Archive for November, 2013
Head coach wins National Laser championship
(CISC): The Cayman Islands Sailing Club hosted the 2013 Compass Marine National Laser Championships on the crystal blue waters off Seven Mile Beach over the weekend. Twenty sailors competed in seven races over the two day regatta, enjoying the challenge of the moderate but shifting wind conditions. The Laser is an Olympic class boat and one of the most sailed classes worldwide. The regatta, which features a handicap system, allows all three categories of Laser sailors to compete for the overall championship, providing the opportunity for youth sailors to rate their skills against their more veteran counterparts, and making the event accessible to sailors of all levels.
Raph Harvey, Head Coach at the sailing club, put on an accomplished display for spectators on the beach, winning every race to secure the overall championship title and win the standard Laser class. Competition was fierce and close for the remaining podium places with second place going to Club Commodore Mike Farrington and third to Pablo Bertran, who out-sailed his youth team-mates to top the 4.7 category.
Richard Murphy, competing in his first regatta since moving to Cayman, provided an element of the unknown and narrowly secured the Radial class title, by one point, ahead of Tomeaka McTaggart.
“We have been planning a regatta on Seven Mile Beach for some time and it proved to be a perfect venue”, explained Mike Farrington. “We race nearly every weekend in our home waters of North Sound but we are a bit secluded. This allowed many more people to see that we have a healthy racing programme.”
Coach Harvey was in full agreement. “It is a logistical problem to get the boats over here and set a decent race course, but thanks to Compass Marine we overcame that and Race Committee did a fantastic job to provide near perfect racing. It has become a feature of all club racing recently that the kids are up there with the adults and well done to Pablo taking third overall. We are already looking forward to bringing next year’s event back to Seven Mile”.
Full regatta results and information about other events hosted by the sail club can be found at www.sailing.ky or on Facebook: Cayman Islands Sailing Club and National Sailing Center.
Hospital receives much needed maternity monitors
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) Maternity Ward has received a donation of two fetal heart monitors from the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Both machines are portable and one can monitor twins as well as the mother’s heartbeat simultaneously. Lizzette Yearwood, HSA Chief Executive Officerexplained how important the new machines in the Maternity Ward. “With approximately 650 births in our maternity unit every year, it is important to have the appropriate equipment. Having portable devices such as these means they can easily be moved from room to room as they are needed,” Yearwood stated.
“As part of the birthing process it is important to monitor not only the mother’s heartbeat, but also the unborn baby. These machines are truly invaluable to this hospital,” she added.
Past and present Rotarians Eric Bush, Chris Bailey and Gregg Anderson presented these machines to the Maternity Unit. Bush said it has been a long road to get these machines.
“The fundraising for the fetal monitors started while I was President of Rotary Club and we are delighted to be presenting these today,” he said. “Rotary is an international organization and as a joint effort to raise funds we teamed up with the Rotary Club of Denver for this initiative. In addition to donating the machines Rotary is looking for ways to best leverage this technology here in Cayman.”
Savannah secures top spot ahead of playoffs
(CUC-PFL): This past Saturday, Savannah Primary’s Under 9 team and Cayman Prep’s Under 9 and Under 11 teams ended their league campaigns undefeated with victories on the final day of the 2013/2014 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) regular season. With the Playoffs scheduled to begin this Saturday, November 30, Savannah Primary’s Under 9s secured the top spot in Group A with a 3-0 victory over St. Ignatius Prep. Dylan Hernandez opened the scoring after only 31 seconds pouncing on a loose ball in the St.Ignatius penalty area to give his team an early lead from which St. Ignatius would never recover.
The youngsters from Savannah added to their lead in the 16th minute after St. Ignatius’ Daniel Rivers turned the ball into his own net trying to clear the ball off the line from an Akiel Bodden corner.
Jawan Wray sealed all three points in the 40th minute as he beat the St. Ignatius Prep offside trap to slot home his school’s 21st goal of the season and maintain their 100% record.
In the later game, Savannah’s Under 11s ‘snuck’ into the Champions Cup playoffs on goal difference with a 0-0 draw against St. Ignatius Prep thanks to the heroics of their stand out goal keeper Justin Miller. Young Miller had another excellent game between the posts making some very important saves at the feet of the St. Ignatius marksmen.
In other games in Group A it was Sir John A. Cumber Primary 4 vs. Cayman International School 1 (Under 9) and Sir John A. Cumber Primary 6 vs. Cayman International School 2 (Under 11). Schools qualifying for the Under 9 Champions Cup from Group A include Savannah Primary, St.Ignatius Prep, Sir John A. Cumber Primary and either George Town Primary or Cayman International School (to be decided this week). Competing for the Under 11 Champions Cup are Sir John A.Cumber Primary, George Town Primary, St. Ignatius Prep and Savannah Primary. Competing in the Under 9 Consolation Cup are George Town Primary or Cayman International School (to be decided this week) and Truth For Youth. In the Under 11 division, Truth For Youth and Cayman International School will represent Group A.
