Archive for June, 2011
Pre-schoolers tour immigration department
(CNS): A group of enthusiastic 4-year-olds leaned a little about the Government’s Department of Immigration on Wednesday when they toured its headquarters on Elgin Avenue. Over 30 pupils from St George’s Pre-school managed to visit a good many of the sections within the department during their short tour, including the office of Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans, as well as the all-important filing section and behind the scenes at the front desk counter. The department’s Training & Development Manager and former educator Jenifer Gager-Sterling conducted a short quiz at the end of the tour whereby pupils were able to share what they had learnt during their short time with the Department.
St George’s Pre-School Principal Magdelena Fernandes, who attended the tour with staff and parents, said that this was one of several trips that the school had held for the pupils, according to a GIS release.
“We have arranged trips to various places such as the Fire Station and the Police Station and also brought members of the community into the school to talk to the children. Even though the children are small we feel it is important for them to get to know what is going on at places such as the Department of Immigration,” she explained. “We will go back to the school and discuss what the children have learnt today to reinforce the education.”
Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans says the Department was delighted to host the students. “We hope that the children enjoyed their short visit with us and learnt something about the Immigration Department at the same time,” she said.
Young student Danielle thanked Immigration staff for allowing students to tour their Department and said that staff were welcome anytime at the school.
Industry accepts new hedge fund fee, says Bush
(CNS): The government have introduced only one new revenue raising measure in the 2011/12 budget and it will be levied against the hedge fund sector. The new fee will apply to ‘master funds’ that form part of existing ‘master or feeder’ structures that will now be regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA). The premier announced the introduction of $1500 fee during his late evening budget address last week. McKeeva Bush said that government had “received representations from leaders in the local financial services sector that such a fee could be introduced, without any adverse effect on the sector.”
He explained that these type of funds are not currently regulated by CIMA but just as they are regulated in other jurisdictions those funds will be required to pay a modest fee of CI$1,500per year to register with the local financial authority. Government expects to raise over $6million from the new fee and Bush said that $4.5million off that cash would be used to offset fuel duty increases on residential customer’s CUC bills.
Experts in the industry have said they do not expect the procedure for registering these funds to be onerous or increase reporting requirements and closed ended private equity funds will not be subject to this new regime.
CIMA has not yet revealed the timetable for implementation of the new regulations and fee requirement but the regulator had considered that as all of the assets of the fund structure are held at the master fund level, it was prudent to bring the master funds within its oversight.
The motivation to regulate the funds also came from the growing pressure with regards international regulation and observations by OECD that the regulatory status of these master funds should be improve and this move is aimed at plugging the regulatory gap in the fund industry.
Residents urged to be prepared for hurricanes
(CNS): Two weeks into hurricane season, residents of the Cayman Islands are being urged to be prepared by ensuring that important personal documents are updated and kept securely throughout the hurricane season, while the local chapter of the Red Cross stresses the importance a disaster plan for each household. The Passport and Corporate Services Office (P&CSO) says that passports and other vital papers such as birth, marriage, naturalization and registration certificates, as well as Caymanian status and permanent residence documents should be kept together in waterproof bags or containers. They should be stored in a place that is easily accessible during emergencies. (Left: Hurricane Ivan)
P&CSO says residents should ensure that passports and other travel documents are valid. Holders of Cayman Islands passports should submit only copies of those passports, together with application forms, when applying for United Kingdom (UK) passports, and actual passports should not be sent. Holders of UK passports which will expire within the next six months should not send them away for renewal, unless each holder has a second passport that may be used in an emergency.
Residents should copy key documents, including passports, birth and marriage certificates, naturalization and registration certificates. Originals and copies should be stored securely in separate locations. During emergency situations, particularly approaching hurricanes or tropical storms which may require travel or evacuation, original documents should be kept at hand, secured in waterproof bags or containers.
People travelling to the United States, either before or immediately after a hurricane, must also ensure that their travel documents are in order. This is essential because a holder of a CI or UK passport with a US visitor’s visa may travel to the US on commercial, charter or air ambulance flights but a holder of a CI passport without a US visitor’s visa must first obtain a US visa waiver from the P&CSO to travel to the US on a commercial or air ambulance flight. Visa waivers can only be placed in machine-readable CI passports. A holder of a CI passport should ensure that it is valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure from the US.
