Issue No. 483 Monday, 8 September 2003

The Directors of CITN announced last week that WestStar T.V. Limited had purchased 100 percent of its issued share capital, primarily owned by Mr. and Mrs. Colin Wilson.

According to a press statement issued by CITN, Mr. and Mrs. Colin Wilson were the ones primarily responsible for establishing the station in 1991, and they have made important contributions to the development and success of CITN over the past decade.

"I made the decision because I'm semi-retiring," said Mr. Wilson in a telephone interview, "It's been a long haul over 11 years. I got a good offer from WestStar, so I felt this was the best time to do it"

Still, Mr. Wilson said he would miss the station. "I loved every minute of it," he said, "I was like watching an egg that suddenly hatched, and then it grew and grew."
Mr. Wilson will not be leaving the scene entirely. "I will still be around," he said, "I'm engaged to help out at the station for a couple of years. I'll also be doing a show for on the arts once a month for CITN."

However, Mr. Wilson said he would now spend the majority of his time writing. He
co-wrote the drama Magna Carta, which played in Cayman earlier this year, and he says he wants to continue pursuing his writing.

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UDP Founding Member Resigns

Mr. Eddington Powell

Mr. Eddington Powell, a director and one of the founding members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) resigned his position in the political organization as of 3 September.

"I've resigned from the party because of a conflict of interest," said Mr. Powell, declining to say anything further on the issue.

Mr. Powell is also the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC).

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Jacques Scott Donates to Tropical Gardens Lions

In May of this year Jacques Scott and Company Ltd hosted a "Castello Banfi" wine tasting and auction at the Hyatt. Pictured is Jacques Scott's Frank Roulstone, handing over a sizeable cheque of part proceeds from the event to Lions Club of Tropical Gardens President Mrs. Gina Barnes, MJF, and member Cheryl Bell, for the club's After School Program.

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Caymanians Choosing Hotels

Mr. William Conolly

Although the past trend in career choices by Caymanians has focused largely on the financial sector, some people in the hotel industry are noticing a change in the qualification levels of Caymanian applicants hoping to enter the field.

According to one source, although Caymanians are always given preference for available positions, it has often been the case that hotels had to look elsewhere to fill certain posts, due to a lack of qualified local workers.

Lately, however, this appears to have changed somewhat. "We are receiving more and more quality applications from Caymanians," said the source.

At the Hyatt, Assistant Director of Human Resources Ms. Emma Newball agrees. "I would definitely say that the new upcoming Caymanians are more qualified," she said. "In the past, we would often hire some great Caymanian staff and then lose them to higher paying jobs, but now there appears to be greater ambition among Caymanians who are interested in going off to learn about the industry."

Ms. Newball did clarify that what is most important to employers in the industry is attitude. "If someone has the right attitude," she says, "we are willing to be flexible and train them. The hotel industry is such that you either want to be in it or you don't."
General Manager of the Westin Mr. Dan Szydlowski said that although a decrease in business had affected the number of employees that the hotel had been hiring, his property had been very lucky with the Caymanian employees they had taken on board. "We offer training for those who are eager and willing to learn," he says, "and so far we have had great success."

On the other hand, some, like Mr. William Conolly, General Manager of The Grand Caymanian Resort feel that there is still much need for improvement. "Although it may be that more people are leaving the financial sector and giving the hotel industry a try, people often leave after a short stint," he says "The hotel industry is completely different in management philosophy, which can take some getting used to."

As an example, Mr. Conolly stated that many used to office jobs are accustomed to sitting down during the day, whereas front desk jobs in a hotel involve standing. "It may not sound like much," he says, "but for some it's a drastic change."

He hopes that a proposed hotel school on the Island will take effect and begin to offer Caymanians the type of training that will prepare them for work in the industry.

Students need both theoretical and practical training to eliminate the perception that they can only reach a certain level, and to take away the glass ceilings where they exist," he said.

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PPM Continues Outcry Against Status Grants

MLA Kurt Tibbetts

Hon. McKeeva Bush

General Secretary of the People's Progressive Movement, MLA Alden McLaughlin, has accused Leader of Government Business, Hon. McKeeva Bush of engaging in "verbal acrobatics," on the controversial issue of Government's grant of Caymanian Status to over a thousand individuals.

Mr. McLaughlin said Mr. Bush's constant bungling of the issue is a classic example of one of the pitfalls of his brand of "swift and decisive leadership."

