Archive for November, 2014
Job troubles at key resort
(CNS): Reports of local job losses and allegations against the owners for circumventing labour laws at a leading resort in the eastern districts are stirring up concerns and conflict in government and with local politicians. Documentation seen by CNS shows that government has been investigating allegations that the management at Morritts Tortuga Club in East End is falling foul of immigration and labour rules and has been sacking Caymanians without cause. But while the director of the labour unit has documented serious concerns about the new management practices, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has dismissed many of the allegations, which are all also denied by the new management team.
Morritt's had been heralded as a shining example of a resort that was not only employing a significant number of local people but one which also had a solid and experienced Caymanian management team.
However, in June of this year an application wasmade for a temporary permit for the owner’s son-in-law, Christopher Johnson, for the post of Operations Manager, a job which was already filled by local worker William Connolly.
Although Morritt's claimed Connolly was not being sacked but moved to assistant resort manager, according to correspondence between Director of Labour and Pensions Mario Ebanks and senior immigration officer Bruce Smith, when the permit was approved, Connolly was sacked.
Ebanks wrote that following a site inspection at the resort it was “the unanimous observation” of the inspection team that the problem was Johnson, who, Ebanks stated, appeared to have sacked Connolly without cause and then began terminating other local workers. Although Ebanks believed the inspection team had delayed some of the layoffs, he described Johnson as adamant about the need for more terminations.
Alongside the concerns of the labour unit that people were being removed without reason and without management following the correct processes for sacking workers, Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean, the local MLAs whose constituents were being impacted, raised concerns with the governor and deputy governor over the situation.
Miller told CNS that he had an interest because both his wife and his brother, Jerris Miller, had worked at the resort and had both since resigned as a result of the management changes and the job terminations. Nevertheless, he said that he still had an obligation to his constituents who had lost their jobs from the resort to get to the bottom of what was going on. He and McLean raised concerns with the relevant authorities, but with little response to his letters and complaints to the Business Staffing Board, he took the issue to the governor.
In what appears to have been a more than four month probe over a stack of allegations into the goings on at the popular East End resort, the deputy governor recently told Miller and McLean that there are some issues but the main trigger of the complaints, which was the permit granted to Johnson, was legal. He said that officers who granted the permit did not know at the time that a local worker was actually in the post when the application was made.
Among the many allegations made it seems that around 20 longstanding Caymanian employees have lost their jobs. But the main issue appears to be that a once strong local management team, publicly and loudly praised by the owner, David Morritt, in the wake of the opening of ‘the Londoner’ last year, has essentially been removed by, it is claimed, Johnson. Then, in what appears to be a shake-up, various other members of staff in a variety of posts have also lost their jobs.
The resort has denied the allegations that it is not adhering to labour laws and a spokesperson for Morritt’s said the company had been an “outstanding corporate citizen for the last 25 years” and still employed over a hundred local workers.
In a statement to CNS the spokesperson said, “In addition to being one of the largest financial contributors to East End, it boasts one of highest percentages of Caymanian employees of any company in Grand Cayman, with a staff comprising over 100 Caymanians out of a total staff of 125 persons. It is unfortunate that false accusations are being circulated about Morritt’s, apparently for the personal and political gain of those parties that have been disseminating the misinformation.”
Denying any wrongdoing, the spokesperson added that the firm was fully engaging with the authorities as they investigate the resort.
“Because of the seriousness of these false accusations, Morritt’s has not only been cooperating with the government but has been proactive in seeking counsel and advice from the government at the highest levels, including within the Departments of Immigration and Labour. Fortunately the government confirmed last week, after conducting a lengthy evidentiary review including a comprehensive review of our permit applications, personnel records and conducting interviews of our staff, our management and our stakeholders, that these allegations have no basis in fact and that Morritt’s has been and still is operating in compliance with the laws of the Cayman Islands,” the spokesperson added.
Despite that claim, in his letter to Miller last month Manderson raised a number of issues that could still give cause for concern and indicated that there were other complainants filled and witnesses willing to speak up, leading to ongoing enquiries. But he had still concluded that there was nothing illegal in any action taken by government and that the Morritt's management actions also appeared to be in order.
Miller told CNS that he was deeply troubled by the hesitant position taken by the government authorities and that the power and influence of the resort was undermining what should have been a more thorough investigation into what has happened. But even the usually very out-spoken Miller has become reticent about whether his advocacy on behalf of his constituents is assisting. He said that another four local workers were recently terminated and it appears that the more employees complain about what is happening, the more local people are losing their jobs.
