Chamber boss agrees OMOV can wait

| 28/01/2014

(CNS): Despite leading the charge in the campaign leading up to the national referendum to introduce one man, one vote (OMOV) in July 2012, Johann Moxam said that he agreed with the recent comments by the premier that there is plenty of time to introduce the voting system before the 2017 elections and that there are other priorities that must be addressed. Although others have raised concerns that the government has not given any indication of when it will address the issue and that time is needed for its implementation, Moxam, who is now the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce president, says other issues are more important.

The Chamber has always supported the implementation of OMOV and single member constituencies for all electoral districts. But while Moxam urgeds the elected government to implement electoral reform before the next election in 2017, he said it still had three more years to bring the necessary changes.

“We are hopeful that they will fulfill their campaign promise,” Moxam said, as he pointed to other more urgent issues.

“The Chamber Council agrees with the premier that the national priority must be focused on getting unemployed Caymanians back to work and the local economy,” he stated. “This can only be achieved by way of extensive government reform to redefine and clarify the roles and the functions of the National Workforce Development Agency and the Immigration Department with specific and viable goals to get unemployed Caymanians back to work.”

Moxam once again emphasized the concerns of the Chamber about the cost of doing business, the cost of living and the heightened level of crime against businesses, which he said are of continuing concern to the business associations members.

“Public sector reform is critical to the business sector and the future of the Islands. We call for further action and would like to see ongoing transparency as to the progress we are making,” Moxam added.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The businesses/political action committee behind the C4C really knew how to pick their members, the young Caymanians, hungry for more money and power.

    Many appear to be willing to do what it takes to push the agenda of businesses first and foremost without protesting publicly and or walking away from policies that will not be for benefit

    Therefore, do we really expect Mr. J. Moxam (Hon Rivers, Winston Conolly etc) to not constantly refuse to stand with the 'people' on issues? They will continue to claim, no responsibility, OR collective cabinet responsibility, OR speaking on behalf  of CoC etc etc etc. and if we are stupid enough to re-elect or elect based on having a degree or good job, then we deserve the continued lack of representation we keep getting.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Why does the Chamber – a representative body of business – care about OMOV.

    I can see this is going to be a Chamber president that is getting ready to run 

  3. Cay5 says:

    Johann, it doesn't have to wait!  You can deal with the Economy as well as with the OMOV together. This is nothing hard to implement. Unless its political. You want C4C to take the credit and not the PPM. But I don't see no reason to postpone it.

    • M Prayer says:

      Read the article and see for yourself what was said on behalf of the  chamber council

  4. Anonymous says:

    Moxam keep your head up you doing good so far. i know you fully support OMOV your actions proves that. government needs to focus on high costs, permit fees, pensions for expats need to be optional, Caymanian unemployment and cheaper fuel costs and CUC

  5. Anonymous says:

     

     

    Lets get OMOv please 200 tourism jobs went out only 12 were hired don't want to hear any more about Caymanian unemployment 

  6. Peanuts says:

    I know many MLA's signed the Pettition, so it will be interesting to see how they reply to the Motion. Oh by the way I  am sure as hell not voting six times in 2017, and I wont vote for the current six if they do not man up now.  

  7. Wa-ya-say says:

    Mr. Moxam,

    You are doing a great job repesening the Chamber of Commerce, a body to which I hold membership as a business owner. Thank you, however, I was not asked my opinion by my exectuive and had I been asked, you would have been told that I, and many more members, are 100% behind OMOV being implemeted as quickly as possible.

    Each voter should have a perticular politition they can hold acountable for turning the economy round, lowering crime in their district, and reduceing unemployment.

    You do realise that your politcal star is setting while your coorerate star is growing by leaps and bounds…………..I can see the headline now…….. Mr Moxam was for OMOV beore he was aginst OMOV.

    • Anonymous says:

      His personal opinion will be different than Chamber position if you ask him. He is doing the right thing which not easy because he not making it about him but the chamber instead.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Politicians are controlled by business.

    The chamber represents the business.

    OMOV means more power to the people, business doesn't like that.

    More caymanians to work is simple. Get rid of the workpermits and therefor slavery.

    All this talk is total BS and its only purpose is to keep the people quiet.

     

    • Anonymous says:
      A change for the better at the Chamber of Commerce. Johann stand your ground and stay true to your principles. Try as they might detractors cannot shake our confidence in you to lead this group. You are a honest man who will pull no punches that is what the special interest fear.
       
  9. Anonymous says:

    too early now..then they will claim they don't have enough time.. PPM / C4C slipping big dissapointment lesser of the evils

  10. Anonymous says:

    WHAT COMPLETELY BAFFLES ME

    Is the country was promised OMOV by this Government and now a lame excuse regarding focus on getting Caymanians work what a load of hog wash.
    I bet the national conservation bill didn’t land one JOB to a CAYMANIAN but it went through as a priority item didn’t it?

    PPM needs to stop the BS and do what they said they were going to do and that is simply that.
    the CHAMBER needs to stop interfering into subjects like this all the represent is the wishes of their membership and the don’t care a rats a*s about the working class public they are self centered and serves little to no purpose.

    In closing I sense a little scare that the Premier may see his return threatened, no more Kurt’s coat tail.

    • Anonymous says:

      This does NOT represent the view of its members, maybe it's president, but not it's members. 

    • Anonymous says:

       I do believe that you are correct about thePemier not getting elected again., but I will go further and hope that Kurt does not  either.  He just need to stay NorthSide in his restaurant and improve on his cooking skills.   Kurt has never ever pulled his weight no pun intended and here is hoping this is his last rodeo. Rumours has it that Tony Eden will not run again so I see spots opening up for some younger well intentioned persons – next time around I am hoping for a few ladies.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Let's see what is the next promise on Alden's manifesto which was made to those that would give PPM  a vote in the elections that he will say can wait.

     

     

  12. Anonymous says:

    Lets get OMOV done and dusted….they will wait until its too late and leave it for the next government!!!  You all campaigned for it…you are in now..just do it NOW!!!

  13. Anonymous says:

    Johan is placing the Chamber position above his own view. In any leadership role that is what is expected of the president

  14. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Moxam has expressed the views of the Chamber of Commerce and its members.

    As President he is representing the views of the organization not his personal opinions. Congratulations on showing mature leadership and not attempting to convince engage in an argument with Austin, Ezzard and Arden on Rooster this morning because unless you agree with their agenda you are evil.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Really?! I am a member of the COC and no one asked me! No, hes expressing his views.  Until the veiws of the members is canvassed, please do not say he is representing the views of the COC members. 

      • Anonymous says:

        He didn't, he said the views of the Chamber Council's not the Chamber members.

    • Anonymou says:

      I think Mr Moxam showed some maturity because I heard some of the self justification on air and the self righteousness abounds on Tuesdays. 

      It is sort of funny because if you disagree you are bashed yet they claim open communication.

    • Anonymous says:

      Those two are NATO – No Action, Talk Only.   Sick and tired of hearing negative chat, start acting in an positive way and you will be appreciated more.

  15. Anonymous says:

    This assumes everyone is totally focused on the big problems and have not amoment to spare for the fairly easy task of installing OMOV. I don't think anyone is convinced this is the case.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is not a "fairly easy task of installing OMOV". Yes, it is easy to pass the law. However, it takes time and careful consideration to implement OMOV so that it is fair and equatable to all voters. Try doing some research before sounding foolish.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, yes, Captain Whogene is very busy and does not have time to add anything else to his busy legislative agenda. 

  16. Anonymous says:

    Do it now.  OMOV  not a lot of debate or time needed.  Fulfill the promise and move on.