Archive for July, 2013
Woman fallsfrom Camana Bay Tower
(CNS) Update 5:52pm Tuesday: The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service say that the woman who fell from the Observation Tower at Camana Bay this morning is a 42-year-old British national who is employed locally. She remains in critical condition at the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town. The incident was reported to 911 at 9:42am on Tuesday, 2 July. A police spokesperson said the matter is under investigation by the CID but there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident at this time.
Jobless: plight of Europe’s best-educated generation
(The Guardian): According to data out on Monday more than 5.5 million under-25s in Europe are without work, and the number rises inexorably every month. It's been called the "lost generation", a legion of young, often highly qualified people, entering a so-called job market that offers very few any hope of a job – let alone the kind they have been educated for. European leaders are rarely without a new initiative. Last week, they pledged to spend €6bn (£5bn) over two years to fund job creation, training and apprenticeships for young people in an attempt to counter a scourge that has attained historic proportions. This week, Angela Merkel is convening a jobs summit to address the issue.
Yet still the numbers mount up. In Greece, 59.2% of under-25s are out of work. In Spain, youth unemployment stands at 56.5%; in Italy, it hovers around 40%.
New president for Rotary Sunrise
(CNS): The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Sunrise installed their 12th president, J.D. Mosley-Matchett, on Friday, 28 June, at Agua Restaurant. Dr Mosley-Matchett, who is the third woman to hold the title of president of the Rotary Sunrise club, is the Director of Graduate Studies and Professional Development at the University College of the Cayman Islands. Over 90 Rotarian members, Rotaract members and VIP guests made it out to the occasion to celebrate the event and support the continued good works of Rotary Sunrise. Among some of the honored guests were National Hero and Honorary Rotarian Sybil McLaughlin, Lion Pat Bazell-Taylor and Lion Belinda Blessitt-Vincent from the Lions Club of Tropical Garden as well as representatives from the local media.
In addition to the installation of the new president and board of directors, Rotary Sunrise inducted two new members to their club, Dorothy Crumbley and Victor Crumbley. Dorothy Crumbley is an Attorney at Law as Senior Counsel at Walkers Global. She was also the Charter President of the Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman and a member of the Young Caymanian Speakers Bureau. Victor Crumbley, anentrepreneur of a social marketing company, Dash Strategies, is also a charter member and Past President of the Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman. Victor was also a recent finalist in the 2013 Young Caymanian Leadership Awards.
Rotary Sunrise endeavors to continue their community support and goods works for local programs and initiatives into this new Rotary year.
OAG finds air ambulance risk
(CNS): In his latest public interest report Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick has raised a number of worrying concerns regarding the air ambulance service, pointing to potential health risks for patients as well as risks to the public purse due to a failure in procedures among most of the government agencies involved. With 71 medical evacuations via the government health insurance company, CINICO, in the financial year ending 30 June 2012, costing government US$814,623, Swarbrick highlights unlicensed operation of a ground handling service, uncertainty over medical personnel, political interference, no proper public tendering and a failure to document proper procedures by the HSA, CINICO and the CIAA.
“This service is critical to the healthcare of the people of the Cayman Islands and I hope my report will provide the impetus for the necessary improvements,” he said.
Swarbrick told the media last week that he believed there were significant problems regarding handling and value for money, and because of the health risks to patients it was a very important area for the local authorities to address.
Listing a catalogue of issues regarding the failure to follow procedures, he also points to the interference of the former premier, McKeeva Bush, who had, according to the report and previous indications from board minutes and other recently leaked documents, imposed restrictions on the Cayman Islands Airport Authority board, limiting ground handling licenses to only three companies without “a rationale or reason provided”, the report states.
The former managing director informed the auditor general that he had "recommended the licencing of all companies operating at the airport, but was precluded from doing so by the direction of the former premier."
Swarbrick's audit team found that there was uncertainty whether a nurse or other medically trained professionals were involved in the selection of airambulances and the medical teams. The audit office also raised concerns over the potential liability to CINICO because of questions regarding the insurance carried by the service providers.
The issues come in the wake of growing concerns over what has been happening at CIAA over the last few years in relation to the board and management at Owen Roberts International and the major conflicts of interest that have been exposed in the last few months.
