Cayman Royal Cayman Islands Police Embroiled in Corruption

The officers above were not necessarily the ones put on suspension.

The Governor of the Cayman Islands, His Excellency Stuart Jack, CVO, today (Thursday, 27 March) announced that he has put three senior police officers on required leave to facilitate enquiries into allegations against officers of the Royal Cayman Islands Polput on ice Service (RCIPS). Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan, Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Dixon and Detective Chief Superintendent John Jones were put on required leave with immediate effect to enable an investigating team from the Metropolitan Police Service led by DCS Martin Bridger to proceed with their enquiries. This action follows a separate investigation by Mr Bridger’s team into serious allegations made against the Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ennis and the editor in chief of Cayman Net News Desmond Seales. “The investigating team has shown that these allegations were false. However, in the course of their original investigation certain other matters have come to light which now, in the interest of protecting the high standards of the RCIPS, we must look into,” the Governor explained.

Although the Governor said that it could cause “some anxiety”, he urged the community to look at the positive outcomes of these matters: “It sends a clear signal that regardless of position, serious allegations will be investigated, and that we are committed to pursue the highest ethical standards in public office without fear or favour. It also serves as an assurance to our community that illegal or unethical actions that tarnish the reputation or interfere with the media will not be allowed.” Further in his statement to the media Governor Jack emphasised that the decision to take action against these top level officers was not taken lightly: “It was after very careful examination by me of the information that have been gathered to date. I am grateful for the valuable advice received from the Attorney General’s Office. And of course I was also mindful of the high public office that these individuals hold.” He added: “The enquiries are ongoing and I want to make it clear at this point that no judgment has been made as to the guilt, innocence or culpability of any person.

The decision to put these officers on required leave was made to protect the integrity of the enquiries to be made and it shows fairness to the officers involved.” The conditions of the required leave will be under constant review by HE the Governor as the investigation progresses. To lead the RCIPS in the interim the Governor has appointed David George, an UK police officer, as Acting Commissioner. While Mr Jack pledged to make every effort to keep the community informed, he did say that the sensitivity of the issues involved as well as the sub judice rule will restrict the amount of information the investigative team can provide. The Governor urged the community to steer clear of “sensationalism and divisive politics” and instead work together to combat rumour, innuendo and mischief making.

Offshore Financial Centers: Myth And Reality

Bryan Hunter

For too long, offshore financial centers like the Cayman Islands have been stereotyped as refuges for the wealthy to stash their fortunes. Like most stereotypes that grow more out of myth than reality, the role of today's offshore financial centers is quite different from what many perceive.

Successful offshore financial centers uphold global transparency and cooperation standards and enable market efficiency and competition. It's time to dispel the stereotypes that have long driven global efforts to stem the vital role of financial services centers. The realities of what offshore financial centers are and their contributions to global financial markets are explained below, alongside four of the most commonly held myths.

Myth: Offshore financial centers only benefit the rich and powerful.

Reality: The Cayman Islands and other offshore financial centers compete aggressively with each other every day to offer the most cost-efficient environment for international capital flow. This competitive market allows companies to raise financing and package financial risk more economically. These efficiencies benefit businesses, consumers of goods and services sold by these companies around the world and shareholders, which include such venerable clientèle as non-profit endowments and public-sector pension funds.

Myth: Companies and investors doing business in offshore financial centers are driven by a need for secrecy.

Reality: Today's successful offshore financial centers have a long history of promoting commercial certainty for global clientèle. For the Cayman Islands, this has meant adherence to recognized and relevant international standards--not absence of regulation--which has helped fuel sustainable growth of the sector. Since the early- to mid-1980s, the Cayman Islands has progressively reinforced its international cooperation channels in law enforcement, regulation and exchange of information on tax matters. These channels include a tax information exchange agreement that was signed with the U.S. in 2001 and is in force, as well as a mutual legal assistance treaty with the U.S. on criminal matters in effect since 1990 and under which the Cayman Islands and the U.S. have cooperated in some 230 requests for assistance.

Myth: Offshore financial centers prey upon other countries' tax codes, fostering illegal tax shelters.

Reality: Investors and/or their advisers choose the Cayman Islands for tax neutrality. This simply means that investors and their specific corporate activities--which can often involve two or more countries--are not subject to additional layers of taxation over and above those of their home country, which is where capital flows ultimately end up and are then taxed. In a similar context, numerous U.S. companies have left states where they were founded or have substantial business operations and established registered offices in Delaware, Nevada, Colorado and Texas so they can take advantage of the tax savings and efficiencies of having a registered office there. This is not seen as being shady or unduly evasive in the least.

Myth: Offshore financial centers foster illicit activity and are unregulated.

Reality: The Cayman Islands has a strong track record of effectively regulating a full spectrum of financial services that measures up with standards found anywhere in the world. Effective oversight of complex financial activity--where literally billions of dollars trade hands every day--can only be accomplished by regulating services typically unregulated in other global regimes, such as company formation services, trust-services providers and fund administration. In addition, the Cayman Islands government invests significantly back into regulation and into combating cross-border financial crime.

Over the past 15 years, the Cayman Islands financial regulation and prevention of financial crime regimes have been evaluated, "road-tested" and recognized by many third-party organizations such as the IMF, FATF and OECD. The Cayman Islands continues to participate in these valuable "health checks" to help ensure the integrity of its regimes.

Due to necessity and market expectations, offshore financial centers must be mature, sophisticated and specialized providers of financial services with sound legal frameworks and modern infrastructure in order to succeed. The "Big Four" accounting and auditing firms, most of the world's fund-service providers and substantially all of the world's top global banks have a presence in the Cayman Islands.

It's time to focus on the reality. Offshore financial centers are increasingly critical economic catalysts in today's fast-paced, cross-border, open-market system. Their continued and singular focus on transparency and appropriate levels of regulation is vital to a dynamic and resilient global economy.

Quick Facts about The Cayman Islands

1. The Cayman Islands were discovered in 1503 by Christopher Columbus. They were originally named “Tortugas” [Spanish for turtles] due to their large population of green sea turtles.
2. Grand Cayman is 22 miles long and less than 8 miles wide. Maximum elevation is about 60 ft.
3. Corals, which resemble colorful rocks and plants, are actually vast colonies of tiny animals. Coral reefs are home to over 25% of all marine life and are among the most fragile and endangered ecosystems.
4. It can take 5 to 10 thousand years for a fully developed reef system to evolve.
5. Over 400 species of fish and over 100 species of coral inhabit Cayman’s reef.
6. A Nor’ wester is a storm which generates strong winds and high seas along the north and west area of the island. Nor’ westers occasionally occur between November and April, usually lasting 2-3 days.
7. Pollution, over -fishing, reckless dredging and nefarious diving practices are leading causes of reef destruction.
8. Turtles are air breathing reptiles who must surface every hour or so to breathe. Look for them resting on the surface in between dives.
9. Fire coral appears in many intricate forms. However, it delivers a painful sting upon contact with skin. Vinegar or isopropyl alcohol will help alleviate the pain.
10. The wreck of the ten sails, off the shores of East End is a monument to the bravery of many Camanian men who, in 1794 risked their lives to rescue the crew of this ill- fated expedition from England when they floundered on the reef. Legend has it that in appreciation of their heroic efforts, King George III granted permanent tax -free status to the Cayman Islands.
11. Cayman is a Christian country and as such observes the Sunday Sabbath. Supermarkets, bars, nightclubs and liquor stores are closed. It is forbidden to dance on Sundays, and establishments are only permitted to play soft, background music. Bars are required to close early on Saturday night and must be empty by midnight to observe the Sabbath.
12. With a resident population of less than 200, shy iguanas and rare birds out-number humans on Little Cayman. Little Cayman has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby (5000 pairs) and only breeding colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds in this hemisphere.
13. Black corals are not harvested in the Cayman Islands. It is imported for crafting from places such as; Honduras by professional divers, at depths and locations well outside the recreational dive limits.
14. The hurricane season is from 1st June to 30th November.
15. There are approximately 4,000 hotel and condo rooms available to visitors most of which are adjacent to the Seven Mile Beach.
16. Hurricane Ivan left most of the reefs intact and made many of the existing sites different and more exciting. Shipwrecks render a bridge from past to future as their slow decay affords birth to new living reef.

Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Lacoste available at Camana Bay

NKY at Camana Bay opens its doors to the public on Friday, 7 March. Presenting the latest collections from today’s top fashion designers, the stylish new store offers a wide choice of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.

Visitors to Camana Bay will find NKY at the crossroads of The Paseo and Market Street, at the very heart of the Town Centre. The 2,200 square foot store, decorated with dark hardwood floors, Grecian pillars and a beautiful leather sales desk, is a stunning showcase for some of the best-selling names in fashion. Lines available at NKY include popular brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Calvin Klein Underwear, Tommy Bahama and Façonnable. New additions to the portfolio are Paul & Shark, a collection of yachting and sportswear, Robert Graham’s beautiful woven shirts and Nilika by Xsara, an Israeli designer who has fast become one of the hottest labels in Miami.

NKY’s owner Nicola de Lima says, “NKY’s mission in fashion retail is directed towards our local residents and visitors. Our objective is to offer the latest collections from all of our lines at competitive pricing from all of our designers. NKY now eliminates the need for anyone who lives on the Island to have to travel off island to do their shopping. Our new location at Camana Bay is the ideal venue for the top designers’ labels we carry. They are as excited to be a part of such a great new shopping destination as I am.”

Accessories are also a key focus for NKY, where a dedicated handbag and shoe gallery will provide irresistible temptation for window shoppers and browsers. Even canine fashion followers will be well catered to with a fun and glitzy range of dog accessories.

“We are delighted to have NKY leading the way as our first clothing and fashion store in the Town Centre,” said Jackie Doak, Executive Vice President of Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd, the developers of Camana Bay.

Editors note: The brands selling in this store are notoriously discounted, and marked down designer labels that are available in Miami, New York, California, Detroit, Chicago, and Toronto for almost next to nothing.

Cayman carbon footprint raises concern

The United States Energy Department’s Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center has ranked the Cayman Islands at number 55 on a list of 207 countries, for global carbon emissions per person.

Published on the BBC website in December 2007, in a study where all countries want to come in last, Cayman’s carbon footprint leaves a worldwide impression.

According to the report, the Cayman Islands national emissions (thousands of tonnes of carbon) are 85, and emissions per person (tonnes of carbon) equals 1.96. The statistics are for 2004, the year of Hurricane Ivan.

After several telephone calls and emails to the Department of Environment Health (DEH) this week, Cayman Net News received no comments at press time. An initial enquiry to the Department of Environment resulted in the newspaper being directed to the DEH Assistant Director Sean McGinn, who has responsibilities for the Solid Waste Unit.

Trinidad and Tobago, Netherlands Antilles, and Bermuda are the only Caribbean islands ranked above the Cayman Islands in the US Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis.

The definition of carbon emissions is: a polluting carbon substance released into the atmosphere; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide produced by motor vehicles and industrial processes and forming pollutants in the atmosphere.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

Shootings and Stabbings in Grand Cayman...

Three separate, and apparently unrelated attacks left one man dead and three others critically injured overnight Friday.


The attacks, a shooting and two stabbings, all occurred just outside Grand Cayman nightclubs between the hours of midnight and 3am.

In the first incident, a 21–year–old man was stabbed in the throat during a fight outside the Pit Stop bar (also known as the Everglow Bar) in Bodden Town. The victim was picked up by an ambulance after friends drove him part of the way into George Town. He was later pronounced dead.

A 20–year–old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the stabbing attack.

Just a short while later, a fight broke out in the parking lot of the ShirReynolds bar on Eastern Avenue, George Town. Witnesses reported several men were fighting. Two of them, a 28–year–old and a 40–year–old, ended up with stab wounds and were hospitalised in critical condition Saturday.

About 90 minutes after the ShirReynolds incident a man was shot in the head outside of Pepper’s Lounge on West Bay Road, George Town. Witnesses there said the man was leaving the bar around 2.30am and had gotten into a car when he was shot by someone pointing a gun through the window.

Police expected the victim in the shooting would be airlifted off island for further medical treatment. Police did not report arrests in either the stabbing outside ShirReynolds, or the shooting outside Pepper’s Lounge.

The homicide in Bodden Town was the third so far this year in Grand Cayman. Last year, there were three killings on the main island for the entire year.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said the three incidents which occurred in the early morning hours were a rarity for the country. Acting Police Commissioner Rudolph Dixon said officers would be out in force the remainder of the weekend.

John McEnroe at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman April 16-20, 2008

Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe has been announced as a participant in both fields at the Oliver Group Champions Cup in Naples, Fla., on March 12-16, and at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Legends Championship on April 16-20, both stops on the 2008 Outback Champions Series senior tennis tour.

1994 Australian Open finalist and 1999 US Open runner-up Todd Martin. Courier, Ferreira and Jimmy Arias join McEnroe in the field in the Cayman Islands.

Tickets for The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and The Oliver Group Champions Cup begin at just $15 and can be purchased by calling 877-332-TIXX (8499) or 954-241-7936.

New Health Care Services Planned at Private Hospital

"Dr" Steve Tomlinson. Owner of the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital

Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital (CTMH), in association with Sagicor General Insurance, will host a very important and historic news conference at the CTMH Physio-Therapy Department in George Town at 5:00 pm on Thursday, 24 January.
At this event, the CTMH will be announcing the launch of a new range of healthcare services, which are expected to bring tremendous benefits to the residents of the Cayman Islands.
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, the only private hospital in the Cayman Islands, said it offers the highest standard of care with the most sophisticated medical equipment and specialist services.
“Our staff of highly qualified professionals provides you with excellent private healthcare services and quality customer service,” the CTMH said.
The other major health facility in Grand Cayman is the George Town Hospital run by the Health Services Authority (HSA).

Jan 2008 - Restaurant Review

Lobster Pot

Located in Georgetown, this is a restaurant that disappoints in many ways. Not listening to previous reviews that were unpleasant was our first mistake. As well, my dinner partner had dined there a few ago and had warned me that her meal was disappointing.

We arrived for an evening experience and had trouble locating the door for the establishment. That was our second mistake. We were seated and our server although cordial, he was not attentive enough. He brought sparkling water instead of distilled for my friend, and was very lax with with the service.

The ultimate mistake that we made was ordering our meal from the Lobster Pot. I ordered the Caribbean lobster tail. It was in season, and the restaurant touts itself as buying seafood "fresh off the boat". The lobster tail was bland and boring, as was the uninspiring crab legs, overcooked potato, and wilted vegetables it came with. My friend's steak fared no better. It was cooked to order, but a rather tasteless hunk of meat. Again, with the same boring accompaniments...wilted vegetables, and an overcooked potato.

Not even the boring color choice of decor, dark and dingy carpeting, and cramped environment could outdo the outrageous price that we had to pay for sub-par food, and service.

On our way out it was noted by us both of us (being in high heeled shoes), that there was not enough lighting to see the sharp drop one had to make from the restaurant to stairway. There was also no warning sign to watch our step.

