Archive for June, 2011
Dart acclaims its safety record at Camana Bay
(CNS):Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd claimed a new safety milestone was reached at Camana Bay recently with 2.5 million safe man hours and no lost workdays in over 3 years. Justin Howe, Vice President Development for Dart Realty offered his congratulations to all the contractors involved in a release Friday. Partnering with local firms and supporting the Cayman economy safe work sites do not happen by accident, he said, but was the result of a collective effortby the development and construction team and contractors. Since Dart Realty broke ground on the Camana Bay Town Centre in May 2005, the company has contracted over 200 local companies and provided jobs for over 4000 construction workers, the firm stated.
“As a developer, Dart Realty takes safety very seriously and we place great importance on passing that message along to all of our construction partners. We have been fortunate to work with so many outstanding local companies on the design and construction of Camana Bay and it is through teamwork, individual awareness and a shared commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards that this milestone has been achieved,” he said.
In order to maintain safety Dart says that it requires everyone who works on its construction sites, including the staff of its contractors and subcontractors, to go through a comprehensive Safety Orientation programme. The induction includes training in areas such as Hazard Analysis, Incident and Hazard Reporting, Personal Protective Equipment, Fire Safety, Fitness for Work, Manual Handling, Ladders, Scaffolds, Excavations and Confined Space.
Dart Safety Manager Julius Jacky is pleased with the team’s latest achievement but that the safe man-hours clock could be reset at any moment.
“While we celebrate this long-term accomplishment, it is important to note that it only takes a second for an accident to happen. In addition to the continual development and implementation of our safety
training programme, we have daily safety meetings and conduct regular safety checks in order to ensure that every member of the Camana Bay construction team is fully aware of their responsibility towards eliminating health and safety hazards.”
According to an independent economic study completed by renowned international business
consultants Deloitte in late 2010, Dart said that on average the construction of Camana Bay has accounted for more than half of Grand Cayman’s construction activity during the period 2006-2009. The firm said that 2006, the year before the Town Centre opened, was the peak year, representing 72% of the island’s construction activity.
HR Manager Ray Hydes of Hydes & Sons one of the local contractors involved in the ongoing Town Centre project. Said the experience has been positive and highly beneficial to his company.
“We have a large number of staff on this project and they have all gone through Camana Bay’s safety orientation. In addition to imparting new skills, the programme has instilled an increased sense of responsibility for both personal and team safety that these workers will be able to apply to future jobs. We are pleased to have contributed to this achievement and look forward to a long relationship with Dart Realty as the Camana Bay community continues to grow,” Hydes stated.
Camana Bay is four years into its master development plan with construction now underway on the 68,000 square foot, 5-storey office building located on the northwest corner of the inner harbour.
Designed by Washington D.C.-based Torti Gallas and Partners, and supported by local architects, the Burns Conolly Group, the building is scheduled for completion by July 2012. It will house Class A office tenants including offshore law firm Mourant Ozannes and offer restaurant and retail on the ground floor.
In the next phase of development, a residential neighbourhood will be built along the south canal, connecting the Town Centre to the Cayman International School campus. Construction on a mixture
of single-family homes, town homes, courtyard homes and condominiums at price points to suit different income levels is scheduled to begin over the coming months.
US grills amnesty tax payers for more info
(Bloomberg): In 2009, as U.S. prosecutors were bearing down on Swiss bank UBS (UBS) to disclose the names of tax cheats, thousands of wealthy Americans came clean with the Internal Revenue Service. Under a limited amnesty program, they disclosed their secret offshore accounts and paid the taxes they owed. Now, IRS agents and federal prosecutors are going back to some of those same people to milk them for more information on the bankers and advisers who helped them hide their money. More than 200 offshore-bank clients have been questioned in what lawyers call a crackdown of unprecedented scope.
The questions that taxpayers answered helped form the basis of an indictment of four Europe-based bankers at Credit Suisse (CS) in February, and a U.S. civil action against HSBC (HBC), according to people familiar with the matter.
