ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY ORIGINAL CHICKEN FRIES NEW CHICKEN FRIES REMEMBRANCES OF CHRISTMASES PAST Wild fowl, weeping willow and Junkanoo JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Trees cut fresh from the beach and deco- rated with shells. The sweet aromas of turtle or wild fowl cooking in the kitchen caboose. The glow of heavy cakes baking on an open fire. The sights and sounds of a Cayman Christmas have changed dramatically over the decades. From fearsome Junkanoo masks to the gruesome spectacle of draining and butchering the cow for Christmas beef, some of the island’s favorite traditions are being kept alive this festive season. Caymanians harbor many Christmas tra- ditions that have persisted into the present day. One of them was not, however, a shortage of Christmas trees. Long before Cayman Islands residents began importing exotic firs and pines, Cay- manians had their own special wild trees to symbolize the yuletide season. Finding and cutting your own “real” Christmas tree was a tradition everyone looked forward to in every household back in the day. Sometimes it was a willow or casuarina tree, or a rosemary bush – decorated with red ladybug seeds, seashells, stringed pop- corn, silver thatch ornaments, cloth dol- lies, painted sea shells, wooden toys, wild flowers or strips of colored cloth. A few lit candles were placed on the window ledge to illuminate the tree and sur- rounding area. A faint trail of smoke from a smoldering fire pan, lit near the doorway to keep the mosquitoes at bay, gave the tree a smoky look, almost like a light covering of snow. Harvesting the Christmas tree involved work, trekking the beach and getting outside for some good old-fashioned seasonal fun. It was always up to the children to scout out the best-looking tree, which could some- times take hours and a lot of discussion. Either the tree was too skinny, was too big to carry, did not have enough branches or was just too small, as everyone came up with their idea as to what the perfect Christmas tree should look like. Dragging the tree back home through the sand often tore off many of the branches. On the way home, empty paint cans were filled with white sand to plant the tree in and to decorate the yard. Most families did not have much money and store-bought items were scarce. Come Christmas morning, a mix of presents wrapped in brown paper and adorned with colorful thatch string could be found under the tree, containing perhaps sets of playing Jacks, boxes of Cracker Jack with their sur- prise gifts, wooden trucks, stitched dollies, Santa makes a Christmas visit to Cayman in earlier days. Popular fiddle player Radley Gourzong and the Happy Boys band entertain guests at a Town Hall Christmas dance in 1984. - PHOTOS: COMPASS ARCHIVES PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 »2 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Cimboco - A Caribbean Café 94-PASTA (947-2782) Located in the Marquee Plaza Merry Christmas Brunch & Breakfast till 3pm Saturday, Sunday Monday & Bank Holiday Wednesday Merry Christmas caymanfirst.comcaymanfirst.comcaymanfirst.comcaymanfirst.comcaymanfirst.com WISHING YOU ALL THE JOY OF THE SEASON AND HAPPINESS THROUGHOUT 2019! Republic Bank gets acceptances to buy 87 percent of Cayman National shares KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Barbados) Ltd. has received acceptances to buy 87.39 percent of the shares of local bank Cayman National Corporation Ltd., ac- cording to an announcement Thursday on the Cayman Is- lands Stock Exchange. Republic Bank is still only initially acquiring 74.99 per- cent of Cayman National, and will determine how much stock it buys from each shareholder based on a for- mula contained in its offer circular. Based on that for- mula, Republic Bank will buy about 85 percent of the stock from each individual shareholder who accepted the offer – so if a Cayman National stockholder agreed to sell 1,000 shares, the Re- public Bank will actually buy about 850 at this point. The Thursday announce- ment also stated that the Republic Bank has received approval from the Dubai Fi- nancial Services Authority to acquire Cayman National. The acquisition required the approval of Dubai au- thorities because Cayman National has a branch there, Cayman National (Dubai) Ltd. That entity is licensed to ar- range credit or deals in in- vestments, advise on finan- cial products or credit, and carry on authorized finan- cial services with or for re- tail clients. Before Cayman National’s sale to the Republic Bank is finalized, the deal still needs the approvals of the Central Bank of Barbados, the Cen- tral Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, the Cayman Islands government, and the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Cayman National CEO Stuart Dack said at an Oc- tober shareholders meeting that he expected to have de- cisions from all regulators by the end of the year. Republic Bank originally made its offer in September to purchase Cayman National shares for US$6.25 apiece, which was a US$3.25 pre- mium over what the stock was trading at before the potential acquisition was announced. The Republic Bank’s offer to purchase shares is still open through Jan. 4. Republic Bank’s offer was originally scheduled to expire on Oct. 22, but has been ex- tended multiple times as the two parties finalize the sale. Another extension, to Jan. 4, was announced on Thursday. Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Barbados) Ltd. was incorporated in Bar- bados in 1999, and is part of Trinidad-based Republic Fi- nancial Holdings Ltd., which was originally called Colonial Bank when it was formed in 1837, according to the organi- zation’s website. Republic Financial Hold- ings Ltd. has more than $10 billion in assets, owns banks in Guyana, Grenada, Suri- name, St. Lucia and Ghana – as well as having a class B bank in Cayman, Republic Bank (Cayman) Limited – and has more than 4,000 em- ployees in Trinidad alone, its website states. Seniors celebrate Christmas at The Pines JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com There is nothing like cel- ebrating Christmas with the ones you love. Seniors gathered to have fun and fellowship at The Pines Retirement Home on Wednesday as the holiday season kicked off. More than 35 senior cit- izens, in the company of family and friends, en- joyed the Christmas drop- in and music by local musi- cians Cayman Cowboy Dexter Bodden and Roy Bodden. Governor Martyn Roper and his wife Elisabeth also joined the party, conversing with seniors and staff, and sharing stories and laughs. The governor wished a happy Christmas and a very prosperous New Year to everyone and said he was looking forward to having a chat with as many of the se- niors as possible. “We have only been here seven weeks but we’ve had such a wonderfully warm and kind welcome … it re- ally has been special indeed,” Governor Roper said. When young people become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond. Kids who read, SUCCEED It all starts with newspapers The Cayman National Bank headquarters in downtown George Town. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Musicians Dexter Bodden, left, and Roy Bodden provide the entertainment. Elisabeth Roper, the governor’s wife, has a talk with Pines resident Jerry Harper. Olive Miller, 97 has a chat with Governor Martyn Roper. Cayman National CEO Stuart Dack said at an October shareholders meeting that he expected to have decisions from all regulators by the end of the year.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 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. ART DECO OCEANFRONT RESIDENCES INSPIRED BY THE SEA Two to four bedroom residences priced from US $1.8M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 326 1400 fin@fingrandcayman.com Salt water lagoon Cantilevered glass-bottom pool Private beach Use of a centre console boat exclusive to residents Coral reef backyard protected by the FIN Environment Project in partnership with the Guy Harvey Ocean FoundationThe 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. On a per-minute basis, this week’s sitting of the Legis- lative Assembly could be the most impactful gathering of lawmakers in Cayman Islands history. For better or worse. During the one-day meeting, which took place Monday, lawmakers approved three bills intended to appease European Union bureaucrats who are funda- mentally opposed to tax-competitive policies in offshore centers such as Cayman. In order to pass the legislation before an EU-ordered deadline of Dec. 31, 2018, local lawmakers designated the bills – the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Bill, Local Companies (Control) (Amendment) Bill, and Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill – as “emer- gency” legislation, shortening the public deliberation period from 21 days to 12. During the proceedings on the House floor, the sole highlights were Deputy Opposition Leader Alva Suckoo and George Town independent MLA Kenneth Bryan, who raised pointed questions about the contents of the bills, which were filed in response to the EU’s threat to black- list certain countries, including Cayman, unless local laws require companies to demonstrate “substantive economic activity” in the jurisdiction in which they are registered. In response to observations that the legislative process had been rushed and the general public not given an opportunity to participate, Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers claimed the opposite, pointing to months of (closed-door) consultation