Archive for March, 2012
Jamaica begins plans for anti-corruption agency
(Gleaner): The single national anti-corruption agency proposed by Contractor General Greg Christie, to fight corruption in Jamaica, is now being given serious consideration by the Portia Simpson Miller administration. Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding said consultation is now taking place between local stakeholders and Jamaica's bilateral partners to arrive at the most effective approach to tackling corruption in the country. Golding did not disclose the name of the country that was holding talks with stakeholders on efforts to intensify the drive against corruption. "I don't want this to linger so I am hoping it can be done very quickly," he told The Gleaner yesterday.
The justice minister revealed that he has set a two-month deadline for the consultation process after which a decision is to be made.
Golding divulged that a document was being prepared by an "outside expert" on behalf of the National Integrity Action Limited to examine the "whole question as to what would be the optimal approach to take, whether to have the single agency or some other construct".
He said the single anti-corruption agency proposed by Christie had some attractions to it with all the resources of at least three oversight bodies residing in one entity.
Junior Rugby flexes its muscle
(CRFU): Local Rugby is enjoying an influx of visiting tourists to these shores looking for a Cayman Rugby experience and although Dartmouth University have made an early impression so far winning 2 out of their 3 games on Island it is Holy Trinity High School, a team from Ontario Canada that was left licking its wounds on their 2nd trip to the Cayman Islands since Hurricane Ivan. Not only has the Cayman Rugby Football Union rebuilt its clubhouse, fixed its pitch and made continual improvements to its grounds since the hurricane but the Junior Rugby program, under the tutelage of Coaches Russell Hayward, Noel Phillips and Gary Southway, has also gone from strength to strength.
Photos Caroline Deegan
The Cayman U17’s played a series of 7 a side matches on Monday followed by a full XV’s match against their Canadian counterparts and all matches were won in landslide fashion by the young Caymanians with the highlight of the day being a 60-0 hammering in the full XV’s fixture.
The Holy Trinity rugby program does not have the Cayman Islands benefit of nearly 365 days of good (if a little hot) rugby playing weather and has to cram it’s rugby program into a 12 week window before cold weather conditions make rugby playing impossible if not unbearable and as such a chance to play high quality opposition featuring some of Cayman’s very own 2011 U19 NACRA Caribbean Champion side poses an attractive proposition for any developing side looking to improve its skills before going home to take part in local competitions.
The Holy Trinity side, with only a 1 day rest to review defensive and attacking deficiencies played again on Wednesday 21 March and a much improved performance saw another loss but this time only 31-0.
If the improvement continues for the Holy Trinity side they will be able to once more look back at their Cayman Rugby experience as the starting point in a successful domestic season
Game 1 Monday Final score 60-0. Scorers: Sebastien Legras 1 try, Mark Westin 2 tries, Iain Currie 1 try, William Hayward 1 try 4 conversions, Mike Peck 2 tries 1 conversion, Angel Hawkins 1 try, Gary Watler 1 try, Paul Westin 1 try. Man of the Match (chosen by opposition coaches) William Hayward.
Game 2 Wednesday Final score 31-0. Scorers: Jordan Mclaughlin 1 try, Gabriel Soloman 1 try, Paul Westin 1 try, Giovanni Dixon 1 try, Rejeun Henry 1 try, William Hayward 2 conversions, Mike Peck 1 conversion. Man of the Match (chosen by opposition coaches) Michael Peck.
Former Irish PM ‘failed to account for money’
(BBC): The Irish government has asked the Irish police to look at the findings of a report into corruption in the Republic's planning process. The Mahon Tribunal found that former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern failed to truthfully account for a number of financial transactions. But the tribunal did not make a corruption finding against Mr Ahern. However, it rejected the former Taoiseach's evidence about the sources of money in his bank accounts. The tribunal, which ran for 15 years, makes several findings of corruption against a number of witnesses. The tribunal found that Mr Ahern failed to truthfully account for a total of 165,214.25 Irish punts passing through accounts connected with him.
Purple Dragon to open new karate dojo this weekend
(CNS): Purple Dragon Martial Arts is holding the grand opening of their new and improved dojo (Karate studio) at the Mirco Centre on North Sound Wayvon Saturday, 24 March, from 10:00am to 2:30pm, and everyone is invited. The official ribbon cutting by Sports Minister Mark Scotland will be take place at 11:00am. Throughout the day, the public can take tours through the new facility, and there will also be several demonstrations given by the Purple Dragon students, ranging from mighty tot beginners all the way up to the black belts. The martical arts school says the sensei and weapons demonstrations will amaze everyone.
