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. www.generali-healthcare.com For a partnership that you can trust contact donovon.kellyman@ihs.ky Your health means the world to us. www.generali-healthcare.com cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 12 March 2020 Toxic landfill smoke a health hazard Page 2 $1.1 million for coronavirus fight Page 5 Smith Barcadere redevelopment plans scrapped Page 7 Photo: Taneos Ramsay Small islands can ‘lead by example’ in climate fight Pages 12 and 13 Small islands can ‘lead by example’ in climate fight Pages 12 and 13Matinees (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. BAAGHI 3 (PG) 5:20 | 9:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 1:10 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 9:55 THE INVISIBLE MAN (R) 1:40 | 4:20 VIP | 7:00 | 10:00 VIP ONWARD 3D (PG) 1:50 | 2:40 | 9:00 ONWARD (PG) 4:20 | 7:20 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 1:35 | 4:05 | 6:30 | 9:40 THE WAY BACK (R) 1:30 VIP | 4:35 | 7:15 VIP | 10:10 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK THURSDAY, MARCH 12 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 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 85°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS Easterly 15 to 20 knots. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet. A small craft warning is in effect. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky At the height of the landfill fire, concern was concentrated on controlling the rapidly expanding blaze. But the smoke, which has been reduced from thick black clouds to an everpresent smog, remains an issue affecting people’s health. Four patients have gone to the Cayman Islands Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit seeking treatment for issues related to inhaling the toxic smoke from the fire, a Hospital Services Authority spokesperson said. Dr. Courtney Cummings, HSA deputy medical director, told the Cayman Compass in an email that the harmful effects of smoke inhalation depend on several factors, such as what substances are being burnt, whether the inhalation occurs in a closed or open area, and the extent of the inhalation. “The effects include irritation of the nasopharynx and lung injury – this can give rise to a myriad of symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness, wheezing, headache, and disorientation, if severe,” Cummings said. He advised people with asthma, bronchitis or chronic lung disease to avoid inhaling the smoke “at all costs”. “In addition to avoidance of the smoke, they should carry with them their usual medications such as inhalers,” he added. But he also advised people to stay away from the affected area even if they do not suffer from chronic lung issues. “Whether persons have respiratory conditions or not, it is unsafe for them to breathe in the smoke. In an abundance of caution, those with chronic lung disease should remove themselves from coming into contact with smoke. This may mean staying with relatives or friends away from the affected area,” Cummings said. These concerns are not new, however. A dump fire in December 2013 pointed to potential health issues arising from the toxins carried in the smoke. That incident highlighted the government’s lack of air-sampling equipment to test the extent of the harm the smoke could cause. Richard Simms, director of the Department of Environmental Health, said at a press conference held at the landfill Monday afternoon, that seven years later, air-sampling equipment has still not been put in place. “That is something that we are looking at and I’m sure as soon as this operation has died down, we will make sure that funds will be sourced towards equipment, so we can help prompt the monitoring within this area,” Simms said. Todd Thalhamer, a landfill fire analyst and executive officer of Hammer Consulting Services, based in El Dorado, California, spoke on the value of such equipment during dump fires. He told the Compass that while air sampling helps determine the toxins in the air, he believes the more relevant question is for whom the air is being tested. “When the smoke is black, it is at its most toxic, but to test the air with an air-sampling device, you have to ask whether you’re sampling the air for toxins that are going to impact the residents nearby or the firefighters, because a landfill fire carries many toxins that can’t be sampled from just one device,” he said. Thalhamer, who spent 20 years as a firefighter before becoming a landfill fire expert, said he noticed a common problem across different Caribbean countries is that landfills aren’t capped or layered with a fireproof material to prevent these fires. “Preventing these toxins [from being released] in the air really starts with a good management system with the landfill, and this is something that I have seen some Caribbean countries lack,” Thalhamer said. Toxic landfill