with (hand-picked) individuals from the financial services sector. In response to observations that the legislation lacked even a definition of “economic substance,” Premier Alden McLaughlin said the “collective opinion of the Opposition has been wholly unhelpful.” If you want to know what the legislation actually does, the message is, wait for government to issue regulations and guidance notes. If you want to know what effect the legislation will have on business, the premier said, “The economic impact of introducing substance requirements in Cayman cannot be determined at this stage …” The seemingly deliberate avoidance of clarity is, to put it neatly, not reassuring. On a more general level, lawmakers’ actions on “economic substance” are part of a troubling pattern for this government, that is, expansion of the public sector and restriction of the private sector. For example, consider the story published on Tues- day’s front page, the day before we led the Compass with the approval of the “economic substance” bills. Tuesday’s story, “UK agrees to new ministry,” concerns the estab- lishment of a “Ministry of International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs,” which will develop “a network of international offices,” starting in Hong Kong. Premier McLaughlin said, “While it is perhaps extraor- dinary for an administration to create a new ministry, these are indeed extraordinary times.” (The new ministry’s initial annual budget is $3 million. As time goes on, expect that number to increase, extraordinarily.) It seems that our government’s response to foreign threats to our offshore economy is the creation of more government and more regulations. Similarities can also be seen in the government’s approach to onshore business, namely through the creation of the “WORC” department, formed amid the realignment of immigration and customs authorities into a “Customs and Border Patrol” agency, as well as the separate creation of a full-fledged “Cayman Coast Guard,” all of which will necessitate significant gov- ernment hiring and increases in government spending (starting with local taxpayers footing 75 percent of the $11 million bill for a new Coast Guard helicopter; the U.K. is chipping in the other 25 percent). The restructuring-in-progress of Cayman’s immigration and employment apparatus is on course to coincide with the coming fallout from the “economic substance” legisla- tion, which could potentially result in offshore businesses’ sudden hiring of hundreds or even thousands of new employees, and/or the exodus of thousands of offshore companies and the concomitant drop in government fees. Everyone’s fond of gift-wrapped packages nestled beneath Christmas trees. But we are concerned that the implications of the legislative “presents” that lawmakers have left the country to consider over the holidays will not be fully revealed until the regulations are fully crafted and ultimately – and we might add, belatedly – made public. Unwrapping government’s ‘Christmas gifts’ FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS Mueller probe could be a disaster — for Democrats WASHINGTON – All of Wash- ington is focused on the po- litical peril President Donald Trump faces from Robert Mueller’s investigation. But the Mueller probe could very well turn out to be a di- saster, not for Trump, but for the Democrats. The special counsel was appointed to investigate whether Trump engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia to win the 2016 pres- idential election. If Mueller finds incontrovertible evi- dence of a criminal con- spiracy between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, then the president will be – and should be – removed from office. But it is also pos- sible that Mueller will not find evidence that Trump con- spired with Russia, and that Mueller or federal prosecu- tors in New York’s Southern District will find evidence for some other charge unrelated to a conspiracy with Russia – such as Trump’s hush-money payments to alleged former mistresses or crimes related to Trump’s family business. That would be a night- mare scenario for Democrats, for three reasons. First, their base would demand that the new Democratic House ma- jority impeach Trump, even if the charges have nothing to do with Russia. The “re- sistance” does not care about Russia; it cares about getting rid of Trump, and any pretext will do. The pressure from the grass roots to impeach the president would be hard, if not impossible, for the new Democratic majority in the House to resist. Second, such an effort to remove Trump from of- fice would fail. Even if House Democrats managed to pass articles of impeach- ment, there is zero chance that two-thirds of the Senate would vote to convict Trump for paying hush money to an adult-film star