ALSO AVAILABLE WITH TM & © 2020 Burger King Corporation. SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD RED BAY cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 16-22 October 2020 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 Funding local journalismWeekly, 16-22 October 2020 Cement dumped in mangrove Page 13 $20 million deal signed for landfill capping Page 9 Bush returns to Speaker’s chair Page 8Matinees (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 GREENLAND (PG-13) (FRI & SUN) 3:45 | 7:00 | 9:50 (SAT ONLY) 1:10 | 4:25 (MON - THURS) 3:45 | 7:00 HONEST THIEF (PG-13) (FRI - SAT & SUN) 4:05 | 7:15 VIP | 9:40 VIP (SAT ONLY) 1:O0 | 1:20 VIP (MON - WED & THURS) 4:05 | 7:15 VIP (TUES ONLY) 4:O0 | 4:05 VIP TENET (PG-13) (FRIDAY) 6:35 | 9:15 (SAT & SUN) 3:50 VIP| 6:35 | 9:15 (MON & THURS) 3:50| 6:35 VIP (TUES & WED) 6:35 TROLLS WORLD TOUR (PG) (FRI - SUN) 4:30 | 6:55 | 9:25 (SAT ONLY) 2:05 (MON - THURS) 4:30 | 6:55 THE SHINING (R) 7:00 VIP CLASSICS WED ONLY NT LIVE: CYRANO DE BERGERAC (R) CULTURE TUES - 8PM MY GIRL (PG-13) KIDS CLUB SAT - 10AM THE WAR WITH GRANDPA (PG) (FRI - SUN) 4:15 | 6:50 | 9:55 (SAT ONLY) 1:30 (MON - THURS) 4:15 | 6:50 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email:newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR IN CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance showers and possible thunder. Friday Forecast 89°F HIGH WINDS East to northeast 5 to 10 knots. SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass weather Cayman Islands 78°F LOW ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Tributes continue to pour in for martial arts master Bob Daigle, who passed away on 7 Oct. at the age of 59, after an 11-month battle with a stage- four brain tumour. Daigle moved from his native Boston, in the US, to Cayman in January 1987, and within weeks he opened the Cayman Karate Academy. For the better part of the past 33 years, he served as a trailblazer for the sport. “I’ve seen martial arts studios programmes come and go over the years, but Cayman Karate Academy has been one of the mainstays in martial arts,” said Sensei Geddes Hislop, a senior instructor at Purple Dragon Cayman. Hislop, who described his relationship with Daigle as a “friendly rivalry”, told Cayman Compass that Daigle’s death was a loss to the community. “Bob was a pioneer in several areas,” said Hislop. “Bob was the first person to secure corporate sponsorship for martial arts. Before then, companies normally gave to the larger, more established sports, such as football and cricket. “Bob got the sponsorship and showed us it was possible. He was also the first person to take a team of students off island for karate and to win a championship overseas. So, we did it as well.” Those who knew him well have also attested to his efforts in the community. “There were my parents, and then there was Bob,” said Brian Braggs, one of Daigle’s former students. “I started learning karate from him when I was about 12 years old and continued until I was 19 and had to go off to college.” Braggs was one of Daigle’s first students to receive a black belt under his tutelage. He is one of several former students who have shared their fond memories of their beloved instructor. For Braggs, the most heart-warming memory was when he attended a world karate championship with Daigle, which turned into a moment fit for a Hollywood blockbuster movie. “It was February 1994, and the Cayman team was going up against three-time defending champions Guatemala,” Braggs told the Compass. “There were three of us on each team and, at the end, the matches were all tied. “Although he was the team leader, my instructor and a way better fighter, he told me to go,” said Braggs. “He told me, ‘I believe in you, and you have it in you to win this for us’. That sent my confidence through the roof, and we won.” Daigle often said he worked with children to help them, through the medium of martial arts, to deal with their challenges in life. In an interview with the Compass in 2014, he said, “My job is to keep students motivated long enough for them to acquire the life skills of discipline, focus, respect, confidence and a positive attitude. “Acquiring these life skills is why parents send their children to martial arts classes in the first place.” Hundreds of other former students Community mourns loss of martial arts master have taken to social media to pay tribute to Daigle. “I fondly remember the day I met Bob and it changed my life,” wrote Jamil Solomon, who began training with him at the age of 16. “He gave me an escape from issues that I felt I had no refuge from, gave me an outlet to manage my anger, and taught me to be a better man.” Luigi Moxam wrote on Facebook,“Thank you, Bob Daigle! He gave a whole generation of #Caymankind Ninjas confidence and taught us discipline, hardwork and sportsmanship.” Daigle was a father of four, a Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, a world heavyweight kickboxing champion, a Seventh Degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, and a gold medallist in the Kenpo Karate