Archive for September 11th, 2008
Ace Ltd. faces $133m Liberian legal claim again
(The Royal Gazette): Ace Ltd. is being sued for $133 million at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands by the Receiver of the Liberian operations of Cigna Worldwide Insurance Company — a complaint that has already been rejected twice by US courts. The claim relates to two court awards to claimant insureds against Cigna Worldwide in 2000and 2005 involving liabilities incurred before Ace acquired the Cigna Group for $3.45 billion in July 1999. Go to article
.jpg "GT man in fatal bee attack")
GT man in fatal bee attack
(CNS): Police have now named the man who passed away after he was attacked by bees from a beehive in George Town yesterday. He was George Sherryl Whittaker, 74, of Fairbanks Road, the father of local boxer Charles Whittaker. Police say that the incident occured close to Whittaker’s own home where he was working when he struck the hive and the bees attacked; he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call at 2:55 pm on Wednesday, 10 September, from a member of the public reporting that a man was being attacked by bees on Fairbanks Road. The caller stated that some people had tried to help the man but could not get to him because of the bees. He said the man was lying on the ground and he did not know his condition. Medics, police and fire officers responded to the scene and found the man on the ground. He was taken to hospital for treatment but unfortunately passed away. The cause of death is not known at this time. The RCIPS sends its condolences to the relatives and friends of the victim.
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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Fun runs on Brac and Grand Cayman
(CNS): Three good causes will be highlighted with two scheduled fun run/walks, one on Cayman Brac next Saturday to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, and the other on Grand Cayman on 1 November to benefit the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and MATT Safe. (Left: Radio Cayman’s Paulette Conolly-Bailey receives a cheque towards these causes from Roma United FC’s Banny Stephenson and Robert Sairsingh).
The Lions Club of Cayman Brac will join forces with the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens to promote Breast Cancer Awareness on Cayman Brac with a 5K run/walk from Scotts’ Dock to Fosters Corner and back on Saturday, 13 September, followed by an awareness meeting that evening.
Registration for the walk/run, which costs $10, starts at 6:00 am at the Scott’s Dock, and there will be lots of prizes to win. Breakfast will also be on sale and at the awareness meeting. The awareness meeting will take place in the medical wing of the Aston Rutty Civic Center starting at 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Lion Pier-Ann Brown at 924-0989.
Radio Cayman is hosting the second annual Breeze Fusion Run/Walk on 1 November. Last year, the proceeds from this event were shared with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). This year, the event will benefit both the NCVO and MATT Safe.
The NCVO is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation that engages in projects to meet the ever-increasing social needs of the community. MATT Safe was formed in memory of Pat Ebanks son, Matthew, who passed away tragically in a car accident a few years ago. MATT Safe promotes safe driving for young drivers in Cayman and the programme plans to institute safe-driving skills lessons in high schools across the Cayman Islands.
Already donations to the Breeze Fusion Run/Walk have started to arrive. Roma United Football and Sports Club, whose recent fundraising Independence Day Celebrations received extensive media support from Radio Cayman and Breeze 105.3FM, has made a contribution as a token of appreciation, as well as a means of supporting the charities that benefit from this annual event.
Roma President Robert Sairsingh said, “Roma is always delighted to participate in projects that promote healthy minds and healthy bodies for the people of the Cayman Islands, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with Radio Cayman and other entities who share the vision of building a more healthy and harmonious society.” He and Banny Stephenson, chief oganiser of the TruJuice/Roma United FC Jamaica Independence Celebrations, believe that one good turn deserves another.
Radio Cayman’s Acting Deputy Director and Sales& Promotions Manager, Paulette Conolly-Bailey, said, “The station is always looking for positive ways to be involved in the community which will have an impact for years to come, especially on our youth, who are our future. We are happy that we had the opportunity to team up with Roma, which is also youth focused through the sport of football. Radio Cayman looks forward to bigger and better things with this partnership so we can continue to make a difference.”
In addition to raising funds for local charities, The Breeze Fusion Run/Walk aims to promote wholesome family and community activities through sports. The 2K event begins at 7:30 am from the John Gray High School on Walkers Road. Adults and children are invited to participate, with a $15.00 registration fee for adults, $10.00 for students. This fee includes an event t-shirt and other prizes.
