Archive for March 24th, 2009
dms scholarships up for grabs
(CNS): Caymanian students wanting to pursue an academic or technical/vocational degree that will benefit the Cayman Islands are being invited to apply to local business conglomerate, dms Organization Ltd. (dms) as its 2009 scholarship awards is now officially underway. “dms has an ongoing commitment to supporting the development of individuals who strive to continually better themselves through education and training,” said Vice President Krista Pell.
“This scholarship is aimed to further the education of the recipient, and to encourage them to utilize their acquired learning in the local community.”
She said dms was pleased to sponsor the scholarship and encouraged all who are eligible to apply. “Education coupled with experience enables individuals to be better equipped to achieve greater success in the working world. This scholarship opportunity, along with our other academic endeavors, is a part of dms’ long-standing effort to further the cause of education in the Cayman Islands,” she added.
Extra consideration will be given to those students who are in areas of study relevant to the dms conglomerate and its subsidiaries. Applications are due by the 30 April. All applicants must be Caymanian and in good health, at least 18 years of age and be of good character. In order to receive the scholarship, the student must produce proof of acceptance into their school or university and demonstrate their need for funding. Students who are currently enrolled but are in need of funding are also eligible to receive the scholarship. Extra consideration will be given to those students who are in areas of study relevant to the dms conglomerate and its subsidiaries.
Applications can be obtained by contacting Krista Pell in the dms’ Human Resources department at 345-943-7665 or by emailing kpell@dms.com.ky.
Walkers buy books for kids
(CNS): Every primary school library in the Cayman Islands has received a $200 gift certificate for books from Trust and Management Services group Walkers Global Holdings. A direct contribution from the Walkers staff, the gift certificates replaced the firm’s annual kids Christmas party which was cancelled following the impact of Hurricane Paloma, which affected so many families. The firm said given the circumstancesbuying books seemed a more appropriate contribution.
"Rather than taking some children out for lunch or to a party, we felt that the best way for all children in the Cayman Islands to benefit was for the money to be used to purchase books for all of the local schools," said Dorothy Davis, project manager with Walkers Corporate Services.
"Promoting literacy and reading within the community is a key priority for our staff this year."
The gift certificate can be exchanged at the Book Nook and the three primary schools on Cayman Brac (Creek, Spot Bay and West End Primary) will also be receiving gift certificates.
"We are so grateful to the staff of Walkers Global Holdings for this generous donation, which shows their great kindness," said Deborah Powery-Zureigat, Librarian for East End, North Side and Bodden Town Primary Schools. "I was so pleasantly surprised when I heard about them wanting to donate funds from their own pockets. The three small libraries that I work in will definitely make them available to our school children."
The firm said its donation of books fits in neatly with its other work to encourage literacy within the community. Staff have been contributing their time since the start of this year for the Self Sustained Reading Programme at Leading Edge High School. This involves staff members going to the school on Friday mornings and helping the students with their reading.
Both the management of Walkers Global Holdings and the staff within the individual groups are pleased to play such an active part within the community in Cayman, particularly where employees can devote some of their own time. "Walkers Global Holdings takes its role as a corporate citizen very seriously and we are always looking at ways that we can make a difference, both financially and on a personal level," said Nancy Lewis, chief executive officer of Walkers Global Holdings.
Realtors welcome duty break
(CNS): With the worldwide financial collapse of last year having a significant impact on the resort and investment real estate market, especially around the Seven Mile Beach area, local real estate expert Kim Lund says the stamp duty rate will be welcomed in a sector where business is down some 61%. Lund said that the industry was joining forces with government’s industry stimulus and would be looking to reduce the commissions.
“The last time government reduced stamp duty to boost the sector we agreed to reduce the commission by around 20%, and although this is not agreed by everyone yet, I expect it will happen,” Lund told CNS following the government announcement of the reduction in stamp duty by 2.5% in the Seven Mile and George Town areas, as well as a 5% reduction in the cost of building materials. “The industry wants to do whatever it can to support the government so I’m sure that we will see the cut in commissions throughout the sector.”