"This is the biggest tax investigation ever in the country, both in terms of the numbers of people and the money involved," says Robert S. Fink of Kostelanetz & Fink in New York, a tax lawyer for 43 years. "They are looking at what I call the enablers." Fink represents nearly 40 people contacted by investigators. "HSBC does not condone tax evasion. It fully supports U.S. efforts to promote appropriate payment of taxes," says HSBC spokeswoman Juanita Gutierrez.
On the telephone or in face-to-face sessions, more than 100 federal prosecutors are pressing the taxpayers to cough up details about who helped them set up their accounts, how they moved their money, and where they met their advisers, according to two people involved in the probe who aren't authorized to speak about the matter. People who don't cooperate could be prosecuted for their tax crimes. IRS spokesman Dean Patterson didn't respond to questions about the investigation.
Second gas station robbed
(CNS): Jose's Gas Station on Crewe Road in George Town was robbed by a lone gun man Friday evening, police have reported. Less than twenty four hours after three masked, armed men held up the Texaco gas station in Savannah, and fired a shot, police say that shots were also fired tonight at the Esso station. At about 8:40 pm this evening, an armed robber entered the station’s store brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. He threatened the attendants and made off with a sum of cash before running behind the building where he discharged a shot. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
Police said that no-one was injured in the incident and the gunman is described as being approx 6ft 1inch tall, dark complexion wearing full black clothing, gloves and mask. Police are currently carrying out extensive searches within the area of the robbery.
Anyone with information which could assist the investigation should call George Town CID on 9494222 or the confidential. Crime Stoppers number 8008477 (TIPS)
Man dies after chopper rescue
(CNS): Updated Monday 10am – A man who was airlifted from East End in the police helicopter Friday died despite the air rescue. Officials said that Daniel Hamilton was from Indiana in the US and was only 21 years old. He had arrived in the Cayman Islands one week ago to work as a volunteer with the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme (BIRP). Police enquiries are ongoing but a spokesperson stated that there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances about the death. Daniel was pursing a science degree in wildlife and officials from the project, who were shocked and saddened by his death, said he was an outstanding volunteer. The police helicopter had been deployed for the first time in a local on land airlift medical emergency in an effort to rescue Daniel, who had collapsed while working out in the bush .
The police received the report that he had taken ill, possibly from heat exhaustion, around 2:15 Friday afternoon about a mile to a mile and a half inland from the East End public beach. Due to the location, vehicles from the ambulance, fire and police services were unable to reach him so the RCIPS Air Operations Unit was deployed with a medic on board.
Machetes were dropped down from the chopper to his friends on the ground, who cleared the bush for the helicopter to land.
Paramedics had abandoned their ambulances and had walked for 20 minutes into the bush to reach the man, who was unconscious and unresponsive. They stabilised the patient and then assisted the man's friends to help cut down enough vegetation to accommodate the helicopter.
Once the chopper landed it was able to take the sick man, who was suspected of suffering from heat stroke, on board and immediately airlifted him to George Town. The helicopter then landed at the Cricket Field, where an ambulance was waiting to transport him to the Cayman Islands Hospital.
A statement released from the Blue Iguana Recover Programme said that Daniel had been pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife at Purdue University, Indiana. He had spoken of a lifelong fascination with reptiles, and that from the moment he first saw the Blue Iguanas at an exhibit in the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago he knew he wanted to play a part in their rescue.
Daniel's volunteer application was outstanding and he had done fieldwork with salamanders in state forests in Indiana, had learned techniques like radio tracking, tagging and navigation, and his enthusiasm sparkled in his communications as he prepared to come to Grand Cayman, the release said.
"In his short time with us, Daniel launched himself wholeheartedly into the work of the programme, first at the captive breeding facility in the QEII Botanic Park, then at Salina Reserve inland from the Queen's Highway, and finally in the new Reserve in Colliers, East End. There, he and two other international volunteers were preparing for this year's release of Blue Iguanas, scheduled to take place in July," BIRP stated.
