Five new flavors cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 2-8 February 2024 Navigating divorce through mediation Pages 5-6 Police chief addresses gang violence Page 10 Clash of tourism visions Vendors fi ght for livelihoods on Seven Mile Beach Pages 22-24 Photo: Taneos RamsayMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 • Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 • E: sales@compassmedia.ky • W: caymancompass.com weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Slight chance isolated showers SEA STATE Rough with a wave height of 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open water WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots. 87°F HIGH 75°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCHGILLIES news in brief McKeeva Bush trial to start in February West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush is expected to proceed to trial on 19 Feb., following a brief court appearance on Wednesday, 31 Jan. for a jury selection proceeding. Bush, a veteran politician, faces two counts of indecent assault and two counts of common assault, all of which he denies. During the brief Grand Court matter on Wednesday, a jury questionnaire was circulated ahead of a provisional jury selection day of 13 Feb. Bush was granted bail, and is expected to return to court next month. The charges against him stem from an alleged incident on 13 Sept. 2022, during a regional tourism conference hosted by the government at The Ritz- Carlton hotel. Bush was originally expected to proceed to a jury trial on 11 Sept. last year; however, on the eve of the trial, his attorney Dennis Brady successfully applied to have the matter moved to early November. Then, the day before the scheduled November trial, the matter was pushed back again, until 19 Feb. Alfresco closes its doors after 18 years Alfresco restaurant in West Bay has been met with an outpouring of community support, following news the much-loved Italian, Caribbean, and seafood seaside eatery would be closing its doors on 28 Jan., after 18 years. Members of the public fl ocked to the West Bay seaside eatery after the closure was announced on social media to give support on its fi nal weekend. “It’s unsustainable,” owner and chef, Phillip Wilson, 58, told the Compass. “Financially and emotionally, I cannot take any more of the stress.” Wilson said, with an “unfair” increase in rent and costs, paying off debt and recovering from the fi nancial strain of COVID-19, he could not catch a break. He made the closure announcement on social media 26 Jan., prompting mixed reactions from people, including shock and sadness, and concerns over the reasons for the closure. While many residents have expressed their disappointment in the closure, Wilson said “a new Alfresco will emerge from the dust again, but not at this location”. Man’s face burned following clash A man suffered burns to his face when a co-worker threw corrosive liquid at him in an altercation at a complex on South Sound Road on 29 Jan. Police arrested a 29-year-old Bodden Town man for suspected grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident. The RCIPS said it was reported that the victim and the other man were both working at the complex, in the vicinity of Grand Harbour, on the morning of the altercation. Police said it was reported that the suspect took a bottle of fl uid from his vehicle and threw it on the victim’s face, causing the burns. He received “suspected serious injuries”. It is unclear what fl uid was used in the incident. Police said the victim called 911 and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Offi cers went to the complex to locate the suspect at the time but he wasn’t there. Just before 7pm that evening, the suspect turned himself in at the George Town Police Station. DoE warns about invasive lizard The Department of Environment has issued an invasive species alert following the discovery of a red-headed rock agama lizard in Grand Cayman on 25 Jan. The DoE “has long kept an eye out for the [lizard] which can worryingly be thought of as the ‘next green iguana,’” the department said. Though it is believed to be an “accidental import”, the DoE is advising the public to be on the lookout for the small reptile, which is found in most of sub- Saharan Africa. “Once established, the Agamas are much harder to control than are Green Iguanas due to their smaller size,” the DoE said in a post on its offi cial Facebook page. The male lizard was found in the industrial centre of George Town, next to the container yard where international shipments have their fi rst port of call in the islands, the DoE said, adding that the discovery of the lizard is likely a "one-off accidental import". “If you see this lizard, or any other exotic looking animal in the wild, please contain it if possible and contact the DoE Terrestrial Unit immediately by WhatsApp on 925-7625 or email doe@gov.ky,” the department said. Protestor on trial for being