World Championships, among other achievements. “Although his body failed him, he did not lose the fight,” said Braggs. “I was with him during the last couple of months, and I watched him become thinner and weaker, but he never lost the fight in him. He taught me that I should play to my strengths, and that it’s not just about fighting, but knowing how to live and giving your best. “In the end, he gave it his all, and I know, for him, that would still be a win.” The late Bob Daigle, pictured in 2009, with one of his championship belts. Bob Daigle with two students at the Cayman Karate Academy in 2014. cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2020(CAYMAN LIMITED) cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 20201234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 A beginning (5) 4 Intriguer (7) 8 Coniferous tree (3) 9 Basic essential elements (4,5) 10 Make amends for (7) 11 Savoury (5) 13 Unimportant details (6) 15 Raising of a siege (6) 18 Spurious (5) 19 Cautious (7) 21 Nude (2,3,4) 23 Wrath (3) 24 Spectral (7) 25 Admission (5) DOWN 1 Unconventional (7) 2 A youth (9) 3 Shinbone (5) 4 A succession (6) 5 Frequent regular visitor (7) 6 Provide crew for working (3) 7 Hazardous (5) 12 Miser (9) 14 Look closely at (7) 16 With intent to deceive (7) 17 Be tenant of (6) 18 Existence (5) 20 Ransack (5) 22 Excessively (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16511 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 16511 ACROSS: 1 Onset, 4 Schemer, 8 Fir, 9 Bare bones, 10 Expiate, 11 Tasty, 13 Trivia, 15 Relief, 18 Bogus, 19 Careful, 21 In the buff, 23 Ire, 24 Ghostly, 25 Entry. DOWN: 1 Offbeat, 2 Stripling, 3 Tibia, 4 Series, 5 Habitue, 6 Man, 7 Risky, 12 Skinflint, 14 Inspect, 16 Falsely, 17 Occupy, 18 Being, 20 Rifle, 22 Too. cartoon Too Many - By Caymanman DoE: No prosecution over dumped concrete in Red Bay mangrove They had one lousy extra mile to go to dump waste/ concrete the proper way, but decided to do so in pristine man- groves where other creatures live instead? Who are these people with no conscience whatsoever? It’s maddening when the islands’ beauty is taken for granted, or ignored all together because of laziness, greed, or feelings of entitlement. – Jennifer Arney People of Cayman, please make sure your government is aware of how you view this. Vote them out! – Susan Schmidt Agree. A joke. Goes on all the time. But when was the last time there was a prosecution (or even an arrest) for littering or dumping? – Stephen Porter There is a phrase that magistrates use in court often - “Ignorance of the law is no excuse”. So why in this case? – Dean Miller They do it in North Side all the time. – Mitzie Tomlinson It’s like the wild west in the Cayman Islands. – Bruce Smith Grand Cayman is a small island. It is hard to believe that the concrete companies do not know the law. One would have to assume that after the law was passed. any- one that would be affected by this new law would be informed. – Bruce Leibowitz Whether it’s mangroves or an empty lot – these concrete trucks have been dumping their excess concrete wherever they please for years, with absolutely no regard for the environment (or private prop- erty), and this behaviour should have been stopped a long time ago. At the very least, shouldn’t this company be charged with littering? – Debbie Hand I don’t know of one good rea- son why they shouldn’t be pros- ecuted at anytime. – Jayne Gilmour Wait, so if I didn’t know that it’s illegal to speed, I should never be given a ticket? – Doran Zimmerman There needs to be an illegal concrete mangrove dumping grace period? – Chad Townsell As if they needed a law to tell them not to dump their waste like this! Disgusting. – Jenna Nicholson Data analysis: Cayman’s population could hit 100,000 by 2031 It will take Cayman years to recover, if ever. We need to take this time to clear up the streets. Better planning for transportation solutions. Stop talking about how Cayman is doing so well and growing. It’s not doing well. We don’t need more real estate, we need better real estate for everyone. New development doesn’t help the everyday person, only the developers. There should not be any new development until the old is repaired. – Nona Faye And everything that is unique about this island will be destroyed. The rich will take over, and the beauty of the island destroyed. It can’t even handle the garbage as it is. Say goodbye to your reefs and clear water. So sad. – Be Solomon That’s why we have the exces- sive building going on now. The media and real estate is pushing their own agenda. Hopefully, those that come to share our island re- spect our lifestyle and our heritage and beliefs too. – Betty Ebanks Too many of the wrong people being let in though, and when they do wrong, they just jump on a plane and disappear. – David Levy Sorry, but the country cannot sustain that amount of people. – Jenna Nixon At the rate we’re going, by then, most Caymanians will have left as they won’t be able to af- ford to live here anymore. The geniuses who’ve concocted our population growth plan should really be putting