"The staff and current volunteers with the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme and the Council and staff of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands are deeply shocked and saddened by Daniel's unexpected passing and extend their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family and friends. Thanks and recognition are also extended to the emergency services who did everything possible to save Daniel."
Expressions of condolence can be sent via email to: birpvols@gmail.com or posted on the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme Facebook page and BIRP will arrange for these thoughts to reach Daniel's family.
Two more suspects charged in bar drug dealing case
(CNS): Another two men have been charged with drug offences in connection with a police investigation into drug dealing at local bars. The two Caymanians aged 29 and 23 years appeared in court yesterday (Thursday 2 June) to face five offences including the supply of ganja. The men have been remanded in custody and join four other men who were charged last week with a total of some seventeen drug related offences. Two of the four men who appeared in court last week are also from Cayman while the other two were from Surinam.
The men are accused of selling cocaine, ecstasy and ganja at a number of different restaurants and bars in George Town and along the West Bay Road between January and May this year both on and off the premises.
Help on the way for learning disabled adults on Brac
(CNS): A new non-profit organization is aiming to raise $150,000 by 1 September in order to provide a place for learning disabled adults on Cayman Brac to socialize during the day and learn life skills to make them more independent of their caregivers. The Harmony Learning Centre already has government permission to use the Creek Youth Centre to begin operations, but organizers are also hoping that once established they will raise enough funds within three years for a purpose built residence and community centre for those who need it on the island. Angela Fawkes, one of the founders of Harmony, says there are about 28 learning disabled adults on Cayman Brac and Harmony will be able to provide help initially for up to around eight clients
The HLC will offer a recognised curriculum through the charitable organization ASDAN to give them lessons in such activities as arts and crafts, baking, growing fruit and vegetables, selling and raising chickens and raising eggs.
The inspiration for the centre, Fawkes said, is her sister, 52-year-old Paula Malone (above), a high functioning disabled person who has been through these courses in Canada and not only benefited greatly but also very much enjoyed taking them. While the project is ambitious, Fawkes has confidence that they can raise sufficient funding to make the day centre a reality. “By the grace of God this is going to happen,” she said.
The registered non-profit organization has already received a donation of $10,000 from another charity, IamCo, which is based in Grand Cayman and helped rebuild East End after Hurricane Ivan. However, much more is needed to provide sufficient funds for a full time director and an assistant, as well as money to pay for the courses, to start the programme off.
While the aim of Harmony is to assist the learning disabled on the road to more independence,Fawkes said that the project will also provide support for their caregivers too, many of whom are elderly parents who currently receive no help from the government in regards to ongoing education for those in their care once an individual has graduated from high school. The curriculum offered will be tailored to the needs of each individual to help them reach their potential, become more self-sufficient andwill even assist with job placement for those who are able.
Fawkes and her fellow organizers have had help and advice on this project from Roberta Gordon, director of Sunrise Learning Centre in Grand Cayman, and she said they are grateful to government for giving them permission to begin operations in the youth centre. However, they are looking at this as the first step towards what is actually needed, which is a built-to-purpose facility that provides a residential home for our clients that need one as well as a day programme, with a zero entry pool among other features, and staff that includes a speech therapist and a physiotherapist.
Harmony Learning Centre founders are Angela Fawkes, Linda Kilby, Sharon Thompson, Greg Lipton, Dot Japal and Laura Brandon, and more information about the NGO can be found at www.harmonylearningcentre.com or by emailing hlcbrac@yahoo.com.
Donations can be deposited to CNB, account Harmony Learning Centre, CI Savings 012-38044 and US Savings 022-24045.
War on drugs not working, says global commission
(Guardian): Governments should decriminalise drug use, according to high profile panel, including Kofi Annan and Richard Branson. The global war on drugs has failed and governments should explore legalising marijuana and other controlled substances, according to a commission that includes former heads of state and a former UN secretary general. A new report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy argues that the decades-old "globalwar on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world." The 24-page paper was released on Thursday.
