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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: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR CATHERINE MACGILLIVRAY NEWS PRODUCER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MORALES A MEMBER OF THE INTER- AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION ªGive light and the people will find their own wayº Partly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers and possible thunder. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands MONDAY 14.10.2019 90°F 78°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to southeast at 10 to 15 knots with higher gusts. SEA STATE Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. National Trust asks chairman to return In September, Andrew Gibb resigned as chairman of the Council for the National Trust. Now the organisation says it wants him back. Gibb resigned at the annual general meeting after public concerns were voiced about his involvement as the local architect acting on behalf of the proposed Beach Bay property. The trust has raised concerns about the proposed St. James Point Resort, a 125-unit hotel and condominium project planned for the site near Bodden Town, and the impact it might have on turtle nesting. The project is opposed by the Department of the Environment. In a news release, the National Trust said it “reiterates its stance on the Beach Bay development. Regardless of Gibb remaining as chair, this in no way influences the trust’s position …. It remains concerned about the impact on the turtle nesting beach.” At its first meeting since Gibb resigned, the 19-member board voted to ask him to serve out his final year as chairman. Executive Director Nadia Hardie said adequate provisions to deal with the kinds of conflicts that led to Gibb resigning are in place. “It is unrealistic to assume conflicts, apparent or otherwise, will never arise on our small islands,” Hardie said in the release. “The trust operates on the basis of good governance and complete transparency, requiring all members of the council to declare any direct conflicts of interest. If a conflict is disclosed, the member is required to recuse themselves from the discussion and decision- making process. However, the trust has further refined its conflict of interest disclosure processes as a result.” Gibb has been on the council for eight years. He has a background in laws and regulations related to planning. He was originally with the Historic Advisory Committee, before being elected to the council. Honda airbags still being replaced MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@commpassmedia.ky Car dealers in Cayman said they are continuing to see a steady flow of vehicles which need to have their airbags replaced but aren’t expecting additional action from a new warning out of Australia. A consumer watchdog agency in that country this month A technician removes an old inflator from the airbag mechanism of a car at Car City’s Honda recall event in January this year. bumped up its warnings regarding certain vehicles with faulty airbags, advising drivers of specific cars not to drive them, even if only to the dealership to have the airbags replaced. In its announcement, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that country’s drivers that 20,000 vehicles – whose recalled Takata airbags had not yet been replaced - were unsafe to drive and should be towed to a repair facility. It called the situation “critical”. "Classification as 'critical' means manufacturers have assessed these airbags as being particularly unsafe," the commission’s deputy chair Delia Rickard was quoted as saying. The classification means Australian car owners can be reimbursed for the cost of having their cars towed for repair. The cars affected include models made by Honda, BMW, Toyota and Mitsubishi. The concern with the airbags is that the components sometimes break apart when the airbag is explosively deployed and those parts can become lethal projectiles. In January this year, hundreds of Honda owners brought their vehicles to Car City during a three-day event to replace the faulty airbags. Since then, cars with recalled airbags continue to come into the dealership’s service department “on a daily basis”, Diane Hedge, service manager at Car City, said. She said she was unaware of the heightened warning issued in Australia. No similar warning has been announced in Cayman. Many of the cars that Car City repairs are sent by the Department of Vehicle and Drivers Licensing when they don’t pass inspection due to not having replaced a recalled airbag. “If it’s a (recalled) Honda and you don’t have an invoice from Car City,” Hedge said, “they will send you over to have the airbag replaced.” At Vampt Motors, marketing director Katie O’Neill said the concern about airbag replacement is ongoing. She said the dealership continues to reach out to owners who might be affected, both directly and through social media and advertising. If car owners are uncertain about whether their car’s airbag needs replacement, they should contact the dealership. “They can call and we’ll look it up for them,” O’Neill said. cayman compass 2 news N news MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@compassmedia.ky Cayman plans to stand up a military regiment next year. Premier Alden McLaughlin said he believes it is the first such unit the nation has ever fielded. Its focus will be on disaster relief. The announcement was made Friday afternoon as visiting UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster was preparing to depart the island. Lancaster, McLaughlin and Governor Martyn Roper held a joint press conference in which they said they had agreed to a cooperative effort the establish the regiment. McLaughlin