cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 8-14 April 2022 INTERVIEW Premier Wayne Panton on tackling Cayman’s climate challenges Page 18 MASTER CLASS High-flying Caymanians hit the big time Aaron Jarvis: Golfer at the Masters Page 26 - Photo: Masters Images/Augusta National Club Darren McLean: Pilot reaches for the sky Page 3 – Photo: Alvaro Serey Alexia Williams: Angler sets record Page 27 – Photo: Seaford Russell Jr James Green: Student heads for Oxbridge Page 6 – Photo: Submitted Stackin’ up Single Stacker Double Stacker Triple Stacker Quadruple StackerBusiness icon ‘Uncle Bill’ McTaggart passes William McTaggart, local business stalwart and father of Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, has passed away. McTaggart, founder of Uncle Bill’s on Eastern Avenue, died at his home overnight on 3 April. He was 87. The Progressives party, which McTaggart's son leads, announced the businessman’s passing on 4 April. Describing the senior McTaggart as “a respected Caymanian entrepreneur best known for the business that he founded in October 1964”, the party said the “Progressives family is deeply saddened to learn of [his] passing”. Uncle Bill’s was started by McTaggart in the old family house on Fort Street in George Town, which was located across from the Appleby Clifton House. In a 2009 Cayman Compass profile marking his 45 years in business, the McTaggart family shared the story of the founding of Uncle Bill’s. “When he invested his life savings in 20 gallons of paint, 10 windows and a Philip Morris distributorship, he never imagined that the business would one day be a leader in those fields. “He later went into a full range of marine supplies, hardware and appliances. In 1980, Uncle Bill’s moved to 343 Eastern Avenue where they cater to the do-it-yourself enthusiast and the contractor,” the profile said. Eagle-eyed flight trackers spotted a special Cayman Airways name on the radar on 4 April, as local pilot William McTaggart switched his flight call sign to ‘UnclBill’ in honour of his grandfather. “It was a heartfelt tribute,” William McTaggart, who was named after his grandfather, told the Cayman Compass, as he spoke about the unique honour. Police, club owners meet over violent crime Growing incidents of crime last year prompted police to meet with nightclub owners, Police Commissioner Derek Byrne revealed at the annual RCIPS Crime and Traffic Statistics Report press conference on 30 March. Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton, who is overseeing the meetings and implementing subsequent strategies, said the discussions resulted in improved lighting and CCTV at the Strand shopping complex, and the return of officers patrolling there. In 2021, the RCIPS recorded 55 serious violent crimes, including two murders and six attempted murders. Of those, 25% occurred at liquor licensed premises. There are particular concerns around the Strand, home to multiple nightclubs and bars, which has been the scene of numerous stabbings and shootings in recent times. “We’ve got officers now posted outside of the Strand on the weekends, and that’s going to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Walton. Coat of arms tapestry stolen from restaurant A handcrafted tapestry depicting the Cayman Islands coat of arms has been stolen from Casa 43 restaurant, and owner Max Hillier is appealing for its return with no questions asked. Describing the tapestry as “priceless”, Hillier said he was upset when he found out it had been swiped from the West Bay Road restaurant. “For us it is a really special artefact… especially a Caymanian artefact. We can never replace it,” Hillier told the Compass on 5 April. He said he had the tapestry since early 2007, and it has been in the restaurant since it opened in 2015. Hillier said he had just returned from a three-week break and went into the restaurant on 4 April only to be greeted with the empty wall where the tapestry had hung for the last seven years. “We understand that people get caught up in the moment. I totally get that. We’ve all been young, we’ve all got excited about something we’ve seen or something we’d like to have as well. We’re not interested in pressing charges or getting anyone into trouble or pointing fingers. In fact, if the person brought it back we would have a margarita with them and say we understand… thanks very much, we appreciate it,” Hillier said. C3 accesses subsea cable landing stations Telecommunications provider C3 Pure Fibre announced that it has established access to both landing stations of subsea communication cables in Grand Cayman – the Maya-1 in High Rock and Cayman- Jamaica Fiber System in George Town. Having access to both landing stations, after five years of negotiation, is another step towards total market liberalisation in the telecommunications industry in Cayman, the company said in a press release. C3 said as a result, it has full sight of its circuit end-to-end, from Grand Cayman to the cable landing station in Florida, with protection of the circuit from the landing stations to the Network Access Point of the Americas in Miami and a co-location data centre in Jacksonville. “This access is the final piece allowing C3 to monitor our circuits at a much higher level and it means we are not dependent on our local competitor in the event there is an issue,” said C3 Managing Director Randy Merren. “We can immediately determine where the problem is and start to trouble shoot the issue, so it is resolved as quickly as possible.” FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass 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 NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER LIVING EDITOR VICKI WHEATON HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers. SEA STATE Moderate to rough with a wave height of 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open water WINDS Green activists call for action on climate change 88°F HIGH 75°F LOW news in brief This tapestry was stolen from local restaurant Casa 43. 