcome. SATURDAY, SEPT. 15 PRIMARY FOOTBALL: The 2018 CUC Primary Football League and Girls’ Primary Football League season kicks-off with the GPFL Opening Rally at the Annex Field beginning at 9 a.m. All are invited to come and cheer the players. TUESDAY, SEPT. 18 SEAFARERS SOCIAL: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association advises all members that there will be the September Social at 7 p.m. in the Seafarers Hall, 11 Victory Ave. Prospect. Buses will be provided from West Bay Town Hall at 6 p.m. A bus leaves the George Town public library parking area at 7 p.m. stopping at Cayman Compass building and the Airport Foster’s. The bus is blue, marked Bobo $1 Public transport but there is no charge. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19 NATIONAL TRUST AGM: The Annual General Meeting of the members of The National Trust for the Cayman Islands will be held at 6 p.m. upstairs at the George Town Yacht Club, the Barcadere Marina at 606 North Sound Rd. Doors will open from 5:30 p.m. for registration, and drinks and canapes will be served. THURSDAY, SEPT. 20 LOCKED INN: Fundraiser for One Dog at a Time. Assemble a team with up to six players, solve puzzles and obtain clues to escape from your chosen room within 45 minutes – Outbreak, Pirates Cellar, Asylum or Death Row. 6 p.m. $300 per team or $50 per person. Ticket price includes buffet and two complimentary drinks. Teams must be registered and paid for by Sept. 13. Later time slots will be available depending on number of teams. SATURDAY, SEPT. 22 BRAC 5K: Lions Clubs present Brenda Tibbetts- Lund Memorial 5K Walk/ Run 6 a.m. High School to Hospital and back. $10 registration. Contact 928-5800 for more information. THURSDAY, SEPT. 27 PALLIATIVE CARE: The Caribbean Palliative Care Conference, presented by Cayman HospiceCare, takes place 1:30-8 p.m. at the Westin Resort & Spa. No registration fee, but RSVP is required. Email info@caymanhospicecare.ky. Healthcare professionals can earn a total of 4.5 contact hours. SATURDAY, SEPT. 29 CLAY WORKSHOP: Visual Arts Society studio at Pedro St. James. Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee is $150 for members, $175 for non-members. Includes terracotta clay, glazes, firing, use of tools and studio plus light lunch and beverage. Limited space. Register at workshops@ visualartcayman.com. SUNDAY, SEPT. 30 5K FOR RECOVERY: Hope Foundation sponsors this 5K walk/run to raise funds for the residential recovery program. Start at Seven Mile Public Beach. Walk, 6 a.m. Run, 6:30 a.m. Tickets $10 from Brent, 928-9099; or Chris, 938-0095. Prizes include staycations. GENERAL INTEREST CAYMAN ARTISTS INVITED: Artists resident in the Cayman Islands or artists of the Caymanian diaspora are invited to submit photos of work (or work concept drawings/photos), with an accompanying artist’s statement relating the work to the exhibition synopsis for consideration, in electronic format, directed to the attention of the curator at assistantcurator@ nationalgallery.org.ky. Deadline for submission is Monday, Nov. 26 2018 at 5 p.m. For more information contact public.engagement@ nationalgallery.org.ky. SEAFARERS HALL: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association wishes to inform the community that the hall is now available for rental every day of the week, including Saturdays, as the church is no longer contracted with us at 11 Victory Ave. Prospect. LOCAL HARVEST MARKET: Wednesdays and Saturdays at Camana Bay. A produce-only market featuring local farmers. Located in Heliconia Court (the new courtyard next to the building containing Scotiabank). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. U.K. SCHOLARSHIPS: The Chevening Secretariat is accepting applications for U.K. Government scholarships to study in the U.K. in 2019/2020. Applications for Chevening Scholarships are open until Nov. 6, 2018, with applications to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply. Visit www.chevening.org/ apply/guidance for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications. Contact Gill Skinner on 244-2431 or gillian.skinner@fco.gov.uk. NEW THRIFT SHOP: One Dog At A Time has launched its “New To You” Thrift Shop. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the summer. The shop is at Unit 26 at the warehouses on Bodden Road, which runs down the side of Kirk Home Store to the old screen print place. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 68 Mary St. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. Email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards etc. in good condition always needed. COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8 p.m., West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. ART OPEN CANVAS: At KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay, Wednesdays 7-11 p.m. Artists of all levels are welcome to come and enjoy painting and socializing with other artists. Includes use of easels, lights, space, beverage ticket. No fee. For more information, contact info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY: Adult Open Studio available to those who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere. Wednesdays for adults, 9 a.m. till noon. Thursdays Adults and Youth, 10 a.m. till noon. Watler House Art Studio, Pedro St. James. Fee is $5/$15 or Ceramics. $15 pp/$25 pp non-members. Includes use of studio, glazes, and ceramic tools. Clay available $30 per bag/fee for kiln usage. To register, call 546-9422 or email info@visualartcayman.com. CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. Call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Tuesdays, 7:15 p.m. For details, contact Vanessa Gilman at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at ADACI’s office, 4th floor, Cardinall Plaza, 30 Cardinall Ave., George Town. All are invited to attend. Call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. GRAND CAYMAN TOASTMASTERS: Club meets each Thursday 6-7:15 p.m. on 3rd Floor, George Town Public Library. Visitors and guests welcome. The local contact is George R. Ebanks, 322-9369 or Grand Cayman Toastmasters club on Facebook. Email info@ toastmastersclub2686.org. ROTARACT BLUE OF CAYMAN: Meets Wednesdays 6 p.m., at Royal Palms Beach Club, West Bay Road. Contact rotaractblue@gmail.com or www.rotaractblue.org. LEO CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 6:30 p.m. at the Lions Community Centre. For more information, contact Secretary Letisha Allen at 924-2819. THE LIONS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets every first and third Thursday 7:30 p.m. at the Lions Community Centre. Email lionsclubgcm@hotmail.com. THE LIONS CLUB OF TROPICAL GARDENS: Meet every first and third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Elizabethan Square (corner unit). Members of the public are invited to attend. ROTARY CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN SUNRISE: Service club meetings 7 a.m. every Wednesday at George Town Yacht Club, 612 North Sound Road. Visit www.rotarysunrise.ky or contact info@rotarysunrise.ky. KIWANIS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 12:30 p.m., at The Wharf Restaurant. Projects include promoting well- being of children in the community and schools. Email president@kiwanis.ky or view www.kiwanis.ky. OPTIMIST CLUB: Meets first and third Thursdays at the Hibiscus Conference Room, Cayman Islands Hospital at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at www.optimistcayman.com. PARENT AND TODDLER PLAY GROUP: For children from 2 weeks to 4 years. Meets Mondays 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the South Sound Community Centre. Children must be accompanied by parent or helper. Toys, activities, light refreshments provided. $6 per session per family. Email sspg@foxwood.ky. HEARTS THROUGH HANDS: Meets Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to noon at The Family Life Centre, Room 10, Academy Way. Women make crafts for charity and missions. Call 946–3067 or 947–1863. THE WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE: Breast-feeding Clinics every Thursday 10 a.m. to noon in the Women’s Health Centre. Phone 244–2649. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. Sir John A. Cumber’s Under 11 team, in red and white, take on Red Bay Primary in a Primary League match last year. The new season kicks off this coming weekend.The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 Center placed the system on a slow northwestward trajec- tory toward the Yucatan Penin- sula and advised residents of the Gulf Coast to monitor the progress of the storm. The system was forecast at a 50 percent chance of cyclone formation over the next five days, as it moves away from the Cayman Islands and to- ward Texas and Louisiana. “Upper-level winds are forecast to become more con- ducive for development on Wednesday when the system moves over the southern Gulf of Mexico, and a trop- ical depression could form on Thursday or Friday while the disturbance moves across the western Gulf of Mexico,” according to an up- date from the National Hur- ricane Center said Monday. “Regardless of development, heavy rainfall and gusty winds are likely over western Cuba through Tuesday.” The rains brought dis- ruptions across Grand Cayman on Monday. Shortly after noon, the Bodden Town Police Station reported a power outage, af- fecting phone service, due to a lightning storm. More than 1,000 CUC cus- tomers in Bodden