smoke a health hazard Thank you, Cayman, for participating in our 2020 Cayman Compass Reader Survey. Nearly 1,200 of you took the time to complete it and help us get to know you, our audience, better. Of course, it didn’t hurt that there was a $300 prize up for grabs. Kadow Brown, right, was the lucky cash-prize winner and picked up his reward from Cayman Compass Editor-in-Chief Kevin Morales recently at the Compass Centre. We’ve got a winner! pic of the day Smoke wafts across the Esterley Tibbetts Highway towards Lakeside Apartments during this week's landfill fire. 2cayman compass 3 THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2020 sunday brunch 11.00am - 3.00pm every sunday Tillies presents: • a raw seafood bar with oysters, wild shrimp and house-cured salmon; • made-to-order ceviche; • salad and mezze station; • prime rib cart; • steak and eggs station; • made-to-order omlettes; • chicken and waffle station; • yakitori grill; • breads and house-baked pastries; • dessert table; • make-your-own bloody mary stand; • vegan station featuring Dr. Aris Latham and his highly celebrated juices and sun-fired foods. 50KYD per person, 70KYD per person with bubbles and beverages To reserve call: +1 345 949 1234 email: tables@tillies.ky 747 West Bay Road, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman1234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 1234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 ACROSS 1 Day of celebration (8) 5 Engage gear teeth (4) 9 Obfuscate (5) 10 Soft woollen fabric (7) 11 Russian composer (12) 13 A travelling show (6) 14 Short, leisurely walk (6) 17 Vitally important (4-3-5) 20 Take pleasure freely (7) 21 Tolerate (5) 22 Scottish valley (4) 23 Defect (8) DOWN 1 Be opposite (4) 2 Suffocate (7) 3 Beyond question (12) 4 Brawl (6) 6 Boredom (5) 7 Evil, frightening place (8) 8 Gesture of approval (3,2,3,4) 12 Harsh rebuke (8) 15 Abnormally large (7) 16 Give allegiance (6) 18 Ineffectual compromise (5) 19 Fresh information (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16324 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 16323 ACROSS: 1 Ownership, 8 Aware, 9 Procure, 10 Splash, 11 Season, 12 Aversion, 15 Affluent, 18 Ransom, 20 Frisky, 21 Unhinge, 22 Sheen, 23 Determine. DOWN: 2 Worse, 3 Excuse, 4 Serenade, 5 Pamper, 6 Fanatic, 7 Mechanism, 11 Steadfast, 13 Estrange, 14 Affixed, 16 Unkind, 17 Infirm, 19 Organ. cartoon Jake Fuller My wife and I have been visiting Grand Cayman for many years. We remember Captain Morgan’s Restaurant, where you cooked your own steak. That was a fun place, the supermarket was a small overcrowded store a short distance from the Holiday Inn and so many more little places that gave the island a special charm, and the wonderful Caymanian people were always so nice. We have great respect for them, especially the folks we came to know. Our favourite taxi driver was Olny Ebanks. He was a very kind gentleman and his wife was a lovely lady. I believe most of the folks know who I am speaking of. It was the closest to paradise of all the Caribbean Islands for us. Unfortunately, greed set in big time, the cost of everything has skyrocketed, the numerous cruise ships that come to port have ruined the downtown, tourists throw litter on the streets and the beaches. They don’t care one bit. It’s only another island to shop on. It’s disrespectful of the beautiful island. The vendors renting chairs, jet skis and whatever are a disgrace. I don’t understand the lack of governmental control of this annoyance. Ah, the Grand Cayman of old was the best and will never be again. God bless all the Caymanian people and thank you for all the wonderful memories. Robert Gartelman Letters to the editor Missing ‘old’ Cayman No need for Premier Alden McLaughlin to apologise for the landfill fires of this week. It’s not his fault that the Cayman Islands government is knowledgeable that dump fires have figured into the human lives of Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac for 30+ years. It beggars comprehension that these fires and the monstrous garbage mountains on both islands are still holding sway! Why didn’t the magic pie-in- the-sky solutions for doing away with dumps work? When and where will the next Mount Trashmore and mini Mount Trashmore fires occur? Ridding these islands of their disease-ridden dumps will be job one of the next government. Nan Socolow Dump fires problem for decades Premier says sorry for landfill fires “We have been working; we’re coming up on seven years now since we initiated this round of discussions and negotiations to get a permanent fix, at least for the next 25 to 30 years for Cay- man’s solid-waste issues.” ... REALLY? Seven years of talking and nothing has been done yet? – Jim Hinckley Oh, well. That’s all right then. Everyone can just go back to what they were doing as if nothing hap- pened because they said “sorry”! – Anna Peccarino LOL. Cayman