He says there is nothing wrong with strong and resolute leadership, but such ought to be the end product of adequate dialogue and anticipation. Clearly, Mr. McLaughlin insisted, Mr. Bush utilized neither virtue in this instance.

The PPM spokes-man said yesterday's statement by the Hon. McKeeva Bush did nothing to ease the anxiety and disdain of thousands of residents who have long concluded that the Leader of Government Business and the Cabinet as a whole have ost control of the current issue.

Mr. McLaughlin recalled that in an address to the nation on Friday last, Mr. Bush had traced the decision to issue in excess of 2,000 grants of Caymanian status to a ruling or stipulation by international bodies on the grounds of human rights considerations. Now, he points out, less than six days later "the country is told that the unprecedented action had been made "in the spirit of the Quincentennial anniversary."

Mr. McLaughlin said it was now "anyone's guess" as to what the third official reason would be, come 17 September when Mr. Bush addresses the issue in the Legislative Assembly.

"What we are witnessing here is a classic case of something starting wrong not being able to end right. With every passing day the country is recognizing the inherent danger in this action by the Cabinet and the fact that it was not adequately or thoroughly thought through," Mr. McLaughlin insisted.

He said research conducted by the PPM revealed that at least one Eastern Caribbean country and a few in South and Central America had attempted similar schemes in the lead up to general elections, but, more often than not, the strategy always backfired as even the recipients of such "royal handshakes" looked dimly upon the process and the underlying motivation for such generosity.

Mr. McLaughlin insisted that the backlash in a small country like the Cayman Islands would be even more severe as this measure could effectively increase the overall voting population in the Cayman Islands by more than 50 percent within a four-year period.

He said the most shameful aspect of Mr. Bush's handling of the matter to date was his insistence that grants had been made to "deserving persons who have been here for many years" when almost every Caymanian and resident knows of several persons, who have been here for mere months, who were granted Status, without even requesting it.

The PPM Spokesman said this type of "verbal acrobatics" is what was serving, more than anything else, to anger and antagonize Caymanians.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts said that the Movement was not against deserving people receiving Caymanian Status. "We are not saying that some of the recent recipients of Status were not deserving - of course not," said Mr. Tibbetts, "I can think of scores of individuals who have finally been granted recognition for their years of toil and their contribution to the development of these islands. The PPM is happy for them.

However, Mr. Tibbetts feels the situation has gone too far. "Clearly the Government lost control of the system when persons who have been living here for less than a year can report receiving a grant of Cayman Status, having not even applied for it.

Some persons who have received Status never asked for it and never really wanted it, for they have no long-term plans of living here or investing here."

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News

Circle C Bar near cinema robbed at gunpoint

A man carrying what appeared to be a firearm robbed the Circle C Bar last Wednesday night at approximately 11:15 pm.

The suspect reportedly entered the establishment, which is located adjacent to the cinema complex on Lawrence Blvd, George Town, and demanded cash from the staff.

An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register, as was an item of jewellery from one of those inside the premises.

At the time of the robbery there were four persons inside, including staff members.
The man then fled the bar on foot and police authorities were informed. A police unit patrolling nearby on West Bay Road, responded to the report, however despite roadblocks and extensive searches no persons were apprehended.

The suspect is described as male, dark complexion, about 5'9" tall of slim to proportionate build, with dark low cut hair and spoke with a Jamaican accent. He is further described as wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans pants.

The man was not wearing a mask or hood to cover his face.

No shots were fired and no persons were injured during the robbery and the matter is now under investigation including the attendance at the location of Scenes of Crime experts.

If any persons witnessed the incident or who may have knowledge of the robbery or the suspect are urged to contact George Town CID on 945-1040, the Joint Intelligence Unit on 949-0264 or call Crime Stoppers on 800 TIPS (8477).

Calls to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and persons may be eligible for a financial reward should information lead to an arrest.

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Redesigned intersection officially opens Monday

The official opening of the redesigned intersection at Shamrock and Hirst Road in Savannah will take place on Monday, 15 September at 3:30 pm.

"The new road improvement scheme will increase the mobility of traffic along Shamrock Road as well as provide better movement and accessibility for traffic coming in and out of Hirst Road and surrounding businesses," said Minister for Planning, Communication, Works and Information Technology, Hon. Linford Pierson. He adds that this is only the first phase of the Public Works' Hirst Road/Shamrock oad project.

