No analysis over road move
(CNS): A freedom of information request submitted to the National Roads Authority asking for the business case model and traffic analysis regarding the proposed closure of 2000 feet of the West Bay Road revealed that no studies have been done on the move. Ezzard Miller asked the NRA for minutes of the board meeting where the issue was discussed and for any reports, research or analysis they had that would demonstrate the need to close the road, justify the move by government and assess the potential impact. However, the NRA told Miller that while the extension of the Esterly Tibbetts Highway formed part of its long term traffic plan, no study had been done on closing the West Bay Road.
Miller said recently that he was surprised by the revelation as he understood it was normal practice for some kind of business case to be made before major traffic changes are made. According to the redacted minutes that were given to the independent member for North Side, the issue was discussed by board members only once at a board meeting on 14 June this year. The minutes revealed that the proposed closure was discussed at a meeting between the ministry, Dart and the NRA and then passed to the board, which voted to approve the move and recommended that the Esterly Tibbetts extension be gazetted to Rev. Blackman Drive.
The road closure has raised some controversy as it involves swapping Crown land (public property) as part of a deal with Dart in order to allow the developer to create an ocean front resort on the site of the former Courtyard Marriott.
Government intends to swap the crown land in exchange for the cost of the Esterly Tibbetts extension in to West Bay, a revamp of the existing public beach, an additional public beach further north along the West Bay Road, land in Barkers for a National Park, cash for community projects and more land in West Bay for Grace Christian Academy to build a new school.
The land that government will be giving to Dart in exchange for this swap-list, however, will increase the value of the developer’s land significantly and make the resort a much more profitable venture. Dart has said that without the change to the road layout the current derelict site would never be an attractive proposition for any developer to renovate.
The road currently dissects the hotel footprint from its beach front and in the past guests staying at the hotel were forced to cross the busy road in order to reach the beach. At the new resort planned by Dart the West Bay Road will be diverted behind the new resort on to the Esterly Tibbets bypass from Governor’s Way to Yacht Drive. The 2000 feet of road will be closed and Dart will use the land to develop a new a larger public beach, its own beach front resort and bicycle/pedestrian pathway along the ocean front.
The premier and his Cabinet have stated that the move is a good deal for the Cayman people as not only will Dart be swapping a considerable amount of land in return and paying for the new extension, which government cannot afford to fund, it will also begin developing a desperately needed new four or five star hotel, boosting the tourism product in the long term and creating jobs in the short term.
Miller and the opposition members have, however, questioned the value of the deal as they say it will boost the value of the property purchased by Dart significantly. Miller said that local real estate agents are estimated that the worth of the land could be increase from the $30 million that Dart has reportedly paid for the land to more than $100 milllion.
Opposition member and former roads minister, Arden McLean, has also raised a number of questions about the closure and noted that the problem with the extension of the Esterly Tibbetts Highway if the West Bay Road is to be close is the access back onto the original road. He says without proper access, all West Bay residents will be forced to go to Batabano or traffic problems could be created where drivers try to rejoin the coast road.
Local activist groups in West Bay are also concerned about future access to the beach along West Bay Road as so much has been lost to developers over the years. They also have concerns about the amount of land that is increasingly being concentrated in the hands of just one developer.
Nevertheless, government has considerable support for the venture from other parts of the community as a result of the promised boost to the local economy that the project and the total deal with Dart, known as the ForCayman Alliance, is expected to bring.
Alongside the West Bay Road projects, the proposal includes Dart’s commitment to capping and remediating the George Town landfill and developing a new modern waste-management facility in Bodden Town. Under the deal Dart is also committed to developing more of Camana Bay, in particular the residential elements of the town, which the developer says will create further employment opportunities and boost the domestic economy.
Bush recentlystated that the negotiations between government and Dart were on-going and he would be pushing to get more out of the investment alliance for the Cayman people before signing the main agreement, but whatever the outcome, he said, the deal was a positive move for the whole country.
Category: FOI
CG says "Do you really need a study to show that 3 lanes are better than one?" Well, i believe the UDP do not want the study done because it will show that 5 lanes (with the road remaining open and not moved) are better than three.
