Private Brac paving illegal

| 23/05/2012

Acting Premier Controls the Paver.jpg(CNS): The public purse has shelled out over a half million dollars to pave private parking lots in Cayman Brac, even though there is no legal provision for that work. In a public interest report the auditor general said that District Administration broke the law when it paved private lots using public money. In one of two new reports released to the public on Wednesday, Alastair Swarbrick found that $521,090 of over $3 million spent on a major public road paving project on the Sister Island was used to pave 56 private lots along the way, although there is no budgetary authority for those lots to be paved. As he released the report, Swarbrick said that he would be passing it to the attorney general for his consideration.

The report is Swarbrick's first public interest report carried out as a result of concerns raised over the inclusion of private sector property in a public funded roads programme. Different from a performance audit, the public interest report was to establish the facts surrounding the project. The auditor said he found that the lots paved belonged to commercial private premises and churches but not residential homes or driveways.

In its response to the auditor general’s findings, the ministry said the NRA does not control road construction in the Sister Islands. The officials said they did not accept there was anything in the roads law that prevented the paving of private lots and that the money was allocated under the ministry’s road maintenance budget.

However, Swarbrick pointed out that this was not the case as he raised his concerns about the position of the ministry.

"I have real concerns about their response as all expenditures have to be authorized by the Legislative Assembly and the budget allocation was approved for public roads and not private parking lots," he said. "There was no explanation and no legal authority for it."

Swarbrick stated that if the attorney general takes no action he would give further consideration and had not ruled out reporting the matter to the Anti-corruption Commission. "This is a serious issue,' he said.

"Public funds have been used for a project that has not been authorized. And beyond the lack of authorization there is an issue of fairness and equity about why private lots can be paved with public money in the Brac but not elsewhere. However, the fundamental issue is government was simply not authorized to do this and if it can go ahead and do something like this, what else would it do?" he asked.

Explaining the motivation for the report, Swarbrick revealed that concerns had been raised directly with his office about the inclusion of private lots and driveways in the government’s road paving project on Cayman Brac.

He explained that during the review his office did not seek to determine why particular lots were or were not paved as all of the private parking lots of commercial premises and churches were done without authorization. Swarbrick noted that speculation that the lots were paved because of political influence was a secondary matter and not directly relevant to his findings.

Swarbrick said that the priority for his office was to determine if the work of the paving programme was carried out in accordance with the roads law, the public management and finance law and with reasonable management practices.

According to the report, Colford Scott from the NRA was appointed as the project manager on the programme, which District Administration was given the responsibility for by the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture. The work was carried out by public works staff on the Brac and government also purchased a Hot Mix Asphalt portable plant because it said it would not be able to contract a private sector company to supply the asphalt.

Swarbrick found that there was no documented business case for the whole programme and in particular for the paving of private lots that could show the value or benefit to the public purse under the PMFL. Because the programme was worth more than $300,000 a business case should have been submitted to the public sector investment committee.

He also found that although the procurement of the hot mix asphalt plant was carried out in line with proper procurement process, again no formal business case for the purchase was made, even though the plant cost more than $600,000, double the amount where the requirement is triggered.

Swarbrick said there was no documentation justifying the ministry’s decision to purchase its own asphalt plant rather than contracting an existing supplier but some explanation had been made in an answer to a parliamentary question in the Legislative Assembly last year.

The audit office also criticised the appointment of Colford Scott as project manager, which he said could have presented a conflict of interest, and as the contract was worth more than $50,000 the ministry should have documented its justification for a sole supplier or opened the contract to competitive tender.

Swarbrick said his findings would provide information “for consideration by the Legislative Assembly” especially in regard to the failures to comply with laws and regulations, but the report was also going to the attorney general's office for him to determine if legal action was required regarding the Office of the Auditor General's findings.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    AttorneyGeneral, Anti-corruption Committee, Prosecutors office, FCO, someone please do something to put a stop to this.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Disgraceful, blatant vote-buying, utterly disgraceful.

    • Anonymous says:

      These individuals should have to pay all the money back or go to prison for life. 

    • Anonymous says:

      From a church going, God fearing…oh wait, our premier is like that too right?

  3. Anonymous says:

    how do UDP rationalise spending money this way — I thot we wuz bankrupt/browke..then we were told to eat huge increases in costs in order to balance budget and yield a $5m surplus. So private sector acceoted the fee hike….budget still not balanced….no surplus…noone knows what the numbers actually are now but last claim there was a $19m deficit with nothing new coming in…none of the "investors" Mac and Juju went chasing have materialised..the only project which has started is CEC…but this project contributes little or no income to Government and no jobs for Caymanians either…CINICO is hemmoraging money despite earlier claims of balanced budget by Minister Scotland?…CIG pensions liability is grossly underfunded…still no audited financials = epic mess

    #UDPsuucxx

     

  4. Anonymous says:

    I suggest that anyone who received free paving not be allowed to vote in the next election.

    Ta- Ta Ms Ju Ju

    • Anonymous says:

      That would only be fair.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes but then that would only leave Moses and his family..how would that be fair?

        • Anonymous says:

          You seem to not know that Mr. Moses is the 1st elected member for the Brac.  In other words, he got more votes than JUJU and I'm sure that all those voters are not family to him.

          And it would be fair that they don't get to vote unless they pay for those parking lots.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Quote from the 06 May 2011 Caymanian Compass story on this matter:

    "Another stretch that has been paved is the road to the Agricultural Grounds on the Bluff, a road used once a year for the Agricultural Show. This road, which is about quarter-mile long, now includes a four-lane entrance and exit and two roundabouts."

    This is utter madness!! Did Mc tell Ms Julie that he had hit the mega lotto or what? Or was it the mega jackpot??

    And of course he said a year ago that there was nothing wrong in doing it, as this quote from the Compass of 12 May 2011 states: "when you pay your money for your cars, import duty and annual fees…is to do something to your driveway or road that was leading to your house."

    What a bunch!!!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      If you find who actually owns the adjourning piece of property in that area you will realise why the Auditor General is taking such a stance toward this matter. what if our leaders had a little integrity

  6. Anonymous says:

    Mac has his head down busy fine tuning another 'Cowboys and Conspiracy's' rant. Then blame the Governor, the UK, the PPM. By the way, no comment from the Minister or the PPM on this?

  7. Anonymous says:

    im a proud unregistered voter! why should i vote for any of these clowns!

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are not registered or don't vote, you can't complain about what these "clowns" do!

       

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are not registered and don't vote, you can't complain about "these clowns"! Don't even get on here!

    • Anonymous says:

      You should use your right to vote to ensure these types of idiots do not get elected. Vote for a better alternative.

  8. Anonymous says:

    By the way: Those of you who had your private driveways paved using tax payers money are in possession of stolen property.  Just thought I'd let you know.  Enjoy your evening.

    • Mo Rain says:

      So you want them to give it back a wha?

      • Anonymous says:

        Now they know they've received their driveways illegally — as if most of the didn't know at the time! — they should pay for them.    If it were up to me, I'd prosecute every single one who didn't offer to pay the going rate.  This type of crony activity MUST stop and must stop now.  It's bloody-well shameful.

        • Anonymous says:

          Some tried to pay for the paving and were refused – so that tells me the only ones to blame are on the Govt side, i.e. Brac-PWD, District Admin, Ministry of District Admin.

           

          No other persons, not even NRA, call the shots when it comes to Brac roads/paving works.

