cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Monday, 16 December 2019 Massive cargo ship moors in Cayman Page 8 Harley-riding Santa delivers gifts Page 6 SteppingStones crowned top employer for 2019 Page 9 Cayman Regiment recruitment begins Page 2for a dynamic leader with UK military experience to take this exciting project forward. They will need to have a wide variety of skills, including project management, and will need to be adaptable, resilient and able to deal with the day-to- day challenges a programme like this will inevitably have.” Roper said the lead role is part-time and a per diem allowance will be paid. “There will be opportunities to refresh, re-hone and improve existing skills and talents with further training with some of the best military teams in the world. And the candidate will need to be able to start work immediately,” he added in the statement. The creation of the new regiment was announced in October during a visit from then UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster. Premier Alden McLaughlin, following that announcement, said the military regiment will be a volunteer reserve force with only a handful of full-time personnel. It will be capable of rendering humanitarian aid during disasters, he added. Training and equipment, McLaughlin said, will be supplied by the UK. Last month, UK military officers Commander Con Burns, Major Rennie Bulmer and Major Ed Dutton conducted a scoping exercise to help support and advise Cayman on the regiment. The governor said six junior positions for the regiment will be filled during the initial phase. Roper said those officers would be employed for one year on full-time, fixed-term contracts, “after which they might become part-time reservists to enable them to continue their civilian careers, although there will also be some full-time positions created in future”. During this year, he said, the officers will receive basic training overseas and will also attend officer training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in the UK. The recruits, the governor said, will help the commanding officer set up the regiment and recruit 50 reservists initially. “Eventually this number will rise to 150. Junior officers would need to be available to start in February,” the governor added. The force will be similar to the regiment in Bermuda, which is part of the community’s post-hurricane response team. British Overseas Territories citizens, British citizens or Irish citizens are eligible to apply. Other Commonwealth applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be legally resident in Cayman, according to the enlistment requirements. Specific details of the roles have been drawn from the UK Reserve Regiment. Expressions of interest must be emailed to staffoff@candw.ky by 1 Jan. 2020. A full breakdown on the available roles can be found on www.caymancompass.com. National Security Council gives green light for first troops RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Creation of Cayman’s new regiment has moved to the next phase as the National Security Council gave the green light to form an initial force for the unit. The Governor’s Office, in a statement on Friday, said the National Security Council has authorised an initial force of seven officers and 50 reserve volunteers, all of whom will be put through initial training and equipped before summer 2020. The office has issued a call for expressions of interest from potential officer recruits for the new regiment. Governor Martyn Roper welcomed the start of the recruitment drive. “This is excellent news for Cayman. The primary role of the Regiment will be to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief support following disasters,” Roper said in the statement. “We’re now looking Initial Cayman Regiment force: 7 officers 50 reserve volunteers Cayman Regiment recruitment begins The Cayman Islands Regiment will be similar to Bermuda's regiment, pictured. 2 • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be - MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) 21 BRIDGES (R) 1:30 | 4:05 | 9:50 BLACK CHRISTMAS (PG13) 1:45 | 4:30 | 7:20 | 10:00 FROZEN 2 (PG) 12:50 | 3:25 3D | 6:30 | 9:10 3D JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL (PG13) 12:30 | 1:15 | 3:30 VIP| 4:10 3D 7:00 | 7:20 VIP | 9:55 3D | 10:15 VIP KNIVES OUT (PG13) 12:35 | 3:35 | 7:05 MARDAANI 2 (PG) 7:10 | 10:05 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” Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers today, becoming partly cloudy to cloudy late tonight with a 30% chance of showers weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS Easterly at 15 to 20 knots today 10 to 15 knots tonight SEA STATE Moderate to rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet today, slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet tonightcayman compass 3 MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019 TUESDAY 31 ST DECEMBER 6.00PM & 9.00PM SIX COURSE TASTING MENU FEATURING: • Welcome reception with live music • Specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres • Foie gras terrine • Oysters, lobster, caviar, king crab • • Flaming baked Alaska • Champagne toast and rum • Live music from Cuban Quartet; Trio Vivo • Dance party on the beach with our resident DJ • Fun late night snacks from our sea side grill 185KYD per person NEW YEAR’S EVE NEW YEAR’S DAY 85KYD per person 38KYD open bar package 30KYD for 5 - 12 year olds HOLIDAY EVENTS WEDNESDAY 1 ST JANUARY Start o the New Year with a mouthwatering brunch bu et. In an e ort to energise the body and mind we will also o er healthy options, a coconut bar and Dr. Aris Latham’s fresh juices and vegan specialties. 