Ghost Pepper Chicken Fries cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 19-25 January 2024 MPs’ $60,000 office allowance Page 6 Anyone for water polo? Page 24 Buying back the beach Page 5 In photos: One Dog Jog Page 23 10 solutions for homelessness Pages 18-19 In photos: Cayman Cookout Pages 20-21FIND 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 Partly cloudy isolated showers SEA STATE Moderate with a wave height of 3 to 5 feet. WINDS East to southeast at 10 to 15 knots. 87°F HIGH 75°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (PG-13) (FRI-SAT, MON-TUES, THURS) 7:20 | 10:00 (SUN) 6:40 VIP | 7:20 | 10:00 | 10:00 VIP (WED) 10:00 BEACON FARMS (PG-13) (WED) 6:30 MIGRATION (PG) (FRI, SUN-TUES, THURS) 4:55 | 5:00 VIP (SAT) 12:35 | 2:45 | 4:55 | 5:00 VIP (WED) 3:30 | 5:00 VIP NIGHT SWIM (PG-13) (FRI, MON-THURS) 4:00 | 6:45 | 7:20 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (SAT) 1:15 | 4:00 | 6:45 | 7:20 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (SUN) 4:00 | 6:45 | 7:15 VIP | 9:10 | 10:10 | 10:10 VIP THE BEEKEEPER (R) (FRI, MON-THURS) 4:00 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 7:30 | 10:10 VIP | 10:15 (SAT) 1:05 VIP | 4:00 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 7:30 | 10:10 VIP | 10:15 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KIDS CLUB ENCHANTED SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) KIDS CLUB CINDERELLA SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) THE COLOR PURPLE (PG-13) (FRI, MON, WED-THURS) 3:40 VIP | 3:50 | 6:50 VIP | 7:00 | 9:00 VIP | 9:30 (SAT) 12:40 | 12:50 VIP | 3:40 VIP | 3:50 | 6:50 VIP | 7:00 | 9:00 VIP | 9:30 (SUN) 3:40 VIP | 3:50 | 6:50 VIP | 7:00 | 9:25 VIP | 9:30 (TUES) 3:40 VIP | 3:50 | 7:00 | 9:00 VIP | 9:30 WONKA (PG) (FRI, MON-THURS) 3:50 (SAT) 1:10 | 3:50 (SUN) 3:50 | 4:00 VIP | 6:30 CLASSICS FOOTLOOSE (1984) TUESDAY 7PM VIP (PG-13) Tourist fined $1,000 for vaping in airplane bathroom American tourist Brendan Joseph Fallon, 36, was slapped with a $1,000 fine for vaping on a plane minutes before it landed in Grand Cayman. In what is believed to be the first case of its kind before a Cayman court, Fallon, a US Navy veteran, pleaded guilty in Summary Court on 12 Jan. to a charge of carrying out a “reckless and negligent act” by vaping in the bathroom of a United Airlines plane on Wednesday, 10 Jan. Fallon said he had vaped to try to calm his nerves as the jet from Newark, New Jersey, was preparing to land at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman. Attorney John Furniss told the court his client had anxiety about landing after he had spent four-and-a-half years working on a Navy aircraft carrier which necessitated dramatic landings on the ship by military aircraft. Fallon began vaping about 10 minutes before his flight landed in Cayman, setting off the plane’s fire alarm. He was arrested, and then bailed, by Customs and Border Control officers at the airport. Fallon had travelled to Cayman with his girlfriend to visit a friend who lives here. Man stabbed in chest during Prospect brawl A George Town man was arrested following a violent clash that ended with another man being hospitalised for stab wounds to his chest and back. The altercation, between three men, occurred about 6:15pm on 14 Jan. outside of a convenience store on Party Lane in Prospect, police said. The 43-year-old suspect was detained, and a second man is being sought by police in relation to the wounding. After being stabbed, the wounded man fled into the store and security officers locked the door behind him. The injured man was treated at Cayman Islands Hospital for what police described as non-life- threatening wounds. Woman arrested for rental scam A West Bay woman has been arrested after allegedly swindling individuals in a rental scam operated through a local advertising website. Police, in a 17 Jan. statement, said they arrested the 42-year- old woman on Saturday, 13 Jan., following reports of obtaining property by deception. The RCIPS said a prospective renter had alerted police after responding to an ad for a residential property for rent in the Prospect area and making payment to secure the property. After making that payment, the renter was no longer able to contact the seller. Police said the prospective renter reported that they had then discovered that the same property had been relisted for rent on the local website, which led them to believe that they had been scammed. According to a police press release, the RCIPS believes others may have also fallen victim to this rental scam and are encouraging them to report it. “Additionally, the public is being encouraged not to exchange any moneys regarding rental properties without first verifying that it is a legitimate advertisement, through viewing and other traceable means,” police advised. Anyone with information can call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Appeals court shortens murder sentence The Court of Appeal has reduced a 35-year prison sentence for convicted murderer William Ian Rivers, who publicly executed his neighbour, Mark ‘Hubba’ Seymour, while in a state of jealous paranoia. Cayman’s Conditional Release Act requires a mandatory minimum tariff for murder. In Rivers’s case, sentencing judge Justice Frank Williams, increased the 30-year mandatory minimum term