$ 3 99 M EAL D EALS MONDAY - SATURDAY 9pcs MIXED, 2 Sides & 5 BISCUITS NEW FAMILY SUNDAY cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Monday, 28 October 2019 Suspended sentence for 'Calypso Cowboy' Page 4 Elections Office moves to new location Page 5 Port in a storm Campaigners ponder legal action Referendum Bill debate today See full coverage on pages 2, 7, 8 and 9 English sporting takeover comes with a twist Page 16 Suspended sentence for 'Calypso Cowboy'• 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) 1.15 ADDAMS FAMILY, THE (2019) (PG) 4:15 | 7:00 BLACK & BLUE (R) 12:40 | 3:20 | 7:05 | 9:35 GEMINI MAN (PG13) 12:50 VIP | 1:40 | 3:50 VIP | 6:40 HOUSEFULL 4 (PG) 4:35 | 8:30 THE INFORMER (R) 12:50 | 9:10 JOKER (R) 12:45 | 4:00 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 | 10:00 VIP MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) 3:40 3D | 6:25 | 9:40 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: 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 “Give light and the people will find their own way” Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 89°F 79°F HIGH LOW WINDS Southerly at 5 to 10 knots SEA STATE Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. Campaigners ponder legal action on eve of port debate JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Lawyers acting for the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman campaign group are considering legal action if government pushes ahead with its current plans for a December poll. The campaign group has highlighted a series of concerns with the current Referendum Bill, including the timing of the vote, six days before Christmas, and the exclusion of 200-plus newly registered electors who won’t become eligible to vote until 1 Jan. Legal firm Broadhurst wrote to the government Saturday highlighting a series of concerns about the bill, including the phrasing of the question, the inclusion of the cargo project in the referendum and the lack of any provision in the bill covering campaign financing. Citing a legal opinion prepared for CPR by election law specialists Helen Mountfield QC and Chris Buttler of UK firm Matrix Chambers, the letter suggests aspects of the bill could be incompatible with the Constitution and open to legal challenge. “We consider that the proposed referendum procedure would be unlawful,” the Matrix legal team concluded in its 16-page opinion. Premier Alden McLaughlin told the Cayman Compass on Saturday that government had taken its own legal advice and was more than satisfied that the process it had followed was fair and proper. He said if CPR believes it has a legitimate case it should go ahead and apply to the courts for judicial review. The Broadhurst letter, also delivered to Governor Martyn Roper, Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell and Opposition leader Arden McLean on Saturday, comes on the eve of a two-day parliamentary debate. Legislators are convening Monday to discuss the Referendum (People-Initiated Referendum Regarding the Port) Bill, which sets out the parameters of the vote, as well as the date and question. In the letter, Kate McClymont, associate partner at Broadhurst, indicates that CPR Cayman is prepared to seek a judicial review and a ‘stay’ preventing the referendum going ahead if changes are not made to address its concerns. “We invite you to consult with our clients to ensure any such amendments achieve the intended result, being a fair and transparent people-initiated referendum, carried out expeditiously and without undue expense,” she wrote. The accompanying legal opinion cites the Venice Commission, an international code of good practice on referendums, and highlights guidelines suggesting the use of public funds for campaign purposes be prohibited. “We consider the absence of provision for campaign financing in the Bill is a serious flaw,” the opinion stated. It goes on to highlight the absence of What does the legal opinion say? In their letter and legal opinion, lawyers for CPR Cayman make the following claims: • Setting a referendum question and date without first enact- ing a more general referendum law that prescribes how that process should be done is contrary to the Constitution. • Lack of campaign financing provision could result in a ‘serious imbalance’ in campaign spending that may render the bill ‘unlawful’. • Inclusion of ‘cargo’ in the referendum ques- tion could be unconsti- tutional because it was not part of the referen- dum petition. • Wording of the ques- tion is not ‘neutral’ as it includes the words ‘enhanced’ and ‘move forward’, suggesting a yes vote is a step toward progress. • 19 Dec. date unfairly disenfranchises 220 newly registered voters. • Exclusion of a ban on the sale of intoxicating liquor risks preventing a ‘fair and effective’ referendum. What does the Constitution say? Without prejudice to section 69, a law en- acted by the legislature shall make provision to hold a referendum amongst persons registered as electors in accordance with section 90 on a matter or matters of national importance that do not contravene any part of the Bill of Rights or any other part of this Constitution. (2) Before a referen- dum under this section may be held— (a) there shall be presented to the Cabinet a petition signed by not less than 25 percent of persons registered as electors in accor- dance with section 90; (b) the Cabinet shall