    • Anonymous says:

      They know that. They’re equally complicit and should now be made to pay. You don’t get something for nothing from a politician and assume it’s legit. Unless you are terminally stupid.

      • Truth says:

        Or a Caymanian in Cayman.  As you can easily see in some of the comments  its the way things have always been done here so itmust be OK to them.

    • lol!! says:

      16:28 in response to your comments, may I ask when last did you use your right hand.   Well hold it up in front of your face and open it and follow the sign of the right thumb.  Please do not throw stones.

  9. Anonymous says:

    177 comments and rising. Wise polictians take note! (However, I don't expect there to be any note-taking whatsoever.)

  10. Anonymous says:

    I can hear Stevie boy coaching Rolston now.

    " I did not have relations with that bottle of rum"

     

  11. Anonymous says:

    OK so let's see what we have here.  Big Mac has 3 criminal allegations against him.  Rollie now XXXXX.  Ju Ju been supporting the XXXX.  Questionable whether our Minister for Sport and stuff should have been allowed to run for election in the first place. That only leaves Mr Adam who I'm sure was unaware of any potential vote rigging in GT.  Oh and let's not forget the security guard that didn't see Dwayne beat up a gym instructor for having carnal relations with his sacred vessel.  And McKeewa thinks it's the UK making Cayman look ridiculous. 

    • Anonymous says:

      This is the worst government these islands have ever seen.

      • Anonymous says:

        How short is your memory…the PPM was the worst!! UDP is in the race and catching up!

        • Anonymous says:

          Actually the UDP was the worst until they took advantage of a gullible electorate and blamed their way back in again, and promptly and continue to break their own record every day.  

        • Anonymous says:

          For all of their faults, and there are many, the PPM is not even close.

    • Dred says:

      We have a HEROES corner we should have a VILLAINS corner.

      Please Rolli and Ju Ju don't make it a competition for top spot….please.

  12. Gusano says:

    As i look at this picture for this post ,of our minister getting "tings done" i had to laugh how can we preach to our young people about the sense of entitlement they apparently have or have inherited it would appear.

  13. anonymous says:

    UDP also paved all of the Boltin's Road neighbour hood that mac lives in.  Asll of it was done with Chip and spray.  Well all but one road that was done in asphalt.  Can you guess which one?  Yup your right, Mac's Street got the specieal treatment.  Looks like more misuse of power.

  14. Bethinking says:

    More of the same, "It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission".

    Nothing will ever come of this major infraction on the use of public funds on private businesses, well, except for a bunch of future votes. So don't waste anymore time and money pursuing it.

    At this point I feel for any business that got left out of this generous spreading of black goo.

    And I wonder if there is a political correlation with the leftouters?

  15. Anonymous says:

    Pure wutlessness going on in Cayman The Government  The Church and The Lodge involved with this mix up mix up the pay offs and the rip offs and the fleecing of Government continues what a mess?

  16. Anonymous says:

    And while the Minister was spending $3.4M in CYB on roads and parking lots, what was being done in GCM? Nothing that  I can see.

    A prime case is the section of Bobby Thompson Road from the Smith Road traffic light up to the round-a-bout at the end of Linford Pierson Highway. The base for the widening of that short section has been in place for years but this government has not seen fit to complete it – in spite of the slowing effect it has on traffic every evening of the week!

    I thought Mrs Julie was the Mnister for roads but it looks like she is the Minister for CYB roads. I guess we don't need to have OMOV to get garrison politics after all, do we?

    • Bling man says:

      Na worry.  Mista Dart gon pave all roads an driveways and parkin lots as soon he get wa he want.

    • Anonymous says:

      I believe the land owner has a Court Injuction against CIG/NRA to stop the road being built until…………….

  17. Anonymous says:

    Kudos to logger Anon 23:50, I know of a few people that benefitted from Paloma funds who did not even need it, insurance had already fixed and repaired their house and then when the money was been giving away still got their share. What a crying shame. Good FOI one to check out.

    • Anonymous says:

      Even the senior civil servants in Cayman Brac appear to have abused the Paloma fund. Ms Julie and her people were actively encouraging others to apply for aid whether or not it was needed.

      I heard that the parking lot plan started because the parking lots of 1 church and 1 store were paved free. Then it became policy do pave the remainder on Cayman Brac to hide the first two that were paved a la status grants.

  18. Anonymous says:

    "Colford Scott from the NRA was appointed as the project manager"

     

    Colford Scott is the Head of Brac-PWD and Chairman of the Board of Directors at NRA in GCM.

  19. Anonymous says:

    I hope Mr. Swarbrick gave the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions and not the Attorney General. We all remember how eager the Attorney General was to test the law as to the validity of John John and Mark being properly elected.

  20. Agree says:

    Proper Procurement practices anybody?  Or does this not apply?

    "Senior officials from government ministries and agencies in the Cayman Islands involved in implementation of public funded projects took part in the Caribbean Development Bank’s two-day workshop conducted by CDB’s Head of Procurement, Norman Cameron"

  21. Truth says:

    Illegal anywhere but a third world country means someone will pay with going to jail.  but this is Cayman and it was only half a million.  Lots more where that came from unless the government pension andhealthcare money has dissapeared again.

  22. Kosher Nostra says:

    I support what the Hon. D.P. did on the Brac.  She paved all the roads-FINALLY! and a few parking lots as well.  What's the big deal?  We pay Civil Servants probably 100 times that for no service when we need anything else done!  Despite all the chit-chat and mind vomiting, thus far she still has my vote.  My driveway is till dusty and my parking lot is too!  Not becuase I didn't get it paved, it's because I didn't want it paved!  

    • Ike N. Sienow says:

      The BIG DEAL is that public money was spent improperly!  And yes, there is unbelievable waste in civil service, but that's another story.  Two, three, or a dozen wrongs do not make a right.  You and everyone else have the right to vote however you please, even if it's for an unethical person.  Oh…. you get a gold star for not getting your driveway paved.

    • Anonymous says:

      It was illegal, you fool!  If you had had your driveway paved you would be in possession of stolen property.

    • Anonymous says:

      she still forgot about the South Side, so "All roads paved-FINALLY" nothing. and suuurrre you didn't want yours paved, suuuree you didn't.  puh-lease.

  23. Lumpy says:

    We need to introduce an effective surcharge mechanism for politicians and civil serviants who abuse public funds.

    • Anonymous says:

      Surcharge for abuse of my money.? That’s a crime, there is a penalty involved!

    • Anonymous says:

      We all know what the education minister is drinking but what is Ju Ju drinking?

    • Anonymous says:

      We already have one.  It's called you prosecute them and apply for a compensation order.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not only this Government but Head of Departments and past Governments always seemed to abuse their power in organizing trips abroad. Some leave on one flight and the other on a later flight visa versa.

  24. Anonymous says:

    The AG will do nothing. If the matter is handed over to the AC commission, I can guarantee nothing will be done. It's the way things go here, folks.

    • Anonymous says:

      Are you suggesting that our Attorney General will not do his job, or that the Auditor General is incompetent and made an inaccurate finding of illegal action? He says illegal if he is right the legal department must act and I hope they find who is truly responsible.

      • anonymous says:

        Bobo,

         you mus be new here…gowament agencies that area responsible for enforcing the laws are pros at  finding a loophole in the law which allows them to say, "look, we inwestigated, but the law(s) don't cover this particular offense or the law(s) are not retroactive,  blah, blah, blah….you forget who controls dey budget or wha???

  25. Anonymous says:

    Countless votes secured = re-election with an even bigger Brac majority = mission accomplished!