to 35 years in prison before he would be eligible for parole. In addition to the five-year departure from Cayman’s mandatory minimum murder tariff, Williams is said to have failed to provide his reasons for increasing Rivers’s sentence – a matter the appeal judges found regrettable. “This is unfortunate since they are an important feature of his decision that the minimum term should exceed the statutory minimum under Schedule 12 (3) of the Conditional Release of Prisoners Regulations, 2016 by five years,” noted Justice Sir Alan Moses in his written judgment, which was released on Thursday, 11 Jan. In that judgment, Moses noted that convicted murders Justin Ramoon and Osbourne Douglas, who were convicted of a similarly grizzly murder, were both given lower tariffs of 32 and 33 years, respectively. Regional disaster responders converge in Cayman Joint disaster response capabilities were at the centre of discussions between Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Jamaica Defence Force officials and members of a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team, which commenced on 16 Jan. The visit, dubbed ‘Event Horizon’, included a tour of Cayman’s disaster response-and- relief capabilities. Hazard Management Director Danielle Coleman, responding to Cayman Compass queries on the visit via email on 17 Jan., said it was an important part of building and maintaining key relationships within the region. “Whilst we have been fortunate enough to be in a position to assist other countries over the last few years, including the response to Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Dorian (2019), we recognize the need of building strong relationships with our regional counterparts so that we can assist each other when the need arises,” she said. The visiting team, which included responders from Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Bahamas, were taken on a tour of Hazard Management’s logistics and operations warehouse, the emergency field hospital, the Cayman Islands Regiment headquarters, and the National Emergency Operations Centre. Coleman said, given the small size and relative isolation of the Cayman Islands, “surge capacity in the form of personnel and response capabilities will significantly assist Cayman’s response to any large- scale emergency that requires external support”. Members of the Jamaica Defence Force and Disaster Assistance Response Team also met with Governor Jane Owen and representatives of the Cayman Islands Coast Guard and the Cayman Islands Regiment. Hazard Management Director Danielle Coleman and colleagues, with Jamaica Defence Force officials and members of a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team during their visit to Grand Cayman on 16 Jan. - Photo: Hazard Management Cayman Islands cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 20241234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Of very low-growing habit (5) 4 Enchant (7) 8 Drain away (3) 9 Large snakelike marine fish (6,3) 10 Professional entertainer (7) 11 Sycophant (5) 13 Pay casual visit (4,2) 15 Fanatic (6) 18 Undue hurry (5) 19 Dashing confident air (7) 21 Large voracious sea fish (9) 23 As well (3) 24 Frame to support table top (7) 25 Be worthy of (5) DOWN 1 Strongly resisting change (3-4) 2 Large long-winged seabird (9) 3 Concentrate attention (5) 4 Reinforced underground shelter (6) 5 Grapple (7) 6 Fasten (3) 7 Prickly-leaf evergreen shrub (5) 12 Crocodilian animal (9) 14 Approximate (7) 16 Prove to be the case (4,3) 17 Undertake (6) 18 Usual practice (5) 20 Frighten (5) 22 Mass of fish eggs (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17531 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 17531 ACROSS: 1 Dwarf, 4 Bewitch, 8 Ebb, 9 Conger eel, 10 Artiste, 11 Toady, 13 Drop in, 15 Zealot, 18 Haste, 19 Swagger, 21 Barracuda, 23 Too, 24 Trestle, 25 Merit. DOWN: 1 Die-hard, 2 Albatross, 3 Focus, 4 Bunker, 5 Wrestle, 6 Tie, 7 Holly, 12 Alligator, 14 Inexact, 16 Turn out, 17 Assume, 18 Habit, 20 Alarm, 22 Roe. What they’re saying Online Grand Cayman’s highest- ever temperature recorded in 2023 The new normal. Is Cayman prepared? aapoetik El Niño does that. I remember a once-in-a-lifetime winter without snow in Canada during El Niño about 30 years ago. Plus, with the cyclical warming of the planet, it’s to be expected that temps will be slightly hotter. Wait until El Niña when the summer will be grey, cold and rainy, lol! I prefer the heat. wallstpete Yep, keep tearing down the trees, it’s going to help. fabulosity345_beeangel Stop cutting down trees and pouring concrete. klj104 Changes planned but premier insists conservation law won’t be ‘gutted’ We need stricter legislation, not less! How much of our island needs to be torn up and disappear before the government and planning take it seriously? Half the beaches are gone and mangroves are continuously torn up without repercussion. We can’t continue like this. We need some backbone again because it’s obviously sorely lacking. Liz Houghton Please consider the next generation. Don’t make decisions now that will harm them in the future. Dalian Forbes A new $50 million high school, three new community centres, expansion of day care, all on the Brac – is all this activity after the change of government just a coincidence? Will they get all their roads