Archive for January 14th, 2009
Post Paloma blues
I think that many people in Grand Cayman have forgotten what it was like in the weeks that followed Hurricane Ivan justfour years ago.
I can’t say I blame them, but from my perspective, having lived through Hurricane Paloma on the Brac a bare nine weeks ago, perhaps it is time to draw to the attention of the movers and shakers (and everyone else that doesn’t seem to understand) in Grand Cayman exactly where we are at on the Brac.
But first a word of thanks. We couldn’t have gotten through the early post-storm days without the overwhelming support we received from everybody on Grand Cayman – both public and corporate, individuals and non-profit organizations. And we are extremely grateful for that support.
At this time we are recovering, but it is a slow process. Perhaps not as slow as after Ivan, but slow nonetheless. Many people are still without power, many, many more without land-lines. This despite heroic efforts by our utility companies to “hook us back up.” There are still many people who are virtually homeless, entire families bunking into one bedroom shacks because their homes have been destroyed, others making do in the patched up rooms of their semi-destroyed homes. Possessions — family heirlooms, old love letters, photographs, TV sets and bedspreads — gone. Blue tarps on hundreds of roofs; generators running through the night consuming gas at CI$3.30 a gallon; hotels closed. The muted roar of dehuimidifiers trying to cope with the damp and the creeping mould. Sound familiar?
And the barge couldn’t make it for several weeks because the sea was too rough for it to dock. That meant we have had to wait for our building supplies before we could start our rebuilding process. We don’t want for food – but it was rough for at least a month after Paloma with only Kirkconnell’s operating and flying in supplies. Our other grocery stores – Billy’s and the Marketplace – trashed. They’re open now – but the prices. Oh my!
That’s the physical side, the “plant” so to speak. What of the Brackers themselves? I see stress on just about every face I meet. The shock of the devastation that we have to face every day, to drive past on our way to and from our work and families. Lined faces, easy tears, the occasional cracked voice. Exhaustion. Remember post-Ivan, Grand Cayman, we are made of flesh and blood, not steel. Think of all the elderly Brackers who have died since Paloma. The storm that was too much for them.
So, to my point. I have observed that in just about every profession here we are being asked to perform as if nothing has happened. Today I heard of one institution to which e-mails were being sent, and the folks “over there” couldn’t understand why nothing was being done. The Brac branch didn’t have a land-line—still doesn’t. Helloooo over there. There are many, many more similar examples which space does not permit me to list. Here’s one. An organization was asked why it was still using a generator to provide power for essential lighting. This was costing money — it needed to be stopped. Hello: there was no power to these particular lights because they were miles away from the nearest live pole. The generator was put there in the first place for just this kind of emergency. To me this was a no-brainer, but apparently not to the person in Grand Cayman who ordered it.
I guess that’s what we’re seeing over here. No brainers. I know it was awful after Ivan. I know because many people have told me, especially those who sought haven on the Brac afterwards. I was here then. I heard first hand and in great detail what everyone went through, and I know people want to forget it. Fine. But just remember that we are going through that now. Nine weeks after a Cat 4 Hurricane and its consequential damage.
Just remember that and please do not ask us to do what is for us, the impossible. Think about what you are doing before you ask it. And, by the way, one way to help us through the stress and trauma we have been going through is to send counselors over to enable us do just that. This is what we need, not more work that we cannot do, or that will cause us further physical and psychological problems in the future.
Police investigating school break-in
(CNS): Following a break-in which occurred at John A Cumber Primary School, in West Bay, in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday, 14 January , the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is calling on the public for information. Police said that just before 2:00 am the 911 Emergency Communications Centre received notification from Island Electronics that an alarm had been triggered at the school.
Police said officers responded to the location and found that a number of panes of glass had been removed from the building and entry had been gained. An administrative office, a number of classrooms and the school hall had been entered and police are trying to ascertain what if anything has been taken.
Scenes of Crime officers are currently processing the scene and an investigation is underway by detectives from West Bay CID. It is not clear at what time the break-in occurred so anyone who was in the area overnight who may have seen something suspicious should contact West Bay CID on 949-3999 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.
