High of 89 Low of 79 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. SPORTS | PAGE 13 BIG PRIZES IN CAYMAN BILLFISH RUNDOWN EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 THE RETURN OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CLASSIC ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 3 seized dogs die, others see ‘significant improvement’ Three of the 53 dogs taken by police in the islands’ largest-ever seizure of mistreated canines ear- lier this month have succumbed to Parvovirus infection, but authori- ties say “significant improvement” has been observed in the overall health and condition of other dogs since arriving at the shelter. Senior veterinarians from three practices – Cayman Animal Hos- pital, Island Veterinary services and The Vet Clinic – were invited 14 May to work with the Depart- ment of Agriculture to address the medical conditions of the dogs. “The private veterinarians who were seeing the dogs for the first time expressed that they were in better condition than they ex- pected them to be,” the DoA said in a press release. The veterinarians started by addressing the presence of Parvo- virus among the animals that were confiscated. “The improvement of these dogs to date is testimony to the hard work and dedication of the team at the DoA and the private vets who have been assisting us from the beginning. In particular I would like to acknowledge the ef- forts of DoA’s Veterinary Officer Dr. Dorman, and Drs. Alfred and Olivia Benjamin, the Senior Animal Wel- fare Officer and the Department’s two Animal Control Officers, who CARIBBEAN TOP COPS MEETING IN CAYMAN THIS WEEK Police commissioners from around the Caribbean are in Cayman this week to discuss re- gional law enforcement issues. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service released an agenda of the public events that will be held at the Marriott, starting with remarks to be made by the RCIPS commis- sioner Derek Byrne, Premier Alden McLaughlin, and Governor Martyn Roper on Tuesday morning. Wednesday features an exhibitors’ fair, with presentations by private companies that discuss innovations in technology to assist law enforcement. Wednesday night will see the main awards ceremony, where awards will be presented for Top Caribbean Crime Fighter, Top Caribbean Career Move, and Top Caribbean Community Police Officer. The RCIPS has finalists in the first two categories. The week will wrap up with a press conference with Byrne and Association of Caribbean Com- missioners of Police President Ian Queeley. CayMas draws lively crowd for parade KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hundreds of people hit the streets on Sat- urday for round two of the territory’s carnival celebrations. The CayMas street parade started in George Town around 1pm, and the feather-clad crowd spent the next four hours dancing, wining, and grinding their way to Seven Mile Public Beach. For CayMas participant Anna Moral, the best thing about the event can be summed up in one word: ‘feathers’! Moral donned a blue carnival outfit that she said “matches the colour of the Caribbean sea”. First-time CayMas-goer Christian Shannon agreed that the visual element was the best part of the parade. “Everyone looks great in feathers,” he said. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » Quinn McCrimmon from Quinntessential Movement was one of the paraders who wound their way from South Church Street to Seven Mile Public Beach. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY2 LOCAL®IONAL TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS BREAKTHROUGH (PG) 1:25 I 4:10 I 7:15 I 10:00 SUN: 4:10 I 7:15 I 10:00 KALANK (PG) 3:10 I 9:00 (SAT ONLY) I 9:30 (NO SAT) SUN: 3:10 I 9:20 LITTLE (PG13) 12:30 I 3:25 (SAT ONLY) I 3:50 (NO SAT) 6:50 I 9:45 SUN: 3:50 I 6:50 I 9:35 DUMBO(PG) 10:30 (SAT ONLY) I 4:35 I 7:15 (NO SAT) SUN: 4:35 I 7:15 CAPTAIN MARVEL(PG13) 1:40 I 10:00 (NO SAT) SUN: 6:30 I 10:00 THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (R) 1:10 VIP I 4:35 I 7:00 VIP I 10:15 HELLBOY (R) 12:35 (SAT ONLY) I 1:00 I 6:10 (SAT ONLY) I 6:45 SHAZAM! (PG13) 1:30 I 3:40 VIP I 7:15 I 9:30 VIP SUN: 3:40 VIP I 4:40 I 6:40 VIP 8:00 I 9:40 VIP KIDS CLUB: OVER THE HEDGE(PG) 10:00 (SAT ONLY) CULTURE AT THE CINEMA: THE TRAGEDY OF KIND RICHARD THE SECOND(R18) SAT ONLY: 8:00 Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR (PG13) 1:25 I 4:30 I 9:50 A DOG’S JOURNEY (PG) 12:30 I 3:10 I 6:50 I 9:30 POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU (PG) 1:30 I 4:05 3D I 7:15 THE HUSTLE (PG13) 1:00 I 7:30 I 10:00 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM (R) 1:00 I 4:00 I 6:45 I 9:45 I 9:50 VIP AVENGERS: END GAME (PG13) 2:00 VIP I 3:35 I 8:00 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA: ROMEO + JULIET PG13) 7:00 VIP Visiting Specialist will be available for consultation at Novo Clinic, Britcay House 236 Eastern Avenue from 4 June - 24 June, 2019 For appointments please call +1 (345) 746-6082 clinic@novocayman.com Gynecology, Urogynecology, Cosmeti c Gynecology CONOLLY ELECTED DIVISION DIRECTOR FOR TOASTMASTERS Kimberley Conolly has been elected division di- rector for Toastmasters to lead a trio of countries rep- resenting Division B – Ja- maica, the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos. Conolly, an outgoing area director, will take up the new role starting 1 July, coordinating activities, set- ting goals and assisting with training the area and club leaders between the islands, which will have a focus on the members in Jamaica, according to a press release. The election took place at the District Conference in Bonaire on the weekend. In Bonaire, Sashoy Duncan of Eminent Orators took home second place in the Table Topics com- petition. She also placed third in the Evaluation competition. Duncan was among seven competitors from the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Bo- naire, Guyana, Aruba, Haiti and Jamaica. Other awards cele- brated during the confer- ence were for the 2017- 2018 year, including President’s Distinguished Area with Grand Cayman Toastmasters, Eloquent Speakers, Scotiabank Pio- neers, and Eminent Ora- tors earning President’s Distinguished Clubs status, the highest award granted in recognition of their accomplishments. Grand Court dates set Charges include firearms, burglary, wounding CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Justice Roger Chapple presided in Grand Court on Friday when various trial dates were set, along with mentions for the sentencing of several defendants who pleaded guilty to charges against them. Kemar Anthony Boothe pleaded guilty to possession of unlicensed firearms – a Smith & Wesson handgun and 15 rounds of ammunition at his residence earlier this year. When the charges first came to court, the magistrate heard that the loaded firearm had been found in the oven of the kitchen stove. On Friday, Senior Crown counsel