cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 22 November 2019 News Shots fired in West Bay Page 2 News Thousands vaccinated against flu Page 6 Ready to fly? Photo: Taneos Ramsay See Page 4 Constitutional changes get green light Photo: Reshma Ragoonath CAL leaders say 737 Max 8s are safe after software update. See page 2• 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. - FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) 21 BRIDGES (R) (FRI-SAT) 1:30 | 4:20 | 7:00 VIP | 10:15 (SUN) 10:15 CHARLIE’S ANGELS (PG13) (FRI) 12:30 | 6:40 (SAT) 6:40 (SUN) 3:25 | 6:40 FORD V FERRARI (PG13) (FRI) 12:20 VIP | 3:20 | 6:50 | 9:30 | 9:30 VIP (SAT) 10:40 VIP | 2:35 | 6:50 9:30 | 9:30 VIP (SUN) 3:15 | 6:50 | 9:30 | 9:30 VIP LAST CHRISTMAS (PG13) (FRI) 5:10 | 10:05 (SAT) 10:05 (SUN) 5:15 | 10:10 PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG) (FRI) 2:45 | 7:40 (SAT) 7:40 (SUN) 7:45 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) (FRI-SAT) 1:00 | 6:35 | 9:30 (SUN) 3:45 | 9:30 FROZEN 2 (PG) - 3D (FRI) 12:15 3D | 1:15 | 4:00 VIP 4:10 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D (SAT) 10:20 | 12:25 3D | 1:30 | 2:00 VIP 4:10 3D | 4:30 VIP | 7:00 | 9:30 3D (SUN) 3:55 VIP | 4:10 3D | 6:30 VIP | 7:00 | 9:30 3D KIDS CLUB DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL (PG) (SAT) 10:00 Open daily 10am-10pm | West Shore Center, SMB Turkey! Turkey! Happy American Thanksgiving! Thursday, 28 November GET YOUR ORDERS IN EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! Cloudy skies with a 60% chance of showers and some thunder WINDS Southerly at 5 to 10 knots SEA STATE Southerly at 5 to 10 knots weather Forecast today 90°F 78°F HIGH LOW 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 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” Cayman Airways believes grounded planes now safe MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@compassmedia.ky In testimony before the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday evening, Capt. Dave Scott, vice president of flight operations for Cayman Airways, said he believes its 737 Max 8 planes, that have been grounded since March, will be ready to fly as soon as they are recertified as airworthy by the Civil Aviation Authority. Cayman Airways was one of the first companies to voluntarily ground the aircraft after it was involved in two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. A worldwide grounding followed soon after. The crashes were eventually blamed on a software system, called MCAST, which is designed to prevent a plane from stalling when a takeoff angle is too steep. Taking the two newly purchased planes out of service has hampered the airline. Instead of running its international schedule with four jets – two new 160-seat Max 8s and two older 122- seat 737 300s – the airline has been operating with three 737 300s. Addressing the LA, Scott said he personally had flown a simulator with the latest generation of the MCAST system on Sunday evening and “it was beautiful”. Unlike the first version of the navigation aid, Scott said the now-third iteration of the MCAST does not repeatedly try to force the nose of the plane down if it detects an improper angle, but only engages once. “I have no doubt that when the aircraft is recertified, it will probably be one of the safest aircraft in the sky,” Scott said. “I have not heard one of our pilots … say he would [not] go and fly it tomorrow.” MLA Anthony Eden asked how the airline would sell that confidence to the public. The question went unanswered. Police respond to reports of gunshots in West Bay ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A spokesperson for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has confirmed that police received reports of shots being fired in West Bay. Police say shortly after 8:30pm Wednesday the 911 Communications Centre received reports that residents heard what could have been gunshots in the vicinity of Watercourse Road. “Officers responded and conducted checks immediately afterwards and again during daylight hours but have so far been unable to substantiate the report,” said a media officer. Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to contact the RCIPS at 949-4222. Cayman Airways' 737 Max 8 airplanes have been grounded since March. 737 Max 8 Timeline • The FAA certifies the 737 MAX 8 in March 2017, after a year of testing. As the Seattle Times noted, some of that certification was assigned to Boeing itself to conduct, a practice that has occurred before in the industry. • 10 March – Second crash of Max8 in a five-month span • 1 March – Cayman Airways grounds its Max 8 operations • 18 Oct. – The New York Times reports Boeing pilots raised concerns cayman compass 2 news N news FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2019info@creativetechltd.com www.creativetechltd.com Shops 5-6 Bay Town Plaza 36 West Bay Road T: 946 8324 BLACK FRIDAY This Friday and Saturday, Nov 22nd & 23rd Authorized Dealer: Soundlink Revolve and Revolve+ Headphones 4K Smart TV SAVE $ 25 ON ONE SL SAVE $ 50 ON BEAM SAVE $ 100 ON PLAYBAR, PLAYBASE & SUB 4K Smart TVs 32” - 82” Models in Stock! SoundLink Micro OFF 15% Headphones 15 % -50 % OFF 15% OFF 15% Headphones and Bluetooth Speakers OFF 50% OFF 15% 50” 4K TV $ 490 55” 4K TV $ 607 65” 4K TV $ 985 3ALL YOU CAN EAT TURKEY