Then CG says he thinks Denise Miller was going to oppose the road relocation no matter what. Well CG, bobo, this is not only about Ms. Miller's opinion or feelings – IT IS ABOUT THE MAJORITY OF CAYMANIANS agreeing that the road MUST NOT move.
Sometimes people make"bad" investments, like what dart did when he bought out stan thomas' land here in the hopes of building another hotel – admit it DART, this was a bad investment for a hotel property. Actually, you have already admitted it when you stated that the only way for the hotel to work is if the road was closed/moved.
Come hell or high water, dat road IS NOT MOVING bobo, not if i got anything to say or do about it.
Allowing Dart to close a part of the West Bay Road sets a precedent which we will certainly regret.Soon Michael Ryan will demand that he be allowed to close the Rodd in way of the Ritz and so on. So not too far in the distant furure West Bay Road will completely disappear.
Mark my words. I told you so.
I think it is safe to assume that neither the people of this island nor the opposition will see the complete and final details of the "sell out to Dart agreement" until after it is signed off by Cabinet. Too late to read ,digest, and understand just what he is committing our future to.
This is another case of dictatorship. CayCompass today reported “ 'It’s going to happen,” Mr. Bush said. 'So understand that you’re not going to stop it' " ,guess he knows, he is the Boss after all. He makes the rules.
The wants of the people mean nothing to this man. He is smarter and knows better than us.
Like the AG said "by passing proper process". Or in some cases pushing through legislation which takes gives him all the power (planning law).
The world must be laughing at out leader . This cannot be good for Cayman
There is nothing wrong with bashing politicians that do nothing…..but the constant bashing of the current MLA's is bizarre, especially as its being led by those that are both current and ex-MLA's, none of whom are as clean as they pretend……this 'shock and horror' at how bad McKeeva acts is nothing short of purile imbecilism……so what? its nothing new……the only difference is that all those that have been as dirty before were doing it when times were good for us all, so we didnt care….infact, we all benefited……the reason we're upset now is because we're broke!! and jealous!! me too!!! but thats not a reason to carry ont he way we are…..its so divisive…….we are NOT going to change the way business gets done in Cayman, its systemic, the horse has bolted…..get over it…….instead, i'd urge the following:-
remove the 2 party system…..not to try to end any particular party dominance, but simply in admission that this land of ours is too small to benefit from it.
stop bashing Dart!! this guy could pick up sticks tomorrow and then where will we be? So he's making an amazing return on a $30M piece of wasteland near the beach….so what? he's giving the country lands and investments that will probably value over $1BN over coming years…..would Dart hire me please??!!
build a port….for crying out loud, build a cruise pier so boats can dock and we can stop seeing businesses going to the wall down town…Dart is not killing downtown, Government policy is…..go back to Dart and apologize and give him his lease and ask him to just build some piers, not a fancy pile of gibberish..just some piers…ask him to lend us the funds/finance it…we'll hire his builders….completely transparent cronysim,but long term we'll all benefit
A Runway – surely even Dart sees that he needs a runway extension before he builds his mega hotel?? build it…have Mike Ryan and Dart and Shetty all shell up for it.
allow legal gambling…..and tax it……open up lottery stores……etc, etc…..its a revenue stream thats pouring out of th country…..the argument about a tax on the poor is nonsense, they're gambling anyhow……we may as well make some money from it
stop bashing expats, stop the rollover nonsense, actually INVITE people to come and live here…its amazing how much more people will spend if they feel wanted
change trading laws – allow SUNDAY TRADING for all……supermarkets can't open, but gas stations can sell groceries?? whats going on??! its madness…anyhow, so many are 7th day adventists, should we not be shut on Saturdays?!! none of this makes sense anymore
Sad to say it Cayman will get their yellow brick road and Argentina moment in time. Then we all will remember the old saying "if it seems too good to be true then it is" unfortunately it will be a little too late.
If we the People see so many changes to be made and have sooo many suggestions we need to get out there and let our voices be heard…..all this spineless whispering is what has The Cayman Islands the way they are!……..blogging will get us no where!…..ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!! #Just Saying
Caymana Bay is the Cheese in the Trap. The Trojan Horse,
Like the guy on the corner that gives your kids candy…. then ganga ….. then who know what??? You love him, he treats you good, then once he has the total hold on you watch out!!!!!!