11:00AM - 4:00PM NEW YEAR’S BRUNCH BUFFET FEAT DR. ARIS DETOX BAR CHRISTMAS DAY WEDNESDAY 25 TH DECEMBER 95KYD per person 35KYD for 5 - 12 year olds 12:00 - 8:00PM CHRISTMAS BUFFET Tillies will be having Christmas Buet that will feature all the trimmings: •Standing rib roast •Fresh raw and lightly cooked seafood •Our unique vegetable dishes •Sun-red vegan food from Dr. Aris Latham CHRISTMAS DAYCHRISTMAS DAYCHRISTMAS DAY BOXING DAY THURSDAY 26 TH DECEMBER • The Island’s best jerk chicken • Whole grilled local snapper • A bounty of vegetables • Mouthwatering accompaniments • • Followed by a bonre & smores on the beach at sunset. 65KYD per person 30KYD for 5 - 12 year olds 11.00AM - 5.00PM Our Boxing Day beach side barbecue will feature: Specialty cocktails BOXING DAY BEACH BBQ Located on the beach front of Palm Heights Hotel - 747 West Bay Road, 7 Mile Beach +345 949 3491 to book or email tables@tillies.kyFridAY'S SOLUTiONS 123456 78 910 1112 13 141516 17 181920 21 2223 24 123456 78 910 1112 13 141516 17 181920 21 2223 24 Puzzle 16247 ACROSS: 1 Catch, 4 Devious, 8 Act, 9 In essence, 10 Sterile, 11 Tired, 13 Squash, 15 Crunch, 18 Salvo, 19 Radical, 21 Easy-going, 23 Odd, 24 Panoply, 25 Testy. DOWN: 1 Chassis, 2 To the full, 3 Haiti, 4 Diesel, 5 Visitor, 6 Own, 7 Speed, 12 Run across, 14 Stopgap, 16 Holy day, 17 Brainy, 18 Steep, 20 Digit, 22 Sin. ACrOSS 1 In a helpless position (4,1,6) 9 Pathetic (7) 10 In music, played softly (5) 11 Sole (4) 12 Force (8) 14 General (6) 16 Swiss city (6) 18 Exceptional (8) 19 Dross (4) 22 Ascent (5) 23 An analgesic (7) 24 In legal custody (5,6) dOWN 2 Full of life (5) 3 Prevalent (4) 4 A voting system (6) 5 Quick, witty reply (8) 6 Avoiding the issue (7) 7 Of required standard (2,2,7) 8 Cash deposit (4,7) 13 Very unpleasant (8) 15 Brief reference (7) 17 Central American republic (6) 20 Large military force (5) 21 Stimulus (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16249 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. cartoon Reindeer games - By Caymanman GRAHAM MORSE The Brazilian rainforest is burning. California is burning. Australia is burning. Venice is flooded – the water in St. Mark’s Square was recently waist high. Rivers have dried up. Farmland wasted. Oceans polluted. Coral destroyed. Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, but it could have been Cayman. There is a climate emergency, and without deep and lasting change the world is facing untold human suffering. We see the images on TV and (most of us) nod sagely to the inevitability of climate change, but shrug and say, “What can we do?” At COP 25, the climate change conference in Madrid this month, the UN said that, despite promises made in 2015 to cut carbon emissions, they are still growing, and reached an all-time high in 2018. Now the UN says that carbon emissions must fall by (an average of) 7.6% a year every year for the next 10 years if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5% by We have been coming to Grand Cayman for nearly 30 years, so, yes, we have fond memories of when life was so much better here. In regard to the cruise ship port, and from the standpoint of those of us who choose to spend time here, stay in condos, roam the beach, shop in George Town, engage the dive shops, enjoy the wonderful and varied dining establishments; in other words, to live here, the cruise port and the ensuing crowds will only serve to further take away the charm of this Caribbean paradise. Talking with others that choose to stay and/or live here, they do not have anything positive to say about the cruise port. Stephen & Vicki Perkins Morehead, Kentucky, US Our youth offer hope for the planet Nothing positive about cruise port the end of this century and avoid catastrophic consequences. In Madrid, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, said it is possible. But is it? It would require a sea change in political will for the US and China, and all the world’s major polluting countries, to agree to, let alone reach, net zero emissions by 2050. It would mean an acceptance by all of us of changes in the way we live our lives: buying electric cars, using public transport, flying less, cutting out beef, eating less meat, using less energy, and investing in solar or wind to power our homes and businesses. But the message from the Madrid summit is unequivocal. All governments have to act now to cut subsidies to fossil fuels and dramatically speed up the switch from fossil fuel-generated power to sustainable resources like solar and wind. They must stop land clearing, and restore the forests, grasslands and mangroves that suck up carbon. The record since 2015 suggests that is unlikely. Millions of young people around the world are on the streets