and a Playboy playmate or for pre-presiden- tial financial improprieties. And Americans – who rightly thought the purpose of the Mueller probe was to find out if Trump committed treason by working with Russia to steal the election – would see Democrats engaged in a pointless effort to remove the president over completely un- related allegations. Third, such a failed im- peachment effort would back- fire on Democrats just as the impeachment of Bill Clinton backfired on Republicans in the 1990s. At the same point in his presidency, after Re- publicans won the House in 1994, Clinton’s approval was stuck in the low 40s – only a few points better than Trump today. But two years later, after House Republicans ap- proved articles of impeach- ment, Clinton’s approval rating soared to 73 percent. Despite incontrovertible evi- dence that Clinton had sexual relations with a White House intern and lied about it under oath, Clinton left office with the highest Gallup approval rating of any president since Harry Truman. If Democrats want to give Trump’s ap- proval a similar boost, there is no better way to do it than to impeach him for some- thing unrelated to a criminal conspiracy with Russia. Impeachment would not only raise Trump’s approval with the very suburban voters Democrats just peeled away from the GOP in the 2018 midterms, but it would also energize his base as never be- fore. Trump’s supporters knew about his affairs and shady business dealings in 2016. They knew about the “Ac- cess Hollywood” tape. They knew he boasted about ogling Miss Universe contestants as they were getting dressed and publicly fat-shamed a Miss Universe winner for gaining weight. They knew about the evidence that students were ripped off by Trump Univer- sity. They knew the allega- tions that he failed to pay workers and contractors. Impeaching him over pre- presidential conduct unre- lated to Russia would be seen by Trump voters as an effort to invalidate their votes. It would be received in Trump country as nothing short of an attempted coup. That could provoke a mas- sive backlash. Just as the Democrats’ campaign to de- stroy Brett Kavanaugh cost them the chance to take back the Senate in 2018, a cam- paign to impeach Trump could very well cost them the chance to take back the presi- dency in 2020. In other words, Demo- crats hoping that the Mueller probe will be Trump’s un- doing could find it is their own undoing instead. Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen. © 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group MARC A. THIESSEN Impeachment would not only raise Trump’s approval with the very suburban voters Democrats just peeled away from the GOP in the 2018 midterms, but it would also energize his base as never before. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 NEW BOSE SOUND BARS & MULTI-ZONE SPEAKERS info@creativetechltd.com www.creativetechltd.com Shops 5-6 Bay Town Plaza 36 West Bay Road 946 8324 TOP GIFTS WIDE ASSORTMENT OF TVS, UP TO 82” IN STOCK HUGE SELECTIONS of Headphones Portable Bluetooth Speakers 1-YEAR MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTIES ON ALL TVS INCLUDING BLUETOOTH & NOISE CANCELLING MODELS TABLETS 8” now $97.30 $139 10” now $160.30 $229 GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE Performance - Value - Aesthetics NAME AMOUNT FOR EVERY LIST COMPLETE SONOS COLLECTION IN STOCK. $ 25 PLAY: 1 OFF Getting to grips with garbage problems JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Garbage collections have been on time and on schedule for the past month after the Department of Environmental Health took action to deal with problems that have plagued it for more than a year. Though a planned scheme to use low-risk prisoners to supplement garbage collec- tion crews has yet to be fully implemented, officials at the DEH say a series of other mea- sures has turned the strug- gling department around. “Collections have been going great,” said Mark Both- well, acting assistant director of the DEH. “We have not fallen be- hind on collections at all in the past month.” He said an influx of tem- porary workers and an im- provement in performance from existing staff was be- hind the change. Richard Simms and Mr. Bothwell were seconded to the department earlier this year amid a series of staffing and equipment problems that had led to garbage piling up by the roadside in some districts after frequent delays in collection. The former director of the department Roydell Carter went on leave last December and later retired. A govern- ment internal audit high- lighted massive overspending on overtime under Mr. Carter. Several legislators have spoken out about the issue, and Health Minister Dwayne Seymour revealed the depart- ment was suffering from sig- nificant absenteeism among staff. He committed