In his most recent news letter Lund noted some of the serious problems surrounding the business and he said there was a huge difference today from this time last year in the volume of sales for the same period. However, prices have only fallen slightly, since last September, approximately 10% to 15% in total. “This is likely because we have not experienced the massive run up in prices that other resort markets have experienced,” he explained. “When we look back over the last 5 years, residential homes have only increased in value by $56,408, which represents an increase of just 8%. Condominiums have increased in value by $52,499 overall, in the last 5 years and this is a 10% increase.”
Comparing Cayman to Dade County in Florida, over a 5 year period which increased 151% in property values before their collapse it reflected a steadier market here.
He said the number of properties sold from September 1st of last year, up to now, is 256. Compared to the identical period, one year prior, the number of sold listings was 348. “It would appear that the current recession has been responsible for an approximately 26% decrease in property sales, to date, across the board. Yet, in general, sales prices have held up quite well,” Lund noted optimistically.
However he noted that the start of 2009 was pretty dismal with the industry being off about 29% in sold listings. While the local residential market is still somewhat more buoyant and active than the resort market, investors and purchasers from overseas are not yet ready to buy, although some have started to make offers. He said that around 80% of this overseas group comprised mostly of the tourists and investors who generally buy resort properties predominantly on Seven Mile Beach are from the USA.
But he said these tourists and investors who are not buying are still looking at resort property and able to find what they want and admit the value seems good but he said many aredeparting without making a commitment because they are afraid to spend their money.
“Fear and greed drives most cyclical markets,” Lund said. “Right now, fear is the overwhelming factor holding back our real estate market. Until that abates, we are frozen. Later this year, this picture could be the complete opposite. You can almost cut the pent up demand with a knife – it is very prevalent.”
MLAs make long goodbyes
(CNS): Governor Stuart Jack officially dissolved the Legislative Assembly at one minute past midnight on Tuesday morning, 24 March, but not before the members said their goodbyes to the House and Madame Speaker, who is retiring from the political arena. The dissolution of parliament paves the way for the general elections on 20 May, and given the long goodbye speeches by the departing members, signalled the real beginning of the 2009 election campaign. (Left – Clerk of the LA Wendy Lauer reads the dissolution order).
Under Section 47 of the Constitution, it is the role of the governor to dissolve the House. “At the end of the four year term, the governor dissolves the House and a general election shall be held within two months following dissolution. Upon dissolution, all pending business comes to an end and Members of the House cease to be Members. Ministers of the Cabinet, however, continue in office until the Members of the new Parliament are sworn in at the first meeting of a new term of Parliament,” explained Lauer.
As the house business drew to a close on Monday afternoon following the passing of the Supplementary Appropriations bill the Leader of Government Business, Kurt Tibbetts stood to move the adjournment.
“This is it,” he said. “For better or for worse I have to move for an adjournment of this House.” Opening the floor for debate Madame Speaker asked, knowing full well they did, if any other members wished to speak. As a result most of the members took the opportunity to make closing remarks and bid farewell to the house and Madame Speaker. Some chose to keep their thanks and good-byes fairly short while others seized the moment to begin their campaigns.
Each of the back benchers gave fairly lengthy swansongs, although most said they were optimistic about their chances of return as they declared themselves to have achieved many things during their time in officer without elaboration. Captain Eugene Ebanks and Moses Kirkconnell were the exceptions to the long good-byes from the back bench and the opposition. Ebanks, the fourth elected member for West Bay, congratulated Moyle on her service as Speaker and said althoughthere were many challenges he had enjoyed his time in the House over the last two terms and hoped he would get to serve the people of West Bay for a third time. Kirkconnell offered his thanks to the Speaker and said her retirement from politics was a great loss. He thanked his constituents in the Sister Islands, spoke about the need to rebuild after Hurricane Paloma and recalled the camaraderie he had enjoyed in the LA.
