NBF sails through committee
(CNS): Despite the controversy surroundingthe more than $4.5 million allocated to the premier’s Nation Building Fund in the 2012/13 budget, the appropriation passed through Finance Committee without question from the opposition members. When the item came up during the committee hearing stage on the night of 24 August, the only opposition members present in the chamber were Kurt Tibbetts and Anthony Eden. Neither the opposition leader nor the two independent members, who have been vigorously opposed to the money being administered by the premier, were there. The line item – Transfer Payment 52 – was passed with only Eden commenting on the payment and asking for money for his constituents.
Premier McKeeva Bush, in his role as Finance Committee chair, welcomed the support from the opposition benches for the fund, which has been the focus of much criticism, as Eden voted for the line item and Tibbetts exited the chamber before the vote was taken. Eden was seeking support for a group in his constituency of Bodden Town who were promoting the history and culture of Cayman through local exhibitions.
Commenting on the mixed message being sent by a member of his party offering support to the fund, Alden McLaughlin said he did not see a mixed message and saw nothing wrong with the principle of nation building. The problem, he said, was not the fund itself but that the premier was distributing the cash.
“We are not opposed to the concept of nation building,” the opposition leader said regarding his party’s position. He added that the premier had been adamant that he was going to retain the fund and it was the administration of the appropriation not the idea behind it that was the problem. “We are merely opposed to the management of it so I don’t see a problem with our members asking for money for legitimate projects," McLaughlin added.
The PPM leader said that if others were not asking for contributions to nation building projects it would be a case of the premier alone deciding where all of the funds would go without input from anyone else, as he supported his party member who was looking out for his constituents.
Bush has faced considerable criticism over the fund and questions about why the money is not allocated to existing areas, such as the Education Council which already allocates scholarships.
Speaking on Cayman 27’s political talk show, The Panel, last week, Bush defended the fund and said that there is a stringent system in place overseeing how the cash is distributed.The premier has denied that the fund is in any way untoward or that he has a personal say in how the cash has been handed out
Most of the money allocated to the fund, which is now more than $14.5 million since the premier created it, has gone to local churches, after school programmes, youth training and scholarships.
Category: Politics
The one question I have with the nation building fund is why churches need money to build hurricane shelters? Surely each denomination believes they have a man in the sky who will save them? I do support the building of shelters for atheists, they have no one to pray to for salvation.
Try to put your prejudices aside and grasp the point. It is govt. that wants the hurricane shelters and they have therefore entered into a partnership with churches who are already constructing buildings to pay the additional costs necessary for it to also function as a hurricane shelter which will serve the community at large, atheists included. Bearing in mind the alternative of govt. building its own shelter (at much greater cost) which may be used perhaps once in 10 years, having to maintain it, INSURE it etc. this is actually a very good deal for govt. and for the community.
McKeeva recognizes the need:
1. To reward loyalty to him above all else.
2. For those who cannot qualify for an educational scholarship to still attend some sort of psuedo university overseas.
3. For those who can't even get acceptance at a psuedo university, to still enjoy the good life and say they were educated "a farin".
4. For those who might have had a little trouble with the law in their youth, sometimes followed by a lot of trouble with the law because they enjoyed it so much, to still have a second chance.
5. For those who didn't qualify under any of the above four categories to still get some money under the "me too" rule.
Why is this necessary? Well, ask yourself what future is there for the above recipients if they were left to fend for themselves in this society. What kind of job, without risking a return to Northward, could they perform that would secure them for life? What kind of job are they qualified for that would allow them a life of luxury given their current circumstances in life?
Yep, you guessed it. Better to have them support him for life than to compete with him for his job.
And of course the cost of living in Grand Cayman will go up for everyone(but Bush and his Bushits) to pay for it. Watch as all permits, fees, duties, and taxes that are not called taxes go up and up and up until the inevitable. Third world governing creats third world countries. Too bad. Grand Cayman had real potential. Lots of people have invested their lives to it and now can only watch as its all pissed away. Great job showing the world what Caymanians will do with money Mr. Bush.
This bed was made by Caymanians. Now they don't want to sleep in it. Only Caymanians can vote. Only Caymanians can run. Only Caymanians are responsible. Everyone else pays. Caymanians you are not very good host.
