Headline News

Seven Mile Beach gets smelly

Cayman News | 06/10/2010 | 31 Comments

(CNS): Visitors and residents along Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach are complaining of a very unpleasant smell as well as the spoilt view due to a build-up of seaweed and algae. The recent bad weather has dumped a significant amount of sea debris on the white sands, which is now rotting and causing something of a stink. The Department of Environment (DoE) pointed out that it is a normal and natural phenomenon due to the recent storm, which has done a great job of cleaning up the local reefs but has certainly left the white sands of Seven Mile a little worse for wear. However, as it’s turtle nesting season the DoE is asking people to contact the department to avoid disturbing nests and eroding the beach if they plan on cleaning up

With no single government agency responsible for keeping the islands beaches clean, the problem of algae and seaweed build-up is not uncommon in the wake of stormy weather and high seas. However, using heavy equipment on the beach can be an even bigger environmental problem as a result of beach erosion as well as the risk to turtles.

DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie said she recognised the beaches did need to be cleaned but explained that anyone using heavy equipment needed to be very careful because of the turtles and also noted that the use of such machinery on the beach actually requires planning permission. The best way of dealing with this smelly issue was hands on, she said.

“It might be the hardest but the best and most effective way of cleaning up the seaweed is manually and bagging it up,” Ebanks- Petrie said, noting that it makes great fertilizer. The director pointed out that cleaning the area by hand would not only ensure that turtle nests were not disturbed but would also prevent beach erosion. When heavy equipment is used on the beach to clean it up, sand is always lost, the director observed.

Recognising the need to get the beach back to its usual attractive and considerably less smelly state, Ebanks-Petrie said that there was a need for a coordinated government policy towards the beaches, which are a public resource, and to deal with the situation when it arises in the wake of every spell of bad weather.

“This situation is not new; it happens every time there is stormy weather and we face the problem of people wanting to use machinery on the beach,” she said. “We really need a proper coordinated and approved policy of how it should be managed among the relevant agencies to avoid beach erosion and endangering nests.”

As is generally the case when sea debris is washed up after high seas, when the wind changes direction it is washed away again, and on Wednesday morning nature had already begun taking care of the problem. However, anyone wanting information about conducting beach cleaning can contact the DoE on 949-8469 or email: doe@gov.ky

Dump goes out to tender

Cayman News | 05/10/2010 | 34 Comments

(CNS): The much anticipated request for proposals to deal with the George Town dump has been officially released. Government is now inviting proposals for the redevelopment of the landfill – aka Mount Trashmore. Although it had previously expressed its preference for a Waste-to-Energy Facility (WTEF), it is also inviting tenders for Comprehensive Solid Waste Disposal Management Facilities (CSWDMF). According to a release from government, it is seeking an entity that will manage all waste generated in Grand Cayman through the establishment of a CSWDMF and WTEF, while enhancing the island’s recycling capabilities and producing green by-products such as biofuels and composting.

“All entities interested in providing a Comprehensive Solid Waste Disposal Management Facility and Waste-to-Energy Facility (CSWDMF & WTEF) in Grand Cayman should respond to the Request for Proposal (RFP) by noon, 19 November 2010,” the release from the Department of Environmental Health stated.

“The George Town landfill currently receives all types of waste and recyclables. The existing method of land filling municipal waste is not sustainable,” government officials said.

Entities making a bid to solve what has become, at 80 feet high, one of the country’s biggest problems will also be required to provide future waste disposal management options for the Sister Islands.

“The issue of a RFP is a long anticipated and welcomed step in the process of redevelopment of the George Town landfill,” said the Minister with responsibility for public works, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly. “The Ministry is seeking an entity that will provide a practical and reasonable long-term waste management solution for the Cayman Islands.”

Mount Trashmore is considered the highest point on Grand Cayman at well over 80 feet and certainly its worst eyesore. As the dump has not been lined it has been leaking into the North Sound for several years, causing major pollution problems for the marine environment.