Our man in Singapore
(CNS): Locally based global offshore law firm Walkers is moving into the Asian markets with a new office in Singapore. The decision was driven by strong, recognised, and increasing demand for Cayman Islands and BritishVirgin Islands (BVI) legal and corporate services within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, the firm said. Walkers will be the first law firm to provide practising Cayman Islands counsel based in Singapore. (Left: John Rogers)
“In recent years, we have followed a ‘smart growth’ strategy of targeted expansion to provide a presence on the ground in the countries where our clients require the support and expertise that we offer,” said Grant Stein, global managing partner of Walkers. “The opportunities presented in Singapore make it a logical next step in the process of expanding Walkers’ global development and meeting our clients’ demands. By extending ourcoverage within ASEAN, we will be able to provide seamless integrated Cayman Islands and BVI offshore legal and corporate services to clients operating in this region. Singapore has enjoyed excellent growth in recent years and we have no doubt it will continue to do so in the future, despite more difficult current conditions.”
"Singapore’s position as a key South East Asian hub for many international law firms and financial institutions will provide an excellent platform for growth in Singapore, India, and all of the members of the ASEAN,” Rogers said. “With the new office, Walkers is affirming its long-term commitment to the region.”
Singapore echoes the strengths of the other six global financial centres in which Walkers has offices, the firm said. A successful and open economy, Singapore is internationally recognised for its robust and transparent regulatory regime and strong financial sector. Singapore is ranked number two in the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. As a wealth centre Singapore has grown significantly, with US$500 billion in offshore assets under management in 2007, according to the Boston Consulting Group. The city-state has numerous Free Trade Agreements in place on a regional and international basis, including agreements with the United States, Australia, China, India and Japan.
DOT presents first culinary tourism event
(CNS): Celebrity Chef Eric Ripert, is one of a list of world famous chefs and sommeliers, gathering this weekend in Cayman for the Department of Tourism’s first annual Cayman Cookout. The four day long celebration of food and wine will give guests from around the world the opportunity to indulge in cuisine prepared by leading international chefs in various island locations.
Running between 16-19 January the collection of culinary events features Chefs Dean Fearing, Ingrid Hoffmann, Michael Laiskonis, Laurent Manrique and Laurent Tourondel, and sommeliers Ray Isle, Anthony Giglio and Joshua Wesson and is the latest promotional event to enter the DoT calendar.
“The Cayman Islands Ministry and Department of Tourism have always endeavored to bring the finest events to our shores” Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford said. “This is the first food and wine festival of this magnitude in the Caribbean and we are especially delighted about the opportunity to showcase our Caymanian cuisine and flair at an event of this caliber.”
The events kick off at the Welcome Party on Friday evening on Seven Mile Beach where guests can mix and mingle with the finest talents in the culinary world followed by “After Eight” at the Silver Palm Lounge. On Saturday guests can take to the sea with Chef Eric Ripert where he will expose the preparation secrets behind his mouth-watering ceviche on board a majestic catamaran anchored at Stingray City. Other events include the Rum Tasting with Appleton Master Blender Joy Spence who will share the art and science of blending golden aged rums. At the other end of the island, Chef Dean Fearing will host the Rum Point Cookout, where attendees will travel across the North Sound to the Rum Point Beach Bar for a Cuban feast and fiesta. Cooking demonstrations on Saturday include a coffee and pastry tutorial with Executive Pastry Chef Rolf Runkel . Later on Executive Pastry Chef at Le Bernardin and the 2007 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Pastry Chef Michael Laiskonis will demystify “molecular gastronomy” for the home cook; and Laurent Tourondel, visionary chef behind the BLT restaurant, will demonstrate how he has redefined bistro cooking.
For wine aficionados, Anthony Giglio will educate on the different flavours, aromas and characteristics of different Argentinean vintages. Hundred Acre Partner Chris Radomski and award winning Sommelier Martin Hoetzl of Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman will guide guests through this once in a lifetime tasting experience of wines from one of the top cult wineries in the world.
On Sunday guests can choose to start with the Smoothies and Juices session, where expert mixologists will share the secrets of healthy island blends in a celebration of Caymanian fruits; or attend the Champagne Brunch & Celebrity Chef Cook-off, where guests can sip champagne and watch who prevails as two of Cayman’s own gastronomes – Sean Collins of Mise en Place and Ian Dawson James, Bailli of the Grand Cayman Chapter of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs – are given a mystery basket of ingredients and go head to head. Also on Sunday is the unique Cook’s Tour of Cayman with Anthony Bourdain at Pedro St. James, where thehost of the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations” will guide you through a sensory journey of culinary creations, Caymanian delicacies, local music, artisan crafts and products.
The event will feature truly Caymanian elements such as traditional Kitchen Band Dancers, Market at the Grounds led by the Department of Agriculture, local cooking demonstrations courtesy of the National Trust and Cayman Traditional Arts as well as multi-media presentations on the hour.