The non-elected officials, represented by the third official member Ken Jefferson and the stand-in first official member Donovan Ebanks, who had been sworn in earlier, also kept their parting speeches short. With no need to play for the crowds, as it were, the two gave thanks to the Speaker for her work and thanked their elected colleagues. Jefferson called Moyle a mother hen who “pushed us a long to get work done.” Ebanks said he wasn’t offended, as an occasional visitor to the house, that Madame Speaker always checked his allegiance every time he came.
The PPM George Town backbenchers, however, made more of the opportunity and after thanking everyone, the fourth elected member for George Town, Alfonso Wright, called on the 1646 people who voted for himin 2005 to do so again, as he said he said he was a more enlightened and mature individual who had made a positive contribution and improved the lives of the people of George Town. He berated the independents who were running for office and said he was a convert to party politics as it was impossible for independents to run the country.
“You can’t even bring a private motion to the house without the support of at least one other member he said,” he said adding that if a large number of independents were to be elected the country would be compromised by the horse trading that would have to follow.
The third elected member, Lucille Seymour, said her goodbyes but said she would be back as a lot was still not done. She said members were in the House to work for the people and she had learned a lot. “I have learned that politics is a nasty business, with some nasty politicians,” but she added she had found much fraternity with the PPM members. “I was 99.9% happy here,” Seymour said. Speaking to her constituents she said her journey was not finished and she wanted to continue fighting for them.
Osbourne Bodden said he hoped he would be part of the next government and was confident that the PPM would win as there was a silent majority that supported the government and not necessarily the people running their mouths on talk shows. He said the number one priority of the PPM had been to find ways to improve the lot of Caymanians.
Anthony Eden kept his address short, clearly confident in his seat as first elected member for Bodden Town. He recalled his two decades of Legislative Service and he said the people of his district knew him, where he was from and what he stood for. He said they knew he would never compromise his standards. His district colleague however, Charles Clifford the second elected member with a much smaller margin spent considerably longer on his feet justifying his first four years not only as an MLA but as a Minister who also faced a controversial commission of enquiry.
Rolston Anglin, Second Elected Member for West Bay, led the opposition charge with a speech outlining the failings of the PPM administration and the dire circumstances in which he said the country’s finances were now in. He listed some of government’s more recent embarrassing moments, which included the helicopter fiasco, the failure of the Caribbean Insurance policy to pay up for Paloma, the lack of governmentaccounts, and the last ditch attempts to deal with the massive problems faced by the financial services industry.
He said that the West Bay UDP team was facing a record with the prospect of the same four MLA’s making a clean sweep in the district for a third time. “I can say unequivocally I am going to go into this campaign season and give it everything I have got to see that there is a change in government.”
First Elected Member for the Sister Islands, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, also confident in her seat, offered her thanks to everyone, and Arden McLean, another incumbent very likely to be returned, even took time to thank and jest with members of the press. Third Elected Member for West Bay Cline Glidden ended the evening’s proceedings with a little more campaigning, before Madame Speaker made her final ruling to her chickens that the hour was late and enough was enough.
Plans still afoot to extend airport runway
(CNS): Despite government spending cuts and an operating deficit of around CI$29 million, according to the Minister for Tourism the redevelopment of Owen Roberts International Airport is still going ahead, including plans for a 2,000 foot extension to the runway. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on the last day of business, Monday 23 March, Charles Clifford said the redevelopment was a public-private partnership with the ongoing tendering process for the financing package due to close on 3 April 2009.