Do not go to the Lobster Pot in Grand Cayman Islands, unless you enjoy bland, overpriced meals, in cramped, depressing settings, and want to dislocate a hip or two.

Calypso Grill

Located next to Morgan's Harbor, this restaurant really has it together. I have been here many times and every experience has been very pleasant. I will say that one of those experiences was marred by a young server who had dropped the cap on our bottled water on the floor. She simply picked it up and plopped it right back on the bottle smiling at our dismayed faces. "What, if fell right side up", she said. Needless to say we insisted and received a new bottle of water at no additional charge.

Once you have arrived, you are seated promptly, and brought a small chalkboard with the days specials. Delicious bread arrives fairly quickly, as does a selection of libations or bottled water.

Menu keepers are the fabulous tuna carpaccio appetizer, and spinach and arugula salad. Fabulous mains that you must try include, the Chilean sea bass, lobster and shrimp in white wine cream sauce, and rack of lamb, Finally, you absolutely MUST have their island favorite - "Sticky Toffee" pudding with vanilla ice cream.

Great food, consistent service, beautiful ambience, and a lovely out of the way location, makes Calypso Grill my absolutely favorite restaurant in Grand Cayman.

Cayman Islands to residents: Don't sidestep Sunday dancing ban


GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) - Authorities in this conservative offshore banking hub are warning bars and nightclubs not to sidestep a Sunday ban on dancing and loud music.
Violators of the law, designed to encourage church attendance, run the risk of losing their liquor license, be fined US$500 (¤335) or spending a month in
jail.
The head of the Cayman Islands' liquor licensing board on Tuesday warned that dancing on the day of rest will not be tolerated.
«It is imperative that license holders adhere to the requirements,» board chairman Mitchell Welds said in a statement. «Recently we have received numerous reports of music and dancing on Sundays.
Not everyone in this buttoned-down offshore banking hub agrees with clamping down on Sunday revelry.

Harry Lalli, owner of the Next Level nightclub on Grand Cayman, described the restriction as outdated in the British Caribbean dependency, where the footloose have to call it a night shortly before midnight on Saturdays.
«Saturday night brings in the least amount of revenue,» Lalli said. «We just close on Sundays. What's the point in staying open.

Grand Cayman on the cheap...

Budgeting for fun in the Cayman sun

By KATE P.

Suggest the Cayman Islands to heat-starved individuals and they immediately think high finance -- not affordable holiday.

After all, didn't Tom Cruise's cohorts stash millions on Grand Cayman in The Firm? Aren't some 449 banks doing business here? And what about the massive building boom sending hotels skyward and upping prices on restaurant menus overseen by the likes of superstar Michelin-starred chef Eric Ripert at the Ritz, the same Ritz that made Conde Nast Traveler's Hot List last year?

Happily, you don't need the bank account of Bill Gates to enjoy the lures of Grand Cayman (although you might run into a royal or two as we did when we shook hands with Prince Edward at a National Historic Site). Sure, you won't find the plethora of all-inclusives where you can eat for "free" round the clock. But in my mind, that's a good thing.

Rent a car and tour the island. It costs nothing to savour treats provided by Mother Nature -- like superb snorkelling just offshore in turquoise waters teeming with fish, swinging in a hammock under the Casuarina trees at Rum Point or skimming your toes through some of the best white sand in the Caribbean. All beaches are public including those on ritzy hotel properties.

Plus, many budget hotels like Comfort Suites & Resort, where we stayed last winter, offer suites with kitchen facilities where you can offset those gourmet meals. You really must sample the current foodie extravaganza that's taking over the island. Pick up a coupon book or two at the airport or tourist office and try Portofino for a scrumptious East Indian and roast beef Sunday brunch overlooking the ocean ($18.95) or Coconut Joe's for free happy hour munchies.

Instead of a pricey dinner, opt for waterside lunch at Calypso Grill (their sticky toffee pudding is famous) or an appetizer plate for two and a Stingray Beer on the seaside patio of the Cracked Conch ($21 brings spicy red and creamy white chowder, conch and lobster salad and conch fritters with three sauces).

Between food bursts, visit attractions that are free or cost peanuts, like the new Butterfly Farm, where one admission lets you visit as often as you like. Catherine Edward from Cambridge, Ont., strolled us past some of the 1,100 butterflies flitting through the charming fenced garden and taught us interesting butterfly lore (after mating, males head for the fruit "bar"; females can smell flowers up to five miles away).

At the fascinating Pedro St. James "Castle," Stacy Eden "Mickey" Hurlston, a direct descendent of the fellow whose slaves built the mahogany home in 1780, taught us history. This is where the abolition of slavery was proclaimed in 1835 from the top of the outside steps. Hurlston's mom was born in the house in 1910 and cut the ribbon at the official 1998 opening.

"She was impressed," he said.

The seaward view from the second-floor verandah is alone worth the visit.

Of course, this island isn't all heaven. At some point, you'll likely end up in Hell, in West Bay "at the end of a road paved with good intentions!"

This jagged outcropping of blackened limestone attracts busloads, so go early to take photos or post a postcard stamped "Hell" at the tiny government post office.

"My, it's hot today," remarked a local woman as she sat fanning herself outside. I couldn't resist, "I thought it was always hot in Hell."

I bet she's heard this before but she laughed anyway.

Then it was time to head back to Seven Mile Beach for a perfectly heavenly free swim.

Cayman still has NO official island wide recycling, ban on engine idling, or plans to move the offensive smelling dump.

OPINION PIECE by one of our readers: Recycling is still just a word "DEH calls for recycling" is the headline today in the Caycompass.com, but the onus is not put on individuals to make recycling part of their daily routine. No one feels guilty tossing that beer bottle in with newspapers and sytrofoam containers, because no collection containers are conveniently provided for that purpose. So while the rest of the modern and civilized world recycles, Cayman unabashedly languishes behind in cleaning up their garbage efficiently.
Here is the article: "Make a New Year’s resolution to make recycling a part of your routine, is the word from the Department of Environmental Health (DEH). Protecting our environment by recycling is becoming a top priority for many people in the Cayman Islands,” said the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) Director Roydell Carter. It’s an issue that concerns many people – not only in the Cayman Islands, but throughout the Caribbean, and throughout the world. In order to do their part, the DEH collects aluminium cans, used motor oil and lead acid batteries in Grand Cayman for recycling. These items are stored at the landfill until sufficient quantities are collected, after which they are shipped to a recycling facility in the US. And after the holidays, the public is encouraged to drop their natural Christmas trees at specific locations in Grand Cayman, so that the tress can be recycled into mulch. DEH also has the following tips to help residents recycle year round, at home and in the office. Everyone can take part in recycling; everyone can do their part to help the environment,” said DEH Public Education and Promotions Officer Tania Johnson. The article ends at this point. Where are those recycling tips Tania? --------------- Automobile idling is rampant in Grand Cayman You see it everyday. It's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, yes. But witness the SUV with the motor running, air conditioning going, and the missing occupant. Oh, they have been in the bank line up for the past 30 minutes. They finally stroll back to their vehicle, heave their sweaty, oversized butts into the coolness of the drivers seat and take off. This monumental contribution to the depletion of the ozone layer is played out thousands of times a month by ignorant Caymanians everywhere. Here are some facts for your foolish and selfish acts: The average car produces its own weight in CO2 emissions each year. By not idling you’ll reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to problems such as smog and global warming and depletion of the ozone layer. Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting your engine. Depend ing on gas prices, you can expect to save well over $70 per year just by turning off your engine. Idling a vehicle for 10 minutes a day uses up more than 100 litres of gas a year. By turning your engine off, you and others around you won’t have to breathe unhealthy exhaust fumes from a vehicle going nowhere. SO TURN OFF YOUR BLOODY ENGINES WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR LARD ASSES! ---------------------- The Grand Cayman Dump An embarassment to the country and a gut wrenching, offensive smelling, barely hidden, monstrosity that keeps growing. What to do with this island's garbage dump is apparently still a mystery to the Cayman government. Located along the well traveled bypass, which is then only about a hundred meters from some prime "Seven Mile" beach, the smell that emanates from the waste in this place has made me wretch several times since living on this island. It is amazing to me that several residential complexes and developments have gone up around the dump that were selling for more that $100, 000. One could not pay me to live in such putrid conditions on a daily basis. Perhaps with the decades old ongoing promise of moving the dump further inland, the value of those dwellings would show itself in the future, but for now no such action is forthcoming.

