Regulated in the Cayman Islands as a licensed insurer by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. Generali Worldwide is a trading name of Utmost Worldwide Limited. Registered Head Office address: Utmost Worldwide Limited, Utmost House, Hirzel Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 4PA. Regulated in Guernsey as a licensed insurer by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 (as amended). Incorporated in Guernsey under Company Registration No. 27151. Call us to learn more about our Pop Up Markets at 747-2000. A farmer’s market in your office? www.generali-healthcare.com cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 14 November 2019 News Man shot dead in West Bay Page 3 News Port group refutes tourism concerns Page 7 UK agrees to more power for Cayman Page 3 Tender operators: ‘We will be out of business’ Page 9 Hundreds seek NiCE work Page 2 Same-sex marriage: Couple considers Privy Council appeal Page 5 - Photos: Stephen Clarkeand give back to the community. Others, he said, were between jobs and some may have experienced setbacks. Hew said just that morning he had spoken to one young man who he knew had been in trouble over the summer, so signing up for the NiCE project was an opportunity for him to show the community and potential employers that he was willing to get back on the right track and restore his life. He said the MRCU had come on board for the Christmas programme so that people could assist it with clean-up efforts to try and fight the spread of mosquito-borne dengue fever. Some people who signed up for the work project lamented that more employment was not available. “It’s just for three weeks for the year. How can we exist off that?” asked North Side resident Joseph Ebanks, who was among those registering for the temporary work. “It should be more often.” Another registrant, Dale Whittaker, said this was his first time seeking a job with the NiCE programme. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said, adding that he hoped the government would continue offering work. “It’s hard but it’s handy and we appreciate it. I think [the government] should do it longer,” said Darcy Ruth Ebanks, who said she is retired and has bills to pay. “We need something more permanent,” said another worker, Anthony Scott. George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan, who attended the sign-up session on Wednesday, said he found it sad that the crowd of people looking for work appeared to be growing larger. He said what he had seen at the Lions Centre on Wednesday disputed the government’s narrative that things were getting better and unemployment numbers were going down. “Unfortunately, the number here today do not show that. Based on the count that I did, there are over 750 people,” Bryan said. He said a lot of people were not coming to sign up for temporary work because of a lack of advertising about the initiative. “The government is not pushing it hard enough,” Bryan added. “We are playing politics with this; we are not solving the problem and we’re doing this over and over again. We are bandaging the problem and not really getting these people any hope for their lives to sustain their own families in proper work,” he said. Bryan said there are still a lot of Caymanians out of work and they needed to reduce the number of work permits. “Over 700 people without work and we have over 30,000 work permits,” Bryan said. The winter NiCE project will run from 26 Nov. to 14 Dec. • 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. - THURSDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) COUNTDOWN (PG13) 12:30 | 2:50 | 5:10 | 7:30 | 9:55 VIP DOCTOR SLEEP (R) 12:25 | 12:45 VIP | 3:45 | 6:35 | 10:00 HARRIET (PG13) 3:45 | 7:05 | 9:50 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) 1:00 | 6:40 | 9:30 PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG) 12:20 | 2:45 | 4:05 VIP | 9:00 TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (R) 12:50 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:45 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 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots in the morning becoming 5 to 10 knots by evening SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.com Hundreds of Caymanians filled the Lions Centre Wednesday morning seeking temporary jobs through the National Community Enhancement (NiCE) winter project. By 10am, the event had attracted more than 700 people. The project is led by the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure and delivered by the Public Works Department, the National Roads Authority, the Department of Environmental Health and the Mosquito Research and Control Unit. Minister Joey Hew said the numbers looked about the same as in the summer. This is the second NiCE programme to be run this year. In the summer project, for which 486 people signed up, workers were involved in cleaning up the influx of sargassum that has plagued local beaches, among other cleanup work. In last year’s winter programme, 518 people registered and 343 ultimately worked on the initiative. Hew said statistics showed that unemployment in the Cayman Islands is just over 3%, which the rest of the world considers full employment. He said some of the people at the Lions Centre were retirees who still had the strength in their bodies to go out and work NICE project draws hundreds to Lions Centre Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure Joey Hew said statistics showed that unemployment in the Cayman Islands is just over 3%, which the rest of the world considers full employment . Hundreds of people gather Wednesday morning at the Lions Centre for the winter NiCE programme. Applicants for the NiCE work programme were given forms to fill out. cayman compass 2 news N news THURSDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2019UK agrees to more power for Cayman Offers mandatory consultation on