The premier event of the weekend will be the Cayman Cookout Chefs’ Gala Dinner, where a seven course dinner will be prepared by Chef’s Ripert, Fearing, Hoffmann, Laiskonis, Manrique and Tourondel.
Other events throughout Sunday include a cooking demonstration by popular host of The Food Network’s Simply Delicioso programme, Ingrid Hoffman, who will share her passion for outdoor cooking and entertaining all with a Latin flair. Champagne tastings with Ray Isle and wine tastings with Joshua Wesson round out the weekend’s libations and the weekend finale is on Monday morning where Cayman Cookout attendees will have the opportunity to attend a farewell breakfast.
Visit www.caymanislands.ky for more details of event costs and timetable.
Police seize imitation weapon and drugs
(CNS): Police have said that two men were arrested on Monday (12 January ) on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm and possession of ganja by the Uniform Support Group (USG). The two men who were arrested on Walkers Road, in the vicinity of Vampt Motors at around 3pm were aged 20 and 23. Police did not indicate what type of imitation weapon was found.
The police did say that an area search conducted by officers resulted in an imitation weapon and a bag of ganja being seized. The items were found hidden in bush on a track beside the John Grey High School. Police also stated that the the two men remain in police custody at this time and enquiries continue.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Alrice Palmer on 949-4222 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.
Little Cayman resort sets out to help CCMI
(CNS): The Southern Cross Club has pledged to donate 10 percent of accommodation charges from guests visiting from the Brac and Grand Cayman to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI). "Between hurricanes and the economy, it has been a tough year and we thought we’d offer a chance for locals to get away and enjoy the tranquility of Little Cayman and at the same time help CCMI recover from Gustav and Paloma," said Peter Hillenbrand, owner of the Southern Cross Club and Chairman of the Board for CCMI.
He said that each guest will also receive a gift bag with vouchers and merchandise, valued at $50.00, and a free upgrade to a deluxe unit, on an availability basis. The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is guided by its mission to conduct and facilitate research, education, conservation and outreach that will sustain marine diversity for future generations. CCMI programmes provide a solid foundation for education and awareness for students and researchers both in the Caribbean and around the world. Guests may arrange a tour of CCMI’s Little Cayman ResearchCentre during their stay.
Founded in 1958, Southern Cross has been a Cayman tradition for over 50 years and is an oceanfront 12 room boutique resort catering to divers, fisherman and anyone just wanting a little barefoot luxury. For more information about CCMI visit them on the web at: www.reefresearch.org Contact Southern Cross Club at 948-1099 to book, and ask for the Marine Institute Special. Their website is: www.southerncrossclub.com
Photo: CCMI’s Little Cayman Research Centre
Some gains at Sunrise, more to do
(CNS): While there have been some improvements to the health and safety concerns at Cayman’s only facility for disabled adults, many of Complaints Commissioner Dr John Epp’s recommendations, made following an Own Motion Investigation completed in June 2008, including the delivery of programmes to clients, overcrowding, and a long range plan for the facility, have not been met.
After a site visit to the Sunrise Adult Training Centre on Thursday 8 January, the Office of the Complaints Commissioner (OCC) found that in the wake of its report on the Centre, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 6 October, 2008, the Ministry of Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports and Culture had implemented some of Epp’s eleven recommendations.
The OCC reported in a press release that there have been significant improvements to the health and safety concerns of the current facility that the Centre occupies in West Bay. These include additional emergency exits from the building, fully fitted out with wheelchair accessible ramps. Fire exits are now clearly identified and paths to exits are easily accessible. One of the bathrooms has been renovated to allow for better access and use by the disabled and wheelchair bound. Improvements to outdoor porches and ramps have proven to be excellent additions for use in ambulatory programs.
The Centre has obtained written permission from the landlord to make any changes required to the facility, both inside and out, in the interest of making the current facility as safe and functional as possible. In addition, the Director of Sunrise confirmed that the Centre now meets the required standards as set out in the Cayman Islands Building Code and that they had received their official Certificate of Occupancy.
“While it is extremely encouraging that the Ministry has taken these steps to improve the facility, we are awaiting compliance with the remaining recommendations which, as stated in the October report, should be implemented as a matter of urgency,” said Dr Epp.
One of the recommendations in the report was for the Ministry to revisit a decision to reject an offer by a corporate donor for a modular classroom, which would provide some immediate relief to the issue of overcrowding. Among the health and safety issues that the report said the Ministry and Sunrise must tackle was to take steps to arrange better access to medical emergency services.