Tackling the dump has been a controversial issue for some time but more recently a group of activists under the banner of WISE (Waste Initiatives & Sustainable Environments) began a campaign to oppose the concept of mining and incinerating the dump as its sole solution. The group has instead suggested capping and remediating the landfill. WISE proposes turning to a new eco-waste management park elsewhere on the island, which would focus on composting, recycling, reuse and the reduction of waste in general with limited incineration and ultimately zero discarded or dumped garbage.

The activists have said that incineration will create further pollution, as will the mining of the current landfill, which will release dust and debris into the air as well as generate persistent bad odours during the lengthy period of mining, which they warn could go on for years.

However, the relocation of the waste management facility has caused controversy, with no district welcoming the idea of a new, albeit modem, ‘dump’ in its neighbourhood.

The tender invites proposals that will deal with the landfill on the current site and it is expected that the existing rubbish at the dump will be mined and burned in a waste to energy conversion and it is hoped that there will also be some recycling undertaken at the site.

Details of the RFP and tender packages can be picked up from the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) Administration office located at 580 North Sound Road between the hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm. All relevant documents will be provided in the tender package, contact DEH at 949-6696. Documents will also be available on the Government’s Central Tender Committee website, www.centraltenders.gov.ky

Interested parties must be mindful of the noon deadline on 19 November, as late submissions will not be accepted. Excluded from the RFP will be the collection of residential and commercial waste; this will still fall under the responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Health.

Fosters hands over plastic bag cash to research centre

Cayman News | 05/10/2010 | 0 Comments

(CNS): One local supermarket has collected $10,000 from the sale of plastic bags since it began charging for the bags in June this year. Foster’s Food Fair has now donated the money to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) as part of its promise at the beginning of the BECOME campaign to give 100% of the money made from the plastic bags back into the community for “green efforts.” The number of plastic bags in circulation has dropped however, as increasing numbers of people have turned to reusable shopping bags to carry their groceries.

As part of its campaign to increase awareness on the importance of “going green” Foster’s said it had taken the first part of the money earned from the bags it sold and given it to CCMI to help conduct and facilitate research, education, conservation, and outreach programs that will sustain marine diversity for future generations.

A key component of CCMI’s strategy was realized in May 2006 with the opening of the Little Cayman Research Center. Flowing sea water, laboratories, a classroom, private and dormitory-style rooms, a sustainable off-the-grid bathhouse, and easy access to the reefs make this an important new research and education center.

CCMI provides students with the opportunity to learn about our marine ecology. There are conservation field-oriented educational programs in which students gain a better understanding of critical issues facing our tropical marine ecosystems.

This donation will focus on providing 12-16 year old government school children with Eco courses that are designed to begin the education process, support school curriculum activity and essentially open the minds and eyes of our students in the Cayman Islands.

“This first donation is one of more to come in helping the community realize the importance of protecting our environment, educating our youth and how important it is for all of us to be a part of this movement,” said Woody Foster. “We at Foster’s Food Fair are committed to the sustainability of programs that educate our children as they are our future, and we strive to be part of a “greener” community.

“As we approach our 30th Anniversary we would also like to once again thank all of our valued customers for their continued support over the years and for granting us the opportunity and privilege to serve our community,” he added.

Minister says teachers key to country’s future success

Cayman News | 05/10/2010 | 1 Comment

(CNS): The education minister paid tribute to teachers today (Tuesday 5 October) in a message marking UNESCO’s International Teachers’ Day. Rolston Anglin said the country would only succeed if children were taught by motivated and knowledgeable teachers. But members of the profession, he said, did not always get the recognition they deserved, and said that he wanted to say “thank you” to all of Cayman’s teachers and for the contributions they made to the country’s children and the impact this has on building the nation. He also called on parents to work with teacher and actively participate in their children’s education.

Rolston Anglin’s full message: Teachers impact children, and those who impact children impact the world. On this, International Teachers’ Day, I join with UNESCO and my colleagues from around the world in acknowledging all of the dedicated and hardworking teachers in our classrooms. Teaching is a truly noble profession. We look to our teachers to pass on knowledge and values, citizenship, sportsmanship and social skills to our children, to prepare them for their working life and further education.