laws, removal of governor’s power to write legislation RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The UK has agreed to constitutional changes that will give the Cayman Islands greater autonomy for internal affairs and an increased level of insulation, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin. Uppermost in the changes is a provision for mandatory consultation with the Cayman Islands government before instituting any legislation impacting local shores. McLaughlin, speaking in the Legislative Assembly Wednesday afternoon, described the change as an “incredible” concession. This concession, he said, was made in a letter he received on Monday from UK Overseas Territories Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad. Both the letter and the UK’s draft Order in Council for the changes were laid before the Legislative Assembly. “What it does, for first time, if we agree to it, is to put into the Cayman Islands Constitution a provision that appears in no other constitution of any other overseas territory, a mandatory provision that before the UK government or parliament may legislate for us that, at a minimum, they have to consult with the premier, and the Cabinet has to signify its view on the proposal,” he said. However, he hastened to add that the UK still retained its ultimate power. He said this provision not only buys the Cayman Islands time, but it allows lawmakers the opportunity for broader consultations on legislation at Whitehall and Westminster in the UK. “So, we do not wind up with situations as has occurred where parliament has on a whim amended legislation progressing through the house and effectively intervenes in domestic matters in the Cayman Islands and legislate for us,” the premier said. The push for the changes was triggered following amendments to the UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Law that imposed public beneficial ownership registers on British Overseas Territories. McLaughlin said that the UK government has agreed to remove the governor’s “power to legislate unilaterally for the Cayman Islands”, which was a key win in his view. “There is on the cards right now the ability of the governor, if this parliament does not act in the way the UK thinks we ought to act, to effectively legislate with respect to definition of marriage. … Implicit in what the UK has said, that clear warning that if this legislature does not act, they will,” he said. The premier said there are two avenues open to the UK, the first being the governor’s ability to write legislation and, second, the UK legislating for Cayman through an Order in Council. McLaughlin implored legislators to consider the changes, which he said, were “hard fought”. “I have always bristled at the prospect of a UK-appointed governor having the ability by one fell swoop, by one stroke of the pen, to legislate for my country, and again we would be fools in this House and should be tarred and feathered if we, having negotiated this, allow this opportunity to pass to remedy that situation,” the premier argued. He said the changes, if all lawmakers agree, will move Cayman into a “whole new dimension politically and constitutionally, giving us greater responsibility to control our destiny”. McLaughlin said the UK has also agreed to give up the governor’s right to disallow legislation. “If we are to truly be a democracy, what we decide in this house as legislation ought to be the legislation, subject to it being constitutional,” the premier said. The proposal has also agreed to change the constitutional provision that gives the governor the power and authority to create standing orders for legislators. “We will have an independent legislature in every sense,” said McLaughlin. The UK, he said, also agreed to clarify explicitly that the responsibility for the creation of domestic policy “is squarely for the government and not for the UK”. McLaughlin said this would give Cayman some increased insulation from intervention by the UK parliament and UK government in areas that are “devolved responsibility” of the local government. These changes, he suggested, will move Cayman to a whole new level where “we have greater autonomy, greater authority and greater insulation from international assault”. The premier said Lord Ahmad, in the letter, pointed to the looming 12 Dec. UK general election, saying that he will not be able to make any decision that will be binding to any new government. This, in effect, puts the onus on legislators to move swiftly on the issue. As he outlined the changes, the premier asked that they debate the proposal together with the budget and Throne Speech that are currently on the Legislative Assembly order paper. The debate continues Thursday. pic of the day Famous US pastor prays at LA US pastor TD Jakes prays Wednesday morning before the budget debate at the Legislative Assembly. Jakes is hosting a Christian cruise of the Caribbean, attended by 1,800 people. Premier Alden McLaughlin told legislators the pastor was paying "a courtesy call" to the parliament and "we are overwhelmed at the gesture”. Premier Alden McLaughlin, left, welcomes Lord Tariq Ahmad to Cayman when the British Overseas Territories minister visited the Cayman Islands in May last year. A letter from Lord Ahmad to the premier on Monday outlined some planned constitutional changes for Cayman. Crime Stoppers offers $50, 000 reward RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky A West Bay man has become Cayman’s first murder victim for 2019 after he was shot and killed late Tuesday afternoon. A police statement on Wednesday said detectives had launched a murder investigation. Police had not released the victim’s name by press time Wednesday. Cayman Crime Stoppers posted a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person, or persons, responsible for the killing. According to the police statement, the 24-year-old-man was found unresponsive with several gunshot wounds following an incident in the area of Miss Daisy Lane, West Bay. Paramedics who attended the scene began CPR on the man. He had displayed no signs of life when they arrived, police said, and efforts to revive him proved futile and he was later pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they believe the shooting occurred some time between 5pm and 5:30pm. They said, in the statement, that the area was dimly lit with natural light and detectives believe that there may have been people in and around the area at the time of the shooting who may have information that could assist the investigation. Anyone with information can call Detective Inspector Collins Oremule at 936-8746. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777. Tips can be also submitted anonymously via the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800- 8477(TIPS). West Bay man gunned down 3Any individual living in any country whose government claims to be bound by the rule of law knows that nobody, including the government, is above the supreme law of the land, which in the case of the Cayman Islands is its Constitution. The only way to enforce such a fundamental principle is an effective judicial remedy, which means that if the legislature breaches the Constitution, then the judiciary will enforce the Constitution against and above the will of the legislature. The Court of Appeal declined to perform its role by failing to find such an appropriate and adequate constitutional remedy for Chantelle (Day) and Vickie (Bodden Bush) in the same-sex marriage case. It did so by concluding that the court cannot provide a constitutional remedy to an applicant in these extraordinary circumstances in which the government admitted in court to breaching the fundamental rights of that person under the Constitution and is prepared to do nothing about it. This is bad news for all of us, especially minorities, because we have been left, by effect of this judgment, at the mercy of the elected government and with no effective constitutional protection from the courts against legislation that impacts our fundamental human rights. For this reason only, it is a legal imperative that this judgment be appealed. This is not the first time that a court of law of a western democracy denied effective constitutional protection to minorities. During the last century, many US states prohibited interracial marriages, justified by the need for preserving the purity of the white race. A court case challenged the constitutionality of these laws, but a court in Virginia rejected it on the grounds that God made races and placed them in different continents, hence the legal prohibition was agreed with the will of the Creator and could not be unconstitutional. That decision was corrected by a unanimous decision of the US Supreme Court in Loving v Virginia. The Court of Appeal decision must be appealed to the Privy Council, not just for Chantelle, Vickie and their child’s benefit, but for the sake of all Caymanians, in order to restore the supremacy of the Constitution, the protections it affords all persons and the rule of law of the Cayman Islands. Dr. Leonardo J Raznovich LGBTQ activist and attorney Court decision on same-sex marriage must be appealed Having attended in person at the Legislative Assembly, watched on television and on the CIG channel on YouTube, the live debates regarding the cruise-berthing facility, my heart is broken. I gathered from a few elected officials that they surveyed their constituents to find out their views on this much-heated debate. To those minority elected officials who did reach out to their constituents, a heart-felt THANK YOU. Regardless of the topic at hand, I am extremely disappointed at the lack of dialogue between the majority of the elected representatives and their constituents, especially in my particular electoral district (West Bay South). In the weeks leading up to the debate, never did the elected official nor any ‘party representatives’ knock on my door and ask me my opinion on the upcoming debate. I am confident I am speaking for the majority of those registered voters in my same electoral district. However, the elected representative for my electoral district, along with several other elected representatives, debated stating their position based on their thoughts (perhaps as a registered voter themselves), their agendas, but NOT those of the people that put them in their positions, and that actually pay their salaries. The purpose of the elected officials is to represent the people that elected them, not ignore them. How many people now feel like they hired the wrong person? How I wish there was a ‘probationary period’! Registered voters of the Cayman Islands, I encourage us to all to WAKE UP, never forget this special debate, especially in 2021 – let the recency effect remain at the forefront of our minds when election time comes. Like any good boss, if you have to do the work of your employee, why would you need to keep them? Like Mr. Ezzard Miller said (in the Legislative Assembly last month), “Go speak with Master Mariners in your family, see what they have to say; do not take it from any foreign expert, take it from our local experts.” Educate yourselves on this matter of national importance. Grand Cayman will be an ‘Island that Time will Forget’ for sure if this cruise-berthing facility deal goes through. Allison Lovinggood Most MLAs did not canvass opinion on the port project cartoon Objection - By Caymanman Letters to the editor The Cayman Compass encourages community dialogue on important public matters and is eager to receive letters to the editor that contribute positively to that discourse. Every effort is made to publish submitted letters in our print and online editions that meet our criteria. Readers are limited to three published letters per month. Letters are accepted at the editor’s