additional funds to provide temporary staff through the Christmas period and said prisoners would begin to be used on gar- bage trucks as part of a com- munity rehabilitation program. It is understood that two prisoners are currently as- sisting the DEH on a tempo- rary basis as the department and prison officials discuss the details of an expanded program that could be imple- mented in the new year. Mr. Bothwell said the influx of new staff on temporary con- tracts had made life easier. “The temporary workers are doing an excellent job,” he said, “and we are hoping that in the new year we can keep at least some of them. Some of them are collectors, some are drivers, so we have those extra hands on deck when people are sick.” He said the existing staff performance had also im- proved significantly. While a few people have left the de- partment, he said morale and performance levels were gen- erally much better. “There is less absen- teeism, that is almost down to zero,” he added. “We have been giving them as much support as we can and they have responded well. I have to give them the credit they deserve.” Mr. Bothwell said the fes- tive season put extra strain on DEH manpower and equipment because of addi- tional waste, the bulk collec- tion schedule and the NiCE program. But he believes the department has the resources to keep up its recent improve- ment throughout the season. “We still have a long way to go, but we are getting a lot less complaints than we were in July,” he said. “They have done a really good job in turning things around and giving the public the service they deserve.” He said the public could assist by making sure gar- bage was put out on the right day, in a proper bin bag and in a closed container. He said garbage collectors made 400- 500 stops every morning and the efficiency of their work was impacted when garbage was left haphazardly on the street and ripped open by stray cats and dogs. “The public can help us help them,” he said. “We are trying our best to improve the public service.” As well as normal garbage collections, Department of Environmental Health staff have also been collecting bulk waste from roadsides across the Cayman Islands. MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION FOLLOWING BRAC RAID Police have charged a 57-year-old man, of Cayman Brac, with possession of co- caine and ganja, following his arrest on the sister island on Tuesday. The man was bailed and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9. He was arrested during an intelligence-led, joint op- eration on Cayman Brac by a team of officers from the Joint Task Force, Joint Ma- rine Unit, Air Operations Unit, Tactical Firearms Unit and the Customs Department. During a search at an address in Cayman Brac under the Misuse of Drugs Law, several ounces of sus- pected cocaine and a quan- tity of suspected ganja were recovered. “Collections have been going great. We have not fallen behind on collections at all in the past month.” MARK BOTHWELL, acting assistant director, DEHThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 • CAYMAN COMPASS The family of the Late Cassiebell Fiona Smith Nee Bodden regrets to announce her passing on Sunday, 16 December, 2018. Condolences can be registered at www.boddenfuneralservices.com & Bodden Funeral Service Facebook page A funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, 30 December, 2018 at the Watering Place Holiness Church, Cayman Brac, viewing will be from 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Spot Bay Cemetery. Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Maisie Emalie Ebanks, who passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Elmslie Memorial United Church, 48 Harbour Dr, George Town on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Dixie Cemetery. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com 18. Anne Brenda Dawson 21st Dec 1943 – 16th May 2006 Heaven holds our Mother On this her special day Lord we ask that you Give her a bouquet Of beautif�l fl owers and Wish her happy Bir�hday From all of us and Tell her we miss her ver� much With love always & forever Your children, Grandchildren & g�eat Grandchildren Tell her we miss her ver� muchTell her we miss her ver� much Vistra: Cayman has strong 2018 amidst offshore decline KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com While financial ser- vices business continued to move from offshore juris- dictions to “mid-shore” cen- ters such as Singapore and Hong Kong during 2018, the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands managed to buck that trend, according to an industry survey released by corporate service pro- vider Vistra. The “Vistra 2020 Report” found that Cayman and the BVI moved up in the ranks of how popular various jurisdic- tions are in the financial