100% Butte r Croissan t made with Mix n’ Match 100% Butte r Croissan t made with Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich® Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich® 2 5 $ for * © 2021 Burger King Corporation. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 14-20 October 2022 cayman compass $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 14-20 October 2022 compass BUSINESS IS BACK PROFITS ARE NOT Cayman's small businesses struggling amid rising electricity and labour costs. Pages 22-24Police send file on Bush to prosecutors The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has sent a preliminary file regarding allegations of inappropriate behaviour by McKeeva Bush, who stepped down this week as Speaker of the House, to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The RCIPS, in a brief statement to the Compass following queries after Bush moved up his resignation date from 30 Nov. to 11 Oct., said it submitted the preliminary file to the DPP, and a completed file would be “forwarded for legal ruling in early course”. Bush, who gave his ‘swan song’ at the close of a Parliament session on 10 Oct. after a two- day sitting, announced the following day that he was leaving the Speaker's chair effective immediately. Asked what prompted his change of heart, the West Bay West MP stated, “Too many lies being told – and far too much speculation is being made.” Deputy Speaker Katherine Ebanks-Wilks will assume the role of acting Speaker until a permanent replacement for Bush is selected by Members of Parliament as a first order of business at the next meeting of the House. Police began their investigations following what they termed “social media reports circulating of an incident/ incidents of assault,” which happened at a government- sponsored event on 13 Sept. During Bush’s final sitting in the Speaker’s chair, which began on 7 Oct., a motion of no confidence in the government as well as parliamentary questions, submitted by members of the Opposition Progressives, were removed from the Order Paper, after those legislators stated they would not take their seats in the House while Bush remained Speaker. Cayman icon Janilee Clifford passes Local icon Maisley Janilee Clifford, affectionately known as ‘Ms Janilee’, has passed away. She had celebrated her 90th birthday in April. Her son, Customs and Border Control Director Charles Clifford, announced her passing in a heartfelt post on Facebook on 6 Oct. “God has called you home because He needed another angel and servant in Heaven. RIP, Mommy. We will miss you so much and shall love you forever,” he wrote. He issued a short statement to the Compass on behalf of himself and his four sisters, Cathy, Carol, Janet and Susan. “Our mother faithfully served our community for many decades and in so many ways, most notably as a school teacher,” the statement read. She helped to influence “more than one generation of Caymanians, many of whom are occupying or have occupied key public and private sector positions. She has served well and now she is at rest,” he said. Premier Wayne Panton, on his Facebook page, said, “Ms Janilee was a phenomenal Caymanian lady, who influenced the lives of multiple generations of Caymanians. Ms Janilee was one of those special teachers in my life. Like so many of her students, I had deep affection and respect for her.” Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart told the Compass he, too, was “deeply saddened” to hear of her passing. “I have known her all my life. Growing up on Crewe Road in the ‘60s and ‘70s, my family home was about a quarter of a mile from her home. As a teacher, Miss Janilee taught my two younger brothers and two of my daughters at Cayman Prep School. She was loved, admired and respected by all my family,” McTaggart said. OfReg confirms no contamination in gas station’s fuel Fuel sector regulator OfReg has confirmed via its own and independent laboratory tests that petrol and diesel at the BarCam Esso gas station contains no contaminants and meets international standards. OfReg investigated the allegations of sub-standard fuel, which were made by a member of the public on social media in June. On Monday, 10 Oct., the regulator stated in a press release that an accredited laboratory in Puerto Rico had tested samples from the gas station on the East-West Arterial and from the Jackson Point fuel terminal, and had confirmed OfReg’s initial findings that the fuel was “well within” globally acceptable Octane Rating levels. The regulator said, “OfReg takes the matter of fuel quality seriously and continues to conduct periodic tests at fuel facilities to ensure the quality of fuels products imported and distributed in the Cayman Islands is of the required standard.” It urged members of the public to report any concerns they have on the quality of fuel, by first submitting a complaint to the gas station before making a formal complaint to OfReg by email at complaints@OfReg.ky or by calling 946-4282. Scalloped hammerheads spotted in deep waters Marine researchers have observed a school of scalloped hammerhead sharks during a survey of Cayman’s deep waters. The Department of Environment announced the “fantastic surprise” on 12 Oct. “The team from Marine Conservation International and the Department of Environment have been out surveying the deeper waters to map the fish, large invertebrates and the substrate in the water 50 to 200m down for the Cayman Deep See Project,” the DoE said. Shark scientist Johanna Kohler said the sighting is