discretion based on the following criteria: • Letters must be no longer than 350 words. • Letters must be written with sensitivity to Cayman Islands’ multi-cultural society and in respectful language that avoids inciting violence or is any way derogatory towards others’ race, religion, or sexual orientation. • Letters must be based on verifiable information; the Compass reserves the right to fact-check letters. • The Compass reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and AP style. • The Compass reserves the right to cut letters to fit available space in the print edition. • Letters must include the author’s name, email address, telephone number and physical address. • Due to time constraints, the Compass cannot notify individuals as to whether submissions will be published. The views and comments expressed in letters submitted to the Cayman Compass, its website or any associated social media platforms, are those of the writer and not those of Compass Media. Letters should be emailed to editor@compassmedia.ky. LETTERS Standards and guidelines 4Visit gov.ky/strongeconomy to learn more Over 200 thousand patient visits annually 6,124 ambulance calls 400 thousand prescriptions filled annually Same-sex marriage: Couple considers Privy Council appeal JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The couple fighting for equal marriage rights in the Cayman Islands is mulling a possible appeal to the UK Privy Council after a court decision to legalise same-sex marriage was overturned. Chantelle Day, speaking on behalf of herself and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush, said she was disappointed at the decision handed down by the Court of Appeal last week, although she commended the court’s criticism of government’s failure to act on the issue. She said the couple would wait to see if and how the Cayman Islands and the UK government responded to the court’s declaration that it should move “expeditiously” to provide same-sex couples with legal status equivalent to marriage. Day told the Cayman Compass, “We are disappointed that the court was not able to provide an effective remedy for an admitted and blatant breach of the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.” The Cayman Islands government accepted, and the court had confirmed, that by failing to provide rights “equivalent to marriage” for same-sex couples, lawmakers in Cayman are in breach of the islands’ own Bill of Rights and the European convention. Asked if they plan to appeal to the Privy Council – the highest court of appeal for British Overseas Territories – Day said they were discussing the option with their legal team. “That is definitely something we are aware is available to us and we are considering it” she added. The Court of Appeal reversed Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s original ruling, which changed the Marriage Law to make it conform with the Bill of Rights by allowing same-sex marriages. Instead, the appeals judges ordered government to bring legislation offering equivalent rights and said the UK should intervene if the Cayman Islands legislature failed to act. Civil partnership compromise offered before case Day said it was unfortunate that the government had chosen to fight in court to block the rights of same-sex couples, rather than simply bringing in a legal regime with equivalent rights without the need for an extended and expensive court case. The couple wrote on several occasions to Premier Alden McLaughlin and then-Governor Helen Kilpatrick in the hope of finding a political solution to the situation. In a letter to the premier before they undertook legal action, lawyers acting for the couple urged government to move to introduce civil partnerships for same-sex couples, suggesting this was the minimum requirement of Cayman’s Bill of Rights. Day said, “We asked them to put an end to the human rights crisis facing all same-sex couples in the Cayman Islands that simply are entitled to be afforded the same protections as other families.” Government did not respond to that letter and fought the case in court. They conceded during the trial, however, that they were in breach of Cayman’s Bill of Rights and of the European Convention on Human Rights. “They were willing to go to court and fight to oppress the rights of Caymanian citizens and spend significant funds on legal fees arguing against this, even though they accepted that they were in breach,” Day added. At this point, she said, she is not sure how to feel about the prospect of civil partnerships. While she said she believed it would be a huge step forward and provide necessary legal protection to her family and many other same-sex couples, she said it is still effectively different treatment. “True equality comes in the form of marriage, and not a separate but functionally equal legal regime that has a different title for the sole reason as to distinguish between sexuality,” she added. Chantelle Day, left, and Vickie Bodden Bush. Injured stingray treated at sandbar A female stingray called Chae has been treated for injuries at the Stingray City Sandbar. After tour operators reported that the southern stingray was underweight and discoloured, with circular wounds on her underside, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, the Department of Environment and Cayman Turtle Centre veterinarians, Dr. Vandanaa Baboolal and Dr. Francesca Casella, went to the tourist site to investigate. According to a GHOF press release, the stingray was first tagged by the foundation in 2002 and had been processed at the site during every biannual stingray census it has conducted since 2012. “After a physical examination, blood samples and tissue samples were collected from the wounds to investigate the physiological health of the animal, and to identify bacteria present,” the foundation said in the press release. “Oral vitamins were administered to boost the natural immune system and injectable antibiotics to fight possible bacterial infections. Topical treatments were also administered, including an iodine scrub and manuka honey to the wounds.” The foundation said that tour operators can help by hand- feeding Chae when they see her, to assist in her overall body condition. To report sick or injured stingrays, email doe@gov.ky or louisa@guyharvey.com. Veterinarians examine the injured stingray. 