Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Tuesday, 25 February 2020 Your most trusted news source Established 1965 cayman compass Sports Cayman track stars shine overseas Page 24 News Youth suicide attempts rise slightly Page 3 Issues Bike-share business popular with tourists Page 10 Bush apologises House Speaker says he doesn’t remember allegedly assaulting woman Page 2Photo: FileMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) 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. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 3:55 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 | 9:55 VIP BLUMHOUSE’S 1:15 | 2:45 | 9:50 FANTASY ISLAND (PG-13) CALL OF THE WILD (PG) 1:40 | 4:20 | 6:50 | 9:20 THE DARE (R) 12:20 | 5:25 | 7:50 | 10:15 EMMA (2020) (PG) 12:30 | 3:30 | 6:50 | 9:50 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:45 | 3:40 | 6:40 | 9:10 EEK TOMMY BOY (PG-13) 7:00PM ONE NIGHT ONLY! 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 EDITOR IN CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of overnight showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 85°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS Southeast at 10 to 15 knots SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Bush: I was “disoriented” and “reacted badly” RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky House Speaker McKeeva Bush has broken his silence on allegations that he assaulted the female manager of a local bar, saying at the time of the incident he was disoriented, does not remember the incident and believes he must have felt that he was in danger. “I wish to extend my profound and sincere apologies to the management and staff of Coral Beach, the public, my colleagues, my constituents and in particular (the manager) for the incident which occurred on Friday 21 February, 2020,” Bush said. The Compass has opted to withhold the name of the manager as the police are investigating the matter. Bush, in his statement, outlined the events of Friday, 21 Feb. saying that he went to Coral Beach to collect food to take home and was told that he had passed out and fell. He said he was told that when he was being helped to his feet he “reacted badly to the very persons who were surrounding me and assisting me. “I had no intention of doing so. I did not know where I was or what had happened or who was assisting me to get back to my feet. I was confused and disorientated, a similar feeling to that which I experienced when coming out of anaesthetic from my previous operations. I can only assume that I must have believed that I was in danger,” Bush said in the statement. On Saturday, police issued a statement about the assault, saying initially that it was reported that a senior member of government has assaulted a woman at a bar. She suffered minor injuries. The Compass reached out to the manager for comment following the initial report, but she has not responded. Bush, in his statement, said he has always been “transparent” and shared what he said was a “very personal matter, not by way of excuse, but in the hope that my personal experience and my own lack of dealing professionally with the same, may encourage others to take a different path from the one that I took”. Bush said on the night of the incident he was dealing with grief due to the anniversary of the loss of his daughter, who died at the end of January in 2011, in addition to a number of work-related issues. “These feelings get worse in times surrounding the event of loss and on Friday 21, February 2020, I found myself sitting at her gravesite and my mother’s who was very dear to me,” Bush said. Bush said he did not take the advice of a number of his close friends to seek professional help to deal with the personal grief and his family’s loss. “This incident has brought home to me the result of my failures to seek professional help and a realisation of my inability, despite significant efforts, to deal with this on my own,” he said. “I am committed to seeking long term professional help to assist me in dealing with the emotional pain which I am experiencing and to cease any use of alcohol as it exaggerates my emotional pain,” the House Speaker said. The Compass has reached out to the Office of the Premier for comment but had not received a response by press time. House Speaker issues apology over alleged assault “I was confused and disorientated, a similar feeling to that which I experienced when coming out of anaesthetic from my previous operations. I can only assume that I must have believed that I was in danger.” McKeeva Bush , House Speaker ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A George Town man pleaded guilty to a single count of robbery in Grand Court on Friday. DeAnthony Russell, 22, admitted to using a machete to rob a woman of her handbag and cell phone. According to court documents, at around 9pm on 29 Oct., 2015, the woman was walking alone on her way home when she was approached by a man, now known to have been Russell. The court documents state the woman felt a tap on her shoulder, then she turned around and saw the masked man, who said “Gimme the money or I will chop you”. After snatching her purse, which