significant for conservation efforts. “From our surveys we know this species is present throughout the year but we have only recorded single individuals up until now. I thought in Cayman these schools of hammerheads were locally extinct. With shark populations declining globally and hammerheads being among the most critically endangered to become extinct, this is such a paramount finding for Cayman,” she told the Cayman Compass in an emailed comment on 12 Oct. “I actually cried when I first saw the sharks on the video. It was very emotional. Shark conservation can be tough and takes a lot of energy without being able to see the immediate benefit,” Kohler said. The DoE said video footage showed the scalloped hammerheads, which can grow to up to 13 feet long. The department said the sighting of these sharks, which are usually found in large schools, “is wonderful news for Cayman’s shark population”. Cayman Prep wins KPMG Brain Bowl Cayman Prep and High School are the new KPMG 2022 Brain Bowl Academic Tournament winners. The team of Abigail Rose, Eleni Buchan, George Green, James Anderson and Scarlett Akiwumi snagged the winner’s trophy when they answered the final question – How many minutes represent 10% of a full day? Their answer of 144 minutes sealed their names on the winner’s plate at the ninth annual contest, in which local students from public and private schools are tested on general knowledge in a Jeopardy-style competition. At the event, held at the Kimpton Seafire last week, students from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac were quizzed on high school academic subjects. Sheenah Hislop, partner and head of local recruitment at KPMG, said it was good to have the tournament return, as the Brain Bowl had not been held since 2019 due to COVID. 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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. THE WOMAN KING (PG-13) (FRI) 4:05 | 6:45 VIP | 9:40 (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 1;10 | 4:05 | 6:45 VIP (SUN) 3:50 VIP | 4:05 | 6:30 | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:40 | 9:40 VIP | 10:10 (MON) 3:50 VIP | 4:05 | 6:30 | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:40 | 9:40 VIP | 10:00 (TUES) 4:05 | 9:40 (WED) 4:05 | 6:45 VIP | 9:40 (THURS) 4:05 | 9:40 VIKRAM VEDHA (SUN) 4:15 | 7:30 | 9:25 | 9:40 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK AMSTERDAM (FRI) 3:30 | 3:40 VIP | 7:15 | 10:00 (SAT) 12:40 | 3:30 | 3:40 VIP | 7:15 | 10:00 (MON-THURS) 3:30 | 3:40 VIP | 7:15 | 10:00 DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS (PG) (FRI) 4:40 | 6:40 (SAT) 4:40 | 6:40 (SUN) 3:55 | 4:15 VIP | 4:25 | 6:50 VIP | 7:00 (MON-THURS) 4:40 | 6:40 HALLOWEEN ENDS (R) (FRI) 4:00 VIP | 4:30 | 7:00 VIP | 7:30 VIP | 10:10 (SAT) 1;35 | 1:35 VIP | 4:20 VIP | 4:30 | 7:00 | 7:30 | 9:40 VIP | 10:10 (MON) 4:00 VIP | 4:30 | 7:00 VIP | 7:30 | 9:40 VIP | 10:10 (TUES) 4:00 VIP | 4:30 | 7:00 VIP | 7:30 | 10:10 | 10:10 (WED) 4:00 VIP | 4:30 | 7:15 VIP | 7:30 | 9:40 VIP | 10:10 (THURS) 4:00 VIP | 7:15 VIP | 7:30 | 10:10 | 10:15 SMILE (R) (FRI) 7:00 | 10:00 VIP | 10:15 (SAT) 12:45 | 10:10 VIP | 10:15 (MON-THURS) 6:50 | 10:05 | 10:15 VIP SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted KIDS CLUB CARS SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted KIDS CLUB SHREK SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted CLASSICS THURSDAY 7PM VIP (PG-13) For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH TUESDAY 7PM VIP (PG-13) CLASSICS TOMORROW NEVER DIES 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 20% chance of showers. SEA STATE Smooth with a wave height of fewer than 2 feet. WINDS Light and variable. 89°F HIGH 78°F LOW Janilee Clifford has died at the age of 90. - Photo: Supplied cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 20221234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Student (5) 4 Fraudulent scheme (7) 8 Nocturnal bird of prey (3) 9 Bitter hostility (9) 10 Cover completely (7) 11 Close companion (5) 13 To compress (6) 15 Succession (6) 18 Vary (5) 19 In theory (2,5) 21 Frank (9) 23 Be situated (3) 24 High-flown (7) 25 Top of a wave (5) DOWN 1 Gallantry (7) 2 Athletics field event (4,5) 3 Stage in rank (5) 4 Text of broadcast (6) 5 Unlawful (7) 6 Loud noise (3) 7 An abrasive powder (5) 12 Spontaneously (2,7) 14 An ethical qualm (7) 16 Article of clothing (7) 17 Rider in horserace (6) 18 Standoffish (5) 20 Sudden uncontrollable fear (5) 22 In addition (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17135 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 17135 ACROSS: 1 Pupil, 4 Swindle, 8 Owl, 9 Virulence, 10 Envelop, 11 Crony, 13 Squash, 15 String, 18 Alter, 19 On paper, 21 Outspoken, 23 Lie, 24 Flowery, 25 Crest. DOWN: 1 Prowess, 2 Pole vault, 3 Level, 4 Script, 5 Illicit, 6 Din, 7 Emery, 12 On impulse, 14 Scruple, 16 Garment, 17 Jockey, 18 Aloof, 20 Panic, 22 Too. Government approves lower drink-drive limit More active enforcement needed. – Sara Harbison Mackay What about proper reliable public transport? – Jason Hislop Hilarious. Those who wilfully ignore the current limit will also wilfully ignore the new limit. – Martin Graver Sure, this is great… but won’t do anything to solve the actual prob- lem. It’s funny that both this issue and the issue of having too many cars on our roads could both be solved by a reliable and well-imple- mented public transport system, yet year after year, government com- pletely ignores this and just throws money at expanding roads. It’s ludicrous. – Rob Tyler