Premier travels in style

| 05/01/2011

(CNS): The Cayman Island premier returned home on New Year’s Eve in style after a personal trip to the Bahamas. McKeeva Bush, along with family and friends including MLA Cline Glidden, landed at Owen Roberts on a private Gulfstream IV aircraft. According to the premier’s press secretary, the premier has no ownership of the private plane but has offered no details on who had lent the luxury aircraft to Bush and his party. (Photos by Dennie Warren Jr)

When asked by CNS whether the premier or government had any ownership in the jet, Charles Glidden said, “The premier has no financial or ownership interest in the private jet to which you refer. The premier was on a personal trip and returned on a privately owned aircraft.”

Formerly registered in Cayman, the private plane now appears on the Isle of Man aircraft registry. And according to on-line records, the plane appears to belong to Pillar Securisation SARL.

This type of high altitude high speed twin turbofan jet aircraft is at the luxury end of business travel. With a long range it can seat up to 14 passengers and fly almost 5000 nautical miles at a time.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    all I have to say on this issue and to MacKeeva, CG and others. You guys are hiding in churches and wasting the people’s money….God is watching you!!!  You may lie to you people, you may steal from your people, you may be rich now……while you claim your country is BROKE!!!  God is watching and HE will NOT forget like the people.

  2. Live Free.... says:

    I must say the Mac is the most unpopular, popular person I ever known of, just look at his outstanding rating of 160 comments, he just loves to be blog at by the people, I guess he is the celebrity of Cayman, it’s all about him and no one else, his way or no way at all. I believe the Caymanians would elect a Premier  that is not a self interest person and his for the people the next time around. ( 2013) sames like along time away to removed this Government which is also unpopular, I think their rating was something like 300 comments, 85% of all those comments is against the performance of the Premier and the Government of the day.

    It’s been a while now that I post any comments on CNS and I want to greet all the Bloggers, A Happy And Prosperous New Year, including Wendy and her CNS team, which is doing a wonderful job in keeping Cayman Inform, Thank You Again CNS.

  3. Anonymous says:

    What a load of old nonsense. The present premier to goes to the Bahamas with his family on a private plane for a vacation. Big deal. You think the UN will be debating the trip? Please, all you PPM dramatists out there, get a life and calm down. Maybe you need a hobby? It might help.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I don’t think there is anything wrong with flying privately.  I hate airlines and schedules and fly privately myself. This Country was built on private aviation.  It’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with it and all the talk of carbon credits etc. is just total BS and hokus cooked-up by cash hungry mature governments the world over to hoodwink and ultimately enslave their citizenry via taxation "by hook or by crook".  Okay,  with that spoken I think it’s "BAD FORM" for a standing premier (and civil servant) to arrive privately unless they stand up to say they paid for it with their own money.  If the owner flew of that plane flew him down then there is an intimated quid-pro-quo.  Nobody does anything for free.  Private aviation is the single thing that most definitively separates the haves from the have-nots.  Planes are expensive.  I don’t think it’s wrong for him to fly that way.  I think it’s wrong to do it while in public office unless you pay for it with your own cash. The cost of a one way trip from the Bahamas depends on the previous and next intended position of the aircraft, however the occupied hourly charge for an 8 year old GIV is between $5800 and $8000 plus fuel, catering, ground charges (landing fee, FBO) International fees (Jeppesen charts) and the cost of a cabiin attendant if requested.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Wow so many comments, I think we know what the ulterior motive is here!

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, you are correct.

      Demanding politicians and civil servants ACCOUNTABILITY! That is what this is all about.

      The days of unaccountability are over, will someone please tell the Speaker, Premier, all MLA’s, civil servants and Board members.

      The higher the monkeys climb, the less of their face is seen XXXX

      Poor Cayman Islands you are being traded away and most people are doing nothing about it!

      Us young people are watching and will will rise up!

  6. Internet Explorer says:

    My search for the owner(s) of the Gulfstream registered as M-ABCT has turned up the following:

    The jet is owned by Pillar Securitisation a Luxembourg company consisting of only one share.

    Pillar Securitisation is owned by Luton Investments SA, a Luxembourg company consisting of only one share.

    Luton Investments is owned by Braseton Limited, a company incorporated in Gurnsey with its address at Havilland Hall.

    Havilland Hall is the estate of the wealthy Rowland family, who also own Banque Havilland and Blackfish Capital.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I think there should be a Commission of Inquiry into the many questionable actions by McKeeva since he was elected. Let’s not wait until its too late Cayman……….let us not subject our islands to what has recently happened in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Act before its too late……..the writing is on the wall !!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Ex-MP jailed for fiddling expenses

      Former Labour MP David Chaytor has been jailed for 18 months for making false Parliamentary expenses claims.

      Chaytor, 61, became the first politician to be convicted and sentenced over the expenses scandal which has rocked Westminster.

      He submitted bogus invoices to support claims totalling £22,650 for IT services and renting homes in London and his Bury North constituency.

      This is the result of the MP expenses scandal  investigation that’s been ongoing in Britain over the last year or so.

      Having similar laws on the books in Cayman changes nothing if the system isn’t applied and the moral code adhered to.

      The FOI laws in Britain is what exposed this scandal originally and the proof’s been shown that crimes were committed for which the first British MP has been jailed; there could be a few to follow and it sends a warning to the current crew; dishonesty with public privilege and funds will end you up in jail.

      The motion to hold these FOI review meetings of Cayman’s LA should be seen in this light and resisted by all concerned parties in Cayman.

      If it smells like a fish, it probably is a fish.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Forget who it is.

    Where is the proof that a private flight in a private plane is wrong?

    • Anonymous says:

      Just think about it my friend. 

    • Anonymous says:

      @ Thu, 01/06/2011 – 22:11. Follow that link above and if that doesn’t send off an alarm bell, wake up!

  9. Scrooge McDuck says:

    The sad fact is my friends that just because so many are upset and discouraged by yet another "in your unemployed face" move by the self-designated Shah of Cayman …does not mean it will make one bit of difference.  Work with me:  He already knows he’s unpopular, and a display like this will make him even more so.  Why do itthen?  Because he could care less.  Oh, there will be some expected flack.  As there has been (deservedly so) on his world tours, but really. Does it make a difference?  He may not win the next election but is that his priority?  At that point, after four years of living the high life, collecting an enormous salary, and pension at the same time, not to mention cost-free housing, I honestly don’t think he’ll lose much sleep if he wins or loses, for his personal future will be set.  Very nicely indeed.  In fact, all his needs will be met.  He just plain doesn’t care what you, I, or anyone thinks.  In reality elections mean being held hostage in four year stints XXXXX. 

    In all politics the money is just too good and with no accountability for results they could care less if they’re elected again.  Get it?  And.. we should not delude ourselves into believing they do.  It’s a game.  In this case the game is being political "leader" or Premier of a struggling Caribbean country.  And it is struggling but to Bush, hardly struggling at all, what does it matter? What personal consequences are there for him? If your answer is none you’re correct.  Strictly speaking it means stringing out the b.s. and pep talks for as long as possible. Or at least for the next four horrible years. The problem is, we all participate in his delusion and as long as people pretend he’s leading he’ll pretend he is.  Save your breath and ignore him for he has not shown himself to be more than ineffectual and self-indulgent.  Start a new political party.

