AAdvantage Standard Mastercard AAdvantage miles 5,000 AAdvantage miles AAdvantage Platinum Mastercard 10,000 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Tuesday, 17 December 2019 Year in Review: Many twists and turns in campaign for marriage rights Page 10 West Bay seniors celebrated Page 8 National Conservation Council turtle plan moves forward Page 8 Stingray City freeze runs for six months Page 6PRINTED 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 to cloudy skies with 40% chance of showers weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to southeast at 10 to 15 knots during the day, becoming 5 to 10 knots at night. SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 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. - TUESDAY - 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 JAMANJI: 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 (PG30) 12:35 | 3:35 | 7:05 MARDAANI 2 (PG) 7:10 | 10:05 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (R) 7:00 VIP Local environmental groups unhappy RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Local environmental groups have expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the second meeting of the government-initiated single-use plastic steering committee and the absence of a rescheduled date. The meeting had been originally scheduled for Wednesday, 11 Dec., but according to a joint Plastic Free Cayman and Protect Our Future statement last week, the meeting was cancelled earlier that day until further notice by a Ministry of Health representative, due to insufficient numbers to make up a quorum. The steering committee was established by Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour, who committed to look at ways to address plastic pollution and local dependence on single-use plastics. Plastic Free Cayman questioned government’s commitment to addressing environmental concerns about the widespread use of plastics. The group said that a list of members shows 29 representatives form the committee and 13 people had committed to attend, including three volunteers from Plastic Free Cayman. The first of the two meetings was also cancelled and later rescheduled. “PFC has not received any minutes from the first meeting, nor was an agenda circulated for the second. As yet, no clear mission statement, goals, responsibilities or action points have been set out for the committee. Neither has any documentation been provided which indicates how the chosen stakeholders were selected, how decisions are made or what number of members are required to make up a quorum,” the group said in its statement. The Cayman Compass reached out to the Ministry of Environment for comment on the delayed meeting, but had not received a response by press time. The group, which is leading the charge to have single-use plastics banned in Cayman, said “government is clearly falling behind the region in policy implementation on single-use plastics”. It pegged this on what it called a lack of government will. “A multitude of international organisations provide readily available online resource tools to assist policymakers. Global agencies, such as the United Nations, have made publicly available reports, recommendations, guidelines and resources to assist local governments tackle this planet-wide plastic crisis,” the group said in its statement. It said its ‘345 Plastic Free Pledge’ is garnering support in the community. Those who take the pledge commit to live a more plastic-free life. Plastic pollution continues to be an issue plaguing local shorelines. “On 7 Dec., 25 volunteers attended PFC’s monthly beach clean-up, removing 500 lbs of trash from Colliers Beach in East End in under two hours, with most of it in the form of plastic bottles and Styrofoam. On-island visitors passing the group clean-up effort Saturday morning were quick to thank the volunteers but did not hesitate to share their horror at the unsightly litter covering Cayman’s beaches,” the group said. It said government’s “passive stance on this serious matter is extremely alarming”. The group pointed out that American Academy of Pediatrics has issued warnings that toxic chemicals used for food packaging can interfere with a child’s hormones, growth and development. “Life-long health problems, such as changing the time of puberty, affecting male genitalia development, decreasing fertility, affecting nervous and immune systems, increasing childhood obesity and contributing to cardiovascular disease, are only some of the serious health effects of chemical exposure from food packaging highlighted by the AAP,” the group said as it pressed the need for action. According to the United Nations Caribbean Environment Programme, 21 countries in the wider Caribbean have single- use plastic bans already in place. For the Protect Our Future students, a firm resolution on plastics cannot come soon enough. “The world will begin to see our island as underdeveloped and not environmentally friendly. Is this what we want? Other Caribbean islands have already completed this process. Banning single-use plastics will protect our environment, look better for our island, and could even become a source of income. If fines are implemented onto people that bring single-use plastics onto our island, this money could then be invested back into our communities,” said Protect Our Future member Ben Somerville Single-use plastics policy meeting cancelled Plastic Free Cayman volunteers removed more than 500 pounds of trash from Colliers Beach earlier this month and used the occasion to promote the banning of single-use plastics in the Cayman Islands. 