Archive for October 4th, 2009

Cops say security firms must comply with law

Cops say security firms must comply with law

| 04/10/2009 | 4 Comments

(CNS): The RCIPS said this week that it would being stepping up its enforcement of the newly implemented Private Security Services Law, 2007 (Law 14 of 2007 and the Security Services Regulations, 2008) which came into force on 1 September 2008. Security Licensing Department Head, CI George Watson, states that as of 19 October all the security business owners in the Cayman Islands who have been supplying security business will need to be in compliance with the law by licensing their companies, Security Guards & Security Technicians.

Watson also said there are some businesses that employ individuals as “Loss Prevention Officers” but based on their job description, they fall under the definition of a Security Guard. The law defines a Security Guard as a person who, in the course of his employment, guards or patrols for the purpose of protecting person or property; but does not include- (a) a constable or special constable acting in the performance of his duties as such; or (b) a public officer performing his functions under any Law.

Watson said firms had been given ample time to get to know the law and what they need to do to comply and what will happen if they don’t. He added that all security business licensees should ensure that their guards & technicians carry their licence whilst on duty, so that they will not be in breach of the law when required to produce such licence by a constable or other person, having reasonable grounds to require its production.

Additionally, businesses other than security companies; who employ security providers by sub-contracting their business & employees, such businesses should require sight of licences from the sub-contractors or their employees. The RCIPS encourages full compliance of the law and companies that have been delinquent are encouraged to do so forthwith by submitting outstanding documentations.

Since 5 January this year and as of 21 September 2009, the RCIPS Security Licensing Department has licensed the following:- 27 Companies, 24 Security Technicians & 439 Security Guards.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

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NDC joins cancer fight

NDC joins cancer fight

| 04/10/2009 | 0 Comments

(CNS): The National Drug Council said it is joining forces with Cancer Society and the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens to mark the 25th year in which those organizations have campaigned throughout October to raise awareness, educate and empower women regarding breast cancer. With a theme of “Build Hope and Survival Through Early Detection”, the NDC is encouraging everyone in the Cayman Islands to attend one of the sessions and clinics organized by the Lions Club and to quit smoking a known contributor to the disease.

The NDC said that, following the passage of the Tobacco Legislation, the Cayman Islands could unite with many countries showing their stance against tobacco use in public places like restaurants and bars.

However, the law has not yet been implemented but is expected to come into force before the end of this year. Last week CNS contacted Health Minister Mark Scotland to find out exactly when his ministry will be rolling out the necessary regulations but is still waiting for a response.

Reducing the use of tobacco in public places can have significant impact including cutting down on the damaging effects of second hand smoke on those who opt not to partake in this global addiction. In addition, the National Drug Council has circulated a set of PSA radio spots entitled "Health Minutes", which focused on tobacco, a known contributor to cancer around the world. These spots will be played on local airways for the entire month of October.

For a detailed list of activities for the month of October, please visit them on www.lctgbreastcancerawareness.com or for more information on tobacco, you can contact the NDC on 949-9000 or visit the NDC at www.ndc.ky

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Maples in the land of maples

Maples in the land of maples

| 04/10/2009 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Local financial firm Maples Finance will be focusing onshore this Monday when it opens its first office on the North American content The firm said its new location in Montreal, Canada represents another major step in the development of the Cayman based company in a worldwide network of offices in significant financial centres. Over just the past three years it has set up offices in Dublin, Dubai, Hong Kong and Luxembourg. It said the Montreal office will provide a full range of fund administration services to onshore and offshore funds, managed by global investment management firms and financial institutions.  

Of Maples Finance’s 106 staff in Cayman, just four will be locating to Montreal. That includes one Caymanian, who according to Maples Finance’s CEO Maxine Rawlins "requested the relocation as a chance to gain experience overseas". Ms Rawlins added that "of course, we were very happy to offer her that opportunity".

There will be no further reduction in Maples Finance’s Cayman operation as a result of the establishment of the Montreal office. Maples Finance remains committed to the Cayman Islands, and intends to grow its Cayman fiduciary, liquidations and registrar and transfer agency businesses as well as provide client accounting and fund administration services from the Cayman office.

Maples Finance has selected Montreal as the location for its newest office because of its position as a global financial centre and a gateway to North American markets. Operating as Services Administratifs de fonds Maples, Inc., it hopes that eventually the Montreal office will employ in excess of 50 people.