Swarbrick revealed last week that the unnamed air ambulance broker in the report, which was also acting as the unlicensed ground handler at the airport, was Executive Air, a firm owned by Marjorie Bodden that historically provided an ambulance service but which now acts as an agent.
“The Operations relating to the provisions, cost and oversight of air ambulance services have not been managed effectively, resulting in uncertain value for money or services solicited through the Air Ambulance Broker,” Swarbrick wrote in the report. “We believe that the practice of utilizing the services of a non-contracted Air ambulance Broker, if continued, represents an unmanaged risk to the government in the event of a catastrophic incident because of the lack of prudent management of public resources,” the auditor warned in yet another damning report regarding the mismanagement of public resources.
UK’s Darwin Initiative gets £8m more for conservation
(CNS): The UK government has committed to setting aside £2 million for conservation projects in UK Overseas Territories and a further £6 million for such projects in developing countries under the continuing Darwin Initiative, which aims to help safeguard the world's biodiversity. The 14 overseas territories are home to an estimated 90% of the biodiversity found with in the UK and Territories. The series of initiatives, expected to start in April 2014, will focus on protecting wildlife and habitats but also supporting the local communities.
Following the funding announcement, the UK's Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, said, “Over the years the Darwin Initiative has funded many projects across the globe – from helping to protect the critically endangered Bengal Florican bird to supporting under-threat populations of rare animals like the pygmy hippopotamus. That is why I am so pleased to be able to announce a further £8 million to continue this legacy. This extra money will save many more vulnerable species while supporting the local communities who depend on them for their livelihoods.”
Since 1992, the Initiative has committed £97 million of funding to more than 800 projects in over 150 countries. Projects in the Overseas Territories, include lionfish control in the Caribbean, seabird monitoring in the southern ocean and a census of rare plants in St Helena.
CIFA calls for volunteers
(CIFA): Having confirmed its hosting of the CONCACAF Under 15 Boys’ Development Tournament in Grand Cayman from August 13 – 25, in association with the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) has issued a call for members of the Cayman community to join its team of CIFA Ambassadors to provide tournament competitors and officials a taste of Cayman’s hospitality. “We are very excited to show members of some 24 teams, CONCACAF officials and football fans around the world the first class hospitality the people of Cayman can offer to them … but we can’t do this alone.” said Bruce Blake, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee.
“One of the ways in which we hope to build our pool of Ambassadors is to invite employers within our business community, heads of government departments and agencies to encourage their staff to volunteer their time and services to make this a successful event. Support is needed as liaison officers, sales clerks, administrative assistants, hosts and hostesses, translators, medical personnel … the list is almost endless.” continued Blake who sees the long-term benefit to the entire Cayman community of hosting such events.
From a sports tourism standpoint, the benefits of having some 600 people come to our Island for such a tournament are significant.
Persons interested in and /or requiring more information on becoming a CIFA Ambassador should email the LOC at volunteers.cifa@gmail.com
Award reflects link between environment and tourism
(CNS): Kate Pellow, the Director of Development and Communications at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) was the 2013 recipient of CITA’s Stingray Award for Allied Manager of the Year – the first time a CCMI employee has been recognized at the awards. The link between marine research and environmental education is not often linked to tourism. However the tone of the awards ceremony, with a strong focus on sustainable tourism including the CEPTS programme, the Green Globe Awards and the inclusion of CCMI as an award winner is a striking and contemporary approach to the Islands’ tourism product.
CCMI was first established in 1998 and built their facility (opening fully) in 2006. Since then, over 100 visiting scientists, over 1000 college students and hundreds of local students have travelled to the Little Cayman Research Centre to study the marine environment in this ‘healthy’ coral reef ecosystem. The facility also holds weekly tours and weekly talks under the ‘Reef Lecture Series’, sharing our most up to date projects with tourists and locals alike. Whilst CCMI is a small organisation within the context of the hotel and watersports industry, ¾ of their funding is raised outside of the Cayman Islands and all of it is spent here, not only progressing our environmental goals which benefit local tourism but also supporting the local economy.