2TUESDAY 31 ST DECEMBER 6.00PM &9.00PM SIX COURSE TASTING MENUFEATURING: •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 withour resident DJ •Fun late night snacks from our sea side grill 185KYDper person NEW YEAR’SEVE 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 - 12year 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 - 12year 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.ky cayman compass 3 TUESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2019123456 78 9 10 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 2021 123456 78 9 10 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 2021 ACROSS 1 Splinter group (7) 4 Managed (5) 7 Distinctive flavour (4) 8 Reputation (8) 10 Unsentimental (4-6) 12 Small packet (6) 13 Evaluate (6) 15 Nevertheless (3,3,4) 18 US lake (8) 19 To cripple (4) 20 Cast gloom over (5) 21 Three-pronged spear (7) DOWN 1 Retrieve (5) 2 A business agreement (8) 3 Stupid person (6) 4 On the other hand (10) 5 Prudishly disapproving (4) 6 Stray from the point (7) 9 Fit and strong (4-6) 11 Put into different words (8) 12 Earthshaking (7) 14 Unoccupied (6) 16 Entice (5) 17 Resound (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16250 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. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16249 ACROSS: 1 Over a barrel, 9 Pitiful, 10 Piano, 11 Only, 12 Coercion, 14 Common, 16 Geneva, 18 Abnormal, 19 Scum, 22 Climb, 23 Aspirin, 24 Under arrest. DOWN: 2 Vital, 3 Rife, 4 Ballot, 5 Repartee, 6 Evasive, 7 Up to scratch, 8 Down payment, 13 Horrible, 15 Mention, 17 Panama, 20 Corps, 21 Spur. cartoon Jake Fuller CUC using art to revolutionise energy If CUC really cared, they’d let us do net-metering. Without that, they are actively obstructing the solar potential here. – David Blumenthal Johnson’s Conservative party wins UK election BRAVO BORIS! – Gillian Rudd Enjoy the downhill ride, Boris! – Ted E.C. Duncan Police appeal for witnesses in manslaughter case Imagine how this man’s family back home felt when they received this news. How horrible it is to be told that the person you love, and depend on, is no longer alive. Imagine what ran through this man’s mind, as he took his last breath of air? I’m sure the faces of his loved ones flashed before him. I’m sure he left the world worrying about their future, and wondering who would now look after them, and how they would survive without him. Now imagine if that was you, or someone who you loved and needed. He came here looking a better life for his family. A chance for his child, wife and family to have security. Just a sad situation for all involved. – Jason Azan Just sad. Souls and energy live forever but the people left behind never recover fully. Their lives have been changed in a negative way. – Rob Quinn This is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family. I pray they find some peace when this matter is resolved – King Charlie IV This is a puzzling case. I know the young men was fighting but I don’t think they caused the fatal blow... hope it is investigated cor- rectly and the right person charged! – Curtis Conolly It is sad what is happening in Cayman. It seems we are living the lives of hateful people. This is what the world is doing. I, for one, would not have stood there In many ways, I agree with the owner of Calico Jack’s and hope that the bar survives development on Seven Mile Beach. It is an institution with a rustic island feeling, essential to keeping the Cayman vibe. I also agree that the pace of development and increase in [the number of] cars are detrimental. I know that George Town’s own infrastructure needs to be updated. But I disagree with placing a new port facility right in the heart of George Town. It is more congested than it should be. If a new freight port is needed, place it somewhere else. It is ugly. The new airport brings in longer term tourists who will spend more money. Keep the coral and environment in George Town. Let’s not change our great unique island into another Miami Beach. Beverley Simpson Keep cruise port out of George Town filming while they beat him, much less if he was hurt so badly. – Shelley Lee Smith Solomon This is so sad. Shame on those who refuse to come forward. – Sarasue McField What do they expect? When he was being assaulted, no one stepped in to aid, but instead ev- eryone had videos of him dying as more swarmed and pushed to get their video too. – Velma Powery-Hewitt So many incurious people on the video. Crazy that no one can comes forward and explain what happens. – Mercy Watler Anyone you see assault him on the footage, put the blame on them. – Simms Nicole But don’t they have actual footage of the assault? – Errolyn Thompson This is horrible. It’s such a small island. Someone surely knows something and they should speak up. This poor man’s family has gone through so much. They deserve answers and justice. – Mehndi Dhaliwal Calico Jack’s owner: ‘We should have had a cruise ship pier 35 years ago’ Calico Jack will be gone in the near future. Trusting that officials have done their due diligence is taking a real leap of faith. The cruise port project puts the reef system’s health behind all else. I believe that this is a big mistake since more people come to the island because of the reef