Sister Islands MLA guaranteed a ministry with UDP
(CNS): In a tit-for-tat offer following Minister Alden McLaughlin’s recent invitation for West Bay MLA Rolston Anglin to cross the floor of the House and join the PPM, at a political meeting on Cayman Brac, the UDP invited to several members of the PPM to join their party. Agreeing with Minister Arden McLean’s nickname “Action Man”, O’Connor-Connolly said she hoped he would “get wings” and join the UDP. Later, party leader McKeeva Bush said of PPM member and Sister Islands MLA Moses Kirkconnell, “He’s going to come and join us, too.”
Addressing Brac residents at Scotts Dock, accompanied by all the UDP candidates, Bush also noted UDP plans for social workers who work with the elderly and those with special needs to ensure that they are properly paid. “Just because they are Jamaicans and other nationalities doesn’t mean you can just kick them around and treat them how you want,” he said, adding that the UDP would “do something for social workers besides treating them like dirt”.
Calling herself the “most talented qualified candidate” who had “never stopped campaigning since 1992”, Sister Islands MLA Julianna O’Connor-Connolly said that she was guaranteed a ministry position in a UDP administration – touching on a hot topic on Cayman Brac where many believe that a ministry position for one of their two MLAs should be enshrined in the constitution. West Bay MLA Cline Gliddon went further and said that a UDP government was the only chance that the Brac had to have a member in Cabinet, since the PPM had already decided who their ministers would be.
During her address to Brackers, cut short because she was losing her voice, O’Connor-Connolly said that Minister McLean had wanted to pave the roads on Cayman Brac but claimed that Kurt Tibbetts would not let him because they the Sister Islands does not fall under the ambit of the National Roads Authority.
With efforts after Hurricane Paloma likely to be an election issue on the Sister Islands, O’Connor-Connolly also claimed that UDP leader McKeeva Bush had done more for Brackers after Paloma than the current leader of government business, and Bush in turn thanked the Sister Islands MLA, who doesn’t “have a big family name and wealth”, for her efforts after the storm.
Cataloging UDP achievements for the Sister Islands during their administration, Bush asked “How can anyone lay all the praise on poor little Mose who just got elected?”
The UDP, Bush said, had repaired the Creek dock after damage by Hurricane Michelle, built the West End Post Office and upgraded others, purchased a fire truck, upgraded school facilities and gave Paul Scott support for West End Cemetery Pier – more commonly known as Scotts Dock – where the meeting was being held.
The UDP started the Affordable Housing Initiative for the Brac in May 2005 and left $800,000 in the budget to complete it, Bush noted. They started financial assistance for seamen and veterans and the elderly, he said, adding, “I remember the lick I took for that but I had a vision for social development.” O’Connor-Connolly had put in place the Heritage House, jetties, parks and bathroom facilities, he said.
In Little Cayman, their administration had built the school and the police station and the PWD centre. The UDP upgraded the Aston Rutty Civic Centre to withstand a category 5 hurricane, which cost well over $1 million, and had resurfaced the Brac airport runway, he said. They had put in place the Cayman Airways Express service, upgraded the sports facilities, and had put in place the sports officer, who he saidwas doing an excellent job. The UDP had put in place the cadet programme, and had ensured funds to open and operate the Kirkconnell community Care centre.
Returning to Paloma, he said the UDP had brought a motion for $10 million to be made available to ensure things moved faster and noted that “their own man said things were not going fast enough”, referring to MLA Kirkconnell.
Turning to the future, Bush said that while ARCC was “up to par”, another hurricane shelter was needed and said, “We promise that.” He said the main roads needed resurfacing, a water reservoir was needed on the Bluff, and that there should be after school programmes. The UDP would also provide adequate and affordable jet service, he said, as well as ensure that civil servants had proper coverage and that their pensions were protected
The UDP will support the church programmes that cater to social development, Bush said, claiming, “I’m not perfect – I’m just a sinner saved by grace.”
For tourism, the UDP would assist Foots with his Lost City of Atlantis project, and they would see that the “right type of development comes to these two islands” for sustainable development.
Noting that a successful government must ensure boarders properly protected, Bush went on to blame the current crime wave on the PPM, saying women were scared to move about by themselves. There was no point in developing tourism if you don’t improve safety, he said.
“Don’t let anyone fool you and put the blame on the governor,” said Bush.
Category: Election 2009
At what cost? At the cost that I don’t have to rely on more broken promises. Do you think the world will always be in a recession? Like was stated in a post somewhere… how can a government be broke? Wouldn’t they just print more money? The budget may not balance but that certainly does not mean broke. I would like to see more projects completed. The only way to see this is by having a government that can deliver on their words. We don’t need any more promises… as promised by the UDP.
I think the glasses are working. The last 4 years I see things happening. No more toilet blocks but plenty of things that UDP wished they could do. PPM is the only way forward for Cayman Brac. They take an interest and get things done.
At what cost does the PPM get things done? We’re broke, is that what you mean?
toilet blocks, toilet blocks, toilet blocks & more toilet blocks that’s the UDP vision for Cayman Brac
The losing team would be the one you’re sitting on. It’s called the back bench. Enjoy it. PPM is rolling down the track and ready for more action come May 20th!
Maybe Arden and Moses are just not certain who they want to remain with. After all who wants to stay on the losing team. Can’t blame them I would run too.
Stop what progress?
How can you stop something that never started?
Can someone please reminder me of some positive accomplishments by the UDP ministers, (2001 – 2005). Some real accomplishments please not fictional ones like breaking ground and putting signs for new schools without even having a buillding plan. My memory is crowded with negavity about the UDP, but I’m willing to listen.
No positive reminders about the UDP accomplishments?! However, I don’t need it now because Cayman Net News this morning reminded me of what is typical of the UDP.
I think you need a pair of GLASSES.
Campaining? Where? Cayman Brac? Could never be… Must be Little Cayman. This woman has been MIA (Missing In Action) since 2005.
Wow… UDP are even saying that the PPM ministers and Brac representative are doing a better job than they could. I wonder if they will vote straight UDP or if they will be smart enough to keep the progress rolling and vote PPM?!
Calling herself the “most talented qualified candidate” who had “never stopped campaigning since 1992” – WHAT A JOKE.
Tell you what this only shows that the parties are a joke more than ever!!
It’s great that the UDP is willing to recognize the accomplishments of these two fine representatives. It shows that the UDP did not feel that they could find better candidates in their respective districts.
If they are interested in being part of a UDP led government is another question.
So Arden and Moses are so good that both sides want them? They must be very flattered.