TM & © 2022 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 8-14 July 2022 Cayman Airways to launch LAX route Page 8 CayMAS in photos Pages 14-15 The final Frontier New road likely to bring development to Cayman’s last wilderness. Page 18 Aaron Jarvis heads to Open Championship at St Andrews Page 24Matinees (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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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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 20% chance of showers. SEA STATE Slight with a wave height of 1 to 3 feet. WINDS East to southeast at 5 to 10 knots. 85°F HIGH 79°F LOW Premier Wayne Panton tests positive for COVID-19 Wayne Panton has tested positive for the coronavirus, government officials said on 5 July. The premier, who is mildly symptomatic, will remain at home for the next seven days and attend Cabinet and caucus meetings via Zoom, according to a press release from his office. News of the premier’s positive test came as the islands’ COVID numbers dipped slightly, compared with the previous week. The 7-day rolling average for cases – up to 4 July this week – is 46, compared with 58 the previous week. There are a total of 837 estimated active cases in the Cayman Islands currently, including eight people who are in hospital. There are no current cases on the Sister Islands. Within the past month, government has lifted mask mandates and reduced quarantine times for COVID patients as life returns to normal. Second prison officer admits to smuggling ganja into jail Former prison officer Arnold Geovanny Cabrera Diaz has admitted to smuggling more than half a pound of ganja disguised in packages into Northward Prison. Appearing before the Summary Court on Tuesday, 5 July, Cabrera Diaz entered guilty pleas to two counts of smuggling contraband and one count of breach of trust by a public officer. The first charge of smuggling contraband dates back to 15 July 2021, when Cabrera Diaz was intercepted trying to smuggle six packages of ganja into the prison by concealing the drugs in his shoes. The combined weight of the ganja was 7.46 ounces. The second charge refers to a time on or before 26 June 2021, when he again smuggled two packages of ganja into the prison. The weight of those packages is unknown. Cabrera Diaz, 41, of Bodden Town, also faces two counts of possession of ganja, and two counts of possession of ganja with intent to supply. However, these charges were not put to him during his court appearance on 5 July. Tourist dies in water- related incident A 50-year-old visitor from the United States died after getting into difficulties in the sea off Seven Mile Beach on 5 July. Police said they responded to a report of person in distress in the water off West Bay Road, west of Marsh Road, shortly before 5:30pm. The man lost consciousness and was taken from the water by people nearby, who conducted CPR until emergency services arrived. He was taken by ambulance to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. This is the fifth water-related death reported so far this year. Police ask public to help find missing man Police are requesting the public’s help in finding Noel Paul Manning, 53, of Bodden Town, who has been reported missing. Police received a report that Manning had not been seen since Friday, 24 June. Although there have been additional reports of Manning being seen around the Breakers area of Bodden Town, police have not been able to make contact with him directly. He is described as short, of slim build and brown complexion, with white facial hair. He is also known to go by the nicknames ‘Indian’, ‘Doc’ and ‘Doctor’. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, and a fedora hat. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact 9-1-1, or Bodden Town CID at 947-2220. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via its confidential tip Line at 949-7777, or via the police website. Boris Johnson resigns as prime minister Boris Johnson will step down as prime minister of the UK, after a tumultuous week that saw a record number of Conservative MPs resign in a single day. He will leave No. 10 Downing Street after three years in the role, stating, “No one in politics is remotely indispensable.” However, he vowed to stay on in the job until a successor is appointed, angering critics within the party. Johnson’s position as Tory leader had become untenable after more than 50 resignations from his government and backbench Conservative MPs, beginning with Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid on 5 July. The mass rebellion was sparked by allegations that Johnson had been aware of inappropriate behaviour involving a member of the Party, but had appointed him to a senior position earlier in the year. He had also faced public pressure to step down after being fined by police for breaching COVID rules; he had been pictured at a Downing Street party, in spite of the rules at the time which banned indoor gatherings of more than two people. While Johnson stated the process of finding a new leader of the party will begin now, he has indicated he is prepared to stay on as a caretaker prime minister until the party conference in the autumn. The move has sparked criticism from former Prime Minister John Major who called it an “unwise” and “unsustainable” position. It remains unclear exactly when Johnson will