repaved? Trusty2man D. Overdue report holds up East-West Arterial progress You forgot to mention that even without the environmental impact assessment, the National Roads Authority can’t build without the hydrology report. (It would be like building on the bank of a river and not knowing how the river floods.) NRA knows this. Interesting that the public never seems to get told it. John B. Thank you Cayman Compass for sharing the optioneering report. Hydraulic structures engineering is one of the most important fields of civil and environmental engineering, with challenges arising from new and complex environmental issues, refurbishment of aging infrastructure and increasing resilience to climate change. Sustainable Cayman An additional bypass is well overdue and especially restrictive for emergency services should an accident happen, blocking the single road we have. We need an alternative. However, we also need to include future population growth and add an above-ground passenger tram that’s consistent and reduces traffic! Jon Soto Another road is needed, but a public transport system will not work unless we limit the ever- increasing number of vehicles being imported, including heavy- duty trailers and large trucks. It is also time to put a cap on immigration! Dexter Rivers New shipping box brings taste of home to Cayman student I remember carrying conch stew frozen into the US. Those were good times. Haven’t tried it recently at all. Sasha W Hodgson When my son was in the Navy and he was stationed in Japan, I sent him a care package with Cayman-style beef. I sent it through the Postal Service here on island. Patricia Stoll Yes, please, more info ‘cause right now I’m craving cassava cake and I ain’t close to home. Sai Powery OMG! Gotta brace my poor mom for the weekly East End fish fry requests I’m about to be sending. This is really exciting for those of us abroad! Lauren Moore Pretty normal to ship homemade goodies to school kids, etc. Regina Ecclefield East End beach carpark may increase coastal erosion, says DoE So, if not even the government is following setbacks, how can they expect others to do so? What’s the point of setbacks if they are constantly waived. “Rules for thee, not for me.” rhiancamp What about the erosion at Starfish Point and Kaibo resulting in all those trees blowing down? At what point will DoE do something useful instead of being an obstacle? Not Surprised A. Protect the land. Don’t let them do it. Bruce L. ‘Surprise’ port-fees increase comes under fire from Opposition Only thing new here is MORE struggling. sir_clarke Some of us can’t shop locally because of the high prices and now this. We shouldn’t even be paying duty on food imports, in my opinion. controlledanarchy A pile of DUMMIES we have in government. anna_marie305 “Unexpected increase”? This was discussed in the House. Where is the opposition? The government is paid to represent the people. The Opposition is paid to oppose when government is not in the people’s favour. Both sides not doing their jobs. Time for the people to stand up and speak out! Stop selling out your beautiful country for a turkey! island_dream_photography Cayman Brac harbour and marina plan undergoes lengthy EIA When is the continuous over- development of our islands going to stop? Natascha Schroll-McLaughlin What a catastrophe! Would someone start to rally against the BS government is allowing? I’m in! Lilly Jane Readers are reacting to a recent story about the hottest temperature in Grand Cayman last year – 95.5°F in July – being the warmest on record. cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky With little fanfare and limited publicity, government has spent nearly $30 million in the past two years to buy almost 50 pieces of land as part of a plan to create new public parks and beaches. Projects in the works include a new ‘Central Park’ in Scranton; a community park in Prospect at the site of the hurricane-ravaged Mariner’s Cove property, bought for $2.7 million in February; and a new public beach at Pease Bay in Bodden Town. Other significant purchases include several seafront plots in North Side, including one bought for $2.1 million, and a large plot on the Bluff on Cayman Brac for $3.8 million. Government has also moved to buy up land for schools, housing and conservation as part of an island-wide strategy. Another $10 million has been earmarked for more purchases this year. The Pease Bay project is among the most advanced of the waterfront parks currently on the table. Work to landscape the site and create a parking lot, vendor village and volleyball court is expected to be completed by the end of this year. A billboard outlining the plans had been unveiled at the site, currently covered in casuarina trees beside a sandy beach fronting an extremely shallow lagoon covered in seagrass (pictured above). Wilbur Welcome, the chief officer in the Ministry of Lands, insisted the plan does not involve any excavation of the shoreline to make it more suitable for swimming. While the broad project of buying land for public use has wide support, there are some concerns surrounding more commercial elements of the Pease Bay project, including space for vendors and tour buses, with campaign group Sustainable Cayman urging government to focus on preserving land for future generations rather than