5123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 ACROSS 1 German novelist (6,4) 8 Rowdy fight (5) 9 Conflagration (7) 10 No longer existing (7) 11 Last letter of Greek alphabet (5) 12 Central US state (6) 14 Senseless (6) 17 Group of eight (5) 19 Hot-tempered (7) 21 Discussion group (7) 22 Composure (5) 23 Writer’s pseudonym (3,2,5) DOWN 2 Encourage (7) 3 Juicy edible gourd (5) 4 Evasive (6) 5 Insult (7) 6 Coolness in danger (5) 7 British detective writer (5,5) 8 Dickens novel (5,5) 13 Word of opposite meaning (7) 15 Addition to regular price (7) 16 Thinly scattered (6) 18 Shakespeare’s Athenian (5) 20 Schoolchild (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16222 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. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16221 ACROSS: 1 Deluge, 4 Pass up, 9 Roguish, 10 Dense, 11 Set-up, 12 Support, 13 Take on trust, 18 Habitat, 20 Sabre, 22 Dirge, 23 At issue, 24 Wealth, 25 Gently. DOWN: 1 Duress, 2 Light, 3 Glimpse, 5 Add up, 6 Sinuous, 7 Pretty, 8 This and that, 14 Alberta, 15 Restive, 16 Shadow, 17 Merely, 19 Treat, 21 Beset. Politicians pay tribute to premier's father RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Opposition members have said they are deeply saddened by the passing of Premier Alden McLaughlin’s father, Alden McNee McLaughlin Sr. McLaughlin, 93, passed away on Monday following a long illness. In a statement in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Arden McLean described McNee McLaughlin as a man of “strong will and conviction”. He said, following conversations with him, he would always leave enlightened, especially about the family lineage of those residing in East End. “[It] seemed like he knew everybody,” McLean said. He also shared a story of the elder McLaughlin’s resoluteness during debate on constitutional changes in the Legislative Assembly in 2002/2003 when the speaker ordered that strangers be removed from the building because they were disturbing the proceedings. Upon being approached, McLean said, McLaughlin Sr. offered up his hands to be cuffed and declared he was not leaving and that he was wearing “prison shoes”. “It took the premier and myself to convince him to leave,” said McLean. The Opposition also issued a statement on McLaughlin's death, in which McLean added, “May he never be forgotten not only for the good he has been to his fellowmen, but importantly for the principles he instilled in his children. I will remember him as a man of strong convictions and an abiding commitment to fairness and honesty.” McLaughlin Sr., the statement said, was known to all members of the Opposition. Savannah MLA Anthony Eden expressed his condolences, saying, “My family and I wish to extend our most heartfelt sympathies to Mr. McLaughlin and his family at this difficult time.” House Speaker McKeeva Bush added his condolences, telling legislators on Wednesday that the premier’s father was an “eminent” member of the House as is his son. Premier McLaughlin thanked everyone who had reached out to him and his family with their sympathies and support. He described his father as a pragmatic and incredibly witty man. “He lived a long productive and happy life and he lived to be 93 years and almost three months. So, we give God thanks for having such a wonderful father for so long. "It was an odd feeling really to no longer to have a key reference point you have had all of your life. I feel a little bit adrift without that touchstone. But, if you don’t die young, you must grow old. So, it is now my turn to do what many have had to do much younger than me, to navigate this great mystery called life without my parents,” said the premier. The Progressives party, which is led by the premier, in a short statement Tuesday evening, described McLaughlin Sr. as a stalwart of the PPM family. “As long as he was able, he supported and advocated for the cause it represents. He supported his son Alden tirelessly and was a conspicuous figure in the Progressives family,” the statement added. McNee McLaughlin’s funeral is planned for 2pm on Saturday, 16 Nov., at the Elmslie Memorial Church in George Town. Legislators on Wednesday also extended condolences to Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers and her family on the passing of her uncle Ludwick Ebanks. Premier Alden McLaughlin and his father Alden McNee McLaughlin Sr. pictured together in this undated photo. Free health screening for World Diabetes Day Free health screenings will be provided in the atrium of the Cayman Islands Hospital Thursday, 14 Nov., to mark World Diabetes Day. The screenings are being carried out as part of a collaboration between the Public Health Department, the Cayman Islands Diabetes Association and the Lions Club of Grand Cayman. Checks will be made for blood glucose, cholesterol, HbA1c, body mass index and body fat performance from 8:30am to 1:30pm. The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day is ‘The Family and diabetes’, which suggests that the entire family is affected as a group when a household member is affected. “The public is encouraged to attend with their families to learn about diabetes and participate in the free health checks being offered,” a press release from organisers stated. For more information, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2621. Blood glucose checks will be among the free screenings available at the Cayman Islands Hospital atrium on Thursday. McNee McLaughlin, 93, passed away on Monday following a long illness . 