Archive for March, 2013
The Brac: a casino or bust
Most of the money circulating around Cayman Brac is sourced from government, in other words the majority of the jobs on the island are either within the public service or rely on public servants as customers. This plus a high social services tab means that the Brac economy is heavily dependent on government funding – a very unhealthy situation for all concerned, including people on Grand Cayman who have to pay for it.
For all the money that has been spent on the Brac over the last four years (such as the lovely dual carriageway with roundabouts in the middle of nowhere, the Hurricane Hilton, and the paving of private parking lots), absolutely nothing has been accomplished towards the long-term economic health of the island. Creating a few more government jobs doesn’t count. What Cayman Brac needs is a major boost to its private sector to make it less dependent on government, not more.
The one rather wobbly leg of private sector industry on Cayman Brac is tourism, which received a body blow when the Divi Tiara Beach Resort, one of only two hotels on the island at that time, suddenly closed in September 2006, and not just because of the 37 people who lost their jobs. Improving airlift, one of the main reasons cited by Divi for closing the resort, is even harder to justify with fewer passengers, so tourism suffers generally.
The only major project started under the UDP/UDP Lite administration (too late to see it anywhere near finished) that would have long term benefits to the Brac economy was the expansion of the airport, including the all-important addition of the baggage screening equipment required by the US for flights into that country. So far, only the enabling work has begun, and with scandal engulfing the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA), it’s uncertain now whether or not this project will continue.
Either way, Cayman Airways (or any other airline) could not add jet flights between the US and Cayman Brac without a guarantee of more passengers coming to the island or transiting to Little Cayman. In order to achieve this, the island needs the development of a good sized hotel, say 200+ rooms, but any developer prepared to build a resort of that size would need to feel confident that they could fill it.
So what does the Brac have to offer?
Both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which is a short hop away, offer world class diving. It’s why visitors have been coming here since the 70’s, and for this reason, if for no other, the people of Cayman Brac and their elected representatives should take the greatest care to protect the reefs and the creatures that inhabit them.
Rock climbing the Bluff is also world class, according to the serious climbers that come here. Skip Harper, author of an excellent travel book Adventuring on Cayman Brac, discovered the potential of the Brac as a climbing destination in the mid 1990’s. Since then, the climbers have created a number of climbing routes with titanium bolts, which they paid for themselves. What is needed now is a government that truly supports the development of rock climbing – already largely in place – so that it can be promoted as a primary attraction for the island, not more non-committal ‘yes, we’re looking into it’, which has become the norm for successive administrations.
The development of nature tourism on the island has been ongoing for the last 15 years, and will be an important secondary attraction for as long as it is adequately protected, especially the island’s limited wetlands. More boardwalks along some of the trails, some of which are pretty rough going, would have been a better investment in the island than paving the bank’s parking lot for free.
But there’s little else to bring travelers here – not much of a nightlife, no shopping to speak of, little in the way of protected waters for watersports, and no golf course. Rock climbing isn’t for everyone and the Brac’s nature tourism, given all the beautiful places in the region competing for this market, is never going to be a primary attraction for significant numbers of visitors.
Cayman Brac desperately needs another major pull to bring people here, and the only thing that would not destroy a large section of the island’s very limited natural resources but make a real impact on tourism is a casino.
Could the Divi Resorts Group be induced to rebuild on the Brac if a casino licence was on the table? Possibly, but we won’t know until the Cayman government (the next one) starts negotiating to find out what it would take. Tourism from the US and Canada is currently on the upswing, so it would seem to be a good time to reach out to them before they decide to invest somewhere else.
Sandy beaches protected by a reef barrier, of the type a major investor would be looking for, are in short supply on the Brac and are confined to a small corner in the southwest of the island. The property owned by the Divi Group, the site of the old Tiara, is prime beachfront land and Divi could have sold it many times over the last six and a half years. But they haven’t and have repeatedly stated in press interviews that they intend to rebuild, keeping the door open to a return to the Brac even while they were investing heavily on other Caribbean islands.
Divi has a chain of resorts – five in Aruba (where they also have a 30-foot artificial rock climbing wall), as well as hotels in Barbados, Bonaire, St Croix and St Maarten. Aside from Barbados, which has several golf courses available to guests, all of their resorts offer casinos as a major attraction, some of which are owned and operated by Divi itself – the Alhambra Casino in Aruba, the Divi Flamingo Casino in Bonaire, and the Carina Bay Casino in St Croix. So, clearly they have the experience to operate a casino on Cayman Brac and, importantly, the marketing resources to make it work.
