High of 88 Low of 77 Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR CAYMAN BRAC WORLD | PAGE 9 NEW CANDIDATES VIE TO SUCCEED UK’S MAY ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 $ 3 99 M EAL D EALS MONDAY - SATURDAY 9pcs MIXED , 2 Sides & 5 BISCUITS NEW FAMILY SUNDAY CRUISE PIER CAMPAIGNERS: Threshold for referendum reached KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cruise Port Referendum Cayman cam- paign announced on Friday that it has re- ceived enough signatures on its petition to ini- tiate a referendum on government’s proposed cruise pier facilities. The group said it has now collected and in- ternally verified more than 5,300 signatures of Cayman Islands registered voters. “The petition is currently being prepared to be delivered to Cabinet and, following meet- ings with the Supervisor of Elections and His Excellency, the Governor, the petition shall be presented to Cabinet,” Cruise Port Referendum stated in a press release. “In announcing this historic benchmark, we hope that our elected leaders, as a democratic unity government, will respect the constitution and be guided by good governance.” When asked for comment, Premier Alden McLaughlin called the referendum group’s an- nouncement “presumptuous and premature” because the signatures have not been indepen- dently verified yet. “This will have to be done by the Elec- tions Office before the petition can be pre- sented to the Cabinet. Until that occurs, Gov- ernment will not comment further,” he told the Compass. Campaign member Shirley Roulstone agreed that the petition will first be delivered to the Elections Office to verify the signatures. Then, the petition will go to Cabinet, which will decide the date of the referendum and the exact wording of the issue in question. “They get to choose when and the question, but it has to happen,” Roulstone said. Meanwhile, the campaign urged people to continue to sign the petition, which can be found at Rubis Savannah, Four Winds Esso and Hell Gas Station in West Bay, Silhouette in POLICE SEARCH SCHOOL CAMPUS FOLLOWING ASSAULT Woman reported she had been assaulted by man with knife Students at John Gray High School in George Town were confined to their class- rooms Friday afternoon while police searched the school campus for a man who had as- saulted a woman nearby. The suspect, who reportedly assaulted the woman with a knife, scaled a fence and entered the school property in an ef- fort to evade officers who had been called to the scene. Police officers searched the campus on Academy Way while school staff kept the stu- dents inside their classrooms. Once police determined that the suspect had left the school site, the all-clear was given at John Gray. Police tracked the man to an address on Miss Keppie Lane, off Goring Avenue, and ar- rested him there on suspicion of assault occa- sioning actual bodily harm. He was later re- leased on police bail. The hunt for the man arose after the victim reported shortly after 1pm Friday that she had been assaulted by a man known to her. She told police the assault had happened just outside the UCCI and CIFEC campuses, ac- cording to a Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice statement. Police said the woman sustained “minor scrapes and lacerations reported to have been caused by a knife”. She left the scene in a private vehicle and police and other relevant agencies subse- quently spoke to her, the RCIPS said. Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour addresses students through a loudspeaker in front of the Government Administration Building on Friday. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Students hold anti-plastic, anti-port demonstration JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman schoolchildren gathered on the steps of the Government Administration Building on Friday to call on the govern- ment to take urgent steps to protect the local environment. The children waved posters and placards asking for a ban on single-use plastics, as well as a halt to plans to build a cruise pier in downtown George Town and greater pro- tections for local coastal areas. During the peaceful protest, which was attended by some adult residents as well as about 150 students, the children wrote their demands and comments in chalk on the building steps and held up banners that read: “Our reef is our future” and “Ignorance decides our future.” Passing motorists expressed their sup- port by honking their horns as they drove past on Elgin Avenue. The students had a number of demands, including calling for a plastic-free Cayman, protecting local seagrass, a reversal of plans to build a cruise ship pier in George Town, the creation of more recycling outlets, cleaner seas, and generally greater protec- tions for the environment. “We want change and we want it now, be- cause it is not just about plastic. It is also PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY, 27 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 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 $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) ALADDIN (PG) 12:50 I 4:25 3D I 7:20 I 9:05 3D UGLY DOLLS (PG) 1:00 I 3:15 I 5:30 POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU (PG) 1:25 I 4:00 I 6:30 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM (R) 1:15 VIP I 3:45 I 6:45 I 8:15 VIP I 9:50 BRIGHTBURN (R) 12:30 I 2:50 I 5:10 I 7:30 I 10:15 THE HUSTLE (PG13) 9:50 AVENGERS: END GAME (PG13) 12:30 I 4:20 VIP I 7:45 Foreign Exchange Revenue from Services in 2017, CI$Million Burst of colour at Garden Club flower show JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Visitors attending Garden Club of Grand Cayman hor- ticultural and flower exhi- bition, including the club’s patron Elisabeth Roper, the governor’s wife, were im- pressed with the many de- signs and floral blooms on display. The exhibition, which in- cluded floral and natural ma- terial designs, amateur pho- tography, horticulture and children’s designs, was held at Jasmine Villa on West Bay Road on Friday and Saturday. Garden Club president Berna Cummins announced a number of winners in the various categories. “Everyone did a wonderful job, including the children,” said Cummins. “For all the individ- uals that helped, thank you,” she said. She identified a number of plants on display for the governor’s wife. “This is peri- winkle, mutton pepper, jump up and kiss me, spider lily, and the gorgeous bougain- villaeas,” Cummins observed, as she made her way around the displays. Garden Club vice presi- dent Deanna Lookloy said the recently opened Jasmine Villa, which houses hospice patients and offers palliative care, was a good size to dis- play the many flowers and designs that were exhibited. “It is a lovely venue, lots of space to spread out all the plants,” she said. “My fa- vourite is the potted plants.” The club’s chairwoman Ora Hollebon thanked eve- ryone for attending, espe- cially the sponsors. “This our first horticul- tural and floral exhibition at the Jasmine centre, and we are hoping there will be an- other one further on down the road,” she said. Emily Seymour, a long- time member of the Garden Club, said she was happy to be a part of something so beautiful. The club was founded in 1957, and Sey- mour joined in 1959. In the design category, the theme was ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’, while the theme of the photography cat- egory was ‘Visions of Cayman’, with entries displaying many beautiful Cayman Islands scenes. The horticulture cate- gory’s theme was ‘The Beauty of Cayman’, and the theme of the children’s designs was ‘Recycling’. Josiah Campbell shows off his aloe plant display to Elisabeth Roper and young Sophee Watler. One of the Garden Club’s longest-serving members, Emily Seymour, peruses the displays. Avid gardeners Oswald Thomas, 80, and wife Myrtle attend the event. This display highlighted ‘The Way We Were’ and featured hammocks, thatch rope, catboats and farmers. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND DEALERS IN PRECIOUS METALS/STONES Six young musicians prepare for intensive summer camp KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com For cellist Dequan Smith, 16, Luzerne Music Center in New York is like a second home. The 20-acre campus in the Adirondack Mountains is a place where he can focus en- tirely on music among like- minded people. The young musician will return to the camp for the third time, this summer. Un- like his first visit to the cell- phone-free music school, De- quan will not be alone. Five other young players, ranging in age from 13 to 16, will join him, marking the largest contingent yet to at- tend the camp with the sup- port of Cayman Arts Festival. “It’s very exciting because it marks something in musical history in Cayman, because we haven’t had so many go at one time,” Dequan said during orchestra practice Thursday at John Gray High School. Pianist Cameron Gilson, 16, will join Dequan in the senior session, starting in mid-July. Four other students will attend the junior session, starting in mid-June. For Cameron, the camp will provide a chance to im- prove his skills and test his ability to focus entirely on music. “I want to get an idea of how it feels to do just music for an X amount of time, be- cause I’m planning on get- ting a degree in music,” Cameron said. He hopes to improve his sight reading and learn a new piece of music this summer. In the junior session will be Kyla David, 14, on cello; Jessie Hurlston-Watler, 14, on violin; Daniel Gayle, 13, on viola; and Zachary Allen, 13, on cello. Travelling in a group means the students will have a chance to learn from each other. “We all have different strengths and weaknesses, so it’s better to work as a team and not by yourself so you can get as much bene- fits and things as possible,” Zachary said. Kyla and Jessie both want to work on their vibrato skills. “I’ve been learning to do this thing called the vibrato for so long. I just can’t do it. That’s one of the reasons. I also want to know different techniques that will help me,” Kyla said. Jessie chimed in, “Same thing, the vibrato. I’ve been working on it for so long and still can’t get it perfect.” Daniel knows this summer will provide a special oppor- tunity for him as well. “I’m very excited for this opportunity. Most people around the world don’t have this experience or opportu- nity, so really we should be thankful, grateful and not take it for granted,” he said. The ability to send six budding musicians to the camp has been made pos- sible, in large part, by their own hard work and the sup- port of Cayman Arts Festival. “We are very proud of this moment because it’s the first time we can send such a large amount of students, who are very talented,” said the festival’s executive di- rector, Marius Gaina. “We know for sure, having experience from the past, how much this one month, intensive music camp will impact them.” Students who have at- tended in the past have been inspired to pursue music pro- fessionally, and others have been accepted to prestigious music schools. With regular fundraising events like Music at the Li- brary, the festival has been able to drive attention to its music programme and en- courage donations from the community. While the camp typically costs US$5,000 per student, Gaina said this year the group will receive a discount – rather than US$30,000 for the group of six, they will pay US$20,000. “Now that we have a re- ally good connection with Luzerne, sending students every year for the past five years, they gave us a dis- count,” Gaina said. With US$5,000 left to raise, he wants to create a buzz. The students have already shown their dedication and willingness to sacrifice, Gaina said. Dequan, for example, donated money from the But- terfield Young Musician of the Year award towards tui- tion, and now he is working to raise the rest by busking outside of grocery stores. The next Cayman Arts Fes- tival fundraising event, Music at the Library, will be held at George Town Public Library on 30 May, starting at 6pm. Those interested in donating can contact Gaina at inquiries@caymanartsfestival.com or 922-5550. For more information, visit www.caymanartsfestival.com. Pianist Cameron Gilson - PHOTO: SUBMITTED Viola player Daniel GayleCellist Dequan SmithCellist Zachary Allen Cellist Kyla David and violinist Jessie Hurlston-Watler - PHOTOS; ALVARO SEREY Premier congratulates new Opposition leader Premier Alden McLaughlin released some details Friday of a letter of congratula- tions he sent to the new Leader of the Opposition, Arden McLean. In his letter, the premier noted that there are “sev- eral important areas” that he worked very closely with McLean’s predecessor, Ezzard Miller, and that he looks for- ward to continuing that work with McLean “in the best in- terests of the Cayman Islands country and its people”. He said in a press re- lease that those areas of co- operation include the con- stitutional reforms being negotiated with the United Kingdom government and the work of the National Se- curity Council in making Cayman safer. According to the release, the premier recognised in his letter the responsibility that the Opposition has in Cay- man’s system of Government to provide “healthy challenge and rigorous scrutiny” of the Government on behalf of the people. “I have no doubt that you will bring your customary robustness and attention to detail to this vitally impor- tant part of your new role,” McLaughlin wrote to the new Opposition leader. “Please ac- cept my personal best wishes and those of all of us on the Government benches as we wish you well during your tenure as the Honourable Leader of the Opposition.” McLean was sworn in as the new Leader of the Oppo- sition on Thursday by Gov- ernor Martyn Roper. Leader of the Opposition Arden McLeanThe 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” For all Grand Cayman’s explosive growth over the past few decades, the Sister Islands have remained relatively unchanged. Whether that is desirable is an open question, as the Compass’ fascinating overview of Cayman Brac, published last Friday, clearly shows. As the newspaper reported, some Brackers treasure their little island’s quiet atmosphere. At the same time, the lack of opportunities makes it difficult for many young people to stay. The result is that while Grand Cayman has boomed, the Sister Islands’ population has stayed relatively stable since the 1960s – shrinking over the past decade, down to 2,006 residents in 2018, compared with 2,722 in 2008. Although the Brac has seen modest economic growth in recent years, a large portion of the popu- lation is older. The Brac’s reliance on public