Nicole Petit said the items were recovered in the course of an investigation into another matter that was not entirely separate. Defence attorney Oliver Grimwood noted Petit’s “dip- lomatic” language and sug- gested the matter not be put for sentencing yet. He asked for a date in another month or so. “By that time we will know the lie of the land,” he said. Boothe’s next date is June 14. Daine Marcel Bennett was scheduled to return for sen- tencing on 14 June. Origi- nally charged with burglaries, he entered pleas of guilty on Friday to four counts of han- dling stolen goods. Bennett admitted handling the items on or before 24 Oct. 2018, knowing or believing that they had been stolen. The items included jew- ellery, watches, shoes and sunglasses. Petit said the pleas were acceptable. Bennett was represented by attorney Crister Brady. Sentencing for James Blair Ebanks was put to 11 July. He had previously pleaded guilty to burglary at Cobalt Coast Resort on 31 March 2019. He admitted entering part of the building as a trespasser with intent to steal. Ebanks pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary at the same prem- ises four days earlier. The ag- gravating factor was the car- rying of a machete at the time of entry. In that count, he was accused of entering as a tres- passer and stealing an assort- ment of beverages. The Crown accepted his pleas. Ebanks was repre- sented by attorney Crister Brady, standing in for John Furniss. The death of a cyclist has resulted in charges against driver Wilfred Ellington Myles Jr., whose court date has been rescheduled for 31 May. The cyclist, Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Kir- zner, died after being struck by a motor vehicle along North Church Street on Monday, 15 April. A woman accused of wounding with intent to cause bodily harm denied the charge and had her trial set for 2 Sept. Arthurlyn Diane Ebanks pleaded not guilty to wounding another woman on Birch Tree Hill Road in West Bay on 4 May. She elected trial by jury and is represented by attorney Amelia Fosuhene. A man facing four counts of rape had his trial con- firmed for 17 June. Can tourism revive Cuba’s economy? Trump restrictions take hold VARADERO, Cuba (AP) – The battle for Cuba’s economic future is being waged on its beaches. And at its all-inclu- sive resorts, dive sites and cobblestoned colonial plazas. As most of Cuba’s economy stagnates or de- clines, the country has launched a full-scale effort to turn virtually the only bright spot – tourism – into an engine that can drag the rest of the communist is- land through its worst eco- nomic crisis in two decades. In government meetings and propaganda, it has now set a goal of drawing 5 million tourists in 2019 – perhaps the modern-day equivalent of its Soviet-era dependence on the annual sugar-harvest production. “In the middle of the hardening of the blockade on Cuba, the activation of Title III of Helms-Burton by the president of the United States, we’re assuming re- sponsibility for injecting for- eign exchange and devel- oping the economy,” said Ivis Fernández, the top tourism official in Matanzas prov- ince, home to the beach re- sort town of Varadero. Across the Florida Straits, the Trump administration is intently focused on scaling back tourism to the island as part of a campaign to smother the Cuban economy and force its government to sever ties with President Nicolás Maduro’s govern- ment in Venezuela. Trump recently activated a section of the 1996 US law known as Helms-Burton, al- lowing lawsuits against foreign companies doing business on properties con- fiscated after the island’s so- cialist revolution. His admin- istration has also pledged to limit the legal reasons under which Americans can visit Cuba, saying too many people are disguising illegal tourism as educational, re- ligious or other types of travel. The US has also pro- hibited Americans from pat- ronising a series of hotels and other facilities run by the military conglomerate that controls many of the most important sectors of the Cuban economy. But despite the restrictive measures, the Cuban govern- ment is only doubling down on its bet that tourism to one of the world’s last com- munist nations will con- tinue to surge. Cuba began to open the island to tourists after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent loss of billions a year in aid. In 1996, Cuba had 30,000 state-owned hotel rooms and about a mil- lion tourists a year. Last year it had about 70,000 rooms, with another 24,000 in privately owned bed-and-breakfasts. In total, Cuba drew 4.7 million tourists in 2018, a 1.3% rise over the previous year that puts its latest goal of 5 million within reach. Visits to the island are al- ready running 7% higher than the same period last year, when some 639,000 US trav- ellers took a trip, the second- highest of any nationality ex- cept Canada. Official figures show that 257,000 Americans visited Cuba in the first four months of 2019, a 93% rise over the same period last year. Mean- while, about 142,000 came on cruise ships, a form of travel that remains legal and is largely responsible for the rising number of Amer- ican travellers to Cuba. Only 40,000 American cruise pas- sengers visited Cuba in the first four months of 2018. But even so, challenges loom large on an island whose most important busi- ness sectors are in varying states of shambles. Cuba is currently trying to revive businesses ranging from agriculture to textiles by turning them into part of the supply chain for the tourism business. State-run factories, warehouses and workshops are largely in disrepair after years of embargo and cen- tral planning, and many of the millions earned by ho- tels and tour buses must be turned around and spent on imported goods ranging from food to bedsheets. Hotel Royalton staff entertain tourists during a beach party, in Varadero, Cuba. - PHOTO: AP Incoming Division Director Kimberley Conolly, on right, presents a pineapple to current Division Director Janet Plummer of Jamaica, paying homage to the ties between the two nations and to honour the anniversary of Cayman’s Coat of Arms.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 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” Months before the tip-off of the third-annual Cayman Islands Classic, we are confident in declaring at least one winner: Cayman’s blossoming sports tourism industry. Eight US college basketball teams and a thousand or more loyal fans are expected to arrive for the preseason tournament in late in November: Loyola-Chicago, Nebraska, Old Dominion, New Mexico State, South Florida, Washington State, Colorado State and George Mason. The timing could not be better, with the athletes, support staff and boosters giving a welcome ‘boost’ to our tourism economy and our islands’ global vis- ibility just before the busy tourist season. Organizers say last year’s tournament generated an estimated US$2 million economic impact, and attracted more than 1 million viewers on Facebook Live. As Caymax Sports CEO Joe Wright said at a news conference about this year’s event, “We’re on the uprise and we’re moving fast.” The tournament also makes good use of the John Gray High School gym, which was built, in part, to double as a national indoor arena – at considerable public expense. Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell has said he already considers the Cayman Islands Classic “a tremendous success”. His ministry has budgeted $75,000 to support the tournament this year. Ideally, and soon, the tournament will become so firmly rooted in the NCAA preseason schedule that such public support will no longer be needed. In the short-term, modest public investments are a wise use of funds, helping keep visitor numbers up and building a foundation for future growth in this lucrative and popular tourism sector. Like last month’s overwhelmingly successful CARIFTA Games, the November tournament gives locals the chance to watch elite athletes in action while sharing our islands’ unique charm with new visitors. Each well-planned and executed event helps establish Cayman as a sports tourism destina- tion, each ‘win’ increasing our ability to attract even more regional and global competitions and draw competitors to homegrown competitions such as the Flowers Sea Swim. This July, the Cayman Rugby Union will host the Rugby North American Sevens tournament. As the Cayman Compass reported, the group intends to submit a bid to host the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens, which would bring teams and supporters from all over the world. We wish them every success. Tapping into sports tourism is a sound strategy for our tourism sector, opens up new entertainment options for locals and helps teach our young people the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle. In short, it’s a slam dunk. The return of the Cayman Islands Classic TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS Repositioning the Caribbean’s relationship with Europe DAVID JESSOP In just under a week’s time voters from across the whole of the European Union will go to the polls to elect a new Eu- ropean Parliament. The result is expected to alter Europe’s centrist bal- ance, and more importantly contribute to the repositioning of all political parties in- cluding those in France, Ger- many, and an already semi-de- tached Britain. For nearly a decade, Brexit notwithstanding, far right and populist political groups have been gaining support. Where once, one could reliably pre- dict that citizens in most EU nations would largely vote on economic and national issues, electorates have become less predictable. Most pollsters suggest that in this European election it will be the populist and na- tionalist parties that make sig- nificant gains. Analysis by Politico sug- gests an outcome involving a significant shift to the right. The multimedia platform sug- gests that within the next 751- seat European Parliament, 388 of its members will repre- sent centrist parties, 212 right wing parties, 123 will be left of centre and 28 will come from other parties. It additionally believes that of those likely to be elected, 465 will be pro-EU, a sizeable minority of 257 will be Eurosceptic, and 29 will have an unclear position. How accurate such fore- casts may be, could addi- tionally depend on the hard to gauge influence of exter- nally financed or directed third parties. Using social media and pan-European data bases to discredit facts and rational argument, such groups ap- pear to be seeking the election of radical right-wing parties able to return greater con- trol to individual European states, thereby weakening Eu- ropean coherence. The expectation therefore is that the 23 to 26 May vote will result in a European Par- liament that is less consensus driven, more fragmented, and have a smaller pro-Euro- pean majority. More will become clear after the new Parliament con- venes on 2 July. Then, those elected by national ballot will have formed themselves into EU-wide parliamentary polit- ical groupings, of which there are presently eight. They will then play a role in what is ex- pected to be a tense debate that will shape the appointment of Europe’s executive the Euro- pean Commission, and for the Presidency of the Council, the political body that brings to- gether the EU’s member states. Later as the parliamen- tary term proceeds, these pan- European political coalitions will influence Europe’s inter- national relations, having the final say, for example, on de- velopment policy and the de- velopment budget, foreign and security policy, trade agree- ments, and whatever post 2020 treaty arrangements are negotiated with the ACP and its regions. CARICOM states have al- ways felt confident for his- toric reasons of their ability to exert political influence in Europe in these and other re- spects. However, the EU is on the cusp of change, not just as a consequence of Brexit, but because the balance of polit- ical power in each of its insti- tutions is in flux. The centre right in the Eu- ropean Parliament is weak- ening and may divide. Germa- ny’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel is to step down in 2021, France’s President is seeking profound change and deeper European political integration, while Italy and some eastern states are interested in funda- mental reform and a less fed- eral Europe. This suggests that the Car- ibbean will need to think stra- tegically about future relations and to cultivate new high-level political interlocutors who have an interest in the region. As Europe’s High Repre- sentative, Federica Mogherini, recently wrote in the Carib- bean media, the EU remains a major investor, trade partner, a provider of development assis- tance and humanitarian relief, believes in dialogue and the peaceful resolution of crises, supports the need to address climate change, and shares the region’s values. Unfortunately, in recent years and despite the efforts of Ambassadors, most Carib- bean governments have paid little high-level attention to de- veloping a more strategic rela- tionship with political groups in the Parliament, the Council or the higher reaches of the European Commission, pre- ferring to still see the EU as an aid donor. It is an impression re- inforced by the 13-14 May meeting of Caribbean Foreign Ministers in Grenada. Despite the recent publi- cation of a European policy paper setting out the breadth of the EU’s vision for its future relations with the Caribbean and Latin America, there was no acknowledgement of its sig- nificance or even its existence in the final communique. In- stead the most prominent ref- erences were to the need for CARICOM ‘to strategically con- sider its long-term engage- ment with the US’, Venezuela, the post Brexit trade arrange- ment with the UK, Cuba, and