Bush paying Dr Frank

| 23/08/2011

(CNS): The premier’s office has confirmed that McKeeva Bush is personally paying “a stipend to the on air talent of Community Voices talk show on Radio Cayman,” the new talk show which the publicly owned radio station was “directed” to be aired by the premier. The show is hosted by former minister and UDP party member, Dr Frank McField, along with local personality, Lorna Bush. According to a letter sent by Radio Cayman to the independent member for North Side, the new show is not a Radio Cayman production and neither of the hosts were paid or employed by the station but it is providing the air time, it confirmed.

“Radio Cayman received verbal directives from the Ministry of Finance, Tourism and Development,” the information manager told Ezzard Miller in response to an FOI request about the details of the business case to launch a second talk show on the heels of the long running Talk Today programme, as well as the details of the recruitment process for the hosts.

Radio Cayman does not fall under the premier’s ministry but is the remit of Deputy Premier and Minister for District Administration, Works and Communication, Juliana O’Connor Connolly.  However, this is not the first time that the premier has handled issues from his deputy’s ministry.

As a result of the ForCayman Alliance with the Dart Group, Bush also overrode her ministry’s recent announcement that the future of waste-management would be handled through a waste-to-energy solution by Wheelabrator, the winning bidders, following a request for proposal process last December via the Central Tenders Committee.

Speaking at a press briefing last week, Miller said that he had concerns that Community Voices, the new radio talk show now being broadcast in the late afternoon immediately after Talk Today, was party political propaganda and being aired during ‘drive time’, as the time slot is referred to  — a prime time slot. The independent member said that government resources should not be used to promote party politics. He pointed out that the premier was using a known party operative to promote himself through the public’s radio station.

The premier has for some time being seeking ways to promote his government’s agenda via the media and has explored several ideas for creating a UDP newsletter or promotional website. When the premier came to office he continued the weekly televised government press briefings for only a short time. The briefings had been started under the PPM administration and acted as a forum for them to push out government’s message and allow the press to probe policy and other issues, 

He reduced the frequency and then stopped the meetings altogether as he accused the media of twisting government’s message. He began issuing statements in recorded televised radio broadcasts instead or from the Legislative Assembly floor when the House was sitting, when there is no opportunity for debate and only questions of clarification.

Earlier this year he announced that he had plans to televise the proceedings in Legislative Assembly, government’s policy position and emergency information on a new government television channel, which would allow the public to see the House in action and not distorted by the media. Bush had stated at a public meeting in North Side in April that the TV station would be launched in June.

He indicated at the time that WestStar TV had agreed to supply the channel free of charge and it would be added to customers’ packages. Bush said his government had to be able to get its message out and important information across to the people.  “We will also televise the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly,” he said. “There will be a regular news broadcast of government information. The policy and position of the elected government on issues will also be communicated on this channel,” the premier added, stating that the country could not continue to rely on the skewed reports of CNS.

The opposition has criticised the premier for dropping the regular press briefings and Alden McLaughlin, the PPM leader, said he understood the premier needed “all the ‘PR’ he could get” but the show – Community Voices- was inappropriate as public resources should not be used for propaganda.

See letter from Radio Cayman re Miller's FOI request

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  1. Anonymous says:

    instead of jail or treatment centers, we put people on the radio

  2. Anonymous says:

    Stop destroying aother Caymanian. Dr Frank and hisdear sister Beulah comes from one of the best mother you could find in the Cayman Islands. There is lots of good in that man just give him a chance.He meant good for the George Town people, and one thing for sure he had some of the best working under  him in the Community. That showed me that he has a good understanding of the peoples needs. After the Ivan Hurricane Dr Frank could be seen riding on the back of a truck going as far as West Bay to deliver goods for those that was severely damaged. One lady from West Bay said that the only assistance that she got was from Frank.God bless you dear.