Two Newspapers in Cayman - Two Different Perspectives

The Caymanian Compass is the Cayman Islands’ only Daily Newspaper. Established in 1965, the paper is published Monday through Friday. It is widely rumoured that articles in the Compass are often subject to various forms of censorship. As such it proudly bills itself as "Cayman's National Newspaper" and "the Cayman Islands leading newspaper".

The Cayman Net News describes itself as "The first quality-broadsheet to be published daily in the Cayman Islands, the new-look Net News delivers timely, in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the issues of the day..." and "considered the leader in presentation of news of the Cayman Islands to a very wide readership at home and overseas."

The Caymanian Compass often purports the Net News to be the 'tabloid' newspaper. However, the Net News presents an unbiased look at the news in Cayman without having to save face. Both of theses newspapers are necessary, and for all intents and purposes, each one serves to keep the other in check.

Quindel Ames Victim of Hit and Run

Published on Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Christmas celebrations turned to tragedy last Saturday night as a 55-year-old woman was knocked down and killed in West Bay by a hit and run driver. Quindel Coleen Ames of Prospect Drive, George Town, was an accounts manager with the Health Services Authority (HSA). She had been attending an office party at Boatswain’s Beach and was hit by a car while using the pedestrian crossing outside the tourist attraction on North West Point Road. According to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), at approximately 11:30 pm on Saturday, 15 December, the 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call from a member of the public reporting that a woman had been knocked down by a car on the pedestrian crossing outside Boatswain’s Beach, North West Point Road, and the driver had not stopped. Police and an ambulance responded to the call, and Ms Ames was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police officers investigating the death believe the car involved to be dark in colour and are actively seeking information on its whereabouts and that of the driver. It is also believed that the vehicle would have sustained front-end damage; police are asking local residents to keep a lookout for the damaged car and report anything they see to the police. The vehicle is understood to have been driven past Boatswain’s Beach before the accident and had turned round to head back along the road before the collision occurred. “We need to hear from anyone who has information in relation to this car,” said Investigating Officer, Inspector Adrian Barnett, adding, “If your friend, relative or neighbour returned home last night with front-end damage, please contact the police immediately. If you see a car abandoned with front-end damage - call the police immediately. We need to locate the driver as quickly as possible.” A major incident room has been established at the Traffic Management Unit and anyone with any information can call investigating officers on 946-6372 or 946-6254 or the Senior Investigating Officer, Chief Inspector Courtney Myles direct on 926-0649. A number of people were in the area at the time of the collision and the police are asking anyone who was there on Saturday night and who has not yet spoken to them to get in touch as soon as possible. All information received will be treated in confidence and the RCIPS are appealing for any member of the public wishing to pass on information, no matter how trivial they feel it may be, to contact them and help find the driver of the vehicle. Even before this incident, North West Point Road had been identified by the RCIPS as a road safety problem area. Officers had been operating speed and vehicle checks on the road along with regular deployments of the speed indicator sign. UPDATE: A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and leaving the scene of an accident, following a fatal hit a run on Saturday, 15 December 2007, has been released on police bail pending further investigations. The man from West Bay was arrested on Tuesday, 18 December following the death of 55-year-old Quindel Coleen Ames, of George Town.

The Annual Magnum Jewelry Party

Jewelry designer Harry Chandi with models: Ambuyah Ebanks, Belinda Hart,
Stephanie Espeut and Josephine Shibli.

Magnum is a well known name in Grand Cayman. An accomplished jeweler, Chandi designs many of the original pieces on display in the store, some of which are entirely unique. Situated in the down town harbor front area Magnum may be a magnet for cruise visitors, but Chandi also has a loyal following of local customers who come back time and again to see his latest creations.

Chandi's glitzy party offered Cayman's "A Listers" the opportunity to see some of his most creative designs just in time for Xmas. Customers gathered around glittering glass cases, while the experts at Magnum explained that diamonds remain as popular as ever among customers. The rare colored stones from Australia such as canary diamonds which radiate an incredible yellow sunny hue, as well as the delicate pink and blue diamonds, are especially attractive as they make for unusual and beautiful pieces. The combination of a timeless diamond with a delicate color is a very attractive option for those seeking something a little more unique for their jewelry collection.

*Tip* You can wheel and deal with the specialists at Magnum, don't buy at face value.

Cayman Links

Cayman Islands Government www.gov.ky www.legislativeassembly.ky (Parliament) www.immigration.gov.ky (Department of Immigration) www.caymanislandscustoms.com (Customs Department) www.occ.gov.ky (Office of the Complaints Commissioner) www.npo.gov.ky (National Pensions Office) www.hic.ky (Health Insurance Commission) www.constitution.gov.ky (Constitution Modernization Initiative) www.foi.gov.ky (Freedom of Information) www.humanrights.ky (Cayman Islands Human Rights Committee) Tourism www.caymanislands.ky (Department of Tourism) www.itsyourstoexplore.com (Sister Islands Tourism) www.naturecayman.com (Nature Tourism) www.atlantiscaymanbrac.com (Cayman Brac's Lost City of Atlantis) Schools and Education www.brighterfutures.gov.ky (Ministry of Education) www.ucci.edu.ky (University College of the Cayman Islands) www.johngrayrecyclers.org (JGHS environmental programme) http://buildingcaymansfuture.blogspot.com (Education Ministry Blog) http://buildingexcellencetogether.blogspot.com (Department Education Services Blog) Conservation www.nationaltrust.org.ky (National Trust for the Cayman Islands) www.reefresearch.org (Central Caribbean Marine Institute) www.johngrayrecyclers.org (JGHS environmental programme) www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/projects/little_cayman (Little Cayman Turtle Project) Publications www.caymannewresident.com (New Resident Magazine) www.grandcaymanmagazine.com (GCM Editorials online)

Cayman Islands Weather www.weatherincayman.com C&W Yellow Pages www.caymanislandsyp.com Politics www.pfr.ky (People For Referendum) http://marlroad.com (Public Forum) Cayman Media Radio www.radiocayman.gov.ky www.dmsbroadcasting.ky www.z99.ky www.rooster101.ky www.vibefm.ky Television www.cayman27.com.ky Newspapers www.caymanobserver.com (weekly) www.caymannetnews.com (daily) www.caycompass.com (daily) www.cayjournal.com (monthly)

Commentary: Everybody's Business: Loopholes

Published on Friday, December 7, 2007

By: Gordon Barlow

In several past columns I have wondered how realistic it is to claim that Cayman operates according to the rule of law. There are just too many situations where unwritten rules and traditions carry more weight than laws solemnly passed by our legislators.

Where the Immigration Law applies, decisions are often made – and have always been often made – by Immigration Officers or Boards of political cronies in pursuit of either their personal agendas or their political agendas.

