Archive for February, 2012
MLAs petition for one vote
(CNS): The two MLAs who are elected to the Legislative Assembly through the democratic process of one man, one vote are hoping to spread that democratic principle to the rest of the country before the next general election. Arden McLean, the PPM representative for East End, told his constituents last night that they could set the example to the rest of the country by signing the petition that he and his fellow MLA Ezzard Miller, the independent member for North Side, are organising to bring about single member constituencies. The MLAs will be petitioning registered voters in order to trigger a people’s initiated referendum and force the hand of government to change the voting system.
Speaking at a public meeting in his district Tuesday evening, McLean said he was not prepared to tolerate a policy which would see voters in George town given six votes and enabling them to influence the make-up of government six times more than his own constituents because it was not democratic.
Following the rejection by government of a motion submitted by Miller to change the elections law and subsequent attempts by him to bring further motions, which have been blocked by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the two MLAs, who are the only single member representatives, hope to establish the principle of one man, one vote via the constitution.
McLean said the government will not implement the system but the two single member constituencies stood out when it came to democracy and they needed to show the country how democracy works.
“George Towners are going to have six chances to influence the creation of a government and East Enders are only going to have one. You think that fair?” he asked his district.
“Every man must have one vote," he said. "That is democracy.”
One man, one votes creates accountability, he pointed out and said he would not support six candidates in George Town because the option government has chosen is further disenfranchising the single member constituencies. The government does not want the outer constituencies to have any influence on government, the MLA stated as he announced the plan to circulate the petition. He said that government had chosen the leastpopular option for the next election because the premier believes that he can stay in power under that system.
Miller told CNS after the meeting that, following the numerous efforts he has made via the parliamentary process to introduce a voting system that is not only more democratic but also understood to be supported by most people, the petition could force government’s hand.
“If we are able to collect a sufficient number of signatures from registered voters, we can test the government’s commitment to the constitution and trigger a referendum on the issue and let the people decide,” Miller said.
The two single members will be holding a press conference on Wednesday to announce the launch of the petition and details of the accompanying campaign.
Check CNS tomorrow evening for a full report on the campaign for single member constituencies.
Veteran Journalist ‘Motty’ Perkins dies
(The Gleaner): Dozens of tributes poured in from around the world yesterday for iconic radio talk-show host Wilmot 'Motty' Perkins, who died early yesterday morning at his St Andrew home after a brief period of illness. Perkins was 80 years old.Friends, colleagues and faithful listeners have been using every tool at their disposal – call-in programmes, email, instant messages, social networks, blogs, and comment boards -to pay respects to the giant of journalism who started his career more than five decades ago, and who was the longest-serving talk-show host on Jamaican radio.
Barbara Gloudon, herself a veteran talk-show host and journalist, knew Motty from "back in the day" when they worked together as young reporters at The Gleaner.
"He was part of a group that formed the Journalist Union of Jamaica. Not many people knew of his trade-union activities," she shared.
Gloudon noted that in analysing Perkins, most people spoke of his fearlessness and his very strong convictions, which came out in his writings and conversations on his talk shows.
Veteran photographer Junior Dowie also recalled working with Perkins at The Gleaner in the early 1960s. "He was one of the nicest persons I have ever worked with, very helpful. We have lost an icon," said Dowie.
Domino players robbed
(CNS): Three men playing dominoes outside a home in George Town became the latest victims of armed robbers last night. At around 11:40 the players outside the property in Greenwood Drive were approached by two masked men who demanded cash. The robbers approached the three players on foot wearing dark clothing and armed with what appeared to be handguns. The suspects demanded cash and took money from each of the three men before they fled on foot and firing a shot into the air. Police said that no further descriptions of the robbers has yet been provided but confirmed no one was hurt during the tenth stick-up of 2012.
Anyone who has any information regarding the robbery, is asked to contact George Town Police Station on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip-line 949-7777 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number 800-8477(TIPS).