government [has] struggled for years and achieved nothing. Shocker ... Not! – Mac McDermid Jamaica confirms first case of coronavirus She arrived from the UK on 4 March. Felt unwell and was tested and quarantined by public health services in Jamaica on 9 March. Test results back from national influenza centre 10 March! Why is Cayman couriering suspected tests to the Caribbean Public Health Agency and wait- ing 5-7 DAYS for results when Jamaica can get answers in a day? Should we not send our tests to Jamaica? The more you know... – Rachel Osborne I said from two weeks ago that England was going to be where we get it from! – Curtis Conolly Five Cayman cases tested for possible coronavirus That was bound to happen when the government chose money over good sense by letting cruise ships continue to come in! I knew it would happen! – Michele Vanderford Can you imagine how many people will get infected till they get those results? It looks like they want everyone to be infected before they can take action. They need to stop all flights arriving from England. – Betty Acosta Should send the specimen to a reference lab in Miami. Have results in 72 hours. – Kyle Creel Six days is a long time. – Gloria Jordan ‘Nothing to fear’ over Italian cruise ship We have hundreds of people every day flying in from all over the US where the virus has now started spreading in numerous states. We would need to close all entry via ports and airports to even try and prevent it coming to Cayman. I think best to take the hand- washing hygiene advice being given by the experts and not buy into the mass hysteria being created by social media and news networks. – Kary Claybourn Can anyone confirm if the pas- sengers were screened upon entry by our government? Also, are we 100% guaranteed that they are all free of this virus and passed any possible incubation period? Just a concerned citizen. – Melesia Adderley All I have to say is good luck because it’s everywhere! Once again, the money means more. Sad. – Michele Vanderford Cayman is in no position to treat this virus, so why in the world are they allowing these ships to dock? I don’t understand. – Alyssa Gilbert What they’re saying "Greed set in big time..." cayman compass 4 news N news THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2020Government and health officials on stage at the meeting on coronavirus at Mary Miller Hall, from left, Austin Harris, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Dwayne Seymour, Nellie Pouchie, Dr. John Lee, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Lizzette Yearwood and Danielle Coleman. cayman compass N news THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2020 5 CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands government has allo- cated $1.1 million to prepare for the CO- VID-19 threat. Health Minister Dwayne Seymour, speaking at a public meeting on coronavirus on Tuesday night, said Cabinet had approved the budget to combat the disease, which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday. Six people in the Cayman Islands had been tested for coronavirus as of Wednesday. Officials said more funds could be allocated, depending on how the situation develops. “We are prepared to go further, investing heavily in the procurement of additional supplies and to further equip the hospitals and district clinics,” Seymour said. Health Services Authority CEO Lizzette Yearwood said the extra funding was welcome as the HSA is already short-staffed and needs to hire more personnel. She added that funds also would go towards hospital equipment, such as ventilators, extra beds and extra monitors. “We at HSA are already short on staff and we need to pay additional people to man the new flu lines and pay personnel for being part of this new unit to combat the virus,” Yearwood said. The WHO announced Wednesday that the COVID-19 virus, which has swept into at least 114 countries and killed more than 4,000 people, is now officially a pandemic. It is the first time the WHO has called an outbreak a pandemic since the H1N1 ‘swine flu’ in 2009. More than 50 residents gathered at Red Bay’s Mary Miller Hall Tuesday for Grand Cayman’s first public meeting about coronavirus with local health and government officials. As well as Seymour and Yearwood, the panel included Premier Alden McLaughlin, Health Councillor Austin Harris, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee, HSA Medical Officer of Health Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Ministry of Health Chief Financial Officer Nellie Pouchie, and Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman. Local testing starts next week Williams-Rodriguez explained at the meeting that local testing for coronavirus will start next week. “The number of persons in isolation under investigation for COVID-19 is six; five samples were sent to CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency) on Monday and