said he anticipates the initial size of the force will be between 35 and 50 members. But talks between the two governments on the subject – which began early this year – have included projections that allow for growing the unit to several hundred members. The regiment would be a volunteer reserve force, with only a handful of full-time personnel. McLaughlin said, because of that structure, the cost of operating the programme would be manageable. Training and equipment would be supplied by the UK armed forces. Establishing the regiment was the primary reason for Lancaster’s visit to Cayman. He said he got the idea for the force on a trip to the Caribbean last year. “It would be useful for the overseas territories to have their own capacity” for emergency response, Lancaster said. “This will be locally recruited and locally led.” He said the initial core force would likely be trained as engineers. A team of UK military and civilian experts from the UK Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office plan to deploy to Cayman before the end of the year to conduct an operational needs assessment to determine how much support from the UK will be needed. Officials said the initial assistance would likely be logistical advice and support. Later, it is expected to include operational training and equipment. The team will also look at where best to station the regiment. McLaughlin said having such a unit would allow Cayman to better respond to the next hurricane to hit its islands. Rather than being wholly reliant on outside assistance, as was the case with Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the proposed regiment would be able to provide immediate help in the wake of such a disaster. He said it would also benefit the rest of the Caribbean. “We’ve demonstrated how much we care about our brothers and sisters across the region,” the premier said, referring to the teams Cayman has sent to areas damaged by hurricanes in the past two years. “These events are becoming more and more common. It’s very clear that as a region we need to work together.” The proposed regiment, he said, “is going to be a huge boon to our ability to respond”. Bermuda has a similar force, Lancaster said. “When we had issues there,” he said, “the fact that Bermuda had its own force was incredibly helpful.” Roper said the regiment members would be armed when in action. “This will be in the same way the cadets use weapons,” he said, referring to the Cadet Corps, “and the way the police use weapons. We’re not creating an army.” Cayman regiment would provide disaster relief The regiment would be a volunteer reserve force, with only a handful of full-time personnel . 35-50 Expected initial size of regiment Recruits for the proposed regiment could be drawn from the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps. UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster, right, talks about the planned introduction of a regiment in the Cayman Islands, as Premier Alden McLaughlin, left, and Governor Martyn Roper look on. cayman compass 3 news N news MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Health Services Authority has issued a request for proposals for architectural drawings of a new Bodden Town medical centre. The RFP was published Friday on government’s procurement portal with a deadline of 31 Oct. for bids. The Authority said it expects to finalise the RFP and vendor selection process by year-end and announce the projected cost estimates, as well as a project schedule for the new facility in 2020. According to the RFP, the HSA is seeking proposals for designs and other architectural services for the construction of the new health facility “consisting of a multi-story structure having a footprint of approximately 60,000 square feet and will house the new Bodden Town medical centre, EMS and Acute Care Services, administrative offices, and any other services that may be contemplated by the Authority”. It added that the complex will be designed and built to withstand the effects of a major hurricane or other natural disasters and reopen to serve the public. In a media statement Friday, the HSA said the satellite medical facility in Bodden Town would replace the existing Bodden Town Health Centre and offer a range of expanded and new clinical services to residents of the eastern districts. HSA’s CEO Lizzette Yearwood said in the statement that the plans for the new facility are part of the Authority’s strategic goal to increase access to care and expand services in communities across the Cayman Islands. Yearwood pointed to data from the Cayman Islands Economics and Statistics Office which showed an increase of 3.8% in the population. She said the number of people living in Bodden Town has surpassed that of West Bay, which “is also putting pressure on the limited facility at the Bodden Town Health Centre”. The project will be done in two phases and, according to the HSA, it is part of the implementation of “its 30-year Master Facility and Service Development Plan to expand services and access to care to meet the changing demographics and new demands for healthcare services”. The HSA said the first phase of the clinic will include a waiting area for approximately 50 people, two administrative offices, two minor operation rooms, three to four urgent care rooms, three to four clinical exam rooms, and a pharmacy. The clinic is also expected to have a dialysis area with all supporting infrastructure, as well as a radiology unit with supporting infrastructure. The HSA said phase two involves the expansion of the complex to include inpatient services. This area will include an accident and emergency area with six bays, an operating room with supporting infrastructure, medical gas infrastructure and eight