leave No. 10 for the final time. Police are asking the public for help to locate Noel Manning, who has not been seen since 24 June. news in brief Boris Johnson’s leadership of the UK has been dogged by controversy, including being fined for breaching COVID regulations by attending a Downing Street party during the pandemic. cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022The Concierge team is standing by, the pools are lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charged, the boats are wet and the oceanfront lagoon awaits. All that is missing is you! Either for a quick break or a longer jaunt, the FIN Rental Program o ers both short and long term options. Beautifully appointed single level homes or multi-level penthouses with private rooftop garden and plunge pool, are ready to purchase and/or rent. Book a viewing or call today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. BOOK YOUR STAY IN GRAND CAYMAN’S ART DECO ICON Penthouses for sale from US $4.1M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 526 7777 n@ngrandcayman.com FIN.cayman ngrandcayman The Concierge team is standing by, the pools are lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charged, the boats are wet and the oceanfront lagoon awaits. All that is missing is you! Either for a quick break or a longer jaunt, the FIN Rental Program o ers both short and long term options. Beautifully appointed single level homes or multi-level penthouses with private rooftop garden and plunge pool, are ready to purchase and/or rent. Book a viewing or call today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. RENT THE LAST WORD IN LUXURYINTERNATIONAL BEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CARIBBEAN FIN Company - The Last Word in Luxury by FIN Company Ltd 2017-2018 PROPERTY AWARDS DEVELOPMENT CARIBBEAN BEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CAYMAN ISLANDS FIN Company - The Last Word in Luxury by FIN Company Ltd 2017-2018 PROPERTY AWARDS cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 8 JULY 20221234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 To baffle (5) 4 Throw into disorder (7) 8 Track made by wheel (3) 9 Become frenzied (2,7) 10 To gorge (7) 11 Seedy (5) 13 A humiliating discourtesy (6) 15 Clipping instrument (6) 18 Austere (5) 19 Fetter (7) 21 To a thorough degree (6,3) 23 Worthless (3) 24 Cargo (7) 25 Prank (5) DOWN 1 Raging (7) 2 At risk (2,3,4) 3 Swindler (5) 4 Discussion (6) 5 Superficial wound (7) 6 To exploit (3) 7 A gecko of SE Asia (5) 12 Praised enthusiastically (7,2) 14 Shamefaced (7) 16 Meagre (7) 17 An accompanying guard (6) 18 Small light boat (5) 20 Garret (5) 22 Take legal proceedings (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17051 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 17051 ACROSS: 1 Floor, 4 Disrupt, 8 Rut, 9 Go berserk, 10 Overeat, 11 Tacky, 13 Slight, 15 Shears, 18 Stern, 19 Shackle, 21 Inside out, 23 Dud, 24 Freight, 25 Caper. DOWN: 1 Furious, 2 On the line, 3 Rogue, 4 Debate, 5 Scratch, 6 Use, 7 Tokay, 12 Cracked up, 14 Hangdog, 16 Slender, 17 Escort, 18 Skiff, 20 Attic, 22 Sue. Fireworks explode over Camana Bay as part of the Constitution Day public holiday on 4 July. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay Secure retirement out of reach for many Caymanians I think very few can afford to retire in Cayman. Very few can afford to live where they are still working. – Paul Allan And yet, here we are on another pension holiday! Smh. – Karen Gray-Gunderson I think we’ve all known for a long time that we can’t afford to retire here... but we can’t just sit and wait for that day and expect them to bail us all out, we have to try and work something out from now. I’m not trying to start something, but just ranting isn’t going to change things. The school and medical system [is] already struggling. We can’t go back but we can move forward. Affordable housing: a big issue. Rent regulations in place would help. – Sarah Curtis Very few can live off their pension, period. $1,000 a month? Come on. Ridiculous. – Andy McAlpine UK Parliament to consider bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Overseas Territories Step in the right direction for equality. If you don’t like it, don’t bother yourself about it. It will literally have no effect on you at all. – Nicole Farrington Good luck there. If he’s able to speak for Cayman constitution, then we need not have election here. We should vote in the UK. – Betty Ebanks This has no effect on me, however, with all the other issues going on in world, we are right back to this. Seriously, they need to find something else to do with their time. – Jenna Nixon As it should be. – Jan Morgan What a mess. – John Ebanks Let’s hope Bermuda is included! Waste of money taking it to the Privy Council. – Bill Tatem Love always wins! – Corona Ecclefield This is great news for those who it affects and finally moving equality in the right direction. For those whose lives it doesn’t, then no bother at all. – Anissa Atterbury I have zero desire for one, but hope it passes... Live and let live. – Jd Banks UK Stowe Group considering building school in Cayman Non-profit schools are able to focus solely on education of children as they see fit, as they are not “owned” by anyone, i.e., no shareholders/owners. They are run by a board of directors who are not paid. Therefore, the tuition goes solely to the running