WHAT'S CHRISTMAS WITHOUT IT? THE CRESCENT, CAMANA BAY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Wednesday, 27 November 2019 News WORC levies 116 work permit offences Page 4 Business Cayman’s tax regime is ‘under attack’ by OECD proposal Page 14 Spirit plane cleared after emergency landing Page 2 CPR leader's tyres slashed Cops to increase presence at meetings Page 2Open 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” Plane makes emergency landing CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky All 177 passengers on board Spirit Airlines flight NK756 that made an emergency landing Monday at Owen Roberts International Airport have landed safety in Fort Lauderdale. The Airbus A321 took off from Costa Rica and declared an emergency en route to Fort Lauderdale. Flight crew reported hearing sounds outside the aircraft, a Cayman Islands Airports Authority spokesperson confirmed. Spirit Airlines sent a "recovery plane" to Grand Cayman Monday night. The passengers stayed in the departure hall until the aircraft landed at 10:11pm and took them to south Florida. Calls and emails to a Spirit Airlines media spokesperson seeking comment on the emergency landing have gone unanswered. Emergency responders at the airport Monday reported seeing what appeared to be smoke coming from one of the plane’s engines, according to a source close to the situation. The airplane was kept overnight to be serviced by Cayman Airways maintenance and fire services crews. It was since cleared for flight and departed Grand Cayman Tuesday morning. • 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. - WEDNESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) 21 BRIDGES (R) 1:30 | 4:20 | 7:00 VIP | 10:15 CHARLIE’S ANGELS (PG13) 12:30 | 6:40 FORD V FERRARI (PG13) 12:20 VIP | 3:20 | 6:50 | 9:30 VIP | 9:30 FROZEN 2 (PG) - 3D 12:15 3D | 1:15 | 4:00 VIP 4:10 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D LAST CHRISTMAS (PG13) 5:10 | 10:05 PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG) 2:45 | 7:40 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) 1:00 | 3:45 | 6:35 | 9:30 Local emergency personnel respond to the emergency landing of a Spirit Airline Airbus A321 flight on Monday afternoon. Cops add presence for CPR meetings Comes as organiser's tyres slashed RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said it will be attending Cruise Port Referendum Cayman meetings going forward. This after CPR member Mario Rankin’s tyres were slashed Monday night at the grassroots group’s ‘Vote No’ meeting on Fountain Road in West Bay. “It is the duty of the police to try to maintain public order and so as a result of this incident taking place, police officers will be maintaining a presence at the CPR meeting going forward, to prevent any such activities from re-occurring,” Media Relations Officer Jodi-Ann Powery told the Cayman Compass Tuesday in response to queries on the incident. Rankin, speaking with the Cayman Compass Tuesday, said he was concerned by the incident, especially since the vehicle that was vandalised now belongs to his son and is used solely by him. “I do not want my son to be at risk because he is the owner of the truck I was associated with,” Rankin said. The truck was parked at the Sir John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay where CPR was holding its public meeting on Monday night. Rankin, a speaker at the meeting, said he was told his tyre was flat and when he went to check on the vehicle, he discovered that all four had been slashed. “That totally caught me off guard and what was so scary about that is had I sent him [his son] to get something from the truck; that person armed with a knife could have still been there,” Rankin said. He is urging whoever committed the act to leave his family out of politics. “I cannot stop someone from having a problem with me, but I have a serious concern that they have now mistaken the truck for being mine and it could have been a potential danger for my son,” Rankin said. He said the police contacted him about the incident, but he said the parking lot was dark and he does not believe the culprit could be easily caught. Rankin has been one of the more vocal opponents to government’s $200 million port project and he believes the incident is connected to his public stance against the cruise berthing and cargo facility. When contacted by the Cayman Compass, Premier Alden McLaughlin said he had no knowledge of the incident, but was disturbed by the act. “[I] am saddened to learn of it. It is most unfortunate and is not the behaviour that is acceptable in Cayman and I do hope the perpetrator is caught quickly,” he said. Police said investigations into the incident are continuing. All four tyres on Mario Rankin’s truck were slashed on Monday night at a CPR Cayman meeting in West Bay. Police have committed to have a presence at CPR meetings going forward. cayman compass 2 news N news WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019cayman compass 3 WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019116 work permit probes to date More than $289K in fines levied RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Local businesses shelled out more than $289,475 in administrative immigration fees for 2019 to date for 116 work permit offences. The statistics were shared on Monday during Finance Committee in the Legislative Assembly. Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders raised the issue of work permit offences as lawmakers deliberated on funding for the new Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman department and the Human Resources Ministry. He questioned how many investigators were assigned to deal with immigration and work permit complaints. Human Resources Ministry Chief Officer Michael Ebanks explained that at present there is a team of nine investigators. He added that WORC also partners with the police, Customs and Border Control, and the Department of Commerce and Investment when investigating complaints, as some of the reports may lead to other offences requiring action. Saunders also pointed to concerns of discrimination against Caymanians seeking employment. “Do we suspect that nine people is enough?” Saunders questioned. Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is also the Minister for Employment and Human Resources, said the staffing complement will increase as WORC continues its rollout. Saunders asked for an update on McLaughlin’s planned Fair Employment Opportunities Commission, which will deal with matters related to incidents of work discrimination. McLaughlin said he is aiming to have the commission up and running next year. He said the old immigration system was capable of investigating each complaint because there were fewer work permits at that time. “But the kind of numbers we are talking about, we will never be able to do all of these things, which is why we have to rely on technology as a major tool to assist us to know whether or not employers are treating Caymanian applicants fairly when they apply and they are giving them a decent chance,” the premier said. Saunders said the public and those within workplaces have to assist in the crackdown on immigration offences and questioned whether any anonymous hotlines were in place for whistleblowing. Ebanks said there were hotlines at the Immigration Department and they will be carried over as government moves forward with WORC. Deputy Opposition Leader Alva Suckoo queried the status of the online jobs portal and when the mandatory requirement for all job postings will begin. Ebanks said the platform is in the testing phase with private sector partners. “The move to mandate its use will come in the new year, giving our industry partners time in which to get familiar with the system,” he added. He confirmed legislative changes will also be coming to implement the requirement. Finance Committee continues Wednesday. Man cleared of burglary charge ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A man accused of breaking into a Prospect home has been acquitted of the charge. This after the prosecution offered no evidence Monday in Grand Court. Shane Connor, of East End, was alleged to have broken into the home on 8 May. Court documents revealed that the incident was captured on CCTV. In that footage, a man was seen entering the house through a bedroom window. The man could be seen walking through the house and kicking at a door. His face was not covered and was captured on CCTV. A police officer who had known Connor for eight years identified him as the man in the footage, according to court documents. Connor was subsequently arrested and charged with a single count of burglary. Connor pleaded not guilty to the charge, and a two-day trial was set for Monday. On the day of the trial, a jury was empanelled, but prior to the trial starting the prosecution offered no evidence. Connor was acquitted of the charge and dismissed. Names released in fatal BT collisions One man is arrested, released on bail Police confirmed the identities of two men killed in collisions in Bodden Town over a 12-hour period. Shortly after 7pm on Sunday, 24 Nov., pedestrian Henry Schucair Robinson, 65, of Bodden Town, was found unresponsive near Anton Bodden Drive, believed to have been hit by a vehicle. The matter is under investigation by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and officers are appealing for witnesses. The following morning, 25 Nov., Shaun Ryan Newell, 35, a Jamaican man living in Cayman, died after his motorcycle collided with a school bus at Shamrock Road and Mimosa Drive. The 39-year-old school bus driver man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. Police said he has been granted bail as the investigation continues. In a public appeal, police said they are looking for witnesses to come forward in the 25 Nov. crash, which took place before 7am. “Police are particularly interested in speaking with the drivers of two vehicles: one travelling towards Bodden Town in the eastbound lane, and one travelling towards George Town in the westbound lane, which stopped to let the school bus exit onto Shamrock Road from Mimosa Drive; as well as a female pedestrian who was standing at the intersection when the collision occurred,” an RCIPS release said. Gold smuggling trial sees further delays ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The trial of five men on accused laundering gold worth millions of dollars through Cayman has been delayed yet again. It was expected that on Monday, the prosecution would made its opening statements