to 12 inpatient rooms. Robert Ariel Ebanks Sunrise 14th December 1938 – Sunset 13th October 2018 Daddy Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words And missed beyond measure. Love your children Papa If roses grow in heaven Lord please pick a bunch for us, place them in our Papa’s arms and tell him they’re from us. Tell him we love and miss him and when he turns to smile, place a kiss upon his cheek and hold him for a while. Because remembering him is easy, we do it every day, but there is an ache within our hearts that will never go away. Love your grandchildren and great-grandchildren HSA moves ahead with Bodden Town clinic project 60,000 The square footage of the planned health clinic ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky On day three of an ongoing corruption trial, the prosecution’s key witness took to the stand Friday. Wiping tears from her eyes, Elsy Liseth Rodriguez Diaz, 49, spoke of the events leading up to and after her arrival in Cayman in April 2016. The court heard that Diaz and three other women conspired to commit fraud on the Cayman Islands government. A court order prevents Cayman Compass from naming the other women, who are a 59-year-old Caymanian and two Hondurans, aged 36 and 40. Diaz was not charged. The women are alleged to have helped people pass an Immigration Department-administered English- language test in exchange for money. Speaking through an interpreter, Diaz said she was introduced to the Honduran women about getting a work permit as a janitor or as a bartender. WhatsApp Messages in Spanish were translated in court. The jury of five women and two men heard that Diaz was told to travel with money to pay for her permit and the English-language test. “[The 40-year-old woman] told me to tell the immigration people I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t do the English test the same day.” said Diaz, “She said I should go do the test the following day, so that’s what I did.” When she arrived to do the test on 12 April 2016, an immigration officer took her to a small room where the test was administered. Prosecutor Greg Walcolm told the jury that the test comprised of three parts, but Diaz said she only filled out one section. The 59-year-old defendant, who held a senior role in the Immigration Department, is said to have used her position to falsify Diaz’s results, in exchange for money. Diaz said she received a passing grade, although she incorrectly guessed the test answers. A few weeks after arriving in Cayman, she was not able to make the monthly work permit payments. In a voicemail the 36-year-old defendant told Diaz if she did not pay up, her work permit would be cancelled. “When I heard it, I went to the immigration department and cancelled the work permit,” said Diaz. “I told the immigration officers what had happened and gave them a statement.” Woman takes stand in corruption trial cartoon Feeling down - By Caymanman Health Services Authority CEO Lizzette Yearwood cayman compass 4 news N news MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019The dengue virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. cayman compass 5 news N news MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019 As Head of Printing, Donovan Nelson tackles multiple roles. That includes quality control of the newspaper and commercial print, staff supervision and overseeing equipment repair and maintenance. “We’ve maintained a good standard of printing,” says Donovan, who has been with the Compass for 12 years. “Our company has been blessed with skilled workers in every department.” Donovan started out at a small print shop in Jamaica, and spent 17 years at The Gleaner Company, upgrading his technical skills through various courses. After a stint at the Royal Gazette in Bermuda, he joined the Compass. He enjoys the teamwork involved in the printing process. “At the end of the day, when you look at the work at hand, it’s just knowing that you are part of the whole production,” he says. It’s just knowing that you are part of thewhole production. Head of Printing Donovan Nelson Cayman Compass Promotion ‘Calypso Cowboy’ may face prison in self-defence case ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Dexter Kelvin Bodden, known as the 'Calypso Cowboy', could face two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to wounding. In December 2016, Bodden stabbed a man who was breaking into his house. Claiming self- defence, Bodden originally entered a not-guilty plea in Summary Court, but when the matter reached Grand Court, he changed his plea to guilty. During a sentencing hearing on Friday, Bodden’s lawyer Nicholas Dixey told the court the sentence "should really be suspended”. Cayman’s courts can suspend prison sentences for up to two years if the sentence is less than two years. Bodden’s proposed sentence is six months over the two-year mark. “Had my client chosen to go to trial, there is a very likely chance the jury would have acquitted him,” said Dixey. “Mr. Bodden, a victim of two burglaries, was trying to protect himself and his property during a third attempt. "The wall of anger and sympathy that was created by the public following the initial reports that he had pleaded guilty is a clear indication that good people, ordinary people, would be outraged if he was to be imprisoned.” Three months after stabbing the intruder, Bodden was shot. The man arrested and charged for the shooting is the complainant, who was the intruder. The court heard that Bodden was charged with the stabbing while he was still nursing his gunshot wound. The complainant remains on bail in relation to the shooting. “Mr. Bodden is willing to pay $7,000 as compensation to the complainant” over the next 18 months, Dixey said. When arguing for a