sector funding, both through central government salaries, capital projects and other spending, is noteworthy. Already, the Brac’s infrastructure, including water, power, airport, education and telecommunications systems are more than adequate for the current popu- lation, several times over. The island’s Faith Hospital has been recently renovated and upgraded. One promising sign is the Dart Group’s recent purchase of Le Soleil d’Or and exploration of other potential projects on the island. But Deputy Premier and Brac MLA Moses Kirkconnell says much more public investment is needed for efforts to jump-start private enterprise to bear fruit. On the docket are: A handful of new government buildings; continued investment in a new sports complex, including a $9 million (or more) multipurpose centre; and a $35 million project aiming to bring piped water to 80% of the island by 2030. TechCayman has committed to building data and training centres – if another sub-sea internet cable is laid to the island. Similarly, Scott Development has proposed establishing ferry service to Little Cayman and a sky train along the edge of the Bluff, if a Brac cruise pier is built. These projects certainly have been welcomed by Brac residents, who will see real benefits from the investments. Whether they will be enough to spur private development remains to be seen. As this editorial board has written, there is no reason for the Brac not to flourish, possessing as it does the same fundamental natural, infrastructural and legal advantages as Grand Cayman, but there are two important caveats: First, it will take intelligent planning and consulta- tion to ensure that these major public investments truly lead to sustainable growth of private enterprise – in other words, that money is spent wisely. And just as importantly, Brac residents must embrace the fact that economic and population growth will necessarily change their beloved island as more visitors and new residents bring their physical presence and leave their mark. A sustainable future for Cayman Brac MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS I read the recent Compass article, that some 37,000 ve- hicles are unlicensed, with disbelief. Almost half of all vehicles unlicensed. It hardly seems possible. The latest amnesty will not do much to change things, because when people read this offer from the gov- ernment they will have had one of three thoughts: 1. I am such a mug for paying some $200 a year when so many car owners do not and get away with it. (That is me) 2. That sounds good. But no hurry. I’ll wait till No- vember and only pay the fee from then on. Then these people will forget or change their minds. 3. Why on Earth would I do that. Once I’m in the system I am stuck. Six months is far too long to give. People will think, “Well maybe I’ll do this in November.” Then they won’t. An effective policy would be to offer a stick along with a carrot. Government should in- stead offer to waive fines and surcharges to owners who register their vehicle by the end of June and pay back duty/licence fees owed. After that amnesty period, police should impound every vehicle found without a paid license, returning them to owners only after they pay all back- fees and penalties, along with the cost of towing and impound charges. After two months, uncollected vehicles should be sold at public auc- tion to recover the costs. New owners should be required to provide proof of insurance and licensing be- fore they can drive away in their vehicle. In the UK, if your vehicle tax is not paid, the vehicle is clamped. The clamp is only removed when you pay your tax and penalties. Norman Linton Young people must demand action on climate change GRAHAM MORSE In London this Easter, Greta Thunberg, the 15-year- old Swedish climate activist, joined the ‘Extinction Rebel- lion’ demonstration, blocking the streets of central London to demand action on climate change. She met, and was warmly supported by, all the main UK political par- ties. The UK government is taking notice. The UK already produces 50% of its energy from low carbon sources but recog- nises much more needs to be done, and soon. The inter- party Committee on Climate Change has stated that the UK must get to net zero green- house gases by 2050 and ex- plains how it must be done. What is being done here in Cayman? In May 2016, Win- ston Connolly’s private mem- bers bill to introduce a Na- tional Energy Policy was unanimously approved by the Legislative Assembly. A panel of experts (the National Energy Policy Review Com- mittee) produced a blueprint for the plan and a target of 70% of our power to be gener- ated from renewable sources by 2037. The National En- ergy Policy was passed into law in 2017. CUC responded to the challenge and published an Integrated Resource Plan showing how the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy could be achieved. Two years later, little ap- pears to have been done. There are no plans to add utility-scale solar farms to the Bodden Town plant which opened in 2017 and produces around 5% of Cay- man’s power. Home owners who want to put solar panels on their roofs are daunted by the stop/start uncertainty of the current CUC CORE pro- gramme, due to end later this year. PV solar installers need certainty of continuity of the CORE programme. They con- tinue to be hampered by red tape and bureaucracy. Businesses here have large roof spaces. Demand rates, the CUC tariff designed to incentivise business to put solar panels on their roofs, is a start, but is only likely to be attractive to large commercial customers. New initiatives to increase our generation of re- newable energy have been put forward but nothing has been approved yet. Industry insiders believe the problem lies with OfReg who have not given the approvals needed to move the process forward. Cayman has to play its part in meeting the global threat of climate change: low lying islands like Cayman will be the worst affected. An independent [committee] was set up to monitor the progress of the National Energy Plan. The appointment of an energy czar who would be a cham- pion for renewable energy – a good idea – was promised but has not materialised. We need to know what is happening. Why cannot the National En- ergy Policy Committee hold a press conference and tell the media what the situation is and why so little progress has been made in two years? Greta Thunberg has galva- nised school children around the world to take direct action and politicians are listening. It is young people that care most about climate change. A recent YouGov poll in the UK showed that 43% in the age group 18-24 put the environ- ment in their top three issues. That compared with 19% for those aged 65 or over. Perhaps it will take the Greta generation in Cayman to take to the streets and demand action on climate change. They are the next generation and it will be difficult for government to ignore them. Graham Morse, author and ocean sailor, built his own eco-friendly house in Cayman in 2011, is an advocate for the environment and renewable energy, and is a member of the Cayman Renewable Energy Association. Cayman has to play its part in meeting the global threat of climate change: low lying islands like Cayman will be the worst affected.5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 Customs