cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 31 July - 6 August 2020 NO Cayman waits on UK's next move following defeat of Domestic Partnership Bill See coverage on pages 3, 4, 5 and 6No positive COVID tests for two and a half weeks As of Thursday afternoon, Cayman had not seen a newly confirmed case of COVID-19 since 13 July. In addition, as of that day, no cases on the islands were considered active, after everyone who had previously tested positive returned negative results. Nearly 30,000 tests have been carried out in the Cayman Islands. A total of 203 people tested positive since March, when the first case was reported. Gov't invites new tourism stipend applications The government has reopened the application registration for stipends for tourism workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Ministry of Tourism stated in a press release that registration reopened on Wednesday. Applicants can register online until Friday, 7 Aug. The government launched the stipend for displaced tourism-sector workers on 21 May. By 9 June, 2,700 people had registered for the payment of $1,000 a month over three months, equating to a total payout of $8.1 million. Those applying for the stipend must be Caymanian, have worked in the tourism industry, are no longer in full-time employment, and have not applied already. For more information, applicants can contact a call centre, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, on the following telephone numbers: 526-1252; 526-1254; 526-1275; 526-1276; 526-1290; 526-1291. The application form can be accessed online at http://stipden. ourcayman.ky. $46.7 million to be spent on COVID measures The Cayman Islands government spent around $21.5 million on coronavirus-control measures during the first three months of its pandemic response, and looks set to spend a total of $46.7 million on ongoing efforts, according to analysis released Monday by the Office of the Auditor General. The report looked at COVID-19- related spending across a wide range of government ministries and agencies through 19 June. The largest expenditures came from the Health Services Authority ($11.06 million), the Ministry of Education ($2.8 million) and the Ministry of Financial Services ($2.05 million). Based on government commitments made as of 19 June, the auditor general estimated at least $46.7 million would be spent on pandemic response. “The government has made a number of commitments in relation to COVID-19, particularly in relation to providing assistance to individuals suffering financial hardship and supporting businesses to help bolster the economy. These commitments could cost a further $25 million at least,” said Auditor General Sue Winspear in her report. Of the $25.1 million in additional estimated spending, a majority, $14.1 million, is expected to go towards support for business. A further $5 million is slated for public-sector personnel costs and $3.8 million for social assistance. Repatriation flights continue A British Airways flight departed Grand Cayman Monday afternoon to repatriate Philippine nationals. The fully-booked flight flew to Heathrow, London, via Nassau in the Bahamas. After disembarking at Heathrow, the passengers transferred to a flight to the Philippine capital, Manila. This is the second evacuation flight that has been organised for Philippine citizens, many of whom have lost their jobs in the Cayman Islands. Another British Airways flight to London has been organised for 31 Aug., mostly for students attending school or college in the UK, and their family members. Other such flights are also expected to be organised, depending on demand. Efforts continue to organise a flight to Nicaragua to carry home nationals of that country who have been stranded in Cayman. Cayman Airways has organised flights to Miami, Florida, and Kingston, Jamaica, over the next few weeks. A Jamaica flight is scheduled for 12 Aug., and flights to and from Miami are scheduled for 3 Aug., 14 Aug., and 24 Aug. The airline’s ticket office on Owen Roberts Drive reopened to the public this week for the sale of domestic plane tickets and for travel on outbound repatriation flights. Matinees (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 BLOODSHOT (PG-13) (FRI & SAT) 1:00 | 4:10 | 7:35 | 9:45 (SUN) 4:00 | 7:10 | 9:45 (MON, TUES, WED, THURS) 1:00 | 4:10 | 7:35 | 9:45 COMMANDO 3 (PG) (SUN) 3:40 | 9:10 GREAT DISCONNECT, THE (PG-13) (SUN) 2:40 | 5:30 | 7:00 | 10:00 I STILL BELIEVE (PG) (FRI ) 10:00 (SUN) 2:45 | 7:20 | 9:50 (MON, TUES, WED, THURS) 10:00 MY SPY (PG-13) (FRI & SAT) 12:30 | 3:20 | 7:20 | 9:25 (SUN) 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10.05 (MON, TUES, WED, THURS) 12:30 | 3:20 | 7:20 | 9:25 ONWARD (PG) (FRI & SAT) 4:55 | 6:45 (SUN) 4:55 | 6:55 (MON, TUES, WED, THURS) 4:55 | 6:45 THE HUNT (R) (FRI & SAT) 12:45 | 3:45 | 7:00 | 10:15 (MON, TUES, WED, THURS) 12:45 | 3:45 | 7:00 | 10:15 UNHINGED (R) (FRI & SAT) 1:30 | 2:15 | 4:20 | 7:15 | 9:30 (MON, TUES, WED, THURS) 1:30 | 2:15 | 4:20 | 7:15 | 9:30 FLEABAG (R18) (SAT) 8:00 CULTURE 623.2290 SAVANNAH 7 MILE BEACH 945.2290 623.2782 SAVANNAH 7 MILE BEACH 949.2782 COME DINE WITH US PICK-UP | TAKE-OUT | FREE DELIVERY AVAILABLE (Delivery times 8am-2pm & 5pm-9pm ) 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 to cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers and some thunder. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 90°F 80°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to southeast at 5 to 10 knots. SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Nearly 30,000 tests, no active cases Philippine nationals line up outside Owen Roberts International Airport on 28 July. COVID-19 WEEKLY ROUNDUP 2Defeat of bill shifts decision to Privy Council, British government RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The defeat of the Domestic Partnership Bill in the Legislative Assembly this week now leaves the fate and the future of legalising same-sex relationships in the Cayman Islands in the hands of the UK government and the Privy Council. While all eyes are on the UK and when it will take action, Premier Alden McLaughlin, in his winding-up speech on the bill in the Legislative Assembly Wednesday, said that he does not think it will take “even 30 days” for Cayman to see the “inevitable” legalisation of same-sex marriages here at the behest of the British government. However, the Governor’s Office was more reserved in its approach on a timeline for action, telling the Cayman Compass Thursday, “Consultations with London are ongoing as per the statement the Governor issued (Wednesday).” In that statement, Governor Martyn Roper, following the defeat of the bill, expressed his disappointment, saying it was a “sad” day for the Cayman Islands. “I appreciate the considerable efforts of the Honourable Premier and Attorney General to find the best compromise and balance for the country between our clear legal commitments and the strong views of many in the community on this issue. I believe the draft Bill achieved that objective by protecting the institution of marriage, which I know is of such great importance to many. UK Ministers will consider carefully the implications of the bill’s defeat,” Roper said. The defeat of the Domestic Partnership Bill has revealed one main truth: like Cayman, the legislature is deeply divided on the issue of legalising same-sex relationships. Over three days, 17 of the 19 Members of the Legislative Assembly made their feelings clear on the issue, which they collectively agreed, was “contentious” and “divisive". West Bay North MLA and Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush, who is on a leave of absence, did not attend the sitting to take part in the debate or register his vote. Deputy Speaker Barbara Conolly, who is taking up Bush’s role as presiding officer, could not vote as the Speaker of the House can only vote in the event of a tie. Although the premier had said lawmakers could vote their conscience on the bill, he expressed disappointment that some of his own government members had voted against the proposed legislation. Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Health Minister Dwayne Seymour, and Councillor of Environment and Housing Eugene Ebanks joined with the Opposition to reject the bill. Following the defeat, McLaughlin told the Compass simply, “My grandfather used to say, ‘Do your duty and be blessed or do your duty and be damned but do your duty.’ I have done my duty.” Seymour, in a short statement to the Compass, said, “I was pleased with my vote and my conscience". He had made it clear, during his contribution, that he did not support the bill, and that he was not leaving the government benches. How we got here While the debate was “robust”, as Attorney General Samuel Bulgin described it, there was no middle ground achieved to give effect to the Court of Appeal ruling in the Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush case. Day, a Caymanian, and Bodden Bush, who has Caymanian roots, challenged the constitutionality of the Marriage Law as they sought the right to marry in the Cayman Islands. Chief Justice Anthony Smellie ruled in their favour and changed the definition of marriage to state “marriage means the union between two people as one another’s spouses.” This change legalised same- sex marriages in the Cayman Islands; however, the government challenged the ruling on the grounds that Smellie was wrong to legislate from the court bench and should have sent the issue back to the Legislative Assembly to remedy the constitutional breach identified in the case. McLaughlin, in his contribution ending the debate on the bill, said from an administrative standpoint the chief justice’s approach in his ruling was “genius” when he wrote the eight words to put all marriages on an equal footing, as it averted the need to make further changes to multiple pieces of law. “It flies in the face of the Constitution,” he said, but “it was genius”. The Court of Appeal overturned Smellie’s ruling. However, the court pointed out that by failing to provide rights “equivalent to marriage” for same-sex couples, lawmakers in Cayman were in breach of the islands’ own Bill of Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. Prior to taking legal action, Day and Bodden Bush wrote on several occasions to McLaughlin and then- Governor Helen Kilpatrick in the hope of finding a political solution to the situation. However, with none in sight, they sought redress in the courts. The couple has since filed an appeal to the Privy Council challenging the Court of Appeal ruling. That case is