system than the shopping. – Tom Bigley Can’t believe he supports the port! If you want to visit the island, tender in. It’s going to destroy what’s bringing visitors to the island. – Tina Strittman Isn’t Dart forcing him out in 2021 to redevelop the land? I’m going to miss Calico Jack’s ... great place for a drink. – John McLean I can’t believe he supports the cruise pier. – Chris Fender Been coming as a stayover tour- ist since 1977. Actually took a cruise last year that stopped in Cayman; that day I spent about CI$100. We are back on island. Want to guess how many of my dollars the island gets this trip? You have to add a few more zeros and another number a lot greater than 1. Who should you invest in? People who come and care and stay or people who come use and abuse and leave as fast as they can and not really supporting the island economy. – Mark D Schrank I believe there comes a time when you have to say enough is enough. I feel like all the decisions about this are only made with cruise tourism in mind. You need to remember stayover tourism brings in a ton of revenue and when you keep allowing more and more ships in, and more and more people, you’re ruining it for stayover guests because you can’t get around and do anything in town when there are that many cruisers in. I just think some consideration needs to be given to stayover tourism as well and how this all affects them. – Michele Vanderford Letter to the editor What they’re saying cayman compass 4 news N news TUESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2019ADVERTISEMENT cayman compass 5 TUESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2019DoE awaiting Cabinet instructions RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Department of Environment has suspended issuing new Stingray City/Sandbar licences. The DoE is awaiting formal instructions from government on the moratorium announced by Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour in the Legislative Assembly on 5 Dec. Seymour said the action followed “numerous observations and complaints” made to the DoE and the Ministry of Tourism. While he did not give a time frame for the moratorium during the Legislative Assembly meeting, Seymour told the Cayman Compass that the freeze on licences for the Wildlife Interaction Zone will run for approximately six months. The moratorium on new licences has capped the total number of authorised operators at the popular Wildlife Interaction Zone at 209, which the minister said was the overall total of current licencees. DoE Deputy Director Tim Austin said the department, which is responsible for granting licences to operators, is waiting for directions regarding the licence applications. “Subsequent to the Minister’s announcement, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend issuing new licences until we receive written instruction from the Cabinet on the full nature of any moratorium or cap policy which Cabinet wishes to be applied,” Austin said in an emailed response to the Compass. A recent post on a pro- cruise berthing and cargo project site alleged that the DoE was “overrunning” licences as it responded to claims of overcrowding at the local tourist attraction. However, a DoE statement refuted this. “Our duty was to issue licences to any operator who applied,” the statement said. “Prior to the recent announcement in the Legislative Assembly/Finance Committee, there were no guidelines or restrictions on numbers of vessels which could be licensed if they met all of the various criteria to make them eligible for a licence.” The DoE said the increase in numbers of licensed vessels reflected the reality that more owners of vessels are applying to be part of the experience. Additionally, the DoE said, there was “the confounding factor” of moving from a three-year licence to an annual licence under the National Conservation Law. The Marine Conservation Board previously approved and issued Wildlife Interaction Zone licences. According to statistics on permits in 2017, the DoE issued nine new licences and four renewals. “Using maths back from the current 125 in 2019 (58% increase over 2018), that would mean there were 79 in 2018 (49% increase over 2017), 53 in 2017 (20% increase over earlier) and 44 prior to that,” the DoE statement said. While the DoE has been issuing licences, it said it has been monitoring the activity in the Wildlife Interaction Zone. “We have been actively enforcing the requirement to have a WIZ permit and this has also resulted in an increase in applications,” the DoE statement said. Seymour, in his statement in the Legislative Assembly, said the Cayman Islands Coast Guard will patrol the WIZ to assist with enforcing the rules. Stingray City freeze to run for 6 months • Under the WIZ rules, licensed vessels are not permitted to carry paying passengers into the Sandbar area of the Wildlife Interaction Zone after 2pm on weekends and 3pm on public holidays. • Licensed vessels are not permitted to carry more than 100 people per trip into the Sandbar area, regardless of the total capacity of the vessel. • Licensed vessels are also not permitted to discharge paying passengers into the Sandbar area of the Wildlife Interaction Zone if there are more than 1,500 people already in the area, and if more than 20 licensed tourist boats are in the area, and should remain at the Sandbar area of the WIZ zone no more than one hour per visit. A tourist swims with rays at Stingray City. WHAT