Upon completion the intersection will comprise a combination of one-way routes and slip roads. The second phase will involve extending the merge lane, which was started in phase one, to Bougainvillea Way.

The public is invited to come out and join in the celebration at the traffic island opposite Savannah Texaco. Following the celebration the road will be officially open to motorists.

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United Church Moderator visits the Cayman Islands

The Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Right Reverend Dr. Roderick Hewitt.

The Moderator of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Right Reverend Dr. Roderick Hewitt recently paid Grand Cayman a visit.
Dr. Hewitt said his task was to visit all nine United Churches here in order to meet the ministers and their spouses. "My role as Moderator is to be a pastor of pastors," he said.

The Rt. Rev. Hewitt described the vision of the United Church as having three elements, "The theme that guides us as the United Church is, 'united in faith, strengthening families, transforming community," he said.

"When we speak about 'united in faith,' we are speaking about what is core to us," he said, "we are not talking about uniformity, we are speaking about unity of purpose. In a world that is disintegrating, we are in the business of reconciliation, of finding a common path no matter what," he continued.

Regarding the recent controversy over homosexuality among the leadership of the church, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hewitt said, "we believe the Christian faith calls on us to love others, and, yes to understand the concerns of those who choose an alternative lifestyle, but it doesn't ask us to embrace their lifestyle and to treat it as being normal. The 'good news' calls us to higher standards and that's what we mean by faith. Faith means being committed to the fundamentals of that which has given us identity; it's not just my faith, it is a faith that has been entrusted to each of us."

When questioned about the church's role regarding 'marginalized' people in society, Rt. Rev. Roberts began by reiterating the core commitment of 'strengthening families' as their means of reaching these people.

"That is what I was discussing last night at North Side, challenging local congregations to re-organise their priorities to give attention to these core things, the strengthening of families, making sure that what constitutes family life is encouraged by local congregations."

Rt. Rev. Dr. Hewitt explained that reaching communities is one of the reasons for the Institute for Theological and Leadership Development (ITLD) programme.

Spearheaded by the United Church, the training of people to be Christian counselors would impact the community positively.

On the issue of inter-denominational relations, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hewitt said, "we believe that a denominational 'looking in on oneself' is not what the church is about. To make a difference on the ground requires that we move beyond ourselves we focus on those things that we can do together. A doctrine is very important, but when a hurricane is coming, it doesn't ask you if you are from United Church, Baptist or Pentecostal. The threat of hurricane, or whatever it is that you are facing, invites you to find common solutions."

It was a personal experience that shaped Dr. Hewitt's own thinking on this issue, "At the local church when I was welcomed, the Muslim clergyman came and he hugged me, saying "Brother Roderick, may Allah be with you." How are you going to say 'you are a Muslim, I do not understand what you are about, you cannot hug me,'" he said.
Dr. Hewitt went on to describe his other position, as moderator for Council for World Missions, a world-wide body of 32 denominations, all across the world, "These churches have a common history of missionary organizations. We have come together with three core mandates: the sharing of people, the sharing of money, and the sharing of ideas."

There are changing dynamics of missionary movement according to Dr. Hewitt, "We have seen the development of a south-to-south relationship, it used to be from north-to-south, unidirectional, but now we say from anywhere to anywhere."
Closer to home, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hewitt talked about the work of the United Church of the Cayman Islands, "The church here in the Cayman Islands is doing a fantastic job in Haiti, with a children's home there," he said.

In keeping with the principles of inter-denominational cooperation, he explained that the United Church was helping the Methodist Church in Haiti, "So for us as a United Church, it doesn't mean we go and start a United Church there," he said.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Hewitt spoke about what he saw as the biggest danger facing the church in the Cayman Islands. "For us in the church, I think that the biggest threat is indifference, where people don't care anymore. That for us is the biggest disease," he said.

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Joint effort cleans up Watler's Road area

Environmental Health Officer Mr. Garfield Ellison points to one of the

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH), the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIP) worked together recently in debushing overgrown areas and removing abandoned vehicles in the Watler's Road area of George Town.

Environmental Health Officer Mr. Garfield Ellison stated, "It is undoubtedly a useful effort to work in tandem with other government agencies in addressing social and environmental issues, specifically under the RCIP-initiated programme "CHERISH," he said, " In recent times, there has been a move to alleviate environmental health issues such as the removal of abandoned vehicles and debushing. These concerns have been resolved with the process being facilated by the RCIP."