Town also were affected by the outage. The Cayman Islands Humane Society reported flooding around midday, forcing the shelter to seek emergency accommodation for more than 50 animals. One Humane Society worker said the situation was urgent and that flooding had affected much of the facility on North Sound Road, in- cluding the cat room. Shelter workers advised the public to contact them by cellphone at 326-1461, in case of a dis- ruption in landline service. Although the Na- tional Weather Service ex- pected the low-pressure trough to move on from Cayman by Tuesday, fore- casters were keeping their eyes on several other trop- ical systems, in particular, Hurricane Isaac. Of the three active hur- ricanes in Atlantic waters Monday, Isaac showed the greatest likelihood of im- pacting the Caribbean. Hurricane Florence was expected to make landfall between North and South Carolina as a major hurri- cane sometime Thursday or Friday. Residents along the U.S. East Coast began pre- paring for the worst. “Florence could slow or stall on or near shore, scooping up massive amounts of seawater. Some forecasting models show it could unload a foot or two of rain in places, causing dev- astating inland flooding,” according to the As- sociated Press. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene was expected to curve back east into the At- lantic and did not pose an immediate threat to land. Mapping of Isaac, how- ever, showed the storm landing as a Category 1 hur- ricane in the Lesser Antilles, where local media in Dom- inica, Martinique and St. Lucia were already encour- aging residents to prepare, although no storm warn- ings had been issued as of Monday afternoon. “A westward motion with a slight increase in forward speed is expected through the end of the week. On the forecast track, Isaac should move across the Lesser Antilles and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday,” the National Hur- ricane Center said. Maximum sustained winds as of Monday after- noon were near 75 miles per hour with higher gusts. Once Isaac reaches the Lesser Antilles, it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Rainy weather soaks Cayman would accept an appoint- ment as CEO if the Board so voted.” He then indicated that he would resign his chair- manship of the board imme- diately prior to his appoint- ment as interim CEO, the minutes state. At that point, the minutes suggest general support for this but indicate “some ques- tions arose over process.” At the next meeting, the issue flared up again, when Mr. Dunn, the deputy chair, questioned whether Mr. Pierson had breached the Anti- Corruption Law by seeking support for his appointment as CEO before agreeing to re- sign from the board. According to the minutes, Mr. Dunn recounted his recol- lection of the earlier meeting, saying that the chair had sug- gested he would resign the chairmanship of the board if he was appointed as CEO for at least one year. He suggested this may be a breach of Section 15 of the Anti-Corruption Law, which prohibits negotiation over an appointment or resignation from public office in expecta- tion of a reward. Mr. Pierson, in an interview with the Compass Monday, ac- knowledged he had offered to resign as chair in order to take on the acting CEO role as an interim measure. He said he had been un- willing to give up his post as chair without some confir- mation that he would be ap- pointed CEO. He described this as a normal employment position where anyone in the frame for a new job would be unlikely to step down from the old position without assur- ances of getting the new post. He said he had obtained legal advice that this was not a breach of the Anti-Corruption Law, and his resignation from the board was actually a legal requirement for him to take on the CEO’s job. He added that he had since removed himself from con- sideration for the CEO’s role and intended to continue as chair of the board of directors. Gregg Anderson and Duke Munroe have since been ap- pointed joint acting CEOs. Mr. Pierson also indicated he is no longer part of the re- cruitment committee to ap- point a new permanent CEO. The minutes suggest that the questions raised by Mr. Dunn resulted in an angry confrontation be- tween the two men. “The chair replied that RD (Ronnie Dunn) was impugning his reputation and could be sued and threatened to box RD in the head. RD threatened to return the punch. The chair indicated that RD would not be able to return the punch as RD would be knocked out ….” Mr. Pierson told the Compass that while an exchange sim- ilar to this had occurred, he had not said Mr. Dunn would be knocked out. The minutes further indi- cate that Mr. Pierson threat- ened to have Mr. Dunn re- moved from