A holder of a UK passport without a US visitor’s visa, but with an approval from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) may travel to the US on commercial flights only. Residents travelling to other countries should make appropriate plans beforehand and should also know and comply with the travel requirements of respective destinations. Residents should also remember that travel documents cannot be issued when weather conditions require the closure of government offices, including the Passport & Corporate Services Office.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross notes that having a family disaster plan encourages families to discuss the possible scenarios and how every family member should act in each of these scenarios; it encourages families to share the tasks and take ownership of their responsibilities in the plan; and finally it helps families think more thoughtfully about the needs of the most vulnerable members of their families:children, the elderly, those with special needs, and even their pets.
The NGO, which plays a major role both in preparation and in the aftermath of a disaster, says that having a family disaster plan also assists in providing the individuals involved with a greater sense of control and peace of mind before, during and after a disaster. While there is no way to completely eliminate the stress that is created by such a disruption in our daily lives, knowing that there is a plan, what one’s role is in that plan, what to do in each possible scenario and in the aftermath of the disaster-especially should anything unpleasant (such as separation of families) but not unplanned for have happened- greatly reduces the potential stressors which can make a bad situation simply unbearable.
Children can greatly benefit from this because there is reassurance in the fact that they have talked about what can happen and what to do in each case, the Red Cross says. Having a role and a responsibility makes them feel like they are part of the solution, as well as offers some level of distraction to what may be going on around them.
While the psychological impact of hurricanes is not fully understood, having a family disaster plan where members of the family, especially those who lived through any storm, are able to honestly discuss their apprehensions and fears will help to avoid a lot of miscommunication, misunderstandings and conflict. After all, the CIRC notes, no one has ever regretted being overly prepared.
For more information contact the Cayman Islands Red Cross at info@redcross.org.ky , 949-6785 ext. 26 or 27, or log on to www.redcross.org.ky.
Cayman youth rugby enjoys success in the Bahamas
(CNS): The Cayman Under 12 (U12) and Under 10 (U10) rugby squads returned from the Bahamas on Monday, after a very successful weekend tour in Freeport, Bahamas. The format involved a round robin tournament on Saturday and an international game for each level on Sunday. At the U10 level, the Saturday tournament involved one Cayman select side, a Bahamas side and a Freeport Barbarians side (mixed Cayman and Bahamas team) playing 7-a-side. After a number of fast paced and exciting matches the Cayman select side came out on top with the Freeport Barbarians taking second.
The U12 10-a-side tournament involved 4 teams. Cayman was represented by the Cayman Iguanas and Cayman Sharks, alongside the Bahamas' Freeport Warriors and Freeport Cheetahs. Once again, Cayman took the top spot, this time with both Cayman sides sharing the spoils, having drawn 15-15 after a hard fought and nail biting match- each team having beaten both Bahamas sides. The Bahamas, to their credit, seemed to improve with every game and, with no game having greater than a 10 point margin, it was a very good, even competition.
Under 10 International
Sunday saw the Under 10 age group step up to 9-a-side for the international fixture between Cayman and the Bahamas, with the Cayman side captained by the experienced Finn Galway. Under the experienced eye of Cayman’s own NACRA referee, Alasdair Robertson, the Cayman youngsters flew at their opposite numbers from the first whistle and were rewarded with an early try from Hunter Wilkom, following powerful running by Captain Galway and fellow forward, Alfie Parker.
The Cayman side showed their experience and technical ability by controlling possession before moving the ball quickly through their halfbacks to the talented runners in the back line. Midway through the first half, Cayman produced a move of real quality when Joe Ribbins forced a turnover and, following excellent rucked ball, quick hands and vision from Doug Rowland and Tommy Kehoe, an opening was created for Trey Milgate, Mason ‘The Bull’ Duval and Justin ‘Jinky’ Derrick to run into. Derrick then cut back inside and unselfishly released Milgate to score, unopposed.