But the other question is whether Brackers would accept the idea of a casino and lobby government to change the laws to legalise it, at least for the Brac if not for all three Cayman Islands.
To my mind, the question of gambling has been answered, as it has on Grand Cayman, by the ubiquitous presence and general acceptance of the illegal numbers racket. Any politician or concerned citizen who is truly against gambling on moral grounds should be working with the police to stamp it out. If they haven’t provided the RCIPS with a list of players and sellers, either they don't know what's going on or their protests are half-hearted at best. A casino would at least be legal, and therefore controlled, and a licence could be confined to hotel guests, thereby eliminating the negative social effects on the community (unlike numbers).
With the inevitable tightening of government spending, many of the unnecessary jobs on Cayman Brac and government handouts could dry up in an economy where people and businesses are already hanging on by their toes.
So, if it came down to a choice between a casino and the gradual demise of Cayman Brac, what then?
C4C candidate steps aside to avoid controversy
(CNS): Kent McTaggart, who had announced his intention to run as a Coalition for Cayman candidate in Bodden Town, has pulled out from the political race and will not be seeking nomination on Wednesday. McTaggart told CNS that he did not want to cause the country unnecessary controversy, and acknowledged there could be a constitutional question over his candidacy. McTaggart has not been resident in Cayman for the last seven years because of the medical requirements of his special needs son. While there is an exemption for a candidate not to have been resident because of his own health reasons. it does not necessarily extend to dependents.
McTaggart said this issue needs to be examined as the constitution is not providing for the special circumstances he faces, contrary to the bill of rights. McTaggart explained that, given the wording of the constitution, he felt it was best he did not run but the issue that is barring him as a Caymanian from running could also prove to be barrier to others in the future.
“I do not want to cause any more controversy for Cayman and so this time I am going to step aside and withdraw from the election race itself,” he said. “However, this issue needs to be examined. While there are exemptions for airline pilots, among others, it seems at odds with our values of supporting family life that I am excluded because it was for my son’s medical needs, not my own directly, that my family and I have had to live overseas.”
McTaggart explained that while his son was young his condition was such that he needed specialist medical care. Once he was a little older, however, the McTaggart family were able to return to Cayman but this means he has fallen foul of the seven year residency requirement.
“I am being prevented from running because I have a son with special needs and that cannot be right,” McTaggart said, noting that the problem is with the constitution and not the election law. McTaggart believes it is a human rights question because he is being denied the right as a Caymanian to run for office as a direct result of his son's disability. As this is a constitutional edict, it appears to trump Cayman’s new bill of rights, McTaggart said.
The would-be C4C candidate said that, although he could fight the issue, having taken extensive legal advice over a long period, he did not want to be the “one causing controversy when Cayman has already had more than enough of that.”
He added, “I will step aside this time and wait until 2017 but in the meantime I hope I can become involved in helping the country move forward after this election in other ways."
Disappointed, McTaggart said he hoped the authorities would take a close look at the constitution and consider rewording the document in order to provide for those who may have unique and special circumstances that deserve to be taken into consideration.
Cop gets serious head injury
(CNS): An officer from the Uniform Support Group is in hospital in a serious condition after being struck in the head during a disturbance outside an East End bar in the early hours of Saturday morning. A police spokesperson said that the officer was hit by an object when police responded to a call about burning tyres and drug consumption at a party at the Pirates Cove Bar. Police were first called to the scene at around 10:21pm on Friday 22 March. Officers from the Eastern Districts found a party was in progress at the bar and that there were in excess of 100 patrons in attendance. When the Officers returned to the police vehicle they found both of the front tyres had been punctured.
They called for additional officers from the Uniform Support Group, who were deployed to the scene and at around 1:42am an officer was knocked out after being struck with an object to the head. He was taken to the hospital, where he was admitted and underwent emergency surgery. The RCIPS said the police officer remains hospitalized in a stable but serious condition.
Detectives from Bodden Town Police Station CID are now conducting an investigation following the incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Bodden Town Police Station at 947-2220 or CRIME STOPPERS at 800-8477 (TIPS)
Airport irregularities not reported to corruption cops
(CNS): Following the dismissal of the chief financial officer of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority before Christmas and more recently its CEO, the police have confirmed that, despite various serious allegations, no complaints have been made to the anti-corruption or financial crime units. Without a complaint being submitted, the RCIPS said it is not able to initiate an investigation into the airport situation or any other public authority where corruption is being alleged. A report undertaken by the board revealed a catalogue of questionable activities at the airport over the last few years, from the misuse of a government credit card to theft, none of which has been reported to the police.
