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| 20/02/2014

(CNS): There were no surprises in the much anticipated speech delivered by the premier on Thursday at the opening of the CEO conference. His first State of the Nation address at the annual business event in his role as the country's leader, Alden McLaughlin used the platform as a review rather than to reveal any new plans. The premier did state, however, that the promised revitalization of George Town would get underway later this year. He said that a committee had been formed which would be engaging in a public consultation process next month with a view to implementing proposals in June. He talked of beautification, altering traffic flows, preserving historic monuments and the introduction of mixed use business and residential zones.

He said the enhancement of the capital would help local businesses make the most of the cruise berthing facilities when they were completed.

For eleven years the former Cayman Business Outlook, now Cayman Economic Outlook, has provided a platform for the country's leaders to deliver a State of the Nation address. The former leader, McKeeva Bush, became well known for using the forum to make major announcements. However, McLaughlin did not take a leaf out of the now opposition leader's book and made no new revelations.

Reviewing his government's time in office so far and recapping some of the improvements in the relations with the UK, changes to immigration and the numerous problems that still need to be addressed, he said public finances were on track with government earnings  over $11 million more than forecast and public spending down more than $9 million.

McLaughlin also re-emphasized that his government was not in a position to solve the problem of the George Town landfill overnight  because of the required process set out in the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) agreement with the UK, which is now part of local legislation.

Hitting back at Chamber of Commerce President Johann Moxam, who has been very critical recently of the dump situation, the premier said the rules were put in place as a result of what he described as the "disasterous consequences of the last tendering process", which he said the president was well aware as he himself had been involved in the bidding.

However, McLaughlin said that alongside the work needed to establish the strategic and business cases for the new waste management system, work would get underway at the dump to improve the current management, with investment in new equipment as well as the creation of a recycling and reuse programme and a public education campaign about waste reduction.

McLaughlin pointed to the success of the immigration changes and said more than one third of those that would have been entitled to apply for PR at the point the law was changed had instead chosen to leave. He also said just 139 Caymanians had been placed in jobs since June by the National Workforce Development Agency, which he said was now beginning to take shape and fulfill its mandate.

He said government was pressing ahead with the plans for E-government and the recruitment of a director to help implement the online improvements of government services.

McLaughlin said his administration was reviewing the possible privatization of government services. He said that there were no sacred cows but that any divestment had to be in the best interests of the people and could not risk costing government in long run. He warned that recent cuts had already detrimentally impacted public services and that many of the recent staff cuts could only be temporary as he pointed to the need for more recruitment already in some areas such as the fire service.

Talking about the improvement in confidence and a turn around in the economy, McLaughlin emphasized the new positive relationship with the UK, which had kept Cayman at the table during the development of new international regulations affecting the financial services sector.

Referring to the previously much more strained relationship between the UDP government and the UK, McLaughlin said it was important to be at the table talking rather than "butting heads with the FCO and our governor with no result to show at the end of it."

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  1. Anonymous says:

    We need to outlaw the shopping carts downtown, whether they are carrying someone’s personal belongings or coconuts for sale. Tacky Tacky Tacky.

    Love the fish market and think it is and could be a great tourist sightseeing spot. But the plastic tarps really take away from the visual. Can the beautification committee help the guys at Red Spot upscale their cover to perhaps some old style Cayman caboose?

  2. Anonymous says:

    Sometimes we just need to face the facts; THINGS CHANGE!  Bodden Town used to be the first capital; it ain't anymore.  George Town will likely remain the capital in name, but it's not the place where people go for entertainment.  Why would government spend money to revitalize, or should I say revive the dead?  First, take a real, wide open eye at George Town.  What does it have to offer other than banks, attorney offices, jewellery stores, clothing stores, a couple of restaurants and bars and 2 churches?  What is there to revitalize?  When people finish a grueling day of work, they want to get to hell out of George Town.  Now if the few restaurants and bars want to "revitalize" George Town, that's their business and in their interest to do so.  Why should government pump millions in trying to achieve the impossible?  Or is that the meaning and purpose of government, to throw good money away on unachievable goals?  Listen, Dart never asked government to spend one penny on the marketing of Camana Bay and likewise the businesses in George Town should not be urging government to spend money on marketing for their interest.  If they want to revitalize a dead George Town, let them come together and do so themselves.  Have they stopped to consider that perhaps what they are offering is just not in demand after certain times anymore?  People have choices.  They choose to go to Camana Bay, just as they could choose to go to George Town, or Rum Point, or Morritts in East End.  I guess you get my point by now.  Let the Private Sector market their own business, blow their own horn.  Government should keep out of that.