one sample is to be sent today or tomorrow,” he said. Addressing Jamaica’s recent confirmation that it had recorded its first cases of coronavirus, the premier said that the government regards this as a real threat, “not just a threat of public health, but a significant economic threat”. “In recent days, it has crept closer and closer to us, with the most recent instance being the confirmation of the virus in neighbouring Jamaica, so over the course of the last couple of months, the government has been working on a comprehensive plan to address this issue and almost every agency of government is involved,” McLaughlin added. On the perceived irony of holding a public meeting to discuss an infectious disease, the premier said it was important that the public is educated about the threat from the virus, adding that future such meetings were unlikely, and that a similar meeting scheduled in Bodden Town on Thursday night may be the last one. Local cases ‘inevitable’ “Our first effort is to try to keep the virus out of our shores, but the reality is, with 2.5 million visitors a year and the way Caymanians and residents travel, it is quite frankly inevitable that it will arrive on our shores if it has not already done so,” McLaughlin said. The government last week banned non- essential travel for civil servants and on Tuesday, McLaughlin urged the private sector to do the same. In answering a question from a member of the public, the premier said that coronavirus testing will be free, and the government is considering travel restrictions to the Sister Islands or even district lockdowns if the Cayman Islands experiences an outbreak. Chief Medical Officer Lee told the audience, “The virus is probably coming; the next phase of this is to contain it, and that’s where we need the public’s help.” He urged people who have respiratory symptoms to isolate themselves immediately and to pass on this advice to colleagues or friends. “What we really want to do is to slow the spread through the community so that we can stop it in some areas totally. It is absolutely not the case that everybody is going to be desperately ill. Please be reassured by that up to 90% of people will have either a mild case or condition, or not be affected at all,” Lee said. “I need to tell you that, for a doctor, mild means something a little bit different to a citizen, so when I say ‘mild’, I mean that you wouldn’t have to go to a hospital, you may be in bed for a day or two or have a fever, like you have the flu, but you don’t need to receive medical care. It’s only that 10% that may struggle and need that additional care.” Border entries Regarding control at the various ports of entry to Cayman, Lee said the Port Authority has been very proactive with medical screening of cruise line passengers and maintaining active communications with cruise ship associations. “We made a decision that there was no value in doing temperature screenings at airports because ... there’s a window in which people may have the condition that come into the country and not have a temperature,” Lee said. Customs and Border Control has been a big help in “intelligence screening” at the airports, he added. He said some of the six people who are currently awaiting the results of their coronavirus tests, had come forward after being referred to medical authorities by CBC staff. Lee said there are currently public health personnel located at the airport. Health Minister Seymour said adjustments to social behaviours would be beneficial in slowing the spread of the virus. “We Caymanians are an affectionate nation, but I urge you to follow the advice of the health professionals and to keep three to six feet away from people who are displaying flu-like symptoms,” Seymour said. Another public meeting on coronavirus will be held on Thursday, 12 March, at the Bodden Town Civic Centre. $1.1 million for coronavirus fight Members of the public at Tuesday night's meeting at Mary Miller Hall.CHALLENGE GO TO CAYMANCOMPASS.COM NOW AND REGISTER TO PLAY. AFTER SELECTION SUNDAY, MAKE YOUR PICKS BEFORE THE FIRST ROUND TIPS OFF ON 19 MARCH. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CAYMANCOMPASS.COM IT’S FREE TO PLAY AND YOU CAN WIN GREAT PRIZES! Think you can pick this year’s champ? LOVE COLLEGE BASKETBALL? Dedicated clinic to be moved RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Health Services Authority has said it continues to see more patients heading to the hospital with influenza symptoms. “The number of flu cases reported [since the start of] 2020 continues to increase, similar to other jurisdictions which are experiencing higher than normal activity,” the HSA and its Public Health Department said in an emailed response to queries from the Cayman Compass Tuesday. The flu season generally runs from October to April. So far, Public Health said, it has received an average of 176 cases of influenza per week since the