and Border Patrol pushing new paradigm MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com The newly formed Cus- toms and Border Patrol – a merger of the former Immi- gration and Customs depart- ments – represents not only a more efficient entity, but is an example of a change in the way policing decisions are made in Cayman, according to Michael Ebanks, deputy chief officer for human re- sources and immigration. Ebanks told a group of police officials attending last week’s conference of the As- sociation of Caribbean Com- missioners of Police that Cayman’s law enforcement agencies are undergoing a paradigm shift in terms of authority. “We must recognise the need for a shift from tradi- tional command and con- trol,” Ebanks said, adding the agency was promoting a strategy to “empower, trust and support” those of- ficers working directly with the public. He said officers, who are trained to recognise certain behaviours and red flags in terms of documents, can use those skills to focus on po- tential lawbreakers, rather than thoroughly checking every individual arriving at Cayman’s ports of entry. “We’re no longer in a gatekeeper mode,” he said, where officers “would be looking for 100% compli- ance. That is not efficient”. He said the new strategy is already paying off. “We’ve seen a record number of refusal rates,” he said. “That’s a direct re- flection of recognising le- gitimate versus illegitimate passengers and goods.” Giving more decision making power to the “boots on the ground”, he said, al- lows other personnel time to focus on more impor- tant tasks, “freeing up our executives and man- agers to think”. That is not something they always have time to do under a hierarchical struc- ture, he said. Ebanks said the agency is in its initial sprint and that changes are ongoing. “We are three to five years out before we see the organisational cul- tures shifting to where the workforce feels comfortable working in a risk manage- ment [mode],” he said. “You’re trying to undo decades of training and knowledge.” “ We’ve seen a record number of refusal rates. That’s a direct reflection of recognising legitimate versus illegitimate passengers and goods.” MICHAEL EBANKS, deputy chief officer, human resources and immigration Michael Ebanks, deputy chief officer of human resources and immigration - PHOTO: MARK MUCKENFUSS 2 Cayman police officers receive regional awards Two Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service officers received awards last week when they were named as fi- nalists in the Regional Rec- ognition Awards Programme. They received the awards at a gala held during the As- sociation of Caribbean Com- missioners of Police confer- ence, which was hosted in Cayman this year. During each conference, a gala is held in honour of the Amalga- mated Security Services Lim- ited and the Regional Recog- nition Awards Programme’s winners are chosen. The nominees for these awards are police of- ficers who were put for- ward by their respective forces and services across the Caribbean. There are three cate- gories that officers can be nominated into: Top Carib- bean Career Move; Top Car- ibbean Community Policing Officer; and Top Caribbean Crime Fighter. Acting Chief Inspector Everton Spence was nomi- nated for Top Caribbean Ca- reer Move after being rec- ognised for his exceptional leadership and management skills. Shortly after being promoted to inspector, he was asked to act as chief in- spector in charge of the Com- munity Policing Department, as well as the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit, all while pursuing a law degree, ac- cording to an RCIPS press re- lease. On Wednesday evening last week, Spence placed third in the region for the category of Top Caribbean Career Move. Acting Police Sergeant Kenval Bryan was nominated in the Top Crime Fighter cat- egory, and placed second in this award. Bryan has been a police officer for the past 11 years and has been a de- tective constable for eight years. “He has shown excep- tional leadership and com- mitment to being an investi- gator and has recently been asked to be the deputy Area Commander for the Eastern Districts,” according to the RCIPS. There he will be in charge of the development of the new police probationers that will be joining his team. Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne said in a press release, “I am very proud of the work that goes on in the service and the dedication of our officers to developing professionally and working hard towards ensuring jus- tice and safety for everyone we serve. Seeing two of our officers in the finals for this prestigious award just reaf- firms our continued progress as a service, and gives me even greater hope for the fu- ture of the RCIPS. “Most of all, I extend my warmest congratulations to both officers on their achieve- ment. It is no mean feat to be nominated from among so many of their peers in the region.” In previous years, the RCIPS has had several of- ficers nominated, some of whom have won in the cate- gory of Top Caribbean Com- munity Police Officer, such as Sergeant Cornelius Pompey in 2015, Acting Sergeant Odale Mulgrave in 2016 and Acting Sergeant Jonathan Kern in 2017. Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, centre, with Regional Recognition Awards Programme finalists Acting Police Sergeant Kenval Bryan, left, and Acting Chief Inspector Everton Spence. - PHOTO: RCIPS SPEAKER: CAYMAN NOT RIPE FOR EXTREMIST BEHAVIOUR MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com A speaker addressing the subjects of extremists and terrorism at a regional police conference last week says the Cayman Islands is rela- tively safe from such activity. Speaking at the 34th meeting of the Associa- tion of Caribbean Commis- sioners of Police, a week- long symposium hosted at the Marriott Beach Resort, Mirza Ali-Mohammed out- lined the factors that can encourage extremist be- haviour and what kinds of things can be done to pre- vent it. Ali-Mohammed is a consultant with Caribbean Training and Development in Trinidad and Tobago. A current global concern, he said, is the immigration of people with extremist ideas from one region to another. “We haven’t seen too much of that yet,” he said, referring to the Caribbean nations. Of more concern, he said, are homegrown terrorists. “Radicalisation can happen on the internet in the privacy of your bed- room,” Ali-Mohammed said. He cautioned against the common tendency to asso- ciate such behaviour with religion, particularly with Islam. While some extremist groups align themselves with a religious ideology, he said, religion is not the root cause. “Radicalism and ex- tremism is a social issue,” he said. People are attracted to extreme ideologies by such factors as poverty, poor ed- ucation, high unemploy- ment and a feeling of being disenfranchised. “Local radicalisation is something real and some- thing we have to look at,” he said. “You have to be proactive.” Such action in Cayman may be less urgent than in other places, he added. While some of the precip- itating factors may exist here, he said, they are not at crisis levels. “Cayman seems to be in- sulated from some of that [influence],” he said. Mirza Ali-Mohammed is a counsultant with Caribbean Training and Development. BUS STOP RELOCATED FOR SAFETY REASONS As roadwork along Crewe Road by