Call us to learn how we can support your business today at 747-2000. #BreakAwaySquad #GeneraliCayman #CaymanIslandsMarathon #RunCayman Wishing all runners best of luck this Sunday! cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 5 December 2019 Courts Trial starts in gold- smuggling case Page 8 Culture Gimistory entertains in the Brac Page 5 Stingrays injured at sandbar page 7 Nearly 200 apply for low-cost housing page 2 Boxers take off page 24 Port debate on pause Freediver Coral Tomascik highlighted the beauty of the wrecks and reefs threatened by the cruise project in a photo-shoot this week. But the campaigning is now expected to take a back seat following the court decision to delay the referendum. See more on page 3.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” Fair skies with less than 20% chance of showers weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 85°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS North to Northeast 10 to 15 knots SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 ft • 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) 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 Almost 200 apply for low-cost housing multipurpose facility for public use. While 32 George Town residents have applied for this type of housing, Ramos expects that number to grow when more low-cost homes are built in the district. “I can anticipate that when announcement is given that we are going to George Town with a realistic timeline, this 32 is going to increase to over 100, 200,” Ramos said. George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan questioned whether any consideration was being given to building apartment properties that Needs Assessment Unit clients can use, especially those having problems finding rentals. Housing Minister Dwayne Seymour said those types of decisions will have to be approved by the Trust’s board. However, he said it was his vision for housing to be made available for NAU clients, but Seymour hastened to add government “wants to ensure that the quality of these projects is one that is appreciated by Caymanians”. He said government does not want to create a worse situation by putting the wrong programmes in place. Ramos said 325 people were on the Trust’s housing roll; of that figure only 132 remain active. Those who were cleared, he said, have met their financial commitment to the Trust for the homes they received. He said the default rate was between 1-2% overall. “If anything, we can brag about that,” he said, since that meant government does not have to pay in terms of liability. Ramos confirmed that the Government Guaranteed Housing Assisted Mortgage programme is in the process of being renewed. Responding to Conolly’s question on the programme, Ramos said the plan is for the NHDT to go back to the banks to “re- invigorate or initiate in the programme” and get consensus on the points of differences in the agreements negotiated in the previous iteration of GGHAM. “If we were to do that we would have… close to 200 individuals that we can assist in that programme,” Ramos said. Breakdown of applications Some waiting more than a year RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The demand for public housing remains a challenge with the National Housing Development Trust fielding a continuing flow of applications. There are 196 applicants awaiting low-cost homes, according to NHDT general manager Julio Ramos. Legislators raised the issue of low-cost housing when Ramos appeared before the Finance Committee on Monday in the Legislative Assembly to get approval for 2020/2021 funding. George Town South MLA Barbara Conolly questioned how many people were on the waiting list from George Town. Ramos said 32 applications were received from that district and they have been waiting since last year. However, he said, those waiting have indicated that they will accept placement in any district. He said priority is given to those in greater need such as families with children. The NHDT general manager said the Trust is working on building more homes to meet the demand. He said the Trust has acquired a 24- acre property off the Linford Pierson Highway which also has capacity for a significant Breakers North Sound Little Sound Rum Point Frank Sound South Sound Morgan’s Harbour Boatswain Bay NORTH SIDE BODDEN TOWN WEST BAY GEORGE TOWN WEST BAY EAST END WEST BAY NORTH SIDE BODDEN TOWN EAST END GEORGE TOWN S E V E N M I L E B E A C H GEORGE TOWN BODDEN TOWN 32 64 83 12 5 cayman compass 2 news N news THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBERCAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky With everything that’s at stake with the proposed cruise berthing and cargo port project - millions of dollars in public spending, the health of Cayman’s reefs, jobs for Caymanians, among other issues - much of the public outcry following Tuesday’s announcement that the 19 Dec. referendum will be delayed centred around one question: Will that day still be a holiday? And the answer is yes. “The real breaking news is whether we still get a holiday or not!?!?!,” one