© 2023 Burger King Corporation. Ghost Pepper Chicken Fries cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 8-14 December 2023 Oddy Grullon's emotional win Page 9 'Clash in Cayman' mega boxing event Page 28 Rising threat Photo: Taneos Ramsay New data lays out climate risk to Cayman Pages 20-21 Mystery in the mangroves Page 5 Free Inside CHRISTMAS WISHES Festive Guide & GiftsMatinees (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. 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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 weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy with isolated showers SEA STATE Moderate with a wave height of 3 to 5 feet. WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots. 86°F HIGH 77°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Two face charges after 40 lbs of poached conch seized Two men are facing charges after they were caught illegally taking 86 conch from a marine reserve in the Barkers area of West Bay. Department of Environment conservation officers seized 86 conch totalling 40 pounds during an operation late last month. The two men were warned for intended prosecution. Chief conservation officer Mark Orr, through a post on the DoE Facebook page, said the two suspects face charges of taking marine life from a marine reserve and taking conch above the daily limit. Conch season is ongoing and the daily legal limit is five conch per person or 10 per boat. “This is a strong reminder that although conch is currently in season, the marine park boundaries and rules remain in full effect,” Orr said in the post. The DoE urged the public to “respect our marine park boundaries, catch limits and seasons so we can continue to enjoy local seafood for generations to come”. The seized conch was donated to Meals On Wheels which was turned into meals for seniors at their George Town and West Bay kitchens. Orr reminded the public that if they see something, they should “say something”. “Providing as much information as possible, as soon as possible, can help cases move through to prosecution, especially if you call when the illegal activity is still in progress. Together, we can prevent poaching,” he said. Reports of suspicious activity can be submitted via phone or WhatsApp to 916-4271 or by calling 911. Court shown footage of police dog’s final moments CCTV footage showing the harrowing final moments of a service dog that died of heat stroke while in police kennels was shown in Summary Court as the trial of a K9 officer charged in connection with the incident resumed on 6 Dec. Constable Timothy Munroe is on trial on one count of cruelty to an animal, for wich he has pleaded not guilty. The charge does not allege that Munroe was responsible for the dog’s death. He is accused of causing the animal unnecessary pain and suffering by failing to provide food and water. K9 Baron, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois shepherd mix, died after being left in the outside kennels at that George Town Police Station during a hot day in July 2022. Byron Morgan, a former animal welfare officer with the Department of Agriculture who was involved in the independent investigation into the incident, talked the court through the highlights of the 12 hours of CCTV footage from the day of Baron’s death. The somewhat obscured footage showed Munroe arriving at the kennels in the morning and spending 20 minutes doing an animal welfare check before departing for the day. The footage showed that Baron had been locked in the outside kennels – without access to food and water that was left indoors. Later in the footage, the dog was seen appearing to be sluggish before slumping to the ground. At around 5:30pm that evening, Munroe is seen returning and discovering the dog motionless, after which he raised the alarm. 12 Cubans land in Cayman Brac A pregnant woman was among a dozen Cubans who landed in Cayman Brac on 6 Dec. The Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control Service, in a statement following the landing, said the 12 migrants arrived in Watering Place, Cayman Brac at approximately 12:30am. The vessel arrived with nine men and three women, one of whom is pregnant and was transported to Faith Hospital upon arrival, CBC said. She was later released from the hospital following an examination by medical staff. CBC said it will arrange for the Cubans’ transportation to Grand Cayman and they will be accommodated at the allocated locations. These latest arrivals take the number of Cubans in CBC care to 99, this includes the 12 Cubans on Cayman Brac. Currently 87 Cubans are in Grand Cayman. 13 drivers netted in RCIPS operation A total of 13 drivers are facing prosecution for varying traffic offences, including inconsiderate driving, after a police exercise in Bodden Town on 6 Dec. The RCIPS Traffic Unit conducted the operation in the vicinity of Beach Bay on the morning of 6 Dec., in response to community road safety concerns about peak hour commuter traffic passing through the district, a police statement said. Superintendent Richard Barrow, commander of the eastern districts and Sisters Islands, has put the community on notice that they can expect to see more targeted traffic operations “as we lead into our annual holiday safety campaign, ‘Winter Guardian’, which launches this Friday, 8 December.” “We want to remind drivers that the roadways are shared spaces. Your driving behavior has a direct impact on