ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 LOCAL | PAGE 5 NEW POLICE HELICOPTER EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN DECEMBER High of 89 Low of 78 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. WORLD | PAGE 7 UK’S JOHNSON DENIES ANY WRONGDOING IN TIES WITH US TECH EXECUTIVE $ 3 99 M EAL D EALS MONDAY - SATURDAY 9pcs MIXED, 2 Sides & 5 BISCUITS NEW FAMILY SUNDAY Deputy Governor Franz Manderson celebrates the success of another DG’s 5K Challenge run which raised money for three local charities early Sunday morning. The deputy governor, who started the annual event in 2014 to challenge civil servants and members of the public to get fit and healthy, joined the more than 1,700 runners and walkers in the run through George Town. For more on this story, see the Sports section on page 8. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY DG’s 5K brings 1,700 onto Cayman’s roads MICHAEL KLEIN Mklein@compassmedia.ky The Alexander Hotel on Cayman Brac will come back to life and add 32 suites to the Sister Islands’ room stock. Nelson Dilbert, the son of the hotel’s de- veloper Cleveland Dilbert, hopes to adver- tise the self-catering rooms on Airbnb in time for Christmas. The Alexander Hotel closed in 2014 amid a controversy over the failed construction of a marina in the adjacent Salt Water Pond, which formed part of the original vision of the devel- oper when it opened in 2009. The application to dredge the pond and cut a channel through to the open water to create a safe harbour was denied in 2014 over environmental concerns. Government subsequently agreed to pump the pond to deal with a separate issue of smell from the standing water that was im- pacting the hotel, but it demanded a costly en- vironmental impact assessment for the ma- rina project to go ahead. Nelson Dilbert says he has no plans to revive the marina idea and that the smell from Salt Water Pond has been fixed over the years. BRAC’S ALEXANDER HOTEL TO REOPEN AS AIRBNB RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman is set to play host to Prince Albert II of the Mo- naco next year. Premier Alden McLaughlin announced the upcoming visit in a media statement Friday. The premier was in Monaco last week, with a Cayman trade delegation, for the Mo- naco Yacht Show. He indicated that the “royal visit is scheduled to take place at a date to be confirmed by the Principality”. According to Government In- formation Services, the prince confirmed his intention to visit the Cayman Islands at a recep- tion hosted by the premier on Wednesday in Monaco. This will be the prince’s first visit to the Cayman Islands. Premier McLaughlin said he was delighted that Prince Albert has agreed to visit Cayman. “The visit will give us the op- portunity to further cement and build the relations between the Cayman Islands and Monaco,” he said in a statement. “It will also raise our profile more broadly in the Monaco community, and be- yond, as we continue to look for opportunities to attract busi- nesses and investors in key juris- dictions such as Monaco.” During Wednesday’s Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit Cayman “ The visit will give us the opportunity to further cement and build the relations between the Cayman Islands and Monaco.” PREMIER ALDEN MCLAUGHLIN PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 » Prince Albert, centre, with Premier Alden McLaughlin, left, and Chief Officer Eric Bush at a reception in Monaco on 25 Sept.MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 2 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 10:30 (SAT ONLY) I 4:35 I 7:15 (NO SAT) 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: • 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) ABOMINABLE (PG) 2:10 | 4:00 VIP | 4:40 3D | 7:05 | 9:30 3D DOWNTON ABBEY (PG) 1:00 VIP | 4:15 | 6:40 VIP | 9:45 HUSTLERS (R) 2:05 | 4:45 | 7:25 | 10:05 IT: CHAPTER TWO (R) 1:35 | 5:15 | 9:00 RAMBO: LAST BLOOD (R) 1:20 | 7:10 | 9:50 VIP AD ASTRA (PG13) 1:00 | 3:50 | 7:00 | 10:00 EXPERT CANCER CAREFOR CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS © 2019 IPB CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS Pamela R. Breast Cancer Patient At Cancer Treatment Centers of America © (CTCA), we guide you and your family every step of the way, starting with a 3-5 day initial evaluation to develop your personalized cancer treatment plan. A team of clinicians will work together to provide treatments combined with supportive care therapies designed to help manage side effects, boost your energy and keep you strong during treatment. Police release name of deceased snorkeller RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky A former language in- structor with the US Defense Language Institute has been identified as the woman who died last week in the waters near Royal Palms. She is 78-year-old Zofia Prather, from California, who was visiting Cayman on a cruise ship. She is Cayman’s ninth water-related death for the year. According to Prather’s last posting on her Face- book page, on Monday, she said she was in the Gulf of Mexico on her way to Grand Cayman. Police said Prather had been snorkeling in the water off Seven Mile Beach in the vicinity of Royal Palms, when she encountered dif- ficulties. She was assisted to shore by members of the public and transported to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. JURY NOTICE The Judicial Administra- tion advises that jury ser- vice has concluded for all Grand Court jurors who at- tended jury service in the current Grand Court ses- sion, which commenced in July. The report date of Monday, 30 Sept., has been cancelled. A notice from the Judi- cial Administration read: “Your jury service has con- cluded and you are no longer required to attend further report