In Group B, Cayman Prep finished off another undefeated season in the Under 9 and Under 11 divisions after defeating second-placed South Sound Schools 3-0 in both games. In other scores from Group B it was NorthEast Schools 1 vs. Red Bay Primary 0 (Under 9); NorthEast Schools 3 vs. Red Bay Primary 1 (Under 11); Bodden Town Primary 0 vs. Prospect Primary 4 (Under 9) and Bodden Town Primary 3 vs. Prospect Primary 5 (Under 11).
Qualifying for the Under 9 and Under 11 Champions Cups from Group A are Cayman Prep, South Sound Schools, Prospect Primary and NorthEast Schools. In the Under 9 and Under 11 Consolation Cups it is Red Bay Primary, Bodden Town Primary and Triple C.
The 2013/2014 CUC PFL Playoffs begin this Saturday, November 30 at the Annex Field with games in the Champions Cup only. The Consolation Cup games will begin on Saturday, December 7. This Saturday at 9:00 am, it will be Savannah Primary vs. NorthEast Schools (Under 9) and St. Ignatius Prep vs. Prospect Primary (Under 9). At 10:00 am, it’s Sir John A. Cumber Primary vs. South Sound Schools (Under 9) and George Town Primary/Cayman International School vs. Cayman Prep (Under9).
In the Under 11 division at 11:00 am, it’s Savannah Primary vs. Prospect Primary and St. Ignatius Prep vs. NorthEast Schools. At 12:15 pm, it’s Sir John A. Cumber Primary vs. Cayman Prep and George Town Primary vs. South Sound Schools.
Organisers of the CUC PFL encourage all parents and fans of “the powerful game” to head to the Annex Field for the 2013/2014 CUC PFL Playoffs this Saturday morning to cheer on our young athletes.
East End MLA demands local cops
(CNS): Independent MLA Arden McLean has made another demand for police in his district of East End and for coverage in the neighbouring community of North Side because assurances made during the Finance Committee meeting by government have not been met. Speaking in the LA on Thursday after gaining special permission to make a statement, he said nothing had changed with regard to policing levels. “To the contrary, things have got worse,“ he said. The people of the eastern districts were being held to ransom by deviant behaviour as break-ins reach record highs, he said and demanded results. The concerns coincide with the publishing of a report in the UK that warns of the dangers in the decline of neighbourhood policing.
McLean told his Legislative Assembly colleagues last Thursday that during the Finance Committee meeting in October both he and Ezzard Miller, the member for North Side, had been asked to be patient as the premier said the ministry was working on improving police coverage in the eastern districts.
However, McLean said that over a month later nothing had changed in terms of police presence but the criminality was soaring and the complete an utter failure of the police to respond to his constituents' complaints was causing a serious decline in reporting. He said the community was receiving such a bad service from the RCIPS, they saw it as a waste of time and effort to make reports.
The independent member said the burglaries in the two districts were so bad that some residents were dealing with break-ins up to four times a month. He said both he and Miller were being overwhelmed by representations from constituents and residents expressing concerns about crime.
But, he said, the police were still saying that the increase in staff was not warranted as the crime was still far less than in George Town and West Bay, which is where police officers are concentrated. McLean said that the poor service from the police had led to a failure of reporting as police often times don’t respond at all and when they do, nothing is done.
Another source of frustration for his constituents was the response from officers on the phones. He said anyone who called the local East End and North Side police stations were being told to go to or call Bodden Town or George Town to report the crime.
“The lack of police presence is the cause of the bad behaviour in our communities and we can no longer wait,” McLean told the government. With the local criminals assured that the police would be nowhere to be seen, they could carry on as they pleased, holding the community to ransom and imprisoning people in their homes.
Demanding more police officer, he warned of concerns that his constituents are so frustrated that they may take matters into their own hands. “It is of the utmost importance and government must reassure people and tell them when they can expect to see results.”
McLean’s concerns about the importance of community and neighbourhood policing is one common in many districts, as people like and support this type of policing where they see local officers walking and talking in the community.
A new report in the UK has also stressed the value of community policing and warned of its decline. The results of a commission of enquiry conducted by former Met commissioner Lord Stevens have revealed that the UK police are also “beating a retreat from the beat".
Seeking ways to “change policing to keep a community-based approach", Lord Stevens found, “Neighbourhood policing is the golden thread that runs through it all, and is foremost in my mind to secure a service fit for the 21st century.”