of the school, extracurricular activities, and paying teachers, etc. This way there aren’t any people who are doing things with the school just to make a profit. It’s actually a great and popular way to run a school, private or public. – Lauren Sonnen They must have a lot of $$ to buy + build… – Sara Harbison Mackay I hope it’s affordable and Caymanian children are given first preference. – Lorraine Clancy Ebanks Solar power auction proceeding without government involvement Chopping down acres of land for solar power isn’t going to benefit the islands in achieving affordable and available energy. More attention should be paid towards outfitting existing units, like rooftops and parking lot covers, to generate electricity. This project will just lead to an ever-increasing energy bill, especially when current battery technology can’t sustain the outputs at peak hours. Once again, our genius politicians are aloof to combatting climate change and achieving an affordable energy policy. – James Bodden We need to utilise all our existing developed space. Unfortunately, the OfReg management team has tried to fight against consumer renewables for years under the “least cost” fallacy in that they support it only if it’s least cost. The fallacy being that 10 panels on a roof can never produce power as cheap as 10,000 panels in a field, but the reality is there are far more costs/ benefits to ensuring we have a mix of both, not to mention that’s what our national energy policy calls for. It’s why Cayman Renewable Energy Association has had to fight tooth- and-nail just to keep the consumer solar programmes alive despite attempts to kill them off. The current politicians are actually fighting to support what you suggest and it’s OfReg that hasn’t supported it. Keep that in mind. – James Whittaker A good government invests in Renewable Energy. Fair, effective, and efficient policy is key to driving renewable energy growth. It’s not clear what poker OfReg is reacting to here but it doesn’t seem well thought out. – Melanie Carmichael Why can’t they require new builds to have solar? – Fiona Moseley What they’re saying Online pic of the week Constitution Day Fireworks cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Healthcare, the digital economy, and environmental and social governance investing have been highlighted as key industries for Cayman’s future. Financial Services Minister André Ebanks, in a keynote address to business and political leaders at The Ritz-Carlton resort on 7 July, said the tech future is coming, whether Cayman is ready or not. And he insisted government is doing everything possible to grab the opportunities presented by the digital economy with both hands. He said education and training would also need to adapt to prepare Caymanians to play significant roles in these emerging sectors. The West Bay South legislator launched a steadfast defence of the islands' financial services industry, perceived to be under attack from growing global regulation. He said the industry had faced down multiple threats in the past and continues to thrive. “We have to get the world to continue to understand that we are not a problem,” said Ebanks, who was standing in for Premier Wayne Panton, who has COVID, as the main speaker at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual parliamentary luncheon. Despite that confidence, the minister said it made sense for Cayman to broaden its horizons to take advantage of opportunities that fall within its niche as an advanced financial centre. “Our vision is to be renowned as one of the most sustainable countries in the world – peaceful, prosperous – where everyone can thrive and live their best life. “We can do it by taking the chance to layer on top of our world-class regulatory and legal framework, the new opportunities that are staring us in the face in terms of ESG, tech and healthcare.” He said Cayman was well-placed to “leapfrog the competition” to “become that global centre of excellence creating new jobs, good jobs, and sometimes borderless jobs in a digital economy”. Ebanks said government was working to provide the environment for private sector investment. “We want to create an ecosystem of excellence that allows investors, allocators of capital, start-ups and developers to innovate, grow and thrive in Cayman.” The link to LA Ebanks also outlined possibilities for a growth in Cayman’s film industry, as he referenced a new Cayman Airways direct flight to Los Angeles (see page 8) as a driver for that sector. He said education was vital to allow Cayman’s people to take advantage of coming opportunities. In a recent meeting with blockchain companies looking to invest in the islands, he said a key question had been, “Will you have the workforce in 10 years to sustain my business?” He said government’s aim was to ensure its schools, colleges and adult education programmes helped prepare Caymanians for the jobs of the future. “If they’re genuinely saying that they want Caymanians to be the partners in their firms that they establish here in 10 years, we’ve got to get our youth ready for that.” In a later question and answer session with Chamber president Shomari Scott, Ebanks highlighted sustainability as a priority. Reading a prepared response from the premier, who is also minister for sustainability, he acknowledged “the elephant in the room” that there is still no “comprehensive