BUFFETT & TRIMMINGS CI$31.95 Thursday 28 November Regular A la Carte Dinner will also be available Thanksgiving For Reservations Call 623-4550 DR. KRISHAN RAJARATNAM, M.D., F.R.C.S.C. Upper Extremity, Trauma and Joint Arthroplasty will be at Unit #1, Smith Road Plaza Monday, 25th November 2019 to Friday, 29th November 2019 PLEASE CALL 945-8380 FOR APPOINTMENTS CAYMAN ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The $167 million Mandarin Oriental hotel project at Beach Bay was approved by the Central Planning Authority at the second attempt Wednesday. The project features two nine-storey buildings and an assortment of villas and cottages scattered across a large slice of beachfront land in the Bodden Town district. The resort will feature 100 hotel rooms and 25 residences, several restaurants, pools and back-of-house facilities. The plans initially came before the authority in September. But the CPA adjourned the application on that occasion to allow the developer to make amendments to the plans to help address a slew of complaints from neighbouring residents. The revised plans were approved after this week’s meeting. Revisions included relocating the beach access path so it would be closer to the public road, moving back-of-house facilities away from neighbouring residences and increasing the number of parking spaces. Despite those revisions numerous residents said they were still unhappy with the development, highlighting the size and scale of the project among the key concerns. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s legislators have given the green light for the UK to proceed with changing the constitution. Premier Alden McLaughlin and Opposition Leader Arden McLean agreed on the changes on Wednesday and have since dispatched a joint letter to UK Overseas Territories Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad indicating that there is no need for a referendum to move the process forward. “I am absolutely delighted that we were able to reach consensus on these important changes and that members were able to put aside all issues of partisan politics and focus on what truly is in the national interest,” McLaughlin told the Cayman Compass in an interview Thursday. The premier last week announced the UK had agreed to make significant changes to the Constitution, including a mandatory requirement for consultation on any proposed legislation or Orders in Council that will directly impact the Cayman Islands, and the removal of key reserve powers from the governor to write legislation, disallow legislation and write standing orders for the LA. Consensus a good move Both McLaughlin and McLean on Thursday welcomed the consensus they had achieved to push the changes forward. “It makes me feel more satisfied of my tenure as a legislator and the people can rest assured, I am not going to do something to adversely affect the country, more to move it into a direction that they can dictate their destiny,” McLean said. The premier said while there was quite a bit of pushback over the last year with the changes within the hierarchy of the official opposition, he was able to get the support he needed to have the changes accepted. “I have a good personal relationship with every member of this house and we are all reasonable people and all of us want the best for Cayman and in the end all of us were persuaded that this is the right thing to do,” he said. McLean said prior to the release of the draft order from the UK, his team only had a broad understanding of the changes. After having read the full scope of what was being proposed, however, he believes it is something that will be good for Cayman. That said, two main areas of concern remain for him; the governor’s ability to address the Legislative Assembly and the addition of an eighth minister. He said the premier has addressed both areas. He believed the inclusion of an eighth minister would, among other things, create problems to get to the two-thirds majority to unseat a sitting premier. He said McLaughlin has agreed to postpone that provision until the next elections. “Any legislator in any country would want more control over the destiny of his country; that is the objective of being a legislator,” McLean said. Former Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller, who was part of the negotiating team that went to the UK to fight for the changes, said he was pleased the changes can move forward. “I believe if we are going to progress and become more mature in our political processes in Cayman, it is important that Parliament have some authority. This is the only arm of government that is elected by the people and unelected by the people if you're not doing the right job,” Miller said. He said his contribution to the changes will remain with him. “I think it is one of the things I can look back, as I get older, and say that I contributed to this improvement in the governance of Cayman by Caymanians and there is a certain level of self-satisfaction in having been a part of that,” Miller said. The legislators were running against the clock to achieve consensus as the UK elections will be held on 12 Dec. and there is no guarantee the incoming government would accept the changes. What the joint letter said In the letter to the UK, the premier indicated that following discussions with