cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS Wednesday, 4 December 2019 News Education officials consider cameras for classrooms Business Offshore captives outperform commercial sector Page 15 Three held in connection with George Town murder Page 4 Cayman continues to help Bahamas recovery Page 9 CIFA Premier League highlights Page 24 WHAT'S CHRISTMAS WITHOUT IT? THE CRESCENT, CAMANA BAY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 compass 75 CENTS Wednesday, 4 December 2019 cameras for classrooms Page 4 Court delays port vote No referendum until next year as court allows legal challenge Decision and reaction – pages 2-3 From left, Kate McClymont and Shirley Roulstone celebrate outside court. –Photo: Stephen ClarkePRINTED 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” Fair skies with less than 20% chance of showers weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS North to northwest 15 to 10 knots SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet • 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 | 4:05 | 7:20 | 10:00 VIP FORD V FERRARI (PG13) 3:20 | 6:40 | 9:30 FROZEN 2 (PG) 12:45 3D | 1:15 | 3:50 VIP | 4:25 3D 7:00 | 9:30 3D THE GOOD LIAR (PG13) 12:40 | 6:50 | 10:00 KNIVES OUT (PG13) 12:45 VIP | 3:35 | 7:00 VIP | 9:50 QUEEN & SLIM (R) 12:25 | 3:25 | 6:30 | 9:35 Legal challenge pencilled in for January JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The referendum on the controversial cruise and cargo port development will be delayed at least until next year following a court order Tuesday. The decision to schedule the poll on 19 Dec., before the completion of an updated environmental impact assessment, was challenged in court by Shirley Roulstone, a leading member of the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman campaign group. Roulstone also raised legal concerns about the fairness of the provisions for the referendum. Grand Court judge Tim Owen granted leave to apply for judicial review to Roulstone and a trial has been provisionally scheduled for 20 Jan., pending courtroom availability. Justice Owen ordered that the referendum be delayed at least until the judgment is delivered following that trial. The National Trust had also brought a legal challenge but agreed Tuesday to join its case with Roulstone’s because of the similarity of its arguments on the environmental points. Justice Owen said Roulstone’s lawyers had met the threshold to proceed to full trial. He acknowledged government had advanced “strong arguments” in response but said these were not the “knockout blows” necessary for him to dismiss the case at this stage. “This case plainly involves issues of great constitutional importance for the Cayman Islands - questions which have never been considered before because this is the first time that Section 70 of the Constitution, which provides for a people-initiated referendum has been triggered,” the judge said. Roulstone’s lawyers argued four main grounds for judicial review: • That Cabinet had pre-determined the question and date before the port referendum legislation had been passed • That Cabinet failed to consider important matters including having “due regard” to protection of the environment, as required by the Constitution • That the question Cabinet set for the referendum was neither fair nor neutral, as required by law • That the failure to provide any campaign- finance limits, frustrated the intent of the Constitution that a free and fair vote should take place Justice Owen, appearing by video-link from London, granted leave to proceed on all four grounds. 'Inequality of arms' Helen Mountfield QC, representing Roulstone, said there was a “manifest inequality of arms” between government and those opposing the port in terms of their finances. She said the constitutional duty for a people-initiated-referendum carried with it an implication that it should be a fair and effective referendum. Mountfield, also speaking by video- link, said the timing, the nature of the question and the lack of campaign-spending restrictions – similar to those required in a general election – suggested this was not government’s plan. “All of this leads to an inference that government was not intending to have a referendum and prevail on the merits but intended to railroad its view through irrespective of the factors that would make for a fair referendum,” she said. Mountfield, of UK law firm Matrix Chambers, submitted a legal opinion on government’s Referendum Law for the port, prior to its debate and passage in the Legislative Assembly. In response, government dropped the date and question from the bill, in an effort to satisfy a condition of the Constitution that those aspects should be set with reference to the legislation after it is published. Mountfield suggested Cabinet had then simply “rubber stamped” the same date and question, without reference to the concerns Matrix had raised, including the fairness of the phrasing of the question and the need for campaign finance limits. The lawyers have taken issue with the use of the words “move forward” and “enhanced cargo port” in the question, suggesting the wording is not neutral. 