development plan”. But he said the work is in progress. “It needs to be holistic, it needs to be comprehensive, have planning policy, it has to incorporate ESG and it also has to be timely. It’s no secret that it’s not quite off the ground yet. But now, with certain events past us, he’s going to be working diligently with colleagues and in caucus to create a comprehensive plan.” Minister looks to jobs of the future Ebanks highlights tech, healthcare opportunities in Chamber speech Financial Services Minister André Ebanks stood in for Premier Wayne Panton as the keynote speaker at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual parliamentary luncheon. Minister André Ebanks says Cayman is well-placed to 'leapfrog the competition' to become a global centre of excellence 'creating new jobs, good jobs, and sometimes borderless jobs in a digital economy'. cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022 5JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The vast majority of elderly people in Cayman will be unable to support themselves through retirement, with COVID-era pension raids making a bad situation worse, industry experts have warned. Chamber pension chief Randall Fisher cautions that most Cayman Islands residents have enough saved to survive for just four years once they stop working full time. Economist Paul Byles warns that a ‘financially-secure retirement’ is already out of reach for many. Opinion remains divided on the wisdom of Cayman’s COVID-era policy, which allowed residents to raid their retirement savings and the ongoing ‘pension holiday’ which suspends the legal requirement to set aside funds for later life. Government extended that ‘holiday’ for another three months last week. The cost-of-living crisis has compounded the impact of unemployment and business failures caused by the pandemic and the policy will ensure more money in people’s pockets now. The flip side But while these strategies have helped the islands’ people weather the economic storm, there is a flip side. And many will feel the consequences later. Fisher said the Chamber Pension Fund is down $1.4 million-a- month in unpaid contributions – approximately $42 million – since the pension holiday began. That’s on top of the impact of those who took advantage of the ‘emergency withdrawal’ opportunity to access a portion of their retirement savings when COVID hit in spring 2020. Under those provisions, eligible applicants were granted a single lump sum of 100% of their pension balance up to $10,000. People who had savings in excess of that amount could withdraw $10,000, plus up to a quarter of the remaining balance. Byles believes those policies were well-intended and effective, to a point. He said it was easy to be critical in hindsight, but he believes allowing people to access those savings at that time, with the instability and unpredictability of the pandemic was the right move. “The problem lies in how those pension funds were spent,” he said. If the cash withdrawals went towards successful business or real estate development, he said, then those investors may find themselves in a better position, but those who splurged on flat-screen televisions or other depreciating assets could be in trouble. Fisher said there was evidence to suggest that voluntary contributions – which are accessible to savers before retirement – were also being pulled for non-investment purposes such as school fees and home repairs. Pension reform needed Darren Trickett, of Island Heritage, said the suspension of pension contributions for more than two-and-a-half years would leave many Cayman residents in a “perilous situation” when it comes to retirement. He said these impacts were compounded by a similar suspension of payments in 2010, combined with the fact that the required monthly contributions are too low anyway. Fisher agrees that the mandatory contributions required of all workers and their employers in the Cayman Islands – totalling 10% of the salary – are not high enough. He said they should be increased to at least the same as the public service pension fund, which includes contributions of 6% from the employee, matched by the employer. The Mercer Report in 2007 concluded significant increases would be needed to allow people to retire securely, though nothing has changed in the 15 years since that document was produced. “It goes without saying that many will be worse off if they have taken advantage of the COVID-19 emergency withdrawal and pension holiday,” said Trickett. He believes anyone who used that option should be looking to replenish their savings as soon as possible. But this will be made easier once pension holidays are suspended and with a long-term strategy to increase mandatory contributions. Economist Simon Cawdery, host of the ‘Money Sense’ radio show, has previously analysed the impact of COVID pension policies for the Compass, arguing they were too sweeping. He said it was clear that many people, who had not been impacted economically by COVID, had taken the opportunity to dip into their pension funds anyway. “No one can fault the government for allowing people who had lost jobs to access their pensions, but under what circumstances is it sensible to allow someone with no job disruption to withdraw $50,000 from their pension funds and buy a BMW that will be worth less than zero when they retire?” he said. Retirement in Cayman an ongoing