dates. On behalf of Judicial Admin- istration, thank you for your service.” This notice does not apply to jurors summoned for Coroner’s Court. They are required to attend at 9:45am on Monday, 30 Sept. Teen paints mural on Cancer Society building Painting is in memory of her grandmother JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Sixteen-year-old Isabela Watler has transformed a wall at the Cancer Society building in George Town into a colourful work of art to give people diagnosed with cancer something pretty to look at. The painting depicts a Cayman scene, featuring un- derwater marine life, a water fountain and garden, which Isabela said she created as a tribute in memory of her late grandmother Jackie Watler who had cancer. “It’s a beautiful mural and a beautiful intention,” said Jennifer Weber, op- erations managers at the Cancer Society. The painting is on the wall that faces the entrance to the Cayman Islands Hospital. “Sometimes, when a cancer patient gets diagnosed at the Cayman Islands Hos- pital, they immediately come to the Cancer Society. Some- times, they just don’t know what else to do or where to go. When they come through the gate from the hospital, the first thing they will see is this beautiful mural on the wall,” Weber said. “Everyone who has seen it says it’s such a pretty painting. We hope it brings a little encouragement and smile to everybody’s face,” she added. According to Weber, Isa- bela’s grandmother was one of the first patients to receive chemotherapy in the cancer therapy unit at Cayman Islands Hospital back in 2014 when it was first opened. She did not want to re- ceive her treatment overseas, but wanted to be at home on Grand Cayman with the people she loved. The painting, spanning all of the outside wall, shows two smiling elves wearing pointed green hats and green shirts, standing in water soaking their feet. A bird sits on a branch on which hangs colourful con- tainers of flowers. An octopus, crab, turtle and dozens of co- lourful coral sponges com- plete the artwork. Watler, a Grade 11 stu- dent at Cayman Interna- tional School, said she used regular house paint to com- plete the scenery. “The painting’s message is to give hope and put people’s minds at ease who are vic- tims of cancer,” she said. She said the reason she chose that scenery was be- cause of her love of water and the ocean, but also be- cause her grandmother had an amazing greenhouse with a water fountain with little gnomes in the garden that they all loved to visit. Isabela’s grandmother was Caymanian to the core and loved the sea, flowers, the trees and culture of her people and it was through that me- dium, Isabela said, that she also found her inspiration. She hopes people find some sort of peace when they see the painting. “For me, it was kind of emotional seeing what my grandmother had to go through,” she said. DELAYS IN GARBAGE PICK-UPS IN BODDEN TOWN Bodden Town resi- dents are experiencing de- lays in the collection of their garbage. The Department of En- vironmental Health ad- vised on Sunday that the delays were caused by a “temporary shortage of equipment” over the past week. According to the DEH, gar- bage collections have been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday this week in the following areas: ■■ Shamrock Rd from Will T. Road to the Northward Road en- trance via Star Apple Street, Hudson Drive, Fig Tree Road and Northward Road; ■■ Will T. Drive to the Northward Road en- trance via Sham- rock Road, in- cluding side roads; ■■ From the entrance of Northward Road to Bel- ford Estates via Condor Road; ■■ Shamrock Road from the entrance of Condor Road to in- side Midland Acres; ■■ Bodden Town Road from the entrance of Midland Acres to John McLean Drive. The Cancer Society’s Victoria Gray stands by the painting which was done by 16-year-old Isabela Watler. - PHOTO: JEWEL LEVY Isabela Watler Zofia Prather INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING INTO SUDDEN DEATH Man found dead outside home George Town Police said they are continuing their probe into the death of a George Town man who was found unresponsive out- side his home on Shedden Road last week. They named the man on Friday as 60-year-old Caymanian Linton Spence. Police said there were no obvious signs of vio- lence during a prelim- inary examination of Spence at the Cayman Islands Hospital. No foul play suspected According to a Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice spokesman, at this stage in the investigation there is nothing to suggest foul play occurred. “However, this is an open and active investiga- tion, therefore that is sub- ject to change depending on the direction the in- vestigation takes,” the spokesman said. He added, “This inci- dent is, however, being investigated as a sudden death at this time.”CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CaymanCompass.com BREAKING NEWS The Cayman Compass will have a new look, new vision. Relaunching Monday, 7 OctoberMONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 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: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@compassmedia.ky Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR CATHERINE MACGILLIVRAY A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Cayman’s cruise tender boats are a credit to our country The Cayman Islands en- joys a vibrant tourist trade. It is the second most pop- ular cruise ship destination in the Western Caribbean, with just under 2 million cruise ship passengers ex- pected in 2019. There have been in- creasing negative comments directed towards tender company Caribbean Marine Services (CMS) and its affil- iated companies. This sad- dens me as, simply put, if it was not for the tender com- pany, we would not have the