Conolly: “It’s the people’s time”
(CNS): Developer and architect Burns Conolly, who has turned his attention from the drawing board to the political platform, said last night at his first public meeting that he is seeking a partnership with the people “to design and build” the future of Cayman. He said the most important factor in the building of a country is its people. “Somewhere along the way the politicians have seemed to have forgotten that,” he added.
He said people had been replaced in the work force, in the opportunities to move upward and in the area of good commonsense by an army of consultants, who don’t know us but go home with their pockets stuffed with millions of dollars. “In this election we are going to change that,” he added.
Conolly told the small gathering on the court house steps in George Town on Tuesday night that it was not true that independent candidates can’t make a difference. “Our country was developed and its foundation laid for good governance by men and women who were independent thinkers but who were big enough to put aside self, pride, opportunity and to work for the national good,” he said.
Making his first pitch to the people of George Town to elect him as their representative on May 20 Conolly criticised the current administration for the mismanagement of finances, over spending, and not doing enough. “I don’t have to tell you what has gone wrong in this country — you know. I don’t have to tell you about job losses — you know. I don’t have to tell you of the crisis our financial industry is facing — you know,” he said.
He spoke about the economy, tourism, creating jobs for Caymanians, immigration and education. “We have glass-fronted towers under construction that we can’t pay the bills on while our children and our teachers in our secondary system are subjected to the most appalling conditions on a daily basis,” he said.
Conolly criticised government for building expensive schools but said the first order of business should be a new primary school for George Town. “For decades this has been promised and we are still waiting. Four representatives – two in Cabinet, one of them the Minister of Education — and still no school for George Town. We don’t need an architectural masterpiece, we need good solid classrooms to replace that hodge-podge set of little trailer boxes they have provided for us.”
He also criticised the current incumbents for not doing enough to meet the challenges to Cayman’s offshore financial services sector coming from the global community. “We have bent over backwards to meet all the demands placed on us, but……the watchmen we placed at our gate fell asleep and the enemy is now on our doorstep,” he said. “It’s going to take every ounce of knowledge and perseverance to walk us through this one — and bullet-proof glass in the LA is not the answer. We need sound leadership and it’s ourtime, the people’s time to elect it.”
If he was part of a new government one of the first things that would need to be done would be to balance the books by public audit and find out where the country stands financially and stop non-essential spending, he added.
He said that job losses had to be addresses and noted that there were 26,000 workers from abroad here while some 1000 to 2000 Caymanians are unemployed and it was time to change that. Government, he noted, should also set an example and send home persons on contracts in the civil service and replace them with Caymanians.
Conolly saved some of his most damning criticism of the current administration for the Cayman Investment Bureau and initiative, which he said had germinated from a Chamber of Commerce committee in 2000 in which he was involved. Offices had been opened overseas in a bid to encourage investment. However, he said that the current government downgraded the Cayman Investment Bureau to a local entity with no direction. “As late as January this year, after four years in office, the leader of government business confirmed to me, and so did the director, that the Bureau did not have a policy from Cabinet identifying which businesses to attract to the Cayman Islands.”
It was time to restore the Investment Bureau, he said, to seek out investment and bring it to our shores and ensure that business is given the streamlined efficiency to move here effortlessly. He also offered his support for the creation of a major Convention Centre in Cayman as well as an International Arbitration Centre to take advantage of the legal battles now settled by arbitration as opposed to the courts. “With the broad-based legal fraternity and its supporting services, we already have the framework to welcome such a facility.”
Closing his pitch to the electorate, Conolly asked people to join him in a partnership to build a country that recognises the worth of its own people, “secure in the knowledge that we are the architects of our destiny, the major planners, developers and builders of the future Cayman Islands,” he said.
Category: Election 2009
Personally I like Burns but at the same time I do not trust him….unfortunately I do believe that the almighty dollar from the wealthy getting in his pocket is more important to him that what is important and right for our country, our people…..I have had conversations with him that have led me to believe this. He seems to think that making deals with wealthy foreign (thanks to McKeeva most of them currently on Island are now status holders, no longer ‘foreign’) investors is the way for Government to go with no real concern for the favours that WILL be expected in return somewhere down the road. My four GT votes are for PPM….and even if i had a spare it would not be for Burns!