With the game plan being executed to perfection, coach Rowland was able to use the depth of his squad, bringing on Wilson for Rowland at scrum half and mixing-up the back line further, with Milgate moving to fly-half for Kehoe. Rolling substitutions and the sensible refereeing of Robertson allowed the game to flow, and although Cayman continued to dominate possession and field position, the Bahamas youngsters began to put more pressure on the Cayman runners and produced some exceptional tackling, clearly determined to stem the tide in the second half of the game. However, coach Kehoe was in no mood to let the opposition get back into the game and he continued to bark instructions from the side line as Cayman went on to score 10 tries and win the game comfortably, 50-0. Try scorers also included Jake ‘Wheels’ Bailey (2), Duval (1), Derrick (3), in addition to further tries for Wilkom (2) and Milgate (2). Honourable mentions go to John-Ross Clough who played on through the pain of an injured hand, and to Finn Lovegrove for his hard work and powerful running up front.
The performance by the Under 10 group of players throughout the weekend was exceptional, as was their behavior and the way they represented Cayman rugby and the Cayman Islands in general. It is also a testament to the youth development program in Cayman with 8 of the 13 player squad having been in involved in the program for over 5 years and all of the squad having played together for the past two years.
Under 12 International
With the closeness of the Saturday games at the U12 level and in particular with the knowledge that Bahamas possessed a number of very quick players, the U12 side faced a much sterner test for the Sunday international. They were however able to rely on a very strong bench, and the ability to rotate players in and out provedcrucial with Cayman ending up victorious 20-5, with most of the points occurring in the second half.
Cayman kicked off and were able to put Bahamas under pressure from the start, but Bahamas were able to withstand the hard tackling from the Cayman side and moved the ball well when they had the opportunity. After 10 minutes, the Cayman team made their first breakthrough. The pack were able to apply some serious pressure on the Bahamas 5 meter line and, having gone close on several occasions, were then able to release the ball out wide to the right where outside centre and captain Lleyton James was able to find the space and go in for Cayman's first try. The half ended with Cayman 5-0 up.
The second half began with Cayman's rucking much improved and this led to more ball being sent out wide through fly-halves Jared Duval and Drew Milgate. Cayman's next try, however, came from a series of pick and drives by the pack (following a penalty by Bahamas for being offside at the ruck) with Number 8 Devin Mourao charging forward, James Priaulx and Matteo Polloni clearing out and then tight-head prop Duncan Petrie, with assistance from other members of the pack, driving over the line to make it 10-0.
The next try was the best of the day with the pack stealing possession in a ruck and then quickly recycling the ball out to Lleyton James who was able to take the outside and beat several defenders before scoring, to give Cayman a good cushion with a quarter of the match remaining. Disaster struck at the subsequent kick-off, however, with confusion in the Cayman back line resulting in a kick and chase being scored by the Bahamas to make it 15-5.
The Cayman side were not about to let this one slip away and, following a fantastic take by Lee Lewis from the kick-off and his drive into Bahamas territory, continued to apply pressure on the Bahamas, resulting in a number of penalties in favor of Cayman. From this pressure, the final score emerged. With the back line all lined up on the left and Bahamas drifting to cover that threat, Danny Link cleverly fed Iain Robertson, who running back at an angle was able to score almost unimpeded. Final score 20-5.
It really was a team performance with the whole squad participating in the game. This proved key over the course of a 40 min match in the midday sun. The Bahamas, however, had plenty to be proud of and, considering their youth programme is somewhat younger than that of Cayman, showed plenty of promise. It is hoped that the competition can be an annual event now that the first Conch Cup has been established and Cayman has secured its place in history as its inaugural winner.
Gratitude goes to the Freeport Club, in particular Rob Speller and Pete Beirne, for organizing and hosting the event and to Cayman Coaches/Chaperones, Roger Priaulx, Chris Rowland. Alasdair Robertson, Mick Kehoe, Brett Hill, Tim Derrick, Steve James, Greg Link, Alan Milgate, Garry Southway, Stephen Duval, Shawn Mourao, Dave Bailey, Neil Galway, Bill Edwards and Neil Purton.