concern about the EU’s black- listing of some regional finan- cial jurisdictions. To be fair, it is possible that Foreign Ministers may have considered the issue in caucus when they discussed a presen- tation on ‘Leveraging the Com- munity’s Voice in an Era of Challenge and Disorder’, but this is far from clear. That said, officials in Brus- sels continue to stress the EU’s genuine desire to broaden its political dialogue with the Caribbean, observing that a mutually arrived at strategic understanding would add long-term value by offering an approach that is different to that of China and the US. Common sense suggests that in a rapidly changing world this is the moment when the region should look over the horizon and recognise that a close political relation- ship with likeminded groups in Europe’s new Parliament and its sovereign states will in future be as strategically im- portant as its transatlantic re- lations with the UK, a country which post Brexit may take a decade or more to stabilise and reinvent itself. David Jessop is a consultant to the Caribbean Council and can be contacted at david.jessop@Caribbean-council.org. © 2019, David Jessop. Unfortunately ... most Caribbean governments have paid little high-level attention to developing a more strategic relationship with political groups in the Parliament, the Council or the higher reaches of the European Commission, preferring to still see the EU as an aid donor.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 Public safety agencies show off at job fair MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com Hundreds of school chil- dren and adults swept through the University Col- lege of the Cayman Is- lands’ Sir Vassel Johnson Hall on Thursday, picking up information and dis- cussing career opportuni- ties with police, prison offi- cials, emergency responders and more, as part of the Public Safety Recruitment Fair and Expo. One of the more pop- ular stations was that of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, where offi- cials had a drone on dis- play, along with information on everything from finger- printing to financial crimes. A video highlighting po- lice activity played in the background. Det. Sam Sillitoe was in a uniform she rarely wears. Sil- litoe runs the major incident room for the department, and she is usually in street clothes, working on hom- icide cases. The expo, she said, is the one time during the year when the department gets to promote itself to the public. “It’s really important, be- cause they can actually speak to a detective and I’m right here,” Sillitoe said. It’s an op- portunity to “just to show all the good work that we do and how busy we are”. During the early part of the day, she said, the table was swamped with primary school children. She handed out puzzles that asked the kids to identify the differ- ences in two nearly identical pictures. Good practice for detectives, she said. College students were on hand as well. Chante Stimpson and Jessica Bodden were with a group of fellow third-year nursing stu- dents. None was looking for a job outside of nursing, but they did feel they gathered useful information from an EMT at the ambulance ser- vice station. “He told us we could do ride-alongs with the EMTs,” Bodden said. “We didn’t know about that.” Learning more about what goes on in the field, be- fore patients reach the hos- pital, is useful, she said. “The more information we have, the more we can help out.” Stimpson said coordi- nation between agencies is important. “Their job plays a great role in our job,” she said of the EMTs and para- medics. “We see how we can work with each department, hand-in-hand.” Paramedic Krystal Arch said the ambulance service is currently hoping to add to its 39-member staff. “We’re always looking for more people,” she said. “We need more personnel.” Arch said it’s good to have an event, such as the expo, where the agency can show- case its services. “I think they are mas- sively important,” she said of job fairs. “I think we’re very undervalued in the commu- nity. We’re now pushing 6,000 calls per year. We definitely need the public to under- stand we’re very valued.” Not every agency was ready to hire. The newly combined immigration and border control services was holding off. Customs and Border Patrol officer Sta- ciemae Jackson said even she was still learning about the roles of the new agency. “It has been hard to answer certain ques- tions,” she said. “Right now we’re not re- cruiting,” Jackson said, al- though she was compiling a list of names of those who said they would be interested when hiring starts. “We’re trying to figure out where they want to be. It could be accounting. It could be the forensic side. The opportu- nity is definitely there, just not today.” EMT Adan Powell speaks with UCCI student nurses about the Cayman Islands MedEvac services. - PHOTO: MARK MUCKENFUSS MAN FOUND DEAD IN HIS VEHICLE A man was found non-re- sponsive inside his vehicle in George Town on 17 May and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, police said in a press release. Just after 1pm on Friday the 911 Communication Centre received a report of a medical emergency at a resi- dential complex off the Es- terley Tibbetts Highway. Police, fire and emer- gency medical services re- sponded immediately to assist. Fire officers assisted with a breach of the vehicle and emergency medical techni- cians tended to the man. The incident is under police investigation. “ It’s really important, because they can actually speak to a detective and I’m right here.” DET. SAM SILLITOEThe islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or non-profit organisations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Road or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, 21 MAY WATER WORKS: Water Authority – Cayman advises its customers and the motoring public of restricted access to Maclendon Dr. (off Dorcy Dr.) through to Friday 31 May. Access will be restricted from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. The restriction is necessary to carry out system improvements in the area. During this time, local access will be available only to businesses and residences in the area, and representatives of the Authority will be on hand to direct traffic. SAFETY TUESDAY: In celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week, the Health Services Authority EMS team hosts activities at Hurley’s Market 11am to 1pm and at Foster’s Airport store 3-5pm. Demonstrations include Hands Only CPR, Stop the Bleed, and Child Safety Seats. Refreshments will be available. BULLYING: Presentation by the Alex Panton Foundation. 