beginning of the year. “We ended the year 2019 with 6,474 cases, averaging 125 cases per week. This is still on average higher than our usual threshold of 95-115 cases per week,” it said. Last month, the HSA opened a dedicated flu clinic at the George Town General Practice Clinic for people with flu symptoms who need medical assistance. “We are seeing approximately 270 cases of respiratory tract infections reported within the last two weeks in February,” Public Health said in the email. The growing number of cases is prompting the department to change the location of its designated flu clinic. “With the rise of flu cases and to lower the risk of sick patients being with those who are well, we will be moving our flu clinic to a separate location on the hospital campus. This will be relocated from the [General Practice] clinic to the new location soon,” the department said. It is unclear where it will be moved at this time, but the HSA said a public notice on the new location would be issued. The authority has also started a 24-hour hotline number, 1-800- 534-8600, for callers with flu symptoms or who have recently travelled to a country with confirmed cases of coronavirus, to speak to a health professional. “Callers will be advised on what they should do (i.e., come to the hospital, stay home in quarantine, etc.). We have also started an email flu@hsa.ky, which is monitored by Public Health,” it said. NEOC activation essential Last week, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson partially activated the National Emergency Operations Centre following discussions with Cabinet. Public Health said this activation means that more agencies and departments are coming together to consider “ways to prevent, prepare for, and if necessary, respond to/contain and recover from COVID-9”. “These activities are all being conducted in a highly strategic and coordinated way, that ensures the highest levels of Government are part of the decision-making process, along with the private sector and NGOs, and that the activities are done in a way that is efficient and focused, so the impacts to the health of the public, and the economy (if the virus arrives) are minimized,” it added. The NEOC activation, it said, empowers HSA/Public Health officials, by providing “all the legal, regulatory, financial, logistical support and any other resources to the Public Health Department and the Health Services Authority to effectively provide care to the residents of the island in the event of an outbreak in the Cayman Islands”. While Public Health/the HSA is the first response agency for COVID-19, the implications of the virus are broader than just health- related matters, Public Health said in its statement. “The NEOC structure ensures the country is appropriately prepared, and (if needed) that there is a coordinated and efficient response to counter and recover from the threat,” it added. Flu cases continue to climb Flu cases have been on the rise in the Cayman Islands. Flu stats: Average of 176 cases of influenza per week since the start of 2020. 6,474 cases at the end of 2019 125 cases recorded per week in 2019 cayman compass 6 news N news THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2020Sponsored by RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Government has quashed its plans to redevelop Smith Barcadere. In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure said the proposed project will not proceed. “The Smith Barcadere Committee agreed that the project should not be pursued,” the statement said. No reason was given for the decision. It follows a ‘protest picnic’ organised last month by the group People for the Protection of Smith Barcadere. They challenged the plans for the popular South Church Street beach, which included a parking lot, an arch at the beach entrance, walkways, additional bathroom blocks and a timber cabana. After that meeting, government agreed temporarily to halt plans to enhance the site until further public consultation was held. They had also agreed to hold a public meeting at the South Sound Community Centre to discuss the plans, but that meeting was never held. The area’s MLA, Barbara Conolly, told the Cayman Compass, “I’m disappointed that the project is not going ahead. I wanted the Smith Barcadere area made safer and to provide access for all Caymanians and residents. That’s not going to happen now.” Wednesday’s announcement follows claims on social media on Tuesday that land near the beach, which was the proposed area for the redevelopment, had been cleared. The ministry refuted this. “No project works have been undertaken on the site and none are planned for the future,” it said. The project, it said, was in an early stage of development, with the tender review process completed in February. Taura Ebanks, a George Town South constituent and a vocal opponent of the project, posted a video to Facebook showing part of the