ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 High of 85 Low of 72 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 SAME-SEX MARRIAGE RULING: AN AFFIRMATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS LOCAL | PAGE 3 DRUG-SMUGGLING CUSTOMS OFFICER JAILED FOR 16 YEARS Same-sex marriage legalised in Cayman JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com “Love wins,” was the brief but significant statement from Caymanian Chantelle Day as she left Grand Court Friday having success- fully won a legal battle to rewrite Cayman’s marriage laws. Same-sex marriage is now legal in the ter- ritory following the delivery of Chief Justice Smellie’s landmark judgment. The decision, which was met by applause from around 80 people who packed into Courtroom 5, follows a petition by Day and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush. The couple, who have been in a com- mitted relationship for seven years and have an adopted daughter together, brought a joint judicial review and constitutional challenge after government refused their application to marry in April last year. Chief Justice Anthony Smellie ruled on Friday that the decision was discriminatory. He said preventing same-sex couples from ac- cessing marriage, and the suite of rights that come with it, was a clear violation of free- doms guaranteed in Cayman’s constitution, in- cluding the right to a private and family life. Chief Justice Smellie used his powers under the Constitution to rewrite the Mar- riage Law. He ordered that the clause in the law, specifying that marriage is reserved for heterosexual couples, be altered to state, “‘Marriage’ means the union between two people as one another’s spouses.” The amendment comes into effect imme- diately and does not require ratification by the Legislative Assembly or the governor. The chief justice said it was the court’s duty to intervene to modify laws that did not comply with the constitution, particularly in cases where the state had failed to act. “The petitioners and their daughter are en- titled to the indignities to which they have been subjected being put to an immediate end by the court,” he said. He said the decision did not threaten tra- ditional marriage, suggesting that the institu- tion was actually strengthened by the inclu- sion of same-sex couples. Day shed a tear as the decision was an- nounced and the couple were embraced by a large crowd of well-wishers. Her partner, Bodden Bush, gave a peace sign to the waiting cameras as the couple left the court. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR MANDERSON Deputy Governor gets MBE from Prince Charles For Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, re- ceiving his MBE from the heir to the British throne in front of his friends, family and col- leagues is a moment he will never forget. “It’s a real honour, certainly one of the most memorable nights of my life,” said Manderson after Prince Charles pinned the medal to his lapel in front of a packed crowd at Pedro St. James castle on Thursday. Manderson received the award for a 38- year government career that has seen him rise through the ranks from his early days as an immigration officer to become the head of the civil service. As he accepted the award, he said he briefly explained his role as deputy governor, and the prince quipped, “Does that mean you do all the work?” Manderson said, “He thanked me for my service and said he hoped that I would con- tinue to be successful.” He added, “It is a great honour and privi- lege to receive the MBE. It is so special, not just to get it from His Royal Highness, but to have the people who worked with me and supported me for 38 years here with me to celebrate.” Manderson was escorted by his mother Jenny Manderson to accept his award and accompanied on the night by his wife Nuvia, son Franz Jr. and daughter Alyssa, as well as a host of friends and colleagues from his long career. He said he was thankful to all the people Prince’s call to action on environment Charles: Cayman can lead the world in fight for the planet JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Prince Charles has urged the Cayman Is- lands to help “lead the world” in the global fight against climate change and other envi- ronmental threats. Speaking at the conclusion of the royal visit on Thursday, the Prince of Wales de- livered an impassioned call to action for the territory to do everything in its power to protect and preserve its natural environment. The prince’s comments came as the Cayman Islands government announced an expansion to the island’s marine park system, vastly increasing the size of the areas protected from over-fishing and other threats. Speaking in front of Cayman’s leaders and hundreds of well-wishers during a re- ception at Pedro St. James, Prince Charles recalled visiting Cayman as a young naval officer in 1973. He said the island should be proud of the progress it had made in the four decades since that time and was now punching “above its weight” globally as an important financial services centre and major tourism destination. He said, “With all of this rapid develop- ment there is, it seems to me, an ever greater need to protect your natural environment. “I was pleased to see some of the excel- lent work that Central Caribbean Marine Institute is doing in Little Cayman to help protect the precious coral reefs that sur- round these islands as well as those else- where in the world. Prince Charles has a light-hearted moment as he pets Peter the blue iguana at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park on Thursday. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 »2 LOCAL®IONAL MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 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. - MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) DUMBO (PG) 12:30 I 3:10 3D I 4:15 VIP I 6:30 HOTEL MUMBAI (R) 1:10 I 4:20 I 6:55 I 9:10 CAPTAIN MARVEL (PG13) 1:00 VIP I 4:05 I 7:00 VIP I 9:50 VIP I 10:00 CAPTIVE STATE (PG13) 2:00 I 4:40 I 7:20 I 10:00 US (R) 12:40 I 4:00 I 7:00 I 9:50 A MADEA FAMILY FUNERAL (PG13) 1:30 I 7:30 I 10:10 CORRECTION On Friday, the Cayman Compass incorrectly referred to Cayman International School in a story about the latest inspection report by the Office of Education Standards. Cayman Prep and High School was the school which had been the subject of the report. A revised story will appear in Tuesday’s Compass. WATER AUTHORITY PLANS SERVICE INTERRUPTION The Water Authority is- sued a public advisory Friday about a temporary service interruption that will impact customers in the Tropical Gardens area on Tuesday morning. The service interrup- tion will occur on Tuesday between 10 a.m. and noon and will impact customers who live in Sorrel Drive, Hibiscus Lane, Poinsettia Lane and Carnation Lane. The interruption has been scheduled in order to facilitate upgrades to ex- isting infrastructure. Motorists are advised that there will be a par- tial road closure on Car- nation Lane, and they’re asked to drive with cau- tion to ensure their own safety and that of Water Authority personnel. Lighthouse School stages career day for students SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Lighthouse School featured a look into the fu- ture on Friday. The school’s secondary students participated in a ca- reer day, which allowed them to learn about a wide range of professions that could interest them after their