vv Limited Time Only. © 2023 Burger King Corporation. Hot Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken Hot Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken Hot Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken Hot Honey Garlic Available Grilled cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 4-10 August 2023 Airlines object to planned airport fee hike Page 3 Beauty and basketball Page 22 Sky high As more 10-storey buildings are erected, construction concessions come under scrutiny Pages 18-20 Phot o: T aneos Ramsa y Incentives key to a Cayman fi lm industry Page 17 Beauty and basketball Pages 18-20Matinees (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. BARBIE (PG-13) (FRI, MON-THURS) 12:30 VIP | 3:15 VIP | 3:40 | 6:25 | 9:10 (SAT) 12:50 VIP | 3:35 VIP | 3:40 | 6:25 | 9:10 (SUN) 3:40 | 4:40 VIP | 6:25 | 7:20 VIP | 9:10 | 10:00 VIP HAUNTED MANSION (PG-13) (FRI-SAT, MON-THURS) 12:50 | 4:05 VIP (SUN) 4:05 VIP MEG 2: THE TRENCH (PG-13) (FRI-SAT, MON, WED-THURS) 1:20 VIP | 1:30 | 4:15 | 7:00 VIP | 7:00 | 9:45 VIP | 9:45 (SUN) 4:15 | 7:00 VIP | 7:00 | 9:45 VIP | 9:45 (TUES) 1:20 VIP | 1:30 | 4:15 | 7:00 | 9:45 | 10:00 VIP MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING - PART ONE (PG-13) (FRI) 1:35 | 4:50 VIP | 6:00 VIP | 9:00 (SAT, MON-THURS) 1:35 | 4:50 VIP | 9:00 (SUN) 3:45 VIP | 5:00 | 7:45 VIP | 9:00 OPPENHEIMER (R) (FRI) 1:00 VIP | 5:10 | 8:20 VIP (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 5:10 | 6:25 VIP | 8:20 VIP (MON-WED) 1:00 VIP | 5:10 | 6:25 VIP | 8:20 VIP (THURS) 1:00 VIP | 5:10 | 6:25 VIP | 8:20 VIP ROCKY AUR RANI KII PREM KAHAANI (PG) (FRI-SAT, MON-THURS) 12:25 | 9:15 (SUN) 4:25 | 8:00 THE BAKER (R) (FRI) 4:00 | 6:45 | 9:30 VIP (SAT, MON-THURS) 4:00 | 6:45 | 10:15 VIP WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KIDS CLUB HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) KIDS CLUB RAYA & TH E LAST DRAGON SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) CLASSICS ERIN BROCKOVICH TUESDAY 7PM VIP (R) 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 weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Chance of isolated showers SEA STATE Slight with a wave height of 1 to 3 feet. WINDS East to northeast at 5 to 10 knots. 92°F HIGH 80°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Parliament takes summer break Cayman’s Parliament is now on its summer break, after Jane Owen issued her first proclamation as governor to prorogue the House. The proclamation, published in the Government Gazette, marks a suspension of the business of the House until the 2023-2024 session begins later this year. Members of Parliament will continue to hold their electoral seats, and parliamentary committees and the Cabinet will continue to function while the House is on its summer break. The governor, premier and speaker will consult on a date for the new session and Owen will issue another proclamation to formally begin that session. Protester’s trial abandoned The Summary Court trial of protester Lovell Marriott came to an abrupt end midway through the hearing on Wednesday, 2 Aug., after she was found to have taken unauthorised photos of the magistrate and witnesses. Marriott was on trial for one count of being an idle or disorderly person, stemming from her one-woman protest outside the Government Administration Building on 6 Jan. 2022. But the trial was dramatically abandoned, and a new trial was ordered in front of a different magistrate next month. Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn said it had come to her attention that Marriott had taken photographs of the proceedings on her phone the day before, “despite having been told to turn the device off”. Marriott denied being told to turn off her phone. A search of her device, at Gunn’s request, revealed multiple images of witnesses and the magistrate. Marriott’s defence lawyer, Amelia Fosuhene, said the potential contempt of court issue arising from the photograph- taking meant that her client’s character and integrity had been questioned mid-trial in open court. After considering Fosuhene’s arguments, Gunn terminated the trial in “the interest of public perception that justice must not only be done, but should be seen to be done publicly”. Gunn said the court could choose to accept an apology and not take any further action in matters of contempt, and this was the course she was opting to take. She issued Marriott with a warning. Marriott was released on bail and a new trial date is to be set next month. Tourist convicted of importing fentanyl American tourist Adrian Frederick Scales, 26, was convicted in Summary Court on 1 Aug. of illegally importing fentanyl. Scales was arrested on 4 Oct. 2022 after Customs and Border Control officers at Owen Roberts International Airport detected 0.09 grams of fentanyl powder in his backpack. During his brief trial, Scales told the court that when the drug was discovered, he immediately asked for a lawyer and noted that the discovery was “serious”. “One month after you were arrested, you gave a no-comment interview under the advice from your lawyer,” said Magistrate Philippa McFarlane. “And when you came to trial, your excuse was that you had loaned