settle the wording of a referendum question or questions within a reasonable time period as prescribed by law; and (c) the Cabinet shall make a deter- mination on the date the referendum shall be held in a manner prescribed by law. (3) Subject to this Consti- tution, a referendum under this section shall be binding on the Government and the Legislature if assented to by more than 50 percent of persons registered as electors in accordance with section 90. general legislation governing the referendum process and concerns about the sale of liquor on the day of the vote, before concluding the bill, as currently drafted, is unlawful. CPR Cayman published both the letter and legal opinion Saturday, along with a press release suggesting the bill, as currently framed, is incompatible with the Constitution. “It is our opinion that the process has been unfair from the outset and neglects to provide the highest standards of international best practice, fairness and equality which is crucial in the democratic process,” the group stated. Asked for comment Saturday, Premier McLaughlin said government was more than satisfied with its legal advice from noted London counsel. He added, “What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that CPR is not really interested in holding a referendum, presumably because they think they will lose, but are simply intent on derailing the cruise and cargo port project by any means possible, including frustrating it by delay. “The government will not allow that to occur. If CPR really believes it has a legitimate challenge to the process being followed by the government, it should immediately apply to the court for leave for judicial review and have the matter adjudicated by the court rather than debated in the media.” Read the letter and legal opinion at www.caymancompass.com. cayman compass 2 news N news MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019 | KEEP CAYMAN CONNECTED | LOGIC.KY | Take a stand against cyberbullying and help make the online world a safer place. Let’s make a change. Take the pledge at TheChangeProjectCayman.com cayman compass 3 MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019FridAY'S SOLUTiONS 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 Puzzle 16205 ACROSS: 1 Modicum, 5 Power, 8 Landscape, 9 Rap, 10 Alps, 12 Trombone, 14 Bureau, 15 Cleave, 17 Marathon, 18 Stop, 21 Any, 22 Miniature, 24 Talon, 25 Contend. DOWN: 1 Malta, 2 Don, 3 Cast, 4 Meagre, 5 Preamble, 6 Work of art, 7 Replete, 11 Portrayal, 13 Man-to-man, 14 Bombast, 16 Cognac, 19 Plead, 20 Warn, 23 Use. ACrOSS 1 Major annual horse race (5) 8 Incandescent (5-3) 9 Approximately (5) 10 A precious metal (8) 11 Perhaps (5) 12 To stitch (3) 16 Direction followed (6) 17 Transfix (6) 18 Trite quotation (3) 23 Kept in readiness (2,3) 24 During a journey (2,3,3) 25 To drive (5) 26 Warning signal (3,5) 27 A thin soup (5) dOWN 2 Make glorious (8) 3 Small American thrush (8) 4 Put aside (6) 5 Condition (5) 6 Excel (5) 7 Distinctive character (5) 12 Complete collection (3) 13 Toupee (3) 14 Unrestricted admission (4,4) 15 Brief loss of consciousness (8) 19 Indifference (6) 20 Hidden stock (5) 21 Detailed examination (5) 22 Worth (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16207 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. cartoon Couples only - By Caymanman Suspended sentence for 'Calypso Cowboy' ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Dexter Bodden, also known as the Calypso Cowboy, was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence for wounding a would-be burglar with a machete. Bodden, 61, was originally charged with one count of wounding with intent. He pleaded not guilty on the grounds of self-defence. In June, however, he entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of wounding. An initial prison sentence of two years and six months was reduced by 10 months to reflect a number of mitigating circumstances surrounding Bodden’s case. When handing down her ruling, Justice Marlene Carter found there were seven primary mitigating factors that warranted a reduction in the sentence. “This incident occurred at his [Mr. Bodden’s] home, a place where everyone should feel safe,” said Carter. “Mr. Bodden’s expressed genuine remorse for his actions and for the complainant. Mr. Bodden has also entered a guilty plea.” Justice Carter found that a 15-month delay between the date of the wounding, and police deciding to charge Mr. Bodden, as well as the defendant’s willingness to pay compensation of $7,000 (half of the complainant’s medical expenses) were all reasons to reduce the sentence. A social inquiry report quoted Bodden as saying, “I didn’t mean to injure him. He got cuts because he lifted his hands while I was slapping him with the machete.” In a victim impact report, the complainant said, “I’m 31-year-old man with two children to support. I am no longer able to walk fast because of my injuries, and I now have scars.” During an initial sentencing hearing, while arguing on his client’s behalf, Nicholas Dixey told Justice Carter that if ever there was a case where a suspended sentence was appropriate, this was it. “Not only has Mr. Bodden entered a guilty plea,” said Dixey, "he is willing to pay compensation to the intruder, the same man who shot him three months after the incident.” Justice Carter imposed the suspended sentence on Bodden, and also ordered that he pay $7,000 in