Archive for April, 2012
Solomon admits cruise line’s interest in Pageant Beach
(CNS): The government’s backbench MLA who has been leading the negotiations with China Harbour Engineering Company has admitted that there is a proposal on the table to build a pier at Pageant Beach. As reported by CNS in December, Ellio Solomon confirmed that parties in Cayman had submitted an alternative proposal at the location that would directly involve a cruise line. Speaking on Cayman 27’s "The Panel" on Tuesday evening, the George Town representative said, however, that this was not necessarily in the interests of the Cayman Islands and government was going ahead with the CHEC deal.
At the end of last year CNS revealed that a proposal for an all-weather facility with no competing retail that would deliver passengers around one mile north of the current terminals and shuttle them into the down town area had been ashore given to government. Sources told CNS that it came from an unnamed group of local businessmen and would involve a direct partnership with a cruise line andwould not depend on upland retail development at the site, which is currently in private hands.
In January representatives of the local company that owns the land at Pageant Beach told CNS that they were very surprised to read about the proposal to develop a port on that property as the owner had not been approached by anyone regarding the development of a port there and the land was not for sale.
Solomon clearly stated on Tuesday that a proposal for a deal with an unnamed cruise line had been put forward to construct a pier for its exclusive use.
Government, however, intends to press on with the CHEC negotiations, which have been extended after the most recent MOU between government and the Beijing firm was extended. Solomon stated that, despite speculation to the contrary, construction would start on the CHEC project in September.
The George Town representative admitted that, regardless of the deal with the Chinese firm, the cruise line in question was willing to go ahead with a monopoly pier.
“We have to ask ourselves if this is in the best interests of the country,” he said, denying that the cruise lines were not interested in the CHEC proposals. “If you can give any one of those cruise lines a monopoly over a particular pier, they’ll take it," he claimed.
He said government was not going forward with the Pageant Beach proposal or any others as it intended to go forward with CHEC.
Solomon justified the size of the CHEC project, in particular the upland development, which has raised concerns among many people, from the downtown merchants in the capital to the contractors association, as he said the retail was needed to give local traders a place to “sell their arts and crafts and coconuts” and to give the Port Authority additional revenue.
He also dismissed the environmental concerns, suggesting it was just opposition for the sake of it. However, he said government was committed to mitigating any environmental threats that may arise before construction starts.
See related story here
Study shows adaptive capacity of coral reefs
(Science Codex): A new study by scientists at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science suggests that many species of reef-building corals may be able to adapt to warming waters by relying on their closest aquatic partners – algae. The corals' ability to host a variety of algal types, each with different sensitivities to environmental stress, could offer a much-needed lifeline in the face of global climate change. Using a highly sensitive genetic technique, Ph.D. student Rachel Silverstein analyzed 39 coral species from DNA collected in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean collected over the last 15 years.
Most of these species had not previously been thought capable of hosting more than one type of the single-celled symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, which live inside the coral and help to supply them with energy.
Silverstein's results revealed that at least one colony of all 39 species tested had at least two varieties of algae, including one thought to be heat tolerant. Over half of the species were found to associate with all four of the major types of algae found in corals.
Coalition queries issue of dump liability
(CNS): Activists opposing the re-location of the George Town have questioned whether the need to keep costs down by the Dart Group could pose a risk to health and safety at both the existing dump and the proposed new site in Bodden Town. The Coalition to Keep BT Dump Free says that among its numerous concerns about the deal Dart and government are negotiating is how much responsibility Dart will have for the whole issue when it begins the remediation process at the existing landfill if it is not willing to take on the future contingent liabilities. As it will also be developing the first phase of the proposed new landfill in Bodden Town, the activists also query how much responsibility the developer will take for that site.
“But both projects involve Cayman’s environment and the health, safety and welfare of residents, our children and of future generations,” said Coalition leader Vincent Frederick. “The only control the people can possibly have over what a private company does and how well they do it, in both locations, is their clear and unequivocal responsibility for any contingent damage.”
The activists say that capping and remediation of a landfill, which is only ever done when it is absolutely essential, carries significant dangers, from explosions to toxic contamination.
“As part of the so-called ‘ForCayman Investment Alliance’ (FCIA) agreement, does Dart accept liability for its work in George Town and in Bodden Town, as would be expected of any contractor? The people deserve a clear and honest answer,” Frederick added.
The coalition believes that this is another area where both the developer and government have not been transparent adding to the list of questions about this proposed project which have gone unanswered.
“What they’re proposing to do, for the most senseless reason – getting the GT dump out of Camana Bay’s backyard — can have disastrous consequences for Bodden Town and for all of Grand Cayman," Gregg Anderson, another coalition leader, stated this week.