Prison rehab “decimated”
(CNS): A newly published report on the state of the Cayman Islands’ prison system has made more than sixty recommendations on how to address the many problems within the prison system and in particular the growing problem of recidivism. The report, which was commissioned by the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs and undertaken by the institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) found that the rehabilitation programmes have been "decimated”, leaving what the experts say is a crucial part of the prison system completely neglected. In order to stop the prison revolving door, the experts warn that rehab must be considered equally important as keeping prisoners locked up.
Given that all prisoners will be released (with the exception of those mandated to serve life sentences for murder), the IPAC team said that without proper rehabilitation programmes prisoners are guaranteed to reoffend once they are released and that this element cannot be sacrificed for security and it must be considered equally important.
“Strong and effective leadership for rehabilitation and reintegration is required within the HM Cayman Island Prison Service to embed rehabilitation as a prime purpose of a prison service,” the report stated as it pointed to the pressing need for dedicated leadership in reintroducing proper rehabilitation programmes into the prison system.
The authors recommend that two deputy director roles are created in the system — one to oversee prison operations (the physical security and safety of the prison) and one to oversee rehabilitation programmes that will ensure each prisoner addresses his issues before release in order to reduce the probability of return into the system.
Although the Cayman Islands Prison Service declares in its vision that it aims to provide a safe, secure and controlled environment for both staff and prisoners, is also states that it aims to address offending behaviour, improve education and work skills as it prepares the prisoners for their return to the community.
However, the report found that this part of the vision statement was completely absent as there are no proper rehabilitation programmes for offenders for their behaviour, addictions, anger and violence problems or educational needs. The entire concept of rehab has, the authors say, been sacrificed for security.
“The rehabilitation programs have been decimated. Many stakeholders expressed concern that although there have been a number of good reports completed over the past several years, this did not lead to change.”
More than 85% of the offenders in the Cayman prison system are either alcohol or drug dependent, which has contributed to their offending. The report pointed to a “compelling need” to address the incidence of drug and alcohol addiction within the prison population but there is no drug treatment inside prison.
“Many of these individuals are already repeat offenders whose addiction issues have not been addressed during previous custodial sentences,” the report found. “Many offenders indicated an interest in addiction counselling, and identified it as an important component of rehabilitation.”
The authors said that in other jurisdictions there has been a shift in focus to rehabilitation as they reached a crisis state with their prison populations.
“The Cayman Islands should not wait until they are in a total crisis to make the changes necessary to introduce rehabilitation as a primary focus in their prisons. Incarceration is the means to an end, the end being rehabilitation of prisoners who will contribute to a safer society once released. Placing safe custody and secure detention as the primary purpose is simply to adopt that the primary purpose of a prison is the simple warehousing prisoners for a fixed period of time.”
Among the myriad issues addressed in the report is the problem of many prisoners having severe mental health problems which are not being addressed and which the report said prison staff were not able to deal with.
Many convicted offenders have mental illness that is not treated while in prison. Often these prisoners also have addiction problems, which also go untreated. “Both the mental illness and the underlying addiction must be treated if there is any expectation that the offender will not re-offend in future.”
Examining proposals for the establishment of a separate Mental Health Court, modelled on the existing Drug Treatment Court, the IPAC team said it didn’t support that recommendation and advised that a specialized integrated court which deals holistically with an offender is a better approach as it pointed to the need to train people in the system to deal with the needs of those with mental health problems.
“All the support services serving the Drug Treatment Court are not trained nor equipped to deal with offenders with mental illness issues so this needs to be addressed through training,” it said.
The report examined the lack of transitional support, especially housing, the neglect of sentence planning until almost the moment of release and the failure to address the education levels of prisoners as well as their skill-sets.
Despite the sentiment in the community that being incarcerated in Northward or Fairbanks was like living in a hotel, the authors noted that after touring both institutions they strongly disagreed and recommended that people see for themselves by visiting the institutions.
“This view, if held, should not become a barrier to establishing a strong, vibrant rehabilitative program in both institutions,” the authors stated.
New boss plans more online services at lands & survey
(CNS): Following the appointment of Alan Jones to Chief Officer for Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture (DAWL&A) Rupert Vasquez has now been appointed as Acting Director, Lands and Survey Department and he promises to bring e-conveyancing to the department as he plans to boost on-line services by scanning in some 35,000,000 land related documents. This promotion follows on from his recent appointment as Deputy Director and Registrar which to record the relevant details of all land ownership information in the Cayman Islands, and to maintain the Registry Map that identifies every parcel of land.