utilising it for tourism. In emailed responses to questions from the Compass, Welcome said government was seeking to offer a variety of options at public parks and beaches, and insisted that many of the parcels acquired would be left in their natural state. He said the Pease Bay project was one of a number of land purchases aimed at creating new spaces for recreation and conservation. Welcome said all of the land purchases should be viewed with “great hope, potential and optimism” by the people of Cayman. He said all of the land acquisitions would, in different ways, “play a vital role in returning to the people of these islands, lands that they can use in various ways to enhance their lives”. There has been very little publicity around what appears to be a major policy push from the government over the past two years to buy land for recreation, housing, schools and, in some cases, for conservation. Premier: ‘We are buying for future generations’ Premier Juliana O’Connor- Connolly did reference the policy when she appeared alongside Welcome on government radio on Friday – after the Compass submitted questions on the issue. She said government had been “quietly, yet legally” acquiring land both for current projects and for future use. The premier, who took over the helm of the country in November but had been minister for district administration and lands for some time, said she was concerned that there would be nothing left for future generations if government did not buy and preserve land. “While I am here I am going to purchase all that money will avail itself to,” she said, adding that the “Lord makes no mistakes when he makes you minister of finance”. O’Connor-Connolly, who is now premier, lands minister, education minister and finance minister, added, “We will not spend it foolishly but at the end of the day they will know who we are developing for – Caymanians.” Government has bought 48 land parcels A list of government purchases provided to the Compass on request shows that government has bought a total of 48 properties since January 2022 for a total price of $27.4 million. A further 17 small lots – already protected from development as ‘lands for public purpose’ – were transferred to the Crown for free by landowners, strata or developers. The purchases have focused heavily on East End, North Side and the Sister Islands, as well as a few key parcels in George Town. The majority of the land purchases – 37 out of 48 – were ‘general land acquisitions’ while 11 of the overall total were bought for conservation purposes. Welcome said some of the most significant purchases included: • The acquisition of multiple ‘Central Park’ properties to provide for a large green space in the centre of George Town; • A large parcel in East End to help expand the Salina Reserve; • Land on the Bluff on Cayman Brac close to the lighthouse and Peter’s Cave; • Multiple parcels of land adjacent to existing schools to help facilitate future expansion. One of the core elements of the project is acquiring beach and waterfront lands to ensure easy access to the ocean for current and future generations. While some of those properties will be developed into parks, with amenities including restrooms, others will remain in “their natural state”, said Welcome, with the aim to provide a variety of experiences for visitors and residents. He said there was a budget for the Pease Bay project this year, while others, including the Mariner’s Cove site (pictured on front page), were still in the planning phase. The premier indicated in Friday’s radio appearance that the policy would continue, and Welcome indicated that more purchases for conservation purposes are expected following consultation with the National Conservation Council over recommended parcels. He said government was also focusing on acquiring land around major intersections for “future CIG needs”. Speaking on Radio Cayman, Welcome also spoke about a piece of land acquired on Cayman Brac with a view to creating temporary housing for construction workers on a number of upcoming major projects on the island, including a new high school. He said the building would provide a “legacy asset” for sports tourism and other uses. The general policy of buying land for recreational spaces and conservation areas has broad support. Conservation and recreation versus exploitation However, there are some concerns about the specifics of some of the projects. In an email to the Compass, the Sustainable Cayman ambassadors offered support for the policy of buying beachfront land for recreation and conservation. But the group is less thrilled about plans for commercial activity on beaches. On the Pease Bay project, the group took issue with “environmentally disruptive developmental elements”, including a decorative stone turtle, a parking lot designed to accommodate tour buses and food vendor trucks, a volleyball court and multiple gazebos. “We can’t help but wonder, was this area designed for the people of Cayman and Bodden Town, or a commercial hub for cruise ship and stayover tourists?” The group says it supports lighter development like restrooms, picnic tables and infrastructure to support camping, but would like to see the focus remain on conservation and recreation over potential commercial use for tourism. It added, “We believe that such land