Archive for April, 2009
Activists urge voters to understand constitution
(CNS): With just over four weeks to go before polling day the general election noise appears to be drowning out the information regarding the referendum vote on Cayman’ proposed constitution which will take place on the same day. However, Equality Cayman is urging voters to read and learn the constitution and the rights that it currently denies them. It says its goal between now and 20 May referendum will be to raise awareness and help the electorate understand the pros and cons of a yes or no vote.
On 20 March this year the grass roots organisation Equality Cayman which was created to draw attention to the lack of human rights protections included in the new constitution’s Bill of Rights, submitted a petition with 701 signatures to the office of Kurt Tibbetts.
“The petition requested that the Government include two alternative versions of Section 16 in the 20 May referendum and allow people to choose for themselves, between the original section 16 (free standing right) or the new section 16 (right to equality limited to the Bill of Rights),” said Equality Cayman spokesperson, Carlene Alexander. “To date, Equality Cayman has not received a response from Mr. Tibbetts or anyone in his office.”
She added that 300 of the petition signatures were obtained in just one day, which suggests that had the organization had more time, a lot more signatures could have been obtained. She explained that Equality Cayman’s primary concern is that the original section 16 of the draft Bill of Rights stated that the Government should not discriminate against anyone at any time, however, the new section 16 does not protect anyone from discrimination by the Government in relation to healthcare, housing, employment, access to public spaces, the provision of social services and anything else which is not listed as a specific right in the Bill of Rights.
In the original draft constitution, the right to equality applied in all areas of daily life, including healthcare, housing and employment. This meant that it could not be restricted and made to apply only to certain areas/types/categories of rights and not to others. If the new constitution is accepted, there will be no full right in the Constitution to truly equal treatment by the Government.
As a result she says the organization is now embarking on a campaign encouraging the public to educate themselves on the details of the constitution and the rights that it currently denies them. The primary objective of Equality Cayman now will be to facilitate that education process and help Cayman voters understand what the pros and cons are of voting yes or no on the constitution as it stands.
The constitutional secretariat has produced an explanatory guide document for the constitution written in plain English. In it government takes some four pages to spell out its position regarding the denial of a free standing right in section 16. However, it does not explain in those pages that all Caymanians will be denied protection from discrimination regarding a number of areas including health, housing and access to various services offered by government. The documents are available in libraries across the islands or log onto www.constitution.gov.ky
Dignity prevails in debate
(CNS): In what will probably come to be remembered as one of the most dignified of the Chamber of Commerce’s candidate district forums, Sandra Catron and Anthony Eden had a mature and sophisticated debate on Thursday evening comprehensively covering a number of important local and national issues. As the insults flew down the road on the hustings of the PPM’s Bodden Town rally, in the Savannah United Church voters heard intelligent discussion.
Despite being one of the youngest candidates in the election going head-to-head one of the oldest and most experienced, Catron ably held her own as Eden demonstrated why he is one of Cayman’s most respected politicians and Catron one of the most promising. Discussing issues from the civil service to communication in government, the two Bodden Town candidates articulated their agreement and disagreement rationally.
One area of clear disagreement between the two was the issue of Cayman’s constitution. Eden stated that he absolutely supported and encouraged everyone to vote yes. While admitting it was not perfect he used the behaviour of the current governor and the mistakes made in the investigations regarding the police and the judiciary as an example of why there was a desperate need for a new constitutional arrangement to reduce the power of the office.
“We must do something about the constitution as we can’t let one person have all this power,” Eden said. “I am happy that London agreed that the leader of government business will sit on the National Security Council and in future we would avoid having that one person committing million’s of dollars without consulting the elected officials.”
Catron, however, pointed out that the constant mantra that the constitution was not perfect was what concerned her and she wanted to know why the people should be expected to vote for something considered imperfect.
“I am voting no and the reason is because I have heard people say it is far from perfect and how can we as a people accept something that is far from perfect. What standards are we setting ourselves?” she asked. “I refuse to settle for something that is far from perfect when it is going to govern the people.” She said that the constitution did not treat everyone equally because of the involvement of the church, and she said she believed in the separation of the two. “We should all be treated equally under the constitution.”
Asked what the most pressing environmental issue was, Anthony Eden said litter was a major problem and that tipping and dumping laws need to be enforced. He also described the George Town dump as unbearable for people but he believed his colleague Arden McLean was working diligently on resolving that, which he said he was supporting.
