EASTERN AVENUE TM & © 2021 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 19-25 March 2021 Debate season heats up Page 5 McLaughlin, developer tangle over road plans Page 3 Track coach Williams to step down Page 31 Calls for equality across the board The Compass examines what it might look like if all students - both expat and Caymanian - were given the opportunity to mix more freely in Cayman's classrooms. Page 24 Track coach Williams to step down Page 31Matinees (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 CHAOS WALKING (PG-13) (FRI) 4:45 VIP | 7:00 | 10:00 VIP (SAT) 2:00 VIP | 4:45 VIP | 7:00 | 10:00 VIP (SUN) 4:45 VIP | 7:00 | 7:00 VIP (MON-THURS) 4:45 VIP 7:00 FATALE (R) (FRI) 4:05 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 VIP | 9:30 (SAT) 1:45 | 4:15 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 | 9:30 VIP (MON & WED-THURS) 4:05 | 7:00 VIP (TUE) 7:25 VIP RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (PG) (FRI) 4:15 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 | 9:00 | 9:15 VIP (SAT) 1:30 VIP | 4:15 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 | 9:15 VIP (SUN) 1:30 VIP | 4:15 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 (MON-THURS) 4:15 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 SANDEEP AUR PINKY FARAAR (PG) (FRI) 3:35 | 6:30 | 9:25 (SAT) 12:40 | 3:35 | 6:30 | 9:25 (SUN-TUE & THURS) 3:35 | 6:30 (WED) 3:35 THE MARKSMAN (PG-13) (FRI) 4:15 | 7:25 VIP | 9:35PM (SAT) 1:40 | 4:15 | 7:25 VIP | 9:35 (SUN-MON & WED-THURS) 4:15 | 7:25 VIP (TUE) 4:15 TOM & JERRY (PG) (FRI & SUN-THURS) 3:50 | 4:00 VIP | 6:25 (SAT) 1:00 VIP | 1:15 | 3:50 | 4:00 VIP | 1:15 | 3:50 | 4:00 VIP CULTURE WARHORSE (PG-13) SATURDAY 8PM VIP For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted KID CLUB SMURFS 2 (PG) SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE 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 EDITORINCHIEF KEVIN MORALES weather 84°F HIGH 73°F LOW Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of morning showers. SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. SAT 84°F HIGH 72°F LOW SUN 86°F HIGH 76°F LOW MON 86°F HIGH 76°F LOW TUES 86°F HIGH 76°F LOW WED 86°F HIGH 76°F LOW THUR 86°F HIGH 76°F LOW caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS Northeast at 5 to 10 knots today, north to northwest at 5 to 10 knots tonight. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass 1,761 COVID-19 vaccines given in one day This week, the chief medical offi cer announced a signifi cant milestone in government’s efforts to vaccinate 70-80% of the population, as the Public Health team gave 1,761 injections on a single day, 13 March. As of 17 March, 24,997 (38.5% of the estimated population) have now received at least one dose of the Pfi zer-BioNTech vaccine, while 12,127 have completed the two- dose course. The total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered to date is 37,124. 11 test positive for COVID-19 Between 12 and 17 March, 11 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands. All 11 were recent travellers who tested positive during the routine screening process. This brings the total number of people who have tested positive locally since the start of the pandemic to 474, of which 440 have fully recovered. There were 32 active cases as of 17 March, fi ve of which are symptomatic, according to Government Information Services. Firefi ghters investigate ‘suspicious item’ at government building Firefi ghters on 17 March were dispatched to the Government Administration Building to investigate a suspicious item, according to Government Information Services. The item in question had been left outside the building since the previous day, GIS said. “A dynamic risk assessment was undertaken,” a government spokesperson said. “[Fire Service] crews worked with RCIPS and GAB security using safe systems of work to secure the area and confi rm the item in question was not deemed hazardous.” The building was not evacuated and employees went about their day as usual, according to a GIS spokesperson. Alva Suckoo formally joins Progressives alliance Newlands candidate Alva Suckoo has joined the Progressives alliance team, bringing to 12 the number of nominees running as part of the group in the general election. Suckoo announced he was joining the group at the alliance’s campaign launch on 13 March. Suckoo was previously a member of the Progressives, before resigning from the party and joining the opposition in the Legislative Assembly in 2015 during a debate over same-sex marriage rights. Little Cayman gets fi rst purpose-built ambulance Little Cayman now has its fi rst, purpose-built ambulance, following a presentation by the Health Services Authority at Blossom Village Park last week. Government offi cials, including constituency MP Moses Kirkconnell attended the presentation. According to a media release from HSA, prior to the arrival of the new ambulance, Little Cayman utilised an emergency-response vehicle, which did not adequately meet the needs of the island. Dr. Srirangan Velusamy, director of Sister Islands Health Services stated that the new vehicle was an important addition to the island and to the country’s emergency services. 