the board and that other board members stepped in and “appealed for calm.” As the dispute con- tinued, the minutes indicate Mr. Dunn stated he must leave the meeting to “make tele- phone calls to the [corruption] commission.” There is no sug- gestion that Mr. Dunn actually did call the commission. The minutes for a third special meeting on Aug. 23 indicate that Mr. Pierson did apologize and his apology was accepted. Those minutes also indicate that the board ap- proved some amendments to the minutes from the earlier meetings. Mr. Pierson told the Compass he believed the issue was now dealt with. “I think it is all a total mis- understanding. It is going to be my pleasure to continue working with them. There is much to be done at OfReg and I look forward to us accom- plishing our goals together.” Jolly Roger pirate ship runs aground JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman’s pirate-themed ship, the Jolly Roger, broke free from its mooring during heavy rains and rough seas on Monday. It ran aground on a sand- bank near shore. The ship had been moored off North Church Street at the George Town waterfront. No pilot, crew or pas- sengers were on board at the time and no injuries were reported. Roylee Moore, acting security manager at the George Town port, con- firmed the Jolly Roger had run aground on a hard sand area near Burger King around noon. “When that big rain squall came through on Monday, the ship’s mooring line broke and the wind blew the ship inshore,” Mr. Moore said. Two mini tug boats from West Indian Marine were working to pull the ship off the sandy hard bottom before the low tide came in Monday, ac- cording to Mr. Moore. He said 911 and the De- partment of Environment had both been notified. No other boats were re- portedly affected. “If we are expecting bad weather, the port will send out notification to vessels in the harbor that are on a mooring, [but] in a case like this, it only lasted about 20 minutes and that was it,” Mr. Moore said. The Jolly Roger is a two-thirds size replica of Christopher Columbus’ 17th century galleon Nina. The ship typically plays a role in the annual Pirates Week festival’s Pirates Landing every November. The Cayman pirate ship was anchored off North Church Street when it slipped from the lines securing the vessel. Threats of physical violence erupt at contentious OfReg board meeting CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Of the three active hurricanes in Atlantic waters Monday, Isaac showed the greatest likelihood of impacting the Caribbean. U.S. RECALLS DIPLOMATS OVER TAIWAN RELATIONS WASHINGTON (AP) – The United States has recalled its envoys to the Domin- ican Republic, El Salvador and Panama after decisions by those nations to cut ties with Taiwan in favor of dip- lomatic relations with China. The State Department says it has called back Am- bassador to the Dominican Republic Robin Bernstein, Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes, and Charge d’Affaires in Panama Rox- anne Cabral “to discuss ways in which the United States can support strong, independent, democratic institutions and economies throughout Central America and the Caribbean.” While the United States formally recognizes only China, it remains a close Taiwanese ally and main- tains a de facto embassy in the island’s capital, Taipei. Taiwan is now left with just 17 diplomatic allies as China ratchets up pressure on the island’s government to endorse Beijing’s “one- China” principle. WHITE HOUSE ENSNARED IN VENEZUELA DEBATE WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration says its preference for the peaceful, orderly return to democracy in Venezuela re- mains “unchanged.” White House National Se- curity Council spokesman Garrett Marquis com- mented Sunday following a New York Times report that Trump administration offi- cials have met secretly in the past year with Venezuelan military rebels to discuss their plans to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. The report cited unnamed American officials and a former Venezuelan military commander who took part in the talks, and says the U.S. officials ultimately decided against helping the plotters. Marquis says a lasting so- lution in Venezuela can only be realized following the “restoration of governance by democratic practices, the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms.”The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS UK inquest begins into bridge, Parliament attack England’s chief coroner has begun an inquest into the deaths of five people who died last year in an extremist attack on Britain’s Parliament, saying it was ‘82 seconds of high and terrible drama.’ The inquest is expected to determine the cause of death for each victim. North Korea wraps up 70th anniversary with mass rally On front line of trade, EU ports fear overnight Brexit chaos ZEEBRUGGE, Belgium (AP) – With arms flailing and raised voices, a shipping manager and a customs chief in the Belgian port of Zeebrugge talk through all the things that could go wrong if the Brexit talks fail. Trucks backed up for miles on the highway. Car manufac- turing plants idled as deliv- eries are delayed. Mountains of paperwork paralyzing small companies that cannot afford teams of lawyers. Not since the 1970s have port towns like this had to deal with customs in their massive trade with Britain, and that could change on Brexit day on March 30, 2019. Britain and the European Union are struggling to agree on the terms of business after that date, raising the chances of a sudden return of tar- iffs and border controls. And while Brexit has not so far been a big concern for many people in continental Europe, the prospect of there being no deal is starting to un- nerve companies and author- ities – particularly in places like ports that operate on the front lines of global trade. “It is scary,” says Marc Adriansens, the managing director of the ICO car ship- ping company. “Now, all com- panies around here and on the continent, they start to be worried. And they say: ‘OK, it could be serious.’” Kristian Vanderwaeren, the administrator-general of Belgian customs, says this will cost companies a lot to prepare for. “It’s a huge, huge problem,” he says. Ominous warnings of what would happen if trade is suddenly disrupted be- tween Britain and the EU have dominated headlines since the campaign before the Brexit vote in June 2016. The aim for both Britain and the EU is to agree on the terms of future trade as well as on two-year transition pe- riod after Brexit day that would give companies and governments more time to adapt to any new rules. The lack of progress is raising the risk of Britain falling out with no agreed terms, a feared situation called vari- ously a “hard,” “no-deal” or “cliff-edge” Brexit. What’s at stake is visible during Vanderwaeren’s check of the port – in the brisk traffic of trucks on the aptly named Britannia dock. Ev- erything from engine parts to orange juice is lined up for transport to Britain, part of the $650 billion in goods and services traded be- tween the continent and the U.K. every year. Ever since the Middle Ages, ships from England have been mooring on the Flemish coast to unload wool and pick up local cloth and other goods from European partners far and wide. Com- merce has grown over time and Zeebrugge is now the port that handles the most cars anywhere in the world, with about 2.8 million rolling through every year – 1 mil- lion of which are to and from Britain. The local authorities are getting ready for the worst of Brexit outcomes to protect that business. Joachim Coens, the CEO of Zeebrugge port, says that if tariffs and customs checks on trade with Britain do in fact return, new digital technologies can be used to smoothen out border con- trols somewhat. Vanderwaeren plans to double the number of cus- toms officers in Zeebrugge by hiring another 140 to check the Belgian border. The IT system has been up- graded, scanning machines for customs checks have been bought and more sniffer dogs will be made available. “We are preparing for a Brexit-proof port,” said Coens. The Republic of Ireland, an EU member country, gets most of its goods transported through U.K. territory and has sought to ensure it is not cut off from the rest of the bloc because of Britain’s exit. It got help from a new ship, formally called the “Celine” but also dubbed “the Brexit Buster,” that will be able to transport goods directly be- tween Dublin and Belgium, bypassing Britain. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was on hand when the ship, which is 767 feet long and has nine decks big enough to carry vehicles, was christened in April. That will not be enough, however, to soften the im- pact of a “hard” Brexit on Zeebrugge, where nearly half of all goods shipped through the port either goes to or comes from Britain. Adriansens says his com- pany handles half of the 1 million cars traded annu- ally with Britain through the port. After the Brexit vote in 2016, sales went down by 15 percent and have not re- covered. He says there could be another 20 percent drop if Brexit happens without a trade deal. “Out of the 500,000, this is 100,000 cars … This is some- thing we don’t like to lose, but we cannot control that,” said Adriansens. Beyond the volume of busi- ness, the speed of transport is also key, not just for perish- able goods like food that can rot if left in containers but also for manufacturing