their caps back on and rethinking this with the vast majority of the Caymanian population in mind. – Anna Peccarino All of these comments hold truth to them, providing there is still an island left, what with climate change. Might be under water by then. – Derrick Hunter I’m hoping lessons are being learned and mistakes acknowl- edged as there were hella problems before COVID, namely traffic. Only fools repeat a failed past. – Shirley Nicoletta I assume the national and welfare problems will also be 100,000 times worse, judging by the Caymanians’ underlying situa- tion currently. – Joseph Yates The issue is that Dr. Pedley published this article in 2007, not 2020. While the historical data likely suggested a 4% growth rate at the time, it has slowed down since then. Growth from 1999 census (around 39,000) to 2010 census (55,000) slowed down to 3%. Growth from 2010 (55,000) to 2020 (65,000) slowed down to 2% and it is likely to go lower by year-end. – Paul Bodden A close-up look at some of the concrete that was dumped in the mangroves in Red Bay. See more on this story on page 13. What they’re saying Online 4Trevor joined the company on 8 March 1994, and quickly became an invaluable member of sta in the commercial print department. After more than 25 years of service, he began his well deserved retirement at the end of 2019. His dry sense of humour, coupled with an extraordinary amount of professional experience, made him a welcome addition to the team. He became known for his early morning routine. Karen Ryan, a long-time co-worker, fondly remembers him always arriving at work between 7.10 and 7.15am, with a simple barometer she knew how to read. “If he said ‘Morning, hon,’ I knew it would be a good day,” she said. “If he just said ‘Morning,’ then... ” He would put his sandwich and chocolate bar on the shelf, get his packet of sugar, spoon and mug, and go to make his coee. It was the same every day. Trevor was a godsend for editors who needed assistance or flexibility with deadlines when it came to sending him files for printing. TRIBUTE TO 1952-2020 “I would call him and start with, ‘Hi, Trevs!’, ” Vicki Wheaton recalled. “He would instantly know a favour request was forthcoming. He’d make me squirm for a minute or two, but then of course would always agree to help. He really made things easier for me in my early days at the company.” Trevor also touched the hearts of countless clients with whom he worked. “The Kelly Holding team is deeply saddened to hear of Trevor’s passing,” said Rhonda Kelly. “Over the years we worked with him on many printing projects and truly enjoyed interacting with him. His sense of humour always made the most mundane job fun. We will miss his quick wit. Our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at the Compass.” When he wasn’t working, Trevor enjoyed playing cricket with the Greenies team in the ‘90s, or playing on a dierent kind of green – the grass of a golf course. When it came to his beer, however, he favoured red: Red Stripe, that is. And it had to be the stu from Jamaica, or he’d know the dierence. He was also very fond of his pets and took them with him when he relocated to the UK. Dear Trevor, it won’t be the same without you. Compass Media is sad to announce the unexpected passing of dear friend and colleague, Trevor Hills, who had moved back to his home in the UK two weeks ago. cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2020RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin announced this week that he endorses Finance Minister and George Town East MLA Roy McTaggart as the next leader of the Progressives party. McLaughlin made the announcement Wednesday as he also stated his intention to seek re-election in the Red Bay constituency in the 26 May general election. The premier’s annointing of McTaggart to hold the leadership reins for the party he has led since 2011 came as a surprise, even to McTaggart himself. “I have to say I was very pleased [Wednesday] afternoon with the premier’s statement. Although I have to be honest and just declare I did not know that he was going to make that statement at this time. Having said that, I’m very pleased with my own decision and very comfortable with it,” McTaggart told the Cayman Compass Thursday. The finance minister formally joined the Progressives in 2015. He previously was a member of the Coalition for Cayman platform when he was voted in as the second elected member for George Town in 2013. He then joined the Progressives as an independent backbencher. In 2017, McTaggart contested the George Town East constituency on a Progressives ticket. Before his future leadership of the party can be made official, McTaggart must face the Progressives membership. “I am happy to put myself forward for the leadership of the Progressives as political leader. Of course, all of this is subject to approval and a vote of the membership, which will take place at the party conference at some point closer to the election dates.” If approved, McTaggart will lead the Progressives into the 2021 polls in May, and if the party wins, he will be named