ser- vices industry. In 2016/17, Cayman and BVI ranked seventh and third, respectively, and in 2018 they moved up to sixth and second, respectively. Other offshore ju- risdictions such as Jersey and Guernsey fell from ninth and 10th, respectively, to 10th and 12th during that same time. Onshore centers U.S. and U.K. ranked third and fourth, respectively, while “mid- shore” jurisdictions – places with offshore traits such as low taxation and onshore traits such as well-staffed fi- nancial centers – Hong Kong and Singapore ranked first and fifth, respectively, in 2018. Vistra determined the rankings by surveying 800 fi- nancial services practitioners around the world. Company formation sta- tistics for Cayman and the BVI support Vistra’s find- ings that those jurisdic- tions increased in popularity this year. For the first three-quar- ters of 2018, the number of Cayman-registered companies increased by about 7 percent from the end of 2017, reaching an all-time high of 106,291 at the end of September. Likewise, new company formations increased by 11.2 percent for the first three- quarters of this year over the previous year in the BVI, ac- cording to Vistra. The BVI ex- perienced the first substan- tial upswing in company formations since before Q2 of 2016, when the territory was rocked by the “Panama Papers” scandal – a series of media reports drawing from leaked documents, al- legedly showing BVI compa- nies being used for money laundering and other il- legal activity. The Vistra 2020 Report attributed the strong per- formance by Cayman and the BVI to their time-tested reputations. “Our view is that these jurisdictions’ popularity re- flects a growing preference for tried-and-tested service at a time of economic un- certainty,” the report states. “Both have earned them- selves a reputation in a spe- cific niche, with growth in the BVI and the Cayman Islands driven by expert capabili- ties in incorporations in the former and fund structuring in the latter. “The two jurisdictions are also established trade routes for Asian businesses, which have seen more significant growth than other regions and – as we have observed in previous reports – still have a relatively strong demand for offshore and are loyal to [in- ternational financial centers] that provide consistently high service.” However, Vistra’s survey also found that Cayman and the BVI are the two jurisdic- tions most likely to be neg- atively impacted by future regulations. “Overall, and notwith- standing the recent strong growth, our respondents con- tinue to predict that the BVI will be most negatively af- fected by changing regula- tion, followed by the Cayman Islands – while the US, and other onshore and mid-shore large financial centres, are expected to most benefit,” Vistra stated. TASTE OF CAYMAN SELECTS NCVO AS 2019 CHARITY PARTNER Taste of Cayman Food & Drink Festival announced this week that the National Council of Voluntary Organ- isations will be its charity partner for the 2019 raffle. “While Taste of Cayman serves as a fundraiser for the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, it is important to our board and staff each year to use this platform to support one of the amazing charities on island, who pro- vide so much to our commu- nity,” said CITA Executive Di- rector Tiffany Dixon-Ebanks in a press release. “The dedicated team of NCVO volunteers will- ingly give their time and resources to provide care, education and well–being to children and fami- lies in need of support in the Cayman Islands,” Ms. Dixon-Ebanks said. “As our local community remains at the heart of everything Taste of Cayman, the NCVO was chosen as a deserving charity for the 2019 event.” The grand prize for this year’s raffle is two round trip tickets to Miami with Cayman Airways, a two- night hotel stay, and tickets to the South Beach Food and Wine Festival. There is also an opportunity to win restaurant vouchers, stay- cations, spa treatments and much more. “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the charity partner for Taste of Cayman 2019,” NCVO CEO Miriam Foster said, adding that proceeds from the raffle would support the char- ity’s programs that as- sist children and families in the local community. “It really is a win-win opportunity: purchase a raffle ticket, support a local charity and have a chance to win the trip of a lifetime,” Ms. Dixon-Ebanks said. Taste of Cayman 2019 will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, bringing together Cayman’s wide range of cu- linary offerings, as well as live entertainment, immer- sive experiences and live cooking demonstrations. Tickets can be purchased at www.tasteofcayman.org/tickets. Grand Cayman import duty break extended again 15 percent import duty on construction materials KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com