beach that appeared to have been cleared of vegetation. On Wednesday, Ebanks said, “I am pleased to hear that in the absence of answered questions and proper public consultation, that our government has decided not to proceed with the estimated $2 million Smith Barcadere project at this time.” How we got here The ministry said it had commissioned the project on land at Smith Barcadere that the government had purchased in 2016 for $5 million. That purchase followed a petition led by the Save the Cove group for government to intervene after the land was earmarked for development by a private developer. In January, the Compass highlighted the latest proposed project developments after a tender was posted on government’s public procurement portal. At that time, both Conolly and Planning Minister Joey Hew said they were unaware the project had moved forward. The Public Works Department was in charge of project management and consultancy services for the project. Hew, speaking at the ‘protest picnic’, called the disconnect a breakdown in communication. A ministry statement issued in early February showed a revised plan, with a smaller parking lot, no arch and walkways. It said work, which would be limited to the land adjacent to the beach that was purchased by government in 2016, was expected to begin in March. Government pulls plug on Smith Barcadere project Opponents to the redevelopment of Smith Barcadere took video of this area of the beach this week to complain that it appears some clearance work had already been carried out. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s firefighters continued for a fourth day to grapple with fire at the George Town landfill, which made its way to the boundary line near the Esterley Tibbetts Highway on Wednesday morning. While flames were no longer visible at the site Wednesday, white smoke hung over the landfill and the communities in its vicinity. Early Wednesday morning, firefighters closed off one of the highway’s two southbound lanes while they dampened pockets of fire near the roadway. A Government Information Services statement said that the “waste located close to the landfill boundary flared up during excavation of the site. The decision was quickly made to close one lane of the highway to allow fire trucks to be strategically deployed and the area to be doused.” It said crews contained the flare-up and quickly reduced the smoke density for motorists’ safety. It was reopened at 9am. On Tuesday night, residents who had been evacuated from Lakeside Apartments and Watlers Drive were allowed to return to their homes, but some opted not to do so. Infrastructure Minister and George Town North MLA Joey Hew, in an interview with the Cayman Compass Wednesday, thanked the crews working on the fire. Hew said he evacuated his own family from his home on Sunday, but he remained at the landfill site and in the Watlers Drive community all night Sunday to monitor the fire. “My residence is less than a half a mile away from the landfill and right in the path of the smoke. And so ... it has been forefront in my mind each day. I am working closely with the government, the fire department, and the Department of Environmental Health management team to ensure that they are doing everything in their power to reduce the amount of smoke that we have been enduring for the last couple of days,” he said. Hew, like Premier Alden McLaughlin on Monday, expressed remorse for the situation. “It has been difficult, and my heart goes out to those who have been displaced and those who continue to deal with the effects of this smoke, but hopefully we are at the end,” Hew said. He added that residents can go to the Red Cross shelter should they need accommodation if the smoke continues overnight. Firefighters and the DEH have “made good progress”, according to a GIS statement. However, it said, the situation “remains dynamic with varying smoke density” at the site as crews continue to excavate, dampen down and cap affected areas. Chief Fire Officer Paul Walker lauded those who continue to battle the fire that escalated Sunday following high winds, and added, “Everyone at the scene is very grateful for the community’s support to date and ask for their continued patience as we work to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible.” Dump fire continues to emit smoke 7ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky With less than three weeks till the end of March, it appears unlikely that government will bring about any form of same-sex legislation within the first quarter of this year. During the November meeting of the Legislative Assembly, Premier Alden McLaughlin urged his fellow lawmakers to do “the responsible thing”, and “face up to the decision” by bringing about a legal framework for same-sex couples by the end of the first quarter of 2020. “I think I can safely say this – if this Legislative Assembly does not put in