The report also found that when new clients were introduced into the Centre, little if any background information or preparation was given to the staff, which had the potential to cause problems if a client reacted violently to a situation that the staff should have been aware of. The overcrowding also affected instructors’ ability to teach because they were preoccupied with keeping clients safe and might lack the energy to do more than the minimum in the lesson.
The Commissioner further recommended that the Ministry and Sunrise take steps to continue to improve management systems and procedures, and that the delivery of training programmes be regularly monitored by the Ministry until it is satisfied, by an objective standard, that the quality of the programmes is satisfactory.
This reflects the findings that some disabled adults might be capable of independent living by the time they are 25 to 35 years old, which was very important to ageing caregiver parents and to the community as a whole. However, while occupational therapy and job placement appeared to be areas of strength at Sunrise, the OCC found that clients were not assessed for skill levels and their progress was not assessed regularly, and that clients spent too much time watching television.
Dr Epp recommended that client assessments be completed at regular intervals, and that communication with parents and guardians about clients occur regularly and be documented.
The final recommendation of the report was that the Ministry and Sunrise should provide a plan for the way forward which addressed the shortfalls in the provision of education for disabled adults.
The report noted that, while the need to move to a larger central location was acknowledged by the Ministry, the Chief Officer believed that new construction should not be undertaken until major reforms in the approach to assisting disabled persons were implemented. Plans for the better use of facilities or resources had not been discussed between the Ministry and the Director of the Sunrise Centre by the Spring of 2008, and no plans had been made for making available services for disabled adults who live in the Sister Islands.
“The Ministry’s effort to engage in a comprehensive review is commendable. However, as the Chief Officer has warned, major change – a paradigm shift – takes a significant amount of time to plan. Thereafter a lot of time will elapse between when the implementation of change begins and its completion. This leaves the question of what will be done now and in the intervening years before the major reform is in place.”
The report concludes, “It remains, then, to move forward with improvements in assessing clients needs, settling on appropriate programmes and support services such as case management software, and offering these services in buildings that are safe for both clients and staff.”
Dr Epp said, “The conclusions of the report remain pertinent and there is still an urgent need to act on the remaining recommendations as quickly as possible in order to improve the quality of life of the clients of the Sunrise Centre and their caregivers.”
The OCC is located on the 2nd floor, 202 Piccadilly Centre, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, phone number (345) 943 2220. The website is www.occ.gov.ky.
Musicians to rock for the Brac
(CNS): A line-up of local musicians will be performing at Camana bay at the end of the month to raise funds to help victims of Hurricane Paloma on the Sister Islands. Brac-Aid will feature a variety of home grown acts such as Andy Martin, Bob Mosley, Gone Country, Sea ‘N B, Barefoot Man, Hi Tide, Suckerbox, and Suite Elite.
The entertainers are all donating their talents for free and the concert is free of charge to the public but donations are being encouraged to help residents get back on their feet following the devastation of the latest hurricane to hit the Cayman Islands. “It always feels good to give back,” said Jason Howard, Host of the “Breakfast Buzz” on Z99. “When we work together, we can accomplish anything.”
The non stop music extravaganza will run from 6pm to 12am on Saturday 31January. More information can be found at z99.ky Brac-Aid is being sponsored by Z99/ Rooster 101, What’s Hot Magazine, Camana Bay, Cayman Airways, Blackbeards, AI Rentals, Rotary International, Bud, Bud Light, and Bacardi.
Cops enter cyber space
(CNS): The police have launched a new website offering residents in the Cayman Islands and around the world will access to information about the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) at the click of a mouse. www.rcips.ky offers news, general information about units, departments and the organisation as a whole, crime statistics, forms for making a complaint thanking the RCIPS or applying for a firearms license.
“This is a real achievement for the RCIPS,” said Acting Commissioner of Police, James Smith. “Visitors to the site may still find some pages under construction as we continue to make changes, amendments and improvements but I hope that people find the information already contained on the site useful. The website will continue to develop and grow and it is anticipated that it will get more and more sophisticated as time goes on.”
He explained that there were even plans to allow people to report minor crime online as well.
if anyone has any suggestions or government agencies or other organisations would like to have their link placed on the RCIPS website, please contact Deborah Denis at deborah.denis@gov.ky. 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.
Chuckie faces port opposition
(CNS): A public meeting organised to discuss the parameters of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding the potential redevelopment of the George Town Port revealed considerable opposition from the community for the project itself and concerns that Cayman is selling out to the cruise lines, forcing Charles Clifford, the Minister of Tourism, to defend the project. He said that no matter what was decided he knew there would be objections from somewhere. (Photo by Dennie Warren, Jr.)