The government will ex- tend its reduced 15 percent import duty on building materials imported to Grand Cayman through Dec. 31, 2019. Government defines building materials as “all physical components and substances, whether solid or liquid, used in the construc- tion, renovation or restora- tion and forming a perma- nent part, of any building or related structure.” Items such as furniture, accessories, electronics and appliances are specifically excluded from the 15 percent conces- sionary rate. Other duty concessions are in place until at least Dec. 31, 2020, including the 100 percent duty waiver on building materials im- ported to the Sister Islands, the 100 percent stamp duty waiver for land purchases on Cayman Brac, and the con- cessionary duty rate of 12.5 cents per gallon on the im- portation of motor gasoline to the Brac – the usual rate is 75 cents per gallon. Imports boom The duty concessions are being extended as Cayman undergoes a boom in the value of goods being imported. According to the latest data from the Economics and Statistics Office, the total value of the Cayman Is- lands’ importation of mer- chandise goods stood at $254 million for the second quarter of 2018, an in- crease of $33.47 million over the comparative period in 2017. This growth rate is the highest second-quarter growth since 2005. The value of imported building mate- rials has increased on av- erage by 9.7 percent per year between 2011 and 2016, ac- cording to Finance Minister Roy McTaggart. Government’s tax breaks have been in place since at least 2010. Government has typically extended the duty concession on building ma- terials imported to Grand Cayman every six months to one year during that period. The Brac import duty waivers were given a five-year extension in December 2015. “The Government is com- mitted to ensuring that the Islands’ economy continues to grow, because such growth will provide employment op- portunities for Caymanians and other residents,” Mr. Mc- Taggart said of the latest ex- tension. “The extension of the 15% import duty con- cessionary rate on building materials brought to Grand Cayman will undoubtedly add incentive for the pri- vate sector’s robust invest- ments in the Cayman Islands to continue.” In 2016/17, Cayman and BVI ranked seventh and third, respectively, and in 2018 they moved up to sixth and second, respectively. Miriam Foster of the NCVO says the organization is thrilled to have been chosen as the Taste of Cayman’s charity partner at next year’s food festival. Government has typically extended the duty concession on building materials imported to Grand Cayman every six months to one year.9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2018 THE UNITED CHURCH IN JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CAYMAN ISLANDS REGIONAL MISSION COUNCIL CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES DECEMBER 2018 All are welcomed to worship and fellowship with us during this Christmas Season CHARGE / CONGREGATION CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME CHOIR CANTATA / CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Community Christmas Programs CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE WATCH NIGHT SERVICE John Gray Memorial (West Bay) Sunday Dec.16, 10:00am Special Children’s Christmas Programme Monday Dec. 17, 6:30 pm After School Christmas Program Sunday Dec. 23, 10:00 am Cantata Thursday Dec. 20, Seniors’ Tea and Outing Saturday Dec. 22, 6:30 pm Caroling- Golden Age Home- Sunday Dec. 23, Caroling outside the District of West Bay Monday Dec. 24, Caroling in West Bay Saturday Dec.29, Christmas Community Meal served Monday Dec .24, 7:00 pm- Christmas Eve Service Monday Dec.31, 11:00pm Watch Night Service Elmslie Memorial (George Town) Sunday Dec.16, 6:30pm Children’s Christmas Program Sunday Dec. 23, 10:30 am Christmas Musical Morning Service Sunday Dec.2, 7:00 pm Male Voice Christmas Cantata Dec. 11&13, 7:00 pm Cayman National Choir Christmas Concert Monday Dec. 24, 6:30 pm Joint Charge Candle Light Service 6:30 pm Tuesday Dec. 25, 9:00 am Christmas Day Service Monday Dec. 31, 10:30pm Watch Night Service South Sound United (George Town) Sunday Dec. 16, 5:00pm Christmas Programme Dec. 24, 6:30 pm Community Caroling Tuesday Dec. 25, 9:00 am Christmas Day Service –at Elmslie Memorial Sunday Dec.31, 10:30pm Watch Night Service At Emslie Memorial Savannah United (Bodden Town) Sunday Dec. 2 4:30 pm, Girls’ Brigade Carol Service Tuesday Dec.4, 5:30pm SASEP Children’ Christmas Programme Sunday Dec.16, 10:00 am Youth Christmas Program Saturday Dec.8, 6:30 pm Cantata Sunday Dec.9, 10:00 am Cantata Sunday Dec.16, 7:00 pm at the Crighton’s Property – Cantata Dec.17-19 distribution of Christmas Cheer in the Savannah Community Tuesday Dec. 25, 8:00 am Christmas