pending. Death of the bill The Domestic Partnership Bill, which sought to preserve the definition of marriage, allowed a legal avenue for same-sex couples to formalise their relationships and enjoy the same entitlements under the law as married couples. The bill, the premier said, had addressed all the concerns raised by ministers of religion. However, Opposition members disagreed. One of their main points of contention, apart from the objections because of Christian beliefs, was the insufficient time allotted for public consultation on the issue before the bill was voted on. Opposition Leader Arden McLean, in his contribution to the debate, said it was the first time in his 20 years as a legislator that he had seen a consultation period during a gazettal period. He said it is customary, not only in this country, but also in other jurisdictions, when a government is proposing legislative action or reforms, that it circulates a white paper for a period of time, prior to the bill’s introduction to the parliament. “This was not the case,” he argued. He said, in an interview with the Compass following the vote, that had there been more consultation, the result would have been different. While the present form of the bill has been rejected, it is open to government to revise the legislation and take it back to lawmakers. However, McLaughlin told the Compass, “I certainly will not be attempting to revive it.” What happens next now rests in the hands of those across in the UK, either in the Privy Council or in the parliament. It remains to be seen if the Privy Council will order the legalising of same-sex marriages, the UK imposes it through an Order in Council, or it will be through written legislation penned under the governor’s reserved powers. For more on this issue, see pages 5 and 6 Three protestors gathered outside the Legislative Assembly on Monday to make their opinons on the Domestic Partnership Bill known. Same-sex debate moves to UK “I certainly will not be attempting to revive it.” Premier Alden McLaughlin , on the future of the Domestic Partnership Bill cayman compass N news FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2020 31234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Rushing stream (7) 5 Operating successfully (5) 8 Tolerate (3,2,4) 9 Excessively (3) 10 Cipher (4) 12 Variety of cabbage (8) 14 Extreme fear (6) 15 Contemptibly small (6) 17 Physically fit and strong (8) 18 To check (4) 21 A coniferous tree (3) 22 Dire consequences (4,2,3) 24 Make as net profit (5) 25 Act of contrition (7) DOWN 1 Subject of discussion (5) 2 Turncoat (3) 3 Catch sight of (4) 4 Three-legged stand (6) 5 Share between two (2,6) 6 Passing through (2,7) 7 To honour (7) 11 Little-known contestant (4,5) 13 Simultaneously (8) 14 Illegal trade (7) 16 Stimulus (6) 19 Possibly (5) 20 Knock senseless (4) 23 Write (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16445 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. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16445 ACROSS: 1 Torrent, 5 Going, 8 Put up with, 9 Too, 10 Code, 12 Kohlrabi, 14 Terror, 15 Measly, 17 Athletic, 18 Stem, 21 Fir, 22 Hell to pay, 24 Clear, 25 Penance. DOWN: 1 Topic, 2 Rat, 3 Espy, 4 Tripod, 5 Go halves, 6 In transit, 7 Glorify, 11 Dark horse, 13 Together, 14 Traffic, 16 Fillip, 19 Maybe, 20 Stun, 23 Pen. Domestic Partnership Bill defeated by one vote Attitudes like this confirm my choices as an atheist. God is not love if it’s conditional. – Jo Dunne If this is about God, then divorce and arranged marriage should be in shame 100%. Stop telling and controlling people who to love and marry. Cayman is still under the rock! – Tep Ojos Roll on, Privy Council hearing to award marriage then. Equality is going to happen eventually. – Laura Tonner There you have it. God is speaking. – Joyceann Green Exactly the desired result, political grandstanding and sophistry that allows each of them to run in 2021 and wrap themselves with cloth and hold bibles in hand while blaming the UK for the inevitable outcome of either the Court of Appeal or an Order in Council. This bill was a compromise, and even that was refused by the far-right elements who wish to establish a theocracy here. Shameful. – Alaye Mclaughlin We do not love in vain nor do we pray in vain. Love does not mean giving in to ideas that do not conform to the will of God. – Beulah McField If God is love and love is the answer, then why can’t adults who love each other be married? You eat bacon and it’s in the same part of the Bible. – Nathan Bergstrom Gee, Cayman is not just ready. – Jasmin Kendall Well, the court has ordered a fix by parliament. However, parliament failed; is this what a constitutional crisis looks like? – Selvin Richardson Disappointing. For all those whose hopes of recognition of their relationship and partnership have been dashed by the decision, hold on. – Mary Jo Holzwarth Silva I don’t understand how Christians love bible study and yet they don’t even touch on how the word homosexual was never even in the Bible until 1946. The Leviticus verse originally said “man shall not lie with young boys, it is an abomination” (the amount of harm that has come to children and to LGBT+ people in the church is disgusting) and the Sodom and Gomorrah story didn’t even indicate the sin committed. Other verses