Archive for June, 2010

Jamaican police suspect torture in Tivoli Gardens

Cayman News | 05/06/2010 | 15 Comments

(Jamaica Observer): Jamaican security forces have made a number of gruesome discoveries in the area of Tivoli Gardens. Shallow graves — one with the body of a person who was buried standing — and a suspected torture chamber were revealed to the media yesterday more than a week after gunmen engaged the authorities in three days of clashes that resulted in the deaths of more than 73 people.Jamaica Defence Force soldiers told the Observer that they stumbled upon the graves during a search of an area in the community called Rasta City, located off McKenzie Drive. “The area is believed to be a location where thugs would dump and bury the bodies of persons killed in the community of Tivoli Gardens,” a soldier told the Observer.

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Masked men rob liquor store

Cayman News | 05/06/2010 | 23 Comments

(CNS): Police said this morning that they have two men in custody in connection with a robbery at a George Town liquor store on Friday evening (4 June). The two masked men reportedly entered the Tortuga Liquor Store in Passadora Place, Smith Road, wielding machetes and made off with around $3,000 from the till as well as a handbag belonging to a member of staff. The incident, in which no one was hurt, occurred at around 6.50pm and the suspects made their escape on foot. Officers from the RCIPS confirmed that two suspects were arrested later that evening.

The robbery is the third in less than two days. Two gunmen robbed the ESSO gas station in Red Bay on Thursday evening (3 June), while earlier in the day three teenage girls armed with machetes stole cash and sodas from Dominos Pizza in Savannah.

Judge reserves decision over Coke’s review

Cayman News | 04/06/2010 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Jamaica’s Chief Justice Zaila McCalla reserved judgment on Friday in the application for a judicial review filed by lawyers representing Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke. McCalla promised to deliver her verdict ‘as soon as possible’ over the extradition of the alleged drug lord to the United States, the Jamaica Observer reports. Coke’s lawyers are seeking to prevent him from being extradited over drug and firearms charges and to over turn the decision by Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne to send him to the US. Coke currently remains on the run eluding security forces since a warrant was issued in the wake of the extradition announcement last month.

Local reports reveal that Sandra Coke, Dudus’ sister is now in police custody after she was handed over to the police by clergyman Al Miller, who also handed over his brother Laighton ‘Levity’ Coke earlier this week. ‘Sandie Coke is wanted by Jamaican police as she is suspected of criminal gang affiliation.

The police have pulled in around 50 suspected gang members since Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced a limited state of emergency two weeks ago but the main man remains at large.

Scaffolding collapses in GT

Cayman News | 04/06/2010 | 19 Comments

(CNS): Update 2:40pm – The scaffolding on a building in George Town which collapsed this morning at around 8:30am had been inspected by a Cayman Islands safety inspector during the week and had been found to be satisfactorily deployed, according to the company responsible, Hurlstone Ltd. A statement from Hurlstone Ltd said that during a heavy gust of wind from an approaching squall, which was recorded by the National Weather Service at 30mph, a section of a building scaffolding which was attached to the south elevation of five floors of the building in Anderson Square, Shedden Road, became detached from its fastenings to the building and partially toppled into the secured work area. (Photos by Anthony Ricardo)

Police have confirmed that no one was injured during the incident.

Hurlstone Ltd said the company was employed to undertake a customised aluminium panel retrofit to the exterior of the building. The statement said two of its workers were exiting the top floor of the work area due to the approaching squall but were forced to remain in the hydraulic lifting equipment, which was entangled in a portion of the fallen scaffolding. “None of our personnel or any person or property was injured or damaged,” the company stated.

The Cayman Islands Fire and emergency services attended and assisted in lowering the men to the ground, Hurlstone Ltd said, noting that Cayman Islands safety inspectors also attended the site.

“We are proud of our company’s safety record during the Hurlstone Group’s 30 years of business during which we have never had a accident of this type and are profoundly grateful to our personnel for their efforts in this regard,” the statement read.

Rescue operation reportedly held up the morning traffic, and officials are now investigating the cause of the collapse.