'Uncle Bill' McTaggart, left, who passed away on 3 April, with his grandson, Cayman Airways pilot William McTaggart. Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (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. AMBULANCE (R) (FRI, SAT, MON-THURS) 9:50 ATTACK PT1 (PG) (FRI, MON -THURS) | 6:50 (SAT) 1:25 | 6:50 (SUN) 6:50 | 9:50 FIRE HEART (PG-13) (FRI -THURS) 4:30 MORBIUS (PG-13) (FRI, MON, WED & THURS) 3:45 VIP | 4:00 | 6:45 | 7:00 | 9:50 VIP | 10:00 (SAT) 12:40 VIP | 1:15 | 4:00 | 4:05 VIP | 6:45 | 7:00 VIP | 9:50 VIP | 10:00 (SUN) 4:00 | 4:05 VIP | 6:45 | 7:00 VIP | 9:50 VIP | 10:00 (TUES) 3:45 VIP | 4:00 | 6:45 | 10:00 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 (PG) (FRI-THURS) 3:40 | 4:05 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP (SAT) 12:40 | 12:40 VIP | 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP (SUN) 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP THE BAD GUYS (FRI-THURS) 5:00 THE BATMAN (FRI, TUES & THURS) 3:30 VIP | 7:30VIP | 8:00 | 9:25 (MON&WED) 3:30 VIP | 7:30 VIP | 8:00 | 9:25 (SAT) 12:20 VIP | 1:00 | 3:30 VIP | 7:30 | 8:00 | 9:25 (SUN) 3:30 VIP | 7:30 VIP | 8:00 | 9:25 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KIDS CLUB CARS 3 SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) KIDS CLUB BAMBI SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) CLASSICS THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING TUESDAY 7PM VIP (PG-13) cayman compass 2 N newsRESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky When Darren McLean first stepped onto a Cayman Islands tour helicopter as a teenager, he dreamt of one day flying a chopper; now he’s on the cusp of turning that dream into reality. The RCIPS auxiliary constable leaves later this month for the final leg of his training in Trinidad and Tobago to become the first Caymanian pilot in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Air Operations Unit (AOU). “It means a lot, not for me, but a lot more for other Caymanians coming up behind me. My goal was to make a way for someone else after me. I will be the first, but I do not want to be the last Caymanian to actually fly this [police] helicopter,” McLean said during a recent interview with the Cayman Compass at the AOU headquarters ahead of his departure. McLean joined the unit in 2017 and is a certified tactical flight officer on the crew of the police helicopter. He is also a first officer with National Helicopter Services Limited in Trinidad and Tobago. By year’s end, the 29-year-old Savannah resident is expected to complete his training and return to Cayman as a captain on the AOU team, after which he will eventually take the pilot’s chair on the H145 chopper. Childhood dream McLean said that his love of flying started as far back as he could remember, but his aspiration to become a helicopter pilot for the police came after that island tour. “I was drawing planes from the age of 5 in primary school. I initially wanted to fly planes and my dream... was to fly for Cayman Airways, that was my goal. But when I took a tour in the.. touring helicopter here in Grand Cayman, back in 2011, I just had a new love for helicopters and it was something that I wanted to pursue full on,” he said. A recent police profile on McLean said he had already obtained a commercial pilot’s licence for rotorcraft, “but he would need further training in order to meet the requirements to fly for the RCIPS”. Over the past three years, according to the profile, McLean had the opportunity to obtain this training through a unique arrangement between the RCIPS, Cayman Islands government, and National Helicopter Services. McLean said he was grateful for the opportunity and the support he has received since embarking on this journey in 2019. He said it has shown him that anything is possible, and he would like his fellow young Caymanians to see that. “The helicopter came here [and] initially there was no intention to start a programme like what is going on now, but as you can see now. it does work. We can do something where we train a young person from the ground up to become a pilot here in the Cayman Islands for the RCIPS and to serve their country,” he said. Reflecting on his first time in the pilot’s seat, McLean said everything happened quickly back in 2019, when he was called by the Trinidad company and told it needed him for an evaluation flight the following week. “I was a bit nervous because I hadn’t flown in a few years,” he said, “but when I entered the helicopter, everything started to come back naturally and I did impress the trainer at