other road users. If we all practiced safe driving behavior every time we get behind the wheel, such as not speeding, putting our phones down and obeying the road rules, we would drastically reduce incidents on our roads,” Barrow said. DEH conducts special bulk waste clean-up The Department of Environmental Health says it will be holding a special clean- up exercise across Cayman to remove bulk waste. Residents are asked to prepare and separate their items ahead of the days assigned for collection in their respective areas. DEH, in a 3 Dec. release, said household appliances, furniture, and other items that are too large to be handled by weekly collection crews should be placed by the roadside for easy access. Metals and vegetation should be separated from other bulk items, the press release said. The remaining special collections will take place in West Bay on 11 Dec., in George Town on 12 Dec., in Red Bay and Prospect on 13 Dec. Crews will also head to Savannah and Bodden Town on 14 Dec., and in North Side and East End on 15 Dec, and Cayman Brac and Little Cayman on 9 and 13 Dec. The poached conch seized by Department of Environment officers. – Photos: DoE cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 20231234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Ancient Egyptian embalmed body (5) 4 Russian goldsmith and jeweller (7) 8 Light yellowish brown (3) 9 Gypsum for ornamental carving (9) 10 Steadfastly loyal (7) 11 Excessive (5) 13 Fairness (6) 15 Surface for oil painting (6) 18 Leather with napped surface (5) 19 In moderately slow tempo (7) 21 Small decorative article (5,4) 23 Wood widely used in furniture (3) 24 Egg-yolk-based artists’ paint (7) 25 External (5) DOWN 1 French painter and sculptor (7) 2 A small-scale portrait painting (9) 3 Hanker (5) 4 Tastelessly showy (6) 5 Florid brilliant style (7) 6 Tedious routine (3) 7 Eagle’s nest (5) 12 Small compact writing desk (9) 14 The stage (7) 16 Part of radio set (7) 17 A tropical fruit (6) 18 Brief (5) 20 The same (5) 22 Awkward situation (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17495 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 17495 ACROSS: 1 Mummy, 4 Faberge, 8 Tan, 9 Alabaster, 10 Staunch, 11 Undue, 13 Equity, 15 Canvas, 18 Suede, 19 Andante, 21 Objet d’art, 23 Oak, 24 Tempera, 25 Outer. DOWN: 1 Matisse, 2 Miniature, 3 Yearn, 4 Flashy, 5 Bravura, 6 Rut, 7 Eyrie, 12 Davenport, 14 Theatre, 16 Speaker, 17 Banana, 18 Short, 20 Ditto, 22 Jam. What they’re saying Online Rising sea-levels threaten Cayman’s coastline Waiting patiently for those SMB beachfront prices to crash as they go underwater in the next 50 years. mr.rew345 Ridiculous, Ludicrous, Preposterous and Absurd. Rex Crane The problem I see here, is that this has been predicted already for the last 50 years and it simply didn’t happen. There is no scientific proof of a rising sea level, only predictions and assumptions. likefastcars_711 New report proposes ‘cheaper, greener’ east- west road link Will the government listen and take a different path? Wanda Viscount It’s crazy how disconnected people are. Most are willing to kill a living ecosystem just to get to their jobs on time, avoid traffic and exploit the land. These living ecosystems are far more important than our self-serving BS. Cayman only has one problem and it is PEOPLE!!! We cull the green iguana but we do worse than the green iguana. localknowledgecayman Cayman’s premier among top 10 highest paid world leaders Making that amount and complaining to pay $6 [an hour] that shows a lot. Mk Belcaries That’s an obscene amount of money while there are Caymanians barely getting by and some living on the beach or in their cars. Take $100,000 if you must but make the rest available to the people in every way possible! Virginia Ann Johnson Most Caymanians seem to be unconcerned about the huge amounts being paid to the local politicians as many of them have lucrative civil service jobs. Alan Mark Foster While some Caymanians are living in and out of their cars or moving to the UK, this is asinine. For such a small population, this is shocking. It should be the other way around. Every Caymanian should own a home and earning more. This is not how you care for your people. Richard McLean Ebanks-Wilks: ‘We can no longer be quiet about sustainability’ The biggest solution is move away from CUC diesel generation and find better lower cost solutions. Trash to energy, solar, wind, tidal. That is the biggest issue. Then get all these junk cars off the island. Sustainability needs to include agriculture and production of food. Why is that so hard here? The guys at the container growing operation get so much pushback from the government and OfReg. All this talk about sustainability. Clear the way for the people to do things without all this red tape. Opinion G. Do you think we can find some money for a glass-crushing machine again? Feels bad throwing all these beer and wine bottles and jars in the trash. Not Surprised A. Ebanks-Wilks, excellent speech! Joanne M. Marathon proves ‘engaging’ event for long- time couple True love is waking up every morning and still being in love with the person you have been together with for 36 years. Amanda Dominguez (daughter of Madelin Mora) It’s the best news Cayman Compass has ever published! Beatriz Monedero de Suarez Took him a while… congrats Kasia Kiel Maj I’m their oldest daughter and a living proof of their unbreakable and beautiful love, and