Regulated in the Cayman Islands as a licensed insurer by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. Generali Worldwide is a trading name of Utmost Worldwide Limited. Registered Head Office address: Utmost Worldwide Limited, Utmost House, Hirzel Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 4PA. Regulated in Guernsey as a licensed insurer by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 (as amended). Incorporated in Guernsey under Company Registration No. 27151. Call us to learn how we can support your business today at 747-2000. www.generali-healthcare.com A farmer’s market in your of ce? cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 27 February 2020 News Auditor: More than half of development bank loans delinquent Page 8 Issues Four wheels, two wheels or one? Page 10 Premier, Speaker meeting in London Page 3 Brac artist Foots sues government over ‘obscenity’ arrest Page 6 Cruise ship denied entry to Cayman amid coronavirus concerns Page 2 Photo: File Thousands attend Agriculture Show Page 5Matinees (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 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 3:55 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 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 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. 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FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Cruise line says decision ‘based on fears NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky A cruise ship carrying a crew member who had been isolated on board with flu-like symptoms was denied entry to the Cayman Islands on Wednesday. The MSC Meraviglia, carrying 4,488 passengers and more than 1,600 crew, had been scheduled to arrive in George Town on Wednesday, but the Cayman Islands government refused to allow the ship to dock. A day earlier, the ship arrived in Ocho Rios in Jamaica, but Jamaican authorities would not allow passengers to disembark after it was discovered that a sick crew member on board the ship had travelled to the Philippines within the last two weeks. According to the Philippines health authorities, there were three confirmed cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the country as of 26 Feb., including one death from the disease. In a statement issued Tuesday, Cayman Islands Health Minister Dwayne Seymour said, “In an abundance of caution, in order to provide protection to the health and safety of the residents of the Cayman Islands, the Government has denied permission for the cruise ship to call on Grand Cayman as previously scheduled.” Cayman’s Public Health Department and the Ministry of Health, the statement said, were aware that the cruise ship scheduled to arrive in Grand Cayman Wednesday had been denied landing in Jamaica. It said, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica, a member of the ship’s crew has been placed in isolation, suffering from “a cough, fever and associated muscle pains”. “The Ministry of Health and the Public Health department have reviewed the medical details of the person who has been isolated, and the details of one other member of the ship’s complement who is not well. Both appear to be in a stable condition,” it said. However, the cruise line disputed that Cayman’s health authorities had reviewed the medical records. In a statement, MSC Cruises said it was “extremely disappointed that Jamaican authorities [on Tuesday] delayed a decision for many hours to give our ship the necessary clearance to disembark guests, despite us having provided detailed medical records to the local health and national authorities ahead of its arrival as per normal protocol. “Similarly, the decision taken overnight by the Grand Cayman authorities to refuse disembarkation at [George Town] was made without even reviewing the ship’s medical records, which show one single case of common seasonal flu (type A influenza) affecting one crew member with a travel history clearly showing no passages through territories either affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) or subject to any international health restrictions. In both instances, the ship was effectively turned away simply based on fears.” The cruise line said the crew member had travelled to Miami from Manila, via a direct connection in Istanbul. Earlier on Tuesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin had said the crew member was tested in Jamaica and did not have COVID-19. “However, we are taking all possible precautions and the [Chief Medical Officer] is currently getting travel history, etc. We will err on the side of caution and if it is considered that there is any risk at all, the ship will be asked not to call in the morning,” McLaughlin said. As of Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization, there were 80,239 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, and 2,700 deaths from the virus. According to MSC Cruises, the ship’s next port of call on its 14-day cruise is Cozumel, Mexico. It said the ship’s command and the company’s management were in contact with the Mexican health authorities “to ensure that their decision will be based on a factual review of the ship’s medical records, as well as consideration for the pre-embarkation screening and on board medical and deep sanitation protocols that are in place across MSC Cruises’ entire fleet.” On Wednesday, Alejandra Aguirre Crespo, the health secretary in Quintana Roo in Cozumel, said Mexican health authorities were satisfied that the ship’s crew member did not have coronavirus. The Meraviglia is scheduled to arrive in Cozumel