the time evidently [as] they hired me as the first officer.” A new chapter Undaunted by the delays in his training due to COVID-19, McLean said he is looking forward to what lies ahead. “The journey with the RCIPS has been from 2017, but my journey as a pilot has been from 2012. It’s the ending of a chapter, but the beginning of a new one for me where I’ve finally made it to my ultimate goal of flying here in the Cayman Islands, which I call my home. It’s an overwhelming experience to know that the journey is almost ending for one part and beginning for a next,” he said. In Cayman, he said, the main passion for flying involves fixed-wing aircraft because the national flag carrier has a training programme for young pilots coming home to work their way up in the aviation world. “My goal and dream is to [create] a structured programme after I’m finished [so] that we can say... this is the way to go if you want to fly for the RCIPS Air Ops Unit,” he said. Taking the pilot’s seat He added he has received “overwhelming support” from the RCIPS and Cayman as a whole. “It’s a bit surreal knowing that in the coming months or maybe the next year, I will be in the [pilot’s] seat actually flying the machine that I have been working on for so long... sitting in the front still trying to learn things that I can to prepare myself for when I come back. It’s surreal and it’s almost a dream; sometimes I feel like I need to wake up,” McLean said. He added he is driven to make his compatriots proud and never felt pressured in his pioneering pursuit. “It was never a burden," he said. "It was always a goal I wanted to achieve... not for myself, but [for] others coming up behind me. I don’t want to let myself down, but I especially don’t want to let other Caymanians down... other people that are looking up to me. "People always say you never know who [is] watching you and it could be someone out there watching me, hoping I succeed so that they can follow in my footsteps.” Through his training he gets to see “amazing views” in Trinidad and work in the oil industry, but there is no place like home for him. McLean said he hopes his story would reach another young Caymanian “and I will spark an interest; if it’s just one person, I’ll spark an interest and they will pursue this career”. From left, Deputy Head of RCIPS Air Operations Inspector Neil Mohammed, Darren McLean, and Head of Air Operations Steve Fitzgerald strike a pose next to the police helicopter that McLean will soon pilot. - Photos: Alvaro Serey Helicopter pilot Darren McLean: ‘I’ll be the first, but I do not want to be the last’ McLean said that his love of flying started as far back as he could remember, but his aspiration to become a helicopter pilot for the police came after that island tour. Darren McLean is in the final stages of training to become the first Caymanian to pilot a police helicopter. cayman compass 3 news N news FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 20221234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Apparition (7) 5 Chain of reasoning (5) 8 Italian mountain range (9) 9 Snakelike fish (3) 10 Of exalted rank (4) 12 Point of full tidal ebb (3,5) 14 Away from the coast (6) 15 Apprehend (6) 17 Underprivileged (8) 18 Dull in appearance (4) 21 Fix at predetermined rate (3) 22 River of southwest Asia (9) 24 Hoarse (5) 25 Fugitive (7) DOWN 1 A pinkish-yellow fruit (5) 2 Distinct period of past (3) 3 Melody (4) 4 A trusted adviser (6) 5 Definitive statement (4,4) 6 Ursa Major (5,4) 7 Guilty party (7) 11 Ecuadorean Pacific islands (9) 13 Completeness (8) 14 Comprehensively (2,5) 16 A hot condiment (6) 19 Domineering (5) 20 Smile broadly (4) 23 Pull along (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16973 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 16973 ACROSS: 1 Phantom, 5 Logic, 8 Apennines, 9 Eel, 10 High, 12 Low water, 14 Inland, 15 Arrest, 17 Deprived, 18 Drab, 21 Peg, 22 Euphrates, 24 Husky, 25 Runaway. DOWN: 1 Peach, 2 Age, 3 Tune, 4 Mentor, 5 Last word, 6 Great Bear, 7 Culprit, 11 Galapagos, 13 Entirety, 14 In depth, 16 Pepper, 19 Bossy, 20 Grin, 23 Tow. FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022 Aaron Jarvis at US Masters We are cheering for you! Best wishes. – Faith Crooks What an amazing story! Ab- solutely love his excitement and how in awe he seems! Congrats and enjoy! – Christine Maltman Enjoy the experience, Aaron. We’re happy for you and wish you all the best. – Antonia Hawkins Aaron - Enjoy every minute of this incredible journey. We’re all there living vicariously through you and this amazing story. Best of luck. ‘Doing BIG things from a small island’ #TEAMCAYMAN – Johann Moxam Mentioning his family mo- ments... so sweet!!! – Pam Bush Parsons The only time I’ll watch golf. – James Bodden Poaching gangs threaten survival of key species The report says these people are a tiny portion contributing to the problem. The overwhelming majority are people who are simply exploiting the system for financial gain – not a financial necessity to feed their families or pay the bills. – Samantha Norrell Peterson So, so short-sighted, so stupid, so criminal against the Earth and all our futures… no respect for laws of nature nor understanding of the cycle of life. – Zoe Foster People have to feed their family and pay bills