Archive for March, 2012
GT club holds Bermudan champions to nil-nil draw
(CNS): George Town Sports club held the visiting Bermudan League Champions North Village Rams to a goalless draw this weekend in the first CFU Club Champions football match at the Annex Field Sunday night. “The game was played in a high pace for the enjoyment of the huge crowd,” a CIFA spokesperson said Monday. Vernon Tankard, from North Village Rams, was given a yellow card during the 85th minute of the game. The next game is on Tuesday evening when Elite SC face the visiting team and the two local clubs involved in the tournament will face each other on Thursday. Both matches are at the Annex field and kick-off is at 7:30pm. For more information see Cayman football on Facebook.
Former IMF boss faces vice ring charges
(BBC): Former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn is facing charges in France over alleged involvement in a prostitution ring. Mr Strauss-Kahn was placed under formal investigation by magistrates in Lille.He has admitted attending parties where the authorities believe prostitutes were provided by a gang, but denies knowing that they were prostitutes. Last May, he resigned from the IMF after being accused of attempting to rape a hotel maid in New York.The charges were later dropped. The maid, 32, is now bringing a civil case against Mr Strauss-Kahn, which is due to start in New York on Wednesday. He has always denied any wrongdoing.
Strauss-Kahn faces preliminary charges of procuring prostitutes and involvement in an "organised gang", one of his lawyers said.The 62-year-old former IMF head, who could face up to 20 years in prison if tried and convicted, was released on 100,000 euros ($135,000) bail.
NDC needs volunteers ahead of student drug survey
(CNS): The National Drug Council is looking for volunteers to assist in its sixth cycle of the Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey (CISDUS), which will be carried out across local schools next month. The survey is fundamental to developing policies to help with prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco use among the country’s young people. The survey also collects information about school climate, safety and important contributing factors to youth risk behaviours that can impede learning. “Having reliable and consistent data allows the development of programming in line with the community’s needs,” said the NDC boss, Joan West-Dacres.
“Our ongoing monitoring through this survey provides our stakeholders with information that would not otherwise be available as we seek to reduce the negative impacts of alcohol and other drugs. We are pleased that so many organisations have been utilizing the data to help strengthen their programming,” added the Executive Director
Community involvement is essential in the administration of this survey and the NDC said it is in need of fieldwork assistants. Interested individuals will be required to volunteer approximately 1½ hours during the weeks of 23 April to 4 May. In order to administer the survey to students in their classrooms, there will be two sessions — morning and afternoon.
“Ideally, we need 80 fieldwork assistants in order to collect the data in an efficient and timely manner,” the director added.
For the past 12 years the NDC has conducted the survey, which aims to gain a better understanding of drug use among middle and high school students in the Cayman Islands. It also provides an opportunity for schools, community, private and public entities to develop evidenced-based policies and programmes that are geared towards the needs of local youth.
Officials said it also helps with the continued development and strengthening of prevention programmes and policies and tracks the changes in alcohol and drug use patterns.
The survey is used both in the public and private sector by government officials, local organisations, special interest groups and various regional bodies to guide discussions, strategic plans and policies.
CISDUS allows for comprehensive planning of prevention initiatives by indicating the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, the rise of drug abuse, and the distribution of use across all geographic areas of the island.
“This information is valuable to the country, communities, and schools in targeting prevention initiatives,” officials from the NDC said.
Volunteers are asked to contact the NDC on 949-9000 or email info@ndc.ky
Accused man released from ‘tag’ over water sports job
(CNS): A man facing charges for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition has had his electronic tag removed in order to allow him to continue in his job working on tour boats that go out to Stingray City as he awaits his trial later this year. John Furniss, who made the application to the court on Friday on behalf of his client, Frederick Booth, pointed out that the tags are not waterproof below a certain depth and susceptible to salt water spray. The lawyer told the court that if it was not removed, the young defendant would not be able to work. Although the crown objected to the removal, the judge ordered that the device be removed.
The prosecution opposed the removal because the defendant was on bail only because of the tag and he faced “extremely serious” charges, with evidence linking him to a revolver. The crown counsel told the court that Booth was only engaged in casual work and it was not a sufficient reason to vary the bail conditions.
However, the judge said, given that the defendant's employment was in jeopardy, he agreed with Furniss that the monitor should be removed but he warned Booth that he had to continue to obey the curfew, otherwise he would be back before the courts.