suggest that the men needed to be intimate with women in order to populate the world. (But David and Jonathan had a same-sex relationship that God blessed but no one mentions that...) There is NOTHING in this book that teaches anything against LGBT people. And certainly not discrimination. If you really think Jesus, rebel and supporter of the underdog, is on the side of you Christian extremists, you are so wrong. – Catriona Walters Friday’s Compass (17 July) was one of the most uplifting and encouraging papers I have ever read. Of course, we are all delighted with our position with regards to COVID-19 and encouraged by the way the government is cautiously trying to restore our tourism product. There was good news on scholarships, promotions, opportunities and successes of various people in our community, but I received the greatest satisfaction from two articles: 1) The article, ‘The green recovery’, concerning the amazing thinking and planning by Gina Ebanks-Petrie and her team at the Department of Environment. Instead of coasting through and just applauding the recovery of nature, this group has doubled down to think, plan and come up with ways to protect and appreciate our environment while connecting to the economic needs of the islands. I say kudos to Gina and the DoE. I hope that those that make the decisions concerning our culture, our environment and our economy will listen and put some or all of the recommendations into practice. The possibilities and the future of our islands can be bright if our eyes are not focussed primarily on money. There may be a way, through out-of-the-box thinking, to have our cake and eat it too! 2) I was immensely touched by the article about Xander Lee [‘Climbing Everest, one stair at a time’] and the effort he made to ‘climb’ Mount Everest in his own home. What a novel idea – not just that he undertook to do it to raise money for the Botanic Park, but to think that a 10-year-old would be so sensitive, so committed, and so willing to do something like this for his community has really touched me. We need more Xanders (and Zachs, Jakes and Bens, who also thought of a unique way to raise money to help people in need [‘Kitesurfing kids on charity mission’, Cayman Compass, 5 June]). I applaud these boys and their parents. This sensitivity had to come through parental guidance, parental support and parental modelling. Thank you parents. I know you are proud of your sons, and I am too! This kind of effort will always have my appreciation and support. Marjorie Ebanks I am struggling to understand the government’s approach to opening the Sandbar to charter boats but not to privately owned boats. I have fully supported the government’s handling of the pandemic and I am very grateful to them for putting us in such an enviable position worldwide, but it feels that families who want to quietly enjoy the Sandbar on their own boats are being put at a disadvantage to charter boats. If it is for environmental reasons, then the volume of visitors will be greatly reduced without cruise-ship visitors. If it is a concern about a large number of boats, lack of social distancing and loud music, that I am all against, then surely this is a law- enforcement issue and can be managed with a marine police presence. If it is to help charter boat businesses then I am not someone who will be going on their boats in any case. We have followed all the rules from the beginning of lockdown and it seems unfair that on staycation over the summer I have to take my family to the Sandbar on a charter boat where we will mix with other people, rather than use our own boat with my family only, where I can control our social distancing with other persons who are in the water. Richard McMillan No new cases - By Caymanman Inspired by good news Sandbar opening unfair to private boat owners Letters to the editor Online What they’re saying cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2020Reactions vary after lawmakers shoot down domestic partnerships RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Shouts of “glory, glory” resounded in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday as government’s attempt to introduce a legal framework for same-sex couples to be provided the legal equivalent of marriage in the Cayman Islands was rejected by lawmakers. While the cheers echoed in the LA, community activist Billy Adam, who attended the sitting for the historic debate, shook his head moaning, “Sad day for Cayman… what a sad day.” The defeat of the contentious bill prompted calls locally and internationally for UK intervention. Local LGBTQ advocacy group Colours Cayman on Thursday called for Governor Martyn Roper to “fulfill his constitutional role” and “restore the rule of law” in the aftermath of the defeat of the bill. “His Excellency has a duty to uphold the Constitution, for which he has been vested with the tools in Section 81 of the Constitution, and to put an end to this unsatisfactory state of affairs. This is something that the Court of Appeal expected His Excellency to do if the Legislature failed to comply with their decision as they did today (Wednesday,),” the Colours Cayman statement said. UK Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Labour MP Stephen Doughty has written to the British government to step in