prod- ucts. Modern car plants, for example, do not store many parts on location, meaning their production schedule de- pends entirely on the timely delivery of the parts, often from various countries. PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) – Tens of thousands of North Korean students rallied in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square on Monday night in the final major event of the country’s 70th anniversary, an elaborate celebration that has showcased the nation’s aspirations for economic growth and Korean unity. The rally featured a sea of university and high school students carrying torches that spelled out giant slogans and words when seen from above the square. Leader Kim Jong Un did not attend. This year’s anniver- sary downplayed the mis- siles and nuclear weapons that brought the country to the brink of conflict with the United States just one year ago. It highlighted what has been a series of stunning recent changes for North Korea, beginning with Kim’s announcement on New Year’s Day that he would seek better relations with the South and that the North was willing to participate in the Winter Olympics held in South Korea. He followed that up with an announcement in April that he would stop nuclear tests and long-range mis- sile launches and claimed that, having perfected his nu- clear arsenal, he was ready to pursue talks with Wash- ington on easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. That in turn led to a flurry of summits with Beijing and Seoul and an unprecedented summit with President Donald Trump in Singapore three months ago. Kim’s effort to present a more diplomatic and less-bel- ligerent image was reflected throughout this weekend’s 70th anniversary events. In a sharp contrast to its previous two parades – in April last year and just be- fore the Olympics began in February this year – North Korea refrained from dis- playing its long-range mis- siles at the military parade it held on Sunday. It also revived its iconic mass games after a five- year hiatus with a spectac- ular and decidedly peaceful and forward-looking per- formance. At one point, the show featured giant im- ages of Kim shaking hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at their first summit, in April, in the De- militarized Zone that divides their two countries. The image of the two Ko- rean leaders was met by loud applause and cheers from the audience at the 150,000-seat May Day Stadium. Kim himself has kept pub- licly quiet during the anni- versary. He made no speech at the parade or at the mass games’ opening performance. Senior North Korean of- ficials, meanwhile, have stressed the country’s con- fidence in its ability to both maintain a strong military and build up its domestic economy. They have studi- ously avoided bragging about their nuclear weapons, but at the same time have not referred to any plans for denuclearization. Kim’s moves seem to be paying off. Trump quickly tweeted his satisfaction that no ICBMs were rolled out for the parade, which he called a “big and very positive state- ment from North Korea.” “Thank you To Chairman Kim,” he added. “We will both prove everyone wrong! There is nothing like good di- alogue from two people that like each other!” Last year, Trump and Kim were trading insults and threats and Kim was launching his missiles at a record pace. There has not been a North Korean launch this year, and Kim unilater- ally ordered the destruction of his country’s underground nuclear test site in May. Chinese President Xi Jin- ping, who sent the ruling Communist Party’s third- highest official to attend as his special envoy, is- sued a statement saying he is willing to work with Kim to develop healthy relations and promote regional peace and stability. “I sincerely hope that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will prosper and the people enjoy a happy and healthy life,” Xi said. In a sharp contrast to its previous two parades – in April last year and just before the Olympics began in February this year – North Korea refrained from displaying its long-range missiles at the military parade it held on Sunday. North Korean students take part in a torchlit march held in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of North Korea’s founding day celebrations in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday. - PHOTO: AP The vehicle carrier Glovis Conductor passes through a lock in the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium on Aug. 23. Companies and custom officials at the port are preparing in advance of the March 30, 2019 Brexit date. - PHOTO: AP9 WORLD&REGIONAL CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 Sweden faces uncertainty following close election