Issue No. 945 Friday, 14 October 2005

Stamp Duty Stays

THE Cayman Islands Government has announced it will be continuing the reductions on stamp duty, which were put in place to stimulate real estate sales in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the world wide economic slump. “Cabinet decided that the existing Stamp Duty rate of five percent should remain for the time being,” said Financial Secretary Ken Jefferson. “It is a matter that is under review.”... read more...

New inductees join Hall of Fame

Two new inductees joined the prestigious International Scuba Hall of Fame during their annual breakfast at the Marriott Beach Resort on Wednesday, 12 October. The upstairs ballroom of the hotel was decorated, from top to bottom, with plastic fish and coral, in honour of the scuba diving pioneers from all around the world who had flown in especially for the breakfast, and the formal dinner that followed in the evening... read more...

Freedom of information coming 

Legislation for the long awaited freedom of information act has recently been proposed, and the Leader of Government, Business Hon Kurt Tibbetts has announced that a draft of the ‘Access to Information Bill’ is being circulated for comment for 90 days and will then be brought to the Legislative Assembly. “This Bill, which will apply to all governmental departments, public authorities and government companies will give the public... read more...

Prison rehabilitation costs to rise with onset of new programmes

At present, there is no specific gang-related course listed among behaviour modification and rehabilitation programmes in the prison system in the Cayman Islands. However, by January 2006 one should be in place and, the cost of the initial implementation of it could range anywhere from $30,000 to $200,000. The introduction of such a course means that the Prison’s Personal Development Department... read more...

Chamber Business Expo kicks off

The 2005 Chamber of Commerce Business Expo is particularly meaningful for local businesses, because the Expo was cancelled last year after Hurricane Ivan and the timing is so close to its one-year anniversary... read more...

Caymanian of the Week - Lurley Scott

As lead soloist at her church on Cayman Brac, Lurley Scott has lead the congregation in song since she was young. “I’ve been going to Bethel Baptist Church from the time I know myself,” says Ms Scott, who is now 78 years old. Her favourite songs are ‘God Leads His Dear Children Along’ and ‘I’m Walking Arm in Arm with Jesus’, but she says, “I know plenty off by heart.” The church does have a piano... read more...