'Anorexic case' Government’s lawyer Alan Maclean QC, also speaking via video-link, had earlier suggested that Roulstone’s arguments should be thrown out. “You can’t aggregate four thin points to make one fat point. They are too anorexic to pass on their own,” he said. He said Cabinet had not simply “rubber stamped” the original question and date but had reconsidered these aspects after the law was passed and agreed to proceed. He said government was required to consider the environment in its final decision on whether to proceed with the project. But he said this was not a relevant consideration when determining the date of the referendum. He acknowledged, following questions from the judge, that a $200,000 study to determine the scope of works for a potential update to the environmental impact assessment was under way and could theoretically be published the day after the referendum. But he maintained that it would be unreasonable to expect the vote to be held off indefinitely and suggested a delay of more than a year could be expected if a full EIA update is determined to be necessary. Referencing the contentious UK Brexit poll, he said it was not a prerequisite of a legal referendum that “full, final and perfect information” be available. Quick action required He added that Cayman’s Constitution required government to move quickly to hold the vote. “The whole thrust of it is that the referendum should be got on with. It is not something that should be kicked into the long grass pending 18 months of further deliberation,” Maclean said. Lawyers for the National Trust spoke briefly during the hearing and agreed to join their case with Roulstone’s on the basis that they are advancing similar arguments about the lack of up-to-date environmental information available. Tom Lowe, QC for the National Trust, said government had done the right thing by consulting and carrying out an EIA in the first place but had then negated this by putting out “completely different and misleading” messaging on the environment in advance of the referendum. A separate application for a protective costs order shielding Roulstone from excessive legal costs if her case is not successful will be heard by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie on 23 Dec. The National Trust has indicated it will attempt to continue the action in place of Roulstone if such an order is not granted. Court delays port vote Broadhurst LLC lawyer Kate McClymont, left, and Shirley Roulstone outside court Tuesday. cayman compass 2 news N news WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2019More winners, better prizes, every Christmas THE PERFECT GIFT FROM OVERSEAS OR JUST NEXT DOOR Purchasing our gift cards online is easy, visit kirkfreeport.com for details. Redeemable at all Kirk Freeport stores. o BAYSHORE MALL, CARDINALL AVENUE & THE STRAND+1(345) 949-7477 • KIRKFREEPORT.COM CHRISTMAS SWEEPSTAKES 3 X US$5,000 CASH WINNERS 5 X US$1,000 CASH WINNERS AND OTHER GREAT PRIZES! Every US$100 purchase at any Kirk Freeport store made before noon on December 24th qualifies for all prize draws! Winners will be announced on CayRock 96.5 FM and HOT 104.1 FM in the afternoon, and X107.1 FM and KISS 106.1 FM during the breakfast shows the next day. RULES AND REGULATIONS: Minimum US$100 purchase to enter. One entry per purchase. Receipts can be combined to reach US$100 requirement. Winner must claim prize at Kirk Freeport on Cardinall Avenue within 7 days of announcement. Non-winning valid entries from Kirk Freeport Christmas Sweepstakes will be included in the Rolex Drawing. Kirk Freeport employees and immediate family members are not eligible to enter. JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Campaigners were celebrating Tuesday following a court decision to delay the port referendum to allow a legal challenge to take place. Shirley Roulstone, a leading member of CPR Cayman, said she had brought the challenge to ensure a fair vote on the $200 million cruise and cargo project. Speaking outside of court Tuesday, she said the decision provided reassurance that the courts would ensure a free and fair referendum. “It is very important,” she said. “CPR has always been about transparency, democracy and upholding the laws of the land and we feel the way the referendum has been handled was not in a very democratic way or according to the Constitution.” She added, “I think everyone is now on notice that this is going to be a fair referendum when it does happen.” Kate McClymont, of Broadhurst LLC, which represented Roulstone in the case along with London-based Matrix Chambers, said the decision Tuesday was just step one in the process. “This was only an