Archive for January, 2009
Cayman sunshine in London’s Underground
(CNS): Commuters on the London Underground had their daily commute temporarily brightened up by a colourful and unmistakably Caribbean print by leading Cayman Islands based artist, John Broad. ‘Rhythmical Dancer’ was brought to London’s Underground by Art Below who specialises in art on the underground in London and Tokyo. The Department of Tourism reports that it was on display in the busy ‘Harrods corridor’ section of the Piccadilly Line, and at Earl’s Courtunderground station, throughout December.
Ben Moore of Art Below, the company that arranged to exhibit John’s work on the Underground, said: “I felt that ‘Rhythmical Dancer’ gave off a colourful and vibrant atmosphere that would resonate well in the London Underground. I like work that reflects far away cultures – it gives people an opportunity to momentarily escape to that far away place, especially when travelling in the confined and regulated environment of the Underground.”
He continued: “I especially like the parallel that the artist himself was once a daily user of the underground, but has since relocated to a very different type of lifestyle and surroundings. Through Art Below he is able to transport a part of his new surroundings back to the surroundings of his past – a journey in time and distance!”
John Broad writes on artbelow.org.uk: “After living overseas for most of my life, this exhibit is in a sense a home-coming. As an art student I spent time travelling on the tube and was always fascinated by the ever changing array of posters, advertisements and flyers on display.”
More information about John Broad’s work can be found on his website www.yessy.com/artcayman
Photo: Don McDougall, Regional Manager, Europe, Department of Tourism, Mary Chandler-Allen of the Cayman Islands Government Office in London and a passer-by.
IMF: UK economy will be hardest hit
(The Guardian): Britain’s economy will be the hardest hit in the developed world in what is expected to be the "deepest recession since the second world war," the International Monetary Fund said today. The IMF now expects the UK economy to shrink by 2.8% this year, compared with the 1.3% it was forecasting in November. This is worse than the 2% average drop in output the organisation has estimated for advanced nations. Go to article
BBC to put nation’s oil paintings online
(The Guardian): The BBC is to put every one of the 200,000 oil paintings in public ownership in the UK on the internet as well as opening up the Arts Council’s vast film archive online as part of a range of initiatives that it has pledged will give it a "deeper commitment to arts and music". Mark Thompson, the BBC director general, unveiled the ambitious plans today at a London event showcasing the corporation’s music, arts and culture output for 2009 and beyond. Go to article
J/22s compete in KPMG International Regatta
(CNS): Seven boats participated in the first J22 racing of the New Year vying for the Commodores Cup and a place in the KPMG International regatta to be held in Cayman at the end of February. The Commodores Cup was run over two weekends, the 11 and the 18 of January, and six crews qualified to represent Cayman in the upcoming KPMG International J/22 Invitational Regatta which will be held at the end of February. (Left: Commodore Cup winner Compass Marine, helmed by Mike Farrington)
The first day commenced with winds from the north east of 15 knots gusting higher but as the racing progressed the winds calmed to about 12 knots, according to a release from the Cayman Islands Sailing Club (CISC). The second day saw 10-14 knots of wind from the east north east. The winds were very consistent with 10-15 degree shifts either side of the rum line.
Four races were held on the second day of racing, each being approximately half an hour in length and following the classic windward-leeward course. The youth boat Fortis helmed by 15 year old Marina Maffisanti with crew members Chris Delaney, Stuart and Ronan Jennings went into the second day in first place and although the lighter conditions did not suit them so well, the crew put in some consistent finishes to take second place overall. Mike Farrington, Paul Johnstone and Matt Diaz on Compass Marine, after being over the start line early in the first race of the day, showed great skills to win the remaining three races and take first place overall. Jane Moon and the all female crew on Ciao! started the second day with a win and with good subsequent finishes ended the series in third place.
The Race Officer was Commodore Andrew Moon assisted by Peta Adams, Denise Couch and Amanda Maffessanti.