6:30-8pm, South Sound Community Centre. WEDNESDAY, 22 MAY CHILD MONTH: Talk Early Talk Often (Parent Session), Family Resource Centre, 6-7:30pm. THURSDAY, MAY 23 BRAC COURT: Summary Court at the Aston Rutty Centre today and tomorrow from 10am. FRIDAY, 24 MAY BUILDING SAFETY MONTH: Information Booth, A.L. Thompson’s, today and tomorrow. CHILD MONTH: Trivia Game Night, John A. Cumber Primary School, 6-9:30pm. SATURDAY, 25 MAY CHILD MONTH: Wellness and cooking demo, Feed Our Future, Family Life Centre, 10am to 2pm; Community fun day, Neil Godfrey Park, 4-7pm; Real life superhero movie night, Camana Bay, 6-9:30pm; Teen disco, Cayman Brac Youth Centre, 6-10pm. SUNDAY, 26 MAY CHILD MONTH: SDA Fun Day, Cayman Academy, 2-5pm. Special Church Service, Cayman Brac, Stake Bay Baptist Church, 11am to noon. TUESDAY, 28 MAY CHILD MONTH: Snuggle & Read, Prospect Primary School, 6:30-9pm. WEDNESDAY, 29 MAY COMMERCE AND INVESTMENT: The Department of Commerce and Investment advises that their office will be closed to facilitate staff training. DCI will resume normal business hours on Thursday, 30 May. BUILDING SAFETY MONTH: Information Booth, Kirk Home Centre, 10am to 1pm. THURSDAY, 30 MAY CHILD MONTH: Snuggle & Read, Cayman Academy, 6-8pm. Trivia Game Night, Cayman Brac, Aston Rutty Civic Centre, 6-9pm. FRIDAY, 31 MAY CHILD MONTH: Trivia Game Night, George Town Town Hall, 6-9:30pm. SATURDAY, 1 JUNE CHILD MONTH: Cupcake Wars, Ritz-Carlton hotel, 10am to noon. For further information, contact Dept. of Children and Family Services, 949-0290. THURSDAY, JUNE 6 HIGH SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY: All former students of St. Ignatius High School are invited to our 25th anniversary social 5:30-7pm in Loyola Hall. Admission is free. RSVP to sicaymanalumni@gmail.com. GENERAL INTEREST COUNSELLING SERVICES: The Family Resource Centre and the Counselling Centre have moved. They are now with the Department of Counselling Services at their new home on Mary Street, at 87 West Apollo House. Hours are Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am to 7pm, and Wednesdays 9am to 4pm. PIRATES WEEK VENDORS: Food and craft vendors interested in participating in the upcoming Pirates Week Festival can reserve stalls starting Monday, 3 June. Food Festival dates are 8, 9 and 11 Nov. A valid DEH Food Handling Certificate must accompany completed application forms. All food vendors must use biodegradable containers and utensils (available from Pirates Week Festival office – limited supply). Space is limited, please register early. Download the application form at www.piratesweekfestival.com/ participate. To learn more call 949-5078 or info@piratesweekfestival.com. LOCAL HARVEST MARKET: Local farmers sell their produce and farmed goods at Camana Bay on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm in Heliconia Court (located next to Scotiabank). COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8pm, West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. ART OPEN CANVAS: At KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay, Wednesdays 7-11pm. Artists of all levels are welcome to come and enjoy painting and socialising with other artists. Includes use of easels, lights, space and a beverage ticket. No fee. For more information, contact info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY: Adult Open Studio available to those who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere. Wednesdays for adults, 9am till noon. Thursdays Adults and Youth, 10am till noon. Watler House Art Studio, Pedro St. James. Fee is $5/$15 pp for ceramics. $15/$25 pp non-members. Includes use of studio, glazes and ceramic tools. Clay available $30 per bag/fee for kiln usage. To register, call 546-9422 or email info@visualartcayman.com. SEAFARERS HALL: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association wishes to inform the community that the hall is now available for rent every day of the week, including Saturdays. THRIFT SHOP: Cayman Islands Humane Society Thrift Shop. Located in Venetia Plaza, next to China Village. The Thrift shop is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am to 2pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday. The phone number is 945-5596 THRIFT SHOP: One Dog at a Time’s New To U shop is now located at JJT Warehouses, Row 2, Unit 2 on Industrial Way. Open Saturdays 8am to 5pm and Wednesdays 10am to 2pm. Variety of items available, including men’s, women’s, children’s and baby clothes, shoes, household, electrical items, CDs, DVDs, books, home furnishings, toys, baby cribs, car seats, dog beds and more. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm at 68 Mary Street. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4pm; Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am to 4pm; Saturday 9:30am to 4:30pm. Volunteers needed for front desk a few hours per week. For more information, email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, DVDs, cards, etc., in good condition needed. CLUBS, ORGANISATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. Call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centred 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Tuesdays, 7:15pm. For details, contact Vanessa Gilman at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at ADACI’s office, 4th floor, Cardinall Plaza, 30 Cardinall Ave., George Town. Call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. GRAND CAYMAN TOASTMASTERS: Club meets each Thursday 6-7:15pm on 3rd Floor, George Town Public Library. Visitors and guests welcome. Contact George R. Ebanks at 322-9369 or Grand Cayman Toastmasters club on Facebook. Email info@ toastmastersclub2686.org. EMINENT ORATORS TOASTMASTERS: Want to be a better speaker or leader? Join a Toastmasters Club. The Eminent Orators Toastmasters Club meets every second and fourth Monday at Cayman Academy Canteen, Walkers Road, 6-7:30pm. Contact Sashoy Duncan at 939-8847 or email eminentorator stoastmasters@gmail. com. Visitors and guests welcome. THE LIONS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets every first and third Thursday 7:30pm at the Lions Community Centre. Email lionsclubgcm@hotmail.com. THE LIONS CLUB OF TROPICAL GARDENS: Meet every first and third Tuesday at 6:30pm at Elizabethan Square (corner unit). Members of the public are invited to attend. ROTARY CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN SUNRISE: Service club meetings 7am every Wednesday at George Town Yacht Club, 612 North Sound Road. Visit www.rotarysunrise.ky or info@rotarysunrise.ky. KIWANIS CLUB OF GRAND CAYMAN: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 12:30pm, at The Wharf Restaurant. Projects include promoting well- being of children in the community and schools. Email president@kiwanis.ky or view www.kiwanis.ky. RELIGIOUS SERVICES EL MINISTERIO HISPANO: de la Iglesia Bautista Cayman Islands te hace una cordial invitación a nuestro culto en español cada Domingo, 6:30pm, Pedro Castle Road, Savannah. Para transporte, llamar al teléfono no. 946-2422, email: cibaptist@candw.ky. SPANISH WORSHIP SERVICE: First Baptist Church, Crewe Road, 6:30-8:30pm. Third Sunday of each month. HARBOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH: Meets for Divine Worship and Fellowship at South Sound Community Centre, South Sound, Sundays at 10am www.safeharbourlc.com. MUSLIM PRAYER: Islamic Society of the Cayman Islands advises 5 times salaat/prayer at the Masjid. Fajr at 6am. Dhuhr at 1:15pm. Asr at 5:15pm. Maghrib at 7 minutes after sunset. Isha at 8pm website www.isci.org.ky. CATHOLIC CHURCH: St. Ignatius, Walkers Road, Mass 6pm Saturday; 8am, 11:30am, 6pm, Sundays. Christ the Redeemer, West Bay, Mass 9:45am, Sunday. JOHN GRAY MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH: Sunday worship for the family and Children’s Church, 10am. BOATSWAIN BAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Sundays. 