premier. “Hopefully, we’ll do something that hasn’t been done in the history of politics in Cayman, that the party will have a third term in the driver’s seat in the halls of government,” he said. Delivering his State of the Nation address in the Legislative Assembly Wednesday, McLaughlin heralded McTaggart's management of Cayman’s economy through the COVID-19 pandemic. “Cayman’s position has not come about by accident. ... it is the direct result of this government’s fiscal strategy. I must, in particular, pay tribute to the minister of finance. The country has been fortunate indeed to have a figure of his stature and experience at the helm at this time. His stewardship of the public purse has been, notwithstanding, remarkable,” he said. Although he will not be premier, after having served two consecutive terms, McLaughlin said he still has more to contribute to Cayman’s development as an elected representative and was “honoured” to have lead the Progressives. “God’s and my constituents’ willing, I hope to continue to represent my people and assist in governing this country I love so very much, following these elections,” McLaughlin said. McTaggart said he was honoured to serve with McLaughlin for two terms and during his premiership he has learned immensely from his leadership skills and political acumen. “I highly respect and regard him. I’m glad that he has firmly indicated that he will be seeking re-election to his seat in the next election. I’m glad to have someone with his political experience as part of our team going forward.” Premier Alden McLaughlin Finance Minister Roy McTaggart speaks at a government press conference in September. McTaggart is tipped to take over leadership of the Progressives. McTaggart tipped to take over Progressives reins Travel Cayman, which took over from TravelTime earlier this month to deal with incoming travel applications, is set to launch an online portal to deal with the growing number of queries from people seeking to return to or come to Cayman. A Government Information Services press release stated that the portal is in development, and will “reduce the need to call and email the Travel Cayman team”. Numerous people who have tried to contact Travel Cayman by phone have complained to the Cayman Compass that they have been put in a caller queue and put on hold – some for more than an hour and a half – before getting to the top of the queue and receiving a message saying there are technical issues and their call cannot be dealt with. The press release did not give a timeline for when the new online system would be operational, but said it would be launched “in the coming days”. The portal will “allow travellers to select quarantine arrangements and submit travel plans online, removing the need for manual responses to each query”, the release noted. Under the latest travel arrangements, travellers can book repatriation flights directly with Cayman Airways and British Airways – the only two airlines currently approved to fly into Cayman. The release noted that although Travel Cayman approval is still required prior to entering the Cayman Islands, “this will remove the requirement for travellers to seek entry approval before purchasing a ticket to fly from La Ceiba, Honduras; Kingston, Jamaica; or Miami, Florida”. The Travel Cayman management team’s “pivotal role” is to ensure that quarantine options are managed in relation to inbound travel and the availability of government, private and quarantine-at-residence options, the release stated. The team also determines the supply of monitoring technology to travellers who require them for mandatory quarantine protocol. The release noted that inbound travel applications are prioritised weekly, based on the coming week’s number of travellers, and flight clearances. Travel Cayman, according to the release, is asking the public not to call or email unless they are travelling to the Cayman Islands in October. Travellers to the Cayman Islands this month need not reapply, it stated. The release also pointed out that some airlines are offering flights to the Cayman Islands and accepting bookings, but reiterated that only Cayman Airways and British Airways have permission to offer repatriation flights. Cayman has a quota of 800 inbound passengers for October. Premier Alden McLaughlin said earlier this month that the 800 limit had been met for October and no new applications would be accepted. Those who unsuccessfully applied for travel in October would be given priority for November, he said. Inbound travel in November Thursday’s press release stated that travellers can book flights directly with Cayman Airways for November, while British Airways travellers can book directly with BA for the approved repatriation flights, scheduled on 12 and 26 Nov. Travellers may apply for quarantine arrangements via the Travel Cayman portal. “Travellers who have already applied for November arrival are asked to reapply in order to select quarantine options. The public has been asked to wait to apply for quarantine arrangements until the new portal has been launched,” the release