compensation. The complainant has been arrested in relation to the Bodden’s shooting, and was released on police bail. No charges have been laid against him. Dexter Bodden, the 'Calypso Cowboy' “I didn’t mean to injure him . He got cuts because he lifted his hands while I was slapping him with the machete.” Dexter Bodden Hospital upgrades set to begin The Health Services Authority will begin rolling out its plans to upgrade and modernise the Cayman Islands hospital next month. The Authority, in a statement on Thursday, said it will begin the first phase of its multi-million-dollar plan on 16 Nov., with the installation of a new air- conditioning system at the George Town health facility. The HSA said the cost of the first phase of the chiller replacement project is more than $500,000. This includes remedial work to upgrade existing electrical and plumbing infrastructure for compatibility with the newer technology of the chillers. “The replacement for the remaining four chillers will go out for public tender next year,” the HSA said. It added that the project's final cost will be known once the tender exercise for the remaining chillers has been completed. Chairman of the board’s Infrastructure sub-committee, Rolston Anglin, said the multi-year modernisation programme will include transforming patient rooms and expanding the Accident and Emergency Department. The HSA said its board had approved a “significant increase” in its capital budget to allow for upgrades, but the exact figure was not made public. The full replacement of the hospital’s six chillers is scheduled for completion over a three-year period. Otis Air was selected for the first phase of the chiller modernisation project, following a public tender issued earlier this year by the HSA. The new chillers, the HSA said, are expected to significantly reduce electricity costs when the project is fully completed. 4Live free for one year! Promotion ends December 19 th , 2019 www.rubiscaymanislands.com Terms & conditions apply, visit: FREE GROCERIES FREE DATA & MORE FREE RENT & UTILITIES win $35,000 in prizes. New prison van to transport Category A inmates Elections Office moves to new location ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A new purpose-built prison van, capable of transporting dangerous criminals, is expected to arrive in Cayman in a matter of months. The details came to light days into the criminal trial of Category A prisoner Elmer Wright, who, along with other men, is accused of holding a husband and wife at gunpoint during a home invasion. On Thursday, 24 Oct., Wright’s attorney, Keith Myers, questioned the need for his client to be brought to court in chains and shackles. “You would think Mr. Wright was the biggest murderer or robber in Cayman,” said Myers. “He was dragged to court shackled like a dog, with armed police everywhere. There are police in the court right now, two guarding the exists and another watching through the glass in the door.” Acting Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions Patrick Moran represents the Crown in the case. Moran told Justice Roger Chapple he questioned the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Prison Services about the need for the extra security measures. “I am satisfied that the level of additional security that was taken by the police and the prison services is justified,” said Moran. “The current vehicle does not have all the features that would be needed when transporting a Category A prisoner, such as Mr. Wright. A new van capable of transporting such a prisoner has already been ordered and should be on island by the end of this year or early next year.” Category A prisoners are defined as: “Those whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public or national security.” The courthouse was on lockdown Thursday and Friday. Armed police escorted prison vans containing Wright and a Crown witness, while the RCIPS’s Air Support Unit watched from above. Moran said once the Crown witness was no longer needed, a further risk assessment would be conducted. “The Commissioner of Police has notified the DPP of the strain that has been placed on the police to transport two prisoners, and a further risk assessment will be made,” said Moran. The cost of the new van was not disclosed. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Elections Office is moving office and is set to open at its new location at Baytown Office Suites on Monday. Over the weekend, the authority, which is charged with overseeing Cayman’s electoral process, announced its relocation from its Smith Road Centre headquarters to the first floor of Baytown Office Suites at 68 West Bay Road, George Town. The relocation comes a month and half before the electorate heads to the polls for the people-initiated referendum on government’s proposed $200 million port project. “No disruption to service is anticipated during the relocation, which was planned to take place between the end of the verification process and the Referendum so as to not impact either process,” an Elections Office statement said. The Elections Office statement assured it will be ready to serve customers from its new offices when the business day starts on Monday. Office hours are 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The Elections Office can be reached on 949-8047 or via email office@elections.ky. The Elections Office will be based at the