graduation. Representatives from Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Foster’s Food Fair presented about careers in their organ- isations during the morning, and the students learned about working for the police and as lifeguards during the afternoon. One final session focused on child care. Carolyn Powell, Key Stage coordinator at Lighthouse School, said the secondary students all look forward to Career Day and that it’s an important annual event on the school’s calendar. “Before we have the Ca- reer Day,” she said, “we have a survey where we gauge what their interests are, and from that we select the professions to showcase for that day”. Fifty-two students went through the presentations on Friday, getting a half- hour with each group along the way. The child care ses- sion in teacher Susan Whit- taker’s classroom turned out to be one of the day’s most popular events, and the stu- dents were invited to try on a vest that replicates the weight and visual appear- ance of being pregnant in the third trimester. “They can see that preg- nancy is enjoyable, but also a lot of work and a lot of pain,” said Whittaker. “It’s very fun and it’s very educational and it’s very hands-on. They’re all involved. “For all the career fair events, we try to encourage hands-on stuff for our stu- dents, because that’s what they need to prepare them to go out there into society.” The students learned about basic first-aid tech- niques and about the im- portance of paying close at- tention to the water during their session with Ryan Mushin of Lion’s Aquatics Pool, and they learned about the various ways they can work in the hospitality in- dustry with Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton. “It’s [a] very important job, but a lot of time, nothing happens,” said Mushin of lifeguarding. “It’s very important to be ready for any situation and fast to respond.” The child care session did double duty because it gave the students a glimpse of a potential career path, but also prepared for them for starting a family of their own at some point in the future. “Family is very impor- tant, but it’s very expensive to have a child,” said Whit- taker. “It prepares them and lets them see that when the woman gets pregnant, it’s a lot of work. Pregnancy can be very complicated. And we also encourage men to take part and let them see what the women go through.” Rotaract 5K raises funds for vocational grant Rotaract Blue’s annual Fred Speirs 5K Walk/Run at SafeHaven last month raised $1,800 for a vocational grant. Around 50 participants, most sporting the event’s signature navy T-shirts, took part in the March 24 run/walk. The runners, walkers, and volunteers were supporting efforts of Rotaract Blue to assist young Caymanians, between the ages of 16-30, who are enrolled or accepted into a local or overseas voca- tional/technical skills course to excel in a non-traditional career path. “Events like the Fred Speirs 5K Walk/Run are pre- cisely why I joined Rota- ract Blue,” said Brian Ogilvie, event chairman and profes- sional development director of Rotoract Blue. “I’m a huge believer in paying it forward and know I wouldn’t have made it far in my career without help, so this fundraiser represents the perfect opportunity to do just that,” he added. All the funds raised will go towards the Fred Speirs Vocational Grant, which Ro- taract Blue has supported since 2008. The vocational grant was renamed in 2010 to honour the late Frederick Speirs, a teacher and Rotarian who was instrumental in its development. Chief Officer Wesley Howell in the Ministry of Human Resources and Im- migration said, “As a teacher, Mr. Speirs inspired many Caymanian students to aim for the stars.” He added, “The tech- nical and vocational schol- arship in his honour helps students gain the skills nec- essary for them to secure em- ployment, this matches the new [Workforce Opportuni- ties Residency Cayman] De- partment’s mission of full Caymanian employment and makes the sponsorship an in- vestment in the development of Caymanians.” Ryan Mushin of Lion’s Aquatics Pool outfits a volunteer in lifeguard garb. Attendees of the Fred Speirs 5K Walk/Run were all smiles after the event. Ryan Mushin of Lion’s Aquatics Pool demonstrates pulling someone to safety during Careers Day. - PHOTOS: SPENCER FORDIN US CONDEMNS RUSSIA TROOP DEPLOYMENT TO VENEZUELA WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration on Friday condemned Vene - zuela’s President Nicolas Maduro for what it said was his reliance on foreign military personnel to stay in power and renewed a warning to Russia against getting involved. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton said Russia’s military presence in the country is desta- bilising amid the coun- try’s political and eco- nomic crisis. “We strongly caution ac- tors external to the western hemisphere against de- ploying military assets to Venezuela, or elsewhere in the hemisphere, with the intent of establishing or expanding military opera- tions,” the national security adviser said. His comments come amid U.S. attempts to press Maduro to give up power, arguing his re-election last year was not legitimate. More than 50 nations have recognised the opposition head of the National As- sembly, Juan Guaido, as in- terim president.3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 SPECIALIZED CARE WITHIN REACH. WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC JUST A SHORT FLIGHT AWAY, YOU’RE CLOSE TO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOUR HEALTH. Why? Because you’re close to the best healthcare providers and state-of-the-art medical technology. You’re close to the best facilities and quality of services. And you’re close to the healthcare you deserve. After all, what’s more important than your health? Every life deserves world-class care. Drug-smuggling customs officer jailed for 16 years SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The cocaine importa- tion case of David Karl Lobo reached its conclusion Friday in Grand Court when the cus- toms officer was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Lobo was found to have played a “leading role” in a smug- gling operation that brought 1.8 kilograms into Cayman in May of 2017. The court heard that Lobo had communicated with the smugglers prior to their ar- rival and had helped arrange for their accommodations in Cayman where they con- verted liquid cocaine back into powder. Lobo and four co-con- spirators were all sentenced Friday, March 29, by Justice Linda Dobbs. The other four had pleaded guilty to a variety of offences, and a jury con- victed Lobo of cocaine impor- tation in January following a lengthy trial. Collector of Customs Charles Clifford told the Compass on Friday that Lo- bo’s employment was ter- minated following the sentencing hearing. During the trial, the court heard that Lobo was seen leaving the location where the smugglers were later found and arrested with nearly $13,000 in cash in his car. The arresting officers also found receipts from wire transfers that were later traced to the smugglers before they had arrived in Cayman. Justice Dobbs noted that Lobo’s position could cause a “diminishing trust” from the public in government insti- tutions. She also mentioned that Lobo had many posi- tive character references on file as part of his social in- quiry report, but she said she didn’t believe the operation was an anomaly. Justice Dobbs also