Archive for July, 2010

Jamaican police certificates part of fraud investigation

Cayman News | 02/07/2010 | 5 Comments

(CNS): A former senior police officer and several other members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are under investigation by the JCF Anti-Corruption Branch for the suspected misuse of records. According to a report in the Jamaica Observer, the fraud concerns the supply of police records to criminals to enable them to apply for firearms licences and make visa applications. As a result of the probe the United States Embassy and other authorities have had to implement several new security measures. The Jamaican police have admitted that they couldn’t say for certain if people who have been given police certificates are who they say they are.

"Police investigation has highlighted several deficiencies in the integrity of the previous police certificate process where it was possible for criminals, through fraudulent means, use police records of law-abiding citizens to carry out major identify theft, apply for firearms licences and make visa applications," a senior policeman told the Observer.

The probe was confirmed by Les Green, assistant commissioner of police. "In the past, police could not guarantee that the person who we issued the certificate to is the person whose name and detail appeared on that certificate."

The United States Embassy and Jamaican authorities have implemented several new security measures, which includes the splitting of the Automated Finger Identification System (ASIF) database and a requirement by the US Embassy for visa applicants who had applied for police records prior to June to renew the documents, Green explained.

Green said that prior to this there the possibility for criminals to use fraudulent police certificates to apply for firearms, jobs or United States visas.

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FOI anonymity under threat

Cayman News | 02/07/2010 | 60 Comments

(CNS): A legislative committee to oversee the review of the Freedom of Information law, which will take place shortly, has now been formed. The FOI law calls for a review of its own legislation 18 months after implementation. Announcing his decision to create the whole parliament as the committee with the Speaker Mary Lawrence as chair, Premier McKeeva Bush said that during the review he hoped it would re-examine the ability of people to apply for information without disclosing their names. Bush has stated publicly on many occasions that he is unhappy that requests can be made anonymously. The premier also said that the committee needed to consider charging people for the information.

Bush questioned the FOI law’s facility for anonymous application and the fact that in most cases requests do not incur fees, in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, as he filed the motion to create the Freedom of Information Law Review Committee. The premier said that the committee, which will have a government majority, would call witnesses to question them regarding the law and the review would be directed with the assistance of the information commissioner.

As Bush presented the motion to the House, opposition member for George Town, Alden McLaughlin, pointed out that the motion creating the committee may seem innocuous at first but his comments about anonymity and the costs raised concerns.

“Given the public utterances of the premier recently and the ominous concerns he raised in his short motion, I wish to record our concerns that this … is not an attempt to in any way diminish or make any less effective this crucial piece of legislation,” he said.

McLaughlin believed the law was having a positive effect on transparency, and while it may aggravate a sitting government, the law was an important tool in the checks and balances of democracy. He pointed out that those in office needed to develop a level of tolerance and acceptance that FOI was part of open and honest government. “It goes with the territory,” the former Cabinet minister added.

He defended the right of people to apply for information anonymously as he said it removed the fear of intimidation, and given the force with which the premier had attack people making requests recently, including Mickey Mouse, there was a very good case for anonymity to remain in the law.

Increasing fees would have a “chilling effect”, McLaughlin suggested, adding that it would serve to neuter the law but he wondered if that was the goal. The opposition member also pointed out that with the whole house as a committee, the government’s majority would ensure that the “government’s will will be done”.

In his response the premier expressed his outrage at the PPM member, who he accused of going to any length to smear the UDP “and in particular me”. Bush justified his reasons for appointing the committee in accordance with the law. He accused McLaughlin of behaving in manner akin to communists, who he said mislead people.

Bush told the House that while the PPM administration may have enacted the FOI law, his previous government had made plans for it and introduced the Office of the Complaints Commissioner, its fore runner. He accused the former government of enacting the bill late in their administration because they did not want it.

The premier said, however, that he was not the only person that believed that FOI was costing too much. Bush said he understood FOI was not a luxury and that it could make government more efficient but he said it had to be done right.

He questioned some of what he said were frivolous and vexatious requests, and accused the opposition of “putting people up” to making the requests as the information people were asking for couldn’t be of any use to them. The premier told the Legislative Assembly that when the UDP was in opposition they could not get any information about what the government was doing and had walked into government blind, but the third elected member from George Town had the audacity to talk about transparency.

Following the debate the motion was passed.