“We have not received any complaints in relation to that matter,” a police spokesperson said. ”Wehave seen several media reports and heard public commentary alleging corrupt conduct and financial irregularities within a number of public bodies and government agencies. However, until a formal complaint is made to the RCIPS we are unable to comment on the allegations or action an investigation. We would urge anyone who has information to come forward and contact the police or the Anti-Corruption Commission,” the police added.
Jeremy Jackson was suspended from his position in December when the board began an investigation. The issue remained under wraps for several weeks until the report was leaked to MLA Ezzard Miller, who passed the report to CNS as he had grave concerns that the authorities were attempting to either keep the entire situation secret or were planning to sweep the issue under the carpet.
In the wake of the leak, the board chair criticized Miller for giving the leaked confidential document to the press but, bowing to public pressure, the board then terminated Jackson, who had been on full pay.
Since then nothing more has been said about the serious allegations that were made against Jackson and other members of staff.
The question of the thefts that had taken place at the airport also remain unresolved. One staff member was dismissed, having been a suspect in connection with some $90,000 that had gone missing but the thefts continued after the woman was dismissed. Although the thefts were documented in the airport authority's annual reports, no reports were ever made and have still not been made to the police.
Under the anti-corruption law public servants, including board members, who are aware of corrupt behaviour by others in the public sector are obligated to raise the alarm with the appropriate authorities.
Related articles on CNS:
West Bay Road diversions continue
(CNS): Drivers will facefurther delays this coming week and into the following one as work on the tie-ins and access roads between West Bay Road and the Esterley Tibbetts Highway Extension continues. Again information about the work and traffic diversions came from Dart and not the National Roads Authority, the lawful agency which manages roads and traffic flow in Cayman. Dart said Friday, work would be continuing over the next two weeks on either side of the closed stretch of the West Bay Road but it expected to have completed work at Yacht Drive, Raleigh Quay and Governors Way by 2 April ending the temporary Lime Tree Bay diversions.
“Road works to complete the connection of Phase One of the highway extension to West Bay Road are scheduled to conclude over the next two weeks,” the developer stated in a notice.
Two southbound lanes are scheduled to open on Thursday March 28 ahead of the Easter weekend at Raleigh key but the two northbound lanes will not open until Easter Monday (1 April). The paving of the Yacht Drive Connection is scheduled for completion by Tuesday 2 April DRCL stated, along with the Governors Way Connection which is also scheduled to open Tuesday allowing trafficto flow on to the West Bay Road as far as Governor’s Way which marks the start of the stretch of land that government has given to Dart in a swap forming part of a deal which has still not been made public.
Although the road works have also interrupted the flow of traffic from West Bay Road and the junction of Yacht drive along the stretch of Seven Mile Beach popular with campers, government officials have confirmed that the public can continue to drive along that road and will be able to gain access to the beach this Easter.
So far there have been no new updates in connection with the two legal actions filed with the Grand Court seeking legal intervention over the closure as many local activists believe the closure of the West Bay Road is unlawful.
See full details in flyer below
Alumni plan YCLA boycott
(CNS): On the eve of the YCLA gala news has broken that members of the alumni have objected to the selected key note speaker and plan to boycott the event after the board refused to listen to their concerns. Allen West, who has a controversial military history as well as a reputation for insulting a whole catalogue of minority groups, was described by the alumni as “notorious and divisive” and said that choosing him sent the wrong message about the leadership values promoted by the YCLA and what the board considers to be good leadership. The alumni are concerned that the board simply has not listened to their objections.
The annual awards ceremony, which is televised live at a glittering gala, has developed a reputation for inviting speakers on the far right of the US Republican party that are, as in this case, exceptionally controversial. In correspondence with the board, the YCLA alumni has pointed out that former Congressman West lost his seat recently, not least because of the offensive remarks made by him during his time in Congress about gays, Muslims, women, black people and other minority groups.
The alumni wrote to the board to say they are concerned about the reputational damage to the finalists to have such a notorious speaker on a night that should be about them and their accomplishments.
“Some alumni are boycotting the event in protest at the lack of transparency with choosing keynote speakers and the continued Republican slant of past speakers that is not representative of the diversity of the alumni and finalists,” a spokesperson told CNS.
The alumni said they have expressed their concerns over the years to YCLA staff and board members as to the criteria of selecting keynote speakers, but nothing has been acknowledged and the selection of West suggests that the board has ignored the position of the alumni.
“Given that the goals of the Foundation are to recognise outstanding young Caymanians who are making a significant contribution to society and who, through their achievements and actions, serve as positive role models for the youth of Cayman, one would expect that the main criteria for selecting a key note speaker would be that they exhibit true characteristics of leadership or they have an inspirational message or personal story to share that will inspire others to make a positive difference,” the alumni said in its letter to the board.