cruise ship industry we have today. CMS has brought cruise passengers to the island commercially as a locally owned company since 1976 and is the backbone of our cruise tourism product. As a country, we have a lot to be thankful to them for. Every cruise guest that lands in Grand Cayman today does so at no cost to the public purse or liability to government, the Port Au- thority or the country. In addition, the landing fee they pay goes to govern- ment as income and to CMS to cover the cost of their tender journey. At the moment, any profits made by CMS are in- vested back into Cayman. CMS and its affiliated com- panies employ a large local workforce and rely on local businesses for their oper- ations, maintenance, sup- plies, banking, insurance and legal services, thus sup- porting further the local economy. If the piers go ahead, this will all be lost and any revenue will flow instead to the cruise lines, who will not be providing any of these benefits – this is a huge consideration. Though it is true to say that the project is 100% financed by the consortium, this only means that they put the money up front; it will then have to be repaid. A proportion of the gov- ernment head tax and the tender fee will be used to do this, so income lost to government and the tender company. Make no mis- take, we will be paying for this cruise port. Cayman is considered to provide a world-class tender service with access for all passengers, including the el- derly and disabled. There is no statistical data showing that passengers overwhelm- ingly do not want to take our tender ferries. The fact is the cruise companies have been pushing government for years to build a port for their largest ships. The more people they can pack on to Grand Cayman, one of the most popular and safest Ca- ribbean locations, the more money they make. They have no interest in the effects this huge concrete construc- tion will have on our histor- ical harbour, it is simply just headcount for them. We have a unique tourism product, we stand out from the crowd. Why kill it with overtourism and irreversible damage to our natural environment? To say that without the piers our cruise product will die is untrue. As a tender port, we have seen a steady in- crease every year. In fact, the Meraviglia, a 5,700 pas- senger capacity ship (the sixth largest in the world), has been added to our 2019 winter itinerary, and yes it will be tendered! There is no doubt that we need to upgrade our port – but we can easily do this at a fraction of the cost of building piers. The amount set aside in the finance proposal to up- grade the cargo port is only US$30 million. What we need is an al- ternative design with all the positives, e.g., more streamlined terminal pro- cessing for more time on shore and better customer distribution. A design with no loss of coral or water clarity, or threat to Seven Mile Beach or our harbour- side in-water activities provided by Caymanian- owned businesses. A design that would ensure a better quality of life for all of us and allow for the develop- ment of local businesses, rather than mass branding for mass crowds. The main point to take away is that now, for abso- lutely no cost and zero li- ability, the government prints money from the guests coming ashore. The project as proposed, means that we will lose income, lose local businesses, de- stroy our natural capital, and pay a huge amount to do so. Which leads to the question many ask: “For whom are we doing this?” The cruise port refer- endum is about making the right choices for the island. Vote for a sustainable future. Melanie Harris, Notary Public Who wants more cruise passengers? After reading the 24 Sept. article by James Whit- taker, (‘Cruise line boss claims piers could mean 2-5 million passengers’), I was finally inspired to write this letter to the Compass. From the standpoint of an American having Cayman Residency and en- joying this island since 1980, I say, “Who wants more cruise visitors to our island?” Michael Bayley, one of the partners of the Verdant Isle consortium subsidising the proposed cruise dock, is projecting 2.5 million cruise visitors (or 700,000 additional passengers) per year to Cayman. Can you imagine the crowds on the sidewalks at the harbour? With the estimated 1.7 million to 1.9 million pas- sengers annually over the last three years, our stay- over visitors have inten- tionally not gone to town when cruise ships are an- chored in or expected in the harbour. Gone are the days when we always dressed in a skirt when going into town. Sadly, cruise ships unload bikini-strutting females (some of whom shouldn’t be seen in a bikini) and males baring their arm- pits and/or bulging bel- lies in tank tops. Do the shopkeepers really believe these people are going to in- crease their revenue enough to endure the construction chaos of the proposed $250 million dock? And the restaurateurs are dreaming if they be- lieve the increased numbers of people slogging along the streets are going to stop in for a meal when they fill their stomachs three and four times a day on their ship. I do not believe that a new dock will boost tourism spending. Additionally, I fail to un- derstand how the dock will double the volume of cargo capacity as Mr. Bayley claims. Little has been re- vealed about a larger dock for cargo ships if this is what he means! Personally, I’ve been on cruises where the ship pulls into a dock and, upon dis- embarking, one must walk about one quarter of a mile to the land in order to find a tour bus, go to a beach, or shop (if there even is a town). On one cruise, I stopped at Grand Cayman and experienced a delightful ride to shore on a tender boat. Some passengers, per- haps from the mid-west, who have never ridden in a small boat, were thrilled to enjoy