idle and disorderly Cayman resident Lovell Marriott, who was originally arrested on suspicion of indecently exposing herself while protesting outside the Government Administration Building, appeared in Summary Court on 29 Jan., on a charge of being idle and disorderly. Marriott, who denied the charge and represented herself in court, suggested that the charge against her was part of an effort to infringe on her constitutional right to protest. During her questioning of the investigating offi cer, Police Sergeant Christopher Donaldson, he revealed that former Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne had personally requested that he investigate the incident. “I did receive a call from the police commissioner who told me that they had received a report of indecent exposure and that I was to investigate the matter,” confi rmed Donaldson. Marriott then suggested that Donaldson attempted to tell the security guard at the Government Administration Building, Samuel Jackson, what to say in his statement and while giving evidence. This was the second time Marriott was on trial for the same matter. In August 2023, Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn aborted the trial two days into the process, resulting in the new trial. Marriott remains on bail, pending a decision on the trial. Port worker injured in industrial accident A port worker was injured while on duty at the Port Authority in George Town on Monday afternoon, 29 Jan. It was the second industrial incident at the facility in as many weeks. Police confi rmed to the Compass, “There was an industrial accident on Portland Road which police and other emergency services responded to. A man was transported to hospital by ambulance.” According to social media reports, the man sustained a broken leg in the incident. In another incident last month, a port mechanic suffered a “non-life threatening injury” after falling at the George Town facility during a weekend when both cranes at the port were down. The Department of Environment is advising the public to lookout for the invasive red-headed rock agama lizard. - Photo: Christian Edelmann cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 28 FEBRUARY 2024Working to Achieve a Healthier, Brighter World Without Cancer. World Cancer Day Proud supporters of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 20241234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 French authors, father and son (5) 4 Fundamental principles (7) 8 Normal amount (3) 9 A long way from home (3,6) 10 Comply with (7) 11 Characteristic spirit (5) 13 In spite of that (4,2) 15 Standing (6) 18 Subsequent (5) 19 Help forward (7) 21 Unofficial ballot (5,4) 23 Jump on one foot (3) 24 Got away (7) 25 Scottish river (5) DOWN 1 Feel strong disapproval of (7) 2 Illusory discovery (5,4) 3 To this point (2,3) 4 Trade by exchange (6) 5 Turn aside (7) 6 A certain (3) 7 Renown (5) 12 Go to bed (3,3,3) 14 Botch some activity (5,2) 16 Compunction (7) 17 Have enough money for (6) 18 A smooth cotton thread (5) 20 A survival from past age (5) 22 Huge bird of Eastern legend (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17543 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 17543 ACROSS: 1 Dumas, 4 Bedrock, 8 Par, 9 Far afield, 10 Observe, 11 Ethos, 13 Even so, 15 Status, 18 Later, 19 Further, 21 Straw poll, 23 Hop, 24 Escaped, 25 Clyde. DOWN: 1 Deplore, 2 Mare’s nest, 3 So far, 4 Barter, 5 Deflect, 6 One, 7 Kudos, 12 Hit the hay, 14 Screw up, 16 Scruple, 17 Afford, 18 Lisle, 20 Relic, 22 Roc. What they’re saying Online Letters to the editor A cruise ship pulls in at Spotts as the sun comes over the horizon on a recent morning. On the day, some ships were diverted to Spotts, while others gave Cayman a wide berth amid high seas on the western side of the island. - Photo: James Whittaker The Cayman Compass ‘gimme, gimme story’ of Quincy Brown, a brilliant comedian from the Brac, is must-reading for all Caymanians. I remember Quincy from well over 20 years ago, when he was an intelligent young man trying to make his way in the entertainment world. Quincy’s fame in Cayman was spreading. Sadly, he became addicted to drugs and alcohol and wasn’t able to see his way clear of mental illness for decades. Because of his addictions, his mental illness wasn’t treated on Cayman Brac. Quincy Brown is now free of drugs at the age of 48. Mental illness must be comprehensively treated in Grand Cayman; not in Jamaica, and not in the United States. Grand Cayman has a new long-term residential mental health care facility built a few years ago in East End. This facility has not been opened. When will this facility become a place where mentally ill Caymanians can recover? Nan Socolow National Weather Service radar awaits repair Seems this has been out for a long time. An important piece of equipment for people living on a tiny island affected by storms. Sharon Davies Last time it was down for over a year! Oh yeah, soon come! Mark Muckenfuss