cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Tuesday, 3 March 2020 Opposition urges gov’t to convene House Calling for no-confidence vote in McKeeva Bush, and appointment of new Deputy Speaker. Page 3 Run on masks, hand sanitisers amid virus fears Page 2Matinees (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, MARCH 3 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 1:40 | 4:00 VIP | 7:20 BRAHMS: THE BOY II (PG-13) 12:30 | 2:45 | 4:50 | 10:15 CALL OF THE WILD (PG) 1:40 | 4:20 | 6:50 | 9:20 THE INVISIBLE MAN (R) 1:10 | 4:05 | 7:00 | 9:55 VIP LOVE AAJ KAL (PG) 5:00 | 8:10 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:45 | 3:40 | 6:40 | 9:10 7:2 THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1985) (G) 7:00PM CLASSICS 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 a 20% chance of afternoon showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 83°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to southeast at 10 to 15 knots SEA STATE Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Surgical masks and hand sanitisers are selling out at stores and pharmacies throughout the Cayman Islands as residents and visitors snap up those items amid growing fears over the coronavirus. Although health officials say there are no local cases of the COVID-19 virus, masks and sanitisers are being snapped up by spooked shoppers. Pharmacies and local grocery stores have been sold out of the N95 surgical mask, which is used as a protective respiratory device, since last month after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency. Shakira Perera, a pharmacist at Cayman Pharmacy Group, said the problem with people buying the N95 masks is that doctors are running out of one of their most vital tools. “Physicians are begging mask manufacturers to stop selling the masks to regular places because doctors can’t get the mask either, and the N95 mask is the surgical mask they use in operating rooms,” Perera said. “In the hospitals, when they do operations, they have to use N95 surgical masks ... Doctors are pleading with people to stop buying the mask if they don’t need it.” Julian Bostock, supervisor at the West Bay Pharmacy, under the Cayman Pharmacy Group, said the masks have been flying off the shelves since the end of January. He said new deliveries of masks and sanitisers were made to the pharmacy on Friday and Saturday, and by Monday, they had all been sold. “People started buying masks by the box. Some people even bought them and shipped them overseas by the box because there is a shortage of them [abroad],” Bostock said. “Basically, it’s a mass panic in my opinion. [The masks] are disposable and you only get one or two uses out of them. Even the N95 masks aren’t going to last you more than a week because they are compressed,” he added. Pharmacies across Cayman are also quickly selling out of hand sanitisers, though Perera said there is no need for the panic buying of the item. The best way to keep hands clean, she said, is by simply washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. “People believe that the hand sanitiser is doing the trick; it’s not. It’s meant for when you are in a bind and you don’t have water and soap,” she said. She added that it is understandable that people who are travelling buy masks because of concerns over fellow passengers near them coughing, but she advised against members of the general public purchasing masks. “If you’re not sick, you’re not advised to wear it because once you use it, that’s it, you have to throw it away,” she said, noting that people should take advice from their doctors and pharmacists on the correct usage of masks, and adding there is a shortage on the market now “because people are buying them and ... hoarding them”. She said the best advice for combatting COVID-19 is the same as that for fighting off any kind of influenza. “Stay away from people that you see coughing and sneezing. If they cough and sneeze in your vicinity, try to turn away. Cover your face and cover your mouth to protect yourself. Wash your hands regularly. Don’t shake hands, and if you do, wash your hands immediately after. That’s the information we are trying to spread to patients,” Perera said. Health Care Pharmacy in Grand Harbour has been sold out of the masks for the past two weeks. Alma Sobrejuanit, inventory controller, said that since WHO said the COVID-19 virus was of global concern, people have been steadily coming in to buy the N95 masks. “There’s not a single mask left. People are desperate and our suppliers in Canada are completely out,” Sobrejuanit said. Masks, sanitisers sell out amid virus scare CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Public health officials on Monday denied online reports of an Italian cruise ship tourist being treated in a local hospital for suspected coronavirus, saying the man has influenza. The patient has been admitted to Health City Cayman Islands. Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, medical officer of health at the Public Health Department, told the Cayman Compass that there are no suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus on island, and that the Italian man is being treated for “another medical condition”. Shortly afterwards, Cayman’s chief medical officer, Dr. John Lee, said on Twitter, “Health City is caring for a visitor who has tested positive for the flu. They have no suspected cases of COVID-19.” Later on Monday, Health City issued a statement re-affirming that there are no cases of the virus at the hospital. Clinical director Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil said in the statement, “These rumors are completely untrue and unsubstantiated. There are no suspected or confirmed cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at Health City Cayman Islands. We are working closely with the Ministry of Health and Public Health officials regarding the potential arrival of Coronavirus disease in the Cayman Islands, and would not accept any suspected cases without prior discussion with Government officials. “We take infection control very seriously at Health City Cayman Islands, and our standard protocols guard against the spread of any bacterial or viral infection within our hospital.” On Saturday, passengers on board the Italian cruise ship Costa Luminosa disembarked in Grand Cayman. The day before, when the ship docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the Italians on board were not allowed to land as a precautionary measure against the potential spread of coronavirus. There have been almost 1,700 cases of the virus reported in Italy and the country has been placed on a travel watch list for Caymanians. Currently, only people who have travelled to mainland China in the preceding 14 days are restricted from entry into the Cayman Islands. In the last couple of days, the virus appeared for the first time in New York, Moscow and Berlin and clusters of the disease surged around the world, as new cases in China dropped to their lowest level in six weeks Monday, and hundreds of patients were released from hospitals at the epicentre of the outbreak. On Sunday, Florida officials declared a public health emergency after announcing two cases – a woman in her 20s who recently returned from Italy and a man in his 60s who had not travelled to any countries of concern. According to an Associated Press report on Monday, the global death toll of coronavirus pushed past 3,000, and the number of people infected topped 89,000, with fast-expanding outbreaks in South Korea, Italy and Iran. Officials deny coronavirus patient being treated in Cayman cayman compass 2 news N news TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2020RESHMA RAGANOOTH rraganooth@compassmedia.ky Official Opposition members, responding to MLA Ezzard Miller’s call for a special sitting of the Legislative Assembly at which a no confidence vote in House Speaker McKeeva Bush would be held, say they simply do not have the numbers to request such a meeting, and instead urged government members to do so. They said that without the support of George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan, who indicated Monday that he would not endorse a call to remove Bush, the Opposition does not have the requisite seven signatures to prompt a meeting. In a statement issued Monday morning, the Opposition members said they had met over the weekend to consider the North Side MLA’s call for the meeting to debate the no-confidence vote and to elect a new Deputy Speaker. “Unfortunately, the Official Opposition could not get unanimous support as one member of the Group, MLA Kenneth Bryan, was not in support. Without his support, the Opposition cannot get the signatures of seven members, as required by Standing Orders, to request the meeting of the Legislative Assembly,” the Opposition said. “Members of the Legislative Assembly have two choices in this matter,” the Opposition added in the statement. “Either we rise to meet the demands of our office, or we pull our office down to a lower level. We cannot say we value fairness and accountability and be silent or passive when we were elected to be the voice of the voiceless. “We now urge all elected members of Government to support the opening of the Legislative Assembly to address this urgent matter.” The call for the meeting was made following reports that Bush was allegedly involved in an assault on a female manager of the Coral Beach bar on West Bay Road on 21 Feb. Since then, he has taken a leave of absence from his role as Speaker. Subsequently, MLA Bernie Bush resigned as Deputy Speaker. As McKeeva Bush officially remains the Speaker, his duties would be taken up by a Deputy Speaker, who must be elected from among the sitting MLAs. Bryan on Monday morning said that while he acknowledged Miller’s intention to safeguard the reputation of the Legislative Assembly, “I believe the request for the Speaker to be removed is premature in light of limited information and with an ongoing investigation by police as to what exactly happened.” He said that he trusted that the RCIPS is “fully aware of the public’s interest in this case and will conclude their investigations in a timely manner,” and added, “Once more information and details surrounding the incident become more apparent, it will be better suited to decide whether or not a vote of no confidence should be called on the Hon. Speaker.” Bryan added, “... we