challenge The COVID polices can’t be exclusively blamed for the retirement challenges facing Cayman’s pensioners. The existing law has only been in place for little over two decades and, without substantial additional investment beyond the mandatory contributions, few workers would have enough money to retire securely anyway. Trickett argues for innovations like the US’ 401(k) to help savers invest for retirement. Byles believes better education and financial literacy is needed across the board, starting with young people in high school He said, “The challenge we have in this country is that most of the older population have not had sufficient years to contribute to a pension fund because we started a formal pensions system for private sector employees only a few decades ago.” He added that most people will find retirement difficult unless they have their own nest egg. “Some pension funds perform better than others, but given the very high cost of living in the Cayman Islands, it’s likely very challenging to live comfortably when you retire, even if your pension provider performed well,” he said. “Cayman is expensive for many reasons but two of those reasons are the government’s heavy reliance on consumption taxes and the fact that we import most of what we consume. Add to that the lack of affordable housing and the cost of electricity in this country and you see very quickly why some people feel that being adequately prepared for retirement is a losing battle.” Charities like Meals on Wheels help pensioners who do not have enough money to survive in Cayman. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay “Under what circumstances is it sensible to allow someone with no job disruption to withdraw $50,000 from their pension funds and buy a BMW that will be worth less than zero when they retire?” Simon Cawdery, economist Secure retirement out of reach for many Caymanians cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Lord Michael Cashman has introduced a Private Members’ Bill in the UK’s House of Lords to make same-sex marriage legal in the Cayman Islands and other British Overseas Territories. The bill extends to six Overseas Territories where same-sex marriage is currently unlawful – Cayman, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos Islands. If the bill passes, it would make marriage between same-sex couples legal and would empower local governors to make changes to the law to allow homosexual couples to wed. Cashman’s bill also protects individuals and religious organisations that do not wish to conduct or participate in a religious marriage on the ground that it is a marriage of a same-sex couple. The bill had its first reading earlier today, 6 July, in the House of Lords, and now awaits a date to be scheduled for debate. In the release, Cashman said, “This Bill has one single purpose, and that is to bring about equality. Currently, same-sex couples can marry in the UK but are prohibited from marrying in six British Overseas Territories. This is wrong, and the UK Parliament can and should act to end this obvious inequity. “I believe this Bill has wide support among all those who favour equality over discrimination and are committed to upholding fundamental human rights.” Governor Martyn Roper, in response to queries from the Compass regarding the bill, replied in a statement, “I understand the Private Members’ Bill introduced by Lord Michael Cashman in the UK’s House of Lords on same sex marriage in the Overseas Territories, including the Cayman Islands, has little chance of progressing. It is not a Government Bill and it is not yet clear if it will even be debated.” Private Members’ Bills in the UK Parliament are pieces of proposed legislation that are initiated into a legislature by an MP or Lord who is not a government minister. Privy Council ruling In March this year, the UK Privy Council ruled that the Cayman Islands Constitution does not provide a right for same- sex marriage, as it dismissed an appeal brought by couple Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush who were seeking the right to marry in Cayman. In its ruling, the Privy Council said that, in the context of Cayman’s Bill of Rights, the right to marriage is confined to opposite-sex couples. However, the judges added that this interpretation of the Bill of Rights did not prevent Cayman’s Parliament from introducing legislation which recognises same- sex marriage. “[T]his is a matter for the choice of the Legislative Assembly [now Parliament] rather than a right laid down in the Constitution,” the Privy Council judgment read. So far, Cayman’s Parliament has not introduced any legislation to legalise same-sex marriage here. In another judgment issued around the same time, the Privy Council ruled that the Bermuda Constitution also does not have a provision for same-sex marriage. Since September 2020, Cayman has had a Civil Partnership Act that allows same-sex couples to enter into legal partnerships, but LGBTQ+ groups say this does not go far enough and they should have the same rights as opposite- sex couples to marry. The Civil Partnership Act was initially rejected by lawmakers following a debate, but was pushed through by Governor Martyn Roper, under his reserve power under the Constitution. Attorney Leonardo Raznovich, in the release issued Wednesday, said Cashman’s bill “aims to correct the serious injustices that the