protesting. They want governments to act NOW. They are the ones who will be living with the consequences of a devastated planet in 50 years time, not the politicians and not their parents. The youth of Cayman have answered the call. Protect Our Future is a student environmental advocacy group that cares deeply about the future of Cayman and the planet. They have drawn their inspiration from Greta Thunberg and the social media tag #Fridays for future, a global movement led by students. “Every Friday they strike,” said local student activist Steff Mcdermot. And two weeks ago, they lined the George Town waterfront along with CPR Cayman members. A group of these Cayman high school students [was] in Madrid participating in the climate change summit, which ran from 2-13 Dec. Connor Childs, one of the students, said ahead of the conference, “There are going to be a lot of high- ranking people there. Like, Greta [Thunberg] is going to be there. I’m not sure if we’re going to meet her, but hopefully we will. But we are mainly there to listen. Hopefully we can weigh in on some of the conversations.” (Update: Mcdermot joined about 50 young people in a demonstration onstage after Thunberg spoke at the conference. See Cayman Compass, 13 Dec.) 10,000 students attend school in Cayman and the Protect Our Future Group believes that if those students had a vote, they would easily tip the scales against the port project. They don’t have a vote yet, but they will become a force to be reckoned with. The historic success of the CPR movement in bringing about the people-initiated referendum has changed politics. It has shown ordinary people that they have the power to bring change. Cayman has a target of 70% renewables by 2037, but currently only around 5% of our power comes from renewables. No reports have been issued on what progress is being made or when the target will be raised to zero carbon emissions. The future for our children and grandchildren looks bleak, but there is hope. The one thing we know about the future is that we can’t predict it. As in the last century, it will bring ground-breaking advances in technology that we cannot begin to imagine. Perhaps some untested or unknown invention that will suck carbon out of the atmosphere may yet save the planet. But our other reason for hope is the youth of today. Their global protests have dramatically raised awareness of climate change. They will become leaders of the next generation, but will it be too late? Graham Morse, author and ocean sailor, built his own eco-friendly house in Cayman in 2011, is an advocate for the environment and renewable energy, and is a member of the Cayman Renewable Energy Association. I have recently returned to Grand Cayman after a 12-year absence. I write this letter as a person who in 2004 was invited back to help in recovery of the island after Hurricane Ivan. During an earlier 2-3 year contract, I was impressed by Caymanians’ love of the islands and what it meant to them. One wonders how many more high- rise apartments, hotels and shopping developments the island needs. Seven Mile Beach and the overall fabric of the country begins to look like all other tourist outlets in the world. The individuality, along with Cayman identity, is being lost. Proud of its heritage, Caymanian society is intrinsically linked to its environment. If the island has been changed irrevocably, then so has the heart of the people. You may be about to undertake the building of a port and berthing facility which can only exacerbate the overall environmental decline. I perceive that a section of your younger generation is ready to make their feelings felt about how their future is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Despite being a septuagenarian and easily described as an ‘outsider’, if I were a Caymanian, my instinct would be to throw in my lot with the divergent element of the Caymanian youth. They have more reason to think long term than those involved in the decisionmaking at the present time. Derek Eastham Cayman is being overdeveloped Letters to the editor cayman compass 4 MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019ADVERTISEMENT cayman compass 5 MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019Selectcarpetand tilesupto50%off 15%offallotheritems! Selectwalland floortilesaslowas $10abox UniversalMats $5aPair Children'sChristmasPartyatSpotBayPark December14(4pm-6pm) Open:MondaytoFriday8:00am-5:00pm Saturday8:00am-2:00pm RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin said he is looking forward to continuing to work with a Conservatives-led UK government, describing the Tories’ landslide victory in last week’s election as a “good result” for the Cayman Islands and other British Overseas Territories. The premier made his comments as he sent his congratulations Friday to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his party on their election win. “It is not without relief that we have learned that the Conservatives won the majority of the national vote in yesterday’s [Thursday’s] United Kingdom general election and that Boris Johnson has returned to Number 10 Downing Street,” said McLaughlin in the statement. The ruling Conservative Party captured 365 seats in the House