PC Ian Lavine, Community Beat officer for Watler's Road stated, "Such a project not only beautifies the area but also acts as another aspect of community policing and crime prevention."

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New Senior Managers in Education

(l-r) Learning Support Coordinator for George Hicks High School Mrs. Marge Quinland, Deputy Principal for George Hicks High School Mrs. June Elliott, Principal for the Lighthouse School Mrs. Shari Bovell and Deputy Principal for the Lighthouse School Ms. Carla Bodden.

Careers Officer for John Gray High School Mrs. Margaret Jackson and Senior Pastoral Administrator for John Gray High School Mrs. Beverly Chin-Sinn.

The Education Department recently announced that nine educators have been promoted to senior management positions at the Lighthouse School, as well as George Hicks, John Gray and Cayman Brac High schools.

Commenting on the recent promotions, Chief Education Officer Nyda Flatley stated, "Each person that was promoted has proven his or her abilities to successfully handle the demands of a higher post; their skills will further mature and strengthen our educational system. I am also pleased that eight out of the nine persons promoted are Caymanian."

Deputy Principal of the Lighthouse School, Mrs. Shari Bovell, a Caymanian, is now principal. She succeeds Mrs. Marge Quinland, a 23-year veteran teacher who has been transferred to the newly created post of learning support co-ordinator at George Hicks High School. Also Caymanian, Ms. Carla Bodden will assume the post of deputy principal at the Lighthouse School.

At George Hicks High School, Mrs. June Elliott will replace retired Deputy Principal Mrs. Sally Balderamos. Mrs. Elliott, a Caymanian, has served in the post of senior tutor for six years. Caymanian, Ms. Mellony Bryan, who has been a teacher at George Hicks High School for the past nine years will replace Mrs. Elliott.

Mr. Steven Clarke, former head of the support programme has been promoted to the other senior tutor post recently vacated by retired veteran educator, Mrs. Bernice Levy.
Mrs. Beverly Chin-Sinn former head of careers at John Gray High School, has been promoted to the senior pastoral administrator post recently vacated by retired veteran educator Mrs. Ummi Kapoor. Caymanian, Mrs. Margaret Jackson, will succeed Mrs. Chin-Sinn as careers officer.

At Cayman Brac High School, Caymanian teacher Mr. Pedro Lazarri will succeed retired veteran educator Mrs. Edna Platts as head of mathematics.

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Employment Relations awards summer employers

The Department of Employment Relations Director Mr. Walling Whittaker (centre) presents the Summer Employment Programme's Director's Award to Hard Rock Café's General Manager Paul Pearson (right) and Kitchen Manager Hansel Rankine.

Laurel McLean and Louveenia Davis have recently accepted posts as account officers II and III for the Department of Environmental Health.

Laurel McLean has been promoted to accounts officer II. Having been with the DEH for over ten years as a clerical officer, she is pleased to be taking her career in a new direction. "I'm very excited about my new post. I took the accounts course at the community college so it's nice to finally be using all of those skills in my job," she explains. Ms. McLean is pursuing an associate degree in accounts at the Community College of the Cayman Islands (CCCI). She is married with two children and lives in Bodden Town.

Ms. Davis joins the department as accounts officer III after spending over ten years with the accounts division of Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC). "I'm looking forward to the challenges that are ahead and to growing with the department," she comments. Ms. Davis is currently pursuing an associate degree in accounts at the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI). She is married with two children and resides in Lower Valley.

Commenting on the appointments, Director of DEH, Roydell Carter says, "The department is pleased that Mrs. Davis has joined our hard working accounting team and we welcome her aboard. I also extend congratulations to Ms. McLean on her well-deserved promotion. She has always been a committed, dedicated and very competent member of the accounts team. I look forward to the continued development of the team."

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Editorial

A Season For Reasoning

The Cayman Islands has seen its share of turmoil over years, going back to the 1960s debate over linking with Britain or Jamaica, with opposition marches some years ago over the composition of the Finance Committee, and the change in Leader of Government Business in recent times.

It is safe to say, however, that no issue has caused such across-the-board anxiety, even outrage, in these Islands as the recent Government granting of Caymanian status to more than one thousand individuals in one fell swoop.

At the outset, Government must be given credit for taking on the previously carefully avoided dilemma of dealing with the thorny problem of who should be given the right to become, in effect, Caymanian.

