$ 3 99 M EAL D EALS MONDAY - SATURDAY 9pcs MIXED, 2 Sides & 5 BISCUITS NEW FAMILY SUNDAY cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Monday, 23 December 2019 Santa makes pals with a furry canine friend following last week’s Scubaluminations, at which Father Christmas and his elves arrived by boat at Rackam’s in George Town, with the help of some scuba-diving ‘reindeer’. The event was a fund- raiser for animal charity One Dog at a Time. - Photo: Katie O'Neill Santa’s little helper Sport Cayman gymnasts bring home bronze medal Page 18 News Gov’t struggles to find housing for DCFS and NAU clients Page 11 News Brac recognises Christmas home decoration winners Page 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 admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) BOMBSHELL (R) 1:30 | 4:10 | 7:10 | 9:50 FROZEN 2 (PG) 12:50 | 3:25 3D | 6:30 | 9:10 3D JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL (PG13) 1:15 | 4:10 | 7:05 | 9:55 STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER 12:30 3D | 12:50 VIP | 2:00 | 4:00 4:25 VIP | 5:30 3D | 7:30 | 8:00 | 9:00 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. 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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 less than 30% chance of showers weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 84°F 70°F HIGH LOW WINDS Northwesterly at 15 to 20 knots overnight SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet Small craft should exercise caution over open water from the evening. cayman compass 2 news N news MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019 Homeowners who have thrilled their neighbours and passersby with innovative and festive Christmas displays won awards for their efforts in what has become an annual tradition of Spot Bay’s Christmas Homecoming celebrations. This year, the Night of Lights judges viewed seven decorated homes. In first place was Lurlie Scott’s home, which decorated with teddy bears dating back from 1993, gingerbread cutouts, cupcakes, Christmas trees made from recycled pallets and a snowman made from Brac recognises Christmas home decoration winners recycled tyres handmade by her grandchildren. Second place went to Dell Dixon’s home, with its moving snowman and decor made from recycled plastic bottles. Fern Scott’s home took third place with a split theme of the traditional manger scene and more modern design featuring inflatable decor and sea grape Christmas trees gathered from the seashore. “The Spot Bay committee is hopeful that this competition, which is more to spread joy and community spirit, will continue to grow each year until all the homes in the district are lit every Christmas,” said committee member Simone Scott. The Brac 2019 Christmas Homecoming features five days of activities, beginning Monday, which are free to the public. On Monday, there will be Christmas carolling with seniors and gift distribution, beginning at 5pm. A Christmas Eve candlelight carol service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church at 6pm Tuesday. Christmas Day is the annual Spot Bay Christmas Singspiration and fireworks display, at 7pm at Spot Bay Community Park. On Boxing Day, the public is invited to Spot Bay Park from 1-4pm for a picnic and a children’s party, with a movie from 4-7pm. Friday's grand finale will take place in Tiger Bay at 9pm, with a party on Vivia’s Cistern Top. Sharon Connolly with Devonia Conolly and Darynn Conolly, who handmade some of the decorations at their grandmother Lurlie Scott's home. 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NEW SONOS MOVE cayman compass 3 MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 4 N news MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019 FridAY'S SOLUTiONS 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 Puzzle 16253 ACROSS: 1 Unearth, 5 Sum up, 8 Poke fun at, 9 Key, 10 Role, 12 Escalate, 14 Viking, 15 Tenant, 17 Leave out, 18 Head, 21 Bin, 22 Take heart, 24 Enter, 25 Rapidly. DOWN: 1 Upper, 2 Elk, 3 Rift, 4 Honest, 5 Situated, 6 Make a face, 7 Payment, 11 Like as not, 13 Ancestor, 14 Voluble, 16 Sucker, 19 Ditty, 20 Chip, 23 Aid. ACrOSS 1 Mode of existence (5) 8 Time set for attack (4,4) 9 Brashly self-confident (5) 10 Unevenly balanced (8) 11 Ward off (5) 12 Free of all charges (3) 16 Signify (6) 17 In haphazard way (6) 18 Facetious person (3) 23 An interest (5) 24 Mentally alert (3,5) 25 Set of beliefs (5) 26 Reveal accidentally (4,4) 27 Authoritative pronouncement (3-2) dOWN 2 Hypocritical (3-5) 3 Become established (4,4) 4 Out-of-the-way (6) 5 To defeat (5) 6 Temperamental (5) 7 Classify (5) 12 Not known before (3) 13 Label (3) 14 Extreme emotional excitement (8) 15 Permanently (3,5) 19 In other countries (6) 20 To estimate (5) 21 Sensitive (5) 22 Further on (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16255 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. The erection of a Berlin-type wall along the Seven Mile Public Beach corridor is but one more instance of the marginalisation and exclusion of Caymanians. This wall, in my opinion, is a clear manifestation of those who contribute to what I refer to in my writings as the “duality” (us and them) in Caymanian society. I am reminded once more of the prescience of Andrew Morris Gerrard, commissioner (governor) of these islands from 1953 to 1957 when he warned us “not to sell our birthright (the