The new space has been completely renovated to include a larger dojo floor, enabling two classes to be held simultaneously. The dojo also features a study area for students, changing areas and a pro-shop featuring clothing, safety equipment sparring wear, books and traditional training weapons.
“We are very proud of this new location and look forward to showing it off to the public”, Sensei Floyd Baptiste stated. “The practice of Don Jitsu Ryu, is a great way to gain self-discipline while getting a workout at the same time. This form of karate developed by world renowned martial arts expert Professor Don Jacob, has been practiced at Purple Dragon for more than 40 years, and is highly recognized and respected around the world.”
“Here at Purple Dragon we feel it is important to build self-confidence and discipline, while still having fun,” Sensei Baptiste added.
Purple Dragon welcomes people of all ages to participate in their classes. In addition to the Don Jitsu Ryu karate, there are classes for self-defense, fitness kickboxing and even a workout bootcamp. The large, open space is also perfect for children’s birthday parties or other events.
There will be specials all day for new memberships and items in the pro-shop. Visit the Purple Dragon Cayman Islands Facebook page before the event for a chance to win a free month membership www.facebook.com/PurpleDragonCayman.
For more information on the Cayman Islands Purple Dragon Martial Arts please contact 946-1241 or visit www.purple-dragon.com.
Petition for one man, one vote passes 3000 names
(CNS): Organisers of the petition to trigger a people initiated referendum on one man, one vote say they are about to make history with their efforts to collect signatures from registered voters. They now have more than 3000 names on the official petition and anticipate that they will easily reach the 3800 names required to trigger the national ballot well before the end of April. Alva Suckoo one of the leaders of the campaign backing the petition launched by MLAs Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean said he had no doubt that in the end the petition would ensure that Cayman adopted a democratic and fair voting system.
"I am extremely pleased with the response to the petition so far,” said Suckoo. “We are currently witnessing history in the making and I have no doubt that the end result will be the adoption of a political system that guarantees greater equality, accountability and voter participation. We still have a target to make and I encourage everyone to make sure they do not miss the opportunity to sign the petition. This petition is helping to preserve democracy and proper representation for all of our people."
Aside from going door to door volunteers have also been collecting signatures at key public locations such as the local supermarkets and outside the post office in downtown George town several shops also have copies of petition books and there are dozens of people ready and able to go out and meet people who want to sign, Suckoo added.
The local activists will be handing the petition over to the governor once they have the full 3800 signatures required under the constitution to trigger a people’s referendum.
However, they intend to carry on collecting signatures in an effort to persuade the premier to introduce the one man, one vote system without the need for a referendum in time for the May 2013 elections.
Mckeeva Bush has already stated publicly that he will hold a referendum on the topic at the same time as the general election next year but not in November as is requested in the petition.
This means there will be legal wrangling over the issue and if the petitioners fail to win their case for a November 2012 referendum the next election will still be held under the multi-member constituency system. With three extra seats at the next ballot it could mean electors in George Town will be casting up to six votes, giving them a disproportionate influence on the make-up of the national government compared to residents of other districts.
Government has not yet passed the necessary legislation to add the three new seats ahead of the next election as set down in the Cayman Islands 2009 constitution. He had however indicated his preference for adding two seats to George Town and one to Bodden Town as recommended by the boundary commission in relation to the population.
He has however since indicated that he agrees that having six seats in George Town was too much and hinted about, although did not commit to, adding one of the extra two seats in the capital to his own constituency of West Bay.
To do so however, would as was indicated by the opposition leader be a blatant case of gerrymandering – the practice of manipulating election districts or constituencies in order to influence the results of an election.
Alden McLaughlin recently noted that the population of West Bay did not justify further seats when he also called on the premier to waive the need for a referendum and adopt single member constituencies and one man one vote for the 2013 national vote.
Ezzard Miller told CNS this week that the petition had been enjoying enormous success going house to house as the volunteers had been widely welcomed into people’s homes where they were more comfortable listening to the argument for the more democratic system than in public forums.
“The time is right the people want this and the premier needs to do the right thing,’ he said.