During Wednesday’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly the 2009 annual report of the Information Commissioner was laid on the table of the House and is now available at www.infocomm.ky

In her report Jennifer Dilbert, the information commissioner, says much was done to advance the law through 2009 but questioned the commitment to the law by some public bodies. She explained that the law replaces the discretion to reveal information with a set of rules that apply when responding to a FOI request.

“In order for this system to work properly there therefore has to “buy-in” from senior government officials. In several cases this year I have found such commitment from various authorities to be lacking. There needs to be a stronger push to proactively publish records, especially when it is in the public interest to release information,” Dilbert stated in the report.

Since the report was written, however, the Office of the Information Commissioner has been given its own independent budget under the PMFL and is therefore now independent, financially speaking, from Cabinet.

Local branch of troubled insurer can pay claims

Cayman News | 02/07/2010 | 1 Comment

(CNS): The Joint Controllers appointed to oversee the Cayman branch of Motor and General, the islands’ oldest insurance company have said the firm will be making valid claims. David Walker and Ian Stokoe of PricewaterhouseCoopers said that existing policy holders continue to be covered and that new policies can also be renewed. While the firm’sparent company in Trinidad may be in trouble, it appears that the Cayman branch is viable as a stand alone entity, as the controllers have said Motor and General Cayman could be sold.

Following the court sanction of the powers previously conferred on the controllers by CIMA, they confirmed on Thursday that the Company will continue to make valid claim payments in the normal course of business. “Policy holders are reminded that any new claims should continue to be brought to the Company’s attention in the usual manner in accordance with their policy,” the duo from PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a statement.

They also confirmed that existing policy holders of the Company continue to be covered and that the Company is able to renew existing policies.

“Controllers are currently examining the future options for the Cayman Islands insurance business, one option being the possible sale of the business in the short term,” PwC said.

On 22 June 2010 the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority appointed Walker and Stokoe under the Insurance Law (2008 Revision) following the suspension order imposed on the Company by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

Policy holders with further queries may contact the Company on 949 6299 or alternatively contact the Controllers at adam.keenan@ky.pwc.com or telephone +1 (345) 914 8743.

Jamaica-born woman is vicar of UK parliament

Guest Writer | 02/07/2010 | 0 Comments

(Jamaica Gleaner): Jamaica-born Rose Hudson-Wilkin has been appointed vicar of the British Parliament, going against the Church of England’s pick, Canon Andrew Tremlett. Speaker John Bercow picked the Rev Hudson-Wilkin, putting an end to a long tradition of the parallel posts of House of Commons chaplain and rector of St Margaret’s being held by the same person. Hudson-Wilkin, 49, was born and raised in Montego Bay, St James. The Church Army, a Church of England organisation, trained her to be an evangelist and she left for England at 18 to study at the college. In 1994, she became a priest in the West Midlands and was honoured in 2008 by being appointed one of 36 Anglican chaplains to the queen.

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Class of 2010 passes leadership course

Cayman News | 01/07/2010 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Following six months of a unique type of learning experience the first 28 people graduated from the inaugural Leadership Cayman class on Monday. Organised by the Chamber of Commerce the course focused on seminar based learning designed by the Leadership Planning Committee, chaired by Jeffrey Brandes (left). LC is a programme is an intensive, and interactive six-month experience examining local social, economic, business and political issues. The Chamber said that applications for the 2011 class are now being taken.

2010 Class members interacted with diverse, high-level community leaders and decision makers by organising and attending a series of seminars and retreats in areas ranging from business, government, education, media, social services, criminal justice, diversity, the arts and more. A trip to the Sister Islands also introduced the group to some of the unique issues facing Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

“What is particularly special about LC is the caliber of speakers made available to the group. From political leaders, CEOs and other community heads; participants are able to hear them speak openly and frankly about the many issues that are affecting us all, and question them afterwards about their own thoughts and views,” the LC organizers said.

The opportunity of such a broad spectrum of topics, speakers and experiences is very unique to the LC programme. One particularly special aspect is the Community Service Class Project. Each year, LC class members will select a local non-profit organisation from applications, and design a project to benefit that organisation.

After the planning and fundraising, class members join together on ‘Project Day’ to create immediate and tangible results for their chosen charity. This year’s project was the repainting and ‘refresh’ of the Bonaventure Boys Home. The group painted the entire interior of the building, replaced one of their doors, and power washed the exterior of the building making everything cleaner, fresher and a much more inspiring environment for the young people living there.