Arden is a very scary man. Alden too, for that matter. They have a very angry energy…Frightening.
That catchy slogan: "it’s the people’s time"….so many politicians presume to be populist and know what ‘the people" want. Yet when the record is examined, hardly any of them can cite any example of truly being of the people or for the people.
Perhaps an articulatoin of why this campaign is reflective of "the people’s time" would be useful?
A very simple idea…while the two political parties fight for the proverbial “bone”, the people of Cayman are the ones left out and are falling through the cracks…As an independent candidate I propose to work for the Country first and not take any party line – thus the slogan.
Mr. Connolly, you have been spending a "whole heap" of money on your campaign, as evidenced by the wide dispersion of your images all over Cayman real estate and the cyberworld..and the print media…and the electronic media.
A cynic like me need to ask you: por que?
"For the good of the people"? It would be naive for any voter to think that you don’t expect a return on your investment.
The words pork barrel come to mind.
Hi Burns,
Thanks for your response. I don’t think its problematic to keep this discussion here – I think many people share the same hope mixed with skeptism/fear about you.
In principle I agree with you, being realistic, the shift away from real estate development will have to be gradual and those first steps are 1) ensuring that Caymanians are the prime beneficiaries of the industry (and that I would say that most definitly means not re-newing work permits for non-Caymanians in this industry (namely real estate agents, obviously expat construction workers and some others with technical expertise will still be needed & no more Darts & Michael Ryans). 2) putting major force behind developing alternative industries/revenue sources for the country/Government
HOWEVER, I think there is a CRITICAL number 3 that you allude (and that we have specifically asked you about)
Ecosystem Conservation, Environmentally sustainable development. Enacting a Conservation Bill that allows the Government to set aside, acquire (compensate for), and permanently protect all critical ecosystems – along with all the other important environmental aspects this Bill would facilitate. I refer you to the Director of DoE’s statements last week about the urgency of adopting such legislation NOW to ensure sustainable development will happen in Cayman. I also would highly suggest you read the comments from the public – in support of such legislation – here but also in every other similar article that has been published recently: http://centos6-httpd22-php56-mysql55.installer.magneticone.com/o_belozerov/31115drupal622/headline-news/2009/03/31/time-running-out-caymans-environment
And would again ask you to share your position on the proposed Conservation Bill and the need to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
I have to say your response has left me no less uneasy/fearful/skeptical about the fate of the natural environment in Cayman if you were elected to office.
Also, while you, living close to the proposed Emerald Sound site may feel no concerns – over 200 + members of the South Sound community clearly do NOT and they most explicitly and passionatly expressed that to you, the developers and the Government in April 2007. I am quite positive that they feel exactly the same as they did then.
Regarding the Conservation Bill…I am quite clear on that..I would not support it as written. While I definitely believe we need laws to support and protect our environment, that Bill as written had some serious flaws in my opinion.
First off, it automatically brought 5 or 6 international treaties/Agreements/Protocols into force in Cayman including their international definitions. Some of the definitions, such as that of a ‘wetland’ in the RAMSAR is so widely interpreted that most of Grand Cayman is covered by it including dryland supporting the wetland. Given that Grand Cayman is more than 50% wetland and the majority of the remaining lands contribute to that wetland, we could have an interesting issue applying it.
Another issue is the SPAW Protocol list of species…the way I interpret this we may also have an issue by protecting local species that are not threatened here but would be required to be listed here if they are in a problem elsewhere in the Caribbean- that seems a bit odd to me. The list attached to the Conservation Bill was extensive including common species in the Cayman Islands.
I could go on but the key point is this Bill, by adopting ‘carte blanche’ all of the treaties ( and I should note that some may already apply here by extension from the UK), may have some significant hurdles to country growth, even outside of the sensitive environmental areas. I had extensive discussions with DOE, who attempted to allay my fears but I remain concerned. It is DOE’s remit to raise such concerns and they do it very effectively. I would support moving the Bill forward after a review/rewrite of the areas of my concern.
Regarding Emerald Sound which keeps coming up…as you I am not the developer ofthat project…while we did the applications and I seriously have seen anything in the other consultants work that would damage south sound, it is not my role to convince anyone to support it or not. That is what the planning process is for but you need to get the facts to decide about that project. There were many rumors about that project that simply were not true. It incorporated many eco-friendly elements including 15 acres of habitat swales and shallow water canals that have not been done here before on that scale.