    Right here.  How do you think those bozos started theirs?  PPM/UDP. But the people participating in CNS have the opportunity to make it right for a change and their is more democracy evident here than in any government in memory. Do it.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Why is this news? News would be that McKeeva is taking the country’s money to charter a plane. I see no evidence of that just a bunch of hateful, assuming people letting off some steam.

    If the man has the money and the means to charter an airplane for his family, why should we hate him and say all things nasty about him?

    This so stupid and childish and is showing the low level of intelligence and knowledge of some of us Caymanians.

    CNS. Give Marcus Cumber at Island Air a call and ask him how often these types of jets are used as charters for individuals and private individuals with the means to do so. After 911 using private aircraft to avoid loss of business due to long lines with security and immigration, these type of aircraft became more attractive and more utilised than commercial flights.

    The ridiculous statements that these planes cost $45,000 and hour to operate is just that.."ridiculous" and stupid and whoever wrote that is just plain mischievous. Can you imagine what Cayman Airways would have to pay to rent a B737 if these were the real prices? Let’s get real!

    I agree a picture and story such as this can get a lot of hits to this website and is fodder for people to express hateful remarks but there is nothing more to this story than the fact that McKeeva and his family flew home from the Bahamas in a rented jet rather than flying commercial.

    Until I hear that he misused the country’s funds to charter this plane, I will reserve my judgerment.

     

     

     

    • truth hurts says:

      you should also reserve your comments…which are clearly biased and dripping with self interest.

    • Anonymous says:

      The audacity of this man.

      How can he flaunt his extravagant lifestyle in our faces while we suffer, and suffer because of his Governments policys.

      We can all see that CG and McKeeva dont have any interest in how the people of Cayman are suffering as long as they are living it in style and getting richer while we getting poorer and more desperate!

    • Paul says:

      Agreed! Unless there’s evidence of Government spending, all the irrational comments are based on mere speculation and mischevousness.  To some degree it has something or another, heck no, it is laced with some personal agenda.

      If I could afford it, I would fly like that as well, and I’m betting you would too.  It’s so dark here when our people seem more jealous…supid comments like, Ï work harder than him and can’t make a regular ticket", "$45K an hour is the cost for this plane". 

      CNS, what’s your new year resolution? Consider writing more meaningful articles, although you are in business and those articles are attractive,…bad news sells-plain and simple.

      Good luck you all. 

       

      • IRON CLAD says:

        Paul… In case you haven’t figured it out, CNS is trying to keep the Political Abuses or (Probable abuses) of the Premier and Government in the spotlight. Effectively, this is a MUCH needed undertaking to be done for our country, especially in these times of Political Pirates and without a SINGLE DOUBT, CNS sees the need and is doing a superb job with keeping the public informed about what is happening politically and with respect to the Public Purse, hence enabling the citizens of our country to react or to act as we solemnly should to attempt to counter the abuses that have been so blatant and brazing especially over the last year and a half.

        WISE UP People!!!

        IRON CLAD and always

      • anonymous says:

         "If I could afford it, I would fly like that as well, and I’m betting you would too."

        No I wouldn’t, nor would I have myself driven around in a gas-guzzling SUV. I would not stomp my heavy carbon footprints all over the place. If I was an insecure egotist, however, a display of contempt for the environment of the country I profess to love, and an "in-your-face" insult to my fellow man with whom I profess to be equal, might make me feel good for a few minutes. At the same time I would be looking for even more extraordinary ways to satisfy my need to display my power. I wonder what’s next? 

    • Anonymous says:

      You would be correct if The "Premier" had shown by his past actions to be a good leader but so far he has only shown commitment to himself with little regard for the country or all of the people he has been elected to represent!   I also now see from the headlines of todays compass that he is commited to keeping his promises to those civil servants who voted him in and gave them pay raises even though that means breaking his promise to the rest of Cayman.  I wonder how high up the CIG food Chain you or your mom is to actually write what you did.

    • Jonny says:

      The concern isn’t that he used a private plane, rather, whose private plane, and what sort of ‘favour’is expected in return? There needs to be transparency in government, and in fact, government employees and officials are not allowed to accept gifts – this certainly sounds like a gift. If Mac booked and paid (out of his own pocket) for this charter, then no issue. If he was given free use of the plane, that’s a violation of government regulations.

      BTW, $45,000 per hour is ridiculous, last time I checked it cost around $500/hour to run a Gulfstream.

       

      Jonny 5

       

      • Anonymous says:

        I assume you meant $5,000, Jonny.  It certainly isn’t $500 or there would be no point to taking a commercial flight ever.

    • incognito says:

      What you and these high paid government electives fail to understand is that, whether or not your paying from for this from your own pocket, YOUR salary is from the pubic purse. Not to mention when your being paid so well and your accomplishments are not equal to your salary, that a lone is a slap in the face of the people.

      Yeah he can afford it.. but remember where his money is really coming from.. You and me and everyone else who lives and struggle in Cayman.

      I hope CNS keeps up with him, if you want to live in the lime light then this is what happens.

       

  11. Anonymous says:

    First Cayman Bank; Fired from Cabinet; West Bay bush to bush land purchase at 3 times the appraised value; Boatswain’s Beach financing arrangement with friends, Royal Watler Terminal development overpayments; Cohen & Company……let me stop there for a moment……need I say more ?

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree with you on this one.  

      First Cayman Bank he was a Director at the time, and I worked with the liquidators.  XXXXX

      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

      At the end of the day, many persons lost everything, their retirement, their businesses, homes, cars, children scholarship money, the list goes on and on.

      But even after all is said and done, we still give this man the keys to the country and forgive him for all he has done to us, and look, the majority of those same people are now reliant on the Gov for monthly stipend for survival.

      Now that’s where we have no more to say, but shake our heads in shame and embarrassment of giving him the upper hand again and again, to finally take us to ruins.  XXXXXX

      • Anonymous says:

        To 19: 44

        What a bunch of crap, is this because you can’t even walk in Mac’s shadow.

        Give it a break my friend, he is the best we got… since Jim.

         

  12. Anonymous says:

    This aircraft M-ABCT landed at Owen Roberts International Airport again yesterday. Who did it bring in and/or take out ?

    CNS perhaps you can follow up for us ?

  13. Anonymous says:

    Arden you need to leave the PPM and forge a partnership with Ezzard, Chuckie and The West Bay Lion to oust McDinejad.

    If you wait on the PPM snail to act dog will eat us even before they get to our supper !!!

  14. Anonymous says:

    POP QUIZ!

    Q: What will the "USS Kittiwake" and Cayman have in common very shortly if this muppet remains in power?

    A: ….. ….. ???

     

    … Any guesses..? Anyone at all???

  15. Anonymous says:

    To those who suggest that people should stop wondering whether anything inappropriate is going on when multi-million dollar toys are made available to the fallible without explanation, experience in these parts suggests that when one hears hoof beats the first thing to come to mind should not zebras.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Stop drinking McKeeva kool-aid!! PPM didn’t put those "perks" in the constitution – go read your constitution and get a handle on it before continuing to perpetuate the UDP’s propaganda.

