Archive for October, 2008
Taste of Cayman moves to Camana Bay
(CNS): Cayman’s annual Food and Wine Festival will take place in the Camana Bay Town Centre for the first time this year on Saturday, 1 November, from 5:00 pm to midnight. According to the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA), the Taste of Cayman has evolved over the years from its original food festival in the field of Safe Haven years ago.
CITA says its new direction has enabled the event to increase the international culinary exposure for the Cayman Islands: “This annual event is a tourism showcase of many Cayman epicurean delights and with the expansion of the Taste of Cayman to a food and wine festival we anticipate having this become a stay over visitor sales tool which will compete with other Caribbean Island food and wine festivals.”
CITA said having Camana Bay as a major partner is a natural fit, and that as the Town Centre at Camana Bay develops, Taste of Cayman will draw more vendors and a larger crowd of attendees. “We hope to expand on our Entertainment program and our number of vendors at the main event next year and include more events allowing the festival to spread our 3-4 days,” said Trina Christian, CITA Executive Director.
Susanna deSaram, Communications Manager for Dart Realty, said, “For Camana Bay the Taste of Cayman was an event that we had hoped to one day host as part of our vision for connecting the community. It allows us the opportunity to bring the Town Centre to life and allow residents and visitors the chance to enjoy the Camana Bay’s landscape and surroundings whilst being involved in a fabulous event that has played a key role in the culture of Cayman.”
The design of Camana Bay has allowed the event to take on an array of different atmospheres to which attendees can explore, from the Butterfield Kid’s Corner, the Restaurants on Market Street, the Market on Cayman Court and the Luna del Mar Lounge by Cayman Distributer’s and Blackbeard’s.
To purchase your raffle/admission ticket ($40 presold/$50 at the gate) contact info@cita.ky or call 949-8522 or log on to www.tasteofcayman.com.ky.
Caribbean women vulnerable
The murder of Estella Scott-Roberts tragically highlights once again the extreme vulnerability to gender-based violence that defines the lives of women in the Caribbean.
The 2007 World Bank/ UNODC report on Crime and Violence reveals the Caribbean to be amongst the most violent of places for women, with high levels of reports of sexual violence as well as domestic violence.
Estella, during her impressively courageous and public-spirited life, supported many women victims of violence, providing protection, support and advocacy to ensure a better net of prevention and protection against violence. She supported the establishment of the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and was Officer responsible for Women’s Affairs during which time she worked on the National Gender Policy.
Although all Caribbean countries have signed and ratified the Convention on the Eradication, Prevention and Punishment of Violence against Women, there is so much more that has to be done to signal unequivocally, state and community accountability for ending violence against women. While policing must be strengthened, legal remedies made more accessible and affordable, shelters and social services provided for women and their children seeking safe haven, the real change has to be the transformation of the culture of gender inequality.
Ending violence against women requires that each one of us speak out against relations of power, domination and control that characterise so much of the dynamics of interpersonal relations between women and men in the Caribbean. We must embrace our collective role of advocates for respect, justice and women’s autonomy. In this, men have a special responsibility to carry this message. Violence against women is not only a woman’s issue; it is a men’s issue, and tackling this requires redefining masculinity away from the traditional and harmful practices of aggression and control.
As we go into the period of the 16 days of activism to end violence against women (November 25-10 December), let us resolve that the life’s work of Estella will continue, with resolve and with results.
A Life Free of Violence- It’s a Woman’s Rights
Roberta Clarke is the Regional Programme Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Caribbean Office
Reggae Boyz for camp in Cayman Islands
(Jamaica Observer): Jamaica resume their preparation for the final match in the semi-final round of CONCACAF qualification for the 2010 World Cup against Canada with a trip to Cayman Islands. The Reggae Boyz will arrive in the Caymans on November 3 under new head coach John Barnes, the former England international, and assistant coach Theodore Whitmore, the former national captain and midfield star, for an extensive training camp. Go to article
Receivers hold assets connected to Grand Island Fund
(CNS): With hedge fund collapses common in the wake of the worldwide global crisis Cayman’s own most high profile fund collapse was back in the news this week following the arrival of seized funds into this jurisdiction. According to a statement from the Joint Voluntary Liquidators, PwC Corporate Finance and Recovery (Cayman) Limited had recovered an undisclosed sum from Canadian accounts.