The man is far from a Saint. If we are not careful Mac will have us all hooked on Darts fantasy and when reality sets in years from now we will realize how wrong it was to take that next step!
Remember the old saying "If it sounds too good to be true….." Well you know the rest.
I wish that everyone including Ezzard and the PPM would come up with some alternative plans to stimulate our economy. The quietness is deafening. All I hear is compalining no matter what projects are put forward. I don't necessarily agree that we should give McKeeva full reign but come on people, we have got to start doing something or our business will continue to fail in this depressed economy.
Hearing that Caymania Duty Free, an icon in the duty free business for years is closing its doors is mind boggling. We are doing absolutely nothing to stimulate our economy. We just sit around and conjure up stories and make fun of McKeeva and yet we do nothing. What is wrong with us?
I'll say it again and again, listening to these talk shows and blogs that sensationalise things to sell commercials is doing us no good. The crap that comes out from Austin and Gilbert each morning is nothing short of blasphemus and destructive. These guys earn their living by keep ing us wound up and being spiteful. They offer no alternatives whatsover.
I guess I was lying though when I said Ezzard wasn't doing anything. He will be getting a few North Siders jobs to build his proposed jetty (in North Side). What about all of us around the island that need jobs and customers in our stores to buy goods and to turn this country around.
If we are going to complain and moan, let's at least have something to say other than the constant McKeeva bashing. I don't know about anyone else but I am tired of it. He most likely won't get elected again so focus on some of these things that could get our economy going again rather than focusing on one man.
Come on Cayman. let's rally together, put aside the constant bickering, sensational headlines and work towards creating a vibrant Cayman Islands economy.
Of course he will get elected again, after all, what are the options in West Bay?
Haven't you heard? Then let me tell you it's a world wide recession stupid. There is nothing anyone can do to fill the supermarkets, stores, get rentals for the ovestocked apartments, fill the empty hotels rooms and fill the the many unoccupied condos wiith guests. In my opinion the USA is going through a worst time financially than Cayman and they have a lot more natural resources, buying and spending power than we could ever have.
I am very sad to know that Caymania Duty Free is going out of business. It it most unfortunate indeed it is very sad to see so many of the older Caymanian business fall by the wayside but I am sure that Caymania Duty Free will just downsize and reopen in a smaller building atleast I hope and pray that they will.
The people and government of the Cayman Islands need to learn to live within their means and we should have all been saving for a rainy day. That was the Cayman of old, that when leaner times came upon us we did not have to die. We in the Cayman Islands hadit good for a very long time for all of the 70s, 80s, 90 and until 2003. So what did we do through all the good times? most of us spent like there was no ending now we must pay the consequences for our failure to plan for the long term and this is exactly what is going to happen to the future generation if we do not stop gambling away their future by giving and sell what precious little that we have left all for the "I want it now" mentality. We need to slow down.
You said "I wish that everyone including Ezzard and the PPM would come up with some alternative plans to stimulate our economy. The quietness is deafening".
Why? What would be the point? Are they in govt. to implement alternative plans? Is the Premier likely to listen?
Hey Mr. Dart ! Have you ever heard of an overhead bridge, like the one done by the Ritz? Wouldn't that have been a more simpler solution and less of an impact on the other people who live and work on this island? Wouldn't it be less of an impact to the people who have to commute to and fro along that area? We all see through this move – it is all about the LARGE JUMP in the value of your real estate, plain and simple. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all of the time. What Caymanians are getting out of it in return is not equal value and the Governor who is responsible ultimately for crown land should look into this deal. What is astounding is how Govt who is supposed to be protecting the assets of the people, are looking to give it away in return for much less, and how Caymanians are just sitting back and let this happen in their own island. God help us.
What will be the criteria to go on the new public beach after they move the road? Will we even be allowed on this beach? Will we have to pay a fee to get on this beach? Afterall, they 5 star hotel guest will be on this beach, so will the locals be allowed too? Will we be allowed in that Park or will we be told that we have a Park in our districts, so go there. I am a concerned Caymanian, who wishes to see the Beach and the Sea still.