person posted on social media. The Cayman Compass and its staff received dozens of messages and posts on social media asking whether 19 Dec. will remain a public holiday. Premier Alden McLaughlin previously indicated that it would. “So now the referendum has been delayed, no more voting on December 19, just a random midweek holiday –wonderful,” another social media user posted. “Thanks for the free holiday,” Kamaal Ebanks said. “Does this now mean we have a holiday for absolutely no reason and then will have ANOTHER holiday next year?” Others had the same question. “So if we still getting the public holiday even though the referendum is delayed ... does that mean when a new date is set that we getting a holiday again? I love it here,” another person tweeted. It is unclear when the referendum will actually be held, but it almost certainly will be a holiday to allow voters to head to the polls. While many of the posts and messages celebrated what many consider a ‘free holiday.’, not everyone was as enthused. Karlie Lovingood said she thinks it is a wrench thrown into the voting process. “If it’s law, then it’s law, but it’s disheartening to voters who don’t have flexible jobs and hopefully employers accommodate those wanting to cast their vote on the new referendum date,” Lovingood said. Says more money will be needed for 2020 referendum RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky With the 19 Dec. referendum now delayed, the Elections Office will once again have to seek funding from government to execute the new vote on the cruise berthing and cargo port project. Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell, responding to queries from the Cayman Compass following the Grand Court’s decision Tuesday to delay the December vote, explained all government budgetary appropriations are expiring at the end of this calendar year. “We would have to seek supplementary appropriations in 2020 for referendum-related expenses that are incurred in 2020,” he said in an email response to the Compass. The amount spent by the Elections Office so far is unclear as Howell said he has asked his finance team to provide the expenditures and they are still putting it together. Earlier this year he had indicated that the referendum could cost roughly $900,000. On Tuesday, Grand Court judge Tim Owen granted Shirley Roulstone, a member of Cayman Port Referendum Cayman, leave to apply for judicial review of the referendum. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands, which had also filed similar legal action, agreed to join Roulstone’s case because both actions tackle the environmental aspects of the project. The Elections Office said in a statement on Tuesday that it had paused its preparations for the referendum on government’s proposed port facility. It said all postal ballot requests received to date that have not yet been issued will be held securely pending further developments from the Grand Court. “All postal ballots that have been received or that are being returned to the Elections Office at present will also be kept securely,” the statement said. The brief statement also indicated all other activities relating to the referendum such as mobile voting are also suspended. Last week the Elections Office said a total of 280 postal ballots were issued for the referendum on government’s $200 million port project. It said just under 30% of the postal ballots issued have been returned, with the Elections Office receiving 81 sealed postal ballot envelopes as of last Thursday. “The courts have ordered a stay, which is a hold; the staff are therefore essentially on standby until the legal proceedings conclude,” Howell told the Compass. He said what happens after the court’s ruling remains up in the air as there is no way to tell what the court will decide. “Where we are now is that the courts have ordered that the referendum be put on hold to allow the judicial review application to proceed on 20 January 2020. To say if at the end of the legal proceedings the referendum will restart under the same terms or otherwise would be speculative,” Howell explained. Meanwhile Verdant Isle Port Partners, government’s preferred bidder for the port project, has said it is looking forward to the outcome of the judicial review hearing, planned for January 2020. “Verdant Isle Port Partners believes the information being distributed to date via a variety of channels including public and stakeholder meetings, social media, online resources and media relations, has been effective in addressing many of the concerns raised by some members of the community,” it said in a statement Wednesday. It stressed that the commencement of negotiations as preferred bidder, it has remained firmly committed to making adjustments to the project plans to address issues raised, to ensure this project is undertaken in an environmentally responsible way. “As we have discussed during the meetings, if the project is able to proceed, we will resume our ongoing efforts to strive for continual improvement that will minimise and mitigate the impacts of the project. Additionally, more detailed studies will be undertaken to inform any further adjustments to the plans,” the statement added. The Opposition announced Wednesday that it has postponed its schedule of planned on the port project to await the outcome of Roulstone’s judicial review. Elections Office pauses port vote prep 19 Dec. remains a holiday despite referendum delay 20 January 2020 provisional date of referendum judicial review hearing. Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell and Elections Office manager Gina Whittaker review voter information for the 19 Dec. referendum in this file photo. “If it’s law, then it’s law, but it’s disheartening to voters who don’t have flexible jobs and hopefully employers accommodate those wanting to cast their vote on the new referendum date .” – Karlie Lovingood cayman compass 3 news N news THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBERCourt delays port vote Good exactly as it ought to be, the government has no respect for democratic principles and tried to put their fingers on the scales in every way they could get away with Their first manipulation is now effectively undone regardless of if CPR wins their case or not Voters who registered to vote will be allowed to participate when the vote is held in the new year CPR has already gotten a small victory Keep up the good work CPR, the people are with you – Al Mclaughlin That’s one small step for Shirley and hopefully one giant leap for Cayman. – Roger Davies Now, there is time also to get the Constitution change in regards to how the voting is decided on the outcome. Not voting is an automatic yes vote is not democratic! Voting on this issue in an general election year would be awesome! – Jay Easterbrook I’m obviously watching this from a distance, but I had a front row seat for, and participated in, the UK’s Brexit referendum so found the comparison made by Alan Maclean QC amusing. According to the story, "he said [referencing Brexit] it was not a prerequisite of a legal referendum that 'full, final and perfect information' be available". That may be true but look at what happened after the Brexit vote. Over three years of complete chaos with another General Election being held in the UK next week simply to try an establish a majority government to run the country. I’d respectfully suggest that while there’s no prerequisite for this information, based on what’s happening in the UK, it’s a very good idea. In the UK voters were asked to opt between ‘Remain a member of the European Union’ or ‘Leave the European Union’. Pretty simple questions? But no sooner had the result been announced than people started arguing about it and some of the most common complaints have been that the government hadn’t been honest about the full impact of Brexit. I’m not sure that’s true but what has become clear is that on 23 June 2016 when we voted the government didn’t (and probably still doesn’t) have a clear plan of how Brexit would work out – whichever side of the fence you’re on you don’t want to go down that road with this project. – John Evans Just a delayed referendum we will see later – Glenda Jacobs Be careful my friends, ‘DON’T HOLLER TILL YOU GET OUT THE BUSH’ I smell a rat. – Julie Brown (FB) One small step for the environment....one huge leap for the people!!!! Our concerns do matter!!! – Adolpho Gomez Good News! – Jason Hill Awesome start!! – Mac McDermid Good stuff ! – Ann Stephenson So what does this mean for the 19th being a national holiday? My team is chomping at the bit. – Lisa Cox Thank you #NationalTrust- fortheCaymanIslands for speaking up for the laws of the land set up to protect our island land and sea and the quality of life of future generations – Zoe Foster In the debate over the proposed cruise berthing and enhanced cargo facility we quite often see an argument that Cayman should focus on stayover more than cruise tourism. Right now the Cayman Islands government has already made that decision very clear and they have already committed much more heavily to stayover tourism. Let’s look at the numbers as they currently are and as they are proposed for the future. Cruise: Current spend by the Department of Tourism advertising to the cruise industry: $0. Current incentives paid to the cruise line to attract them to our islands: $0. Current proposed cost of building a cruise berthing and enhanced cargo facility: $250 million. Stayover: Current spend by the Department of Tourism advertising to attract stayover guests: $23 million per year. Current subsidy to Cayman Airways: $22.5 million per year (a large portion of which funds tourism-related routes). Current spend on Owen Roberts International Airport expansion: $65 million. Looking forward, at the next 25 years we see a proposed facility of $250 million, a cruise industry that covers the advertising costs and receives no incentives to bring tourists to our islands. Our government has already completed a $65 million expansion to our airport, has committed $575 million towards advertising to stayover tourists and $562 million towards funding Cayman Airways. Over the next 25 years, our government