  3. Anonymous says:

    At one time I thought the plan was for Camana Bay to become the new capital of the Cayman Islands. Seems like it's turned into a huge white elephant/folly instead. Bit of a spooky place I reckon – sort of the equivalent of The Monkeys pop group " in the sixties as the U.S.'s answer to the Beatles.Sort of manufactured and phony. Oh, well, just goes to prove, money can't buy you everything, least of all love. Long live George Town.

    • Anonymous says:

      zI saw someone from one of the offices that moved to Camana  Bay  recently  and asked how he was enjoying the move.  His response was " it's a bit sterile but he had parking!!  Somehow I felt that he was hoping for more. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Money couldn't buy you class.

    • Anonymous says:

      Caymana Bay is so much of the owner, but then the owner is never seen.  It is therefore hard to love something that cannot be seen!

  4. Anny Omis says:

    I think Alden is an honest person. I have known him for more than 25 years. But, he is anti-expat to a fault. Maybe he doesn’t intend to be, but he is. I believe he wants what is best for Cayman, dispite his poor decisions. But, damn, the buck has to stop somewhere. Stop doing nothing (other than covering your backside) with all of these time and money wasting ‘studies’.

    What do we need to do? Duh, a roll back on the stupid fees hike made by Mac would be an obvious first plan. (major legal challenges are ripe on those bad boys, stupid and constricting in the first place, and most likely easliy legally overturned, daft idea to the max). Also we need to make a big ol’ cut in govt spending , and build a new dock. We need to promote stayover tourism, but I don’t think a fancy new airport would be of any benefit. In all of my years dealing with stayover tourists I have not heard one complaint about the airport. Has Alden even completed an undergraduate 101 Econ course? Meaning well does not qualify one to run, or run into the ground, an entire country.

    I know Alden worked for Charles Adams, and it really saddens me that someone who had access to such a great man could be so shallow in his treatment of others. Charles stood for the underdog and he stood for principals. He would be sad.

    • The Seeker says:

      Knowing the Premier  is one thing and traveling out of a Cayman on a Saturday and experiencing the low standard of service and accommodations is certainly something you obviously know nothing about.

      • Anny Omis says:

        What the heck does that even mean? “traveling out of Cayman on a Satuday…”.

    • Anonymous says:

      Charles Adams was very proud of Alden. You've got some expats saying Alden is anti-expat and some Caymanians saying he is anti-Caymanian. Sounds like he is got the balance just about right. Some expats believe unless every move is designed to benefit them you are anti-expat. The FFR does not allow them to cut fees at this point in time. Boon up on the topic before you post.

  5. Anonymous says:

    So sick of this PPM politics already.

    • The Seeker says:

      How many times, must we smell the dump before we too become toxic waste

      And how many words and arguments ts will it take before. Another fire

      how many committees and wasted opportunities will it take before we can move one piece of garbage, and how many people will stop coming to cayman, because we smell like a pond.

      The answer my friends, is blowing in the wind, their wise words of the Public Finance Management Law.

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe we should have left your UDP party in, so that they could leave it alone as well?

      Now lets try it. Thelarge outstanding projects that this country has to deal with are the airport, the cruise port and the dump. Same as 4 to 6 years ago.

      UDP went in for four years with a control of the house. What did they do?

      I am still waiting. Hell some were even under the bus.

  6. Anonymous says:

    For God's sake I hope this time Alden doesn't try to compete with Dart and Camana Bay like he did last time with the schools project as the government cannot afford it.