As a country, we can only achieve our goal of having every child succeed if our children have access to motivated and knowledgeable teachers.

All of us have benefited from the contributions of teachers; all of us are able to point out a teacher who left a lasting impact on our lives, sometimes because they encouraged us to believe in ourselves, because they made learning fun, because they were able to explain something we could not understand before, or simply because they were the caring, compassionate human beings we aspired to be when we grew up.

However, this most important of professions does not always get the recognition it deserves. Therefore, on this special day, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education Services and the Government of the Cayman Islands, I would like to say “thank you” to all of our teachers, for all of your contributions to our children and the impact this has on building our nation.

I also ask parents and the wider community to join me in thanking our children’s teachers today. I encourage you to work with our teachers to ensure your children’s success by actively participating in their education.

Trouble on dormant accounts

Cayman News | 05/10/2010 | 62 Comments

(CNS): A law passed in the Legislative Assembly in July giving government legal access to dormant accounts and as much as $10 milllion has raised concerns throughout the financial services sector. Correspondence between the financial secretary, seen by CNS, and an industry body indicates that government will have to re-write the law to address what are being described as “unintended consequences”. Opposition MLA Alden McLaughlin said that despite claims by government that it had consulted widely with the industry before passing the law, it was apparent as a result of the planned re-write and from concerns he had heard from industry representatives that this was not the case and it was another example of a rushed law causing problems for the private sector.

McLaughlin said that when the government brought the Dormant Accounts Bill 2010 to the parliament he had pointed out that the opposition had been given no time to examine the bill or consult with the industry over how the legislation was being presented and any possible problems with it. He said the opposition was not opposed to the principle of government having a legal means to access truly dormant accounts but it was the manner in which the law was rushed intp which was now resulting in significant changes to the law.

“This was rushed through the Legislative Assembly, as I noted at the time. The opposition was given no time to consult anyone about it,” he said. “The premier insisted at the time that there had been wide consultation with the offshore sector about the law but we now see evidence to the contrary as government is planning to re-write the law.”

He said the this legislation has caused major concerns in the financial services sector and as far as he was aware it was not just in need of minor amendments but was being completely re-written. The former cabinet member with responsibility for the financial sector said it was now very clear government had not consulted properly but it was illustrative of how the current administration was working.

In a letter to the Compliance Association, Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson indicated that, as a result of its impact on “certain investment fund and capital market transactions”, there would be a “moratorium on prosecution and inspection” on some special purpose vehicles andlonger term investment accounts. Jefferson wrote that until amendments could be made in the law a commitment had been gained from both the Attorney General’s Office and CIMA that they would not be going after the longer term instruments that fall outside the concept of “abandoned property” but appeared to have been caught up in the law.

The financial secretary further indicated in his letter that, aside from unintentionally including SPV’s in the legislation, the law had also raised concerns regarding the limitations restricting account holders from future claims. He told the compliance association that there would be further dialogue on the necessary amendments to the law and the challenges it was presenting.

The law obliges financial institutions to seek out the owners of financial accounts and products which have not been active for six years or more to give notice that government will be seizing the money if it is not claimed by the rightful account holder. However, it appears, among other problems, that the legislation encroached on some of the financial sector’s specialist long term investment products.

When CNS asked the financial services secretariat what was happening with the law and what changes would be coming, Dax Basdeo, the acting chief officer, gave a different impression of the amendments needed to those revealed in Jefferson’s correspondence.

“Due to the tight time frame in implementing the law with dates that had been agreed on with the banks, an extension of time was given to 30 September to allow them to complete their notifications," Basdeo said, but made no mention of the unintended consequences, the need for a re-write and the major concerns that appear to have been raised about the law in its current state.

McLaughlin said that when the previous administration, in which he served, began examining the possibility of implementing a dormant accounts law this issue was raised by the industry. He said it was clear some three years ago that the legislation would need to be carefully crafted in order not to encroach on areas that were not genuinely abandoned and therefore avoid the risk of unnerving the industry as a whole, in particular, those who advise people to invest in financial products here.