has already made the choice and shown us that stayover tourism is our priority. Over the next 25 years there will be at least a staggering $1.2 billion dedicated to stayover tourism and are proposing $250 million in costs to build a cruise berthing and enhanced cargo facility. This $1.2 billion does not include the ongoing efforts and investments made into programmes such as the hospitality school, PRIDE, small business workshops and agreements with Airbnb. Seeing as stayover tourism accounts for 80% of the tourist spend on our island and receives over 80% of the government tourism investment, our unity government appears to have the priorities set in a very balanced way. Charles Kirkconnell I think the article discussing the financial math of the reduced tax revenue if the port is built versus the status quo is a a great piece laying out the numbers being relied on to support the new port. I am puzzled (or maybe shocked is a better word) by the number of increased cruise passengers ‘anticipated’ if the port is built. Currently 1.9 million passengers disembark. The ‘target’ increase is 2.5 million from year one of the project. That is an additional 600,000 cruisers per year, or 50,000 more PER MONTH every month of the year. If each new large ship arriving carries 6,000 passengers (I believe Oasis class carry around 6,000) there will have to be 10 of the large ships every month year round in addition to ships arriving now. And they have to start arriving Day 1. How realistic is this? There appears to be no ‘wiggle room’ to maintain tax revenue. What if another Ivan hits the island and mass destruction occurs? What if the global economy suffers a meltdown? What if any contingency plans are in this financial model? This article was the first I’ve read that clearly sets out the dollars and cents of this. I am not a Caymanian or resident so I don’t have a ‘dog in this fight’. But as a stayover for 26 years I love this island and its people. I can’t begin to imagine another 50,000 cruisers on the island every month (especially with soon-to- be lack of places to hang out like Royal Palms) and I can’t see a high probability of the financials working as hoped. Cindy Smith Concerned by the cruise port financing model Excellent interview and video with Mr. Arnold Donald, CEO and president of Carnival Corporation, regarding pros and cons of removing tendering operations from cruise ships to Hog Sty Bay in George Town. Mr. Donald, well- spoken and respectful toward Cayman’s historical referendum, made it clear that Carnival’s mantras are ‘Happy Crew, Happy Guests’, and that tendering guests (instead of berthing the mega cruise ships in town) makes for ‘Unhappy Queues, Unhappy Guests’. Mr. Donald promised that berthing in a new spacious port for mega cruise ships will provide hundreds of jobs for Caymanians, jobs for crews and guests. If the port isn’t built, Mr. Donald promised a decline in Cayman’s tourism, to the detriment of the Caymanian economy. Beware false promises and ifs and buts by huge cruise companies who are in the business of selling thousands of itineraries per year and making mega-dollars from cruise passengers. ‘If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, it’d be Christmas every day’. Merry Christmas! Nan Socolow Taking issue with Carnival CEO’s comments on port How sad to read that the destruction of Cayman’s irreplaceable coral reef is even up for consideration. Four thoughts on the subject spring to mind: - The issue would appear to have arisen as ‘One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other’ - Jane Austen - The peace of mind of all Caymanians is at stake here and ‘We should study carefully that which will best promote a tranquil state of mind’ - Horace - It might even be said that there is a certain spiritual dimension to this matter as ‘the splendour of precious stones is nothing but heaven breaking through the veil of the world’ - Thomas Traherne - And, finally, let us not forget Joni Mitchell’s warning about cutting down all the trees and putting them in a tree museum. Enough said, don’t you think? Mike Spragg Don’t remove the coral Spending ‘balanced’ on cruise vs. stayover Letters to the editor What they’re saying cayman compass 4 N news THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBERRistorante Pappagallo 16 February 2020 11:30a - 3:00p Tickets $150 ~ MC Vicki Wheaton Music Through The Ages Theme Costumes Welcome! ~ For Reservations & Ticket Sales contact: Angelique Bodden Tel. 916-6324 or info@caymanheartfund.com Brunch Brunch Brunch Brunch Brunch Brunch Hero’sHero’sesro’Hero’sHero’sHero’s Heart JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Spooky tales of granny’s backyard and extempo, coupled with cooked food and a dark night under the trees on the bluff, marked Gimistory on Cayman Brac, with storytellers recently spinning some frightening tales for residents of the island. “The ambience at the agriculture pavilion last Saturday night (30 Nov.) was great for storytelling and the fried fish was delicious,” said storyteller and comedian Matt Brown. “The Gimistory event pulls