    • Anonymous says:

      Whatever was going through Alden's mind before, I'm not sure competing with Dart educationally was one of them. (More the theories of one professor from one U.K. university wasn't it? You remember, all that "cells and bells" stuff that impressed Alden mightily. and had him reaching real quick for our wallet.)

      • Anonymous says:

        why is this being percieved as competing? a developing nation such as ours need options. options specific to income brackets- camana bay is somewhat overpriced for many. stop hating morons and read a book – you might learn a thing or two!

  7. Anonymous says:

    Alden is looking a littel beat down, I guess sitting in the big chair isn't as eary it was when they could spend money like water..

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, it's a far cry from the "loadsa money" old days, that's for sure. Feel a bit sorry for Alden, tell you the truth. I mean all the yearning for grandiosity must still be there but the only problem is there ain't no dough to realise it. Most frustrating, surely.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, his "yearning for grandiosity" causes him voluntarily to travel Economy and drive his own vehicle instead of being chauffeur driven. Smh.  Some people will say anything out of personal malice.

  8. Keep it simple stupid says:

    Here is the real shame: 

    The front row at the CEO Ritz conference was packed with MLAs and the keynote speaker even joked that the entire government was in attendance.  The sad part was that they LEFT!?   Huh?  too good to listen to global experts eh???

    Yes.  By noon our egomanic politicians all left the building when they REALLY could have learned something from the smartest business analysts from around the glober and our best financial and legal brains in Cayman all in one place…..WHY? Why did they not stay, listen and learn? 

    A true testament to our failed leadership- UDP/PPM decades of the same rhetoric.  There were so many easy pain-free ideal solutions on how to progress and prosper , but it fell on absent ears in Govt. 

    The conference was simply top notch with top business solutions, but the people who run the country were NOT THERE to hear the "Hear, hear" during the education and sports debate. (let me say this in CAPS:  EVERYONE AGREES THAT THE SEGRAGATION OF SCHOOLS has failed and done more harm to our country than good- both for critical academics, unity of expats and locals, and sports)  so where was Tara during this enlightening discussion?  She left…..

    Mr Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace – Bahamas, a TRUE visionary in tourism to the global likes of Sir Richard Branson gave a rivoting speech filled with relevant global facts that could make Cayman the TOP tourism destination in the region!!! (**by cutting departure tax with airlines) but where was Moses K our MOT?  No where to be seen.

    Mr Jeffrey Webb – FIFA and a mastermind of global sports and their impact…he had such awesome solutions….new legal industry-, ways forward with innovation and colloboration, but where was the Premier?  Too good to listen to a man who is second running a 2 billion dollar global business?  Sheesh!!

    We have the brainpower…..it is leadership and action that is missing Alden.  Cut the red tape, cut cronysim political ties, and be remembered for steering the good ship Cayman on a better course.  Forget the politics.  Now make progress.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      The government members in the front row had to go back to their jobs- if they had stayed there all day the cry would be " .we not paying them to sit around all day doing nothing"  please try to go do something besides complain .

    • Anonymous says:

      No surprise there.  Its how the rest of the world see's Caymans leadership.  Dressed up third world.

  9. Anonymous says:

    It would help businesses and individuals if we could get out work permit refunds within days and not have to wait months with nothing in sight.

    Please we cannot owe the immigration so the same must apply. I have been waiting since November 16th 2013 for a refund.

  10. Union Jack says:

    Surely it is a "State of the Territory" address, not been a nation and all.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yep, and we have got a National Song, National Security Council, National Choir too! I'll bet that is burning the hell out of you!

  11. Anonymous says:

    "He said that a committee had been formed"…. seriously, how many people on this one? And surprised he hasn't called it a "steering committee" like the one for the dump…seems more apt considering it will discuss (endlessly and more than likely DO nothing about) traffic in GT.

  12. Right ya so says:

    Don't know if any of these are possible but….

    1. sell the old Tower building site OR turn it into a park?