  17. Fedup!! says:

     I agree with the majority of the posters on here, that this is another of the Premier’s display of ‘see what I can do with your money’.

    Yes, I say ‘your money’, because it’s the country’s money that he is abusing by one taking a full salary, plus pension every month which is appx CI$22,000 per month.  He pays nothing, we do it all.

    Mckeeva knows he can get away with it because Caymanians are nothing more than ‘chatterboxes’.  We chat, chat, chat, but no actions.

    Time to stop the chatter and demand a recall, or a revamp of the constitution if you are no in favour of all that he is doing.  Remember it was the PPM who put this new Constitution together, so blaming McKeeva for indulging in all the perks is one thing, but the other is that he has a right to because the last Govt. (PPM) gave him the right to do so.

    I am a neutral party, but I am really tired of all the bickering about what McKeeva and his UDP Govt is doing if you are not going to form a coalition of persons and make demands on the UK to revamp the constitution and remove these perks, etc.

    To get something done, you have to do it together, and stop waiting for one person to step up to the plate, make the one person be you, the one with enough gumption to do it.

    Mckeeva is well aware that Caymanians are very laid back and don’t care what he does, and will shout about it a few times and then when the story goes stale (usually within 2 weeks), he is back on track with his usual agenda.

    So stop bashing the man, if you want him out, stand up, unite, form a coalition and do something about it.  Like the saying goes ‘put your money with your mouth is’.

    Otherwise, get off the blogs, stop complaining and making a noise that has absolutely no weight behind it, because you are all too coward to take the man on.

    I am a Caymanian, and I am sick and tired of all the chatterboxes and the crabs in the barrel, having so much to say, hiding behind fake names, but yet when you boil the lot of you down, you have no guts to do anything.

    • MacChase says:

       I agree – but using a fake name and belittling others for the same, only shoots your street cred wright out of the park.  Sorry.  If you are so proud, stand up and be named!!!  I am the first to admit to using the veil of secrecy – not the veil of hypocracy…

      • Fedup!! says:

         Okay, now you see why I wouldn’t put my name to the post.  Yes, you can call me a hypocrite, but at least I have identified the mere fact that we are a bunch of chatter boxes, that uses this platform to be heard and not seen.  I used a fake name, because I know that many of you are nothing more than ‘shallow minds’, and would belittle me the way you just did.

        I am telling it how I see it, so you decide if you want to be the powerhouse behind your own voice, or when the curtain is drawn all you see is a bunch of snapping crabs, crawling all over each other trying to get nowhere fast.

        If you want him out, do something, you have all gotten the easy part over with.

    • Lachlan MacTavish says:

       You are hiding behind "fedup". Email me, I will join your coalition.

      lmt4@charter.net

      • Anonymous says:

        Is that the coalition of Flat Earth People?

        Why in God’s name do people keep repeating that there are "perks" for the Premier in the New Constitution that did not exist in the Old?

        There is no mention of "perks" in either constitution. It just happens to be convenient for the Premier to have those who haven’t bothered to read the Constitution, like the one you propose to join with, believe that these "perks" were foisted upon him.

        The sad truth is that the Premier has always taken as much as he was able to get away with politically, and we would still be paying for his security, electricity, water, cook, and driver whether the new constitution had been passed ornot.

    • Backstroke says:

      Fedup,

      I agree with you, yes there is things that this govt is doing that is wrong BUT the PPm allowed it to happen as they pushed  the constitution down our throats that allows him to do what he’s doing and yes if you are going to do something stop the chattering and do it, like my grandma used to say ‘fish or cut bait, shit or get off the pot"   Have a great day all.

      • Anonymous says:

        How on earth does the new constitution allow the premier to do what he is doing? Where in the constitution does it state that the premier has the right to do all the strange things he has done since becoming premier? WHERE?

        I wonder if the new constitution allows elected officials to do wrong or criminal acts & get away with it? If that was to happen would that ignorant person (Anon Thu, 01/06/2011 – 13:36) blame the new constitution? How silly!

    • peter mitchell says:

      Hang on, hang on, hang on! The CNS article clearly states ‘…offered no details on who had LENT the luxury aircraft to Bush…"

      Now, while I, like most of you, I suspect, continue to marvel at the utter arrogance, incompetence and contempt with which pretty much anyone in Cayman with a modicum of power conducts themselves, we have to make sure we, the people, have our facts straight.

      If the aircraft was lent to Bush and his ‘friends’ then there should be no cost. If it was hired, then that is a different matter.

      As many posters are saying, posting on here makes utterly no difference whatsoever to the status quo in Cayman. Only we can change things, by lobbying for change and actually doing something about it, like proposing a vote of no confidence in various people for instance, and being so noisy that we, the people, can’t be ignored. These people are steering our islands rapidly towards direct rule from the UK, which is infinitely more preferable than independence.

      Bless

       

    • Anonymous says:

      These are very fine words Mr Anonymous "Fedup", but what these griping but engaging blogs demonstrate is that McKeeva’s habit of flaunting his high-life while his people take the brunt of the recession, is touching  raw nerves, and has resulted in one of the highest response rates ever seen on CNS; over 100 blogs to date.  And yes, the Governor has been remarkably quiet, which looks to me like part of a long-term strategy. Phrases like,"enough rope to hang themselves with," spring to mind.

      Many of these bloggers do not have status, therefore their opinions are better kept anonymous, but carry no less weight for that. They can hardly be expected to form a coalition against the incumbents when they have no vote. 

       

       

  18. Joe Mamas says:

    How can he do this and expect to get away with it?  Although he doesn’t know much he does know that the people he represents do not think enough of themselves to do anything about it.  That is why he feels free to do whatever he wants and get away with it.  The only thing Cayman voters do is wait to see what next they (and everyone else) will have to pay for.  But this is the new Carribean way right?

  19. Anonymous says:

    The reported owner of the plane, Pillar Securitisation S.a.r.l, is a spin-off of a failed Icelandic bank, Kaupthing Bank. 

    http://www.banquehavilland.com/important_notice.php#ancre3

    • Anonymous says:

      Is it possible that directors of failed banks offer each other little perks with no strings attached as a form of professional courtesy?  

  20. Anonymous says:

    This would not be an issue if it was a foreigner as Premier.

    Alas the ‘crabs in a barrel’ mentality still prevails, which shows us that we still are immature, and are not ready yet for self-determination. The foreigners must be having a field day with this, at our expense.

    Only when we begin to believe in the capabilities of our own people will those on work-permits start to treat Caymanians with respect.Sadly we do not have the likes of O.L. Panton around at this juncture of our development, but maybe one will soon emerge that understands the wider picture.

    I would hate to think that all of his efforts have been lost completely in the last 50 years.

    • Anonymous says:

      As an ex-pat who would truly love to live in harmony with the locals I would like to put in my two cents.  Respect is earned not given.  Same with disrespect.  Try as I might it is very hard to respect a person or culture that treats "others" so badly.  Sure there are exceptions and I have some very good Caymanian friends but I have to be careful not to get burned or used by the rest.  Until Caymanians as a whole learn to respect themselves they will not be worthy of the respect of others.