The Registrar of Lands is responsible for administering the Lands Registry in accordance with the Registered Land Law, the Registered Land Rules and the Strata titles Registration Law.
Today, the Land Registry is responsible for recording all land transaction in the Cayman Islands. This role provides for the maintenance of some 29,000 parcels registers defining ownership and other interests in land such as Leases, Right of Ways, Restrictions and Charges. The primary role is to provide the public with accurate and up-to-date Land Registry information at all times.
Vasquez said his goal was to make the system even more efficient with an emphasis on customer service and transparency. “Our Land Registry is already considered and to be the best in the region. However, no matter how good a system is, there is always room for improvement, which can be achieved by analyzing and fine tuning it, and of course, by teamwork,” he said.
Budget permitting, Vasquez said he planned to scan in more than 35,000,000 Land Registry documents so that customers will be able to view them online, as was recently done with the survey documents.
“This will enable us to move towards e-conveyancing, which is one of the major goals for the Department in the near future,” he explained.
Vasquez joined the department in 1982 and has held the post of Senior Surveyor in the Survey Unit before heading the Quality Assurance Unit. In 2007, after being admitted to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he was promoted to Chief Surveyor.
Minister of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture Juliana O‘Conner-Connolly welcomed him to his new position.
“Mr. Vasquez’s selection is reflective of the Ministry’s commitment to build and maintain a strong and dynamic management team and Mr. Vasquez’s wealth of experience will continue to be a major asset to Lands and Survey,” she said.
Alan Jones, Chief Officer of DAWL&A added said he had every faith that “Rupert will ensure that Lands & Survey maintains its reputation for excellent customer service and innovative product development. His promotion is a result of his ability to think strategically, and as Chief Surveyor he earned the respect of his peers, customers and partners.
Missing woman’s family ask for government help
(CNS): The family of Kerran 'Kerry-Ann' Baker, who has been missing since last July, are asking the Jamaican government to intervene in the case as they say the RCIPS is stonewalling them. According to a report in the Jamaican Observer, Kerry-Ann’s stepfather, Wilmot Anthony, has issued a public plea for the Jamaican foreign affairs ministry to get in touch with the Cayman Islands to press for answers. Cayman police have stated that they believe Kerry-Ann is dead and although one man was arrested on suspicion of murder in November, he was released and no charges were brought. Anthony said the family needed the help of the Jamaican government to stop the investigation dying out.
"We have not been hearing anything from anybody. We need the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get in touch with the Cayman Government because the case seems like it is dying out," he told the Observer. "We need more support from the Jamaican Government. She was a responsible, working Jamaican. She was no squatter there."
Baker, who was 25, worked as a practice nurse before her disappearance from her apartment on Arrow Drive in Bodden Town sometime in the evening of Saturday, 31 July. She was last seen on CCTV shopping at Fosters near the airport at around 7:00 pm that evening. When her friends raised the alarm and got into her flat on Sunday, the groceries she had bought were on the counter as though she had been disturbed while she was putting them away.
Her car was found abandoned in the Pedro Castle area a few days later and the keys apparently thrown into the bush. Despite a number of searches organised by the police and supported by friends, family and the community, there has been no sign of Kerry-Ann.
Chief Superintendent John Jones confirmed a few weeks after her disappearance that the police were treated her disappearance as a murder enquiry.
The public is asked to call the police on 949 7777 or alternatively the anonymous tips line 800 TIPS (8477) if they can offer any information that could assist the investigation.
See Observer article here
Port choice’couldn’t be worse’
(CNS): The opposition leader has stated that if the government had deliberately searched the world over it could not have found a more inappropriate company to develop the cruise berthing facilities. Alden McLaughlin said it appeared that wherever China Harbour Engineering Company was working there seemed to be concerns of one kind or another. Despite his own belief that there is a pressing need for cruise berthing in the capital, he said that government really should reconsider this current proposal. Not only is CHEC the wrong company, the project has become much wider than had ever previously been intended and has turned into a financing deal that will in the long run be paid for by Cayman.