People will continue to take their chances driving home after a day or night of drinking, until there are proper and reliable 24-hour public transportation options and realistic taxi fares. Fix and regulate those issues, Cayman Islands gov- ernment, then you’ll make a major dent in resolving the drink-driving problem. – Stefanie Ebanks This isn’t going to help at all. People are still going to drink and drive. If there was a reliable trans- port system in place that would help. Not only is it expensive to use, but there have been many nights where you just can’t get a cab be- cause they’ve gone home, or there is only one guy working so you have to wait for ages to be picked up. – Natalie Oliver Long overdue and could prob- ably go lower. A step in the right direction. – Rory Joe McDonough Excellent. At least it is some- thing. However, [it] doesn’t do much to change stupid, reckless and inconsiderate behaviour or, in other words, people who choose to drink and drive. – Sheridan Robinson New primary school to help meet growing demand for spaces Edge of George Town? Should be in Newlands or Bodden Town west. Packing more traffic into town. Good intentions. However, the problem we have now with traffic, is the majority of schools are clustered in George Town. – Krystal Arch Definitely going to cause yet even more problems with the al- ready poor infrastructure. – Jim Norris Awesome! Now let’s get some more in the eastern districts to help alleviate that school-rush traffic. – Elizabeth Larsen This is great. [It] will provide more jobs, especially for Caymanians, but exactly where is ‘the edge of George Town’? Because all I can think of is where land meets water because we surely don’t have any more land in GT at the rate development is happening! – Leanne Rochella Grand Cayman’s bat population declining So what is responsible for the decrease, what method was used for the survey, what is the implication? Does bat pollination take place and, if so, is it impactful on islands? – Selvin Richardson When you have a government willing to put money above life, what do you expect? Stop allowing companies to come and take away their habitats. – Skipper Whitney All our ecosystems are at risk due to the madness of the rate of development. Nature is priceless - Protect Our Future. – Claire Hughes I used to love watching them fly at night around our house. Haven’t seen any in ages. Is there a more active season for them? – Cyndy Ebanks Community responds to ‘critical’ blood appeal I would love to donate blood but am not permitted due to a nonsensical policy preventing British people who lived in the UK in the ‘90s from donating. The risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease resulting from BSE (bo- vine spongiform encephalopathy) infections that affected livestock during this period has produced no noticeable change, yet still this ban persists both here and in other countries, like the US. Per- haps if you allow people to donate, there wouldn’t be any crisis. – Alex Davies Same here. The crazy thing is I had already been living here for years and regularly donating blood before the ban. – Caroline Neale-Allenger I wanted to donate but apparently my blood is not good enough as I’m European! And, no, I didn’t live in UK in the 90s. – Anna Krendželáková Cayman icon Janilee Clifford passes She taught some of our children, and they loved her. Thoughts for her loved ones. We will miss her on Crewe Road! – Nancy Fleming Bush This is such sad news. Ms Janilee taught me in Cayman Prep in the mid ‘70s. Such a kind and intelligent lady and a wonderful teacher. May she rest in peace. My deepest condolences to all her family. – Ceri Mason My beloved Grade 5 teacher who over the years never forgot my face! Ms Janilee also loved talking about and sharing his- tory. A beautiful soul who will be greatly missed. Deepest condo- lences to her family. – Charisse Morrison I too remember her very fondly. A kind, big-hearted lady who had such a ready smile. She taught both my daughters at Cayman Prep school. My deep condolences. – Penny Clifford You will be greatly missed. Your knowledge about our Cay- manian history was iconic. RIP. – Diane Rankin Miss Janilee had such a posi- tive effect on the lives of so many people here in Cayman. She was a great support to so many children and their parents, and a gener- ous, helpful colleague. Despite her busy family and work life she was a loyal member of the Pink Ladies. We will all miss her but cherish the happy times with her. – Nancy Whitefield Opposition claims premier offered alliance to form new government I agree that staying away does seem like a desperate act, which came to pass because there seems to be no way to get rid of a toxic person. Should they just continue as if everything is okay? The laws really need to be changed so criminals cannot be elected and those in office cannot get away with criminal acts because of who they are. The rules really need to be changed and then adhered to. – Regina Ecclefield Well, I feel for Premier Panton, because some PACT members are no doubt an indisciplined bunch. Those would require a more active and vocal leader, no doubt. But what the Progressives did today, with their ‘no show’; and their rationale used, is the height of hypocrisy, at best coupled with a dereliction of duty. – George Ebanks What they’re saying Online In a survey conducted by a group of citizen scientists, the Department of Environment has found there are 4,586 bats in Grand Cayman, a decrease of more than 2,000 since 