I was patiently waiting for a comment like this one. We are from Cuba, and it’s very common in our country to date, live together, form a family and live forever in love without the need to sign a paper. There are countless of amazing couples in Cuba that don’t have the means to buy an engagement ring let alone plan a wedding but that doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other. My parents live in Cayman now and my sister and I are both married and my dad wanted to give my mom that same experience, the ring, the emotion, the wedding, the honeymoon; but their love will remain the same. Will quote a friend of mine when she found out that they weren’t married: “Well, maybe that is the secret because they have a love like no other.” Gemita Brett pic of the week Aspiring photographer Hannah Hammad, 17, captured this blue-throated anole while recently out in her Red Bay neighbourhood. The anole was snapped near the Cayman Islands Sailing Club. Hammad, who turns 18 on Christmas Day, says she has a passion for photography and would like to pursue it as a side job. She is taking a photography course at the moment, she said, and the anole photo was one of her assignments. She is also studying to become a teacher. Out on a limb cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky An expert anthropologist has been engaged to help police determine the identity of the male skeletal remains found in East End on 30 Nov. Police, in an update on the remains on Thursday, 7 Dec., said the man was believed to be between the ages of 20 and 30, and approximately 5’11” tall. “Forensic samples have been obtained and are undergoing complex examination and analysis that may assist with identification in the near future,” police added in the statement. At the time that the remains were discovered, according to police, the man was clad in a black top and black jeans with grey Manchester United shorts underneath and black Jordan slippers on his feet. There has been no indication of cause of death. Detectives are seeking the public’s help in possibly identifying the deceased. They have said inquiries relating to previously reported missing persons are being actively pursued. Police said an initial investigation of the circumstances of the incident led to the Health Services Authority bringing in the anthropologist to examine the remains in an attempt to assist the investigation. Speculation The origin of the body and the possible story behind the grisly find has been the subject of intense speculation in the community over the past few days. A mishap? A murder? Or something else? Henry McAllen Harris isn’t sure, but like everyone at the Big Tree BBQ, he can speak of little else. “It’s a puzzle, a mystery,” he said. The Big Tree BBQ founder - whose business is a short distance from the secluded mangrove area where the remains were found - said he is usually cautious, but the discovery has put him on “high alert”. Harris, who grew up in the Sand Bluff area in Gun Bay, has seen a lot over the years, from drug runners to illegal landers running through the community. “[There] is so much illegal activity in this eastern district that it could be anybody. [We] can’t say [if he is] from Jamaica. We can’t say [he is] from Cuba... We don’t know who it is,” he said, explaining that people in his tight-knit community have been checking on everyone to make sure all are accounted for. “We definitely know [it’s] not an East Ender,” he said. “From the time we hear ‘dead body’, we checked to make sure... no record of anybody missing in East End. It is a mystery and it’s really something that I can’t clear my mind on,” he told the Compass. He theorised it could be “somebody that came into the island that was hiding out and they got [into] difficulties,” he said, though he added, “I can be 100% wrong.” Police, in information released at the time the remains were discovered, said officers were “actively seeking information about missing persons, particularly from East End”. Secluded spot The Cayman Compass attempted to get to that spot in Gun Bay, but navigating the dense, bushy area proved to be a challenge. The entrance was marked by a grassy makeshift road that led to thick foliage further into the mangroves. The area was eerily quiet; there was no visible human activity and it was a distance away from the main road. Compass sources suggest the remains were stumbled upon by someone who had been surveying the area for future development. Dawson Whittaker, who lives on Austin Conolly Drive, a street over from the area where the remains were found, said he is concerned by the lack of information coming from authorities. “The police should have given some report on what they found so the public would know what’s happening around here,” he said. Whittaker said the incident has left him with an uneasy feeling. “It is really shocking and concerning. This neighbourhood is a quiet, peaceful area, and for this to happen, it’s worrying... Is it some family or somebody in the neighbourhood or somebody that they bring and dump there? It’s hard to tell how long it’s been there,” he said. Police, in their initial report, said it had been determined that the recovered remains were that of an adult male “who had been in this situation for an extensive period of time”. Theories run rampant East End residents have been speculating about who the man might have been and how he ended up in the mangroves. Theories abound – from Cubans fleeing their homeland to drug runners seeking refuge. The circumstances of the death was the topic of debate among a group of men gathered at the cabana at East End beach, a popular community meeting spot. They said the remains could belong to someone outside of the community as often there are reports of people from other districts coming to “hide from police”. “Plenty people come up here for different reasons... it could be anyone,” one resident said, as the other two men nodded in agreement. One resident on Seaview Road, East End, said he was cleaning his property last Thursday. He described seeing a commotion with police in the area. He and his neighbours observed the police helicopter overhead. He said when he saw the Crime Scene Investigation vehicle following a police car, he knew it was “not good”. “People are saying all kinds of things,... but no one knows for sure. It’s all speculation,” he said, returning to his yard work. Harris, meanwhile, suggested there should be a stronger border patrol in the area and that the Cayman Islands Regiment be posted at certain points along the coastline to stop illegal landings. Investigations under way The RCIPS confirmed to the Compass the discovery remains under investigation, but provided no further update to the public. The Compass understands that investigators are pursuing leads in Jamaica in their efforts to identify the remains, and has confirmed both law enforcement agencies, the RCIPS and the Jamaica Constabulary, are in communication. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Bodden Town CID at 947-2220. The quiet community of East End has been left with more questions than answers following the discovery of human remains in a mangrove area in Gun Bay. Mystery in the mangroves: Murder or mishap? Mystery in the mangroves: Murder or mishap? Henry McAllen Harris, of Big Tree BBQ. - Photos: Reshma Ragoonath East End resident Dawson Whittaker says the discovery of the human remains has left him very concerned. cayman compass 5 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023From a small office in 1973 to a world-class talent and business leader today, Deloitte’s story has been driven by a purpose to make an impact that matters and steered by a vision to build better futures together. At the core of our business is a robust Talent program focused on developing, mentoring, and sponsoring young Caymanian talent, paired with a community-focused Impact strategy, centered on programs that support children and youth development, and promote environmental sustainability and other community initiatives. Annually, Deloitte Cayman Islands’ 22 partners and over 200 employees actively engage with industry and professional associations, while also sponsoring, donating, and volunteering for local initiatives and non-profit organizations that positively impact our community. Celebrating five decades of making an impact in the Cayman Islands Deloitte is one of the largest professional services firms in the Cayman Islands, and our team has been serving clients locally, within the Caribbean, and worldwide for 50 years. Over the years, these organizations and programs have included, among others: • 100 Women in Finance • Alex Panton Foundation • Blue Iguana Conservation • Bonaventure Boys Home • BPW Cayman • Breast Cancer Foundation • Caribbean Regional Compliance Association • Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts • Cayman Arts Festival • Cayman Drama Society • Cayman Enterprise City • Cayman Finance • Cayman Heart Fund • Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants • Cayman Prep & High School • Cayman Rugby Football Union • Cayman Tennis Academy • Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre • Cayman’s ARK • Central Caribbean Marine Institute • CI Amateur Swimming Association • CI Basketball Association • CI Blood Bank • CI Cancer Society • CI Crisis Centre • CI Flag Football Association • CI Gymnastics Association • CI Humane Society • CI Inline Hockey Federation • CI Little League Baseball • CI Little League Hockey • CI Red Cross • CI Squash Club • Code Cayman • CyDEC • Department of Children and Family Services • East End Coral Nursery • Feed Our Future • GAIM Ops Cayman • Gender Equality Cayman • GirlForce 100 • Help For Children Cayman • Inclusion Cayman • IMAC (Cayman International Insurance) • INSOL International • IWIRC Cayman Islands • Jasmine • Junior Achievement • Leadership Cayman • LifeLine Cayman • Literacy is For Everyone (LIFE) • Meals On Wheels • Miss World Cayman Islands • Mission House • Movers For Life • National Gallery of the Cayman Islands • National Trust for the Cayman Islands • NCVO • One Dog At A Time • One2One • Pickleball Cayman • Plastic Free Cayman • R3 Cayman Foundation • Reef Renewal Cayman Islands • RISA Cayman • Special Olympics Cayman Islands • YMCA of the Cayman Islands cayman compass 6 WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023www.deloitte.com/ky Cindy Hislop started her career with Deloitte Cayman Islands as one of the firm’s first scholarship students. She attended the University of Illinois and worked at Deloitte as an Intern during the summer breaks, joining the firm full-time in 1994. After spending two years with the Cayman Islands office, Cindy was offered an 18-month secondment at Deloitte’s Boston office, an opportunity that provided her with valuable international experience, focusing on auditing larger fund