Raising considerable controversy when it collapsed, the fund, which was reportedly established by Naul Bodden and involved numerous local people and companies in its management and investments, is now the subject of a police investigation. One man was arrested in connection to the funds’ collapse and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) Financial Crimes Unit says it is working on the case.
Pwc Corporate Finance and Recovery (Cayman) Limited, acting in their capacity as Court Appointed Receiver over monies held at ScotiaMcLeod, Canada, said yesterday, 23 October, on behalf of the Grand Island Funds and other investors, that they had obtained recognition in the Ontario Supreme Court of the Grand Court Order on 16 September 2008.
This enabled the Receivers on 25 September 2008 to repatriate monies previously held by Scotia McLeod to bank accounts controlled by the Receivers in the Cayman Islands.
“The monies will remain in Cayman Island bank accounts until such time the Grand Court orders the Receivers to distribute the monies to the beneficial owners,” the JVL said in a statement. “In addition to repatriating the monies to Cayman Islands, the Receiver also obtained books and records from Scotia Mcleod. These books and records, along with other books and records obtained by the JVLs to date, will assist the JVLs to further progress their investigations into the affairs of the Grand Island Funds.”
The statement also noted that the JVLs recently held meetings with the Grand Island Funds shareholders to keep them updated on progress of the liquidation to date. “The JVLs are also updating various stakeholders with the progress of their investigation, which is ongoing and still at an early stage."
However, so far, few if any actions or details have been disclosed to the wider public about how the fund collapsed, who is responsible and accountability regarding directors. There are numerous questions of good governance circulating in Cayman’s finance community about the fund in relation to its management, regulation and direction. There are also allegations of a number of conflicts of interest surrounding recent appointments connected to the management of the collapse.
Police took “nuclear optionâ€
(CNS): During an intense day of proceedings in the Judicial Review regarding the arrest of Justice Alex Henderson, and what Sir Peter Cresswell described as a highly charged case, the UK expert presiding judge said the action taken by the special investigating team led by Martin Bridger was the “nuclear option”.He said it was very worrying that an unrestricted search of a serving High Court judge’s computer, likely to contain very sensitive material, had been ordered.
With the Public Interest Immunity issues set aside and Bridger’s full affidavit sealed (see Justice case reveals 3rd party) the day focused on the arguments of the case. This raised numerous concerns for the judge, including the seizure of Henderson’s computer which he said would have contained a wide range of highly sensitive material, none of which would have had any relationship to the special investigation.
“If that gets into a third party’s hands then justice could be compromised,” he said, illustrating some of his concerns about the approach the investigating team took by getting an order for an unrestricted search.
The day’s proceedings began, however, with Ramon Alberga, QC, representing Henderson, placing his essential arguments for the Judicial Review. These focused on a deliberate lack of disclosure of essential information to the Justice of the Peace (JP) Carson Ebanks on the part of the Special Police Investigation Team.
Alberga argued that the JP should have been given the information relating to Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s rulings previously denying search warrants in the wider investigation known as ‘Operation Tempura’. He also said that neither the material facts of the case nor the legal principals were disclosed to Ebanks. Alberga suggested that there was a deliberate attempt to avoid giving him details, in particular those relating to the rulings of the Chief Justice, who is the highest legal authority in the Cayman Islands.
“It was highly unethical that this authority exists and they did not bring it to the attention of the JP,” said Alberga. “The JP should have been given this information. They can’t sweep it under the carpet just because they don’t like it. Had the JP seen it – it would have caused him to stop dead in his tracks and seek legal assistance.”
He asserted that not only has this alleged offence never been used before in Cayman, as far as anyone could establish, Ebanks admitted that he had never seen any literature about the responsibilities of a JP and although some guidelines do exist, which turned out to be incorrect, he had never seen them anyway.
Alberga argued that the special investigation team presented Ebanks with the idea that Henderson had failed to cooperate with them, which he noted was wholly incorrect, but painted Henderson in Ebanks’ eyes as a bad person. As the JP thought he was doing the right thing by assisting the police, as would be his natural reaction, he granted the warrants.
Throughout the day Alberga gave sound examples of important details that were not revealed to the JP. These included the existence of letters to Cayman Net News denying authorship of the possibly fabricated letters published in the same paper which criticized the judiciary and which had led Henderson to ask John Evans, a former Net News sports reporter, if he knew who really wrote them. Alberga also demonstrated that Henderson’s concerns that the letters could be in contempt of court, which Bridger et al suggested was dishonest, were in fact valid.