sen- tenced Lesme Perez Ruiz and Alan Taylor Dominguez, both of whom were character- ised as “middle man” in the transaction. Both Ruiz and Dominguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and importing cocaine and provided evidence that helped convict Lobo. As part of her sentence, Justice Dobbs noted that both defendants had provided “sig- nificant assistance” to the Crown. Ruiz was sentenced to five years in jail, while Dominguez received a four- year sentence. Text messages from their cellphones showed that Dominguez and Ruiz had begun discussing the possi- bility of importing cocaine to Cayman as early as February of 2017. Ruiz, who had been based in Colombia, would oversee the smuggling, while Dominguez would provide contacts in Cayman. Ruiz landed in Cayman with one pair of couriers on May 12, and he later tried again on May 31. Ruiz and the two couriers in the second operation were arrested by the RCIPS on June 2 of 2017. The couriers, Jose Leon- ardo Parra Ferrini and Yoandry Morales Molina, pleaded guilty to ingesting condoms full of cocaine and expelling them upon arrival and were both sentenced to six years on Friday. Justice Dobbs said the couriers played a lesser role in the smuggling operation and acted under the direc- tion of Ruiz, and she re- lated that couriers are often “more vulnerable” and “open to exploitation”. Justice Dobbs said Ruiz was somewhat more in- volved in the operation than Dominguez, who was not in Cayman at the time of the second smuggling opera- tion and was arrested last among the defendants. A social inquiry re- port for Dominguez noted that he has a low risk of re-offending. Lobo had been previ- ously acquitted on a similar charge of importation of co- caine in 2013, Justice Dobbs noted that Lobo had now lost both his job and his reputation as a result of the conviction. The judge said that time served in prison would count against the sen- tences for each of the de- fendants. She also ruled that Lobo would receive no credit for roughly a year spent at home on an ankle monitor and nightly curfew while waiting for the trial to be conducted. Roy Bodden launches his sixth book Author and historian Roy Bodden entertained hundreds of interested readers at Sir Vassel Johnson Hall in the Uni- versity College of the Cayman Islands on Saturday night when he launched his latest book, ‘From Guard House to the Glass House, One Man’s Journey through the Maze of Caymanian Politics’. The former government minister and immediate past president of UCCI recounts his early years and his time serving in government in this, his sixth book.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion & Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited 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 PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” “This process of modification in no way threatens the institution of marriage. Rather … in fact, the institu- tion is strengthened. “And it is to be hoped, perhaps even more fervently, that our constitutional democracy will itself have been strengthened by the affirmation of the state’s obliga- tion to respect the fundamental rights and, in so doing, to preserve that crucial balance between the different aspirations and ideals which might otherwise be at tension in society.” – Chief Justice Anthony Smellie It would be a mistake to think Friday’s landmark decision legalising same-sex marriage in the Cayman Islands will immediately settle this divisive societal issue. But it does represent the beginning of a shift towards greater tolerance. As Chief Justice Anthony Smellie determined, there is no legal justification for the Legislative Assembly’s ‘ongoing refusal’ to provide a framework for same-sex couples to access the rights and assume the respon- sibilities conferred by legal marriage. His ruling was not a statement of religious preference or personal opinion: It was a reaffirmation of a bedrock principle of any democratic society – that every person must be afforded equal protection under the law. Speaking Friday, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin said government will “have to take some time to consider it and think about how to move forward”. Premier Alden McLaughlin and other political leaders have yet to issue public statements. It is possible that government will appeal. In the interim, it is important to remember what, exactly, is at stake here: not religious matrimony, but rather legal marriage – the rights, protections and responsibilities afforded to married couples by the gov- ernment, including inheritance, pensions, residency and next-of-kin visiting rights. The Grand Court’s decision that Section 2 of the Marriage Law be changed to define marriage as “the union between two people as one another’s spouses” will not – nor should it neces- sarily – affect religious teachings or personal beliefs. In Cayman, as in any society that recognises the institution, legal marriage is a binding contract between two adults. Even in our Christian nation, this contract is independent of any church. If the ruling stands, couples still will be welcome to marry inside any house of worship that agrees to bless their union, or to forego religious ceremony. Churches and clergy will be free to follow their own theological principles when deciding which marriages to perform. At a time when Cayman was increasingly finding itself outside of a growing global consensus, last week’s ruling was corrective action allowing Cayman to join other modern societies. Some will try to say the court’s decision is not progress, but imposition of a worldly, ‘extra-Caymanian’ influence. They are wrong. Petitioner Chantelle Day is Caymanian; her partner Vickie Bodden Bush has deep Cayman family ties. With them in the courtroom Friday were dozens of Caymanian allies. Untold others were watching, and cheering the women on, from outside the courtroom and around the world. We all suffer when we allow our government to deny the civil rights of a few. This ruling, no matter the future challenges it may face, ushers us into a new era of strength based on the unifying principles of inclu - sivity and equality. Same-sex marriage ruling: An affirmation of civil rights MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS Post-Brexit, Britain will continue to shape the world JEREMY HUNT LONDON – The 18th-cen- tury Scottish poet Robert Burns was perhaps the most gifted wordsmith of his age. Every foreign minister should ponder one of his lines: “Oh, would some Power give us the gift/To see ourselves as others see us!” When I picture how others see Britain right now, I sus- pect old friends are shaking puzzled heads. The clash and thunder over Brexit is not an appealing spectacle. Some may feel that British politi- cians are acting out ‘Monty Python’ sketches in real life. So please put aside the doom-laden commentary and accept my assurance: We British are neither aban- doning our neighbours nor retreating from the world. We have not taken leave of our senses. True, our parliament can be exasperating. But in a de- mocracy, that is also its job. The mother of parliaments is proud, fiercely independent and sovereign. If the British government must fight for every vote on something as crucial as our country’s place in Europe, that is as it should be. If we lose sometimes, that, too, is democracy. For all the pressure it puts on me person- ally, I take pride in answering to a parliament