Regarding Environmental conservation and ecosystem protection–I obviously support both. What I would say is that I do believe that we need to accurately assess the country and identify those areas of true environmental sensitivity. By cutting down a tree here or moving a rock there does not necessarily mean that you have done “environmental’ damage. I was on the National Trust Board when we voted to protect the Salinas, the Fort and the Dr. Roy’s Ironshore. I supported and voted to make those “inalienable”. I would still vote that way and there are some other areas of key importance that remain unprotected.
I believe that there does not have to be a diametrical relationship between “development” and “environmental conservation” as is commonly suggested. There are many examples worldwide of sensitive development that we can use. What we will have to do is modify our Planning Law to allow this to happen. At the moment we are forced to build little “donuts”…a building in the middle of the parcel surrounded by ‘setback’ space–this is one of the worst land use models available- it was created for countries with unlimited space. It does not allow the ability to “cluster” buildings to allow more natural habitat areas. The separation of land into zoning also promotes road creation, traffic and dispersed development. I believe that given my technical background I can assist in moving this area forward if elected.
Regarding the two developers mentioned, what I can say is whether you support their projects or not the inflow of revenue, import duty and economic impact of those two projects to the economy and Government is more than significant. Without them, the Government may have run out of funds much sooner than now. I do not believe that we have to throw open the doors when someone wants to invest in the country but we simultaneously need to get the best value for Cayman if we believe their development is of benefits to us in the first place.
What I get back to ultimately is that the inward investment is creating revenue for government. If that revenue is significantly disrupted we must recognize that Government services willbe reduced or additional taxation has to be sought. The computer system in Lands & Survey is unparalleled in the region and even in most places in the US–we will not be able to support such systems without revenue.
I do not believe that the ‘local’ economy is of significant depth and maturity that the country can live without this inward investment. This global slow down will be a good test of what would happen if we shut down “development’ for as you know most development has stopped over the last 2 months locally from what I can see. The real effects of that should impact us in July/August/September period this year as the existing work is completed. We will probably have shed 3-4,000 jobs by then (hopefully the majority on permits)
I remain available,
Regards,
Burns Conolly
Wow, interesting to see that a Caymanian admits to not being able to adapt to a normal work schedule (9 to 5, 5 days a week). I believe your own comments show exactly why employers are hesitant to hire Caymanians to begin with. What sane business owner would hire someone that only wants to work 4 days per week for the same salary as another person working 5 days per week? And admitting that you will "never truly adapt" shows that you have no interest of even wanting to have an office job. You have answered your own plea of working for yourselves: work roadside fruit stands as you did in the past. After all, these islands would be nothing if it weren’t for the financial offices that were brought here by the expats you scorn. Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that Caymanians did not have the luxuries that they take for granted today: expensive foreign cars, cable television, air conditioning, running water island-wide, electricity island-wide, and many many other amenities that were influenced by expats coming to your islands.
I’d also like to hear Burns’ answers to questions posted in previous comments (by Anonymous on Mon, 04/06/2009 – 10:01). Particularly the questions regarding sustainable development in Cayman, protection of our natural habit, trying to keep our island so Caymanians and residents and tourists alike can enjoy our beaches around our islands – not just the wealthy who build their big houses with their big walls and block us from seeing see. We’ve already lost A LOT, let’s not allow them to take away from us any more. Enough is enough (and it’s already too much!)
Burns, what would you do to stop Grand Cayman from becoming more and more like South Beach, like a concrete jungle? Reality is, we’re a little 20-odd mile long island in the sun. We don’t need to try to be like a big city in the US. We should take our natural resources and ‘build’ on them in a sense – not with concrete – but take our natural habitats and use them as a resource not something to dig up, knock down, fill in, etc.
I understand Burns was the architect for the South Sound development where they wanted to move the SS road inland using canals, or a bridge, – for what? so the wealthy who bought the inland properties could join their land to the beach side. How greedy. And how many Caymanians you think would live in there???
From what I gather, Burns is a smart, capable man. What I need to know now though is: Is he worth my vote? What does he stand for? Is the almight dollar from the wealthy getting in his pocket more important to him that what is important and right for our country, our people?