Catron noted that probably the biggest problem when it came to the environment in Cayman was the collective attitude. The fact that we have not established a definitive environmental plan, that we haven’t addressed the dump, that we are not looking at the water shortage which concerns the wider world, that Cayman does not seem concerned about recycling and we are not asking people to approach their consumption from a different perspective were all problematic. She explained that something as simple as 2% of households switching to doing household bills on line would save some 200,000 trees and people were not aware of how much impact little changes can have.
“We need to start educating the population in general in terms of how they at an individual and community level can make a real contribution. We have very few natural resources here in the Cayman Islands and it should be a primary concern to protect it,” she said adding that it was time to start somewhere even if it was just recycling plastics or bottles.
The candidates agreed on rollover, future plans to have civil servants contribute towards their health care, a need for better communication in Cabinet between the governor and the elected officials, and the quality of the Cayman Islands law school. They disagreed about how to tackle serious crime. While Eden said it was time to stop pussyfooting around with the hardened criminals, lamented the loss of the death penalty and called for a need for tougher punishment, Catron noted the long term failure to address the causes of crime. She also said the increase in violence in Cayman was gang related and instead of pretending this was not a problem here, we need to recruit international experts, particularly from LA, who knew how to address this kind of societal issue. She said it was time to take it seriously before it became too big to tackle.
“We don’t have anyone trained to deal with gang violence here,” she said “However, there are those in the US from LA, themselves former gang members, that have devised effective programmes that help grab these young people from the clutches of gangs and address the problems that lead to them joining.”
The two politicians answered questions on local district issues and both made it clear they were running for office to serve and not for any personal gain. In their closing statements Eden said he was committed to helping the young and old of Bodden Town, and had demonstrated that over the last sixteen years. Whichever future government he served in, he said he would continue to do that. Catron said on May 20 it was between God and the voter who they chose, but she was sitting there because she was asking for one of the Xs. She said when she takes on an issue, as a doer, they would know she would follow through. Catron said she was committed to giving up her business interests and she guaranteed the people of Bodden Town that she would be the hardest working representative in the Legislative Assembly.
CITA proposes changes to permit restrictions
(CNS): As the Cayman Islands Tourism Association gears up for its Annual General Meeting and Board Elections, the organization said it has issued a vision of the top objectives for the future of the industry and offered some suggestions to improve the short-term outlook. A six month freeze on pension plan contributions and a change in the restrictions on job descriptions for work permits to allow managers to better utilize staff are some of the temporary changes CITA is proposing.
Trina Christian, the Executive Director said the points will be shared with all the political candidates so that goals and priorities for tourism will be understood by any potential future leaders. The organizations says the long term goals are to sustain tourism arrivals from both stay-over and cruise tourism as well as improve infrastructure and the arrival/departure experience for both cruise and air visitors. The vision also talks about marketing the diversity of the product and increasing revenue opportunities for local businesses as well as defining the development plan for the Cayman Islands and prioritizing the implementation of the National Tourism Management Plan
However, CITA has also posed other ideas to improve the short-term outlook and act Christian said as a stimulus plan during this recession. The organization says that there should be a six month freeze on pension plan contributions to allow more cash flow for employees and employers during difficult times and reduce the investment during a time when pension funds are losing.
Another proposal is to reduce immigration restrictions regarding job sharing in the same category and same industry between companies to weather the slow times. “This will reduce the risk of losing good staff who provide quality service and training for Caymanian’s who are entering the industry,” Christian stated.
The idea of reduce immigration restrictions regarding multiple job duties for an employee will allow businesses to better utilize their staff in slow periods without having to wait until the renewal period of an employee’s contract. CITA has also suggested encouraging the training of Caymanian’s who are already employed in tourism so that they can work in multiple areas as well and may obtain maximum hours within a company.
The organization said that it has partnered with the Ministry of Tourism to successfully train Caymanian’s in Tourism through the Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme that has 25 students currently enrolled in the programme and who will be placed in CITA member businesses.
“This programme is essential to develop the human capitol in tourism; however it does not replace the need for businesses to also retain talented persons during these difficult times in our economy when exceptional service is how we maintain and gain competitiveness over other destinations,” Christian said.
Other Initiatives with which CITA is involved include the artificial reefing project, Kittiwake www.yourcaymanislands.com an online booking engine for small properties and CARIBCERT – tourism certification programme.