    Worth the tiny risk – the AG knows not to rock the boat.

    • Anonymous says:

      It might just not happen. Remember the crying the last time when the blue eyed boy came in first?

  26. Anonymous says:

    Um, yes, all the roads should be paved FIRST, South Side Rd East and all, before it was even considered to pave private lots, and at that, the owners should contribute at least something. C'mon! Something's fishy…

    • Anonymous says:

      Anon 20:49

      Im sure if Mr. Colford Scott would  come forth and tell you  the reason, these parking lots were paved, at  the same time the road was being paved…

      It was simple common sense, which i noticed…most people on here do not have . Why pave the roads only, then drag all your equipment back to do the parking lots.

      On another note, if you are a Bracker, and making these stupid remarks,… complaining that  your business places got repaved. God help you all!  

      • Anonymous says:

        You really do not get it. It is WRONG to use govt. money to selectively benefit private individuals in this way. What has happened to our morals as a people? God help you and your kind.  

      • Truth says:

        Thank you for explaining WHY it was done.  Now how about explaining how they hoped to get away with it?  God did not pay for it and neither did those involved.  They stole the money used to do it from the people of Cayman.  Get it?  It was not theirs to give away.  Not that that is stopping leadership in the least.  It is still against the law, unethical, and just plain wrong.  The fact that it is normal in Grand Cayman does not change that.  God help the theives of Cayman to see themselves for what they are.

  27. Anonymous says:

    This is no different than the Department of Tourism and Ministry of Finance spending millions annually to advertise the Cayman Islands globally as a tourist and financial destination. Does Government own the hotels and condominiums or banks, trust companies, law firms and accounting agencies they promote in Grand Cayman? Paving those parking lots allows Cayman Brac to be marketed to tourists as having unparalleled infrastructure for an island of its size! And there is no way the businesses which benefitted from the paving could ever have afforded it with their meager annual revenues, so Government had to do it. Otherwise, this island would still have visitors complaining about the pot holes, rocks, boggy sand and weeds in the parking lots located along its newly paved roads.  

    • BORN FREE says:

      Anon 20:45, WHAT?????????????????????

    • WOW says:

      Are you really that naive? or are you a Kool-Aid drinker?

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Fine.  If you want to call it a tourism improvement project, then you announce it (not after a church service) and invite people to submit details of the problem they're having.  Then you allocate funding properly, legally and according to need.  Then you publish the details of everything.

    • Anonymous says:

      Great idea at 20:45! In order to promote Cayman as a thriving enonomy with high standards of living Government should not just pave driveways they should make them for those don’t have one and replace all the shoddy,houses with good ones and put in proper landscaping. They should also build houses and support the beggars to keep them away from tourist, it’s not good for Cayman s image when tourists meet beggars in this major financial center, its worse for the image than potholes.

      • Anonymous says:

        Let's get real here-considering the countless millions of dollars spent year after year by government after government on 'studies', 'consultations', advertising, Vision 2008, meetings, conferences etc etc etc etc-for the first time some money was wasted on something that people can actually see and maybe benefit from.  So what-all this talk about reform this and that-yes it could havebeen spent differently but hey-you can at least see this!!!

    • Ike N. Sienow says:

      Mister Anonymous, I see you got an awful lot of thumbs down on your comment.  Does that tell you anything?

      • Anonymous says:

        Ike N. Sienow

        I dont know what it tells mister Anonymous, but what those thumb downs tell me, there are a lot of hate in these Islands.

        Most of you on here crucifying Julie, seem to have a personal hard on for her. Let me tell you though! your tearing down Julie, trying to remove her from office is not working. She  has more silent supporters than you think, and your unwarranted  behavior, will only increase her support.

  28. NeoSurvivor says:

    I said it before, when these private pavings were beginning, and I'll say it now:   We should pave a bike lane on the south side of the Brac;  it's too late for the north side, as many residences have borders right on the main road.    It's still not too late for the south side.   Yes, small slices of property would have to be acquired, but think of the gain.   a 10-mile straight run from the Brac western crossroads to the end of the island, and that, I believe, would encourage repeat tourism far more than asphalt business/church parking lots.  

    The Brac has many tourists who rent bikes to tour the island.    No only would we be making a safe passage, but locals could use a south-side bike path as well.   win-win.  

     

    'course, it's too late now.   Money has been spent.   

     

    Again.  

    • Anonymous says:

      I couldnt agree more, a brilliant idea. Furthermore that asphalt is only making the Brac hotter. Some nice gravel or crush rock would be far less expensive and more in keeping with the Island. Thats the kind of stuff that the Tourist likes to see. Enough asphalt in the USA.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Only a blind person could not see the conflict of interest with the Chairman of the NRA Board also being an independent contractor directing the use of personnel and equipment for a contract in which he is personally benefitting. I'm sure this must have come up at some point before.

    • Agree says:

      Lets see if THIS was raised at the Govt Procurement sessions!!!

      More than 200 people are due in Cayman for a series of meetings hosted by CDB over the course of the next week.

       

       

  30. Anonymous says:

    Are we going to get a refund from the "private paved receipents" pockets? Or will this be written off the books?

    • Anonymous says:

      The story said some private owners offered to pay but were told it was not necessary, so, there you go. Sounds like buying votes to me.

  31. Dreadlock Holmes says:

    Hello?? Ms. O'Connor?  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.  Take heed.

    • Anonymous says:

      On Grand Cayman the road FROM Hell is paved with tourist shaking their heads and muttering WTF?

  32. Anonymous says:

    Is there some criteria that says to be apart of and remain aligned to the UDP you have to run afoul of some law, regulation or good governance procedure? 

  33. Just Commentin says:

    Ju Ju needs to stick to things she knows nothing about like religion, education, and representing the people. 

     

  34. Anonymous says:

    That is one flat road.

  35. Flipper says:

    The Gong Show Continues!!!

  36. Anonymous says:

    As Sedric Levy told Tom Hill: "M'son, the worst is yet to come."

    • Astonished says:

      CNS, HOW CAN YOU ALLOW, a person to post the name of this Gentleman so boldly also the name of his neighbor so boldly.  What is happening with you people anyway.  Mr Levy will be talking to his Lawyer.  If I was you I would make some calls to his children.  I suggest you hunt and find out who they are.  Somebody is going to get into serious trouble for abuse.  Watch out.

  37. john Anonymous says:

    Amazing how politicians are attacked when they work for the poor and their people. The problem with the UDP is that they consistently seek to shift opportunities for those who are consistently left out by other administrations.

    Madam Minister you used my tax money to pave these streets and I support it.

    • Anonymous says:

      "These streets"? Perhaps reading the article would help you to make a sensible comment?

    • Anonymous says:

      Even the parking lots of wealthy business owners?  That's very generous of you.  Wake up and smell the coffee, this is crony capitalism at it's worst and most overt!  The government are managing the country like a second-hand car dealership — wheeling and dealing, ducking and diving, and doing dogy deals around the back. 

  38. Knot S Smart says:

    Oh Dear…

    The dominoes are beginning to fall…

    And its a good thing Mac is being driven by a sober driver…

  39. Anonymous says:

    Another thing that is quite upsetting is that these parking lots were paved and the road South Side where all the hotels are still isn't finished paving.  And the main bluff road, that our visitors drive on to see all of the attractions.The Ashton Rutty Rutty Centre is located there as well.  For those that don't know that is where most of the major events are held.  

