Premier seeks nominations for people’s awards

| 06/12/2010

(CNS): Describing the new national honours as “the people’s awards”, the country’s premier is inviting nominations for the new National Honours, which he passed into law earlier this year. All residents of the Cayman Islands are invited to submit nominations for outstanding citizens. There are three categories of awards: national service to our Islands; service in the arts, science, literature or other fields; and long standing civil servants, all of which will be awarded on Heroes Day, 24 January 2011. McKeeva Bush said the awards were about re-uniting the community and recognising those who have contributed to the development and progress of the Cayman Islands.

“A people, a nation, can have too much pride – what we call false pride – but it can have too little, as well, and in so doing, become a discredit and even a danger to itself,” Bush said. “It may become slovenly and slothful, even destructive, without self-worth or ambition. The aim of these awards is to stimulate and promote just the opposite; and by so doing promote the building and strengthening of the nation. These are truly meant to be the people’s awards, so the public is strongly encouraged to put forward suitable nominations. We are proud to introduce this initiative, and receipt of strong nominations would truly enable us all to celebrate the proud culture and heritage of community service in the Cayman Islands.”

Among the highest awards, the Medal of Honour is separated into three categories – Commander, Officer and Member. The eligibility requirements for this award include “persons who have rendered eminent services of national importance to the Islands or … have performed an outstanding, brave or humane act to a national of the Islands or other country".

Secondly, those considered eligible for the Medal of Merit would include “persons who have meritoriously served Cayman for many years in the arts, science, literature or other fields”. This award contains both gold and silver classifications.

Thirdly, the last classification proposes the recognition of Long Standing Civil Servants. The Law specifies that all civil servants are eligible, with the exception of essential services in which only persons with 20 or more years of exemplary experience from the police, special constabulary, prison and fire services can be nominated.

Nominations should be submitted in writing, providing a summary of the nominee’s service to the community, and sent to Patricia Ulett, Secretary, National Honours and Awards Committee, email: Patricia.Ulett@gov.ky or by post to Office of the Premier, 4th Floor, Government Administration Building, Elgin Avenue, George Town by Friday, 31st December 2010. For more information call 244-2458.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Good thing we are supposed to be broke….

    Let’s waste money on awards, while someone else is being shot, murdered, or robbed. That’ll help stop the crime…

    *rolls eyes*

  2. Christmas Time says:

    I would like to nominate the 3 guys that robbed Butterfield!

    AHHHHH RCIP !Didnt think of doing that did yah?

    Might be your only chance of catching them!

     

     

     

     

  3. Anonymous says:

    The sad thing is that we need a system just like this, but it should have nothing to do with the Premier’s Office.  Her Majesty is the "Fount of Honour" and so any comprehensive honours system (which this purports to be) should be administered through the Governor’s Office, not just for reasons of constitutional correctness, but to ensure objective standards are used.  There should be a consultation about the design of the medals with local artists invited to contribute.  And – forgive me – why is there a category for long-standing civil servants?  Reminds me of a little scene from Yes Minister, when Sir Humphrey is trying to disguise a massive raise for civil servants as a lot of small increases, and he is taking advice from his predecessor Sir Arnold about how to do that:

    "Sir Arnold: Then you double the Outstanding Merit Awards.  I take it people still get them?

    Sir Humphrey: Oh yes, everyone".

     

     

  4. Google it says:

    Haven’t you people ever heard ‘Wag the Dog’?

     

     

  5. Albert Jackson says:

    It is counter productive to criticize The Premier for trying to unify our country. No matter what you feel about him he has to make every effort to build our nation and what he proposes I think is a good first step. I know he does things that up sets many of my fellow Caymanians but this is not one of them. This is a good thing. We can’t be narrowly focused when it comes to unity in our small community.

  6. Anonymous says:

    I nominate all UDP and PPM members for the highest honour of all, and the medal of excellence, for running this once prosperous country into the ground!  And let’s not forget that wily independent Ezra.  Hip Hip Hooray!!!

    • BORN FREE says:

      Why bother nominate anyone when we know that this is simply another of McKeeva Bush’s political ploys? (in other words this is just a "cunning act performed by McKeeva Bush to gain a political advantage"). We all know that McKeeva Bush already has his cronies picked for the various awards. Isn’t that how he usually does it? "You scratch my back & I’ll scratch yours" which usually means if you support me I’ll reward you!

      You scratch my back & I’ll scratch yours:
      Contracts, monetary rewards, political awards, favours, did I say contracts, business deals, loan deals, etc etc.

      It sure is nice being friends with the UDP & mac

    • Deadright says:

      I nominate all those Caymanians who devoted their time and energy in improving this island without thought of reward or honour. There are hundreds out there and we are very proud of them. Under the present regime eventually every political crony or civil servant will have a gong. Caymanians please wake up! This is not what life is about.

    • Anonymous says:

       second

  7. OBVIOUS says:

    it’s painfully obvious he is simply trying to take the people’s minds off of the ever-increasing violent crime, increase of guns on-island, lack of jobs, wholesale destruction of the purity of the waters of cayman, dismal economic future, destruction of the ecosystem and the burying of all concern for the environment. yes, that’s right, give your little awards- but read the fine print on the trophy: "celebrating a dying paradise, 2010"

  8. Taking a Stand says:

    I shouldn’t be surprised…is there nothing the man can do to please some of you?  Whatever happened to Caymanian patriotism?

    Reevaluate your ideas and see where this is really coming from.  

     

  9. Anon says:

    I reckon only Caymanians are eligible for these awards.

    What about expats who have given so much of themselves for the improvement of these Islands?

    • Anonymous says:

      It may be that awards are restricted to party members, big time cash contributors and perhaps even people who only wear the party colour.

    • Anonymous says:

      you are here to serve… not be recognized!  sheeesh, what is it with you people?

      • Taking A Stand says:

         Thankfully, serving is the highest honour one can attain ;).

    • Anonymous says:

      I suggest you go to your country and seek your awards.  Leave our Caymanian awards to us.  It’s almost the last thing we have left!

  10. Peter Milburn says:

    I would like to just make a quick comment on these so called Peoples awards that our Premier is seeking names for from the public.Mr.Bush we already have a wonderful system in place called The Cayman Islands Cerificate and Badge of Honour.Why not just leave it at that?How about a Crime Fighter award??That would be something you could find a winner for I am sure.Please leave well enough alone.

  11. Anonymous says:

    I bet if we look at people who bought/sought most coverage for ‘doing their job’ or trying to sell themselves, we’ll see that these are the same people that will submit entries to be nominated.

    Another popularity contest for being UDP supporter………would be totally surprised if not a group of narcissistic people nominated.

  12. anonymous says:

    I wish to nominate McKeeva Bush for Fool of the year.

  13. Anonymous says:

    These awards could be more appropriately named "The UDP People’s Awards"

    We already have our Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour so why duplicate this…..why not revamp and enhance that ceremony ?

    Another waste of taxpayers (our) money !!! Boy we’re broke !!!!!!!

  14. Anonymous says:

    What a load of XXX. Another excuse to waste money on cronyism.