Baytown Office Suites from Monday. Armed police stand guard outside the courthouse on Thursday. cayman compass 5 news N news MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Chef Maureen Cubbon said it was that simple question among friends that sparked the idea for Zest Meals, a foodie-centred business recently launched in Cayman. "Zest Meals is meal kit delivery system very similar to what you would find in North America or also in the UK – Blue Apron and Hello Fresh,” Cubbon, company co-founder, said. “So, we have taken that concept and Caymanised it. The idea is you can go on a weekly rotating menu, choose all the meals you would like to have and then we package it and deliver it to you.” There are other meal-delivery services in the Cayman Islands – Brussels Sprouts, Nyamaste, Saucha and Eating Klean. What sets Zest apart, however, is it appears to be the only service without a subscription that delivers the separate ingredients to people’s homes and allows them to prepare the meals themselves. “A lot of people offer prepared food, but this is just taking it forward and pulling together an idea really of getting people back in the kitchen, cooking, being healthful, knowing where your food comes from,” she said. That vision is shared by consulting chef Jolene Nelson, who co-creates the menu items and mixes the special sauces that go with the meal kits. “It’s a whole process literally from ground to the table,” Nelson said. “We do everything ourselves, make the recipes ourselves and we try everything so that we know what we are giving to you is something that not only we are happy to give to you, but we are happy to eat, too.” Each kit comes with a recipe card, and meats and vegetables portioned for two. The ingredients are placed in individual containers in the meal kits. “Everything is perfectly portioned, so you do not have to worry about following the recipe card and buying the big containers of all the ingredients, of sauces and oils and proteins,” Cubbon said. “That can add up cost wise and also not everyone uses all of their groceries, so you are looking at an implication of waste at the end of the week.” Cubbon and Nelson are familiar faces on the local culinary arts circuit, appearing frequently at local events and competitions. They say they source ingredients locally whenever possible. “Locally sourced is essential to us,” Nelson said. “You get the best quality, you get the best pricing. We also get the high nutrient quality with the things that are here, that are local, that are fresh, that are straight from the farms. So, when you are talking about nutrition and taste in the same sentence, local is only way to go.” The meal kits start from $24 for two people and can range higher depending on the meal selections. Meal options change weekly and accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requirements. Nelson said there are plans to expand the options next year to incorporate healthy breakfast, dessert and snack options. “We love cooking, so whatever we can do to get families and people to do that, it’s a great thing and it’s convenient,” Cubbon said. Zest enters Cayman food delivery market Local chefs join forces to create meal kits you prepare Cayman’s meal delivery options Brussels Sproutsbrusselssprouts.ky Eating Kleaneatingklean.com Nyamaste nyamaste.ky Saucha Conscious Livingsauchaliving.com Zest Mealszestmeals.ky Zest Meals team, from left, co-founder Maureen Cubbon, culinary assistants Elythia Anita Ebanks and Jenessa-Marie Mohammed-Miller, and consulting chef Jolene Nelson. cayman compass 6 B business MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019 Cauliflower fried rice with orange cashew chicken. s Sweet potato and lentil curry (vegan)JOB FAIR & OPEN HOUSE WWW.VERDANT.KY/JOBFAIR WHEN: Tuesday, October 29, 2019 4PM - 8PM WHERE: Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman 269 West Bay Road. Cayman is heading for a landmark moment in its history. More than 5,000 citizens have exercised their constitutional right to demand a say at the polls on the future of a project of national importance. Barring any late changes of heart or legal intervention, on 19 Dec., the people will determine the outcome of the long and vexing debate over whether the port project should proceed. The Compass has not and will not take a stance on this central question. The issue – not just the development itself but the ideal of a free vote of the Caymanian people in the islands' first ever people-initiated referendum – is too important to tamper with. No doubt, prospective voters will see and hear plenty from passionate advocates on both sides of the argument. Our neutrality is paramount. We reserve this space as a forum for balanced and independent reporting and informed opinion on every aspect of this controversial project. One clear editorial position we will take is to join Governor Martyn Roper in encouraging everyone with the right to vote to exercise that right. It may be true that, because of the rules of this referendum, staying at home effectively counts as a vote in favour of the port project. But the results on the day, rightfully, will be held up as evidence of how those who care about this issue feel about the direction the country should take. It’s important therefore that as many Caymanians as possible, whether they are for or against the piers, take advantage of this historic opportunity. In