and ecosystems of value should remain as space for the people of Cayman in current and future generations to come, and that there is a need for public engagement so that the intentions are clear concerning the acquisition of beach property for the community.” Multi-million-dollar plan to buy back the beach The government plans to create a new public beach at Pease Bay in Bodden Town. - Photo: James Whittaker cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024 5REBECCA BIRD rbird@compassmedia.ky An annual allowance of $60,000 is given to each of the 19 elected members of parliament to pay to run their constituency offices. But the way the cash is actually used appears to vary widely, and there is no legal obligation for legislators to record or report any of their expenditure. The $5,000 a month, which is automatically issued to the MPs alongside their salary, is allocated for expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies and general maintenance. Staff members are paid for separately. Of the 19 MPs, only nine run individual offices, while the others choose to work from their homes, businesses, government buildings or party headquarters, or share office space. This saves money on rent which can then be spent on supporting needy constituents, MP Alden McLaughlin, who is based in the Progressives party headquarters, told the Compass. MP Joey Hew, who rents an “affordable space” in his father’s building, said he spends the remaining cash on providing free computer and internet access, helping the elderly and more. Meanwhile, MP McKeeva Bush, who works from his West Bay home, insisted that running an office does not cost just “a few dollars” and MPs help people in all kinds of ways. However, due to the lack of requirement to report these spends, it is unclear how an annual total of $1.14 million in public funds is spent. No audit Auditor General Sue Winspear last year flagged the allowance in a report detailing the remuneration of Cabinet, judiciary, members of Parliament, and key civil service management. “It is government policy to pay the $60,000 constituency allowances without any need to evidence spending,” she told the Compass. “As auditor general, I am not able to give a view on policy matters, but it is self-evident that submitting claims to demonstrate spending would provide greater accountability to the public on how these constituency allowances are used.” Clerk of the Parliament Zena Merren-Chin confirmed that the constituency allowance is automatically provided each month to the MPs, under the Parliamentary (Management) (Amendment) Act, 2022, and that “there is no requirement for an accounting of the amount”. The level of allowance and associated rules in Cayman contrasts significantly to those in the UK. In 2023, the maximum annual budget for London MPs’ offices and related expenses was £31,620 and for others it was £28,570 – about half of that routinely given to Cayman MPs. UK members of parliament are also required to submit expense claims, and most total claims for 2022-2023 were well under budget. Where they share an office, they can only claim the appropriate share of costs and rent and, if they use a party headquarters, it must be rented at the market rate. If they run a home office, they cannot claim rent, and can claim only for additional costs. Fewer than half of MPs had their own constituency office A constituency office is a local base for a political representative, where constituents can seek assistance and discuss issues. It serves as a connection point between the representative and the community they serve. At the time of its publication, the auditor general’s report stated that only eight of the 19 MPs had an independent constituency office in 2023. The names of the individual MPs were not released in the report, so the Compass reached out to the House of Parliament for a list of constituency offices. The full list, dated October 2023, was received on 8 Jan. At the time, George Town South MP Barbara Conolly and George Town West MP David Wight shared an office at the Sigma Building on 93 Hospital Road. Savannah MP Heather Bodden and Newlands MP Wayne Panton shared an office at 8 Homestead Crescent Drive, Savannah. Red Bay MP Alden McLaughlin and George Town East MP Roy McTaggart were both based out of the Progressives’ headquarters on Crewe Road in George Town. North Side MP Jay Ebanks was based in the North Side Civic Centre government building and West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush had a home office. And finally, Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman MP Moses Kirkconnell and George Town North MP Joey Hew had offices in their respective business premises. Although the Cayman Brac East MP and now Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly was listed as having a home office, parliament has since corrected this. According to clerk Merren-Chin, she has long been based at No 2 Catboat Plaza, Stake Bay Road, Cayman Brac East. Allowance provided under the law The Compass reached out to each of the MPs detailed above to ask their thoughts on the constituency office allowance. Five provided responses to Compass questions. Hew said he leases a space in his father’s building, which also houses his two companies, for his constituency office. “I do not own any shares in the