05:52,please tell me why not? It5 is our country. Why should you all run in our country? We do not run in yours. Why should you want to vote in my country? I do not vot in yours. I do not know why people who are not from here do not stop interfering int our affairs. It is our business, what part of that you do not understand.
What part of the "WHOLE" picture do you and a bunch of other people not understand?
What makes you entitled to hand outs tainted with blatant corruption by the so called leader of Cayman? See anything wrong with that?
See anything wrong with the fact that everyone is being made to pay for your f**k ups because the leader says so?
See any issues with the fact that we are a offshore financial center under everyones microscope worldwide?
Pull your f**king head out the sand.
A Caymanian (who is tired of reading posts from thick corrupted countrymen on this island).
"We" do not want to run. "We" do not want to vote. "We don't want to have anything to do with your affairs. "We' are just tired of paying more and more for less and less "hospitality". Is it possible you can understand this?
Hit the road Jack.
Caymanians pay as well.
We are good hosts. Our hospitality has been abused and now the guests are making unreasonable demands.
Obviously getting robbed by your host is reasonable here.
I am not sure what you are referring to but if you have literally been robbed then it has nothing to do with the nationality of the robber but the fact that he is a robber.
Now that the NBF is approved, when can we expect to receive our contracted funding. Some of us are behind without tuition, housing and fees. When can we expect to hear anything? when contacting the ladies in the Premier Office, no one responses and no one is telling us, the students anything. What is the status at this stage? either you tell us we will not get the funding or you tell us its approved and is fortcoming, but tell us something please. Don't leave us hanging!
Sorry. That would take work.
The guy who used to do all the work just got rolled over. Just keep hanging in there. We will get back to you when we get back to Cayman. This is a recording.
Honestly people are you surprise by this? Good luck with Mr Eden thing he always gets the sympathy vote no matter how it goes down at election time MLA For LIFE. When a politicians wrestles with his conscience he usually wins
Will Cayman Brac homes who are in diplorable conditions be repaired from this fund? Will be a good idea to have a good committee of fair minded people assesing the real needs and not greed. There are very few who did not get attention from the Paloma fund, and I would suggest that they get first priority. We will wait and see.
Is that all that worries you? Whether you too can get your snout in the trough? Is there really ANY hope for Cayman?
But the Brac is a specialist a enjoying the trough.
Perhaps Ju Ju should have thought of that before she paved all of your driveways.
Do you think its fair for the poor suffering folks to pay for her bad decisions?
It's a simple as four letters:
S.S.D.D.
Well kiss my neck! We really do need a clean sweep out. Anthony Eden should call it a day, for heavens sake.
How did Cayman get to where it was before we had this crap? And where have we come in 3 years of doling out money without any objective criteria and process?
I can't wait for the Auditor General to audit the expenditure under this NBF so we all can see where the money is going.
I hope that the Electrorate in the Cayman Islands is getting a good preview of what the Oppositon is really like.
Let's look at some pronouncements from the PPM:
1) there is no real opposition to what the Leader of the Opposition christened as the "slush fund" a few years ago – just an objection to the way it is administered;
2) there is no real opposition to McKeeva's grant of mass Caymanian status in 2003 – just the way it was done;
3) for a matter that was so important, the standard set by the PPM for whether the Constitution would succeed in 2009 was at a very slow threshold – the majority of persons turning out to vote on Election Day in May 2009 – not a majority of the registered Electorate in 2009: yet the PPM complain about the proper standard being used – a majority of the registered Electorate – to judge whether "one man one vote" succeeds;
4) the PPM complains obout the UDP using public funds to fight for its position on "one man one vote" but it was okay for the PPM to also use public funds to push its own position on the new Constitution in 2009;
5) the PPM pushed for the new Constitution in 2009 which brought-in and concreted party politics in the Cayman Islands yet the PPM is not a party, it is a "Movement"; and
6) the PPM embraces democracy yet the Leader of the Opposition has stated that well-intentioned candidates for the May 2013 Election should step aside in the district of West Bay so that there are only four candidates to oppose the UDP in West Bay – candidates must step aside sounds a bit dictatorial and undemocractic.