10am. Christian Education for all ages; 11am, Morning Worship with nursery for youngsters; 7pm, Evening Worship. Visit www.bbpca.org. SUNRISE COMMUNITY CHURCH: Harquail Theatre, 10am, contemporary worship. Nursery ministry, children’s church and the Explorers are for ages infant to 11. Community groups meet during the week for fellowship and growth. www.sunrise.ky. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events As part of Child Month, Feed Our Future will be holding a wellness and cooking demo at the Family Life Centre, 10am to 2pm on Saturday, 25 May.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 Water Authority welcomes back new graduates The Water Authority – Cayman says its family has grown with the return of two of its scholarship recipients, Chynna Retumban and Kris- tina Powell. Retumban was the Author- ity’s scholarship recipient in 2014/2015. She earned a Bach- elor of Science in Chemistry for Drug Discovery from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom, the Water Au- thority said in a press release. She joined the Water Au- thority as a full-time em- ployee in March. The Authority continued its support of Retumban when she went on to receive a master’s of Science in Green and Sustainable Chemistry from the University of Not- tingham, gaining honours for both degrees. Retumban participated in the Authority’s summer intern- ship programme. She said she appreciated the Authority’s support. “I’m ready to take all that I have learned and use it to be an asset to the Authority and the wider community,” Re- tumban said. “I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity.” Fellow scholarship recip- ient Kristina Powell said she is “grateful to the Authority for my scholarship because it allowed me to really focus on my studies”. Powell was the Author- ity’s scholarship recipient in 2016/2017. She earned a Bach- elor of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Tampa. Powell also participated in the Authority’s summer intern- ship programme during her school breaks. She joined the Authority as a full-time employee in Jan- uary and is currently pur- suing a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. In addition, the Authority said Senior Development Con- trol Technologist Kodie Scott was promoted to his current position at the beginning of 2019, completing his master’s of Science in Public Health (Global Health) in December 2018 with the support of an educational sponsorship from the Authority. “Being able to move for- ward with my education has helped me to take on chal- lenges of my new role, and will have a positive impact on the work of the Authority,” Scott said in the release. Water Authority Director Gelia Frederick-van Genderen said “Investing in the future of our young people is incredibly important to the Authority.” “We are pleased to see our young Caymanians progress in their education, particularly in the STEM fields, and look for- ward to seeing Chynna, Kris- tina and Kodie grow with the Authority.” The Water Authority offers a scholarship of up to $30,000 annually to a suitably quali- fied Caymanian student. The deadline for applicants for this year’s scholarship is Friday, 31 May. Potential applicants can find information on the scholarship and how to apply by visiting the Authority’s website, www.waterauthority.ky. Restricted access to Maclendon Drive this week The Water Authority – Cayman has advised that Maclendon Drive will have restricted access Tuesday, 21 May through to Friday, 31 May. Access will be re- stricted from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. The Water Authority says the restriction is necessary to carry out system improve- ments in the area. During this time, access will only be available for businesses and residences. Representatives of the Au- thority will be on hand to di- rect traffic. Motorists are asked to drive with caution to ensure their own safety, as well as that of Water Authority staff. “The Water Authority ap- preciates the patience and understanding of its valu- able customers as it up- grades its water infrastruc- ture to better serve you, and apologises for any incon- venience this may cause,” The authority said in a press release. DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELLING SERVICES GETS NEW HOME The Department of Coun- selling Services and two of its units have a new home. The DCS is now located at 87 West Apollo House on Mary Street, George Town. The Family Resource Centre and the Counsel- ling Centre also moved to the new location, as has the Caribbean Haven Residen- tial Centre. “We have co-located be- cause we share some mu- tual clients and this allows us to adopt a more strate- gically joined-up approach,” said FRC Programme Coor- dinator Charmaine Miller in a press release. “Given that FRC and TCC run some complementary services, it helps to have both parenting and counsel- ling-related services sited in the same building. Clients can now move from one sec- tion of the department to the next to access enhanced services more easily than ever,” she said. The offices, located across from JEC Property Consultants, are more spa- cious and FRC’s parent coaches now each have their own offices to allow for in- dividualised parenting ser- vices for families in pri- vate settings. With the increased space, the FRC has the flexibility to run more programmes. “The move is already promoting more collabo- ration between our agen- cies,” said DCS Director Ju- dith Seymour. “Another advantage is that we have been able to greatly increase face- to-face meetings with cli- ents. Previously both the FRC and TCC found that there was high demand on the one evening we of- fered walk-in services after regular working hours. We have now added a second evening and opened up other spaces during the week,” she said. Intake hours have in- creased, and are now offered on Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 7pm and Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm. Minister for Health Dwayne Seymour said the co-location “shows the de- partment’s commitment to advancing one of Govern- ment’s key outcome goals, which is having stronger