the airport pe- rimeter continues, the Na- tional Roads Authority is moving the bus stop oppo- site the Mango Tree restau- rant to a safer location on Shedden Road. Following the recent roadwork, the National Roads Authority believes there is no longer sufficient space for the bus stop at the Crewe Road location, “due to potential safety concerns for bus-users, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians”, so was re- cently granted approval by government to move it to Shedden Road, outside the NAPA Auto Parts Store. Work to relocate the bus stop was undertaken on Sunday. The NRA stated that the relocated bus shelter/ stop will minimise the need for pedestrians to cross the wider, multi-lane roads to access it. “Primarily, this considera- tion has been taken for Fos- ter’s customers, who will no longer need to cross three lanes of traffic on Dorcy Drive to reach the bus stop. The potential risk of colli- sions between pedestrians and vehicles will, therefore, be reduced, improving overall road safety and ease of usage for all,” the NRA stated. It added that bus access and safety for bus-users will be improved by the fact that traffic speed at the new loca- tion is reduced, and that the new site will be even more effective, as it works along- side the established east- bound bus route. “Lastly, there are no major works needed to prepare this location. Instead, some minor work will be undertaken to optimise the site, such as spreading some crusher run material to ensure the shelter is placed on a level surface. Two of the larger trees at the location may need to be trimmed and signage erected to promote the new location as an operational bus stop,” according to the NRA.6 LOCAL NEWS Check out these photos and others by visiting caymancompass.com/photogalleries or on facebook.com/caycompass (and don’t forget to tag yourself and your friends!) MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS O range was the colour of the evening on Saturday as hundreds of guests turned out to support the Orange You Glad event to raise funds for Meals on Wheels at The Ritz-Carlton Saturday night. The event is the main annual fundraiser for the charity, which serves hot meals to more than 230 home-bound, elderly or disabled individuals across Grand Cayman. Violinist Kate Allenger keeps guests entertained. Elizabeth Dikau, right, gets a tickets from Tiasha Hirst, centre, as Tasheika Gayle looks on. Rob Imparato, chairman of Meals on Wheels, with Miss World Cayman Islands Kelsie Woodman-Bodden. Ernesto Carter, Karina Giron, Talia Woods, Dawn McLean-Brady, Frank Millwood, Leisa Welcome, Joel Burke and Judith Prendergast get ready for the live bidding. – PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Gloria McField-Nixon, a Meals on Wheels director, welcomes guests.Guests receive paddles to use in the live auction. Laura Lee, left, inspects auction jewellery passed around by Miss World Cayman Islands Kelsie Woodman-Bodden. Charmane Dalhouse and Jessie Melbourne. Markeisha Myles oversees the ‘Dine for a Cause’ board, which was a popular item with bidders. Jennifer Clark, Sherdene Bent and Ivy Robinson.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 Fallen worker honoured at desalination plant dedication Seventh Day church shares with others in Bodden Town CELEBRATE CAYMAN GEARS UP FOR ‘60 ACTS OF SERVICE’ JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Seventh-day Ad- ventist Community Service Department pitched tents in the shade of trees on Northward Road in Bodden Town Saturday to pray and share with those who are less fortunate. Angela Hall, assistant di- rector of the church’s com- munity services, said the church members were there to hand out cups of soup and groceries for those in need, and to pray with people. “We are doing what Jesus would do. We feed, we listen and we pray,” she said. “Sometimes, people might not come into the temple but they are on the road and they are really troubled and just need an encour- aging word.” She said a lot of people stopped by throughout the day. “They got a cup of soup, we gave them a gospel track [pamphlet] and we learned from them too. We realised there are hurting people in our community, that really need.” Organisations and in- dividuals are preparing to take part in next weekend’s Celebrate Cayman 60 Acts of Service. “Ultimately, we want every person in the Cayman Islands, and those that visit us, to get involved with the Celebrate Cayman 60 Acts of Service and feel a deeper and long-lasting connection and appreciation for the Cayman Islands and its culture,” said Alfonso Wright, execu- tive chairman of Celebrate Cayman, a group set up by government to organise events to mark the 60th an- niversary of the Cayman Is- lands coat of arms. Wright said in a press re- lease that the 60 Acts of Ser- vice initiative, to be held over a single weekend on 1 and 2 June, also can “start a cul- ture shift of national pride where we are a commu- nity of people who share the same love for the Cayman Is- lands, and express that love through active citizenship”. Participants still have time to sign up and can reg- ister through Tuesday, 28 May. A workshop for citizen journalists who have signed up to take part will take place on 28 May. Those in charge of the projects are responsible for designing, creating, funding and launching their pro- jects, as well as ensuring the safety of those involved and any cleanup required at the end of the event, organisers said. In return, Celebrate Cayman provides project promotion, gives recognition, guidance and support, offers a toolkit and T-shirts, as well as helping highlight the pro- jects in the media through citizen journalists. There will also be a participant apprecia- tion event at Government House on 8 June. Organisers said the range of projects registered so far is diverse and includes silver thatch palm tree planting, beautifying a South Sound park and beach, reviving a quincentennial community monument, food and toilet- ries delivery, an evening of inter-faith dialogue, a quiz night, and a dance party. For more information, visit www.celebratecayman.ky/60acts. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Water honoured the life of a former worker by naming its new desalina- tion plant and tank building in his memory on Thursday. Brenzee ‘Burns’ Whittaker died after a heart attack in December 2018. Cayman Water, which was founded 46 years ago, opened the new plant, called Gover- nors Harbour 3, at its Abel Castillo Water Works fa- cility off the Esterley Tibbetts Highway in West Bay. The $6.1 million plant, which opened last month, adds another million gallons of production per day. An ad- joining water tank cost an- other $2 million. On Thursday, Cayman Water along with govern- ment officials, guests and other attendees involved in the building’s construction, joined Whittaker’s family, friends and colleagues for the unveiling of a plaque in his honour near the door of the plant. Frederick McTaggart, Cayman Water CEO, said he and Whittaker both began working at the company in 2000. “He was a won- derful man and we miss him,” he said. “Those of us who worked with Brenzee can truly say he was an incredible soul,” said Ramjeet Jerrybandan, Cayman Water executive vice president of operations. “We enjoyed working with him every single day and he brought a smile to our faces with his contagious smile.” On behalf of the family, Brenzee’s sister Elizabeth Whittaker expressed her gratitude. “This is an in- credible gift and legacy that we will always keep in his memories and his smile alive,” she said. Congratulating everyone involved in the new plant, Governor Martyn Roper said he drank tap water regularly at Government House, as did many of the thousands of guests that come to Gov- ernment House. Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure Joey Hew said he was glad to hear the governor drank the tap water, just like he did. He said the new tank was one that would serve Cay- man’s water needs well into the future. Home Affairs Minister Tara Rivers, who is the elected representative for West Bay South, said she was pleased to see that the new facilities were built to withstand a category 5 hur- ricane with limited damage. “Should we face a natural disaster on this scale,” she said, “we can take com- fort that normal water pro- cessing activity can re- sume quickly.” “ We enjoyed working with him every single day and he brought a smile to our faces with his contagious smile.” RAMJEET GERRYBANDAN, Cayman Water Cayman Water CEO Frederick McTaggart, left, and Raymond Whittaker, brother of the late Brenzee ‘Burns’ Whittaker, unveil the plaque at the company’s newest plant on Friday. - PHOTOS: JEWEL LEVY Courtney Clarke and Ivan Tabora remember their former colleague and friend Burns Whittaker. “ Ultimately, we want every person in the Cayman Islands, and those that visit us, to get involved with the Celebrate Cayman 60 Acts of Service.” ALFONSO WRIGHT, executive chairman, Celebrate Cayman, Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Community Service Department hand out groceries in the Northward area of Bodden Town on Saturday. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS about coastal development and the destruction of our natural habitat,” one stu- dent protesting in front of the building shouted through a bullhorn. Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour met the students on the building’s front steps and through a loudspeaker said that govern- ment was committed to ad- dressing their concerns. He told them he had grown up at a time when Cayman could not afford to waste anything. “As soon as you would put something aside that looked old and of no use, someone would come to your house and ask you if you’re not using that anymore, and can they have it. So, we grew up re- purposing things here in Cayman,” he said. He said when progress and prosperity came to Cay- man’s shores, products were taken for granted, and he urged the students to keep the pressure on. Kenneth Bryan, elected member for George Town Central, told the children that they will be the generation that changes the world. “Con- tinue to apply the pressure to get us in line to save the is- land,” he said. Students from East End Primary, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Grace Academy, Cayman International School, Cayman Prep and Bodden Town Primary were among the demonstrators. The kids ranged in ages from 5 to 18. Richard Weber, 18, the Cayman International School coordinator of the event, said the children were trying to achieve change re- garding single-use plastics in the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean. Weber said there were several issues affecting Cay- man’s ecosystem and cul- turally and environmentally important habitats, such as Barkers or Eden Rock.“The fact that a lot of these areas have been … put to the side instead of being in the fore- front of government envi- ronmental policy shows to me that the government needs to take greater at- tention in … establishing a body that can officially protect our habitats for the youth of today, as well as to- morrow,” Weber said. He said great strides were being taken to reducing and almost eliminating the use of plastic at his school. “We went away from single-use plastic to using metals and reusable metal forks and knifes. There have been clampdowns on plastic water bottles and the school has set up water centres. We are also seeing this happening at other schools,” he said. Fellow Cayman Interna- tional School student Olivia Zimmer, 18, said the stu- dents organised the protest for the youth to show local leaders that young people in Cayman are concerned that the government is not doing enough to protect their future. “The protest also draw public eye to the awareness of single-use plastic, which poses a threat to the natural environment and, indeed, even health,” she said. “Most of us have grown up here. The beaches, the oceans and all our man- groves are the beautiful things we love about this island [that] we are seeing slowly go away,” she said. Mikayla Corin, 18, also from Cayman International School, said, “It is so impor- tant to us that those things are around in the future and if the government does not start fighting back about some of these plans and de- velopment that are being put in play, then we are going to have nothing to protect in the future,” she said. This is the second con- secutive year students from local schools have taken their concerns about the en- vironment to the govern- ment’s front door. Last June, on World Oceans Day, stu- dents gathered on the Gov- ernment Administration Building steps and handed letters to Environment Min- ister Seymour calling for an end to single-use plastics. Students hold anti-plastic, anti-port demonstration Camana Bay, and Pure Art and Cathy Church Photo Centre in George Town. “Registered voters who wish to have the pe- tition brought to them, at home or at work, can call 327-5411,” the group stated. “Organisers con- tinue to encourage people not registered to vote but eligible to do so and in- terested in participating to register at the Elec- tions Office.” Roulstone explained that the group is seeking more signatures in case the Elections Office finds that some of the current signatures are invalid. Cruise Port Referendum Cayman added that it will host a public meeting on Thursday, 30 May, at George Town Town Hall at 6-8pm, to share informa- tion on the proposed pro- ject and the latest updates on the process for a people- initiated referendum. The petition was in- itially started around last August. Now that enough sig- natures have apparently been collected, the refer- endum would be the third held in Cayman in recent years. The first involved the modernisation of the constitution, in 2009, and the second on the “one man, one vote” issue, in 2012. Both were initiated by government. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The group said they have now collected and internally verified more than 5,300 signatures of Cayman Islands registered voters. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CRUISE PIER CAMPAIGNERS: Threshold for referendum reached Food truck robbed A masked man armed with a machete robbed a food truck on Crewe Road early Saturday morning. Police said the man demanded cash from workers at the truck near the Grand Harbour round- about before leaving the scene on a bicycle, in the direction of Tropical Gardens, with a quan- tity of cash. The suspect is de- scribed as being of slim build, and wearing a black hoodie, black sweat pants, black shoes and a mask. Colombia army chief linked to civilian slayings BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – New evidence has emerged linking the embattled head of Co- lombia’s army to the alleged cover-up of civilian killings more than a decade ago. The documents, provided to The Associated Press by a person familiar with an on- going investigation into the extrajudicial killings, come as Gen. Nicacio Martínez Es- pinel faces mounting pres- sure to resign over orders he gave troops this year to step up attacks in what some fear could pave the way for a re- turn of serious human rights violations. Colombia’s military has been blamed for as many as 5,000 extrajudicial killings at the height of the country’s armed conflict in the mid- 2000s as troops under pres- sure by top commanders in- flated body counts, in some cases dressing up civilians as guerrillas in exchange for extra pay and other perks. What became known as the ‘false positives’ scandal has cast a dark shadow over the US-backed military’s re- cord of battleground victo- ries. Fifteen years later, not a single top commander has been held accountable for the slayings. Human Rights Watch in February harshly criticised President Ivan Duque’s ap- pointment of Martínez Es- pinel, noting that he was second-in-command of the 10th Brigade in north- east Colombia during years for which prosecutors have opened investigations into 23 illegal killings. The rights group revealed that then Col. Martínez Espinel certified payments to an informant who led to “excellent results” in a purported combat op- eration in which an indig- enous civilian and 13-year- old girl were killed. A court later convicted two soldiers of abducting them from their home, murdering them and putting weapons on their bodies so they appeared to be rebels. Martínez Espinel at the time of the report said he had “no idea” if he had made the payments. “God and my subalterns know how we’ve acted”, he said. But new documents from Colombia’s prosecutor’s office show that Martínez Espinel in 2005 signed off on at least seven other questionable payments. The documents were provided to the AP by someone on the condition of anonymity because they fear retaliation. Some of the rewards, which never exceeded $500, went to supposed inform- ants whose names and IDs did not match. In two cases, judicial investigators found the real beneficiary was sol- dier Oscar Alfonso Murgas, who would go on to be sen- tenced to 40 years for his role in a third, unrelated civilian killing. One hidden recipient was a former paramilitary commander sentenced to 15 years for extortion. In another inconsistency, on two occasions Martínez Espinel vouched for informa- tion leading to fighting that the same documents show took place days later. Such was the case for a payment made on 17 May 2005 to an unnamed informant and which bears Martínez Espi- nel’s signature. The payment refers to combat with pur- ported guerrillas on May 20 – three days later – in which an unidentified “no name” male was reported killed pos- sessing a grenade and pistol. “A decade ago, soldiers across Colombia lured ci- vilians to remote locations under false pretences – such as with promises of work – killed them, placed weapons on their lifeless bodies, and then reported them as enemy combatants killed in action,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “One can’t help wonder if any of the cock- ades in their uniforms, or the promotions throughout ‘suc- cessful’ careers, corresponds to the murder of innocent civilians committed over a decade ago.” Martínez Espinel in a statement said he faces no criminal or disciplinary in- vestigations. He said it was up to judicial authorities to evaluate the value of the doc- uments bearing his signature but that during his time at the 10th Brigade he had no involvement or responsibility in combat operations, instead performing a purely adminis- trative role. “I always have been and will be ready to answer any questions by authori- ties,” he said. Vivanco said it’s no sur- prise Martínez is not under investigation, given author- ities’ willingness to turn a blind eye to the responsibility of top commanders in the killing spree. While Colom- bian courts have convicted hundreds of low-ranking sol- diers for their roles in the ‘false positive’ murders, not a single general and only a handful of colonels have so far been convicted. Under in- ternational law, commanders can be held responsible for crimes carried out by subor- dinates that they knew about or should have known about. Now there are reports that Martínez Espinel, as army chief, is looking to rein- state the policies that critics say led to the executions. Army Commander Gen. Nicacio Martinez Espinel, right, salutes during a swearing-in ceremony for the new military and police commanders, in Bogota, Colombia. – PHOTO: AP Students hold up placards calling on the government to take action to protect Cayman’s environment. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS MONDAY, 27 MAY 2019 Earthquake strikes Amazon jungle in Peru A powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck a remote part of the Amazon jungle in Peru early Sunday, collapsing buildings and knocking out power but causing only one reported death. The quake also awoke people in Lima, who ran out of their homes in fear. WATCH TV WORLDWIDE For Less Then 28 Cents A Day ARE YOU STILL PAYING HUNDREDS A YEAR TO WATCH A FEW TV SHOWS OR MOVIES? NOW Watch Hundreds Watch Over 900 TV Channels Worldwide, Movies on Demand and More For Only CI$100 Per Year (IPTV Box Required) New Hi Def HDTV IPTV Boxes Available For Only CI$ 200.00 With Sign-Up View Channel List www.livetvworldwide.com/channel-list For Info: E-Mail: info@cayman-computer.com Or Call PC-Doctor 946-2222 LONDON (AP) – The race to succeed British Prime Min- ister Theresa May is heating up, the field of Conservative contenders is quickly growing and the focus is squarely on how to handle Brexit. Former House of Com- mons leader Andrea Leadsom and former Brexit Secre- tary Dominic Raab joined the fray Saturday night. Both had earlier resigned from May’s Cabinet to protest her Brexit policy. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Saturday morning he is seeking to re- place May, joining several others who have announced they will run to become the Conservative party’s next leader, and by default, Brit- ain’s new prime minister. May announced Friday she plans to step down as Conservative Party leader on 7 June and remain as a caretaker prime minister while the party chooses a new leader in a contest that officially kicks off the fol- lowing week. She plans to remain as party leader through US President Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit and the 75th D-Day anniversary cele- brations on 6 June. Her successor will have to try to complete Brexit – a task that May failed to de- liver during her three years in office. While she suc- ceeded in striking a di- vorce deal with the Euro- pean Union, the plan was defeated three times in Par- liament by British law- makers from across the po- litical spectrum. The EU extended Britain’s departure date to 31 Oct. but there still is no consensus among British lawmakers about how or even if the country should leave the bloc. Even before a new leader is chosen, the Conserva- tive Party is expected to fare poorly when the results of the European Parliament