When Nicholas Purnell QC rose to begin his argument in the late afternoon, he based it around one clear and precise principle that the Justice of the Peace did not need to know anything other than the fact that a police officer had sworn an oath that he, the officer, had reasonable suspicion that a crime could have been committed by Henderson.
Purnell cited various case law and set out his team’s position that the JPdid not need any other knowledge other than that given to him by an officer. He said that officer had sworn an oath giving details of why the police believed that a crime could have been committed and that there might be evidence of that crime in either his home, office or computer.
Purnell stated that he believed Alberga’s argument was flawed because the JP simply did not need to know anything other than the fact the officer in question was concerned a crime could have been committed. He said the reasonable grounds of suspicion lay with the officer, who states this in his oath, and it was up to the JP to question that if he was not satisfied by the police officer’s submission.
“The JP does not look at the material,” Purnell argued, citing the general idea that any justice signing a warrant regarding reasonable suspicion of any crime submitted by a police officer would not demand to see all of the police evidence or all the material relating to the crime.
However, as forceful and clear as Purnell’s argument was, Cresswell was not convinced and argued extensively with the police team’s counsel. Referring to Purnell’s suggestion that the JP only need be satisfied that the police officers was satisfied a crime had occurred the judge said, “There has got to be more than that surely,” to which Purnell replied, “no there doesn’t.”
Cresswell continued to debate numerous points with Purnell, saying he believed the police had taken the “nuclear option” with the warrants, allowing them unrestricted access to a judge’s computer, which was damaging to the wider public interest to issue such on order.
Purnell countered that no one was above the law whether it was a judge or a porter, and while Cresswell agreed with that point he emphasized that the contents of a judge’s computer were likely to be far more sensitive than that of a porter. The judge himself was not above the law, Cresswell noted, but to have an unrestricted search of his computer was very irregular.
Although Purnell argued that protocols were in place to protect the integrity of the information on the computer not pertinent to the investigation of Operation Tempura, Cresswell appeared to remain unconvinced.
“I am extremely troubled by the unrestricted order to seize and search a judge’s computer,” he said, adding that he had general concerns over some of the special investigation team’s arguments placed before the JP to make him sign the warrantand there were things that should have been disclosed. The proceedings were adjourned until 10:00 am tomorrow.
Armed robbery in GT
(CNS): An off-duty police officer gave chase to a suspect after it was reported that a George Town store was robbed on Wednesday afternoon, 22 October, by a man carrying what appeared to be a firearm. The 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call from the officer at around 3:40 pm reporting that the China Boutique on Shedden Road had been robbed of cash.
(CNS): An off-duty police officer gave chase to a suspect after it was reported that a George Town store was robbed on Wednesday afternoon, 22 October, by a man carrying what appeared to be a firearm. The 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call from the officer at around 3:40 pm reporting that the China Boutique on Shedden Road had been robbed of cash.
The off-duty officer, who was in the vicinity at the time of the incident, chased the suspect who ran towards the Government Administration Building (Glass House), but lost sight of the suspect at the back of the building. Police officers were told that a man carrying what looked like a firearm entered the shop, pushed a bag towards the cashier and demanded that she fill it with cash from the till. The offender then went behind the counter, took some money that was accessible to him and ran away from the shop after a customer entered the establishment. No one was injured during the incident.
The offender is described as having a fair complexion with dark, curly hair and spoke with a Caymanian accent. Anyone who was in the area at the time who saw the offender or anyone who recognises the description should contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Dwayne Jones, on 525 6494 or George Town CID on 949-4222.
Calls can also be made to Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS), where callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
Police: Husband not a suspect
(CNS): Update: Following a statement from the police yesterday countering rumours that Estella Scott-Roberts’ husband was a suspect for her murder, Rayle Roberts himself has spoken out in an appeal to the public to stop "rumor mongering and allow the police to get on with their task without having to respond to baseless and unfounded stories."
On Thursday, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Kennett reiterated that Rayle Roberts had not been arrested and was not a suspect. “People that peddle unjustified rumours without any foundation whatsoever cause untold anguish to those closest to Estella and have a negative effect on the progress of the enquiry. Rayle has not been arrested, is not a suspect and has never been a suspect,” he said.