this added benefit. Who needs a dock? My dear people of Cayman, please don’t be bulldozed by Mr. Bayley’s enthusiasm and promises. Stay true to your wonderful country and stand strong against more changes. Vote no to the cruise port. Marcia Langenhagen There is no statistical data showing that passengers overwhelmingly do not want to take our tender ferries. Do the shopkeepers really believe these people are going to increase their revenue enough to endure the construction chaos of the proposed $250 million dock? CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 5 LOCAL NEWS New police helicopter expected to arrive in December Cost pegged just under $10 million RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s new police helicopter is due to touch down this December and it is coming at a capital cost of just under $10 million. Police confirmed the new chopper’s expected arrival time on Friday. “As it stands, the second helicopter is scheduled to arrive in the Cayman Is- lands following all ser- vicing and pre-delivery checks at the start of De- cember 2019. It might be helpful to note that the ad- ditional personnel required to facilitate the deployment of the second helicopter have now been employed by RCIPS,” the police said in response to queries from the Cayman Compass. Police added that in- cluded in the new per- sonnel is the RCIPS’s first female pilot, Elaine Hunter. She commenced her em- ployment with the RCIPS Air Operations Unit ear- lier this month, and one of her first missions with the crew involved pro- viding assistance to the hurricane-struck Bahamas. The new helicopter will replace the EC135 chopper, which was damaged be- yond economic repair in February this year, when it malfunctioned on liftoff at the Owen Roberts Inter- national Airport. The tail struck the ground in the in- cident. Nobody was injured. That helicopter was sent to the United States for a damage assessment in May. Government has since received an insurance set- tlement of $2.6 million for the damaged aircraft. Earlier this year, Cayman received another helicopter – an Airbus H145, which was purchased for a little over US$11 mil- lion. The United Kingdom contributed about 25% of the purchase price of that helicopter. Police confirmed that the cost of the new heli- copter, which will be the same make and model as the current one, will be fully borne by the Cayman Islands government. Since the EC135 was damaged, the H145 chopper was utilised in March during the royal visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. It has also been used in a number of med- ical evacuations and in the hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas. “ As it stands, the second helicopter is scheduled to arrive in the Cayman Islands following all servicing and pre-delivery checks at the start of December 2019.” RCIPS STATEMENT The new helicopter will be an Airbus H145, the same make and model as the one purchased earlier this year. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYMONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 6 Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit Cayman Brac’s Alexander Hotel to reopen as Airbnb reception, the premier presented a cheque for US$40,000 to Prince Al- bert II for his charity. The money was raised in a Cayman Islands charity bike ride in Monaco. “Building on a mutual love of cycling shared by Prince Albert II and the Premier, the ride also of- fered a platform to build new relationships with high net worth individ- uals who similarly love the sport and who partici- pated in the ride,” the GIS statement said. The Ministry of Inter- national Trade, Invest- ment, Aviation and Mari- time Affairs and Cayman’s trade delegation “began their work in Monaco to attract new international investors and to widen the Cayman Islands brand at the important Monaco Yacht Show”, according to the statement. Infrastructure Min- ister Joey Hew, who was also in Monaco with the premier, attended and spoke at the MARE mar- itime forum Friday, the release said. the bar sporadically, whenever we are at a certain capacity.” Initially at least, Airbnb will be the main avenue for advertising the rooms, to keep costs low and ensure a viable business that can op- erate profitably, with a couple of staff taking care of main- tenance work and guest ser- vices, he said. Whether the hotel will re- turn to become a full-service hotel, Dilbert said, would de- pend on how much business can be generated from it. “We will keep adding amenities as costs allow.” The property was put up for sale in 2017 and it re- mains on the market. “But the fact that it is just sit- ting there and souring does not make sense,” Dilbert said. “So, we’ll put in some money and see what we can generate. If anything, it fixes up the property.” With his own business Cayman Spirits Co. doing well and running smoothly, Dil- bert said, it was now a good time to take on extra busi- ness. With he and his younger brother Alex being the two in- vestors in the 30 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom property, it remains ultimately a family affair, he added. A man who inappropri- ately touched a teenage boy in the bathroom stalls of a Cayman Brac resort will have to wait a few more days to learn his fate. Appearing before the Grand Court on Friday, 27 Sept., Filipino national Henry Dagala Jabines, 35, wept as his defence attorney argued on his behalf for a shorter prison sentence. “What you see before you, Your Lady, is no ruse,” said attorney Denise Brady. “My client Mr. Jabines is not put- ting on a show, he is genu- inely remorseful and is no real threat to the community.” Initially, Jabines de- nied the allegations, but in March, one week before his trial was due to commence, he changed his plea. Jabines