“We are concerned that the selection of speakers like Mr West, who is known for divisiveness, sends the wrong message about the leadership values which are being promoted,” the group stated.
They asked the board to give consideration to the concerns when selecting next year’s key note speaker, the criteria and process that it uses to select them and the effect that this has on the reputation of the YCLA organisation as a whole.
“We also hope that you will re-consider this year's choice of Mr West,” the group adds.
The event takes place on Saturday night at the Ritz Carlton when Michael Blackburn, Marzeta Bodden, Victor Crumbley, Melanie Scott and Shomari Scott will be chasing the title of Young Caymanian Leader this year.
CNS contacted YCLA to ask for comment regarding the question about the speaker and a spokesperson confirmed that the organisation hoped that in future the alumni would become much more involved with the organisation as a whole, as well as choosing speakers, but made no defence regarding the choice of West, who was accused of torture during his military service in Iraq.
Related article:
YCLA presents controversial keynote speaker
For more on the nominees got to the YCLA Facebook page
Miller warns of organ sales
(CNS): The Independent member for North Side has raised a number of questions about the Human Tissue Transplant Bill, which is currently awaiting final passage on the table of the Legislative Assembly. Ezzard Miller said the drafting of the legislation has left open the possibility that human organs and tissue could be sold for cash. He has also questioned who exactly, other than a medical practitioner, would be allowed to remove or authorise the removal of tissue as is currently indicated in the legislation before the House. The minister who brought the legislation, however, has denied that it provides for the sale of organs and said he would be clarifying exactly who is being referred to in clause 18 of the law.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Miller said he was denied an opportunity to express his concerns in the House because of changes to the order paper. Miller stated that, despite knowing that he had concerns, after he left because of a prior engagement in his constituency the government altered the order paper.
“Having started very late and taken a more than two hour lunch, the government was forced to sit late but the two bills with which I had concerns had not been scheduled to be debated after I left. Having been in the house since 9:30 that morning and waiting on government’s timetable, I was unable to remain for the late sitting after the House hours had already drawn to a close because of a constituency engagement. The minister knew I had objections and concerns and was going to propose amendments to address them when the House was due to meet this Friday. Instead, the government opted to debate these bills in my absence.”
Miller pointed to a transcript of the LA proceedings, where the former premier appears to have instructed the health minister to move both the health practitioners and human organ bills up the order paper.
“I thought there was an agreement that we would do two health bills,” Mckeeva Bush, asked the speaker during the late session. “If we don’t read that then you are going to have your backside bust … Ezzard come back and he’ll pass them bill … you better read what I am trying to tell you,” he added. As a result, Health Minister Mark Scotland presented the two bills, which form part of government’s agreement with Dr Devi Shetty, and took them through to the second reading.
Miller said that he would be pressing for both of the bills to be considered by a select committee of the LA, but in particular the human tissue bill, which would give the legislators time to carefully review the language of the legislation and address the problems he believes the law presents. The North Side member said that he is genuinely concerned that the law as written will allow for the sale of human tissue, which is an extremely dangerous situation and against numerous international treaties that Cayman is party to.
“My concern is that the bill, if passed into law, would allow the buying and selling of human tissue and organs. I am also concerned with the composition of the human tissue transplant council which will be appointed by politicians in Cabinet. Who is going to prescribe persons or classes of persons other than registered medical practitioners that could remove tissue and authorised tissue removal?” he asked.
Citing a list of amendments that he feels should be made, Miller said he hopes that if the government will not allow these issues to be discussed during a select committee hearing, that government will allow the amendments to be made during the committee stage process of the bill’s passage.
“I am so concerned about the bill becoming law in its present form that I suggested to the minister that the bill be withdrawn until the questions can be addressed,” Miller added.
However, the minster has denied that the law allows for the sale of human tissue and regulates the financing or payment in relation to the removal and transfer of organs not for the organs themselves.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Scotland said the legislation does not allow the sale of organs or tissue, which he said is prohibited. He said it would pave the way for future transplants in Cayman in the long term but in the short term it would allow patients in this jurisdiction to get on to international lists for transplant once the law is in place and has already assisted some people in need of transplant.
Scotland said that he would be clarifying clause 18 that suggests people other than doctors may be able to remove or authorize removal of tissue before the committee stage of the bill.
Cayman Men’s turns up the heat for Ontario team.