    2. sell the Glass house land or raze it & build the new court house..?

    3. build another couple of stories on top of the current courthouse – at the same time remediate that which is there – unfortunately the need for a bigger court is not going away and needs to be addressed quickly..we are ever growing and violence/divorce/support & maintenance issues are increasing and will, most likely, continue to increase.

    4. Or perhaps rent ONE building in town in which the courts could be housed instead of building – obviously costs etc would have to be weighed – there are enough empty buildings in town and the surrounds which any number of landlords could be willing to negotiate a reasonable rent – better to make something rather than nothing.

    4. unfortunately our downtown has become very much like Nassau – an eyesore with cheap stores one after the other – the few that aren't selling cheap items are badly in need of "freshening" up but with Camana Bay being as well maintained as it is, and living up to the marketing of being the "town centre",  I really see very little hope for town.

    5. before we build the cruise facility perhaps we should look into the diaster that is the Falmouth port facility – with no knock on effect for the retailers and one the reasons that the town of Falmouth has essentially become a ghost town.

    Just some thoughts which may or may not be viable.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Since we are on this subject, could the PPM do something about the litter on the side of the streets. There are so many new non caring Caymanians a day who dont care a dam about how our Country looks. There should be some law in place to mandate this kind of behaviour. Too much focus is placed on parking rather than catching these litter bugs. I guess they realize that the "More mess we make the more jobs we get to clean it up".Lets hope that we get some tasteful people on that committee like Marguerite Barwick.

     

    • Anny Omis says:

      True, true. Both locals and tourist alike drop their trash all over GT. I’ve picked up countless KFC/BK bags, ketchup pouches and french fry contsiners just walking back to my office from the bank. I am not alone, I see many GT business owners/employees doing the same. Many of us do care, and are highly irrated by our lazy brothern. Like more public restrooms, maybe we need more trash cans. I know that I have to pay and fee for ‘immaginary’ trash collection, and I have a business that generates no trash. What do the fast food outlets pay? Almost all of the trash I see is from their businesses.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why don't you form a neighborhood group to clean up. And while you are at it tell all your friends to start recycling and not throw garbage around.  I am sure uou are a responsible citizen and would never do that yourself.

    • anonymous says:

      Maybe the new non caring caymanians could wear something so that our behaviour could be monitored. Maybe a yellow star or something.

    • Anonymous says:

      You sure they are Caymanians because I have seen other nationalities through their rubbish for the cars including dumping the cigarette butts.  Please stop blaiming Caymanians.  All blaiming on the people of the island is getting tiresome.  Check the countries from which half the people are from residing here and see what mess is left on the streets.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Will "beautification" also involve limiting the number of obese cruise ship passengers in GT at any one time? They block the sidewalks, dress badly and block the views of attractive people.  Proper limits might stop anyone leaving a Carnival cruise in summer.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Camana Bay is the new downtown.   Compare people traffic there on a Saturday afternoon vs downtown.   

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes 00:41, and that is exactly what needs to be corrected. Dart's downtown is not the Cayman Islands' downtown and ours needs to be restored.

      • Anonymous says:

        But Camana Bay is so much nicer, and George Town will always be a dump.

  16. Biggert says:

    Wow! I never thought I would see the day when CNS was bemoaning the fact that someone else did not do something that McKeeva Bush did.

    Alden is his own man and he does not have to resort to cheap political tricks. Better to get the job done than make empty announcements about it. Don't ya think?

  17. Anonymous says:

    Who will be keeping the books on all these new beautification projections and how are we going to meaure the rate of return on the money spent.

    Let the crony handouts begin….and the less documentation, the better.

  18. Anon says:

    Quick fixes –

    – close traffic Friday 5pm to 3am and Saturdays noon to midnight

    – plant trees and hang flower baskets.  Silver thatch would be nice. Tourists can see our national tree as they come off the ship

    – book live music 

    – install benches

    – allow street vendors and street entertainers

    – allow restaurants to serve on the street – just like taste of cayman

    – a water fountain would allow parents to enjoy a drink while kids play – just like caymanabay

    – book events – sports, arts etc.  just make the finish line for every sport race end downtown

    and long term…

    – change use to commercial residential.  Give monetary incentives to restaurants and small hotels to open up. Enough jewelry stores. Give extensive duty concessions to developers to convert those empty commercial building to residential.