As a result of the passage of the law however, local banks have already begun running advertisements in the local print media, withhundreds of accounts being listed as seeming to be falling within the definition of dormant and abandoned property, despite the need for legislative changes.

Government said at the time the legislation was passed that it could receive as much as $US10 million, for the public purse, which was welcome at a time when it was still struggling to meet its bills as a result of continuing declines in revenue from other sources, such as work permit fees and duty collections. However, there are now concerns that the law currently gives government the power to seize money that is not genuinely dormant, which it will then be forced to return.

Chamber backs rollover cut

Cayman News | 05/10/2010 | 79 Comments

(CNS): The government’s announced intention to reduce the length of time for a break in stay from twelve months to as little as one month for work permit holders reaching their seven year limit (aka rollover) has been welcomed by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce. Chief Executive Officer Wil Pineau told CNS that recruiting and retaining staff was still one of the most challenging areas for local businesses and any move that would make attracting and keeping talented people easier would provide a much needed boost to the private sector. Although government has not yet brought the necessary amendments to the legislative assembly to reduce the rollover period, immigration reform features big on the government’s list of moves toturn around the country’s flagging economic fortunes.

“The recent announcements regarding the possible reduction have been welcome,” Pineau said. “When the Chamber met with the premier in September last year, concerns were expressed about immigration and we recommended that government take a look at that. The reality is we are competing in a global community where tourism and the financial services industry need the best talent.”

The business sector appreciated that the question of the term limit was being examined as it was an important concern for many businesses, he revealed.

The CEO said there were distinct signs of economic recovery in 2010 compared to the real economic slump experienced by most businesses in 2009, but Cayman had to be ready for the future economic environment and managing talent would be an important part of that. “It’s a brave new world and we have to adjust to that environment. If we don’t adjust we won’t be ready for the turnaround,” he added.

The economic downturn, he said, had forced the country to re-examine how it does business and its position as a competitive jurisdiction. Pineau said the world had changed and we had to change with it. While there were no easy answers, the goal was to create the best environment for business to flourish.

With a school of thought in the community that the significant increase in business fees, not issues of immigration, were the major stumbling block to the economy’s growth, Pineau said he still believed that the challenges over recruitment were very high on the agenda for many businesses. He acknowledged that the increases in work permits fees and duties were hard on small businesses in particular, and the increases impacted the bottom line for businesses, stifling expansion, but, the Chamber CEO said, the private sector felt changes to the immigration policy were a significant issue for the overall domestic economy and should not be underestimated.

Pineau added that he still believed businesses were looking for qualified local labour and it was a fallacy that the private sector doesn’t hire Caymanians. The Chamber boss noted that the increase in work permit fees had made Caymanian workers that were properly qualified even more attractive.

Another important issue was training, he observed, adding that at the new Chamber of Commerce location there had been an increased take-up of its courses and training seminars as businesses recognised the importance of well trained, professional employees during tough times.

Pineau said he did believe, however, that things were finally beginning to improve and that Chamber members were reporting improvements in the bottom line this year over last. The changes to rollover, he said, would be a significant help in allowing businesses to manage their talent and he looked forward to seeing the twelve month rollover period reduced.

Crown witness AWOL at trial

Cayman News | 04/10/2010 | 8 Comments

(CNS): A trial for attempted murder due to start in the Grand Court on Monday morning was adjourned after the crown revealed its key witness and complainant in the case could not be located. The charges of attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm against Justin Ramoon were also dropped and replaced with a single count of possession of an imitation firearm. The case relates to a brawl between the defendant and the complainant, allegedly involving a gun, which took place earlier this year. Ramoon has been in custody since February in relation to the original charges, which his attorney told the court the crown was never in a position to prove.

The court heard that Sven Connor, the complainant in the matter, was wanted by the police in other matters, which likely explained his absence.