Calling the person, or persons, who committed the crime “evil”, Roberts insisted that he had nothing to do with the murder of his wife, and had cooperated with the police and their investigation from the outset. He also said he had provided police with all information that they have requested, and allowed them full access to their home and possessions.
“In the midst of our grief and loss, we have been subjected to further unimaginable pain and suffering by the unfounded and malicious rumours that havespread like wildfire throughout this community since Estella’s murder,” Roberts said, explaining that he had been counseled not to talk but that the most recent stories have left him no option other than to speak publicly. “These rumors have sought to sully the character, reputation, and name of my wife. They have also sought to implicate me in her murder. These unfound stories have left me, my family and friends, with feelings of profound anger and resentment.”
Roberts said he had never been arrested or treated as a suspect “in this horrendous crime” by the police, and would continue to support the efforts of the police.
He said, “On behalf of my family, Estella¹s family, friends and myself, I ask those responsible for starting and spreading such vicious rumours to stop your falsehoods, as they are a source of our continued grief and suffering. Please allow us to grieve and mourn over our loss without having to deal with the distraction of such malicious falsehoods.”
According to an RCIPS release, the investigation is going well with a number of leads being followed and progress being made. One man remains in custody, assisting police with their enquiries.Referring to assistance from the public, Kennett acknowledged that cooperation has generally been good.
Since the tragic events of 10 October, twenty officers supported by various specialist staff have been diligently working on the case. Two experts have been drafted in; a Forensic Pathologist and an Arson and Explosives expert, both of whom have given invaluable advice and assistance to the investigation team. A number of exhibits have been sent to laboratories overseas for forensic analysis and many statements have been taken, with this number growing daily. In addition, 8 anonymous tips have been received by Crime Stoppers in Miami and passed to the Major Incident Room for follow up.
“We appreciate the assistance offered by the public so far and ask that this continues. We must stand up against violence together, as a community,” Kennett said. “Some people are quick to engage in conversation about theories, possible motives, suspects and the investigation in general. If anyone has information that they think can help, they should contact the murder investigation team. Even if the information you have seems insignificant to you, it could be crucial to us.”
Estella Scott-Roberts was last seen in the car park in-between Deckers and Buckingham Square at around 11:15pm on Friday, 10 October. Her burnt out vehicle was found in the Dykes in West Bay the following day. An examination of remains found in the vehicle by a forensic pathologist has left little doubt that the body is that of Estella Scott- Roberts.
Dedicated contact numbers:
Detective Inspector Kim Evans – 926-1773
Detective Constable Wade Chase – 925-7240
Detective Constable Charmane Dalhouse – 926-3975
Detective Constable Karl Lovell – 925-6761
Anyone with information about this case should contact the murder investigation team or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $125,000 USD, should their information lead to an arrest and conviction.
Rotaract Blue Fun Day
(CNS): The Rotaract Blue club of the Cayman Islands will be hosting a Family Fun Day event on Saturday, 25 October, at the Airport Park. This event is a continuation of the club’s Open Arms programme, which aims to create community awareness of different disabilities and to integrate individuals with disabilities into the community. (Left: Open Arms Commitee)
According to a release from the club, the Rotaract Blue Open Arms Committee hopes to change society’s perceptions and educate everyoneon the fact that those with disabilities deserve to be respected and provided with the opportunities to learn and grow. The programme saw success with the first Annual Rotaract Blue Open Arms Awards Ceremony, which was held on 12 July 2008 to honour caregivers and educators of those with disabilities.
The committee hopes to build on this success with the Family Fun Day event this weekend. This event will provide an opportunity for those with special needs to have fun with their families, members of Rotaract Blue and the wider community. Gates open at 11:00 am and the fun will continue until 6:00 pm. The Family Fun Day will feature a bounce-a-castle, lots of games, cotton candy, snow cones and barbeque. There is no admission charge.
Rotaract Blue Open Arms Committee member ShakiraGourzong had this message for the public, “I would like to encourage members of the community to come out and support this important event. It will be a day filled with fun for the entire family!” All the proceeds will benefit the Sunrise Adult Training Centre and Maple House.
Rotaract is a programme which is recognized 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. They are proudly sponsored by Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central and under their guidance have become the second established Rotaract Club in the Cayman Islands.