place legal framework for civil unions within, I’d say, the first quarter of next year, the United Kingdom government is going to probably, all indications are, reintroduce same-sex marriage,” said McLaughlin. Any framework that would provide same-sex couples with the legal equivalent to marriage would have to be introduced as a bill before the Legislative Assembly. However, with fewer than 20 days remaining in March, Cayman’s Constitution effectively bars the government from bringing about draft legislation before the end of the month, except in an emergency. Section 77(2) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 states in part, “Standing Orders shall require that, except in a case of emergency, every Bill introduced by the Government shall be published at least 21 days before the commencement of the meeting at which it is scheduled to be introduced.” Zena Merren-Chin, the clerk of the Legislative Assembly, said, “It takes at least seven members to call a meeting. It is the Speaker of the House who must call a meeting and I am not aware of any meeting being called. I have not been provided with any legislation to circulate to any of the members.” The premier’s comments at the November meeting of the House came one day after the Court of Appeal overturned Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s landmark ruling that legalised same-sex marriage in Cayman. In their judgment, the Court of Appeal judges ordered the government to “expeditiously” provide Chantelle Day and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush, with a legal status equivalent to marriage. Day and Bodden Bush had challenged Cayman’s Marriage Law in February 2019 on the grounds that it was discriminatory and violated their human rights. However, the appeals court found there was no discrimination. In January, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin, during the Grand Court opening, said his office was in the process of drafting legislation that would introduce a legal framework for same-sex couples. On Tuesday, Roy Tatum, head of the Premier’s Office, told the Cayman Compass that there was “no timeline at the moment”. He said, “This has the Government’s attention and, as the AG said in January at the opening of the Grand Court, ‘the process is starting’, and his office is working on a bill for the consideration by Government.” At the time of the appeals court’s ruling, the justices recommended that if the Cayman Islands government failed to provide Day and Bodden Bush with legal status, the UK government should step in. The judgment reads in part, “in the absence of expeditious action by the Legislative Assembly, we would expect the United Kingdom Government to recognise its legal responsibility and take action to bring this unsatisfactory state of affairs to an end”. Although the judgment called for expeditious action, it did not provide a timeline. Same-sex legislation in first quarter unlikely ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The trial of a Prospect woman at the centre of what is believed to be the largest-ever animal-cruelty case was called off Wednesday, after she changed her plea to guilty. Appearing before the Summary Court, Silvia Felicity Lewis, 55, pleaded guilty to a single count of animal cruelty in relation to more than 50 dogs seized by officials last year. The charges stem from a joint investigation between the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the Department of Agriculture that resulted in 53 dogs being seized from a Prospect home on 6 May 2019. The charge states that “Lewis, on or between 14 and 16 of May 2019, ... allowed the suffering of domestic dogs by failing to provide adequate veterinary care”. Lewis was charged six months after the seizure, and in December she initially pleaded not guilty to five counts of animal cruelty. However, on Wednesday, she was re-arraigned on count two, at which time she pleaded guilty. “The prosecution is willing to accept Ms. Lewis’s guilty plea to count two,” said prosecutor Darlene Oko. “The acceptance of the guilty plea is on the condition of full facts, and while count two only speaks to failing to provide adequate veterinary care, the agreed facts will take into account the charges that refer to failing to provide adequate food, water and spacing for the dogs.” The charge Lewis pleaded guilty to is a blanket charge, which means it covers all the animals. Two of the other charges were also blanket charges, while the remaining two charges specifically referenced a Shih Tzu/poodle mix and a Rottweiler. Shortly after the animals were seized, 11 of the dogs either died or were euthanised. Several of the dogs that were put down had tested positive for the parvo virus – a deadly and highly contagious canine disease. The DoA was assisted by members of Cayman’s animal welfare community, such as the animal shelters, veterinary clinics and grooming services, in