The real focus of the organization, however, is the long-term monitoring and improvement of coral reef health, providing critical information for future generations and conservation managers. CCMI’s research is always underpinned by outreach and education initiatives – helping to build local capacity and understanding on coral reef ecosystem threats and solutions. For Pellow, the inclusion of CCMI at the Stingray Awards is poignant for several reasons:
“I have been coming to the Cayman Islands since I was 16 (that’s a while ago). I completed both my bachelor and masters degree dissertations on ‘sustainable tourism in the Cayman Islands’; it is therefore a real honour to be included in the Stingray Awards, surrounded by people both past and present who have made the tourism product what it is today, many of whom I have written about in my academics or had the privileged of working with. The CCMI team work incredibly hard and I am forever being challenged to keep up with the emerging trends and data being produced by their research projects, I learn something new everyday. The team in Little Cayman and the CCMI Board are a real credit to the Cayman Islands, especially the tourism product, so this award is very much a recognition for all of us. I’m very proud to work with them all.”
BPW celebrates at Government House
(CNS): Members of the Business and Professional’s Women’s (BPW) Club gathered with guests in celebration at Government House on Thursday, 27 June, at a reception hosted by Governor Duncan Taylor. The club, which is to mark its 40th anniversary in the Cayman Islands in a couple of years, is a major non-governmental organisation advising government, particularly on women’s and gender affairs, according to a GIS release. Celebrations on Thursday centred around the Annie Huldah Bodden lecture by Laura Bates, who, at 26, has already carved a name for herself globally, dealing with women’s issues. Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, which chronicles the gender inequality experiences of over 10,000 women.
Local activist Joannah Bodden-Small was also recognised with a certificate for earning international BPW accolades, for her push to establish gender equality legislation in the Cayman Islands.
Attempted murder suspect sacks another lawyer
(CNS): The 41-year-old man charged with the attempted murder of Wesley Clarke in the early hours of June last year has released yet another defense attorney provided to him by legal aid. Garry Hurlston requested last week that his defense counsel be taken off record, and despite being set to face a retrial in a matter of weeks, he still does not have a lawyer, The court has advised Hurlston that this will be the last legal representation he will be able to gain through the legal aid system or he will have to find his own resources to fund his representation. Hurlston rose from his seat in the dock to explain that he wants this matter "disposed of as soon as possible" and that he may be seeking to represent himself with the advice of his initial lawyer, John Furniss, throughout the judge-alone trial.
The defendant began a trial earlier in April, when he was represented by Furniss, but partway through the case was adjourned when Hurlston sacked him. His case is now due to return before a judge on 15 July but Hurlston's representation now remains unclear after he also sacked Michael Wingrave.
The defendant has had several legal battles throughout this case due to trial conflicts and personal disagreements with his many attorneys. However, he told the court that he remains as eager as ever to conclude the case as he is the father of five children and a self-employed mechanic. He was remanded into custody following the dismissal of his attorney.
Hurlston is accused of stabbing Clarke in the neck during an altercation at a party in the Windsor Park area at approximately 3am on 21 June last year. Although Hurlston has denied ever stabbing the victim, a witness at the scene told the court that Clarke was his friend and that he had seen Clarke arguing with the defendant immediately before he grabbed his neck and shouted, "They killed me!"
The victim was taken to the hospital immediately following the incident and slipped into a coma. Clarke has been in an unresponsive state connected to a life support machine ever since and it is reported that he did not name his assailant before he lost consciousness.
Register students for government schools by 19 July
(CNS): Children entering government Reception classes in the 2013/2014 school year must be at least four years old before 1 September, and students entering Year 1 must be five years old by that date, a government release states. Registration for these and older students transferring into the government school system should be completed by 19 July for the child to be eligible to attend school at the start of the school year. Parents and guardians are urged to enrol as soon as possible to ensure that qualifying children have a place at their local school in September. Children registering after 19 July cannot be guaranteed space at their nearest school. Parents will receive notification from the school of their child’s placement for September.
Registration for government Reception is open for qualifying children aged 4 years 0 months before 1 September 2013. That means a child born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 is eligible for reception, and that he/she must have already turned 4 prior to September 2013.