26 May removed as holiday Government Information Services has confi rmed that 26 May has been offi cially removed as a public holiday, In a statement on 16 March, government affi rmed 14 April as the public holiday for the holding of the 2021 general election, rescinding the previously named 26 May holiday. Police gear up for election season As Cayman’s election season gets into its stride, in the run-up to the 14 April poll, a team of police investigators are on hand in case their services are required. So far, the investigators, who have a wide-ranging remit, have already been called in to look at the defacement of an election poster in George Town. 50 apply for domestic election observer spots A total of 50 people have applied to be domestic election observers for the 14 April general election, Governor Martyn Roper confi rmed on 17 March, ahead of the deadline to receive applications. Roper told the Cayman Compass on 15 March that his offi ce had received an “overwhelming response to our request for Domestic Observers”. Domestic observers are being sought for the local polls as international observers will not be able to oversee the general elections due to the extended quarantine periods both here in Cayman and in the UK. Correction Compass Media sincerely apologises for a printing error in last week’s newspaper in an advertisement for George Town North candidate Johann Moxam. We are fully responsible for the error and we regret it. We have printed the ad correctly on page 5 of the 'Vote Cayman' election guide within this publication. Independent Newlands incumbent MP Alva Suckoo accepts applause after announcing he would be joining the Progressives alliance. - Photo: Norma Connolly. news in brief Little Cayman has received its fi rst purpose-built ambulance. - Photo: HSA cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021Davenport objects, premier apologises for naming developer RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky A seemingly premature announcement of agreement on a local access road through a development in Grand Harbour triggered strong objection from Davenport Development Ltd. and an apology from Premier and Red Bay incumbent MP Alden McLaughlin. The announcement, made by McLaughlin on 15 March during the Chamber of Commerce candidate debate with Red Bay challenger attorney Sammy Jackson, led to a back-and-forth exchange between the developer and the premier after McLaughlin said an agreement had been reached with Davenport for a local access road stretching from Selkirk Drive into Grand Harbour. Access to be gazetted Davenport refuted the claims made by the Red Bay incumbent in a rebuttal sent to its Arvia clients – a development the company is building at Grand Harbour – saying it was “taken by complete surprise of the false words from the candidate for Red Bay, Mr. Alden McLaughlin”. However, McLaughlin told the Cayman Compass in a statement 17 March, he “simply reported what I understood from the briefing I received from the ministry responsible” and he had, himself, not been present at any of the meetings. He said he apologised if he “was mistaken in naming Davenport,” but the premier added that the “ministry staff is working on finalising the terms of the agreement before the roadway is gazetted”. Davenport, in its 16 March statement, acknowledged it was not the owner of the “land in negotiation,” as McLaughlin had pointed out in his statement, but said “Davenport has not made any recent agreements with the Government regarding the creation of local access at Grand Harbour.” The landowner for the road in question is Cayman Grand Harbour. Davenport, in its statement signed by developers Paul Pearson and Ken Thompson, explained they had been in discussions with government prior to 2020 regarding the access road, the concept of which is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion on Shamrock Road and nearby thoroughfares. “Prior to 2020, when the matter was decided, we were told quite clearly that the access road was off the table,” Davenport said. However, the premier indicated at the forum, the plan “is for the creation of local access all the way from Grand Harbour roundabout through to Admiral’s Landing to avoid motorists and residents in that area having to deal with what will become a six-lane highway.” The Compass reached out directly to the Grand Harbour representative for comment; we are awaiting a response. Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure Deputy Chief Officer Tristan Hydes, who has been conducting the discussions for the infrastructure works, told the Compass on 17 March that work is continuing to move the roadworks project ahead. “These types of negotiations are very complex. I can confirm we have met with the owner of the [Grand Harbour] road and made significant progress, which has been very positive and – as the premier noted – we will continue through in the coming months to see a local access road that is amenable to everyone,” Hydes told the Compass in a telephone interview. Davenport said the premier’s announcement had “upset” clients who have been “calling since this broadcast, questioning Davenport’s integrity since we communicated the Government’s earlier position [that there would be no connecting road]. They purchased and have been misled by the words of the Unity Government that we passed on to them.” McLaughlin acknowledged Davenport’s objections were “disappointing”. He added: “Their development will disgorge dozens more vehicles onto an already severely overtaxed Red Bay road system. When they started the development they would have been aware of the issue and that the development would make traffic matters worse”. McLaughlin stated he believed “that this local access road will only enhance Davenport’s ability to sell their units”. He said that, “as the representative of Red Bay and premier”, he was “out of patience.” “We must resolve this issue now,” McLaughlin said. Davenport, in a further statement to its Arvia clients on 17 March, agreed its approval is not required for the roadworks and “we have no objections and never have had any, to a sensible solution to the traffic congestion of the area”. However, the developer pointed out, “we are the owners of the largest mixed family use development in the area and as such one would have thought the government would have consulted us, especially given our reputation as good corporate citizens”. Red Bay road access project ignites tit-for-tat “If I was mistaken in naming Davenport, then I apologise. But I have rechecked and have again been advised that the Grand Harbour developer is as keen as government is to find a solution to the traffic congestion in the Red Bay area for which we are all grateful.” – Premier Alden McLaughlin “Davenport Development Ltd, since its inception 16 years ago, has been a substantial contributor to the local economy and has always supported the Government of the day in coming up with sensible solutions for any and ALL problems that have arisen and continue to arise within our community, in all areas.” – Davenport statement Rush-hour traffic jams to and from the eastern districts are commonplace. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 3 news N news FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 20211234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Stringent (5) 4 Philistine giant (7) 8 Perform a part (3) 9 Before (2,5,2) 10 Weariness (7) 11 Obdurate (5) 13 Toil (6) 15 Nucleus (6) 18 Conjecture (5) 19 Candidate (7) 21 Sole dissenter in group (3,3,3) 23 Expert (3) 24 Fail to care for (7) 25 Mass meeting of supporters (5) DOWN 1 Lachrymose (7) 2 Readily accessible (3-2-4) 3 Unspecified object (5) 4 Having great natural ability (6) 5 General survey (4-3) 6 Small social insect (3) 7 Impressively large (5) 12 Useless (2,2,5) 14 Snobbish (7) 16 Matter of chance (7) 17 Earnestly religious (6) 18 Deep moan (5) 20 Coach (5) 22 Follow persistently (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16643 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 16643 ACROSS: 1 Tight, 4 Goliath, 8 Act, 9 In front of, 10 Fatigue, 11 Stony, 13 Labour, 15 Kernel, 18 Guess, 19 Entrant, 21 Odd man out, 23 Ace, 24 Neglect, 25 Rally. DOWN: 1 Tearful, 2 Get-at-able, 3 Thing, 4 Gifted, 5 Look-see, 6 Ant, 7 Hefty, 12 Of no avail, 14 Upstage, 16 Lottery, 17 Devout, 18 Groan, 20 Tutor, 22 Dog. What they’re saying Online Premier: New local access road to relieve Red Bay traffi c woes I’m not sure how this local access road for the Red Bay and Prospect communities helps. It simply means that all the morning rush-hour