6 news N newsPERSONAL BANKING | BUSINESS BANKING | FIDUCIARY SERVICES | FUND SERVICES | INVESTMENT SERVICES Please be advised that, due to a major upgrade and maintenance programme, some of our services will be temporarily unavailable on Sunday 17th November, from 1:00 am until 3:15 pm. During this time the following services will be unavailable: • ATM Network • Merchant PointofSale Network • Credit Card Online • Credit Card Information via Business Online Banking We encourage you to make appropriate banking arrangements prior to this interruption. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for banking with Cayman National. caymannational.com Temporary Service Interruption Customer Notice JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Senior government and Verdant Isle officials laid out their case for the cruise and cargo project in the first of a series of public meetings Tuesday. Premier Alden McLaughlin, Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell and Royal Caribbean chief executive Michael Bayley gave presentations and answered questions from the public during the meeting at Mary Miller Hall in Red Bay. Around 100 people, including a host of government and Verdant Isle representatives, attended the meeting. Bayley, who is the lead spokesperson for the Verdant Isle consortium, attempted to assuage concerns that the group’s target of bringing 2.5 million cruise passengers to Cayman every year will have a negative impact on the islands. He said the majority of these passengers would come in the summer months, which is typically a slower period for the island. He said the Oasis-class mega ships, which he claimed carry more affluent passengers, currently were in the Caribbean throughout the summer and were simply bypassing Cayman. He said the daily peak arrivals, somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000 cruise tourists on a handful of days every year, would not change. He added, “There will be more days with volumes closer to that peak, but during the summer months. “We believe this will be a significant positive for the tourism economy here on the island because you will be receiving many more customers during a low season historically for you. “Our high season is the summer, from May to October; it is extremely complementary with the Grand Cayman high season which is in the winter.” McLaughlin acknowledged concerns over tourism. Quoting a slightly smaller annual arrivals figure of 2.3 million, he said the arrivals would be spread out to minimise impact. “Every place has a carrying capacity,” he said. “None of us are suggesting we can go on growing exponentially, given the finite size of Cayman and the resources and the attractions that we have. “What we are saying is, if we have a cruise-berthing facility, we can avoid these maximum peaks of 25,000 people when the island is creaking because it is under so much strain and have 2.2 or 2.3 million visitors spread across every month of the year, so the numbers at any given time are significantly below the carrying capacity.” A promotional video produced by Verdant Isle detailing its plans, including a coral- relocation project and coral-regeneration nursery, were also played at the meeting. Bayley said the group was concerned about the environmental impact of the project and was working with world-class scientists who had been successful in similar projects around the region. Government has also produced a glossy 42-page document, which was handed out at the meeting, highlighting its case for the port. Public officials and Verdant Isle representatives stepped in to answer questions about various aspects of the project during the question-and-answer session. However, some in the audience raised concerns about the absence of any representation from the Department of Environment. Q&A session: Cruise lines defend reputation Audience members submitted handwritten questions to the panel. Below are some of the questions asked, with all being answered by Michael Bayley. What will happen if we don’t build a pier? Michael Bayley: "We can’t bring Oasis- class ships to Cayman today. We have three more Oasis-class ships that will be constructed and a new class of ship called Icon. None of those ships can come to Cayman ... There will be no forward momentum. "If the decision is not to proceed, then basically there will be no growth and we certainly won’t be able to bring these larger ships to Cayman in the summer." What guarantee do we have – with your track record – that anything you say to us about the port project is reliable? "That’s a little unfair. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival are both public companies trading on the New York Stock Exchange. We have both been in business for 50 years. We are reputable corporations that are very well funded and financed. We are both leaders in the space and we have engaged in projects all over Planet Earth and 99.9% of those projects have been delivered in the right way." Why is Cayman doing this now when other destinations are limiting cruise tourism? "If you look at the growth of cruise tourism, it is continuing. There are many destinations around the world engaged in thoughtful master planning that is allowing that growth to continue. Port group refutes tourism concerns Verdant Isle, government begin public meetings 2.5 million Verdant Isle target for annual cruise ship passengers ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Cayman Marl Road administrator Sandra Teresa Hill has until the end of this month to file an official defence in the civil court or pay damages to a man who alleges she posted a libellous article about him. The complainant in the matter, Blake Ducharme and Black Gold Investments, claims the article which was posted on the CMR blog on 13 July, incorrectly accused him of firearms and customs offences. Hill, representing herself, denied