one away from the television for a bit of good old-time fun and food... that doesn’t happen very often,” he added. “It’s very entertaining and it’s something that we used to do a lot in Cayman’s simpler years …which we probably don’t do enough today.” Gimistory, the Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, blends master storytelling with an atmospheric setting in what has become a tradition in Cayman. Some of Cayman’s favourite performers will be hitting the beaches and parks on all three islands through this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the very popular festival. Trinidad and Tobago extempo performer Phillip Murray, also known as ‘Black Sage’, made up everything on the spot in his performance on the Brac, said Brown. Extempo is a lyrically improvised form of calypso and is most notably practised in Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of a performer improvising in song or in rhythmic speech on a given theme before audience members take turns performing. Black Sage challenged Brown to come to the stage for an extempo duel, with Brown losing out to the master improviser. Amina Blackwood-Meeks, from Jamaica, reminded Brown not to forget the ‘Meeks’ as she describes herself as a ‘Jamaican- born, Caribbean national, bona fide citizen of the world’. “They had fire trucks, small children, grandparents, many nationalities, fried fish and nothing to drink,” Brown chuckled. Swanky is the favourite drink during Gimistory events. Calypso band David Bereaux and Friends also performed as well as the Storycrafters from the US and local storytellers, Quincy Brown and Virginia Foster. Gimistory tellers entertain Brackers Local and international storytellers gather at the Brac agricultural grounds for Gimistory, the Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival. Gimistory is presented by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation as a free event for the community. The festival brings more than 2,500 people together from virtually every sector of Cay- man’s multi-generational, multi-national community, in addition to visitors from abroad, who return time and again. This year’s storytellers include Amina Blackwood- Meeks, Black Sage, Matt Brown, Quincy Brown, David Bereaux & Friends, Virginia “Auntie V” Foster, The Story- crafters, among others. WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE CAYMANCOMPASS.COM For more information on Gimistory, visit the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s website, www. artscayman.org/gimistory cayman compass 5 news N news THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBERHundreds attend Pink Ladies Christmas Bazaar KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s birders flocked to Malportas Pond in North Side last week to catch a glimpse of a visitor who hadn’t been recorded on island in four decades: the American White Pelican. The species is one of the largest birds in North America with a nine- foot wingspan, according to the National Audubon Society. Stuart Mailer of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands had taken a tour group to the pond on 21 Nov. when he spotted two of the animals. “These birds are magnificent. They are significantly larger than the regular pelicans we get and those are quite eye-catching. These guys are just gorgeous,” Mailer said. “It was quite a thrill [to spot them]. That’s certainly not the first time something like that has happened. In the years I’ve been with the [National] Trust, I’ve had a lot of first-ever bird sightings. Now this wasn’t the first ever but the second ever, and a very beautiful one.” The only previously recorded sighting of American White Pelicans in Grand Cayman took place in North Sound, where three of the birds were seen in May 1977. While some had believed the birds were first spotted by James Bond – the Caribbean birder who was the inspiration for naming Ian Fleming’s British secret agent character - it appears the sighting was reported by Cayman resident Barbara Cargill in 1977 and recorded in Bond’s 1978 book, ‘Birds of the West Indies’. “Barbara Cargill sent bird notes to the Jamaican Gosse Bird Club Broadsheet that were published in 1978, the same year as the Bond 22nd supplement … came out,” explained local birder Christine Rose-Smyth. “Barbara may have received the original report of the pelicans and it made its way to Bond via the Broadsheet.” Mailer noted that the most recent sighting was first made in South Sound by Nick Ebanks, who observed the pelicans flying north. After Mailer spotted them again in North Side, word quickly got around the bird community. Local bird enthusiasts began making their way to Malportas to search for the pelicans. By Saturday, 23 Nov., enough birders had gathered at the pond that it felt like a reunion. “It was like a little impromptu meeting of the birding [community], entirely without any arrangements being made,” Mailer said. “For many years that’s how the bird club has operated. It doesn’t have any meetings. It doesn’t have any members. But the birds bring them in.” Rare pelican sighting attracts