      BIG HINT:  Allowing yourselves to be used and abused by your own leadership is not respecting yourselves. Every culture that is now respected by other cultures did not start out that way.  They usually started out like Cayman and finally got tired of it enough to put in the effort of changing their way of life to the benefit of all.  All the best to those ready to start the change.

  21. EyesWideOpen says:

    CNS, please request the FOI to enquire and report to us all, as to whether the expenses of this private jet excursion has incurred any cost, directly or indirectly,  to the governance and the people of the Cayman Islands.

    I am absolutely sure that our Constitution does NOT provide financial allocation for the Premier to be squandering our money on luxuries such as this!!

    Thank you.

    Just to be clear, I am expecting an answer to this request.  I think many of us are!!

    • Anonymous says:

       Did you know that you can make an FOI request for yourself? It doesn’t have to come from CNS. That’s my good Caymanian breathren man, get somebody else to do the work for you.

      You  know how we like to bash the expats? Wendy should say "Do it fah yo-self"!! 

    • Anonymous says:

      Big deal..! I flew back to Cayman on a private jet once and no one took pictures of me at the airport.

      People here are so envious here that is why they stock up on so many material things instead of what is really important.

    • Frustrated says:

      In response to  EyesWideOpen (not verified) on Thu, 01/06/2011 – 09:14.

      People don’t have to keep on asking CNS to do the work you know! Anyone can make a FOI request and you don’t even have to explain why you’re asking. so instead of sitting and waiting for a response to your request, why not try going after the facts yourself?

  22. Anonymous says:

    Welcome to the Fiefdom of McKeeva, once known at the prosperous and friendly Cayman Islands but now just another Caribbean backwater port of call run by "haves" lording it over the "have nots" (i.e. the hardworking, low paid and underprivileged Caymanians) who struggle daily to bring home food to their families while its leader tours the world doing the unnecessary for the uninterested.  But hey, when one is Premier, one must live like a king!

  23. Josh says:

    Big deal!

    Last I checked he is the Premier.  Sounds more like jealousy that he gets to jet to the Bahamas in style more than anything else.  heck, the way I see it is that no one wants him to have anything….no fun, no personal life, no flights.  Maybe you all would be happy if he-or any other Premier rode around in horse n’carriage and visited others on Schooners-like the old days that we all want to come back to.

    Give him a break.  If this becomes a regular occurrence…fine, but if not- get a life will ya!

     

  24. Pinoy homeboy says:

    We behind McKeeva 1000% he supports us so many haters on this site

    • Anonymous says:

      2 Questions for you Homeboy

       

      Which us does he support?

      Did you and your family get to go to the Bahamas too?

       

  25. Anonymous says:

    The quote that it was a, "privately owned aircraft," is particularly amusing.

    According to the internet the owners are a Luxembourg-based bank with close ties to a UK-based capital management company.

    Check out – http://www.banquehavilland.com/important_notice.php#ancre3

    Whatever, the Gulfstream is also Tony Blair’s jet of choice so he’s in good company.

  26. islandblues says:

    $25,000 – $45,000 per hour? Who wants to take up a collection and send him one a one-way trip to Afghanistan? I reckon that’s about $600,000. Bargain! 

  27. Anonymous says:

    Hey 13:03 please remember it is not about  where you come from but where you’re going that should really count in this life.  So shut the hell up!!!!!

  28. Paper Caymanian says:

    Im so much alarmed by the way "Caymanians" react to this news of the Premier on his vacation.

    Straight "Hatred" & "Disgust",why dont you all Mc haters pray & humble yourselves.

  29. I Love Flying says:

    Cost per hour on the GIV or GV is actually around US$8-10,000 per hour only, could be less on some flights. Flight from Bahamas is less than an hour in this aircraft. Total cost per passenger around $900 -1,000 one way. Even if you double that for standing time and return the cost is less that US$2,000 per person ( assuming the aircraft was not coming to Cayman in the first place and had extra seats). Still slightly more than AA first class (US$400-500 business class) however.

    Island Air can arrange flights for you to destinations such as Bermuda and BVI ( and Bahamas) where the cost of the return trip by these aircraft is more than worth the 8 hours of Miami immigration and 3 hour check ins here and there. Many local business persons take these flights each week to save on their time (8h xUS$500/h for a lawyer say = $4,000 in lost billings) The math works.

    This is actually not much of a story.

  30. anonymous says:

    Why should the Premier of the Cayman Islands NOT fly like this all the time and not only on his holiday? After all we ARE the Cayman Islands! No backward little Twin Otter Caribbean Island.

    We are the 5 largest financial Centre and we should show it. Lets get with the programme guys and stop being so jealous.

    • Pro Caymanian says:

      If we are so rish, then why are we in RECESSION??????

      Why do we have UNEMPLOYED CAYMANIANS????

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        "If we are so rish, then why are we in RECESSION"?

        "Why do we have UNEMPLOYED CAYMANIANS"?

        Pro Caymanian you are an amateur writer. THAT is why there are so many unemployed Caymanians.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars….

  32. Common Sense says:

    There’s no such thing as a free ride…or free flight…you choose. 

    • Anonymous says:

      People you really need to stop this. McKeeva Bush is the premier of this not- so-insigficant island nation. Yes we are plaqued with many problems here, (not unlike the rest of the world at this time) but is it is totally ridiculous to keep this type of petty dialogue going constantly.

      There are perks attached to the job – period! There are also many risks that come along with it. There are sleepless nights, time away from family, being the constant subject of ridicule, etc. etc.  Perhaps you should try this job on for a while to see just how ‘easy’ it is.

      What is so strange about the premier having security and a protective fence installed around his home for safety and privacy? Have you seen what is done in other places? Why don’t we hear a similar ouutcry about what is done for our Governors? Why is it OK for her Majesty’s representative to have all the trappings associated with his job? Why……because we Caymanians are still in the enslavement mind-set where they are the masters and we are the servants.

      CNS it’s time for you to get off McKeeva’s case too! It seems like there is a personal vendetta. You are not helping ease Cayman’s burdens in any way and you just need to stop encouraging all this hatred and propaganda.

      Dennie, you continue to overlook the FACT that it was your PPM administration that brought in this new constitution. All the power and perks that has come with this was intended for Kurt and Alden! The very vehicles that you all continue to moan about were in fact purchased prior to PPM being ousted. They were in place for Alden and Kurt! Alden was on a personal mission to get this new constitution in place – didn’t he say "only God could stop him!! What a surprise to them – the constitution passed and they lost the election!! It’s time to get over it. We have a nation to build and we need to get our economy back on track.

      Let’s endeavour to be a bit more constructive this year and stop tearing down each other. Caymanians wake up – the rest of the world is happy to see us self-destruct – we need to unite and prove them all wrong.

      Peace and Blessings to all in this year 2011.

      • Lachlan MacTavish says:

        6:55

        you said it, "not so significant", that is why we need a leader who will stay at home and lead the country. Deal with our issues. We don’t need posturing and posturing first class all over the world. We need some more people to wake up. 

    • BORN FREE says:

      Lap it Gillard.

      Fun soon done!

      Enjoy it now while you can old buddy, but you I hope you stay with with the ship when it sink – we don’t want you!

  33. Anonymous says:

    And we wonder why tourism is down.

    Even our Premier doesn’t believes it is Better in the Bahamas….

