Archive for December 29th, 2012
NDC finds backers for free NYE bus
(CNS): The National Drug Foundation will be continuing its tradition of running the free purple bus on Grand Cayman this year after three businesses came forward to sponsor the service. For over ten years the NDC has partnered with local firms and restaurants to coordinate the Designated Driver Programme and the New Year’s Eve Purple Ribbon Bus service during the Holiday Season. This year Cayman National, Greenlight Re and Jacques Scott Group Ltd have come up with the cash to pay for the buses and drivers so party goers have no reason to drink and drive.
“We are thrilled to partner with these sponsors in an effort to make our community safer,” said Joan West-Dacres, Executive Director of the NDC. “It’s more than just a free ride, it saves lives.”
The NDC team encouraged everyone to take advantage of the free bus service, which will be run on a 30 minute schedule on New Year’s Eve by Reid’s Premier Tours. Routes extend throughout Grand Cayman, from West Bay to Bodden Town, with hourly buses to North Side and East End from 9:00pm to 4:00am.
"We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity for a safe ride home. Be safe, be smart, don’t drink and drive,” added Simon Miller from the drug council.
Banker and arts guru receive royal gongs
(CNS): Former banker, Leonard Ebanks and the director of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation Henry Muttoo will now be able to add some letters to their name after they both appeared in the queen’s 2013 New Year’s honours list. Officials revealed Saturday that Ebanks received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of services to economic development and the community while Muttoo (left) has become an Member of Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to art and cultural heritage. See attachment for local Cert Hons awards
Repatriated Cuban returns to Cayman
(CNS): One of several Cuban refugees that elected to remain in Cayman, who now faces an enforced return home, had been repatriated once already this year. Nevertheless, he and four other Cubans have decided to remain after their boat first passed through Cayman Brac on Wednesday and then later reached East End on Thursday night. Officials said that two people from a vessel carrying 30 Cuban migrants chose to remain on the Sister Island before the boat continued its journey. When it arrived in East End, the crew of the boat had initially intended only to carry out repairs but a decision was eventually taken by three passengers to remain here while the remaining 25 stayed aboard.
The vessel has now left Cayman waters and immigration officials are dealing with the five new refugees. They confirmed that one of them had been previously repatriated in April.
Government has notified all the relevant agencies that will be assisting with the care and security of the new migrants, who, added to those already here, brings the total number of Cubans currently in Grand Cayman to 30.