Local activist plans to fight for West Bay seat

| 19/02/2013

Mervin Smith (226x300).jpg(CNS): One of the leading campaigners against the ForCayman Investment Alliance and an outspoken opponent of what he says has been the poor representation of the United Democratic Party MLAs in his district has revealed his intention to fight for one of the four seats up for grabs in West Bay. Local plumber, Mervin Smith, has declared as an independent but he has confirmed that he is seeking the endorsement of the Coalition for Cayman. Focusing on the district’s unemployment problem, Smith said he would also be campaigning on the need to promote development that genuinely benefits Caymanians.

“Over the years I have watched our community deteriorate to a level that is no longer acceptable to me. We have gone from a prosperous, relatively crime free country to a country on the precipice of serious social and economic decay,” said Smith, who has been a regular on the local political scene for some time.

A founding member of Truly4Cayman, an organisation for the preservation of the West Bay Road, which is facing imminent closure, Smith said the country needed to engage in development that promotes long-term social and economic benefits for the future generations of the Cayman Islands. 

“We must diversify our economy and promote sustainable development that creates reliable results over the long term,” he added. “We can no longer afford to promote development that only provides short-sighted gains for the country. This economic model is outdated and has left our country requiring continual quick fix solutions for our employment needs.”

With the unemployment rate in his district higher than anywhere else on Grand Cayman, Smith said he plans to work to create more jobs for Caymanians if elected.

“All of our people deserve to earn a liveable wage. Unemployment is a serious problem in West Bay. I want to work with other like-minded representatives to create a more equitable employment system where all citizens have an equal opportunity to the jobs available in our country.”

Pointing to the government’s procurement process, Smith said the system did not currently allow for collective bargaining and so government paid too much for goods and services.

“I want to promote a system of governance that is in keeping with the best practice standards as suggested by the Auditor General’s Office and achieve true accountability within the public sector,” he said. “If the procurement process is not carefully managed it will continue to increase government spending, which creates the knock on effect of higher taxes and a higher cost of living.”

The third child of John and Charity Smith, Mervin Smith grew up in Birch Tree Hill and has been active in his community for the past 16 years. He was the founder of the West Bay Sports Foundation, an organization that looks to provide young Caymanians opportunities through sport and offers them financial assistance when they compete overseas in tournaments and camps. Smith currently lives in West Bay with his family and is the owner of MJS Plumbing Ltd.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Oh boy. Just what we need in the legislature, a plumber! It’s all fine and well that someone can articulate the usual political rhetoric very eloquently. But, we have has more than our fair share of talkers. What we need are people who can legislate our way to a better future. At the end of the day, THAT is their primary function. Not calling up the talk show complaining about this that and the other. We need people who have the qualifications and experience to lead this country forward, not just palaver about popular political issues. Look at people’s track records and see what they are capable of. Don’t elect someone just because you like what they are saying, because talk is cheap and plentiful around election time…

  2. Anonymous says:

    Well all the Politicians and potentials ones are still talking on their phones whilst driving. I saw one potential one this morning all the way through on West Bay Road talking on his phone. That is no reason to rate Mervin in the Negative. Whenever someone comes out to challenge the UDP in West Bay, they starts throwing out their personal attacks, negativity and lies. Just to sensationalize their story.  All you people that were feeding at the trough all those years now have your backs against the wall now and dunno how to stand on your own two feet and survive in this brutal economic down trend. McKeeva and the UDP has made all of you, dependant on them. This is to keep unnah close and beholden to them. They have created a welfare state and now all the welfarers are feeling threathen. Get up and help yourselves. Do something and stop robbing this country dry. Be a real Caymanian and learn to survive, without handouts!!  I am a Caymanian and I am ashame of all you.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I have seen Mervin driving down the road on his phone numerous times. If he is unable to follow even the simplist law like no cell phone use while driving then i have no hope for this man to run the country any better.

    Sorry man, but if you plan to be a politician know that your actions speak louder than words. 

    • Anonymous says:

      You are good honest and hard working man.

      Just what our Islands need.

      we'll vote 4 you

  4. Anonymous says:

    Your voice and actions were heard and seen long before the elections. Mervin you will have my vote in West Bay.  There are others that are now declaring and you have never heard anything publicly from then until now.  They areso called  politicians weno longer needs. They will only be in it for the money, the rich man and not for the people and Country. We don't need those kind of Politicians anymore. We need boots on the ground. We do not need all those lawyers, accountants who lives in Ivory towers, we need real hard core politicians that have walked the walk and can talk the talk on the real issues from the ground up, not the top down. Mervin you are the man!!

  5. Guardian Watch Tower says:

    Will about time a plumber came and flushed out the dirty pluged up West Bay drain line. With you all the way Sir!!

  6. Tickle My Pickle says:

    I wonder how long this has been in the pipeline

  7. Anonymous says:

    What’s the connection between politics and plumbing? ………APPLIANCES!

  8. Anonymous says:

    He would be more effective than Capt. Eugene, I am sure!!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Mervin is a great youn man and yes all his workers are Caymanians. He would make a great MLA. The problem I see, is his election strategy. He does not have a winning formula. He is trying to do what  has proven to be futile time and time again. To be successful  you have to do what successful people do. How many independent candidates have been elected in West Bay in the last 5 elections? Be real please, give this comment the C$C thumbs down but that is not a vote for Mervin on the ballot sheet!