and address same-sex marriage in Cayman following the defeat of the Domestic Partnership Bill. “This situation is no longer tenable. If the Legislative Assembly continues to deny basic rights to some of its citizens – then UK Ministers must act urgently to ensure the Cayman Islands complies with the rule of law and its responsibilities as a British Overseas Territory,” Doughty said in a statement on Thursday. Premier Alden McLaughlin, responding to Doughty’s statement, said he believes this is merely the start. “Regrettably, the international standing and credibility of the Cayman Islands is going to be adversely affected by the fallout from (Wednesday’s) rejection by the Legislative Assembly of the DP (Domestic Partnership) Bill. Indeed, the authority of the Legislative Assembly and the ability of elected members to control the destiny of these Islands will suffer a significant setback as a result,” McLaughlin told the Compass Thursday. The Compass has reached out to UK Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Sugg for comment and is awaiting a response. Comment was also sought from the Cayman Ministers’ Association, but a response was not received by press time. However, the association had made it clear, through an earlier statement, where it stands on same- sex marriage. “Our position has always been that we cannot support any legislation which goes against the teachings of scripture. While we understand the efforts to satisfy the directives of the Court of Appeals to specifically cater for same-sex unions, we cannot support this directive because it is contrary to the teachings of the Bible regarding marriage, the family and human sexuality,” the CMA statement said. Opposition Leader Arden McLean, following the rejection of the bill, said, “Those who are saddened today I say to them this is not the end of it… it is not the end.” He laid the blame for the rejection of the bill on the government, saying its arrogance led to the defeat. “You cannot come and impose something on someone 30 days out and because you think you have popularity in the country. You cannot do that; something as sensitive as this, you need to consult with people,” McLean said. Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders, who was among the nine MLAs who voted no, said he believes the Domestic Partnership Bill would have been rendered “moot” if the Privy Council rules in favour of Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush because “then same- sex marriage will be legalised.” If not, he said, it will be sent back to the legislature as the UK has already stated the issue is “devolved”. Cheers and tears following bill’s defeat Local LGBTQ advocacy group Colours Cayman on Thursday called for Governor Martyn Roper to “fulfill his constitutional role” and “restore the rule of law” in the aftermath of the defeat of the bill . cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2020NO 1 NO 2 NO 3 NO 4 NO 5 NO 6 NO 7 NO 8 NO 9 Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly Health Minister Dwayne Seymour Councillor Eugene Ebanks Leader of the Opposition Arden McLean Deputy Leader of the Opposition Alva Suckoo Independent Kenneth Bryan Opposition MLA Anthony Eden Opposition MLA Bernie Bush Opposition MLA Chris Saunders YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES 12345678 Premier Alden McLaughlin Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell Finance Minister Roy McTaggart Commerce Minister Joey Hew Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers Councillor David Wight Councillor Austin Harris Independent Ezzard Miller Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush ABSENT Acting Speaker of the House Barbara Conolly EXEMPT HOW THEY VOTED 00 RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Domestic Partnership Bill was touted as legislation that would satisfy all sides of the same-sex relationships divide. It proposed to create a legal avenue for same- sex couples to get the benefits of marriage without encroaching on the sanctity of marriage, which is defined in Cayman’s Constitution as the union between a man and a woman. This week’s failed passage of the bill was the latest bump in the road for same-sex couples and advocates. Here’s a timeline of events building up to the vote on the Domestic Partnership Bill. 22 July 2016 Law lecturer Leonardo Raznovich wins his appeal to be added to his spouse’s work permit as a depen- dent. The Immigration Appeals Tribunal decision ended 14 months of appli- cations and appeals to the Immigration Department. 20 June 2018 Caymanian lawyer Chan- telle Day and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush, a nurse from the UK with family ties in Cayman, file for a judicial review of the government’s decision to refuse their ap- plication to marry. In their legal action, the couple chal- lenged the constitutionality of Cayman’s Marriage Law, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. 29 March 2019 Chief Justice Anthony Smellie rules in favour of Day and Bodden, legalis- ing same-sex marriage in the Cayman Islands. In his ruling, he changes the definition of marriage in the Cayman Islands to a union between “two people as one another’s spouses”. He rules that the Marriage Law is unconstitutional and violates multiple rights. The Cayman Islands govern- ment appeals that decision. 