that is impos- sible to suborn. In some countries, dis- putes of this kind might spill violently into the streets. In Britain, our national de- bate on Brexit has been con- tained within our democratic institutions. We have been through worse – the repeal of the Corn Laws, for instance, poisoned British politics for a generation after 1846. We have also shown resilience in the most supreme of tests – maintaining parliamen- tary democracy and removing a respected prime minister even as the country fought for its life during World War II. Having survived such tests, British institutions will over- come this one, too. Look beneath the sur- face and Britain’s interna- tional position remains un- changed. The United Kingdom is a small archipelago, with rather less than 1 percent of the world’s population. Along- side the United States, we have done more to shape the world we live in than any other country and remain in the global top five of most im- portant leagues. We have the fifth-largest economy in the world, the No. 1 financial centre in our hemi- sphere and the second-largest military budget in NATO. We reliably supply three of the world’s top 10 universi- ties in surveys and are often ranked at or near the top for ‘soft power’. When it comes to innovation, we are fourth in the global league, according to an annual index compiled by organisations including Cor- nell University and the World Intellectual Property Organ- ization. And we continue to rank the highest or near it for business-friendliness. Don’t forget that Britain also possesses a nuclear de- terrent, globally deployable armed forces and two new aircraft carriers. We like to believe we are the most ca- pable ally that the United States has. We’ve been with the United States in Afghan- istan from the beginning in 2001; our servicemen and women have helped you to take apart the Islamic State in the Middle East. And we do more for Eu- ropean security than any of our neighbours. Right now, British soldiers make up the single largest contingent of NATO’s deployment in Poland and the Baltic states. It might seem odd that we are protecting these Eu- ropean Union members in the middle of Brexit negoti- ations. In truth, it’s entirely logical. Britain is leaving the structures of the EU, which we joined as recently as 1973, as that organisation moves from economic cooperation to political union. But our un- conditional commitment to the security of our continent long predates our EU mem- bership and will not waver after we leave. In fact, one of the few things that unites British pol- iticians of all parties and our European counterparts is that we plan to work hand-in- glove on foreign and security policy after Brexit. Our vital interests and values are going to stay aligned, just as they will with the United States. So once Brexit has hap- pened, be in no doubt that Britain will retain all the ca- pabilities of a global power. The United States may be the superpower, but our worldwide network of alli- ances and friendships places Britain among the handful of countries with genuinely global reach. We want to put it at the service of the demo- cratic values both our coun- tries share. As the country steps up to its global destiny, I follow in a remarkable tradition. The first foreign secretary, Charles James Fox, abolished the slave trade. Another, George Canning, reshaped South America by helping its coun- tries to achieve independence. Outside my office stands a bust of Ernest Bevin, who was an architect of NATO ex- actly 70 years ago and argu- ably did as much for Euro- pean security as any other postwar European politi- cian. Bevin also ensured that Britain stayed out of the su- pranational body that came before the EU. He saw no con- tradiction between those two positions – and he was right. Britain has been shaping the world for centuries, and we are here to stay. Jeremy Hunt is Britain’s secretary of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs. © 2019, The Washington Post Writers Group. The United States may be the superpower, but our worldwide network of alliances and friendships places Britain among the handful of countries with genuinely global reach.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 Now you can have a fully installed GPS satellite tracking device in your car, shipping container, truck, boat – or even complete vehicle fleet for less than $35 per month with no upfront cost. If your possessions ever get stolen, you can log in through your mobile device to locate it immediately. It can even be given to a family member to ensure you’re aware of their location. To find out more about this special offer contact the Security Centre on 949-0004 or email info @ security.ky Just mention “Sat Trak” to get more information about this great deal. FULLY-FITTED GPS TRACKING UNITS FOR LESS THAN $35 . 35 years for gun murder, in broad daylight CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com William Ian Rivers, 40, was sentenced on Friday for the murder of Mark ‘Hubba’ Seymour in West Bay on Jan. 28, 2017. Justice Frank Wil- liams set 35 years as the term Rivers must serve be- fore he is eligible to apply for conditional release. He noted that Rivers had pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter. The Crown had not accepted the plea and the matter went to trial. In September 2018, a jury of six men and six women found Rivers guilty of murder. He had relied on a defence of “diminished responsibility”, which the jury rejected. Sentencing was adjourned so that the court could re- ceive a social inquiry report and victim impact state- ment. On Friday, Justice Wil- liams gave his decision via video link. Rivers had told the jury that he had been drinking for five days before he shot Seymour. He said he was upset because he was un- employed and people were telling him that his wife had asked for money from Seymour, who was her ex-boyfriend. The shooting occurred outside the Super C Restau- rant on Watercourse Road. The judge said it happened in broad daylight, in the pres- ence of several people trying to flee for their lives. When Seymour fell, someone called out to Rivers, who replied that he intended to kill Sey- mour. That was what Sey- mour was meant to hear in the last few moments of his life, the judge commented. The social inquiry report had revealed a lack of em- pathy for the victim, Justice Williams said, and the risk of offending again was high. The Conditional Release Law makes it clear that the sentence for murder is life imprisonment. ‘Life’ is con- sidered to be 30 years, but this period may be increased or decreased if the judge finds there are aggravating or extenuating circumstances. In sentencing Rivers, the judge said he found no exten- uating features of any excep- tional nature, but there were enough aggravating features to increase the starting point. He pointed out that the sen- tence he passed had to sat- isfy the requirements of ret- ribution, deterrence and rehabilitation. In addition to murder, Rivers was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, for which he received eight years; and unlawful use of a firearm, threatening to shoot a woman nearby if she said anything to an- yone, for which he received three years. Both of theses terms were made to run concurrently with the 35-year sentence. Rivers is to receive credit for the 791 days in custody since his arrest. Trial for pimping continues CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Crown counsel Eleanor Fargin called her third and final witness on Friday in the case against Wayne Carlos Myles, who pleaded not guilty to prostitution-re- lated charges allegedly com- mitted between July 2014 and June 2016. Myles is accused of living off the earnings of prosti- tution, or attempting to do so, by exercising control, di- rection or influence over the movements of prostitutes “in such a manner as to show that he was aiding, abetting or compelling their prostitu- tion with another person”. The three Crown wit- nesses were all police of- ficers. They explained the ways in which information was downloaded from tel- ephone communications through the use of What- sApp or SMS text messaging. Messages and photos were allegedly sent by Myles to show a “stable” of 32 indi- vidual females, and 15 poten- tial customers. Neither the women nor the customers were called to give evidence and they were not named. Documentary evidence was submitted intended to show that Myles was the user of that phone, not someone else. On Monday, attorney Alex Davies was scheduled to reply on behalf of the defence. Justice Marlene Carter is hearing the matter without a jury, as Myles elected. The shooting occurred outside the Super C Restaurant on Watercourse Road. The judge said it happened in broad daylight, in the presence of several people trying to flee for their lives. Man with machete robs food truck A man armed with a machete robbed the Al La Kebab food truck in Red Bay Friday afternoon. Police said the robbery occurred shortly before 1:50 p.m. at the entrance of Selkirk Drive. According to police, it was reported “that a single man, armed with machete, attended the location of a local food truck and de- manded money from the workers present.” The robber made off with a sum of cash. He was described as having dark skin, being of slim build, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and wearing dark clothing. No one was injured during the incident. This was at least the third time in nine months that the food truck in Red Bay has been targeted by robbers. In July, shots were fired in the air when two masked men, one with a firearm and another with a machete, stole cash and an employee’s handbag during a hold-up at the food truck. In November, two men, one armed with a gun, held up the truck and made off with cash. The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS “Accelerating and poten- tially catastrophic global warming along with the acid- ification and pollution of our oceans are nothing short of a planetary crisis that ef- fects us all and, of course, the health of our oceans is absolutely vital for our shared survival.” The prince, who has been a long-time champion of environmental causes all over the world, visited both CCMI and the Queen Eliza- beth II Botanic Park, where he met Cayman’s endan- gered resident blue iguanas during his visit. He said he had been warning for years of the im- pending crisis of climate change and the responsi- bility to protect the inher- itance of “our children and grandchildren”. He added, “Now those very children are crying out for concerted action rather than just empty words.” He said it was heartening to hear Minister of Environ- ment Dwayne Seymour an- nounce the expansion of marine parks in Cayman. Seymour revealed during a speech at the opening of the new Children’s Garden at the Botanic Park, that Cabinet had approved drafting in- structions that will more than triple the area around the is- lands that is protected from fishing and other impacts. Prince Charles, in his speech, said this was an en- couraging step but one that could only be effective as part of a management plan that deals with waste treat- ment and plastics. With such an approach, he said, Cayman could become a shining ex- ample to the world of genu- inely sustainable manage- ment of its natural resources. “Such an integrated ap- proach is not only essential to protect our ecosystems but also, particularly in the Cayman Islands’ case, to pro- tect the long-term viability of economic sectors such as tourism, on which they are utterly dependent,” he said. “Such an innovative and far-sighted approach could become a beacon for the Commonwealth to help lead the world, and indeed the whole of nature, out of this appalling crisis of our own making.” He added that the Cayman Islands’ “extraor- dinary financial expertise” could be a catalyst to sup- port “urgently needed fi- nancing of environmental investment throughout the Commonwealth”. Prince’s words welcomed Prince Charles’s com- ments came as music to the ears of environmental cam- paigners in Cayman. Sus- tainable Cayman held a rally at Smith Cove Thursday morning to coincide with the visit. The group said the aim was to thank Prince Charles for his support of environ- mental causes and draw at- tention to some of the issues locally, including the threat to coral reefs posed by the cruise pier project in George Town harbour and the threat of development at Barkers peninsula in West Bay. Members of the group held signs at the beach Thursday, declaring “God save the green” and “We love our reefs.” Linda Clark, in an emailed statement to the Compass on behalf of the group said, “It was extremely heartening to hear the Prince voice, on Cayman soil, the need for our leaders to take decisive action to protect the very sectors which bring economic rev- enue into the country.” She also welcomed the an- nouncement of a planned ex- pansion to Cayman’s marine parks and said the Depart- ment of Environment should be supported financially to “fully implement effective ma- rine protected areas rather than merely paper parks”. She added, “By harnessing the Blue Economy, working with the environment rather than against it, and fully in- tegrating the United Nations Sustainable Development goals into the strategic plans of both the public and pri- vate sector, Cayman could cer- tainly honour the Prince’s as- piration of becoming a beacon for the Commonwealth to lead the world as true steward’s of our environment for current and future generations.” Marine Parks expansion Gina Ebanks-Petrie, di- rector of the Department of Environment, confirmed that the marine parks expansion, which follows widespread community consultation as well as years-long research and discussions between the department and its partners in the U.K.-based Darwin In- itiative and Bangor Univer- sity, had now been approved by Cabinet. She said in an email, “A major enhancement of the marine parks system expan- sion is the increase of ‘no take’ zones – areas where in- dividuals can no longer take marine life for any reason, in line with international best practice recommenda- tions for marine protected areas. These ‘no take’ zones, including marine parks, en- vironmental zones and wild- life interaction zones, will increase from a current na- tional average of approxi- mately 14% to 48% under the enhanced parks system.” The marine parks ex- pansion will also increase “no diving” areas, particu- larly on Little Cayman, where none now exist. A minimal increase to these areas on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac is also called for under the enhanced parks. Prince’s call to action on environment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The prince and duchess arrive at Pedro St. James Thursday evening, the final stop of their whirkwind tour of the Cayman Islands. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Prince Charles delivers a speech at Pedro St. James Thursday, at which he highlighted the importance of the environment in the territory. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY With a final wave, Prince Charles takes his leave of the Cayman Islands as he boards a Royal Air Force jet at Owen Roberts International Airport Thursday night. - PHOTO: GIS ‘God Save the Green’: Supporters of Sustainable Cayman gathered at Smith Cove Thursday to celebrate the royal visit and draw attention to environmental issues facing Cayman. - PHOTO: JAMES WHITTAKERThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 CIBC Cayman Bank Limitedinvites applications from suitable qualified Caymanians for an annualScholarship of CI$15,000 to pursue an Associates or Bachelor’s degree at an accrediteduniversity BuldngTomorrowToday CIBCCayman BankLimited 2019Scholarship Successful candidates must: •Beaccepted or are currently enrolledas a full-time student for the 2019academic year •Be 18 years of age or older •Provide proven academic record (GPA of 3.0 or higher) •Be Caymanianborn or hold Caymanian Status Email: human.resourcescayman@cibcfcib.comto obtain scholarship guidelines andapplication form Deadline for applications is May31,2019 Day said of the judgment, “It shows that love wins and I am really happy that the right re- sult was received today.” There was no immediate word on whether government plans to appeal the ruling. Attorney General Samuel Bulgin described the judgment as “very interesting”. He told reporters as he left court, “Understandably, the gov- ernment will have to take some time to consider it and think about how to move forward.” Premier Alden McLaughlin did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. The couples lawyer Ben Tonner, QC, released a brief statement later on Friday, saying: “Chantelle and Vickie are delighted that their rela- tionship has been recognised at long last. The Chief Justice’s decision demonstrates in une- quivocal terms that the rule of law and the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom are alive and well in the Cayman Islands.” The judgment Chief Justice Smellie read out a 38-page summary of his lengthy legal judgment Friday. He dismissed government’s argument that Section 14 (1) of the constitution, which en- shrines the right to marry for opposite sex couples, can be in- terpreted as a blanket ban on marriage for same-sex couples. He agreed with the couple’s contention that failing to allow them equal access to marriage breached their right to a private and family life, among other basic human rights. “By its ongoing refusal to recognise and respect these rights of the petitioners, the state has been and remains in violation of their rights,” he said. The chief justice added that the amendment to the Marriage Law, introduced in 2008, to spe- cifically define marriage as ex- clusively between a man and a woman, had imposed “indignity, inequality of treatment and in- equality of legal status upon same-sex couples”. Since the passage of the Constitution, he said, this clause of the Marriage Law had been out of sync with the fun- damental rights guaranteed to all Cayman Islands residents. He added that tradi- tion and religion could not be used to deny rights to same- sex couples. “No justification has been established to sustain this se- vere form of discrimination. “The possible desires of the heterosexual majority to main- tain a perceived tradition of marriage of its liking or to im- pose dominant religious beliefs on the homosexual minority, cannot, as the extensive survey of the case law has shown, con- stitute valid justification.” He said the failure to pro- vide for legal recognition of same-sex relationships also vi- olated the right to freedom of conscience, the right to freedom from discrimination, and nu- merous other rights under Cay- man’s constitution. He accepted the couple’s argument that gov- ernment’s failure to amend the law to bring it in line with the Bill of Rights meant that it was the court’s duty to modify the law. The couple’s story Outlining the background to the case, he said Day, who was born and raised in the Cayman Islands, and Bodden Bush, originally from the Bay Islands in Honduras but with deep roots in Caymanian so- ciety, had met and fallen in love in the Cayman Islands. They left the islands between 2014 and 2018, in part because of Bodden Bush’s “tenuous immigration status” and the lack of a mecha- nism in Cayman for their rela- tionship to be recognised. They got engaged in 2017 and decided to move back to the Cayman Islands and try to marry in Day’s home country. Citing Day’s evidence to the court, Chief Justice Smellie said she had attested, “It would be demoralising to have married abroad and have to return to Cayman to fight for our mar- riage to be recognised.” He said they had written to the premier and governor on several occasions in an effort to have their relationship rec- ognised without going to court. “By any objective measure, it must be regretted that such ef- forts at finding a non-litigious solution did not bear fruit,” the chief justice said. When their appeals fell on deaf ears, the couple applied in April last year for the right to marry, which was refused by the deputy registrar of the Cayman Islands on the grounds that they are of the same sex. In July last year, they appealed that decision to the courts. The trial During a three-day trial in February this year, lawyers for the couple highlighted the con- stitutional right to a private and family life, the right to freedom of conscience, and the right to freedom from discrimi- nation as part of their case that same-sex couples should be al- lowed to marry. They cited prec- edents from across the devel- oped world, referencing how similar clauses had been used in other jurisdictions to allow same-sex marriage. Crucially, the couple’s bar- rister Edward Fitzgerald, QC, said the European Court of Human Rights had established civil partnerships, with similar legal rights to marriage, as the minimum acceptable standard for same-sex couples. The im- pact of the court’s rulings ex- tend to Cayman because of its constitutional ties to the United Kingdom. Though they are a family unit living in the Cayman Islands, the state treats them as “legal strangers”, he said, denying them a suite of rights on issues relating to suc- cession, immigration, insurance and adoption. Government defended the same-sex marriage ban, claiming it had always been the intention of the constitu- tion to preserve marriage for heterosexual couples. Jeffrey Jowell, QC, acting for the gov- ernment in the case, argued that the islands’ Bill of Rights was a “unique instrument” founded on the distinct history and Christian tradition of the Cayman Islands. He said it was “no mere mirror” of constitutions in other advanced democracies, and the freedoms it guarantees, in- cluding the right to freedom from discrimination, could not be used, as they have in other countries, to advance the cause of same-sex marriage. The final word The chief justice dismissed the government’s argument, saying it had “not and cannot justify the discrimination” in treating same-sex couples dif- ferently because of their sexual orientation. He added, “It is to be hoped, perhaps even more fervently, that our constitutional de- mocracy will itself have been strengthened by the