    – allow cruiseships to stay overnight 

    – allow a boat casino

    – cobble stone the street

    – modify roads and close the waterfront to traffic permanently

    – provide free shuttles every hour

    – convert a building to a multi level parking lot

    – move the shipping dock and modernize to allow private boats, yacht sail boats to dock.

    Let's get going.

    • Anny Omis says:

      I like many of your ideas. But why is it reasonable that we have street vendors? Many, if not all, are without T&Bs, all are without rent overheads, and draconian lease stamp duties, and pension and heath care expenses. Not to mention the endless randomly hiked govt fees that I have to pay. Why should I compete on an uneven playing ground with persons who have not contributed, and are selling products for a lower cost of doing business then me? I am paying for our pregnant (again) teen baby mama’s social service benefits, not the street vendors.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Dont close Harbour Drive! Close Cardinal ave form Harbour Drive to Scotia Bank and make a pedestrian mall. Plants, vendors, a fountain. Traffic will barely be interupted. 

     

  20. Voice of Reason says:

    So……. how long before the first frivolous court case?

    'KEEP GT UPGRADE FREE!'

    'NO BEAUTIFICATION IN GT!'

  21. Anonymous says:

    He's so proud that so many people have left the island? Why would anyone invest money here and apply for PR only to be reminded every day of how unwelcome they are? From gov't guests on radio shows, to comments on here, to the LIME/Ericsson contract, it's ridiculous how they openly express distain for ex-pats.

  22. Anonymous says:



    Seems everyone, including the Premier and Minister of Tourism have decided the beautification is necessary for when 'the cruise berthing facilities are completed'. I was of the understanding that if the Environmental Impact Study showed potential destruction of Seven Mile Beach or have negative environmental impact, this would not even happen??

    The beautification process should go ahead regardless. We have one of the most beautiful ports in the Caribbean and should make it a great place to be enjoyed by residents, stayover guests and cruise guests alike.

    Proceed with the plan but not because of cruise berthing opportuities.Truth be known, If the dock/s happen theyare more likely to detract from beautification process and certainly not guarantee more or a better quality visitors to our shores.   

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Surplus had to go towards national debt, it's not discretionary spending money!

    • Anonymous says:

      We have Camana Bay…why spend money on Downtown???? this is just a waste of public funds…deal with real problems…the dump, teen pregnancy, crime, starving caymanians, etc etc.  crazy!!

  23. Anonymous says:

    Green space can't be rented, that's the problem. It is in no private person's individual interest to create any and so the government must do it, using government land because they can't afford to buy anyone else's land. The Tower Building and Glass House sites have both been proposed as small parks for many years. The Court House site too could be used to double or triple the size of Heroes Square, if only we could get the judges and staff out of the buildings like they've been practically begging the government to do. CIG is well aware of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that exist. There are hundreds of policy papers gathering dust in that building.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Breaking News!!!!!CNS Got it First…..

    Mr Premier little black book of divestment:

    1-Children and Family Services (A bad Acquisition)

    2- Fire Services(An overleveraged Buyer)

    3-Cayman Turtle Farm(A money-losing division)

    4-Cayman Airways(A lack of synergy)

    5-Water Authority(A lack of synergy)

    6-London Office(An overleveraged Buyer)

    7-Postal Services(A bad Acquisition)

    8-National Weather Services(A bad Acquisition)

    9-Port Authority(A lack of synergy)

    10-Social Services(A money-losing division)

    11-National Gallery(A money-Losing division)

    12-Government Information Services(An overleveraged Buyer)

    13-Environmental health- dump included(A bad Acquisition)

    14-Elections Office(A lack of synergy)

    15-Health Services Authority(A money-Losing division)

    16-Cinico(A bad acquisition)

    17-University College(An overleveraged Buyer)

    18-Prison services(A money-losing division)

    19-Computer services(A lack of synergy)

    20-Cadet Corps(A lack of synergy)

    21-Public transport Unit(A bad Acquisition)

    22-Cayman Islands development Bank(A money-losing division)

    In the hands of the correct owner, divested divisions often rebound quickly. Far from being the bad gift that just keeps on giving, selling off a division or product line that doesn’t fit with Company A may be a perfect fit in the hands of Company B.