Exhibit by autistic artist
(CNS): The National Gallery has collaborated with RBS Coutts to host ‘Icons of Cayman’ an exhibition of new works by Seth Chwast, an autistic artist from the US, that were inspired by a visit to Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands in 2008. The exhibit opens 25 October 6:00 to 9:00 pm, and runs through February 2009.
On 4 November and 13 January a 30-minute documentary by filmmaker Marni Deutsch that explores Chwast’s remarkable journey will be screened at 6:00 pm. Chwast and his mother, Debra, will be on island on the 13 and 14 of November and are set to appear at several in public engagements to discuss Chwast’s art and life with autism.
A release from the National Gallery says, ‘Seth Chwast is an accomplished artist. He is also autistic. He cannot safely cross the street by himself. He rarely speaks. His art, however, speaks volumes. It is moving and powerful and instantly conveys his contagious sense of joy.”
Diagnosed with autism as a very young child, Chwast lived for years in a world of roller coasters, haunted houses, and classical music. A dramatic change came in 2003, when at age 20 he took an oil painting class at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Chwast soon began describing his world in paint. It turned out that he has an innate ability to mix colors and create amazing works of art that reflect his vision of his world and the world around him.
In the years since he has exhibited internationally and his work resides in public and private collections. He has been twice documented on NBC’s Today Show; recently completed two solo exhibitions in the Galapagos Islands, and paintings for the Charles Darwin 200th anniversary celebrations, among other projects. Through art Chwast conveys his contagious sense of joy, happiness, and beauty, and his story inspires.
The artist’s mother, Debra, commented, “Seth’s art and his journey serve as a reminder that through creativity we canovercome the most challenging odds.”
Extensive student educational programming has been developed around the exhibition in conjunction with the Department of Education Services.
Head of Student Services, Department of Education Services, Brent Holt explained, “The Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services are proud to support The National Gallery during the Seth Chwast ‘Icons of Cayman’ exhibition.” He said, “Through coordinated activities both at the Gallery and within our schools throughout the time, we expect that this opportunity will lead to greater awareness and appreciation by teachers, students, and community members of the valuable contributions to Cayman society which come from our children and adults who may experience unique individual differences.”
All works on display will be up for sale with a percentage being donated to the artists’ charities and the outreach and education programmes of the National Gallery.
On Thursday 13 November at 6:00 pm Debra Chwast will join her son Seth to talk about his work and inspiration. On Friday 14 November at 7:30 am, mother and son will join other families in the Cayman Islands to share experiences of life with autism.
On 26 November, 28 January, and 25 February National Gallery curators will lead a lunchtime lecture discussing various aspects of the artist’s work. Complimentary lunch served.
For additional information or to book any of these events please call the Gallery on 945-8111 or e-mail Natalie at deputydirector.ng@candw.ky
For more information on the educational programme or to book a tour, contact the National Gallery Outreach and Education Officer Kiran Denis via e-mail outreach.ng@candw.ky
Rotaract Blue Cayman Islands Goes Coastal
(CNS): The Ivory Sands Point at Cayman Kai beach located in North Side, often referred to as “Jesus Beach”, recently got a much needed facelift from the members of the Rotaract Blue Club of the Cayman Islands. The club participated in a Rotaract 7020 District initiative to clean up beaches in the region.
The project was spearheaded by Assistant District Rotaract Representative, Dorothy Scott, and was met with great support from the local Rotaract clubs. Rotaract Blue’s focus on this particular area resulted in twenty-five 30-gallon sized bags of garbage and debris being collected.
Director of the Community Service committee for Rotaract Blue, Luigi Moxam said, “This area is such an important part of what makes North Side and Cayman Kai so unique and relaxing. We were amazed at the amount of litter that was collected from the beach, and encourage patrons of this beach and the general public to be more considerate and conscious of the natural environment of our beloved islands. The club plans to continue with this initiative and will execute other projects geared towards raising environmental awareness.”
The club was proud to have 16 volunteers on hand for the project and celebrated the success of the clean up with a small fellowship at Over the Edge in Old Man Bay, where members took the opportunity to encourage others to join the community service clubs. Rotaract Blue would like to extend special thanks to Stan Zukin, nearby home owner and fellow Rotarian from Pennsylvania, who also came out to lend a hand with the clean up.
Rotaract is a programme which is recognized 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. We are proudly sponsored by Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central and under their guidance we have become the second established Rotaract Club in the Cayman Islands.