    • A Lawyer says:

      Dr. Frank was given a chance. Actually, more than one. I was rooting for him when he first got elected. He has proved himself unworthy of the public trust. He seems to think that after almost four years of 'investigation' the police statement on the eve of the general election that there was "insufficient evidence" of a criminal offence means that he was exonerated. It doesn't. He should not be let anywhere near public office.

      Frankly, this kissing up to McKeeva is nauseating and will cause the loss of any measure of respect right-thinking people had for him. 

  3. hopeful eediat says:

    Jeez minairy! Frank and Lorna sound like two wuzzies in a wicksalwe bottle! Dey newa met a Mckeewa dey couldnt wership!

    Miss Lorna, I hear you didnt know that brudda Frank was gettin paid a somn somn and you not on dah Bauw Bauw list! Oh boy, dah muh hut aing?! Ayuh!

    Dah how it go chile, dey kiah afford buy e'ry body so deh got a lil pay as dey abuse ting goin wid Dr Funk. I tink he gets a lil "alm" "alm" bonus too on account a he a lil more aydukayted dan you too ya see. umhuh.

    If you waugh get on da list I belee you ga haid chenge yo neme to McField so it will be tree a unnah cuz right now de Bush section iz all full up!

    • Just Me says:

      "by hopeful eediat (not verified)"  Well at least you know that you're an idiot!  There may be hope for you afterall!

      • hopeful eediat says:

        Alm alm alm alm is that you Franky? – lost your sense of humour along with your judgement?  Nay, I suspect you were never possessed of either. The truth is with you and Mac and unna peeps trying to direct thinking in this country, any intellgent person should really feel like an eediat for being hopeful! 🙂 🙂 

  4. Anonymous says:

    Dr. Frank, Dr. Frank… I just wish the government had given you the position that you deserved back in 1978 where you would have been able to implement the good social policies that are so lacking in our society today.

    What is happening to you now is most humiliating, remember Dr. Frank, George Town people were kind to you once before but I am not so sure that there will be a second time around. 

  5. Bobby Mugabe says:

    Good Frank. Very good. You remind me of……………me!

    Now let us move on to the next chapter in the Official Dictator's Handbook (sub-Saharan Edition).

     

  6. Anonymous says:

    Frank has the perfect face for radio…

  7. anon says:

    Not a worry, no one respects Frank anymore, and if they did this should take care of the rest

  8. Anonymous says:

    FRANK the public had more respect for you when you was walking around with a parrot on your shuolder and counting aluminum cans.  Have you not understand as yet that it was the now premier that did not want you running along with the UDP in 2005.  you have no pride or respect for your self. do not except me to have it.   Miss LORNA you are a dissapointment

  9. Da Wha Ya Get says:

    Anyone who would listen to any of these pile of horse manure radio talk shows gets exactly what they deserve. They got Ellio didn't they? 

    For the love of God, put on a CD.

     

     

  10. Anonymous says:

    This XXXX who calls himself a Dr. should be banned from all Government departments for assaulting Police Officers, this island has gone to hell, our forefathers are turning over in thier graves.

  11. Anonymous says:

    me say anything, do anything fu a dolla

    all me schooling never discussed =========.

  12. Just Me says:

    What a bunch of hyprocrites!! All of this back-biting and hiding behind anonymity when you are 'on the take'.  You know who I mean…….it's you of course.  If the cap or the shoe fits, then wear it my friend.

  13. Anonymous says:

    if the Premie is paying the host, then who is paying for the airtime?  If no one is paying for the airtime, then the government is still paying for the show…..needless to say to a political party.

  14. Baldric says:

    Cayman already has one Frank Sound and it don't need another one.

  15. Anonymous says:

    I guess that old saying, "He as a great face for radio" applies in this case.

     

  16. Anonymous says:

    Dr Frank shpuld be campaigning for himself. He did alot of good for the little people as a former Politician called us.I will vote for this man every time.

    • Foxtrot Oscar says:

      Yes drunken aggression to police officers going about their job is an admirable quality in a politician.