IRT seeks scientific approach

Cayman News | 04/06/2010 | 38 Comments

(CNS): Proposed changes to the country’s immigration system to a more scientific and less arbitrary process moved further ahead this week. Sherri- Bodden-Cowan, chair of the Immigration Review Team (IRT), told CNS that since the meeting with the Chamber last month, more results from firms testing the online accreditation system have been forwarded to the team and testers are seeking a Q&A meeting to offer their views on streamlining the tool. Aware of the business community’s frustration over the immigration system, Bodden-Cowan said it is essential that the country tackle the problems, which means there was no choice but to change the way the system works.

“We understand that people are frustrated and what they are saying about more change, but the problem is the current system is not working and we must fix it; we can’t just leave it when it’s not working, so that means change,” Bodden-Cowan said.

At the recent Chamber of Commerce ‘Be Informed’ meeting, the IRT chair had asked the audience of business owners how many believed the Business Staffing Plan was working. “Only three people out of that crowded room raised their hand,” she added.

With immigration tied so directly to the country’s economy, there is a pressing need to strike a balance between the demand from business for foreign workers and the need to control the population growth. Bodden-Cowan said the 2003 Immigration Law and the subsequent rollover policy was the bi-partisan, non-political result that was designed to achieve that.

“The goal was to find a way of gradually growing the population in a controlled and manageable way from the most skilled and the most needed foreign workers and to ensure that businesses got to keep their best people,” she added.

The mechanism for that was key employee designation, but she admitted the struggle has been how the concept of ‘key’ is defined and who decides who is key and why, as well as making sure that only the best employers are able to benefit from the system. She said it was crucial that businesses that are training and investing in Caymanians, that are good corporate citizens, that are offering scholarships or apprenticeships, that support good works are rewarded but those that are not complying with the law or giving something back are not.

The accreditation system, which the chair noted again was bi-partisan and started under the last administration, offers a more calculated, less arbitrary and much more scientific approach to both the needs of the business community and the concerns of the wider community about unchecked population growth.

“We want only the best and most talented people to be the ones bypassing rollover and moving through the system to become Caymanians,” she added. “This method will allow the businesses that are doing it right to get the staff they need but will also prevent those businesses that give cause for concern from abusing the work permit system.”

Bodden-Cowan explained that the new system will sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to employers. Those that are not complying with the law will not be given access to permits and those who are doing what they can to attract, retain and train Caymanians will gain more benefits and access to fast track permits.

As the system is rolled out across the community, Bodden-Cowan said the goal was to remove the business staffing plan as the accreditation system would become the tool that would measure the performance of companies against the legal requirements of the employment and immigration laws.

“I understand that people are going to be frustrated, but we have no choice but to fix the problem,” she told CNS. “What we must do is find a way to improve the system and introduce a process that can be calculated. We want to remove many of the frustrations associated with the degree of uncertainty in the current method of deciding who is key and who is not.”

Bodden-Cowan said that the fixed term policy or rollover had to stay and while the IRT was still looking at reducing the break in stay or increasing the number of years before employees were rolled over, there would be a number of issues to consider. “We have Lord Pannick looking at the question of reducing the break in stay after seven years down from one year to nine moths or even six months. But we must be careful that it is considered a legitimate break. If work permit holders return after six months and get past the ten year period, if the six month break is challenged in the courts then these people will be entitled to permanent residency,” she explained.

The unique position that Cayman finds itself in when it comes to its labour needs brings many frustrations, but the IRT chair said Cayman does not have enough people to support its economy. As a result it needs to grow its population via a properly controlled mechanism that would enable those individuals who were the most talented and the most committed to the community to stay.

“Our goal is to allow the best of the workforce to stay and settle and to encourage employers to be good corporate citizens,” Bodden Cowan said.

Over the next few weeks the IRT will be focusing on fine tuning the accreditation system in preparation for the pilot project across the financial sector by the beginning of next month. If that is a success the system will be rolled out across the wider business community, with adaptations to allow for the needs ofsmall businesses. One of the major aims during this period of development is to make sure, before the system is enshrined in the law, that it works effectively and efficiently and achieves the overall objectives of protecting Caymanians while facilitating the needs of business and the demands of the economy.