communities and support for the most vulnerable”. The new multi-agency website can be found at www.dcs.gov.ky. Kristina Powell and Chynna Retumban joined the Water Authority as full-time employees this year. Department of Environmental Health urges proper garbage disposal The Department of Envi- ronmental Health has found a number of illegal dumpsites in recent weeks. According to DEH acting director Richard Simms, the dumpsites included elec- tronic items, large appliances, landscaping waste and dere- lict vehicles. “These dumpsites are not only unsightly but are also il- legal and have public health and environmental implica- tions,” he said. The department issued a reminder for residents to make use of the 24-hour drop- off site located at the en- trance of the George Town landfill in order to dispose of small quantities of garbage, bulky items (old furniture, tree branches), metals (barbe- cues etc.) and household haz- ardous waste (cooking oils, grease, paint, solvents, bleach and cleaning supplies). Large quantities of house- hold garbage, commercial garbage, metals (derelict ve- hicles and equipment), and hazardous waste (in excess of five 55 gallons drums of oil) should be brought in- side the main section of the George Town landfill – open from 7:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday, the de- partment added. For more information on the 24-hour drop-off site, DEH residential pick-up schedule or on how to package household garbage, please visit the DEH’s website at deh.gov.ky or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ DEHCaymanIslands.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS For Cayman resident Fer- nando Garcez do Carmo, the parade was less about the aesthetics and more about the atmosphere. “I like that everything is allowed at carnival, so I can express my feelings freely,” he said. “I’m exploring my inner boundaries.” Everyone this reporter spoke to at the event agreed that Batabano – held ear- lier this month – had more of a local Caymanian touch, while CayMas had more expats involved, and was more of a party than a cul- tural event. “I liked Batabano be- cause it’s more authentic,” said Garcez do Carmo, a Bra- zilian national. People may not have to compare the two events next year, as plans are in the works to consolidate Bata- bano and CayMas into one. “They never should have split up in the first place,” re- marked Moral. At the end of the parade, the ‘Swanky AfterMas’ party kicked off on Public Beach, with entertainment and music played by Skinny Fab- ulous, Kes and other DJs. Many of the parade partic- ipants headed to near Calico Jack’s instead to cool off and take a dip in the water. CayMas draws lively crowd for parade CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Saturday was round two of the territory’s carnival celebrations.The festival wound its way from South Church Street to Seven Mile Public Beach. Cayman was once again alive with colour. George Town’s streets were jammed with hundreds of people for the CayMas street parade on Saturday. – PHOTOS: TANEOS RAMSAY A CayMas reveller in full costume. CayMas bills itself as ‘a vessel to experience the Carnival and to discover the Islands’. A CayMas parader embraces the carnival spirit. Feather-clad paraders danced their way down packed streets. The visual element adds to the parade’s atmosphere.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2019 Professional Certificate in Human Resource Practice (CHRP) commencing 28 May 2019 on-island The University of Portsmouth is once again bringing this highly successful HR programme of workshops to the Cayman Islands The Professional Certificate in HR Practice will develop your HR knowledge and skills if: You are working in HR or personnel administration, or You want to work in HR, or You are an administrator, a team leader, a supervisor or a manager looking to develop your HR management skills HR classes are delivered on-island in 6 daytime workshops – 20 days of teaching: 1. 28-31 May: The role of HR and the strategic business context: 4 days Tuesday-Friday 2. 25-28 June: Managing performance and rewarding employees: 4 days Tuesday-Friday 3. 23 & 24 July: Managing HR information: 2 days Tuesday & Wednesday 4. 3 & 4 September: Professional Development in HR skills: 2 days Tuesday & Wednesday 5. 8-11 October: Labour law, discipline, dismissal, gender equality: 4 days Tuesday-Friday 6. 12-15 November: Talent planning, recruitment, selection interviewing: 4 days Tuesday-Friday What our students say: “Enrolling on this CHRP programme was the one of the best decisions I have made in my career and I am now in an HR Manager’s position.” “Thank you so much Miss Marjorie and Mr Stephen for investing your time and knowledge, your style of teaching makes learning unforgettable.” “This HR course has been a totally engaging experience and it has exposed me to real HR experiences – the classroom experience was phenomenal!” Develop HR skills, become CIPD qualified and boost your career - too good an opportunity to miss! Contact Miss Marjorie, University of Portsmouth, to reserve your place: marjorie.corbridge@port.ac.uk Check out the website: www.port.ac.uk/caymanchrp University Faculty with extensive international HR experienceinclude: Marjorie Corbridge, Gary Rees and Stephen Pilbeam have all gone above and be- yond to manage this situa- tion,” said Brian Crichlow, DoA assistant director. The dogs are being cared for by the Depart- ment of Agriculture’s animal welfare unit. A police investigation into the suspected breeding farm is ongoing. The first case of Par- vovirus was confirmed Thursday evening. Dogs were separated based on their at- risk factors, and rigorous sanitation protocols were introduced. The veterinary team re- viewed and concurred with the protocols implemented and agreed that it was in the best interest of the ca- nine population that the DoA shelter continue to be quar- antined with no dogs going in or out – given the conta- gious nature of Parvovirus – until the threat from the Par- vovirus is resolved, according to the DoA. Care of these dogs will follow a gradual approach to address the various med- ical issues they have, as the poor state of the dogs’ gen- eral health rules out more ag- gressive medical treatment, the release noted. The DoA said it had received numerous re- quests and offers to adopt the dogs. “Although the ultimate goal remains to find for- ever homes for these ani- mals, adoptions cannot be initiated until the Parvo- virus outbreak has been successfully resolved and the quarantine is lifted,” the DoA press release said, estimating that could take several weeks. “Eventual decisions about adoption will depend on the overall health of the dogs and when they can undergo spaying and neu- tering, which is required prior to any final adoptions. “The DoA will con- tinue to work closely with the private veterinary clinics as it