The government schools that have reception classes are Sir John A Cumber Primary School; George Town Primary School; Prospect Primary School; Savannah Primary School; Bodden Town Primary School; North Side Primary School and East End Primary School on Grand Cayman and West End Primary School and Creek Primary School on Cayman Brac.
Registration for Year 1 in government schools is open for qualifying children aged 5 years 0 months before 1 September 2013. That means a child born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 is eligible for Year 1, and that he/she must have already turned 5 prior to September 2013.
Registration will take place at the Department of Education Services (GCM) and the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre (CB/LC). Parents may pick up registration forms at government schools, Department of Education Services, 130 Thomas Russell Way, George Town or the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre, Cayman Brac.
Whenthe form has been completed, it must be returned to the Department of Education Services or the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre, with a copy of the following documents attached:
- The child’s birth certificate
- The child’s immunization card
- Documentation of child’s residency category (i.e. birth certificate, passport, status letter/certificate, RS 101 form)
- Proof of address (mandatory) street name, house/apartment number, block number.
- Proof in the form of a utility bill (CUC or Water), lease or notarized letter from landlord if renting
- The last school year’s report (if the child is transferring from another school including private schools). In the case of transfer to John Gray High School or Clifton Hunter High
- School a transcript from the last school should be included.
The Department of Education Services Customer Service staff will check the documentation and determine the designated catchment area for the school assignment. Following approval by the Senior School Improvement Officer, the school secretary will make an appointment for a medical examination with the Public Health nurse. Parents can arrange for an examination from a private doctor. The medical examination must be completed before a child is enrolled.
Entry to Government Schools:
Priority for admission to Government schools is assigned as follows:
- Caymanians, with proof established by birth certificate, passport or status certificate
- Dependents of Caymanians
- Dependents of government employees
- Dependents of permanent residents
Class sizes are capped for Reception and Year 1 at 24 students and 28 for all other Year groups. Where maximum class sizes are exceeded within the school, spaces will be offered for qualifying students at the nearest school with available space. Spaces for categories 3 and 4 above will be reviewed following the 19 July closure of registration.
Payment of Fees:
All non-Caymanian students under approved categories must pay school fees at the following rates:
- Year 1-6 CI$250.00 per term or CI$ 750. 00 per year
- Year 7-9 CI$300.00 per term or CI$ 900.00 per year
- Year 10-12 CI$400.00 per term or CI$ 1,200.00 per year
Payment Locations
Cayman Brac/ Little Cayman residents: Cayman Brac Teachers Centre, CB/LC
Grand Cayman residents: Department of Education Services, 130 Thomas Russell Way, Rm # 2.
The Catchment Area for Government Primary Schools:
SIR JOHN A. CUMBER PRIMARY: North of Government House to Spanish Bay Reef to include all of West Bay.
GEORGE TOWN PRIMARY: South of Government House to Memorial Avenue, North along Walkers Road to Maple Road and East along Smith Road to Crewe Road airport junction. North on Airport Road, through the new Junction in the Industrial Park to include all areas North and East past the airport to North Sound.
RED BAYPRIMARY: Area on south side of memorial Avenue, along Walkers Road to Maple Road and South side of Smith Road, both sides of Crew Road bordered by Owen Robert Drive to the North and South Sound to the South Song Boarder on the east side Victory Avenue.
SAVANNAH PRIMARY: The East side of Spotts-Newlands Road to Beach Bay Road in Pedro including greater Pedro.
BODDEN TOWN PRIMARY: East of Beach Bay Road up to Breakers including Northward.
EAST END PRIMARY: East of the Frank Sound junction to include all of East End to Colliers.
NORTH SIDE PRIMARY: All of Frank Sound to Old Man Bay west to Cayman Kai.
PROSPECT PRIMARY: All area from Prospect Drive eastward to West side of Spotts-Newlands Road (to include all ofProspect Park, Patrick Island, Ocean Club, Mariners Cove, Cascades Drive and West side of Spotts-Newlands Road).
The Catchment Area for Government Secondary Schools:
JOHN GRAY HIGH SCHOOL: All areas West Side of Spotts-Newlands.
CLIFTON HUNTER HIGH SCHOOL: All areas East Side of Spotts- Newlands Road.