Given what he described as the “reputational issues” relating to the Beijing based firm, McLaughlin wondered what it was that had driven the government to select this company. "If the government had hunted every corner of the globe, I don't think they could have made a worse choice," he said.
The opposition leader also queried the decision of government to allow the project to double in size and cost because, he said, in the end Cayman would pay. “CHEC is not going to mind about the extras, as the more we add on the more we are going to pay," he said. “This is a major financing deal and every penny will have to be paid back by the Cayman Islands Government with interest,” McLaughlin warned, adding that it was no surprise that the Chinese developers were happy toincrease the project size.
According to the planning agenda for 1 February, the upgrade to the Spotts Jetty will cost a further $3.2 million on top of the approximate $200 million the George Town facility is now expected to cost.
The planning department has confirmed that planning permission was granted to the Port Authority to develop an open-sided tourist facility, including restrooms, waiting area and an information booth at Spotts, which will still be needed to offer tendering to ships in bad weather and for when the four berths in George Town are already full. The coastal works licence to construct the jetty will need to be approved by Cabinet and at the time of the planning application this had not yet been submitted.
The government has also stated that it wishes to develop another pier in West Bay across from the Cayman Turtle Farm but a cost estimate for that project has not yet been revealed.
McLaughlin said the increase in the size of the George Town project plus the jetties at Spotts and West Bay were likely to offer a return to CHEC that the firm would not be able to get anywhere else, which was why it was more than happy to 'up the ante' on the overall size and scope of the deal, should government sign on the dotted line.
The need for cruise berthing in George Town was obvious, McLaughlin, stated but he had questions about these add-ons as well as the scale of the upland development that would accompany the berthing facilities in the capital.
The opposition leader also noted that the project, and in particular the government’s preferred partner on the deal, has never been through the central tendering process and that CHEC was not even on the original list of bids received by the Port Authority. He said there was a lack of transparency all along, and although there was provision for a sole contractor, there was a process for that which needed to be followed.
Defending the choice made by the PPM administration, of which he was a part, to sign an MOU with Atlantic Star, he pointed out that in that case the developer owned the land that would have been involved in the upland element of the development, making it a unique case. He said that had the issue progressed beyond talks, there was provision in the Public Management and Finance Law for government to apply to the Central Tenders Committee to consider awarding to a specific developer under such circumstances.
Looking to the future, the opposition leader pointed out how difficult it would be to unravel the deal down the line if the CIG commits to the growing project. As was clear from the premier’s rejection of GLF construction (government’s second choice to develop the facility), even before a heads of agreement was signed there were significant consequences, namely the approximately $3.5 million settlement reached with GLF after it was rejected by the premier on the eve of signing a full deal, which will, it seems, be paid for from the public purse, McLaughlin noted.
Activists press on with campaign against Dart deal
(CNS): The Save Cayman, West Bay Action Committee and the Concerned Citizens Group will be hosting a public meeting on Thursday evening at 7:30pm in George Town on the court house steps to outline the issues relating to the proposed closure of what is now understood to be close to 4,000 feet of the West Bay as well as the proposal to move the landfill to Bodden Town. In opposition to the proposed deal government is negotiating with the Dart Group, PPM member for East End Arden McLean will also be hosting a public meeting in the district Monday evening at 8pm, where he will be addressing that and other issues.
The road closure and proposed landfill move are key elements in the government’s proposed investment deal with the islands' largest developer and investor and are contingent in the plans to develop the former Courtyard Marriott hotel into a five star resort and the further development of Camana bay.
However, the various groups opposing the road closure submitted a petition at the end of last year with some 4,000 signatures opposing the closure, but only days later an agreement was signed with the NRA paving the way for the road swap. Despite the set- back to the campaign, the activists have said they are not giving up their fight to preserve the road and are planning a demonstration outside the Legislative Assembly building during the next meeting, which has not yet been announced.
The three pressure groups based predominately in West Bay are now hoping to extend the campaign to people in other districts and are coordinating their campaign with those opposed to moving the landfill from its present site – the Coalition to Keep BT Dump Free.