Privy Council’s decisions have manifested”, noting that the Privy Council’s decisions regarding equal marriage for Bermuda and Cayman had to be accepted “on the understanding that the UK Parliament, which was responsible for the implementation of their constitutions, failed to protect vulnerable minorities properly”. The Privy Council’s ruling in both the Bermuda and Cayman cases had clarified that legal avenues to make same-sex marriage lawful in the overseas territories had been exhausted and the “British Government can therefore no longer escape its own responsibility for the situation of vulnerable minorities in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands and other territories as a matter of policy”. He added, “Crucially, this Bill does not take anything from anyone but rather achieves a levelling up of disenfranchised vulnerable minorities with the rest of society. By bringing about full equality to these Territories, as Colours Caribbean has been advocating for many years, it will mean that Chantelle and Vickie and other couples will no longer need to seek exile in other parts of the UK and its territories away from their homeland, families and friends.” In line with other countries Colours Caribbean, Stonewall and a number of academics, along with some members of the UK Parliament, worked with Cashman on the preliminary draft of the bill, according to a statement issued by Colours Caribbean. The statement noted that if the bill is passed, it would place the Caribbean British Overseas Territories in line with all countries in the Americas that are subject to the Inter-American Convention On Human Rights, which requires equal marriage. “It is with tremendous pride that we announce the introduction of this bill,” Colours Caribbean stated, adding that it had been championing for marriage equality in the Cayman Islands for years, with Raznovich’s assistance, including with respect to the same- sex marriage case involving Day and Bodden Bush. “While we did celebrate the victory of the Civil Partnership Act of 2020, as expected, it was not without considerable pushback from our own local parliament as well as select conservative groups who are still fighting its introduction in court by the Governor,” the group stated. It added, “If this bill succeeds, it will not face the threat of being reversed by local courts on the grounds of constitutional incompatibility as the governors of every applicable jurisdiction will be empowered and required by Act of the UK Parliament to ‘make provision for the solemnisation of civil marriage of same-sex couples that is equivalent to the provision made for the solemnisation of civil marriage of opposite-sex couples’.” In the press release issued in response to Cashman’s bill, Nancy Kelley, CEO of UK-based LGBTQ+ advocacy group Stonewall, said, “The freedom to be who we are, to love who we love, and to marry if we want to, is a fundamental human right. Marriage equality is something we are rightly proud of here in the UK, but we cannot say that we truly have achieved equality when LGBTQ+ citizens in the British Overseas Territories are left out in the cold. “This Bill is an opportunity to right that wrong, and we hope all parliamentarians will support it.” Professor Paul Johnson, executive dean of social sciences at the University of Leeds, who was one of the academics who helped create the bill, said in the statement, “The UK and the Overseas Territories, along with the Crown Dependencies, form one undivided Realm. It is wrong, therefore, that some same sex couples, simply because of where they live, are denied the basic human right to marry that is enjoyed by others. The UK Parliament should legislate to ensure that all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, are treated equally.” While same-sex marriage is illegal in six of the British Overseas Territories, it is legal in the seven others, including the British Antarctic Territory; the British Indian Ocean Territory; the Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; the Pitcairn Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Leonardo RaznovichLord Michael Cashman Lords to consider same-sex marriage bill for OTs cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Cayman Airways will begin offering weekly non-stop flights from Grand Cayman to Los Angeles, California, as part of a renewed effort to expand the islands’ reach into the western North American market. Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, who announced the new route at a press briefing on 7 July, noted that while the flight itself might not bring much profitability for the national flag carrier, the knock-on financial implications on the stayover tourism industry made it extremely worthwhile. The flight has received approval from the US Department of Transportation, but is still awaiting final approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration. Until that is done, CAL cannot market the new route or release pricing information. An inaugural flight date of Saturday, 5 Nov., has been suggested. The flight between Owen Roberts International Airport and LAX will take five and a half hours, departing at 3:30pm on Saturdays and returning at the same time the following day. That schedule is “perfect timing,” said Cayman Airways CEO and President Fabian Whorms. “Tourists will be able to arrive in Grand Cayman just in time to