affirmation of a state’s obligation to respect the fundamental rights and, in doing so, to preserve the cru- cial balance between different aspirations and ideals which might otherwise be at tension in society.” Petition Opponents to the change in the Marriage Law have launched an online petition, which calls for the government to put the marriage definition matter to a people-initiated referendum. By Sunday afternoon, 2,760 people had signed the change. org petition. he had worked with over the years that had helped make his career a success. Man- derson was named as Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, MBE, for his services to the Cayman Is- lands at the Queen’s Birthday celebrations in June last year. Thinking back on his ca- reer highlights, Manderson re- called working 14-hour days as a young immigration officer. He said he was pleased to have advanced from there to be deputy governor and to help transform the civil service to the point where it was uni- versally well regarded by its employees and its customers. Citing the fact that 225,000 government customers hit the green smiley face button to show their appreciation for government’s customer ser- vice at various outlets during the last year, he said satis- faction with the civil service was improving. Of the royal visit and the investiture ceremony at Pedro St. James Thursday, Man- derson said it was a wonderful visit and a proud moment for the Cayman Islands. “We have a lot to be proud of. We have pulled off a signifi- cant royal visit,” he said. “Eve- ryone came together to make it a special event and the royals will have left with a keen un- derstanding of what Cayman is all about.” He said he was impressed with how much time the royal couple had spent meeting and greeting Caymanians and how willing they had been to en- gage with everyone they met. There were also awards presented by the prince on Thursday to Felicia McLean, director of operations and nursing at Jasmine hos- pice, and athlete Andrew Smilley. Both got Certifi- cates and Badges of Honour. McLean received the award for her services to pallia- tive care in Cayman, while Smilley received his for ser- vices to sport. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A night to remember for Manderson Same-sex marriage legalised in Cayman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Vickie Bodden Bush, giving a V-for-victory sign, and Chantelle Day, second from left, with her mother Merta Day, outside court following Friday’s landmark ruling. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY Deputy Government Franz Manderson, second from left, sporting his new MBE medal on his suit lapel, with his son Franz Jr., daughter Alyssa, and wife Nuvia. - PHOTO: ALVARO SEREY8 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS Jasmine hospice opens with royal pomp and circumstance SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, officially opened Jasmine Villas, Cayman’s new hospice and palliative care fa- cility, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. The duchess participated in the opening ceremony and toured the facility, greeting local children and mem- bers of the community who lent a hand to the project, which was largely funded by public donations. Chris Duggan, chairman of Jasmine, and government min- ister Joey Hew made opening remarks. They then led the duchess on a brief tour of the hospice-care facility. “This is icing on the cake,” Hew said. “This is perfect after such a tremendous com- munity effort, and it’s a won- derful story to have the royals visiting us and the duchess open the villas. It’s been a dream of Jasmine, formerly known as [Cayman Hospice- Care], to have a home for it- self, not to mention a patient- care facility. It was a long time coming. It took one man to start the fundraising and the country jumped behind him.” With that last comment, the minister was referring to Derek Haines, a one-man ambassador of fundraising. Haines, an avid endurance athlete, embarked on a series of fundraising runs in 2014 that ultimately raised around $1.7 million for Jasmine. “It’s almost five years since the first marathon in Paris,” Haines said. “It’s just fantastic to see everybody here and surrounded by a lot of the people very much in- volved in it. “I did the running and kicked off the fundraising, but look around the room. All these people were involved, whether it’s the Dart foun- dation or John Doak with the architecture. It was the whole community at large, from large donations to the dreadie on the bike who gave me $6. It makes such a difference.” John Doak, the head of a local architecture firm, was thrilled to be a part of the project, and he said that he wanted the Jasmine facility to be a warm building that celebrated the lives of its pa- tients. Doak said that he had never met the duchess before and he was proud to be part of the receiving line. “She’s an extraordinary person,” he said. “She went around the entire room and she clearly has an interest in this project and the contribu- tions of everyone here. It was a delightful experience.” And it was not just a com- munity effort. It was a family affair. Jackie Doak, the pres- ident of business develop- ment for Dart’s real estate di- vision and the wife of John Doak, said that it was a thrill to be part of the larger effort of building Jasmine, and that Dart took great pride in its accomplishment. “It all started with Derek, who really created a tidal wave within the community,” she said. “We were very sup- portive of Derek’s goals, and as part of that, we agreed to donate this land …. The road that’s just gone through by the front will actually con- nect to Camana Bay proper. In addition to being a com- munity effort, it’s been a com- pany effort. Chris Duggan is on the board of hospice, and Derek was with us for 12 years before he left us to do a lot more fundraising.” A day after Jasmine got its royal opening, staff, well- wishers and supporters the next evening for a celebratory opening of the facility. The hospice and pallia- tive care centre will provide professional and diligent care free of charge to its pa- tients, and the facility will be administered by a staff of nine and a rotating group of volunteers. Planning for the facility began in 2014, and the Plan- ning Department granted permission for the construc- tion to begin in November of 2016. There was a ceremonial groundbreaking in June 2017. “On this occasion of the historic visit by the Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Corn- wall, this is also a very his- toric day, not just for our or- ganization at Jasmine but for the Cayman Islands,” said Duggan at Thursday’s event. “It marks the first time the Cayman Islands has had a dedicated in-patient hospice and palliative care unit,” he added. “It’s a huge achievement. It’s been 20- plus years in the making. It’s always been a dream of our organisation.” Duchess Camilla cuts the ribbon, officially opening Jasmine Villa, a facility for hospice and palliative care patients. Pictured with her, from left, are Jasmine chairman Chris Duggan, the facility’s medical director Dr. Virginia Hobday, fundraiser Derek Haines and Jasmine’s director of operations and nursing, Felicia McLean. - PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY The duchess meets local school children at the hospice opening. Jasmine chairman Chris Duggan, left, with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Minister