For more information contact Truly4Cayman@gmail.com
Smooth seas led to fair sailing at local regatta
(CISC): The 2012 Captain Leroy Watson Regatta was held at the Reef Resort, East End, Grand Cayman over the weekend of 21st and 22nd January 2012 and certainly lived up to all expectations. Fair winds and smooth seas provided perfect conditions to allow all sailors to give their best performance, unlike the previous year when sailors were confronted with waves crashing up the beach and winds up to 20 knots. The racing was divided up into three major classes: The Laser class for the more experienced sailors; the Pico class for the intermediate sailors; and the Optimist class for the junior sailors.
The double handed Picos raced right off the beach at the Reef Resort giving the supporting parents the chance to run along giving helpful coaching tips during the races. After many races, final winners were Jake Bailey and Doug Rowland.
The Lasers and Optimists raced around the corner where a longer course could be set between the reef and the beach. Beautiful conditions and a leeward mark close to the beach enabled enthusiastic spectators to see all the action at the mark rounding and encouraged competitors to show off their best sailing.
Conditions were breezy, at 12-15 knots, but well within the capabilities of the sailors. Four races were completed on day one, at the end of which Rob Jackson led the fleet by just one point, with Nick Taylor in second position. With four races ahead for day two, and a race to drop, the competition was far from over.
On day two, conditions were just as fine, but, to mix things up a little, the race officer decided to have the fleet race ‘Starboard rounding' (clockwise) – opposite to their regular 'Port rounding' (anticlockwise). Whilst not a difficult change for the sailors, it added additional colour to the event and would help separate the leaders.
Rob Jackson and Nick Taylor continued their tussles for the lead, with Kelvin Browne at their stern. After five races, the final positions were Nick first, Rob second, Kelvin third.
The Optimists sailed very well and in most races there was not a lot between them. Florence Allan won 5 of the 8 races to take first place ahead of Allena Rankine and Finley McDougall.
All the sailors would like to thank Peta Adams and her support crew for putting on two days of perfect racing; the Reef Resort and HealthCare Pharmacy for sponsoring the event; and the Cayman Islands Sailing Club for managing and organising another successful regatta.
Video of regatta taken by Sean Crothers, including some great underwater shots, can be viewed online at: http://vimeo.com/35480351
RESULTS
Rank Fleet HelmName R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 Total Nett
1st Standard Nick Taylor 2 1 -4 1 1 2 1 1 13 9
2nd Standard Rob Jackson 1 2 2 2 -5 4 4 2 22 17
3rd Standard Kelvin Browne 4 -5 1 3 4 3 2 3 25 20
4th Standard Charlie Grover -5 3 3 5 2 1 3 5 27 22
5th Radial Chris Delaney (14.0 dnf) 14.0 DNC 8 4 3 5 5 4 57 43
6th Radial Dave Stephenson 6 4 6 7 6 8 6 (14.0 dnf) 57 43
7th Radial Eduardo Bernal 3 7 5 8 (14.0 DNF) 6 14.0 DNC 6 63 49
8th Standard Bruce Johnson 9 6 7 6 7 (14.0 DNC) 7 7 63 49
9th Radial Thomas Bishop 7 8 -9 9 8 7 8 8 64 55
10th Radial Suvi Hayden 8 9 10 (14.0 dnf) 9 9 14.0 dnf 9 82 68
11th Radial Jesse Jackson 10 10 11 10 (14.0 DNC) 14.0 dnc 10 10 89 75
12th Radial Connor Hoeksema 11 11 12 11 (14.0 DNC) 14.0 dnc 14.0 dnc 14.0 DNC 101 87
13th Standard Wiekert Weber (14.0 dnf) 14.0 DNC 14.0 dnc 14.0 dnc 14.0 DNF 14.0 dnf 9 11 104 90
1st Optimist Florence Allan 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 13 10
2nd Optimist Allena Rankine 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 16 13
3rd Optimist Finley McDougall 2 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 19 16
Foundation honours annual cultural winners
(CNS): The 18th Annual National Arts & Culture Awards Gala will be hosted by The Cayman National Cultural Foundation on Saturday, when those who have made a special contribution to the local arts scene will be singled out for celebration. From the CNCF’s heritage cross which is awarded to those who have worked to preserve Caymanian cultural heritage to the CNCF star for artistic work, the evening also offers an opportunity for the foundation to applauded volunteers and corporate sponsor who help to keep the local cultural scene alive. The event takes place at the Beach Suites at 7pm. Medal winners are set out below.