Keep it down, Cayman doesn’t need it. There are so many other sites we can go to look at the weather. Ruff Seas Been down more than up in 2023. Darren Zucker Important tool for the people. Fix it fast! Bill Tatem Seems like poor quality equipment that is too often not working. Dennie Warren Jr. Special report: Vendors fight for their livelihoods... on Seven Mile Public Beach Would love to see how the selection process was done. It’s a sad day when government fails its citizens. neos.helios345 Cayman government is at it again, picking and choosing winners. Let them compete, and let the customers decide with their money who should be in business and who should not! cayman4caymanians If we are gonna let development go unchecked, I don’t see why we are coming down so hard on this. I don’t personally like the idea of vendors left, right and centre on our beaches, but if I had to choose between a concrete jungle and allowing the working man/woman to make a living, I know what I would pick! robtylerphoto Not a fan of it personally... there should be more spots available for these entrepreneurs. redx3ky_ Keep them off the beaches. Nothing worse than being pestered by hawkers on the beach. gfunkhamond Swimmer saves drowning tourist How many times do we need to have this happen to initiate a programme to train Caymanians to become lifeguards and provide life- saving employment opportunities for them? Anne Evans Well done, Lisa! Brave thing you did. When you’re a trained lifeguard, you learn ways to rescue people without putting yourself in danger. It would be really good to have lifeguards on some of our beaches so that swimmers, as well as would-be rescuers, wold be safer in our waters. Concerned C. Awesome. Really nice person, as well. Dan Baker Well done, Lisa! Glad you could prevent a tragedy! Claire Fletcher Public demands action after death of neglected dog Absolutely disgusting that people treat animals like this. If the maxim ‘A person who mistreats an animal will do the same to a person’ is at all true, we are in a very dire situation in Cayman. That animal abuse law MUST be enforced without exception to send the message that animal abuse is not only illegal – it is also an affront to the natural order. E W. Need to open mental health facility pic of the week Shipshape cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Four years ago, a new Family Division court service was set up to offer former couples free mediation sessions to help settle the often contentious issues of co-parenting, maintenance payments and other terms of divorce settlements. Now, the programme is handling well over 100 cases a year. In a reflection of Cayman’s rising divorce rate, in its first year, the mediation programme handled 83 cases. Last year, it handled 146. The vast majority of those cases were settled – meaning that the couples went before a judge with an already final version of their consent order. Mediation not only takes the pressure off couples having to bash out their differences before the, at times, intimidating environment of a courtroom, it also frees up judges’ time, making the process speedier and more efficient. Leslie Talbot, the courts’ mediation coordinator, says the number of settled cases has increased dramatically over the past four years. For example, in 2021, there were 58 fully settled matters; the following year, 69 were fully settled, and seven were partially settled; and last year, there were 107 fully settled and 12 partially settled matters. “The settled designation is not indicative of the remainder having failed,” she told the Cayman Compass. “For example, I only reported 12 failures for 2023. By way of example, some remain engaged in the process, some were sent back for more information - valuations, etc. - there were reconciliations, dismissed cases, a death, some were unsuitable due to extenuating circumstances, and other factors that didn’t result in the matter moving forward.” Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay- Hale recently noted that more than 40% of marriages in Cayman end in divorce, and that 286 certificates of dissolution of marriage were granted in Family Court in 2023 - up from 251 in 2022. There are an estimated 670 marriages per annum in Cayman, the chief justice stated at the opening of Grand Court last month. In her speech at the annual opening ceremony, Ramsay-Hale commended the work of Talbot and the court’s mediation programme, which has been running since early 2020. Free service The mediation service provided by the court is free, on the insistence of former Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, who announced details of the programme at the January 2020 Grand Court opening ceremony. He said at the time that there was a growing concern among the judiciary about the escalating costs of family proceedings, as well as the “disproportionate amount of court time being taken for resolving matrimonial property and child custody issues – matters