2020. cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022New limit is 0.07% NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Lawmakers on Monday unanimously voted to pass a bill that will reduce Cayman’s drink- drive limit by a third to help curtail what Attorney General Samuel Bulgin described as “carnage” on local roads. So far this year, there have been 1,918 traffic accidents, including 13 fatalities, on Cayman’s streets – statistics that Premier Wayne Panton, who brought the successful motion to amend the Traffic Act, described as “harrowing” and “unacceptably high”. The amendment to the Traffic Act will see limit of blood-alcohol content for drivers reduced from 0.1% to 0.07%, bringing it closer to the worldwide average, which is 0.06%. The current limit of 0.1% is among the most lenient in the world, the premier noted. Bulgin, in his address to the House on the amendment, described a general lack of due care and attention on the roads, as well as a “lack of civility”, giving examples of speeding, drivers cutting each other off, using cellphones while driving, refusing to use indicators, and road rage. “This has contributed to the carnage... on our streets,” he said. Saving lives Deputy Premier Franz Manderson, in the debate, delivered an update on the number of road traffic accidents and DUIs, which he said had been received from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service at a National Security Council meeting late last month. So far this year, he reported, there have been 1,918 motor vehicle accidents, including 12 fatal accidents. In one of those crashes, a father and his infant daughter were killed. Last year, 2,633 crashes were recorded – an average of 51 a week, Manderson noted. This was a 22% increase over 2020. He also said that, so far this year, police have dealt with 2,678 incidents of speeding. Manderson pointed out that police issued 312 DUI summonses last year. Of those, 26% involved people who were found to be twice the drink-drive limit, and 2% were three times over the limit. More than a third – 36% – of those who were found to be over the limit were involved in a collision. “This bill can save lives,” the deputy governor said, as he urged motorists to not drink and drive, and consider that they’re not just putting their lives at risk, but the lives and health of others. He added that Cayman should have a goal of having a year where are zero fatalities on the local roads, while noting that he could not find a year, in a search of archives, where there had been no reports of a road fatality. ‘Brave’ decision Manderson commended the premier for bringing the motion to amend the bill, acknowledging that it may be an unpopular move. “The government has done a very brave thing, not a necessarily popular thing, but definitely the right thing in bringing this amendment,” he said. Panton explained that he had decided to bring the amendment to Parliament, rather than asking any other member of his PACT government to do so, because “I felt, as premier, that I should bring it, that I should carry the burden of it if it’s not the most popular thing to do”. Referring to a World Health Organization report, Panton pointed out that the leading cause of death among young people is traffic accidents. As well as road accidents costing Cayman “immeasurable emotional trauma” in terms of loss of life, he noted there are also devastating financial issues for families who find themselves having to cover large medical bills for injuries and care, as well as impacts on companies that lose workers and productivity. “This is about all those things, but importantly, it’s about saving lives,” he said. “And, even more importantly, statistically, it’s about saving young lives.” Panton said that Cayman, as a society, has accepted drink-driving for far too long. He pointed out that Cayman’s current 0.1% limit, which is double the average limit in Europe, and 40% higher than the world’s average of 0.06%, “is sending a signal that we are more tolerant of drink driving”. The premier said the average number of people who had lost their lives in traffic accidents over recent years had been eight to nine, but so far this year, 13 people had died. “There’s a tragedy going on here on our roads, and alcohol plays too significant a role in it, and we have to send a very strong message,” he added. Police welcome new limit Police Commissioner Derek Byrne, in a statement issued after MPs approved the bill, welcomed the change to the blood-alcohol level. “This critical change to the Traffic Law is an important and progressive step taken by government to tackle overall road safety while reducing serious and fatal collisions on our roads,” he said. “Moreover, it emphasizes a key road safety message – do not drink and drive. The amendment reflects our intolerance of drunk drivers on our public roadways who choose to endanger themselves, and the lives of others. The RCIPS will be actively enforcing the changes to the legal BAC limit, especially as we approach the festive season.” The new limit, which will come into effect once the amended bill is gazetted, means that the legal blood-alcohol limit will be reduced from 100 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood to 70 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. It also means that a driver who blows over 31 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath in a breathalyser test will be considered to be over the legal limit. Government approves lower drink-drive limit Last year, police issued 