lower prison term, Dixey told Acting Justice Marlene Carter that the amount of time that had transpired since the stabbing, Bodden's guilty plea, his willingness to pay compensation, and his remorse should allow her find “special circumstances”. The judge said she would have to "think about this carefully" and adjourned her ruling until 25 Oct. Bodden was released on bail. The 'Calypso Cowboy' Dexter Bodden A Cayman Islands resident with no recent travel history has become ill with dengue, an infectious disease that can be deadly, according to the Health Services Authority. If a mosquito bites an infected person, the insect can then infect the next person it bites. Symptoms may appear between four days and three weeks after infection, the HSA advised. Symptoms include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash, which may not be visible on people with dark skin. Individuals presenting such symptoms should see a doctor, drink lots of water and refrain from taking medications containing aspirin. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez advised, “The best way to avoid dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.” To avoid dengue infection, people should use insect repellant, wear protective clothing and try to stay indoors around dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active. There is no vaccine or medication to treat dengue. Cayman’s confirmed case comes as outbreaks have affected neighbouring countries, including Cuba and Honduras. “If a person who was infected with dengue in the past is infected a second time, the potential is increased for dengue haemorrhagic fever or shock syndrome to develop, which is a more severe, life- threatening form of the disease,” the HSA release said. The dengue virus is transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. To contact the Public Health Department, call 244-2889 or 244-2621, or Faith Hospital on the Brac on 948-2243. More information on dengue can be found at www.cdc.gov/features/avoid-dengue/ index.html. Dengue fever case identified 1. After a rainstorm, quickly remove stagnant water in outdoor and household settings. 2. As a weekly habit, change the water in vases, clear the water in saucers under potted plants, and ensure air-conditioner drip trays are free of stagnant water. 3. Outdoor objects capable of holding water should be kept empty, and preferably disposed of or put into dry storage if not being used. Think about open bottles and tins, watering cans, buckets, empty paint tins and old vehicle tyres. Tips to combat mosquito breeding:RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky When registered nurse Riley Ondoy touched down in the Bahamas, his 20 years of training prepared him to help those impacted by hurricane Dorian, but he was not prepared for the devastation that lay before his eyes. “It was unimaginable. It was as if someone dropped a bomb and the rubble was scattered all about,” Ondoy said in an interview with the Cayman Compass Friday. Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas last month, killing more than 50 people and leaving thousands homeless. The Category 5 storm spent three days battering the island chain. Ondoy, a Health Services Authority nurse, spent two weeks in the Bahamas as part of Cayman’s first six-member relief team dispatched to assist. He returned a week ago. His team consisted of four HSA nurses and two Health City nurses. A second team was dispatched a week ago to continue relief efforts. Ondoy said this was not his first time helping with Cayman’s hurricane relief. In 2017, he was on the ground in Anguilla after the passage of Hurricane Irma. He said what he saw in Abaco did not compare. “We were driven around town, where it used to be a very vibrant community, [and] it is just nothing, practically nothing. I had that thought in my mind that sometimes the news is exaggerated, but when I reached there, it was compounded. There was this big space where they say the Haitian community used to be, and you just saw an open space with no houses at all,” he said. Ondoy said when he volunteered for the Bahamas mission, he was eager to go and help. “When I got there, it dawned on me that I did not know what I [was] getting myself into. You do not know the extent of what you are going through until you get there,” he said. Ondoy said when Cayman’s team touched down in Nassau, they spent two days helping at the evacuation centres. They were then dispatched to Marsh Harbour in Abaco. “Upon arriving at the airport, there was no light; it was dark,” he said. “We had to collect our luggage. There was no carousel. The military personnel were already there.” Ondoy said it was a “really scary” scenario for the team. Cayman’s team was split between a satellite clinic and a public health clinic, he said. He was dispatched to the public health clinic in Marsh Harbour. “They had services, but the problem really was [that] there was no staff, like the doctors, nurses, aides and the support staff. [They] were also victims of Dorian. They had to be either shipped off the island or were given the time off,” he said. However, he said, there were other medical professionals from Nassau there. “We worked eight hours shifts a day. We lived and worked in the hospital. There is really nowhere to go. When you go into Marsh Harbour, it was just devastation and at night it was pitch black. Outside the premises of the clinic was pitch black. The clinic has generators, but outside of it was just dark,” Ondoy said. He said they slept in sleeping bags that the US military distributed, and they were given warm meals, sometimes just once a day, from an NGO. He said the team mostly handled non-emergency cases, like tetanus injections, blood pressure checks and blood sugar