and the 15-year-old male victim knew each other. The encounter was said to have only lasted a few seconds. A social inquiry report puts Jabines at a medium risk of reoffending based on “his level of remorse and at- titude towards the offences”. However, Brady said that is not an issue to trouble the courts since it is highly un- likely that Jabines will be able to reside in Cayman after being convicted. “Even if he wanted to stay, he couldn’t,” Brady said. “He is not Caymanian, which means he will need a work permit and this sort of conviction will definitely prevent him from getting a work permit.” “Mr. Jabines is a changed man,” he added. “He has since found God and visits the prison’s chapel every day.” Jabines has been on re- mand since March. Brady said the best course of action should be to im- pose a sentence that reflects the amount of time spent be- hind bars, and that the judge should impose a sentence that reflects that time in custody, which would allow Jabines to be released. However, upon release, a deportation order would be likely, and therefore Jabines would be returned to his native country. Man to be sentenced for indecently assaulting teen boy The Alexander Hotel closed down in 2014. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Premier Alden McLaughlin shakes hands with Prince Albert II in Monaco last week. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 TROPICAL STORM NARDA DRENCHES MEXICAN PACIFIC RESORTS MEXICO CITY (AP) – Tropical Storm Narda pounded the re- sort of Zihuatanejo Sunday after bringing heavy rains and flooding farther south along Mexico’s Pacific coast. The US National Hurricane Center said the storm brushed past Zihuatanejo and was cen- tred about 10 miles northeast of the port of Lazaro Cardenas Sunday morning, with max- imum sustained winds of 45 mph. It was moving to the northwest at 15 mph and the forecast track would keep it right along Mexico’s Pacific coast in the coming days. Local authorities re- ported flooded roads and rivers in Oaxaca state to the south, where thousands of people were evacuated as a precaution. The storm also toppled trees and bill- boards in Acapulco. The Hurricane Center said Narda was expected to pro- duce 5 to 10 inches of rainfall along the coast from Oaxaca to Nayarit – a stretch that in- cludes Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Jalisco state sus- pended schools Monday in Puerto Vallarta and nearby flood-prone areas. Meanwhile, Hurricane Lo- renzo slipped back to Cat- egory 4 force in the central Atlantic Ocean after sev- eral hours as a Category 5 – which made it the stron- gest storm ever observed so far north and east in the Atlantic basin. “There is no issue at all. The government has put in a pumping house on the pond that pulls water from it directly to the ocean,” he said. “That keeps the pond fresh.” Given that the prop- erty has been sitting dor- mant for years and the tourism industry is doing well, he said, the aim is to increase the limited in- ventory of rooms on the Brac and see more people go diving there. In addi- tion, events like the an- nual agriculture show, Pi- rates Week and Braccanal would always provide the opportunity to fill rooms. “We are investing a significant amount of money into the property to reopen it,” he said. The refurbishment includes the restaurant and bar area, but there are no plans to reopen these amenities yet. Dilbert said, “We are hoping that if somebody down the road feels like they want to go into the restaurant business on the Brac, they may lease [the] restaurant or open CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 The islands’ most-trusted news source 7 SpaceX unveils rocket designed for Mars trip Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk unveiled Saturday a SpaceX spacecraft, named ‘Starship’, designed to carry a crew and cargo to the moon, Mars or anywhere else in the solar system and land back on Earth perpendicularly. A test flight is expected within the next two months. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2019 GOLDEN APPLE FINALISTS TICKETS ON SALE NOW Tickets available on www.caymanchamber.ky/goldenappleawards or call 949-8090 HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER Private Public Jennifer Artuch, St. Ignatius Catholic School Daniel Baker, Cayman Prep and High School Katie Dilbert, Grace Christian Academy Kerita Levermore Stewart, John Gray High School Dee Clark, Cayman Islands Further Education Centre PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER Private Public Kelly Cowling, Cayman Prep and High School Allison Copeland, Cayman Academy Nadesha Edwards, Bodden Town Erica Powell, Savannah Primary School PRINCIPAL IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL Adrian Jones, Layman E Scott High School Clare Thorpe, Island Montessori PRINCIPAL IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL GT Automotive AD SPONSORED BY: UK’s Johnson denies any wrongdoing in ties with US tech executive LONDON (AP) – British Prime Min‑ ister Boris Johnson denied wrong‑ doing Sunday over his links to an American businesswoman who al‑ legedly received money and fa‑ vourable treatment because of their friendship during his time as mayor of London. Asked during a BBC interview about his ties to tech entrepreneur and model Jennifer Arcuri, Johnson sought to suggest that political mo‑ tivations were behind the decision Friday by the Greater London Au‑ thority to refer a conduct matter to a police watchdog agency. The matter arose from a Sunday Times report saying Arcuri was given 126,000 pounds in public money and privileged access to trade missions to the United States, Israel and Asia that Johnson led as mayor, even though her fledgling business had not yet met eligibility requirements for such