Red Bay Seven Mile Beach Waterfront Walkers Road 100% W hopper ® 0% Beef Patty made from plants. TM & © 2020 Burger King Corporation. Impossible is a trademark of Impossible Foods Inc. Used under license. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 20-26 November 2020 Washed away Beach erosion threatens Cayman’s greatest treasure. Page 6 Photo:Taneos Ramsay Fishermen face eviction from market Page 8 Businesses in eastern districts hurting Page 22 Struggles and successes of one class Page 24Cayman records 2nd COVID-related death Health officials on 16 Nov. confirmed the second coronavirus-related death in the Cayman Islands. The patient was a Cayman Islands resident who tested positive after returning to Cayman from travel abroad, and had been hospitalised since 4 Oct. They at first remained in isolation, then moved to the Cayman Islands Hospital after symptoms worsened. The patient died on 15 Nov. “The patient was considered to be at high risk of complications from COVID-19,” according to Government Information Services. An Italian cruise ship visitor who fell ill in March was the first person to die of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands. He was also the first person to test positive for the virus in Cayman. Gov’t wins award for field hospital The UK Association for Project Management on 16 Nov. awarded the Cayman Islands Government winner of the Social Project of the Year category. This was in recognition of the field hospital set up to support the Cayman Islands’ COVID-19 preparedness strategy. The association is the only chartered body for the project profession, with over 30,000 individual members worldwide. The field hospital project was co-ordinated by the National Emergency Operations Centre and involved several organisations across the government, private and charity sectors. The APM judges noted that the project had been delivered professionally, at pace, to provide the Cayman Islands with resilience capability and reassurance to the community. The facility is currently set up for 80 beds, with capacity to expand to 100. Cayman up to 258 cases The Cayman Islands recorded five new COVID-19 cases between 12-18 Nov, with 1,483 testing negative. All five people who tested positive were recent travellers. Four of the five were asymptomatic while one person showed mild symptoms. There are 13 active cases in the Cayman Islands – only one with symptoms – and 913 people in isolation as of 18 Nov. In all, Cayman has recorded 258 positive cases since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 50,000 tests have been carried out. Cayman under severe weather advisories The Cayman Islands spent much of the week ending 22 Nov. under some type of severe weather advisory, thanks to a trio of weather systems. Hurricane Iota passed south of the Cayman Islands earlier in the week, generating wet weather and rough seas that resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a marine warning on 16 Nov. That warning remained in effect later in the week, due to a high pressure system that built over the southeastern portion of the United States. A tightening pressure gradient over the northwestern Caribbean prompted the NWS to issue a wind advisory as well. The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season is officially the most active on record. Nomination period for Order of the Cayman Islands closing The nomination period for The Council for the Order of the Cayman Islands closes Friday, 27 Nov. The public is invited to nominate people for membership who have made exemplary contributions to life in the Cayman Islands. Caymanians and Permanent Residents are eligible to be appointed as ordinary members; those with a different immigration status are eligible to be appointed as honorary members. Anyone can submit a nomination. Nomination forms are available at www.gov.ky/order- of-the-cayman-islands or from the Government Administration Building reception desk, or via email request to nationalhonours@gov.ky. 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 fi lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK FREAKY (R) (FRI & SAT) 1:45 VIP (SAT ONLY) 4:40 | 7:10 VIP | 9:40 (MON, WED,THURS) 4:40 | 7:10 VIP (TUES) 4:40 GREENLAND (PG-13) (FRI & SAT) 1:15 (SAT ONLY) | 4:05 | 7:00 | 9:15 (SUN) 4:05 | 7:00 | 9:15 (MON, WED, THURS) 4:05 | 7:00 MANTRA: SOUNDS INTO SILENCE (PG) (FRI & SAT) 7:05 | 9:20 (SUN)4:40 | 9:20 (MON-THURS) 7:05 HONEST THIEF (PG-13) (FRI) 7:15 | 9:40 (SAT) 2:00 | 4:30 | 7:15 | 9:40 (SUN) 4:30 VIP | 7:10 VIP | 7:15 | 9:40 VIP | 10:00 VIP (MON - THURS) 4:30 VIP | 7:15 TROLLS WORLD TOUR (PG) (FRI & SAT) 12:30 | 2:50 | 4:00 (FRI ONLY) | 5:10 (SUN) 4:00 | 7:00 (MON- THURS) 4:00 WAR WITH GRANDPA, THE (PG) (FRI) 4:15 | 6:50 9:45 (SAT) 1:45 | 4:15 | 