your backpack out to a friend during a game of basketball because he needed something to put his shoes in.” She added, “If this was the case, why not blurt it out when the drugs were discovered? The reason is that you had no excuse then that could stand up to the test of scrutiny.” At a sentencing hearing scheduled for next month, the court will be provided with expert evidence on fentanyl. McFarlane revoked Scales’ bail and remanded him into custody pending sentencing. Pride Parade this weekend Cayman’s Pride Parade, now in its third year, is set to take place this Saturday, 5 Aug., along West Bay Road. Governor Jane Owen is expected to lead the parade, together with Cayman LGBTQ Foundation founder Noel Cayasso-Smith. The parade is free to attend. Organisers are urging people to arrive at the Seven Mile Public Beach starting point no later than 3pm to prepare for a 4pm start. The parade will end at Bevvy (in the former Margaritaville), where a free-to-attend after-party, headlined by Canadian drag performer Kiki Coe, will be held from 8:30pm. Cayasso-Smith said the foundation will continue its no- alcohol policy in the parade, as well as a dress code. JobsCayman portal getting overhaul Government’s employment portal JobsCayman is set for a major overhaul, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman Director Jeremy Scott has said. The portal has not achieved the kind of user interface that was envisioned when it launched in 2019, and registered employees and employers have indicated to WORC they want a more user- friendly system. “The intent is to actually replace it with a new design, a new facelift for it to be much more customer friendly,” Scott said. The JobsCayman online system, which allows users to access job postings created by employers, had been beset with user complaints since its introduction. Scott said it is anticipated that the overhaul of the portal will be completed by the end of this year. Full-body scanners coming to border entry points Security checks at Cayman’s airports and seaports are heading for an upgrade as Customs and Border Control moves to procure two non- intrusive full-body scanners. CBC, through a request for proposals on the government Bonfire procurement portal, invited tenders for X-ray technology capable of non- contact full-body inspection. “The technology sought by CBC must be able to detect non-mental/ metal weapons, drugs, explosives, liquids, jewelleries, electronic devices, etc... [to bolster] the surveillance and detection capabilities of Cayman Islands Border Control entities,” the RFP stated. At present, Cayman uses walkthrough scanners at the airport security check point. The tender, which closed on 27 July, invited submissions from vendors who could provide non- intrusive body scanners capable of detecting objects concealed in body cavities, beneath clothing, or in artificial limbs, as well as training for at least six CBC officers to use the equipment. The annual Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, 5 Aug., from Seven Mile Public Beach to Bevvy (at the former Margaritaville site) on West Bay Road. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 2023cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 2023 3 NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky The world’s largest airline trade group has criticised the Cayman Islands Airports Authority for not consulting airlines over a plan to increase passenger fees to help pay for upcoming airport projects, including a new private jet terminal. Airport officials in Cayman announced the temporary US$20 passenger fee increase at a press briefing in May this year at which details of new projects under an Airports Master Plan were outlined. A spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, known as IATA, which represents 300 airlines worldwide, including most of the ones that fly to Cayman, said in a statement to the Compass last week that, while it understood the need for the redevelopment projects and the impact inflation has had on airport costs, “stakeholders should be consulted before implementing such adjustments”. The spokesman said, “As an industry, we believe that financial information, including costs, capital expenditures and operating expenses, should be clearly presented to all stakeholders before decisions are made or legislation is passed.” Oppose paying for private jet facility IATA also queried why passengers on commercial airlines should help foot the bill for a proposed $42 million private jet facility that they will never use. “We would like to address the proposed construction of a new general aviation terminal facility which will be financed by the planned increase in charges,” the spokesman stated. “In this regard, IATA and the airlines strongly oppose cross- subsidization of projects, as it results in airlines and their passengers paying for infrastructures, they will never take advantage of, which lastly constitutes discrimination and contrary to [the International Civil Aviation Organization’s] policies on airport charges.” The International Civil Aviation Organization is a United Nations agency that sets standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection, according