birders to North Side JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky More than 800 people flocked to the Camana Bay Arts and Recreation Centre on Saturday to take photos with Santa Claus, buy handmade crafts and ornaments, and sample homemade cakes and tea. The festivities were part of the Pink Ladies annual Christmas Tea and Bazaar. Throughout the year, the Pink Ladies craft group has worked on a wide range of handmade items, including Christmas gifts and decorations, quilts and linens, bags, dolls, decorated shells, boxes and other gifts for shoppers to pick up for friends and family. An hour before the event opened, seniors enjoyed quiet time sampling the many sweets and savoury items on display. Entertainment included performances from two high school bands, and the National Choir singing a variety of Christmas songs, as well as students from Miss Jackie’s School of Dance. Members of Purple Dragon Cayman Islands demonstrated their karate skills. Many charities offered a multitude of items at the bazaar. The Garden Club of Cayman Islands had plants on sale, a white elephant booth offered items at a discounted price and many books were on sale. The Christmas Bazaar has become the Pink Ladies’ major fundraiser, with all proceeds going to local charities. The event also brings an early dose of Christmas spirit to the island. Halle Nicholson-Gardner, left, Anna Zimmermann and Gayle Burrows get hugs from Santa. The Cayman National Choir preforms. Facts about American White Pelicans According to the National Audubon Society, American White Pelicans are typically migratory birds, with some permanent populations as far south as the Texas gulf coast. “Breeders from northern plains migrate southeast and southwest to coastal lowlands,” the society says. “Some nonbreeding birds remain through summer on winter range, especially in Florida. Strays wander widely, including to northeast.” An American White Pelican is seen in Malportas Pond. Two American White Pelicans fly through North Side. About the Pink Ladies The Pink Ladies Volunteer Corps (PLVC) is a service organisation whose members volunteer in various roles within the community such as the Tea for Older Persons Month, reading to children at the Cayman Islands Public Libraries and assisting at the Jasmine Villa. Our craft group meets on Tuesday mornings throughout the year at the South Sound Dart Park. 6Contact Heidi Kiss, Broker P: +1.345.525.1126 | E: heidi.kiss@evrealestate.com www.caymanevrealestate.com Proud member of CIREBA CIREBA MLS 410743-6 Starting from CI$725,000 Public Sandy Beach access 258 yard away Large 3 bedrooms with terrace, 2100 sq ft 2 swimming pools Elevated 7 ft above sea level Gas appliances & Solar = Low CUC bills Location, Location, Location close to Walkers Road and San Sebastian Stamp Duty paid by Developer Reputable and successful Caymanian Developer 60% SOLD DoE, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation concerned RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Two stingrays have been injured in quick succession by boats at the sandbar and it is raising concerns at the Department of Environment and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. Both entities are reminding boat operators and members of the public to exercise caution while in the Wildlife Interaction Zone. “The winter season in the Cayman Islands often brings turbulent waters to the sound, making it more difficult to maneuver around the sandbar,” said GHOF projec manager Jessica Harvey. “All tour boat captains and operators need to take special care when visiting stingray city sandbar, not only for the stingrays but also for their guests. Boats should not be reversing onto the sandbar to collect their stern anchor.” The latest incident happened Friday when a stingray was injured. Harvey, in response to queries from the Cayman Compass about the incident, said a local tour guide had reported a stingray was hit by a propeller after a boat reversed onto the sandbar in very shallow water. “Before anyone could investigate the stingray’s injury, she swam away from the sandbar and hasn’t been seen since despite efforts to find her over the weekend. It is believed to have been a stingray referred to fondly as ‘Ginger’ by tour boat operators as one of the largest females that visit the site,” she said. Harvey added that another male stingray was also seen with an injury in late November. Its wound, she said, appeared to be healing. A viral photograph was circulated recently on social media with a stingray being held out of the water. The DoE said this behavour was unacceptable. It has reminded visitors and tour operators about the importance of observing the stingray and starfish rules when interacting with local wildlife. “These incredible creatures are extremely important to our environment and the Cayman economy,” Harvey said. “We need to work together to take better care of them. If illegal activity is taking place, please report it immediately to the Marine Police, DoE and GHOF, ideally with photographic evidence as it is much more difficult to enforce without it. Thank