“Change is always a challenge,” said Bodden-Cowan, “but we have no choice we need to fix the problems and make it work.”

Gunmen hit ESSO gas station

Cayman News | 04/06/2010 | 24 Comments

(CNS): Police have confirmed that at least two armed and masked gunmen robbed the On the Run ESSO gas station in Red Bay this evening (Thursday 2 June) at around 8:45pm. Officers were unable to reveal full details of the incident but said two men had escaped from the scene with an undisclosed sum of money. The men reportedly entered the gas station carrying what appeared to be handguns and threatened staff before making off with the cash. Police said that no shots were fired and no one was injured. Although no arrests have been made, one officer stated that a car had been seized. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)

Police were unable to give descriptions of the suspects but said enquiries were now ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact George Town Police Station on 949 422 or if they wish to remain anonymous to call Crime Stoppers on 800-TIPS.

Turtle Farm claims renewed hope with visitor increase

Cayman News | 03/06/2010 | 10 Comments

(CNS): The home of the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm, Boatswain’s Beach, is claiming that its latest statistics show that both visitors and revenue have improved from the previous year, offering some encouragement about the viability of the controversial attraction. The farm said that when it compared the results from June 2008–April 2009 to the period of June 2009-April 2010, tours had increased at Boatswain’s Beach by some 2% and revenue from the tours was up almost $250,000 or 9%. Combined with the recent cost cutting measures introduced at the facility, the management and Board of Directors said this gives renewed hope about the long-term future of the attraction.

Chief of Sales Raymond Hydes, said the results were encouraging. “We are particularly pleased with the increasing success of our on-line ticket sales through the website, which went from under 500 bookings to almost 3,000 bookings,” he added.

Managing Director Tim Adam, who has faced some difficult decisions recently, from increasing the price of turtle meat to cutting over twenty jobs, said the farm was focusing its efforts on optimizing tours and revenue per visitor.

“We are evaluating all aspects of our operations for ways that we can improve the visitor experience, encourage higher levels of traffic through the facilities, and control our costs so that improvement in attendance contributes to sustainability of the attraction,” he said.

Last year the farm received around $10 million in subsidies from the public purse. With the anticipated budget cuts in the 2010/11 budget, which will be presented to the Legislative Assembly on 15 June, Boatswain Beach will be one of a number of statutory authorities which is expected to be facing significant subsidy reductions.

Rescuers return barn owl to the wild

Cayman News | 03/06/2010 | 3 Comments

(CNS): Volunteers from Cayman Wildlife Rescue recently released a barn owl which they had been nursing back to health since he was found in a dumpster suffering from what appeared to be spinal injuries. “Barney”, who was found and taken to Cayman Animal Hospital by a caring member of the public, had probably been hit by a car or had flown into a building window. Under the care of Dr. Lisa Hunter and the staff at the animal hospital, Barney built back his strength and regained his mobility before Cayman Wildlife took Barney and began his flight training and helped him on his long road to eventual release. (Photo by John Ferguson)

Speaking about his arrival at the hospital after he was discovered in the dumpster, Dr. Hunter said Barney was in a bad way. “He had little mobility in his lower limbs, which suggested a spinal injury.”

With staff volunteering their time and facilities for the preliminary care of the owl, he spent over two months at the hospital, where the vets monitored his weight, general health and also conducted physical therapy to build back his strength in his legs and feet.

Cayman Wildlife Rescue resumed care of the owl in March, and by May Barney was ready to begin his flight training to prepare him for release back into the wild. Under the guidance of Avian Specialist, Dr. Heather Barron of St. Matthews Veterinary University, the wildlife rescue team began to creance fly the owl. Barney was secured to a long line and flown at intervals, gradually increasing the frequency and length of training to every day.

CWR volunteers Mikaella Lacerda and Rogerio Pitta conducted the majority of the owl’s flight training, feeding and weight checks. Alison Corbett, CWR Program Manager, thanked all the volunteers for their help in what was a long road for Barney.

“It was a long path to recovery for this owl, but thanks to the hard work of many dedicated volunteers and with support of local vets we had great success.”