to its website. The organisation’s guidelines to which IATA refers states: “Consultation with airport and air navigation services users before changes in charging systems or levels of charges are introduced is important. The purpose of consultation is to ensure that the provider gives adequate information to users relating to the proposed changes and gives proper consideration to the views of users and the effect the charges will have on them. Agreement between providers and users is desirable. “However, where agreement is not reached, the provider is free to impose the charges proposed, subject to a right of appeal to, or other determination by, a body independent of the provider, where available. If no appeal mechanism is in place, it is even more important that providers and users make every effort to reach an agreement on any changes in charging systems or levels of charges before they are introduced.” IATA said it had written to the Cayman Islands Airports Authority over its concerns, asking for a consultative process before implementing the increased fees, which comprise a US$5 increase in the terminal fee and a new airport development fee of US$15. Officials stated at the May press briefing that the airport development fee would only be applied during the construction period, which is estimated to be six years, from 2024 to 2029. The additional $20 fee is expected to earn government an estimated extra $15 million a year. Airport chief says consultation not mandatory Albert Anderson, chief executive officer at the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, said it’s not unusual for IATA to request that its members be consulted over aviation-fee increases, but “they are not able to mandate that we increase or decrease our fees”. He added that the airports authority is “in communication” with IATA on the matter. Anderson said airport fee increases do not happen regularly, and noted that IATA had previously contacted the Cayman Islands Airports Authority about increases when its last Airports Master Plan was released in 2014. The $20 increase has not yet been implemented, and no date has been set for when it will come into effect, Anderson said, though “my best guess would be sometime early next year”. He added, “A lot of this is premature because the regulation has not been established yet.” He said he could not comment further on the issue as “we are in discussions with IATA, and I don’t think it would be right to lay it out in the press before we complete the discussions with them”. The latest Airports Master Plan outlines the Cayman Islands Airports Authority’s blueprint for developments at all three of the islands’ airports over the next two decades. Four projects have been highlighted as likely to carried out in the next few years – the general aviation terminal, an extension of the runway into the North Sound and new air traffic control surveillance at Owen Roberts International Airport, as well as runway end safety area works at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac. Some of these projects will be subject to environmental impact assessments before work gets under way. Anderson said the airports authority was communicating with the Department of Environment on these issues. Airlines object to planned airport fee increase The Airports Master Plan addresses the futures of Owen Roberts International Airport, pictured, the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac, and the Edward Bodden Airfield on Little Cayman. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay Albert Anderson, CEO, Cayman Islands Airports Authority This artist’s rendering shows the proposed general aviation facility at the Owen Roberts International Airport. The proposed airport passenger fee increases will help pay for its construction, officials have said. - Image: Cayman Islands Airports Authority1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Lose one’s head (5) 4 Promising (7) 8 Prescribed (3) 9 Ready for duty if needed (2,5-2) 10 Encroach (7) 11 External (5) 13 Habitually discontented person (6) 15 Make up for (6) 18 Provide food (5) 19 Lessen monotony of (7) 21 Sometime soon (3,3,3) 23 Set of equipment (3) 24 Articles of fired clay (7) 25 Ransack with intent to steal (5) DOWN 1 Transient (7) 2 Lacking required ability (3,2,2,2) 3 Act the fool (5) 4 Expedite (6) 5 Contest to decide a tie (4-3) 6 Fashion unlikely to last (3) 7 A coating (5) 12 Worth mentioning (2,5,2) 14 Great slaughter (7) 16 Playhouse (7) 17 Violent emotional excitement (6) 18 To hamper (5) 20 Reduce height of (5) 22 As late as now (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17387 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 17387 ACROSS: 1 Panic, 4 Hopeful, 8 Set, 9 On stand-by, 10 Impinge, 11 Outer, 13 Grouch, 15 Offset, 18 Cater, 19 Relieve, 21 Any day now, 23 Kit, 24 Pottery, 25 Rifle. DOWN: 1 Passing, 2 Not up to it, 3 Clown, 4 Hasten, 5 Play-off, 6 Fad, 7 Layer, 12 To speak of, 14 Carnage, 16 Theatre, 17 Frenzy, 18 Cramp, 20 Lower, 22 Yet. What they’re saying Online Letters to the editor Four of the five 2023 Miss Universe Cayman Islands contestants received their sashes in a