in its case against Daniel Alberto Aguilar Ferriozi, Antonio Di Ventura Herrera, Pedro Jose Benavidez Natera, Juan Carlos Gonzales Infante and Kody Zander. All five men face two counts of money laundering. It is alleged that they played varying roles in importing more than US$4 million, through Cayman between 27 May and 31 May. Benavidez Natera and Gonzales Infante also face an addition charge of concealing criminal property. That charge stems from US$135,000 which was found hidden under a compartment onboard the private jet used to transport the gold into Cayman. The men have all denied any all the allegations. The jury was empaneled in the matter on 11 Nov. They were told to return to court for the following Monday, 25 Nov., however when they returned, they were sent away once again due to legal reasons. The trial is now expected to begin on 2 Dec. Benavidez Natera and Gonazles Infante were remanded into custody, while the rest of the defendants were released on bail. $289,475 administrative immigration fees for 2019 116 work permit offences 9 investigators charged with looking at complaints fact: Gold seized by UK officers on 1 June 4ON THE RUN NRA has implemented a NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNthat allows 2 FULL lanes of travel WESTBOUNDfrom Mangrove Ave. to Admirals Ave. to provide improved traffic flow to residents of the Prospect area. A centre lane has also been added along the three schools - Achievement Center, Red Bay Primary and Lighthouse School to provide easier entry and exit. For information contact the National Roads Authority Telephone 946-7780 or visit our facebook page facebook.com/nraroads ATTENTION Road Users SHAMROCK ROAD between Mangrove Ave and On the Run Gas Station Prospect Area Exercise caution while learning the new traffic system - and continue to be road friendly EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY E W NS Westbound Eastbound LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL RED BAY PRIMARY ADMIRALS AVE PROSPECT DR MARINE DR PARTY LN MAHOGANY WAY MANGROVE AVE VICTORY AVE ACHIEVEMENT CENTER STINGRAY BREWERY SECTION ONE SECTION TWO SECTION ONE SECTION TWO SECTION TWO SECTION ONE cayman compass 5 WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019Christmas Community bring the entire family to the Compass Media Parking Lot call penelope 949-5111 december 7, 10am - 2 pm meet santa 11am-1pm live music crafts & jewellery Lots of christmas gift ideas Lots of christmas gift ideas Premier Alden McLaughlin has launched a new app, which he has described as a new information- sharing initiative, to give the public a direct line to him. The app, Caymanians 2025, will share information about ongoing programmes that relate to jobs, the economy, health, education, infrastructure and the Sister Islands, according to a press release from the premier. The app will also present an opportunity to ask the premier questions. McLaughlin said while he knows at this time most of the questions will focus on the debate about whether Cayman should move forward with building the cruise berthing and enhanced cargo facilities, he hopes eventually discussions will move on to other important issues affecting the country’s future. “I’m inviting everyone in Cayman who feels their questions have not been answered. Ask me Premier launches ‘Caymanians’ 2025 app now,” said McLaughlin. “Ask me by posting on Facebook at Caymanians 2025; send me your questions on Twitter at caymanians2025, or simply email me at contact@ caymanians2025. com. I will answer your questions through the app, through social media and through a video podcast you will find on the YouTube channel, Caymanians 2025.” The app, he said, is available for download on the Apple store and Google Play. Local author donates book to government schools JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Local author Sam Oakley has donated copies of her book, ‘The Wreck of the Ten Sail: A true story from Cayman’s past’ to government school libraries. The book chronicles one of Cayman’s most intriguing historical events, which may have shaped the future of the Cayman Islands as it is known today. Students and teachers from Years 3 to 6 received the books to add to their classroom libraries. “The text is a welcome resource for the primary schools’ social studies and English-language curriculum,” said Yosha Alphonse, literary specialist at the Ministry of Education. The school donation was facilitated by the ministry in conjunction with local charity, LIFE ‘Literacy is For Everyone’, which has been instrumental in the promotion of literacy engagement in schools. Oakley said it was a huge endorsement for her writing that the ministry wanted to introduce the book as part of the schools’ curriculum. “I am quite delighted at this huge honour,” she said. In her book, Oakley revisited the evidence for the historic shipwreck that occurred off Grand Cayman’s East End on 8 Feb., 1794, and discovered some new facts. Ten ships of a large convoy sailing from Jamaica to England – including the accompanying naval frigate, HMS Convert – were driven onto a reef on the eastern shore. The story is told in this new book. Thanks to the heroic efforts of the islanders at the time, almost everyone aboard the stricken vessels was