Indeed, advocates and opponents of the current approach are united on one thing: people's rights to tenure here, after years of responsible lives, should be, and must be, entertained at a level that will eventually eliminate the injustices. Certainly they differ on the method, but they agree on the goal.

However, events of the last week demonstrate that this is a very complex issue with sociological, cultural, political and economic ramifications running wild in virtually every quarter, with many of them, furthermore, not apparent in advance.
For one, the level of the desire by many residents for the financial security flowing from status was clearly underestimated by all concerned.

The lines that formed, as if by magic, outside the Police Headquarters was instant and abiding evidence of this eagerness fuelled by the rumours that the administration was "giving out Status." This display clearly came as a shock to many Caymanians and left them upset by a condition that, as they put it, cheapened or sullied the value

f what achieving Status in their country should mean.
On the political side, to look at those lines is to immediately become concerned for the potential large influx of voters to the existing 12,000 approximately who will decide the country's future in the election 14 months hence.

In this very difficult and very tempestuous situation, we have clearly come to a junction where, with the ramifications of the issue now staring us very much in the face, an in-depth reassessment of the matter and manner of Caymanian Status grants must be undertaken.

For this to happen with any enduring effect, two things must come into play: In the first instance, the two politicians who find themselves as leaders of their respective camps must display the leadership qualities they often proclaim to possess, and undertake to meet in the interest of confronting this issue in the non-partisan fashion that is essential if this matter is to be sensibly resolved.

Secondly, the two leaders, and whoever their adjutants may be, must come to the table with the resolve to exhibit reason and eschew polarisation on this issue. It must be emphasised that common ground has already has been established.
On the matter of Caymanian Status, both sides agree a resolution is needed; it is only on the manner that they disagree, in whole or in part, and it is here that reasonable people on both sides can meet and achieve resolution.

At heart here, if we stand back from it, is the dilemma of a society that has risen up the economic ladder without properly taking care of all of the contributors to that rise. Reason alone dictates that this must be put right.

Probably more than any other issue now facing us, this status issue demands from our leaders a commitment to considered dialogue. Left in its present suspension, it will demoralise and eventually destabilise this nation both as an economic unit and as a social community.

It may be late in the day, but there is still time here for our leaders to come back to this issue in a season of reasoning, benefiting this blessed country and its citizens in the end.

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Human rights are there any left in the Cayman Islands?

Dear Sir,

There has been so much written lately about homosexuality in the papers, and bandied about in talk on the streets, that I am moved to write my little piece, too.
We as a nation are supposed to be God fearing, or at least we claim to be. I would like someone to please tell where it says in the Bible that we should shun all who are different than what we as Christians seem to think the perfect person is supposed to be.

Those who quote the Bible so much when defending their views on homosexuality seem to have forgotten most of the New Testament. They have forgotten the verses that say things like forgive, preach to all people of the world, and especially the parts where Jesus himself preached, healed, talked to, ate with, and loved the outcasts of his times the same as all the others in his world.

Has our world changed, or have we decided to rewrite Jesus' words for him?
There are many who don't seem to even know what human sexuality is. They claim that homosexuality is only a learned sexual preference. If one looks in the dictionary, one finds that homosexual means "one who has a propensity for one's own sex." Look up propensity and one sees this means a "predisposition to anything," therefore, homosexuality is not, according to the dictionary, a learned situation at all, but one in which a person is predestined to.

The encyclopedia further states that human sexuality is a general term referring to various sexually related aspects of human life, including physical and psychological development and behaviors, attitudes, and social customs associated with the individual's sense of gender, relationships, sexual activity, mate selection, and reproduction.

When someone starts in to explaining that homosexuals are all just evil, or misdirected unfortunates that should be shunned or killed as one writer has said in a past letter, I get really angry. Who do these people think they are, anyway?
Our laws and our rights are protected by constitution here in Cayman, and many seem to think we should go back to the dark ages when anything about sexuality comes up.

We start this nonsense when we start raising children and teaching them what the "roles" are for girls and boys. What we often forget is that some kids are not fitted into the categories we like to say are "normal."

One recent letter quoted biblical references. I at least like the courage of the author to sign their name to the letter, because those letter writers who do not might as well keep their thoughts to themselves, since they don't seem to have the conviction of faith or confidence in their own thoughts to make themselves public.

Unfortunately, that is all I liked about that letter. It starts off with the title "Homosexuality not God's word." Homosexuality is mentioned in the bible and therefore is a part of God's word whether she likes it or not.