Close to 200 people attended the meeting on Tuesday 13 January at the Family Life Centre on Walkers Road, which lasted late into the night. Although convened to take contributions to help the Department of Environment (DoE) determine the terms of reference for a comprehensive EIA, there were many present who questioned the need for the entire development in the first place.
The EIA is expected to inform the government what the costs of the development would be in terms of environmental damage, socio-economic impacts, quality of life issues and general pros and cons to the community. Following presentations by government and then an explanation of the EIA by CH2M Hill, the consultants chosen to conduct it, the floor was open for comment and question.
Its location, Cayman selling itself to cruise lines, the impact on stay-over tourists, the potential destruction of Seven Mile Beach and many other environmental concerns were all raised. A common proposal to address the issue of the cargo port being overburden because of the amount of aggregate going across it was the creation of a dedicated aggregate receiving area. However, the location any new cargo port became a key theme.
DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie, who chaired the meeting, said that the DOE’s remit in regards to the EIA had been to look at the impact of the development in the given location, which she said the ministry has indicated was at the current port site. She said comments from the public indicated that the South Sound/ Red Bay area and other locations had considerable support. The ministry must therefore indicate if the EIA could widen to look at the issue of location.
“It is clear people want alternative locations to be examined,” she said.” That has to go back to government as we were told the general area was fixed.”
Clifford, who is also responsible for the environment, said that we should not fool ourselves as the port needed to be upgraded. “No matter where we propose to put it there will be objections,” he said, reminding the audience of the objections to the existing port back in the 1970s. “There will be pros and cons wherever it goes.”
Marilyn Connolly, a well-known local activist concerned with local heritage and environmental issues, noted that it seemed as though the government was asking the public what sort of ‘house’ it should build before it had established if the ‘house’ was wanted in the first place. She also requested the details of the MOU that the government signed in July with Atlantic Star, who are being cited as the potential developers of the port. She questioned how money could be found for the project when the George Town Primary School was struggling to find financiers. Connolly received wide applause for her questions and comments, and she raised the concern that the DoE has often been ignored when asked to advice on major projects.
“I understand the DoE is managing the EIA and I understand its voice is not often heard. It warned of increased hurricane damage as a result of over-development and it was ignored, despite being right. Can the department override the government decisions on this project?" she asked. Ebanks-Petrie made it clear that the DoE was managing the EIA and that its findings would be submitted to Cabinet, which would make the decision — not her department.
Walling Whittaker also questioned the need and therationale for the development and received wide agreement when he asked why the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for something not yet understood. “I am not satisfied that enough rationale has been put forward for this project,” he said. “Despite the cruise ship business being in decline, we are spending millions on this. I think we are doing it for Carnival Cruise Lines, but I think George Town is more important than Carnival.”
He begged the people in the room not to take the proposals lightly as there were many causes for concern, not least the impact on Seven Mile Beach and people’s homes in the area. “What are we selling out our country for?” he asked.
Clifford defended the rationale for the project, citing the new class of mega cruise ships that will not be able to tender, and the increasing levels of cargo and limited operations at the port. He said that Cayman could not afford to under-estimate the importance of the cruise sector or future demands at the port.
However, the objections continued as well as the argument that currently there are only two mega ships likely to hit the seas this year and that it was not a good enough reason given the detrimental impact the project could have on stay-over tourism business, which most agreed was more important, as well as the risk to Seven Mile Beach. Clifford said again that if the EIA came back saying project would cause significant damage to Seven Mile Beach or increase George Town’s vulnerability to hurricanes, those would be show stoppers.
Many of the sea captains present said the proposals had flaws and that the location was certainly questionable. Captain Harris McCoy, one of the world’s most experienced merchant sea captains with more than fifty years captaining some of the biggest ships on the seas, offered Clifford some free advice when he said told him to scrap the project and look more closely at the South Sound/Red Bay location, which was more suitable for a cargo port.
It was also made clear that, to date, the government had not approached Cayman’s considerable body of very experienced merchant sea captains regarding the preliminary discussions over the port, and that the proposal for the development and its location came directly from the MOU partner Atlantic Star.
Community activists, candidates in the forthcoming elections, local politicians, including Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush, members of the dive industry, wider members of the public, as well as the sea captains, attended the meeting and many articulated a number of diverse objections to the entire project. There was, however, very little evidence of any support and no one spoke in favour of the government’s port proposal.
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