Archive for August, 2009
Ocean threat from plastics
(The Independent): Scientists have identified a new source of chemical pollution released by the huge amounts of plastic rubbish found floating in the oceans of the world. A study has found that as plastics break down in the sea they release potentially toxic substances not found in nature and which could affect the growth and development of marine organisms. Until now it was thought that plastic rubbish is relatively stable chemically and, apart from being unsightly, its principle threat to living creatures came from its ability to choke or strangle any animals that either got caught in it or ingested it thinking it was food.
Pandemix performs in Toronto
(CNS): UCCI Cayman National Steel Band Pandemix recently performed in Caribana 2009, the largest Caribbean festival in North America, held in Toronto, Canada, performing alongside Toronto’s leading steel orchestra Afropan both in the Pan Alive 2009 steel band competition and in the Caribana Parade. A release from the local college said the trip broadened the band’s horizons and that performing with Afropan, which has won awards for the best playing steel band at the Caribana Parade26 times out of the 35 years of competition, was “an honour”. The Pan Alive 2009 competition featured 13 bands from Canada.
Afropan, with over 60 members, placed third and the experience of competing at such a high level was an invaluable experience for members of Pandemix. The release said, “Representing the Cayman Islands as artistic ambassadors they made the most of this wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and are looking forward to welcoming members of Afropan to Cayman in the near future.”
Jannelle Mungalsingh, Treasurer for Pandemix and coordinator of the Pandemix page on Facebook, invited people who wanted to join the band to attend their practice.
Earl La Pierre, the Afropan Steel Orchestra Arranger and Music Director, congratulated Pandemix on their ability to rise to the challenge and learn the competition song ‘Magic Drum’ within a week. Glen Inanga, Music Programme coordinator at UCCI, was thrilled with the success of the trip and thanked all those who supported Pandemix since its inception in September 2008, in particular, Cayman National Corporation, the band’s principal sponsor.
For more information about the UCCI steelpan programme or other course offerings in the music programme at UCCI, please contact Mr Glen Inanga on ginanga@ucci.edu.ky or phone 526 5059.
Anti-corruption team sent to Turks and Caicos
(FT.Com): The former head of the abortive probe into suspected bribery linked to a BAE Systems arms deal with Saudi Arabia is to lead an anti-corruption team in a Caribbean tax haven that has been shocked by Britain’s imposition of direct rule. Helen Garlick (left) has begun work in the Turks and Caicos Islands this week as part of a wider British clampdown on governance, which is being watched closely in other overseas territory offshore centres dealing with graft allegations, such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Ted Kennedy dies at 77
(BBC): Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of former President John F Kennedy, has died at 77, after a long battle with a brain tumour. He became a Democratic Massachusetts senator in 1962, replacing his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times. Senator Kennedy was a dominant force in US politics for almost 50 years. President Barack Obama, of whom he was an active supporter, said he was "heartbroken" to hear of his death. "An important chapter in our history has come to an end," he said. "Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."
Lion of the year award
(CNS): Her selfless service to the community was one reason why Lion Belinda Blessitt Vincent received the “Lion of the Year” Award from the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens on Tuesday, 18 August 18. Immediate Past President, Lion Ann Hunte, MJF commended Lion Belinda for her commitment to the organization. Hunte said that Belinda’s performance as Public Relations Chairperson in keeping the club visible in the community and members up to date with the publication of the monthly newsletter was second to none.
Vincent said she was honored to have been recognized for the prestigious award and thanked Hunte and the club for considering her for the award and she promised to continue to serve in lionism.
Vincent has been a member of LCTG for three years but prior to that was a Lion in St. Mary Lions Club (Jamaica) for many years. During that time she has taken on various positions, and is currently the 2nd Vice President with responsibility for fundraising and public relations.
Her advice to other members is she takes from Lions International. “Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That’s because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy.”
UK civil servants face pension cuts
(Times Online): Millions of public sector workers will have their pensions slashed under plans to deal with a massive shortfall in the value of local government pension funds, The Times has learnt. The move by ministers to strip council workers of their “gold-standard” final-salary pensions is likely to trigger widespread industrial action. John Denham, the Communities Secretary, is drawing up a series of proposals to overhaul the pensions of two million council workers, covering short, medium and longer terms. Senior staff could lose out on tens of thousands of pounds a year if the changes are applied across the board.
Sagicor helps WOW contest
(CNS): A battle of the bulge contest, designed to promote healthy lifestyles, has received a bonus from a local insurance company. Sagicor General is donating CI$3,800 to the Cayman Heart Fund’s War on Weight (WOW) competition, whereby 16 contestants are undertaking a new and healthy lifestyle over a 16 week period in order to lose weight. The funds will ease the cost of the sixteencontestants’ war on weight, and will go towards paying for the various medical tests that the contestants need in order to participate, as well as on going medical checks throughout the 16 weeks.