of Commons, its best performance since Margaret Thatcher clenched victory in 1987. Vote totals showed Friday that Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and his team had won 203 seats, 59 fewer than it won two years ago. McLaughlin, in his statement, congratulated Johnson on what he called a well-fought campaign, and said he is looking forward to working with the Conservative government in the coming year. “We believe that a win by the Conservatives is a good result for the Cayman Islands and other British Overseas Territories,” the premier said. “The Cayman Islands has had a positive and productive working relationship with several Conservative governments over the years and I look forward to meeting with the Prime Minister early next year and working with him and the new Government on issues important to the UK and the Cayman Islands, including completing the important reforms to our constitution.” Under the UK Conservative government, Cayman secured changes to its constitution this year, which included a mandatory requirement for the UK to consult with the premier on any legislation or Orders in Council that may directly impact the Cayman Islands, and that Cabinet signify its view on the legislation or Order. The changes also include provisions removing the governor’s power to write legislation and standing orders, as well as the right to disallow any legislation. It will also see the Legislative Assembly renamed Parliament of the Cayman Islands. Those changes were recently passed in the Legislative Assembly and are expected to be confirmed by the Privy Council in February. Premier: Conservatives victory a ‘good result’ “We believe that a win by the Conservatives is a good result for the Cayman Islands and other British Overseas Territories.” Premier Alden McLaughlin UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Premier Alden McLaughlin in London last year during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Cayman's coat of arms. cayman compass 6 news N news MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019 HOLIDAY THURSDAY EDITION BOOKING DEADLINE Thursday, 19 December NO PUBLICATION Friday, 20 December Monday, 16 December Monday, 23 December Tuesday, 17 December Tuesday, 24 December Wednesday, 18 December Public Holiday Publication Deadlines PLEASE BE ADVISED There will be no newspaper on Thursday, 19 December 2019 (public holiday) fromcayman compass 7 MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019 PLANNING, COOKING, MAKING SURE YOUR GUESTS ARE ALWAYS HAPPY AND FED. WHY STRESS? Spend time with your friends and family and let Foster's Catering provide you with delicious hors d'oeuvres, desserts and custom menus for your soirée. SIMPLE, ONE-CLICK ORDERING IS AVAILABLE AT FOSTERS.KY/CATERING. * We request 72 hours advanced notice for all orders.Season’s Greetings! The Water Authority-Cayman Board, managment and staff wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For emergency assistance outside of office hours, please contact 946-HELP (4357) Tuesday, 24 December 2019 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cashiers will close at 11:30 a.m. Office will re-open Friday, 27 December 2019 Tuesday, 31 December 2019 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cashier will close at 11:30 a.m. Office will re-open Friday, 2 January 2020 Santa parked up his sleigh and arrived on the back of a Harley Davidson motorbike at the Airport Park Saturday to help deliver toys to children. The gifts were donated in the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association’s annual Toy Drive and were distributed Saturday at the Fire Service Department’s annual Christmas kids party. A week earlier, more than 60 riders took to the roads of Grand Cayman to promote the annual donation initiative. Each year, the association invites its members and the public to donate new toys to children in the community. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The Curacao Pearl, a 615-foot-long cargo ship, has been an impressive sight off the George Town Harbour over the past week. The massive vessel, which sailed from Kingston, Jamaica Monday, has docked in Cayman to offload aggregate to be used in the extension of Owen Roberts International Airport. The ship, which was built in 1984 and is registered in the Bahamas, weighs 42,913 tons and is capable of carrying up to 27,818 gross tons of cargo. The Curacao Pearl is expected to depart Cayman this week. Massive cargo ship delivers aggregate for Cayman airport The Curacao Pearl is seen off George Town harbour on Friday. Santa gives his reindeer a break as he hitches a ride on Keith Keller's motorbike to deliver gifts to children at the Airport Park on Saturday. Harley-riding Santa delivers gifts cayman compass 8 news N news MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019Views on Brexit impact remain mixed despite election result certainty MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky Last week’s landslide victory for the Conservative Party in the UK has removed significant uncertainty and put the British markets back on the map for international investors. Improved investor confidence and a comparatively cheap pound sterling are