Ben Tonner, who was representing Ramoon, asked for the case to proceed as his client had been in custody since February and had been anticipating the trial in order to clear his name. Tonner noted that the crown had indicated it was ready for trial at a preliminary enquiry back in August, which was now “plainly not the case”, he told the court.

The defence attorney said he had no objections to the prosecution’s request to change the charges on the indictment as it was not prejudicial to his client. However, what had been prejudicial was the fact that his client had been charged with a crime for the which the crown never had any evidence.

“My client has been in custody since February on a charge that the crown was never in a position to prove and it should not be charging people on evidence it hopes to get but on the evidence it has,’ Tonner said. He asked the court to proceed with the judge alone trial on Monday, as he said the crown’s situation was not likely to have improved by Wednesday.

The chief justice allowed the application by the prosecution for the adjournment but warned the crown that it had only until Wednesday to make its case as the defendant was in custody.

Brian Borden, who was also due to face trial on Monday in a case of wounding, was discharged after the crown offered no evidence in the case against him. The crown said the complainant no longer wished to proceed with the matter, which had occurred some three years ago.

Arrests made in latest killings

Cayman News | 03/10/2010 | 34 Comments

(CNS): Updated Monday 8:30am-Police say they have now arrested four men in relation to Cayman’s two most recent murders. On Sunday a 39-year-old man was arrested in relation to the shooting of 20-year-old Tyrone Burrell, who was killed in Birch Tree Hill, West Bay, in September. Two men were also arrested over the weekend in connection with the violent slaying of Jack Forbes in Bodden Town on Friday night. An 18-year-old and 36-year-old man are both in police custody having been arrested for murder following operations in George Town and North Side in connection with that crime. On Monday morning police confirmed the arrest of a third, 20 year old man, on Sunday also in conncetion with the Forbes murder.(Photo Dennie Warren Jr)

Forbes,who was 49, was reportedly beaten to death in the Plaza Odessa following a fight which had erupted at a bar. The three arrests were made after a series of targeted operations involving USG, CID and uniform officers, police said.

Then on Sunday 3 October another RCIPS joint operation involving CID, uniformed officers, the Air Operations Unit, Scenes of Crime staff and the USG was launched in the Birch Tree Hill area.

During the operation a man was arrested on suspicion of murder, possession of ganja and consumption of ganja. The man currently remains in police custody. Officers said that another 30-year-old man was arrested in the same operation on suspicion of possession of ganja and consumption of ganja.

Burrell was gunned down in what was believed to be another gang related killing in a yard in Birch Tree Hill during a social function, in the same location where Damion Ming was killed in March. Police said that Burrell was not a police witness in any investigation but they believed he did have information relating to a current criminal case and had chosen not to reveal that information. Police have charged 26-year-old Raziel Jeffers with Ming’s killing.

CI has to improve records

Cayman News | 03/10/2010 | 17 Comments

(CNS): Following the first round of the OECD peer review, Cayman has been advised of the need to improve record keeping in the financial sector. In response to some of the shortcomings that were identified in this report, the premier has said government has already taken legislative steps to address the issues raised in the global forum review. The Cayman Islands was one of the first countries to be reviewed regarding financial transparency and exchange of information. Although the report said Cayman had, in general, a well developed legal and regulatory framework, when it came to maintaining accounting information it did not meet international standards. The review also revealed a lack of penalties for entities that do not properly maintain information.

The report said that the absence of appropriate sanctions was of particular concern, given the number of unregulated mutual funds operating in the Cayman Islands. “With an estimated 3,000 unregulated mutual funds resident in the Cayman Islands managing an unknown amount of assets, this deficiency has potentially significant adverse consequences,” the report said.

The report highlighted the issue that while Cayman has enacted laws and regulations to deal with transparency and information exchange, it still has some way to go before they are effectively and properly implemented.

The review highlighted the particular problem of the exemptions of private trust companies from licensing requirements and said this area of “significant omissions” would be examined during the next phase of the reviews. The peer review also found that the local law in respect of accounting records was inconsistent and did not require partnerships and trusts to keep reliable records.