(CRFU): The Cayman Men’s U19 squad continued in their winning ways recently with a 2-1 series victory over their visitors from the cold north, Ashbury College, based in Ottawa Ontario. Ashbury College RFC are no strangers to Cayman, last visiting in 2005 and no doubt welcoming the warmer weather. The first test match was played on 13th March between the 2 sides, and was a nail biter of a game in which Cayman edged 22-21 with the final play. Cayman were in control of the game in the early stages and by half-time were 17-0 up with scores from Iain Currie (1 try), Angelito Hawkins (1 try) and Michael Peck (1 Penalty, 2 Conversions). A change in personnel from Ashbury in the second half saw some bullish runs from the bigger Ashbury forwards to rack up 21 unanswered points.
With the final play of the game, Cayman were awarded a penalty 10 yards from the Ashbury line, which they knew would not be enough. Iain Currie made a last ditch solo effort from a tap penalty, broke through 3 tackles and scored in the corner to earn the Cayman boys a1 point win.
The 2nd Test between the sides (16th March) was expected to be an even tougher affair for the Caymanians as the strong 2nd half performance by the Ashbury Colts in the first test should have given the Colts all the confidence needed to march out an early lead against Cayman and hold onto it for 40 minutes.
The game didn’t go exactly to plan however as after 40 minutes neither team found their way on the score board. Cayman did have chances to cross the try line but some poor decision making played into the hands of the Ashbury defense, leaving the half-time score at 0-0. Ashbury’s persistence paid off yet again in the second half as 19 unanswered points meant that Cayman would have to play much smarter rugby in order to climb a very steep hill to take the series 2-0, but only a lone Miles Campbell try would be a consolation score for the local boys. Final score Cayman 5-19 Ashbury.
With all to play for in the final Test on 19th March, it was no surprise that the game was yet again a close one, in which Cayman edged out winners 14-12, the deciding factor between the 2 teams being the missed conversion from Ashbury’s first try.
The Series win was a real test for the Cayman Boys who, having won the last Caribbean Championship have lost many players who are now too old to play at this age level. With many top players based in schools overseas, coaches Noel Phillips and Gary Southway are well placed to retain the trophy with knowledge that the talent base living and playing in Cayman at this age level is very strong.
Photos: Caroline Deegan
Crisis Centre helps clients find their voice
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre is providing its clients with new mobile phones and numbers in an innovative new fundraising programme called “Find Your Voice.” In a public awareness campaign, the Crisis Centre is asking individuals and companies to donate their old mobile phones and accessories, which are then shipped to a recycler in the United States, who pays the Crisis Centre cash for the equipment. These funds then go towards the purchase of new phones and pre-paid minutes for the Crisis Centre clients. Find Your Voice, which was inspired by KPMG’s global employee philanthropic programme called BRIGHT, launches on Saturday 6th April when, between 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, volunteers will be at Foster’s Airport and Strand locations collecting old mobile phones and accessories. Collection boxes will remain at these locations and will also be at Kirk’s Supermarket.
Cayman Islands Crisis Centre’s fundraising chairperson Allison Clark said about the concept behind the programme, “A phone is a basic requirement for someone who is reconstructing her life. Clients will now have the means to find a place to live, set up job interviews and safely connect with family members. It might also be a lifeline in an emergency situation”.
LIME, who has been a longstanding contributor to the Crisis Centre, will be a major sponsor of the programme in its first year, providing phones and pre-paid minutes free of charge to the centre’s clients.
KPMG’s BRIGHT programme encourages employees to come together to support theUN Millennium Development Goals in developing local and international communities in need. In October 2012, KPMG invited staff to form teams of two to develop a BRIGHT idea that would make a difference in the Cayman Islands. Megan Holt and Julia Allman, both senior auditors at KPMG, won the competition with their presentation and business plan for Find Your Voice. The KPMG judges found their idea to be unique, well researched and had potential to make a positive difference in the community. In recognition of their efforts, the pair will complete a two-week BRIGHT placement in Costa Rica.
Cops seek witnesses in West Bay house shooting
(CNS): RCIPS detectives from the West Bay police station are appealing for witnesses or people who may have information regarding a shooting at a house in the district on Thursday night. A police spokesperson said the home in Miss Daisy Lane was damaged by gunfire at about 9.45 pm on 21 March. Police who attended the scene after receiving the report that gunshots had been fired found a front window was damaged by bullets. A woman who was in the house at the time of the shooting was uninjured and no indication of why the property may have been targeted was given by police.
Anyone who was in the area of Miss Daisy Lane at the relevant time Thursday night and saw or heard anything suspicious is asked to contact West Bay CID on 949-3999 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).