contained $250 and a cell phone, he then fled. Three years after successfully managing to evade the long arm of the law, Russell turned himself in, “because it was the right thing to do”. Court documents say on 6 Aug., Russell walked into the George Town Police Station and told police that he had committed the robbery. When asked how he committed the robbery, court documents reveal that Russell told police, “I just put a shirt over my head, pick up a machete and I go rob people. Simple as that.” Russell told Magistrate Valdis Foldats during an initial summary court appearance in February, “I turned myself in because it’s the right thing to do”. Russell was released on bail and a social inquiry report was ordered. Robber turns himself in three years later “I turned myself in because it was the right thing to do.” DeAnthony Russell McKeeva Bush, House Speaker Read the full statement online at caymancompass.com. cayman compass 2 news N news TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2020•Wood look porcelain tiles discounted •Xtra large format marked-down •Exterior tiles •Bathroom wall tiles •Kitchen backsplash specials •Prices as low as $1.32 per square foot MORE SPECIALS IN STORE! February Tile Blowout! SELECTED ITEMS! OFF 50 % 64 Eastern Avenue | (345) 949-6348 | info@ediesdecor.ky 2 DAYS ONLY - Friday & Saturday Take Back the Tap ! Tap water is better for your health, better for the environment and better for your wallet! Join us at Agriculture Show on Ash Wednesday (26 February) to learn more about the benefits of tap water. Pledge to “Take Back the Tap” and get a free reusable water bottle and sticker while supplies last. Plus, be entered to win a raffle prize! Lockhart: Slight increase in number of suicide attempts by minors CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The Alex Panton Foundation (APF) held its 3rd Annual Youth Mental Health Symposium Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton to not only address the mental health issues and stigmas on island, but also the solutions to combat them. In his presentation, Dr. Marc Lockhart said one in five young people in the Cayman Islands have mental health problems and 79% of those cases get the help that works. He also said eight young people have attempted suicide in this year and while he stresses that’s not cause for alarm, that number does show an overall upward trend in the number of young people attemping to take their own lives. “One of the reasons Cayman isnt seeing the high numbers like we see in jurisdictions like the US and the UK is because we dont have access to firearms,” Lockhart said. Lockhart said the numbers are only according to reports from the HSA, which don’t include those made to private practioners. Lockhart said that empowering our youth comes through proper education and finding the true facts when it comes to breaking the stigma with mental health issues. “Breaking down the stigma brings more people to get help and I’m really pleased with the approached the Alex Panton Foundation has been doing for the last three years in empowering our youth with the right information,” Lockhart said. Leanni Tibbetts attended the event and said she was shocked to find out that suicide was still a crime within the Cayman Islands, which means that insurance companies do not cover hospitalization fees due to suicide attempts. “Mental illness is one of the highest forms of illnesses, yet it is the most unexplored and can lead to many forms of physical illnesses,” Tibbetts said. Tibbetts said Dr. Lockhart presented how young people are dealing with their environment being destroyed, the school system is becoming more competitive, and there is an overload of information due to the “information age” and p[arents cannot begin to fathom what this generation is experiencing. 2018 National Drug Council Survey: 1 in 3 young people reported having thoughts of wanting to kill themselves. Symposium aims to address mental health issues Youth Ambassadors and Community mental health leaders at the annual Mental Health Symposium on Saturday, 22 Feb. cayman compass 3 news N news TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2020123456 78 9 10 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 2021 123456 78 9 10 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 2021 ACROSS 1 Sharply pertinent (7) 4 Game played on a green (5) 7 Sort (4) 8 Turtle’s upper shell (8) 10 Diva (5,5) 12 Coiffure (6) 13 Dismal (6) 15 Grossly unjust (10) 18 Intermittent (8) 19 Seize suddenly (4) 20 Give way (5) 21 Talk in rambling way (7) DOWN 1 To erect (3,2) 2 Absolute and unreserved (8) 3 Continue tediously (4,2) 4 Emigration of native talent (5,5) 5 To last under use (4) 6 State explicitly (7) 9 In close association (4,2,4) 11 Done with great effort (8) 12 Rumour (7) 14 Writhe (6) 16 Subdued in colour (5) 17 Solitary (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16310 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 16309 ACROSS: 1 Olive branch, 9 Proviso, 10 Preen, 11 Omen, 12 Demolish, 14 Carrot, 16 Fathom, 18 All there, 19 Stir, 22 Charm, 23 Prepare, 24 See eye to eye. DOWN: 2 Loose, 3 Void, 4 Broker, 5 Approval, 6 Cherish, 7 Up to scratch, 8 On the market, 