     

  25. Anonymous says:

    I'm so happy that this current government provides stability to our country. At least we know they will be taking solid and measured steps to improve the economy instead of some shot in the dark.

    • Anonymous says:

      At least they are trying to do something about a problem without asking…"what's in it for me ?"

    • Anonymous says:

      another committe formed ?? But where is this money coming from?

    • The Seeker says:

      The PPM thumbs have arisen on this one. Ha ha, soon gets swelled up.

  26. Anonymous says:

    Better than the heart attacks Mac would give us on these occassions!

  27. Anonymous says:

    Who's idea was it to paint the picket fence between North and South terminal doo doo brown? Nice upgrade!

    • Anonymous says:

      they used leftover paint ratther than waste money like the udp would have done.

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        $#!t brown is the same price as other paint.

      • Humility over arrogance says:

        Interesting statement. It would seem PPM spend just as much or MORE (million dollar schools & still producing illiterate children)….PPM sunk us a long time ago. After this go round, we are finished.

    • Anonymous says:

      Agreed. Terrible taste.

    • Anonymous says:

      Terrible, isn't it?  I thought it must be an undercoat – but for what eventual colour I had no idea.  For goodness sake get it painted a decent colour.   What were they thinking?

    • Anonymous says:

      Rust camouflage. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Agreed could we have not made it look more Caribbean instead of something you would find in New Jersey or Brooklyn?  There was not that much paint involved and white with a seaside blue would have been much nicer

  28. Anonymous says:

    We could start the revitalization by taking down at least half of the multitude of signs  on the waterfront.  It  makes us look like a third world country.

    • Anonymous says:

      We'll…

      • Anonymous says:

        I work down town and look forward to the day when tourists and locals alike can walk comfortably. With proper planning which I know the Progressives will do  Town again will be nice.  

        Before some of you out there go popping the champagne for Dart to develop it because he did Caymana  Bay, please remember that the main reason why George Town is dying is because of " The other town that Blossomed". You should all  remember whose logo that was and also his contributions to filling  up the land fill with  his manufactured styrofoam  containers. Just saying ,

        Please also remember that if the past government had completed the deal with Dart to take over the land fill and if according to the discussions back then, he was going to cap it , the seeping would still be happening. Also he was going to dig a huge hole in Bodden town and the garbage would be thrown into the hole until that too got a huge as the one in George Town. he was not really offering a viable solutions- just a cosmetic cover  up. That would not make much sense now would it.?

         

         

         

         

         

    • Anonymous says:

      I totally agree about all these signs all over. But worst than that is people selling food all along the road side which Public Health should close down . It is not sanitary whatsoever.Then all this smoking all along the streets looks like we brought  Kingston to Cayman. Cayman is really beginning to look like a GHETTO. Clothes and suitcases are sold along the Streets. Where are the people that is responsible, such as the Planning Dept and environmental Health?

      • Anonymous says:

        I couldnt agree with you more! Ghetto is exactly the right word to describe what is happening.  Every time I cross Mary Miller Hall and see the jerk smoke and line up of cars it aggravates me. This is NOT what Cayman is about and we are allowing other people to destroy our landscape for the sake of dollars.

      • Anonymous says:

        Welcome to Jamaicayman

  29. Anonymous says:

    GT is dead and buried and, more importantly, CIG has a proven inability to undertake projects like this without wasting millions of dollars and many years, and even then there is no guarantee of success.  The only person who could fix GT is Dart and I don't see that happening.

