Cayman News
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Developers seek free tyres for golf course
(CNS Business): While the Cayman Islands government is looking for proposals from qualified parties to purchase and remove the growing mountain of used tyres which have accumulated at the landfills on Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, developers behind a proposed massive mixed-use project in the eastern districts are hoping to get them for free. Government recently began the hunt for a firm that will be able to remove and recycle the tyres at its three landfills and earn some much needed cash for the public purse at the same time. However, the investors behind the Ironwood project in Frank Sound want the tyres for their proposed golf course. Read more on CNS Business
Government lawyer disputes Polaine claims
(CNS): Although the Attorney General’s Chambers has still not addressed the question over why it did not defend the employment of Martin Polaine, one of the legal advisors on the controversial Operation Tempura police probe, when he was disbarred in 2009, the solicitor general has written a letter requesting clarification on an article posted on CNS earlier this month. The government lawyer disputes the content of the article about Polaine being disbarred from the profession based on the content of Sir Peter Cresswell’s ruling in the judicial review of the unlawful arrest of Justice Alex Henderson as she says he did not find that Polaine was not qualified to practice in Cayman.
In her letter to CNS (attached below), dated 23 January 2014, Solicitor General Jacqueline Wilson states that Justice Cresswell never said Polaine was not qualified but rather that he set out the submissions of the attorneys representing Henderson who had argued that Polaine was not called to the bar and not qualified to give advice in Cayman.
However, Cresswell does point to his acceptance of the submissions made by Ramon Alberga, QC, who was representing Henderson and sets out in his summary of the case that Polaine was not called to the bar. In addition, the UK Bar Council, which had originally disbarred Polaine, also used the comments by Alberga, which appeared to be accepted by Cresswell as grounds for the lawyer’s removal from the profession.
At the hearing in 2009, which was convened as a result of a complaint filed by Justice Henderson and based on the ruling by Cresswell, the UK’s legal tribunal found that Polaine was not qualified to practise as a lawyer or offer expert knowledge of the law in the Cayman Islands and knew or ought to have known he was not competent to give such advice. The findings were all based on the critical ruling by Cresswell in which he took all of the Tempura team to task and indicated that Polaine had not been called to the bar.
However, Wilson has asked for an apology and a clarification stating that the article was “misleading and confusing” and was wrong to suggest that an erroneous finding by the judge formed the basis of the original uncontested decision of the UK’s disciplinary tribunal.
See related CNS articles:
SPIT lawyer disbarred (10 December 2009)
Tempura lawyer reinstated (15 January 2014)
Two tasered in Brac bar fight
(CNS): Two female police officers broke up a bar fight just after midnight Saturday morning and in the process tasered two men said to be obstructing them. Police say that the officers, who were on police patrol, went to La Esperanza bar, Watering Place, after a report of afight at 12:01am on 25 January. A large crowd had gathered around two men who were in heated argument, police said. The officers intervened but two other men who tried to stop them were tasered. Three men between the ages of 25 and 39 were arrested for several criminal offences, ranging from assault, ABH, resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer in the execution of his duties. Unofficial sources say that there were several fights in progress and the situation was getting out of control.
One man was taken to the Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac for medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries he sustained allegedly as a result of being assaulted by one of the men, police stated. Unofficial sources told CNS that his arm was severely broken and he later flew to Grand Cayman on a regular flight for further treatment.
It is also undersood that another man was stabbed three times during the fight, to his hand, his arm and his body, but the wounds are not life threatening.
Cayman Brac police are urging people who may have information relative to this incident to call the Brac police station at 948-0331 or Crime Stoppers at 800(TIPS) 8477.
Chamber calls on employers to step up
(CNS Business): With local businesses complaining bitterly about the cost of work permit fees and the negative impact that such high numbers of unemployed locals is having on the community, the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce president is asking employers to step up and start being part of the solution. Johann Moxam asked local business owners and industry managers what they are doing to prepare young Caymanian students to enter the workforce or generate interest in their industry sector or business and he urged those doing nothing to consider participating in this year's Careers, Education and Training Expo at the University College of the Cayman Islands in March. Read more on CNS Business
Ministry seeks consultants for cruise port EIA
(CNS Business): The Ministry of District Administration Tourism and Transport has issued a request for tender from qualified and eligible environmental and engineering consultants for the next stage on the path to development of cruise berthing facilities. Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell, whose ministry is overseeing the development, said that this accords with the schedule in the Outline Business Case, which was released to the public and openly discussed during public meetings held in November 2013, and noted that procurement for the cruise berthing facility is following an open, transparent and competitive process as required by the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR). Read more on CNS Business
Sea search continues for missing diver
(CNS): As the sea search for the diver who was reported missing off Seven Mile Beach yesterday resumes, the police have now named him as David Byles (57) from Pine Hurst, North Carolina. RCIPS police divers, Marine, Air and Operational Support Units, the Department of Environment and port security are involved in the air, sea and land search today, police said. Several members of the public have also volunteered to assist and the officer in charge, Inspector Ian Yearwood, is currently working with them to ensure that all search activity is coordinated and under the direction of the RCIPS.
According to the police, around 10:20am yesterday, Sunday 19 January, Byles was diving with his wife as part of an organised boat dive at the Barracuda Wall, off Seven Mile Beach. They both surfaced and began swimming towards the Sunset Divers boat, which was approximately 100 yards away. On reaching the boat it was discovered that he had disappeared from view. A search of the immediate area by the boat crew failed to trace him and a police operation was launched.