shouldn’t presume guilt before innocence, especially without all the relevant facts and details”. However, he said he would be willing to revise his position on a vote, based on feedback from his constituents. “If they feel that there is enough information already available in the public domain that warrants a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, then I am guided by their direction. Until that point, I will await further details that will bring better clarity to what transpired on the 21 February regarding the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,” he said. On Friday, Miller called on Opposition members to support him in triggering a special sitting of the House to elect a new Deputy Speaker and to hold a debate on a no confidence motion in McKeeva Bush. In their statement on Monday, the Opposition members said that they believed “the public should expect, and rightfully so, that those who seek, and are privileged to hold public office, should be held to a higher standard of conduct and that they are duty bound to protect the integrity of the people’s House”. They added, “While we are also aware that there is also an ongoing criminal investigation, we think it would be rather hypocritical of us, as political leaders, to require members of the Public Service to … ‘not, at any time, engage in any activity that brings his ministry, portfolio, statutory authority, government company, the public service or the government into disrepute’ … but have a different standard for our conduct. “Inaction is therefore not an option!” Premier Alden McLaughlin declined to comment Monday on the Opposition member’s call for a House meeting. He stated last week that members would elect a new Deputy Speaker at the next meeting of the legislature, but did not say when that would be. He said the member to be offered for election as Deputy Speaker will be announced in “due course”. Opposition calls on gov’t to convene House sitting “We now urge all elected members of Government to support the opening of the Legislative Assembly to address this urgent matter.” Official Opposition statement MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky The Public Accounts Committee heard on Monday from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, as head of the civil service, about ways to improve the administration of the courts. The hearing came after the auditor general released a report in November 2019 which found that the court administration does not use performance measures to manage the system and lacks a systematic analysis of how demand for the courts is changing. The complex and multi-agency nature of the Summary Court system means that it is difficult to identify the total cost involved in prosecuting cases. Because the judicial administration does not record its expenditure by criminal, traffic and civil court, it is also not clear how much it costs to operate each type of court. This also made it difficult to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the court system overall, the auditor general found. The report was requested by the Public Accounts Committee to determine whether the courts operate in such a way that the public receives value for money, as well as to make recommendations. In 2018, the judicial administration purchased the Scotia building, close to the existing courthouse, to create more courtrooms and address a backlog of almost 1,400 cases, as of March 2019. Whether this significant financial investment delivers value for money is not certain, partly because there is no clear business case that points to the need for the investment and court users were not consulted on the design of the new court buildings, the auditor general’s report said. Asked what measures were taken in response, the deputy governor expressed sympathy for the “difficult job” of Court Administrator Suzanne Bothwell, adding she would receive additional resources. For instance, he said, the wide variety of duties she performed within the court system pointed to the need for a deputy court administrator to free up time “to look at the entire organisation more strategically”. Manderson noted some recent “tremendous wins” in efficiency and service. For example, he said maintenance payments are now made directly into the recipients’ bank accounts without the need to go to the court to pick up a cheque. But he conceded there is more work to be done. The hearing was unable to clear up ultimate responsibility to address efficiency issues in the administration of the courts. “Clearly there has to be a discussion with the chief justice about matters that affect the efficiency of the judiciary, but it is the chief officer who will be held accountable for the efficiency of the court system,” Manderson said. Asked what rules exist that would allow the chief officer to make administrative decisions, even against the wishes of the chief justice, Manderson said the Cayman Islands Constitution “clouds the situation”. According to the Constitution, the chief justice “has responsibility for and management of all matters arising in judicature”. In light of this, the deputy governor said, he was not sure who would have the final say, for example, about