trips. “Everything was done in accor‑ dance with the code … and every‑ thing was done with full propriety,” Johnson said Sunday. When pressed again by BBC journalist Andrew Marr, Johnson added: “There was no interest to declare.” The scandal worsened Sunday as Johnson’s Conservative Party was opening its annual party confer‑ ence in Manchester following a tu‑ multuous week for a leader who has only been in the job since July. In just the last few days, the UK Supreme Court declared Johnson’s attempt to suspend Parliament il‑ legal and he cut short a trip to the United States, racing home to face the House of Commons, where law‑ makers greeted him with cries of “Resign!” He then lost a vote on a normally routine matter – a re‑ quest to adjourn for a week so that Conservatives could attend their conference. Complicating things further, questions were raised about the 55‑year‑old Johnson’s links to Ar‑ curi, now 34, who set up a cyber firm in East London after moving to the capital seven years ago. Yet even as the British leader visited North Manchester General Hospital on Sunday to talk about his government’s plans to build 40 hospitals, his efforts failed to change the subject. “Let’s be absolutely clear, I am very, very proud of everything that we did and certainly everything that I did as mayor of London,” he said, adding that the current London mayor, Sadiq Khan of the Labour Party, “could possibly spend more time investing in police officers than he is investing in press officers and peddling this kind of stuff”. The independent office, which oversees police complaints in Eng‑ land, was asked to consider if there were grounds to investigate Johnson for misconduct in public office. The authority said Friday it had a “stat‑ utory duty” to record the matter because Johnson served as police commissioner during his 2008‑2016 tenure as London’s mayor. Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a visit to North Manchester General Hospital before the Conservative Party Conference, Sunday in Manchester, England. – PHOTO: AP HONG KONG (AP) – Pro‑ testers and police clashed in Hong Kong for a second straight day on Sunday, throwing the semiautono‑ mous Chinese territory’s business and shopping belt into chaos and sparking fears of more ugly scenes leading up to China’s Na‑ tional Day holiday this week. Riot police repeatedly fired blue liquid – used to identify protesters – from a water cannon truck and multiple volleys of tear gas after demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails at officers and targeted the city’s gov‑ ernment office complex. It was a repeat of Sat‑ urday’s clashes and part of a familiar cycle since pro‑ democracy protests began in early June. The protests were sparked by a now‑ shelved extradition bill and have since snowballed into an anti‑China movement. “We know that in the face of the world’s largest total‑ itarian regime – to quote Captain America, ‘Whatever it takes,’” Justin Leung, a 21‑year‑old demonstrator who covered his mouth with a black scarf, said of the vi‑ olent methods deployed by hard‑line protesters. “The consensus right now is that everyone’s methods are valid and we all do our part.” Protesters are planning to march again Tuesday despite a police ban, raising fears of more violent confrontations that would embarrass Chi‑ nese President Xi Jinping as his ruling Communist Party marks 70 years since taking power. Posters are calling for 1 Oct. to be marked as ‘A Day of Grief’. “So many youngsters feel that they’re going to have no future because of the power of China,” Andy Yeung, 40, said as he pushed his toddler in a stroller. “It’s hopeless for Hong Kong. If we don’t stand up, there will be no hope.” Hong Kong’s government has already scaled down the city’s National Day cel‑ ebrations, cancelling an an‑ nual fireworks display and moving a reception indoors. Despite security con‑ cerns, the government said Sunday that Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s leader, will lead a delegation of over 240 people to Beijing on Monday to participate in National Day festivities. Sunday’s turmoil started in the early afternoon when police fired tear gas to dis‑ perse a large crowd that had amassed in the pop‑ ular Causeway Bay shop‑ ping district. But thou‑ sands of people regrouped and defiantly marched along a main thoroughfare to‑ wards government offices, crippling traffic. Protesters, many clad in black with umbrellas and carrying pro‑democracy posters and foreign flags, sang songs and chanted “Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom.” Some de‑ faced, tore down and burned National Day congratula‑ tory signs, setting off a huge blaze on the street. Others smashed windows and lobbed gasoline bombs into subway exits that had been shuttered. Police then fired a water cannon and tear gas as the crowd approached the gov‑ ernment office complex. Most fled but hundreds re‑ turned, hurling objects into the complex. More violence grips Hong Kong ahead of China’s National Day Riot police arrive at the scene of a conflict with protesters in Hong Kong, Sunday. – PHOTO: APMONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Sports NEWS Coleman dodges ban, wins men’s 100 gold Christian Coleman won the world championship gold medal in the men’s 100 metres Saturday, three weeks after avoiding a ban for missed drug tests. Coleman started well and extended his lead down the stretch to win in 9.76 seconds, beating defending champion Justin Gatlin into second place. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky More than 1,700 runners and walkers of varying skill levels and speeds descended on the streets of George Town on Sunday morning for the annual Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge. Now in its sixth year, the race raises funds for special causes or chari- ties each year. The runners and walkers, most of whom were dressed in the DG’s 5K signature blue T-shirts, transformed the sidewalks and roadsides into a vibrant sea of blue. “What a wonderful place that we live in; so many people came out to support some wonderful charities,” said Deputy Governor Franz Manderson. “We have the Alex Panton Foundation, Spe- cial Needs Foundation, the Crisis Centre; some excellent charities who do some work for some of the most vul- nerable people in our com- munity. To see so much of Cayman out here really makes me feel proud.” The last five DG’s 5Ks raised a combined total of $236,500. This year, or- ganisers were seeking to raise between $60,000 and $75,000, which would be divided between the three charities. Manderson be- lieves they were successful. “I think we have defi- nitely achieved that [the target amount],” he said after the run. “Once again, Cayman’s generosity has ex- ceeded our expectations.” Along with raising funds, the DG’s 5K is also used to increase awareness about health and wellness within the Civil Service. Leading by example, the deputy gov- ernor was front and centre at the race, despite suffering from the flu the day before. “More civil servants are getting involved, more public servants are getting involved and, certainly, the private sector has been fan- tastic,” said Manderson. Planning and preparation are already under way for the 7th annual DG’s 5K Chal- lenge. While Manderson was keen to give some details about the next round, he re- mained tight-lipped about what the cause or charities will be for next year’s event. “We have some great ideas and suggestions coming in, and we will an- nounce that shortly,” he said. “As you know, we are back in schedule come April 2020, so before you know it, we will be back here again.” Results As far as road races go, the DG’S 5K has become a main fixture for runners of all pedigrees. Leading the way from start to finish was Gregley Gayle, 38, who won the race in a time of 17 min- utes, 24 seconds. Gayle finished in third place last year. He said his determina- tion, along with perfect run- ning conditions and healthy competition, helped him claim first place. “I said to myself, if I don’t win it this year, I won’t be able to win it again,” said Gayle. “The guys from 345 Athletics always provide ro- bust competition. So, I came out and did my best.” A few strides behind Gayle was Esmond Brown in second place with a time of 17:28. Not far behind in third place was Abraham Whit- taker with a time of 18:01. Gayle, Brown and Whittaker claimed the men’s overall top three spots as well as the overall first, second and third places. In the female division was defending champion Tiffany Cole. Cole crossed the line in 19:30. In second place was Helen Green, with a time of 20:25. Ava Hider finished with a time of 21 minutes and 30 sec- onds to round out the wom- en’s top three. DG’s 5K Challenge raises money for charities Governor Martyn Roper joins Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and other runners at the starting line of the DG’s 5K on Sunday morning. - PHOTO: ANDREL HARRIS This year’s winner of the DG 5K is Gregley Gayle in a time of 17 minutes and 24 seconds. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY And they’re off ... Civil servants, government officials and members of the public of all ages take off at the start of Sunday’s DG’s 5K. - PHOTO: ANDREL HARRIS Team HSA hit the road. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY Rogerio Pitta flashes the victory sign. – PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYCAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 9 SPORTS RUGBY WORLD CUP Japan upsets Ireland in Brighton sequel SHIZUOKA, Japan (AP) – No- body seemed less surprised than Jamie Joseph and his Japan players after the Rugby World Cup hosts toppled Ire- land 19-12 in one of the tour- nament’s greatest upsets. In a remarkable show of practising what they preached, Japan gave the Irish a 12-3 start on Saturday and then nothing else but headaches and bruises. Such was Japan’s speed on at- tack, the Irish felt they were chasing shadows. And such was Japan’s speed in defence, the Irish got jittery and lapsed into uncharacteristic errors. Ireland was ranked No. 1 coming into the tournament, but all week the Japanese players spoke about how con- fident they were. Winger Lo- mano Leki even predicted a win by eight points. The talk appeared to be mere hype to attract more local fans – the match was 3,000 short of a sellout. After all, what did Japan have to be confident about? They’d never beaten Ire- land, and conceded an av- erage 48 points to them over 28 years of despair. But coach Joseph revealed they had been audaciously targeting this Ireland side. “We have been preparing for this game a hell of a lot longer than the Irish have,” Joseph said. “The last year at least, if not the last three years. The Irish have been thinking about this game since Monday.” Incredibly, the planning bore a sequel to their famed defeat of two-time cham- pion South Africa in the 2015 World Cup, dubbed the Mir- acle of Brighton. This was not entirely a Shocker at Shi- zuoka, but it sparked jubilant celebrations at Rugby World Cup fan zones and pubs across the country. At the first Rugby World Cup staged in Asia, Japan supporters are growing in confidence that their team will qualify for the quarter-fi- nals for the first time. The Irish knew what was coming. They were braced for impact. Both teams had put nerves to rest, Ireland more impressively in humbling Scotland 27-3, while the Jap- anese got past Russia 30-10 on the opening night of the tournament. Japan was the big favourite against Russia, but on Saturday they were the underdogs