Meeting typically every other Thursday of the month (5:00 – 9:00 p.m.), the LC group forged strong friendships during the journey

Each graduating class will be invited to join the LC Alumni Association and use it to network both here in the Cayman Islands and also with similar overseas programmes. This year’s class celebrated their graduation at Ristorante Pappagallo with family and friends. Each graduate was awarded a certificate and plaque that spoke to the significance of their accomplishment.

Garth A. Arch; Patricia Bell; Jarard Blake; Stuart T. Bostock; Jeffrey P. Brandes; Sandy Cram; Joanne Diaz-Berry; Chris Duggan; Jeana Ebanks; William P. Ebanks (Billy); Brenda L. Gadd; Simon Garnett; Shayne Howe; Philip Jackson; Ghislaine Lewis; Najah Lewis-Brown; Madhavi Mathura; Jim O’Neill, Christopher M. Orlandini; Gary Rankine; Wil Pineau; Sheridan Robinson; Natalie Urquart; Stacey M. Vandevelde; Lydia C. Warren; Brad Watts; Ben Webster and Melissa Wolfe.

The LC committee members are Adam Geldard, Stefan Duchene, Matthew Tibbetts, James Tibbetts, Paul Tibbetts, Norma Williams-Seymour, Melissa Wolfe, Andrew Gibb, Joanne Diaz-Berry and Wil Pineau.

For anyone interested in applying for the 2011 LC Programme contact Joanne Diaz-Berry on 949-8090 ext.123 or email joanne.berry@caymanchamber.ky More information can also be obtained from www.leadershipcayman.ky

Volunteers need help to feed baby owls

Cayman News | 01/07/2010 | 20 Comments

(CNS): Local wildlife volunteers are calling on the public to help them in the rescue of two baby barn owls. Last week the two young birds were handed over to local non governmental organisation Cayman Wildlife Rescue by a member of the public. Unfortunately the caller had the babies for two days before calling CWR so the team was unable to reunite them with their parents. The barn owlets have now been set up in a “Hacking Box”, which will be their new home for the next 2 or 3 months and are being fed by CWR volunteers nightly. Although they are doing well, the volunteers desperately need money to help feed them. (Photo by Rogerio Pitta)

“They are doing very well and should take their first flight early next week, but they need your help,” said Alison Corbett, the volunteer Program Manager for Cayman Wildlife Rescue. “Frozen mice have to be shipped in via air cargo, which is very expensive – it is estimated that their care will cost around $600.”

Donations can be made to “Cayman Wildlife Rescue” and mailed to PO Box 31116 KY1-1205 or dropped off at the National Trust Office, please include details that you wish your donation to go towards the owls and provide your name and address. Donations of $50 or more will receive a beautiful photo of the owls along with a certificate of appreciation.

Cayman Wildlife Rescue is a program of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. This project is staffed entirely by volunteers with other full time jobs, and is financed 100% by donations from the public. If you would like to help by donating funds or volunteering time, please contact Alison Corbett at caymanwildliferescue@gmail.com.

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.

School sports stars get on their bikes

Cayman News | 01/07/2010 | 0 Comments

(CNS): At least eight kids won’t be spending the entire summer playing video games this year as they all have brand new Huffy bikes to enjoy during the school holidays. The bikes were gifts from the school’s sports committee and five community members. They were presented to students who were recognised as being John A. Cumber’s outstanding athletic achievers. During the 2009/10 school year John A. Cumber’s teams won the CUC Pre-season Boys Football Rally; the LIME Inter-primary Cricket League; the Inter-primary Girls Football League; and the CNB Girls Inter-primary Basketball League.

In addition, their teams made first runner-up in the CUC Inter-primary Boys Football League; the Inter-primary Schools Sports Meet and the Inter-primary Netball League. The school’s B team also placed fourth in the Inter-primary Netball League.

“The selection criteria go beyond athletic performance,” the school’s Physical Education Teacher Harcourt Wason explained. “Students must perform both on and off the field. They must demonstrate good behaviour and sportsmanship, as well as excellent attendance at practice sessions. Moreover, they must have participated in at least two sporting disciplines for a minimum of three years.”

The Year 6 students – Deandra Kelly, Casey Ramos, Alyssa Connor, Kayla Mitchell, Kareem

Murray, Steven Rivers, Ashante Jackson and Akeem Hyde – beamed as they accepted their rewards for contributing to their school’s sporting achievements.

West Bay community member Bridgette Kirkconnell and the school’s sports committee each donated two bikes, while Education Minister, the Hon. Rolston Anglin, JP, West Bay MLA Capt. Eugene Ebanks, JP, John A. Cumber alumni Melony Jackson and the Williams family each donated one.