saved, among them, someone with a link to King George II, said Oakley in the book. Legend has it that it was a royal prince who was saved. Historians have ruled that out, but according to Oakley’s research, there was indeed someone on board with close links to the British monarchy. In 1994, the 200th anniversary of the incident was marked by a visit to the site by Queen Elizabeth II, who dedicated a memorial to the six victims of the shipwreck. Sam Oakley, far right, hands over a copy of her novel to literary specialist Yosha Alphonse. A screenshot of the home screen of the premier's new 'Caymanians 2025' app. cayman compass 6 news N news WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019SATURDAY, 7 DECEMBER FROM 19:00 TO 23:00 HRS | 80 CI (+service charges) Tickets are mandatory upon entrance of the event. Get your tickets at www.eventpro.ky Celebrate the festive season with friends and colleagues before the madness of Christmas kicks off! We will be transforming Anchor & Den into the ultimate foodie fest with unlimited drinks and an irresistible spread of mouth-watering dishes all evening long with our unique version of brunch at dusk. Entertainment includes sets from our Resident DJ and live bands. The ambience is free-flowing, relaxed and social. Gather your tribe and make new friends at the coolest Saturday night hub on the island! cayman compass 7 WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Indoor cycling club Ryde has raised over $65,000 for local charities Hart 4 Hearts and Special Needs Foundation Cayman. Over 24 hours, each member of 25 teams comprising 200 cyclists took turns riding to complete the quest at the club this past Saturday. The studio was a hive of activity for the duration of the event. The spin bikes were brought outside for the final two hours of the challenge which took place to a live DJ. The event was inspired by, and in memory of Leo Lewis, who passed away when he was a week old after being diagnosed with a rare genetic metabolic disorder called nonketotic hyperglycinemia. “The ride was phenomenal and a success,” said David Walker, who owns RYDE along with wife Kelly. “Ryde is committed to supporting the Cayman community and often hosts charity classes for a variety of different causes that are important to our regulars. The Ryde-A-Thon felt like a natural extension of that commitment,” Kelly said. Leo’s parents, Maya and Richard Lewis, were also heavily involved in the planning of the event. “After losing Leo we knew that nothing could bring him back, but what we could do was leave a positive mark on the world in his memory by helping others. The two charities chosen for this fundraiser felt like the perfect fit,” the couple said. Ryde-A-Thon kicked off at 6pm on Friday, 22 Nov., following an informal kick-off party, and continued through the night and the early hours of the morning into Saturday afternoon. Ryde instructor Michelle Fisher, who took inspiration from a 24-hour running event she used to participate in with her father when she was a young girl, was the brainchild behind the fundraiser. An avid athlete herself, Fisher said having seen the success of the event her dad participated in and was so passionate about, she had been looking for a few years to bring the 24-hour sporting challenge to the Cayman Islands. “I was just waiting for the right time,” she said. This year she found the reason she was looking for when friends of hers lost their son at just a week old and wanted to do something meaningful in his memory. YesterdaY's sOLUtIONs 1234567 8 910 1112 131415 1617 18192021 2223 2425 1234567 8 910 1112 131415 1617 18192021 2223 2425 Puzzle 16232 ACROSS: 1 Blazing, 5 Asset, 8 Flash in the pan, 9 Tenor, 10 Absolve, 11 Shifty, 12 Grumpy, 15 Risotto, 17 Fancy, 19 On a large scale, 20 Sleek, 21 Delayed. DOWN: 1 Befit, 2 At a snail’s pace, 3 Inherit, 4 Genial, 5 Ashes, 6 Supplementary, 7 Tannery, 11 Serious, 13 Refusal, 14 Dogged, 16 Track, 18 Yield. aCrOss 1 Curt (6) 4 Become less severe (6) 9 Whirlwind (7) 10 Introduce (5) 11 Become aware of (5) 12 Take up and support (7) 13 The essential details (5-6) 18 Unspecified person (2-3-2) 20 Situation (5) 22 Disapproving expression (5) 23 Tell in detail (7) 24 Accounts book (6) 25 Abundance (6) dOWN 1 Give proof of (6) 2 To mature (5) 3 Express objection (7) 5 Fit out (5) 6 Use up (7) 7 Small tower (6) 8 Secret resistance movement (11) 14 Concisely (2,1,4) 15 Put at risk (7) 16 Practical (6) 17 Unorthodox doctrine (6) 19 Slow learner (5) 21 Once more (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16233 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 Hart 4 Hearts was formed in 2015 by Ben and Charlotte Hart after their son Hugo was born with a rare congenital heart defect. In an effort to highlight these problems, as well as raise funds to assist families, Hart 4 Hearts was founded, and is now the paediatric arm of the Cayman Heart Fund. Special Needs Foundation Cayman started in 2008 as a support group for parents of children on the autism spectrum. Its primary focus is to advocate for individuals and families, as well as provide ongoing education to the public about the importance of inclusion. fact: Cyclists raise $60K for charity 8cayman compass 9 WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019Next >