To the people who want to come to our island, damage our natural resources, be greedy, take what’s ‘ours’ and try to make it ‘theirs’ — I wonder what they’d think if we went to their homeland and tried to do the same. I bet you their country would have protection against us doing that. Perhaps by us not havnig a proper sustainable development and environmental protection plan in place, opportunistic people with money see us as a gold mine (<insert DART here>).
Let’s not let the rich ‘buy us out’. They pay lots of money for PR people, and marketing people, to make it all look pretty. It’s all a disguise – don’t be fooled. It’s not for us, it’s for them. Just look at the Camana Bay ads – how many locals you see in there? They can’t even use Caymanians in the ads because they know it’s not FOR Caymanians. They can afford to make things look pretty, spend lots of money on projects, and they can afford to have losses for a few years — all while giving the public the ‘impression’ that they’re great, they care about us (they really don’t!)……THEN give it a few years and they’ll be earning the big BIG B I G bucks when they’ve put the ‘small man’ out of business and will have raped our country and her people. Don’t let it be too late Cayman. Don’t fall for it. Protect what’s ours – who else will????!!!
Sorry that sidetrack, but Burns — do you agree???
Dear Disappointed,
First off, thanks for the questions. It is very reasonable to ask this given my profession and what my company does. I do not have a problem with that.
Generally, and unfortunately, the Islands receive all of its revenue from “development”. “Development” in the form of “buildings and consumption”–that is import duty on building materials and food, Lands & Survey fees on land sales/etc as well as fees on Tourism and Finance industries which creates further development.
Until we can find another source of income for the country we will need to keep developing. But that is not the major issue actually–we just need to ensure two things. 1) that the investment (development) is done in a sustainable way that does not deplete the natural environment/culture and 2) that Caymanians come first in the benefits of that development. The latter has been ignored by politicians for decades and is our largest problem. Most of the benefits come and go leaving us no better off. I believe given my training and experience I have the ability to contribute greatly here.
We need to urgently look toward finding additional sources of income in the meantime. This is obviously a challenge but elements such as the Arbitration Centre that I proposed could begin to do so.
Regarding me being “in politics for the money” is far from the truth. I will likely be taking a pay cut being an MLA and I can confirm that I love what I do and I have a successful company-it is in fact easy for me to sit by from the sidelines however that is not how my family brought us up. Many running cannot say that.
Regarding Emerald Beach – we were engaged to make the Planning submission. Contrary to the rumors, it did NOT do anything with the land on the seaside…those lots have existed there for the last 10 years-Kenneth Ebanks, Director of Planning confirmed that in the SS meeting. The development was not where you can see the sea–it was the lands EAST of Cayman Crossing opposite the seaside house there. The reason for proposing the move of the road was to create jogging and pedestrian lanes on either side of the main road. The only debatable issue with this development was the proposal to remove an area the size of a house lot out of the sound down to 6 feet from an average of 0-3 feet to allow boats to come into the inland canal. The planning process is the way to validate or turn down such a proposal. This development was being done actually by a Caymanian Developer. I live nearby and I did not believe that any significant damage would have been done and obviously it would not in my interest to do so.
I grew up on the beach in East End (High school high in the hills of Jamaica) and enjoy the simple pleasures with others. However we have to put in place realistic laws to deal with these issues and we need to develop a true Economic & Development Plan that cannot be easily changed every 4 years. That Plan must have interim way points that can be measured. Our current Planning Laws need radical reworking and I know as I deal with them every day.
I am happy to go offline with this discussion given the forum was not made for these leghth of comments. I am availabel at hope@burnsconolly.com. You can also see my full website at http://www.voteforburns.com. Hope that helps a bit.
Burns Conolly
Questions for Burns (and comments on current Minister of Infrastructure)
If Arden was at all outstanding as a Minister of Infrastructure, he would have atleast come up with a public transportation study / plan – if not atleast come up with a sustainable transit plan for the Cayman Islands. Building a road system is quiet easy – all you have to do is haggle for the funding in the LA and set the NRA to work.