so expect anything now. – Kathy Williams Police, club owners meet over violent crime Hire more police, foot patrols every evening around the Strand and community policing vehicles driving by every half hour. Have a police officer hired on the door as security, so that he is able to be in radio contact. – Sheridan Robinson Better security. Stricter rules and sentencing for drugs, fight- ing and weapons. How hard can it be? These clubs are very small. Super clubs that hold thousands have less trouble. – Nicola Sibiril Hire more security, cut drinks at late night. – Billy Wade Easy: Video everyone enter- ing. Close at 12am Monday to Sat- urday and cut off drinks at 11pm, but close 2am on Fridays [and] cut off drinks at 12. Clear the lots by 10 minutes after closing. Stop admitting minors. Have dry dance party matinees on Saturday afternoons for teens 13 to 16 years old. Hire proper security. – Lennon Christian Business icon ‘Uncle Bill’ McTaggart passes This is very sad news. Uncle Bill is an icon. Always made me laugh. I will always treasure having had him and his family as neighbours and good friends for many, many years. Rest in Peace, Sir. – Linda Mary McPeek Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family and many friends. We will always remember your kindness, humbleness. A true pioneer. RIP Uncle Bill. – Michel Lemay While it is great to see Cayman returning to full tourism, sadly it is also the return of the devil’s spawn – jet skis. I am sure all swimmers would agree the Department of Tourism could do with putting more 200- yard marker buoys off Seven Mile Beach and to get jet-ski operators to enforce their customers go dead slow in designated channels, perpendicular to the shore, till they reach the 200- yard buoys. Ken Rowe An article regarding the bureaucratic delay for private companies to hire tour bus drivers was published last week [see “Buses stuck in park as ‘red tape’ holds up driver recruitment”; 1 April, Cayman Compass]. My two cents for the Cayman Islands government to consider are: The Public Transport Board has the discretion to set the procedure to regulate the drivers. Maintain the criminal and the fitness-to-work checks for the drivers. Regarding the Caymanian heritage test, even I, as a Caymanian, would likely fail that test. To me, if there is to be a test, either delegate that test to the owners of the private companies for them to regulate, trusting that they have the ability as Caymanian owners to know what details of the Cayman Islands are important. Or, if there is to be a test that government regulates, please let it be simple and accessible – questions such as the names of the districts, possibly one key historical and/or popular site, and/or trusting the drivers to relate their favourite Caymanian experience. To me, government should regulate the criminal records and review the health statuses of the drivers, but the owners of the businesses should determine if and what the drivers’ local knowledge should be. Why? In order for their private businesses’ culture to be reflected for their guests’ experiences. Lisa Donalds AMANDA MILLING UK Minister for the Overseas Territories I was delighted to visit the Cayman Islands recently, and I was impressed by all the hard work that has gone into making Cayman a responsible and reputable financial centre working to implement the highest standards. The Cayman Islands, along with the sister Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom, is part of a unique family that span the globe, covering nine time zones. Whilst each member of the family is distinct, we are bound together by our shared values. Politics can often be bruising, and it is easy to take for granted the free and open societies we have established. However, events in Eastern Europe give us good reason not to be complacent, but also for us all to take a stand against Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine. There is no justification for the scenes of school children huddled seeking shelter in basements from missile attacks, nor of elderly Ukrainians forced to leave behind their family homes in the freezing winter. The Ukrainian people will have been heartened to see their Taking a stand against RussiaLet bus companies decide drivers’ local knowledge Keep jet skis under control flag flying proudly across the Overseas Territories. The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, something President Zelensky has recognised. The Overseas Territories are approximately 270,000 people, control enormous swathes of ocean across the world, and have a pivotal role to play in global shipping and finance. Recently I held a call with the leaders of the Overseas Territories to listen to their views, thank them for the principled stand they had already taken and their immediate work to ensure that sanctions against President Putin and his associates are implemented in full. This united front shown by the Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom is an excellent example of how together we are a force for good on the world stage. To some this may feel like just another distant war, but this war of choice started by President Putin will have a profound impact on global supply chains when the cost of living has already risen sharply. Crucially, all our values