the number of courtrooms required. This is an area where some guidance was needed from the Public Accounts Committee in terms of its recommendations and, Manderson said, he personally should get involved to establish clear lines of responsibility between the chief justice and the court administrator. The auditor general’s report made nine recommendations, some of which are due to be implemented this year. Public Accounts Committee looks at court administration In 2018, the judicial administration purchased the Scotia building, close to the existing courthouse, to create more courtrooms and address a backlog of almost 1,400 cases, as of March 2019 . The Opposition wants to call a special sitting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a vote of no confidence in the Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush and to appoint a new Deputy Speaker. cayman compass 3 N news TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 20201234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 1234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 ACROSS 1 Lose hope (7) 5 Authoritative tenet (5) 8 Natural exuberance (6,7) 9 Compare (5) 10 Underground prison cell (7) 11 Having an end (6) 12 Official (6) 15 Morally correct (7) 17 Irritable (5) 19 Forthcoming (13) 20 Evade by cunning (5) 21 An unexpected blessing (7) DOWN 1 Slow lengthened utterance (5) 2 Unprogressive person (5-2-3-3) 3 Versus (7) 4 To dwell permanently (6) 5 Condescend (5) 6 Remote-controlled weapon (6,7) 7 Store of weapons (7) 11 Swindled (7) 13 External (7) 14 Aviation (6) 16 Motive (5) 18 Return from investment (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16316 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 16315 ACROSS: 1 Award, 8 Stopcock, 9 Blunt, 10 Airtight, 11 Lobby, 12 Wet, 16 Secure, 17 Afield, 18 Bug, 23 Faith, 24 Mainstay, 25 Renew, 26 Spacious, 27 Idiot. DOWN: 2 Walkover, 3 Runabout, 4 Strike, 5 Spite, 6 Soggy, 7 Skate, 12 Web, 13 Tag, 14 Lie ahead, 15 All the go, 19 Uranus, 20 Smash, 21 Divan, 22 ASCII. I am writing this letter to let you know about our experience at the public parking lot at Seven Mile Beach at the end of January. We arrived with our family and 2-year-old grandson. It was a beautiful day and we were so excited to go to the beach to swim and play in the sand. A man immediately approached our car to ask us about renting beach chairs. We were taken off-guard because we have been coming to Cayman for 18 years and this has never happened before. It was stressful walking onto the beach area where chairs were set up in rows right up to the water’s edge. We had to walk single file into the water to pass the people sitting on the chairs. We love Grand Cayman so much that we purchased a timeshare in 2004, when our daughter was just a little girl. We have always felt very safe in Grand Cayman, love the people, the ocean, the culture, probably because we are Canadian, another Commonwealth country. We are concerned that this experience is just the beginning of what lies ahead for Seven Mile Beach. With eight cruise ships in port on some days, we can only imagine what will happen to the beauty and tranquility of Seven Mile Beach. So, we didn’t return to that beach again. We found a wonderful spot at Spotts Beach and had a wonderful visit early in the morning. Please reconsider the selling of beach chairs and sports at the Seven Mile Beach public parking lot. Thank you so much; we love to visit your beautiful island and feel blessed to be there. Holly Heard-Lucas Chair vendors spoiling Public Beach I am not sure that following Bermuda is a good idea. $22 million loss for the bus service? Also, bad policies (such as car limits and other ‘must do ‘rules) have really hurt their economy over the last decade. They now have about 37,000 employees, only 2,000 employees more than in 2012. Cayman has added 10,000 employees for the same period. And they still have traffic problems, on top of the huge losses from the bus service and high unemployment. I am not sure what the solution is, but car quotas don’t work. Everyone loses. It is somewhat better to increase the registration fees on second vehicles and use the funds to create a better public bus system. Also building homes where people work (George Town) helps. George Town revitalisation? – Paul Bodden In the mid-1960s, a husband and wife used to visit Grand Cayman every year on vacation. The wife was originally from Bermuda, and one year brought a full set of Bermuda’s vehicle ownership laws with her to the Cayman Islands. They met with the chief secretary and gave him the Bermuda legislation, with the suggestion that it may be beneficial for the government to consider implementing similar laws here. Unfortunately, on their return the following year, they discovered that the Bermuda legislation could not be found. As the article above mentions, and as I have stated publicly, these islands apparently actively dislike long-range planning. Had we had any vision, we would not be in the quandary that we now find ourselves in. – Nick Robson It’s a never-ending cycle. More people, more cars, so bigger roads, which then allow for more cars again. Somewhere it has to end. The island is too