    • Just Me says:

      Dr. Frank has his people at heart. He is qualified for the job. I think he has a plan.

  17. Me says:

    Frank you were more respected when you were walking the streets of George Town with a parrot on your shoulder. Stop kissing up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Where is that parrot? It could have been safely elected to the LA now that Franklin is gone. It could repeat everything McKeeva says, just like the current UDP dwarves, and wouldn't cost us anything more than the price of a few crackers.

  18. Just Me says:

    Seriously, who elevated the Rooster show to such a position of prominence? In other words if you can get your time on Rooster you shouldn't need anything more?? For God's sake, Radio Cayman is the government's own station, why shouldn't they utilise it? If McKeeva is so bad then please explain why he is voted in time and time again with such an overwhelming majority? The man has good backing; most of the major business people on this Island support Mr. Bush. He is trying to get more business here to keep them in business. Stop always bitching about everything and we may soon see some good things happening.

    • BORN FREE says:

      Well this talk show should be a very unbiased show, seeing that Mckeeva Bush pays for it & the hosts are Frank Mcfield & Lorna Bush! I mean, you could not get a more "fair & balanced" bunch! Mckeeva Bush, Frank Mcfield & lorna Bush? Fair & balanced? The only thing missing is Elio Solomon & CG! What a joke!
      At least they can be sure of one thing: they will have an audience of 9 (that being the remainder of the elected UDP & their remaining supporter)

      • Just Me says:

        I suppose we all agree that the Rooster show is unbiased?? Think again, try calling in with anything that doesn't sit well with Austin.  Hey, there should always be the freedom to express both sides of any story.

    • Anonymous says:

      Radio Cayman is owned by the people of the Cayman Islands..NOT the governement!!

      • Just Me says:

        Owned by the people, huh? Well let the people take over the radio station then!

    • Dred says:

      ….

      Fridges

      Stoves

      Microwaves

      Washing Machines

      Hand outs

      Drug heads

      New FORM Church Offerings

      Inbreeding

      Should I continue?

  19. sady says:

    Today is my last day of reading this site. It is very depressing. Goodbye

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah right! You'll be back to see how many thumbs up you got. I know you, you're just like me. I swear I'm never going to write another comment or read another story. Then afer a few weeks, days or hours I come along and see an article that just lights my hair on fire.

      Remember the following quote.

      Edmund Burke: " All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".

       

      See you soon.

    • Foxtrot Oscar says:

      We never heard from you before, we won't miss you when you are gone.  Don't let the virtual door hit you on the wait out.

    • Castor says:

      I couldn't agree more with you, nothing on this island is "right" or so most posters would have one believe.  Christ Himself could decend on great billowing clouds and fanfare and people would post negative things about it. Enough already.

    • Anonymous says:

      You need to come back. You're missing out on some extremely excitng new headlines. And by all indications there are more to come. Wouldn't miss it for the world. 

  20. Anonymous says:

    Isn't Frank the one who wrote how Dart is helping tourism??  I can't imagine how.

    What about the local bus drivers who have been put out of business because of Dart's bus service.

    I don't know anyone who has any repect for Frank.  Now especially..

    I guess payoffs by all contributors are available to all who want to keep  Bush in power.

    Not good for the country.  Our reputation is at stake and it is going down hill more everyday.

     

  21. Anonymous says:

    The Premier has once more shown his lack of good judgement. What we need is less talk and more action. Actions speak louder than words.

    Mark Twain said, "Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement".  I guess Mac is just looking for more experience.

     

  22. tim ridley says:

    This raises two points, one serious and one not so serious;

    1. There is now no need for Radio Cayman owned by the Government (even though it did fulfill a very useful function when there were no other stations, bar ICCI and BBC short wave). Privatise it and require all radio stations to carry emergency broadcasts (as in the USA). Community announcements have ample outlets in the media.

    2. A famous US satirist once said "if you have nothing worthwhile to communicate, the least you can do is shut up"……..And based on previous TV shows, I doubt that the listening audience for this new radio show will be very high.