Without (reliable and efficient and convenient) public transportation – the new roads that have just been built, will within another 20 years be congested. (Also note Cayman’s obligation to significantly cut its CO2 emissions in the next decade)
We desperatly need visionary leadership in all areas of our Government. Quick fixes – might at first seem great – however are never actually more than that.
While I believe that Burns could do a FAR better job at running the Government efficiently than the PPM, I am also extremly nervous about the possibility ofhim being one of the people who are running the country. Particularly, as many other posters have expressed, with concerns about the environment and land prices and all aspects of the real estate sector in Cayman.
Let us not forget, Burns was the spokesperson for the proposed Emerald Sound – in South Sound – which the entire community desperately objected to. Given that this project is still aiming to win the approval or the public and particuarly Planning – it gives me absolutely no confidence that Burns is sufficiently in touch with the people of the Cayman Islands and their desires for what Cayman should be in the future (areas of pristine entact natural environment, preservation of our natural history, a desire to see some areas remain quaint (like South Sound, East End).
The real estate sector is damaging in all aspects to Caymanians. Its drives the price of land out of the reach of most Caymanians. It is destroying the natural environment at a rate which is totally unsustainable. And while the Government benefits significantly via stamp duty (and so do all to some degree), there are very few Caymanians who directly benefit from the real estate sector (most real estate agents are not Caymanian). We need to decrease our reliance on the real estate sector and build Cayman’s economy in other more diversified and less damaging directions.
If Burns wants a good chance at winning a seat in this election, I strongly suggest he in great detail address our concerns about him.
Burns:
What do you think about the draft Conservation Bill and if you are elected to office, would you pass it, and continue the stated committment of the current Minister of the Environment to ensure that the Conservation Bill is passed very shortly after the new Government is formed?
Are you still the spokesperson for Emerald Sound? Or do you have interests in this venture? Does the developer still have intentions of pursuing this project? And if so, how do you balance this narrow economic interest along with the very directly stated desires of the people of South Sound and the Cayman Islands, that South Sound remain as it is – quaint, no bridge, no canalization, no development which changes the appearance of South Sound or jeopordizes the safetly of its inhabitants (increased flooding risk, bridge collapse in hurricanes etc) or the natural environment of the sound ie no Emerald Sound in the form it was proposed.
What is your vision for the physical and economic development of the Cayman Islands?
Sustainable development. Talk to us about your thoughts on sustainable development in Cayman. A strategic national development plan for the Cayman Islands. Is this a priority?
Conservation of The Central Mangrove Wetlands, The Salinas, The Mastic, the extra land that is needed in East End to ensure sufficient habitat for the Blues, the Iron Wood Forrest, and other critical ecosystems on all three islands. How does this fit in with your vision of economic development in the Cayman Islands?
The real estate sector, land prices and ensuring that Caymanians have access to land (and not via the current style of affordable housing developments which is hardly dignifying for the Caymanians who can only afford to live in these designated area)?
It would be great to see you answer these questions on your website or in some forum.
"If Arden was at all outstanding as a Minister of Infrastructure, he would have atleast come up with a public transportation study / plan – if not atleast come up with a sustainable transit plan for the Cayman Islands. Building a road system is quiet easy – all you have to do is haggle for the funding in the LA and set the NRA to work.
Without (reliable and efficient and convenient) public transportation – the new roads that have just been built, will within another 20 years be congested. (Also note Cayman’s obligation to significantly cut its CO2 emissions in the next decade)"
FYI, because it is so critical to tourism, this issue was being addressed by the Minister of Tourism rather than the Minister for Infrastructure. There is such a study. As Minister Clifford about it. Also FYI, the road system is based on a long term plan called the Master Ground Transportation Plan. It is not yet complete. All this is not as random as you suppose.
Its contradictory to oppose the new schools and promote Caymanian advancement at the same time. We are competing against students who come from world class education systems, a part of which require the establishment of advanced learning environments.
It is an insult to Caymanian children to say that they should not have world class education curricula (the National Curriculum) and world Class learning environments. The Education model (if I should be so kind as to call it a model) that Burns promotes does not equip our children to compete on the world stage, but sets us upfor perpetual domination by outside labour.
Commenters should remember the difference between the executive positions at Planning (e.g. director of planning) and Ministerial responsibility – Government policymaking. Roundabouts for example are not decided on without recommendations by road engineers/architects etc.