expected to stimulate more overseas direct investment. The election result has also eliminated financial market fear of a Labour policy shift that could have resulted in higher corporate taxation, wealth taxes and the nationalisation of utilities and other key infrastructure. While the initial market reaction to the more certain political landscape has been positive, the trade uncertainty since the 2016 UK referendum to leave the EU remains in place. Jamie Stuttard, head of Global Macro Fixed Income Team at Robeco, believes that the UK exit from the EU will only be the beginning of protracted trade deal negotiations that will damage the growth potential of the UK and the EU as a whole. In a note, he said the “conflicting drivers suggest a near-term bounce but a contained longer-term growth trajectory” until trade issues are resolved. Low interest rates for the foreseeable future and significant room for the pound sterling to regain value compared to its 2016 levels are counterbalanced by the UK’s budget deficit. But early signs of an increase in foreign direct investment and mergers and acquisitions, particularly from sources of capital such as Hong Kong, could continue, Stuttard said. Trust, corporate and fund services provider ZEDRA is briefing clients that, “as a culturally open and highly deregulated society, the UK will be well positioned to create a global niche for business and thus become the Singapore of Europe,” irrespective of its future relationship with the EU. “From this point of view, it will be the EU who will be the real losers after Brexit,” ZEDRA said in a press release. The company believes the UK might now emerge as a net beneficiary, when it comes to where global financial wealth is held. Still, much will depend on future UK government policy. Bart Deconinck, deputy global chairman of ZEDRA Group, believes “the impact of Brexit is likely to be felt far beyond the current narrow debate between Great Britain and the EU”. ZEDRA’s wealthy clients have a direct interest in how the global regulatory and taxation systems are evolving, Deconinck said. “Clients are mobile, as is their wealth, so if they choose to move from one jurisdiction to another, that might be as a result of a wealth preservation or growth strategy, or it may be because of a concern over political stability or a combination of both.” European plans to introduce new forms of taxation for high net worth individuals to fill the budgetary hole caused by the UK’s departure could become a factor in global wealth flows. Deconinck said, “The EU will want to continue with its plans, so other revenue sources will be needed to plug the funding gap. We think Europe’s high net worths may well be in the sights of the authorities in Brussels as a result.” Given the clearer picture on Brexit, Europe’s wealthy families will have to “consider new strategies to preserve wealth, which will almost certainly involve a substantial global relocation of assets”, ZEDRA said. Improved investor confidence and a comparatively cheap pound sterling are expected to stimulate more overseas direct investment. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson waves as he arrives back at 10 Downing Street in London on Friday, 13 Dec. after meeting Queen Elizabeth II to seek her approval to form a new government. SteppingStones has been named winner of Employer of the Year in the World by Investors in People in the platinum category, the highest level for the awards, for companies of up to 49 people. SteppingStones accepted the award at the 2019 Investors in People Awards ceremony at the Old Billingsgate, London, UK, on 19 Nov., in front of more than 750 people from businesses around the world. “Being crowned the world’s Employer of the Year: Platinum in our category is a tremendous honour and achievement,” said Milly Serpell, SteppingStones founder and managing director, in a press release. “This is an achievement of which we are extremely proud, and we felt so privileged to be able to represent the Cayman Islands as a top employer. Looking after your people is something that matters to all of us and that is why these awards are so special.” Eric Jenkinson, Investors in People practitioner and management consultant, who worked closely with the SteppingStones team, said in the release, “This is a massive achievement for SteppingStones and the Cayman Islands. For an internationally recognised brand, such as Investors in People, to identify SteppingStones as the best small organisation platinum award winner in the world is an unbelievable achievement. This proves that the Cayman Islands has organisations that are the best of the best in the world, and can compete at international levels.” SteppingStones was previously awarded the Investors in People gold accreditation in 2015. In the IIP community of more than 14,000 companies in 75 countries, only 1% of the IIP companies have reached the platinum level, according to the release. SteppingStones crowned world’s top employer for 2019 Ciara Aspinall, second from left, and Milly Serpell of SteppingStones accept the Platinum Employer of the Year Award in London last month. cayman compass 9 B business MONDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2019Next >