traf- fi c exiting Selkirk Drive (that would have turned left) now moves to the Hurley’s roundabout instead, possi- bly causing additional delays for the traffi c coming from the east. Yes, it will help if those exiting Selkirk residents simply want to go to Grand Harbour, but not if their intention is to go further west. Hurley’s parking lot is going to see a lot of extra traffi c. – Lyndhurst Bodden Cayman has to have the diffi cult, but, in my opinion, much-needed conversation of limiting vehicles on Grand Cayman. A key part of that conversation has to be, as mentioned previously, a comprehensive mass transportation system. – Javier Thompson How about one of the politi- cians – just one! – up for elec- tion commit to putting in place a proper bus system with a schedule and monthly passes instead of expanding the roads and allow- While I understand the premier’s fi rst responsibility regarding COVID-19 is the safety of the Cayman people, I do question why decisions seem to have a strong bias towards not reopening the borders. I would like to know the mathematical probability that a person over two weeks post both vaccine shots, with a negative test prior to departure and a negative test on arrival, will transmit the virus to others after entering the country. It seems to me that persons meeting the above criteria should be allowed entry to the country after the onsite test or, alternatively, restricted in quarantine for no more than four days. At some point, refusing to open the borders in a reasonable manner will cause irreparable harm to Cayman’s economy, including the tourism and real estate sectors. Robert Shearer Open Cayman to vaccinated visitors ing derelict cars to be on the road! And notice the word ‘commit’ not ‘promise’ because we all know that once elected, promises go up in smoke! I am sure I am not the only one who would enjoy being driven in a proper bus to get to work! The Cayman Islands government is also missing an opportunity for additional revenue; just sayin’. – Julie Blais We should be able to use the local access road by the premier’s home to relieve rush-hour traffi c. – Craig Walker British Airways: Calls for vaccinated people to travel without restrictions This is a great way to force vac- cinations while spreading the ‘deadli- est virus in the history of mankind’. – Beto Anglin That’s why he is the boss of British Airways and not a scientist. His one priority is profi ts and get- ting his staff and planes moving. – Jerry Young Good grief, no need for any of that nonsense. Just ridiculous. Will there be trillions of other fake vaccines for all the other trillions of germs we’re exposed to every day as has always been throughout human history? Wake up, sheep. – Laura Mathis Willingham I can see a lot of grounded planes and empty hotels; other tourist-related businesses going under. People need to exercise their rights to choose what’s good for them, not be forced by others through restrictions. – Betty Ebanks You should also have a negative COVID-19 test report before travelling. – Jennifer Davis Great. What about those of us that haven’t been vaccinated? This is so unfair. It’s creating a divide. – Helen Lyons Vaccinated people are still car- riers, so how does that work? – Keisha Stephenson I’ll take as many tests as they want, I just don’t want to quaran- tine when I get there! – Holly Capon Weingart cartoon The List - By Caymanman What expense has the most impact on your bottom line? (excluding rent/mortgage) GroceriesGroceries cayman compass ONLINE POLL 38% Other Childcare/ school fees 10% 2% Healthcare/ insurance Automobile, gas 2% 15% Entertainment 3% Utilities 30% cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky While boundary lines may separate the four constituencies that make up the district of West Bay, residents are united when it comes to the challenges impacting their communities. Issues like unemployment, education and accessing government social support services are uppermost in the minds of residents gearing up to have their say on 14 April. In this week’s ‘Voter Voices’, the Cayman Compass spoke to electors in the West Bay constituencies to get a sense of what matters most to them. Shane Ebanks West Bay Central “As a registered voter and a Caymanian, I think the most important issue facing us right now is employment. This has always been an issue, but even more so since COVID; a lot of people lost their jobs, a lot of people are feeling hopeless, and they need more than just a handout. They don’t need a couple of dollars here and there. They need to know they have a steady income and I