check in and have the afternoon to experience a Cayman sunset. Then, when it’s time to return, they will be able to check out at midday and arrive in time for their flight.” The new route was welcomed by the Cayman Island Tourism Association president Marc Langevin, who said, “At a time when other carriers have reduced routes, it is a blessing that our destination has the ability and vision to open a direct flight to the LA market, setting a unique value proposition which will set us apart from all other Caribbean islands and compete even against the Hawaiian islands.” New route to generate millions Whorms said an initial conservative passenger projection estimated up to 4,000 passengers a year would use the service. “If you were to use a notional number of USD$4,000 spend per passenger as the initial direct economic impact… you are talking about $16 million a year just by operating one flight,” said Whorms. “If we can increase that to two or three flights, we are really starting to have a significant impact.” The new route will be serviced by CAL’s Boeing 737-8 planes, which have a carrying capacity of 160 passengers. “There are currently no direct flights between Cayman and LA, and we anticipated that, when we do open, this route will be met with competition from carriers such as American and United,” said Bryan. “We are prepared to offer competitive rates and continue to deploy Cayman Airways as a tool to develop Cayman’s tourism product.” Bryan described the new route as a game changer for Cayman’s residents, noting that members of the Filipino and Indian communities will be able to reach their home countries faster. “This could reduce their journey from two days to about one day, including the other connecting flights,” said Bryan. According to the FAA, LAX is the fifth busiest airport in the US, processing an annual average of 23.7 million passengers. It serves as a main connecting airport between the US and the wider eastern Asian market. “We have not been able to conveniently tap into that onward connectivity until now. This [new route] will get us that onward connectivity,” said Whorms. Bryan noted that the new route will also serve as a convenient link between Hollywood and Cayman’s own burgeoning film industry. Economic growth Ahead of the launch, Cayman Airways is promoting the new route to potential leisure and business passengers. As part of the pre-launch campaign, travel agents will be flown from LA to Cayman, where they will be hosted across a variety of accommodations in exchange for promotion. Bryan said this was largely the brainchild of CITA, whose members plan to promote the route with their international counterparts. Cayman Airways will be using its Boeing 737-8 planes on the new Los Angeles route, which is due to begin in November. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay Cayman Airways to launch LAX route Initial projected knock-on financial impact on the economy Hotel andresort formerly known as Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman For more information please contact: Iain GowDarragh Timoney +1 345 743 6849+1 345 743 6845 iain.gow@iconsulting.com darragh.timoney@iconsulting.com HOTEL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY SEVEN MILE BEACH, CAYMAN ISLANDS MILLION cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky The Stowe Group, which runs three non-profit private schools in the United Kingdom, is gauging interest in building a new independent school in Grand Cayman. Anthony Wallersteiner, headmaster of Stowe School, has been meeting with government ministers, Education Council members and potential investors, as well as with parents of prospective students, to determine if there is an appetite on island for the school, which would include a primary and high school, catering to Caymanian and non-Caymanian children ages 3 to 18. “This is an island where you have this social division of wealth,” he told the Compass. “There is scope to create an elite school without it being elitist, where talent is prized and burnished, without regard to background, race, religion or financial circumstances.” The Stowe Group engaged KPMG to carry out a feasibility study on the proposed school, which would cater to 600-800 students. Asking why Cayman had come on his radar as a potential location for a new Stowe school, Wallersteiner explained a Stowe School parent, Philip Paschalides, a partner at Walkers law firm, had invited him to Cayman, where the headmaster believes Stowe can fill a gap in the education field. With Cayman’s growing population, and the increasing numbers of residential and hotel developments on island bringing more employees to the island, there is likely to be a hike in demand for school places in coming years. Wallersteiner said the plan is to have a school that caters to all elements of the community – from the children of affluent parents who would pay school fees, to students from less privileged backgrounds who would receive scholarships to attend. He points out that the COVID-19 pandemic had also starkly brought home to families whose children attend boarding schools overseas that having an educational facility on their doorstep that meets the needs of their children – educationally, intellectually and socially – is a preferred option. He explained that at Stowe School, a three-tier payment system exists, where students at the top end of the