13 Bonhomie, 15 Release, 17 Triple, 20 Toady, 21 Nero. cartoon ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Paul Mannix Scott, of Cayman Brac, was sentenced to more than three years in jail for a 2018 accident that claimed the life of a 51-year-old nurse. Shortly after 11pm on 27 Feb., 2018, on the Brac, Scott’s car veered into the opposite lane while travelling around Tibbetts Turn along Bight Road and collided head-on with Sharon Clarke’s SUV. The court on Monday heard that moments before the collision, Scott had taken his eyes off the road to switch a song on his phone. Experts for the prosecution and the defence counsel have agreed that the cause of the accident was that Scott’s car lost traction on the road, but they differed in their assessments of Scott’s speed at the time of the collision. The prosecution’s expert placed the Integra’s speed at 69.48 miles per hour, while the defence submitted the speed was closer to 50 mph, which was the number that the speedometer was stuck on following the accident. “This is a sad case,” said Justice Philip St. John-Stevens when handing down his ruling. “It has had an impact on the lives of the victim’s family, and indeed it has had a ripple effect on the lives of the defendant and his family.” Scott pleaded guilty on 22 Feb. last year to a single charge of causing death by dangerous driving, for which he was given full credit as part of his sentencing. St. John-Stevens noted there were two issues of excessive speeding that surrounded the accident. “Firstly, the speed limit was in excess of the 40-mile zone,” said the judge. “Secondly, there was a sign that said reduce speed now, meaning to reduce the speed from the maximum 40 miles per hour.” St. John-Stevens also noted Scott had expressed true remorse via letters he had written to Clarke’s family and to the court. However, he also added that there were several aggravating factors in the case. Shortly after the accident, officers who attended the scene smelt alcohol on Scott. CCTV footage would later reveal that on the night of the accident Scott had consumed six beers and two shots. “This is the case of a 39-year-old man, who chose to drink, and then chose to drive, and while doing so chose to change the music on his phone,” said St. John-Stevens. “I also note previous history of the defendant. Mr. Scott has previously been convicted of charges of careless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.” After awarding a one-third discount, and weighing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, St. John-Stevens imposed a sentence of three years and three months. Scott surrendered his driver’s licence when he pleaded guilty in 2019. The judge increased the mandatory five-year disqualification for a person convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, to six years. Cayman Brac man sentenced for deadly road accident ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A man who was shot and wounded behind a George Town liquour store will have to be flown off island to receive additional care, according to a Royal Cayman Islands Police Service spokesperson. Police say the man remains in stable but critical condition, after having undergone treatment for multiple gunshot wounds over the weekend. The man was shot sometime after 8:30pm on Friday night off Shedden Road near Mary Street. The matter remains under investigation; however, no arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions have been released. Anyone with infromation about the shooting can contact the RCIPS via their confidential tip line at 949-7777. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be made to Miami-based Crime Stoppers. Shooting victim to be flown off island Paul Scott was sentenced for a fatal accident that claimed the life of Sharon Clarke Monday at the courthouse. Police officers process the scene on Friday night. 4 newsnewsBeyond prestige and financial support for both high school and university students, the Dart Scholarship provides young Caymanians with life-changing experience in the real world of industry. If you’re a high achieving Caymanian student with aspirations to be a future leader and innovator, we invite you to apply for the 2020 programme. dartscholar.ky A whole new world of possibilities. It begins with a simple application. The Dart High School Scholarship Submit your application by 8 April 2020 The William A. Dart University Scholarship Submit your application by 15 May 2020 cayman compass 5 TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2020t. 815 0031 | e. info@compassprint.ky All your printing needs on island, on time. CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The Office of Education Standards has rated Edna M. Moyle Primary School as ‘satisfactory’ overall, noting it has improved since the last inspection in March 2015 when it received an ‘unsatisfactory’ grade. The newest assessment comes after a follow-through inspection conducted in 2018, when the OES said the school had made ‘satisfactory progress’ since the 2015 report. In the latest inspection, the North Side school, which has 10 teachers and 94 students, was said to have “effectively introduced the new national primary