Then come to the public meetings and look at the plans! Parking for 200 cars, easy and very public access to and all along the beach. Sports facilities, food stalls….better than sitting in your car and looking at nothing along the road. And certainly better than sitting in your arm chair at home complaining when you could be adding valuable input at public meetings and looking at the plans for the new and improved 9 acre PUBLIC beach!
I agree with this project if it done properly. However, I have heard he will close the road once the bypass is has reached yacht club. Do not let the road be closed until the entire bypass and anything else in this "swap" is completed. Remember what happened with the waiver and delayed payment of duties for the Ritz. We are still waiting on that.
Reduce the speed limit on WB Road to 25 MPH and create more pedestrian crosswalks if crossing the street is such a major issue for the hotel. Failing that build another overpass like those at Hyatt/Beach Suites and Ritz. Another question is do we actually need more room inventory? What is the annual average occupany for the hotels we do have? I don't think many of them are turning guests away unless it's Christmas week or Spring Break. Surely our "well meaning" government doesn't really expect us to buy into this BS.
I find it so funny that Caymanians are now complaining about Dart and monopolies.
Remember when we all complained about the Kirkconnell( Caymanian) monopoly in duty free business? Then came Island Companies to break the Kirks. Lots of noise then against Kirks. Now island Companies sold out to Dart…and we complaining about monopolies again??!!!
Say Wha?? ….You Caymanians are too funny. Can never satisfy unna.
No Caymanian complained about Kirkconnell duty free stores and this is a fact. Caymanians complained about Islands Companies this even went to court as far as I can remember and the foreign investor went and got himself a Caymanian partner. This is the landmark case that threw the doors wide open and Caymainians lost the financial control of their islands. I just hope with human rights the same thing will happen in the legislative halls of power it is now time for non Caymanians with status of 25-20 to run for office (after all this is more than a generation) and those with 7 or more years to vote bring balance to the entire Cayman scene.
The only question I want to ask Big Mac right now is this…
Why in the world can you not do one single thing by the books to the tee?
I mean NOTHING is squeaky clean. No wonder our AG is having fits. His work load should not be this hectic. Not saying he should be doing golf every evening but my God it must be like a zoo in there.
You wonder why the public does not like you less trust you. You wonder why the media absolutly loves having you there. It's because if you breathe you must have broken some guideline or rule or even law to get the air.
Why can you not simply follow the guidelines to get things done? If you want something then simply do the right things and get it done. This involves submitting it to the right boards or committees and do not fire ones who don't like it. If they have questions then get the answers. If it is good and for the country it should pass. If it is not simply step back and ask "am I looking at the complete picture?"
Not even sure why I waste my time. Head stronger than concrete.
how come we never hear from Dart himself?
'cos he got McKeewa as his spokesman! Smart hey?
Does Ken Dart even exist? Has anyone ever seen him? Even a photo?
Maybe he's really Kaiser Sose.
Some one has an old Caymanian Compass with his photo when he applied for Status during the old days when every status applicant had to publish their photo in the newspaper.
He doesn't have to, because he has mckeeva doing all the dirty work for him.
THAT is how the guy works. He picks a country with idiots and drains it from its assets, like he did with argentina.
He tried it in Belize also.
Because he is rich enough to have teams of people working for him.
Because nothing you all have asked requires an intelligent reply. He didn't get where he is by being a fool fool.
I see a magic trick happening here….."Look over here it's pretty rights, keep your eyes over here, don't look at the other hand, keep your eyes over here".
Little business note…..Good, Smart businessmen don't give stuff away. They take and then take some more and if you give them, they will take more. Their objective as with any business person is to have it all if they can. Let's keep that in mind.
When we start having monopolies because of this the rules of the game will change.
So Bush is a business man now? Cayman already has a monopoly. Its Called CIG. Your talking about Bush right?
The more money one has, the more one is above the law.
As a foreigner I am amazed how one man (mckeeva) has destroyed this country in less than 2 years.
I am even more amazed and actually upset, how the caymanians have let this happen.
destroyed by stopping the loss of jobs?.. destroyed by balancing the budget?… destroyed by Keeping the civil servants employed when UK wanted to let go 1000? destroyed by finding money to complete Elgin Avenue and GOAB? destroyed by taking Cayman off FATF Blacklist? destoyed by completing Clifton Hunter High school? destroyed by completing affordable houses? destroyed by negotiating a better tax deal for US/Caymanians? I could go on…destroyed how? say how please….