He said that having secured revenue streams through the Passenger Facilities Charge to augment its operating surpluses, the Cayman Islands Airport Authority had enlisted the services of Deloitte to assist it in reviewing various financing options. The initial Request For Proposal (RFP) for the financing package was issued in December 2008 but a decision has been taken to repeat the tender process so as to “refine and maximize the competitiveness amongst financial institutions,” the minister said. “The process is similar to the process utilised by the Cayman Islands Government. The revised RFP has been issued to local Class A banks and one overseas bank. The Central Tenders Committee (CTC) is providing oversight on this project to ensure value for money and necessary due diligence.”
He said the financing package is also expected to facilitate the construction of the required new airport in Little Cayman and some enhancements at the General Aviation Terminal.
“The next steps call for the tendering process for the six pre-qualified local contractors to commence at the end of April 2009 once the designs are finalised by architects Chalmers Gibbs Martin Joseph (CGMJ) and RS&H,” Clifford added. “Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2009 and is expected to conclude in 2012. The redevelopment of the main terminal will result in the tripling of the floor space from 80,000 to 220,000 square feet to accommodate projected traffic levels for approximately 20 years.”
He said the redevelopment include an expanded ticketing and flight check-in hall, a new arrivals hall, a domestic arrivals and departures hall, a new international departures hall on the second floor and an expanded tarmac to accommodate three additional aircraft parking slots.
“Additionally, the Government is presently involved in discussions that could lead to a public/private sector partnership that would facilitate a 2,000 foot extension to the runway at the Owen Roberts International Airport,” Clifford explained.
He said that he believed the proposed facility would better reflect Cayman’s market position as a high-end tourist destination and as a major global financial centre. “The contemporary design will improve the aesthetic appeal and will assist in expanding passenger and airline capacity as overcrowding regularly occurs when passenger and aircraft movements are high,” he added. “Our islands’ airports are the first and last part of the tourism product that people see whether they are here for leisure or investment purposes and, in 2012, I expect that we will have a much larger, modern, user-friendly airport for the comfort of our visitors and residents that will pave the way for the continued development of the Cayman Islands.”
Fear real for GT residents
(CNS): George Town residents have made it clear to the police that they have a real fear of crime and are demanding that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service do something about community policing and neighbourhood schemes to help them deal with that fear and tackle crime in the district. Coming after another violent weekend, the George Town RCIPS meeting saw residents raise their concerns about crime in terms of its causes as well as how it was being policed.
Recidivism, the allocation of police resources, the shortage of officers, the levels of risk police officers face in the course of their work, drug related problems, the fundamental causes of crime and the continued problem of the security of information given to officers were just some of the issues discussed. Residents were clearly very keen to help police but expressed their concerns about the perception of increasing crime.
Facing residents in the country’s capital for the first time, Acting Commissioner James Smith heard what are becoming familiar complaints after his island-wide cop road show regarding the security of information given to the RCIPS and a lack of visible policing. He said that community policing was a priority for him and explained it wasn’t something that should just be a department in the RCIPS but be part of the service across the board. He said it would take time as officers needed to be trained.
“Community policing is still in its embryonic stages here in Cayman but we are committed to improving that and we are working on plans. We need to ensure officers are trained to react to the needs and understand the needs of the communities they work in as well as building the trust of the neighbourhoods.”
Residents spoke about the genuine feeling of fear, and despite claims that the Cayman Islands is still a relatively low-crime jurisdiction, the fear of crime is very real especially for women. One local resident, Marilyn Connolly, articulated the fears many women now have in the community just walking to a meeting like the very one they were attending, across dark car parks and public areas. She said the climate of fear, perceived or otherwise, should not be dismissed as it was negatively impacting everyone’s day to day life.
Residents also criticised the lack of information from the police, which they felt fuelled the fear. They said residents needed to know if violent crimes were random, whether the same people were involved, were they related and what were the underlying causes. With a number of residents complaining that in the most recent incidents this weekend no officers had been in the neighbourhoods reassuring them, they said the fear of crime was increased.
The ACP said the police could not always give as much information as they would like because of the integrity of investigations but he acknowledged the need to communicate. “We do think that we need to get more localised information to people and improve communication to reassure residents,” said Smith. “These things can’t happen overnight, however. We need to put systems in place.”