which reasonable parties should be able to agree upon between themselves”. He said the free service would assist participants in settling their family disputes “in a cost-effective and non-adversarial manner, minimising the emotional damage caused to families in the breakdown of marriage”. Talbot said when she, at one point, queried whether a small fee might be charged, as she had seen in the US, “I don’t think I got the sentence out when [Smellie] said, ‘Absolutely not’. He said, ‘I want the community to understand that we recognise that the courtroom is not the place for family’. So, there is no charge at all to come to the mediation programme, whether they come one time, or however many times.” The Zoom factor Talbot, who worked as a family lawyer in Florida for 25 years before moving to Cayman with her husband, was appointed as mediation coordinator when the office was first set up by Smellie, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Ironically, that did not stymie the mediation process as much as one might have expected. In some ways, it made things easier. The advent of Zoom during the pandemic became a game changer for mediators and lawyers involved in divorce proceedings, Talbot says. It’s also useful in especially contentious divorces when emotions are running high. “It could have been very tough,” Talbot said. “Zoom was fantastic. And what ended up happening is, some of the attorneys to this day say their clients prefer it, they can sit in the attorney’s office. It’s, in some ways, less intimidating than coming to court. “But if I have any cases that have even just a whisper of domestic violence or concerns in that regard, Zoom also allows for having that distance to give them more of a comfort level.” Talbot is on the verge of retiring from the mediation programme, with local lawyer and life skills coach Chanda Glidden taking over. The two are currently working together during the transition period. It’s not only divorces the mediators handle, they also deal with couples that are not married, but who have children or property together. The divorces go through Grand Court, while the other matters go through the civil division of Summary Court. Immigration issues in divorces Talbot says there are some issues she comes across in divorces that are unique to Cayman, including rollover – the immigration policy that requires work-permit holders to leave Cayman after nine years for at least one year before they can return here for work, or to apply for permanent residency. When one of the former couple’s year off island is different to the other’s, it’s a difficult issue to traverse when there are children involved. “If someone’s got to leave the island, are they leaving with the child? Are they assured that they’re coming back? … [They ask], ‘What are we going to do about education and what are we doing about contact?’ How does child maintenance get impacted, because there’s obviously a job change that occurs,” Talbot said. Another immigration issue facing some divorcing couples is the loss of Caymanian status through marriage, as under the current immigration regulations, a person who has the right to live in Cayman by virtue of being married to a Caymanian loses that right once that person gets divorced. That, in turn, becomes an issue for the mediators or the court, who must help the couple navigate where the children should live and contact arrangements for the parents. These issues cannot always be resolved in the mediation sessions and end up back in the hands of the lawyers and judges, as mediators are not allowed to give legal advice. “We would point out that there might be an immigration issue here that you may want to think about,” Talbot said. Glidden notes that it’s important to remind people that “these are temporary and fluid situations” that can and do change quickly, so they need to figure out the best way forward in that particular situation. The mediation process For mediation purposes, Cayman follows the UK model. At the start of each case they deal with, the mediators hold a MIAM, which stands for ‘mediation information and assessment meeting’, which lasts less than a half hour and during which the mediation process is explained and any questions are answered. “Sometimes, the attorneys participate in those meetings, and sometimes it’s just the clients. Over the course of the four years, we’ve had very few cases that someone was at a MIAM and said, ‘You know, I don’t want to do mediation’ or ‘No, I don’t want to attend that.’ So, almost universally, we ended up scheduling mediation there.” The subsequent mediation sessions last for three hours, though participants are not limited to just Navigating Cayman’s rising divorces through mediation PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6» Court mediators Chanda Glidden, left, and Leslie Talbot. - Photo: Norma Connolly cayman compass 5 news N news WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024one session – they can come multiple times. “There are three major issues in family matters,” Talbot explained. “You’ve got children’s issues, dividing up of assets, and debts. And then once all of that is situated, you’re talking about maintenance issues. “Sometimes we might have a mediation session that’s just focused on the kids and try to get [the parents] through that issue because, one, it should be the most important issue to them, but, two, it sometimes has the most emotional energy attached to it.” Glidden added, “The most important thing, I would say is, are the parties willing to try… are they willing to try to get across the line?” If matters can be settled to the satisfaction of both parties at the mediation stage, they can avoid having to go back to court, the mediators explained. They draw up a consent order that the divorcing couple signs, which is then submitted and dealt with administratively. Financial challenges To help divorcing couples navigate the financial challenges of splitting assets and debts, and determining child maintenance arrangements, when the mediation office was first being set up, a decision was made to treat those who chose mediation rather than litigation the same way. “So they developed what’s called a financial disclosure booklet, which the parties are required to complete,” Talbot explained. “And it includes not only a written summary of different things, but it also requires filling out … a financial statement of income and expenses. And then, it has a requirement that they have a checklist of documents that they have to provide and exchange. Then they need to sign off with a notary that they have honestly provided those documents.” The disclosure booklet was generated to ensure that people are on “an even playing field in mediation, no differently than they would be if they were in litigation”, she said. Consent orders – the documents that outline the actions and responsibilities of the parties in a divorce – that are drawn up in mediation are the same as those drawn up if the couple had undergone litigation and settled their divorce in court, and are equally enforceable. If one or both of the parties fail to abide by the terms of the consent order, they can find themselves back in court before a judge. Those matters are often referred to the court’s Family Proceedings Unit for action. Mediation evolution When the mediation service was first touted, Talbot says, some attorneys were quite sceptical, but have since accepted the process. “The evolution over the four years has been just amazing,” Talbot said. “The attorneys have embraced mediation so wholeheartedly.” “I think it’s added a new dimension to the family law bar here because they are having a lot more one-on-one contact with one another,” she said. Before the mediation process became an integral part of the system, there was a time- consuming process of lawyers writing letters that their client would have to approve; if there were amendments involved, they would have to be written into the letter, and re-sent to the client to approve, and then that version would be sent to the other party’s lawyer, who would in turn send it to their client, and so on. “It was such a cumbersome process, and expensive,” Talbot said, “and, something, I think, is lost sometimes when it’s just written communication.” The mediation process allows the parties, and their attorneys as their advocates, to be face-to-face. “There is a goal of saying, OK, yes, everybody who comes into this room has had great experiences and horrible experiences with whoever it is across the table that they used to be involved with, but let’s talk about solutions and moving forward from today,” Talbot said. She added, “It’s a totally different tone than what they have to take in a contested hearing, and that, I think, has been the most professionally rewarding thing, to see that evolution.” From adversary to ‘solutionary’ Her colleague Glidden said, in the mediation process, the lawyers are “switching from adversary to ‘solutionary’”. “And, you know, the good thing about lawyers is we love a challenge, and we will usually rise to it just for our own fulfilment… I have found lawyers will rise to the occasion when they’re asked to do so.” With some of the “more complex, unfortunate, very long- lasting, nasty matters” taking several weeks before a judge to resolve, Talbot says, the mediation process has freed up judges’ dockets in the Family Division to enable them to hear these cases without a huge backlog being created. Navigating Cayman’s rising divorces through mediation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky As the implementation of the amended National Pensions Act continues, those seeking to make use of the long-awaited provisions have been requesting additional information on the process. The Department of Labour and Pensions said both they and pension plan administrators have been fielding a lot of questions on how to apply under the amended law. In