    • Anonymous says:

      15: 41

      Stop being an idiot, supposed Julie didn't even bother to repave the Caymn Brac Roads, it would be fruitless of you now complaining, that she should have paved first,  the area where the rich people live. Cayman Brackers never did change. i left there 40 years ago. and i'll bet my bottom dollar you are one of the poor, still sucking up to the rich…so sad! 

      Events were held there without the paving and it can still continue to be held. You should be thanking Julie instead of critizing her. First, "she should have paved the Tourist area first" for your information , that has already  been paved and nowt he paving is going East on the South Side. Then you will get your cross roads paved…chil out and smell the roses.

      • Anonymous says:

        Last time I checked, Tourism is our bread and butter not your sorry butt.  Poor people not putting any food on my table, Tourism is though.  That's why Cayman Brac is the poorest of the islands, they don't appreciate the Tourist.  They only think of themselves.  

         

      • Anonymous says:

        I didn't say she should pave the Tourist areas first but instead of the parking lots, the main roads should be paved.  I don't need her to pave anything for me.  My point is that the roads that the tourists drive on look like 3rd world country potholes.  Please remember Tourism is our bread and butter not the poor man.  Public funding shouldn't be used for private roads/driveways/parking lots.

        I don't know what you consider tourist areas but being that I live here now and not 40 years ago, I can safely say, those roads haven't been repaved.

        • Anonymous says:

          Anon 20;28

          And I can safey say, all the so called tourist roads are paved, and you should know it,….you living there.

          I visited in January and they were paved then…all the roads leading to the hotels and businesses were paved, and the crew were heading east on the south side road.

          Matter of fact all roads on the Brac are tourist roads.. even the Spot Bay Road.

          If thats the case that Government should'nt help the businessesthat lack funds to pave their driveway. Then our Government should'nt subsidise the Brac's economy ( pumping cash to pay the public servants)

          Lets face the fact.. the bunch of you just don't like Julie, just  because she came from the other  side of the fence. I know what im talking about, I lived there. 

  40. Ju Ju Hound says:

    While the AG is at it, can he check see if Ju Ju has a license for that chariot?

    • Y U T E says:

      Atorney General????? That's a waste of time. Once it is in the AG's hands it will go the way of all the others: swept under the rug! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

    • Anonymous says:

      I wonder if the AG is also checking into the Paloma handling of funds as well. Folks whogot homes built that were not even needed, and other older victims from ju jus own birth place was left out spitefully because of dome poor creature being disliked because of speaking out the truth . What a shame and a sore eye.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Now we all know if the roads and parking lots were paved in Grand Cayman, there wouldnt be any problems and no one would have anything thing to say!! But because its Cayman Brac that finally got something good done for the island its a problem.

    As i am not a fan of Julianna, BUT i am grateful that Cayman Brac finally got something!!! Most of you commenting on here have never even been to cayman brac to see the state of the roads or even the business parking lots, so to sit here and comment negatively is very judgemental and selfish.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh yes, great job! Paving was done with no drain holes/drainage.

      • Anonymous says:

        Julie should be shame of herself. She knows better than that. Vote buying.

        • Danonymouse Man says:

          The people in the Brac hearts are pure and their hands are clean, too!  But unlike us here in old Cayman, they also need to keep their feet clean as well! That's the reason Julie paved the whole island!. I am sure that God spoke directly to Julie and gave her the go ahead with that project!  The attorney will eventually confirm that God himself directed her to do this paving, just be patient.

      • Braco Bandito says:

        We don't need no stinkin drain holes!

    • Anonymous says:

      It obviouslydoesnot enter your mind that it is illegal for private businesses to have their parking lots paved for free by government. SMH….

    • CAYMAN CLIFFROCK says:

      I visited Cayman Brac fot the first time since Paloma, and believe me I wanted to sell my home in Grand Cayman and move to the Brac.  In fact I was enquiring about a home to buy.

      That place is so beautiful and clean, and the roads are the most beautiful.   Una stop grudgeful minding Ms Julie.  She done a wonderful job.  I am from Grand Cayman.  Everything about Cayman Brac is better.  I only wish I could get a house or a piece of land to live there.

      The food is better the people is better every thing is neater.  Better hotels and and better food.  Better Brownier and better Patties.   School children is better nicer, more manners.  I support Cayman Brac and Ms Julie Work up there.  I love Ms Shirleymae and  Quincey, all the other nice people up there.  To Cayman Brac, I say do not let these badminded people dragg you into their backbiting, badmindedness that go on on Grand Cayman.  Stand firm with them and put them in their place.  Cayman Brac the Best.

      • Anonymous says:

        Wow, if you love it that much I hope you get your wish and yes, the brac is nice but so is grand cayman.  Perhaps you could work on your english composition while you are there as you are desperately in need of some and there aren't many jobs to choose from

      • Anonymous says:

        Clean? I guess you didn't notice Mount Trashmore II in the works – unlined, low-lying, blazing fires, the whole 9 yards. The Brac is beautiful, why are the same mistakes made in Grand Cayman being repeated here? The dump should have been addressed before the Hurricane Hilton (slab only) and half a million on private drives. We deserve better than this.

      • Anonymous says:

        You don't need to buy a home, just purchase a lot and ask JuJu to rebuild the house that never existed but was destroyed by Paloma.

    • Anonymous says:

      i've been to the brac and condition of the roads should be the least of your worries!

    • WOW says:

      If a business wants it parking lot paved, do what I have to do, pay for it your damn self!

       

    • Anonymous says:

      There are more sensible Bracers complaining than those in Grand Cayman. Guess what? majority of folks in Grand Cayman dont know about it as they are more accustomed to the refridgerator, stoves, cruise ship tickets,cow meat, etc give aways.

  42. Anonymous says:

    Caught Ya!!!  Good to know that someone is checking the actions of the Politician.  Now…What is the Attorney General doing? Should we not investigate him too to see if he is working for the Cayman Islands or the Politricians? I hope the Anti-Corruption board will action this one.  Someone has to be responsible to set these Politician straight.

    • Anonymous says:

      We could just turn the whole island into a prison isiand!

      • Agree says:

        I am FOR putting a cayman or regional prison on the Brac for job creation and improved security.  (Our local bad boys might think twice if their baby mammas had to board a plane with their ganga to visit).  It makes sense for many reasons.

        However, this is a bad idea due to our politicians previous history of poor project management.  

        If only a solid profit based plan was presented, an iron-clad, no kickback project was proposed…but WHERE are the politicians that will simply do right instead of right for themselves?

        A prison on the Brac could be as successful as prisons on the Isle of Wight (still a TOP UK tourist destination at the SAME TIME…google it? ) but with just looking at the CI schools projects, we simply cannot afford to leave our politicians in charge of any contracts- period.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is a total shame to see how one Politician can do whatever she wants to do. She should have stopped long before. POWER IN THE WRONG HANDS…..

      • Anonymous says:

        to anon 23:59

        why are you so hell bent on discrediting this woman? when you had members that would'nt do jack shit for the Brac, you complained! Now miss Julie is trying to do somthing for you all over there, and all you do is complain. you just cant please you all…can you?

      • Anonymous says:

        Just one?  I think you got your calculations wrong…. its not just Ju-Ju, Mac is obviously and blatantly doing it too, as are most of the rest of the sheep in his herd.

  43. Anonymous says:

    Once money was allotted to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman "we should spend every red cent of it" rather than send it back, she believed". Direct quotation from the Cayman Compass, Local News Section, Page 9, Friday 13th, 2000. 