Booth, alongside Charles Ebanks, is facing charges regarding a gun recovered by police last March in the vicinity ofLawrence Boulevard and the LI Nightclub. The crown claims it has DNA evidence linking Booth to the weapon.
The idea of tagging defendants who are on bail awaiting trial is to enable law enforcement to keep an eye on suspects while cutting down on costs to the public purse, as well as helping those accused but not found guilty of any crime to remain in work and finance themselves. In most cases, however, bail conditions of suspects who are tagged usually ensure that curfews are lifted during the hours of work to allow defendants to keep their jobs.
Coach and sponsor boost hopes for local swimming
(CNS): With the arrival of the new technical director of swimming and confirmation that Maples and Calder will sponsor for the Cayman National Development Programme, officials said Cayman Swimming is poised to build on the sport and make the island a serious international contender. CIASA’s President Tom McCallum saidMaples was joining the government with the investment in the sport. In Cayman for a week, with three of the swimmers Ian Armiger has coached to positions on the UK Olympic Team, the new director has been spending time on the pool deck at the Lions Aquatic Centre (LAC), meeting with representatives of CIASA, Camana Bay Aquatic Club (CBAC) and Stingray Swim Club (SSC).
The visiting Olympic swimmers are Caitlin McClatchey, who qualified for the Olympics in 200m Freestyle; Amy Smith, who qualified for the Olympics in 50m + 100m Freestyle and Joe Roebuck, who qualified for the Olympics in 200m Butterfly, 200m and 400m IM. The three, along with Coach Ian, conducted clinics at the LAC and CBAC.
Earlier this year, Minister Scotland said he was delighted that someone who is internationally renowned and recognised in the sport of swimming is Cayman’s new Technical Director for Swimming.
“With the recent successes of Shaune and Brett Fraser bringing swimming to the forefront of sporting successes in Cayman we look forward to seeing Coach Armiger’s innovation and dedication elevating both the sport of swimming domestically and the success of Cayman swimming internationally,” Scotland stated. “CIASA has worked closely with the Ministry to achieve this milestone hiring and we look forward to a continued, close working relationship with CIASA in the coming year.”
Meanwhile, Dale Crowley a partner with Maples and Calder Partner welcomed the new coach whose primary focus will be developing a world class swim programme in Cayman. His colleague Paul Lumsden said the sponsorship represented an exciting development and the firm was looking forward to “seeing Ian make his trademark ‘fast swimming’ a part of Cayman swimming’s mantra."
Schools on track for annual athletics battle
(CNS): Some 300 athletes from eight high schools will be facing off on next week at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex for third Inter-secondary Schools Track and Field Championships. The islands’ premier high school track and field event is collaboration between government the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA) and event sponsors Dart and Maples. Cayman Islands Athletic Association President Dalton Watler said, “This track and field event was designed to give our athletes a chance to participate and shine in front of a home crowd and we encourage people to come out and support them.”
To date students from John Gray, Clifton Hunter, Triple C, Layman E. Scott, Grace Christian Academy, Cayman Academy, Cayman International School and Wesleyan Christian Academy have been registered to participate.
Sports minister Mark Scotland said the event is and important stepping stone for many young athletes. “They can test their skills, find their strengths and work out their weaknesses on home soil,” he said.
Adding his ministry’s weight to the event this year, education minister said last week that sports at school level is an important ingredient in a child's educational experience as he encouraged everyone to come out to the free event and support the country’s young athletes.
“This is our students’ chance to shine, and as a community we should be there,” added Scotland.
Admission is free and event times are Monday, 2 April from 9am – 3pm and Tuesday, 3 April from 4 – 9pm.
Corrupt politicians may lose pension says Irish official
(RTE-News): The pensions of people found guilty of misconduct and corruption could be stopped, according to a Minister of State. However Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Costello told RTÉ's The Week in Politics that this would require a constitutional referendum if it is to cover people named in the Mahon Tribunal Report. He said it is a matter that should be looked at and added that it could be considered by the Constitution Convention that the Government plans to establish. Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl said he would have no problem in supporting legislation to back this proposal.
A vote on expelling Mr Ahern from Fianna Fáil will not now be held, but a recommendation that there should be a root and branch review of the organisation in Dublin Central, Mr Ahern's constituency, will be tabled.