  10. Extra Terrestrial says:

    Congratulations Mervin! I can’t vote in West Bay but that does not mean I won’t ask my friends to consider you as their representative. I won’t be asking them to “do me a favor” and vote blindly for you but rather, I will ask them to look at all the candidates and then decide. I am certain if they do this, they will select you. All the best.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Hopefully more candidates declare themselves for District of West Bay.  The field is weak with 4 votes to cast.  We wish we could vote in GT instead!

  12. Anonymous says:

    I have no doubt that Mervin Smith cares about West Bay and the Cayman Islands but to be part of the solution must have ideas and solutions to achieve the goals to which he wishes to achieve for the country.

    For example, "We must diversify our economy and promote sustainable development…" Who would argue this statement?  The question is how and without solutions to get us from point A to point B, all the good intentions will go for nought.

  13. Batman says:

    As a WB voter, I will not vote for any of the current WB MLA's. As a mater of fact I am of the firm opinion that we need to flush out the 85% of ALL MLA's along with their substandard performance "norm".  We need an injection of young energy, coupled with new innovative ideas to change our course. Too much interpersonal politics and childish squabbles exists with the current Govt. They need to go work for a living, for a change. Nothing could be worse than expecting them to do any better this time.  Good luck Mervin I look forward to hearing your plan and your attitude towards sustainable development.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thanks for stepping forward Mervin, ***************

      you have our family (21) support.

      Always remember to hold your head high and continue

      to be profesional in all that you do.

      Ignore the selfish, self first detractors and continue on your journey

      for the people.

      • Anonymous says:

        I live in West Bay , and to say that Smith is active in West Bay is a bit strange since I have not seen him doing anythng in the district, and I do move around quite a bit down here. In fact this is the first time that I am seeing who he is from his picture.

        That's the problem today, all of these strangers and unknowns are coming out of the woodwork and asking people to vote for them when they have done nothing to demonstrate their love of the very community in which they reside.

        But my question to them is: where were you all this time??

        The majority of them who dont hold decent jobs are all going after the bick bucks, but not today bobo!

        • NO more Party(ing) Politicking says:

          Mervin, is a young man who has worked hard from a very young age, and as for “what” has he done for his Community” as a young man Mervin has always been the kind person that if he can help you he does, and unlike some people he doesn’t look for public reconition for his good deeds, as for seeing him around his community just look out for his MJS Plumbing Van, he’s always on the go. Mervin you have my families votes(9). Stand strong with INTIGRTY never let anyone have anything to hold over your head to beable to control you, always remember where your coming from, be a man who is LOVED by his people not HATED.

        • NO more Party(ing) Politicking says:

          Mervin, is a young man who has worked hard from a very young age, and as for “what” has he done for his Community” as a young man Mervin has always been the kind person that if he can help you he does, and unlike some people he doesn’t look for public reconition for his good deeds, as for seeing him around his community just look out for his MJS Plumbing Van, he’s always on the go. Mervin you have my families votes(9). Stand strong with INTIGRTY never let anyone have anything to hold over your head to beable to control you, always remember where your coming from, be a man who is LOVED by his people not HATED.

  14. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if his company is paying pension and health for its employees. Also how many Caymanians does he have working for him and how many work permit holders?

  15. Niko says:

    Mervin congratulations! We need young men of action to lead this country. You are the voice of the people in West Bay and I know you have your district’s best interest at heart!

  16. Anonymous says:

    mervin is definitely willing to help his people, and one business owner willing to help caymanians with a job if he has one available and he understands that a decent wage has to be paid , i feel confident he will do good things if given the opportunity.

  17. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if the tax payers of thiscountry were paying $1,000 – $2,000 CI per month for MLA salaries, how many candidates would be running in this next General Election ?? 

    • Anonymous says:

      Jude Scott and Roy McTaggart for two.  The rest of them would go on strike for higher wages.

    • Anonkymous says:

       

      Probably much less. I can say for Mervin (as I can for Winston, Jude, Roy etc) that the money will be much less than they are accustomed to on a monthly basis. Mervin has built a successful business and is debt free from what I can understand. I heard him on the radio last year and was impressed that he owes nothing for his house and fleet of work vehicles. Very good business sense in a time where bank loans are as common as cable tv.

      That says something about the man – and his potential ability to manage the affairs of the country. 

      Good on you Mervin old boy. I wish you well.

      (fellow CIHS'er)

       

    • Polly Tricks says:

      Well, get a petition up and running to be voted on by referendum at the same time as the election.  It could cap MLA salary and benefits at $75,000 or so.  None of the MLA's could oppose it as they know it would cost them votes.

      • Anonymous says:

        $75,ooo? How many of us earn that kind of money and we have to work harder than Politicians. I say $4,000 per month and that is still more than the most of our earnings.

  18. Anonymouse Man says:

    I have no doubt that Mr. Smith would be an excellent representative for the people of  West Bay. However, I have to question how many times do candidates have to see independent candidates fail to gain a seat in West Bay, before they realise an Independent candidate will not win a seat in that district.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Well, if he gets elected it should put an end to those constant leaks.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Mervyn is a great young guy who really does want to help make West Bay better. I wish him all the best and look forward to hearing him speak some more. He speaks from the heart and is a great role model for young Caymanian men.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Is there anybody left to run the C4C?

  22. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Mervin!!! We need some new brilliant minds!