stated. Inbound travel in December Decisions regarding inbound travel in December remain fluid, as the government is working with the two airlines “to establish the level of demand and quarantine arrangements required” for that month, the release noted. Government continues to caution residents that travel should be limited to essential or medical needs only,” it said, adding that border decisions will continue to be evaluated and processes are subject to change. To contact Travel Cayman, email TravelCayman@gov.ky or call +1 (345) 743-8463 or 649-6913. Phone lines are open 8:30am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Travel Cayman to launch online travel portal McLaughlin announces re-election bid 800 The number of inbound travellers allowed into Cayman this month. Travel Cayman is asking the public not to call or email unless they are travelling to the Cayman Islands in October. Travellers to the Cayman Islands this month need not reapply. British Airways and Cayman Airways are the only two airlines allowed to fly into Cayman at the moment. 6From Mongolia to Cayman and back in the midst of a pandemic JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Sporting a borrowed T-shirt and a wide toothy grin, 5-year-old Aagi stepped out of the doors of Health City Cayman Islands for the final time on Monday. After a tumultuous nine months during which he has been through a pandemic, an earthquake, a hurricane and life-saving surgery to fix a hole in his heart, the youngster is on his way home. Aagi, whose family are nomadic herdsmen in rural Mongolia, was expected to stay in Cayman for just six weeks. The child, whose full name is Altangerel Chogdon, arrived on the island in January with a group of children selected by international charity Samaritan’s Purse to receive emergency operations in Cayman. Health City hospital partners with the organisation to provide surgeries for youngsters with heart conditions from some of the most remote areas in the world. Complications with Aagi’s treatment meant the procedure was delayed and he became stuck in Cayman, along with his mother Amarjargal Chuluunbaatar, known as Jagaawa, and an interpreter, when the coronavirus hit and the islands’ borders were locked down. “I had a strong feeling of fear,” his mother said. “l didn’t know if we would ever get back to Mongolia and see my family again.” The waiting was the hardest part. Aagi had dental issues which delayed the operation. Then Cayman went into lockdown and there was no way to get the treatment he needed. The boy and his family leaned on the support of host family Lovenia and Mario Ebanks who brought them food and took them to the shops on their ‘letter days’ during the shelter- in-place restrictions. The translator interpreted the televised press conferences and explained the situation. “It was very stressful,” said Jagaawa. “It was not clear whether it was going to happen for my baby.” Once the lockdown lifted, it took some months to find a dentist who could do the treatment Aagi needed. With that completed, paediatric cardiologist Dr. Sripadh Upadhya went ahead with the surgery in early September. “Aagi is a wonderful 5-year-old boy,” said Upadhya. “He is all fixed up and ready to go home. He is quite energetic and enthusiastic and he has recovered extremely well.” Before the operation, Aagi would become out-of-breath quickly, his features turning blue if he tried to run. Left untreated, his condition would have caused unmanageable problems and potentially fatal lung injuries later in life. Upadhya said the surgery would enable the boy to live a regular life. For Aagi and his family, that means a return to the Mongolian steppe were they herd goats, sheep and cattle in vast expanses of land, living in yurts – round tents covered in felt. “We have everything except camels and we travel with the animals from place to place,” said Jagaawa. Returning home will be bittersweet after nine months in Cayman. “There have been many challenges but more good days because of the people we have met in the Cayman Islands,” Jagaawa said. “Because of their help, I was able to overcome every obstacle. These people were our helpers, providers and protectors – whatever happened, they were by our side ready to help.” Lovenia Ebanks said she felt it was part of her duty to help people when she could. Host families sometimes have visiting patients stay with them, but in this case, because of the duration of the stay, Aagi and his family lived at a mission house in Savannah. “We supply the food and we weeks, but this time it Aagi was one Samaritan’s Purse, which partners with year, the East End around 100 children from countries as far afield as Uganda, Bolivia, Haiti and Mongolia. “We have been doing these surgeries for around six years,” said Upadhya. “Dr. [Devi] Shetty’s vision is that cost should not come in the way of getting treatment.” Ebanks said the treatment was made possible by all the volunteers in Cayman, especially her pastor Stanwyck Myles and Angela Martins, of the Samaritan’s Purse, Children’s Heart Project in Cayman. As she prepared to leave