While the situation at Morritt’s remains less than transparent, the battle faced by local workers continues across Grand Cayman and each week CNS receives reports of more and more problems faced by local workers. But many believe it is not just employers attempting to circumvent the laws meant to protect Caymanians in the workplace that is the problem but that the lack of enforcement by government authorities facilities the bending of rules by employers.
In his letter to the governor Miller said, “It is unfortunate, regrettable, embarrassing and shameful that I am unable to evoke any semblance of moral or ethical 'rightness' from the statutory authorities as a legislator on behalf of those people whom I have been elected to represent. These are the matters that breed violence, crime and revolution … in democratic societies when it becomes obvious that their elected leaders are neutered and made in-effective by the same government agencies to protect and defend them.”
Young players take to court for tennis masters
(CITF): Cayman’s top young tennis players have been hitting plenty of practice balls in the build-up to 2014’s Junior Masters Championships this weekend (Sat 15 & Sun 16 Nov) at the Ritz- Carlton. TheMasters will be the fifth and final PwC-sponsored tournament of 2014. Only the top eight players in each of the four age divisions (18&U, 14&U, 12&U and 10&U) were initially eligible. If any of the top eight could not play, then immediately lower-ranked players were invited to join the tournament. Invitations were issued by the Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands for this leading event.The first matches start at 10.30pm on Saturday, with semi-finals at 10.30am on Sunday and finals at 3pm.
Cayman’s top junior, Daniel Reid, who celebrated his 16th birthday in September, has confirmed his attendance. Reid is not only Cayman’s top junior player and 18&U defending national champion, he is one of the best players on the rock, with a shelf-full of trophies to prove it. This year in May, he reached both the singles and the doubles finals of the Cayman Islands Tennis Club Championships. And in July, still aged 15, he made the round of 16 in the 18&U qualifying draw of the Jamaica Junior Int’l Tournament, which draws top juniors from all over the Caribbean.
Other leading confirmed players include Oskar Bjuro, 10, and his brother Sebastian, 8. Oskar holds the No.1 ranking in the 10&U division. Jack Lomax, the 12&U No.1, has also accepted his invitation; with 9 matches won and none lost in 3 PwC tournaments this season, he looks set for success. Talented Harrison Clough, 11, who is playing up an age group, will lead the field in the 14&U division.
“It’s really hard to believe how good some of our juniors are. I would urge members of the public to come down to The Courts at the Ritz-Carlton this weekend and see for themselves the incredibly impressive standard of play,” said Eliza Harford, Tennis Federation chief. “I’ve been playing tennis for 40 years, and I wouldn’t fancy my chances on court against any of these children, not even those in the 10&U group. They’re ferocious, and they’re consistent.”
Athletes head to Mexico to fly flag for Cayman
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Olympic committee said a national sports team will be leaving Cayman this weekend to compete at the Veracruz 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Mexico. Some 15 athletes and swimmers as well as the men’s and women’s rugby seven’s teams will be taking part in the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation multi-sport event. The sports delegation is headed up by the Chef de Mission Trent Christie and his deputy Janet Sairsingh. Athlete include Ashleigh Nalty, Carlos Morgan, Kemar Hyman and Ronald Forbes along with their coaches and managers while Olney Thompson and Keith Higgins will compete in beach volley ball and Tafari Ebanks (left) will take to the boxing ring.
Alexander Frazer, Cameron Stafford, Julian Jervis, Marlene West will be hoping to get a good result in squash while Andreas McDermot, Florence Allan and Jesse Jackson will be hoping its smooth sailing. Catriona MacRae is the only swimmer heading to Mexico from Cayman but both the men’s and women’s rugby seven’s teams will be ‘trying’ for some medals.
For pictures and up to date information on the Cayman Islands delegation and weekly competitions, please visit the website http://www.caymanolympic.org.ky/ or Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CaymanIslandsOlympicCommittee
Local football champions compete in New Zealand
(CIFA): Reigning Champions of Cayman Club football, Bodden Town FC departed Grand Cayman, Tuesday, bound for New Zealand to participate in the inaugural Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President’s Cup.The team began a grueling two day journey from Grand Cayman to Auckland, New Zealand upbeat about their chances against two clubs from Oceania, two from Asia and Fiji’s National U-20 team, tuning up for the FIFA U-201 World Cup. “Just being invited to this tournament is a huge achievement for Cayman football,” said Bodden Town FC President Mark Scotland.
“Bodden Town has been trying its best to put our forward its best for Cayman football in the past few years. We have measured our success not so much on the local scene but how we can compete internationally.”