312 DUI summonses. – Photo: Taneos Ramsay “It’s about saving lives. And, even more importantly, statistically, it’s about saving young lives.” Premier Wayne Panton 51 The average number of road accidents a week in 2021 cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022 5RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Bodden Town father and plumber Dwight Barnes hasbeen hailed as a hero, after he rescued a young crash victim from a burning car in the early hours of Saturday morning. However, Barnes, 54, speaking with the Cayman Compass on Monday, 10 Oct., said he just did what he thought was necessary at the time. “I couldn’t just stand there and know someone was in need of help and I could have tried... So I just did it. Thank God everything went well and the car never exploded while I was there and everything was good,” he said. He said he hoped that others would do the same if he, or his children, were in the same situation. Race to rescue Barnes, who has four children and seven grandchildren, said the whole situation unfolded quickly before his eyes. He recalled heading home around 3:30am on Saturday when he noticed, in his rearview mirror, a car overtaking vehicles near Will T Road off Shamrock Road. It also overtook his vehicle. He said a short while later, as he neared Watler’s Estate, he saw a commotion and that same car had crashed. As he got closer, he saw the fi re had started at the front of the car. Although he has no formal fi rst aid training, Barnes said he knew he had to take action when he saw the fl ames were rising. He pulled aside and got out of his car. Nearby residents, he said, were running out of their homes and asking if there was anyone in the car. “I said ‘I don’t know, I don’t know’. I started to see the fi re getting bigger and bigger. So I decided I needed to check and see if someone was in the car. I approached the car with caution and when I fi nally opened the passenger side, I saw there was someone lying across the seat – from the driver’s seat to the passenger side,” he said. Video posted to social media shows fl ames lapping at the car and loud pops can be heard coming from the vehicle. In spite of this, Barnes said he grabbed the male driver under the shoulders and tried to pull him out of the car. “Gradually I got him out and had him on the ground and pulled him approximately 40-50 feet away from the car. One of the bystanders was calling the emergency services so I just stood there with him. One young lady there was trying to calm him down because he was going ‘oh my car, my car’,” he said. Barnes said he also checked the inside of the car to make sure there was no-one else trapped. He said he knew the risk he took, but that it was no different to those taken regularly by fi rst responders. When those responders arrived on the scene, they thanked Barnes for his courage. ‘I’m dragging someone out the car’ His daughter, Tracey Barnes- Fagan, who happened to come upon the same collision Saturday morning, said while she was proud of her father’s heroic actions, she admitted seeing him rush towards a burning car was terrifying. “I didn’t even know it was him. I saw someone was pulling someone out the car, but because it was so dark, you could just see the blaze of the fi re. I didn’t even know that it was him until I passed the trees and realised ‘that car looks like my dad’s car’. I got concerned. When I phoned him, he just said ‘give me a second, give me a second, I’m dragging somebody out the car’,” she said. Barnes-Fagan said she parked quickly and rushed over to the scene, where she found her father with the injured driver. “Luckily, he got him out in time because the car just lit right up. I didn’t know a car can crash like that and instantly be on fi re,” she added. She said by the time the ambulance and fi re trucks reached them, the fi re had already reached the back seat of the vehicle. She said if her father hadn’t acted so quickly, the consequences could have been fatal. “My dad had to tug him from underneath the wheel,” she recalled. But Barnes-Fagan also expressed disappointment and concern that at least three vehicles passed the collision and none stopped to offer assistance or call 911. Dangerous roads Barnes said the injured driver’s father had been in touch with him and said he was doing well. He said the man’s father also thanked him for his bravery. The driver suffered a broken ankle and a concussion from the crash, Barnes said. But, for Barnes, Saturday’s crash was a reminder of how dangerous Cayman’s roads can be. “They need to slow down... If they cannot manage driving, call a taxi or call a friend or someone that can take them home, because life is too precious,” he said. Police, in a statement Monday evening, said the driver in the incident remains in hospital where he is being treated for “serious but non-life- threatening-injuries”. The single-vehicle crash occurred on Shamrock Road, Bodden Town, in the vicinity of Brightview Drive, police said, adding that anyone with information about the circumstances of the collision is encouraged to call the Bodden Town Police Station at 947-2220. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Bodden Town father and plumber Dwight Barnes hasbeen hailed as a hero, after he rescued a young crash victim from a burning car in the early hours of Saturday morning. However, Barnes, 54, speaking with the Cayman Compass on Monday, 10 Oct., said he just did what he thought was necessary at the time. “I couldn’t just stand there and know someone was in need of help and I could have tried... So I just did it. Thank God everything went well and the car never exploded while from the vehicle. In spite of this, Barnes said he grabbed the male driver under the shoulders and tried to pull him out of the car. “Gradually I got him out and had him on the ground and pulled him approximately 40-50 feet away from the car. One of the bystanders was calling the emergency services so I just stood there with him. One young lady there was trying to Hero dad pulls crash victim from burning car Dwight Barnes ran into a burning car to rescue an injured man. - Photo: Supplied This screengrab shows the car that was on fi re when Dwight Barnes rescued the driver. “I approached the car with caution and when I fi nally opened the passenger side, I saw there was someone lying across the seat - from the driver’s seat to the passenger side.” Dwight Barnes cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022 going ‘oh my car, my In spite of this, Barnes said he grabbed the male driver under the shoulders and tried to pull him out “Gradually I got him out and had him on the ground and pulled him approximately 40-50 feet away from the car. One of the bystanders emergency services so I just stood there Hero dad pulls crash victim from burning car Dwight Barnes ran into a burning car to rescue an injured man. - Photo: Supplied FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022Visit www.healthcareconference.ky to view the agenda CME CREDITS AVAILABLE THURSDAY, 20TH OCTOBER 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Refreshments and Registration 5:30 PM – 5:35 PM Welcome Remarks – His Excellency The Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper, OBE 5:35 PM – 5:55 PM Opening Remarks – Hon. Sabrina Turner, MP, Minister for Health and Wellness 5:55 PM – 6:00 PM Remarks - Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, Clinical Director, Senior Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Health City Cayman Islands 6:05 PM – 6:40 PM Global Challenges for Healthcare and How They May Affect the Cayman Islands – Professor Ian Cumming OBE, UK Ambassador for Healthcare to the Overseas Territories 6:40 PM – 7:00 PM Data Driven Prevention: Where We are Now and Where We are Headed – Rachel Corbett, National Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health & Wellness 7:00 PM – 7:35 PM Managing Chronic Diseases: A Review of Demographic and Socio-economic Factors and Innovative Chronic Disease Management Models that Improve Patient Outcomes – Fiona McDougall, Owner and Director, Healthy Futures Ltd. 7:35 PM – 7:40 PM Remarks – Dr. Nick Gent, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health & Wellness 7:40 PM – 9:00 PM Cocktail Reception FRIDAY, 21ST OCTOBER 7:45 AM – 8:30 AM Registration and Breakfast Sponsored by: Baptist Health International 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM The Holy Grail of Cardiovascular Risk Mitigation – Dr. Ravi Kishore, Interventional Cardiologist, Senior Adult Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Health City Cayman Islands 9:40 AM – 10:40 AM Genomic Sequencing for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy – Dr. Lundie Richards, Consultant Medical Haematologist- Oncologist and Jonathan Smellie, Principal Molecular Biologist, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority 10:40 AM – 10:55 AM Coffee Break Sponsored by: The Wellness Centre 10:55 AM – 11:55 AM Tackling Stroke and Dementia: Current Measures and Approaches for Prevention – Dr. Azad Esack, Neurologist and Neurophysiologist, Doctors Hospital LUNCH will be available between 12 noon and 2:30 PM FRIDAY, 21ST OCTOBER CONTINUED 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM Optimising Your Health Without Medications: Gain Control of Your Microbiome and Epigenetics Through Lifestyle Modifications – Dr. Yuliya Linhares, Chief of Lymphoma Services, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida 1:55 PM – 2:55 PM From Burned Out to Checked In: Understanding Burnout and Moving from Coping to Resilience – Raquel Tobian, Clinical Social Worker and Chemical Dependency Counsellor and Derek Oliver, Psychologist, Licensed Therapist, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, Infinite Mindcare 2:55 PM – 3:10 PM Coffee Break Sponsored by: Healthy Futures Ltd. 3:10 PM – 4:10 PM The Evolving Role of Point of Care Testing in Prevention and Positive Intervention in NCDs – Professor Andrew Shaw, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Exeter, Founder of Attomarker Ltd. Breakout Session Sponsored by: Integra Healthcare Ltd. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Building Better Health for Self (Panel Discussion, Q&A) – Mr. Andrew Vincent, Founding Director, Integra Healthcare Ltd.; Dr. Lisa Joels, OB/GYN, Integra Healthcare Ltd.; Dr. Francisco Martinez, General Practitioner/Family Physician, Integra Healthcare Ltd.; Professor Andrew Shaw, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Exeter, Founder of Attomarker Ltd. SATURDAY, 22ND OCTOBER 8:15 AM – 9:00 AMRegistration and Breakfast 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Perinatal Mental Health Awareness – Dr. Chelsea Walton, Clinical Psychologist, The Wellness Centre 10:10 AM – 11:10 AM Your Teeth Are Meant to Last a Lifetime: Prevention, Detection, Health Consequences and Treatment Modalities – Dr. Wilbert Veit, General Dentist, Dr. Wolfe’s Dental Centre 11:10 AM – 11:25 AM Coffee Break: Sponsored by: AON 11:25 AM – 12:25 PM Advances in Cancer: Diagnosis, Monitoring