“The issue should be of vital concern to all of us, requiring openness and honesty. They cannot be allowed to do this behind our backs.”
He explained that the coalition continues to push for answers to many crucial questions surrounding the relocation of the George Town landfill, as well as requesting key documents but have received no response from the Dart Group, government or the district MLAs.
Cayman U19’s continue impressive run
(CRFU): Bishop Shanahan High School Rugby Club returned to Cayman for the 4th time over the Easter weekend to play a series of matches against the Cayman U19’s. Bishop Shanahan, a co-educational secondary school in Downingtown Pennsylvania has enjoyed a rich rugby touring history since the club was founded in 1993 with Cayman being a preferred destination for the young Shanahan players to test their metal against the Caribbean’s premier under 19 program. The first game on 5 April was a close affair with the bigger Americans controlling the lineout and scrum but the Caymanian backline were too hot to handle as Cayman came out on top after 80 minutes. Photo Caroline Deegan.
Cayman held onto a slim 8 point lead 15-7 with Shanahan threatening a final score with light fading at the South Sound pitch.
On Saturday 7 April the Cayman and Shanahan sides met again to play 2 games, one 10 a-side game featuring the younger and less experienced Shanahan and Cayman players who didn’t feature in the Thursday match. And another full 15’s match being the headline feature of the day.
The 10’s game was won by Shanahan 19-14 with Cayman’s points being notched up by Jordan McLaughlin and Coby Seymour.
The 15’s clash, much like Thursday evening clash was a very tight and physical affair with Cayman hanging on to the slimmest of leads going at the half 11-10.
The flow changed in the second half as the heat took its toll on the Shanahan players. Cayman began to take control but couldn't shake off the opposition until the last ten minutes with the best two tries of the game being scored by moving the ball superbly from one side of the pitch to the other and finishing with 2 great handling moves to end the game 40-24.
Scorers: Tries; Cody Bush (1) Jordan McLaughlin (1) Dan Hall (1) Paul Westin (1) Tom Mann (2) Penalties; William Hayward (2) Conversions; Michael Peck (2)
Over 200 health specialists to confer in Cayman
(CNS): The latest scientific research in health care will be under discussion in the Cayman Islands next week, when the country plays host to this year’s Caribbean Health and Research Council/Caribbean Public Health Agency (CHRC/ CARPHA) Annual Research Conference. This will be the first time that the largest health research conference in the English-speaking Caribbean will be held in Cayman. Over 200 delegates are expected to come to the conference, including researchers, policy makers and healthcare providers. This year, close to sixty researchers will share their findings. Cayman’s health minister said it would provide Cayman access to valuable information to strengthen health policies.
CHRC Director Dr. Donald Simeon explained the importance of the conference which has been running since 1956.
“The dissemination of health research findings is one of the CHRC’s most important functions. The annual regional conference helps us to create a unique network of health stakeholders who share needs, information and experiences,” he said. “We are looking forward to another great conference. Apart from keeping abreast of the latest regional research, participants can also look forward to experiencing a great destination as there will be time enough to explore the unique features of the Cayman Islands after every day’s sessions,” Dr. Simeon added.
Mark Scotland, the health minister said it was an honour to host such a high-level conference.
“Providing affordable and quality healthcare to our citizens remains a challenge throughout the region. I have no doubt that the 57th Annual CHRC/CARPHA Scientific Conference will once again generate productive partnerships, while also giving us access to valuable information that enables us to strengthen and streamline our healthcare policies,” he added.
According to government officials highlights of the 2012 CHRC/CARPHA Scientific Conference include keynote lectures, satellite meetings, and training workshops hosted by medical professionals and researchers. This year’s event will start on Thursday, 19 April with a Minister’s Reception at the Cayman Islands National Gallery and concludes on Saturday, 21 April.
The general conference will be preceded by a two-day meeting of the region’s chief medical officers starting on Monday, 16 April.
For more information and registration go to http://www.chrc-caribbean.org
Equity – no exceptions
When it comes to the arguments for and against single member constituencies, the premier is right about one thing: the idea put forward by the PPM of having two voting systems in one country is absurd. If it is wrong for the people of George Town, West Bay and Bodden Town to have more say in the outcome of the general elections by having more than one vote, then it is equally wrong for the people of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to have two votes, even more so if the system changed so that the rest of the electorate has only one.
The opposition, including the PPM Sister Islands representative, must decide whether they believe in one man, one vote (OMOV) or not. To campaign for a more democraticsystem but then water it down with an exception for one district weakens their whole argument – and potentially damages the wider campaign for a more democratic system. It’s either a principle they believe in or it isn’t.