The political agendas (“stick it to the Jamaicans”, for instance) are clear, despite pro-forma denials; but personal agendas (“toss this man off the Island because he dumped my friend’s daughter”, for instance) are usually secret. I can’t see the Freedom of Information Law being of any help there...

Other decisions are sometimes made – and have always been sometimes made – by some public servants in pursuit of either their personal agendas or what they personally perceive as Cayman’s national interests.

The perceived national-interest agendas and the personal agendas tend to coincide more often than pure coincidence warrants. “It is in Cayman’s best interests that my generous and powerful friend gets to do what he wants to do.” Oh, really?

The draft Freedom of Information Law is as full of loopholes as the Immigration law is. Each of them might as well begin with the words, “All Sections of this Law may be enforced or not enforced at the complete discretion of whoever is in charge at the moment.”

In many ways, Caymanians’ selective attitude towards law-enforcement reflects the Islands’ history.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries “the lawless Caymanas” had few formal laws at all. For most of that time, the rules of life were made by pirates and slave-owners. We have plenty of laws now, but old habits die hard.

In Cayman, not everybody in our society is held accountable to the laws or the courts, because of all the discretionary exemptions. If you know a person with influence, he can use his discretionary authority to let you do what you want. So much for the rule of law.

In Cayman, it can take seventeen court appearances and four years of absent prosecution witnesses before a criminal accusation is finally thrown out by the seventeenth judge. In that particular case, which ended just last week, the victim received no compensation for her ordeal. The government lawyers and the Police witnesses were not held accountable.

Grand Cayman loses Hyatt hotel in name only

The Hyatt name will disappear from the Hyatt Regency (Grand Cayman) on Monday, 31 December 2007.

A press release from Global Hyatt Corporation, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, on Tuesday, 4 December said, “Following a successful presence on Grand Cayman for two decades, Hyatt has announced that its 20 year contractual agreement expires on December 31, 2007 after which date it will no longer manage Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman.”

According to the release, the owner of the hotel, Embassy Investments Limited, will continue independently to operate the 53-suites section of the resort on the world famous Seven Mile Beach (a stone’s throw away) under the name of Grand Cayman Beach Suites.

Since Hurricane Ivan severely damaged the 253-guestroom section of the property in September 2004, it has remained closed while the owners and insurers battle over storm damage claims. The suites section has been back in operation for over two years.

“Nothing will change except for the Hyatt name. The quality of the product and services will remain at its highest level,” said Diego Concha, General Manager of Hyatt Regency (Grand Cayman).
When asked if Hyatt Hotels and Resorts will be looking to operate other properties in Cayman, Mr Concha said: “Hyatt remains committed to Grand Cayman and open to new opportunities. We will be very attentive to future developments.”

Hyatt will continue to work closely with the Grand Cayman Beach Suites, the release said.

The "Educated Caymanian"

Perhaps Minister McLaughlin can take these mandates to the schools and make it a school requirement. While he's at it he can also get the guy who put in his hair plugs to give an impromptu lecture on how to ineptly transplant hair so that it becomes extremely distracting.

Lobster Season Begins!

Lobster season officially began on Saturday December 1, 2007 and will last until February 29th 2008. No more frozen lobsters from the USA disguising themselves as all you can eat lobsters at Deckers. No more overpriced, but bland lobsters at the lobster pot.

Make sure you call ahead to your restaurant of choice and ask if the lobster is a Cayman catch, and then make a reservation securing your lobster.

Fresh lobster reigns in Cayman until the begining of next year. Come and get it!

Got questions about Cayman's Offshore Funds & Financial Services?

We've got the answers.
Email us at: cayman_info.g70 at gishpuppy dot com
Brought to you in conjuction with
legal services.
Walker House, 87 Mary Street, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9001, Cayman Islands

Owning a Timeshare in Grand Cayman

A relatively new concept to become popular in the Cayman Islands, timeshare ownership is now available at several existing resorts in the Cayman Islands. The timeshare concept of ownership has long been popular in the United States and the enthusiasm for this flexible, variable type of condominium ownership is becoming increasingly popular in a modern real estate market where buyers have a thirst for easy maintenance property ownership and the flexibility to exchange (for example) their timeshare at a ski resort property for a island condominium in the Cayman Islands, and vice versa. Timeshare offers many people the chance for an ownership interest in a beautiful five star resort that may have been cost-prohibitive to buy outright, particularly if the owner only intends to use the condominium a few weeks per year.

Major hotel chains worldwide, including Marriott and Wyndham worldwide are embracing the timeshare concept and putting their flag on many timeshare resorts, making the timeshare concept more attractive than ever to purchasers who are brand conscious. Even the Ritz-Carlton offers a type of ownership that is based on the timeshare concept, where owners have a right to use their condominium for only a certain fixed period of weeks and the rest of the time the condominium is managed by the hotel and generates income for the owner.

However easy it may be to use your timeshare once acquired, in reality the legalities and terminology of the timeshare industry can be confusing and I hope that this article will help readers wade through the flood of information that is available about timeshares and get to the essence of what timeshare is, as understanding timeshare will open a world of benefits to purchasers that traditional property purchases cannot offer.

I. Types of Timeshare

Timeshare, which is also commonly known and referred to as vacation ownership or interval ownership, essentially means ownership of the rights to use a particular property a certain amount of time per year together with other owners. Traditionally sold in units of one week, fifty-one owners will "buy" a condominium and share the time to use it depending on which weeks they purchase. One week of each year is usually held back by the developer for maintenance and is not sold. The weeks that are sold can be fixed or floating weeks (discussed below).

There are essentially four types of timeshare programs: deeded ownership, right-to-use/leasehold, points clubs and club/trust structures. Deeded ownership involves receiving an actual title deed for your timeshare interest and is primarily available in the United States. As deeded ownership is not available in the Cayman Islands, this article will cover the three types of timeshare programs that are possible in the Cayman Islands, as well as an overview of a few important timeshare concepts.

a. Right-to-Use/Leasehold/Fractionals

The most common form of timeshare program in the Cayman Islands is a right-to-use a week, or a block of weeks (called a fraction), of a resort club or membership company, backed by a long term lease of the resort property from the developer to the club or membership company of anywhere from 50 – 999 years. The lease is registered on the title of the resort and should contain protections for the club/membership company from the sale, transfer, assignment or foreclosure of the resort property by the developer for the duration of the lease.

The interest of the purchaser in a right-to-use program is essentially a contractual interest, a right to use the property, rather than an actual property interest but this holds several advantages for the purchaser. First, and most importantly, the purchaser does not have to pay stamp duty on their purchase as is the case with purchasing property and taking title, which would currently attract a stamp duty of 7.5% in the Seven Mile Beach area. Second, the purchaser receives significant savings in purchasing only the weeks that they want to use the property considering that in exchange for a fairly reasonable investment and no stamp duty costs, the purchaser receives the yearly use of a beautiful five star condominium, usually on the beach which if purchased outright would cost millions of dollars in the most prime locations. Third, with most resorts belonging to an exchange program (see below) the purchaser has the advantage of exchanging their weeks in other exotic locations.