So tell me, how would he become Minister of Planning, since it is the ruling government (party or not) which will elect the Cabinet after the election. Its one thing to get elected, and quite another to become a Minister.
The reference to obesity is rude and unecessary.
burns is a nice man, on the whole, but frankly, I think that we need no more developers, architectects, or real estate agents to drive our progress. Do not try to ride in on your fathers coat tails.
Burns Conolly is a joke! Let’s say he is elected on May the 20th to the LA for George Town. How is he going to implement his plans? HOW? He cannot!!! No one man show can do anything for the Cayman Islands. In 2005, the Cayman Islands got rid of corruption. Stay with PPM.
To say that one man can’t get anything done ,is down right stupit!! Rosa Parkers was one woman..look her up on the internet and read the story. The party has had 4years…What happen?.
What’s wrong with Burns being in charge of planning?? He would definitely do a much better job than Arden did in the last 4 years…all Arden did was plant roundabouts at just about every intersection. Look at the roundabouts near the Red Bay Primary School…count how many accidents have occurred there since they put them there. There have been cars that have done 360 degree turns, all because of lack of planning.
Despite what the article says, Burns is NOT a developer – he is an architect. And because of his profession, Burns would be perfect for the Ministry of PLanning because I believe he would put some sort of succession planning in place for the country. He definitely has the people’s best interests at heart.
"What’s wrong with Burns being in charge of planning?? He would definitely do a much better job than Arden did in the last 4 years…all Arden did was plant roundabouts at just about every intersection. Look at the roundabouts near the Red Bay Primary School".
Arden has done an excellent job as Minister, and the roundabouts have been a very good way of alleviating up to the traffic jams and allowing the traffic to flow. Does anyone remember what a nightmare it used to be to turn from the airport road into town, for example? The new one near the Airport Post Office is also really good. True, there needs to be some more driver education about the use of them. However, some people simply do not understand that you cannot drive around the entire roundabout in the outer lane or that you cannot suddenly switch lanes in the middle of the roundabout without looking or indicating. Some of the driving schools are giving mixed messages on their use. But this has nothing to do with Arden’s performance as Minister which has been outstanding in various ways.
My suggestion to Mr. Burns Connolly if he gets in is this, or to anyone who gets in for that matter.
Caymanians are small island people. As long as the sweet salt spray blows up our nostrils and as long as the waves lap and crash on our little island’s shores, we will always be a unique people who will never adapt to a big city stressed out lifestyle.
Expecting Caymanians to try to act like big city people working 9 to 5 and sitting in 1 hour of traffic going home tired and exhausted in the evenings, not even earning enough to live comfortable, is to expect the impossible.
As long as this tiny little island’s waves lap and crash upon the shores, and as long as the sweet salt spray blows up our nostrils, we will always be a unique people who will never truly adjust to a stressed out big city 9 to 5 jammed with traffic exhausting lifestyle.
WE WILL NEVER TRULY ADAPT, NEVER!
After all, we’re just on a tiny little island in the middle of the Sea. Why did any politicians along the way be so foolish to kid themself to think Caymanians would ever adapt to a big city 9 to 5 stressed out exhausting lifestyle that most can’t even live comfortably off of???
CAYMANIANS WILL NEVER TRULY ADAPT TO SUCH AN IGNORANT LIFESTYLE OF STRESS ON SUCH A SWEET SMALL LITTLE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA.
And whose benefit was it for this island to become so busy with business? It wasn’t for the majority, it was only for the minority like yourself who became wealthy from it. Most of us are poor and struggling Mr. Connolly, whether youwant to believe it or not.
It is hard for me to think that you who are so wealthy could ever understand we who are poor and struggling. Life has been handed to you on a silver platter. Most of us don’t get that.
Like the Indians say, "walk 1000 miles in my moccasins before you judge me". I will add to that and say "…and before you can tell me what is good for me…".
We Caymanians have a hole in our hearts for trying to be enslaved in such a stressfull lifestyle in our tiny little island in the middle of the sea. (Probably the wealthy Caymanians like yourself do not have such a hole in your hearts, because being wealthy is more important to you and gives you great freedoms to have whatever you need and to travel when and whereever you want to go.)
"He hath founded it upon the Seas".