As a retired Civil Servant living abroad, I feel sorry for the Cayman Islands: the UDP needs to go but the PPM is in disarray and no different from the UDP – Ezzard and Arden are not the solution either.
Maybe its time for an expat Premeir? At least you know he'll be rolled over!
1. Calling it a "slush fund" is itself a criticism of the concept. Look up the meaning of the term if you are unclear about this.
2. The way it was done is indeed the problem since it shows that it could not possibly have been to meet any demand by the UK that long term residents be given security of tenure.
3. The Constitution referendum threshold was the normal standard for such referenda in many democratic countries. It was not a "very slow (sic) threshold" at all. Since the UDP said the OMOV referendum was a govt. initiated referendum it should have used the same standard.
4. You are missing two points: (a) there was an actual public education process re the new Constitution which for example involved public meetings with renowned constitutional experts. The UDP made no attempt at public education but instead were content to overwhelm the public with negative propaganda; and (b) as a govt.-initiated referendum one would expect that public funds would be used to advocate for the referendum. The UDP said the OMOV Referendum was a govt.initiated referendum and then used funds to OPPOSE it.
5. The PPM is a party and is actually the only one that functions as a party as opposed to a "personality cult" (to quote a former UDP Minister) dominated by one man. Just because its name does not include party does not mean it is not a political party. E.g. in Bermuda one party is called the One Bermuda Alliance. A rose by any other name is still a rose. How silly can you be.
The UDP was the first political party in the modern era and was introduced by McKeeva in 2001 as a vehicle to oust Kurt Tibbetts from office. It was a political marriage of convenience where the only common purpose was the pursuit of power. The 2005 election was the first one fought with two opposing parties.
6. It's called political strategy. It is simple commonsense that if the anti-McKeeva vote is split in many different ways it enhances McKeeva's chances of being returned to power. Alden is appealing to their common objective of removing McKeeva from power. Nothing undemocratic about that.
This clearly explains why so many persons stayed home and did not vote for the One Man One Vote (OMOV) ( Following the behavior of Ezzard)- this time he never Abstain- he clearly did not show up- could he have made it any clearer? "He simply does not care enough yet he was the same one that was telling persons to come out and vote for the OMOV. This MLA "Suppose" to have more power than the people yet he let them down once again by not participating.
I wonder what he would be "Crowing about next on the “Roster's Roost” come Tuesday mornings"
"All bark and no bite" or in this case- “A Big Rooster with no Spur” Lord help us!
I am made to understand there are hundreds of applications for assistance from the National Housing fund. My concern is, Should there be groups selected from each district to assist with visiting homes and observing their lost and damages. Or is it just one group going from district to district? Well I guess this time next year another hurricane season , people will still be waiting to see anyone turn up to assess their premises.
What is the purpose of the District MLA offices. I would have thought that the representatives from each district would work together seeing to it from their MLA office that each district application is being looked after. I believe that all members whether they be UDP or PPM should work together on this.
Whenever we see something beginning "I am made to understand" we should realise we are in the realm of possibly baseless innuendo and speculation so it has no worth.
deeply disapppinted with the response. Whilst it may arguable the first text could entertain some editing, – however crafted, a person's perception should never be regarded as having no worth. We are for the most part all reflecting on observations made by others but agree we should be mindful of how we perceive.
Thank you 22:26, you speak with much common sence and truth. I do hope the commenter above reads what you have said and has the knowledge to understand.
19:41, so then you are suggesting that people are not permitted to speak of what they have heard. I am sure your response are based on what you have heard or read, not knowing whether it is speculation or not. Get a life.
Not your fault .I am sure that getting any information from Government has never been an easy or reliable thing here ever. You have my sympathy.
"I am made to understand" sounds like heresay/Marl Road, and therefore isn't likely to be given much credence.
I am made to understand lots of things on a daily basis, but most of them turn out to be utter and complete crap.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
I want to know if Anthony was sucessful?