Anyone wishing to sign the petition can contact any of the following:
Al Suckoo Jr 916-1689 alva.suckoo@gmail.com
Johann Moxam jmoxam@hotmail.com
Noel March 916-1429 ntmarch@hotmail.com
Chris Goddard 928-6534 sportnzone@candw.ky
Betyann Duty 916-1494 bettyann.duty@hotmail.com
Kent McTaggart 928-3449 kent@spscayman.com
Bo Miller 916-0003 miller.bo@gmail.com
Sharon Roulstone 516-0220 cayshay@hotmail.com
Marco Archer 939-7474 msarcher@candw.ky
Bryan Ebanks 916-3048
Edward Caudeiron 916-0157 terrycaudeiron@hotmail.com
Terry Caudeiron 916-7895 terrycadeiron@hotmail.com
Ezzard Miller 327-5757 ezyhealth@telecayman.ky
Arden McLean 916-0630 arden@candw.ky
Woody Da Costa 916-2470 woodyd@candw.ky
Gregg Anderson 916-6777
Alden McLaughlin 916-3153
PPM Office 945-8292 ppm@candw.ky
Petition books are also available to sig at Four Winds Esso in West Bay, Walkers Road Texaco, in George Town, Pinnacle Condos on 7MB, as well as the Book Nook and Hobbies and Books.
Power returns after fuel problem cuts supply
(CNS): Residents across Grand Cayman were without power for almost an hour on Wednesday morning when CUC faced what it said was a problem with fuel supply in an engine room. A spokesperson for the local power company said that customers on Walkers Road, along the West Bay Road and towards the east in Bodden Town, Frank Sound Road and up to Morritts are without power for a period on Wednesday morning but crews worked to ensure it was restored before 11:00am. “The outage was the result of a problem with the fuel supply to one of the main engine rooms. CUC apologises for any inconvenience the outages may have caused,” the spokesperson added.
Best cop and have-a-go-heroes top police poll
(CNS): Senior Police Constable Miguel McFarlane has been named Police Officer of the Year. The man responsible for walking the beat in downtown George Town and known as theface of the RCIPS is held in high regard by tourists, residents and business people alike for his professional approach, officials said following the annual RCIPS Outstanding Service Awards held last Friday. Three have-a-go heroes who, despite being threatened with a gun and pepper sprayed, detained the suspects who had terrified staff and tried to rob the Blackbeard’s liquor store in Grand Harbour last May also received the police community award at the special celebration.
Having now secured the local expression “not today Bo-Bo” a place in the local history books Ray McGuire, Edward Azan and Charles Ebanks shared their award with three other people who braved treacherous seas to try and save four men who had been thrown into the water when their boat capsized in June.
Peter Foster-Smith and Charlotte Roselev, of Sunset Divers, had been on a dive boat with Charlotte’s friend Martin Jensen when they saw a small boat capsize. Peter battled extremely rough seas while Charlotte and Martin entered and the re-entered the water, facing repeated personal danger, to pull the four men, none of whom were wearing life jackets, onto the dive boat.
They took the men to shore where paramedics were waiting. Unfortunately one of the men could not be resuscitated and died. But for the bravery of Peter, Charlotte and Martin the death toll could have been much higher, the police said.
From the ranks of the RCIPS Constable Sharon Baillie, of West Bay, picked up this year’s Diversity Award. “Sharon has excelled in devising projects with the young and old to keep them engaged with each other and the wider RCIPS. She is responsive to the needs of everyone in her community and is a fine example of Neighbourhood policing,’ a police spokesperson stated in a release.
The winner of the RCIPS Welfare Award was Sergeant Winsome Prendergast, a former President of the Welfare Committee, who was nominated for her unrelenting commitment to the Welfare of police staff.
The Special Constable of the year was Medardo Martinez, one of many officers who volunteer their services and work alongside regular police officers – without pay. Medardo worked almost 700 hours in 2011, making him the Special Constabularies top performer – all while carrying out his full-time job. He works every Friday night with the George Town shifts and has been involved in a number of significant arrests this year. He is a valuable and popular member of the RCIPS team, the RCIPS said.
Venice Tatum is the Administrative Secretary at Cayman Brac police station and was named as Support Staff Member of the Year. Venice was nominated by her colleagues seven times and for two separate awards. She is described as the “backbone”, the “heartbeat” and the “engine” of the police station – and when she is not carrying out her day-time role she is also a Special Constable.