believe we need to spend some time looking at being innovative and creating jobs. I know there’s a housing problem. There’s people without electricity, there’s people without running water and there’s small kids in the home. So of course, that is going to create, further down the line, health problems and these children go to school with our children, what happens then? Everybody starts to get sick.” Carlton Levy West Bay North “One of my main concerns that I have with this [Bramble Road] community [is] the road is higher than most of the homes, especially my home. I have a problem with that… when the rain falls, it comes into the yard. So, in order for me to prevent that, I have to lift my property. The other concern I have is speed bumps on this road. [One] road has it, but the other road doesn’t have it and they take this road like a race car. My main concern, again, is about the children and the youth of the community, what they have in store for them, because it is very important. They are the men and women of tomorrow and if we don’t provide an infrastructure for them, what are we doing?” Elvis Ebanks West Bay West “We need to have the Needs Assessment Unit be a little more up to date, a little better… a little more professional, a little better service. I got a bad knee, and I went to them three times. They gave me a letter to take to doctors and the doctor told them to give me CINICO so I could get the surgery done and they tell me say they cannot do it.” Dorothy Hydes West Bay West “Well, I would like if we need a little help, we can get it from them. I need some help. I wouldn’t tell [McKeeva Bush] what to do. He’s going to be the minister of the government for us, so he will have to know what to do. What I would like to see is him do the best, any one of them whether Mr. Rolston [Anglin], Mr. Bush any one of the MLAs.” Esther Rivers West Bay Central “I think more needs to be done for people who have addiction problems, specifically alcohol and illegal substances. Personally, as a dog-owner, I would like to see animal welfare addressed in a big way, because there are a lot of stray dogs and you see how dangerous that [Willie Farrington Drive] corner is… it’s a real problem. If you just drove around the district of West Bay and you saw how people treated their animals, you would be appalled, if you had any sort of compassion at all. I think more needs to be done to spread awareness. I know rescue groups like CARE are going into the schools and that’s important, but I think the government should be doing something as well.” ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky As campaigns continue to intensify ahead of the 14 April election, candidates across the Cayman Islands are taking to the Cayman Crosstalk District Debates on Rooster 101 to express their concerns and plans. West Bay West On 15 March, West Bay West candidate Mario Ebanks appeared solo in the debate after incumbent McKeeva Bush declined an invitation to attend. During that broadcast, Ebanks stressed there needed to be a “long- term development plan for the country”. “I’m calling my plan vision 2050,” said Ebanks, who is running as an independent candidate. “We are going to look at the environment issues... cultural issues, economic issues, population growth... looking at everything.” Ebanks said other issues he hoped to address would be cost of living, along with the minimum wage of $6 per hour, which he believes is too low. West Bay North On Tuesday, 16 March, West Bay North incumbent Bernie Bush was expected to face off against challenger Rolston Anglin. However, the debate was momentarily derailed when Bush, reading from a prepared statement, refused to participate, saying he “could not support the programme on a point of principle” due to the dismissal of former host Woody DaCosta. Bush left after making his statement and the show continued with Anglin speaking unopposed. During the conversation, Anglin, a former education minister, said he had laid the groundwork for ‘lifelong learning’ and if elected he would like to build on that foundation. West Bay South On 17 March, West Bay South candidates Raul Nicholson-Coe and André Ebanks squared up on the eighth Cayman Crosstalk district debate. When asked about the most important issue facing West Bay South voters, both candidates said employment and cost of living. George Town North On 18 March, George Town North incumbent Joey Hew and challenger Johann Moxam engaged in debate. On the issue of beach loss and coastal development along Seven Mile Beach, both candidates agreed there needed to be a review of setbacks for