The report did acknowledge, however, that the secrecy provisions in local laws were over ridden when information is required via ‘exchange of information’ and that Cayman’s network for exchange had developed rapidly. It said the latest changes in legislation would be examined in phase two of the pier review.

Following the publication last week of the reports, McKeeva Bush told the global forum at the meeting in Singapore that the Cayman Islands government has taken immediate steps to address the areas that needed improvement identified in the Peer Review Report.

Bush said that amending legislation governing all forms of companies and partnerships were pushed through the country’s parliament on 15 September stipulating a 5-year minimum retention period for the relevant accounting records that all forms of companies are required to maintain and imposed specific obligations on all forms of partnerships, including exempted limited partnerships, to retain relevant accounting records, including underlying documentation.

“Similar legislative amendments in relation to trusts are being finalized for presentation to our legislature and will be presented in November 2010, at the latest,” the premier stated. This next legislation will be dealing with the issue of trusts, which was identified as a problem by the report.

“In order to address the recommendation relating to effective sanctions, each piece of amending legislation includes provisions for enhanced sanctions against companies, partnerships and trusts where they fail to comply with the statutory requirements to maintain relevant accounting information,” Bush added.

He said the Cayman Islands was committed to doing its part in advancing the work of the Global Forum, demonstrated by the continuing commitment to the process, its participation over the past 10 years and the signing of 20 TIEAs, including 16 of the 30 OECD member countries. He pointed out that the review itself was a significant accomplishment for all those involved and was an important contribution to the understanding of each country’s approach to the global standards.

“As a small country with unique expertise to share, we look forward to making a distinctive contribution in this critical area for many more years to come,” Bush told the forum.

The Cayman Islands was one of the first of eight countries to be assessed under the Global Forum’s Peer Review Programme. The reports of the assessed countries were approved at the Peer Review Group meeting held in July in the Bahamas and were eventually adopted at the Singapore meeting. The Cayman Islands is a member of the Global Forum, as well as a member of the Steering Group and Peer Review Group. The other countries included Bermuda, India, Botswana, Jamaica, Monaco, Panama and Qatar.

Following the publication of these first reviews, the Chair of the Global Forum, Mike Rawstron of Australia, said the jurisdictions involved were taking the standards seriously. “This is the most comprehensive, in-depth review on international tax co-operation ever. There has been a lot of progress over the past 18 months, but with these reviews we are putting international tax co-operation under a magnifying glass,” he said “The peer review process will identify jurisdictions that are not implementing the standards. These will be provided with guidance on the changes required and a deadline to report back on the improvements they have made.

He said the reports show that this is not just a numbers game but about having legal and regulatory frameworks which enable effective exchange of information.

A delegation of eight people from Cayman headed by the premier as minister of finance, attended the meeting in Singapore last week where the reports on all eight countries were revealed as well as the OECD’s next steps for the review process.

The Cayman Islands delegates joined those from 79 jurisdictions and a number of international organisations. During the Global Forum, the Cayman Islands delegation also completed technical negotiations with India and Greece and initialled the agreed text of the tax information exchange agreements with these two countries. It is expected that the agreements will be officially signed before the end of this year

See full report

Man killed in Bodden Town

Cayman News | 02/10/2010 | 120 Comments

(CNS): Policehave confirmed that they have launched a murder enquiry this evening (Friday 1 October) following an incident at the Plaza Odessa in Bodden Town. At around 6:20pm emergency services were called to the scene (by Chester’s), where they found a man lying on the ground who had sustained very serious injuries and had lost consciousness. Although medical personnel administered CPR, the man was pronounced dead. Police said that they had no other details at this stage but asked for anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them or Crime Stoppers. Other sources told CNS that the man was involved in a major fight in which it appeared he was the victim of an orchestrated attack and stabbed several times as well as hit over the head. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)

People who may be able to assist with the enquiry are asked to contact Bodden Town police station on 947-2220 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number 800-8477 (TIPS).

Check back to CNS later for more updates