Almost 500 people attended the awards at the Ritz-Carlton, George Town, on 16 March profits from which benefit the Police Welfare Fund. Officials said they expected this year’s ‘do’ to surpass last year’s inaugural event which raised $50,000 for the fund.
Originally established to assist children of police officerswho died while in service the fund has now expanded to cover a wide range of circumstances such as illness or injury and to support members and their dependents in times of need.
In the past year $75,000 was provided by the Fund to help 25 RCIPS families. In addition, as a direct result of last year’s inaugural RCIPS Outstanding Service Awards event, scholarships have now been offered to RCIPS staff and their children to the tune of $19,000.
Commissioner of Police David Baines, in his introductions, shared his appreciation for the overwhelming support and generosity. “Tonight we celebrate all that is good about policing and community safety in the Cayman Islands,” he said. “All while benefitting a really great cause- the Police Welfare Fund.”
He added that there had been a great response from members of the police service and from the public for the nominations
“The standard of submissions was extremely high and the judging panel had a very difficult task choosing the finalists and the eventual winners,” Baines said. “But it’s clear that everyone who was nominated, whether they are a police officer or a member of the community, should be considered a winner tonight. The fact that their bravery, their professionalism and their commitment to do the right thing inspired others to nominate them is testament to the great work that is taking place every day throughout these Islands – in the name of policing and community safety.”
Answers wanted in Mac probe
(CNS): Ezzard Miller has once again called on the premier to explain the letter that triggered a police investigation into his financial affairs that has now been going on for almost two years. The independent member has also called on the police commissioner to explain what is taking so long to give the people answers. He queried what else the police may be looking into in connection with the enquiry and who it was that was not cooperating that has led to such a drawn out investigation. Miller said the situation of McKeeva Bush being the subject of a criminal enquiry while remaining as the Cayman Islands' leader was undoubtedly damaging the country’s reputation. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
The North Side representative and political veteran said the failure of the police to arrest Bush, given the evidence that everyone has seen, sent the wrong message. If the police could arrest the former chair of the housing trust board while the investigation into irregularities surrounding him continued, what it was that made the premier so different, Miller asked.
“Politicians all need to understand that if they commit an offence they are arrestable like anyone else, otherwise we will never address the problem of corruption in this country,” he said.
In the wake of news that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Michael Misick, the former premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, over corruption there by the UK authorities, Miller said it was interesting that here in Cayman, some two years after the letter sent by the premier to Stan Thomas asking for $350,000 was handed to the police, nothing at all has happened.
“I think it is time for the premier to givethe long overdue explanation for what he has described as a real estate bill and clear it all up,” he said. “If there is nothing wrong, he can easily show us the contract that it relates to or what it was that warranted the payment in connection with the re-zoning of land.”
Baffled that this issue could take two years to resolve, Miller added, “We need explanations from the police chief. Who is it that is not cooperating? When an investigation is going on for some two years, it makes one wonder how widespread the investigation now is and how far does it go beyond this particular bill.”
Miller said when people in high office are not held responsible, it has a duel negative impact because not only is Cayman’s image tarnished on the international stage but there is a moral decay that permeates the society. If ordinary people see those at the top not setting an example they too begin to ignore the laws of the land, he said.
The investigation into financial irregularities surrounding the premier was revealed publicly last summer, although the probe had actually begun in 2010 following the discovery of a mysterious letter from the premier on Windsor Development letterhead that he had sent from a government fax machine to Texan developer Stan Thomas over the re-zoning of land.
The consulting for this re-zoning had already been undertaken by the previous owner and when Thomas bought the land the application had already been made. The only outstanding decision was a Cabinet one – a decision that comes without fees. No explanation has ever been given by the premier for the bill, which was sent a few weeks after Hurricane Ivan had torn through Grand Cayman, leaving massive destruction in its wake.
See the Bush-Thomas letter here
Cops found gun in freezer
(CNS): A loaded colt 45 handgun was found in the freezer during a special operation last year in Prospect the court heard Wednesday. Joshua Brown (23) from George Town had been arrested in September following information received by 911. When police searched his girlfriend’s apartment in the immediate wake of his arrest officers recovered the loaded semi-automatic weapon wrapped in a white t-shirt from the freezer draw of the refrigerator in the kitchen which was later linked to Brown, the prosecution said, as a result of DNA evidence.