at 9am Thursday. A letter from the Meraviglia captain, Stefano Bartinelli, to the ship’s passengers was posted on social media by one of the passengers on Wednesday. It stated that all the ship’s guests and crew members were screened individually upon embarkation, in terms of their travel history and health. “The crew member that has developed symptoms of common flu had embarked at the beginning of the cruise in Miami after passing the mandatory health screening that all our guests and crew members receive before joining the cruise,” the letter stated. MSC Cruises on Tuesday issued updated guidelines for passengers and crew regarding the coronavirus outbreak, but stated that “there have been no cases of coronavirus on board any of our ships”. On its website, the cruise line stated that it is conducting pre-boarding screening by thermal cameras “to exclude persons who may be at risk, and passengers with signs or symptoms of illness such as fever (≥38 C°/100.4 F°) or feverishness, chills, cough or difficulty breathing will be denied embarkation”. It added that it was denying access to anyone who had travelled to, from or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, or certain towns in central northern Italy in the past 14 days. Earlier this month, Holland America’s MS Westerdam was turned away from several countries before finally being allowed to dock in Cambodia. Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, was quarantined in Japan for two weeks – four of its passengers have died of the illness after the virus spread to hundreds of people on board. Premier Alden McLaughlin held his first meeting with newly appointed UK Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Elizabeth Sugg in London on Wednesday, following her appointment earlier this month. Sugg was named as the new OT minister after a Cabinet shake-up by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She took over from Lord Tariq Ahmad. During the London trip, the premier, along with a delegation of representatives from Cayman’s financial services industry, including Alasdair Robertson of Maples, Dan Scott and Eleanor Fisher of EY, Jess Shakespeare of PwC and Kevin Lloyd of KPMG, met with the UK Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Sir Edward Lister at No. 10 Downing Street. That meeting was one of a series organised by Ministry of Trade, Investment and Maritime Affairs Chief Officer Eric Bush as part of Cayman’s campaign to bolster the UK Cayman relationship, as well as to get support in the push to remove Cayman from the EU blacklist. Premier Alden McLaughlin meets UK Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Elizabeth Sugg in London on Wednesday. Cayman turns away cruise ship amid coronavirus concerns Premier meets UK officials 4,488 The number of passengers on board the MSC Meraviglia cayman compass 2 news N news THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2020Pressure mounts for Bush’s removal RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin and House Speaker McKeeva Bush were set to meet in London Wednesday regarding allegations that the West Bay West MLA assaulted the female manager of a local bar. The premier, in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon – four days after the alleged incident – said Bush will arrive in London on Wednesday. Bush, who is deputy chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Small Branches Executive Council, told the Cayman Compass Wednesday he was scheduled to be in London for a previously arranged CPA meeting. He is due back on Saturday. McLaughlin, who was already in London for meetings to address the European Union’s blacklist, said he planned to speak with Bush about the situation. “I will be sitting down with him to discuss his statement and the efforts to deal with his problems and to talk about the actions that need to be taken as a consequence of the incident itself,” the premier said in his statement. The incident allegedly happened last Friday night at Coral Beach on West Bay Road. Premier to discuss next steps On Monday, police said a team consisting of a superintendent and detectives within the Criminal Investigations Department is investigating the alleged assault. They also appealed for witnesses to come forward. In his statement, the premier expressed his “deep regret and that of the Government at this most unfortunate incident and to extend our support to the lady that has suffered injury and distress as a result. “She deserves our support. I want her to know that everyone in the Government wishes her a speedy recovery." On Monday, Bush issued a statement on the incident saying he did not recall it, but was told he “reacted badly” when he was being assisted to his feet after passing out and falling down at the West Bay Road establishment on Friday night. He said he has been dealing with the grief of losing his daughter, who passed away at the end of January 2011. He pledged to get professional help and to stop drinking alcohol. McLaughlin, commenting on Bush's admission of his struggles, said, “I appreciate the candour of the Speaker’s statement and his recognition that he has problems with which he needs to deal." “Therefore, the most important immediate issue is for the Speaker to seek the treatment that he references in his statement. I and all in my Government will do all we can to help in his efforts to access appropriate professional help at this time,” he added. The premier said he recognises that the alleged incident that occurred over the weekend will have consequences. “The police investigation is under way and I have confidence in them