Right-to-use timeshares are usually structured very carefully in order to ensure that the purchasers are given binding contracts that guarantee the right to use the timeshare. Right-to-use timeshares are comprised of several detailed binding contracts which will endure for a long period of time. Purchaser’s counsel will be able to ensure that all the protections available to the developer have been undertaken and put into place. Whereas when purchasing property freehold a purchaser actually takes title, with timeshare in the Cayman Islands there is no registry of timeshare interests or means of registering title to timeshares so the contractual documents underlying a timeshare purchase are of utmost importance.

b. Points

Some timeshare resorts sell points instead of weeks where purchasers receive a certain number of points that represent a particular size of unit and week at a certain resort. Timeshares at older resorts get you less points than newer resorts. A week in high season will cost more and give you more points than a week in low season. Those points can then be used through the internal exchange of the company in which you purchased or through the company’s international exchange program, if it has one. The main advantage of a points system is flexibility, you can use your points for shorter vacations of two or three days rather than being confined to a week. Some systems also allow you to purchase airfare and cruises with your points. The main disadvantage is that your points are easily de-valued and susceptible to inflation in subsequent years and once new resorts within a company are built that require more points for usage. There is no guarantee in a points system that you will be able to use a particular week in particular unit every year as it works on a first-come, first-served basis.

c. Club/Trust/Company Membership

A few timeshare programs in Cayman are based on the most common form of timeshare ownership in the United Kingdom where members belong to a Club and their timeshare unit and the resort are held by Trustees or a Company who then grant right-to-use licences to members. This type of ownership is legally complicated and difficult to explain to United States timeshare purchasers who are not used to the concept. However, it is becoming popular world-wide as it does have several built-in mechanisms for protecting members. Trustees could be a bank, a trust company or a group of individuals who hold the timeshare resort ‘in trust’ on behalf of the owners. Trustees provide security for owners in the event that a developer fails financially. Some trustees may have added responsibilities such as ensuring the continuity of the Club.

II. Protecting Timeshare Owners

As discussed in Part I, although the timeshare purchaser in Cayman does not receive a registered property interest, a good timeshare developer has other means of offering protections for timeshare owners in the event that the developer goes bankrupt, the resort is sold, or the developer’s financier forecloses on the resort. For example, great protection for timeshare owners can be structured in a long term registered lease between the developer/owner of the resort and the resort manager whereby any subsequent purchaser of the underlying freehold timeshare property would have to purchase the resort subject to the long-term lease of the membership/management company. The lease should contain provisions that stipulate that the rights of members should not be disturbed if the developer/owner sells the resort or transfers the lease of the resort property, or where the lease is terminated. Clauses should also be included which stipulate that timeshare members receive their proportionate share of insurance proceeds and (in certain cases) their share of proceeds of the sale of the resort property should the resort be destroyed in a hurricane and a decision taken not to rebuild.

Where the developer/owner receives financing for the development of the resort and is required to give its financier a charge over the resort property, it is of utmost importance that the charge contains a "non-disturbance clause" whereby the financier expressly agrees to not disturb the rights of the timeshare owners in the event of foreclosure of the resort property.

These protections are crucial in ensuring that timeshare owners are protected from situations where developers sell the timeshare resort without the consent or knowledge of the timeshare owners, and without adequate compensation, as happened in Cayman with one resort following Hurricane Ivan.

III. Private Residence Clubs

The crème de la crème of timeshare, private residence clubs (PRCs) are becoming popular in Grand Cayman, with projects like the Waterford Private Residence Club and the Residences at Beach Bay leading the way. These exclusive clubs offer country-club type benefits including luxurious accommodation and facilities, as well as exclusive services designed to make your stay as effortless as possible for you, including the use of luxury vehicles during your stay, boat & captain service, stocking your fridge with your choice of groceries, and the list goes on. These clubs and the special privileges that come with ownership are extremely attractive to certain purchasers who are looking for the exclusivity of high end properties without the management and strata plan headaches that sometimes come with owning their own condominium.

Private Residence Clubs are usually sold as fractions, which is a type of right-to use a block of time per year, for example, six weeks, which can be taken all at one time, or spread out throughout the year. Membership is usually governed by Rules and Regulations, Reservation Policies & Procedures and a membership agreement. The terms of the documents are often similar to the by-laws of a strata corporation but also have elements of hotel rules incorporated to address reservation procedures for reserving your weeks, for allowing guests to use your weeks and for re-scheduling.

Club dues, similar to strata plan fees, are paid, as with most timeshares, and the dues cover your proportionate share of the overall expenses of maintaining the timeshare resort. Most timeshares also have provisions for special assessments that might become necessary, after a hurricane (to cover a policy deductible), or to cover a major expenditure such as roof replacement. As there are so many owners, the club dues and special assessment charges are usually less than what you would pay for a comparable quality strata plan condominium.

IV. Fixed and Floating Weeks

A fixed week is a week purchased at your timeshare resort that is for a specific unit and a specific week every year. A floating week is sold within a specific time period or season for a particular size or type of unit but is not for the same particular unit every year. While the floating weeks give you flexibility they are usually offered on a first come first served basis although some resorts do offer floating week members a rotation system to ensure that they all have the opportunity to reserve a high season week on a regular basis.

V. Exchange Programs

Most timeshare resorts belong to one of two international exchange programs, either RCI (Resort Condominiums International) or Interval International. Exchange programs are part of what makes timeshare so attractive. These are the programs that enable owners to exchange their week for a week in another resort in another state, province or country. In order for timeshare resorts to be accepted as members into one of these premier exchange programs the resort must meet certain criteria for acceptance. Membership in either RCI or Interval International is one of the criteria purchasers should look for in deciding whether to purchase a timeshare at a particular resort.

VI. Timeshare and Tourism

Timeshares are not only great investments for purchasers, they are great for tourism, they bring high volume of tourists from all over the world on a consistent basis year after year. Timeshare resorts enjoy some of the highest and most consistent occupancy rates in the Cayman Islands. As few resorts here are truly all-inclusive in the sense that timeshare owners never leave the resort, most of those tourists spend money in the local economy by seeing local attractions, trying new restaurants and purchasing goods. Many families pass their weeks onto their children and the children keep up the tradition. Even owners who regularly trade in their weeks every year still help tourism, as new tourists who own timeshares elsewhere will come to the Cayman Islands and hopefully, fall in love with it and buy their own week. Understanding timeshare will bring benefits not only to purchasers personal investments, but also to the Cayman Islands as a tourism destination.

Magda Embury is the Head of the Property & Finance Department at law firm Solomon Harris and has developed a specialty in timeshare law, and advises local as well as international timeshare resort developers.

Buying Property in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands has always had an active real estate market.  This article provides a brief overview of the legal and practical aspects of buying and selling real estate in the Cayman Islands. However, it is not intended to deal exhaustively with all aspects of the subject and proper legal advice should always be obtained before entering in to any real estate transaction.

The Land Registry System

As an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands enjoys a political stability which may not be present in other locations in the Caribbean.  To protect ownership interests in land, there is a Land Registry System maintained by the Government of the Cayman Islands and governed by the provisions of the Registered Land Law (1995 Revision) (the "Law"). 

The Law creates a Land Register which contains a record for each parcel of land in the Cayman Islands, indicating ownership interests, mortgages and charges against the land, easements and restrictions, and other legal and equitable interests in land.  Thus, a search of the Land Registry pertaining to a particular parcel will reveal the necessary information to allow a buyer or mortgagee to enter into a transaction with respect to that parcel.  When a purchaser enters into a contract to buy property the risk of an intervening interest being registered can be eliminated by filing what is commonly known as a "Search and Stay".  This essentially "freezes" the title and prevents any other interests from being registered against the parcel during the priority period until it is transferred to the purchaser.  In this way, the purchaser can be certain he or she will obtain the property encumbered only by interests they were aware of at the time of entering into the transaction.

Once a person is registered as the proprietor of a parcel of land, that ownership is absolute and protected by the Law.  In the event an error is made by the Registrar in registration of a transfer or any other interest, any person who suffers a loss as a result of such an error is entitled to be indemnified by the Government of the Cayman Islands.  The result is a Land Registry System that provides owners, lenders and others with full and complete protection of their proper interests and rights in land.