land) for a mess of pottage”. The comments on social media and the recent graffiti on this wall should serve to inform us that this wall is anathema to what decent Caymanians stand for. I must record, however, that I do not expect such objections to bring any change from what is already done. The position of ordinary Caymanians of all categories have been sacrificed to greed, corruption and nepotism and bling. Those seeking to understand what is happening in the 21st century Cayman Islands need look no further, for this wall speaks with an obscene eloquence. J.A. Roy Bodden No place for a wall I’m asking everyone that feels this is disgusting and disgraceful to send your objections to DEH by the end of January. This is where former residents of Red Bay are buried and all related to my family. Let them ‘Rest In Peace’! I do Letters to the editor What they’re saying 3 graves to be moved to make way for road widening not care if they will be placed in the same cemetery. Would they do this to their family? It’s difficult to bury there now as the water table is high and almost impossible to dig down feet. Please send in your objections. Thanks. Shameful! – Berna Cummins Thought that you were supposed to be able to ‘rest in peace’ when you were laid to ‘rest’. Obviously not in Cayman. And how does exhuming of a grave work? Can the families object? – Jerry Young I’ve also noticed that now buildings are being built in front of cemeteries so they can be on the water’s edge. One example is the building constructed between the cemetery and the water’s edge across from the Bodden Town Health Clinic. – Nicole Eastman Oh my gosh. How awful to disturb the dead to make way for a road. – Cora Grant James I still don’t understand how roadworks commence without these issues first being resolved. What’s planned for the remaining parcel of seafront land? – Melanie Carmichael If I was their family, I would be really upset. This is so sad. – Tiffany Knowles I hope they haunt every single person involved in the removal and relocation. I guess the dead can no longer rest in peace where they choose any more. As for all the oceanfront buildings so close to the sea or on the beach – remember, it was the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. – Natasha-Gillian Bunting This is disrespectful, distasteful and truly disgusting. Not even the dead can rest in peace because the ‘living’ worship the almighty dollar. Shame on you! – Dianne Varona The National Roads Authority is seeking permission to remove these three graves to enable the widening of Shamrock Road. Critics of the wall being erected along the roadside by Seven Mile Public Beach spray-painted it this month with the words 'Tear down this wall'. cartoon Good News-Bad News - By CaymanmanCONGRATULATIONS VETA AND TARA The partnership and staff at the Maples Group wish to congratulate Veta Rockett and Tara Thompson who both completed their Articles of Clerkship and were called to the bar this year. We are proud of our two newest lawyers and look forward to their continued growth and development within our firm. To learn more about our Articles of Clerkship Programme, please visit maples.com/articlesofclerkship PICTURED L-R: Veta Rockett , Associate Tara Thompson , Associate maples.com cayman compass 5 MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019cayman compass 6 MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019 BE A DESIGNATED DRIVER OR TAKE THE PURPLE RIBBON BUS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE 021 Miles Route1 Route2 Route3 Route4 Route5 Route6 Route7 Route8 BusTerminals&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 Buscayman compass 7 news N news MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019 CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The Central Planning Department has approved Cayman Shores Development Ltd applications for a new 10-storey apartment building and a new five-storey office block as part of the Camana Bay expansion. The applications were approved at the latest CPA meeting, on Wednesday, 18 Dec. According to the CPA agenda, the 10-storey mixed-used residential building will have 89 units for lease; 13,975 square feet of commercial retail space; two short-term rentals for residents and their guests; a generator; and 416-gallon diesel tank. It will be located on the eastern side of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, on Bismarckia Way at the north end of Camana Bay, close to the new Foster’s supermarket. There were no objections to either development filed within the notice period. Justin Howe, a vice president at Dart, had said that the developer believed building up instead of out is the correct strategy to take with this expansion. The five-storey commercial building includes three rooftop generators, a diesel fuel tank and associated parking facilities, and will be built on the current parking lot opposite Dart’s headquarters on Nexus Way. “The town centre’s Class A office space is almost at capacity and The Terraces have been fully leased since opening a decade ago. Demand for residential and commercial space at Camana Bay remains strong,” Howe said in a statement in September. He said both of the now approved projects would accentuate walkability and sustainable design and be “future-proofed” for any further potential expansion. The planning applications were submitted in late September. Camana