to carry that out thoroughly and effectively,” he said. Following the premier’s announcement of his planned meeting with Bush in London, social media commenters questioned why the Speaker was going to the UK to have this matter addressed. But Bush clarified Wednesday that he was going to London anyway to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting. Meanwhile, Governor Martyn Roper in a brief statement Tuesday said, “I am greatly concerned by any allegations of assault, especially when these relate to violence against women.” He said it would be inappropriate for him to comment further until the police investigation is completed. “I have every confidence that [the police] will deal with it in accordance with the law, which applies to everyone equally," he said. Pressure mounts for Bush’s removal as Speaker The Opposition and North Side MLA Ezzard Miller have called for Bush’s resignation or removal. Miller, the first legislator to publicly address the allegations against the Speaker of the House, issued a statement on Tuesday morning, saying it was “in the best interest of both Mr. Bush and the people of the Cayman Islands that Mr. Bush resigns from the role of Speaker forthwith or that the necessary action be taken to remove him from office”. Leader of the Opposition Arden McLean contacted the premier Monday to discuss the issue and the way forward, according to a statement from the Opposition released on Tuesday. That statement, which was issued on behalf of McLean and MLAs Anthony Eden, Alva Suckoo, Chris Saunders and Bernie Bush, said the premier confirmed that he is in discussions with his caucus on the matter. “In the absence of him [Bush] voluntarily choosing to stand aside to seek the professional help he clearly needs, a decision must now be taken by the Unity Government of which he is a member,” the statement said. Bush’s statement “substantiates the rumours about his actions on 21st February 2020”, the Opposition said. “The seriousness of this incident means it may very well progress into a criminal matter and the public must be cognisant that the vast majority of registered voters are potential jurors. In addition, there are disciplinary procedures within the Legislative Assembly that may be employed,” the statement said. “However, in the interest of fairness and natural justice, our actions as legislators must not be seen to impede, prejudice or influence a criminal investigation that may result in a matter before the courts,” it added. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Roy McTaggart posted on social media about the incident, saying it is being investigated by a senior RCIPS officer and, as such, “it would be inappropriate to comment until the facts of this incident are made public. As an MLA and member of the Cabinet, it is important that any statement I make must not be seen to influence the course of justice.” He added, “Having said this, I would, however, like to make it perfectly clear that in Cayman, any violence against women is not to be tolerated and I stand in complete support of the victim of this incident and offer my sympathy to her for having to endure such an ordeal.” A social media hashtag, #sheissupported, has been trending locally, as Cayman Islands residents on Twitter and Facebook express their solidarity with the woman who was allegedly assaulted. A public protest is being organised for Friday in front of the Government Administration Building. Behaviour in public not grounds for removal KEVIN MORALES kmorales@compassmedia.ky As Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush faces allegations of assault, the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly confirmed this week that it does not have a code of conduct by which its members are required to abide. “Most parliaments do have a code of conduct but Cayman does not,” a spokesperson for the Legislative Assembly told the Cayman Compass. A formal human resources policy exists for civil servants and the Public Service Management Law outlines values and behavioural expectations for government employees, but neither the policy nor the law applies to lawmakers, the spokesperson said. The civil service human resources policy does not apply to legislators, a spokesperson from the Portfolio of the Civil Service also confirmed. Also, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, of which Cayman’s legislature is a branch, does not have an overarching code of conduct for its members. Bush is chairman of the CPA’s Small Branches Executive Council, on which he represents all small countries in the world body. Codes of conduct for elected politicians do exist in the UK. In 2005, the House of Commons approved the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament. Section V (15) of the code states: “Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament and never undertake any action which would bring the House of Commons, or its Members generally, into disrepute.” The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 outlines circumstances that would cause a member’s seat to become vacant. None of those, however, address a member’s behaviour in public. Should any MLA be charged with a crime, the Constitution calls for disqualification only for members who have served prison sentences of more than 12 months or who have had such sentences suspended, or have committed crimes of dishonesty. No code of conduct for legislators Premier, Speaker meeting in London “I will be sitting down with him to discuss his statement and the efforts to deal with his problems and to talk about the actions that need to be taken as a consequence