are at risk if we don’t take action. When this conflict is over, it will be clear who was on the right side of history. I believe the Overseas Territories should be proud of the role they have to play and principled stand they have taken. What they’re saying Online Letters to the editor cayman compass 4 news N newsMICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky A government-commissioned report has highlighted Cayman’s potential to turn itself into a location for international TV and movie productions. The analysis by PwC Cayman found that, during six months of last year, two movie production companies contributed an estimated CI$11.4 million to the local economy. The TV and film productions created work for 80 Cayman residents, in addition to 159 crew members that were brought to the island. The report covered the economic impact of Canadian company Productivity Media, which shot scenes for four movies from February to August 2021, as well as the dating reality TV series 'FBoy Island' filmed by Los Angeles-based STX Productions from February to April last year. Government supported the productions by facilitating access to sites and expedited work permit approvals. The companies’ direct spending on the island amounted to $9.38 million, of which three- quarters went to local suppliers, while staff contracted to the companies received 13%. The productions paid approximately $850,000 in per diem allowances to its non- Cayman employees. Overall, the analysis estimates the employment impact of film productions to be equivalent to one person working for 107 years full time. The report used this full-time equivalent (FTE) measure, rather than jobs, because of the temporary nature of the employment. In addition to the economic activities of the production companies, the movies and TV series – together with their well- known cast members – could be beneficial for the awareness and reputation of the Cayman Islands around the world, the report said. Last year, this impact was limited to the social media and public relations activities of the production companies and the cast during the time spent filming in Cayman. But a further impact is anticipated when the programmes are aired. Future potential The analysis suggests that Cayman could build on its strengths and work with the local and overseas film industry to establish policies and incentives for future productions. This would provide Cayman with an opportunity to stand out on the global film production scene. “With targeted promotion of the Cayman Islands and its offering, both the reputation of Cayman as a filming destination as well as tourism destination can be enhanced,” the report said. The Ministry of Tourism has the mandate to develop the Cayman Islands film industry both to increase Caymanian participation in the sector and increase awareness of the Cayman Islands through film. The ministry said in a statement that Cabinet has appointed a new Cayman Islands Film Commission, which has been actively reviewing applications for film projects and discussing policies to further develop the industry locally. Last year, Cayman was chosen as a film location largely because of the absence of COVID at the time. The islands’ lifestyle benefits, high standard of living, low crime rate and sunny climate all continue to weigh in its favour. The structured immigration process, created together with the Cayman Islands Film Commission, also allows for temporary film productions on island. The Film Commission acts as liaison between the government and the industry and has helped production companies through the procedures for obtaining media licences and work permits for the cast and crew. Work permit fees for crew and cast ranged from $85 to $110 per person, in addition to a $50 application fee for the two to six months of filming. However, the high cost of accommodation and lack of film infrastructure, combined with the need to ship and pay duty on production materials, are perceived as weaknesses. The report said, “Since the film industry in the Cayman Islands was virtually non-existent prior to the productions in question, How much is Cayman’s emerging film industry worth? Last year, Cayman was chosen as a film location largely because of the absence of COVID at the time. – Photos: Productivity Media, taken during the shooting of 'The Baker' featuring Ron Perlman. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9» cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022 5cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022 → gov.ky/booster COVID-19 boosters are proven to help prevent severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. Everyone 18+ can now get a booster to keep up their protection. Keep Up Your Protection RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Caymanian student James Green has set his sights on changing global misconceptions about the Cayman Islands. “This is less of an academic goal and more of an existential goal,” Green said in a recent interview with the Cayman Compass. Green has been accepted at both of the UK’s oldest and most well-known universities; at Cambridge to earn a master of philosophy in economics and social history, as well as at Oxford for a master of science in economics and social history. The 23-year-old has yet to