The issue of secure communications was also raised and Smith said he was working on improvements to the RCIPS intelligence gathering and the security of that information. He also vowed that the information given to the SIO of the Special Police Investigation Team, Martin Bridger, who will be leaving in April would remain secure. Around 80 people from the community have reportedly given information to Bridger since he invited people to come forward last year. This will now form the basis of Operation Cealt, which Smith has said will be led by another senior officer whose identity has still not been revealed.
The shortage of officers was another major talking point as the service is currently down around 33% in terms of manpower and Smith said officers were being recruited. The problems of attracting staff to the force was questioned by Mike Adam, the only new candidate running for office in the district that attended the meeting. Manyof the officers present talked about the challenges of the job, and Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ennis explained that the difficulty of recruiting was compounded by competition from the high paying offshore services sectors. He spelt out many of the challenges officers face, from the long hours and the pressures to the risks of the job.
Adam queried whether policing was any more high risk than other professions, such as pilots, but officers present assured him that the job was indeed very risky and they all risked their lives in the course of their work on a day to day basis. Although no officers have lost their lives in the line of duty here, Area Commander, Chief Inspector Harlan Powery put the dangers into perspective: “When you are faced at 3:00 am in the morning with an angry crack cocaine addict with a knife, who is HIV positive, let me tell you it’s a high risk job,” he said. Kurt Walton, a long serving RCIPS officer and now head of the Drugs Task Force, said he faced many dangerous situations and was lucky to be alive following one incident when he was stabbed in the arm as he defended himself against a knife attack.
The meeting also saw a number of people looking at the philosophical issues surrounding crime, such as what happened to those who went to prison and the poor rehabilitation rates. Powery noted that he would like to see the day when everyone sent to prison because of drug related crimes or with drug problems had access to proper counselling and rehabilitation services. He said the standard response was we should lock people up and throw away the key but that was unrealistic and that the community should not just give up on these people.
Lucille Seymour, the third elected member for George Town, who left the Legislative Assembly’s closing debate especially to attend the meeting, raised the issue of why Cayman’s boy children were so violent and that the community needed to address how they were being socialised. Many residents agreed that the causes of crime were as important, if not more important, than the cure and there was a pressing need to address that issue. Smith agreed and said the police alone cannot solve societal problems and that it required inter-agency cooperation.
Misick resigns as Britain prepares to seize control
(Times Online): The Prime Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands has resigned as Britain prepares to take administrative control of the Caribbean territory.Michael Misick, the Premier of the British dependency who has been at the centre of a corruption probe into the ruling elite, said in a statement he was resigning to give way to a unified government."I still think I have the majority of support in the public and in the country but suddenly the majority of elected members, who represent voters at this time, wanted me to step aside, therefore I think I have done the honourable thing," he the Caicos Free Press newspaper."
Needham retires from RCIPS
(CNS): The stability of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) leadership has taken another hit with the retirement of Superintendent Mike Needham, who has served for more than ten years in the Cayman Islands as part of his 41 year policing career but will be leaving at the end of this week. Most recently he has held two crucial positions within the RCIPS — as head of the Financial Crimes and the Marine Unit. Almost at the compulsory police retirement age, Needham said that it was still one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make.
“I served with the UK police for 32 years and with the RCIPS for a further 10 years. I am very proud of the Financial Crime Unit which I helped to re-form after the Euro Bank affair and also the new marine base and police boats we commissioned recently. I have really enjoyed being a police officer and I will miss all my colleagues dearly. I wish them well,” he said.