Day Service Monday Dec. 31, 10:30pm Watch Night Service Robert Young Memorial (George Town) December 15, 6:00pm Candlelight Service Tuesday Dec. 25, 8:00 am at Savannah United Monday Dec. 31, 10:30 pm at Savannah United Webster Memorial (Bodden Town) Sunday Dec. 23, 5:30pm Children’s Christmas Production Sunday Dec. 16, 11:00 am Cantata Friday Dec.21 and Saturday Dec. 22 Distribution of Christmas Care Baskets Tuesday Dec.25, 11:00 am Christmas Day Service Monday Dec. 31, 10:00 pm Watch Night Service William Pouchie Memorial (North Side) Sunday Dec. 16, 9: 00 am Cantata Dec. 8, 5:30 pm An Evening of Christmas Carols Tuesday Dec.25, 9:00 am Christmas Day Service Monday Dec. 31, 10:00 pm Watch Night Service-at Webster Memorial- (Bodden Town) East End United (East End) Sunday Dec. 23, 6:30 pm Christmas Rally Sunday Dec. 16, 6:30 pm-Joint Candlelight Service Sunday Dec. 23 10:30 am - Cantata Christmas Programme East End Saturday Dec. 29 – Garden Party – East End United Tuesday Dec.25, 11:00 am Christmas Day Service Monday Dec. 31, 10:00 pm Watch Night Service Gun Bay United (East End) Sunday Dec. 02, 6:30 pm Christmas Rally Sunday Dec. 23 10:30 am - Cantata /Christmas Programme East End Tuesday Dec. 25, 9:30 am Christmas Day Service Monday, Dec. 31, 10:00 pm Watch Night Service -East End Joy to the World, the Lord has come! Christmas boost for thousands of gov’t workers Health Services Authority, Turtle Centre and others get cost of living increase JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Thousands of workers are effectively getting a Christmas bonus with the news that govern- ment has sanctioned cost of living salary adjustments for the majority of statu- tory authorities and govern- ment companies. Premier Alden McLaughlin announced in September that civil ser- vants working in core gov- ernment were getting a 5 percent salary increase – the first such adjustment since the recession. He said the move would bring civil ser- vant salaries back on track after more than seven years of playing catch-up with an increasing cost of living. But the pay raise was not automatically extended to the 2,000-plus workers in the statutory authorities and government companies, such as Cayman Airways, the Health Services Authority and the Cayman Islands Na- tional Insurance Company. The boards of those en- tities had to apply to the Cabinet Office, under the terms of the Public Authori- ties Law, for permission to award similar adjustments to their staff. Though not all of the stat- utory authorities and govern- ment companies were im- pacted by civil service pay freezes to the same extent as core government, the Cayman Compass understands that all have been granted cost of living adjustments. Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, whose ministry covers Cayman Airways, the Cayman Islands Airports Au- thority, the Cayman Turtle Centre and the Port Authority, among others, said all of the entities under his ministry had been granted increases. He said, “Following the award of a cost of living ad- justment to civil servants, the ministry received questions from statutory authorities and government companies regarding it being extended to them. They made a busi- ness case to us for it and, to my knowledge, all of them have been approved. “The cost of living in- crease is just what it says, an adjustment that helps ensure that as the cost of living goes up, there is a matching in- crease in pay.” Lizzette Yearwood, CEO of the Health Services Authority, confirmed that the 5 percent increase had been extended to its staff. She said it was the first such increase since a 3 percent adjustment in 2015. Tim Adam, director of the Cayman Turtle Centre, confirmed a similar in- crease had been granted for his employees. Other directors told the Compass they had either been granted adjustments or were awaiting final approval. The adjustments repre- sent a return to normal prac- tices for government after a period of retrenchment fol- lowing the recession. Cost of living adjustments were historically awarded pe- riodically to ensure civil ser- vice salary scales kept pace with increases in the Con- sumer Price Index. The practice was sus- pended following the global recession in 2008 and civil servants’ pay was actually cut by 3.2 percent in 2010. That pay cut was reversed in 2015, and this year’s core government cost of living in- crease was made possible by the stabilizing of govern- ment finances. “Following the award of a cost of living adjustment to civil servants, the ministry received questions from statutory authorities and government companies regarding it being extended to them. They made a business case to us for it and, to my knowledge, all of them have been approved.” MOSES KIRKCONNELL, deputy premier Deputy Premier Moses KirkconnellNext >