and early years curriculum. and this had been appropriately augmented with a good range of extracurricular activities, as well as trips and visiting speakers”. The OES said that the school’s curriculum was broad and balanced and was enriched well with lessons on local traditions and culture. The report noted the school had “no significant weaknesses”. Overall, the school’s leadership was rated satisfactory, though given a higher grade of ‘good’ in self-evaluation and improvement planning, and in links with parents and the community. The report said the principal, Danielle Duran, who joined the school in August 2019 at the start of this academic year, “had provided a strong senses of direction and purpose and had already made a positive impact upon improving provision”. In addition, the report noted that the school leaders’ self-evaluation and improvement-planning processes “demonstrated a good understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for further development”. The inspectorate rated students’ attainment compared to international standards as satisfactory in English and science, but weak in maths. To better improve pupils’ grasp of mathematics, the report recommended teachers focus on improving students’ mental- calculation skills, and said that broadening the curriculum in maths across the school year would promote understanding of shapes, measures, time and data. The OES also recommended improving student attitudes by implementing “agreed policies and practice regarding teachers’ management skills and their expectations regarding students’ behaviour”. To improve the quality of teaching and progress from satisfactory to good, the report recommended reducing inconsistencies in teaching quality at the different stages of the school, using assessment information more effectively in lesson planning, and demonstrating higher expectations regarding student’s behaviour and achievement. The school’s next inspection is set for September 2020. Edna Moyle Primary graded ‘satisfactory’ Student attainment with Eng- lish and Science: Satisfactory Students attainment in Mathematics: weak Students progress in English, science, mathematics: Satisfactory Students personal and social development: Satisfactory Ensuring effective teaching to support students’ learning: Satisfactory Curriculum: Good Health and safety: Satisfactory Support and guidance: Satisfactory Leadership: Satisfactory Self-evaluation and improvement planning: Good Links with parents and the community: Good Staff and the learning environment: Satisfactory Main areas of judgement for Edna M. Moyle Primary School: Teacher Kerry-Ann Grant leads a class at Edna Moyle Primary School. cayman compass 6 news N news TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2020R Proudly Sponsored By: Alex Banayan Listed as one of Forbes most Rueanna Haynes Peter Haas Todd Buchholz Ambassador Nicholas Burns www.rfceo.ky REGISTER NOW Find us on: Friday, March 6th, 2020 Kimpton Sea re Resort & Spa Grand Cayman Theme: Colliding Global Interests: Assessing the Impact RF’s Cayman Economic Outlook is the annual one-day conference that brings together leading thinkers and doers to explore how global busi- ness, technology, science, nance, politics and culture shape the Cayman economy. CEO 2020 brings you some of the most exciting speakers on the international conference circuit. cayman compass 7 TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2020To find out more about these highly regarded academic and professional programmes please contact Marjorie Corbridge at marjorie.corbridge@port.ac.uk HR PROGRAMMES TO BE DELIVERED IN CAYMAN ISLANDS IN 2020 THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH is delighted to be offering 2 CIPD accredited HR programmes in 2020 • Masters in HRM (MSc HRM) • Certificate in HR Practice (CHRP) These are fully taught on island by Faculty with substantial Cayman Islands experience. Master’s in HRM (MSc HRM) Starting 27 April 2020 Professional Certificate in HR Practice (CHRP) Starting 19 May 2020 This programme is perfect for HR profession- als and senior managers who want to enhance their people management knowledge and skills and gain a Master’s degree in HRM. The Master’s classes are delivered on island over 2 years with 5 daytime teaching blocks in each of years 1 and 2 plus a final research project The Master’s will develop your professional knowledge and understanding of HR to a high level and also your business skills: YEAR 1 SUBJECTS: 1. Resourcing and Talent Management 2. Skills for Business Leadership 3. Organisational Learning and Development 4. Leading Managing and Developing People YEAR 2 SUBJECTS: 1. Managing Employment relations 2. HR in Context 3. Issues and Debates in International HRM 4. Researching in HR FINAL YEAR: Supervised research project This Certificate in HR Practice is per- fect for those working in HR or aspiring to work in HR, team leaders, supervisors or managers looking to develop people management skills and knowledge. CHRP classes are delivered on-island in 6 daytime workshops – 20 days of teaching from May to November 2020 The Professional Certificate in HR Prac- tice will develop your HR knowledge and skills in: 