The former top police officer warned that neighbourhood policing is the "building block of fair and effective policing" but it is disappearing and it "must be saved". With 10,000 fewer frontline officers in England and Wales in 2013 than in 2010, a drop of 8.3%, the police, he said, are turning to discredited reactive models of policing.
Lord Stevens described the government's police reform programme as "confused", "fragmented" and "unfocused", allegations which have also been made about the RCIPS. The commission said police forces must promote "community wellbeing" and that crime prevention was as important as reacting to crime after the fact.
Following McLean’s comments in the LA last week, the premier said he was in discussions with the governor about policing levels and was not only conscious of the problem but was of same view as the two independent members that the RCIPS had to provide greater police presence in the eastern districts and respond more effectively to crime reports. Alden McLaughlin said that peace of mind must take precedence.
“I am aware that it is four weeks since we said what we did and it is still not addressed but it is at forefront and we are going to address it,” he said, adding that both McLean and Miller would be invited to the table to discuss the issue.
Three escaped Cubans arrested for burglary
(CNS): Three Cuban migrants who landed in Cayman Brac yesterday morning after the vessel in which they were travelling capsized have been arrested on suspicion of burglary. Although all 28 migrants were supposedly taken into immigration custody after the boat overturned, officials confirm that three of the migrants did escape. Government has not yet stated the gender of this latest group of migrants but the three people arrested for the burglary were men. Police said a Brac home in South Side Road East was broken into around 11am on Monday 25 November. At around 2:30pm, following police enquiries, three Cuban migrants were found hiding in a bush area near to the crime scene by both police and customs officers.
The men were arrested on suspicion of burglary and property, which was identified as having been stolen from the house, was recovered.
Police said that the Cubans were expected to be transferred into the custody of immigration officials and transported to Grand Cayman last night.
Volunteers needed for women’s U20 tourney
(CNS): As Cayman gears up for its next international football tournament, the local association is looking for volunteers. The 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Under 20 Championship will take place on Grand Cayman 9 -19 January next year and will be televised on FOX Sports Channel and Univision. Eight teams from the Cayman Islands, United States, Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala will be vying for a place in the U20 women’s world cup in Canada and the Cayman Islands Football Association will be responsible for making sure the tournament is a great success.
CIFA has put together a Local Organising Committee (LOC) but volunteers are needed to assist in various areas to ensure that Cayman hosts yet another world class football event.
From Social Media and IT experts to ticket distributors and office staff, as well as people to help with hospitality, translation and managing players and officials, CIFA needs many hands on deck. Volunteers are asked to contact a CIFA representative on phone number 516-7323, visit CIFA’s office at Poindexter Road, Prospect (next to Prospect Primary School) or email volunteers.cifa@gmail.com.
DoEH’s annual bulk waste clean-up underway
(CNS): With the annual pre-Christmas clean-up now underway the Department of Environmental Health said it will be collecting bulk waste from the district of Bodden Town during this week. Residents are asked to place bulk waste on the curb side where it can be accessed by DEH trucks, but not to block or obstruct traffic. Bulk waste includes items such as household appliances, furniture, and yard waste. Officials are also encouraging people to cut down on waste over Christmas in an effort to reduce the impact of the country’s stretched waste management systems and landfill.
During the next few weeks, the DEH will collect bulk items not handled by the normal residential garbage bi-weekly collection. All metals and vegetative waste should be separated from the rest. Metal items include old appliances, metal furniture, metal roofing; vegetative waste includes all plant trimming and tree branches.
Construction and demolition debris will not be collected and residents are reminded that items should not be put out after the dates listed below as DEH crews will not be returning to an area once it has been cleaned.
The DEH bulk waste pick-up schedule for Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are as follows:-
East End / North Side Districts – 18 November to 23 November.
Bodden Town District – 25 November to 30 November.
George Town District – 2 December to 7 December.
West Bay District – 9 December to 14 December.
Little Cayman – 18 November to 20 November.
Cayman Brac – 25 November to 29 November.
For further information, in Grand Cayman contact the DEH solid waste dispatch unit at 949-8793; in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman contact DEH Cayman Brac office at 948-2321.
Meanwhile, government officials are urging people to give more meaningful gifts and be more civil-minded, while wasting less and lightening the load for the clean-up crew. Suggestions include giving homemade items, such as cookies, handcrafts, or framed photos or entertainment vouchers for membership at the museum or gallery movie, theatre, concert, or sporting event tickets, gym membership, or restaurant and store gift certificates. Covering the cost of learning a language or paying for music lessons, classes in cooking, photography, yoga or offering time, services or skills such as baby-sitting, pet-sitting, computer assistance or home repairs are great substitute gifts. Another option is donating to someone’s favourite charity.