THE REGULATIONS SAY: Flow has restored service to its mobile customers who were left without phone coverage over the weekend, the company announced Monday. The telecommunications company stated in a press release that its service had been disrupted because of a “technical issue on the core network”, which it said was still being investigated. Flow customers’ phones showed ‘No Service’ from late Saturday afternoon through Sunday. “We sincerely apologize to our customers who were affected by this outage. We’ve launched a full investigation and will ensure that we take corrective measures,” said Paul Osborne, Flow’s country manager. He added, “Our team worked through the night to get the services back up and running. While we strive to provide best in-class products and services, instances like these remind us that there will be challenges. Our commitment is to quickly resolve issues when they arise and get our customers back online in the shortest possible timeframe.” According to Flow, its technical team was working alongside Ericsson Global Support to determine the root cause of the disruption and will continue to monitor the network. Osborne also confirmed that a preliminary incident report had been submitted to the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg). Flow restores service after weekend of phone outages Flow customers were left without service on Saturday and Sunday. Jury notice The Judicial Administration is advising all Grand Court jurors in the October–December 2019 session that the current session has concluded and they are no longer required to report for jury duty. Woman in court for animal cruelty ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Carlene Anne Lindsay Brown of North Side appeared before Summary Court on Friday, 13 Dec., to answer a charge of cruelty to an animal. According to court documents, on 23 July, the Department of Agriculture received a report of a suspected case of animal cruelty at Brown’s home. When DoA officers arrived, Brown informed them that the dog had died, and directed them to the animal. Court documents reveal the officers found the dog’s decomposing body chained to a tree, with its head severed. Brown was arrested and charged with cruelty to an animal. The charge alleges that Brown “failed to make provisions through a third party for the animal to be able to move freely, to provide reasonable shelter from the sun and rain, or to ensure that the animal has access to drinking water and food”. On Friday, Brown pleaded not guilty. She was released on bail and a Summary Court trial has been set for 31 March 2020. 6JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Phase one of the Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services’ new administrative facility opened on Friday. “The move from DVES’s 40-year- old building to this new home is quite a momentous occasion for all of us. From this new space we will be able to provide employees, also clients, with a better overall environment to get work done in an efficient and effective manner,” said Tamara Ebanks, deputy chief officer in the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, as she welcomed Cabinet members and DVES staff at the official opening. The 8,734 square-foot two- storey administrative facility will house employees, stores and the management fleet. “DVES is a unique facility and department. It is well known that it administers fuel to the fleet throughout government and it provides the overall maintenance of the government vehicles. However, some of you may not know the extent of the services the department provides,” said Joey Hew, CPI minister. “It is the only facility across our island which services every aspect of our vehicle and equipment needs, from a small weed whacker to a 40-ton truck, to a 70-ton car crusher and compaction equipment at the landfill. So, it’s truly remarkable, given the government’s 1,000-plus vehicles and equipment, that it is all managed by this relatively small department and often forgotten technical team,” he added. Hew commended the management and staff at DVES for having the National Energy Policy as an important part of its strategic goal for their 2020-21 budget. He also said he had the opportunity to meet with the five new mechanics-in- training in electric vehicle service and safety. This, he said, was in preparation of the government’s plan to convert 30% of its fleet to energy-efficient vehicles by 2027. “After completion of phase 2 of the DVES redevelopment plan, with construction set to start in the first quarter of next year, these competent mechanics will be able to put their training to good use in a modern, state-of-the-art service bay,” Hew said. DVES Director Stephen Quinland took government officials, including Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, and other guests on a tour of the new facility. Minister Joey Hew, front, left, shakes hands with Deputy Governor Franz Manderson after cutting the ribbon to open the Department of Vehicle and Equipment Services' new administration facility in the company of, back row, from left, DVES Director Stephen Quinland, Ministry Chief Officer Alan Jones, and former DVES Deputy Director Richard Simms. DVES opens new facility “It’s truly remarkable, given the government’s 1,000-plus vehicles and equipment, that it is all managed by this relatively small department and often forgotten technical team.” Joey Hew , commerce, planning and