small for this kind of congestion. Tourists are not amused. Residents aren’t either, but everyone wants to drive to work and own two cars. Then there is the issue of getting rid of them when they die. – Connie Monk Unclogging roads: How the world deals with traffic problems Government should visit places like Amsterdam, France, London, New York. Discuss traffic issues with those cities. If they can make it work with millions of people, they surely can make it work here? I lived in Holland. Roads have tram lines on them, and it’s so well regulated that cars and trams never collide (OK, well, not unless the drivers are not focussing). To add to that, they have buses and bicycles and pedestrians on the same roads and everything works. Trams are always on time and people prefer to use that, as opposed to taking their cars. Get a ticket; it’s electronic, if it’s empty, you reload it. Works in all the major cities. Come on, Cayman, it’s not rocket science. I know I would definitely take reliable public transport if it existed. I hate driving. – Carien Roberts-Harcombe A rail system on a small island like Grand Cayman would be another eyesore. With all the tag readers around island, they can tax the hell out of excessive driving. A bus system with drivers that aren’t idiots can help employed people get to work. Invest in bigger buses and technology. – Rick Meeder What they’re saying Online Letters to the editor cartoon Jack Fuller A tale of two territories: How Bermuda deals with traffic Great article! Yeah, public transportation is really the only cure to traffic, if we want to keep adding to the population here. Subsidise it with a huge tax on private gasoline. Also, I’d love to ride a scooter if it became common enough that cars would expect and watch for them. Or if there were more enforcement about aggressive driving. – David Blumenthal The 1951 Motor Car Act limits the island’s residents to one car per household. The key point is: 1951! Back in 1951, Bermuda had a vision to restrict number of cars before it became a problem. In 1951, few motor cars were in Bermuda, so enforcing the Act was easy. The horse was not out of the barn yet, metaphorically speaking. It would have been a different story today, if, for example, 30,000 cars were already on island. As for Bermuda public buses, they are excellent. When I lived in Bermuda, I walked to and from work (20 minutes) and took a bus to go to beaches and trips around the island. Riding a scooter in Bermuda is very dangerous, so I opted out of such an option. My housemate, a Bermudian born-and- raised woman, would give me rides on her scooter – she had decades of experience. Still I was scared each time. – L. Bell cayman compass 4 news N news TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2020Caribbean Fest Register today, space limited Date: Sunday, 29 March 2020 Location: Compass Centre Time: 12pm – 3pm Compass Media is excited to bring together the eclectic and varied tastes of the Caribbean to one event; GraceFlava Caribbean Fest . We’re inviting both amateur and professional chefs to present their best Caribbean dish. “Curry Goat, Oxtail, Jerk Fish, Festivals, Rundown; the more flava the betta!” $50 Vendors entry fee to reserve your spot Consumers will sample from each vendor and then VOTE for their favourite Flava! Winners will be determined by votes: First prize $1000 KY Grace prize $500 KY Winners recipe will also be published in our Flava Recipe Booklet Reserve your space:sign up and pay fees at Compass Centre front desk, 949 5111 ext 219es atCom f cayman compass 5 TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2020Farmers say Cayman may be ‘flooded’ with the popular fruit JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Mango growers and Department of Agriculture staff are expecting a bumper crop of the fruit this year as trees are in full bloom throughout all three Cayman Islands. “Trees I’ve been watching for the past 10 years and longer are in full bloom,” said North Side farmer William Ebanks Sr., one of Cayman’s biggest producers of mangoes. “I don’t see anything happening for the island not to be flooded with mangoes this year,” he said. “That’s unless we get another Hurricane Ivan.” Cayman grows many varieties of mangoes, which vary dramatically in size, texture and colour. Though it is not exactly clear what is causing the massive flowering this year, Brian Crichlow, DoA assistant director, described the conditions necessary for a good crop. “You get the right combination of dry spell, rainfall – mangoes love a dry time to get the trees flowering,” he said. He explained whether all the trees hold mangoes or not depends on a number of factors, adding that diseases and environmental impacts could affect the fruit. But, Crichlow said, it is looking very positive for a bumper crop this year, unlike the last couple of years. When Cayman experiences a good crop, it is often followed by a cycle of bad crops, he explained. “I am hoping we get a good crop,” he said. “If that is the case, there might be a problem with farmers getting rid of mangoes.” On Cayman Brac, Shariffa Chantilope-Zelaya, plant assistant at the Brac office of the DoA, agreed, saying that almost every mango tree