The idea for ‘one country, two systems’ emerged at public meetings during the discussion period for the new constitution during the PPM administration. It was daft then and it’s daft now. There is no more reason for the multi-vote system in the Sister Islands than there is in any other district and the same arguments against it apply.
But by not showing proper leadership and explaining to the voters here why OMOV is better, they have made their position on this issue appear feeble, which may well cast doubts in the minds of the people they need to convince of the benefits of the OMOV system. Why should George Town voters give up some of their power for the good of the country if Brackers are not going to be asked to make the same sacrifice? What if West Bay voters decide they want to be an exception, too?
And all this is bad news for supporters of OMOV in the upcoming referendum. Not only does it give supporters of the status quo real ammunition to undermine every single argument in favour of OMOV but there are 981 voters on the two Sister Islands (at the last count), and if they want them to vote ‘yes’ to single member constituencies in the national ballot this summer, the PPM had better start repairing the damage and explaining why they should.
Both the 2003 and the 2010 Electoral Boundary Commissions have suggested dividing the Sister Islands into two districts if single member constituencies were introduced: Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman would be one district and Cayman Brac East would be the other.
At every meeting I’ve ever attended every Brac resident was against this idea, wanting to keep the voting system in the Sister Islands unchanged, whatever they do in Grand Cayman. And even though the PPM supposedly supports OMOV, so far I haven’t heard any efforts on the part of any politician to persuade the Brac voters of its value across the board, apparently preferring to pacify the people than lead or educate them.
If the opposition is going to drop the ball, then the independent campaigners for OMOV need to spend time on the Brac and Little Cayman persuading the voters here of its merits.
Brackers will argue that the two MLAs for the Sister Islands need to work together for the good of the two islands and that dividing the district would split their loyalty. However, as it now stands the two incumbents, one from each party, do not work together at all – I’m not even sure if they speak to each other – and have not from the start of the previous administration. Before that, when we had two UDP representatives, the animosity was, if anything, worse.
The voters here also say that the issues for the people here are largely uniform across the two islands; the economy, tourism, infrastructure – these are issues that affect us all. Well, yes, but there is no need to think that the divide will mean that the MLAs should only concern themselves with what goes on within a strict geographical boundary.
MLAs do not represent land mass; they represent the people who live in a certain area and are charged by those people to work on their behalf in the political arena and to stand up for their interests. The MLA for Cayman Brac East, therefore, should still be concerned with any aspect of the running of the island that affects his or her constituents.
The hotel area, for example, may be in the west but it offers employment for people living in the east; residents of Spot Bay still count on the airport, the fire service and the hospital; people in Cotton Tree Bay rely on the dock at the Creek; everyone needs a good power supply.
MLAs who want to double up services just to have them in their district (a negative to OMOV that the premier pointed out in his speech in the LA) are financially irresponsible and should not have been elected in the first place. But all MLAs worth their salt will work for the good of the island as a whole, and the country as a whole, because it will benefit their constituents, and there is no reason at all why the two Sister Islands representatives in single member constituencies should not work together to achieve this (if we could just find two suitable candidates on speaking terms).
As is the case for Grand Cayman, the issue is about equity – the current system is not fair – and accountability. At the end of every four years, your MLA, whether they are in government or in opposition, should be able to stand up and say, “This is what I did for you …”
Loaded gun found after fire
CNS): Officers from the RCIPS K-9 unit found a loaded handgun this weekend following a brush fire in Governors Harbour in the early hours of Friday morning. Police said Wednesday that officers also recovered the charred remains of a bag which is believed to have been stolen during a robbery in West Bay on the previous night. The discovery was made after the fire service had responded to a report of the fire at around 12.10 am on 6 April on an open lot in North Magellan Quay. After the fire was extinguished and the stolen bag discovered police officers conducted an extensive search of the brush area with dogs and recovered the firearm nearby.
The robbery had taken place less than an hour before the fire at around 11.40 pm on Thursday night outside an address in Willie Farrington Drive.
A woman who was getting out of her car was approached by two masked men armed with what appeared to be handguns. They demanded the woman's handbag which she handed over before running away. These suspects who were described as tall with light brown complexion wearing masks were believed to have left the scene in a dark coloured sedan heading towards George Town.
A police spokesperson said that enquiries are ongoing into the weapon and the robbery.Anyone who was in the area of North Magellan Quay around the relevant time on Friday and has any information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact George Town police station on 949-4222, the RCIPS tip-line on 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477(TIPS).