6:50 (SUN) 4:15 | 6:50 9:45 (MON - THURS) 4:15 | 6:50 SATURDAY NIGHT:For y KID CLUB SATURDAY 10AM FROZEN (PG) yourviewingpleasureminor:Fory CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA TUESDAY 7PM ROCKY (PG) 45 6:50 CULTURE @ THE CINEMA SATURDAY 8PM NT LIVE: CORIOLANUS (R18) 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 weather 87°F HIGH 76°F LOW Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers. WINDS East to northeast 20 to 25 knots with higher gusts. SAT 89°F HIGH 78°F LOW SUN 89°F HIGH 78°F LOW MON 89°F HIGH 77°F LOW TUES 89°F HIGH 78°F LOW WED 89°F HIGH 78°F LOW THUR 89°F HIGH 79°F LOW caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 7 to 9 feet. A Marine Warning remains in effect. A Cayman Compass article titled “CIMA fines Bank Cainvest $100,000”, published on 12 Nov., made reference to an article that cites a suspicious activity report (SAR) filed with the Financial Crime Enforce- ment Network. The SAR mentioned Cainvest and that information was included in the Compass article. In a statement, Bank Cainvest said: “Cainvest is not aware of the suspicious activity report filed with FinCen and is a stranger to the allegations made in {the original report}. We dissociate our- selves entirely from any link to the wrongdoing on the part of the individuals and entities described in your article. As stated previously, the highest standards of compliance are our utmost priority and we remain committed to providing the very best service to our clients.” The Compass article noted there is no indication a CIMA enforcement notice relates to a transac- tion mentioned in the SAR or that the transaction involved any wrongdoing. CLARIFICATION news in brief cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2020cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 20201234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Most important (7) 5 Brisk and decisive (5) 8 Frank (9) 9 Bit of private information (3) 10 Flightless nocturnal bird (4) 12 By instinct (8) 14 Informal (6) 15 Country of east Europe (6) 17 Of late (8) 18 Speak irritably (4) 21 Division of geological time (3) 22 Detest (9) 24 Perfunctory (5) 25 Unsteady with age (7) DOWN 1 To disguise (5) 2 After all deductions (3) 3 Ready for harvesting (4) 4 Taste (6) 5 An aromatic spice (8) 6 For the most part (2,3,4) 7 Staring in amazement (3-4) 11 Smart pithy remark (9) 13 Keep up (8) 14 Flow of electricity (7) 16 A nut (6) 19 Dutifulness in religion (5) 20 Oblige by promise (4) 23 Card with value one (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16541 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 16541 ACROSS: 1 Central, 5 Crisp, 8 Outspoken, 9 Tip, 10 Kiwi, 12 Innately, 14 Casual, 15 Poland, 17 Recently, 18 Snap, 21 Era, 22 Abominate, 24 Token, 25 Doddery. DOWN: 1 Cloak, 2 Net, 3 Ripe, 4 Liking, 5 Cinnamon, 6 In the main, 7 Pop-eyed, 11 Wisecrack, 13 Maintain, 14 Current, 16 Almond, 19 Piety, 20 Bind, 23 Ace. cartoon Sushi - By Caymanman Once approved, will you get a COVID-19 vaccination? cayman compass A possible breakthrough in vaccine development was welcome news to a weary world exhausted and frustrated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 1.26 million people. Total: 1,562 UndecidedYes No ONLINE POLL 55% 858 30% 466 15% 238 I just read a couple of articles about education in Cayman, and I am infuriated by the comments of education inspector Peter Carpenter. He is so unaware of the needs of many of the children in Cayman. I think he should try to listen to Michael Myles, who seems to have a much better grasp on the problems of education. What good is holding all students to the same standards? We are not a herd of cattle going to market. We are individuals with remarkably different talents and interests. We do not all learn the same way. We need to find alternatives to the traditional view of educating people. Mr. Carpenter, please take your blinders off, stop living in the past, and do what’s right for all Cayman students. If you are unwilling to learn effective ways to reach students, it might be time for you to leave the field. Adrienne Ponik School inspectors should recognise each student as unique Letters to the editor the origin of items that have later been discarded into the sea. Several years ago, many pill pots containing expired antibiotics washed up and it was determined by Deputy Dorextor Scott Slaybaugh that they came from a military warehouse in South Florida. Not saying that this is the case in this instance, but they may be able to assist. – Simon Boxall We found two of these vials on the beach in Frank Sound four weeks ago. The blood looks fresh. – Debora Gill Land owners look to evict waterfront fishermen The fishermen have been there every visit we’ve made in the last 