The writer then goes on to quote the story of Adam and Eve as an example of what God wanted in this world. It might interest folks to know that Adam is the Hebrew word for man and Eve is the Hebrew word for woman, and these names are generic, and not real people, the story of the Garden of Eden states that woman was made as a companion to man, and also says that women are subservient to man as well.

Guess who wrote this story, a man or a woman?

The writer further states that man is made in God's image, and she seems to think that only her version of what God is like is correct. I beg to differ here; the God of her version would be unforgiving and unloving of homosexuals, and would also wish them all dead. I think of God as a father figure who accepts all who come to him as sinners that were purchased by Jesus on the cross. Jesus bled so all are acceptable in the eyes of God.

The Old Testament's covenants between God and man were all thrown away when Jesus walked to the cross. The letter writer says she walks in the footsteps of her savior, maybe her savior is different than mine, for mine said let all come to God through me and that does not exclude homosexuals even if we don't like their lifestyle.

Jesus spent most of his preaching time with the outcasts of his times and told all who would listen that these were the people he had come to save, he did not say to shun, legislate against, kill, or in anyway make those we do not understand any less a person of God. Only God may cast out a soul, not some letter writer or any other misguided or misquoting person on earth.

I sign this letter knowing that many will not agree or like these words, but when people remove all reason from public letters, it is time for someone to say enough.

Bruce Orr
West Bay, Grand Cayman
(still part of God's world)

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News about Cayman in the Foreign Press

News about Cayman in the Foreign Press

Cayman-bound doctor faces new charges

LOUISVILLE, USA According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Dr. David Procter, the Kentucky physician convicted of illegally supplying prescription drugs, was indicted on federal charges of attempting to flee to the Cayman Islands to avoid going to prison.

Cayman ranked 66 in world rugby

LONDON, England

The International Rugby Board have announced the launch of the official IRB World Rankings for the XV-a-side international men's game. The Cayman Islands are ranked 66 out of 94.Cayman one of twenty sisters

MIAMI, USA

According to the Miami Herald, Miami-Dade has twenty "twin" or "sister" cities, one of which is the Cayman Islands. The idea behind twinning with another city is to promote friendly relations based on exchanges between two different cultures.

'Parrothead' favorite from Cayman

OCEAN CITY, USA Ocean City Today reports that "Phunfest", organized by the Ocean City Parrothead Club, a social club for people who like the music of Jimmy Buffett, will include a show with 'Sunny Jim' from the Cayman Islands.

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News From Our Region

Jamaican movie 'One Love' premieres at International film festival

One of the stars Ms. Cherine Anderson (right) and one of the directors Mr. Rick Elgood (left) of "One Love" get together following the screening of the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, 8th September.

One Love, a Jamaican movie about forbidden love between a reggae musician of the Rastafarian faith and the lead singer of a church choir and a pastor's daughter, opened at the 28th Annual Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada this week.

Starring Mr. Ky-Mani Marley and Ms. Cherine Anderson, the Jamaica/United Kingdom/Norway production tells the story of the forbidden love between Kassa (Marley) and Ms. Serena Johnson (Anderson.) How love eventually overcomes the differences of the two worlds Christian and Rastafarian is the premise of the movie.

Filmed in Port Antonio and Stony Hill, 'One Love' showed the natural beauty of Jamaica with the country's lush and scenic countryside featured prominently.
Mr. Rick Elgood, one of the directors of the movie, is optimistic the film would redress the imbalance in the portrayal of Jamaica in movies as a violent place, JIS News reported on Wednesday, 10th September. He told moviegoers following the premiere of 'One Love' that, "The Jamaican culture has a lot of texture. We wanted to make a movie that did not glorify drugs, guns and violence."

'One Love' also features Mr. Winston Stona as Serena's father, Pastor Johnson; Mr. Idris Alba as Aaron, Serena's fiancé; Mr. Winston Bell as the notorious and corrupt record producer, Selector G; Mr. Carl Bradshaw as an obeah man, and Mr. Vas Blackwood as Scarface, Selector G's henchman. The screenplay was written by Mr. Trevor Rhone, from the original story by Ms. Yvonne Deutschman. The other director is Don Letts and both directors also collaborated on the 1997 hit 'Dancehall Queen.'
The 10-day Toronto International Film Festival, which ends on Saturday, 13th September, will showcase more than 300 films from 55 countries, with about 75 per cent being world and North American premieres.