building, even though I am a director of the land holding company,” he said. Hew explained that he, and a full time assistant – paid for separately to the allowance – offer several services from the office. These include free access to computers and internet, as well as assistance with government applications. They also help the elderly to collect medications and attend doctors appointments, and process passport and visa applications. “Other expenses include the purchase and maintenance of computers, photocopiers, and telephones,” Hew said. “I am fortunate that I have access to an affordable space, but I still have to fund maintenance and upkeep of the office,” he added. Speaker of the House McLaughlin said that having a district office in the Progressives headquarters has been the practice for “many years and over many terms, by many MPs, both past and present”. In addition to seeing constituents and residents there, he also sees them at his own office next to his home in Prospect Park, he explained. McLaughlin stressed that the money for the office is provided according to the law, and is an “allowance, not an expense account”. “Its objective is to assist elected MPs to provide ready access and assistance to their constituents,” he said. “The question as to whether an MP has adequately serviced the needs of his or her constituents is readily determined at the next poll.” He insisted that the allowance is not just to set up and keep an office functioning but often used to provide financial assistance to constituents in times of emergency. He said that, while there is a Needs Assessment Unit, the “stark reality” is that bureaucracy and delays mean that desperate people often turn to their MPs for help. “And, in my experience, every MP does his or her best to help the legitimate needy cases.” He added that in many cases, the allowance “falls short of what most MPs spend to provide ready access and assistance to their constituents”. MP McKeeva Bush stressed to the Compass that the allowance is provided by the law. He said he is not the first, nor the only one, to run an office from his home, and that he caters to the whole community, not just his constituency. “The purpose is for us to be accessible to our community privately and confidentially of their needs,” he said. Bush said having an office at home allows for him to cater to his constituents at all times. “I don’t have to jump in my car and travel to an office somewhere in West Bay - it’s right on my premises,” he said. In a joint comment, former premier and Newlands MP Wayne Panton and Savannah MP Heather Bodden said the allowance is provided “without inquiry”, as according to the law. They said there are “unavoidable and historical reasons” for maintaining a joint office, including that the constituency of Newlands is exclusively a residential community. The business area around the intersection of Hirst Road and Shamrock Road is the most convenient location for both constituencies, the MPs added. They said their situation is “not an isolated case” and there are other MPs that share offices. “So, yes, we do believe that the setup is justified in our circumstances and the funds received are appropriately applied for the intended purpose.” The aggregate costs of services provided to the respective constituencies “easily exceeds” the allowances provided for under the law, they told the Compass. “We neither receive nor rely on donations from third parties. We pay the excess costs from our own funds.” Salaries and allowances In 2022, the government paid $6 million in total, or $284,947 each on average, to MPs for their wage and expenses, the auditor general’s report revealed. Their average salary was $172,828. The basic annual salary for an MP in the UK from 1 April 2023 was £86,584. Allowances – including district office expenses – were the second- highest component of the MPs’ remuneration. MPs get $60,000 each to run district offices No requirement to account for how it’s spent The number of MPs, out of 19, who have their own constituency offices “It is government policy to pay the $60,000 constituency allowances without any need to evidence spending.” Sue Winspear, Auditor General cayman compass 6 news N news WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024®/™Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Mass_NRG_WhiteLine_Bleed_NoMask_CMYKThroughout our remarkable 60 year journey, RBC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility has played a pivotal role in enriching communities by championing initiatives that positively impact youth, education, and the environment – paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our loyal clients, dedicated employees, and valued partners who have been pivotal in our journey. We look forward to continuing to grow and make a positive impact in The Cayman Islands with your support. 