reinforced by smart tactics and deep belief. They went after Ireland out wide, working the ball lightning quick for centre Timothy Lafaele, Lemeki, Ko- taro Matsushima and full- back Ryohei Yamanaka to have the Irish defence back- pedalling. They were relent- less, as was the defence, to doubling up the tackles and rushing to reform the line. “A big focus for us was to put two in the tackle be- cause we knew how hard they would come at us,” Jo- seph said. “They surprised us with their kicking game to our wings and they caught us out a couple of times.” That was in the first quarter when flyhalf Jack Carty, in place for the injured Jonathan Sexton and making his second career start, di- rected Ireland with veteran confidence. His crosskick set up a Garry Ringrose try, and his chip was tapped back by Ringrose for fullback Rob Ke- arney to score. Ireland led 12-3 after 21 minutes and appeared to be in ominous form. But they did not score again. Regular captain Mitchel Leitch was brought off the reserves bench for Japan when No. 8 Amanaki Mafileft clutching his side after half an hour. He blew Kearney off a ruck, triggering roars from the crowd, who cheered for every tackle and turnover. Ireland wilted under the pressure and Japan fly- half Yu Tamura, control- ling the attack with scrum- half Yutaka Nagare, kicked three penalties to cut Ire- land’s lead to 12-9 at the break. Ireland had won 28 times in a row over more than three years in games when it led at half-time, and there was no reason to be- lieve it would not push on in characteristic style. But Japan grew in belief, pushing Ireland off a scrum and forcing errors, including one which led to its go-ahead try. Chris Farrell ran into CJ Stander behind their scrum in their 22, giving the ball to Japan. Off the third ruck, a miss-pass from Nakamura flicked on by Timothy Lafaele found winger Kenki Fukuoka on the outside to score. Japan’s Kenki Fukuoka, centre, runs past Ireland’s defence during the Rugby World Cup Pool A game between Japan and Ireland in Shizuoka, Japan, Saturday. – PHOTO: AP (AP) – It was a day of goal- keeping blunders in the Eng- lish Premier League. Liverpool and Man- chester City, seemingly set for another duel for the title, benefitted from two of them in hard-fought away wins on Saturday. Liverpool eked out a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United but only after home goalkeeper Dean Henderson let a volley from the edge of the area by Georginio Wijnaldum slip through his arms and legs in the 70th minute. That is seven straight wins to open the campaign for Liv- erpool, and 16 in a row in the league stretching back to March. Two more and the Reds will equal the top-flight record set by City in 2017. City, meanwhile, was drawing 1-1 against Everton and dipping below its usual high level when Riyad Mahrez took aim with a free kick in the 72nd minute. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should have had it covered but the ball went under his hand and crept inside the far post, before Raheem Ster- ling wrapped up a 3-1 win with a late goal. The gap between Liverpool and second-place City stayed at five points. West Ham, in third spot, is a further four points adrift. Capping a forgettable day for goalkeepers, Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris was dispossessed near his own line to concede a goal against Southampton. His teammates rescued him by winning 2-1 despite playing with 10 men for an hour, lifting the side to fourth. Top two dig in Neither Liverpool nor City was at their fluent best, but still found ways to win. It is not yet October and they are already pulling clear of the rest. Liverpool, in particular, was put off its game by the intensity and work rate of Sheffield United before Hen- derson’s mistake cost the promoted side. Henderson is on loan from Man United, traditionally Liverpool’s fiercest rival. It was just a second clean sheet in the league for Liv- erpool, which kept a league- high 21 last season. “Eight times 1-0 is more important than one time 8-0,” said Liverpool man- ager Jürgen Klopp, refer- ring to City’s massive win by that score against Watford last weekend. City never reached those heights against Everton, though Kevin De Bruyne ex- celled once again, collecting his eighth assist in the league with a curling cross headed home by Gabriel Jesus. Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for Everton, which forced City goal- keeper Ederson Moraes into some smart saves. “They are on an incred- ible run,” City manager Pep Guardiola said of Liverpool. “They don’t drop points and they win well. We know it, the players know it. It is not easy.” Defiant Spurs Lloris’ mistake was prob- ably the worst of the day. The France captain col- lected the ball near his line, dithered and tried to beat Southampton striker Danny Ings with a deft turn. Ings dis- possessed Lloris and the ball rolled into the net, leaving the score 1-1 after Tanguy Ndom- bele’s early goal. By that stage, Tottenham was also a man down after the 31st-minute red card to Serge Aurier for two bookings but Mauricio Pochettino’s team still prevailed, Harry Kane finishing a flowing move in the 43rd to make it 2-1. Spurs have had a difficult start to the season – losing on penalties to fourth-tier Col- chester in the League Cup in midweek – but they are still in the Champions League places. ENGLISH FOOTBALL ROUNDUP Liverpool, Man City get EPL wins Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, left, and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva in close action during their English Premier League soccer match in Liverpool, England, Saturday. – PHOTO: AP Ireland was ranked No. 1 coming into the tournament, but all week the Japanese players spoke about how confident they were.Next >