this article, we will look at the new provisions and the process to make withdrawals under this legislation. Why was this done? In November, MPs unanimously voted to increase withdrawal limits from private pension funds for mortgages, home purchase or construction. This change came against the backdrop of increasing interest rates and Caymanian families struggling to keep up with mortgage payments as a result of climbing interest rates. Who can access their funds? Only Caymanian private pension plan members can access their funds for the stipulated purposes under the amended law. The DLP says people under the public service, parliamentary or judicial pension plans are not able to make withdrawals as they are governed by different legislation. How much can I get? Included in the key amendments was an increase in the maximum withdrawal allowed for home purchase or construction from $35,000 to $50,000, and allowing a maximum of $50,000 for a reduction payment on an existing mortgage or residential land loan. There was also an increase on the withdrawal amount to pay off an existing mortgage from $35,000 to $100,000. These amounts are applicable based on the sum of funds in the individual’s pension and the required amount contained in the financial institution’s letter. What types of withdrawals can be made? Under the law, withdrawals are allowed to put down a deposit to purchase an existing dwelling, to construct a new dwelling unit or to purchase residential land. Withdrawals for reduction payment on a residential land loan, reduction payment on an existing mortgage and, if applicable, arrears in strata fees related to the mortgaged property, are also allowed. Individuals can also withdraw if they are paying off an existing mortgage and, if applicable, arrears in strata fees related to the mortgaged property. How do you access your funds? Individuals who wish to withdraw from their pension plan will need to complete a form and file the required documentation with their pension plan administrator. The required forms will be available from their pension plan and can also be found here. What documents will be required? When applying to make a withdrawal, an applicant must provide evidence that he/she is Caymanian and, in some cases, that he/she has legal title to the dwelling unit. The land register is required in the case of withdrawal for reduction payment or to pay off an existing mortgage on a dwelling unit and, if applicable, arrears in strata fees related to the mortgaged property. Each applicant must also provide a letter from a financial institution and in cases where strata fees are being paid, a strata corporation addressed to the applicant. If the applicant has previously withdrawn mandatory contributions from a pension plan for a payment on property they must provide evidence that they have been compliant in repaying what was previously taken. The declaration on the form will also have to be signed by a witness. Do I have to repay the funds? By law, withdrawals made from the pension fund will have to be repaid. Applicants will be required to repay an additional 3% contribution into their pension plan plus the legally required 5% contribution. Those who have previously made withdrawals were required to pay back what they took at a rate of 1%. Should they make a further withdrawal it is understood that the repayment will be bumped to 3%, and again this would be in addition to the required 5% contribution. How soon will I receive my payment? Under the new amendments, pension plan administrators have up to 60 days to make disbursements. The DLP, in response to Cayman Compass queries on withdrawals, said it is still in the early stages of the application process so statistics are not yet available on how many applications have been received. At this time, the DLP said it is in the implementation stage of the amended law with both the public and the pension plan administrators still learning their way around it. “Accordingly, any complaints have largely been around the process. These have been addressed through education and information. Meetings have now been held with all pension plan administrators to explain the new Amendment and provide guidance on its requirements,” the DLP said. Anyone with queries or concerns can email the department at dlp@gov.ky. Pension withdrawal 101: What you need to know cayman compass 6 news N news WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024HEAL THCITY .KY IN PROUD SUPPORT OF Your healing journey begins with one step WORLD CANCER DAY - 4 FEBRUARY 2024 HEAL THCITY . On World Cancer Day we underline our the Cayman Islands and across the Caribbean. cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024When is the last time you adjusted the value of your home insurance? To find out if you’re at risk, call us at +1 345 949 7280 or visit islandheritageinsurance.com/underinsurance Underinsurance –it’s just not worth it. If the answer is not recently or never —you