Another feature of the Land Registry System is the ability to obtain a registered and secure leasehold interest in land.  Any parcel of land or portion thereof can be dealt with by way of a lease, and leases can be registered on the system as other interests are, protecting both landlord and tenant.

Strata Titles Registration Law (1996 Revision) ("STRL")

Many properties in the Cayman Islands are multiple unit complexes divided into individually owned condominium or "strata" units.  The STRL is the statute that governs the registration of "strata plans" and creates strata, or condominium, corporations similar to those in existence in many other jurisdictions.  A strata plan consists of two elements being the individual units with separate titles, and the grounds, common areas, amenities (pools, tennis courts, etc.), collectively known as the "common property".  The strata corporation holds the title to and manages the common property.  Maintenance fees are collected from the individual unit owners and applied to maintaining all of the common property.  The individual unit owners hold title to their units in the same way as the owner of any other parcel of land, and the Land Register maintains the same type of records for these strata units.

Stamp Duty

Although there are no income or property taxes levied in the Cayman Islands, the government needs to take in revenue to pay for its programs and services.  One of the ways that revenue is generated is by the imposition of stamp duty on the transfer of land.  For property on Grand Cayman, which is where almost all the population of the Cayman Islands lives, there are generally two different rates of stamp duty.  In the popular Seven Mile Beach area, the stamp duty payable on transferring land is 9% whilst on the rest of the island, the stamp duty is 7.5% of the fair value of the property, subject in each case to the concession noted below.

Whilst the Cayman Islands enjoyed a brisk and expanding real estate market for many years, in recent times that market has been adversely affected by world economic conditions, by concerns over air travel and, most recently, by the effects of Hurricane Ivan in 2004.  In an effort to stimulate activity the Cayman Islands government in 2001 announced a reduction in the stamp duty payable on real estate transfers to 5% throughout Grand Cayman.  Given some of the very high property values in Grand Cayman, this can amount to a significant saving on some properties, and can make even the lower value transactions more attractive to purchasers.  Although the reduction was originally to be a one year programme, expiring in November of 2002, the government extended the concession on several occasions and as of this date there is no expiry date on the concession and most consider that the 5% rate is the status quo at this time, although there is no guarantee the government will not look to increasing this duty as a revenue generating measure in the future.

Real Estate Marketing

There are a number of real estate agents operating in the Cayman Islands.  Most of them are members of an association called the Cayman Islands Real Estate Board Association ("CIREBA").  While there is no legislation governing the activities of real estate agents, CIREBA has rules and regulations governing its members' activities.  The rules contain a complaints and discipline process which is available to members of the public aggrieved by the actions of a realtor.  Many of the agents are affiliated with the familiar international real estate firms.

Legal Services

Legal advice should always be obtained prior to entering into any property transaction.  A lawyer will ensure that all necessary searches are conducted, all documents are prepared and executed properly according to the Law, and that at the time of completion the interests of the client will be fully protected.  In the case of purchases of condominiums it is vital that a purchaser is fully aware of all liabilities they will be assuming in relation to the strata corporation, including commitments to major capital expenditure or repairs. Without proper attention to such details, a buyer or seller could be faced with unexpected and potentially disastrous results.  An intervening and unexpected interest may appear on a buyer's title, seriously affecting the value of the real estate, or worse, a buyer may hand over the purchase price and receive a transfer that is improperly drafted or executed.  Similarly, purchasers of condominiums may be exposed to liabilities to the strata corporation of which they were unaware.

Completion generally occurs on an agreed possession date, and involves exchanging the Transfer of Land, and discharge of the seller's mortgage, if any, for the balance of the purchase price.  For the purchaser, retaining a lawyer will help ensure that they will obtain a Transfer that will properly convey ownership of the property.  For the seller, the lawyer can assist in verifiying that the purchaser has satisfied any contractual conditions and that any necessary mortgage discharge has been obtained and held in escrow for the bank pending completion. The lawyer will also prepare all the necessary transfer documents and ensure that the funds are properly paid to the vendor on completion.  

Charles Adams Ritchie & Duckworth has an experienced conveyancing department and aims to provide a responsive service at competitive fee rates.

Jamaican Life in Little Cayman

Review: By "Beach Lvr"

I read somewhere that there were more Jamaicans working in Cayman Islands resorts than any other nationality. I began to believe this when our Little Caymans resort van driver pulled up and screeched to a halt (sending sandy dust clouds into the air). The minute he arrived, we could hear the rhythmic reggae music he was playing on the van’s stereo. I mused to myself “Oh yeah, he’s from Jamaica.”

I went on something of a quest to find out more about why Jamaicans choose to work in the Caymans, and what their lives are like being away from the home they know in Jamaica. Where might a Jamaican resort employee live on this expensive, very minimally populated island? How do they manage to feed themselves, and family members, on this extravagant little island on a resort employees pay? Has the Jamaican culture begun to blend with that of Caymanian culture?

I sat one night at the resort dinner buffet, pondering who I wanted to talk to about Jamaican culture. Suddenly, I was snapped out of my daze by our Jamaican waiter (“Louie“ - a.k.a. Errol) asking politely “Is there anything else I can get you?” After a short discussion, my travel buddy and I decided to ask Louie to meet us in the resort game room after he was off from work at 9pm. We explained to him that I was writing an article on Jamaicans working in the Caymans, and wanted to interview him. Shortly after 9pm, Louie strolled in with a Jamaican-born friend of his named Denvil (apparently his name is pronounced “Danville“). They both had pleasant smiles on their faces, but both seemed slightly guarded.

I noted that there seemed to be an age difference between Denvil and Louie. Denvil looked a few years younger, probably only because Louie was sporting a tiny patch of salt and pepper beard on his chin. Louie seemed very self conscious about his well-earned tiny bit of gray. Louie was of average height, and was dressed more like an islander, whereas Denvil reminded me more of a prep from the east coast. Denvil was very tall, youthful, and energetic. As it turned out, Denvil was single, and in his mid-twenties, Louie was in his mid-thirties, with a wife and child back in Jamaica. They were both extremely polite and professional throughout the time we spent with them.

Once we were all comfortable and seated at the poker table inside the quiet resort game room, I began to ask some milder questions first…”So, why did you two decide to leave your lives in Jamaica and come to the tiny Island of Little Cayman to work?” Louie replied “The money I make here is worth much more back home in Jamaica. I have a wife and child to take care of. The job opportunities in Jamaica just are not there. I cannot make good money in Jamaica. I am working here for my family, so that they are taken care of.” Denvil interjected with “I’m here for the job opportunity, and the ability to learn, move up in my career, and the chance to travel.” “What are your job titles here?” I asked. Louie replied with “I do a little bit of everything, I act as waiter, host, clear tables, help the kitchen staff, and whatever else is needed of me.” Denvil said “I am a chef here.”

We took a short break while my travel companion fetched us a few drinks from the bar at the resort. After a sip of my somewhat watered down rum punch, I said “I understand that it’s quite dangerous in Jamaica, where could we go in Jamaica where it would be safer?” At this, both men seemed somewhat offended, and took great efforts to make it clear that Jamaica is not entirely the unsafe place many think it is. Louie stuck his chest out and said “You come to Jamaica and have me with you as a guide, nobody would bother you, because you are with a Jamaican.” At any rate, Louie continued with ”The safest places to go are Negril, Ochos Rios, Montego Bay, as well as a few other spots. However, DO NOT go to Kingston, even the Jamaicans avoid Kingston because it is a very violent, dangerous place. We Jamaicans hate that our country has been labeled as such a dangerous place... Don’t be mislead by the negative rumors about Jamaica. “Denvil piped up and said “I was born in Jamaica, but grew up in Canada and am a Canadian citizen.” I could see that Denvil had a Canadian “air” about him. Denvil did not have the Jamaican lilt that Louie possessed. I knew there was something different about Denvil. Conversely, Louie then told us a story about a shooting incident and how gunshots are all too common in Jamaica. He explained that the bad things happen in only certain places, usually the bigger towns/cities. Violence is not at all common in the more rural areas.

