cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalismFriday, 6 December 2019 $ 3 99 M EAL D EALS MONDAY - SATURDAY 9pcs MIXED, 2 Sides & 5 BISCUITS NEW FAMILY SUNDAY Spotlight on breast cancer Women find power in the community ompass ournalisFriday, 6 December 2019 otlight breast cer power in ty – Pages 16-19 News Excluded voters welcome port vote delay Page 2 News Final John Gray costs pending Page 6 Sports Intertrust marathon’s stories of triumph Page 26Award-Winning Caribbean Chicken! Fresh, Healthy & Delicious! West Shore Center, SMB 945-2290 • chicken@chicken2.com Take-out!Eat-in! • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) 21 BRIDGES (R) (FRI-SAT) 1:30 | 4:05 | 7:20 | 10:00 VIP THE COURIER (PG) (FRI-SAT) 12:50 | 2:45 | 7:05 | 10:00 FORD V FERRARI (PG13) (FRI) 6:40 | 9:30 (SAT) 11:15 | 3:20 | 6:40 9:30 (SUN) 3:10 | 6:40 | 9:30 FROZEN 2 (PG) - 3D (FRI) 12:45 3D | 4:25 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D (SAT) 12:45 3D | 10:30 | 1:15 | 3:50 VIP 4:25 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D (SUN) 3:00 VIP | 3:30 | 4:25 3D 6:45 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D KNIVES OUT (PG13) (FRI) 3:35 | 7:00 VIP | 9:50 (SAT) 12:45 VIP | 3:35 | 7:00 VIP | 9:50 (SUN) 3:35 | 6:35 VIP | 9:35 VIP | 10:05 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) (SUN) 3:15 | 6:35 | 9:25 PANTI PATNI AUR WOH (PG) (FRI-SUN) 6:20 | 9:40 KIDS CLUB CINDERELLA (PG) (SAT) 10:00 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” Eligibility to cast ballot hinges on court ruling RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky For newly registered voters like Kacey Glidden and Jackie Myles, the court’s delaying of the 19 Dec. referendum on the cruise berthing and cargo port project is welcome news. “I am glad that initiative [to challenge the referendum] was taken so that everybody’s vote will count. I did not expect it and it was very pleasantly surprised when I found out,” Glidden said. “The delayed referendum date enables the opportunity for many newly registered voters to take part in a critical decision for the future of the country,“ Myles told the Cayman Compass. However, their eligibility to vote when, or if, the new referendum is called still hinges on the court’s decision. It’s a point Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell highlighted when asked by the Cayman Compass if the 220 additional voters who registered before the 1 Oct. deadline will be eligible to vote in the new referendum. “This, too, depends on the judgment on the legal matters that are before the courts,” Howell said in his emailed response. Those voters were excluded from the 19 Dec. vote on government’s $200 million port project as they would only have become eligible to vote based on the 1 Jan. electors list. But with the vote delayed until the completion of the judicial review proceedings brought by Cruise Port Referendum Cayman’s Shirley Roulstone, there could be a window of opportunity for the updated January list to be used. For Richard McMillan, that chance to have a say on the project is a happy result for his daughters Abbie and Amber, both of whom registered before the 1 Oct. deadline. “One did it in the summer while she was back from university and the other turned 18 in September and she had seven days to register and she did. I was delighted to see the next generation interested in the getting involved and they will be able to vote on this important issue,” he said. He lamented that it seemed the 19 Dec. date was a “fairly deliberate attempt to exclude 220 voters from the process”. This point was refuted by Premier Alden McLaughlin, who said the intention was always to have the vote held as soon as practicable. McMillan said he is hopeful the court allows all registered voters to have their say by means of the most updated electors roll. “It seems a bit nonsensical to have the referendum after January and not use the list after January 1. Surely, the idea is you want more people to participate,” he said. Myles said while she is thrilled to have the opportunity to participate, she hopes constitutional guidelines concerning the 50% plus one threshold are examined. “My hope is that this will be addressed and rectified before the next vote so that the question is clear and the measure is the majority of the voter turnout as would be expected in any other vote. I have no doubt that the momentum and passion to protect our island and hold government accountable for transparent dealings will continue whenever the call to vote comes,” Myles added. The Elections Office issued a reminder Thursday that the next deadline to register to vote is 2 Jan. Those who register by this date will be included in the Register of Electors and eligible to vote from 1 April 2020 onwards. Excluded port voters happy with delay New voters Amber, left, and Abbie, second from right, with, from left, sister Annabelle, and parents Mabel and Richard McMiillan. “The delayed referendum date enables the opportunity for many newly registered voters to take part in a critical decision for the future of the country.” Jackie Myles , newly registered voter. 