complexes within the firm’s Financial Services Industry group. Upon returning to the Cayman Islands, Cindy continued her career within Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance practice, further specializing in alternative investment funds, and taking on active client-facing roles as well as internal roles. She has led the firm’s Cross Border Audit group for close to 15 years, and has also held the roles of Talent Partner - working closely with the human resources team on key initiatives to recruit and develop local talent; and Social Committee Leader – promoting teambuilding and platforms for employees to connect outside of work, and to give back to the community during our annual volunteer day ‘IMPACT Day’. Cindy’s role as the firm’s Crisis Management Team Leader saw her and her team play a key part in spearheading Deloitte’s COVID-19 response, prioritizing and supporting our people’s wellbeing, ensuring business continuity, and increasing community assistance. Cindy’s passion for the Cayman community has seen her mentor, develop and support young Caymanians and aspiring professionals within the industry and beyond. As a scholarship recipient herself, Cindy has always been involved in Deloitte’s Scholarship Committee – visiting and presenting to high schools, interviewing applicants and selecting annual recipients. She also holds a long-standing commitment to Help for Children Cayman ‘HFCC’, and currently chairs the charity’s Board of Directors. Cindy is a member of the HFCC Grants Committee, which to date has granted over US$5.1 million to organizations in the Cayman Islands that support HFCC’s mission to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. In addition, she sits on the charity’s global board. Cindy became the first female Partner at Deloitte Cayman Islands in 2008, and is now the firm’s first female Managing Partner. She is also a member of Deloitte’s Caribbean and Bermuda Countries (CBC) board, which governs the regional member firm Deloitte CBC. Meet Cindy Hislop, Managing Partner of Deloitte Cayman Islands “During my career at Deloitte, I had the privilege of working with outstanding leaders and mentors, and world-class talent and clients. I have been honoured to play an active role in the firm’s business growth and community investment over the past three decades. As Managing Partner, I remain committed to leading with integrity and empathy, and striving to make an impact through our work for our people, clients and community.” - Cindy Hislop, Managing Partner, Deloitte Cayman Islands The partners and team at Deloitte Cayman Islands congratulate Cindy on her appointment to Managing Partner, and proudly welcomed her into this new role on December 1, 2023. Cindy is Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants. She is the very proud mom of two children, both of whom are currently attending university. cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023REBECCA BIRD rbird@compassmedia.ky Telecommunications company C3 Pure Fibre has lost an application for leave to seek judicial review following a lengthy dispute with OfReg over the non-payment of licence fees. Grand Court Judge Ian Kawaley delivered his judgment on 1 Dec. in which he said the regulator was acting lawfully in seeking to collect the $500,000 in fees and interest. A spokesperson for the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg) told the Compass the body is pleased with the judge’s decision. “We are committed to ensuring that all operators and licensees are fully compliant with their obligations and will continue to work with the sector in this regard,” they added. The clash began when OfReg issued an enforcement notice to C3 over the non-payment of licence fees in July 2022. In response, the telecoms firm asked OfReg to clarify how the ‘royalty fee’ portion of the licence fees had been defined, and the respondent replied on 16 Feb., this year. Licence fees, the regulator stated in a press release in October, are collected from all information and communications technology licensees. They comprise two parts – a ‘royalty fee’ that OfReg collects on behalf of the government and a ‘regulatory fee’, which it said covers OfReg’s costs of regulating the sector. C3 – also known as Infinity Broadband – acting through its attorneys, asked the regulator to revoke the initial enforcement notice in a letter dated 17 March. Its letter claimed the respondent had no power to impose a ‘royalty fee’ or ‘regulatory fee’ and requested the return of past licence fee payments. OfReg did not rescind the initial notice, and instead issued a ‘final determination’ enforcement notice on 18 Aug. against the applicant. It said that the telecoms company was obligated to pay the fees and failure to do so was a breach of its licence. C3 responded by filing an application with the Grand Court for leave to seek judicial review on 29 Aug. Leave refused Legal representatives for C3 and OfReg, appeared before Judge Ian Kawaley in Grand Court on 20 Nov. to argue the case. “I find that leave to seek judicial review should be granted where the application has arguable merits,” Justice Kawaley said in his judgment. However, it should be refused when the application has no realistic prospect of success, he said. In his summary, he declined to postpone the case to a further hearing as the court had received “the benefit of full inter-partes argument on two discrete points of law”. And he