choose which programme he will be entering later this year, but he is clear on what he expects to result from his studies. “If I can get to the point where I’m able to credibly publish papers or do my own research about Cayman and continually put out literature that I think is reflective of the country or the jurisdiction… I’m happy,” he said, adding that his goal will be a greater appreciation for Caymanian culture and its true identity. Green said he also intends to use his passion for the study of Cayman history to “hopefully bolster the education about Cayman taught to Caymanians”. Challenging ‘wives' tales and semi-myths’ Green came to Cayman as a toddler. He studied at Cayman International School before heading off to boarding school in the US at age 11. “When I got to the States to study, I was immediately confronted with a lot of, Clearing Cayman’s name: Student heads to Oxbridge to challenge misconceptions James Green (standing, fourth from right) trained to box locally. Caymanian student James Green is on a mission to change how the world sees Cayman. - Photos: Submittedcayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022 Saturday, May 21, 2022 Starts and ends at Ristorante Papagallo, Conch Point Road, West Bay Course: Starts and ends at Ristorante Pappagallo, Conch Point Road, West Bay. Start Time: 6:30 a.m. (Walkers) and 6:45 a.m. (Runners). Check-in time starts at 5:30 a.m. (to receive numbers (all participants) and race chips (for runners). Fee: CI$15 Adults and CI$10 Youth (Under 17). Registration: 1) Register online and pay at www.caymanactive.com 2) Register online and pay at www.racecaribbean.net 3) Download the PDF form from CUC’s website at www.cuc-cayman.com (click on “Events” under the “About Us” tab on the Home Page). Complete, scan and e-mail the form to communications@cuc.ky 4) Forms can also be dropped-o and payments made by cash or cheque (payable to CUC) at CUC’s Administration Building on North Sound Road between Monday, May 2 and Thursday, May 19 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Participants who register online can also collect their t-shirts and ‘power’ bag from CUC between May 2 and May 19. Note: There will be no registration on the day of the event. Amenities: First 300 participants to register will receive a t-shirt (sizes are not guaranteed), participation medal and ‘power’ bag. Light refreshments will be provided and trophies for the fastest and second fastest male and female finishers in the Adult and Youth (Under 17) divisions will be presented at the end of the event along with a number of Spot Prizes including vouchers for Cayman Airways and CUC Gi Certificates (you have to be present to win). Contacts: CUC’s Pat Bynoe-Clarke (914-1107), Japhia Augustine (914-1136) and Neil Murray (914-1110) or e-mail communications@cuc.ky or Cayman Athletics’ Cydonie Mothersill (928-2726) and Kenrick Williams (925-1943) or e-mail ciaageneralsecretary@gmail.com. CUC is taking to the streets again in West Bay on Saturday, May 21, 2022 for a fun run and walk as we raise money for the Sunrise Adult Training Centre and Cayman Athletics (formerly the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA). Everyone is welcome to join us. what I thought at the time, were suspiciously inaccurate stereotypes about Cayman… the classic money laundering, banking hub where people hide their money. I was like 11 or 12 at the time so I knew it was counter to my actual real experience of Cayman because I lived there… that’s not my experience,” he said. He continued his studies in the States, focussing on the ethics of offshore financing at the University of Texas. In addition, he said, during that four-year degree, he was accepted for a period of study at Oxford as a visiting student (similar to an exchange programme) “so that I could leverage the unique resources found there to better research my thesis”. Green said his affinity for the islands triggered his fierce defence of the community in which he grew up. He said the inaccurate story of Cayman that he encountered fuelled his drive to immerse himself in local culture and history, to correct the misperceptions. Following in his father’s footsteps, Green has already passed his Solicitors Qualification Examination. Though he has additional tasks to complete – two years of work experience, and an oral exam – before becoming a lawyer, Green said he wants to fulfil his passion for Cayman history first. “[I] have a bone to pick academically,” he said, adding that he was on “somewhat [of] a mission to better inform the discussion about Cayman and maybe in some ways clear its name”. Everything he learned in the overseas schools he attended, Green said, has been a combination of “wives’ tales and semi- myths” and he wants that to change. “I kept coming across books, articles, interviews from very established academics who just seem to be completely misinformed about the way of life in Cayman and the history of Cayman, and that inspired me to study [it],” he said. As he embarked on his research and delved into the way Cayman was portrayed, it bothered him, Green said. “It was pretty pejorative. It was like a classic kind of European conception of the Cayman Islands as basically like modern pirates… I would be assigned some of these readings and I’d find