2 news N newsNOW SELLING PHASE 2 STAMP DUTY SAVINGS of up to US $245,000 through 2019 A LUXURY WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRESTIGIOUS YACHT CLUB COMMUNITY The Residences of Stone Island is comprised of 44 waterfront residences built to the highest standards, with 4,500 square feet of open-concept living space. This private gated community boasts an exquisite array of lifestyle amenities; Tennis court • expansive infinity edge pool • docking facilities • private screening room • children’s center waterside owner’s lounge with chef’s kitchen • bar and owner’s wine storage • gated with 24-hour security BBQ pavilion • boardwalk • lush landscaping • fitness studio OPEN HOUSE WWW.STONEISLANDCAYMAN.COM BOOK A VIEWING Sales Inquiries (345) 925-6404 | info@stoneislandcayman.com 548 Yacht Drive, just past Vista del Mar Show homes open Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 TH 12 PM to 2 PM Three full-scale model homes available for viewing cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019I have always loved the deeply-rooted kindness of Cayman. Although, recently there appears to be an absence of this kindness buried in the bitterness that has washed over the island as the vote for the port grows near. As I walked around at the recent Hedge Funds Care event admiring the donated jewellery behind the numerous glass cases, I noticed a sign in each case that read, Kirk Freeport. I reflected on other places I have seen similar signs over the years and thought of the Breast Cancer Gala, numerous school events, children’s sporting events and Humane Society events. I flash to members of the Kirkconnell family volunteering every week at Sunday school and think back to attending events hosted by Kirk Freeport on Cardinall Avenue and at Bayshore Mall. As I replay these events, certainly recognising there are many more, it occurred to me the Kirkconnell name is always quietly present helping support and protect the children, adults, animals, churches, schools and needs of the Cayman Islands. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn Wherever you stand on the port debate there is one thing certainly not debatable: the Kirkconnell family has humbly helped others and this community incredibly well for eight generations. A Caymanian family that in my opinion is the gold standard of ‘Cayman Kind’ while holding part of its history and remains a family that is part of the good in this community. Follow your hearts, have opinions, be passionate and vote, but while on your quest to achieve whichever goal you choose please remember to be humble, be thankful and when all is said and done, remain Cayman Kind. “What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you said thank you for today?” - Unknown On this week of giving thanks, I want to say thank you to the entire Kirkconnell family and the other local families that humbly donate, volunteer and most importantly keep Cayman Kind in this community very much alive. Margaret Fantasia I hesitated before writing my gut response to the ‘Dinner, Drinks & Drag…dahling!’ article in the Cayman Compass of Friday, 29 Nov. 2019. My hesitation was due to a concern that instead of future principled action, there would instead be the typical accusation of homophobia. I find it hard to harmonise the mental cacophony created by the idea of a gala featuring ‘drag’ as a fundraiser for the Cayman AIDS Foundation. Maybe ‘drag’ could merely be a form of eccentric entertainment, but my cause for concern is that in the present Caymanian social context, ‘drag’ serves to promote the normalisation of sexuality-without-boundaries in an already oversexed culture – all of it in the face of acceleration of STDs, including HIV infections. To highlight my concern, I include objective data for your consideration, most of which are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: – “Despite the recent increases among women, men who have sex with men saw the highest share of primary and secondary syphilis cases in 2018.” (usnews.com). – “While anyone who has sex can get an STD, sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk. In addition to having higher rates of syphilis, more than half of all new HIV infections occur among MSM.” (CDC). – “Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are the population most affected by HIV in the United States. In 2017, adult and adolescent gay and bisexual men made up 70% (27,000) of the 38,739 new HIV diagnoses in the United States (US) and dependent areas” (CDC). Not sufficiently disturbing to merit a serious re-think? Then consider the following: “While sexually transmitted diseases…affect individuals of all ages, STDs take a particularly heavy toll on young people. CDC estimates that youth ages 15-24 make up just over one- quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur in the United States each year.” (CDC) A gala featuring ‘drag’ is an irreconcilable juxtaposition of ideals. Pastor M. Alson Ebanks CORRECTION The letter, “Spending ‘balanced’ on cruise vs. stayover”, published Thursday, 5 Dec., was incorrectly attributed to Charles Kirconnell. The author actually was Chris Kirk- connell. The Compass