If you are really a "foreigner" you sure need to read up more about the Cayman Islands and its economy over the last 3 years- you are clearly ignorant of many things. And if you are not a 'foriegner' , as a Caymanian please contribute to make this place better and less devided along party lines. It will be better for all.
Is that you mac? never know that you blogged too… or is it elio?
Many of those commenting refer to "moving the road" when in fact the plan is to close the road. Mr. Miller is correct, the closing of the road is a negative development for commuters and businesses on the West Bay road when simply moving the road back closer to the bypass would only impact the developers own businesses in the area. The corridor for the continuation of the bypass has been there for years as a means of alleviating congestion on the West Bay Rd. Going back to one road is putting transportation in this country back to thatch rope days. There is lots of room to move the road but why take a piece of the cake when one can get the whole thing for the same price?
Can somone please list the NRA board members andthen the blind with understand why things are being put forward and rushed through in such a hasty manner. Money talks and bullsxxt walks. It is time for us to wake up from our deep sleep, because or political reps are creating an sunami.
Anon 06;12
you sound just like one of those public servant that is dragging their feet on projects, that will boost our economy, and get this country back on track.
We are sick and tired of the red tape and bureaucracy that is holding up the show.
Lets get these projects going, what is the sense of wasting time in front of the NRA board, this will take anther 2 years.
McKeeva?
Even though the laws and rules (and the NRA board) would probably try and stop it, I think they ought to build a road right through your XXXX house. I think that would be great. And I'm sure you wouldn't mind bypassing the red tape and bureaucracy that would normally prevent such an action. Yep. RIGHT THROUGH YOUR XXXX HOUSE.
yes, rush it through, no matter how illegal or how much the people will suffer going back to just one road. Remember people of West Bay, how you had to leave before 7am to get to work and school on time? If you are going to move the road, make sure you still have 2 roads and not just 1
For those who are still believing every word that comes out of the mouth of the Premier – especially when he is having his dream sessions – a careful read of thls other news article accessible via this link (by copying and pasting it into your browser)
http://www.ieyenews.com/2011/08/dart-deal%E2%80%A6what-dart-deal/
may help to convince you that the Premier does not have the authority to do whatever he pleases with Cayman's public roads and other poroperty because they are held by the His Excellency Governor on behalf of Her Majesty in trust for the people of the Cayman Islands – thank God and may the Governor not be pressured into trading and giving away anything just because Mac wants to make deals with the big developer!
And just what study do you need for a new road??? Roads have been made and paved without studies for hundreds of years!
What an ignorant question ! The point is, the IMPACT on the residents who use the roads to and from that area, and the other businesses along that area. Closing the road leaves access down to 1 road in that area – the study would show the impact of the closure, congestion, what happens if a hurricane swept through and the one road is under flood water, etc. In short, how it will affect the people who have to commute back and forth. Do you get it?
Build an overpass ov the existing section in question. Traffic will flow and the Hotel can have their unrestricted beach access. And guess what, no more road flooding issues.
Make Dart pay for the overpass, he can afford it.
Yep MAKE Dart pay!! Al your money is going to buy votes, court cases, first class airfare and 5 star hotel bills. And a lot of it just goes. With no records. Thats why Cayman can't afford anything to better itself. Why don't you let Dart pay for everything then kick him out? Or was that the plan allready?
I like it!! Yeah, an overpass would cure both sides of the argument, there is enough room for one too, according to the "studies" by Burns Connolly, CPA and NRA re: Emerald Sound devel
This may or may not be a good move for Cayman, but the governmentis supposed to represent the people in the best interests of the people and country and that is why procedures and processes exist. If the government does not follow its own procedures then there is no hope for the democratic process to live on.
The Governor should have more than enough evidence now to suspend the government. I do not like the idea of British rule, but I do support the idea of democracy and proper process. We are not an underdeveloped country (or territory), but this government is certainly taking us backwards.