    • Anonymous says:

      I AGREE TO THE FULLEST!!

      Cayman Brac doesnt have half of the financial budget as Grand Cayman, so whatever they are given, USE IT!! DOWN TO THE VERY LAST 1 cent!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Hey!  What is the yearly revenue contribution? 

      • Anonymous says:

        By all means use the money. However, not all of the public roads were paved, so why the money not spent on those roads, as opposed to private driveways or parking lots?

    • BORN FREE says:

      Did I read "Broke the law"??? WOW! Presently we have three criminal investigations into the premier ongoing, & the Minister for education is charged with DUI. I hope that now we will see an investigation into the law being broken regarding the private road paving done on the Brac. Really, it seems likely daily we witness one astonishing revelation after another concerning the present UDP government. What an embarrassment & disgrace for our once proud Cayman Islands. What a shame, UDP!

    • Anonymous says:

      That Friday 13th October 2000 page 9 article in Cayman Compass Local News is an eye opener.

    • Anonymous says:

      Anon 15: 11

      You PPMers working hard though! you better off trying to  put your effort in trying to educate your people.

      Cause we the silent majority are putting Julie right back in that seat. you wasting your time with all those false thumbs up for PPM. cant you see, hardly any UDP are paying your all BS any mind, we have the opportunity to vote for her  come 2013. we don't use thumbs to fool the people.

  44. Anonymous says:

    It'll be another cover up, just like all the others. When is a Caymanian ever going to be held accountable for the long list of past and continuing examplesof theft and corruption. There are so many examples of bank staff stealing from accounts, government workers stealing fuel, civil servants sharing confidential information, pensions being looted and shady property deals etc, etc, etc…yet when was the last time a Caymanian was brought before a court of law? If the perpetrator had been an expat they would be arrested. charged, convicted and then thrown off the island, and rightly so. Its about time Cayman that you woke up and realised that this cannot go on, you are fast becoming a joke in your own country and an embarressment around the world. If you can't face the fact that some of your own people are thoroughly dishonest and do something about it, then you must all share the responsibility and be tarred with the same brush. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Not true….no one is ever held accountable, be they expat or Caymanian….

    • Danonymouse Man says:

      I agree with what ya say, but our hands are clean and our hearts are pure! Ya got ta stop devil worshipping!

    • Anonymous 2 says:

      15:02,  Caymanians will be accountable when you people stay out of our business, not before.  Let us fight our own battles.  We do not need anyone from outside telling us where to dump chimmy Pot.

      • Anonymous says:

        US people keep having to spend OUR taxpayers money on investigating YOUR home grown criminals and propping up your inept economy. US people also account for the MOST productivity on these islands and keep your sorry backsides from being just another rock in the ocean. YOU are incapable of sorting this mess out that YOU PEOPLE created. Oh yes, and its not just your business, my hard earned revenues go to your small minded pockets in the form of government handouts and concessions so that you can swan around and believe your untouchable. Think again dumb boy, the 'lets blame every thing on the expats' is wearing thin, we're not from the outside, we're right here and there's nothing you can do about it.

        Stick that in your chimmy Pot and smoke it, you might make more sense, although I doubt it.

  45. WOW says:

    And to top it all off the residents of Cumber avenue are being flooded out of their homes at the expense of a few votes in the Brac. They are spending all the countries money trying to secure the next election. I guess Cumber Avenue doesnt have sufficient votes to justify spending some money down there huh Mark and Jon Jon?  you should both be run out of BT, you are both a huge disapointment! But dont worry my candidates are coming for your jobs, can you hear the footsteps behind you?

    • Twyla Vargas says:

      The Cumber Avenue problem began under the PPM Government and then rolled into the UDP Government.  Personally I will blame both Governments because one had it to deal with for 4  years and the other had it to deal with for 3.

      Wow  you may have brought up some valuable points, but what I am wondering is this,  and although you mentioned new Candidates.  "How can we be assured that the same thing does not continue to go on under new candidates..  I thought it would have changed under the promises of the two previous governments before too.

      Cumber has a serious problem whereby surrounding businesses were allowed to build car parks, subdivisions, and high paved roads, causing no where for the water to run back into the wetlands.  Now the question on my mind is this "who allowed them seven years ago after Ivan to do this without putting in proper drains and allowing the water to run off.  I have lived here all of my life, so I know what took place. No homes have ever been  flooded out here before Paloma.

      The blame game I am going to hold right here in Grand Cayman and I will not connect it to Cayman Brac.  What Cayman Brac gets has nothing to do with us.  At this moment I have 6 inches of water in my home and I have every right to be angry, because I will have to wait for two weeks to take out everything and put it by the side of the road.  I do not know who hold the purse string for fixing this project, but I do hope something will be done under this government, because in truth and fact what gurantee that I have that new candidates will not leave the problem as it is.  Show me what they can do now not next year May..

      • Mrs Twyla says:

        CNS note: The comment below was not posted by Ms Twyla Vargas of Bodden Town.

         

        With all due respect, my dog would make a better representative than those we have in the UDP Government now. I believe you when you say you have doubts about new candidates, but please bear in mind that until they are in Government they are limited and cannot "fix" the problems. I hope that you are ready for change because it is coming, and I hope you do your part to wake up the rest of Bodden Town and soon, you have a voice and you have influence, use it for good!  XXXX

        • TWYLA VARGAS BODDEN TOWN says:

          I am submitting this comment in regards to a comment made above, time 21:56 and which is titled. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MY DOG"  and which has,  that it is submitted by MRS TWYLA.

          To inform the reading Public and Cayman News Service, please MAKE NOTE, that  those comments are in no way associated with  MRS TWYLA VARGAS OF BODDEN TOWN.  They are not my comments, and was not written by me.  So I do hope the persons who wrote that comment does not have in their mind any bad intention to mis-represent my name as such. 

          In this Island there are only three Twyla's and I am the only one who I know that is addressed as "MS Twyla", so for the sake of good communication and a friendly background, I am asking the person who made those comments to please verify that they are not the comments of "MS Twyla Vargas of Bodden Town" Thank you kindly.

          • Not Twyla says:

            I am not Twyla, but I find it hard to disagree with this statement: "With all due respect, my dog would make a better representative than those we have in the UDP Government now.

             

            In fact, on numerous occasions I have offered the services of my dog when people ask the question "If McKeeva steps down, then who will replace him?".

          • To Dear Mrs Twyla says:

            I am the poster, I am sorry if you thought I was misrepresenting you, I was actually trying to direct my comment at you by putting your name at the top. Next time I will put " To Dear Mrs Twyla". The comment did not come from Mrs Twyla Vargas of Bodden Town, and when I see you again I will give you a big hug and tell you sorry myself.

             

             

            • Twyla Vargas of Bodden Town says:

              My dear friend whom ever you are, I am happy that we have solved something which could have caused bad blood.  It surely takes  "A real  MAN OR A real  WOMAN" to say they are sorry.   I am trying my best not to allow Politics to destroy my relationship with good people.  I have been around long enough to know it does not make sence, and only causes a break down in communication of feelings between people.  If a person has done me no wrong I have no reason to feel ill-will towards them.  I only wish we as a people could all get along, because, why should at the end of the day we have to wonder where did we go wrong. Bless your heart.

          • Hmm says:

            Mrs Twyla,

             

            Do not let Big Mac intimidate you, you seem very concerned about what the UDP thinks of you! Who are they to us ? they are our servants and you should not be so afraid of them! they are just men and all men are mortal.