At this point, I decided to start asking the harder questions. “So how are you all able to afford to live on this expensive little island when surely rent on this island is so unaffordable?” Louie replied “The resort has apartments for us, and they charge us a reduced rental rate. Most of us live on property here, with some of us living in the apartments across the street, and some living in the apartments behind the gift shop at the resort. Some of us pay only $100 a month in rent, while others have to pay $300 a month.” “That doesn’t seem quite fair to me“, I said. “It isn’t, he said.” Denvil threw in “I pay $200 a month for a tiny space with a small bed.” Denvil described his accommodations as not much larger than what a lower level cruise ship employee might have. I got the impression that those on staff who were Canadian, or were from any other country besides Jamaica, were receiving better housing at cheaper rental rates from the resort management/owners.

Louie explained that the Cayman government is beginning to refuse work visas from Jamaican applicants because the Cayman government seems to believe that crime has increased as a result of the influx of Jamaican resort workers. However, the Canadian woman running the gift shop at Little Cayman Beach Resort said “The Cayman government is also refusing work visas from Canadians now as well. I think they are getting tired of seeing primarily applicants from Jamaica and Canada only, and want some new blood in the Caymans. I tried to get my Jamaican boyfriend into the Caymans for work; his visa was refused.” No matter which way you slice it, it appears the Cayman government is getting quite picky about who it will allow into the country to work.

To lighten the mood a bit, I asked “So what are the favorite traditional foods of Jamaicans?” Louie smiled and answered wistfully “Mmmmm, curried lamb, hominy (grits), roasted breadfruit, Jamaican oxtail, fried plantains, boiled plantains, peas and rice, sweet potatoes and many other tings.” I love the way Jamaicans pronounce “things” as “tings.” Louie went on to describe the manner in which some of these foods are prepared. He also told us that “In Jamaica, no one minds if you pick fruit from their tree or vine. Everyone does it, and no one minds at all, it’s the Jamaican way.”

The distance to Jamaica from the Caymans is only 300 miles, so Louie is able to fly home to see his family about twice a year. Though Louie did complain that airfares to Jamaica were very difficult for him to manage.

One ting is for sure, the Jamaican food is working its way readily into the Caymans, as we saw several of the Jamaican dishes Louie described on the buffet at Little Cayman Beach Resort, especially in the mornings. It kept breakfast interesting. Surely, our chef Denvil had a hand in preparing these dishes. I think sprinkling some Jamaican food and reggae into the Cayman islands is actually quite a wonderful thing.

Louie has been working on the island for this resort for many years and plans to stay for a few more, while Denvil has only been there for 2 years. Denvil seems content, but somewhat bored.

On our final day, Louie and Denvil prepared some special plantains for our last morning at the resort. They both saw us off the morning of our departure. Talk about personalized service! They were so polite, so kind, it would be hard to think of Jamaicans or Canadians as anything but wonderful people.

In sum, while things for the Jamaicans and other foreign workers here may be somewhat difficult (tiny rooms in which to sleep, long work weeks, and being homesick), overall, they seem to be happy. It’s too bad that the Cayman government does not see what a wonderful addition to their country Jamaicans have become.

Air Canada Flies Direct to Grand Cayman

Beginning Friday December 14th, Air Canada will be flying four times weekly to Grand Cayman. 

The new take off days are Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays.  High season begins in Grand Cayman on December 14th, and lasts until April 2008. 

As long as you are flexible with your flight dates you can fly non-stop and round-trip for under $800 CDN on average.

Ritz "DeckHouses" offer privacy and luxury

The first new product at The Ritz–Carlton, Grand Cayman available for purchase by the public went on sale recently.

The DeckHouses at The Ritz–Carlton, Grand Cayman will offer a
combination of luxury and privacy unprecedented in the Cayman Islands. Vice President Sales and Marketing David Camp said the design of The DeckHouses represents the best features of resort living.

“We went on a tour to see what the best Caribbean resorts had to
offer,” he said. “We noted what the common characteristics each had and why we liked them the best.”

After returning from the trip, the group members talked about what they liked best about each of the resorts. Mr. Camp said the group members’ favourite resorts all had some kind of water element; they all had lush tropical vegetation; they all offered a feeling of exclusivity and privacy; and they were built with
natural, timeless materials like natural woods and stone. The combination of the group’s favourite parts from their favourite resorts spawned the concept for The DeckHouses.

“We believe there is nothing like this in the world,” Mr. Camp said. “I have seen what the Caribbean offers in terms of luxury and there’s nothing that compares to this.”

The DeckHouses will sit on the peninsula that holds the current
driving range for the Blue Tip golf course. The peninsula will be
carved out to create a series of private lagoons and private beaches. The materials excavated in creating the lagoons will be used to create a rolling topography on the peninsula. The entire peninsula will then be densely landscaped to create a sense of privacy between the 19 homes. Underground utilities and gas–flame lampposts will enhance the natural beauty of the area.

The three–storey DeckHouses themselves will offer a well thought out combination of spaciousness, luxury, views and amenities. All together the main house and guesthouse cottage combined will offer nearly 6,400 square feet under roof, with five bedrooms and 4 and a half bathrooms. A boathouse – complete with an Italian–made Riva boat as part of the package – will be connected to the main house.

“The boat is literally part of the home, almost like a piece of art,” said Mr. Camp. Other parts of the purchase package include golf cart and an automobile – something like a BMW or a Land Rover Defender – Mr. Camp said. The homes also come fully furnished.

The foundations of the DeckHouses will be built at 6.5 feet above
sea level – giving the homes protection from storm surge – and the second floor level will be at 18.5 feet, while the third floor will be at 32.5 feet, Mr. Camp said. The second floor will be ringed with windows and glass doors and 270 degrees of decking suitable for entertainment.

“There will be phenomenal views,” said Mr. Camp. The DeckHouses will function as more than just a home. “[The DeckHouses] will be Ritz–Carlton branded and offer Ritz–Carlton service,” Mr. Camp said, adding that owners and guest will
be able to sign up for full butler service, including private chefs,
and their own personal concierge.

The prices for the Deckhouse homes range between US$3.5 million and US$5. Purchasers who don’t want the fully loaded package can get a lower price point. Mr. Camp said he expects The Deckhouse project to sell quickly. “There are 19 lucky people out there who are going to say ‘yes’ to the DeckHouses,” he said, adding that it is hoped that Cayman Islands residents will also want to take advantage of the opportunity to own and live at one of the DeckHouses.

“The DeckHouses may not be for everyone, but one thing I can confirm is that they represent the most unique and genuine ownership opportunity in the Caribbean, exploiting the best of all the experiential elements a family could want while doing it in style.”

HOT MAZDA MIATA FOR SALE

BY March 2008

No Ivan or Dean damage. Available now, selling a 1991 silver Miata with an intact black convertible rooftop, power windows, and flip up head lights. ONLY 79,000 MILES! Runs like a dream, and properly maintained. Extras include chrome rims, low profile tires, and 300watt cd/mp3 sound system. 5 speed manual transmission (on right side).

$900 USD as is (negotiable).

Serious inquires only, email the owner miata.4gw@gishpuppy.com