on the islands has flowered so far. “Last year was not as bountiful,” she added. In addition to the possible scientific explanation for the massive flowering this year, Chantilope-Zelaya said, “It could just be nature’s way”, or as older Brac farmers say, “One bountiful crop this year, one lean crop the next year.” Little Cayman farmer Frankie Bodden said that last year he hardly had any mangoes, but now has lots of blossoms on his trees. He is chalking up the better numbers to the leap year, saying that is normally when Cayman experiences a better crop. He added there is also better fishing and turtling during a leap year. No bees needed Although mangoes produce many flowers, not all of those flowers will produce fruit. Flowers may develop on different parts of a tree at different times. Mango trees differ from other fruit trees as their flowers don’t require bees for pollination; a host of insects and fruit bats do that job. In addition, mango trees are monoecious, meaning the flowers have both female and male reproductive organs and most can self-pollinate. Flowering may occur any time between December and March, depending on the growing area and weather conditions. From bloom to fruit The time it takes to produce mature, harvest-ready fruit after flowering ranges from 100 to 150 days, depending on the cultivator, growing region and weather. After flowers are pollinated, the fruit begins to develop. Mango skins may be greenish-yellow or orange-red. The flavour varies from acidic to sweet. Compared to the number of flowers a tree produces, the actual number of fruit that develops and mature to harvest is very small. Most varieties bear fruit between May and September, with June and July the most productive months, and they vary dramatically in size, texture and colour. East End farmer Franklin Smith is also hopeful of a bonus year for mangoes, but sounded a note of caution. “There is a lot of blossoms on the trees and we are hoping we will have a bumper crop this year,” he said, adding, “To tell you the truth, there is lots of flowers but I don’t see much fruit in the blooms.” He said this might be due to a lack of pollination. “It could be the climate, hot and cold,” he said. “There has not been a lot of rain to stop the pollination, so I really can’t say what it is … I only hope we will get a good crop. We just have to wait and see.” A few years ago during a particularly large harvest, North Side farmer Ebanks said they picked more than 2,000 pounds of mangoes a day, and collected more than 160,000 pounds of mangoes that season. In fact, the crop was so bountiful, he reckoned, 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of the fruit were fed to cows and pigs. Ebanks said his farm grows more than 75 varieties of mango, and this year there will be even more because there are trees that are blooming for the first time. He added there are a lot of cross-bred trees. When grown from seeds, the trees can take 10 to 15 years to bear fruit, but grafted trees can bear much quicker. Bumper season predicted for mangoes Lissandro Martin shows off a basket of mangoes he picked from his trees last year. Mango varieties found in Cayman include: • Nam Doc Mai • Jakarta • Julie • No. 11 • East Indian • Valencia Pride • Bombay • Carrie • Keitt • Kent • Haden (Cross breeds and common local mangoes also found) One of the many flower-laden mango trees in Bodden Town. 6 news N newsTHANKYOU Thisyearweweredelightedtofeaturethe workoftheAlexPantonYouthAmbassador ProgrammeandAlexPantonEmotional LiteracyProgramme.Wewouldliketo thankalltheamazingpeopleinvolvedin making theseinitiatives asuccess. Thankyoutoour2020AnnualYouth MentalHealthSymposiumSponsors.With yoursupportweareabletobringtolight thementalhealthchallengesfacedbythe youthoftheCaymanIslands.Thanksalso toourexhibitorsforsharingtheirservices andexpertise. Aspecialthankstoour amazingvolunteersandtoourattendees forshowingtheirsupportandtakingpartin thisevent. to our 2020AnnualYouth Mental Health SymposiumSponsors,ExhibitorsandVolunteers Presentations will be available on www.alexpantonfoundation.ky /AlexPantonFoundation/ alexpantonfoundation 3 RD ANNUAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM Aon|TheWellnessCentre|OnCourseCayman|CaymanPrep&HighSchool|HopeAcademy Aspire|CaymanIslandsCrisisCentre|YMCA |FamilyResourceCentre|Guardian’sAlive Stepping StonesHSA | NCBCapital Markets | Health CityCayman Islands InfiniteMindcare | NWAnxiety Institute A huge thank you to all of our incredible speakers for their support, insight, and inspiration. His Excellency Martyn Roper, OBE, Governor of the Cayman Islands Hon. Dwayne Seymour, JP, MLA, Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing Youth Ambassadors: Bill LaMonte, Teacher, Cayman Islands International School Youth Ambassador Programme Coordinator Dr. Colleen Brown, Clinical Psychologist, OnCourse Cayman Youth Ambassador Programme Jaci Patrick, Miss World Cayman Islands 2019 Kevin Ashworth, Co-Founder & Clinical Director of NW Anxiety Institute Dr Catherine Day, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Aspire Zippy & Apple Emotional Literacy Programme Dr. Xenia Sotiriou, Therapist, BHAC Zippy & Apple Emotional Literacy Programme