Bodden Town was one of a handful of English Speaking Caribbean clubs to compete in the CFU Club Championships this year, but missed a spot in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions League, the premier club competition in the region.
However, Scotland believes the international exposure will assist the team lift their standard of play and achieve personal milestones.
“Many of our players aspire to play professionally. When we played in Puerto Rico back in March, we had a couple of calls for players there as teams expressed interest in our players. That again incentivizes them, to look at this and say if we get looked at by a couple of teams over there and get a couple calls the players would look at this as a successful trip in addition to playing well on the field.”
Bodden Town will face strong opposition in Group A, against reigning Oceania Champions League winners Auckland City FC (New Zealand) and the Singapore U-23 team. In Group B are Amicale FC (Vanuatu) Fiji U-20 and Busaiteen FC (Bahrain).
With Cayman’s leading goal scorer Theron Wood and emerging striker Ricoh Brown in attack, Bodden Town opens the tournament against Singapore U-23 on Wednesday, 19 November.
Scotland added, “We have prepared for this since August and looking forward to making Cayman proud, Bodden Town and in this instance CONCACAF as well.”
Bodden Town FC is the current Premier League winner and holder of the Charity Shield and will represent the Cayman Islands, the Caribbean Football Union and CONCACAF in the six team OFC President’s Cup tournament which runs from November 17-23 at the Trusts Arena in Auckland.
The Oceania Football Confederation governs the sport played in the national federations of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Tonga.
Tournament and Live Streaming Website: -http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/
Waterfront cop still on beat claims police boss
(CNS): Although the RCIPS has issued a statement claiming that Senior Police Constable Miguel McFarlane has not been demoted or transferred from the Harbour Front, the wider public appears not to be convinced. Social media, the radio talk shows’ phone lines and the independent MLAs have all been questioning what has happened to the popular, award winning Caymanian police officer who is well-known face in George Town. Ag. Superintendent of the RCIPS Uniform Branch Angelique Howell said McFarlane has not been demoted and has been given additional supervisory responsibilities in coordinating the patrols of other beat officers in the capital.
However, it appears that he is not on the beat as stated and calls by the general public to the George Town cop boss are going unanswered and some members of the public are demanding action.
Despite the public disquiet over McFarlane, who it has to be noted has the uncommon accolade of being widely supported by the local population for the work he does, the police say he has not been demoted, movedor side-lined in anyway.
In the RCIPS statement Howell commended McFarlane for his commitment and dedication to duty.
“He still covers the water front and like his colleagues, can be seen between the hours of 8:00am and 10:00pm. These hours are shift based commencing as mentioned from 8:00am to 4:00pm & 1:00pm to 10:00pm. The area of coverage includes parts of the Seven Mile Beach area or Southern West Bay Road,” the police boss stated.
Florida lizards evolve before eyes of scientists
(CNS): The process of evolution, in the lizard world at least, appears to be far quicker than biologists have previously assumed after scientists have documented the evolution of a native Florida lizard in as little as 15 years as a result of pressure from an invading species. Researchers found that after contact with the invader, Carolina anoles or green anoles, began perching higher in trees. Then, generation after generation, their feet evolved to become better at gripping the thinner, smoother branches found higher up. Scientists have always believed it takes generations and generations to adapt a favoured trait but they have now discovered that change can occur at an astonishing pace.
Since Darwin’s time, biologists assumed that evolution takes centuries, or longer, but these findings are changing that view according to the research published in scientific journals.
Evolution is down to ecological conditions that favour certain traits over others among any species. When those with the favoured traits survive in changing conditions and reproduce the population over generations can change dramatically, or branch off into multiple new species.
However the Florida lizards changed much more quickly after moving to higher perches and over 15 years and just 20 lizard generations, their toe pads had become larger, with stickier scales on the feet.
“We did predict that we’d see a change, but the degree and quickness with which they evolved was surprising,” said Yodel Stuart, a postdoctoral researcher at The University of Texas in Austin and lead author of the study said.
“To put this shift in perspective, if human height were evolving as fast as these lizards’ toes, the height of an average American man would increase from about 5 foot 9 inches today to about 6 foot 4 inches within 20 generations—an increase that would make the average U.S. male the height of an NBA shooting guard,” said Stuart. “Although humans live longer than lizards, this rate of change would still be rapid in evolutionary terms.”
The native anoles, are common in the south-eastern US but the invasive species, Cuban anoles or brown anoles, are native to Cuba and the Bahamas. Brown anoles first appeared in South Florida in the 1950s, possibly as stowaways in agricultural shipments, and have since spread across the south-eastern US and have even jumped to Hawaii.