After the final results were tallied, the following crews have qualified to represent Cayman in the upcoming KPMG International J/22 Invitational Regatta being hosted by Cayman Islands Sailing Club 26th February – 2nd March 2009:-
Compass Marine/Mike Farrington
Fortis/Marina Maffessanti
Yahoo/Bruce Johnson
Ciao!/Jane Moon
Radium/Donald McLean
Natural Mystic/Jo Richards
The Cayman teams will be facing tough competition from the visiting crews from Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Nassau Yacht Club, Montego Bay Yacht Club, Royal Burnham Yacht Club (UK) and Manhattan Sailing Club. The event features three days of racing and social events and is sponsored by KPMG, Kirk Freeport, Harbour House Marina, Caribbean Marine Services, Tortuga Rums, Flowers Bottled Water, English Bakery, Subway, Cayman Islands Sailing Club and,in particular, the local J/22 boat owners.
More information is available at www.sailing.ky
Robbers charged following cinema mugging
(CNS): Two men have been charged with robbery following an incident which occurred on Monday, 19 January at the car park between the Marquee Plaza and Triple Crown. 21-year-old Rex Watler and 18-year-old Obed Rivers will appear in court this morning (Wednesday, 28 January). They were arrested on 19 January by officers from George Town CID who investigated the robbery of a 44-year-old man who had been robbed of his wallet that day.
Police reported at the time that detectives in George Town had arrested three men and seized a car following the robbery which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 19 January. The 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call at approximately 12:20am from a member of the public reporting that a man had been robbed. Police and medics responded and found that the victim received a wound to his forehead and was robbed of his wallet.
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.
YCLA tickets now available
(CNS): Cayman’s top business and community leaders will gather at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman on 21 February to honour candidates for the Young Caymanian Leadership Award. Tickets for the special Ten-Year Anniversary Gala are very limited. Contact ycla@candw.ky to reserve a set at this quick to sell-out event. (Left to right: Sean Parchment, Marilyn Conolly, Elroy Bryan, Raquel Solomon and Chris Duggan)
Security companies must get licence
(CNS): Police are reminding security companies, security technicians and security guards that they are required to be registered with the licensing unit, and that their temporary licences will expire on 27 February. This measure has been put in place not only to protect companies and members of the public but also to enable the regulatory body to ensure that satisfactory employment conditions and rights are implemented and maintained within the industry.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) created a Security Licensing Department in response to the Private Security Services Law (2007), which came into effect on 1 September 2008. The law regulates the security industry to ensure the highest standard of service delivery. It also requires security companies, technicians and guards to be licensed with a regulatory body.
The Security Licensing Department,headed by Chief Inspector George Watson, comprises a Security Licensing Administrator (to whom all queries should be addressed) and a Senior Police Constable. The Department is currently receiving applications from security companies, security guards and security technicians.
Licences will be provided to companies that comply with all relevant laws, such as the National Pensions Law, the Health Insurance Law, the Labor Law and the Immigration Law. To date, the majority of recognized companies in the Cayman Islands have been working with the Security Licensing Department to comply with all the necessary terms and conditions necessary for licensing.
Anyone operating a security service who has not yet contacted the department should do so immediately by calling 945 4924, ext. 5912. CI Watson said, “Security companies, security guards and security technicians who have not yet come forward, must do so without further delay.”
Relevant fees must be paid at the Criminal Records office located at the George Town Police Record. The fees are as follows: Company License/Corporate Body CI$750.00; Security Technician CI$100.00; Security Guards CI$100.00.
Security companies, technicians and guards that operated prior to the introduction of the Private Securities Services Law were allowed to function under temporary licences that will expire on 27 February. CI Watson added, “All Security companies, security guards and security technicians should send their applications to the Security Licensing Department no later than February 27th in order to avoid being in breach of this Law.”