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Caribbean-American councilmembers retain seats

Jamaican American Councilmember Alan Jennings retained his seat.

By Felicia Persaud

Three incumbent Caribbean American City Councilmembers retained their seats as primary election 2003 came to a close last night in New York City.

In one of the most watched races of the election, Vincentian-born Councilmember Mr. Kendall Stewart of Brooklyn, won by a slim margin of 179 votes over his main challenger, Barbadian-born Mr. Sam Taitt. Mr. Taitt managed 1,763 votes in a primary election that was seemingly marred by low voter turnout while Mr. Stewart was returned with 1,942 votes.

Mr. Stewart, who speaks with a thick Vincentian accent, had faced stiff opposition for stereotypical remarks he made to the New York Daily News about Haitians, but that comment coupled with what one challenger termed his 'arrogance,' did not doom his re-election bid.

But an insider to Governor George Pataki claimed the victory came because of a "political risk" Mr. Stewart took as a freshman councilmember last year by crossing party lines and endorsing the Republican governor. "The governor reciprocated that support and the councilman's constituents will only benefit from this relationship," said the aide.

Mr. Stewart's other challengers, Jamaican-born Mr. Omar Boucher obtained 1,222 votes while Guyanese-born Ms. Erlene King only garnered 601 votes.

Jamaican-American Councilmembers, Messrs. Leroy Comrie and Alan Jennings, who both represent a large Caribbean population in southeast Queens, were both returned to office.

Mr. Comrie won easily over his challenger, Ms. Helen Cooper Gregory, trouncing her by 2,686 votes. Councilmember Jennings, who faced a tough challenge from the Democratic machinery's handpicked designee, Ms. Yvonne Reddick, won, but narrowly. Councilmember Jennings garnered 2,111 votes compared to Ms. Reddick's 2,005.

Late last evening, Speaker of the New York City Council Mr. Gifford Miller had predicted victory for all three incumbents, during a conversation with Trinidadian-born head of the Transport Worker Union, Mr. Roger Toussaint.

Now that the three have once again been returned to city government, the focus shifts once again to the problems of the respective communities and the solutions they can help provide in making life better for the loyal constituents who sent them back to City Hall.

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Castro scores major victory as United States congress votes to allow American tourists

President Fidel Castro

Cuban President Mr. Fidel Castro scored a major victory in the U.S. Congress yesterday, as Congressional representatives voted in favor of allowing American tourists to travel to the island. The Cuba travel amendment, introduced by Rep. Jeff

Flake of Arizona and attached to the Treasury and Transportation Departments' appropriations bill, passed by a vote of 227-188, AP reported.

Those in favor of free travel to Cuba welcomed the vote. "By voting to legalize travel to Cuba, the House decided that the best way to advance freedom was to ignore the Bush veto threat and confront political repression in Cuba by unleashing the power of average Americans to act as goodwill ambassadors," AP quoted Ms. Sarah tephens, director of the Freedom to Travel Campaign at the Center for International Policy, as saying.

But President George W. Bush and opponents of the Castro government say it will only boost the 'dictatorship' of Mr. Castro. Mr. Bush has vowed to veto the bill, which will have to now be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Current law allows Americans to visit Cuba, but only if they have special permission from the U.S. government. Authorized groups include journalists, family members of Cuban nationals, humanitarian workers and students on educational missions.
Meanwhile, the Bush administration announced plans to impose economic sanctions on Cuba, Burma and North Korea for failing to take steps to stop "human trafficking."

In June, the U.S. State Department alleged in an annual report that 15 countries had made no significant efforts to stop trafficking in humans and could face sanctions under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Officials said sanctions could include voting against loans to the countries from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The U.S. government estimates that 800,000 to 900,000 people are trafficked annually across international borders worldwide, with 18,000 to 20,000 winding up in the United States.

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Grenada PM offers sympathy to family of slain Brooklyn carnival victim

Grenadian Prime Minister, Mr. Keith Mitchell, sent his ambassador, Mr. Lamuel Stanislaus, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Development Adrian Mitchell and Consul General Ms. Janice Celestine, to offer his condolences to the family of slain West Indian American Carnival victim, Mr. Anthony Bartholomew.

Mr. Bartholomew, whose father is Grenadian and whose mother is from St. Vincent, was fatally shot during the Labor Day festivities in Brooklyn, New York. He was buried on Saturday 6th September.