of Commerce Joey Hew beside the newly unveiled plaque at Jasmine Villa on Thursday. Duchess Camilla chats to Derek Haines, who raised $1.7 million through marathon runs for Jasmine, as Chris Duggan looks on.9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY APRIL 1, 2019 STEAKHOUSE A Rare Steakhouse, Very Well Done Thursday, April 4 th 2019 For one special night. All of our valued guests Will receive 10% off Their entire bill. Opening Hours are 5:30-10:30 Nightly Located across from the Strand Shopping Centre, 43 Canal Point Drive Reservation highly recommended For this special night, Please call 945-4755 Celebrating Our 14th Birthday Prince Charles hitches ride on police helicopter SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com Barely a week into its ser- vice, Cayman’s new police helicopter carried some pre- cious cargo. Prince Charles used the newest addition to Cayman’s fleet during his royal visit, travelling from Little Cayman to Clifton Hunter High School on Grand Cayman and then on to The Ritz-Carlton. He landed outside the hotel Thursday to meet a de- tachment of emergency re- sponders who had been de- ployed in 2017 to help in the aftermath of devastating hur- ricanes in the region. The helicopter made a dra- matic entrance flying above The Ritz-Carlton’s golf course before landing on a helipad, and Prince Charles went up and down a receiving line shaking hands of the people who deployed to storm-dam- aged areas in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. “It was really exciting. It was beautiful to see,” said Danielle Coleman, director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands. “It’s an incredible oc- casion for all of us here in the Cayman Islands, and it’s really good that he and the duchess have gone around to all these events for the last few days.” Earlier, after landing at Clifton Hunter school where he was greeted by students, Prince Charles visited the nearby Queen Elizabeth II Bo- tanic Park, before returning to the school and re-boarding the helicopter for the journey to The Ritz-Carlton. He was accompanied on the ride by Governor Martyn Roper. The prince briefly shared a moment with each person in the line, shaking their hands and learning how they had contributed in the Caribbean’s hour of need. Steve Fitzgerald, unit ex- ecutive officer of the Air Op- erations Unit with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice, said it was a proud moment for Cayman to have the prince riding in its helicopter. “It was really great that he took the time out to meet with the team,” said Fitzgerald. “We’ve been through a lot in the past few weeks with get- ting this aircraft here. It’s good to show people the air- craft and the fact that the prince was one of the first people to ride in it is quite indescribable.” The timing of the ar- rival of the Airbus H145 hel- icopter on island last month was brought forward after the RCIPS’s existing heli- copter sustained damage and was taken out of service following an aborted take- off caused by a technical fault in February. Fitzgerald said Cayman’s Air Operations Unit organ- ised quickly in the wake of Hurricane Irma and arrived in Turks and Caicos in storm- force conditions in September 2017. They had to anchor the aircraft down overnight, and then began the hard work of flying around damaged areas and helping people. “The first thing they had to do was go around the is- lands and reassure people that help was coming,” he said. “And then they did the damage assessments and started ferrying people out. It was something that we never imagined we’d do an- ywhere else other than the Cayman Islands. We’re fortu- nate in the Cayman Islands that since the aircraft has been here nine years ago, we haven’t had to do that.” Neil Mohammed, the deputy unit executive officer with the Air Operations Unit, said the new helicopter will give the team more capability and more payload to meet fu- ture emergency operations. And as one of the people standing in line and waiting for the Prince, he was thrilled with the recognition. “It’s probably one of the biggest pats on the back we’ve received [with] the prince coming and making mention of our deployment to [Turks and Caicos Islands],” he said. Their moment with Prince Charles was brief, but as far as Fitzgerald is concerned, having a royal in a Cayman aircraft is a moment that may never be duplicated. “It says ‘Police’, but this is a Cayman Islands aircraft. And he’s flown in it,” he said. “We’re particularly proud. As far as I know, this is the only police aircraft that has had royal flight approval to have a royal in it, other than the Princes William and Harry who fly them. That’s a dif- ferent thing.” Prince Charles meets members of the RCIPS’s Air Support Unit and other emergency support responders who travelled to Turks and Caicos following a devastating hurricane in 2017. - PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKE Prince Charles touches down at The Ritz-Carlton Thursday, where he met a delegation of people who had helped hurricane survivors in Turks and Caicos in 2017. - PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKE KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com At its annual general meeting last week, Cayman National Corporation Ltd. shareholders voted to ap- point Republic Group execu- tives Nigel Baptiste and Roo- pnarine Oumade Singh. Appointing Baptiste and Singh to the board of Cayman National is pursuant to terms of agreement for Re- public Group’s acquisition of the once-local bank. The Trin- idad-based Republic Group acquired 74.99% of Cayman National stock via its Bar- bados branch, the Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Barbados) Ltd., and now has power to control the compo- sition of the board of direc- tors, subject to the condi- tion that the majority of the board remains Caymanian. Baptiste is the managing director of the Republic Bank, and Singh is an execu- tive director of the bank. Bapsite was present at last week’s annual gen- eral meeting, and told re- porters that he does not ex- pect to have a heavy hand in how Cayman National is governed. “Hopefully, I will not be too closely involved because I sit on five or six other boards,” he said. “I won’t be too involved, but my role will be to add value. I hope I can ask one or two good ques- tions at every meeting.” The Republic Group has also committed in writing to not institute systematic layoffs or redundancy for at least five years, “unless there is a significant adverse eco- nomic change or compelling business reason to do so”. The Trinidad group’s offer circular further states that the Republic Group does not intend to intro- duce any major changes to the business or opera- tions of Cayman National, to discontinue the employment of the employees of Cayman National, or to re-deploy the fixed assets of Cayman Na- tional, except in the ordinary course of the business – “pro- vided, that [Republic] retains the flexibility at any time to consider any options in re- lation to Cayman National which the [Republic] may re- gard to be in the interest of Cayman National as part of a wider corporate group”. As for the name and branding of Cayman Na- tional, Republic Group has committed to maintaining those things until at least Dec. 31, 2023, according to the circular. TRINIDAD DIRECTORS APPOINTED TO CAYMAN NATIONAL BOARD Roopnarine Oumade SinghNigel BaptisteNext >