    • Anonymous says:

      How silly and small minded.

      Did you stop to think that by carrying the Junior Minister of Tourism they would have had an insight into how the competition is faring and explore possible ideas to improve our lot?

      • @ How silly and small says:

        I am sure that much insight was gained at the Royal Towers and the casino at the Atlantis Hotel, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think you mean "does believe it is…"

    • Anonymous says:

      Gambling is the name of the game

  34. Hawksbill says:

    XXXX Chuckie- where are you my friend. Looks like we need to call a referendum on this Government as a matter of URGENCY. They have got to go!!!!! We can NOT endure another 2+ years of this.

    As an aviation enthusiast- the cost to operate this $45,000,000.00 state of the art aircraft is about anywhere from US$25-45,000 per HOUR- yes I said PER HOUR and not PER FLIGHT.

    Yes, this will be the year of recovery- BUT only for those who align themselves with this sort of irrrational behaviour. Guess next step is the purchase of a similiar type of airplane for the Premier to travel. After all= a Gulfstream G-VI can easily fly direct to London from GCM- and NON STOP. Hope he dosent consider a Gulfstream Global Express airplane cause this would be the crem-de-la-creme

    SHAME on these actions.

    • anonymous says:

      Cost per hour on the GIV or GV is actually around US$8-10,000 per hour only, could be less on some flights. Flight from Bahamas is less than an hour in this aircraft. Total cost per passenger around $900 -1,000 one way. Even if you double that for standing time and return the cost is less that US$2,000 per person ( assuming the aircraft was not coming to Cayman in the first place and had extra seats). Still slightly more than AA first class (US$400-500 business class) however.

      Island Air can arrange flights for you to destinations such as Bermuda and BVI ( and Bahamas) where the cost of the return trip by these aircraft is more than worth the 8 hours of Miami immigration and 3 hour check ins here and there. Many local business persons take these flights each week to save on their time (8h xUS$500/h for a lawyer say = $4,000 in lost billings) The math works.

      This is actually not much of a story.

    • Anonymous says:

      I am not an aviation expert but have been in the industry for a number of years and these numbers are mis-leading. The G4 does not cost between $25 to 45,000 per hour to operate, it is more like $2500 to $4500 and $4500.00 is quite high. you can fly a B737 for less than that per hour.

      I have no axe to grind with either side just stating the obvious as I see it.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Has everyone forgotten about the Anti Corruption law that was passed by the last administration ?

    Isn’t there at least an apparent breach of that law by The Premier that requires an investigation ?

    If The Premier doesn’t produce proof that he paid for this personally, isn’t there a presumption that it is a gift ?

    If it was a gift, why was it given, by whom and for what purpose ?

    Is the donor expecting Mac to "do something for him or her" ?

    If so, isn’t that what we all know as corruption ?

    Isn’t corruption a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment ?

    Don’t we have a prison for people who commit these types of serious offences ?

    All seems pretty logical to me.

    Over to you Governor……..and its time for you to act otherwise we must begin to question your role now too.

    • anonymous says:

      A very good and most important point made here.  If he paid for the trip out of his own funds.  That is one thing.  If not, then we the people, have the right to know who did pay for it and why.  If it is anyone with ties to business in Cayman it could be a conflict of interest.

      It is important that our leaders not only do not have "conflicts of interest" but also that they do not even appear to have these conflicts.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Seriously people, aren’t you getting a bit carried away here? How does corruption come into this? Do you have the facts on this? I think you should just sit back and wait before you go putting the premier in jail for comitting which offense again?? I am certain that Wendy will be sending in an FOI request to get all the details.  Let’s wait until the evidence is in before we do the sentencing. OK?

      CNS: The Premier’s Office is not obliged to wait until it receives an FOI request in order to divulge this information. At any time they can tell us all how much the jet cost, who owns it and who paid for the trip. The last time we sent an FOI to McKeeva Bush’s ministry it took 6 months to get a reply.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Hmmmmmm, looks like The Big Mac following in the foot steps of one Mr. Missick from the Turks & Caicos islands.

    • Anonymous says:

      That what I was thinking? There is nothing free in this world I wonder what favours the owners of the GulfStream 4 will require, Stay strong Rolston do not let them influence you with there stupidness, you may be up next.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Can’t believe Mac allowed that plane to take off from Nassau without changing the colour of the strip on the side…….has Mac gone colour blind ?

    Maybe he was trying to disguise himself as Kurt flying in from Over The Edge 🙂

    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman people, please take a close look at that crew landing back in Cayman after a trip to the Bahamas (oh oh, what is Nassau famous & popular for? I dunno!). Thank you Mr. Warren for that very revealing photo. They say "birds of a feather flock together" & that may very well be the case with this lot. In fact, looking at this photo I do believe that "birds of a feather flock together"!!

    • Anonymous says:

      This can’t go on for much longer, Trust me!

      The Premier and his close buddies, travel around the world (most of the time at our expense) while the Vast majority of the Cayman people suffer, no man, this cannot carry on so.

      And as one blogger states, he don’t even care if we see he flaunt it as look at all them boastfully stepping off that private jet, and I mean look at ALL you see in the picture, I don’t see one person better than us so why just because we elected them into Government should they carry on as they feel they better than us and carry their buddies!

      Trust me, we in January 2011 and this year wont end with this kind of behaviour taking place – it WILL come to an abrupt and happy (for us) ending.

      • Anonymous says:

        The problem is, regrettably, a distinct lack of choice for the electorate come the next election. I mean, unless the PPM gets its act together and/or another party is formed – or the public embraces the idea of voting for independents – it’ll be a tough sell, regardless. I’m just hoping whoever the PPM followers puts in Kurt’s place is only a caretaker until someone credible as a premier appears as their party leader. At the moment I see nobody from the PPM ranks suitable to lead this country, and that denies me as an independent voter a meaningful choice.

  38. Anonymous says:

    The PPM and Mr. Chuckie in particular sounded the alarm bells about McKeeva and his cronies……yes they sounded those bells loud and clear……..when will we begin to hear those bells ????

  39. nauticalone says:

    Just last week while i was talking with friends about the recent visit of the Prime Minister who sailed in on his multi-million dollar yacht and flew out on his private jet, we said "wonder how long now before Mac follows suit?"

    This at a time when responsible executives are cutting expenses, Mac is intent on increasing (and appearing to so do) Cayman’s expenses (either by way of actual expenses or indebting Cayman with/to apparent corruption).

    More evidence of the complete disconnect from us regular people.

    Yacht soon come….i guess.

    • Anonymous says:

      You are slow on the Mac yacht thing – he done been there done that!! 🙂

      Carpetbagging trappings of the rich and famous.

       

       

  40. Anonymous says:

    There is a fairly fundamental point that most posters seem to be missing. If this was a gift to the Premier and close associates it does the beg the questions (1)"by whom?" and (2) "what, if anything, do they expect in return?" For example, is there a pending application of any sort by those who gave the gift? When public servants receive gifts they normally are expected to make a declaration precisely to avoid any suggestion of corruption.  Please, do not misunderstand: I am not saying that there was actually any corruption involved in this case.   