Three teachers – Principal Wallace, Football Coach Coles and Cricket Coach Griffith – also received airline tickets. These were donated by the Hon. Premier McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP; West Bay MLA Cline Glidden Jr.; and John A. Cumber alumni Pilar Bush.

The gifts were solicited by self-appointed ‘School Father’ Floyd Bush, who has voluntarily assisted the school in several capacities for nearly 25 years. The community awards programme has been a mainstay of the school calendar and a project of his for thelast decade.

During the 2009/10 school year John A. Cumber’s teams won the CUC Pre-season Boys Football Rally; the LIME Inter-primary Cricket League; the Inter-primary Girls Football League; and the CNB Girls Inter-primary Basketball League.

In addition their teams made first runner-up in the CUC Inter-primary Boys Football League; the Inter-primary Schools Sports Meet and the Inter-primary Netball League. The school’s B team also placed fourth in the Inter-primary Netball League.

With all of the islands’ government schools now closed the summer vacation has officially begun and details of all government summer camps can be found at www.gov.ky

Better health care a priority says minister

Cayman News | 01/07/2010 | 8 Comments

(CNS): The minister for health has said that one of the priorities of the government is to develop a sustainable, high quality, healthcare system in the Cayman Islands. A major part of that goal will be increasing access and continuity of care for government patients. Given the local prevalence of a number of non-communicable, chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, government will also focus on health education, promotion and prevention. In two recent statements in the Legislative Assembly, Mark Scotland announced a number of policy plans, including the launch of a new programme called CayHealth and government’s intention to conduct a population based health risks survey.

Scotland said CayHealth was founded on the concept of evidence based healthcare and will improve access to healthcare for all patients. “The CayHealth initiative is specifically designed to take the pressure off emergency and acute care services by focusing on implementing preventative healthcaremeasures and providing primary health care,” Scotland told his legislative colleagues last week.

Health Service Authority patients will get access to a preferred primary care physician under the new plan, who will also coordinate their access to specialists and overseas care, if required. Scotland added that patients would get more personal care, and allow the general practitioners to work productively with patients to improve their medical condition. CayHealth is also intended to bring health care to the people in their districts.

“Instead of travelling to the Cayman Islands Hospital, under CayHealth patients will have the convenience of accessing all the available healthcare services at their respective district health centres,” the health minister said. “This will reduce wait times and improve access to quality health care – two of the most important healthcare issues highlighted by Health Service Authority users.” Residents will also be able to fill their prescriptions at the district health centres.

The Public Health Department will also be undertaking education classes and health promotion activities coordinated with other agencies.

“The new CayHealth initiative is just the beginning of a journey that will shape health care for future generations,” Scotland stated, announcing that the programme will be piloted with the clients of the Department of Children and Family Services.

“Representatives of the Department of Children and Family Services and the Health Services Authority have been meeting over the past months to plan the implementation strategy and develop the programme parameters. These will be outlined in a public outreach campaign starting this week, including community meetings and briefings with various stakeholders,” he added.

On Wednesday Scotland presented another statement reviewing the progress of his whole ministry since he took up office and also spoke about future plans, including the development of a five year strategic plan and better financial management of healthcare.

He said that government spent $90 million annually on healthcare, which was around 20% of the public sector budget and was unsustainable. Aside from the development of a new hospital by Dr Devi Shetty, which Scotland predicted would save government a significant amount spent on overseas healthcare, his ministry would also work with CINICO to ensure Cayman was getting value for money for the overseas care it paid for.

He said the HSA was making great strides towards better financial management and was expected to make a profit of $1 million this year after years of heavy losses. With the arrival of a Cayman based cardiologist and an oncologist, more patients would be treated here, also reducing costs.

Scotland also revealed plans to focus on preventative care and announced the need for a population based survey on risk factors for the biggest killers in Cayman, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and cancer. “In order to plan appropriately for the prevention and control of chronic non-communicable disease and to allocate resources adequately, there is a need to conduct a population based survey on the risk factors for these diseases,” he said. “This information will also facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of any of the interventions which are initiated to combat these preventable diseases.”

The risk factor survey will be undertaken this year in partnership with PAHO, CAREC and WHO and the results would be a valuable tool, the minister observed.