Dr Marc Lockhart MD, Psychiatrist, BHAC A huge thank ou o all of our incf our incfedile speaers for their suppo, insight, and inspition. His Excellency Martyn Roper, OBE, Governor of the Cayman Islands Hon. Dwayne Seymour, JP, MLA, Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing Youth Ambassadors: Jhadari Lumley, Cristin Jackson, Yoleiddy Cid-Paredes, Paxton McCoy Bill LaMonte, Teacher, Cayman Islands International School Youth Ambassador Programme Coordinator Dr. Colleen Brown, Clinical Psychologist, OnCourse Cayman Youth Ambassador Programme Jaci Patrick, Miss World Cayman Islands 2019 Kevin Ashworth, Co-Founder & Clinical Director of NW Anxiety Institute Dr Catherine Day, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Aspire Zippy & Apple Emotional Literacy Programme Dr. Xenia Sotiriou, Therapist, BHAC Zippy & Apple Emotional Literacy Programme Dr Marc Lockhart MD, Psychiatrist, BHAC cayman compass 7 TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2020In loving Memory of Charles L. Walton Snr. (Nicky) March 02, 2020 You’re in my heart you’re my soul But now apart no hand to hold. I won’t forget the love you gave, I still can feel it to this day. I stand without you by my side, but know you’re watching from way up high. We will meet again for this I’m sure because our love will last and endure Your loving wife Cherrie Walton CICS understands the importance of bringing awareness to all gynecologic cancers—cervical, ovarian, uterine/ endometrial, vaginal and vulvar cancer—and declared March as our Female Cancers Awareness Month! Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the ad sponsored by: C A N C E R S O C I E T Y C A Y M A N IS L A N D S 25 ANNIVERSARY th Go to www.cics.ky for ideas on what you can do. For more information call the CI Cancer Society: 949 7618 Cayman’s Standards in Public Life Law and its associated regulations have come into effect. Governor Martyn Roper last week signed the commencement order for the law, and the regulations, to officially be enacted on 1 and 2 March, respectively. The law establishes standards in public life, and introduces measures to prevent conflicts of interest. It establishes a Register of Interests; directions on the appointment, responsibilities and compensation of board members; and the introduction of powers of investigation. According to a statement from the Commission for Standards in Public Life, the law “ensures that conflicts of interest are properly addressed and contributes towards a sound infrastructure of good governance, therefore reducing the opportunity for corruption". The law also covers ethical standards for elected representatives. Under the law, a Member of the Legislative Assembly who contravenes the Standards in Public Life Law can be found in contempt of the Legislative Assembly, and the assembly can order the member’s suspension from sitting and voting in the House for a certain period determined by the members. “The commencement of the Law, Amendment Law and Regulations will provide the Commission with the power needed to meet its constitutional mandates to supervise the operation of registers and to investigate breaches of established standards in public life,” the commission stated. The law adopts the ‘Nolan Principles’ – the seven principles to be adhered to by individuals in public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. The law also repeals and replaces the Register of Interest Law, 1996, so the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, as the registrar appointed under the ROI Law, will transfer declarations previously submitted in accordance with that law to the commission. The legislation extends the scope of individuals to whom disclosure provisions will apply, according to the commission. All public officers holding the post of heads of departments, sections, units or higher, as well as their deputies and those acting in those positions, are required to submit annual declarations. Also, board members of statutory authorities, government companies and constitutionally created commissions will be required to complete a declaration. The law also covers candidates nominated for election, as well as elected and official members of the Legislative Assembly, and the Speaker. Annual declarations are to be made by individuals deemed to be ‘persons in public life’, as well as their immediate family, in relation to details of shareholdings and directorships held in any company or other corporate body; any contract made with any public entity; any company, partnership or association in which money is invested; any trust; any land, whether beneficial or otherwise; any investment fund in which an interest is held; sources of income other than a salary or money from other perquisites of office; other substantial interest whether of a pecuniary nature or not, which raise or may appear to raise a material conflict of interest; and any loan, secured or non-secured, other than from any institution regulated under ‘regulatory laws’ as defined by section 2 of the Monetary Authority Law. The commission noted that the law “does not require the disclosure of the actual amount or extent of any financial benefit, contribution or interests by