election in Britain are an- nounced Sunday night. The best-known con- testant for the Conservative leadership post is former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who has said he will take Britain out of the EU on 31 Oct. even if no deal has been reached with EU leaders. Johnson’s willingness to back a no-deal Brexit is al- ready causing some ripples. Another Conservative con- tender, International Develop- ment Secretary Rory Stewart, said Saturday that he could not serve in a Cabinet under Johnson if Johnson wins. Stewart says he could not work for a leader who is comfortable with the idea of a no-deal Brexit. Stewart complained that Johnson said in a private meeting several weeks ago that he would not push for a no-deal departure but ap- pears to have changed course completely. Many economists and business leaders have warned that a no-deal depar- ture would have a drastically negative impact on Britain’s economy and also hurt its European neighbours. The field is likely to grow to about a dozen candidates, with a winner expected to be chosen by mid or late July. Senior Conservatives in- cluding Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt are among those considering a leadership run. The Conservative Party chooses its leaders in a two- step process. First there’s a series of votes among the party’s legislators to estab - lish two top contenders, then those names are submitted to a nationwide vote by about 120,000 party members. The winner becomes party leader and prime min- ister, although the opposi- tion Labour Party is warning of an immediate challenge to the new leader with an eye towards forcing an early gen- eral election. John McDonnell, La- bour’s economic spokesman, told the BBC on Saturday the party would push a no-con- fidence vote against the new prime minister right away. “We believe any incoming prime minister in these cir- cumstances should go to the country anyway and seek a mandate,” McDonnell said. An earlier Labour Party attempt to force an early election failed in January when May’s government sur- vived a no-confidence vote. The UK’s next general election will be held in 2022 unless a government collapse speeds up the timetable. New candidates vie to succeed UK’s May British Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as she turns away after making a speech Friday in the street outside 10 Downing Street in London, England. – PHOTO: AP UK Conservatives fear wipeout in Brexit-dominated EU poll LONDON (AP) – Anti-EU and pro-EU parties look set to make gains in a Brexit-dom- inated election for British seats in the European Par- liament, while the governing Conservative Party is bracing for one of its worst-ever performances. Daniel Hannan, a Con- servative Member of the Eu- ropean Parliament, said he feared the party was facing “total wipeout” and would fail to win any of Britain’s 73 seats in the 751-seat EU legislature. Britons voted Thursday but the results will not be an- nounced until all 28 EU na- tions have finished going to the polls on Sunday. The Conservatives look likely to be punished for failing to take the country out of the EU as promised. Opinion polls suggest the newly founded Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage is set to take the biggest share of votes. It is one of several na- tionalist and populist parties hoping to increase their vote share across the continent. “If you want Brexit, you’ve got to vote Brexit,” Farage said. “We did it once, they ig- nored us, so we’re going to tell them again.” There could also be a surge for parties that want to stop Brexit, including the centrist Liberal Democrats and the Greens. The main op- position Labour Party, which is split on whether to sup- port a new referendum that could halt Brexit, has seen its support sag. The economy spokesman for Labour, spokesman John McDonnell, said he expected his party to “get a good kicking in the election re- sults tonight”. In the last EU election in 2014, Farage’s former UKIP party won 27% of the vote, helping build momentum in the push to get Britain out of the EU. Labour won 25% and the Conservatives 24%, with the Lib Dems taking just under 7% of the vote. Britons voted by 52%-48% in June 2016 to leave the EU. But its departure, scheduled for 29 March, has been de- layed because lawmakers have rejected the agreement on divorce terms struck between the government and the bloc. Britain is participating in the EU election because it is still a member of the bloc, but the lawmakers aht it elects will only sit in the European Parliament until Brexit, scheduled for 31 Oct. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, left, is gifted a pie by a local resident whilst out canvassing in Worthing, West Sussex, England. – PHOTO: AP EUROPE’S VOTERS ELECT NEW PARLIAMENT AS NATIONALISM MOUNTS BRUSSELS (AP) – From Germany and France to Cy- prus and Estonia, voters from 21 nations went to the polls Sunday in the final day of a crucial European Par- liament election that could see major gains by the far- right, nationalist and pop- ulist movements sweeping across the continent. The four days of bal- loting that began Thursday across the 28-country Eu- ropean Union pitted sup- porters of closer unity against those who con- sider the EU a meddlesome and bureaucratic pres- ence and want to return power to national govern- ments and sharply restrict immigration. The first results were expected overnight from what was considered the most important European Parliament election in its 40-year history, a contest with the potential to signif- icantly reshape EU policies. An estimated 426 million people were eligible to vote. Mainstream centre-right and center-left parties were widely expected to hold on to power in the 751-seat legislature that sits in both Brussels and Strasbourg. But the nationalist and pop- ulist parties that are hostile to the EU were expected to make important gains that could complicate the work- ings of the Parliament. “I don’t want to see a right-populist Europe [that] wants to destroy the idea of togetherness,” said Ger- many’s Manfred Weber, the lead candidate of the Chris- tian Democrat center-right EPP group, currently the biggest in the legislature. Leading the challenge to the established order was Italy’s hard-line interior minister, Matteo Salvini, head of the League party, who has been assembling a group of like-minded par- ties from across Europe. “We need to do every- thing that is right to free this country, this continent, from the illegal occupation organised by Brussels,” Sal- vini told a rally in Milan last weekend. As he voted in Buda- pest on Sunday, Hungary’s increasingly authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, said he hopes the election will bring a shift towards political parties that want to stop migra- tion. The migration issue “will reorganise the polit- ical spectrum in the Euro- pean Union”, he said. Because of the stakes this time, turnout ap- peared to be higher than usual during the afternoon Sunday in Spain, France and Germany. The trend has been downward since the first elections in 1979 and stood at less than 43% five years ago. The EU and its Parliament set trade policy on the continent, reg- ulate agriculture, oversee antitrust enforcement and set monetary policy for 19 of the 28 nations sharing the euro currency.Next >