of the incident itself.” Premier Alden McLaughlin According to the Cayman Islands Constitution: Disqualifications for elected membership 62(1): No person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly who – (a) is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state; (b) holds, or is acting in, any public office; (c) has been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in any part of the Commonwealth or the United States of America and has not been discharged; (d) is a person certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law in force in the Cayman Islands; (e) subject to subsection (2), is serving or has served a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) exceeding twelve months imposed on him or her by a court in any country or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him or her by such a court, or is under such a sentence of imprisonment the execution of which has been suspended, or has been convicted by any court in any country of an offence involving dishonesty; (f) is disqualified for election by any law in force in the Cayman Islands by reason of his or her holding, or acting in, any office the functions of which involve— (i) any responsibility for, or in connection with, the conduct of any election; or (ii) any responsibility for the compilation or revision of any electoral register; (g) is a party to, or a partner in a firm or a director or manager of a company which is a party to, any contract with the Government for or on account of the public service and has not, within the period of one month immediately preceding the date of an election in which he or she is a candidate, caused to be published a Government Notice setting out the nature of such contract and his or her interest, or the interest of any such firm or company, in it; or (h) is disqualified for membership of the Assembly by any law in force in the Cayman Islands relating to offences connected with elections. Tenure of office of elected members 63. The seat of an elected member of the Legislative Assembly shall become vacant – (g) subject to section 64, if any circumstances arise that, if he or she were not a member of the Assembly, would cause him or her to be disqualified for election to it by virtue of any provision of section 62(1) other than paragraph (g). cayman compass 3 N news THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 20201234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 1234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 ACROSS 1 Indefinitely (3,5) 5 Overtake (4) 9 Scoundrel (5) 10 Verify (7) 11 Dabble in danger (4,4,4) 13 Proclaim (6) 14 A fodder plant (6) 17 Easy to operate (4-8) 20 Of long ago (7) 21 Provoke to anger (5) 22 Christmas (4) 23 Stateliness (8) DOWN 1 Intense rage (4) 2 Insignia of royalty (7) 3 At intervals (5,2,5) 4 Outdoor meal (6) 6 Excuse for failure (5) 7 Due proportion (8) 8 Ultimately (2,3,4,3) 12 Hardness of heart (8) 15 Large bird of prey (7) 16 Portraitist’s model (6) 18 Be pre-eminent (5) 19 Equipment (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16312 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 16311 ACROSS: 1 Black spot, 8 Above, 9 Silence, 10 Upkeep, 11 Egoism, 12 Overstep, 15 Retrieve, 18 Sailor, 20 Ratify, 21 Agitate, 22 Error, 23 Mont Blanc. DOWN: 2 Lying, 3 Credit, 4 Sycamore, 5 Tamper, 6 Modesty, 7 Red pepper, 11 Evergreen, 13 Eyesight, 14 Stature, 16 Infirm, 17 Pistol, 19 Often. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A Guyanese man wanted for firearm offences in the US has been arrested in Cayman and faces drug charges. Whendel Stewart, 35, made his first Summary Court appearance on Monday. “Mr. Stewart arrived in Cayman on the 8th of December 2019,” Crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson told the court as he outlined the reasons for Stewart’s arrest and the subsequent charge. “He had an itinerary, which would have seen him departing Cayman on the 25th of December 2019.” Ferguson told Magistrate Kirsty- Ann Gunn that Stewart applied for an extension to his visitor’s visa on 27 Dec., which allowed him to stay in Cayman until 14 Jan. Stewart, however, failed to leave the islands when his additional time expired. “He turned himself in to Customs officials on 14 Feb.,” said Ferguson. “By this time, he was already under suspicion for drug- trafficking offences.” The court heard that Customs and Border Control officers searched Stewart when he turned himself in and found a house key on him. “When officers questioned Stewart about the key, he told them it was for his house back in Guyana,” Ferguson told the court. “Stewart had a Bodden Town address on his file and when officers visited the home, they tried the key in his presence and the door opened.” Stewart’s sponsor in Cayman was contacted and he showed officers to a room where Stewart was staying. “Inside that room, officers found several small clear packets containing a white powdery substance, as well as a scale with white powdery residue,” Ferguson said. “A presumptive test of the white powder came back positive for cocaine. Officers also found a suitcase in the room. Inside the lining of the suitcase was a sock, which contained 18 packets of a white rock-like substance that resembled crack cocaine. A presumptive test came back positive for cocaine.” Ferguson said officers also suspected Stewart of laundering money. Within two days of arriving in Cayman, “Stewart sent away almost $3,000 to his wife in Guyana,” said Ferguson. “At 1:48pm, he sent $271 with MoneyGram, During that transaction, he used a West Bay address. Then, at 3:12pm, he sent $2,400.49. This