This latest study is one of only a few well-documented examples of what evolutionary biologists call “character displacement,” in which similar species competing with each other evolve differences to take advantage of different ecological niches. A classic example comes from the finches studied by Charles Darwin. Two species of finch in the Galapagos Islands diverged in beak shape as they adapted to different food sources.
Home affairs bags another DG gong
(CNS): A prison officer is the latest civil servant to acquire the accolade of the civil service employee of the month. Karen Dixon, is another member of staff from the home affairs ministry which has already bagged several of the government monthly awards. Dixon was said to have “enthusiastically embraced additional duties at the Prison Service as Acting Custodial Manager for Residential Services. But it was for her attributes as an exceptional officer and a “great leader” that she was named best employee for September. Officials said that Dixon isteadfastly respects the law but has been a strong advocate for prisoners, going above the call of duty to help them.
Dixon recently introduced a new service improvement programme titled Officer Advisor Scheme. It includes building awareness, engaging officers and prisoners, implementing procedures, providing support as well as evaluating and reporting on the progress. She is also implementing the new Self Harm Prison Service Instruction, which aims to protect inmates by preventing self-harm and suicide through early detection of warning signs and fast action by officers.
Officials said Dixon goes out of her way to encourage prisoners and staff to put in their best effort and raise their performance to the highest level. In turn, she is quick to support improvements, welcome ideas and suggestions and recognise model behaviour, good work and consistent efforts.
Handing over the award, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, hailed her ability to give everyone an opportunity to be heard and be willing to listen, calm situations and demonstrate genuine compassion. “Also highly resourceful, I am told you help the prison service stretch the proverbial dollar and I commend you for your dedicated service,” he said.
Dixon attributed her accomplishments to the team spirit within the prison.
“This was a very pleasant surprise and I thank all who thought me deserving of this prestigious award,” she said.
Women are spies, says Ebanks
(CNS): Two women who claim Leonard Antonio Ebanks confessed to them that he was involved in the murder of Frédéric Bise are police spies, Ebanks told police when he was interviewed by officers after his arrest. The West Bay man, who is the second person to be tried in the murder of the Swiss Banker in February 2008, has denied confessing to the women and told police he believed the women were police spies who were being paid to say things about him. The crown’s lead counsel in the case said that during police interviews Ebanks said the information the women had about the murder had not come from him but from “corrupt police” who had told the women what to say.
As Simon Russell Flint QC continued his opening address in Grand Court this week setting out the prosecution’s case against Ebanks for what was described as a savage and brutal killing, he said that the defendant had made confessions to two different women two years apart. The details those women said he gave them, when they reported the confessions to the police, were things that only the killers could have known.
Despite this when confronted with the evidence of a former girlfriend and that of a helper at a house frequented by Ebanks in Birch Tree Hill, he said the women were lying and it was the “corrupt police” who had told them about the details of the murder.
Ebanks claimed that the first woman who alleged he had confessed, shortly after the crime, was “a woman scorned” because he had ended their relationship. He also said she was working as a spy as she was a secret special constable which is why she knew what she did. He said that the second witness was also a spy and was being paid by police to lie and say that he had confessed.
Russell Flint said that Ebanks’ former girlfriend was not working for the police and had told the police not only the details of the murder which he is alleged to have committed, with his cousin Chad Anglin, but that she had also seen property in Ebanks’ possession shortly after the crime that the crown says belonged to Bise.
She also said that on the morning of the murder he had come home to where the couple lived at the time, early in the morning before she left for work, drunk and smelling of smoke. The crown claim that Ebanks had taken the bloody clothes that he and Anglin were wearing, when they allegedly beat Bise to death by dropping a cinder block repeatedly on his head, and burned them in Anglin’s grandmother’s yard.
Ebank’s ex-girlfriend is unrelated to and does not know the second witness who was at this time in Jamaica.
However, two years later, when Ebanks had become friendly with the helper he had also allegedly confessed to her about the killing. Her evidence was uncovered by police during a completely separate investigation and it was as a result of her help in that investigation that she was under witness protection and as such was receiving some money from the police.
As he presented the crown’s case against the defendant, Russel Flynn said both women had asked Ebanks after his confessions why he had committed the murder and both stated to police that he had described Bise who was gay was a “faggot” and said that he owed Ebanks and Anglin $1000. He had also said that Anglin was also gay and that before the killing Anglin and Bise had been at the banker’s home together. They then went to the dykes at Barkers which, Ebanks told the women, was when he met Anglin and Bise and that was where they had killed “the white man”. After committing the savage murder the two man had placed him in the boot of his own car which they then drove around West Bay. Eventually they returned to Bise’s house and parked the car and set it on fire. Shortly after the fire service were called and the body was discovered.