apologises for the error. Drag queen event sends wrong message Grateful for Kirkconnells’ commitment to Cayman cartoon Something to consider By Caymanman cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019[] Construction to begin January RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Education officials have declined to share the final projected cost for the John Gray High School project, saying negotiations are still in progress. The project came under the spotlight during Finance Committee late Tuesday night as Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders questioned the final costs for the project. The multi-million-dollar project was halted back in 2012 due to contractor issues and a government funding crisis. At that time, around $54 million had been spent on the project, which recommenced in 2017. The school’s gym was completed that same year. The project has undergone a radical redesign, moving away from the original plan for separate academies and open-plan classrooms. In September, the Central Planning Authority gave the greenlight for the project to move ahead, with estimated costs pegged at $40 million. Saunders, in questioning the spending on the project Tuesday night, asked for projected completion timelines. Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said the anticipated completion date is 2021 and it is hoped that in fall of that year the transition of John Gray High School to the new site will be finished. Education Ministry Chief Officer Cetonya Cacho said early works are due to begin January 2020. “Project A, which is the building of the new school, should be finished by late 2021 and early works are required to achieve that target completion date,” Cacho said. “Site survey, clearance and preparation work commenced in July 2019 as part of the pre- construction agreement. There were just a few delays because we changed the scope to ensure that it was a hurricane shelter and increase the capacity of that hall and the school building.” Saunders pressed further on the anticipated cost for the whole building. “We are still negotiating contracts. I do not have that price,” Cacho responded. He questioned if the building will be ready to accept students for the September start of the 2021 academic year. “I know the intention from the project staff is to have students in the building for the start of the school year,” she said. Saunders also questioned the ministry’s allocation of $5 million set aside for other construction upgrades to schools. Cacho explained that the funding will be used for the construction of reception classrooms at Red Bay Primary School, construction of a hall and renovations at Bodden Town Primary School, as well as ICT procurement for schools. Additionally, she said, the money will be used for construction of football fields with artificial turf and the new Sunrise Adult Training Centre. Finance Committee ended Thursday evening. John Gray Project highlights Final cost pending for John Gray High School project • Delays in the project caused it to be paused in 2012 • Gym was completed in 2017 • Approval granted in September 2019 for the school to be restarted • The new school will be able to accommodate 1,200 students. • The project will be delivered in phases. • New school expected to be completed late 2021 • The associated playing fields to be completed by August 2022 cayman compass 6 FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019BE A DESIGNATED DRIVER OR TAKE THE PURPLE RIBBON BUS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE 021 Miles Route 1 Route 2 Route 3 Route 4 Route 5 Route 6 Route 7 Route 8 Bus Terminals & Routes Purple Ribbon Bus Pick Up TAKE THE PURPLE RIBBON PLEDGE visit www.HurleysMedia.ky for more information #ARRIVEALIVE345 FATALITY FREE FESTIVITIES NRA is a Gold Sponsor of the #ArriveAlive345 campaign which includes The Purple Ribbon Pledge The Designated Driver Programme The Purple Ribbon Bus NRA is a Gold Sponsor of the #ArriveAlive345 campaign which includes The Purple Ribbon Pledge The Designated Driver Programme The Purple Ribbon Bus cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 8 N news FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019 CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky One of the fallouts of 19 Dec. remaining a public holiday, despite the cruise berthing and cargo port referendum being delayed, is the potential inconvenience faced by some in the business community. Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Wil Pineau said overall the economic impact is substantial, and that it impacts the business community in several ways. “It increases payroll costs because employees must be paid double time unless they agree mutually to time off in lieu of pay, and it disrupts business activity for those businesses that decide to close,” Pineau said. “Government offices are also closed so limited business can be transacted as well.” Retailers that decide to remain open may benefit from extra holiday sales but will suffer the consequence of having higher payroll costs, decreased sales, and business interruption, Pineau said. The public holiday on 19 Dec. is the second holiday added this year, with Cayman also getting a day off for the royal visit of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in March. Pineau said it is not unusual for the Cayman Islands government to declare a public holiday for elections or referendums, but for most countries elections are conducted on regular work days. “This is an additional cost to business because it impacts all employees - even guest workers that aren’t entitled to vote,” Pineau said. “Cayman has more public holidays than most countries so for each additional public holiday the business community is faced with these additional costs.” While a new date for the referendum has not been set, it is likely the day will also be declared a public holiday. Businesses face added costs from Referendum Day holiday “Cayman has more public holidays than most countries so for each additional public holiday the business community is faced with these additional costs.” Wil Pineau , Chamber of Commerce CEO Police found more than 100 packets of ganja hidden under the front fender of a car with a help of a drug- sniffing dog named Shadow. The incident happened over the weekend and was made public in a statement released Thursday. The street value of the drugs is estimated at more than $1,500, according to a police press release. Police said shortly after 10pm Saturday officers on patrol in George Town went to a restaurant on School Road. While there, police said officers smelled a strong scent of ganja nearby and initiated a search with the assistance of the police dog. The dog led officers to a vehicle at the restaurant and reacted to the front fender. Officers searched and recovered more than 100 small packages of suspected ganja from under the right front fender of the vehicle. No arrests have been made. The matter is currently under investigation. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The trial of a pastor accused of forging church documents took a turn Thursday, as a witness called out the defendant’s accusers in testimony given in the Grand Court. While giving his evidence, George Ebanks told the court he has known Christopher Murray for 15 years. “During that time, I’ve found Pastor Murray to be a diligent, hardworking, law-abiding, family man,” said Ebanks. Murray faces one count of forgery, and one count of uttering a false document. In 2012, Murray along with Oral Campbell and Winston Calloo, founded the Bethel Refuge Apostolic Church. From its inception, Murray headed up the church as the main pastor, while the other two men were said to be assistant pastors. Campbell and Calloo were also named in the church’s memorandum and articles of association as directors. However, the two have since denied ever signing any such documents. They also denied giving anyone permission to sign any documents on their behalf. Ebanks said shortly after joining the church he discovered that all three men were “incompetent” to run a business and lacked basic corporate governance knowledge. “I volunteered my services to help review the church’s memorandum and articles of sssociation,” said Ebanks. “When Campbell and Calloo found out I was doing it they became concerned and invited me to meet with them to let them know what I was doing.” Ebanks said when he met with Campbell and Calloo, he was greeted with accusations. “They accused me of being in cahoots with Pastor Murray,” said Ebanks. “They asked me why was I being an adviser to the pastor, and if I couldn’t see that the pastor was incompetent?” Ebanks said he refuted the claims of being an adviser to the pastor and added that when he explained that changes were needed to the memorandum and articles of association, both men became angry. “I told them there were spelling mistakes, and clauses that would have to be changed, because they could not be enforced,” Ebanks said. “When they heard that an annual general meeting had to be called and that the members of the church would have the ability to vote them out from being directors of the church they got really angry and started shouting. Fortunately, my father gifted me strong pipes as well and so I shouted back.” Ebanks told the court that during the two-hour meeting with Campbell and Calloo, they reviewed every page of the document. “No objections were voiced about the signature page, and neither of the men complained that they were listed as directors,” said Ebanks. “In fact, they were more worried about being removed as directors.” Ebanks said an AGM was held and during the meeting neither Campbell nor Calloo objected to their signatures being on the church’s documents. The jury is expected to return their verdicts on Monday. Witness refutes claims that pastor forged church documents 100 packets of ganja found under car fender “I’ve found Pastor Murray to be a diligent, hardworking, law- abiding, family man.” George Ebanks. Police say they discovered more than 100 packets of ganja under the fender of a car at a resturant on School Road in George Town. Christopher Murray Some business owners say they'll be negatively impacted by the 19 Dec. holiday. cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2019Next >