  41. Shock and Awe says:

    He needed the peace and quiet of a private jet to compose his moving speech about the economy improving and tolerance.  Which everyone is still moved by. You can’t write stuff like that while crammed into public conveyance with the riff-raff and crying kids. Fortunately a kind corporate friend offered the jet because he needed space in a private plane to expand on his idea of a better Cayman for all or some or a small group.  That’s all there was to it so what’s the problem?  Optics??  Damn straight. Someone should tell him about optics.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hahahah….

      compose HIS OWN speech…

      hahahahaha….thats a good one!

       

  42. Anonymous says:

    McKeeva is starting to remind me more and more of Mel Zeleya (ex Honduras President).

    Living Large while the rest of the country is living Hand to Mouth, and pay-cheque to pay-cheque. Oblivious to perils of the everyday citizen; perils that are a direct result of his own mis-guided policies.

    Cayman…  WAKEUP!!!!!!

  43. Anonymous says:

    I think we should put a name on the plane….how about ‘Air Mac"; "McJet"; "United Democratic Plane"; "Air Bayas"; "Atlantis Express"; "Casino Shuttle"

    Any other suggestions ?

  44. Biting Ants says:

    Like 50cent and the Game says "this is how we do" like our Premier said we need to be more tolerant and let every expat that comes here to come here and displace "caymanians" he doing it so we need to follow the leader leader. We need to embrace the disenfranchisement of the Cayman islands and except change.

    • Anonymous says:

      Poor people are tired of "acceptin’ change", they want the dollas too!! That’s why crime is out of hand, coz people are "fed up" of starvin’ by living hand to mouth when they have nothing in their hands! Breeze pie never filled belly, and all the hot air from politicians not gonna fill it either.

  45. Anonymous says:

    Well our new constitution require us to give our leader the title ‘Premier’ and I guess with this, him/her now and going forward will have a heightened expectation to live a premier lifestyle at our expense. Total nonsense.  Who are we trying to impress by giving a percieved higher status to our so called leader? Leader of Gov Business was just fine.

  46. Anonymous says:

     McKeeva come a long way.  I remember when he was riding a bicycle in old bush town;  barefoot!

  47. Anonymous says:

    ….with all the other crap we pay for…i guess he can afford to travel like this! SMH…

  48. Anonymous says:

    CNS and Mr. Warren you are the best!

    Thanks for your work in the past to uncover Governments blunders and best wishes for the future.

     

  49. MadShad says:

    HappyFrigginNewYeeearrr!!

  50. Anonymous says:

    Now Mac has even more reasons to KILL FOI and PMFL and the Auditor General and Constitutional Commission and and the Ingegrity Commission and our struggling Press Freedom and all other good things exposing the XXX Cayman Islands Government.

    XXX

    Another stupid move Mac to travel on this aircraft, but then what else have we been trained to expect.

    We wonder if Mac ordered the pilot "Substance over Process" – did Mac tell the pilot “Do not follow the take off check list – get this plane in the air now and do not follow established safe flight paths and procedures and just get me to Grand Cayman as quickly as possible on a direct path and do not waste time following the established flight navigation routes and fly at what ever altitude you want and do not listen to the air traffic controllers established instruction procedures and do not go in the established Cuban air space corridors and do not follow the established landing checklist and procedures – Capt. “Substance over Process” is the order of the day, get it – get this plane to Grand Cayman ASAP there is another deal waiting there to be close today.”

    Every time that I travel on CAL I feel safe knowing that airline pilots do not have the Mac, CG and UDP "Substance over Process" mentality.

    WB Disillusioned 

  51. Anonymous says:

     Well done to give this coverage, it highlights a real issue we in Cayman must address, as our people suffer greater burdens of increase taxation, and general decline in the quality of life, Mac continues to spend on his jet set lifestyle.

    Think clear and longer term here …. it makes us all very distrustful of what is to come next.

    Mac should be flying coach and drinking tap water, rather than living the high life off the public purse. Who can any longer truly agree with these type of actions on his part. All this has attracted as investment to the islands are a new group of shady characters who XXXX do as they like to our people and communities.

    Sad, sad, sad …. 

  52. Alan Nivia says:

    This way corruption lies.  Politicians need to declare all interests, freebies etc – because otherwise without transparency we will have no option but to presume the worst.

    The worst thing about this disgrace is not the trip, but the apparently glib refusal to disclose who is giving this kind of expensive jolly to our elected politicians.  That is awful. 

    Why is this person/company inviting politicians on this kind of trip?  One can only assume it is to obtain influence when the politicians themselves refuse to disclose their kind benefactor.

    MLA’s – you are our servants, that it what public office is.  You seem to have forgotten that.

     

  53. Anonymous says:

    I was wondering where he was on New Years…I was getting used to seeing him in Obar and LI. What-a-mess.

    • Anonymous says:

       Wha happen Dump Road Bar and Country nah good enough, or too many of his constituents go there? Now you can hear some crap in this bar!!!

  54. David R. Legge says:

    Maybe I’m obtuse but I don’t see what the issue is here—other than the possibility of the Premier’s being unduly influenced by an interested benefactor regarding past or future Cayman business .

    If that’s the case (which is not even suggested in the story), it becomes a matter for inquiry AFTER undue influence is perceived, alleged, or charged.

    Absent the above, certainly there is nothing untoward or unethical about the Premier, any Minister, any elected member, or anyone else flying anywhere on a private jet.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Obtuse, XXXX or maybe just plain old apathy; who knows.

      An alert journalist from the USA would of course immediately think about Law 7353. Gifts to Federal Employees which places severe restrictions on the conditions under which Members of Congress may accept gifts.

      Perhaps we should adopt US policy whereby such "gifts" are taxed. lol.

    • My2Cents says:

      There is indeed nothing unethical about the Premier flying somewhere on a private jet. Thats not the issue. The issue is who paid for it, and why.

      If it was paid for out of the public purse, we have a right to know that. We also have a right to ask why.

      If the flight was paid for by a benefactor of some type, we also have the right to know. the risk of undue influence on our Premier is great. Most elected officials and political parties of developed nations are required to disclose donations and gifts above a certain value. These safeguards are designed to stop those same politicans being unduely influenced by those same gifts.

      Of course if Mac himself paid for it out of his own private funds, simply say so, provide evidence of the charter and the payment, and the matter is closed.

      This is the slippery slope towards favouritism.

      • David R. Legge says:

        I do not believe you have all of the "rights" that you enumerate—although the people of the Cayman Islands clearly have the right to know if this plane was paid for with public funds.

        You reference laws that govern the acceptance of gifts by public officials in other jurisdictions. To my knowledge (and I stand to be corrected) such laws do not exist in the Cayman Islands. Whether they SHOULD is another matter.

        If I’m mistaken and such laws do exist here, then I am in agreement that they should be universally applied—including in this case.

        • Anonymous says:

          When you make statements without first conducting research, it’s best to post anonymously like the rest of us.

          It’s a $500 limit on "gifts" for MLAs, but you can call Ezzard to have that confirmed. lol.