Mac sets referendum for July
(CNS): The Cayman Islands premier has announced that there will be a referendum this summer on the question of single member constituencies. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly Wenesday morning, he said government had decided to hold the national ballot before the next election on 18 July because of what he described as the divisiveness that the debate was causing in the country. He said government had given significant consideration to the current national discussion and would soon begin an education campaign. McKeeva Bush said he was optimistic that once the people of Cayman were informed on the pros and cons they would make the right decision.
“It is a very divisive issue and when combined with the politics that have been infused into the discussion, it has and will create significant confusion in these islands,” Bush told his legislative colleagues on Wednesday, as the House returned after the Easter break and he made the unexpected announcement.
“My government had previously made a commitment to hold a referendum on the issue at the same time as the next general election. However, due to the deepening divide inthe country caused by the way the opposition and the independent member from North Side has used this issue, my government feels it responsible to put this issue to the electors of this country.”
He said it was important that the public be given its full voice on what he described as a most important constitutional issue.
“In this vein I am pleased to announce that the gGovernment will hold a referendum on the issue of single member constituencies on 18th July, 2012," he said, adding that his position on the electoral system was: "if it is not broken – we shouldn’t meddle with it.”
He said government would embark on a public education process on the proposal for single member constituencies, which would be a significant change.
“I am optimistic that after the intelligent people of the Cayman Islands have made themselves fully knowledgeable and informed on the pros and cons of the various systems, as they have always done, they will make the right decision on this subject,” Bush stated.
Asked by the opposition leader what the question would be and if the referendum would be based on the question in the petition currently circulating asking for a people-initiated referendum on the subject, Bush said that the question or questions would be revealed at the earliest opportunity.
He refused to be drawn on whether this referendum was to be driven entirely by government or whether it was influenced by the petition request, as he said he had heard lots about the petition but he had never seen it and was not aware what it said. He insisted that the ballot question would be arrived at soon and that first there would be an education campaign.
An opponent of single member constituencies, in his statement the premier said the introduction would be costly and he believed it would increase demands on the country’s limited resources, claiming it would see constituenciesdemanding individual services and amenities.
“People who were historically used to voting for and having multiple representatives to represent them, under the changed system would only have a single representative. So people would be put in a worse position; for most people who live in constituencies with 4, 3, 2 representatives, if they move to 1, their franchise rights will be severely shrunken," he added.
Bush said that single member constituencies would be one of the most divisive paths for these islands because it would divide the indigenous vote and create “deeply divided and insular constituencies” at great expense as there would need to be 18 constituency offices and 18 secretaries with associated resources.
These claims have been widely disputed by those promoting the concept of one man, one vote and single member constituencies, which is considered more democratic than multiple voting rights.
The petition, which has been circulating since February and has already collected close to the 3,800 electors names required to trigger a people-initiated referendum, requests a November ballot as opposed to a summer referendum. In order for the referendum on the issue to pass, the premier said it would require 50% of the electorate to vote in favour as stated in the constitution on people led referendums, and not 50% of the turn-out, which might in the summer months prove to be a tall order.
See the premeir's full statement below.
Petition for single member constituencies and contacts
Touch championships open under full rules
(CRFU): The inaugural National Touch Rugby Championships 2012 started last Saturday with a feast of rugby on show from some of the leading players here in Grand Cayman. Playing for the first time under full International Touch Rules, six teams demonstrated their wares with some rousing rugby, prolific passing, sensational side-steps and scintillating sprinting under the baking Cayman sun.First up was Heineken Brew Crew against DART. With its potent mix of wizened old heads and some of the finest young bucks from the Cayman Rugby National Under 20’s team, Heineken Brew Crew proved too much for DART.
Superior game knowledge and blistering speed led them to early scores from the brothers Morgan and Will Hayward. Solid performances from Caroline Deegan and Lisa Kehoe kept DART on the backfoot until Hayward the Elder, comparable to a young Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments, parted the DART defence like the proverbial Red Sea. If the Israelites had his speed and direction they surely would not have spent 40 years in the Wilderness.
It was one-way traffic and Dave Bailey, the Brew Crew’s oldest member, showed the nimble footwork of a man half his age and weighed in with two top tries of his own. Cries of “Well done, Granddad!” from some of his younger team-mates seemed a tad disingenuous, but by demonstrating a superb side-step to out-fox the defence it goes to show that apparently an old dog can learn some new tricks.
As DART reeled from the battering like a punch-drunk boxer they contributed to their own downfall with some elementary errors in defence. Further tries from Keswick Wright, Lisa Kehoe and Bianca Johnson secured a 10-2 victory for the Heineken Brew Crew; Riley Mullen adding two late consolation tries for DART.