Air Jamaica cuts routes, jobs
(Jamaica Gleaner): Effective February 26, Air Jamaica will exit its Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami and Grand Cayman routes, taking the jobs of an estimated 600 staff members in the process. The national carrier will also discontinue service between Jamaica and Barbados and Jamaica and Grenada, President and CEO Bruce Nobles said in athree-page letter to staff, outlining the airline’s cost-cutting business plan aimed at quickly stemming the substantial cash losses at the company and positioning the airline on a path to profitability. Go to article
Charities Law up for debate
(CNS): Following recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force and local considerations regarding better regulation, the Law Reform Commission has been researching the way in which the activities of charitable organisations in the Cayman Islands can be regulated. A draft Discussion Paper and a draft Bill have now been issued for public comment to help shape a law that will prevent the misuse of charities in terrorist or criminal financing but allow genuine local charities to flourish.
The discussion paper proposes to reform the regulation of charities and not-for-profit organisations in Cayman which are established in the islands to provide a benefit and raise money from the general public for specific charitable purposes. At present there are no rules or regulations covering local charities, which have no official status or registration.
According to the commission, private trusts, foundations and associations that are established here and don’t solicit funds will not be affectedby the proposals set out in this paper as the current legislative regime of the Monetary Authority Law (2007 Revision), Companies Management Law (2003 Revision), the Banks and Trust Companies Law (2007 Revision) and the Proceeds of Crime Law (2008) does regulate those entities.
The purpose of this discussion paper is to examine locally based charities operating on island which are currently unregulated under any laws at all. The idea is to establish an official register of charities and a Charities Commission, to create a clear definition of a charity, and to regulate the conduct and fundraising activities of charities.
The commission stated that the a Charities Law would facilitate a clearer and more modern legal framework for charities, which in turn would operate to empower the charitable sector and allow charities to operate with greater freedom and flexibility in responding to changes in society.
“Institutions tend to flourish in any environment which comprisesa strong regulatory framework supported by the independent oversight of a regulator. This in turn inspires a high level of public trust and confidence, all ingredients necessary in attaining the desired successes,” the commission stated in the discussion paper.
The idea of a law to regulate charities in Cayman has been debated since 1994 following the introduction of a private members bill which sought to change the country’s gambling law to allow charities to run raffles and lotteries to raise money. Since then, the issue of charities being vulnerable to criminal financing has also come into play and there is a clear need now to define and protect legitimate charities and also protect the jurisdiction from potential money-laundering through the charity sector.
Both the Discussion Paper and the proposed may be viewed at: www.gov.ky
Submissions should be made no later than 13h March, 2009 and should be posted to the Director, Law Reform Commission, c/o Government Administration Building or delivered by hand to the offices of the Commission on 3rd Floor Anderson Square.
Election’s office reminds candidates to check the law
(CNS): With the election season officially underway the Supervisor of Elections, Kearney Gomez is reminding all potential political candidates seeking to contest seats in the upcoming general elections familiarise themselves with the law. He said prospective politicians should know the rules regarding the qualifications and disqualifications of elected membership before they declare themselves in the race. Gomez said that in particular candidates needed to take note of the rule that requires them to declare any interests they have with regards to government contracts or work at least one month before polling day.
“All prospective candidates should endeavour to acquire copies of the Cayman Islands Constitution and familiarise themselves with the sections 18 and 19 of this document before Nomination Day, which is 25 March 2009,” said Gomez. Copies of the Constitution are available from the Legislative Assembly.
He also stated that currently there are just two political parties, namely the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) and United Democratic Party (UDP), registered and the Elections Law (2004 Revision) states that any group of people who have united to contest an election is eligible to be registered as a political party, although it is not compulsory.
“It is not a mandatory requirement for a group or team to be registered if they care not to,” Gomez said, but for those groups that would like to be registered as a political party they will need to declare themselves on Form 14, which should be submitted to the supervisor of elections by the president, chairman or secretary of the party.
“The application must be signed by the applicant with the full name of the party, and must be accompanied by a copy of the constitution of the party,” Gomez added.
He explained that he has the right to refuse to register a political party if the name is obscene, consists of more than five words or resembles that of another political party.
Applications to register political parties will not be accepted between Nomination Day and the day on which all writs for a general election have been returned, that is between 25 March and 25 May of this year.
Forms may be collected from the Elections Office or downloaded from the website www.electionsoffice.ky