             

             

            • Twyla Vargas of Bodden Town says:

              My dear Hmm, comment posted 13:14.  Obviously you do not know me very well.  No one intimidates me, and there is only one power I am afraid of, and that is God. Trust me on that.

              I prefer to adress the Premier as Mr McKeeva Bush, and not as Big Mac, and I address all others with respect also, and it does not matter what side they are on.  They are all Sir/Maam and Mr ro me.  Please understand that I have no Greviance with Mr Bush, neither do I have any with anyone else in the House of LA.   They have done me no wrong that I am aware of, so for the sake of Politics, I am not going to be drawn into a political stress with high blood pressure because of any party.  I am clearly pointing fingers at both parties for the Cumber problem, and to think of it in truth and fact the Governments are notreally to be blamed.   You want to know who is to really be blamed.  The persons who was in planning Board at the time, who allowed the Anton Bodden Road/Development to slice up devide the LookOut Gardens with no thought of the neighbouring people.    The water became trapped in the Cumber Avenue with no where to go. I have heard the Premier on many occasion told members of the LA to deal with the cumber problem, however this problem began under the watch of the PPM.  You may be grieved to hear me say this, but what can I do but speak the truth. If the persons responsible for this had any conscience they should feel saddened by what is taking place to the Cumber residents.  But my friend, no hard feelings, because I can only say "Keep me safe till the storm passes by".

      • Anonymous says:

        So, you would have us believe that the flooding in Cumber Ave began from May 2005? It would be interesting to learn what type and the level of any flood mitigation and road works done in Cumber Ave prior to May 2005.

         

        My sources tell me that the area of Cumber Ave was ALWAYS a pond area, then more people built homes there, and when their houses began to get really flooded, they complained and requested Govt to fix the problem.

        • Twyla Vargas says:

          Sir or Madam how ever you would like to be addressed, I am not 25 years old I am not 52 years old I am more than that, and  if I have lived here for more than 52 years I should know.   My home has been here for 40 years, has anyone heard me said that my home has ever been flooded in 40 years.

          Listen my friend, whether the Cumber avenue situation concerns you or not, I would suggest you first come and speak to the residents who lived here.  My grandmother lived here for 106 years.  Yes one hundred and six years, and never one day have I heard her say that any home was flooded here.  If you would like to do something, then be positive about the cause of the problem.  Some people will not accept blame for what has happened to the residents here.   Anyway I will leave you withese thoughts.TIME IS LONGER THAN ROPE.  Today the people of Cumber maybe suffering this water problem because of what some uncaring person has done, but again I say TIME LONGER THAN ROPE,

          • Anonymous says:

            Ok Ms. Vargas, please educate me on how the flooding in Cumber Ave is the fault of, and began with, the PPM administration who took office in May 2005.

            • Twyla Vargas Bodden Town says:

              09:43, I do not necessarily have to apologise to you for adressing you as Mr/Ms. Anonymous. .  The public appreciates names much more just  in case you dont know, and  it puts more weight and truth to conversations. Meaning they will read my comments much quicker than yours.

              Ok to answer your question.:

              After Hurricane Ivan, and for the first time inmy life has I had my home flooded from one end to the other.   The then government was the PPM.  The MLA's for Bodden town was Two Ministers.  MR CHARLES CLIFFORD, AND MR ANTHONY EDEN with OSBORNE BODDEN MLA.  The situation was so bad with the flooding in 2005, that our children could not even get out to school.  They walked in infested suage waters, and many children and residents became ill.  At that time the road was low and we had about 3 feet of water in the roads.  The then Governor tried to visit but the vehicle could not even enter the area.

              The PPM government had just taken office when this happened.  I personally made numerous visits to the MLA office in Rankine Plaza, Bodden Town asking the Representatives to help.  The then Leader Mr Kurt Tibbets came with a few of the MLA's and visited the area.  I must say that he showed genuine and sincere concern for what had taken place, but there was no gleam in the eye of our representatives to fix the problem.  It went so far, that myself and MLA Osborne Bodden had a verbal clash out.  This was so serious that he then coaxed, I dont know who to atleast fix the road, which we were grateful.

              I lost fridgerators, stoves, three bedroom sets, sofas, chairs closet doors, rugs and too much to mention.  I was not employed and was in no position to buy back my lost, which was well over 20,000. in furniture appliances , doors walls, and much more.

              When I would visit the MLA Office or called.  The words I would hear from them all was this 'OUR HANDS ARE TIED"   Dear me, it was not that funny.   The years went buy and they did nothing to fix the problem which was caused by the Anton Bodden road in the Look out Gardens.

              It really does not matter to me that you do not want to hear the truth, but the fact is that ;YOU ASKED TO BE TOLD"   The whole Cayman Islands have been hearing this from 2005, sorry if you were off Island all this time and did not hear the cries of the Children and the elderly on Cumber Avenue.  This problem is still going on.  And I am going to be very honest with you and say it rolled into the lap of the UDP too, and for three years NRA truck drive this avenue every time it rained and only looked out the window, while Mr Brian Thompson sneered at every one.

              The residents are still faced with this problem.  The children are crying, the elderly have Diabetes, and walking in suage water.  Toilets cannot flush,  Dishes cannot clean, and just sadness seen on the faces of children and elderly sick people.

              So my friend PPM Government had 4 long years and UDP 3, to do something.   Of course the same trench we would have required was put into south Sound, One put into Randyke Gardens and one put into George Town in front of Caribbean Bank.  This was all done under the PPM.  UDP also had three years that they were aware of the problem, besides the WANNABE POLITICIANS knew also. But the BIG BLAME lay at the feet of the Planning Department, and the National Trust who allowed the beautiful natural ponds to be filled up.  The roads sliced up and sub-divided, sold off with no care of the residents of this avenue.

              The situation is very sad, but the residents may suffer today from flood, but those who are responsible for allowing  the place to be flooded will live with this on their minds every time it rains thinking about the children and the sick elderly.  I hope I have answered your question. Blessed.

  46. Cat says:

    I do agree that, that road is horrendous and so is the Yacht Club road as well, however, Canal Pointe Drive is actually a small private gated community with wealthy home owners in Million dollar homes or close to that value. If they don't have strata or convenant agreements with the developers or original owners of all the properties from whom they purchased the land from, where maintenance is done through monthly contributions from the homeowners, then maybe they all should have a small neighborhood meeting at somone's house and talk about everyone contributing and hiring a paving company to pave the road for all of them. They should able to come up with some funds to get it started,but if the road is not actually  public and not for EVERYONE to drive on after 6PM, as the gates are closed around that time, then the government and the public purse shouldnot be used in that regard like it was on the sister islands. Two wrongs don't make a right.

    • Anonymous says:

      This isn't the private road we're talking about.  We're talking about the road that is used to access such popular locations as Copper Falls, Elements, Kirk Freeport, and Foster's.  You know, the places tourists are trying to navigate their 4 door golf carts to.

  47. Anonymous says:

    I understand that the same "ministry" did some questionable private road and driveway paving here in Grand cayman.  That may also deserve a look Mr AG.

  48. Anonymous says:

    I know that if the premier does something it cannot be illegal by virtue of some mysterious clause in the Constitution that also makes us pay for his electricity and his domestic help, but does that apply to the depute premier as well

    • Anonymous says:

      We'll get Steve McField to do us an opinion.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ha Ha Ha, we paying for more than that.