checks. However, he said, there were three emergencies while he was there. “It was rather scary because we had a clinic; we were not an emergency hospital …. You did not have much in that facility,” he said. While he said it was most taxing to be living and working in the clinic, he would do it again to help his fellow man. “Have I made a difference? Have I made my Cayman Islands proud? I think so. You are there to support them, you are there to lend a hand and, for me, the team was a great help for the island itself,” Ondoy said. ‘Unimaginable’ storm damage HSA volunteer recounts Dorian devastation in Bahamas HSA nurse Riley Ondoy was a member of the first Cayman medical relief team on the ground in the Bahamas after the passage of Hurricane Dorian. “There was this big space where they say the Haitian community used to be, and you just saw an open space with no houses at all .” Riley Ondoy , Health Services Authority nurse Port opponents lay out poll strategy MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@compassmedia.com About 35 supporters of the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman group crowded into a small basement room in Sunset House on Thursday night to talk about how to motivate Caymanians to go to the polls in December and reject the government’s proposed cruise berthing project. “Our job is to help people understand why it’s important to engage,” said Johann Moxam, one of the group’s organisers. The 19 Dec. vote is the result of a nearly year-long effort to gather the 5,292 signatures needed to trigger a referendum on whether or not the cruise port should go forward. The port, which would expand the existing facility, would require dredging in George Town harbour in order to allow a new class of mega cruise ships to dock. Currently, cruise ships that come to the island anchor offshore and passengers are transported by tender boats to shore. Moxam and Katrina Jurn led the hour-plus discussion about mounting a door-to-door campaign along with advertising through various media outlets. They also talked about ways to get voters to the polls on voting day. Jurn said all those things will take money, and the group is launching a fundraising effort. “We have some funds, but we need a lot more,” Jurn said. The organisation’s goal is to raise $125,000, she said. Some of the money may be used to mount a legal challenge to the referendum process. Moxam said the group would be consulting with attorneys in the coming days on whether to take such action. Of particular concern is a group of 207 voters who have been told they are ineligible to cast ballots because they registered too late. Jurn said part of the group’s push will be to inform voters who are not in Cayman on 19 Dec. how they can vote by mail. She said the Elections Office is already accepting requests for postal ballots. Moxam said he was encouraged by the turnout for the meeting. “If we get 30 to 40 volunteers out of here, we’re going to crush it,” he said. Moxam referred potential volunteers and donors to the group’s website: http:// cprcayman.com. Katrina Jurn, centre, of Cruise Port Referendum Cayman, with Johann Moxam and Shirley Roulstone, addresses a crowd of volunteers at a meeting Thursday evening at Sunset House. 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. EXPERT CANCER CAREFOR CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS © 2019 IPB CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS Pamela R. Breast Cancer Patient cayman compass 6 news N news MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019 From left, Shadden McLaughlin, Paul Ebanks, Loxley Banks, Governor Martyn Roper, UK Minister Mark Lancaster, Graham Walker, Andrew McLaughlin and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson at the first pinning of the poppies this year. Governor pinned with first poppy JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Members of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association presented Governor Martyn Roper with the first Remembrance Day poppy of the year at the Government Administration building on Friday. The pinning, attended by UK Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and veterans, launched this year’s poppy fundraising campaign. Veterans Andrew McLaughlin, who is the association’s president, Loxley Banks, Graham Walker, Shadden McLaughlin and Paul Ebanks met Lancaster and discussed this year’s fundraising project with him. Shadden McLaughlin pinned the first poppy on the governor. “Ten years ago, Governor Alan Scott received the first poppy; that was a long time ago,” said Walker. “The pinning signifies the beginning of our fundraising events,” said Andrew McLaughlin. “Two are held each year – the veterans' annual dance and the poppy appeal." On his first trip to the Cayman Islands, Lancaster said it was a pleasure to be at the event, and, as minister of the Armed Forces, to be able to open the poppy selling period. “It’s really important that we continue to remember these sacrifices that so many Cayman Islands men have made in conflicts over many years and continue to do so today,” he said. Roper said he was delighted to be a part of the pinning ceremony, describing the run-up to Remembrance Day as an important time during which people should remember all the sacrifices that individuals had made. Shadden McLaughlin urged members of the public to collect and wear a poppy pin to support the veterans. Governor Martyn Roper gets the first poppy from veterans Shadden McLaughlin and Andrew McLaughlin. Church service opens Older Persons Month West Bay’s Wesleyan Holiness Church hosted this year’s Older Persons Month opening church service, which was broadcast live by Radio Cayman. Attending the ceremony to honour the lives and contributions of