you to those who reported the incident and who have been helping to look for the ray,” said Harvey. Coast Guard leaders last week indicated that staff will be patrolling the WIZs. Harvey added that the DoE has reiterated that ever y person visiting the Wildlife Interaction Zone needs to watch the GHOF/DoE video on stingray handling and WIZ regulations. “This is a video that is freely available and clearly outlines how to behave at the sandbar to maintain safety for the stingrays and the guests who visit. Though stingrays sometimes stick their head out the water on their own accord to get food, no person should purposefully expose the spiracles above the surface of the water,” she said. If sunblock is needed, Harvey advised, people should use reef- friendly sunblock and wash their hands properly before handling any ray. Stingrays injured Caymanian free diver Coral Tomascik surveys the wreckage of the Balboa shipwreck, a freighter that sank off George Town during the 1932 hurricane. Jason Washington, of Ambassador Divers, shot these images to draw attention to the dive site, which will be impacted if the cruise berthing project goes ahead. He said the Balboa and neighbouring reefs were among the first underwater attractions visited by Bob Soto’s dive crew in the early days of recreational diving in Cayman. Free diver highlights Balboa beauty cayman compass 7 news N news THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBERChristmas Community bring the entire family to the Compass Media Parking Lot call penelope 949-5111 december 7, 10am - 2 pm meet santa 11am-1pm vendors can only accept cash live music thank you to our sponsors crafts & jewellery Lots of christmas gift ideas Lots of christmas gift ideas ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The trial for five men accused of laundering gold worth millions of dollars through the Cayman Islands began Tuesday in Grand Court. “This is dirty gold,” said James Hines, who serves as lead council for the prosecution. On trial are Daniel Alberto Aguilar Ferriozi, Antonio Di Ventura Herrera, Pedro Jose Benavidez Natera, Juan Carlos Gonzales Infante and Kody Zander. The five-count indictment, which alleges 12 charges, has been reduced to three counts; two counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to conceal criminal property. The first count of money laundering alleges that between 27 May and 31 May of this year, all five defendants played varying roles in laundering 140 pieces of gold ranging in various shapes and sizes. The gold had a combined weight of 240 pounds and an approximate value of $4 million. Gonzales Infante and Benavidez Natera were the pilots of the private jet used to smuggle the gold into Cayman. Aguilar Ferriozi and Di Ventura Herrera were passengers on the jet and signed the customs form to declare that the gold was theirs. Once they arrived in Cayman, the men were met by Zander who served as a broker for the precious metal. Although the prosecution alleges the gold was derived from “criminal activity” they can not say what crime was committed. “This gold was derived directly or indirectly from crime,” said Hines. “The gold itself might be criminal property in that it might have been stolen, or gained from an illegal mine, or it might be payment for a crime.” The second charge of money laundering alleged that in March Gonzales Infante and Benavidez Natera smuggled $2.4 million worth of gold into Cayman where Zander operated as a broker. The single count of concealing criminal property names the pilots and passengers of the private jet. It refers to US$135,000 that was found concealed beneath the floor boards of the private jet. That money was said to have not been declared by the men. One of the key issues at the heart of the trial was the amount of gold declared on the customs form. At its heart, the prosecution lacks any stand-alone evidence, instead it relies on the strength of all the evidence combined. “Who, how, when, what, the plan was can make it clear that what we are seeing is a crime, circumstantial evidence if you would like,” said Hines. The trial successfully got underway on Tuesday afternoon after facing several delays. A jury was empaneled on 11 Nov. but the matter was delayed due to legal reasons. The opening date was moved to 25 Nov., however, on that Monday it was once again delayed again due to additional legal reasons. Cayman Compass is not allowed to report on those legal reasons. On Tuesday morning the jury was discharged after the number of members was reduced to 11 due to sickness and personal commitments. Due to the magnitude of the trial, it was decided that no less than 12 jurors should hear the matter. However later that afternoon a new jury was empaneled and the trial officially opened. The men on trial have all deny any all the allegations. Benavidez Natera and Gonazles Infante were remanded into custody, while the rest of the defendants were released on bail. Smuggling trial begins cartoon Jake Fuller The Cayman Islands Postal Service on Wednesday alerted the public to be aware of a fraudulent notice that seems to be