U10 Squad: Finn Galway (Captain), Trey Milgate (Vice-Captain), Hunter Wilkom, Alfie Parker, Joe Ribbins, Doug Rowland, Tommy Kehoe, Mason Duval, Justin Derrick, Jake Bailey, Ewan Wilson, John-Ross Clough, Finn Lovegrove.
U12 Squad: Lleyton James (Captain), Devin Mourao (Pack Leader), Duncan Petrie, Seth Wacker, James Priaulx, Iain Robertson, Matteo Polloni, Keegan O’Connor, Matthew Elphinstone, Joe Purton, Aiden Clements, Danny Link, Drew Milgate, Jared Duval, Josh Boland, Becky Southway, Graeme Hill, Leo Bode, Lee Lewis, Hugo Tyson, Will Edwards.
‘Killa’ and Palfrey to be awarded by premier
(CNS): Premier McKeeva Bush announced in the Legislative Assembly yesterday that he planned to give an award to local boxer Charles “Killa” Whittaker following his win in a match against American boxer Keenan Collins. The 37-year-old reigned victorious over Collins in a 12-round match Saturday night the Arts and Recreation Centre at Camana Bay, winning the United States Boxing Association (USBA) middleweight title belt. In Whittaker's 51st professional fight, he aimed hefty punches at Collins, some of which nearly closed the 34-year-old's right eye, and won after registering a unanimous decision victory. "This guy [Collins] was focused, ready and committed," Whittaker told Cayman27 after the match. (Photo courtesy Cayman27)
"For those who say I'm too old, you saw me tonight, I was better," he added.
Whittaker remained unbeaten in a total of thirteen fights dating back to 2004, but was only in a mere two fights in 2009 and one in 2010.
Amongst the crowd were Premier McKeeva Bush, MLA Cline Glidden Jr, Minister of Sports Mark Scotland and other dignitaries, along with Sports Director Collin Anglin and the boxer's mother Buleah McField.
Bush also announced that an award was also being given to Penny Palfrey for her "superhuman" effort of swimming between Little Cayman and Grand Cayman and commended both the international swimmer and her supporting team.
Bush wished Whittaker continued success in his boxing career and hoped that he could inspire Cayman's young men to find disciplined ways and means to handle themselves. He noted that both boxing and swimming are solo sports that require a lot of courage and stamina in combination with both training and experience to not just keep going but to also overcome.
The Premier said that consideration was being given to the conferral of "suitable" awards for the respective athletes and that the LA would be further advised on the awards given to the respective athletes "in due course".
See the Cayman27 video report.
Joshua Dilbert is a Year 11 student at the Layman E. Scott Sr. High School who is working with CNS as part of the school's Worklink programme.
Info boss backs refusal to answer vexatious request
(CNS): The information commissioner has ruled that the legal department was within the law when it refused to answer a number of requests from a single freedom of information applicant because they were believed to be vexatious. In her twelfth ruling Jennifer Dilbert found that the requests were obsessive but she did not find that individually the requests were unreasonable. Instead she pointed to the volume and frequency of the requests that led her to uphold the decision by the government department. “Had the requests been made one at a time, over a longer period of time, I would not expect the Portfolio of Legal Affairs to find them vexatious” stated the commissioner.
Given the circumstances Dilbert said she understood how staff could have been distressed by the pattern of the requests and how the requests might cause disruption or annoyance, but she said she was not convinced that they were designed to do so.
The FOI Law excuses a public authority from processing FOI requests which are vexatious, or where responding would unreasonably divert resources.
In this matter Legal Affairs, refused to respond to the requests as they considered them vexatious as per section 9(a) of the Freedom of Information Law, 2007 (FOI Law). Two separate sets ofrequests were under review during the hearing. The first, made by the applicant to the Portfolio on 30 January 2011, contained 6 separate questions and the second, made on 6 February 2011, asked another 5. The questions themselves were for mainly statistical information.
In their submission, the Portfolio argued that the volume, length and frequency of the requests could fairly be characterized as “obsessive or manifestly unreasonable”. They listed 23 separate FOI requests, containing more than 100 questions over the 8 month period prior to 6 February 2011.
The applicant did not refute the number of requests made, and pointed to a number of other requests that the Portfolio had responded to – many of which involved much greater difficulty and detail than those currently being considered. The Applicant submitted that “the Legal Department does not have a fixed and/or balanced method and/or judgment and/or standard to assess FOI requests.”