seniors were Governor Martyn Roper and his wife Elisabeth, Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush, Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Franz Manderson and his wife Nuvia; Cabinet Ministers Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and Tara Rivers, and councillors Austin Harris and Barbara Conolly. Two seniors, Stanford Ebanks and Rosa Hurlston, were recognised for their services to the church and both were presented with plaques and fruit baskets by Senior Pastor the Rev. Brenda Wallick. Rev. Wallick described old age as a privilege not given to everyone. In her sermon, she also likened growing older to the life cycle of the shade-giving palm saying, “We may be old but we are not useless. We can still bear fruit in old age.” The service ended with a vote of thanks and the presentation to the pastors by Chief Officer for Community Affairs Teresa Echenique and the Department of Children and Family Services Director Paulinda Mendoza- Williams. Government officials and other dignitaries join the congregation at the Wesleyan Holiness Church in West Bay on Sunday, 6 Oct., to mark the beginning of Older Persons Month. In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. What does the poppy symbolise? The poppy is the symbol of Remembrance Day, which is observed on 11 Nov., the date World War I ended. The scarlet flower has been associated with Remembrance Day since 1921, popularised by the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae. cayman compass 7 news N newsFuel sector assessment starts MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky Economic Partners Limited, a Hong Kong-based consulting firm, has begun meetings with stakeholders to carry out an economic and competition assessment of the fuels market in Cayman. OfReg selected the consultancy last month after a competitive bid process by the Central Procurement Office to perform the analysis of the fuels market across the Cayman Islands, which represents the first major step towards effective regulation of the economic aspects of the fuel sector. The Fuel Market Definition and Economic and Regulatory Assessment, which should be completed within six months, is expected to define the fuels market and identify the products in the sector and how the market behaves. To understand the extent and the effectiveness of competition in the market, the analysis will include the impact of the supply chain, logistics and infrastructure on the proper functioning of the market. Following a consultation process with stakeholders, including fuels providers, business users, the public and government, the final assessment should also recommend how to address any identified issues and enhance competition in the sector. OfReg requires the analysis to fulfil its mandate as regulator of the fuel sector. Duke Munroe, executive director of fuels at OfReg, said, “We fully understand the public’s concern about the price of fuel at the pumps, and this assessment will allow us to establish the framework to balance the dynamics of the various factors that influence the fuel market and ultimately, prices at the pump. It will further allow us to identify the appropriate regulatory remedies and intervention measures needed to fix market failures where they exist.” The fuels sector became fully regulated when OfReg started operations in 2017. Prior to this, safety and compliance regulations existed, but the former Petroleum Inspectorate had only limited regulatory oversight of competition in the market. KAITLYN ELPHINSTONE With the rise of globalisation – where money, influence and people can easily flow anywhere – countries, including the Cayman Islands, are feeling more and more pressure to develop, manage and leverage their image. Every place in the world wants to market its unique identity to nurture a successful tourism industry, command new markets, attract high-calibre professionals and win quality foreign direct investment to facilitate economic growth. As a result of increasing global competition, managing perceptions about countries and places has become of great interest to both governments and corporate organisations, and nation branding has developed into a lucrative business sector. With our boisterous cousin Jamaica to our southeast and our northern, more complicated neighbour, Cuba, the Cayman Islands is surrounded by nations with rich complex histories and cultures gushing with creativity. What does this mean for the Cayman Islands? How can we stand out while remaining authentic? What exactly does the Cayman Islands represent? How do we define success? Nation branding is one of the most difficult and complex exercises. There are certainly more questions than answers and few examples of countries which have changed their image through marketing campaigns and communications alone. Taking the lead In 2018 following Hurricane Maria, dozens of entrepreneurs, made newly wealthy by blockchain and cryptocurrencies, headed en masse to Puerto Rico, proclaiming, “We’re going to make this Crypto Land!” The stylised Crypto Rico branding, directed and dictated by a group of primarily white males from California, was met with concern from the local populace who felt as though this behaviour reeked of crypto-colonialism, not to mention disaster capitalism. After the US territory’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, resigned amid allegations of corruption, mismanagement and mass protests; many projects associated with the disgraced politician dissolved, including brand Crypto Rico. Puerto Rico’s example illustrates two things. One, Caymanians must take a leading role in defining themselves; otherwise, others will define Cayman for their own purposes and/or gain. Secondly, finding alignment among