and Management – Moderator: Dr. Delroy Jefferson, Medical Director, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority; Dr. Lundie Richards, Consultant Medical Haematologist-Oncologist, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority; Dr. Courtney Cummings, Deputy Medical Director, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority; Dr. Darley Solomon, Attending General Surgeon, Doctors Hospital; Dr. Vineetha Binoy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Health City Cayman Islands 12:25 PM – 12:45 PM Closing Remarks – Hon. Sabrina Turner, MP, Minister for Health & Wellness cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Lawmakers have approved a new Financial Assistance Act to replace the six-decade-old Poor Persons (Relief) Act, which Social Development Minister André Ebanks has described as inadequate and “hopelessly out of date”. Ebanks, who presented the bill to Parliament, said it will herald in a more modern approach to social assistance for Cayman’s most vulnerable citizens. He pointed out that in its 58 years of existence, the only amendment – a slight one – made to the Poor Persons Relief Act had been done 25 years ago. He added that the law currently does not adequately meet the needs of older individuals, people with disabilities, and families requiring financial assistance. The existing law, and Cayman’s financial assistance systems, came under fire in a report by the Office of the Auditor General in May 2015. The audit report found that there was no overall strategy, coordination or accountability for how $50 million in financial assistance was spent annually. Ebanks told the House, “When one reads that report, it should send a shiver through you concerning the state of our social safety net,” adding that the financial challenges seen in 2015 had increased in recent years, because of COVID, rising inflation and supply-chain issues. He noted that the 2015 audit report outlined 12 recommendations to strengthen the social assistance network – five of which are included in the new law. Ebanks said the “landmark” legislation would create a modern and fit-for-purpose financial assistance system, which would be more transparent and accountable, and create avenues for appeals and legal recourse. What will change? Under the new legislation, the Needs Assessment Unit will be renamed the Department of Financial Assistance. The legislation also clearly outlines and defines, for the first time, who is eligible for government’s financial assistance, namely: Caymanians, spouses of a Caymanian or guardians of a Caymanian dependent, all of whom must be resident on island during the time of the application and at least eight of the 12 months preceding the application. It will allow the introduction of conditions that can be attached to financial assistance, in particular for households with adult members who are able to work. A new appeals tribunal will be set up under which decisions by the Department of Financial Assistance can be challenged, and grievances aired. There will also be additional protections for personal information. Ebanks said a revamp of the services and processes of the Department of Children and Family Services would also be undertaken. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Social Development, the bill will commence in the first quarter of next year, following the establishment of the new Department of Financial Assistance. Accompanying regulations There will be accompanying regulations to govern the procedures of the Appeals Tribunal. Regulations will also be drawn up to govern operational and practical matters, including the number of working days in which the department will process applications; exemptions for emergency circumstances; and consideration for transitional services, for example, during the period after a person on government assistance becomes employed. The regulations will also include provisions regarding household sizes and composition - such as older people living with their adult children, or people with disabilities. In the statement, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Development Heather Bodden said, “This long overdue bill will bring comfort to anyone who has had an issue obtaining government’s financial assistance. It defines eligibility for the first time in law, builds in good governance, and creates transparency in the process.” She noted that, currently, there is no legislation underpinning the Needs Assessment Unit - a state of affairs she said was “unacceptable” for an agency that administers the allocation of up to $14 million a year in financial assistance. The Financial Assistance Bill was among six pieces of legislation passed by MPs on 10 Oct., during a sitting of the House which was boycotted by Opposition members and marked the final time McKeeva Bush would preside over the chamber as Speaker (see page 2). The legislative changes were passed by government members on the second day of a two-day meeting, which began on Friday, 7 Oct., with a motion of confidence in the government. Parliament adjourned Monday with no date set for the next meeting. Other legislation passed by the MPs were an amendment to the Traffic Act to lower the drink- drive limit (see page 5), and an amendment to the Education Act to require all schools to have mandatory anti-bullying policies. Amendments were also passed to the Mental Health Act – in part, to clarify how emergency-detention and protective-custody orders are carried out – and to the associated Mental Health Commission Act. Lawmakers additionally voted in favour of amendments to the Accountants Act to update legislative references and definitions, as well as changes to the Limited Liability Companies Act which, among other amendments, includes a provision that limited liability companies no longer have to file with the Companies Register a certificate of amendment on membership changes (See page 21). 