ceremony held Friday, 28 July. Pictured above at the event are, from left, Tracey Campbell, 19, of Bodden Town; Sydonie Barrett, 28, of George Town; Ileana Powery, 25, of West Bay; and Mili Almaguer, 19, of West Bay. Missing from the line-up is Ayana Woolery, 19, of George Town. The platform for this year’s local pageant is anti-bullying, with the support of the United Against Bullying Foundation. The winner of the contest, set for 26 Aug., will represent the Cayman Islands in the Miss Universe pageant on 18 Nov. in El Salvador. - Photo: Fil Trip Visuals To be 100% green, as government has stated [see 28 July-3 Aug. Cayman Compass], we could not have gas stoves. In a hurricane like Ivan, how would we cook? My electricity was out for three months. It is the whole reason we have gas stoves. I had a business during Ivan and we fed our people every morning on gas. George Hawlry The Central Planning Board has approved the Westin’s $153 million 10-storey expansion plans. Grand Cayman has a plethora of great resort hotels. A developer, such as Dart, should plan a new hotel to be built on Cayman Brac’s Bluff, perhaps with a golf course. Another hotel on the Brac would provide jobs and opportunities for Brackers. If a new resort is built on the Bluff, a 140-foot tram could connect hotel guests to a South Side beach for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. A Bluff-top resort would weather hurricanes better than a resort at beach level. Remembering ‘Field of Dreams’ – “If you build it, they will come”! Nan Socolow From WaterColours to the Westin – Seven Mile skyline keeps changing You are ruining the charm of the island. If people want expensive and exclusive, there are many better options than Grand Cayman for that. Be smart and market your island for what it is – or I should say, “what it was” – a small, clean, safe, charming and inviting environment. Unfortunately, those days are gone and your current approach will likely backfire and take a toll on tourism. S H. It’s great that buildings are going up 10 storeys but they are not getting done. Every developer is complaining about lack of timely inspections and constant rule changes. I bought in Seacrest five years ago and was promised that it would be done April 1, 2022. Now a year-and-a-half later there is still no certificate of occupancy. That means no air conditioning and all my furniture, clothes and food are sitting in 90 degree heat. Bruce L. We have loved visiting Cayman, been here many times. You all have no idea what Pandora’s box you opened allowing all this development along those pristine beaches. Gary Bertsch In a few years, it will just be seven miles and no beach. Marvin Gordon Airlines object to Cayman’s planned airport fee increase The private jet terminal is just one part of their plan – they are wanting to extend the runway to allow for other airlines (like Virgin Atlantic) to be able to fly their planes here. Imagine having another option to fly to the UK other than just British Airways? Will drive prices down for flights. The increase isn’t significant and it is short term. It’s a brilliant business plan; just wish they would have included jet bridges so we’d have protection from inclement weather but our airport is too small for that. Mona Kazemi I say let the private company jets pay since it’s them who will benefit. Venice Arch Let the private jet passengers pay for their own terminal. No regular passengers will use it. Thomas Breger These airlines are going to benefit from this improvement. Who do they expect must pay for it? If you don’t like it, go fly somewhere else and allow other airlines to come in who will be willing to pay. Graham Pfeil I too find it odd that they’ve left commercial passengers fees to go towards the private jet facility. If commercial fees can be increased, surely the landing fees of the private flights can be increased to cover their own costs for their own facilities as well. Ted N. You are pricing out the middle-income group that travels to Cayman frequently. Yes, you will still have your millionaires, but those are not the folks that consistently visit your islands and spend money among the locals. Tamara D. Sashes and smiles pic of the week In support of gas stoves Build a resort on the Bluff cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 2023WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 2023Ministry of Tourism & Ports Cayman Islands Government Department of Environmental Health Cayman Islands Government cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 4 10 AUGUST 2023 5 NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky The planning board for the Sister Islands has approved, for the second time, an application by Peppercorn Investments for a $35 million resort to be built at Kingston Bight on Little Cayman, at the site where the same developer had been refused permission last year to build overwater bungalows. Originally, the developers had applied for permission to build the bungalows over the lagoon off the southern end of the island, as well as land-based accommodation and facilities. They then split their application into two, requesting the Development Control Board consider the