CITA will hold is AGM and board vote on 23 April 3pm -5pm at The Westin, Galleon Ballroom. Members are invited to attend this meeting where plans for the year ahead will be discussed. CITA’s President, Steve Broadbelt will be doing a special presentation on Market Share in the Caribbean and The State of The Tourism Industry. This year’s nominees for the 2009/2010 Board of Directors include:
Cruise Director: Bud Johnson – Atlantis Submarines ~ Condo/Villas/Small Properties Director: Tom McCallum – The Reef Resort and Harry Lalli – Treasure Islands Resort ~ Hotel Director: Walter Regidor – Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort and Dan Szydlowski – Westin Casuarina (serving second year)~ Restaurants/Nightclubs: Kevin Doyle – Hard Rock Café and Cliff Woods – Tropical Trader Group (serving second year) ~ Transportation Director: Ronnie Anglin – Captain Marvin’s Tours and Robert Hartsfield – Cayman Airways ~ Watersports Director: Steve Surrey – Divers Down and Steve Broadbelt – Ocean Frontiers – serving second year ~ Allied Director: Emma Graham-Taylor – Image Holdings and Hugh Treadwell – Dart Cayman Islands ~ Sister Islands Director: Gladys Howard – Pirate’s Point. For more information on CITA Initiatives visit: www.cita.ky/initiatives.php
Eastern voters will get chance to get IDs
(CNS):Voters in the Eastern district who missed out on collecting their Elector Registration Cards recently will be given another chance between now and the election, when a team will be sent to the districts. Owing to the Easter vacation and a shortage of staff the civic centres in East End, North Side and Bodden Town were inadvertently unattended on the evenings of 13-15 April.Offering his apologies on behalf of the elections office Chief Assignments Officer Eldon Whittaker explained the unexpected circumstances.
Although voter Ids as they are known are not compulsory for people to exercise their democratic right in the General Election and referendum being held on 20 May it will expedite the process.
Whittaker said voters who work in George Town could come by the Ele
The Ele
Get ready for National Trust Earth Week 5K Fun Run
(CNS): The PriceWaterhouseCoopers 5K Fun Run is scheduled for Sunday, April 26th at 7:30 am starting from the National Trust Visitor’s Centre on South Church Street. Individuals and teams can register for the Run by contacting the National Trust office at #558A South Church St, Telephone #949-0121. (Photo: NT Education Coordinator Erica Daniel (left) accepts a donation from PriceWaterhouseCoopers representative Courtney Phipps.)
Mobile voting option in Little Cayman
(CNS): Voters in Little Cayman have the option to apply for mobile voting if they are not travelling to Cayman Brac for Election Day, 20 May, but the deadline for applications to be received is 7 May, says Supervisor of Elections Kearney Gomez.. Election Office workers from Cayman Brac will then travel to Little Cayman to operate a mobile polling station on a date to be set, Gomez said. That date will be before 20 May. Application forms for mobile voting should be returned to the Registering Officer for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, Georgene Lazzari, at PO Box 17, Cayman Brac, KY2-2301.
The application forms can be obtained from the Little Cayman sub-post office. A copy can also be downloaded from the Elections Office website www.electionsoffice.ky Click on Form BA.
Gomez noted that residents of Little Cayman had previously been allowed to vote by postal ballot because there was no polling station set up on that island. However, an amendment to the Elections Law in June 2008 introduced mobile voting, so postal ballots for people in Little Cayman have been done away with unless they will be overseas on Election Day.
Walk with Grace for charity
(CNS): The Grace Christian Academy PTA raised over $6000 for capital projects at the school and more than $500 for Cayman HospiceCare, the designated charity for the second consecutive year for ‘Walk with Grace’ Family Walk on Seven Mile Beach. More than 150 students, family and friends participated in the third annual beach walk in March, which ended with a picnic catered by Subway. Other organizations that the school has donated to include: Kiwanis Give a Kid a Breakfast program, Heifer International, the Cancer Society and the National Trust Blue Iguana Recovery Program.
“We incorporate donating to local charities as part of our school fundraising, with the knowledge that giving to charity at an early age proves to be an excellent template for the children as they get older,” said Jennifer Grant-McCarthy, president of the Grace Christian Academy PTA Board. “Each time these donations are made, we make sure the students learn about the charity they are supporting, and the value of their donations.”