members of the Legislative Assembly, they have agreed that although the changes proposed are “not minor, they are nonetheless uncontroversial”. “In such circumstances and in accordance with your letter, we believe that a referendum is neither necessary nor appropriate and instead our agreement to the reforms will eventually be confirmed through a resolution in the Legislative Assembly,” the premier said in his letter to Lord Ahmad. He said now that the letter has been dispatched, the UK government can proceed to take the necessary steps to have the Constitution Amendment Order made by the Privy Council. “In the meantime, we will proceed by motion to debate the amendments in the House following the conclusion of Finance Committee,” McLaughlin said. The premier, in his letter, said the relevant Hansard transcript of the resolution by the Legislative Assembly at the conclusion of the debate on the package of reforms will be provided to Lord Ahmad. Premier Alden McLaughlin and Opposition Leader Arden McLean have both agreed on the UK's proposed constitutional changes. GREEN LIGHT Constitutional changes move ahead Beach Bay hotel approved Resort includes: Hotel comprising 100 guestrooms and suites 25 apartments/residences Guest reception/arrival lobby/lounge Two restaurants, and bar facilities Spa and wellness facility Conference centre Tennis courts 4More than a view. Discover more at dart.ky/seafire YEARS STRONG Three years ago, we opened Grand Cayman’s first new hotel for more than a decade. But it’s more than a hotel. It’s a place where the landscape is as important as the view it looks on to, where that magical moment of the sun meeting the horizon sets the sea and spirit aflame. cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2019Port opponents kick off campaign with rally MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@compassmedia.ky A crowd of more than 200 people filled much of Celebration Park in downtown George Town Wednesday night as the Cayman Port Referendum group held its first rally in the runup to the 19 Dec. vote that will determine whether government’s cruise berthing and cargo port project will go forward. Attorney and former political candidate Alric Lindsay, a supporter of the referendum and the CPR group, was among those in attendance. “I don’t think a balanced view has been given by the government,” Lindsay said. Referendum supporters and the government have been in a pitched battle over the $200 million port project that would allow George Town harbour to accommodate the Oasis class mega ships. Other cruise ships would also be able to use the permanent dock, eliminating the need for tender boats to take passengers from ships moored in the harbour to shore. Both sides have claimed their opponents are promoting inaccurate information on the port. Lindsay said he thinks public sentiment is against proceeding with the port project. “Most of the people in my neighbourhood are saying ‘no’,” he said. But he’s not hopeful the referendum will be successful. Getting more than half the electorate to turn out to vote on a single issue is a high bar, he said. “I think it’s going to take a lot of door-to-door contact,” Lindsay added. Sam Nehra, 44, of Red Bay, takes a more optimistic view. She and her husband, Jason, have been working as volunteers for CPR and she too thinks one-on-one contact with voters will be key to passing the referendum. “Door-to-door is our best chance,” she said. “You can do that in this sized country.” Sitting with a friend in the back row, Moony Pak, 48, of George Town, said she came to the meeting because she wanted more information on the pros and cons of the port project. She said she’s concerned about the potential environmental impacts of dredging a deeper port. “Appreciate what you have and hold onto it,” Pak said. “Once you change it, you won’t get it back.” William Banker, 84, of West Bay, said he thinks the risk of environmental damage is too great. “To me, it’s just destroying what tourists are coming to see,” Banker said. “I hope they don’t destroy what we’ve got. What are they going to do if they’re wrong about it affecting the beach? If it goes away now, it will never come back.” MLAs Chris Saunders and Kenneth Bryan took time off from a Finance Committee meeting in the Legislative Assembly to address the expanding crowd, which had grown to about 150 people by 7pm. Saunders said he was initially neutral about the project but that the more he looked into it, the less he found to support it. “I could not find one single reason,” he said. He told the crowd he’s worried Cayman might have the same problems with environmental and economic damage Jamaica reportedly experienced when it enlarged its port to accommodate cruise traffic. “They sold Jamaica a bill of goods,” Saunders said, referring to the cruise ship companies. “I ran into a senior member of the Jamaican government. What he said to me was, they got a six for a nine. They got taken advantage of.” Roy Bodden, president emeritus of the University College of the Cayman Islands, encouraged the audience to watch the documentary, ‘Jamaica for Sale’, which looks at the negative impact of tourism on that country. “This documentary is a precursor to what will happen in the Cayman Islands,” Bodden said. “Our progeny will curse us if we leave such a legacy