on-land application separately. The board, in February last year, approved that application. However, eight months later, that decision was quashed by the Planning Appeals Tribunal, which ruled that the Development Control Board had not outlined in detail how it had come to its decision to approve the application, and sent the matter back to the board for consideration. Meanwhile, Cabinet last year rejected Peppercorn’s coastal works licence application to erect the controversial overwater element – putting an end to plans to build a 450-foot-long dock along which the developer sought to build 19 one- bedroom bungalows. According to the recently released minutes of a 6 March meeting at which the application was heard, the Development Control Board granted permission to the company, owned by Matthew Wight, Naul Bodden and Bill Maines, to go ahead with the land-side part of the project. The plans for the 42-bedroom development, on what is currently the site of the Kingston Bight beach bar, include 12 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units, styled in the manner of two- and three- storey Caymanian houses, as well as a restaurant, wellness spa, beach bar, pavilions and huts, and seven pools. The developers say it will operate as a four- or fi ve-star “boutique hotel”. The minutes, the release of which had been delayed for several months, state that architect John Doak, speaking on behalf of the applicants, noted that the developers shared concerns of Little Cayman residents about the “scale and massing of development” on the island, and said the project would have “minimal impact” on the environment. The structures would have elevated pillars, with the fl oor height being seven to eight feet above mean sea level. “Mr. Doak stated that his clients want to promote investment in Little Cayman while preserving the environment,” the minutes noted. There was one objector to the application, neighbour Daphne Berger, who was represented by legal counsel Kate McClymont at the 6 March hearing. McClymont argued that as the original application had included the overwater bungalow element of the project, the entire application should be resubmitted for consideration to the board, and residents should be given another chance to lodge objections, as many, she said, believed the entire project had been shelved after Cabinet refused the coastal works licence. She asked for the matter to be adjourned and that the developers re-advertise their planning permission application. She told the board that such a large development would lead to a “huge change in character” for Little Cayman, and few people on the island wanted to see that. Berger, who also spoke at the meeting, according to the minutes, said she had been coming to the island since the 1980s, and believed that there was much opposition among local residents to building the hotel on the site, which she described as pristine. “Why turn everything into a cement pad with pools?” she asked. In its submission, the Department of Environment had noted that Little Cayman has no development plan to guide the appropriateness of a resort of this size, and that, at 42 bedrooms, this would be among the largest hotels on the island. The DoE stated that there would likely be “adverse impacts onto socio- economics due to the pressures on the infrastructure of Little Cayman” and questioned whether the development would be sustainable, in terms of airlift, accommodations for staff, and the waste generated. The DoE also raised concerns about setbacks, saying existing structures at the location are being used as setback precedents, and noting that the Kingston Bight bar on the site is within 12 feet of the high water mark. “The resulting effect is that the applicant will have a small beach, with the majority of the potential beach area being occupied by hard structures,” the DoE said, and it recommended that buildings be erected as far back from the beach as possible. The board approved the application, with a list of 14 conditions attached, including all those directed by the DoE. Those conditions include submitting a revised parking site plan; carrying out a walkover survey to check for iguanas and their nests; that there be no mechanical clearing, heavy equipment, construction work or stockpiling of materials outside the parcel boundaries; submitting a stormwater management plan and a new landscape plan; and applying for a permit from the director of planning. Five-year window The planning board stated that the approval for planning will only be active for fi ve years, and will expire in 2028 if construction has not started by then. Construction cannot begin until the conditions laid out by the board have been met. This time, in response to the Planning Appeals Tribunal’s ruling that its “thought process” and the reasons behind its decision must be clearly stated, the board outlined in detail why it was granting planning permission to the project. It stated that the application had met all the required typical planning parameters, and was compatible with existing land uses in the immediate area of Kingston Bight. It noted that the Department of Environmental Health and Fire Service had