    • Anonymous says:

      Anon 14: 40

      Yes and also our Governor, but i guess that is ok with you, as long as he is not a Caymanian. F@@@@ hypocrite!

      Ask Alden why he put these perks in his amended constituation.. 2009. Get educated before you open your big mouth. It's just as legal as the Governor getting these perks

      • Anony says:

        You really believe that these "perks" are actually in the 2009 constitution? Then you have the nerve to tell someone else to "get educated"? WOW.You really are in trouble.

        • Anonymous says:

          to 21:59

           Those chauffeur driven cars for the Premier and deputy Premier was bought by the PPM administration.

          This is what i was trying to get across to you. Makeeva can not do anything outside the Constituation ( highest law of the land) and not get slapped around by the Governor and the FCO.

          He is not stupid, he has legal people around him, to make sure that what he does won't make him liable. thats why you all can't hang him yet.

          • Anonymous says:

            You arean idiot. None of these perks are MANDATED by the Constitution.  

            As for having legal people around him he seems to get into plenty of legal troubles nonetheless.

            • Anonymous says:

              What dont you understand friend.  The perks (cars) for the premier and Deputy premier were bought under the PPM administration. 

              • Anonymous says:

                The PPM bought cars.  Did they buy a chaffeur, cook, and body guards also?

              • Anonymous says:

                The cars are the least issue and they were not bought for that purpose in any event. The Constitution does not say that the Premier must have his utility bills paid for by the govt. a big wall around his house paid for by the govt., a cook, a maid etc. paid for by the govt., travelling bodyguard/companion paid for by the govt. etc.  Stop blaming the Constitution for the greed of politicians, and stop parroting every nonsense they tell you.   

          • Anonymous Jack says:

            Aren’t the Premier’s and Deputy Premier’s vehicles 2010 models? If so, how in the world could the PPM purchase them?! As was told to you in an earlier post get educated on the instant matters, as a result we all hope you stop operating on hearsay and spreading pure Horse Shite! It is not constructive in the least for you and the island in general.

            • Anonymous says:

              Anon 23;47

              Operating on hearsay and spreading horse shit am …you think?

               Those vehicles were purchased in 2009 for the year 2010. For as long as i can remember all new vehicles manufactured for the upcoming year is put on the lots from september of the said year.

              So these new 2010 vehicles were ordered  in 2009, during the PPM admin. All these new perks for the Premier and deputy Premier were administered within our amended constitution 2009.

              One thing we both have to agree  on though…chauffeur driven… Government  leaders was  a taboo, untill the 2009 amended constitution.

              The Caymanian people… always  being against their own,and the expats don't like the Idea of these two persons being their leaders. I see so much arrogance, prejudice and discrimination within these little Islands.

              • Anonymous says:

                The UDP came to power in May, 2009. So if these are 2010 models which as you say generally become available in September of the previous year (Sept. 2009 in this case) they could not have been purchased by the PPM who left govt. in May, 2009. But the cars are not really the issue when it comes to perks.   

                The Constitution has nothing to say on the issue of perks. Whether the Premier or Deputy Premier claims perks is purely a matter of individual choice.   

      • Hey You, yeah YOU! says:

        I urge you my rather intelligent friend that speaks with such authority of the perks contained in the Constitution. To direct and educate me and the many other persons whom have literally read the entire Constitution from Preamble to Section 129 inclusive of the Explanatory Notes to just one Section or even a subsection that outlines any of the expenses of the Premier.

         

        When you do so, please breakdown said section so we all can know how McKeeva can justify the crap he is expending. I really want to understand how this wastrel line item plopped itself in the Annual Budget! Maybe if you can’t locate said section in the constitution you could make a push for the Auditor General to perform a Public Interest Report on these unnecessary expenses and stop peddling hearsay BS.

         

        In closing, this Constitution for the first time in Cayman’s history has given more autonomy than ever before and maybe ever will see under the Westminster System. It is moron’s like the UDP that are mishandling this new found self-government model. I was not a PPM supporter but I must give them credit for ushering in a new Chapter in the islands’ history. Considering the UDP’s frequent and consistent F*&K ups, the PPM is far better for Cayman.

        • Anonymous says:

          In fairness, the poster did not refer to the 2009 Constitution but to an "amended constituation". This may be a document that we have not yet seen.

  49. Anonymous says:

    because there are no votes to be got from doing that……… it's the caymankind way…..

    • Anonymous says:

      Quite the opposite: the road is used by the two most populated electorates in Cayman. 

  50. Anonymous says:

    What's more interesting is that pre-school children these days know thata piped public water system is essential for growth of a community, and that the best infrastructure that could have been done on the Brac would have been pipes first and paving the roads after they have been dug up for pipe installation. What educated people!!

  51. Anonymous says:

    Come on guys, don't you know that after Juliana got her brand new Ford SUV that she not only needs new roads to keep it in good shape…She needs all the parking lots to be perfect and clean too!

    • B.B.L. Brown says:

      That new SUV was smashed, but I never saw anything about it in the news.

  52. Absurdistani says:

    Yes we know that which is why public outrage was sparked.

    Now who will be held accountable…? THAT is the key issue that never seems to be followed up.

     

    Yet another day in Absurdistan.

  53. Anonymous says:

    Ahhh……pocket change to the UDP. Thats a first class business trip for a few days.

  54. Anonymous says:

    As Puppet Mac would say, "Insinuendos"!!!

    • noname says:

      Insinuendos! Heard him on the radio the other day. That was the funniest Mac-ism ever!

  55. ThePeoplesMoney says:

    CNS needs to FOI the total number of women that are receiving Seamen's pension in the Brac, as well as WHAT qualified them and WHO approved it! I have always wondered how The Brac was able to support so many people.

    • Anonymous says:

      The women would have to be wives of the Seamen or at least should be.

      • EarnYourMoney says:

        The only way a woman should be able to collect a Seaman's pension is if she herself was a Seaman or is a  Seaman's WIDOW.

        • noname says:

          Or if someone got you put on the list.

          • Anonymous says:

            I don't need nor want any hand out from government.  I am definitely not on the list.  This is the first that I have heard about it.  I know of certain family members who the whole brood is on Social Services list though.

            I didn't get my driveway/road paved either.  My vote isn't for sale.

        • Anonymous says:

          Sorry, that's what I meant widow.  Getting a little distracted by the little one.

        • Anonymous says:

          Agree that only seamen widows should get the seaman widows pension but obviously you know that isn’t how it is going there. You are right to report it.

    • Anonymouse says:

      Well, my mother is the widow of a Seaman and her application that was submitted well over a year now has not been considered as yet so that doesn't sound like any hand-outs to me. Maybe all of you that are having so much negative things to say about the Brac should concentrate on what is needed to be done in Grand Cayman to make it a better place to live. Enjoy the cool weather while it's here and hush unna mouths!!

  56. Anonymous says:

    Everything comes to an end, Im just sitting and waiting… Plenty more to come!!!

  57. Anonymous says:

    Damn that pesky Auditor-General and that even peskier Public Finance and Management Law. Get rid of them both! Imagine the impertinence of trying to stop Julianna from improperly feathering the nest of like minded Brackers! And now the poor old Attorney General has to find some way of coming up with an explanation that Swarbrick got it all wrong, that all is in order, no laws broken etc etc.

  58. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Swarbrick, keep digging. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

    • Look says:

      Look into the road cleanup program as well, I am sure that you will find a few irregularities there as well, like people being paid for more hours than they worked, then cashing their checks and splitting the difference with the "managers"

       

  59. Anonymous says:

    Shame! Shame! Shame!