Heritage Cross: GOLD – Carmen Conolly
As a young girl growing up in the 1940s and 50s, Carmen did her share making thatch ropes and baskets, From an early age she loved her aunt Mary Watler who was a seamstress and as a curious and ambitious little girl was always looking to help, collect the bits of cloth cuttings and borrow the scissors.
Her aunt taught her to sew and as a young woman she was sewing her own clothes and for many others in the district of East End.
In the 1970s the Government moved to promote the arts and craft culture and brought in Ms Edna Harrison as a specialist from Jamaica to organize adult craft classes across the Island. Carmen attended the classes in East End and later joined Ms Harrison as an assistant teacher at the Cayman Islands High School. Mrs Conolly taught crafts at CIHS for eight years and them moved to the East End Primary School for some 12 years.
Since retiring from the classroom, Ms Conolly has continued her involvement in crafts to make items for display and sale at events and markets like Art at the Governors, Pedro St. James, Look-a-Ya at the Museaum, Cayman Traditional Arts and Market at the Grounds. Today she continues to teach and encourage local craft in her community through various activities and a ‘Gifted Hands’ working group in East End, which she assisted in creating.
Heritage Cross: GOLD –Alvin McLaughlin
Alvin Allen McLaughlin was born on 19th September 1949 in West Bay to the proud parents Lloyd and Christline McLaughlin. As a young but he attended East End Primary School and was taught by Ms. Islyn Connolly. At the age of 18 McLaughlin went to sea and sailed for 13 years. For three years he trained pump men for national bulk carriers. At this time the company has the world’s largest fleet of super tankers. In 1980, he retired from sea and came home. Today McLaughlin is the proud father of two sons and a doting grandfather. McLaughlin is married to Andrea McLaughlin.
In December 1981, he was employed by Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. (CUC) as the first full time welder. 30 years later, he is still employed by CUC. Mr. McLaughlin has been an invaluable part of the CNCF team over the years. Serving not only as a board member, but also as a community liaison who supports (and assimilates others in the East End community) CNCF programmes such as GIMISTORY, Rundown, Music Unplugged etc. and Pirates Week. Over these many years he has always enjoyed the long hours spent preserving the heritage of our islands.
Mr. McLaughlin has been an invaluable part of the CNCF team over the years. Serving not only as a board member, but also as a community liaison who supports (and assimilates others in the East End community) CNCF programmes such as GIMISTORY, Rundown, Music Unplugged etc. and Pirates Week. McLaughlin urges all of us to do all that we can to preserve our heritage for generations to come.
Heritage Cross: Silver – William Banker
William ‘Billy’ Banker was born in West Bay on September 28, 1934. He completed school at 16 and began working as a seaman at age 19 retiring after 24 years. He worked for a further 27 years with Cayman Water Company.
Billy became a member of the West Bay Heritage Committee and remains active after 30 years of service. He is involved in every facet of the committee but is mainly responsible for the demonstration of thatch rope making during Heritage Days.
He has also advised the Cayman Islands Museum team on traditional building techniques such as wattle and daub and volunteers at the Museum’s ‘Looky Ya’ events.
He is currently a resource for Cayman Traditional Arts and the Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council, working at various functions showcasing Cayman’s Heritage to school children, visitors and locals. Billy is keeping Cayman’s Heritage alive by involving his grandson whenever possible.
For Billy’s contribution to the preservation of Cayman’s heritage, he has received many awards. On November 3, 2007, he was presented with a 20 year service award from the Minister of Tourism for his involvement with Pirates Week. Billy is hopeful that Cayman’s traditions will be kept alive for future generations.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: GOLD – Virginia Foster
She is consistent and dedicated to preservation of culture. She is an educator and storyteller who is always willing to participate in schools, the community and CNCF activities. She is a visual artist/craftsperson who is willing to teach and share her knowledge. She also collaborates with traditional arts and individuals in the community.