The premier does not appear to have the education or personality to lead. Leaders create more leaders, not ignorant followers. He does not inspire anyone. It appears that anyone who objects to his ways is removed somehow and he enters into rampant diatribe when chastised.
Please Mr. Bush take early retirement and let democracylive.
No surprise here. Mac only, and that is on the rare occasion, asks for reports that will support decisions that he has already made.
I believe a lot of people miss the point. Yes , it is good to move the road. Yes, it is good that Dart will develop the area. YES, Ezzard is correct, do the right thing but do not do it without using the proper channels. The Cayman Islands need to be run like a "proper sophisticated Caribbean country", not like someone's personal power trip.
Here here. I second that. Third it too.
There there
This one time. Just this once. Mac is right. It's a win-win.
I wish we had three more Dart's.
You are right. Mac wins and Dart wins. WE pay while Dart increases his hold over these Islands.
I don't believe this is correct because I am sure if they dig deep enough they will find the minutes of the meeting held by Mckeeva Bush & was attended by only Mckeeva Bush, but I doubt they will find a report! Isn't that how it works in a dictatorship?
I wonder if people know that this is the same man that tried to buy citizenship in many countries but they weren't corrupted so he ended up a "Caymanian"
He renounced his American citizenship (that is his familys and his own country of BIRTH) but he came to Cayman and became a "Caymanian" because he wanted the best for Cayman and the Cayman people, but he didn't want the best for his own country – give me a break!
When a better opportunity comes his way, he will drop us like a sack of hot potatoes and take up elsewhere and still own more of Cayman than the Cayman Islands Government does.
Wake up people and smell the coffee and don't be blinded by the almighty buck for heavens sake!
There are a lot "paper Caymanians" doing this every day. Does Dart stand out to you because he has more money..
For years so called investors have come here with claims of investment..take Michael Ryan for one..and has done nothing but suck us dry..At least Dart used his own money not our country's to develop Camana Bay unlike the mess we know have with the RITZ where we can't even get payment.
there will always be good and bad people out there. Don't paint everyone with the same brush!
Agreed…why isn't there any outcry from Ezzard and gang about Michael Ryan?…At least Dart has done something that we can all enjoy..Try going to the Ritz without being armed with a fist full of cash..
When are we going to get paid from Mr. Ryan?. What happened to the dock he was supposed to build in the North Sound and turn over to the Port Authority for the Stingray City boats.
If I had my way I would go in there and fill up every canal he dug up and force him to replant every tree he destroyed. He took our precious land, made his fortunes and now claims he is so broke he can't even pay his bills. Yet he is still jet setting around the world in his private jet and yacht and still living in the lap of luxury.
I'm stinking mad but not at Dart. Michael Ryan needs to step up to the plate and do right by this country that took him in and made him a paper Caymanian. Screwing us over is not the proper way of saying "Thank you!"
On paper, yes – but it's all for West Bay. For McKeevathis equates to Cayman. Better beach near them, new beach near them, National Park so far inside that no one else will dare to use it for fear of being trapped in West Bay, better ingress and egress, private highway to a luxury resort (effectively), better school. Don't be misled. This project opens up, closes off and improves West Bay in just the ways that benefit residents and cost the rest of us dearly.
The opportunity cost is very considerable. Developers have been begging for such a road closure and land swap for three decades. Land is already unique; now this site will have more future development potential than any other. We do need such a site, but in reality giving it to Dart amounts to the Government anointing it the most favoured landowner in the Cayman Islands. If it were me, I would say ' sure, give us George Town back and we'll shake on it', but I don't run this country and I doubt I'll ever try because it would mean working with many of the people who are already there.
It's just another in a long list of examples of McKeeva doing the right thing for the wrong reasons in the wrong way, and making sure he and his chosen few benefit in a way that can be criticised but is not actionable. It's old school McKeeva. All of this upsets people and makes it the wrong thing. When people complain he restates the valid merits and blasts the 'naysayers', perhaps plastering them with a hidden motive for good measure. This ends objective evaluation and so the question marks have the top part removed and it goes ahead. He doesn't get it – he never will.