time he used Western Union and provided an address that listed a hotel room.” Ferguson told the court that further checks by Customs and Border Control revealed that Stewart was wanted by the US Department of Homeland Security for a shooting incident in New Jersey. He added that although Customs and Border Control was in talks with US and Guyanese officials, the department had not yet received any official documentation. However, the basic biometric data suggested Stewart was the wanted man. Stewart is represented by Alex Davies, who told the court that his client knows nothing about the drugs. “My client is guilty of overstaying, but that is because he was ill-informed and was told that he could apply for an extension administratively. He turned himself in, and although he listed the Bodden Town address, he never stayed there,” said Davies, adding that Stewart left his belongings in the house, but that did not mean he had committed the crime. “Mr. Stewart firmly and fully denies any allegations of being wanted in connection with any crimes in New Jersey,” added Davies. Stewart has been charged with one count of illegally remaining/ residing and possession of a controlled substance, namely cocaine. He has been remanded in custody. US fugitive arrested in Cayman Man wanted in connection with New Jersey shooting turns himself in cartoon No Entry - By Caymanman CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The Spanish department in John Gray High School held its inaugural Spanish competition finals earlier this month. Kerita Levermore-Stewart, head of Spanish at the school, said this competition reflected the students’ enduring quest to find innovative ways to invigorate learning experiences at the high school. “This is a truly collaborative effort resulting in a phenomenal outcome. We were joined by teachers of the Spanish Department at Clifton Hunter High School, who served along with our staff and other community members in varied capacities,” Levermore- Stewart said. She said that the Spanish quiz, which was held on 11 Feb., was open to all grades and each team had a representative from Years 7 to 11. The competition, which was themed ‘Saber es Poder’ (Knowledge is Power), was won by Team Tarpon. Year 11 student De’Neil Watson said he is already anticipating next year’s event. “This was truly a great experience for me and even though I am in Year 11, I would like to return next year just for this, and maybe as a judge, because I will continue my Spanish,” Watson said. Principal Jonathan Clark said he was proud of the school’s Spanish team, adding, “We are always looking to extend and enrich our curriculum, and our inaugural Spanish quiz provided some of our stronger students with an opportunity to compete across our academies and also to inspire their peers.” John Gray High School inaugural Spanish quiz champions, Team Tarpon, with the championship trophy. John Gray holds inaugural Spanish quiz 4•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 Thousands of people took advantage of the Ash Wednesday public holiday to attend the 53rd annual Agriculture Show. Visitors and locals alike braved the morning rain and long traffic jams to take part in the event at the Agricultural Grounds, which is one of the most popular public gatherings of the year. Celebrating agriculture in the Cayman Islands IN FOCUS: A young visitor to the Agriculture Show checks out one of the goats. Attendees visit the various stalls at the show. Some of the award-winning produce on display. Officials pronounce the Agriculture Show open on Wednesday morning. A girl pets one of the horses at the show. There was no shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables at the show. Arts, crafts and jewellery vendors are popular every year. Bird's eye view This pig wanted to get a look at the passers-by. cayman compass 5 news N news THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2020To our precious Angel Shenni Vanessa Pamela Dacosta February 27, 1978 -November 19, 2014 Today is full of memories of happiness and tears, Of birthday celebrations we have shared throughout the years. You are always in our hearts no matter where we go, Always in our hearts because we love you so. However long our lives last whatever land we view, Whatever joy or griefs is ours we will remember you. To some you are forgotten to others part of the past, But to us who dearly loved you the memories will always last. We feel you are with us in everything we do; So we will celebrate your birthday But we will spend it missing you. Dearest Shen, today would have been your 42nd Birthday here on earth, but its your 6th birthday in Heaven. We love you and miss you so very much. Your broken-hearted parents Marlene and Ashton Bodden and all your family. Filing alleges malice in actions by police and prosecution KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@compassmedia.ky Cayman Brac artist Ronald ‘Foots’ Kynes has filed suit against members of the Cayman Islands government, alleging malicious prosecution for his 2017 arrest and subsequent trial in relation to his art. Kynes was charged with obscene publication in October 2017 over a series of sculptures, including depictions of same- sex intimacy and religious iconography, that were displayed on his property in South Side, Cayman Brac. The artist was found not guilty in July 2018 by Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn. Kynes has been vocal about his intention to sue government, and to seek millions of dollars in damages, since his arrest in July 2017. He alleges that the actions taken by local authorities in response