foreign, expatriate and local perceptions and ideals must be carefully considered by all parties and by the private sector and governmental entities. Leveraging assets of substance The Cayman Islands is fortunate to have a number of existing assets of substance that can be, and arguably are being, leveraged to strengthen brand Cayman. We are in possession of a leading global financial centre, award-winning special economic zones, a growing marine conservation business sector and a vibrant art scene that is gaining international recognition, just to name a few. There are many opportunities to leverage existing initiatives that are contributing to Cayman’s community to brand the Cayman Islands as a progressive, dynamic and caring Island nation. Reframing what matters Millennials have become the biggest global generation and are arguably the most powerful consumers – their choices are disrupting global brands across industries. Their rejection of mass market products and thirst for brands that possess solid origin stories that resonate should be noted. In today’s dynamic global reality, metrics for success extend far beyond national prosperity. People, businesses and investors are becoming more brand savvy and the focus is increasingly shifting from living richer to living richer lives. Global trends such as mindfulness, conscious consumerism, sustainable practices, inclusive values and experiences are the new currency. A nation’s polarising politics and reckless lack of tolerance can, and will, negatively influence a country’s perception and significantly degrade its brand strength. Investing in people Nation branding is not just about the projects, captivating brand campaigns, selling products and services, or increasing the bottom line; it’s about people. With the paradigm shift to living a rich life, rather than living richly, it becomes more important than ever for country brands to showcase their ability to look after the safety, well-being and happiness of its citizens. Building stronger, more integrated communities where people can reach their full potential should remain at the forefront of a nation's agenda. Looking back, moving forward The Cayman Islands was born of courageous men and women who made a livelihood from the sea and survived on very few resources. No one should take for granted their inventiveness and ability to turn very little into a thriving community which developed into a global financial hub. This culture of inventiveness may just be the mechanism to drive Cayman’s nation-branding strategy for the betterment of our local and global communities. Cayman has the potential to be a world leader in such sectors as eco-tech, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and renewable energy. Consciously or not, people are continually developing perceptions about the Cayman Islands that will ultimately affect our nation's success, or lack thereof. We must go beyond traditional marketing strategies and produce remarkable, highly relevant and transparent ideas, actions, policies and products that not only benefit our three islands but also positively impact our wider, increasingly global, communities. As in all areas of life, actions speak much louder than words… even when nation branding. Kaitlyn Elphinstone is the vice president of Marketing and Public Engagement at Cayman Enterprise City and is responsible for developing and implementing the company’s marketing, PR and lead generation strategies. To understand the extent and the effectiveness of competition in the market, the analysis will include the impact of the supply chain, logistics and infrastructure on the proper functioning of the market . Nation branding and the Cayman Islands An analysis of Cayman's fuel market is under way. cayman compass 8 B business MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019Corporate, funds and trust services provider Estera has announced the launch of legal services in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Estera’s services will cover a number of practice areas including corporate and commercial, regulatory, insurance and investment funds. The group said it launched the legal services in response to demands by clients for tailored solutions to support their strategic and operational priorities in the face of rapidly evolving regulatory, jurisdictional and market environments. Estera said the move gives clients the option of a one-stop-shop for legal, corporate and fiduciary services, and broadens relationships with clients in the Americas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong. “We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of legal services in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands,” said James Maitland, Estera’s regional head of Americas, Bermuda and Caribbean, in a press release. “We are resolutely focussed on enhancing our services and providing our clients flexible, expert solutions. We also remain dedicated to strengthening our collaborative relationships with our existing partners and intermediaries in the Americas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong. This expansion further demonstrates our commitment not only to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, but to our clients throughout the region.” In the Cayman Islands, Estera has entered into a business affiliation relationship with U Law Limited which has been renamed as Estera Law (Cayman) Limited. Kendra Foster will be leading the legal team as managing partner. She has extensive experience in the Cayman Islands financial services industry and was the founding principal of U Law Limited. Prior to founding the firm, Foster worked for an offshore law firm in the Cayman Islands and served as the deputy compliance director of a multinational