economic scale pay full fees to attend boarding school; day students pay a less expensive fee; and means-tested families receive scholarships or bursaries that cover a percentage of the fees relative to what they can afford. Stowe, celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, is currently engaged in a fundraising effort for a programme called Change 100, which aims to raise £100 million, to enable 100 pupils to attend the schools for free. “This is targetted at children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend an independent school,” Wallersteiner said. The group has already raised £15 million, he said, and, through working with three charities to identify children, most from ethnic minority backgrounds, who could benefit from this programme, the first 10 Change 100 students took up places last September. Stowe School, the high school in Buckinghamshire and the first of three schools in the group’s stable, has been in existence since 1923. Two primary schools – Winchester House in Northamptonshire and Swanbourne House in Buckinghamshire – joined the Stowe Group in 2021. Alumni of the Stowe School include entrepreneur Richard Branson; Nicholas Winton who organised the rescue of 669 Czech children, mostly Jewish, from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939; former RAF pilot and humanitarian Leonard Cheshire whose charity supports more than 240 services for disabled people and their families in 50 countries; and the late acclaimed British actor David Niven. Change Makers Wallersteiner said Stowe is aiming to create generations of ‘Change Makers’, using progressive teaching approaches. These include one based on the ‘growth mindset’ research work of US educational psychologist Carol Dweck. The concept of growth mindset is that skills or talents in certain areas, such as mathematics or art, are not innate but can be improved through effort, thereby boosting a student’s performance and motivation. The schools also utilise ‘marginal gain theory’, a method that helped the UK cycling team win eight gold medals in the 2012 London Olympic Games and which involves making small incremental changes to improve efficiency and performance. Wallersteiner says Stowe ultimately aims to “future proof” its students in the UK – and potentially here – and prepare them for “jobs that don’t yet exist, using technology which hasn’t yet been invented, to solve problems which we haven’t yet thought about”. Why Cayman? Asked why the Stowe Group is considering Cayman as a location for a new school, Wallersteiner said he believes there is a demand among people working in the fields of financial services, legal, insurance, cryptocurrency and fintech for their children to attend an independent elite school here. He believes there also may be a desire among those individuals to invest in the future of education on island “to reflect Cayman’s ambition to produce the new leaders, the entrepreneurs, the people solving global problems”. Cayman already has a number of private schools, including Cayman International School, Cayman Prep and High School, Triple C and St. Ignatius, but Wallersteiner says he believes that, as the island’s population grows, so will the demand for another school. If the plan for the school goes ahead, he said, it would aim to be the island’s first zero carbon school, which would use renewable energy, sustainable building materials, and captured rain water in cisterns. It’s too early, Wallersteiner said, to identify a site for the school, but he’s hoping he can get feedback from the public, government officials and others on the best district to build it in. Like the Stowe School, the plan also entails making the campus available to the public outside school hours and during school holidays, when it could also be used to display local art through a partnership with the National Gallery, for example, or a venue for music and theatre. “We want to engage the community,” Wallersteiner said. Mass_NRG_GreyLine_Inset_OuterMask_CMYK® Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. Important Client Notice RBC Red Bay RBC Royal Bank wishes to advise that effective Monday, July 12, 2021, RBC Red Bay will re-open and operate as a digitally-enabled, advice-oriented "Financial Solutions Centre." Operating hours are 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. At this location, we will focus on helping clients with more complex, advice-oriented financial needs like, mortgages, loans, lines of credit and savings. Cash will only be available through our ATMs, as well as accepted for deposits via our ATMs or Non-stop Depository Services. For most of your day-to-day banking needs, our online, mobile and ATM options are available 24/7. To enroll in digital banking, call us at 1-888- 847-5803 or find us online at rbc.com/caribbean. RBC remains committed to meeting our clients’ banking needs and we look forward to serving you today and in the future. Headmaster of Stowe School, Anthony Wallersteiner UK Stowe Group looks to build school in Cayman The number of students the proposed new school would cater to “There is scope to create an elite school without it being elitist, where talent is prized and burnished, without regard to background, race, religion or financial circumstances.” Anthony Wallersteiner, headmaster, Stowe School cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2022 news N newsNext >