the construction of developments. Hew, who is the minister of infrastructure in the current Unity government, said his team had recently approved the national development plan ‘Plan Cayman’ and would be looking to roll it out after the election. In response, Moxam took issue with Hew’s description of Plan Cayman, saying the plan is a “wish list” for certain people but not comprehensive enough. Jobs, speeding top concerns in WB North SideVoters836WEST BAY WEST MCKEEVA Bush MARIO E. Ebanks WEST BAY SOUTH ANDRÉ Martin Ebanks RAUL Nicholson-Coe Voters Voices Candidates WEST BAY NORTH BERNIE Alfredo Bush ROLSTON Malachi Anglin WEST BAY CENTRAL KATHERINE Ebanks-Wilks CAPT. EUGENE Ebanks West Bay West 1,272 West Bay South 1,538 West Bay North 1,309 West Bay Central 1,182 Candidates square off in Cayman Crosstalk debates WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE CAYMANCOMPASS.COM George Town North candidates Johann Moxam and Joseph Hew engaged in a heated debate on 18 March on Rooster 101's Cayman Crosstalk talk show. cayman compass 5 news N news FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky The Caribbean Utilities Company gave the Central Planning Authority a private presentation on 17 March of its plans to introduce natural gas as an alternative energy source to Cayman. The CUC presentation was listed on the authority’s agenda, so the media and local environmentalists showed up to hear it, expecting the meeting to be held in public. But the presentation was carried out over Zoom in the CPA’s meeting room at the Government Administration Building, and no media or members of the public were allowed to attend. Ron Sanderson, deputy director of planning, said CUC was making a presentation, rather than an application, and therefore it was being held in private. The agenda had listed the presentation as: ‘Representatives from CUC will provide a brief presentation on their consideration of natural gas as a transitional fuel in the Cayman Islands energy program that would result in a cost of fuel that is lower and less volatile than diesel with a significant reduction in emissions.’ Members of environmental groups Amplify Cayman and the Mangrove Rangers were among those who had shown up to attend the meeting, and they expressed concern that it was being held behind closed doors. However, Sacha Tibbetts, CUC vice president, later told the Compass that the company would have “been happy for members of the public to attend the meeting and there was no request from CUC for the meeting to be private”. He said, “In fact, towards the end of the presentation, we were told by members of the CPA that there were some members of the public who were outside the meeting and wished to attend. We were very open and welcoming of this. However, by that time the presentation was essentially complete, I believe the CPA informed the visitors that we were wrapping up and attending at that late stage wasn’t practical.” The visitors, including the Compass, when they tried to enter the meeting room, had been told that the meeting was being held in private and they were not allowed to attend. Tibbetts said in an email to the Compass that the presentation “was more of a consultation discussion where we were seeking feedback from various stakeholders on the issues or perceived issues surrounding the importation of Natural Gas into Grand Cayman”. He added that CUC had had similar discussions with OfReg, the Department of Environment, the Energy Policy Council and various on-island fuel suppliers with a view to getting a holistic sense of the local concerns around procuring natural gas as an alternate fuel to diesel for power generation. “The National Energy Policy and our Integrated Resource Plan both recommend a large amount of renewable energy as well as conversion of thermal generating units to run on Natural Gas. This two-pronged approach, which CUC supports fully, is designed to lower and stabilize the cost of electricity while making significant improvements to the environmental impact of power generation on Grand Cayman,” Tibbetts said. Since 2017, the CPA has allowed members of the public to attend the portions of its meetings where developers present their plans and potential objectors can air concerns, although CPA members typically deliberate and vote on development applications behind closed doors. In its 30-year Integrated Resource Plan released in 2019, CUC recommended several energy alternatives – including natural gas – that government and power industry officials have discussed over the years. Other alternatives in the IRP are investing in battery