1. The role of HR and the strategic business context: 4 days 2. Managing performance and rewarding employees: 4 days 3. Managing HR information: 2 days 4. Professional Development in HR: 2 days 5. Labour law, discipline, dismissal, gender equality: 4 days 6. Talent planning, recruitment, selection interviewing and on-boarding: 4 days ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Members of the West Bay Seventh- day Adventist Church asked themselves, “What would Jesus do?” as they went out into their community over the weekend. “The answer is to minister to people’s needs,” said Pastor Andrew Campbell. “That’s why we closed our church doors this Sabbath and ventured out into the community.” There are three Adventist churches located in West Bay, with each assigned a specific neighbourhood. The West Bay Adventist church was tasked with taking care of the Mount Pleasant area for the rest of 2020. On Saturday, 22 Feb., 100 church members marched from the church to the Ed Bush playing field, where they set up various family-friendly and health-related stations. “We have a health clinic that is offering free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar,” said Timothy McLaughlin- Munroe, public health surveillance officer and the deputy director of Pathfinders – the SDA’s youth arm. “There is a children’s corner, a booth for counselling and prayers; we are even offering free massages.” But not all the members were stationed at the playing fields. An additional 10 teams, comprising three to four individuals, were dispersed throughout the community. “Each group has bags of toiletries, food supplies and other household items,” said Diana Lyon, who helped to coordinate the event. “The mission isn’t to single out any one person or family ... The mission is to share some of our blessings with others in our community.” “No organisation is perfect,” added Campbell. “Not bashing what goes on within these four walls [the church building], but sometime for you to bring people to Jesus, you have to go out to them first. We hope to inspire people to say they want to be a part of our community.” Globally, the Adventist’s Pathfinder movement is celebrating its 70th anniversary. In Cayman, the Pathfinder movement is celebrating its 66th anniversary. “Our theme is ‘Salvation and Service’,” said McLaughlin-Munroe. “So we will be going into the community throughout the year, looking for areas where we can help ... We are looking to make a lasting and tangible impact in [people’s] lives.” West Bay church marches into community The West Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church spreads cheer throughout the community. 8Forbes Travel Guide, the world- renowned and only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, announced its annual Star Rating list on 12 Feb., presenting The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman with a new Five-Star Hotel award. The resort will be showcased with all of the Star Award winners on ForbesTravelGuide.com and is currently the only Five-Star Hotel in the Cayman Islands. “We are incredibly proud and honoured to be recognised as a Forbes Five-Star Hotel, which is a testament to our consistent dedication to provide personalised experiences and service to our guests,” said Marc Langevin, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. “Our ladies and gentlemen have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to this achievement through a journey of continuous training and outstanding attention to detail to elevate the level of personalisation and genuine care in our day-to-day activities.” The resort opened in 2005, and features six restaurants on property, including Blue by Eric Ripert; an exclusive La Prairie Spa; The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, a nine-hole course designed by Greg Norman; Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment programme and signature events such as Cayman Cookout and Cayman Rejuvenate. “We have been committed to championing genuine five- star service for more than 60 years, and this year’s winners, as always, exemplify the very highest standards in hospitality,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “It is difficult to earn a Forbes Travel Guide rating, and all our star-rated winners have shown how incredibly deserving they are of their accolades by demonstrating sheer dedication in their passion for service. We congratulate them all.” The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is located on Seven Mile Beach. For more information, visit www. ritzcarlton.com/grandcayman, and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, named five-star hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman team acknowledges its five-star accolade from ForbesTravel Guide. General manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Marc Langevin. “It is difficult to earn a Forbes Travel Guide rating, and all our star-rated winners have shown how incredibly deserving they are of their accolades by demonstrating sheer dedication in their passion for service.” Filip Boyen , CEO, Forbes Travel Guide cayman compass 9 L living TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2020Next >