approved the areas that their remits cover. The board also stated that all the directives and recommendations of the Department of Environment in relation to the application had been considered and made conditions of the approval. While Berger had referred to septic leakage into the lagoon, causing an algal bloom, in her objection, the board said no evidence of this had been presented. The board also stated that despite assertions from Berger that the residents of Little Cayman were opposed to the project, hers was the only objection submitted. One earlier objection from another neighbour, relating to sewage concerns about the overwater bungalows, had been withdrawn, the board said. In response to McClymont’s contention that Peppercorn should submit a new application to the Department of Planning, the board stated there was no requirement under planning legislation or regulations that would compel the developer to issue fresh notices or re- apply for permission. Concluding its reasoning behind granting planning permission, the board stated that while it noted the DoE’s and the objector’s concerns over the “potential socio-economic effect of the proposed development”, these were not considered to be “relevant planning considerations” under the 1997 Development Plan or current planning regulations, and therefore were not required to be considered by the Development Control Board. Planning board approve Little Cayman resort at Kingston Bight Kingston Bight, the site of a small beach bar, is expected to be transformed into Little Cayman’s newest resort.Environmental Impact Assessment Public Consultation Regen.ky I info@regen.ky Consultation Learn more about the ReGen Environmental Impact Assessment Report, provide feedback and have your questions answered. MONDAY 28 AUGUST 2023 The Harquail Theatre 6:00pm – 9:00pm TUESDAY 29 AUGUST 2023 John Gray Memorial Church Hall 6:00pm – 9:00pm WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST 2023 Mary Miller Hall, Red Bay Primary School 6:00pm – 9:00pm A draft of the Environmental Statement will be published and available to download on 18 August 2023 at doe.ky and regen.ky Hard copies of the draft environmental statement will be available from 18 August 2023 at the following locations: 1. Government Administration Building, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town 2. George Town Public Library, 68 Edward Street 3. Teacher Redley Powery Library, 182 Reverend Blackman Rd, West Bay 4. Bodden Town Library, 69 Bodden Town Road 5. District Administration, Government Administration Building, Cayman Brac 6. 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Other conditions may also apply. cayman compass 7 news N news WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 2023 ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky It has been two years and two months since Shemaiah Grant was killed in a collision a couple of miles away from his West Bay home, after being struck while riding his motorcycle by Jordan Telford, who was texting and driving at the time. Since then, Grant’s family have struggled with the devastating emotional toll his death has caused, as well as an ever-growing financial burden. “We have incurred more than $39,000 in medical bills and other expenses that just keep on increasing,” said Cherry Chin, Grant’s mother. “His children are still young and so those bills will continue to grow with them.” Because Telford was driving without insurance, the family has no recourse for help with shouldering the medical costs, nor for helping to pay for the upbringing of Grant’s four children, with the oldest aged 14. Telford was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison, along with a lengthy driving disqualification upon his release. Leading up to the sentencing, Chin and the rest of her family pleaded with the courts to impose a financial penalty on Telford with the hopes of recovering the hospital bills and reining in other expenses. However, Justice Cheryll Richards declined to impose that order, noting that at the time of sentencing, Telford was unemployed and without the means to pay such sums. “This is why we are calling for a maintenance law in Cayman, that would force persons convicted of killing other people, to pay towards the upbringing and expenses of the victim’s children and/or expenses caused by their deaths,” explained Grant’s sister, Leah Grant. Such legislation would mimic the US state of Tennessee’s Ethan’s, Hailey’s, and Bentley’s Law – which requires drunk drivers to pay child support to the families of the people they kill, up until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school. That law, which has since been dubbed the ‘DUI child support law’, was passed in Tennessee in July last year and came into effect in January. Although Telford had been drinking before the fatal collision, his blood alcohol was recorded at 0.07%, which was below the then- legal limit of 0.1%. For that reason, Telford was not charged with driving under the influence. Nonetheless, Grant’s family believes the spirit of the law would still be applicable. “If you choose to speed, if you choose to drive recklessly, if you choose to drink and