are likely underinsured. In 2013: CI $472,500 In 2018: CI $492,500 In 2023: CI $635,000 Example: Total rebuild cost* of a 2,500 sq ft home Over the last 10 years, the rebuild cost* of your home has increased by: 43% *Rebuilding cost indications are for illustration purposes only and are drawn from numbers independently provided to Island Heritage by Quantity Surveyors. Island Heritage recognises that individual rebuild costs can vary widely amongst our customers and recommend that customers obtain independent surveys to ensure you have adequate cover. The rising rate of inflation has dramatically impacted the cost of construction in recent years, which means the insurance value of your home has also increased. In the below illustration, see how the rebuild cost of a 2,500 sq ft home without any renovations or additions has increased over a 10-year period. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Peering through spectacles perched on the tip of her nose, Rose Mary Miller nimbly threads a satin cord, millimetres thick, through the holes of a set of ‘healing beads’. Then, with a couple of skilful sailor’s knots, she fastens them in place and burns the cord’s edges for good measure. “Voilà!” she exclaims, upon completing the bracelet in under three minutes. “It would have been sooner if I wasn’t talking,” she playfully explained as she sat beneath a spacious outdoor tent which has been erected on the site of the former bus depot, off what is now Seafarers Way, George Town. The tent, which is located a stone’s throw from Parliament’s backdoor, is the new home of the Cayman Craft Market, and, by all indications, it is likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future. “It’s better than what we had a couple weeks ago,” said Williams Jean-Louis, who has sold his handmade souvenirs at the craft market, alongside Miller, for the past 15 years. For some of that time, the craft market had been located on the opposite end of Seafarers Way, at the intersection of Boilers Road and South Church Street. However, in mid-2020, the market shut down following the collapse of the tourism industry after Cayman closed its borders as part of its COVID-19 suppression strategy. Then, on 31 Dec. 2021, the lease expired for the land on which the market was located, and the Kirk Freeport group, which owns the property, chose not to renew it. The market has mostly sat on a patch of dirt of about 100 square feet, under a much smaller tent, until it was recently moved to a larger tent a few feet away. “This is an upgrade. I mean a lot more room than how it used to be down by the other market,” Miller said, adding, “It’s even better because we are actually in the walking path of the tourists, and that big ol’ sign that they placed out front makes it easier for people to see us.” But the new location is not without its drawbacks. No running water or plumbing means vendors and visitors must relieve themselves in portable toilets or use the facilities of nearby stores. “When the rain falls, we are still getting wet, and so are our products,” said Jean-Louis. “I mean it would have been nice if we actually got to go to the location they had promised.” He added, “But I must stress that I am grateful for what we have.” The proposed new North Church Street location for the craft market – half-a-mile away from where it is currently located – is an overgrown plot, which is expected to be called ‘The Waterfront Experience’ when completed. When it was first proposed, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said he was hopeful that the property would provide an authentic Caymanian experience with a ‘White Glove’ delivery. However, given the latest development, it is not clear whether this will be the case. “I’m 58 years old and I have been doing this for more than 35 years,” said Miller. “I am not going to hold my breath on the new property.” The vendors’ doubts aren’t the only thing that has arisen as a result of the relocation of the craft market. It also calls into question the development of Seafarers Park which was slated to be located on the same site. A groundbreaking ceremony for the park was held in February 2021, but there has been no new development on the project since then. Government has made no mention of the future of either the Waterfront Experience project or Seafarers Park. New home for craft market The Cayman Craft Market has been relocated to the site of the former bus depot, which was previously earmarked for the Seafarers Park. One vendor says the 'big ol' sign' makes it easier for visitors to find the craft market. - Photos: Andrel Harris cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024Celebrating half a century of Trust, Prosperity and Community. Cayman National Bank and Trust Co. officially opens its doors, with a staff of 15, at the West Wind Building on North Church Street. 50years.caymannational.com 1974 cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 2-8 FEBRUARY 2024Next >