any wrongdoing. When she appeared in court on Friday, Justice Ian Kawaley told her this would be a final extension for her to either seek legal counsel and have them file a defence or to file a defence herself. “I make the order that unless the plaintiff (Ms. Hill) files a defence by 29 Nov., the complainant will be rewarded claims,” the judge said. EDITOR’S NOTE: The complainant in the matter is represented by Ogier partner Marc Kish. The Cayman Compass is owned by Ogier partner James Bergstrom. Cayman Marl Road host ordered to file defence in civil case Hill, representing herself, denied any wrongdoing . "A small number of destinations, the classic example is Venice, are caught in a long debate about tourism … How do you manage the volume of tourists coming into what is basically a mediaeval village? "What we are talking about is thoughtful master planning and designing for the future … figuring out how to accommodate the inevitable growth that is coming with tourism." From left, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell and Royal Caribbean chief executive Michael Bayley on the panel that addressed the port meeting on Tuesday night at Mary Miller Hall. 7RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands Indian community came together on Sunday to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. Abdul Hameed, one of the event’s organisers, said it was a happy, yet sombre occasion as they lost a prominent member of the community last month - Dr. Krishna Mani, Cayman’s first ophthalmologist. Special tribute was paid to Mani, who was described as a legend, at the celebration. “He lived an incredible and admirable life and he will be greatly missed. He will be remembered often and not forgotten,” Hameed said, as he paid homage to Mani before the packed Sir Vassel Johnson Hall at the University College of the Cayman Islands. “He leaves us with great memories and has given to us lessons and examples that we will carry with us forever. We are so thankful for his impact.” Mani’s wife, Bina, attended the Diwali celebration and lit the first deya (lamp) to start the event. “This year we are happy, at the same time sad because we lost a great man, our Indian icon, Dr Mani …. We are all proud of Dr. Mani; he helped the Indian community and the Cayman community,” Hameed told the Cayman Compass. The university hall was filled with the rhythmic sounds of Hindu bhajans (hymns) and popular songs from Indian movies. Noting the celebration is in its 21st year in the Cayman Islands, Hameed said he was pleased to see how much it has grown. “We started with 20 people in 1998 on Public Beach and now we are at 650 people …. This is all about community togetherness and helping each other and bringing joy to the whole community without losing our tradition, and keeping our tradition alive to carry on to the next generation,” he said. Those in attendance were treated to musical and dance performances from local students. Local artist Shilpa Tagalpallewar Gampawar, who was one of the event’s co-organisers, said she was pleased with the turnout. The annual event not only serves as an opportunity to come together as an Indian community, but it helps to unify, as not only Indians attend, she explained. “We celebrate this festival of light; that way, we can spread our spirituality, our culture and our tradition with the Caymanian community and the Indians in Cayman,” she said. The Family of the Late Anya-Tamara Tibbetts Orlandini regret to announce her passing on Monday, 4 November 2019. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 16 November 2019 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Walkers Road Internment will follow at Prospect Cemetery Attendees may wear colors of the sea. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CI Breast Cancer Foundation or Jasmine. Shari Slate told graduates of the University College of the Cayman Islands on Thursday night, 7 Nov., that they were ready to cross a bridge to future possibilities. Slate, a vice president of Cisco Systems, was the keynote speaker for UCCI’s commencement ceremony, where 176 students were honoured for their academic achievements. “I feel so deeply connected to your journey,” said Slate, who was born and grew up in the US, but whose family comes from Cayman Brac. “Unlike any class that has come before, you have the potential for your bridge to take you to the places you want to go and to places you have never been. UCCI has prepared you to build your bridge,” she added, according to a press release. In addition to its students, UCCI also honoured Dr. Ormond Panton, a Caymanian who has made an impact in the field of medicine, presenting him with an honorary doctorate of science degree. Panton grew up in the Cayman and did much of his medical training in the Caribbean before establishing his practice in British Columbia. He was an early user of laparoscopic surgery and has donated equipment to Cayman Islands Hospital and the University Hospital of the West Indies. Among this year’s graduates was Roy Bush, a member of UCCI’s alumni board. Bush received an associate’s degree in public administration, with honours. His son, Kai Bush, was also among the graduates, receiving an associate’s degree in sciences, with honours. 