Bay expansion approved A Northward prisoner died Wednesday while in custody, according to a press release issued Friday by HM Prison Services. Durney Ebanks, 53, was found lying unresponsive on his bed by two prison officers. He was serving a 16-month sentence. Life-saving measures were administered by officers prior to EMTs arriving on scene, according to the release. Ebanks was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. No foul play is suspected, prison officials said. An RCIPS inquiry into the death is under way, as per protocol. Ebanks was sentenced in June for causing fear or provocation of violence, and idle and disorderly conduct. Prisoner dies in custody Where the buildings will be located: • The office block will be opposite Dart’s headquarters on Nexus Way. • The 10-storey resi- dential building will be on Bismarckia Way, at the northern end of Camana Bay. Durney Ebanks was found unresponsive at Northward Prison on 18 Dec.cayman compass 8 N news MONDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2019 CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Cayman Airways confirmed Friday that an emergency diversion of New York flight KX792 to Orlando International Airport in early September was prompted by a fault in the cargo compartment’s smoke detection system, which activated a fire warning system on the flight deck. The airline reported that approximately an hour and a half into the flight on 8 Sept,, an emergency landing was declared because a warning light indicated the presence of smoke in one of the plane’s cargo holds. The flight landed safely in Orlando. Cayman Airways said the 103 passengers and five crew- members on board evacuated through the emergency over-wing exits and deployed door chutes and slides. Emergency personnel were present but cleared all passengers and crew to the terminal and no medical attention was required. The aircraft was temporarily removed from service while the necessary repairs were carried out, CAL said in a statement. In a response to a query from the Cayman Compass, airline president and CEO Fabian Whorms said Cayman Airways‘ Safety Department conducted a thorough investigation and determined that the faulty smoke detection system had activated the warning light. “The Captain’s actions to divert the flight and evacuate the aircraft after landing were determined to be appropriate under the circumstances, despite it later being found that no actual smoke or fire was the cause of the warning to the crew.” Whorms said. Whorms said CAL engineering personnel replaced the faulty component and the aircraft has been returned to service. Faulty smoke detector blamed for September emergency landing Passengers stand on the grass by the tarmac at Orlando International Airport after the Cayman Airways jet they were travelling in made an emergency landing on 8 Sept. The airline said the 103 passengers and five crewmembers on board evacuated through the emergency over- wing exits and deployed door chutes and slides . Governor Martyn Roper and his wife Elisabeth didn’t let a downpour of rain stop a carolling show on the lawn of the Government House last week. The young voices of Cayman Youth Choir belted out carols as the deluge continued, and the 400 guests cheered them on and sang along with them. The Ropers joined the carol singers on stage and got soaked along with everyone else. This show of support was all the children needed, as many of them hugged, smiled and laughed off their rain-drenched appearance and sodden T-shirts. “The timing couldn’t have been worse; just as the children from Cayman Youth Choir began to perform, the rain began. Yet they carried on performing Christmas carols in the rain,” Roper said in a press release. He said the sound system was quickly removed for safety reasons, but the choir sang even louder. “I think it showed such Christmas spirit and the atmosphere at Government House, despite people huddling together under shelter to keep dry, was fantastic,” Roper said. He said a lot of planning goes into these events, but the weather, of course, cannot be controlled. “This is one event I won’t forget in a hurry. Well done to all the children and Naomi Allnutt, who carried on conducting despite the downpour,” Roper said. Allnutt, Cayman Youth Choir's director, said the choir was delighted and proud to have been invited to perform at the event. “We wanted to make the performance fun for everyone, so even when the heavens opened, we kept going regardless; hopefully bringing Christmas cheer to all the invited guests,” Allnutt said. “We were certainly soaked through by the end, but the laughter, smiles and joyful support of the audience showed the resilience, talent and dedication of our wonderful young people, and we couldn’t be more proud of them all,” she said. Carolling at the governor’s house goes on despite rain 58 The number of students, aged from 6 to 18, in the Cayman Youth Choir. Man sentenced for domestic abuse cases ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A man on the verge of becoming what a magistrate described as “a serial woman abuser” was imprisoned Friday for assaulting two women. Matthew Anthony Whittaker appeared before the Summary Court to be sentenced for common assault, inflicting grievous bodily harm, threats to kill, possession of cocaine and consumption of cocaine. Whittaker initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty on 15 Nov., which was 16 months after the incidents. In the first matter, Whittaker was arguing with his then-girlfriend and drove her to the back of a parking lot where he slapped her repeatedly in the face, causing swelling and bruising, the court heard. The following day, during another argument, Whittaker pinned her to the ground by placing his foot on her neck. “The victim has expressed that a majority of these attacks took place in her home, which is a place where no one should feel threatened. One of the attacks also took place in a location where no one could hear cries for help,” said Magistrate Valdis Foldats while reading from a victim impact report. He imposed a five-month sentence for the first assault on the woman and seven weeks for the second. Foldats then turned his attention to the assault on the second woman, saying it had occurred some months later, when Whittaker had started a new relationship. He and his then- girlfriend had been driving to Rum Point to pick up some friends. While they were driving, the woman got a call from a co-worker asking her to pick him up. Whittaker was said to have flown into a fit of rage and begun slapping and punching the woman in her face. He then pulled over the car to continue beating her. The court heard that when he was finished, the woman was soaked in her own blood, which was also splattered on the dashboard and throughout the car. This incident occurred while Whittaker was out on bail for assaulting his previous girlfriend. “There is no medical evidence submitted in this file, and none is needed, in light of the photos,” said Foldats. “I have seen the before and after pictures, and the difference is shocking. The woman is unrecognisable.” The magistrate told Whittaker, “You have no respect for police, no respect for court orders, and no respect for women. It’s clear you are in danger of becoming a serial abuser of women. It must be stopped now.” Foldats imposed 12 months for each charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm, to run consecutively. For possession of cocaine, he sentenced Whittaker to two months, to run consecutive to the other sentences. He also imposed a one-month sentence for consumption of cocaine, to run concurrently. Whittaker also faced charges of threats to kill, relating to a verbal confrontation between him and police, for which he was also sentenced. In total, he received a sentence of 29 months, taking into account his time spent in custody and his late guilty plea. The Cayman Youth Choir sang their hearts out despite the heavy downpour of rain at Government House last week.The inmates fill bags with rubbish at Barkers Beach. 9 news N news Barkers Beach in West Bay received a thorough cleaning in time for Christmas thanks to a group of inmates from Northward and Fairbanks prisons. Bags full of plastic flotsam and other rubbish stretched out along Barkers Beach ready to be collected as inmates and staff worked quickly through the clean-up on Saturday, 14 Dec., according to a press release. “We are very happy that this programme could start before Christmas. This beach will be utilised by people during the holidays. We hope that it is something we can work with the prison to see happen on a regular basis,” said Minister for Home Affairs and MLA for West Bay South Tara Rivers. “As a government, we’re very keen to enhance the rehabilitation offerings at Northward Prison to make sure that while the prisoners are there they do something productive and constructive and give back to society. In many ways, I think this will help them to reconnect with the environment we hope that they will transition to once they have been released,” Rivers said in the release. Five staff members and 18 inmates volunteered to rake, shovel and bag debris as part of a programme run by the Cayman Islands Prison Service intended to give inmates the opportunity to do something positive for their community. “These people have caused significant harm to communities. It’s important to us, but also important to them, to take steps to repay and undo some of the harm they have caused, as well as to generate self-esteem through purposeful activity and gain a sense of well- being,” Prisons Director Steven Barrett said. The inmates who volunteered from HMP Northward were from the recently enhanced rehabilitation unit, which functions as a halfway house for low-risk inmates coming to the end of their sentences, and supports them through their transition back to life in the community. The majority of those in the unit are already working outside the prison during the work week, and return to Northward in the evenings and weekends. According to Barrett, the inmates were more than happy to give up their leisure time for the Barkers project. “This is all part of a broader strategy to reconnect people with communities and also to reconnect communities with us,” he said. The prison service has a long- running programme of projects to support the community and prepare inmates to re-enter the community at the end of their sentences. Early next year, the plan is to undertake its most ambitious project yet, which will involve the renovation of a property in East End, the release stated. Inmates volunteer for Barkers clean-up Five staff members and 18 inmates volunteered to rake, shovel and bag debris as part of a programme run by the Cayman Islands Prison Service .Next >