    • Anonymous says:

      If only any of the UDP could feel shame.

      • Anonymous says:

        It is impossible for them to feel ashamed.  Of What?  The saying goes, 'the higher money climb, the more he is exposed'.  Figure it out.

  60. Raffaelle says:

    Both parties are equally guilty of this type of despicable abuse and it stems directly from the Political handlers to their Government appointees & stooges  mostly old stallwarts who know the inner workings and how to abuse the"Gowerment System" . There are also another set of so called  men of honour that believe they are entitle to have power and positions of influence in government who seem to think it is their indemnable right to abuse and misuse government assets and funds to enrich themselves and their associates at the public expense and that no one dare question this because of who they are in society.  Seen some very clear examples at varous departments lately from Department of vehicle licencing to the Immigration,Customs Planning to core government itself Cronism, nepotism, favoritism ever type of Ism in full swing head down the road to destruction. Yet we are shocked about the level of corruption that exist with in government. Yet we cry conspiracy when the UK tries to step in or put a handle to stem this abuse and criminal conduct or corrupt behavior. Some clearly need to be reminded that the UK/FCO are responsible for governing this place and they will be held responsible for any problems that occur in this "Overseas Territory".

    • Anonymous says:

      For heavens sake UK/FCO, take direct control and stop these idiots for good.

    • Anonnymous says:

      "indemnable right" ??

    • The Parliamentarian says:

      Rafaelle, you are so right!  I wish it could be different but that's the way it is in a democracy.  People vote for the politicians they believe will give them the most.  That is the reason democracies always fail in later years.

    • Anonymous says:

      In business too – try opening a MacDonald's franchise and see whathappens!

  61. Libertarian says:

    Audit Office:  "the ministry should have documented its justification for a sole supplier (Colford Scott) or opened the contract to competitive tender." A contracted private paving company and a company to supply asphalt would have provided jobs. Once again government takes jobs away from the people, and give to a certain few that will vote for them in the next general elections. May I add that public funds have also been used to help faith-based organizations, churches to provide them with hurricane shelters. The government, representing all faiths, should have renovated or built its own shelters with no respect for a particular religion or faith.   

  62. Anonymous says:

    The almighty himself must have authorized the project so no need for any legislative approval. My God supercedes all Cayman Law and justifies all indirect harm to other sectors of Cayman. And the proof of the paperwork can easily be reviewed, in heaven, but you will need to die with the assurity that you will make it to heaven. That assurity will only cost you 10% on earth.    

  63. External Observer says:

    good work CNS. Are these increasing findings of potentially inappropriate behaviour due to better use of FOI and a more diligent AG? or are they due solely to the current administration? either way it is terrible and embarrsssing for the country but it would be interesting to know whether this has occured in the past under other administrations as a "tradition". That does not make it right just wondering whethere the country is only just going down the tubes or has been for a while…

  64. Anonymous says:

    Half a million dollars worth of votes at the public's expense. Just when we thought things were bad in Cayman. UDP has GOT TO GO before they completely destroy these islands in their own disgraceful self interests!

    • Anonymous says:

      What about all the money that was wasted on the churches? That needs to be investigated. Disgraceful.

      • Anonymous says:

        …and what about all the people placed in position simply because of thier religion. That cost to society won't unravel itself for decades…

      • Bling man says:

        Da wa our money too.

  65. Dred says:

    Whoops we did it again

     

     

  66. Anonymous says:

    Its not Juju's fault, she was in Tonga doing stuff that was really important for the Cayman Islands, this was a mistaken fax by Richard Parchment to the pavers and it was supposed to set up a small paved space for a container load of explosives and somehow it got out of hand and its all easily explained

  67. Anonymous says:

    Why can't the NRA repave Canal Point Drive at the Strand from West Bay Road to Esterley Tibbetts?  This is THE WORST road in the country and the one of the most travelled by our stayover tourists and residents?  There has to be some story here! 

    • Anonymous says:

      One must also ask why, Foster Food Fair, Tortuga, Copper Falls etc, the biggest beneficiaries of this road have not stepped up to fix it.

      A disgrace all round.

      • Anonymous says:

        Because it is a strata and while Fosters own their unit many do not……Bet the owner of the Strata doesn't use the road (does he live here) and is much happier just taking the rents and banking them than actually looking after the infrastructure

      • Anonymous says:

        I do not wonder why the private sector has not "stepped up to fix" the roads near their businesses.  That is the responsibility of the NRA.

         

    • Anonymous says:

      No my dear, you just need to come into Governors Harbor and drive down Peninsula Road to feel REAL pain…and who was that caused by ???

      • Anonymous says:

        I live on Andrew Drive in Snug Harbour.  I noticed that they had just paved Jennifer Drive, Snug Harbour (but not my road!!).  I drove down it to see why they did one road but not the other.  I am now quite pleased that they didn't pave my road as Jennifer Drive is horrendous.  There are now more pot holes than before and the road seems to have waves on it.  I was nearly sea sick driving down it because it is so bumpy and it was only paved in April.  Perhaps they should learn how to do it properly before they pave any more roads.  What a waste of money!

        • Anonymous says:

          Well, since all of the NRA equip is STILL in the Brac, which company did the paving?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah, you would have thought that road would have gotten paved too since certain former politicians live down there.

  68. Anonymous says:

    Finally!  Thank you!

  69. Da Bracster says:

    I know somebody that wouldn't be washing the governor feet again? the recycling of the same old people by both parties has got to stop. The theft, misuse,and abuse of government property and funds is disgraceful but yet it continues partly do to the old boy network who keep getting these positions to continue this abuse. some folks clearly need to stay retired and stop being handed or hand picked to head up these positions by their political backers and lodge buddies.

  70. Anonymous says:

    The  800lb Gorilla in the room:  many many years on, still no accurate public accounts, nor are individuals being held to any standards in regards to the manner in which public funds are deployed (and debts incurred).  Any politician that will step forward and address these obvious shortcomings will have my vote in the next election.  We need some adults please.  

  71. Anonymous says:

    Right.  I am sure the AG is going to do anything about it.  What has he done anything about?  I can't recall a single instance of anything in the last half dozen years.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not fair. He did opine that the status grant Mac gave him and others in his team was lawful.

      • Dred says:

        I am just curious as to why he did nothing regarding BT debacle…..It does make people wonder you know…..

  72. Anonymous says:

    Fantastic. Can it really be that some honesty and anti-coruption is surfacing in our little isalnd?

  73. Cheese Face says:

    Happened down Prospect Drive as well, when they were ruining the road with chip and spray, which has now washed away, THANKS NRA!

    • Anonymous says:

      Same thing in Snug Harbour.  The same potholes surface (ha ha!) every year at this time.  Always chip and spray…guess there are not enough voters in Snug Harbour (yet!) to warrant paving.

    • Anonymous says:

      Is the NRA equipment STILL in the Brac? If so, who is paving the roads in Grand?

  74. Anonymous says:

    No way!  The government acted illegally?  This can't be true!  This government has never done anything wrong…

  75. Mac Attack says:

    What does a Premier have to do to find an impartial Auditor General around here?  Don't they know I am the Premier!  They need to #recognize

    • MacLogic says:

      You on my turf now… And my road too.

      I can give it to whoeva I wa!

      As fo dem ol bloggas and uladulterated beaurocratic harrassers, if dey disagree, I hope dey trip and pop dey mout. Cha!