Brown who has denied possession of an unlicensed firearm and six rounds of ammunition faces a minimum of ten years jail time if he is found guilty of the offence.
In the summary of its case when the trial opened Wednesday afternoon,the crown said that police also found a mask and gloves in the apartment where Brown was believed to be staying with his girlfriend, in the Marina Drive area. However, the crown conceded that Brown was not present when either the mask and gloves or the weapon was found in the apartment as he had been arrested regarding unrelated matters and taken to George Town police station.
Detective constable Damien Maxwell who was attached to the drugs and serious crime force told the court that he was called to the address on the morning of 8 September where the RCIPS’ armed response unit, the uniform support group had carried out an intelligence led operation. When he arrived he said he saw Brown being arrested and then he along with three other officers executed a search warrant for the apartment where he was staying.
Maxwell said he began his search in the kitchen in the presence of Brown’s girlfriend and after around 15 minutes came across the heavy object wrapped in a white T-shirt in the bottom freezer draw.
“During my search of the kitchen area I opened the freezer section of the refrigerator and in the bottom tray I discovered a white t-shirt wrapped around a heavy object,” he said. After lifting the object up slightly and discovered its weight the officer told the court that he had immediately called for a scene’s of crime officer, who then wearing protective clothing unwrapped and examined the gun. He said the Colt 45 hand gun was loaded with a magazine containing six bullets.
Maxwell also revealed that he had collected items of clothingfrom the bedroom closet and dresser to take to the police station to give to the defendant but he denied picking up the clothes from the bedroom floor, when Brown’s defence attorney raised the issue of potential contamination.
The trial continues Thursday in court five
‘Old cowboy’ cleans up at agriculture awards night
(CNS): Paul Bodden almost swept the board at this years ‘Agricultural Oscars’ when he received the farmer of the Year award, livestock farmer of the year – Grand Cayman, Champion Exhibitor – Livestock Farmer, Best Sow; Champion Exhibitor – Cattle and Champion Exhibitor – Pigs –second place. A fourth generation farmer whose father, Wil Bodden carried him in a basket to the farm where he now lives, Bodden said, “I am just a humble old cowboy who is grateful for the awards because this helps to inspire and motivate me to continue.”
His 12-acre farm, Old Brown Ranch, is located in Lower Valley and focuses on livestock farming, mainly cattle and pigs. He currently employs four full time workers and has 160 cows and 80 pigs. His goal is to increase these numbers by 2014 so that he is able to slaughter 260 cows and 260 pigs annually. At the moment, Old Brown Ranch slaughters on average one to two cows and pigs per week.
“The most relaxing time of my life is when I am on the farm. I can be full of red mold and cow dung and I am relaxed. Hard work is second nature to me,” Bodden said.
“I know where I am coming from and where I am going. One of my main goals, along with some of the other livestock farmers, is to improve local beef. Beef should be tender and I am experimenting with different breeds of cow to ensure that happens. These cows shouldn’t have horns, shouldn’t be running about the field and shouldn’t be too old before going to slaughter.”
Bodden sells his beef to local supermarket and based on current trends in local farming, he is confident about future growth. “I never dreamt that we would have reached this level so quickly,” he said, while noting that the Department of Agriculture’s abattoir has made life much easier for farmers.
Farming is not the way Bodden earns his living however, as for over 40 years he has operated his own heavy equipment and aggregate business with his two sons Andy and John but over the past few years he said he has come to view farming as a business rather than a simple hobby.
“I have invested millions of dollars over the years. Now that I am nearing retirement, it has become more important to keep records. After all, I don’t want to be a broke retiree. You have to keep records to know what is happening,” he added.
Bodden received his numerous awards at the 45th Agriculture Society Awards Evening held at the Stacy Watler Pavilion in Lower Valley last Saturday evening.
Deputy Premier and the minister responsible for agriculture Juliana O’Connor-Connolly congratulated Bodden on his award.
“Paul is not only a successful farmer and livestock producer, but he is a progressive, community-minded leader who is committed to creating a brighter future for our islands. These awards are a great opportunity to recognise the farmers that make our islands agriculture so special,” she said. “Paul is one of many livestock farmers in Cayman Islands who do a great job caring for their animals, and the land, while also serving our community. He is always interested in finding new solutions to make his cattle more efficient and improve the quality of his beef.”