STOCKHOLM (AP) – Sweden was looking at weeks of un- certainty and complex co- alition talks after the coun- try’s two rival blocs failed to secure a clear governing majority in elections that saw a boost for a far-right party – considered polit- ical pariahs – amid growing discontent with large- scale immigration. The governing center-left bloc had a razor-thin edge over the center-right oppo- sition Alliance, with roughly 40 percent each. However, both have vowed not to work with the Sweden Democrats, an anti- immigrant party with roots in a neo-Nazi movement, that won 17.6 percent in Sunday’s election, up from the 13 percent it gained four years earlier. The party, which has worked to moderate its image in past years and wants the country to leave the European Union, gained votes amid a backlash against the challenges of in- tegrating hundreds of thou- sands of immigrants who arrived in the Scandinavian nation over the past years. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who brought the So- cial Democrats to power in 2014, said he intended to re- main in the job. His party emerged with the greatest share of the vote – 28.4 per- cent as the count neared completion – yet looking at holding fewer parliament seats than four years ago. “I will not exclude any alternative to the (present) government. What I can ex- clude is any direct or indi- rect cooperation with the Sweden Democrats,” Interior Minister Anders Ygeman, a Social Democrat said. “I believe that it must be the largest party in Sweden that forms a government. Historically it has been al- ways been this way in Sweden,” he said. Political horse-trading began to try to form a gov- ernment which could “takes week, months,” Ygeman said, according to Swedish news agency TT. The leader of the Mod- erates party that came in second, Ulf Kristersson, has already called on Lofven to resign and claimed the right to form Sweden’s next government. The center-right, four- party Alliance has said it would meet Monday to discuss how to move for- ward and demand that Lofven, head of the minority, two-party governing co- alition, resign. However, the Sweden Democrats have said they could not be ig- nored in coalition negotia- tions and vowed to use its grown influence. “This party has increased and made the biggest gains. Everything is about us,” its leader Jimmie Akesson said on election night. “I am ready to talk with others.” Final election returns were expected later in the week. The preliminary re- sults made it unlikely any party would secure a ma- jority of 175 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag, Swe- den’s parliament. With the prospect of weeks or months of coali- tion talks before the next government is formed, Swedish tabloid Expressen headlined its front page Monday: “Chaos.” Both the left-leaning bloc led by the Social Democrats and the center-right bloc in which the Moderates is the largest of four parties have said they would refuse to consider the Sweden Demo- crats as a coalition partner. Lofven told his sup- porters the election pre- sented “a situation that all responsible parties must deal with,” adding that “a party with roots in Na- zism” would “never ever offer anything respon- sible, but hatred.” “We have a moral re- sponsibility. We must gather all forces for good. We won’t mourn, we will organize ourselves,” he said. Sweden – home to the Nobel prizes and militarily neutral for the better part of two centuries – has been known for its comparatively open doors to migrants and refugees. Sunday’s general election was the first since Sweden, which a popula- tion of 10 million, took in a record 163,000 refugees in 2015 – the highest per capita of any European country. Turnout in the election was reported at 84.4 percent, up from 83 percent in 2014. Supporters of the Miljöpartiet watch results come in on election night at a restaurant in central Stockholm, Sweden. - PHOTO: AP Case against officer who killed neighbor to go to grand jury DALLAS (AP) – The case against a white Dallas po- lice officer who shot and killed a black neighbor in the neighbor’s home will be pre- sented to a grand jury, which could decide on more serious charges than manslaughter, the district attorney over- seeing the case said Monday. Lawyers for the victim’s family questioned why it took three days for officer Amber Guyger to be charged and why she was so quick to use deadly force in her en- counter with 26-year-old Bo- tham Jean, who lived on a different floor in the same apartment complex. She told authorities she mistook the neighbor’s unit for her own. The officer was arrested Sunday night and booked into jail in neighboring Kaufman County before being released on bond. When asked why Guyger was