    To fix GT you'd have to redirect traffic away from the waterfront (thereby enraging Caymanians, since as we have learned they want to see the sea without getting out of their cars). Then introduce some green spaces, then somehow get rid off all the shops selling cr@p and overpriced diamonds and bring in some real places to shop and eat.

    • Anonymous says:

      Are you serious?  They are not the solution, they are part of the problem.  These are the same people who have left stores empty all around the waterfront and partly created the shell that George Town is now.

    • biker says:

      "redirect traffic away from the waterfront…."  

      That will not only enrage Caymanians, but ALL road users in this area, especially delivery vehicles, public transportation vehicles, emergency vehicles, etc., etc..

      Sorry, but the waterfront road is now a primary traffic artery. Every time this section of road has been closed, for whatever reason, traffic comes to a standstill in GT. 

      You cannot route this number of vehicles thru the 'start and stop traffic flow' of inner GT without serious repercussions. The secondary GT by-pass roads cannot handle the extra traffic caused by a waterfront road closure. This has been proven many times before.

       Not my "opinion", just a fact.

      • Anonymous says:

        "That will not only enrage Caymanians, but ALL road users in this area, especially delivery vehicles, public transportation vehicles, emergency vehicles, etc., etc."  Nice undercurrent that enraging non-Caymanians is fine if it does not enrage Caymanians.

        • biker says:

          Hey 5:18. 

          No "nice undercurrent" meant. Read my words again.

          Can you not understand the meaning of the word "ALL"? As in every road user?

          Your last sentence defies logic and shows YOUR bias.

           

      • Anonymous_ky says:

        You will need more roads and more parking spaces made available in town.

      • anonymous says:

        Cruise berthing for 24,000 passengers will mean AUTOMATIC AND IMMEDIATE closure of Harbour Drive!! One of the hidden jems of the new berths!!

    • Anonymous says:

      All of you out  there who believes that Dart is the Savior for cayman should stop to reflect on the fact that the reason why George Town died is because of the other Town that blossomed. Dart is responsible for that as well as indirectly helping to fill up the land fill with all of his manufactured styrofoam containers so before you all pop the champagne please remember.

  30. Anonymous says:

    ppm…the do-nothing administration…….

    • Anonymous says:

      13:57,

      Do nothing? Do you read or watch Cayman 27?

      The difference between our 2 main politicla parties is as follows:

      UDP – Fire, Aim, Ready

      PPM – Ready, Aim Fire

      Simple.

      You support back door secrecy wth inevitable ramifications that we all have to pay for in the long run. That causes more damage than good and is not how you operate in today's world.

      PPM are trying to change that, its definately needed and so will take sometime to line up the ducks.

       

      • Anonymous says:

        You mean FIRE….do nothing…..FIRE…point fingers, appoint committee, do nothing

  31. Anonymous says:

    Still sounds like a lot of nothing to me..

  32. Anonymous says:

    yawn….

  33. Anonymous says:

    Oh God, not another committe…

    • Anonymous says:

      I hope they put Rupert Ackermon on the team to revitalize the town. He is very versed in this field.

      • Anonymous says:

        Maybe so, but they should  also invest in a widely recognized urban consultant like Richard Florida.

  34. Anonymous says:

    I am looking forward to the "beatification" 🙂

  35. Anonymous says:

    Why not just tear it all down and start again. With the possible exception of some of the waterfront bars and restaurants GT is a dump. 

  36. Anonymous says:

    Great, now we can all appreciate the dump smell on a park bench.  Glad to see the priorities are sraight.

  37. Anonymou says:

    I really hope Alden learned his lesson from the building of the schools.  What lesson you ask?  To not bite off more debt than you can chew or pay back. On the table we have:

    Berthing facility

    Airport

    Landfill

    George Town beautification

    The best way to start with the beautification of George Town is to table the cruise pier.  We cannot afford it.

  38. Anonymous says:

    I notice there was no comment on OMOV.  Why not?

    • Anonymous says:

      The Premier said that OMOV would be dealt with the the LA next week.