16:04 Ref. to your question if Anthony was sucessful, Am I correct that you are asking if he will get money for people from his district? Well to speak the truth I hope he really does. Because, at least it shows he is pushing real hard for his supporters to get help. I am pleased that he voted for it, and I would have hoped that Kurt would have stayed in and do the same. It is time that MLA's, oppositions and Government work together for the people. I am really tired of hearing excuses, and seeing so much division in such a small place. I am very sure the Premier will see to it that opposition Eden will be helped with funds for his people.
So our esteemed Opposition are not opposed to the NBF, just the fact that the Premier is the guy who is pulling the levels as to who gets what.
Not a shred of concern about the lack of due process and the proper distribution of funds using existing programs in an accountable way – the opposition are quite happy to be equally UNACCOUNTABLE as long as they are puling the levers, or at least get their snouts in the trough too.
This demonstrates to me beyond doubt that we have no politicians of integrity on either side.
Time for a courtesy flush and some new politicians please.
You are so right. Finally someone else who realises that the opposition is no better – they are all just for themselves. Mind that next year you are not trading "black dogs" for "monkeys".
While I think the Opposition should have been present I think your comments are unfair. All of this was probed and issues of accountability raised last year by the Leader of the Opposition.
http://centos6-httpd22-php56-mysql55.installer.magneticone.com/o_belozerov/31115drupal622/politics/2011/06/24/10m-spent-nation-building
And did anything change between this year and last year?
Yes – PPM thinks they are closer to getting to administer the NBF fund themselves!
I don't think so, but that is besides the point.
Nothing – including PPM's position.
Did not show up? Have these guys decided that Mac has made so many people mad that the election willsurely go their way and that if the NBF item is passed this time, then a precident has been set so they can do the same if elected? If this is the oppositions character, what will Cayman do for leaders at the next election as there are none in the field at this time. There is a name for people that pick a fight and then don't show up.
Now, now I am convinced that ALL politicians in Cayman are THE SAME!! All the talk and talk about the NBF for the last months, but when it came time to actually record your objections and scrutinize the budget line item in the Parliament, the opposition is either quiet or absent.
As for Tony, he is a mouse in a man's shoes when it comes to MLA business – his ONLY question was if he could sip at the trough for a few of his constituents, while the rest of "Rome" is burning.
Bodden Town-ers should feel ashamed of ALL THREE of their MLAs, I know I do. In fact, I'm ashamed of ALL of our MLAs!
It would be alright for Mac to give to his international scholarship recipients, but the real nation building needs should be left unaided. If he can dole it out elsewhere, what is wrong with giving, where there is value for money already well spent and that was not taxpaers money. Hard work and dedication has taken Bodden Town a long way and much more could be done to enhance, decorate and educate. Come out and join hands, work and appreciate the good things that has happened and can happen.
For a better a Better Bodden
International scholarship recipients? This is ridiculous! If you do not qualify for a scholarship then you do not qualify. Every country allows international students to work to supplement their stay. Would you like fries with that burger should be the question or lazy self entitled students should be asking.
Please do not think me heartless. Like most ex-pats that came here worked hard, dedicated ourselves to the community, I did NOT receive a scholarship at University. I WORKED for my education at college and it took years to pay off my student loans, but it taught me great responsibility.
Look around. Our youth refuse to wait tables, refuse to work in retail shops, and it is this “average is good enough” mentality that causes all our woes.
Do NOT reward mediocrity! Award scholarships to those who truly deserve and maybe work programs and loans to those who do not.
I’ve heard our scholarship budget (family give away $$$) is more than $6million dollars a year!?! That would mean we are supporting over 150 overseas students a year!!!
Name them please! Name their grade point averages, name what school they are attending and WHY are we payIng for full room and board and not just tuition?
When Caymanians are cast aside and told they will have to wait or they are first time applicants (university graduates), the international caymanian students are given preference and the locals get the scraps that fall from the table. Not every applicant is deserving, but good grades, university degree and good work ethics should play an important part in the sucessful nation building scholarship.
What I see happening is : If we do not teach those same children the right things, and how to get along, they will be miserable just like the writer of many of these comments. One can clearly read by comments that there are alot of unhappy people living on this island.
"International Caymanians" vs "locals" – whatever do you mean?