Sending email greetings rather than paper cards reduces waste as does reusable gift bags or creating gift wrap from maps or comics. Using durable plastic-ware or eco-friendly reusable ware and napkins instead of disposable catering products. Others may want items that you no longer need so contact local charitable organisations before throwing out gently-used clothing, furniture, books, and electronics. Instead of exchanging gifts, business and office staff can also elect to donate toys and other items.
Residents are reminded to be mindful of our surrounding and to refrain from littering and dumpingwaste in the environment as these activities are against the law (The Litter Law 1982). All waste should be properly disposed of at the DEH Landfills or through pick-ups services by residential garbage trucks.
Leaders begin talks with FCO as JMC opens
(CNS): Sticky issues such as public finances, pressure on the financial services sector, unemployment and future growth will be just some of the issues that the leaders of the overseas territories will be discussing with British officials during the Joint Ministerial Council over the next two days. The JMC is the forum where the UK reviews its strategy for promoting the security and good governance of its territories with their national leaders. This year the focus will be on economic growth and diversification, attracting investment, employment, international financial services regulation, and the relationship between the territories and the European Union. The Council will review progress made on the commitments from the 2012 Council and discuss and agree future priorities.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister for the territories, Mark Simmonds, said he was delighted to welcome the leaders to the second Joint Ministerial Council.
”We have achieved much by working in partnership towards our shared vision for the territories as vibrant and flourishing communities, in line with our 2012 White Paper," Simmonds said. “Jobs and economic growth are fundamental to building safe, successful and sustainable territories. This year’s JMC will focus on agreeing practical steps for the UK and overseas territories to work together to achieve that goal.”
Simmonds will also open a major UK-Overseas Territories Business Forum on Thursday to bring together for the first time all the OTs with UK businesses and investors to explore investment opportunities.
Ahead of the trip, the premier indicated that the Cayman delegation would be using the time to press for more support from the UK regarding the issues concerning offshore finance. Alden McLaughlin said that was why Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton had been chosen as the Cabinet member to accompany him to the British capital this week. The ministers are joined by Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose and ‘Sherpa’ Jennifer Ahearn.
Prior to the start of the JMC, the Cayman delegation also met with the other overseas territory leaders at the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association in London (pictured above). The UKOTA is an organisation that promotes the interests of the territories and cooperation between them.
Development bank faces trouble with serious debt
(CNS): The government-owned bank, which was created in 2002 to support entrepreneurship, economic and social development through loans, equity financing and other assistance, has a $30 million debt, which is due to be paid off in 2015. The financial services minister has raised his concern that this significant debt presents a challenge to the Cayman Islands Development Bank’s future ability to fulfill its mandate. The bank's 2012 financial statements, laid in the Legislative Assembly by Wayne Panton, who now has responsibility for the CIDB, showed that the bank had madea loan in contravention of its own law to a relative of an MLA in 2009, which was not addressed for more than 18 months.
Speaking in the House last week, Panton said that a way to address this debt problem needed to be found soon as the date for pay-back is looming and government is the bank's guarantor. In addition to the liability to CIG if the bank cannot find new funding, it will not be able to assist in financing government initiatives.
The outstanding debt owed by the bank is in three different special bonds, where the repayment comes due in one lump sum on a set date and the bulk of the bank's more than $35 million debt is due on three different dates in the middle of 2015. As a result, the bank will need to find the money to meet these payments or find a way to refinance the debt, which the minister said would be a challenge in this economic climate as the date was not so far away.
The bank's primary function is to lend money to local people for education, housing, agriculture and small businesses. At present the bank holds around $40 million worth of loans.
According to the financial statements, in September 2009 the bank granted a loan to a relative of an unnamed member of the Legislative Assembly in contravention of the development bank law for $30,000. Some 18 months after the fact, in March 2011 the board of directors ordered that the loan be moved and it was reportedly transferred to another bank in December of that year.
As he presented the bank's financial statements for the last financial year, posted below, the minister pointed to the progress the CIDB had made on the backlog of its financial statements and improvements in the human resources at the bank, as well as the documentation of procedures.
Premier promotes Cayman in special video for JMC
(CNS): The Cayman Islands premier has recorded a video to promote the Cayman Islands for this week’s overseas territory meeting in London. During the course of this week Alden McLaughlin and his ministerial colleague Wayne Panton will be flying the flag for Cayman at the table with FCO officials as the mother country engages in talks with all of its territories' leaders and discusses the continued relationship. With public finances at the fore, as well as issues such as conservation and the financial services sector, this year’s meeting will also see the OT leaders mingle with UK investors. The short video describes Cayman’s natural beauty as well as the economy and invites people to come see the islands for themselves. Go to video