21 The number of years the local Indian community has celebrated Diwali in Cayman. Indian community celebrates Diwali, festival of lights Special tribute paid to the late Dr. Krishna Mani UCCI awarded degrees and certificates to 176 graduates at commencement ceremonies last Thursday. UCCI President Stacy McAfee presents Dr. Ormond Panton with an honorary doctorate at UCCI's commencement ceremony. UCCI students graduate Bina Mani, centre, wife of the late Dr. Krishna Mani, lit the deya (lamp) at the UCCI Sir Vassel Johnson Hall Sunday as the Indian community marked the Hindu celebration Diwali, festival of lights. This year's event paid special homage to Dr. Mani who passed away last month. Children pose with the Indian flag during a performance at the Indian community's Diwali celebrations on Sunday at Sir Vassel Johnson Hall at UCCI. 8JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky When the first cruise ship started calling on Grand Cayman in the 1970s, it used its lifeboats to bring passengers ashore. It was around that time that two young Caymanians, Adrien Briggs and Attlee Bodden, built the island’s first tender boats and established Caribbean Marine Services to ferry tourists to George Town. At that point there was just one cruise ship, the Southward, visiting the island once a week. Now the 44-year-old business, which has grown to include a fleet of 15 tender boats and employ 50 people, is facing closure. “If they put two piers in, over 90% of the business disappears, so this business closes,” co-owner Briggs said, confirming one inevitable economic consequence of the $200 million development. He said it made no sense for the tender company to continue operating for the few days a year when excess ships would be in port. And he said there had been no substantive discussions with government about how to handle the interim period, during construction, when tenders will be required. Briggs, speaking to the Cayman Compass in a rare interview alongside his business partner Bodden, said they had no interest in running a reduced business. “We would be out of the business,” he said. “If somebody wanted to pick up the slack for the last few percent [that can’t use the dock] they could, but we won’t be doing it.” Briggs and Bodden started the tendering business in 1976. On a recommendation from Attlee Bodden’s father, Theo Bodden, who was the port pilot, the two men oversaw the building of two timber vessels - named T1 and T2 - which became Cayman’s first tender boats. Briggs said they charged one dollar per passenger and he used crews from his fishing business to staff them. It was not until Carnival Cruise Lines started coming to the island later in the 1970s that the tender business began to look economically viable in its own right. Now it has grown to a company that can service up to 18,000 cruise passengers every day. Briggs and his business manager, David Carmichael, dispute suggestions that the Oasis class mega ships, which carry more than 6,000 passengers, cannot be tendered - one of the principal reasons cited by government and its cruise industry partners for seeking to build the dock. “In my opinion the Oasis would have tendered here but Royal Caribbean came out and said that ship would never be tendered. They said the Freedom of the Seas [Royal’s 4,400-passenger ship] couldn’t be tendered, too, and we ended up tendering that.” Carmichael said Cayman’s tenders were different from conventional tenders that use steps and pontoons. He said passengers step straight on to CMS boats from a walkway – the same way they would access a dock. “Won’t tender is different from can’t tender,” he added. If the project goes ahead, Briggs and Bodden say their main concern is for their staff. The business employs 50 people, most of them Caymanians, as captains, crew, mechanics and other shore- side support positions. “In any business in Cayman, you always have to be concerned about your staff because it is your staff that makes your business, so yes we are. When we come to that bridge, we will make a decision, but yes we will take care of our staff,” said Briggs. He said he was sceptical that the port would create the amount of new jobs suggested by government. “We get almost 2 million passengers now, so a few hundred thousand extra a year is going to mean a ton of new jobs? I don’t think so.” JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The bosses of Caribbean Marine Services insist the business is not funding the campaign against the piers. Though co-owner Adrien Briggs acknowledges he has donated some money, both he and business partner Attlee Bodden deny ploughing substantial funds into the anti- dock movement. Briggs acknowledged he has personally provided funding to both environmental group Save Cayman and to the referendum campaign. He said he had committed up to $100,000 to the cause. Bodden said he had not put any money into either organisation and had not even signed the petition. He said he had decided to “stay out of it”. Briggs said he made no apologies for donating personal funds. “I own Sunset House and I own Sunset Divers. I have an interest in a couple of other water sports operations on the island. “I feel that pier will be very detrimental to the marine environment and I personally have put my own money in it and I intend to keep doing that,” Briggs said. Though he believes CMS would have been entitled to fund a campaign to protect the jobs of its workers, he said doing so would have made the business a target. “I don’t think government can get its mind around the fact that this is a people-generated referendum and the island in general is against it,” he added Business manager David Carmichael said he had faced similar questions from the cruise lines and assured them the business had not funded the campaign. “The CPR Referendum is a fight about reefs, economics, people, overtourism, it is not a fight about keeping our tender company alive,” he said. 'We will be out of the business' Tender operators spell out consequences of port project Briggs: I donated to save reefs, not the tender business y 50 e e p v On a recommendation from Attlee Bodden’s father, Theo Bodden, conventional tenders that use steps and pontoons. e said passengers step straight on to ats fr a ala t t l . crew, mechanics and other shore- side support positions. In any business in Cayman, you Adrien Briggs, left, and Attlee Bodden started operating Cayman’s first tender boats in 1976. cayman compass 9 I issues THURSDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2019 issuesNext >