While the vets didn’t charge for their work or resources, frozen mice needed to be shippedin via air cargo to feed Barney’s growing appetite. CWR estimates that the cost of rehabilitating the owl was close to $500. If members of the public would like to contribute to the program, donations can be made to Cayman Wildlife Rescue and mailed to PO Box 31116 KY1-1205 or dropped of at the National Trust.

Symbolic wildlife adoption kits are also available at the National Trust for $30, including an adoption certificate, information on the animal, backpack and choice of a plush parrot or bat toy, all proceeds benefit the program.

Cayman Wildlife Rescue is a program of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands tasked with the rescue of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife for release back into the wild. It is financed by donations from the public and staffed entirely by volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Alison Corbett at caymanwildliferescue@gmail.com. For more information you can also visit www.caymanwildliferescue.org.

What to do if you find injured wildlife – Call the LIME Sponsored Wildlife Emergency Hotline at 917-BIRD(2473). Cayman Wildlife Rescue has a team of experienced and trained volunteers ready to assist in wildlife emergencies. The public are reminded to NEVER attempt to care for a wildlife animal themselves as they required special diets and veterinary care.

Volunteers wanted for weekend tree plant project

Cayman News | 03/06/2010 | 7 Comments

(CNS): With so many of Cayman’s endemic and native plants under threat the Department of Environment (DOE) is marking this year’s World Environment Day (Saturday, 5 June) with a tree planting project. Volunteers are wanted to help plant 64 native trees around Grand Cayman to boost the island’s embattled native flora. World Environment Day is one of the biggest, most widely celebrated global days for positive environmental action. As a result the DOE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie said it was an appropriate day to do something positive as well as draw attention to the treat which the islands’ natural environment faces.

“As unfortunate as it is, our local plant species have no legal protection and are increasingly under pressure from development and invasive exotic species. As a result, many of our endemic and native plants and trees are either threatened or endangered. We hope that this native tree planting project will raise awareness of the need to protect our native flora and help to enhance the Islands’ biodiversity,” said DOE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie, as she asked local volunteers to come out and be part of the global Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign.

Saturday’s tree planting will start at 8 a.m. at the following locations: The Al Al Park in West Bay, Success Circle Park off Crewe Road on Palm Dale Dr., Washington Blvd (Swamp) Park in George Town, Harry McCoy Park in Bodden Town, Cumber Park in Bodden Town, and the Rugby-Football Club in South Sound.

The department needs volunteers to help and said they should bring sun block, hats, gloves and shovels if they can.

On behalf of her department Ebanks-Petrie thanked project partners – Recreation Parks & Cemeteries Unit, The National Trust and Rotary Sunrise – as well as sponsors – the Queen Elizabeth Botanic Park, East End Gardens & Gifts, Car City, Maples and Calder, Fosters Food Fair IGA and Hurley’s Supermarket.

On Cayman Brac, the Ecotourism Unit will lead a beautification project for Salt Water Pond Trail. Volunteers are needed to help clear the trail and should bring machetes, sun block, hats, water and bug repellent and wear long pants.

Contact Chevala Burke at (345) 244-4420 or Chevala.Burke@gov.ky for more details.

World environment day is marked to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and to encourage political attention and local action by giving a human face to environment issues. The ultimate aim is to enable people to realize not only their responsibility but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, this year’s World Environment Day’s focuses on preserving global biodiversity reflected by the theme Many Species, One Planet, One Future.

Teen girls rob pizza shop

Cayman News | 03/06/2010 | 78 Comments

(CNS): Update 5pm – Police are currently investigating reports of a robbery which occurred at around 1.45pm this afternoon (Thursday 3 June) at the Dominos Pizza shop in Savannah, Bodden Town. Officers said that three teenage girls entered the pizza restaurant carrying machettes.They threatened staff before making off with an undisclosed sum of cash and some bottles of soda. No one was injured in the incident.The girls reportedly ran off into Pedro Castle Road where they entered a white Rav 4 vehicle and drove off. The suspects are described as aged between 13 and 19 years, all wearing dark clothing, baseball caps and dark sunglasses.

Police confirmed no arrests have yet been made and anyone with information, or who saw the vehicle drive off, is asked to contact Bodden Town CID on 947-2220.