Needham has been instrumental in a number of police initiatives and has assisted in modernizing many aspects of the service. Most recently, he oversaw the two year project to upgrade and boost marine capabilities with new vessels, additional staff and a dedicated marine base. He joined the RCIPS in January 1999 as the Detective Chief Inspector in charge of the Commercial Crime Branch, following a 31-year career with Lancashire Police in the United Kingdom. He has worked in a number of roles including head of the Joint Intelligence Unit, a unit he established in 2001 comprising police, customs and immigration in. Promoted to Detective Superintendent in May 2003 he then established the Financial Crime Unit (FCU) – a unit dedicated to investigating serious fraud, money laundering and corruption offences. Amalgamated from the Commercial Crime Branch, the FCU has grown to be one of the most recognized in the region and has twice been awarded the highest marks for any North American and Caribbean country following inspections by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.
Needham has received a total of ten commendations for his work, ranging from his conduct during investigations, the speed of investigations, his perseverance, professionalism and his devotion to duty.
Acting Commissioner of Police, James Smith said that although he has not known Needham very long, he will be missed. “Mr Needham has clearly achieved a great deal during the course of his 40-year career and he should leave policing feeling extremely proud. I wish him all the best for the future,” said Mr Smith.
Needham although retiring from the force is believed to be taking up a position in the private sector.
For more information about a career in policing, visit the RCIPS website at www.rcips.ky.
SASI successes highlighted
(CNS): For the past three years, more than 400 people – children and adults – have participated in Sports Association of the Sister Islands (SASI) programs, competitions, and events. Addressing 165 people at the annual SASI Awards Banquet, President and Sister Islands Sports Instructor Mitchum Sanford noted in his address, “This equates to 25% of the Cayman Brac population." (Left: Cordell Gutierrez receives Male Basketball Athlete of the Year from MLAs Julianna O’Connor Connolly and Moses Kirkconnell)
"These numbers are ready to grow even more these coming years if we provide the country with an adequate facility and sports staff – or we could see a reversal and down-spiral effect if this isn’t done quickly. The people deserve it so let’s do it.”
He said the continued growth of programs comes with an even larger increase in athletic participation and competitions, and more clubs and teams meant more traveling and more money was needed. “Perhaps at this time in our growth cycle the most important thing we much focus our efforts and energy on these next coming years, is to complete the Sports Complex and expand the staffing and resources of the Sports Department.”
He continued, “In my humble opinion it’s just not acceptable to exclude the Sister Islands out of the upgrading, refurbishing, and building of the various sporting fields, structures, and basic infrastructures and utilities that are required to operate and conduct sound, practical, and safe athletic programs for our children. But here in the Brac it’s a way of life for us to not have and not complain, we just except it and make do. This has been the toughest part of my six years working for the Dept of Sports, and I’m not sure as to how long I can continue as the frustration is unbearable at times.”
Sanford said the completion of the Football Field at the proposed Sports Complex last meant that for the first time, Cayman Brac could play all of their home matches in the CIFA National Youth Leagues here in the Brac. “As promised, the CBFC entered two youth teams last season in the national league – that being an U-14 and U-16 team. The club again this season has entered the two youth teams and plans to enter a third in coming years, also the club is looking at entering a men’s team in the national first division next season if financial viable.” (Right: Amanda Nelson is Female Football AOY)
Cayman Brac Netball Club, led by Ventisha Conolly and Lizzanna Hurlston, entered the Cayman Islands Netball Association U-18 Netball League for their third season and the U-18 League for the second time.
Flynn Bush took over the Track and Field Program last season after completing his IAAF “level 3” certification in Puerto Rico. With 60+ young people attending each session,this program has developed some very promising athletes for future Cayman Islands representation at the international level.
Swimming and the Sister Islands Swim Club, led by Micahel Hundt, were represented at more meets last season in Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the United States that ever before in the history of the Sister Islands. “Mr Hundt continues to produce outstanding athletes each year in his after-school program in the it-si-bi-si 15m pool he has to work with,” said Sanford.