for them.” On the science front, Carrie Manfrino, director of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute and Kelly Dunning, a professor at Auburn University, cast doubt on the research the government has cited in promoting the limited impact of the port project on Cayman’s reefs. Officials have said much of the existing coral could be transplanted in a nearby area. Dunning encouraged the crowd to search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies of coral transplantation of similar size to the plans for the George Town port. “They do not exist,” she said. “This [coral transplanting] technology is riddled with uncertainty.” During a question-and-answer segment, a civil servant who said he had been told not to attend such meetings, received a standing ovation for speaking out. CPR member Johann Moxam, who closed out the event, blamed government leaders for trying to limit information and suppress the 19 Dec. vote. “The government in that building drove us to have a referendum,” he said, pointing to the Legislative Assembly. “They don’t feel they have to answer to any of you. And that puts us on the path of being a banana republic.” Moxam called the vote an opportunity to change the political landscape in Cayman. “This group, this movement, this initiative is all of us,” he said. “It started with pockets of people who were tired of being ignored by their elected officials. It grew to an army of, I’ll say it proudly, rascals.” He encouraged the crowd to educate themselves on the proposed project. “This decision is too big to get it wrong,” he said. Mario Rankin addresses the crowd during a rally held by the Cruise Port Referendum group Wednesday night in George Town. Thousands get vaccinated against the flu virus ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The Health Services Authority recently administered a record 2,250 flu vaccines in two weeks, according to Joanna Rose-Wright of the Public Health Department. “Each year we order about 3,000 doses of vaccines,” said Rose-Wright. “This year we got off to a late start but so far we have administered 2,250 vaccines in two weeks. There has never been a time when we have administered more than 2,000 doses in two weeks.” Rose-Wright suspects last year’s flu season may have been a significant reason why so many people have chosen to get vaccinated this year. In the last three years, the HSA’s Public Health Department has seen an overall increase in the number of people who were diagnosed with influenza symptoms. The latest data shows in 2016, 5,667 people were diagnosed with flu-like symptoms. That number grew in 2017 to 6,152 people. In 2018, doctors diagnosed 6,130 people with the flu. This means that in both 2017 and 2018, roughly 10% of Cayman’s population contracted the flu virus. Flu season generally runs from October to February each year. As of 16 Nov., the HSA had diagnosed 1,435 people during this flu season. While the typical flu season runs for about six months, Timothy McLaughlin-Munroe, who is also with the Public Health Department, says Cayman’s flu season is generally longer; normally starting from September and often running through to March. McLaughlin-Munroe says people should not confuse the regular flu with dengue. “A lot of our negative dengue virus cases have turned out to be regular influenza cases,” said McLaughlin- Munroe. “So far this year the virus has been a very strong strain and has left many people medicated and on bedrest.” To combat the virus, the HSA is making vaccines readily available to the public through a number of means. “We are out at supermarkets, we go to workplaces on appointments, as well as retirement homes,” said Rose-Wright. “Vaccines are available at district clinics, as well as at the private healthcare providers and of course at the HSA.” Vaccines are free and can be administered to anyone six months and older. Rose-Wright says people with long-term non-communicable diseases should be vaccinated. “People who suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and asthma should definitely get vaccinated for the flu,” she said. “People who also take care of the elderly, and/or young children should get their flu vaccines.” Rose-Wright says pregnant women should check with their physicians before they get the vaccine. With more than four months to go before the flu season ends, the HSA says they will order as many vaccines as needed. A record number of flu vaccines have been administered over the last two weeks. 6NOW SELLING PHASE 2 STAMP DUTY SAVINGS of up to US $245,000 through 2019 A LUXURY WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRESTIGIOUS YACHT CLUB COMMUNITY The Residences of Stone Island is comprised of 44 waterfront residences built to the highest standards, with 4,500 square feet of open-concept living space. This private gated community boasts an exquisite array of lifestyle amenities; Tennis court • expansive infinity edge pool • docking facilities • private screening room • children’s center waterside owner’s lounge with chef’s kitchen • bar and owner’s wine storage • gated with 24-hour security BBQ pavilion • boardwalk • lush landscaping • fitness studio OPEN HOUSE WWW.STONEISLANDCAYMAN.COM BOOK A VIEWING Sales Inquiries (345) 925-6404 | info@stoneislandcayman.com 548 Yacht Drive, just past Vista del Mar Show