energy storage, converting diesel- fired engines to dual-fuel, assessing the viability of ocean thermal energy conversion, supporting the development of landfill gas facilities, and building more solar energy generators. In the IRP, Pace Global, the consultants which drew up the report, projected that Cayman would gradually use more natural gas starting around 2024 and existing generators would be retired or converted. The islands will also be getting more of their energy from solar and wind sources around that time, the consultants stated. CUC presents natural gas plan behind closed doors In its 30-year Integrated Resource Plan released in 2019, CUC recommended several energy alternatives – including natural gas – that government and power industry officials have discussed over the years . Caribbean Utilities Company plans to introduce natural gas as an alternative energy source in Cayman. The Cayman Islands Fire Service’s investigation into the large brushfire near Windsor Park that burned for several hours on Friday, 5 March, was “inconclusive, given the scale and nature” of the blaze. Although no official cause of the fire has been found, according to a statement from the Fire Service today, fire officers believe the most likely cause of ignition was either a bonfire that spread out of control or that had embers flying from it; or children or others “playing or experimenting with fire that got out of control”. The fire, which started around 3pm, led to the evacuation of the University College of the Cayman Islands and the nearby Truman Bodden Sports Complex, where the inter-secondary athletics competition was taking place at the time. Although homes in the area were not evacuated, as heavy smoke blanketed the area, residents were advised to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. The fire was brought under control on Friday night, but was not fully extinguished until the next morning. Fire fighters remained at the scene overnight to monitor the situation. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roy Charlton said in a statement to the Cayman Compass, “It is important people remember our safety tips for burning heaps and abide by Department of Environmental Health guidelines for bonfires. I would also encourage children or persons not to experiment with fire in any circumstances. “Residents across the Cayman Islands are encouraged to dial 911 as soon as possible to report any fire they feel may spread or get out of control to enable CIFS to make a timely response and intervention.” Cause of Windsor Park fire still unknown This aerial shot shows the extent of the area burned in the 5 March brushfire near Windsor Park. - Photo: Cayman Islands Fire Service cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021butterfieldgroup.com ButterfieldBank(Cayman)LimitedislicensedtoconductbankingbusinessandinvestmentbusinessbytheCaymanIslandsMonetaryAuthority. Address:12AlbertPantonStreet,GeorgeTown,GrandCayman,CaymanIslands. Withourcontinuedcommitmenttothecommunityinwhichweliveandwork,wearepleased toannouncetherecipientoffunds,normallyassociatedwithourSt.Patrick’sDay5KIrishJog, intheamountofUS$15,000.00istheCaymanHeartFund(CHF). ManagingDirector,MikeMcWatt,commented,“WelookforwardtothereturnoftheIrishJog in2022andarepleasedtomakethissignificantdonationtotheCHF.Thesefundswillgo towardsthevariousoutreachprogrammestheyorganiseinourlocalcommunityinorderto educateandbringawarenesstotheimportanceofcardiovascularhealth.” AllisonOlarou,CHFCoordinator,commented,“CHFisenormouslythankfultoButterfieldfor supportingusinthefightagainstheartdiseaseandstroke.Ouraimistoalertpeopletotheir risksandempowerthemwiththeknowledgetoprotectthemselvesandliveahealthierlife.” Welookforwardtohittingtheroadagainin2022andencourageyoutojoinusforthereturn oftheSt.Patrick’sDay5KIrishJog.Informationonthejoganddetailsonhowtoregisterwill bemadeavailableviaourwebsiteinduecourse. Community giving,by . Allison Olarou CHFCoordinator Mike McWatt ManagingDirector ButterfieldCayman 197236_PRINT-Butterfield-Ad-CompPage 1 3/17/21 3:31:43 PM cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021HNW_NRG_B_Bleed_MaskGrowing with the Cayman Islands for over 55 years. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. www.rbc.com/bankingreimagined Learn how you can reimagine banking at With new ways to bank better, RBC® is committed to deepening our relationship with existing clients and forging new ones in the future. cayman compass 8 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021Make 2021 Your Year! cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021Next >