Buildings crumble and businesses shut but just remember: when someone has your stuff, they have your stuff. Be careful what you wish for. After this move the Government could never afford to buy back that land. It will be Dart property for as long as they wish until some other, perhaps less benign foreigner wants to pay them for it. As the Darts are a dynastic family, what are the odds of that? After all, "I own a fifth of a country" is a good pickup line.
Just as an aside, what do they do in there anyway? Seriously.
Closure and remediation of the dump will surely benefit everyone? A new, modern, technologically engineered waste site will surely benefit everyone? Jobs will surely benefit everyone … if not directly, indirectly for sure. Don't be so short sighted … this is GOOD for Cayman. Stop the 'village' mentality for surely each district is no bigger than a village and thing country …
yes, its going to be great for Bodden Town and surrounding areas. Just wonderful!
Those are separable from the land swap and hotel bit. Dart wanted the dump before there was any talk of the SMB deal. The government just refused to give it to him. Perhaps we now know why. McKeeva steps up to the plate and says 'sure, I'll play ball, my price is a showering of gifts on West Bay'. They are the ones with the village mentality. They elect the same four people every time because they value their own material benefits over the success of the country. It is the most insular district.
McKeeva brags all the time about 'all the good he has done for West Bay' omitting to mention that he does that not as a mere representative but as a national leader who is supposed to be objective, impartial and wants all of Cayman to succeed. His decisions over the years represent illegitimate and disproportionate diversions of national resources toward his own constituency. He wants to put a dump in Bodden Town (fair enough it will be sanitary), to allow his friends to blast the hell out of East End, continues to allow George Town to fall into datedness and disrepair, and thinks North Side is its own country. Meanwhile he scraps single-member constituencies so Cayman Brac can keep its two representatives, approves a huge hurricane fortress and gives Julianna an entourage. Have you forgotten about the 'Nation Building Fund' already? If youare not one of his chosen few, you are on your own.
The facts speak for themselves. I don't have a village mentality, I just recognise that West Bay does and we pay for it. I wonder who printed those 'Republic of West Bay' shirts…
Maybe I missed something, but – what do who do in where?
West Bay obviously…
How can you say it's all for West Bay
Bodden Town Got a Dump and East End nearly and may still get an oil refinary and a quarry
What happens when the next developer wants the WB road shifted to make their development purely beach front?
And this should come as a surprise to no one.
Will Dart pay stamp duty on the value of the land after the road being moved or before. He purchased it with the alleged understanding (private agreement with the Premier) that it would be. If that is the case he should be paying the duty on the new value.
Remember the old Tennessee Ernie ford lyrics "I owe my soul to the company store." Dart will own the Islands and we will owe him our souls. That is what Mac is selling out for, the soul of our Islands.
In other words it was done the same way everything else is. And yet a lot of people are still being payed to have all this done but not being responsible for getting it done but still getting tjhe 3.2 percent back for doing a great job. Way to spend all the money and get absolutley nothing for it CIG.
Don't blame the cs, they just do as they are told.
There is only one man to blame, just one, mckeeva.
I support the DART projects and the FORCayman Alliance. If one cannot see that these are good for us we must be blind.
For you to say this, only proves the point "There are none that are so blind, that those who cannot see". You, my friend, is the one who is blind to what is really happening.
Two Simple things here:
1. A tourist was killed here several years ago trying to get from one side to the other. Another one injured.
2. This area of road is totally blocked during a hurricane.
Move the road. Period. These comments are only political stall tactics clearly.
Tourist and local pedestrians are dying on West Bay Road because the pedestrian islands that were initially placed in the middle lane were removed and pedestrian are now like crabs trying to get across three lanes of traffic. Yes, three lanes because the center lane is being abused by ignorant drivers as an express lane, the same ignorant drivers that complained to the MLA's and had the safe harbor traffic islands removed. We continue to go backward because we are led by the ignorant who listen to the ignorant.
I am actually in favor of the road move. It should have happened years ago with Linford. What disturbs me is why have systems and authorities in place if political figures can just circumvent the system.
i hope Mr. McLeen and Mr. Miller can come up with some food , turkeys again alright and some work for us. They seem to be doin anyting to stop us gettting som work. Not go vote for him agen unles something change no bubba
You have confirmed the type of person who voted in the Likes of Mac and his cronies.