application for leave (to apply for Judicial Review), so all we had to prove was that we had an arguable case and it needs to be heard,” she said. “The judge agreed it is important that the vote be delayed in order to allow those issues, which he agrees are certainly arguable, to be ventilated properly.” The National Trust issued a statement following the decision, confirming that it is now supporting Roulstone’s application as an ‘interested party’ rather than pursuing its own seperate legal case. The statement said it was pleased that leave to apply for Judicial Review had been granted and that the vote would be delayed. “The National Trust is committed to taking all reasonable steps, including participating fully in these proceedings, to ensure that all the essential environmental assessments are conducted and published, and that reliable information is provided to the public in respect of the impact that this project will have on our precious and endangered coral reefs, our treasured heritage, and our fragile natural environment,” it stated. “This should happen well in advance of any vote in order to allow for proper public consultation and scrutiny of the proposed project. Only in this way can we ensure that the public are equipped to make a fully informed choice - in a decision which will impact not only upon our environment and heritage, but upon the lives of all Caymanians and future generations.” JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin said Tuesday that his concern that the referendum on the cruise and cargo project would be delayed had been realised. In a brief statement following the announcement of the Grand Court’s decision, McLaughlin said, “As I have been saying for the past few weeks, the referendum was at risk.” He added, “We will now need to await the judicial review in January before having a clear idea as to the way forward. I do believe the majority of the country was prepared to go to the polls and vote in the referendum on the 19th of December.” Government also released a brief statement on its Support Our Tourism Facebook page indicating that its slate of public meetings was now cancelled. “In light of the the court’s decision all Cayman Islands Government public meetings this week in East End, North Side and Cayman Brac are postponed until further notice,” the statement said. McLaughlin confirmed in his statement that 19 Dec. would remain a public holiday as it was too late to change. Campaigners celebrate court decision Government cancels port meetings amid vote delay 3RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Education leaders have said they are considering installing cameras in local classrooms. This topic arose during questioning by West Bay North MLA Bernie Bush on Monday during Finance Committee as legislators reviewed 2020/2021 appropriations for the Education Ministry. Bush queried whether any thought or research was being done to have extra eyes in the classroom “to protect ourselves and protect children”. This, he said, given that “children are getting teachers in trouble and teachers are getting children in trouble”. Bush added, “I know there is one particular incident where the police told me they knew that the kids had lied.” He suggested that having cameras would be useful. “When inspectors come, some of the performances you are seeing in the classroom is not what you seeing every day. If you had cameras in the classrooms, like I have seen it now where my granddaughter goes to school, I think it is a wonderful thing,” Bush said. Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, after consulting with her staff in the Legislative Assembly chamber, confirmed the Department of Education Services was considering the placement of cameras in the classroom. “But the consideration has not been concluded,” she told fellow lawmakers. She said there were a number of issues to consider before such a step is taken. “They have to look at the child welfare issues and the logistics of it to make a complete picture, to make sure there are no human rights infringements and that the welfare of the child is of paramount consideration. But they’re looking into it,” she said. There have been incidents in classrooms over the years that have raised concerns within the community, from fights among students to allegations of assault on students and on teachers. Last year, a teenager was arrested following an altercation at John Gray High School for assaulting a teacher. In 2017 a teacher pleaded guilty to assault after holding a student’s ears. Back in 2016, a high school teacher charged with indecently assaulting three female students was found not guilty. The teacher had been accused of touching three female students inappropriately during a class session. The defendant, who cannot be named due to a court order, said the girls were making up the stories to get back at him for reprimanding them in class. Police Tuesday