6 pieces of legislation passed in single day Social Development Minister André Ebanks calls the Financial Assistance Act a ‘landmark’ piece of legislation. - Photo: File Bill paves way for welfare system overhaul The new law aims to provide a better safety net for those in need. Volunteers at Cayman’s charities have had to step in to fill the gap. – Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022 8MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky The jury in the two-month-long fraud trial against Canover Watson and Bruce Blake retired to deliberate after evidence in the case ended on 13 Oct., with defence lawyers claiming in their fi nal remarks that the Crown had totally misunderstood its own case against Watson and that Blake may have erred in judgment but had trusted his fellow Cayman Islands Football Association executive. Watson is charged with a fraud that involved sending false invoices for US$1.54 million to football confederation CONCACAF for equipment that was never delivered, as well as with money laundering. Blake is charged with money laundering- related charges for helping Watson move the allegedly stolen money by issuing false invoices and documents to his bank. Both men are accused of misleading auditors and producing false loan agreements presented in the audit of CIFA to disguise a payment to the association made from the proceeds of the invoices. Watson and Blake both deny the charges. Alleged fake invoices Crown Counsel Eloise Marshall reiterated that the three invoices had been fake, that none of the goods itemised in them were ever produced or shipped and that Watson’s Panama company, Forward Sports International Management Inc, had never paid for the goods to be manufactured. A single US$300,000 payment from the company to Forward Sports in Pakistan was for different goods to keep the scheme going. She said Watson did not have the right to issue invoices as an agent under the Forward name and had consistently used wrong company names, random invoice numbers and changed the price and number of units in a genuine invoice. Even according to Watson’s own version of events, she said, his profi ts would have been so outrageously high that no reasonable organisation would have ordered the goods through his company, if it could have simply bought directly from the manufacturer at a fraction of the cost. CONCACAF witnesses had confi rmed that the goods in the three invoices were paid for but never received, even after ongoing attempts to track them down. Shakeel Khawaja, a sales manager for Forward Sports, testifi ed that he had no knowledge of the invoices or related payments and that they were not part of the goods contained in genuine orders produced by the manufacturer for CONCACAF. One invoice for 30,000 ushers’ vests, purportedly for the 2013 Gold Cup football tournament, was presented as the most egregious example. There was no email, documentary or witness evidence that would indicate the goods were ever ordered, manufactured, shipped, received or used, other than Watson’s statement they had been delivered by DHL to CONCACAF’s general secretary Enrique Sanz. ‘Crown got it all wrong’ The defence’s case is simple: The Crown had totally misunderstood the narrow evidence it presented in the case. Watson was a successful businessman and his Panama companies and the three invoices were entirely legitimate. If all email communication and documents were considered, it would be clear that efforts had been made to deliver the paid football equipment. But the investigation had been biased against Watson, the defence said, because it was carried out by the same Anti- Corruption Commission investigator whose evidence led to his conviction in the CarePay case, for which he blames his former lawyers. Key witnesses in the case, whose testimony contradicted Watson’s, were either lying, had been stealing or unintentionally given false evidence, because they did not know the full facts, the defence said. Dapinder Singh, the defence attorney for Watson, claimed the prosecution had totally misunderstood its own case and confused shipping invoices and customs clearance documents with genuine invoices and prepaid pro forma invoices that were subject to change later. He pointed to emails discussing the shipments of goods as indications that Watson’s company was engaged in legitimate business trying to fulfi l the orders related to the invoices. The prosecution argues that by the time most of these emails were sent all the money received from the invoices had already been spent without ever paying the manufacturer. Singh said Watson had legitimately set up the Panama business with the knowledge of Forward Sports’ sales manager Khawaja. Key witnesses in the case, such as CONCACAF’s executives, did not have the complete picture of orders being changed by senior management and efforts being made to ship certain goods, according to Singh. Canover Watson and Bruce Blake Jury deliberates in football fraud trial PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 15» cayman compass 9 news N news FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2022Next >