Maybe it is something about playing rugby in an all-black kit but Team Black looked every bit as dominating on the rugby paddock as the New Zealand All Blacks with a stirring 16-1 victory over Walkers Blue Iguanas. The ball flew from hand-to-hand in a dazzling display of free-flowing rugby. Mike McGrath, like an antipodean Geppetto, pulled the strings and was pivotal in much of Team Black’s good work. His fast offloads and quick passing helped Simon Raftopoulos and Captain Scott McCarty bag four tries each and James Waters pitched in with three more. The gathered crowd was mightily impressed but the Walkers Defence looked simply shell-shocked under the blitzkrieg of tries. More were added to the total by Rudolf Weder, Etienne Duvenage, and McGrath himself in a match that couldn’t end fast enough for Walkers who admirably battled to the end and were eventually rewarded with a late Paul Smith try.
KPMG were next up and they put a scratch team through their paces against Heineken Brew Crew. Never having played together before they looked understandably rusty in the opening exchanges and the Brew Crew opened up a lead early in the first half. However, as the game progressed KPMG started to find holes in the defensive line that the speedy Dean Curtis exploited to great effect. With playmaker Neil Montgomery coming more and more into the game they steadily pegged back the score line and by half-time held a slender 6-5 lead.
Heineken started to buckle under the strain and the pressure led to a, how shall we say, frank exchange of words between team-mates at half-time. It looked like an upset maybe on the cards but, possibly buoyed by some refreshments provided by their eponymous sponsor, the Heineken Brew Crew rallied in the second half. Hayward the Younger outscored his brother by two tries to one, and Steve Henshaw bulldozed his way to the try-line with two more. KPMG ran out of energy late in the game and eventually were defeated 7-11. They should take heart from this performance though and will be tough to beat as the Championships progress.
Maples played their first game of the day against Team Black. It certainly felt as if they’d been pitched into the lion’s den as Team Black made a fast start. Raftopoulos was instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking over and his elusive running angles will be a feature of this tournament. Maples would not lie down and kept the score close until midway through the second half with tries from “Livingston, Choi and Palmer”. They may sound like a poor man’s tribute act to the MOR Super Group from the 1970’s (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), but with Marty Livingston and Jyoti Choi playing some good rocking rugby and Chris Palmer providing a solid rhythm, Maples were able to give a fine show of their greatest hit moves. Unfortunately for soft-rock fans everywhere, Team Black showed their metal and eventually proved too strong. Weder (3), Duvenage (2) and Waters (2) sealed the deal to run out 11-6 winners.
The closest game of the day was saved until last when the two corporate behemoths of Cayman, Maples and DART, faced off as the sun set over the yard-arm. Tiffin was taken in the Main Stand and DART were equally hospitable allowing easy and early tries to their rivals. Guy Major played a central role along with Adam Huckle and Joanne Ziegler as they started to dictate play. In adversity DART showed some spirit and after spluttering and stuttering their way through the early exchanges, they finally found some fluidity and brought the score back to 7-6 at half-time.
Three tries a-piece for Major and Choi from Maples were answered by a similar hat-trick for Iain Blackwell for DART. First up DART tries for Nic Schwartz, Michael Mulligan and Siobhan O’Sullivan kept the crowd engaged with this exciting match. The final score showed a Maples win 10-8. However, DART can take heart from their performance and with improved decision-making in key areas of the pitch they can trouble other teams in the league.
So Team Black head the table after the early exchanges but one thing that we can be sure of is that there will be plenty of thrills and spills in this competition. So if it’s fast and furious rugby you’re after come down to the South Sound Rugby Ground on Saturday 14th April for the next round of the National Touch Rugby Championships 2012. Don’t miss it.
Abdel Hakim Belhaj to sue Diego Garcia commission
(BBC): A former terror suspect who claims he was tortured after being rendered to Libya in 2004 is suing the UK commission in charge of Diego Garcia. Abdel Hakim Belhaj alleges the aircraft taking him to Libya refuelled at the UK territory, and that its administration was complicit in his illegal rendition. Mr Belhaj is already suing MI6 and the government. Successive governments have denied involvement in such renditions. But the BBC understands Mr Belhaj's rendition had ministerial approval. Mr Belhaj believes he was rendered from Bangkok to Libya by the CIA, and claims that during his more than four years in a Libyan prison he was interrogated by agents from countries including Britain and United States.
He has since worked with Nato as one of the leaders of the forces that helped overthrow Col Muammar Gaddafi and is now a senior military commander in the new Libya.