    Tim Ridley

    • South Sounder says:

      Sorry. Hit the the wrong thumb. Definitely meant a thumbs up to this comment

    • Anonymous says:

      Tim, while I agree with your point 2 I have to emphatically disagree with point 1. Radio Cayman:

      1.  fills a clear void with respect to Caymanian cultural programs, e.g. children storytime on saturday mornings with Twyla Vargas. 

      2. provides a full audio recording of LA debates.

      3. reflects our Christian heritage with religious programming.

      All of that programming would be lost if it were dependent purely on advertising revenues. Radio Cayman is our nearest equivalent to PBS and C-Span and needs our support. The almighty dollar should not dictate everything in life.  

  23. cow itch says:

    And no one better turn down the Killas demands… so vote straight UDP or elsssssssssssseeee…

  24. Anonymous says:

    A lot of posts saying that Mac has a right to put forward his side. However, as far as I was aware the Rooster talk show gives equal time to the UDP, PPM and Independent MLS'a.

    I wonder if time will be given to the PPM and the Independent on the "sponsored" Radio Cayman Talk show???

    • Anonymous says:

      I had stopped listening to Talk Today as I would fall asleep during it but give me that show over this talk show as these 2 would put a Bat in Bodden Town's Bat Cave asleep during daylight. OMG it's ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ and dead!

      • Anonymous says:

        so you are saying that franks show is worse than talk today?????

        i did not think that was possible!

  25. Anonymous says:

    Just ignore the broadcast – don’t listen to it – don’t call. I can think of nothing that will infuriate McGoebels more, than having his propaganda – IGNORED.

    • Anonymous9 says:

      True dat! Except that all of his puppets and the muppets in WB will be the ones making everyone else think they are the majority.

       

      Besides, what makes you think someone with opposing views will be allowed to be heard? Easy enough to click the switch disconnecting them.   oops

      ;o)

    • Anonymous says:

      People, do not forget, this is "YOUR" radio station!! If you disagree with what is being aired and said , then i would encourage you to call in and voice your point of view – I have a feeling that Frank and Lorna will have a hard time defending all of the stuff the UDP is up to.

  26. Eldridge Cleaver says:

    I hope McKeeva Bush is paying you a lot for your dignity and self-respect, Dr. Frank.

     

    I liked you much better when you were a crazed Black Powerrebel with a bad attitude and a great vocabulary.

     

    You sold out, homey.

     

    Ask yourself if Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley or Tupac would ever have stooped so low as to become McKeeva Bush's court jester.

     

    Truth hurts my brother.

     

    • Bad Moon Rising says:

      I was 1 of the, I believe 47, people who voted for Dr Frank McField in the last elections, well this puppet will only have 46 next elections IF he decides to embarrass himself again.

  27. Dred says:

    I say we all visit this nice show and start to chat with Mr McField about interesting topics such as the investigation into the Premier and other topics of interest to all Caymanians since after all it is the COMMUNITIES VOICE.

  28. Anonymous says:

    CNS:  Who is actaully paying for this??  McKeeva out of his own pocket (doubt it) or is the money coming from Government???

  29. Dred says:

    Didn't he flip off a year or so ago and want to fight a police officer or something?

    Is this really the face you want to project for the UDP party?

    I love the program name though just not for you…Community Voices…

    I say we all call in and let him have it…..make him close his own program….he should be good at it now anyhow cause most of the crap he's been trying to push end up closed…

    – North Sound Dredging

    – Oil Refinery

    – East End Cargo Port (aka Mega Quarry Inc)

    ……and more to come…..