refused leave because, he said, the respondent has validly made regulations prescribing the licence fee. The judge added that publication of the regulatory fee to the “world at large” was not a condition that preceded liability to pay it. He also said that “by notifying the applicant of the amount of the regulatory fee, the respondent has complied with the requisite publication requirements in any event”. The judge granted an application for a stay of the enforcement notice pending an appeal. “This is consistent with basic principles of fairness notwithstanding the refusal of the judicial review leave application since the appeal is still before the court,” the judge said. “The parties shall have liberty to apply for such further directions as may be required.” The spokesperson for OfReg said: “In this particular case, once the full legal process has completed, we will issue a further statement on the outcomes and enforcement actions.” C3 fails in OfReg licensing-fee challenge OfReg 'acted lawfully' in seeking $500,000 in fees from C3. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky When Oddy Grullon tore through the ribbon at the finish line in Sunday’s Cayman Islands marathon, the win was about more than just clocking a time or earning a trophy. On Sunday, in a time of 3:44:57, Grullon won the gruelling 26.2- mile event, which she has been participating in since 2010. She said she is still basking in her victory, personally and professionally, as a runner. “I am still in shock. I took over just a mile before [the] finish in the marathon. I couldn’t believe it when I broke that ribbon. I said, ‘That’s it, this is real, I won’,” Grullon recalled. As she approached the finish line, Grullon, who hails from the Dominican Republic, said everything she had been through came flooding back. “I was crying on the inside,” she said, adding that the entire moment was special on so many levels. With the victory, Grullon has firmly put the trauma of being attacked while running two years ago behind her. “This is what I love... running. I cannot let anybody take that from me,” Grullon said, when she appeared on Wednesday’s episode of the Cayman Compass talkshow ‘The Resh Hour’. Grullon described the challenges of recovering from the assault, as “a little bit tough at the beginning of [last] year and then it [became] a little bit more challenging for me,” she said, but was determined not to give up on her passion. Her attacker, Ruperth Hodgson Ingram, who pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, was jailed for 25 months. A race almost missed Looking back at the race, Grullon said it was like everything came together for her and led her to victory. She said days before the marathon she was still undecided about whether she would participate this year. “Everybody was asking me ‘Are you going to do the marathon? Are you going to do the marathon?’ and I said ‘I don’t know, I haven’t decided because I was like should I do it? No, yes, no. I wanted to take like a little break because I ran three other marathons before,” she said. Grullon said a friend went to sign up for the marathon on Saturday afternoon and called her. He asked if she was sure she did not want to run this year. That phone call gave Grullon the nudge she needed. She said she asked him to sign her up. “I got the number 77 and he got 78. He dropped it for me at work and I just got up early on Sunday and here I am,” she said, adding that she was ready for the race as she had continued training after running the Chicago marathon in October. “I was hoping... to run Tokyo, which is in 13 weeks, but I didn’t get a place,” she said. Grullon’s times in the marathons in Boston and Chicago this year were better than they have ever been. Cayman, she said, “felt different this year”. “I don’t know why. It’s not just because I won. It’s just that I was surprised with myself that I took [the course] so easy and [when] I finished, I wasn’t dying. Even if it was kind of a struggle and it was really hot, I felt okay,” Grullon said. ‘Just speak out’ Grullon said she wants her story to serve as inspiration. “Speak out and [seek] the support of your family and the community. Don’t keep silent when you go through domestic abuse or something that is hurting you. Just speak out,” Grullon said. She added she has been grateful for all the support she received from the community since she spoke out about her attack. She said the incident will always stay with her, but she is proud that she was able to turn that experience into something good, raising $25,000 for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre through her four-marathon challenge last year. “I had the strength to fight back, but it was very difficult for me to get out from bed, to open the door in the morning, to go running again. It took me about two months because I got injured. My leg was broken, it was very difficult,” she shared. Grullon said she is looking forward to running more marathons next year and said that she has been invited to run the Sydney marathon next September. ‘More than just a win’ for Oddy Grullon Grullon poses with her medal and trophy after winning the women’s category of the Cayman Islands Marathon on Sunday. Oddy Grullon crosses the finish line at the marathon. - Photos: Taneos Ramsay “This is what I love... running. I cannot let anybody take that from me,” cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 DECEMBER 2023 9Next >