allowed to surrender somewhere other than Dallas County’s jail, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson said the de- cision was made by the Texas Rangers, who are also investigating. Citing an unidentified law enforcement official with di- rect knowledge of the case, The Dallas Morning News reported that Guyger had just ended a 15-hour shift Thursday when she returned in uniform to the South Side Flats apartment complex. She parked on the fourth floor, in- stead of the third, where she lived, possibly suggesting that she was confused or disoriented. When she put her key in the unlocked apartment door, it opened. Inside, the lights were off. Then she saw a figure in the darkness, ac- cording to the official, who was not authorized to dis- cuss the case publicly. The officer concluded that her apartment was being bur- glarized, drew her weapon and fired twice. When she turned on the lights, she re- alized she was in the wrong unit, the newspaper reported. A spokeswoman for the Texas Rangers did not im- mediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking to confirm the details of newspaper report. Mayor Mike Rawlings also said Monday that Guyger had parked on the wrong floor. The Dallas County med- ical examiner’s office said Jean died of a gunshot wound to the chest. His death was ruled a homicide. Jean’s mother said in- vestigators had not given her family an account of what happened. Allison Jean told a news conference that she asked many ques- tions but was told there are no answers yet. The family hired attorney Benjamin Crump, who is best known for representing the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. Martin was the black 17-year-old who was fatally shot in 2012 by George Zimmerman, a His- panic man who was his Or- lando-area neighborhood’s watch captain. Brown, who was 18, was shot to death in 2014 by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. “Black people in America have been killed by police in some of the most unbeliev- able manners,” Crump said Monday at a news conference, citing “driving while black in our cars” and “walking while black in our neighborhoods.” Now, he said, “we are being killed living while black when we are in our apartments.” The family’s legal team also includes Lee Merritt, who has represented rela- tives of an unarmed black teenager who was shot in the back by a white police officer in June while fleeing a traffic stop near Pittsburgh. On the day after the shooting, Police Chief U. Renee Hall said her depart- ment was seeking man- slaughter charges against Guyger, a four-year veteran of the police force. But Hall said Saturday that the Texas Rangers asked her depart- ment to hold off because they had learned new infor- mation and wanted to inves- tigate further before a war- rant was issued. The district attorney will also have the option of pre- senting more serious charges to the grand jury. Guyger’s blood was drawn at the scene to be tested for alcohol and drugs, Hall said, but authorities have not re- leased results. Allison Jean wondered whether race could have been a factor. Her son grew up in the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia before attending college in Arkansas. “If it was a white man, would it have been dif- ferent? Would she have re- acted differently?” Allison Jean said Friday. Jean was not the first person shot by Guyger. She shot a man named Uvaldo Perez on May 12, 2017, while on duty. According to an affidavit filed against Perez, police were looking for a suspect when Guyger and another of- ficer were called to assist a third officer. Perez got out of a car and became combative with Guyger and another of- ficer. A struggle began and Guyger fired her Taser at Perez, who then wrested it away from her. She then drew her gun and fired, wounding Perez in the abdomen. Sgt. Mike Mata, presi- dent of Dallas’ largest police union, the Dallas Police As- sociation, called Saturday for an “open, transparent and full investigation of the event,” the newspaper reported. He described Jean as an “amazing individual” and said “if the grand jury deems necessary, this officer should have to answer for her ac- tions in a court of law in Dallas County.” Friends and family gath- ered Saturday at the Dallas West Church of Christ to remember Jean, who had worked for accounting firm PwC since graduating in 2016 from Harding Uni- versity, where he often led campus religious services as a student. This Sept. 21, 2017 photo provided by Harding University, shows Botham Jean leading worship at a university reception in Dallas. - PHOTOS: AP Allison Jean, mother of Botham Shem Jean, sings during a prayer vigil for her son at the Dallas West Church of Christ on Saturday.Next >