rehousing and caring for the other dogs. “The Crown will be seeking to apply for a costs order,” said Oko. “Following the seizure, several animal welfare groups incurred significant expenses while treating and caring for the animals. The Crown will also be looking to recuperate some of those costs.” The plea agreement also includes a disqualification and prohibition order that would restrict Lewis from owning or caring for animals for at least 10 years. “I can indicate that Ms. Lewis would be willingly to accept such an order,” said John Furniss, Lewis’s attorney. “But there are some mitigating factors that we would like to bring to the court’s attention on the day of sentencing.” Lewis is expected to be sentenced in April. She was released on bail. Woman admits to animal cruelty Appearing before the Summary Court, Silvia Felicity Lewis, 55, pleaded guilty to a single count of animal cruelty in relation to more than 50 dogs seized by officials last year . Six Toastmasters from Cayman will advance to the international organisation’s inaugural Division Contest next month in Kingston, Jamaica. International Speech winners Ingrid Miller and Annick Jackson, Humorous Speech winners Finley Josephs and Jennifer Lopez, and Table Topics winners Greg Miller and Paul Persaud will represent the Cayman Islands at the first Division Contest on Sunday, 5 April. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Cayman Toastmasters advance in speech contest From left, Toastmasters Ingrid Miller, Annick Jackman, Kimberly Parker and Jacqueline Moe-Cox of Turks and Caicos, with directors Kimberley Conolly and Marjorie Bush-Dixon 8To 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 On Sunday, Cayman joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, with more than 150 women marking the occasion at a special brunch. This year’s theme was ‘I am Generational Equality: Realising Women’s Rights”. On social media platforms, the hashtag ‘eachforequal’ was used to spread information, in Cayman and globally. “It’s our 21st anniversary of celebrating this very important day,” said Charmaine Miller, Family Resource Centre programme coordinator. “Through the partnership of several companies in the private and public sector we have been able to host this brunch, which is really an opportunity to raise funds for some of our vulnerable families.” Miller says 80% of the families the Family Resource Centre caters to are single mothers in need of financial support “in order to raise healthy and functional children”. The event, held at the Kimpton Seafire hotel, provided attendees with a chance to reflect on the challenges and success of women living in Cayman. “I think among the issues women are facing is definitely representation of women in important positions whether that be in our parliament, or in the business sectors,” said Miller. “Gender diversity is a good thing for our economy, it is a good thing for our country, and so we shouldn’t feel threatened by that, but instead welcome it and celebrate our achievements as women.” Overall, Cayman has seen an increase in acknowledging the importance of women throughout various communities, Miller said. “On an annual basis, we are seeing growth when it comes to raising awareness, just within the public sector, about celebrating International Women’s Day,” she said. “I think, as a country, we are definitely moving forward and propelling the agenda of gender equality.” On the theme for the day, Miller said, “It’s a collective call for action, in saying that each one of us have an important role to play when it comes to gender equality and achieving that. For me, as an individual in my field, calling out gender stereotypes or just actions that put us women at a disadvantage or biases or stereotypes, that’s my responsibility. ... So, just as a country, as women, this thing really speaks to ensuring that we all have a collective role in promoting gender equality.” This year’s keynote speaker, La Shonda Coleman, of Pepperdine University's Sexual Violence Elmination team, spoke about the importance of empowering women to be able to help each other. “We need to be able to empower our women so that they can go out and empower other women,” Coleman said. The brunch also featured a performance by dance group Dreamchasers Cayman, a live painting by Kay Smith, and a song by Daniela Shibli. A silent auction was also held during the event. Miller said the FRC hoped to raise between $10,000 and $15,000, with proceeds going towards assisting the centre’s clients. International Women’s Day promotes gender equality “Gender diversity is a good thing for our economy, it is a good thing for our country, and so we shouldn’t feel threatened by that, but instead welcome it and celebrate our achievements as women.” Charmaine Miller , Family Resource Centre Keynote speaker La Shonda Coleman addresses attendees at the International Women's Day brunch. 9Next >