          • Lachlan MacTavish says:

             We can debate ethics, legality and who owns the plane and get no where. The bottom line is our little country can no longer afford a one man government that spends more time on himself, his friends and his personal affairs. When did the people say have a 5 figure salary, take your pension early, have the people pay for all your living expenses, plus drivers, guards and now private jets. Why do you need all this Mr. Bush ? We are getting no where fast in Cayman. No new stay over tourism, inward financial investment, inward local investment, new education system or reduced crime. The plane is either owned by a company buried deep in the sand or at his disposal from a "friend". Doesn’t matter, all it really is, is a huge slap in the face of all hard working honest Caymanians.

        • Anonymous says:

          I have to say that your stance on this is extraordinary. First you were said that there was "nothing untoward or unethical" and now you are saying that you don’t believe that there are any local "laws" that require disclosure for public officials. Wouldn’t the international standards you like to tout require such disclosure, David? Shouldn’t such laws exist if they don’t, David?  Cat got your tongue? Wow.

        • nauticalone says:

          Please give it a rest Mr. Legge and have enough humility to look at this situation from an ethical (rather than legal) perspective. After all many laws follow ethical considerations.

          It "appears" extravagant! And even if Mac paid for this himself (which i believe is unlikely) then that would only confirm that he is paid too highly.

          Your argument holds no more water than Mr. Miller’s did in reference to suggesting that the Attorney General proecute Mr. Fuller recently. And i seem to recall your being able to see that clearly.

          Which only proves that as humans we can all at times be wrong. The frustration is when we choose to defend or wrongs.

          It is not enough that ethics/justice be done….but must also appear to be done!

        • Anonymous says:

          How about the Register of Interests Law?

          The Registration Form for Declaration of Interests covers the following questions:

           Q.5 GIFTS, BENEFITS AND HOSPITALITY (CAYMAN ISLANDS)

          Have you, or your spouse to your knowledge, received any gift of a value greater that CI$175, or any material advantage of a value greater than 0.5% of the current parliamentary salary, from any company, organisation or person within the Cayman Islands which in any way relates to your membership of the Legislative Assembly?

          YES/NO (

          Please delete as appropriate) If yes please give details.

           

          Q.6 OVERSEAS VISITS

          Have you or your spouse made any overseas visits relating to or in any way arising out of your membership of the Legislative Assembly where the cost of the visit was not wholly borne by yourself or by the Cayman Islands’ public funds?

          If yes, please list relevant visits in chronological order.

          YES/NO (Please delete as appropriate).

          COUNTRIES VISITED  DATE VISITED  WHO PAID?

           

          Q.7 OVERSEAS BENEFITS AND GIFTS

          Have you, or your spouse to your knowledge, received any gift of a value greater that CI$175, or any material advantage of a value greater than 0.5% of the current parliamentary salary, from or on behalf of any foreign Government, organisation or person which in any way relates to your Membership of the Legislative Assembly?

          YES/NO (Please delete as appropriate). If yes, please give details.

          Note:

          Overseas hospitality and travel facilities should be entered under category 6. Otherwise the notes under category 5 apply here also.

          Are we supposed to pretend that the Premier (and his wife) Mr Glidden etc. would have received this gift if they were not MLAs and members of the Government? 

      • Anonymous says:

        "This is the slippery slope towards favouritism."

        Where have you been?

        Everything that Mac and the UDP does is based on favouritism e.g. Port work, East End quarry / port, finance for government, favours to his chosen developers, on and on I could go.

        We are not on a "slippery slope" my friend we are already in the cesspool of "favouritism", just like Mac learned from Messic in TCI,

    • Anonymous says:

      David, when U.S. Senator Ted Stevens was convicted on 7 felony charges of "failing to report" gifts received from a company in Alaska it was a very big deal although no actual corruption was proved. Transparency is intended to be proactive in order to prevent bribery and corruption, and not merely reactive to uncover it after it has occurred. In many cases we will simply never know about it. 

      I think you are only pretending to be clueless, since one day you are up in arms that Cayman must observe first world standards for journalistic freedom and the next day you are willing to turn a blind eye to what clearly presents a risk of corruption.      

    • truth hurts says:

      XXXX

      i, am a rich white male, have been top many functions which you grace, have spoken to you before. i have flown on a private jet, and a big mac supporter in most cases, however, i do not blindly drink the cool aid as a you clearly have.

      you are right in pointing out that it isnt innapropriate for somebody to fly private if they are fortunate enough to do so. this is not the casehere, this is a PUBLIC SERVANT. one that was elected with a mandate to serve the people that elected him.

      if it isnt obvious to you why this is not appropriate, and how this behaviour will lead to the demise of mac and the UDP, then you sir, are disconnected from normal society. i recommend that you spend some time with people (and maybe even take pictures of them) that earn under 100k, maybe even thru some volunteer work.

      your comments are an embarassment, you should be ashamed.

       

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Question for David Legge so we can all put your comments into context.

      Are you still doing public relations for McKeeva Bush ?

      I expect an honest answer ?

      • David R. Legge says:

        Am not, never have . . . In fact, I don’t do public relations for any politicians, elected or aspiring . . .

      • Anonymous says:

        Obviously his post falls in the category of PR, or more accurately "spin" doctoring. Whether he was paid for it, hopes to be paid for it, or thinks that he was merely being altruistic is not relevant at this stage.

    • Kent McTaggart says:

      Mr. Legge,

      I do not know you, but I can say that I was absolutely awe struck with your masterful use of the English language.  As I am a simple blue collar Caymanian worker, I had to go back and read it three times to make sure what I was reading was correct.  I have never encountered any body that was able to wax bovine scatology so eloquently.  Upon my initial introduction to you here on this forum, I can only say sadly that I am absolutely sure that your moral compass is askew.

      I pitty self indulgent intellectuals.  So I will close with this quote from a simple blue collar hero of mine, I think you may find use for it.  "Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt." Abraham Lincoln

       

      All the best,

      Kent McTaggart

       

    • Kung Fu Iguana says:

      Nonsense.  We expect our politicians not only to be free of improper influence but to be seen to be free of improper influence.  An attempt by a private entity to influence politicians is no less odious because it may not have worked, although under your argument that would not be a problem. Interests must be declared.

      XXXX

  55. Anonymous says:

    who has paid for the flight? or was their payment?

    very important questions….. governor, where are you?

  56. Frank says:

    So a majority of government employees take 3% paycuts and XXXX gets to fly around on Private Jets for vacations after spending $400,000.00 on traveling expenses to "Promote Cayman"? This dude is now just getting beyond a joke! Like is said…if Cayman is really his main interest, pay him $4,000.00 a month and see how long he keeps his postion. XXXX

    • Concerned Caymanian says:

      Okay West Bay voters – you are responsible for this debacle.  Please don’t forget that come next election day.

  57. Anonymous says:

    The Chuckster needs to take McKeeva down permanently this time !

    • Anonymous says:

      He would have the first time around if Kurt wasn’t wearing his heart on his sleeve and if Governor Stuart Jack wasn’t protecting McKeeva.

      The question is why was the UK representative protecting Mac ? Is it part of their mission to set up Cayman like they set up the Turks & Caicos Islands with Missick so that they can finally get their hands on our financial services industry ?

      Wake up Cayman……there is a bigger picture here……see it !!!

      I predict that Clifford will be back and they won’t be able to stop him this time because he won’t have the PPM dead weight on him. Watch out McKeeva…….your tenure is limited !!!!!!!!!!!!