Although police had arrested both Chad Anglin and Leonard Ebanks in the immediate wake of the crime the case eventually stalled when the director of public prosecutions told the police they did not have enough evidence to prosecute.
However, following the creation of the cold case unit in the RCIPS in 2012 detectives reviewed the case and re interviewed witnesses. As a result a new file was passed to the DPP last year and both Anglin and Ebanks were charged. Anglin was tried and convicted of the murder in April this year.
Ebanks’ trial, which is presided over by Justice Charles Quin, continues next week with the first of the crown’s witnesses in Grand Court One.
Public interest to guide cuts
(CNS):The premier has reassured civil servants that government won’t be implementing the EY report on the rationalisation of the civil service wholesale. Speaking during the professional development conference for public sector workers organised by the Cayman Islands Society of Professional Accountants, Alden McLaughlin said public expenditure couldn’t continue to grow as it has done in the past decade which was why it had commissioned the report. But he said the final decisions on the report will be made by Cabinet and Caucus and none will be made unless the PPM administration believes it is in the public interest and not just to advance private sector interests.
“Beforewe take any decisions about privatisation, amalgamation or restructuring, this administration will have to be convinced that any action Cabinet takes will be in the best interest of all the Caymanian people,” McLaughlin told an audience of civil servants at the internal government seminar. “Unfortunately there are some interests that believe the objective of Government should be to improve their position in the private sector. That isn’t the case at all,” the premier added.
He said there were several recommendations in the report that will require additional research or information before decisions can be made. McLaughlin stated that while the government agreed with some of the recommendations in the report there were others that will be modified, some which are already under way and some which they will not implement. However, the premier did not go into any details about what Cabinet or Caucus has agreed is in the wider public interest.
Although government has not yet revealed very many details of what it will be taking from the EY report the premier pointed out that the ProjectFuture Steering Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor was in place and it would ensure that Cabinet’s recommendations, would be “swiftly implemented.”
McLaughlin said that Franz Manderson would ensure the committee’s approach will be consistent and in-line with the highest standards in governance and project management. “This includes development of a proper business case for all projects undertaken in carrying out the recommendations,” he reassured the audience.
Regardless of what cuts or sell offs there will eventually be in government McLaughlin said government had to provide services more efficiently and effectively. The premier also noted that he was well aware civil servants were increasingly expected to deliver more and more services with less and less resources.
The premier spoke about the need to “find ways to work harder and smarter with less,” as he said this would drive down the cost of doing business and that in turn would free revenue to reward the men and women in the public sector who step up to the plate as top performers.
Mangrove project needs cash to carry on critical work
(CNS): A mangrove learning programme which began in the Cayman Islands, which is now being taught in schools all over the world is in need of funding to help keep it going. Given the increasing importance of these incredible trees in the face of environmental threats across the tropics the programme’s value cannot be underestimated. It is used in 11 countries world-wide with plans for three more for next year — Kenya, Suriname and India. Marvellous Mangroves gives students from tropical lands a basic understanding of scientific methodology and ecology, as well as methods as a precursor to a science-based university education.
“Every $100 will enable one teacher to attend the Marvellous Mangroves three-day teachers’ workshop and provide them with a copy ofthe 300-page Marvellous Mangroves – adapted and translated for their own country,” said Cayman’s Martin Keeley the man behind the creation of the incredible programme.
The project began back in 2000 and the original video made by and featuring Keeley. It provides a dynamic reference resource for teachers and students to learn about how mangroves function and explore mangrove forests. The 300-page “Marvellous Mangroves in the Cayman islands” was developed for the Caribbean region starting in 1998 and linked to the Cayman curriculum.
It has since been adapted for the English-speaking Colombian Caribbean islands of San Andres and Providence; translated into Spanish and adapted for use in Colombia, Honduras and Guatemala; translated and adapted for use into Sinhala and integrated into the Sri Lanka national science curriculum. It has also been translated and adapted for schools in Brazil, China and Bangladesh, as well as English versions for Australia and Belize where it is part of the schools’ national curriculum.
Back in 2002, Tanny Onsalo was just nine years old when she first learned about mangroves and how important they really are to the world’s shoreline ecosystems. "It changed the way I think about mangroves as an incredibly important ecosystem. It's a fabulous program and I'm so happy to still be a part of the world of Marvellous Mangroves, and I tell people about them all the time," she said.
Onsalo’s full story is told on the website along with video footage and other information about the programme here http://mangroveactionproject.org/mangrove_curriculum/
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