infrastructure minister 8,734 square-foot The size of the new DVES two-storey administrative facility RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The deadline to apply for pension refunds is fast approaching. The Department of Labour and Pensions, through a media statement on Thursday, reminded the public that, effective from 30 Dec., pension refunds under the National Pensions Law will only be granted in cases where the member’s account value is less than $5,000. This follows revisions made to the National Pensions Law in 2016. When the changes were first announced, local businesses registered concerns that there would be an exodus of expatriate employees since the new pension rules meant that foreign workers would not be able to access refunds on their pensions for two years after leaving the islands. Previously, after two years, pension refunds of more than $5,000 were allowed. Instead, their pensions had to be transferred to an analogous retirement savings account overseas or the holder would not be able to access the funds until they reach the age of 65 if the pension remained with the local pension provider. In 2016, when the changes were formalised, opponents to the amendments started an e-petition calling for government to nullify certain provisions of the changes. However, the petition did not garner enough support to trigger a referendum. Some businesses had reported losing some personnel when the changes took effect. Pension holders with accounts valued at greater than $5,000 wishing to apply for a refund before 30 Dec., the statement said, must first satisfy all of the requirements under the law. Those requirements are: the member’s employment must be terminated; no pension contributions had been made in the last two years; and the member must cease to reside in the islands, which requires an absence of six months or more. Members must be able to meet these requirements and have submitted an application form by 30 Dec. in order to qualify, the Department of Labour and Pensions said. The application forms, the statement said, can be obtained directly from pension plan administrators. Refunds of accounts valued at less than $5,000 will continue to be governed by the pension plan’s rules and its administrator. The National Pensions Law applies to private sector workers only. Pensions for members of the civil service are governed by the Public Service Pensions Law. The new two-storey DVES building on North Sound Road was officially opened on Friday. Pension refund deadline approaches Refund requirement MUST be filed before 30 Dec. EMPLOYMENT must be terminated. NO PENSION contributions made in the last two years. MEMBER must cease to reside in the islands (absence of six months or more required). 7for me. I really appreciate having my senior citizens here,” Bush said. This year’s party was themed a traditional Cayman Christmas and featured prayers and carol singing. It also featured a special Christmas skit from local entertainer Quincy Brown. Attendees were served a traditional Christmas meal complete with cassava cake. Governor Martyn Roper and his wife Elisabeth also attended the event, along with George Town MLAs Kenneth Bryan, David Wight and Barbara Conolly. “It is the togetherness of the community that I treasure and, even though we are split into four [constituencies] now, constituents from all over West Bay come together here,” Bush said. Bush thanked all those who donated their time and made other contributions to ensure the event is a success. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The adage that ‘a family that prays together stays together’ seems to apply to the West Bay community as it has been coming together in prayer for the last 40 years for its annual seniors’ party. West Bay seniors were celebrated at the annual Christmas party, hosted by House Speaker McKeeva Bush and the West Bay West Enhancement Council and held at the Leo Ebanks Children's Playground on Ebanks Road. The event is also a collaboration between Bush, West Bay Central MLA Captain Eugene Ebanks and West Bay South MLA Tara Rivers. At the event, 17 community stalwarts were honoured for their contribution to developing various sectors of the Cayman Islands, from sports to commerce to tourism. Bush told the Cayman Compass that the event was dear to his heart as it reminds him of the time he spent with his mother, who passed away two years ago, planning for the celebration. “She never really did anything, but she was always there in the background to push me, saying ‘Make sure you do this, make sure you get this done.’ It is a time of different feelings West Bay seniors celebrated PLEASE BE ADVISED OF OUR PUBLICATION DEADLINES & CLOSING HOURS PUBLICATION DEADLINES OFFICE HOURS Compass Centre, 319 Shedden Road, George Town | www.compassmedia.ky | 949-5111 EDITION BOOKING DEADLINE Wednesday, 25 December NO Newspaper Thursday, 26 December NO Newspaper Friday, 27 December Wednesday, 18 December Monday, 30 December Friday, 20 December Tuesday, 31 December Friday, 20 December Wednesday, 1 January NO Newspaper Thursday, 2 January Friday, 27 December Tuesday, 24-26 December CLOSED Friday, 27 December 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday, 30 December 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday, 31 December 8:30 am - 12:00 noon Wednesday, 1 January CLOSED Thursday, 2 January 8:30 am - 5 pm House Speaker McKeeva Bush presents West Bay resident Ruby Dominguez-Ebanks