  58. Anonymous says:

    I remember Mr. Charles Clifford standing on the platform in Bodden Town in 2009 and telling us that all of this was going to happen if we elected Mac and his UDP puppets. He said Mac would take us down the same road that Misick has taken the Turks and Caicos Islands. Do you all see it happening now ? What are we going to do about it Cayman ? What are we going to do about Mac ?

    • anonymous says:

      it is obviously who wrote this! Why don’t you just use your name next time…the Chuckter is a moribund ex-civil servant. that is all and that is all it will ever be.

  59. MER says:

    Well I tell ya, with the Government paying nearly all his living expenses whilst he gathers a $15,000 a month salary, it is dang easy to save enough for such extravagant vacations!!!

    I wish my employers would pay my vehicle gas bill since I need my car to drive to work, or pay my to and fro bus fare when my car isn’t working, or even pay my water bill since I have to bath and wash clothes to look presentable at work! Why not? Big Mac gets his fence for "safety reasons" and part-payments on electricity bills for "entertaining visitors for Government business" ….. this situation is WAY out of control, but I really can no longer give a crap, cause the more we same to express the desperation of this nonsense the more BS McKeeva throws in our faces!

  60. Anonymous says:

    Why is this headline news, other than for CNS to be taking a stab at Mac?

    • Anonymous says:

      I suspect it’s "Headline" news because on the face of it he got a "FREEBY"!!!!!!!!!.

      In Government "Transparency" is a requirement, not an option.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because there is nothing else to report!!!  Aren’t we glad this is news instead of robberies, killings etc. to report?????

    • Subway Cookie says:

      Right, I am not a UDP supporter.  I’m not really a PPM supporter either for that matter BUT I have to say the same thought crossed my mind when I read this article.  It is not merely reporting facts because the investigation into the aircraft’s ownership undoubtedly led to suspicion amongst readers as it apparently was designed to do.

      Now I love CNS, I come on here every day but unless there is something sinister to report about the Premier taking a holiday, then what conclusion is the reporter making?  Is the owner a ‘bad’ person, was this holiday paid for from the public purse?  CNS has not reported on or provided answers for the obvious questions it knows this articles will pose. 

      I dont agree with all the extras and perks the Premier takes advantage of while this country suffers – but what exactly has he done wrong here?  By wrong I clearly mean in the legal sense because there isnt enough time in the day to discuss moral infractions!

      • Subway Cookie says:

        I would also appreciate if the media could also report on the comings and goings of the Governor.  I’d also like to know more about his expenses, the luxuries he is afforded from the public purse and the concessions made for him and his family at our expense.

        Salary, perks, what does his wife do all day long, where do his kids go to school (if any, i dunno), his driver, cook, nanny all of it.  Being in such high ranks does mean you get perks, I’m sure Obama and Cameron are not huddled up in one bedroom apartment eating Cup Noodles BUT I still want to know what our supreme leader gets up to.  It seems to me that he often slips under the radar because we are always so busy looking at Mac.

        CNS: Why don’t you send an FOI request to the Governor’s Office?

        • Subway Cookie says:

          You, CNS, post several articles about the expenses of the premier – no FOI request needed so what’s the difference?  You are happy to dish the dirt on Mac but remain silent about the Governor, that’s not fair.  You can just as easily find out about his spending as you do with the premier.

          p.s. I have had FOI requests pending at Immigration and Land Registry for months but with an FOI Law with no real ‘bite’ there is no way to force people to comply with it. 

          Since you guys can uncover more than me why not do it?

          CNS: Actually, it took more than sixth months, a fair amount of patience and persistence and pressure from the ICO to get the information about the premier’s travel expenses. Read this, which was misfiled under headline news and is now in the FOI section. I have added a few attachments. Have a look at this as well so you know what I mean.

          I did not mean to offend, we simply like to encourage members of the public to use this law to find out whatever they want. We’d be delighted to publish the response if you or anyone else made this request.

          If you are having trouble with compliance from any department or government entity, I recommend that you get in touch with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

          • Anonymous says:

             Correct me if I’m wrong but I would think that the Governor’s information would be quite easy to access through the overseas office.  I don’t understand why this person is getting in a fit about the Governor.  We have had many Governors but only one extravagant Premier.  I don’t see the Governor living it up in style.  Believe me, CNS is only uncovering the icing on the cake of what Premier is spending.  I have witnessed his extravagant lifestyle from when he was in office the first time and yes it was paid by the Government’s purse. It only gets worse.

  61. Anonymous says:

    Maybe we will be buying this aircraft for use by the premier. He could be starting his own fleet, what next a helicopter to take him to George Town?

  62. Anonymous says:

    Another non-article by CNS.

     

    • Like a G6 says:

      Mckeeva is that you trying distract us from the point, get back to work!

       

  63. Anonymous says:

    A picture speaks a thousand words. Well done Dennie. They don’t even have the common sense / class to appear humble. It makes Misick to my stomach.

  64. FH says:

     You go deh Gillard looks like you hit the big time now old boy. I am joining the UDP too if these are the perks. While the rest of Cayman feels the crunch we living large.  

    • Pro Caymanian says:

      Yah right………………Imagine he was the same one running them down a few elections ago!!

      If ya cant beat um, join um!!  BTW – i will be handing in my application to join soon.

       

       

      • Anonymouse. says:

        You have to hand it to the Premier. He certainly knows how to increase his followers.

        Time to cut the jealousy and wake up to reality. Anyone given the job of Premier will occassionally be seen travelling on Private aircraft. Jamaica’s PMs are noted for travelling to work in Military Helicopters. Who knows, Mack may yet find use for the Police Helicopter rather than just using it to keep Kurt and his neighbours awake at night.

        • Anonymous says:

          And as we all know, the Jamaicain Government is ‘the’ Government to model. 

  65. Macman says:

    I found some interesting information regarding the aircraft owners. Originally part of Kaupthing Bank Luxembourg S.A. which went into liquidation it became a seperate entity as follows:

    Pillar Securitisation S.à r.l.

    Following the Bank’s division, a separate legal entity has been created under the name of Pillar Securitisation S.à r.l. Pillar Securitisation S.à r.l. is a limited liability Company "société à responsabilité limitée" (S.à r.l.) governed by the laws of Luxembourg and in particular by the Luxembourg Securitisation Act dated 22nd March 2004. Its registered office is located at 35a, avenue J.F.Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

    The assets allocated to Pillar Securitisation S.à r.l. include all the loans made by the former Bank in the context of its private banking operations as well as the corporate loans together with all interest accrued thereon and together with all rights and obligations under the relevant loan documentation and any other rights attached thereto.

    Interesting…..

  66. Anonymous says:

     At what point does the auditor get alarmed?  Is it even possible?

    • Auditwatchdog says:

      I cannot see a red flag on the tail so no alarm bells please. What the article failed to have noted is where did the flight come from. Neverneverland perhaps. By the way now Mount Trashmore is the highest point on the Island has anyone seen any red lights on the top?

  67. Anonymous says:

    To quote Mel Brooks, "It’s good to be the King."

  68. Recently Enlightened says:

    Should we have expected anything less given the track record?

    http://www.guernsey-airport.fotopic.net/p66924267.html