moves through this process.” The DoA said the veter- inarians agreed on an ap- propriate course of action for addressing the general health and medical needs of the dogs, as well as the specific needs of those dogs with more serious and chronic medical challenges. “The DoA is very ap- preciative of the assis- tance and support received from the private veterinary clinics, not only in terms of the time and advice given by the veterinarians, but also for the very kind dona- tions of certain needed ser- vices, veterinary drugs and medical supplies,” said Mr. Crichlow. “The DoA’s veter- inary services are targeted exclusively to large animal/ livestock veterinary ser- vices, and as such we do not stock some of the particular drugs or supplies used pri- marily in small animal care. Their donations have been a big help.” The operation has stretched the DoA’s animal welfare unit to the limit. The department has had to suspend normal opera- tions, including the collec- tion of strays and trapping of feral chickens. The collection of strays cannot resume until the quarantine on the shelter has been lifted and space is available. The DoA said it is ex- ploring alternatives for as- sisting the public with the control of feral chickens, and will provide an up- date shortly. The department said it appreciates the offers of assistance received by an- imal charities and the gen- eral public, and is actively looking at ways that these charities and the public may be able to assist with the care of these dogs. On the veterinarians’ ad- vice and once the logistics have been worked out, the DoA will provide additional information on what and how help can be provided and accepted. Police investigating Shedden Road robbery Police are investigating an alleged robbery that occurred on Shedden Road in George Town early last Wednesday morning. According to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, a man came to the police station around 5:30am on Wednesday to report that he had been robbed. The man said he had been asleep in a vehicle in the parking lot of a bar on Shedden Road when, sometime after 5am, he was awoken by an unknown man who was armed with a knife. “The culprit demanded PIN num- bers from the man before fleeing the scene,” the RCIPS stated. “Afterwards, the man discovered that several per- sonal items had been taken from the vehicle, including jewelry, cash and debit cards.” The suspect is described as being 5’8” tall with long, black, “un- kempt” hair. He is described as being of brown complexion, slim build, and with a long, bony face. He was wearing a white shirt and long pants. Anyone with any information or who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Cotton Club on Shedden Road, at or around 5-5:30am the morning of 15 May, is asked to contact the RCIPS at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via theConfidential Tip Line at 949-7777, or via our website. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS). RIDER HOSPITALISED FROM MOTORCYCLE CRASH A motorcycle rider is battling life- threatening injuries after being involved in a collision with a car last Wednesday. According to police, officers re- sponded around 9pm on May 15 to a report of a collision at the junction of Walkers Road and Memorial Avenue, involving a Honda Fit and a Yamaha motorcycle. “Emergency services attended the scene and the rider and passenger of the motorcycle were taken for treatment at the Cayman Islands Hospital,” police said. “The rider is being treated for life- threatening injuries, while the passenger is treated for serious but non-life-threat- ening injuries.” The matter is under police investigation. “ The DoA is very appreciative of the assistance and support received from the private veterinary clinics, not only in terms of the time and advice given by the veterinarians, but also for the very kind donations of certain needed services, veterinary drugs and medical supplies.” BRIAN CRICHLOW, DoAassistant director CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3 seized dogs die, others see ‘significant improvement’ Ukraine’s new leader dissolves parliament KIEV, Ukraine (AP) – Embold- ened by his stunning vic- tory last month, Ukrainian TV star Volodymyr Zelenskiy moved swiftly Monday to dis- solve the country’s parlia- ment, moments after he was sworn in as the country’s new president. Zelenskiy, who won 73% of the vote last month, justi- fied his contentious decision to dissolve the parliament, which is controlled by allies of the man he defeated, Petro Poroshenko, on the grounds it has become a hotbed of self-enrichment. If all goes to plan, a snap election will be held within two months after the de- cree is signed. Elections to the Supreme Rada were scheduled for 27 Oct., which raised the pros- pect of Zelenskiy strug- gling to enact his agenda in the face of a hostile par- liament over his first few months in power. Zelenskiy, who played the Ukrainian president on a popular TV show for years, is gambling that his popularity will see the next parliament dominated by supporters of his agenda to reform Ukraine and steer a new path with Russia. “People are tired of expe- rienced … politicians who for 28 years have been building a country of opportunities,” he said. “Opportunities for kick- backs, money laundering and corruption.” Zelenskiy’s surprise move is certainly controversial and follows repeated attempts by the majority in the cur- rent parliament to stymie his campaign promise for a snap election. Since last month’s elec- tion, Zelenskiy’s opponents in the Rada sought to put off the inauguration close to the 27 May deadline by which the parliament can be dissolved. And in a dramatic move last week, the Rada an- nounced the collapse of the ruling parliamentary coa- lition. According to parlia- mentary rules, the chamber cannot be dissolved for 30 days after the governing coa- lition has been disbanded. Zelenskiy’s supporters argue that the Rada’s ac- tions are legally void because the coalition had long ceased to exist and that the Consti- tution, unlike the Rada reg- ulations, does not contain such a rule. Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kiev-based think-tank Penta, said Zelenskiy’s an- nouncement shows “political will for radical change”. “The legally dubious de- cision to disband parlia- ment will certainly be con- tested in court but Zelenskiy has shown that it is going to be him who will lay down the agenda and that he will dominate the political land- scape,” he said. Zelenskiy’s landslide vic- tory reflected Ukrainians’ ex- haustion with widespread corruption and the coun- try’s political elite. Before disbanding parliament, the 41-year-old Zelenskiy up- ended other Ukrainian po- litical traditions on inau- guration day. Ukraine’s new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures during his inauguration ceremony Monday in Kiev, Ukraine. – PHOTO: APNext >