SNP minister sparks controversy over offshore funds
(Daily Record): A Senior SNP minister has come under fire for using tax havens to invest his cash. Enterprise and Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has tens of thousands of pounds in investment funds based in Jersey and Luxembourg. The move is legal but allows the Inverness and Nairn MSP to avoid paying higherUK tax rates. Ewing has £34,935 invested in Templeton Emerging Markets, an investment trust based in Luxembourg. He alsohas cash invested in Henderson Far East, a fund based in Jersey. The value is not published, meaning it is less than £28,760. Ewing transferred his £200,000 portfolio into collective investments to avoid potential conflicts of interest when he became a minister.
But news that some of the funds are in tax havens has sparked anger. Scottish Lib Dem president Malcolm Bruce called for a Government inquiry.
Webb accepts nomination for CONCACAF president
(CNS): The president of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA), Jeff Webb, says he will build on the unity of the regional football association if he is elected president of CONCACAF. Webb accepted the nomination for president of the governing body for association football in the region this weekend and the election is set to take place at the CONCACAF congress in Budapest, Hungary. Saturday’s announcement came after a week where support increased for the experienced football administrator to take over the helm of the continental governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. To date, twenty-five of the forty member countries have nominated Webb as a candidate.
“I am humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement received from so many of the member countries,” he said in a release from CIFA. “It is this unity of the CONCACAF that will champion our success, and if elected, it is my intention to build on that unity through collaboration, transparency, integrity, engagement, and accountability.”
Webb has over twenty years in leadership positions in football, as president of the CIFA, FIFA Executive Committee (observer), chairman of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Normalisation Committee, member of the FIFA Transparency and Compliance Committee, deputy chairman of the FIFA Internal Audit Committee, and chairman of the CONCACAF Youth Committee.
Like most football players of his generation within the Caribbean, Webb started playing the game in the street. As he developed as a player, so did his desire to improve accessibility to, and conditions within, the sport. Webb became president of his football club in 1985, and later his attention turned to the national level, becoming president of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) in 1991.
According to the release, during his uninterrupted twenty year tenure as president of the CIFA he has improved accessibility to the sport in every district, and his commitment to youth, particularly at the grassroots level, has created opportunity and growth in the sport. In 2009, the opening of the Home of Cayman Football and The Cayman Centre for Excellence proved to be a culmination of all his efforts.
Through his administrative expertise, Jeffrey elevated the CIFA to the international level, with it becoming a member of both CONCACAF and FIFA in 1992, the release said.
Webb’s current appointments include the FIFA Internal Audit Committee in 2002 (and presently serves as its Deputy Chairman), the CONCACAF Youth Committee Chairman since 2009, the FIFA Transparency and Compliance Committee since 2011 (charged with reforming FIFA), Chairman of the CFU Normalisation Committee in 2011, and his most recent appointment (2012), representative for the Caribbean Zone as an observer on the FIFA Executive Committee.
Officials seek input on creation of new public office
(CNS): The Cayman Islands’ government is examining the possibility of introducing an Administrator-General to protect the interests and represent children and those with mental health problems in connection with the estates of persons who have died intestate. The Law Reform Commission was asked to provide recommendations on the introduction of the office, which is similar to that of a public trustee, by the attorney general last year and it is now looking for public comments on the issues. The commission has released a discussion document and a draft bill. The Law Reform Commission warns that if such an office is to be created it must be properly financed as well as accountable.
The draft bill sets out the broad parameters of the office, which would include the administration of small estates under $20,000, the administration of estates with no next of kin to act as trustee or executor of wills to act as a court appointed receiver or liquidator and to act as a "friend, guardian or legal representative" for the vulnerable as well as an investigator and auditor of affairs under power of attorney.
Currently, a guardian can be appointed by the court or the solicitor general can act for vulnerable individuals when there is no other person able to represent them but this has its limitations and officials hope to create a specific new public office to take on the role.
Anyone who wishes to comment should send their submissions in writing by 3 May 2012 to the Director of the Law Reform Commission, 3rd Floor Anderson Square, or mailed to the Law Reform Commission, P.O. Box 1999 or sent by e-mail to Cheryl.Neblett@gov.ky.
Relevant documents are posted below or visit www.lawreformcommission.gov.ky