drive, or text and drive, and in that process kill someone, you shouldn’t then not be held accountable for your actions by saying, ‘Oh, I don’t have a job’, or ‘Oh, I don’t have insurance’,” said Leah Grant. But the process of getting such a law passed, or even drafted, is proving to be difficult. And even if this kind of legislation were enacted locally, it would be unlikely to be retroactive, so would not be applied to the Grant case. Grant’s family say they first approached the government with the request for the law in mid-2022 and, one year later, no such bill has been brought to the House, nor has a draft bill been prepared. “This law would help so many other people who have found themselves in similar positions,” explained Leah Grant. “We know of another family who had to pay for the structural damage to another person’s house and bury their loved one, all because the driver didn’t have a licence and was not covered by insurance at the time of the death.” For now, it’s not clear if or when such a law will be brought into effect. Family of fatal accident victim calls for child-support law Shemaiah Grant. - Photo: Facebook Former Tortuga distiller Jordan Telford was jailed for four years and seven months for the 2021 death of motorcyclist Shemaiah Grant. - Photo: Alvaro SereyRESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Even as Cayman enjoys some short bursts of showery days, there will be no respite from the excessive heat experienced in July, according to the latest statistics from the National Weather Service. In fact, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorological and Hydrology has said the Cayman Islands has a 70% probability of having maximum temperatures above average for the three-month period of July through September. “The higher than normal heat indices have been contributed to by a number of days this month with high maximum temperatures which have been exceeding their climatological maximum temperature for their day,” National Weather Service forecaster Kerrie Forbes told the Compass. During the summer months in Cayman, the range of maximum temperatures typically experienced are 31.9-32.3°C (89.4-90.1°F); Cayman is projected to surpass these National Weather Service: Expect extreme heat in months ahead Temperatures in Cayman this summer are expected to reach higher than usual levels. - Photo: File temperatures this year. The typical minimum range is 25.7-26.1°C (78.3-79°F). Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent recently urged caution during peak heat hours, especially for outdoor workers and visitors unaccustomed to hot climates. Though he said he had not seen a rise in heat-related complaints, he was concerned for employees in industries like construction. Temperatures recorded by the National Weather Service in July showed that most days exceeded their previously recorded maximum, with the highest temperature logged on 21 July. That temperature crossed the 35°C mark, hitting 35.3°C (95.5°F) at one of the two locations (on the Owen Roberts airfield) where the weather service records temperatures, with Forbes noting that the measurements collected from 1-30 July show “we have had 13 days of our maximum temperatures exceeding their day’s climatological record”. The second temperature- recording location (across from Jose’s Rubis) reached 34.6°C (94.3°F). The previous maximum recorded temperature for that date was 33.5°C (92.3°F). The weather service's monthly climate bulletin issued for July, stated that the community can expect a mid-summer dry spell through August. “July to September, marking the peak of the Caribbean Heat Season (May to October) is forecast to be hotter than usual. Frequent and, possibly intense episodes of heat stress in the vulnerable population and small livestock because of high temperature and increasing humidity through September,” the bulletin advised. It is expected that there will be a potential moderate heat impact, with a possible upper limit of extremely high heat for August and September. “A possible transition into El Niño is often marked by a warmer heat season, a drier summer season, and reduced tropical cyclone activity,” according to the bulletin. Though the high temperatures are expected to continue, the bulletin indicates that there are no concerns over drought. There is also a 40% probability of above-average wet spells from July to September, the National Weather Service bulletin noted. The Compass, at the end of July, reported on rising sea temperatures, which could damage coral and intensify hurricanes. MINIMUM 77.5°F 25.3°C DAY: 8TH MAXIMUM 95.5°F 35.3°C DAY: 21ST AVERAGE 87.9°F 31.0°C TOTAL 2.43 in 61.8 mm AVERAGE HUMIDITY 71% GREATEST 24HR RAINFALL 0.6 in 15.8 mm DAY: 25TH JULY 2023 WEATHER STATISTICS JULY 21ST 2023 RECORDED THE NEWEST HIGHEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR GRAND CAYMAN SINCE AUGUST 2004 (95.0°F/35.0°C) 13 DAYS IN JULY EXCEEDED THEIR DAY'S RECORD CLIMATOLOGICAL MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE HIGHLIGHTS RECORD GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 20232024 REN EWA BLE S cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 4-10 AUGUST 2023Next >