5 April 2019 Cayman Islands legislators unanimously approve a private member’s motion, tabled by Leader of the Opposition Arden McLean, supporting government to appeal the decision by the chief justice that legalised same-sex marriage to the “full extent of the appeals process”. 28 Aug. 2019 The hearing of Cayman’s same-sex marriage appeal begins in the Court of Appeal. The government argues that the chief justice overreached his authority when he made changes to local legislation - the Mar- riage Law - from the court bench. 7 Nov. 2019 The Court of Appeal overturns Smellie’s rul- ing, but determines that the Legislative Assembly must act “expeditiously” on the matter, and, if it fails to do so, the United Kingdom government should intervene. 22 Jan. 2020 Day and Bodden Bush continue their fight for equal rights, announcing their intention to petition the UK Privy Council. Their appeal is pending. 5 Feb. 2020 Savannah MLA Anthony Eden moves a motion in the Legislative Assembly to affirm Christian values, an action he described as a direct response to the ongoing debate over same-sex partnerships. 27 June 2020 The Domestic Partnership Bill, intended to provide a legal framework for same-sex couples in the Cayman Islands, is gazetted for debate by the Legisla- tive Assembly. Legislators spend two and a half days debating the bill. 29 July 2020 The Domestic Partnership Bill is defeated in the Legis- lative Assembly, when nine lawmakers, including three government members, vote against the bill and eight support it. Long and bumpy road leads to vote on same-sex union rights cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2020cayman compass 7 N news FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2020 ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A corrupt group of immigration officers and civilians in a fraud and bribery case involving English- language tests were sentenced Thursday for their roles in defrauding government. Defendants Marcus Alexander, Kathy Ann Forbes, Carlos Robinson, Pheadra McDonald, Diane Dey-Rankine, Santo Castro Castillo, Mariel Maleno Suriel, Carolin Nixon Lopez and Angela Suyapa Rodriguez David were convicted in 2019. The case of fraud, breach of trust and bribery concerned a network of corruption, involving government officers who held senior roles within the then Immigration Department – now Customs and Border Control – as well as civilians. Three who stood trial were acquitted. “The actions of the defendants demonstrated how corruption had taken a hold of the Immigration Department,” said Justice Roger Chapple. Between August 2015 and June 2016, the defendants played varying roles in providing people with fraudulent passing grades to an Immigration Department English-language test, which was a mandatory requirement for work- permit applicants whose primary language was not English. At the centre of the plot were Alexander, Robinson and Castillo, who have all been described as “primary movers of the scheme”. Immigration officer Alexander, who was described as the ringleader, was imprisoned for four years for conspiracy to commit fraud against the government, and four months for failing to report the solicitation of an advantage or reward. Both sentences are to run concurrently. Although Castillo was not an immigration officer, he played a crucial role in the scheme, the court heard. He was sentenced to three years for conspiracy to commit fraud against the government. Chapple recommended that Castillo, a Dominican Republic national, be deported upon completion of his sentence. Robinson, also an immigration officer, was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to commit fraud against the government, and four months for failing to report the solicitation of an advantage or reward - both sentences to run concurrently. When sentencing Forbes, a civilian, Chapple said he “failed to fathom why she did what she did, and that, unlike her other colleagues, her actions weren’t motivated for financial gain”. He sentenced Forbes to two years in prison for fraud and four months for failing to report the fraud, but suspended both sentences for two years. McDonald, who was described as having significant mitigating factors, was given a conditional discharge, with no prison sentence. Immigraton officer Dey-Rankine had been convicted of a single count of failing to report solicitation of an advantage or reward. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Civilian Nixon Lopez, a Honduran national, received a similar 12-month sentence, also suspended for two years. She and Dey-Rankine also were ordered to pay $500 each to a victim who had paid more than $1,500 to secure a work permit and pass the English test. Suyapa Rodriguez David, another civilian, from Honduras, received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years. The only person who pleaded guilty to the charges was Suriel, a civilian, originally from the Dominican Republic. She gave evidence against her co-accused, which helped secure their convictions. happle gave her a conditional discharge on all four charges. After the sentences were handed down, the Anti-Corruption Commission issued a statement. “These sentences send a clear message that corruption at all levels will be investigated