Following guidelines from the UK in regard to vexatious requests Dilbert considered if the requests were obsessive, harassing, imposed a significant burden, designed to disrupt or annoy or lacked serious purpose or value. The commissioner found that the requests were obsessive and upheld the portfolio’s decision “I find that there is a continuing pattern of behaviour on the part of the applicant that points to these requests being obsessive,” she added.
Dilbert said that in order for FOI to succeed, there must be support from all sides. “Applicants should use the FOI responsibly. To abuse the rights given under the Law brings the Law into disrepute, and undermines the operation of the Law for the benefit of others,” the commissioner added.
In addition, Dilbert also revealed that procedurally, the portfolio handled the requests correctly and the Commissioner said she was pleased with the practical operation of the Law. “The public is able to access government records that were previously not disclosed and government is becoming more aware of the importance of transparency and accountability. An open government will inevitably lead to an informed and empowered people – which will make Cayman a better place for everyone.”
A full version of the decision is posted below
Drop rollover, says Alden
(CNS): The opposition leader has revealed that the People’s Progressive Movement now believes, eight years after its introduction, that it is time to drop the controversial seven year term limit on work permit holders (aka rollover), which he says is causing too many problems for the business community. Alden McLaughlin called on the government to introduce a more equitable, business friendly system during his budget debate on Wednesday in the Legislative Assembly. In his contribution he raised a number of issues that he said were undermining the country’s potential economic recovery including immigration. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
The PPM’s new leader said that the premier often spoke about immigration reform but had only been tinkering around the edges and it was now time to confront the rollover issue.
“We in the opposition believe the time has come to abandon the rollover policy in favour of a more business friendly approach,” he said. Although the law was passed by the previous United Democratic Party administration and the opposition, McLaughlin said he had also supported the policy but it was now clear that it was creating problems for the business community and the country as a whole. He said it discouraged people from settling into the community and created real difficulties for businesses, who were forced to lose trusted staff, often at a critical juncture.
The PPM leader said government should change the policy and introduce new legislation that will allow all work permit holders who have reached the eight year mark to make an application for permanent residency. He said that everyone should be required to do so within two years but not every application should be granted. People wouldneed to show real commitment to society and a means of supporting themselves, the opposition leader noted. McLaughlin said that the bar should not be set so high that only property owning professionals would be awarded residency, nor should the bar be so low as to allow everyone to receive PR.
The opposition leader said abandoning the seven year limit would assist businesses and address the wide dissatisfaction in the community about the policy, which he said discouraged people from putting down roots and integrating.
McLaughlin noted that the UDP had successfully convinced the voting public that the “PPM was anti-foreigner” and that it was it the previous government, of which he was a part, that had driven away business because of it. McLaughlin said it was simply not true and that in reality business was now being driven away as a result of the current government’s economic policies, which had pushed up the cost of doing business to unprecedented levels.
McLaughlin accused the premier of being “hell bent” on assisting a select few major international investors with concessions and waivers and permits but was doing nothing at all to assist local business or those in the financial sector that had been here for many years and were the backbone of the economy.
He said the premier appeared to be obsessed with big business to the detriment of smaller businesses that were crippled by UDP policies from the increase in fuel duty to the cost of work permits and other business fees.
Divers film underwater beauty at risk from EE ‘hole’
(CNS): Local divers have documented the underwater world that is at risk should the proposed East End commercial seaport receive the official government go-ahead. At least seven dive sites on the south eastern coast are under threat as a result of the potential development which has been dubbed the “mega quarry” or “big hole” project by local objectors as the excavation period for the project is expected to last more than five years. Divershave made a short –film of the sites at risk and posted the results on YouTube as part of the growing campaign to stop the development. As well as excavating a basin of some 4million sqft the developer proposes to dredge a 60ft deep, 1,600 ft long by 600 ft wide channel.