to his art constituted harassment and infringed on his right to freedom of expression. The writ filed this week lists the Cayman Islands attorney general, commissioner of police, and director of public prosecutions. Kynes further alleges impunity regarding harassment and repeated cases of vandalism against his art dating back to 2009, when one of his sculptures was set on fire. “It is also understood that there was no investigation, arrest or recording of the complaint to the police. There was also no arrest or duly completed investigation of any of the previous incidents,” the writ states, regarding the 2009 fire. In relation to the 2018 trial, the writ states that both RCIPS officers and church members falsely interpreted his sculptures as “related to voodoo, obeah or devil worshiping”. Following Kynes’s arrest, the sculptures in question were smashed and vandalised. “The evidence on which the Plaintiff was charged and prosecuted came exclusively from the biased collected accounts or assertions of obscenity by a limited section of the public which was reported to RCIPS and its officers,” the writ states. Kynes contends that none of his art is obscene in nature or depicts sexual acts. “None displayed any obscenity, nor did they impugn the morals of society by reference to public standard of the Cayman Islands community as a whole which put on … public national carnivals each year which display participants simulating sexual acts,” the writ states. The artist’s arrest without “reasonable and probable cause” infringed on his constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful enjoyment of property and non- discrimination, the filing further states. “The Claimant suffered loss and damage, including loss of liberty as set out above, distress and reputational damage of a prosecution lasting from 18th July 2017 to 17th June 2018,” the writ reads. “The Claimant was required to attend court on several occasions where he was the subject of public attention, contempt, and ridicule. He was thereby gravely humiliated. He was arrested and samples taken from him. His name and reputation … is felt to have been tarnished.” The actions of the defendants are described as “arbitrary, oppressive and unconstitutional”. Each defendant will have 28 days to respond to the writ from the time of receipt. Artist Ronald 'Foots' Kynes says none of his artwork is obscene. Brac artist sues government over ‘obscenity’ arrest Kynes alleges that the actions taken by local authorities in response to his art constituted harassment and infringed on his right to freedom of expression . A sculpture which was one of the pieces involved in a 2018 obscenity trial is shown smashed in August 2017, following Foots' arrest. cayman compass 6 news N news THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2020Acquitted by reason of insanity ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A Bodden Town man who buried a child alive has been acquitted of an attempted murder charge on the grounds of insanity. Travis Jarrell Webb, 28, in November 2018, buried a 3-year-old child in a shallow hole at a Bodden Town home. Although Webb committed the crime, Justice Philip St. John-Stevens returned a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity. Webb’s insanity verdict comes on the heels of a three-day judge-alone trial, during which the prosecution and defence put forward evidence which asserted that the defendant had met the test of insanity. “The position is that both experts are in agreement that Mr. Webb suffers from schizophrenia,” said Crown counsel Scott Wainwright. “Therefore, he has meant the test of insanity.” Although Webb was acquitted of the attempted murder charge, he has been remanded into custody until sentencing. However, sentencing Webb will be no easy feat, as the law requires him to be held in a facility specifically designed for the criminally insane. Section 159 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code deals with ‘special verdicts’, such as not guilty by reason of insanity, stating, “The court shall order him to be conveyed to any hospital or other place for the time being appointed under any law to be a mental hospital or for the reception of criminally insane persons.” Currently, there are two possible places where Webb could be housed – the Cayman Islands Hospital’s mental health unit or Northward Prison. Psychiatrist Dr. Marc Lockhart, the chairman of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission, ruled out the hospital as a good fit. “The hospital’s mental ward wing has eight beds, and it is not designed for long-term treatment,” said Lockhart. “Housing someone there for an extended period of time could cause more harm than good, because it lacks the necessary elements of treatment the person would need.” The hospital’s mental health wing also lacks the necessary security services to watch a person 24/7 for an indefinite period of time. “Northward Prison is also not a good fit for a person like Mr. Webb,” Lockhart said. “The prison isn’t the ideal place because it does not have a therapeutic wing, where Mr. Webb would be able to receive the right psychotherapeutic treatment he would need. Plus, the atmosphere is not conducive for a person who is suffering from a mental disorder.” The only place that would be able to house Webb locally would be the mental health facility that is currently under construction in East End. However, the facility broke ground in October and is not expected to be open until next year. “I’ve been saying this for the last 18 years,” Lockhart said. “As our population continues to grow, and as we