In a statement read by Mr. Stanislaus, the prime minister said, "It is with a sense of profound sorrow and deep shock that I learned of the senseless death of young and promising Anthony Shawn Barth-olomew, cut down in the flower of his adolescent years, by a violent act, during what should otherwise be a celebration of Caribbean
culture. On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt sympathy to the parents, sister and brother of the deceased and especially his precious little daughter, Makayla, who is much too young to understand her loss."

He added, "It is always a painful experience for parents to commit a child to the grave. It is not in the normal sequence of events and this causes it to be even more heart rending. Nevertheless, as believers we accept, even this, as God's will and take comfort in the liturgy that "life is changed not ended" and that Anthony will continue to live in the Divine Presence where there is no pain, no sorrow, no suffering, no violence but eternal peace and love."

Meanwhile, Mr. Bartholomew's killer remains on the loose. West Indian American carnival association members have reportedly squashed plans to provide a reward for information leading to his death. And the hullabaloo over the picture of the victim lying in his own blood and published by the New York Daily news has died down.

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IMF, World Bank looking into Grenada's finances

Looking to strengthen the vulnerabilities in Grenada's financial sector, Prime Minister Mr. Keith Mitchell entertained a seven-member delegation from the International Money Fund, the World Bank and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force earlier this week.
The delegation will examine the island's banking sector, the non-banking financial sector and Grenada's anti-money laundering regime, the Associated Press reported.
"We look forward to your recommendations, since we are committed to making the financial services sector a viable part of our diversification efforts," Prime Minister Keith Mitchell was quoted as saying.

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Sports

CIFA's Annual General Meeting

CIFA's Executive Committee and members gather together following CIFA's 37th Annual General Meeting at the Grand Cayman Marriott on Saturday, 30 August 2003. Seated (l-r) Patrick McField (Member Representative), Godfrey Bowen (President Cayman Islands Referee's Association), Canover Watson (Treasurer), Jeffrey Webb (CIFA President), David Frederick (First VP), Mark White (Assistant Secretary Operations) and Jeff Pouchie (Member Representative). Absent from picture: Bruce Blake (General Secretary), Paul Macey (Assistant Secretary Administration) and Anthony Ramoon (Second VP).

By Kenisha Morgan

The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) hosted its 37th Annual General Meeting at the Marriott Beach Resort on Saturday, 30 August 2003.
In his address to members, CIFA President Mr. Jeffrey Webb focused on the future of football in
the Cayman Islands, stressing the importance of being "here today and here tomorrow."
Reflecting on the past 11 years, Webb noted the startling changes in membership from 1992 - 2003. Only five of the original nineteen members, Scholars International, Bodden Town FC, Sunset FC, George Town SC formerly "Strikers", and Academy SC formerly "CNB" survived through 2003.
His message encouraged members to aspire to greatness and to plan and execute those plans today to ensure their future existence. "Never doubt your potential," he said, and gave assurance of CIFA's commitment to assist its members in their developmental efforts.
Moving forward on significant achievements, Mr. Webb informed the members that negotiations with the Cayman Islands Government for the lease of 17.5 acres of land in Spotts had been successful. The Association is hoping to break ground for its National Training Center in late 2003.
In closing, he drew members attention to CIFA's vision statement, "To establish football as the dominant sport in the Cayman Islands; to ensure the holistic development of our youth, specifically their physical, mental and social development; and to make Cayman Islands football a competitive force at the regional and confederation levels."
In keeping with that vision, Mr. Webb highlighted three main areas of development for the next 10 years referee and coaching education, youth and women's
grass roots programs,
and improving the
organizational level of CIFA's competitions and tournaments.
The General Secretary's Annual Report along with the Treasurer's audited financials by Rothstein, Kass and Company were also presented. The financials indicated that administration accounted for only 17 percent of CIFA's expenditure while club prize monies and awards, league operations and national programs accounted for 13, 19, and 51 percent respectively.
CIFA Treasurer, Mr. Canover Watson, a Chartered Accountant by profession, noted how rare it was for non-profit organizations like CIFA to keep administrative costs at a minimum.
Under application and registration of members Tiger's Football Club from George Town was welcomed as an Associate Member, while East End FC, formerly a full member, was made an Associate Member. Mr. Webb informed the members in attendance that coach
Thiago Cunha, recently appointed National Women's and Eastern
District Coach, would be working closely with members of East End
FC to help the club regain its vibrancy.

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