Lessen the work hours per week to 4 days (8hrs/day) per week with the same pay. That would be one way to help to reduce stress and exhaustion. Allow Caymanians to set up their little road side stalls and vendor from them, that would reduce much stress and exhaustion too. Not all of of us want to work for another, and we can’t afford store rent. Let us vendor from the roadsides. That would also put more culture back in our island. Stop making everything so illegal.
Allow us to vendor from the roadsides from West Bay to East End, all throughout the island.
Stop putting so much harsh restrictions and barriers on us. We want to enjoy smelling the sweet salt spray that blows freely through our island, we want to enjoy listening to the sounds of our shores as the waves lap and crash upon our shores. We want to enjoy our beautiful little island. And we can’t afford health care for all of the illnesses and diseases that stress causes.
Please, lift some of the vending restrictions off of this island. For the sake of culture and the sake of all of us who want to live more simple relaxed stress-free lifestyles and enjoy our island for what it truly is. Please put culture back into our way of life. Why does everything have to be a big city culture in this tiny little island in the middle of the sea?
Is there not someone wise enough to run our Country to give us back some of our culture and stop making everything so illegal. For goodness sakes, now i hear it is illegal to build a cistern??? What are we coming to in this island? Have we gone mad and lost our minds?
And last but not least Mr. Connolly, please do not partake in taking away any of our beautiful drive along ocean views from us, we’ve lost enough. There should have been a Law that anyone who buys beach land has to give at least one side of their building an open ocean view with no fence or hedge blocking the view of the sea. Then our island would still have been so pretty and charming to drive around and enjoy.
Can we not get any wise people to run our Country??? Or is all about money and greed, greed, greed? Instead of caring about the wellbeing of the native Cayman Islands?
Please, tell me, what does his weight or his wife have to do with anything?
People, PLEASE, guard yourselves against ignorance! GET THE INFORMATION. DON’T BE LAZY- GO OUT THERE AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT EACH CANDIDATE HAS TO OFFER!
Go online, read their manifestos, go to their public meetings. If you have a stake in something, then it is UP TO YOU to educate yourselves!
BONGO- Your comment is very disappointing as it adds absolutely nothing to the debate. Take it from others who have posted and GET INFORMED. Mr. Connolly is addressing the "real issues"- what you are doing is slandering people on grounds that have ZERO relevance.
Get a life, Get a clue- go teach yourself something and then maybe, just maybe, you will have something of value to post.
Dear Bongo,
The article above is slightly misleading in that this is what I actually said–
"GOVERNMENT MUST SET THE EXAMPLE- AS THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE INVESTOR OF OUR EDUCATION DOLLARS, TO ENSURE WE REAP GOOD DIVIDENDS. I WILL WORK TO HAVE REVIEWED, THOSE PERSONS ON CONTRACTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE REPLACED BY CAYMANIANS IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, WHEN THERE ARE CAYMANIANS TO TAKE THEIR PLACE,"
obviously since my speech was over 5000 words the subtly is difficult to reduce down to one page.
I appreciate your comments, even if they are anonymous, and am happy to discuss my solutions with you offline. And yes they are real solutions to real problems.
Anyway, my website, http://www.voteforburns.com has extensive information and you are welcome to visit it. All my speeches and Adverts, radio commercials etc are posted there for you to have access to.
regards, Burns Conolly
hope@burnsconolly.com
Bongo,
Where have you been?…Burns has been one of the few that HAS offered solutions. You should see his website and compare it with the others…very informative.
Burns certainly is not against expats, He married one, but he is for Caymanians getting the jobs first as the law says should happen. If more Caymanians stood up for each other then we would be a lot better off.
If the people choose to elect him to government , for goodness sake don’t make him head of planning.
cayman has more serious problems and doesnt need yet another obese angry man trying to stoke fears and trying to create rifts in society. if he wants to serve the cayman people, he should talk about the real issues, and leave the fear mongering behind. from the day he launched his campaign (speaking thru tears) I knew this would be a funny campaign.
He should take his own advice, and if he wants the Govt to set the example and get rid of all expats to hire Caymanians, he shouldnt acceps any business from ‘expat devils’ and hope that all expats boycott his wifes business peddling real estate at near criminal rates of commission.