Marketing Manager for Sagicor General Ravi Kapoor (above with CHF Treasurer Karen Bodden) said that health issues are an important focus at his firm. “We are delighted to be able to assist the War on Weight contest with this donation and hope that this initiative will motivate others in the Cayman Islands to adopt a healthier lifestyle,” he said.
Andrea Knox, who is part of the WOW committee, a sub-committee of the Cayman Heart Fund, says that the Sagicor donation will make a huge difference to the initiative.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a team of professionals donating their time and energies assisting us with the WOW programme, including nutritionistChad Collins, physicians Dr John Addleson and Dr Marli Ellis, trainer Ernest Ebanks of Body Sculptor and Cayman Health laboratories. Even so, tests such as blood tests for cholesterol, thyroid abnormalities and blood glucose readings all cost money and this donation will help to pay for these crucial checks on the contestants,” she explained.
Contestants were all carefully checked and tested before the programme began to ensure that they were physically fit and able to undertake the physically demanding initiative, which will include gym work outs and boot camps with Ebanks, thus promoting a healthy lifestyle. Henceforth they will be checked fortnightly throughout the sixteen week period.
Emergency response to improve with new technology
(CNS): Cayman’s emergency services vehicle system has arrived in the 21st Century with the installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in the first responder units, allowing operators to keep track of ambulances, fire trucks and police cars to help them direct response to 911 calls more efficiently. The system has been widely welcome among all the emergency service providers.
It is currently installed in 42 vehicles on Grand Cayman, with preparations underway for eight more.
“The Global Positioning System (GPS) technology installed in the first responder units now allow 911 operators to dispatch officers and medics with the benefit of knowing where they are prior to dispatch, saving valuable seconds in an emergency,” said Assistant Deputy Chief Secretary Eric Bush.
He said that unit performance is being monitored and evaluated, with positive results thus far. “In an emergency, time is of the essence. A faster response can mean the difference between life and death. Having this technology is significant because it will allow the police and fire departments to bring the situation under control quicker; and the ambulance to response faster, thereby giving patients a better chance – which in some cases can save lives.” he added.
The Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs contracted local company Sat-Trak to provide the equipment and one year’s worth of data. The contract can be extended thereafter. While Sat-Trak offers technical support, the system is managed by government employees.
The decision to utilise this technology follows last year’s evaluation of electronic tracking devices in local vehicles. The system uses a high-tech combination of GPS, satellite map overlays, the tracking of vehicle movements and the transmission of key information every 30 seconds or every 100 meters.
Lands and Survey’s Geographic Information System is also utilised, with the map system providing on-screen display of house numbers and other information relevant to emergency telecommunicators and first-responders.
Hal Ebanks, the EMS acting manager, welcomed this development. “Sat-Trak will be beneficial as it provides paramedics in the responding units with up-to-the-minute information regarding the location of an incident. This can be vital, as every moment counts during an emergency. Another key feature is that the fleet management and maintenance information can be utilized to project vehicle usage and life-span based on the data collected.”
Information is transmitted from vehicles to the 911 centre using cellular technology. The 911 system dispatches all emergency vehicles. Emergency Communications Manager Brent Finster said that the primary advantage of the system’s capability its that it allows staff who are monitoring the vehicles on computer screens to dispatch the closest appropriate vehicle to the specific emergency situation and to monitor the response.
Police Commissioner David Baines said the RCIPS also embraces this new service. “This equipment will enable the RCIPS to get to emergencies sooner, identify the nearest patrol and deploy those assets to best effect. This will help us be on scene to help our communities faster – and that has to be good!”
The system retains historical data for a period of time, facilitating useful historical references. Printed reports are also possible. Officials note that these features should also enhance Freedom of Information options, as well as meet possible legal requirements.
In addition to vehicle locations, Sat-Trak indicates whether or not a vehicle is running, and if it is moving it reports the route and speed. The system can also isolate a particular emergency service provider even when it is part of a group.
Further, as well as vehicle beacons, every emergency service using the system has in place a perimeter alert. This advises dispatchers every time vehicles enter or leave their respective compounds.
Prevention of gender discrimination moves slowly
(CNS): Although the senior policy advisor for gender affairs, Tammy Ebanks-Bishop, says work to develop a gender training programme, public education tools and formulate policies for the Cayman Islands has been steadily progressing, the Cayman Islands has still not signed the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). And new legislation, promised almost a year ago, to protect women has not yet been put in place, though the minister with responsibility has stated she intends to bring the legislation before the end of 2009.