with an award for her contribution to tourism in the Cayman Islands. West Bay seniors came out in their numbers for the district's annual senior citizens' Christmas party, at the Leo Ebanks Children's Playground. Governor Martyn Roper poses with attendees clad in Cayman Islands flag T-shirts at the seniors party hosted by McKeeva Bush in West Bay on Saturday evening. National Conservation Council turtle plan moves forward CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The National Conservation Council’s plan for the conservation of sea turtles has completed its public consultation and is ready to be sent to Cabinet for review, according to the council’s chairman. The plan, which is intended to help protect sea turtles in Cayman waters, went through a public consultation period between July and September this year. Council chairman McFarlane Connolly said in a statement emailed to the Cayman Compass: “This proposal represents the most comprehensive effort to conserve and repopulate our iconic sea turtles in the Cayman Islands to date. National Conservation Council members are proud to note how much public support this initiative has received so far, and believe the plan contains realistic measures and goals that will help ensure future generations of Caymanians, residents and visitors can enjoy sharing the sea and the beach with these magnificent marine reptiles.” Sea turtles are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. During the public consultation, the main areas of concern noted were identifying and protecting critical habitats, preventing turtle deaths from beach lighting, eliminating poaching, regulating the Cayman Turtle Centre’s release programme, banning heavy equipment on nesting beaches, and regulating human-to-turtle interactions. Among the entities that took part in the public consultation were the National Roads Authority and its board, Caribbean Utilities Company, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Central Planning Authority, Sister Islands Development Control Board and District Administration, the Department of Planning, and the Cayman Turtle Centre. More than 100 people also took part in an online survey outlining their concerns over turtle conservation, the NCC reported. Survey participants strongly supported the implementation of a legal requirement for turtlefriendly lighting in the Cayman Islands, the draft report noted. Department of Environment marine research officer Janice Blumenthal said through 20 years of population monitoring, the DoE has identified the greatest threats to these species as artificial lighting on nesting beaches and illegal poaching. “Without addressing these and other threats, the Cayman Islands sea turtle populations cannot survive,” Blumenthal said in the draft plan. 8cayman compass 9 news TUESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2019 UK’s Boris Johnson talks with Trump, welcomes new lawmakers LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new political landscape began to take shape Monday as triumphant Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked trade with US President Donald Trump and readied a pep talk for his new Conservative Party lawmakers. The incoming class of new Conservative legislators was so big – 109 lawmakers – that organisers had to procure an extra 50 bottles of wine for the evening event, British tabloids said. Lawmakers from all parties will be sworn in on Tuesday, the first day of the new session in Parliament. Johnson’s Conservatives received a larger-than-expected majority in last week’s national election, galvanising his efforts to secure parliamentary approval for his Brexit divorce deal with the European Union. Many of them are coming from parts of the country that for decades were strongholds of the opposition Labour Party. Overall, the Conservatives now have 365 of the House of Commons’ 650 seats. Buoyed by the decisive win, Johnson plans to move fast on his campaign mantra to “get Brexit done”. That means ensuring a Brexit withdrawal agreement bill is passed in time for the UK to complete its historic departure from the European Union by the 31 Jan. deadline. Johnson spokesman James Slack said the government will introduce the EU withdrawal bill on Friday. It will be up to the speaker of the House of Commons to determine if Parliament holds its first major vote on the bill that same day or waits until early January after the Christmas recess. The Brexit divorce bill is expected to receive strong support in Parliament due to the Conservatives’ new strong majority. Johnson’s Downing Street office said Trump, a Brexit supporter who has praised Johnson in the past, congratulated Johnson again when they spoke Monday. It said the two leaders look forward to “continued cooperation on issues such as security and trade, including the negotiation of an ambitious free trade agreement”. If the Brexit bill passes and Britain leaves the EU on time, the country will enter a transition period when EU rules and regulations would still apply in the country and people and goods would still be able to pass freely between the UK and the 27 remaining EU members. Negotiators for the British government and the EU would then start trade talks with an eye toward reaching a comprehensive post-Brexit agreement. Queen Elizabeth II will formally open Parliament on Thursday with a speech outlining the government’s legislative programme. The pomp and ceremony