corporate service provider. She has expertise in financial services, investment funds and general corporate commercial practice areas. Foster said of the new relationship, “I am thrilled that U Law Limited is joining forces with the Estera Group and looking forward to partnering with managing director, Richard Gordon and the whole Estera team to develop Estera‘s Cayman Islands legal services offering by delivering a quality experience for clients focused on adding value.” In Bermuda, Alison Dyer- Fagundo will lead the legal team as managing partner of Estera Law (Bermuda) Limited. She was a former partner of a global offshore law firm and has extensive experience in such areas as private equity transactions, derivatives, equity and debt markets and corporate governance. Estera launches legal services in Cayman and Bermuda Water Authority awards scholarship The Water Authority has presented annual scholarships to Alexander Elias and Kaled Giron. The scholarship, worth up to $30,000, is usually granted to one qualified Caymanian to obtain an undergraduate academic, technical or vocational degree or diploma in a field of study that is relevant to the authority’s work. However, this year the authority identified two deserving recipients. Elias will study applied computer science at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a graduate of Cayman Prep and High School, where he earned three A-Level passes, including in computer science. Giron, who will pursue a degree in information technology at Florida International University in Miami, earned his associate's degree in computer science from the University College of the Cayman Islands, after which he spent a year working as an IT service desk specialist, gaining practical experience in the IT field. He plans to obtain a master’s degree in IT or computer science. Water Authority Director Gelia Frederick-van Genderen said in a press release, “Enabling Caymanian students to pursue their educational goals is very important to the Authority, particularly when it comes to the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Professionals from these fields are critical to the water industry, and the Authority is proud to support both Mr. Elias and Mr. Giron’s educational and professional development. We wish them all the best as they pursue their studies." The authority will accept applications for the 2020 scholarship early next year, with the deadline of 30 April 2020. Harneys named best offshore law firm US publication Hedgeweek has named Harneys Best Offshore Law Firm at its annual global awards ceremony held in New York on 26 Sept. The awards recognise excellence among hedge fund managers and service providers around the world. They are based on reviews by institutional investors, asset managers, service providers, advisers and trading technology companies, among others. Deloitte retains industrial standard certification Following an independent audit by the British Standards Institution, Deloitte has retained the ISO 27001 certification for the third consecutive year. ISO 27001 is a leading international standard, defining requirements for security management of the firm’s and its clients’ confidential information. Deloitte’s offices in the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago obtained their certification of ISO 27001-compliant organisations in May 2017. This certification applies to the firm’s offices across the region, including its forensic investigation, analytics and cyber security lab, and the disaster recovery, business continuity and data-hosting centre located at Citrus Grove Building in Grand Cayman. Kendra FosterRichard Gordon Water Authority 2019 Scholarship recipients, Kaled Giron, left, and Alexander Elias. bizbriefs Fortune has included the parent company of Health City Cayman Islands, Narayana Health, on its list of the world's most innovative healthcare providers in the magazine’s annual 'Change the World' list of companies. The list features companies that recognise public health, environmental, economic and social problems as major challenges and provide solutions. Narayana Health was one of nine companies on the list with less than $1 billion in annual revenue, and placed 33rd out of 52 companies. Analysing the success of Narayana Health, Fortune said the company offered medical care at “prices that boggle the American mind” by rethinking surgical care and cutting its price. For example, open-heart surgery at NH facilities in India costs US$3,500, while the price of an endoscopy is $14. The healthcare group, which has grown to 24 hospitals, with all but Health City Cayman Islands located in India, makes treatment affordable in part by being judicious with skilled workers’ time. Fortune added that “senior surgeons swoop in for just the most challenging part of a procedure and so perform roughly four times as many surgeries as a US doctor would”. Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, clinical director and chief cardiac surgeon at Health City, noted in a press release that NH has earned the accolade. “The inclusion of Narayana Health on this list of innovators is entirely fitting,” he said. “The very existence of Health City Cayman Islands is evidence of [NH founder and chairman] Dr. Devi Shetty’s focus on innovation and changing the way healthcare services are delivered to patients around the globe. “Dr. Shetty himself has said that ‘in healthcare, you can’t do one big thing and reduce the price. We have to do 1,000 small things’.” “In healthcare, you can’t do one big thing and reduce the price. We have to do 1,000 small things.” Dr. Devi Shetty Narayana Health makes Fortune list Dr. Devi Shetty cayman compass 9 B business MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2019Next >