and persons prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law,” said ACC chairman Richard Coles. “The Commission would like to thank Investigator Anthony Daniels, as well as other members of the Commission staff, along with the RCIPS and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for their work in this matter.” Our virtual platform does not limit the number of participants, and we encourage as many registrations as possible. The rst 50 registrants will have the opportunity to participate in the Kahoot! challenge, submit questions for the Q&A session, and receive lunch from Eats Cafe (Grand Cayman Campers) or Star Island Restaurant (Brac Campers) Lunch will be sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands. Our Healthcare Explorers Programme’s annual STEM Day Camp is taking place on August 15. This year’s camp has a fun twist… we’re going virtual! The camp will also be broadcast live on CIGTV Cayman from 10:30am to 12pm. The itinerary promises to include plenty of fun activities for 10 to 14-year-old students, including an interactive Kahoot! quiz challenge with prizes up for grabs. +1 (345) 945-4040 | +1 (345) 640-4040 | healthcitycaymanislands.com HEALTHCARE EXPLORERS STEM DAY CAMP 2020 REGISTER AT : tinyurl.com/2020STEMDaycamp Immigration officers jailed for language-test fraudBusinesses innovate to survive JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Survival is the main goal for Cayman’s restaurants as they seek to stay in business in the absence of tourists and with the local population declining each week. The reopening of venues across the island since lockdown measures began to be eased in early June provided a lifeline for many businesses. But the going has been tough, with more than 200 restaurants now competing for customers from a diminished population. With the coronavirus still rampant in the US and the ‘soft opening’ of Cayman’s borders in September unlikely to bring an influx of tourists, restaurant owners are doing what they can to stay alive. “Nobody gets rich right now, that’s not the point,” said Markus Mueri of NM Ventures restaurant group, which includes Karoo and Abacus in Camana Bay and Deckers on West Bay Road. “The goal is to break even and try to get through the next few months.” Businesses seek new revenue streams At Grand Old House and the Wharf, operations manager Luciano De Riso said it had been a rollercoaster since the virus hit. The Wharf kitchen remained open throughout the crisis, providing free meals to people without work in partnership with local charities. De Riso said the venues had not gone into the delivery market because they are more focussed on “dining experience”. But they are diversifying to attract new business. The Wharf now offers breakfasts on the waterfront and a wine bar and shop has opened at Grand Old House. “We have the largest wine list on the island so we have set up a shop within our restaurant,” said De Riso. The venue offers tasting evenings and a variety of fine wines for sale. Without tourists, De Riso says it is impossible for large upscale restaurants to manage on dining alone. His staff has reduced by more than half since March but it still takes a workforce of around 50 people just to open the doors. “We offer a dining experience and we don’t want to compromise on that,” he said. But with a diminished local population and many people on lower salaries or without work, business is not as brisk as he would like. “We had to decide if it was even worth it to be open,” De Riso said. “It would have been easier to shut but we are part of the community and if we are open we keep people employed, we pay the farmers and the fishermen, we pay Progressive Distributors, we play our part.” He said making a profit was not an option right now. “We have to try to lose as little as possible,” he said. De Riso is not worried for the future of the restaurants he manages, but he said it was concerning to see some venues struggling to survive. “We won’t be the culinary capital of the Caribbean if there are only 50 restaurants. “We need the Czech Inn, we need all these places to complement what we offer as a destination.” Ron Hargrave, who owns Tukka, Eagle Rays and Taco Cantina in East End, provided meals for jobless workers during the lockdown. Nino Hafner, sommelier at Grand Old House, presides over the restaurant’s new wine shop. Restaurants in ‘survival mode’ amid COVID downturn PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9» 8 news N newsCayman Cabana on the waterfront in George Town offered deliveries for the first time in its history. Issues to the East In East End, chef Ron Hargrave has reopened Tukka and Eagle Rays restaurants but his Mexican eatery Taco Cantina remains closed for now. Hargrave, who also provided meals to those without food in the district throughout the crisis, said it was harder to make a living in the eastern districts, where more people had been impacted by the economic consequences of the virus, than on West Bay Road. “We are in survival mode right now,” he said. “We are just trying to pay the bills and give the staff that are here as many hours as possible.” Staffing levels have come down from 55 to 14 across the three restaurants since the crisis began. Restaurant owners who spoke to the Cayman Compass were broadly