them to be infuriating at times, because I know this place and I know that that’s not the genuine way that Cayman exists in the world,” he said. Green also pointed to occasions during his academic life where he encountered lecturers who would make casual quips about Cayman and that was “super frustrating”. “I would be in a class and the professor would make very personal jokes about everyone in the Cayman Islands living on megayachts and hiding money, and I would be very upset about this,” he said. Cayman history should be widely explored Cayman has a story to tell to the world and he wants to be a part of that process. He said he has chosen to study Cayman history from 1962 onwards. Green said, under the programme, whichever he chooses, a supervisor will be assigned to him to essentially guide the research over the course of nine months or two years, depending on the course. “Then you produce a body of work… I think it’s around 15,000 words, but it’s a relatively sizeable thesis on your findings. It’s basically going to involve me… sitting in a library and trying to find books that… people [have] written about Cayman to learn from,” he said, noting that the lack of such books makes it a difficult process, “but that’s why I want to do it”. He said finding Cayman- specific courses was a challenge since only universities like Oxford and Cambridge offer students the freedom to study any area of interest they want. Green said he was able to make it work for him, but he would like to see more local students pursue Cayman history because he believes it’s not sufficiently explored in schools here. “If we can get enough students from Cayman as a whole, interested in [Oxford and Cambridge and] talking to [these] institutions, just by virtue of doing that they’ll be more receptive to future applicants. They’ll be more receptive to these research projects so it’s super important that people understand that this is a possibility,” he said. His advice to Caymanian students is to “leverage your uniqueness”. “Cayman is unique, historically, it’s unique, demographically, and what these universities want is someone who’s different, and just by virtue of being from Cayman, people are statistically very different. So, work hard and take pride in being from Cayman and use that to your advantage in these applications,” he said. Green loves Cayman and wants the world to see his home through his eyes.cayman compass 8 FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022 We’re still leading the way. We are more than a hospital, we are part of Cayman - dedicated to growing and developing to suit the needs of the community. What we have accomplished so far is just the beginning. Join us on our ongoing journey to change lives and transform healthcare in the Cayman Islands. WWW.HEALTHCITY.KY We are proud of what we have achieved in the last 8 years, and excited to see an even brighter future unfold.investment in filming and production infrastructure could be beneficial.” Other popular film industry locations tend to attract productions with tax rebates through close to 100 different incentive mechanisms worldwide. These allow companies to offset, on average, 30% of their production costs against taxes that are due. Cayman’s tax-neutral status does not allow for this, but PwC suggests that government could develop policies for a rebate formula and the eligibility for concessions. The shipping and import duties for film production materials could also be simplified. Building out wardrobes and props storage, as well as the general development of film technology, are other areas noted for improvement. Training and reputation PwC noted that one of the production companies specifically budgeted for the training of Caymanians. “This is intended to be in place and supported after the production companies have left so that the skills provided by the team on island create value for the production company and others in the future and raise awareness of the creative arts and media for those students thinking of heading overseas to further their education.” Overall, the report suggests that Cayman could benefit from greater visibility and better manage its reputation through on-island film productions. But it also noted a “reputational threat” based on what films depict. Citing the example of ‘The Firm’, which framed Cayman as a place where money laundering and other crimes take place, PwC concluded “such continued depictions could have a negative impact on the islands financial services industry”. Although this is a much- repeated trope, it should be noted that there is no evidence The production companies’ direct spending on island amounted to $9.38 million, most of which went to local suppliers. How much is Cayman’s emerging film industry worth? to suggest that ‘The Firm’ - either the movie of the John Grisham thriller of the same name - ever changed Cayman’s reputation or that the financial services industry suffered from it in any way, given its development over the past three decades since the movie’s release in 1993. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 PwC noted that one of the production companies specifically budgeted for the training of Caymanians. cayman compass 9 news N news FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022Next >