 

 

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Cash on offer for eco-work

Cash on offer for eco-work

| 04/10/2009 | 0 Comments

(CNS): The UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is launching an annual award for nature conservation work undertaken by an individual or group of individuals from an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency who have made a valuable contribution. Marcus Yeo,Managing Director of JNCC, said that territories and dependencies have an incredibly rich variety of plants and animals, but in some cases urgent action is needed to ensure their continued survival.

“Most of this action is undertaken by local people. We have been amazed at some of the innovation and best practice which can be found, most done with small numbers of people and boundless enthusiasm. We hope this Award will go some way to acknowledging and rewarding their efforts, in the hope that others will be inspired by their successes.”

The award will be known as the ‘Blue Turtle Award’ and applications must come from work or projects that have been in place for over a year, demonstrate innovation and have made a real difference. In addition to a trophy, the Award will give £500 to the individual or the group, and an additional £1,000 contribution to an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency nature conservation project of their choice.

Nominations are invited from governments, non-governmental organisations, the voluntary sector, the private sector and individuals, and should be submitted no later than 31 October 2009. The award winner will be invited to the UK for an award presentation ceremony.

Tara Pelembe, JNCC’s Overseas Territories Officer encouraged everyone to think of projects and actions that deserve a wider audience and acknowledgement. “We hope the Award will celebrate the great work that is happening, and act as a catalyst to stimulate new nature conservation initiatives,” she added.

The awards will be presented based on the following criteria: Nature conservation benefit/added value; Innovation; Community involvement; Linked to a specific project OR demonstrating long-term commitment and dedication.

Any individual, or group of individuals (including governments) from and working on an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency, can be nominated. Nominations can be made by filling out a nomination form at www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5002. Guidance is included within the form. Forms can be filled out online or by downloading a MS Word file.

Of globally threatened species identified in the 2004 IUCN Red List, 74 critically endangered species occur in the UK Overseas Territories (compared to 10 in mainland UK) along with 49 endangered species (12 in mainland UK) and 117 vulnerable species (37 in the mainland UK).  Many of these species are endemic and so are found nowhere else in the world, such as Cayman’s blue iguana.

 

 

 

 

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New high point for Cayman

New high point for Cayman

| 04/10/2009 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Not know for its sky scrapers and tall towers, there are not many places where people get the chance to get a bird’s eye view of Cayman but with the opening of Camana Bay’s Observation Tower there is a place where residents and visitors alike can take a peek day or nigh free of charge.  Located in the new town centre the Tower is 75 feet tall and offers a 360 degree view across Seven Mile Beach, George Town and the North Sound. According to a release from Camana Bay the Observation Tower was designed as a destination in its own right with its louvered windows modelled after those of traditional great houses, and its array of pastel colours reminiscent of old Caymanian houses.

“Its one-of-a-kind vantage point ensures that even as Camana Bay flourishes around it, it will continue to provide visitors with incomparable views and time to enjoy a truly unique piece of art,” the release sated.  “Just as impressive as the tower’s outlook is the journey to the top via a double helix staircase –two spirals that interweave but never touch. The staircase climbs alongside a floor to ceiling mosaic depicting Cayman’s beautiful reefs and marine life, giving the sense of ascending a deep sea dive from sea bed to surface.”

The mosaic in The Observation Tower is one of three landmark mosaics the other two are expected to be revealed in mid-October, designed to add visual beauty to spaces which are utilitarian in purpose. The sea wall mosaic was created to engage and entertain Camana Bay guests and to allow each visitor to experience the undersea life for which the Cayman Islands are famous. The sea life photography, which this mosaic is based on, was taken in water surrounding the Sister Islands.

The “sea wall” concept was designed by The Design Theorem to mimic the experience of scuba diving – the first level of the Observation Tower represents the sea bed, with the top of the tower a view of the sun as it peers through the water’s crest. Venetian glass tiles, made in Vicenza, Italy by Bisazza were imported and used to construct the mosaic designs. The Observation Tower design used the historic art of hand-cutting to create the minute details and characteristics of the coral life represented using the mosaic tiles. All of the precision hand-cutting was performed in Miami, Florida by Mosaico Boutique.

The Observation Tower may be the largest undersea mosaic installation of its kind in the world and Camana Bay said research is currently underway to determine if this is the case.

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