continue to run out of space and the stress and pressure continues to mount, we will see more and more cases similar to Mr. Webb.” He added, “The common misconception is that the [East End] facility would not be able to house the criminally insane,” he said. “If the facility was open, Mr. Webb would be assessed and if it is deemed that he could be monitored with the right medication and the right counselling and treatment, he could be admitted to the facility.” With Webb’s sentencing now looming on the horizon, work needs to be done to identify a place that can properly house and treat him. “We, the Mental Health Commission, will have to meet with the relevant stakeholders and identify the possible options available for Mr. Webb,” said Lockhart. The prosecution said the child who was injured in the incident has since made a full recovery and shows no signs of lasting effects. Man found not guilty in child-burying case Webb’s insanity verdict comes on the heels of a three-day judge-alone trial, during which the prosecution and defence put forward evidence which asserted that the defendant had met the test of insanity. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A West Bay man was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison on gun and cocaine offences. James Harris Winton, 40, was found with a revolver and six rounds of ammunition, as well as cocaine, at the Holiday Inn in February 2018. Court documents reveal that at the time of the arrest, Winton denied any knowledge of the firearm but admitted to having the cocaine for his personal use. In April 2019, he pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm (the gun and six bullets), and to the charges of possession and consumption of cocaine. He was sentenced to five years for the gun, five years for the bullets, three months for the possession of cocaine, and a further three months for consumption of cocaine. All of the charges are to run concurrently, and the time Winton has spent in custody will be deducted from the sentence. West Bay man jailed for gun and drugs cayman compass 7 N news THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 202053% of the total loan portfolio,” the report stated. This means more that half of loans at the bank are not being repaid. Cayman Islands Development Bank CEO and general manager Tracy Ebanks, in response to queries from the Cayman Compass, said the bank has made progress on addressing the delinquency rates. “The high rate of delinquency is a legacy issue that is being addressed. The high level of delinquencies is mainly attributed to loans that were underwritten under outdated policies and is not reflective of current operations,” she said. Ebanks said the bank has made full provision for these loans over the years and, eventually, if the debt remains uncollectable through foreclosure or other means, it will be written off. “Collection efforts continue to recover these old debts and progress has been made; however, the percent change year over year reflecting any efforts will not be substantially noticeable until write down occurs or there is new loan growth,” she said. The bank’s management response to the auditor’s findings said the delinquency rate has not risen, despite the decrease in the loan portfolio from principal payments and limited loan growth. “The Board approved the write down of $1.7 million in old, fully provisioned debt. The net effect was a decrease in delinquencies. There will be periodic write downs as required by IAS (International Accounting Standards) that will reflect the current portfolio performance from newer loan programs written under revised policy,” the bank explained. It said that steps are being taken to address loan holders defaulting on payments. However, it said, “legal remediation does not always produce better collection results and can often lead to increased provisioning to absorb legal costs”. It said that the bank will increase collection efforts and “enter standstill agreements, if applicable, to manage problem accounts prior to a final sale scenario”. Account relationship officers/managers, it added, are constantly looking at ways to make collections. In addition to concerns about the delinquency rate, the auditor general highlighted inadequate collateral-assets monitoring at the local bank. The report found that, based on the auditor’s review, “there is not an active update of the status of collateral assets”. Some residential properties, it said, have been repossessed for over five years, which “seems longer than the market tends to require for a sale”. The report pointed out that the on-site Cayman Islands Monetary Authority inspection report also identified issues with adequate monitoring of collateral assets. The auditor general also highlighted that the bank’s valuation aging analysis showed that only 19% of the properties have current valuation reports. The bank, in its response to the findings, said that the Risk Management Department started a project on 25 June 2019 to update property valuation reports for all loans secured by real estate. “We will monitor going forward to try to get updated property valuation reports every three years,” the bank said. were delinquent at the end of 2018. Auditor General Sue Winspear highlighted the issue in her general report released last week on government’s financial reporting for the year ended 31 Dec. 2018. According to the report, the delinquency rate for current and prior years “is extremely high”. “Delinquent loans stood at $16,338,612 as of December 31, 2017, representing 56% of the entire loan portfolio, and $13,542,381 of December 31, 