Water Authority sponsors Netball Association
(CNS): Young netballers will be able to improve their skills with a temporary specialty coach thanks to the Water Authority Board, which recently approved a donation for $1,500 to support the Cayman Islands Netball Association (CINA). The funds will go towards hiring the coach, who will concentrate on assisting the youth of the Cayman Islands in improving their skills both as individual players and team development.
Water Authority Director, Dr. Gelia Frederick-van Genderen commented: “The Water Authority is thrilled to support the CINA which provides the youth of the Cayman Islands with leadership, encouragement and team building proficiency along with a wide range of skills in the great sport of Netball. This is an excellent opportunity for our Netball teams to utilise the expertise of the new specialized coach to improve their individual and team skills. We wish the CINA a fun and successful Netball season.”
Lucille Seymour, BEM, JP stated “When the private sector partners with sports organizations the results are outstanding in the development of young people. The Youth love sports and sports builds character. This relationship must sustain and increase so that more pro-social activities in particular programmes can be developed for children and young people in these islands. I have been working in sports as a community volunteer all my adult life and to me its influence is comparable to good parenting. I thank the Water Authority-Cayman for its contributions which aid in the social transformation of our youth.”
Photo: (Left to right) Pat Bell, Chief Human Resources Manager, Water Authority-Cayman, U-16 Girls Netball Team mates – Glennique Bodden, New Horizons High School, Brittany Mobley, Cayman Prep & High School, Monalisa Cassanova, John Gray High School and Norma Ferryman, Secretary Cayman Islands Netball Association.
George Town crime wave
(CNS): Updated – Friday 2:30pm – Police said, today that one man has been arrested in connection with one of the break-ins in the Fairbanks Road area. The RCIPS confirmed it has received seven reports of break-ins or attempted break-ins at residential properties in that neighbourhood over the last week. “The police take this situation extremely seriously and are following up a number of leads including looking at a number of suspects,” police stated.
Police are also concerned that other offences are not being reported to police and it is important that police receive details of all offences that take place so that patterns can be identified and evidence can be collected. Anyone who is a victim is urged to contact the police.
While police have acknowledged that there has been an increase in burglaries in George Town in general, Fairbanks is experiencing a crime wave of its own. Residents told CNS that four apartments at Stone Haven, a three building strata between Ithmar Circle and Secret Garden, had been broken into and all the units have reportedly had attempted break-ins, while across the street another two burglaries have occurred with six attempted break-ins during the last few weeks.
The most recent burglary occurred while a family, including two small children and a cross-Shepherd dog, were sleeping, which has caused considerably fear among the residents. “If they are so brazen to try with the dog in the house they must be desperate or have no fear, and either one is not good,” said the victim, who had lost phones, wallets and cash. “Even the police that came to my house ran back to their car when they saw my dog. I have two small kids and they could have been hurt if they had woken up as they usually do during the night.”
Reports have been made by all the residents who have been robbed to the police and one resident told CNS that CID and scenes of crime officers had taken statements. However, residents had been concerned that the crime wave had not been reported in the media and were keen to warn people of the level of burglaries taking place and the need for people to protect themselves. “The more people that know about this the better and we can all be even more vigilant and watch out for watch other,” the resident stated.
Residents also noted that some of the break-ins had occurred during daylight hours and a scooter was also taken two weekends ago but recovered, vandalized.
Police said that the common method of entry appears to be via the rear of premises and theya re advising all residents to remian vigilant and ensure their windows and doors are locked securely and consideration should be given to inserting a piece of wood or something similar into the gap on sliding doors to prevent them being opened if the lock is breached.
Residents should also look out for suspicious activity and report anything out of the ordinary to the police, making note of people’s descriptions and license plate numbers of vehicles. Cell phone identification numbers, serial numbers of electrical goods and photographs of valuable items should be taken to help with reuniting recovered goods with their rightful owners. Cell phone codes can be obtained by typing in * # 06#. This will give you a unique code to the individual handset. The code can also be found on the original packaging / boxing usually adjacent to the bar code.
Centuries long droughts in Africa
(New York Times): For at least 3,000 years, a drumbeat of potent droughts, far longer and more severe than any experienced recently, have seared a belt of sub-Saharan Africa that is now home to tens of millions of the world’s poorest people, climate researchers report in a new study. The last such drought, persisting more than three centuries, ended around 1750, the research team writes in the April 17 issue of the journal Science. The scientists warned that more such mega-droughts are inevitable, although there is no way to predict when the next one could unfold.