The video shows just a small selection of the popular, most visited dive sites and underwater beauty in the Half Moon Bay area which are riskfrom the development. The video lists the various sites under threat and notes the continued popularity and importance of diving to the Cayman Islands tourism product. As many as ten thousand dives are made in East End every year and the area at risk is f particular importance as it is one of the few areas where visitors can dive safely in rough weather. The loss of these seven sites would undermine Cayman’s ability to offer diving 365 days per year.
The opposition to the commercial port project has come from some diverse areas across the whole of the Cayman community. For what may even be the first time environmentalists are rubbing shoulders with quarry operators in a common cause. Divers and businessmen, politicians and teens, ex-pats and locals as well as West Bayers and Eastenders have all vowed to fight the proposed development.
See the video here or visit the Save East End Facebook page here
Former TCI leader breaks silence over UK ‘dictator’
(CNS): As the Turks and Caicos Islands bounces from one crisis to another the islands’ former leader Michael Misick has described the interim UK government as the “worst administration in the history,” of the country. Breaking his silence the former leader of the Progressive National Party issued a statement Tuesday night regarding the current state of affairs in the overseas territory, the financial problems and the constitution which the UK is attempting to impose on the country. Misick said in the face of the complete destruction of his “beloved country at the hands of the British government, Dictator Gordon Wetherell, he could no longer remain quiet.
He said three years after the “UK’s unnecessary invasion of our country,” unemployment was at 30 percent, no investment was taking place, crime was at a all-time high, public sector workers were losing their jobs and freedom of speech was being suppressed amid a climate of fear.
“This Interim Government has been such a spectacular failure, that even those who called for them to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands, are now angry and disappointed with them, crying out for them to leave and are prepared to expel them from this beautiful by nature country. It was never this bad; not even under the PDM. Even the PDM was a better government than this interim administration,” Misick said in his statement as he called for independence.
See full statement here
Mac signs MOU with Chinese
(CNS): The country’s premier has revealed that he has signed a ministerial Memorandum of Understanding with the Bejing based developer, China Harbour Engineering Company, to build the George Town Cruise port. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, McKeeva Bush said the new government partners would also be renovating the Spotts jetty and developing a cruise ship pier at the Cayman Turtle Farm in West Bay. He further stated that as well as developing the George Town cruise facilities, CHEC will be involved in the future operation of that port.
Despite having rejected the last planned project by GLF because he said he did not believe the developer had the financing and would not be able to act quick enough, he revealed Wednesday that government did not expect to have a signed a contract with the new developers until November. Although he did not give a date for when the project might start, given the time frame for the contract preparations it is unlikely that the George Town project will now break ground before the beginning of 2012.
“Our joint objective, together with the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands, is to work towards signing a contract before the end of November this year,” Bush stated. “China Harbour Engineering Co. will provide the financing and technical designs for these projects. They will work closely with the government and the Port Authority on appropriate developmentplans for the reclaimed upland area in George Town.”
He said the construction projects will provide local employment and stimulate local business and that there would be chance local investors to buy into the George Town Port enhancement project. Bush said progress had already been made on the plans for the renovation of the Spotts area, which he said meant that the project could be underway as early as July. “A local firm, Office for Architecture and Design (OA&D), has already been retained as project managers for the Spotts Jetty rehabilitation and upgrading works,” he revealed.
After making the announcement to his parliamentary colleagues, he confirmed that after making a significant investment the developers would be involved in the management and operation of the facility. Bush said that after the completion of the projects the details of CHEC would be worked out. He also stated that the Central Tenders Committee would be examining the deal, but he did not go into details over how the firm was selected. Bush confirmed that CHEC is a state owned company and not a group of private Chinese entrepreneurs. It is also understood that the company didnot submit a bid during the original tendering process.
When the CTC originally announced the results of the review of the cruise port bids, DECCO had the most successful bid and was the first company to begin negotiations with government. Following the collapse of talks between DECCO (Dart’s construction firm) government moved to the second placed bidder, GLF/Royal construction, but talks with GLF were terminated by the premier in April, when the developer was potentially a mere six weeks away from mobilization. The premier did not say why the government had not gone to third place bidder or when it began talking with CHEC about the possibility of it being the developer of the cruise facilities.
The premier denied knowing anything about the issues CHEC were facing in Jamaica in connection with an investigation by the auditor general into a road project in that country.