My children were not receipents of the NBF and their grades were published as those grades were the highest in the class. I also had to get not one but two loans to put them through college. They got scholarships from the Education department which covered tuition only. I get very upset when I think of students who are less deserving getting scholarships when they haven't been qualified by the Education department. My children worked hard to get good grades to obtain scholarships based on merit not who they mamma and papa is. That is very unfair to those who are unable to pay but have worked hard to get their grades.
I wish your kids much luck in a community where so much hate is breeding. With your comments, do you intend to have your kids work on the island when they have completed? If you do, I would suggest you teach them to live good with other caymanians, or maybe you have not realized that you cannot go to the bank and borrow money to buy friendship and safety. Cayman has changed my friend, so I suggest you first think carefully about that while sendig your children to university. You would not wanting to be paying back all that money to the bank in vain. No one knows what tomorrow brings.
7:16 I'm sort of perplexed as to what you are saying. I don't consider educating my children a waste of money and neither do they. A requirement of obtaining a schloarship is to work in the Cayman Islands for that same amount of years so yes they will work in the Cayman Islands. As for buying friends, we aren't rich so our friends are for real. As for being friends with Caymanians, why wouldn't they be? They are Caymanians. Like I said, your post doesn't make sense but hopefully this answered whatever you are saying.
Here's an idea: sell off all the old decrepit MLA's at the Miami Antique Auction. Then hold a National Lottery. The winners, instead of getting money, get a seat in the LA!
Alden reminds me of Obama and look what is happening to their country. No we must bring a big fat broom to the next elections and appoint people of integrity who are worthy to serve their nation.
It's time for all these politicians (ALL OF THEM) to be put out to pasture so they can enjoy the fruits of all the hard work they have been putting in over the years serving us.
Well Obama is the President of the U.S. but Alden is not the Premier of Cayman so I don't understand the comparison.
Although the Nation Building Fund has gotten a lot of slaps, I think that is one of McKeeva's better ideas. However, I feel that the fund should be run by a committee of MLA's, not the Premier alone.
Other than that, I am glad to see that the Premier has the country at heart with this fund!
If the Caymanian people cannot see that these self serving hypocrites who make noise when it suits them but lack the back bone to actually fight for what is right, are selling them out, then they deserve the crash that is coming. This wholesale abuse of procedure and public money must stop before its too late.
Why is it that our elected members were not present when the discussion came up? How are the opposition and the independent members properly representing their constituents if they are absent for critical discussion points such as this? To be an effective opposition, you must be there to challenge the government. How do they expect to be elected if they don't show up for critical discussions. Love them or hate them, I guarantee all members of the UDP were there for it.
Mac welcomed the "support" for the fund? Are you kidding me? Support meaning no one was present to query it? And where were the opposition? Why were they not present? Smells fishy to me. Seems Mac pulled a fast one perhaps? CNS – were the opposition invited? in plenty of time? or was healthy debate stifled again in our supposed "democracy"?
Same kinda "support" he thought he got from all those who didn't turn out for OMOV. Dat's MacLogic we dealin wid.
Probably arranged when they knew Alden and Arden were off island I think.
The Opposition is not entirely opposed to what has been correctly described as the Premier's vote-buying slush fund as long as they can have access to it also. And these are the people overseeing your money.
SMH in utter disgust @ NBF and the opposition members for not being there any objecting, probing, questioning, and everything else that was needed by we, the people.
The politicians have sent notice that they like the trough to be nice and filled for when they might get the chance to stick their noses in it.
Shameful! Whilst we all know that the house is loaded against democratic debate, the idea that the opposition didnt even comment on an item of expenditure that is so potentially corrupt is beyond understanding. Do they realise that by this laziness they are tacitly approving?
Sounds suspiciously like the opposition wants to do their own vote buying once or if they ever get into power!!
It appears from the arcticle that the opposition, apart from not bothering to turn up, did not even mention the "Transparency" word. What kind of opposition is that??
There may or may not be something wrong with the Nation Building Fund, however we will never know because it is not transparent which therefore makes it very suspicious. Especially given Macs incredible ability to talk bullshit about anything, and he expects people to believe him, whilst changing his storie three times in the same sentence.
Correct!