surrounding the queen’s speech will be less lavish than usual because she last opened Parliament just two months ago for a session cut short by an early election. Formula 1 heiress’ jewel collection reported stolen in raid LONDON (AP) — London police are investigating the theft of a large cache of “high value jewelry” reported stolen from the palatial home of heiress Tamara Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. TheSun newspaper said the stolen jewelry was worth about 50 million pounds (US$66 million) and included precious rings, earrings and a Cartier bangle Ecclestone received as a wedding present. The Metropolitan Police said officers went to the home on Friday evening after receiving reports of a burglary. No arrests have been made. “Tamara and family are well but obviously angry and shaken by the incident,” a family statement read. The family’s private security team is cooperating with police, the statement said. ‘Jumanji’ ends ‘Frozen 2’ hot streak to claim top spot LOS ANGELES (AP) — ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ put ‘Frozen 2’ on second-place ice, while Clint Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’ opened with one of the worst box office debuts for the director. The Sony film starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart brought in $60.1 million in the US and Canada to break a three-day record for a comedy in December for the production company. The sequel is a followup to 2017’s ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’, which grossed $962 million worldwide. A week before it opened in North America, ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ debuted in 18 international countries where it made $52.5 million. “People were like ‘another reboot’ of a well-known franchise, but the movie delivered so well on the promise of the marketing, and the whole concept of the movie just resonated with audiences,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the box office tracker Comscore. “It’s going to play well in the long haul.” ‘Frozen 2’ dropped to second place with $19.2 million domestically after claiming the top box office spot for three straight weeks, earning $367 million since its 22 Nov. release. The animated film following the adventures of Anna and Elsa crossed the $1 billion mark globally to become Disney Animation’s third billion-dollar project along with ‘Frozen’ and ‘Zootopia’. It also became Walt Disney Studio’s sixth billion- dollar release in 2019. ‘Richard Jewell’ landed at No. 4, bringing in $5 million. The film took aim at the media and federal investigators for what Eastwood sees as a rush to judgment after the 1996 Olympics bombing in Atlanta. The 89-year-old Eastwood calls Jewell’s story “a great American tragedy”. The docudrama focusses on Jewell, who was initially hailed as a hero for finding a bomb at the event held at Centennial Olympic Park and clearing bystanders from the area. One person was killed and 111 were injured when the bomb exploded. Jewell likely helped prevent many more casualties, but within a few days was reported to be the focus of the FBI investigation, and the public quickly turned on him. He was cleared three months later after his life had been upended by the investigation and public scrutiny. Jamaican celebrity chef dies suddenly Jamaican celebrity chef Alton Henry died in New Jersey, US, on Saturday evening after suffering what appeared to be a heart attack while catering at an event, the Jamaica Gleaner reported. Henry reportedly collapsed at a function in Morristown, New Jersey, and was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he died. Henry grew up in St. Thomas and was the chief executive officer of Touch of Elegance Catering, a company that offered nouvelle cuisine with a Jamaican twist to individuals and companies in the New York tri-state region. He also ran several restaurants in New Jersey and made a number of appearances on network television morning shows with his culinary creations. The well-known chef was passionate about Jamaica’s culture, especially the cuisine, and he was always experimenting with new fusions. His rum and raisin cheesecake and jerked chicken pasta were stand-out temptations on his catering menu. Guatemalan man sought in massacre faces immigration charge BOSTON (AP) — A Guatemalan man wanted for his role in a massacre of indigenous Guatemalans in the 1980s is being sentenced for illegal reentry into the US. Francisco Cuxum Alvarado is slated to be sentenced Friday in Boston federal court after pleading guilty to the charge in September. Cuxum Alvarado, 64, was found in Waltham, Massachusetts, in April after he previously entered the country illegally in 2004 and was ordered to leave. According to prosecutors, Cuxum Alvarado admitted he was a member of a civil militia that helped government forces remove Maya Achi people from the Rio Negro area in Guatemala and is suspected of involvement in a massacre in his home country. world news w world and regional briefs A couple takes photos of Houses of Parliament in London. With his hefty government majority, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is starting the process of pushing Brexit legislation through Parliament to ensure Britain leaves the EU by the 31 Jan. deadline. Tamara Ecclestone This image released by Sony shows, from left, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Karen Gillan in a scene from 'Jumanji: The Next Level'.Next >