Interested persons can register at Phoenix Athletic Club (call 945-3970) or online at www.radiocayman.gov.ky. Other venues for registration will be publicized closer to the event and forms will also be available later from Radio Cayman’s reception.
Club celebrates crowning
(CNS): The Rotaract Blue Club (RBC) of the Cayman Islands recently celebrated a milestone for one of the club’s members. Rotaractor Nicosia Lawson, was crowned Miss Cayman Islands 2008/2009 on 23 August 2008, and a release from RBC says her fellow club members are very happy with her achievement.
“We are very proud of Nicosia’s achievement and wish her success and God’s blessing during her reign. We will support her every step of the way,” said President Elect Tricia Cacho, speaking on behalf of the club.
During the celebration, the new Miss Cayman Islands was surprised with banners and well wishes, and also presented with a gift certificate for Kirk Freeport. Lawson was grateful for the show of support by her fellow club members and said, “Rotaract Blue is like a second family to me, and having been unable to attend meetings during my preparation for Miss Cayman, it certainly feels good to return home.”
Rotaract is a programme that is recognised on an international level and is designed for young professionals who want to make a difference. Rotaract Blue is one of the newest Rotaract initiatives in the Caribbean. The club is sponsored by Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central and under its guidance has become the second established Rotaract Club in the Cayman Islands.
Panel selected to help choose FOI boss
(CNS): Another step has been taken on the journey to Freedom of Information in the Cayman Islands with the selection of a panel that will advise HE the Governor Stuart Jack and make recommendations regarding the appointment of the Information Commissioner. A press statement issued on Wednesday 9 September stated that the Governor had appointed the panel and he believed the members would be fair in their assessments.
"The panel is a group of highly capable individuals who I know will use both good judgement and fairness when making their decision. The Freedom of Information Law and the Office of the Information Commissioner will deliver on the Cayman Islands Government’s commitment to be more open, transparent and accountable,” Governor Jack said in the statement.
The nominations for an FOI commissioner were opened in August and it will be up to the panel to consider applicants for the position according to the principles set out in section 4 of the Law. Based on their recommendations, and, after consultation with Cabinet, the Governor will then appoint the Information Commissioner.
After what was described in the statement as careful consideration five people have been selected to serve on the panel including two politicians. Osbourne Bodden MLA for Bodden Town and Captain Eugene Ebanks MLA for West Bay will serve alongside Tim Adams former CEO of Cable & Wireless and Sara Collins, a local Lawyer who is heading up the newly opened Maitland Cayman office and Chair of the Human Rights Committee. Jenny Manderson a retired senior civil servant and longstanding member of the National Youth Commission will chair the panel. The Selection Panel met this week, and is reportedly aiming to make their recommendation to the Governor by mid October.
“The appointment of a competent Information Commissioner is vital to the success of Freedom of Information,” said Manderson. “I welcome this opportunity to contribute to furthering the principles of openness and transparency in the public service and I look forward to working with the other members of the selection panel.”
The FOI law will come into effect in January 2009 and will for the first time provide rights of access to government records for members of the public. The law was passed in September 2007 and the FOI unit opened its doors in October 2007. The FOI coordinator is Carol Excell, who worked with the Jamaica Field Office of the Carter Centre, supporting the implementation of the Jamaican Access to Information Act.
Excell explained that while her unit is concerned with how FOI works and creating a culture of disclosure, the Information Commissioner will be focusedon the enforcement of the law and ensuring civil servants comply. Since its establishment, the FOI unit has been preparing and training members of the civil service on how FOI will work and what it means to them as the custodians of government information and the front line in the implementation of the law.
“We have had a terrific response and have trained Information Managers for most government departments, and in some case two or three people have completed the course,” said Excell. She explained that even when the office of the Information Commissioner is established, her Unit will still have a great deal to do, from assisting members of the private sector who do business with government to supporting the Information Managers across the civil service as they begin to work under the new FOI law. Excell also noted that the unit would be working on issues relating to data protection and whistle blowing.