homes open Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 RD 12 PM to 2 PM Three full-scale model homes available for viewing cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2019ADVERTORIAL 60 percent of Phase One homes have been sold. Until 31 Dec., all townhomes are eligible for significant savings in stamp duty – ranging from US$90,000 to $120,000. Embracing the best of island living Stunning sunsets, expansive views and sparkling blue seascapes. That’s just part of the appeal of the Indigo Bay lifestyle, a com- munity that embraces the best of island living. The luxury townhome devel- opment is a welcome alternative to high-rise living, with each home de- signed with privacy and ease-of-liv- ing in mind. Comprised of 29 townho- mes, the eco-friendly communi- ty is set along 500 feet of ocean- front property. It is nestled in a reef-protected bay and safe- guarded by a nine-foot seawall and stone coastline, with the homes el- evated well above sea level for extra peace of mind. Its location is enviable – a seclud- ed setting at the eastern tip of South Sound yet close to conveniences such as a supermarket, schools, banks and shops, and minutes to George Town. It’s pet-friendly, fami- ly-friendly and eco-friendly. The two- and three-story town- homes feature bright, airy interiors with 12-foot ceilings and expansive floor-to-ceiling glass “walls” that bathe the rooms in natural light and allow for breathtaking uninterrupt- ed views. Upstairs in the master bedroom, the seaside vistas continue with floor-to-ceiling windows and a bal- cony to drink in the view. And Indigo Bay has all the ame- nities that come with contemporary Indigo Bay is the only non-highrise project on the ocean in Grand Cayman under development. The change in living environment is dramatic. A luxury townhome community in South Sound is making waves with its striking seascapes and peaceful green spaces – an enviable alternative to high-rise living. cayman compass 8 FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2019ADVERTORIAL coastal living including a fitness centre, private dock, landscaped park and salt filtered swimming pool. Interior options The developer, David Nelson of Charlton Developments Ltd., worked with an international de- sign team to create inspiring in- teriors that feature clean, simple lines, open spaces and natural lighting. With six different floor plans to choose from, residents can tai- lor their spaces to suit their taste and lifestyle. Smart technology is woven throughout the townhomes, allowing owners remote access and extra security. Green living Indigo Bay is an eco-conscious development, embracing sus- tainability and energy efficiency including ICF construction and insulated cement roofs. All units are solar-powered, generating enough electricity for a net-zero impact. Each unit comes with 2 ded- icated parking stalls. Indigo Bay is the only project on island offer- ing as a standard feature, electric outlets at every dedicated stall to make it easy for residents to con- vert to electric cars. Each unit is designed so that a Tesla Powerwall may be added at a later date for backup. The community is being built to the highest codes and stan- dards, including hurricane-grad- ed windows and doors. Concrete Insulated Form-constructed interior and exterior walls are durable and highly insulating, reducing energy costs as well as buffering sound. Save on stamp duty Indigo Bay broke ground in September 2019, with Phase I to be completed by March 2021. Phase 2 will be finished the fol- lowing year. 60 percent of the homes in Phase One have been sold. Un- til 31 Dec., all townhomes are eligible for significant savings in stamp duty – ranging from US$90,000 to $120,000. Low strata fees, along with a competitive price point, makes Indigo Bay ideal professionals and families, or those seeking a second residence by the water- front. There are 23 two-story homes and six three-story corner units, which feature a roomy rooftop patio overlooking the sea that provides spectacular 360-degree views of Grand Cayman. The design of each corner unit takes privacy into consider- ation, with staggered elevations and each has a spacious two-car garage, with the option to con- vert it into an office or workshop. Indigo Bay is a thoughtfully planned community that makes for seamless island living, from sunrise to sunset. Nestled in a reef-protected shallow bay, the community is safeguarded by a nine-foot seawall and stone coastline, with the homes elevated 11 and 12 feet above sea level for extra peace of mind. Our exceptional amenities • 500-foot park with areas for seating, free-play, picnics pri- vacy and walking paths • Outdoor yoga area • 150-foot private dock with 24-foot cabana and recre- ational boat slips • Large lap-style swimming pool with separate kids pool and play area • On-site fully equipped gym • On-site multi-purpose com- munity center • Private back yards • Roof top patios with out- door kitchens, Jacuzzis and shade structures • Propane throughout units including ground level and roof top patios • Storage lockers for paddle boards and kayaks • Covered parking • Electric vehicle chargers • Smart home technology Contact David Nelson 345.936.1056 dnelson@charltondevelopments.ky indigobay.ky cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2019Next >