anyone”. Board members of statutory authorities, government companies and constitutionally created commissions are not required to include details in their declaration unless there is a possible or perceived conflict with the person’s functions on the board. The Commission for Standards in Public Life will enter into the Register of Interests all declarations made under the law and will retain those declarations for at least five years. Members of the public who wish to inspect the register may do so at the offices of the Commissions Secretariat, based at 67 Fort Street, 2nd Floor Artemis House, during normal working hours. Persons in public life who fail to submit a declaration, make a false declaration, or refuse to provide requested information without reasonable cause may be liable to penalties ranging from $100 for each day in default to, on summary conviction, a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for two years, or to both. The law also provides the commission with the power to appoint investigators and/ or investigate breaches of the law by persons in public life. Investigations can be carried out on the commission’s own initiative or from an allegation made by a member of the public. “These powers mirror that of the Grand Court with respect to summoning of witnesses, requiring the production of reports, documents, and other relevant information, although the Commission may also take any other actions necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions. The production of these additional reports, documents, etc. are subject to protection and shall not be disclosed except in the limited circumstances set out in the Law,” the commission said in a statement. The law allows for board members to be removed if incapacitated due to physical or mental illness, inability or unfitness to discharge duties, unsuitability, conflict of interest, absence from three consecutive meetings without permission of the board's chairman, and failure to comply with the requirements of the law. Standards in Public Life Law, regulations enacted According to a statement from the Commission for Standards in Public Life, the law “ensures that conflicts of interest are properly addressed and contributes towards a sound infrastructure of good governance, therefore reducing the opportunity for corruption” . cayman compass 8 N news TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2020Daily Horoscope THE LOCKHORNS By Bunny Hoest & John Reiner ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) When dealing with others today, don’t push things, because rela- tions with everyone are strained today. This is not just you — it’s happening everywhere. TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) Something going on behind the scenes will affect how you deal with others today. It will hold you back or make you hesitant. (This is nothing to worry about.) GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) Relations with someone older or in a position of authority might be a bit strained today. This is a poor day to ask for gifts or favors. CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) Relations with parents, partners, close friends or perhaps a boss are strained today. People are guarded and playing their cards close to their chest. LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) School or study might seem onerous today. It’s something you have to do but you don’t want to do it. Steer clear of political and religious discussions. Be smart. VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) You might be disappointed in your fair share of something. Or perhaps someone will refuse to lend you something? This is a touchy day for everyone. (Don’t take it personally.) LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) You like to get along with everyone because you’re a pleaser. Today, however, people are a bit uptight and frosty. Relax — it’s just what it is. SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) At work you have to keep on truckin’ today. Focus on duties and obligations, and you will get things done. Everyone is in serious work mode. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) Children might be an increased responsibility today. Likewise, practice in the arts or sports could be demanding. Do what you have to do in order to improve. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) Don’t ask an authority figure in the family for permission or for a favor today. Keep your head down and your powder dry. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) It’s easy to fall into worry mode today. Remember the saying: “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.” PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) Money feels tight today. This is why you might feel broke. Mike Todd said, “I’ve never been poor, only broke. Being poor is a frame of mind. Being broke is only a temporary situation.” BY FRANCES DRAKE TUESday, MaRCH 3, 2020 CURTIS By Ray Billingsley BLONdIE By Y. Marshall PEaNUTS By Charles M. Shulz HägaR THE HORRIBLE By Chris Browne THE aMaZINg SPIdERMaN By Stan Lee and Alex Saviuk cayman compass 9 TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2020Next >