    • Libertarian says:

      It is unbelievable!  Over a thousand people oppose the South Sound dredging of a canal, and not one politician you heard stood up and went public to condemn it, and the cutting down of pine needles, which were hurricane buffers that prevented Ivan's surge from coming inland. I can testify that the  South Sound pine needles took a hard hit and stood their ground during Ivan. If it wasn't for them, breaking the wind and big waves from coming inland, the surge would have easily moved across the island to the North Sound. How I know this for a fact?  After Hurrican Ivan I saw the brown and broken graveyard of trees in South Sound all stack up on each other like toothpicks … they certainly didn't become that way by the loving hand of mother nature. Now it appears that our politicians will allow these developers to dredge a canal so a well-off few can build their mansions and drive their toy boats in and out of the canal. It is just sad. The majority of South Sounder oppose this project, and our politicians don't seem to get it!  They don't seem to value democracy… let me spell it out for you:  Over One Thousand People [and growing] oppose this project. They do not want it! That is how I know Cayman is not a true democracy. The people should always be heard and constitutionally have a vote in the passing of major legislations effecting their community. But not so in Cayman!  You don't find no provision of such in our Constitution. The politicians allow developers and big names to override people, override their consent, having the people vote for them and then turning around and stabbing them in the back. Then after these developers cause damage, they come and say this was in the best interest of the country. When all is said and done, they come with talk shows and how much they believe in democracy. Just pure foolishness!  "Community voices"?  What a joke!

      • Anonymous says:

        oh give it up… the nimbys could not come up with one decent reason against the project

  30. Cindy says:

    The media and their critics are scared now, because all like Charles Killa Whittaker has endorsed the Premier and defends his policy. McKeeva has alot of people backing him.

    • Anonymous says:

      Cindy, I would defend him also if I had been given $100,000. How many self made or broke persons you see that have not gotten a few dollars, refrigerator, washing machine or hurricane shutters defending him? Please provide list.

      • Anonymous says:

        That would take someone with accounting  and record keeping skills employed by government.  Sorry.

    • Anonymous says:

      Honestly, Cindy? What a sad state you're in.

    • Anonymous says:

      Really?  The guy who got $100,000 from the Premier says he thinks it was a good idea that he got the $100,000 from the Premier?

      Even I'd back Mr Bush if he gave me that kind of money.

      I'm not sure who is a more brilliant policy analyst… you or Charles Whittaker.

       

  31. Anonymous says:

    Sorry folks, but this is great news. It is about time we hear both sides of the story, and not just one side.

  32. nauticalone says:

    Another example of Abuse of Power by the Premier!

     

  33. Anonymous says:

    Hold on a minute! He might be paying for this out of the Minitry of Finance's budget! Did anyone read the attachment to this article?

  34. Anonymous says:

    Thankfully there is an easy solution. Don't listen.

  35. Hugo says:

    Bueno muchacho. Muy bueno. You have learned well. Let us move on to the next chapter from the Official Dictator's Handbook (Central Americas edition).

     

  36. Anonymous says:

    LMBCAO!

  37. The Spin Cycle says:

    This is getting very close to the line.  A government, ie. public radio station is being used by the Premier to distribute his "vision".  At previous times this was called propaganda after the revelations of the "Nation Building Fund" it should bring a seriously uncomfortable feeling to the population. Or at least those who can see the big picture. And the reason behind the decision to not televise sittings of the Legislature?  Members were obviously afraid of the public seeing them nodding off or polishing their cufflinks. Something has to give here. And hopefully it will be the birth of a new and vibrant democracy which people have some confidence in. CNS planted the seeds for this, got people involved, asked questions, created some discomfort in the status quo. Now it is up to the people.

  38. Yo mama says:

    So, Dr. Frank, as a man of the people, how do you feel about McKeeva Bush giving government money, the people's money, to churches for pastors to use as they please with no oversight?

     

    What? No comment?

     

    A follow up question, Dr. Frank: Do you think it's appropriate for Bush to remain in office while he is being investigated by the police for corruption?

     

    What? No comment, again?

     

  39. Anonymous says:

    McKeeva could have better furthered the UDP cause by asking Frank McField to say positive things about the PPM.