supportive of government’s cautious approach to reopening the borders. “As much as I don’t like it, I think it is the best approach right now,” said De Riso. “The last thing we want is to reopen and close again, reopen and close; we can’t survive like that.” Hargrave believes the first phase of reopening in September will have some impact for businesses, “I am hopeful that an influx of returning residents and property owners in October can give us a boost through to the end of the year.” Support of loyal patrons helps Luigi Moxam, owner of Cayman Cabana on the George Town waterfront, said the loyalty and support of local customers had helped the business survive during lockdown. The restaurant offered deliveries for the first time in its history in order to stay alive. “I was running around the island like Mario Kart delivering food,” said Moxam. Cayman Cabana has reopened from Wednesday to Sunday. Moxam believes the outdoor restaurant’s reputation as a place that specialises in local food and celebrates local culture means it can do well in the domestic market. “We have been fortunate to have an amazing reception from people appreciating our food and our service,” he said. “I am so grateful to my staff and to everyone that comes in here. I am grateful to still be in business.” Things starting to look up Mueri said NM Ventures restaurants have been doing quite well since the reopening, adding that happy hours and Sunday barbecues at Karoo have been very popular. Deckers, which operated as a headquarters for the Acts of Random Kindness charity’s soup kitchen during the crisis, is closed during the week but is doing good business Friday to Sunday, he said. “Nobody gets rich right now, that’s not the point. The goal is to break even and try to get through the next few months.” Markus Mueri , restaurateur With the coming on stream of Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (“WORC”): it will be a REQUIREMENT to have ALL LOCAL JOB ADVERTS PLACED VIA WORCJOBSCAYMAN! Let George Ebanks Consultancy, Bookkeeping & IT Services be YOUR AGENT OF CHOICE to POST YOUR ADVERTS ON THE WORCJOBSCAYMAN website! Changes are here as to how jobs are advertised! - and we at George Ebanks Consultancy are ready to be YOUR AGENT and ensure that YOUR JOB ADVERTS ARE APPROVED AND ACCEPTED. Call us today on 345-916-0687 / 322-9369 / 924-8527 or email us at George@georgeebanksinc.com. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE! GLOBAL PRESENCE! - via our afflication with 3E Accounting Internation Network; Singapore. PUBLIC NOTICE Website: - www.Georgeebanksinc.com. Member of C.I. Chamber of Commerce & Member of Cayman Islands Small Business Assocation. Restaurants in ‘survival mode’ amid COVID downturn The group lost around 40% of its staff during the lockdown but has begun hiring again. Mueri said he had taken on two new Caymanian employees referred through the WORC department and was looking to steadily build back business. While he said his venues are "doing OK", Mueri acknowledged that was not the case for everyone. He said he hoped landlords would show restraint on rents and help those that are struggling to stay in business. He believes the goal for everyone is to hang in there until tourism comes back and then for Cayman to prove itself once again as a safe destination and culinary capital of the region. “I would like to say that most will survive,” Mueri said. “I think the goal is to get to December 1; if you get there then we are through the biggest problems.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky Jamaica Stock Exchange-listed Kingston Properties Limited has acquired the Harbour Centre, a multi-story office building on North Church Street in George Town, for US$10.7 million. It is the first acquisition KPREIT has made in Cayman since 2017. The property is currently 100% leased to firms in the sectors of banking and funds administration, law, real estate investment, government, and retail. The company said the purchase of the property is part of KPREIT’s strategy to diversify its portfolio in markets that have shown robust economic growth and different sub-classes of real estate. It said Cayman’s Economic Substance Law passed in January 2019 has increased the demand for commercial office space by companies that need to demonstrate a physical presence on island. The US$10.7 million purchase price for the Harbour Centre makes it the single largest acquisition by KPREIT in its 12-year history. The purchase was financed by cash resources, as well as a loan facility from one of KPREIT’s financing partners in the Cayman Islands. The company has also disposed of the last condo unit held in the Midblock Condominiums in Miami, Florida, for a consideration of US$410,000 in an effort to focus on markets that generate a higher return on investment, KPREIT stated in a press release. The Harbour Centre acquisition has grown the company’s concentration of assets in the Cayman Islands from 21.9% to 46.5%, while the concentration of assets in the US dropped to 13.2% from 20.5%. KPREIT has previously bought a mixed-use building in the West Bay Beach area and it has also purchased eight warehouses in the Rosedale Warehouse complex in George Town. Harbour Centre sells for $10.7 million The Harbour Centre on North Church Street in George Town. 9Next >