3 7 4 8 2 6 1 5 Top image - Race for the Kids 2023 1. Chamber Earth Day Clean Up 2. Batabano Junior Carnival 3. UCCI Scholarship Program 4. Boys 2 Men Tutoring Program 5. Breast Cancer Awareness 6. RBC Brass Band Afterschool Program 7. RBC Spelling Bee 8. National Trust Tree Planting Celebrating 60 Years of Community Celebrating 60 Years of Community cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 19 25 JANUARY 2024Make the most of your holiday in a private villa. The Cayman Villas team are here to assist you with all your holiday needs. PRIVATE RETREATSAMAZING RATESBEACH FRONT BLISS Choose from over 70 beachfront villas and condos across Cayman. Perfect for work, rest or play. We have a fantastic selection properties at a range of great rates to suit your budget. Visit our website to view more! 1.345.945.4144 | reservations@caymanvillas.com | www.caymanvillas.com | Cayman Villas goes the extra mile to create a unique holiday experience for all our guests. Our on-island specialists are here to ensure you find your perfect holiday or business retreat. View or book all our properties online or call us today to find your Cayman home away from home! FOR WORK, REST OR PLAY – STAY WITH US! REBECCA BIRD rbird@compassmedia.ky Only 34 out of more than 120 applicants have been granted permits to sell goods or services at Seven Mile Public Beach Park – and those without have been ordered to leave. The permits have been a long time coming for many business owners who have battled with authorities for years over the legality of working at the popular stretch of beach. But strict new restrictions detailed in the Seven Mile Public Beach Park Vendor Policy limit how, when and where they can work. Meanwhile, those who did not make the cut for the limited spaces or did not apply were sent cease and desist letters to leave the site within 30 days, before 14 Feb. A press release from the Lands Ministry said police, the Public Lands Commission and other enforcement agencies will work together to enforce regulations. The penalty for conviction of a first offence of carrying on a commercial activity on public land without a permit is a fine of $5,000 or prison for six months, or both. The strict action is in response to “various complaints and occurrences of illegal activity” at the beach park including issues related to vendors, the ministry said. Wilbur Welcome, acting chief officer at the Ministry of Lands, told the Compass the Public Lands Inspectorate can now enact measures in the Public Lands Act and Regulations. “While we understand the desire for persons to vend we must balance this with the CIG policy and the wider public’s request for public beaches to be vending free,” he said. The commission plans to upload the list of the approved vendors to its website “in due course”, the release added. No information The Lands Ministry said the permits and letters had been issued on Monday, 15 Jan. However, one applicant, who chose to remain anonymous, told the Compass they had not yet received any indication of whether they had been granted a permit. “The information that the government sent was not accurate. I’ve been checking my emails nonstop – nothing has appeared.” They continued: “I went down to the Public Lands Commission [on 16 Jan.], and I was told that they’re closed because they’re busy, that they’re in the process of issuing permits, and I can look out for an email from them anytime soon.” The vendor said they applied for a permit, even before the new policy was approved, and updated it as required. “It’s been since January last year, so over a year now, we’ve been waiting on this permission.” A year later In March 2023, the PLC issued 17 traders with cease-and-desist notices during an enforcement operation aimed at ridding the beach of illegal vendors. This was not followed up with any arrests and left sellers confused as to how they could operate legally at the beach, which is frequented by cruise ship tourists. Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan told the Compass in April that a policy was in the works, saying it would allow traders to “know what their future’s going to be”. In April 2023, Cabinet approved the Seven Mile Public Beach Park Vendor Policy – an operational guide for the commission to process permit applications and manage the area. Caymanian vendors that had been operating from Seven Mile Public Beach for over a decade told the Compass at the time that they welcomed the new policy. But they said permits must actually be awarded and the policy enforced to allow those operating legally to continue unhindered, and others removed from the beach. The commission’s then chairman, Woody DaCosta, said at the time the ultimate goal of the policy was to give the public access to the organised provision of food, drinks and other services. It clearly defined the role of a vendor, he said, along with parameters which “strike a balance” between their interest and the good of the general public. To apply for the permit, sellers must pay an initial fee of $100 and then $75 per year. Other annual fees include $250 per boat, $50 per jet ski and $250 for floating devices. The new rules state sellers will be restricted to operating from the blue-and-green vendor kiosks, where electricity will be provided. Only food-and-beverage stalls and trucks, local produce sellers, and water-sports and beach-gear assistants will be allowed to operate outside the kiosks. Vendors will not be permitted to operate at weekends and on public holidays. Only a third of applicants granted beach-vendor permits Previously, vendors had set up tents, others had taken over the public cabanas. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024To register visit CICS.KY It’s time to Stride together again! It’s time to Stride together again! PR OUDL Y MADE PO S SIBLE B Y All proceeds benefit For information email info@cics.ky or call 949-7618 To register visit CICS.KY All proceeds benefit For information email info@cics.ky or call 949-7618 JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Government is planning changes to the National Conservation Act to provide a new balance between protecting the environment and considering people, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said Friday. Speaking on Radio Cayman’s ‘For the Record’ show, the premier said she was moved to correct what she described as misinformation about discussions that took place during a ‘retreat’ for government leadership on Cayman Brac earlier this week. “It was erroneously reported that we intended to gut it,” she said, in reference to the conservation law. It was unclear what report she was referring to and the premier gave few details about what government considers the problematic parts of the law. She was not asked any questions on the matter during the appearance on government radio. Certain provisions of the law have been questioned by some, including the Central Planning Authority, which has described the conservation-related approval process as a “circus”. One such provision is the requirement for the Central Planning Authority to seek advice from the National Conservation Council on development applications and, in some cases, where environmentally protected land is impacted, to follow that advice to the letter. The requirement for major infrastructure projects, such as the East-West Arterial extension or pending proposals for a new cargo port or an extended airport runway, to undergo environmental impact assessments, is also considered contentious by some. The Department of Environment has always defended the provisions, insisting that the advice of experts is needed to minimise or mitigate any negative impacts from development on Cayman’s natural world. Speaking cryptically, the premier said, “We believe that in order for the environment to be properly protected, it also has to include a consideration of the Caymanian people. “I think that it was never the intent that the National Conservation [Act] would be executed in such a unilateral fashion that the people that you’re hoping to preserve it for are feeling the pinch of a size-six shoe when it should be a size-nine shoe.” She also made reference to ‘conflicts of interest’ of people carrying out administrative duties and acting as voting members, but gave no specifics and was not asked to elaborate. She said any changes would go through caucus and out to public consultation. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, the new Minister for Sustainability, who also appeared on ‘For the Record’ Friday, added that elected members would liaise with ministry staff over any legislative reform. Ebanks- Wilks appeared alongside Neyka Webster, who was introduced as the acting chief officer in the ministry. No mention was made of Jennifer Ahearn, who held the role until recently but appears to have now moved out of the ministry. Legislative plans The premier said the conservation law was just one of a number of pieces of legislation under the microscope during the retreat on the Brac. She said a national referendum was also discussed. She didn’t specify the topic but previous plans were hatched for referendums on decriminalisation of ganja and gambling, and Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan recently proposed reviving the referendum on cruise piers. O’Connor-Connolly said her administration was also planning timetabled legislative sessions, with the first scheduled for 26 Feb., pending the approval of the Speaker. A new Tenancy Act is on the cards for that session. The findings of the electoral boundary report and Election Act reforms are also expected this year. The premier said she has requested a report on campaign financing reforms, despite acknowledging it was “a delicate subject” that many politicians did not want to discuss. “The public wants to discuss it, so I have to try to find the balance to move that forward,” she said. New Brac projects There was also a rundown of new projects from Wilbur Welcome, chief officer in the Ministry of District Administration and Lands, part of the premier’s portfolio. These projects include three new community centres, repurposed from disused buildings, on Cayman Brac; the expansion of day care coverage on the Brac; and a new building to house construction staff working on major projects, which he said could eventually be reused for other purposes, including sports tourism. Meanwhile, a government spokesperson, in answer to Compass questions earlier this week about the planned changes to the conservation law, said it was one of many matters that was being discussed. “Several pieces of legislation were considered but no determinations on legislative reform have been made at this stage. While efforts to review existing legislation and introduce new bills are an important part of the work ahead for the new administration, we are only having discussions at this stage,” the spokesperson said via email. Additional reporting by Reshma Ragoonath. Changes to conservation law planned Premier insists it won’t be ‘gutted’ cayman compass 9 news N news WEEKLY, 19-25 JANUARY 2024Next >