2018, representing Working together to better our communities. What could a Dart Grant do for your organisation? We invite registered not-for-profits, based and operating in the Cayman Islands, to apply for one of nine new Dart Grants. Awards of financial support will be made for community development projects or programmes in the areas of Education, Youth Development and the Environment. Eligible organisations can apply for one of eight grants valued at up to CI$25,000 and one grant of up to CI$50,000. For more information on this programme, the selected areas and application process, visit dart.ky/about-us/community or email grants@dart.ky dart.ky/about-us/community Tracy Ebanks, CEO, Cayman Islands Development Bank Auditor: More than half of development bank loans delinquent Cayman Islands Development Bank delinquency loans $16,338,612 31 Dec. 2017 56% of loan portfolio $13,542,381 31 Dec. 2018 53% of loan portfolio $13.5 million outstanding on unpaid loans RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Recent financial reports from the Cayman Islands Development Bank have shown that 53% of the bank’s loans 8become the home for local snakes, iguanas, hermit crabs and a family of Cayman parrots that share the grounds with other feathered friends. Regina Nowak has become Hargrave’s official zookeeper. Along with a few assistants, she works to keep the sanctuary running smoothly. Nowak is well- known on the island for her compassion for animals and she takes care of the sanctuary residents’ many needs. They require fresh water, clean cages, love and food, which must follow their natural dietary habits, such as sea grapes, almonds, tamarinds, mangos and a mouse now and then for the snakes. Such staples are not always found in local grocery stores so, as the official zookeeper, Nowak spends lots of time trekking through the bush of East End for supplies. On the rare occasion when critters get sick or become injured, she takes them to a veterinarian in George Town. Observant and dedicated keepers are the mainstay of an animal sanctuary’s medical programme. They get to know the individual animals under their care by watching them daily. Keepers are the first to recognise abnormalities, such as loss of appetite or inactivity, or changes in behaviour that may reflect early medical problems. Immediate reporting of observations is preferable to ‘waiting it out’, because many zoo animals instinctively conceal obvious signs of illness until the disease or injury is well-advanced. When complete, the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary will be a place for fun and learning, and will welcome birthday parties, social gatherings, schools, and educational tours. Plus, we hear Cayman parrots just love to take selfies with visitors. The sanctuary is not yet open to the public. However, opening day is not too far away. Watch for announcements in the press to get the update or visit the sanctuary’s Facebook page on www. facebook.com/CaymanParrot. GEORGE NOWAK Every winter, they fly south from Wisconsin, Illinois and Canada – regions where snow falls, ice melts and dirty slush fills their driveways. They are known as ‘snowbirds’ or ‘winter birds’, and many of them that land on our shores hole up for the winter in quiet North Side, Old Man Bay and the Rum Point area. Like full-time residents here, they spend their dollars buying groceries, eating out and purchasing other essential items. No question – snowbirds enhance our economy. One such duo of winter visitors is David Quasius and his wife Kathy. David is better known as the ‘Michelangelo of North Side’. His concrete sculpture park has become a popular tourist attraction, which is on private property, yet open and free to the public. The park is kid-friendly and gives both adults and children great opportunities to take pictures of themselves with larger-than- life concrete animals, representing the real-life versions that are mainly endemic to Cayman. The huge blue iguana sculpture at the entrance of the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is one of David’s creations. He is almost finished with his most recent project – a pair of Cayman parrots to be exhibited at the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary in East End. The sanctuary started as a dream, which advanced to an idea, and then became a project, which is nearing completion. Chef Ron Hargrave of Tukka restaurant originally planned to build a simple playground and mini-zoo for his children and the youngsters of East End. A few swings, a slide and a sandbox was the plan, with maybe a few parrots and agoutis to keep the kids busy while he watched over his three popular restaurants in the district. As sometimes happens, one notion turned into another and now, nearly two years after the idea was hatched, it has To get updates on when the sanctuary is opening, visit its Facebook page. Regina Nowak, zookeeper, spends some time with her feathered friends. David Quasius displays the sculptures he is creating for the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary. East End Parrot Sanctuary to open soon When complete, the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary will be a place for fun and learning, and will welcome birthday parties, social gatherings, schools, and educational tours . Did you know? The Cayman parrot was declared the national bird of the Cayman Islands in 1979. It is illegal to take a parrot from the wild and keep it as a pet. The Cayman Islands parrots (Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac birds) are two sub-species of the Cuban Parrot (Amazona Leucocephala). 9Next >