showing up on social media sites. A concerned member of the public reported the notice to the Postal Service. It uses the real CIPS logo and claims to be from Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow asking for personal information in return for an iPhone, according to a government press release. Acting Postmaster General Melissa Martinez-Ebanks said her agency has reached out to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service to investigate the matter. She said it is against Postal Service policy to gather personal information in that manner. Martinez-Ebanks reminded the public never to share personal information via social media and urged people to report the notice to the RCIPS Financial Crimes Unit if they come across it. A similar scam was reported in August. Postal service warns of fraudulent notices $6.4 million value of gold alleged to have been smuggled cayman compass 8 news N news THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBERThe Cayman Islands Red Cross would like to inform its members that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday December 12th at 6:00pm, at the John Gray High School main hall where board elections will take place. This is an important meeting and all current Red Cross members are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact the Red Cross on 949-6785. MRCU: He is a good scientist RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Opposition MLA Kenneth Bryan has cried foul over the Mosquito Research and Control Unit’s hiring of Oxitech’s former lead scientist. He registered his concern as MRCU Director Jim McNelly confirmed Tuesday that Dr. Renaud Lacroix was currently on contract with the MRCU as a senior research officer. Lacroix was the former project manager of the Oxitech genetically modified mosquito (GM) programme launched in 2016. Under that programme, modified male Aedes aegypti mozzies were released in Grand Cayman with the hope that it would mate with female mosquitoes to curb the population of the disease- carrying vector. However, the results of the project were not as successful as projected and it was discontinued. Legislators during Finance Committee on Tuesday reviewed budgetary allocations for the MRCU. It was in that committee meeting that the George Town Central MLA queried if any Oxitech staff were employed at the unit. McNelly informed lawmakers that Lacroix was hired. Bryan expressed concern with the scientist’s employment given the “cloudiness” of the Oxitech programme. “Considering the unfortunate negativity that was portrayed throughout this whole Oxitech deal, do you think this was a good thing for credibility of the department to have the lead investigator associated with it?... Do you not see the potential damage it could do to the department and the fears of people talking about testing of mosquitoes and what that can do to the psyche of the average Caymanian worried about mosquitoes biting them,” Bryan said, as he pressed the MRCU on Lacroix’s employment. McNelly, in defending the hiring, said it was discussed with then chief officer Jennifer Ahearn, adding there was a need for a senior research officer. “I can tell you as your director of MRCU I would not hire someone who pushed an agenda, who worked in the private industry that I thought was functioning as a spy or was functioning or doing things that [were] deleterious to the mission of the unit,” McNelly told the committee. McNelly explained that Lacroix applied for an open position and was one of three people ultimately to be interviewed. “That position is still open, no one has been hired. We saw a need in the organisation and so we brought Renaud to function as a senior research officer in our organisation as a contract employee which he still is. I can tell [you] and I stand by this - Renaud is a good scientist. He is a darn good team player, he is a very good team fit for the unit,” McNelly said. He added that he would like to see Lacroix employed full time with the unit if possible. Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour told members neither he nor the government was aware of Lacroix’s hiring. “I appreciate the member’s concerns now that this has been brought to light. I would like you all to give me the opportunity, along with the acting chief officer, to evaluate and assess this new information that has been received,” Seymour said. McNelly also added that he does not believe any of the genetically modified mosquitoes that were released under the Oxitech programme are still around. “Those mosquitoes are gone… they were no longer being caught in the traps,” he said. Hire of former Oxitech scientist queried The Mosquito Research and Control Unit employment of former Oxitech scientist Dr. Renaud Lacroix has been queried. Oxitech genetically modified mosquito programme The Oxitech programme was launched in 2016. It saw the release of modified male Aedes aegypti in Grand Cayman in the hopes that those mozzies would mate with female mosquitoes to curb the population of the disease-carrying vector. The project was discontinued last year. 9Next >