Minister responsible for Gender Affairs, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, has stated that the ministry intends to bring the draft Prevention of Gender Discrimination Bill (2009) to the Legislative Assembly before the close of the year. This, she said, would enable CEDAW to be extended to the Cayman Islands.
O’Connor-Connolly also said that the ministry intends to move forward in the area of gender affairs by identifying three to four priority areas wherein specific gender training would be provided. “We will organise public education efforts and provide generalised gender awareness training and analysis of the policies, operations and programmes within our ministry,” she added.
“We expect that continued development of gender affairs for the Cayman Islands will lead to the establishment of a model Office of Gender Affairs, once the financial and human resources become available.”
Meanwhile, Ebanks-Bishop has been involved in an exchange in Trinidad and Tobago to view how that country is pursuing its gender affairs programme. The trip was entirely funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sub-regional office for the Caribbean.
Following Cabinet’s 2004 acceptance of a National Policy on Gender Equity and Equality, Ebanks-Bishop was appointed in September 2008 to provide analysis that would enhance gender mainstreaming efforts in policies and programmes. In addition, she was to review regional models and advise government on establishing a local Gender Affairs Office.
“This exchange gave me an opportunity to learn from a Caribbean country that the World Economic Forum rates among the top 20 countries world-wide for narrowing the gender gap. The visit was most beneficial as I was able to interact with staff at all levels and learn from their experiences in gender mainstreaming at the programming and policy level,” explained Ebanks-Bishop.
Posted in Trinidad and Tobago’s Gender Affairs Division, she said she was able to observe its day-to-day operations. "I was able to receive policy documents and training templates and visit community-based programmes geared at job-creation in non-traditional careers for women, gender training, and support for victims of domestic violence ,” she added.
Pensions boss to depart
(CNS): The Superintendent of Pensions at Cayman’s National Pensions Office, Cyril Theriault, is leaving on Friday, 28 August, and CNS understands that he has not yet been replaced. After more than five years, Theriault told CNS he felt it was time for him to concentrate on his grandchildren instead of the battle to make employers comply with the National Pensions Law. Theriault’s departure, however, comes at a time of uncertainty with two key board members also resigning and government announcing plans of a private pension contribution holiday to stimulate the economy.
Theriault confirmed that, aside from his own resignation from the superintendent’s job and consequently the board, both Phil Jackson and Brian Bothwell, the chair, had also resigned.
Talking about the recent proposals for a freeze, Theriault said he had not been widely consulted or briefed about government plans and was only really aware of what had been reported in the press. “I know only what I have read in the media and a brief exchange with the minister,” he said. “If this is to happen, however, there would need to be fundamental changes to the law. A holiday can’t happen as it stands now as that would be illegal.”
Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush said on 10 August that he intended to explore the idea of a ‘pensions holiday’ for the private sector in order to stimulate the economy by giving both employers and employees money to spend. Bush has also set the wheels in motion for a freeze on civil service pensions, which is expected to actually cut the deficit government would face for 2009/10 financial year. While a private pension freeze won’t help government’s coffers directly, Bush said he hoped it would help people through a difficult time and maybe save some small businesses on the brink of going under.
However, Theriault questioned the wisdom of such a decision as he said 10% of people’s income was not a great deal of money, and the short time period muted between 6 months to a year was not necessarily enough to make a difference to the economy or save an ailing business — but enough to harm a pension fund. He also noted that the board had already publically stated that it was not in favour nor was the Pension Providers Association.
“What concerns me is that it is a short period and that 10% of wages is not a fortune,” he added. “I am not against it if it would do what they want it to do, if it would save people’s businesses — if it did it might be a goodthing — but I’m not sure it will make an impact. But I hope they accomplish what they want.”
He said that he understood it would be a voluntary decision but whether that meant on the part of just the employer or just the employee he was not sure.
Theriault noted, too, that in the face of the uncertainty surrounding the potential holiday there were other concerns that his office faced regarding compliance and collection. He said if there was a holiday, once the national pension was re-instated the office needed to be given more resources and more teeth in order to make people compliant, as well as a more accurate way of assessing the actual number of businesses in Cayman that had employees for whom pension contributions should be made. Asked what percentage of employers complied with the law Theriault said it was difficult to say as the office had never been able to establish exactly how many employers there are on the island.
Looking over his time in office, Theriault said that in short he had fought the same battle for the last five years, in which time nothing really had changed and the role was more akin to a collection agent than it was a pension superintendent.
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