The development last year of a new Youth Basketball Program has been very successful and popular with high school age athletes, he said, noting that SASI had entered an U-16 team in the CIBA National U-16 Development League last season. “Pastor Victoriano Pomare took over the program a few months ago and raised the level of the athletes much higher than I possibly could; the team is again looking to enter the U-16 League in coming weeks.”
The Cayman Brac Cricket Club will continue to contest CICA 2nd Division League this year as they have for the more than a decade now. Ashton Ferguson led the club to a 4th place finish last seasonand he and fellow cricketer Sohadeo Sohan have been very instrumental in developing the game to youngsters in the Brac. “Their help and expertise will one-day help SASI develop a youth cricket team to contest the national 2nd division as the men present do,” Sanford said.
The President concluded by acknowledging Stephen Tatum and Michael Sanford (left), who had gone through sports programs and competitions and gone on to earn football scholarships to attend university. They are now examples for other athletes on the Brac to follow, he said.
The event was sponsored by the Cayman Brac Power and Light Co. Key Note Speaker was Canover Watson, Managing Director, Admiral Financial Center and 2008 YCLA recipient.
Awards Presented:
1) CBP&L Football League (youth & senior divisions)
2) Netball = Most improved team last season in CINA U-18 league
3) Community POY = Ventisha Conolly (Lions, Leos, BPWC, sports)
4) School OY = C&SBPS
5) Service & Appreciation = Lizzanna Hurlston, Victoriano Pomare, Brac International Travel
6) Life-Time Achievement = Theo Cuffy (C.I. National Cricket Coach)
7) Silver Sponsor OY = Rotary Club of CYB
8) Silver Sponsor OY = Paramount Carpets
9) Gold Sponsor OY = Sagicor General Insurance (Cayman) Ltd
10) Gold Sponsor OY = Kirkconnell Ltd
11) Gold Sponsor OY = Cayman National Corporation
12) Platinum Sponsor OY = Progressive Distributors
13) Platinum Sponsor OY = CBP&L Company Ltd
14) Netball AOY = Mya Dunkley
15) Male Basketball AOY = Cordell Gutierrez
16) Female T&F AOY = Madison Bush
17) Male T&F AOY = Andrew Frederick
18) Male Cricket AOY = Sohadeo Sohan
19) Female Swimming AOY = Martha Rivers
20) Female Football AOY = Amanda Nelson
21) Male Football AOY = Michael Sanford
Former Education Minister on UDP hustings
(CNS): Bodden Town candidates Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour will be joined tonight bythe former United Democratic Party MLA for the district, Roy Bodden, who served as Education Minister in the previous UDP administration but who has retired from the political arena. In what is likely to be a show of party force, Scotland and Seymour will be presenting themselves to Bodden Town’s electorate at the first of the UDP’s major campaign meetings.
Featuring live entertainment as well as politics, the event will be held at Mario Rankin Yard, Hirst Road, at the intersection of Newlands and the new bypass. “We are inviting everyone, especially Bodden Towners, to our first public meeting to talk about the major issues facing the country and our solutions to address them,” explained Scotland.
Seymour said the candidates have met with people throughout the community over the past several months but this was their first district-wide meeting. In addition to the two candidates, speakers include Bodden, former Miss Teen Cayman Islands and youth leader Yentel McGaw, and UDP Party Leader Mckeeva Bush.
“This team will be working for a better Bodden Town and they are what this district badly needs,” said Bush. “Mr Scotland and Mr Seymour represent a better way forward for this country and the people of Bodden Town.”
Criticising the performance of one of the current incumbents, Scotland accused Anthony Eden of neglecting the poor. “A study commissioned by the PPM showed that the Cayman Islands was found to have one of the highest gaps between the rich and the poor in the entire Caribbean. The Ministry of Health has known this for more than a year now and has yet to do anything about it”, he said.
The meeting will present an opportunity to quiz the UDP candidates and assess their suitability for office. Neither candidate has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly before, however Mark Scotland ran in the district for the UDP in 2005 and both men claim extensive business experience.