Virginia ensures the Sister Islands are always involved in arts and cultural activities. She is one of the most passionate individuals when is comes to the preservation of culture and the promotion of arts and heritage related activities. She has interviewed key persons in the community, work on the Save Miss Lassie’s House project, taught storytellers on several occasions and provides workshops on arts and crafts.
Virginia first became involved with CNCF in 1992 when “Maycow Monster”, a play she and her drama club students at the Cayman Brac High School submitted to the junior Playwriting Competition, was staged at the Harquail Theatre. The following year, she was invited to represent the Sister Islands on the CNCF Board, a position she held for thirteen years until her resignation in 2006. Virginia continues to support the work of the CNCF as Administrative Assistant, Librarian and Volunteer Coordinator at the CNCF Office.
In 2005, Virginia made her first appearance at Gimistory as “Auntie V” and has continued to participate in this CNCF storytelling festival ever since. She also makes guest appearances throughout the year at public and private schools, especially during Reading Week and on Heritage Days. She especially enjoys entertaining the residents of the Pines who always seem to take great pleasure in hearing Anansi stories. Virginia now writes and records her own local “Anansi in Cayman” stories. She can be heard on Radio Cayman’s Saturday morning 'Caymanian Stories'. In her spare time, Virginia’s other creative outlets include ceramics, fashion designing, conducting craft workshops, making pressed flowers note cards and writing poetry.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: Silver – Rosalind Ebanks
Rosalind Ebanks was born in Grand Cayman on September 20, 1932. From as early as 8 years of age she became involved in ‘twisting strands’, the process of making rope from the silver thatch. In 1949 she married Capt. Cadian Ebanks and for the next number of years was kept busy raising her family of 11 children: 8 sons and 3 daughters.
However, after the children were grown she returned to her childhood craft of thatching and became renowned for her basket and hat making skills. She is still actively involved in the industry and participated in the recent Art@Governor’s event.
This very important aspect of Caymanian heritage has been passed on to daughter, Rose May, who is arguably Cayman’s most recognised thatch crafter.
Mrs. Rosalind also makes volunteer presentations at local primary schools and at various cultural events, where she encourages young students to become interested in this important segment of our heritage.
Mrs. Rosalind thanks God for her long and blessed life and continues to give him the honour and the praise for all her accomplishments.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: Silver -Rose Mae Ebanks
Rose May Ebanks has devoted her life to keeping the tradition of thatching live in the Cayman Islands. She is constantly thatching, live a numerous functions. She does demonstrations in schools and teaches the youth at every opportunity. She has been teaching children and adults for over 20 years. Rose May has assisted the CNCF at many of their Summer Arts Programmes and has excellent support with students from all ages. Her tireless efforts have since been acknowledged by Her Majesty the Queen during the Quincentennial Year in 2003.
Star for Creativity in the Arts :Bronze – Quincy Brown
Quincy is an extremely, exceptional talented young person he excels in various artistic disciplines — stage acting, singing, writing, radio announcing, host and MC extraordinaire. In 2002 he was awarded CNCF’s Artistic Endeavour Award. Quincy Brown made his singing debut in Church at the age of 6 and has for the last 20 years been involved in the performing arts in the Cayman Islands. Whilst, it may be a misnomer to use the word ‘consistent’ to describe Quincy’s involvement in theatre, music and sotrytellying, his rather regular but brief bursts of artistic genius, continue to enchant and impress the Caymanian audiences of all ages.
Through his celebration of Caymanian dialect, he has done for the Cayman Islands what Louise Bennett achieved for Jamaica in the recognition of the local dialect.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: Bronze -Leathan L. Martin
He was born on October 20th, 1939 in The Creek, Cayman Brac to parents Elton and Estella Martin. At a young age in 1957 he followed in the Caymanian tradition and went to sea, sailing on National Bulk Carriers for 10 years. During one of his few return visits to Cayman Brac, he fell in love and became engaged to Laurel Martin. In 1967 he returned home to start his family and was married in May 1967. He has remained a committed and loving husband ever since. He is the father of two sons, Linburgh and Lyndon Martin. In 1971 he took up employment with Cayman Brac Power Light Company as Assistant Linesman and Assistant Engineer. He remained with the Company for 20 years and was invited to join the Public Works Department Mechanic shop in 1991 and remained there until his retirement in 2006.