Changes to legislation, including the Health Insurance Law, succession plans to Caymanize the HSA, adoption of evidence based practice, more access to high quality care for all, improved customer satisfaction and improved delivery of sustainable high quality healthcare, were all part of the forthcoming plans, the minster told the Legislative Assembly in his statement.

Junior jewel thieves strike in daylight grab

Cayman News | 01/07/2010 | 27 Comments

(CNS): Police are appealing for information after a group of young jewel thieves swiped a collection of earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces from a George Town store on Monday afternoon. Police said that a group of girls and boys two of which were wearing school uniforms grabbed the jewels and fled from the Edward Street store at about 3pm. Police said that while some of the group engaged the saleswoman in conversation others suddenly grabbed the Swarovski jewellery from a display stand and were last seen running towards the Thompson building and into a black four door Honda civic.

The saleswoman was not injured in the incident and no weapons were used and the suspects are described as being a group of young males and females, two of them were wearing John Grey High School uniforms. Inspector Dane Pinnock is appealing for anyone who has any information about the crime, or who is offered any of the stolen items for sale, to contact the police.

“I would urge business owners and sales staff to be on their guard,” said Inspector Pinnock. “We call these types of incidents ‘distraction thefts’; that means that the perpetrators will work in teams and while some of the group distract the salesperson through conversation or by causing an incident in the store, others commit theft.

He asked managers to e work with their in-store security to ensure that staff members are safe and that a watchful eye is kept on any valuable property.

“Try to make sure that property is kept in locked display cases and that during busy periods you increase staff numbers, particularly if you have high value items on display. Finally, ensure that your CCTV cameras are working and are placed in the right locations,” he said.

“ We have increased or patrols in the centre of George Town and the golden rule is that if you are suspicious of anyone then please contact the police. Anyone who handles stolen goods could potentially face14 years behind bars – remember that if you are offered a cut price deal on a shiny new piece of jewellery!”

Anyone with any information about the theft of the property, the suspects, or who has been offered jewellery for sale in last few days, is asked to contact George Town police station 949 – 4222 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477 (TIPS)

Illegal aliens given chance to leave with no fuss

Cayman News | 01/07/2010 | 15 Comments

(CNS): With the immigration amnesty now underway, foreign nationals who are in the Cayman Islands illegally are being given a one-month opportunity to leave without fear of prosecution. Any illegal alien who leaves between now and Sunday, 1 August can do so without being arrested. Local employers who are also holding work permits for people with no work will also be free of legal repercussions if they cancel the permits during this period and arrange for the individuals to leave. The Immigration Department said recently that there are more than 250 over-stayers currently on island and the amnesty comes ahead of a planned clamp down on immigration offences.

Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans said this opportunity gives employers the chance to regularise their affairs with staff and those who are here illegally time to depart without fear of prosecution before a beefed up enforcement operation begins in August .

“Persons whoare caught then will face being prosecuted or being administratively fined,” she explained. “In either case it would hamper their ability to obtain further work permits from the boards. For the more serious offences, prosecution will be sought and possibly deportation.”

The maximum penalty for overstaying is a fine of CI$20,000 and imprisonment of up to five years, and the penalties for work permit offences range from fines between CI$5,000 and CI$15,000 and imprisonment of up to one year.

The department has had amnesties in the past but it is almost six years since the last one. It was decided that now would be an appropriate time to offer an amnesty before a planned joint operation with other law enforcement agencies starts in August with the goal of clamping down on immigration offences.

Over-stayers who turn up during this month, at either the immigration headquarters or the ports and inform the officers that they are taking advantage of this will be allowed to depart without fear of prosecution. The amnesty applies to work permits of convenience, persons holding valid work permits but not sufficient work, and illegal landing aliens. When employers cancel work permits for employees that they do not have work for, the employee in question will thenbe expected to leave the territory before the expiry of the amnesty.

The Immigration Department is asking people who are not sure of their Immigration status to go to its Enforcement Section, where checks will be carried out to determine their legality.

“I urge those who are in a position to take advantage of this amnesty to do so. Those who forego this opportunity will be making a serious error of judgment and can expect to face serious consequences,” Evans said. “Every day we hear countless complaints about immigration offences being committed and the effect that this has on our territory. This is a golden opportunity for Caymanian employers to play a part in reducing immigration crime in their country and I expect that they will act responsibly and turn in work permits for employees that they no longer can provide work for.”

Department of Immigration officers have posted signs in public places to announce the immigration amnesty and the public can call 244-2028 or visit the Department of Immigration on Grand Cayman or the District Administration Building on Cayman Brac for more information.