  40. Stroke the Ego says:

    Would like to say that this explains the wankfest, but let's face it: they said it themselves they would do it for free!

  41. Sad Truth says:

    Holy Cr@p Folks…

    MacGreedy Bush uses public funds to by the flocks of sheep in the churches of his choice and now he uses his position to buy individuals to take up time on the PUBLICLY OWNED radio station.  When I called Radio Cayman this morning to ask if I could have an hour a day to put an employee on the radio to say what I wanted, ie not an advertisement where the radio was paid, they said of course not.  We would have to buy advertising slots.

    So, XXXXX  He should be paying for the time, and it should be noted at the beginning, end and every ad break that "the following isa paid political advertorial for the leader of government".

    I have had it!!!  

    HELL NO, BUSH MUST GO…  

    HEY HEY, HO HO, ITS REALLY TIME FOR BUSH TO GO!!!

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Lets not leave ju ju out of the power race. Imagine a civil servant passing the age of 60 by a few years and still working in the postal department. Then she tells them that they can work until the year 13, now we know what that is for.What about others that had to give up their jobs because they reached the age 60. Thats what we call abused power.

  42. Anonymous says:

    does anyone else see anything completely wrong with this????  Can we say Castro!

  43. Anonymous says:

    Proof positive that we do not have a government but a ditatorship. Even if he is paying the salaries of the presenters out of his own pocket he is using the publicly owned radio station as his propogander tool. This is so wrong and so much like what Col. Gaddafi was doing in Libya!

  44. Anonymous says:

    The UDP are picking all of the wrong horses (e.g. Truman, Frank) in this race. They are not good enough for pasture, only thing those horses are good for now is dog food.

  45. Anonymous says:

    frank mcfield and steve mcfield….. both puppetts of mckeeva bush…..

  46. Anonymous says:

    Mr.Alden, What else do u expect from a dictator.

  47. Anonymous says:

    anybody want to remind me of 'Dr.' frank's prior convictions?????

    • cow itch says:

      I like Dr. Frank.  He has the taste of being a law-abiding civilian and a criminal at the same time. He has gone where no man has gone before…

  48. Anonymous says:

    I guess that is one way for Mac to keep Dr. Frank in line.

    How much more can we take of this man. 

    SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN NOW!!!!

  49. The Pot Calling the Kettle Black says:

    Does the leader of the PPM ever listen to the morning talk show on Rooster? Now there's some real propaganda…….

  50. Anonymous says:

    Its what Quddafi would do.

    Bush is paying for Dr. Frank and yet  he claims to be doing it for free.  Right!

    Bush is paying with his own money.  Right!

    He still thinks its all his.  Right!

    Good one. Your only fooling the fools.

    Which is all you have to do in Cayman.

  51. Anon42 says:

    You go Frank!  It is about time UDP fires back at Opposition's false claims. We don't need another 2008 deficit, which Kurt and Alden brought to the country by their bad financial policies and refusal to stop spending on an approaching global recession. "Not in one of these Mornings," said Kurt Tibbitts when he was asked by Mckeeva to halt the spending and projects, due to the global recession. But Alden and Kurt did not listen to any of theopposition at the time. They even refused to allow them to speak and pass motions.

  52. Anonymous says:

    Not Lorna Bush from Cayman Brac – OMG what is he thinking – this is a joke who will listen to her – I just cant stop laughing – he better watch that they are not his downfall.

  53. anonymous :-) says:

    "The premier has for some time being seeking ways to promote his government’s agenda via the media and has explored several ideas for creating a UDP news letter or promotional website," says cns.  So  what, opposition?!!   The premier is entitle to have his freedom of speech too. I mean you guys believe you can play your propaganda and the premier can't play his too. Ezzard, where is freedom of speech and information, you guys claim to stand for???

  54. Anonymous says:

    I recall Dr. Frank saying he wasn't being paid.

    Hmmmmm

  55. Anonymous says:

     

    I hope it is worth it DR??? Frank !

    I am truly disappointed