Throughout the years he has performed in hundreds of drama skits and plays, earning several accolades, including the Heritage Award from the CNCF in 1991.
As a retiree he volunteers at the Humane Society Thrift Shop and actively participates in fundraising drama shows.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: Bronze – Michael McLaughlin
Michael McLaughlin got his first ‘Taste’ of theatre at the Cayman Islands High School. Upon his graduating he went off to collage and took some acting classes while majoring in other studies. After a number of years pursuing radio broadcasting and modeling adventures, Michael returned to the stage in Rundown 2007. Since then he has continued to work with the CNCF taking part in GIMISTORY and other productions. More recently Michael played a leading role in the CNCF produtions of Two Can Play.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: Bronze -Simone Scott
Simone Scott attended Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota Florida on a full CI Government Scholarship. After returning to Cayman Brac, Simone opened her small quaint gallery, Simone’s YFE Art Gallery located in her parents craft shop NIM Things.
Simone became a Board Member of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands as the Sister Islands Representative a few months after it was first formed. She has since become the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Officer for the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Ms Scott promotes the arts through programmes that she introduced to the National Gallery such as a documentary series she made on the Native Sons, the programmes Elderly Artists, Traditional Arts: Thatching Class etc, workshops and children’s camps that she hosts. When Simone is not working or painting she volunteers in the community in such organizations as National Trust Cayman Brac District, CNCF Brac Cayfest and Cayman Brac Pirates Week/Heritage Day.
Star for Creativity in the Arts: Bronze -Mona Lisa Watler
Mona has been involved in the artistic community in the Cayman Islands since her teen years. Her performances as lead female vocalist for the band “Heat” for 6 years awarded her the opportunity to open for headliners such as Bryon Lee and the Dragoneers, Kymani Marley, Rupee and Chalice.
She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005, graduating with Cum Laude honours from the University of Tampa. Returning home, she worked as digital video editor and associate producer for the Daybreak show developing the Artists and Rhythms segment which highlighted musicians, poets and artists within the Cayman Islands.
Balancing both full-time and part-time work she moonlighted as radio broadcaster with Paramount Media’s Vibe 98.9FM and Spin 94.9FM until 2009.
She is a member of the CNCF Folk Singers, former Vice President for the Cayman Music and Entertainment Association and in past years has volunteered her services for the Northward Prison Literacy Song competition; the Leo’s Club of Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac Miss Teen pageants; Pirates Week and Batabano Festivals, Cayman’s Got Talent and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations. In 2008 she was asked by the Department of Tourism to co-host the BET Jazz Festival.
Since 2007, Mona has been employed at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands as Communications and Marketing Manager where she promotes the development of visual arts within our community. She is the proud mom of Blake and Sariah.
In addition to the Heritage Awards, CNCF recognises the following:
Volunteer of the Year: Winston Salmon: Winston 's nickname is "Never say No" and he has volunteered frequently and consistently during the past year. At Christmas Breeze, GIMISTORY, Cayfest, Culture Jam, Office work, costume room… just to name just a few. He is not only willing but always enthusiastic to volunteer. It is our pleasure to award Winston the title ofVolunteer of the Year!
Corporate Sponsor of the Year – The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; The Department of Tourism has shown their continual support of CNCF programmes, particularly that of Mind’s Eye (Miss Lassie’s House) and Cayfest. Over $75,000 has been donated to the CNCF over the past two years. We look forward to their continued support the work of the CNCF.
Chairman’s Award -Radio Cayman: Radio Cayman has been extremely supportive of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation over the years. In particular during Cayfest 2010 when the award-winning play, ‘Isabel’ was broadcast nightly for two consecutive weeks at no cost to CNCF. This included all production and air time. The arts and culture awards show was also broadcast live at no cost to the CNCF in 2011. Radio Cayman has been a key player in allowing CNCF to reach a large captive audience in order to keep the community apprised and involved with the many events and programmes offered by CNCF.