the run-up to the vote, our reporters will endeavour to outline all the available facts on the proposed cruise and cargo development. We will interview the key players and delve into the trove of reports prepared in the six-year planning phase. We will grapple with the fundamental questions that have emerged over that time: Cruise vs stayover, development vs the environment, government vs the campaigners. Are these false oppositions or hard choices? We have invited columnists representing the full spectrum of opinion on this issue to take their best shot at persuading the public which box to tick. We invite the community, too, to get involved. We will dedicate space within this section and through our website and social media for your letters and comments. We ask only that contributions be concise, respectful and backed up by facts. The road to this referendum has been pockmarked with misinformation, missing information and a fair dose of rancour. While passionate advocacy is welcome, the Compass hopes to facilitate a substantial and serious debate that allows all voices to be heard and puts all available facts at the voters’ fingertips. Our agenda is simple: To ensure Caymanians go to the polls informed and empowered to make an educated decision. A historic opportunity for Cayman voters PORT VOTE issues Calm waters in Hog Sty Bay, Thursday evening, belie the political storm brewing around Cayman's port facilities. cayman compass 7 I issues MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019Caymanian Andrel Harris recently joined the news team at the Cayman Compass. Andrel previously worked as a reporter/ producer at Radio Cayman and Cayman 27, starting in the field right out of high school. “Everything I’ve learned about journalism has been on the job,” he says. “I’ve had amazing mentors, and I still have a lot to learn.” He welcomes the opportunity to add to his skill set by working in print. “I see it as a new opportunity, a new challenge,” he says. Andrel is a general assignment reporter, and part of his role is covering court. He says journalism is a powerful tool to educate, inform and foster the community. “Being able to tell someone’s story – and everyone has a story – is an amazing feeling,” he says. Being able to tell someone’s story – and everyone has a story – is an amazing feeling. Journalist Andrel Harris Cayman Compass Promotion amendments to the process and campaigners contemplating legal action. Wider debate Once the referendum date is confirmed, the wider public debate will expand to focus on the broader issue of whether or not the Cayman Islands should go forward with the expanded cruise and cargo facility. The impact on employment, the environment, quality of life for stayover tourists and residents, and government’s coffers are among the key points of contention between those for and against. Government claims the piers are necessary if Cayman wants to stay in the cruise business. Premier Alden McLaughlin told the Cayman Compass that government’s aim is to protect jobs and create opportunities for Caymanians. “The new cruise berths mean more jobs and income for Caymanians,” he said. “If we don’t build these facilities, all the indications are that our cruise tourism will diminish – jobs will be lost and our economy will suffer.” Johann Moxam, one of the leaders of the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman group which triggered the people-initiated referendum with a petition of more than 5,000 voters, said claims that the project was essential to the survival of cruise tourism were not substantiated by the available evidence, including recent increases in cruise arrivals. He said the campaign group had been born out of widespread concerns over what he describes as a “lack of transparency and accountability” around the project. Moxam rejected suggestions that government had a mandate, based on its election manifesto, to proceed with the port and said the referendum movement had developed into broader questioning of government’s agenda and attitude. “In the past 12 months, it [the campaign] has evolved to become something larger – a rejection of the traditional, closed- door style of politics by politicians who took their election as full permission to do Stage set for national debate What the key players are saying: Premier Alden McLaughlin “The new cruise berths mean more jobs and income for Caymanians. If we don’t build these facilities, all the indications are that our cruise tourism will diminish – jobs will be lost and our economy will suffer.” Alva Suckoo, deputy leader of the Opposition “The Opposition will be making the case to correct what we know is wrong in the bill, and it will be up to the Government members’ individual consciences to decide if they support doing the right thing or not.” Johann Moxam, CPR Cayman “The lack of transparency, lack of formal communication by CIG, failure to engage in respectful discourse and general lack of respect for the people has driven the people’s initiated referendum process to this point.” JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Cayman's legislators go to the House today to thrash out the details of a law that will officially set the clock ticking towards the islands’ first- ever people-initiated referendum. It is more than six years since government started the ball rolling on the current project for cruise piers in George Town