11 yrs., and we have purchased fish from them every time we were passing through George Town on our way back home for dinner. It’s unfortunate the land owner had not paid closer attention and asked them to leave many years ago, because now, I can’t imagine them not being there! They seem to be honest and hard working fishermen. The park benches sound great, but leave room for the fishermen too! It’s a great way for tourists to see and experience a part of the Islands' treasures: an outdoor market with the freshest and most delicious fish money can buy. - Jennifer Arney This is part of Cayman’s heritage and charm. To remove them is destroying yet another thing that made Cayman the desirable destination it is today. Do we really want everything to look like any other waterfront around the world? Seven Mile Beach has already lost almost all of what made Cayman a unique destination. Mr. Johnson, shame on you. Instead of spending money to evict them you should have had your attorney draw up an agreement to come to some agreeable terms of use and liability! - Carli Ebanks Please, please, please, no high-rises along Seven Mile Beach! This is from a 27-year visitor. We come to Grand Cayman to avoid those monster buildings along the US coasts. Also the jet- skis at Governors Beach are a loud, dangerous nuisance. We missed this year but have reservations for our 28th year in 2021. Love the island! Jeanette Goode Don’t build high-rises on the beach What they’re saying Online Blood vials found on several more beaches Take them down to the Department of Environment. They are the competent authority for marine pollution. In the past they have used the lot numbers on packaging to pinpoint cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2020Discover your masterpiece. Christie’s International Real Estate’s and Provenance Properties’ curated networks of property specialists are trusted advisors in the Call +1.345.640.7000 or visit the website. provenanceproperties.com MEMBER OF CIREBA Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman From US$1,400,000 MLS#: 408247, 50, 57, 409578-79, 410013, 411301, 411361, 411752-55, 412160 when others see a we see a HOUSE WORK ART of cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2020Recent erosion worst in many years RESHMA RAGOONATH AND JAMES WHITTAKER Parts of Seven Mile Beach have disappeared in the aftermath of a series of storms, sparking concern about the long-term future of Cayman’s greatest natural asset. Property owners and environmental officials say the erosion at the northern end of the beach is some of the worst they have ever seen. Cayman’s coastlines have taken a beating from the passage of numerous storms – most recently Hurricane Iota – that generated wave action that has claimed prime beachfront from several properties. The Marriott Beach Resort, and Dart- owned properties Royal Palms and Coral Beach, have all lost beachfront. The extreme northern end of Seven Mile Beach, from Alfresco restaurant to the boat-launching ramp, has also been seriously impacted while Governor’s Beach and Public Beach have also been left with gaping shelves of absent sand. “Last year we thought we have seen our beach at its worst, but the current conditions are even worse,“ Daniela Rico, director of sales and marketing at the Marriott told the Cayman Compass via email Thursday. “Beach erosion has become a reoccurring event for us over the past couple of years, although we have never experienced the erosion to the extent of its current state,” she said. Kenneth Hydes, Dart vice president of special projects and partnerships, responding to a Compass query on the recent loss of the beach, said, “A certain amount of movement of sand along Seven Mile Beach is expected throughout the year depending on the season and level of storm activity. The number and intensity of the recent storms is atypical and unusually high.” Long-term solution needed Gina Ebanks-Petrie, director of the Department of Environment, said its staff had been surveying the beach in the aftermath of the storm, and agreed the erosion was the worst they had seen in many years. She said the situation needed to be carefully managed amid the continued threat of storm activity. “Obviously we have seen this situation close to the Marriott before, where there is fairly deep water right up to the wall, but we have never seen it extend as far to the north and the south as it has on this occasion.” She said the department had raised the issue this week with the National Conservation Council, which includes representatives from planning, agriculture and the National Trust. Ebanks-Petrie said the recommendation coming out of those discussions was that the impacted ministries and sectors – including tourism, planning and environment – would need to work together on a plan to protect Seven Mile Beach, one of Cayman’s most precious assets. Hew concerned over beach loss Infrastructure Minister and George Town North MLA Joey Hew is leading the charge on government’s efforts to update Cayman’s development strategy, Plan Cayman, which will look at setbacks for properties building near the water. Hew finds the beach loss worrying. “Rising sea levels and the beach erosion have to be taken seriously and if we have to change the way we develop to achieve the setbacks and improved vegetation lines then we should do [it,]” he told the Cayman Compass Thursday. Hew said any mitigation efforts would need to be approved, or even led, by the Department of Environment. He said Plan Cayman is about to embark on a six-week consultation process about the future of the Seven Mile Beach area and he hopes to get wide input on the issue. The minister said extended setbacks for new developments could be part of the solution. “What is obvious is that the sea walls are a contributing factor [to the beach loss] Beach disappears as storms steal shoreline Storm activity has stripped away sand at the northern end of the beach near the South Bay Beach Club. The exposed roots of a coconut tree show the extent of the erosion near Royal Palms. 6 news N newsand it is my hope that at the end of the Plan Cayman review of Seven Mile Beach that we return to setbacks being from the historical vegetation lines,” he said. Ebanks-Petrie added that the underlying problem was that properties had been built too close to the water, on the active beach. She said it was imperative that any proposed intervention did not make the problem worse. Solution a challenge Rico said the Marriott has contracted engineering consultants to help find a solution to the ongoing beach loss. “Our section of Seven Mile Beach has been affected the most by extreme weather conditions and we are trying to collectively address our concerns around this worsening situation and look for potential solutions with our neighbouring properties,” she added. In the interim, she says she is hopeful that the beach will return as tides recede. “We have dealt with this situation in prior years, while sustaining high occupancies over peak periods. We remain hopeful the situation will improve over the next months, as it has done historically, for when we are ready to welcome back our guests,” she added. Beach nourishment project In January, the DoE completed its review of a proposal from the Marriott, which involved a system of sand-filled mattresses and ‘geotubes’, intended to help preserve the sandy beach in front of the hotel during winter storms. A coastal-engineering report, prepared by consultants Olson Associates on behalf of the DoE, had suggested that solution was unworkable. Instead the consultants recommended a $1.25 million beach-nourishment project to replace lost sand along a 1,000- foot stretch of coastline fronting the Marriott, Tamarind Bay, Regal Beach Club and South Bay Beach Club at the southern end of the beach. Ebanks-Petrie said the DoE still supports that policy as a short- term solution. Longer term, the department advocates for a cross-government effort to deal with the underlying problem of development too close to the water. In an earlier interview with the Compass, Wendy Johnston, of the DoE’s technical review committee, suggested slowly moving infrastructure off the beach over the coming years. “There is a process called managed retreat, which some [places], including Hawaii, have adopted to start removing and repositioning hard structures off the active beach,” she said. “In the long term, there are limited options to hold back the sea against development positioned too close to the water. Beaches advance and retreat naturally and we need to give them enough room to flex through the use of appropriate development setbacks.” Because what matters most is your health, be proactive about it. Aetna, British Caymanian, Cayman First, Cinico, Generali and Pan American Life include Baptist Health in their insurance plans. In addition to the above insurance carriers, BAF and Fidelity are accepted locally at Baptist Health PET & CT Imaging Center in Grand Cayman. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact: BaptistHealthInternational.net | 786-596-2373 | International@BaptistHealth.net The beach has vanished in front of the Marriott resort. cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2020Light up a Life Remember a loved one this holiday season Celebrate loved ones no longer with us by dedicating a light on our memorial tree in their memory. To register call 945-7447 or email info@jasmine.ky Jasmine Villa, Tuesday 1st December 2020 at 5.30pm. With music from the Cayman National Choir. Proudly sponsored by Butterfield and Bodden Funeral Home ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The owner of a parcel of George Town beach used for years by local fishermen as a fish market has filed a writ with the Grand Court to bar them from using the property. A writ, dated 13 Nov., names Charles Morgan Wood, Robert Prendergast, Lindo McGown and others as the defendants. In the writ, property owner Chris Johnson claims the defendants are trespassing and illegally carrying out a business. “The Defendants are engaged in business in the resale of fish on the Property (the Defendants do not catch the fish that they seek to sell on the Property),” claims Johnson, in the writ. “They do not possess the requisite trade and business license permitting them to engage in this business.” The writ says the defendants process the fish on a wooden table on the property where there is no running water, electricity or bathroom facilities. Johnson alleges, in the writ, that the fishermen are therefore in violation of the Public Health Law (2002 Revision), and the Department of Environmental Health’s guidelines for the operation of temporary/ itinerant food facilities. Land owner looks to evict waterfront fishermen Johnson also claims that by occupying his property the fishermen have caused him to suffer loss and damage, “more particularly the loss of the use of the Property, damage to the Property and the risk of claims arising from the Defendants’ unlawful actions on the Property”. Johnson previously told the Cayman Compass that, once the fishermen leave the site, he intends to create a park and has already been promised benches by a civic club. Wood, Prendergast and McGown have all denied the allegations laid out in the writ. “I am not breaking any laws. In fact, all these years, I’m the one who has been paying to keep this place clean,” said Prendergast. “When the storms come, I have to clean it, when the seaweed come I have to pay to get it clean.” McGown, 67, said his father taught him to fish on the beach, when he was child, and for almost 50 years he had depended on the spot to make a living. “I’ve been selling fish out here for 47 years, long before Johnson even bought the place,” said McGown. “In fact I didn’t even know he owned it. All this time, I thought it belonged to the government.” “What about our rights?” asked Wood. “How can he be allowed to just come and throw us off the land like that, after all these years?” Graham ‘Tubbs” Rankin, a loyal patron of the fishermen, said they are not just fighting to preserve their livelihoods, but they are also a part of the charm of George Town and the country’s culture. “It’s time that someone stands up and do something, not just with their words but their actions,” said Rankin. “We are fighting to keep beach access for all, and even the fishermen are being thrown off the beach.” Johnson is asking the courts to return a declaration that the defendants are not entitled to enter or remain on the property; to issue an order for the possession of the property; to issue an injunction restraining the defendants, from entering or using the property; and to award damages and costs. Johnson’s call for eviction, is being met with strict resistance from all the fishermen. “The gloves are off, and the negotiation time is done,” said Chris Moore. “Johnson needs to know that, all of us fishermen are not going anywhere.” The writ states that the fishermen have 14 days to reply to the court, and confirm that they received the writ, as well as their intentions. The writ states that if the defendants fail to return an acknowledgement within the required time, then “the Plaintiff [Johnson] may proceed with the action and judgment may be entered against [the defendants] forthwith without further notice”. The fishermen say they have have not received the writ, and at this stage they have reached out to the government for assistance. “The gloves are off, and the negotiation time is done. Johnson needs to know that, all of us fishermen are not going anywhere.” Chris Moore, fisherman Fishermen Shadiac McLaughlin, Charles Wood, Filmore Conolly, Robert Prendergast and Chris Moore pose for a photo at the market at Red Spot George Town. Fishermen have been using the beach for years. 8® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Reimagine a Bright Christmas RBC is here to help you achieve your dreams for your home or your new car . Our mobile Mortgage & Auto Finance Specialists are ready to provide expert financial advice on mortgages and auto loans, safely at the location of your choice. This Holiday RBC gives you new ways to bank better. www.rbc.com/caribbean/reimaginehomeandauto Reimagine Better Banking cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2020Next >