Perhaps if you are having difficulty reading this (words to long) then you can get someone with a school education to read it to you…Bobo
Wow Mr. Miller!
Need to get your realtors to appraise my house for the bank. Everyone knows land value on the Seven Mile Beach is mainly valued by the 'running foot' ( the distance along the beach) and that is not being increased by closing the road.
IF…if we use your argument however the public beach next door will now be contiguous with the park DART is providing behind it. Same size of land as the hotel. So we are getting $100M worth of park for our $30M public beach. Sounds like a fair exchange to me.
Does not take a rocket scientist to realise one of these arguments in nonsence and guess which one it is??
ps; can I have number of your realtors just in case my bank calls again.
Mr. Ezzard,
What do you suggest to get this country going?? What?? Have not heard one thing except noise and objections from you. What is your plan??
May I suggest that when you come up with some real solutions, (other than bed & breakfast and thatch baskets) you publish them and we can review them and decide if you could do better leading this country. If your solutions are better or can work I will be the first to support you. Promise.
Until you do, I find your objection to every single project announced to be inconsequential and pure political posturing…getting real boring now.
A jetty in Old Man Bay…..
Ezzard lives in his own little world out in North Side unless he comes in to rant on the radio. I really hope Ezzard is not able to sink this project. He is a great objectionist except for more bed & breakfasts in North Side.
Ezzard is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Don't talk nonsense. Publishing manifestos is for election campaigns. Who in the world have you heard publishes a manifesto in mid-term? Mr. Miller is doing his job as the independent member very effectively. He is holding the govt. accountable as he should. But of course you don't want that so you figure the best defence is a strong offence.
As for particular ideas I listened to Mr. Miller on the radio give many ideas about cutting govt. expenditure which were all promptly dismissed by McKeeva. Let the Governor dissolve the LA and call new elections and you will hear plenty. What you want is someone to give ideas to keep your idol in office as he claims credit which is what he is doing now with the private members motions.
I am glad you are so clear in your response to that blog…"your ideas" are only for "your political side" not Caymanians as a whole! Truly sad…
Take a look around the world, in the USA, throughout the Caribbean, Europe, etc- all opposing politicians say what they would do differently all the time, issue their ideas for debate, not just a election time to fool people into voting for them. If all the promises that are published in manifestos came true we would all be living in heaven- both sides that is. manifestos are really not worth the paper they are written on most of the time. Even if they were written honestly, condition changes by the time the politicians are in the LA.
Opposing for opposing sake as you suggest is a very narrow minded approach to an MLA's responsibility to the country. Not why we elect them. Conversely supporting for supporting sake should not be tolerated either. We need people who can go in there, do a good job, have the education to do so and make decisions for CAYMAN only.
BTW: Can you publish any of the logical and practical ideas that Ezzard has mooted on radio…dying to hear them…
If any politician holds some ideas to solve the country's economic troubles back just to improve their personal political future at the expense of the people then that person is a complete scumbag.
But then that is what some Caymanians will do to secure their seat at the trough.
The idea that these people who pretend to care about their people and love their country and then hold back solutions is a complete contradiction and both cannot be true.
I don't expect any of you to think to long about this as it makes your heros either incompetent or scumbags.
This! One million times this!
<i>Dart has said without the change to the road layout the current derelict site would never be an attractive proposition for any developer to renovate.</i>
That's an interesting quote. He must have known that the change to the road layout would be forthcoming since he has already invested in the property. I don't suppose there will be any message from a government fax telling anyone that Cabinet has approved the changes to the road layout.
So, does this mean that it has NOT been voted on in the LA?
This isn't a 'done deal'?
The fat lady has not sung yet??
This is good news.
We don't need an analysis of anything. God has looked and saw that it was good and so it shall be. Sorry, meant to type in MacKeva instead of God.
Maybe Mac is not a dictator but when you've got one man making all the decisions and telling the rest of government, the law and the Cayman Islands to go to hell… I'm not sure what else you would call him.
You call him, man with big balls.
I understand most of the projects the Dart Group are and have done around the Cayman Islands and like them. But this one seems only to benefit Dart and not the people, moving this road is stupid to say the least, traffic will be a nightmare, this project solely benefits Dart, not the people and should not be allowed.