"Political leaders and public figures should have the courage to articulate publicly what many of them acknowledge privately: that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that repressive strategies will not solve the drug problem, and that the war on drugs has not, and cannot, be won," the report said.
The 19-member commission includes former UN chief Kofi Annan and former US official George Schultz, who held cabinet posts under Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon. Others include former chairman of the US Federal Reserve Paul Volcker, former presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, the authors Carlos Fuentes and Mario Vargas Llosa, the businessman Sir Richard Branson and the Greek prime minister, George Papandreou.
GIS boss to take on finacial services challenge
(CNS): After a dozen years working with the governments marketing and communications department, Angela Piercy, has been appointed Head of Communications and Public Affairs, in the Financial Services Secretariat, where the marketing veteran will be taking on the challenge of Cayman’s financial services image. Piercy’s move from GIS will involve communication support for policy and legislative initiatives, market development activities and the overall reputation of the country’s financial services sector. “The move to the Financial Services Secretariat provides fresh horizons for me, and the chance to focus my efforts on one of the country’s most vital industries,” Piercy said.
Although she said she enjoyed her time with GIS, and will miss many aspects of her work and colleagues she was looking forward to her new job. “I will miss my GIS colleagues,” she added. “I have been fortunate to work with a great team, as well as some very dedicated persons across the civil service.”
Orrett Connor the Cabinet Secretary who has oversight for GIS said, “Working with Angela in her capacity as CIO has been a pleasure and her presence will be missed,” he said. “It is therefore good to know that the Cayman Islands Government will still benefit from her expertise.”
Piercy joined GIS in December 1998 as an information officer and was promoted to Manager of Information and Public Affairs in January 2006. Last year, her appointment as Chief Information Officer was made retroactive to September 2009.
She holds a master’s in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York.
Gained over more than two decades, Piercy’s broad media experience includes extended periods as a journalist and newspaper editor, both in the US and locally.
Local money store closes as remittances decline
(CNS): Reports in the Jamaican Gleaner Friday revealed that Capital and Credit Financial Group (CCFG) has now decided to close its Cayman Islands subsidiary, Express Remittance Services by mutual agreement with its partners. The firm which operates the Reggae Money Express stores cited declining business and high operating cost. The company also said the robbery in January at its Elizabethan Square branch aggravated but it did not reveal how much was taken. The RCIPS have since charged four people in connection with the holdup which they believe was an inside job. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
"The decision by Capital & Credit to cease business in Cayman was taken due to the increasingly unfavourable market conditions in that territory, which has seen significantly declining remittance numbers, increasingly higher operational costs, and was further aggravated by the recent robbery of the ERS offices in Grand Cayman," spokeswoman Michelle Wilson-Reynolds told The Gleaner.
CCFG, which owns 40 per cent of the company, had initially attempted to sell its stake. Wilson-Reynolds said the negotiations to sell fell through and that the owners of the remaining 60 per cent of the company were not up to going it alone.
Gas station robbers fire gun
(CNS): Three masked men made it clear that at least one of their weapons was real when they fired the gun into the air before robbing the Texaco gas station in Savannah last night. Police say that just after 10:30 pm on Thursday, 2 June, three masked men, all of whom were armed with what appeared to be handguns, entered the Starmart gas station store across from the Countryside Shopping Village. Witnesses say one of the suspects fired a shot into the air when staff refused to hand over cash. The men then ordered the staff and customers to lie on the floor. No one was hit by the gunshot or injured during the hold-up. The men made off from the scene with a cash pan containing an undisclosed sum of money.(PhotoDennie WarrenJr)
The police have not yet confirmed how the robbers made their escape from the store or in which direction or if the heist was caught on CCTV.
Although the men were wearing dark masks, described as ski masks, and gloves, the police have released the following descriptions. The first was said to be around 6 ft 2ins in height and ofslim build, wearing long dark-blue jean pants and a black long sleeve shirt. The other two suspects were slightly shorter in height and were also of slim build both were wearing dark clothing.
Anyone who has information about the crime should call Bodden Town CID or the confidential crime stoppers number 800-8477 (TIPS).