The search continues today and further updates will be provided in due course. Any boat owners or divers who wish to assist in the search must make contact with the Marine Unit on 649-7803 or Inspector Yearwood on 526-3159.
CIAA invites tenders for Brac airportexpansion
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) is inviting tenders from interested contractors to undertake the planned refurbishment and expansion of the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) on Cayman Brac. The scope of works includes construction of a Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) Room, in-transit lounge, and expansion of the arrivals hall. The HBS Room and relevant equipment would satisfy US requirements for inbound flights and allow for direct flights from the Brac to the US. Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said the Brac airport was pivotal to the growth and development of tourism as it is the only way visitors can access Cayman Brac.
"The changes are designed to enhance the baggage screening process and create more space for travellers, thus improving the travel experience. Longer term, the goal is to create a high-quality environment which provides Cayman Brac with well-connected access to the global marketplace,” he said.
Government has previously stated plans to develop an entirely new airport on Little Cayman.
Interested contractors have until Friday 24 January to submit their bids and the contract is expected to be awarded by 10 February. The project is scheduled to commence 17 February, and be completed by 16 May.
Students prepare for jobs with mock interviews
(CNS): Clifton Hunter High School (CHHS) Year 11 students arrived at school Friday 17 January out of uniform and dressed for success, ready to participate in a mock interview event that will teach them how to prepare and present themselves for employment interviews, the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs said iun a release. In preparation for the mock interviews, as well as real life and future employment prospects, students have been learning about the process of applying and preparing for employment.
Students have learned how to write a professional cover letter and resume, and learned about professional language and personal presentation. The objective of this learning experience is to provide life-skills lessons for students to experience and understand the process of applying and interviewing for a job so they know what to expect when it happens in real life.
Fifteen businesses participated as interviewers and 110 students were interviewed. The students wrote a cover letter and attached their resume in application for the mock-interview for one of the many positions on offer from business participants. The interviews were held at CHHS from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.
Home-based dialysis provides patient freedom
(CNS): A new Dialysis Unit at the Cayman Islands Hospital is now providing a home-based dialysis programme, which, for the patients who are able to use this service, has led to more flexibility in the timing and administration of dialysis treatments and an overall better quality of life. "This programme offers patients the opportunity to take control of their treatment, giving them far greater flexibility and independence,” said HSA Internist and Nephrologist, Dr Nelson Iheonunekwu, explaining that it means that they no longer have to visit the Dialysis Unit three times a week for their treatment. He said the programme takes the form of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis.
“Patients are trained in how to administer their own dialysis treatments and many undertake their exchanges in the comfort of their own bedroom," Dr Iheonunekwu said. "Additionally,the home-based unit is portable, making it convenient for the patient. Prior to doing their dialysis treatment, patients are instructed to follow the necessary hygiene procedures; the actual exchange takes about 20 minutes. Some patients have to undertake their dialysis every four hours, some every six. The flexibility with the home-based programme means that patients are often able to go to work and live a more normal life."
The doctor advised that studies have shown that there is very little difference in life expectancy of patients who undertake the home-based peritoneal dialysis and those in a hospital-based programme.
“Cayman is unfortunately, like the rest of the Western world, currently seeing an increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease," explained Lizzette Yearwood, CEO of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority. "Our chronic kidney disease and dialysis population has grown exponentially over the years; in 1998 there were 10 dialysis patients compared to 52 patients requiring dialysis in 2012. This represents a 420% increase over a period of just 15 years.”
“I am pleased to see that a number of our patients are benefitting from this additional service. The Health Services Authority is committed to providing the best possible care to all our patients and stresses the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles, which is one of the most important tools in the prevention of many chronic diseases. We therefore encourage our patients and the public to adopt healthy habits and lifestyles, thereby reducing their chances of developing chronic illnesses such as chronic kidney disease. In that way the need for dialysis will hopefully be reduced in time.” she said.
Radio station helps families in need at Christmas
(CNS): Christmas for Marie Bush and her five children, who lost their George Town home to fire just over a month before the holidays, was made a little brighter, thanks to local radio station X017's Christmas Wish List promotion. In response to an appeal on the station, listeners of the morning show hosted by Blake & Erin, who spearheaded the initiative, nominated 22 people deemed to be in real need of a helping hand at Christmas time. This was a record number, which, the radio station said, was a sign of changing times in Cayman. The other household to benefit was another home in George Town, where four adults and seven children were feeling the pinch over Christmas.
The two adult women, sisters Luisa Bodden-Black and Rosita Bodden, were both unemployed – one due to illness and the other was laid off. (Photo below)
The goal of the promotion is to grant Christmas wishes and offer assistance to persons in need and in the past, selected families have received gifts such as computers, new clothes, toys, Christmas trees, groceries, and payment of various bills.
In addition to X107.1 and its parent company DMS Broadcasting, several local businesses joined in the effort to support needy families over the recent holiday period. These included Digicel, Pooley Cabinets, Generali Worldwide, Trees for Life and International Medical Group.
Both families received presents for the children, a Frasier Fir Christmas tree complete with lights, a Sony SP phone with one month of free data and $500. All items were delivered by the radio stations’ own Santa Claus in a surprise visit to the winners’ homes.
“We were surprised by the number of responses to the promotion and very touched by the stories. Many families in our community have been hurting for a while and it was quite encouraging that several companies joined DMS Broadcasting in getting together donations of cash and kind. We are glad that together we were able to make life better for two families,” stated Blake Rogers of X107.1.