confirmed they are investigating a collision involving a police vehicle. A Royal Cayman Islands Police Service motorcycle was involved in a traffic collision with a private SUV Monday morning, according to a police press release. The RCIPS motorcycle was responding to an incident and had lights and sirens activated when the collision occurred. Both vehicles were travelling westbound on Linford Pierson Highway. The officer was transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital with minor injuries and was later discharged. The driver of the private vehicle was not injured. Police launch emotional appeal for witnesses RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Three men have been detained on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of a man found near Bananas Restaurant and Bar over the weekend. Police on Tuesday identified the victim as Dinesh Asanka Fernando Wannukawatta- Waduge. He was a 36-year-old Sri-Lankan working in Cayman. Two men, ages 20 and 22, of George Town, and a 24-year-old Cayman Brac man were arrested, according to police. Detectives reviewed CCTV footage of the incident and determined there was an altercation at Bananas Bar, in Dolphin Plaza, early Saturday morning shortly before the man’s death, according to the RCIPS. Several people who were there at the time and witnessed the altercation may be able to provide much-needed assistance in the investigation, according to the release. “What is also truly sad is that, although we know there were dozens of people at the location at the time, not one person has come forward to assist us in this investigation,” Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton said. “We know that if this were your parent or family member, you would want someone to come forward to help. All we ask is put yourself in this family’s shoes, contact us and help us get to the truth.” He launched an emotional appeal for witnesses to come forward. “The victim in this senseless and tragic incident was a hard- working man who simply wanted to provide for his family back in Sri Lanka. His death leaves behind a wife suffering from a life-threatening illness, and a four- year-old daughter who is now facing the prospect of losing both parents,” Walton said. The RCIPS is appealing to anyone who was at Bananas at or around 3:30am to contact the investigative team at the RCIPS Major Incident Room, at 649-2930. Educators eye cameras for classrooms “When inspectors come, some of the performances you are seeing in the classroom is not what you seeing every day. If you had cameras in the classrooms, like I have seen it now where my granddaughter goes to school, I think it is a wonderful thing.” Bernie Bush, West Bay North MLA Suspects arrested Two George Town men, ages 20 and 22. 24-year-old man of Cayman Brac Three held on suspicion of murder Collision involving RCIPS motorcycle Education officials say they are considering adding cameras in local classrooms. 4cayman compass 5 WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2019The Insurance Broker for all your Insurance needs Unit# 10B Cayman Falls | P.O. Box 11118 Grand Cayman KY1-1008 Tel: 345-943-2475 | Fax: 345-943-2472 Email: info@cipil.net www.cipil.net Relax You’re with us. Lawmakers flag absence of acute services in $15m facility RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Legislators have raised the red flag on the proposed long-term residential mental health facility after discovering acute services were not included in the plans for the $15 million project. These services are used for patients with urgent but non- emergency medical conditions. Concerns about the absence of the services were brought up in Finance Committee last week and have prompted Health Minister Dwayne Seymour to say he will meet with the project’s steering committee to revisit the services available at the East End facility. Contracts have already been awarded for the project, which is expected to open in 2021. Seymour appeared unaware of the absence of acute services as he told legislators when he took over as minister the project was already advanced, and he was focussed on getting shovels in the ground. He said he hoped to meet with the officials on the project to determine whether the services can be included in the facility and report to the House. North Side MLA Ezzard Miller raised the issue of the absence of the key services as he questioned the $6.9 million allocation for mental health services in the 2020/2021 budget cycle. “We are building a residential facility, but we are going to keep the acute care in George Town separate from the residential facility?” Miller asked, as he questioned the funding being set aside for mental health care services. Health Services Authority CEO Lizette Yearwood confirmed this was the case. “The residential facility is going to be in East End and will not be under the management of the HSA,” she told the Finance Committee Friday. She said the current acute care facility will remain at the George Town hospital. Yearwood explained that should anyone be in need of acute care, that patient will be transported to George Town. After Miller pressed further on the management of the facility, she said the ministry is still discussing whether the authority would manage the facility. Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly shared Miller’s concern over the omission of acute services in the plan. “It is not only the member for North Side who was anticipating acute services in East End. Everyone was so excited that we were getting a one-stop shop, so I am certainly a little bit alarmed,” O’Connor- Connolly said as she questioned the policy both for the project and mental health overall. Janett Flynn, senior policy advisor in the Health Ministry, explained that the policy was to get the facility to reduce the need to send patients overseas for care and bring those who were being treated abroad closer to their families. O’Connor-Connolly pressed for more information, questioning where was “the phantom policy”. Flynn said Cabinet has endorsed the mental health policy, which includes development of the long- term facility. She said there are between 12 and 15 patients receiving long-term care in Jamaica and the plan was to bring these individuals home to be closer to their families. She added that the services those patients were receiving were more like a home away from home rather than a programme of care that assists them in becoming independent. Yearwood pointed out that the demand for mental health services has increased. “We are seeing that tide shift now and more patients are accessing care and the acute care services obviously is burdened until the residential services come online. We have a number of residential patients that are still at the acute level,” she told legislators. Finance Committee continues in the Legislative Assembly Wednesday. Mental health facility concerns raised This artist rendering shows the proposed mental health facility. cayman compass 6 news N news WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 7 WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 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! Owen Roberts International Airport | Charles Kirkconnell International Airport caymanairports.com Island Jewellers Established in 1978, Island Companies Ltd has grown to be one of the largest duty free retailers in Grand Cayman. Island Jewellers at Owen Roberts International Airport is one of six Island Jewellers locations and one of 13 Island Companies Ltd stores in Cayman. This stunning new addition offers a diverse selection of our most important, world famous jewellery and watch brands, as well as the bestselling Island Jewellers Collection of diamonds, coloured gem stones, gold and the exclusive Cayman Collection, along with a selection of sunglass brands such as Ray-Ban, Maui Jim,Tom Ford and Guess. Pick Your Present for the Month of December 50,000 Giveaway with Polyn Scan your Polyn card and receive one entry for every $50 you spend to pick your present worth $50,000. Rules & conditions apply. See store for details. Discover what's open at Owen Roberts International Airport! cayman compass 8 WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2019YesterdaY's sOLUtIONs 1234567 8 9 10 11 1213 14 151617 1819 20 21 22 23 1234567 8 9 10 11 1213 14 151617 1819 20 21 22 23 Puzzle 16238 ACROSS: 1 Pennant, 4 Defer, 7 Same, 8 Underdog, 10 Relentless, 12 Assess, 13 Favour, 15 Off the cuff, 18 Material, 19 Fiji, 20 Lurch, 21 Defunct. DOWN: 1 Poser, 2 Nameless, 3 Tingle, 4 Deep-seated, 5 Fade, 6 Regular, 9 And so forth, 11 Solution, 12 Abysmal, 14 At hand, 16 Faint, 17 Stir. aCrOss 1 Synonym dictionary (9) 8 Long for (5) 9 Bauble (7) 10 City of the waltz (6) 11 Stock of wines (6) 12 Teach (8) 15 Finally (2,6) 18 Vigour (6) 20 Unseemly frivolity (6) 21 Up-to-date (7) 22 Cranium (5) 23 In another place (9) dOWN 2 Multitude (5) 3 Unmarried (6) 4 Consistently accurate (8) 5 Text of broadcast (6) 6 Distressing (7) 7 Tempted to do wrong (3,6) 11 Debacle (9) 13 Timetable (8) 14 Taste (7) 16 A type of weed (6) 17 Quest (6) 19 Someone doomed (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16239 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. Supporters on Friday, 29 Nov. flooded Cayman with an orange tide of support to eradicate gender-based violence. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign kicked off by the Government Administration Building with campaigners and senior officials showing solidarity in working to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence while supporting victims and survivors. The campaign runs through 10 Dec. “The civil service has a zero- tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence within the workplace,” Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said in a press release. “Our Workplace Anti Sexual Harassment policy has been in effect since 2016. In addition, we are now finalising an updated policy to improve the reporting and response to such violations.” Karlene Bramwell, Gender Affairs Unit senior policy analyst, said sexual and gender-based violence refers to any act that is done against a person’s will. It also includes threats and coercion and can apply to any person of any age. “Don’t laugh or remain silent at such violence,” she said. “Silence and humour only normalise and justify sexual violence.” For information about this year’s campaign, check the schedule on the Cayman Islands Government Facebook page or email genderequality@gov.ky. Cayman goes ‘orange’ against gender violence Cayman-based Consolidated Water and its Bahamas counterpart has lent a generator to the Bahamas National Emergency and Management Agency to assist with its Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. The 400-kilowatt generator will be used to help restore government services in Marsh Harbour, Abaco’s main city. It is slated to power NEMA’s operational centre, according to John-Michael Clarke, the Bahamian government- appointed chairman of the Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Committee. Abaco was one of two islands devasted by the category 5 hurricane that hit the Bahamas in early September. Consolidated Water (Cayman) Ltd. and Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd., lent the generator after a visit to the Bahamas emergency headquarters in New Providence, Bahamas. “As an essential service to the countries where we do business, Consolidated Water typically tends to partner with organisations like Bahamas National Emergency and Management Agency,” said Ramjeet Jerrybandan, executive vice president of operations for the Grand Cayman facilities. “This way we’re present, we know what’s happening, and we can work together with the organisation in any way our capabilities allow us to assist.” Clarke added, “In Abaco right now, the challenge is there are no government services. We are moving essential government services back to Abaco by setting up a central workforce that is housed in 47 recreational vehicles and the Consolidated Water generator will power those RVs. “In order for Abaco to be brought back to life, they now need to have some government function over there, so this provision is very timely. A strong government presence is required because the shelf-life of a non- governmental organisation in a disaster area such as this is usually 90 to 120 days, and we’re fast approaching that,” he said. Bryan Russell, general manager at Consolidated Water (Bahamas), said that in addition to providing NEMA with the generator, the company will be monitoring maintenance to ensure it continues to work reliably. “Our company had an extra generator that wasn’t in use, so when one of our directors spoke to Bahamas emergency and management agency and found out they needed it, we immediately serviced it so it was in prime working condition and arranged for it to be picked up and shipped,” he said. Russell added that some of the technical staff will also go to Bahamas emergency management centre in Abaco to review the installation. Water companies boost Abaco with high-power generator Northward celebrates season with candlelight JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky A treasured Christmas tradition of the Northward community was celebrated in Bodden Town Sunday night. Many residents gathered to light the neighbourhood Christmas tree, give thanks and remember those who have passed. Christmas at Northward Park began more than 20 years ago when a group of neighbours decided they would make it a community event by dressing up the park. The free event kicked off the holiday season for residents of the area and gave others a chance to enjoy the decorations near the entrance of Northward Road. Orville Daniels and his wife, Lisa, are long-time organisers. They wished blessings on everyone during the festive season and thanked those who had helped to make the event possible. The occasion was marked by carols and the lighting of the unity candles, which attendees said fostered a feeling of togetherness. Pastor Winston Rose called for a minute of silence for the dearly departed residents of Bodden Town. Grenda Solomon led the Christmas carols and attendees shared testimonies. Chris Saunders, MLA for Bodden Town West, also offered a Christmas story about the benefits of giving instead of receiving, sharing and giving thanks. The night ended with the usual food and camaraderie with members of the community discussing their plans for the Christmas season. The 400-kilowatt generator will be used to help restore government services in Marsh Harbour, Abaco’s main city . Supporters gather on the steps of the Government Administration Building to campaign against gender violence. 9Next >