Harbour. And it is almost two decades since the idea of berthing facilities first appeared on the political radar. Now, it looks likely to come down to a people's vote on 19 Dec. on the latest plan – a $200 million project for two cruise piers and upgraded cargo facilities in the capital. The next two days of debate in the Legislative Assembly will focus on the details of the referendum: the question, the rules and regulations, and the key points of how the poll will be organised and the votes counted. There may yet be potential for the poll to be delayed into next year, with the Opposition pushing for issues PORT VOTE A tender boat services a lone cruise ship in George Town Harbour last week. cayman compass 8 I issues issues cayman MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY! Now serving you from 3 locations: Savannah | Seven Mile Beach | Airport-Departure Lounge what they want when they want,” he said. “They have insulted the intelligence of the Caymanian voters.” McLaughlin previously has defended government’s approach to the project, saying the nature of the bid process meant that many of the key details, including the cost, financing model and designs, could not be released until recently. In an emailed statement to the Compass, he said government’s aim in promoting the port project is simply to allow the new class of larger ships to visit and for their passengers to spend more money, particularly in the slower summer months. He added that the improvements to the cargo facility – a contentious inclusion in the referendum question because they were not in the original plans and were not part of the petition – were essential for Cayman. Cargo was first included in the project plans in 2015, according to government. “The cargo handling we’ve got cannot sustain our current population, let alone as our population grows,” McLaughlin said. “The only way we can afford this enhanced facility is if it’s linked to the cruise berthing. The current cruise and cargo project builds more cargo space, provides for maintenance, with payment coming from cruise passengers. A win for Cayman and Caymanians.” “They only have themselves to blame” Moxam, in a separate statement to the Compass, said a broad cross section of the public was unsatisfied with the lack of transparency and formal communication from the government. “When one considers the tactics deployed by the elected government,” he added, “their consistent misrepresentation of the facts in an expensive PR campaign that unravels daily and the fundamental lack of respect shown by our elected leaders for the principles of participatory democracy, they only have themselves to blame for this referendum.” Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said ayers are saying: deputy leader pposition will be making the what we know is and it will be up to members’ individual ecide if they support ht thing or not.” Moses Kirkconnell, tourism minister “We are at a fork in the road with cruise tourism and it is extremely important for us to give opportunity for the thousands of people that work in this industry.” Governor Martyn Roper “I believe it strengthens our democracy if there is a strong turnout in referendums and elections.” government had put all available information in the public domain. He said there was a “massive amount” of reports and information out there and government had used all available PR resources to get it out to the public in a digestible form. Kirkconnell said the islands are at a “fork in the road” when it comes to cruise tourism. He said investment in the dock was needed to support the jobs that depend on the industry in the long term. Opposition focused on debate The opposition political group goes into Monday’s debate focussed on a series of concerns about the Referendum Bill that sets the rules for the vote. Alva Suckoo, deputy leader of the Opposition, said members would be raising concerns about the timing of the poll and the disenfranchisement of 200-plus electors who recently registered to vote but will not be included on the official list until 1 Jan. He said the Opposition also wants to see votes broken down on a constituency- by-constituency basis. Suckoo said it was a politically self-serving strategy for the government to opt for one national count. “Government is concerned that the turnout, and opposition to the port in certain constituencies will shock certain members of the government bench,” he claimed. COST: $200 million DESIGN: Two finger piers built to accommodate mega cruise ships in George Town Harbour and upgrades to existing cargo dock. FINANCE MODEL: Piers to be funded by Verdant Isle and their financiers and repaid through a per-passenger user fee of approximately US$8. WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM: The user fee is diverted from money that currently goes to tenders, as well as a US$2.32 cut of the per-passenger tax that goes to government. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Removal or relocation of significant coral habitat and expected adverse impacts on adjacent reefs. Mitigation proposals include a $10 million ‘coral relocation’ project. AT A GLANCE: Project Fundamentals Concept designs shared by the Verdant Isle consortium show how the piers could look from George Town. e Town Harbour last week. cayman compass 9 I issues issues cayman MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2019Next >