the island this week, Jagaawa said she had new hope for her son’s person people, to them better.” . Sripadh Upadhya th the surgery in er onderful 5-year-old hya. “He is all fixed o go home. He is and enthusiastic and ed extremely well. peration, Aagi would breath quickly, his g blue if he tried to ted, his condition sed unmanageable otentially fatal lung ife d the surgery would to live a regular life d his family, that means Mongolian steppe goats, sheep and cattle s of land, living in yurts overed in felt erything except travel with the animals ace,” said Jagaawa ome will be r nine months in Savannah “We supply the food and we drive them around and host them on island," she said. "Normally, it is for six weeks, but this time it has been nine-and- a-half months. They have become like family.” Aagi was one of a small group of children identified through health screenings in Mongolia and referred to charity Samaritan’s Purse, which partners with Health City. Every year, the East End hospital treats island this week, Jagaawa said she had new hope for her son’s future. “When he grows up, I wish for him to be a special person like Miss Lovenia and Dr. Sripadh – to show kindness to people, to take care of them and love them and make them better.” Child’s life-saving journey Aagi with his mother, Amarjargal Chuluunbaatar, and Lovenia Ebanks, who hosted the family during their stay, at Health City on Monday. es iti d n is ay y After a nine-month stay in Cayman, Aagi had successful surgery to fix a hole in his heart last month. “I had a strong feeling of fear. I didn’t know if we would ever get back to Mongolia and see my family again.” Amarjargal Chuluunbaatar , Aagi’s mother COVID delays heart ops for more kids The coronavirus crisis has impacted access to emergency heart operations at Health City Cayman Islands for a number of children around the world. The hospital typically performs life-changing surgeries for around 40 children every year in partnership with the Children’s Heart Project. This year, COVID-19 has meant only two children, including Aagi, were able to travel to Cayman for treatment, said Angela Martins, local coordinator for the charity, which is part of the Samaritan’s Purse humanitarian organisation. Martins, who coordinates with 17 local churches to provide support to the children, their guardians and interpreters when they visit Cayman, said Health City had become one of the most important hospitals in the international effort – providing surgeries to more than 130 children since 2016. The charity has outposts in Uganda, Bolivia and Mongolia and works with medics in remote areas to provide health checks and screen children for surgeries they would otherwise not be able to afford. Several children who are waiting for operations are unable to travel because of COVID-19. cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2020Miller absents himself in protest RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky After taking a leave of absence in February, West Bay West MLA McKeeva Bush returned to the Speaker’s chair Wednesday to preside over the first meeting of the 2020-2021 sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Opposition MLA Ezzard Miller protested Bush’s return by absenting himself from the Speaker’s opening speech, the only legislator to do so. Bush had taken a leave of absence from his speakership duties following criminal charges arising from an alleged incident on 21 Feb. at Coral Beach Bar involving a female employee. He is set to stand trial on 7 Dec. on three charges of common assault and one charge of disorderly conduct. Miller told the Cayman Compass he does not agree with Bush’s return. “I’ve taken a principled position that the Speaker should not be allowed to come back into the chair while he is facing criminal charges at the court. There is not much I can do as a lone member. We tried earlier to bring a motion of no confidence, which the government said was sub judice, so that route was not available,” he said. Miller said absenting himself from Bush’s opening speech Wednesday was his way of defending his principles “because we can’t expect the lowest level civil servant to be suspended when charged for anything that goes to court, but here we are in the exalted and honourable position of Speaker and we ignore the standards”. Bush said in February that he was taking a leave of absence to seek grief counselling for the loss of his daughter in 2011 and, more recently, the loss of his mother. The Speaker told the Compass Wednesday that he had not realised that Miller’s absence from the chamber was a protest. “I will say that [Mr. Miller] would be the last one to make any reference to any personal matter that I, or anyone else in this House, may have or have had; he is in no position to talk about it. There’s been no crime against this House. And the whole matter is sub judice. He still keeps raising it, which could reflect on the case,” he said. Bush, in his opening speech at the Legislative Assembly sitting, commended those who played a major role in the management of COVID-19 in Cayman. He lauded Premier Alden McLaughlin, Health Minister Dwayne Seymour and civil service personnel for their hard work in managing the health crisis. Bush also highlighted the work of corporate Cayman, the churches and local teachers during the lockdown period. He said while this was his first time in the Speaker's chair since the pandemic began, he has been working in the community assisting those in need of support, as well as carrying out his Commonwealth Parliamentary Association responsibilities. Miller entered the chamber at the end of Bush’s near-15-minute speech. Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush delivers his opening speech in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, his first appearance in the Speaker's chair since taking a leave of absence in February. “I’ve taken a principled position that the Speaker should not be allowed to come back into the chair while he is facing criminal charges at the court.” Ezzard Miller , North Side MLA 7 Dec. The date McKeeva Bush is scheduled to appear in court Bills headed to the LA Lawmakers are set to debate 11 pieces of legislation in the first sitting of the 2020/2021 Legislative Assembly meeting currently under way. These are the Legislative Assembly (Management) Bill, which gives full autonomy to the legislature to manage its affairs; the Defence Bill, which creates the legal framework for the Cayman Islands Regiment; Registered Land (Amendment) Bill; Prescription (Amendment) Bill; Development and Planning (Amendment) Bill; Securities Investment Business (Amendment) Bill; Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill; Judicature (Amendment) Bill; Public Health (Amendment) Bill; Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill; and Supplementary Appropriation (Jan.-Dec. 2020) Bill. JOIN OURJIN OU HSA Recruitment Fair Friday 23 October 2020 9am-3pm Cayman Islands Hospital Hibiscus Conference Room Meet industry professionals from various departments in the Health Services Authority and find out more about available and upcoming employment opportunities. Cayman Islands Health Services Authority 949-8600 | info@hsa.ky | www.hsa.ky Bush returns to Speaker’s chair news N news 8KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@compassmedia.ky Pre-construction work is set to begin on government’s long- awaited waste-management plan, but a final agreement with the selected project bidder, Dart-led consortium DECCO, is still in progress, government announced Tuesday. Three years after DECCO was selected to tackle government’s waste-management problem, negotiations on the design, operation and financing aspects of the project are ongoing. Officials indicated, however, that they are ready to move forward and begin the early phases of the project. On Tuesday, government and DECCO representatives signed an agreement that will allow remediation and capping work at the George Town landfill to continue, at an estimated cost of $20 million. A final agreement with DECCO on operational details could be signed by the end of the year, said Premier Alden McLaughlin. By 2024, when the George Town landfill is expected to reach full capacity, government hopes to complete the final phase of its integrated waste- management plan – a waste-to energy facility that would turn rubbish into ash. Government estimates the project could divert up to 90% of waste from being landfilled in the future. The premier lauded Tuesday’s signing of a pre-construction agreement with consortium members as a moment of “historical significance” for the Cayman Islands, but recognised negotiations had been complicated so far. “There are so many moving parts with respect to a complex project like this. Being able to negotiate the parameters of them and the cost of them are really what has taken this long,” McLaughlin said. One of the first steps forward will be the capping and remediation of the landfill, said Health Minister Dwayne Seymour. “Following today’s signing, the consortium will be able to finalise design details for the project, including the energy- recovery facility, otherwise One of the first steps forward will be the capping and remediation of the landfill . A new name for a stronger future. Over 60 years ago, we started an insurance company to help people. Today, with all of the challenges our world is facing, that mission has never been more important. BritCay is now CG BritCay. Our name has changed, but our purpose hasn’t. We are here for you, stronger than ever. is now British Caymanian Insurance Company Limited | BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, P.O. Box 74, George Town, Grand Cayman KYI-1102 | 12 Kirkconnell Street, P.O. Box 254, Stake Bay, Cayman Brac KY2-2101 | A member of Coralisle Group Ltd. cgigroup.com/newname @cgcoralisle known as waste to energy,” Seymour said. “The closure, capping and remediation of the George Town landfill will be undertaken in phases, with the entire mound covered with an initial... layer by the end of this year and the entire remediation completed by mid-2022.” Deal signed on $20 million dump capping news N news 9Next >