Miller vows to keep road open
(CNS): Ezzard Miller, the Independent member for North Side, has promised that if he forms part of the next government he will ensure that the West Bay Road remains open, and if it has already been closed by May, he will re-open it. Miller said that he has three issues which he will not compromise on, and one of them is the road that is under imminent threat of closure. The Dart Group has almost completed the parallel strip of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, which will enable the developer to close some 4000 feet of the West Bay Road and divert traffic, possibly as soon as February, according to public comments made by the company’s officials.
Speaking to CNS on Saturday via telephone, as he was unable to attend the protest rally that took place on the road facing closure, Miller told CNS that he remained a staunch supporter of the campaign. Keeping the road open would be one of three conditions Miller said has to give his support to any government, along with the introduction of one man, one vote, and the move from April elections back to November. The closure of the West Bay Road, Miller said, was a deal breaker, and if it was already closed by the time of the elections, then, if he is in government, he would ensure it was reopened.
Miller said it had been wrong to attempt to close the road when noone knew the details of the ForCayman Investment Alliance and when government was using a part of the law never intended for this purpose to give up the people’s land. The North Side MLA also questioned what authority a representative from Dart – a private company — had to make announcements in the press that a public road was set for closure next month when there had not been a word from the government about this controversial deal.
The outspoken independent member, who has been a staunch supporter of the activists campaigning to keep the road open and prevent the relocation of the dump, said that the activists needed to step up their protests as the talking wasn’t working, adding that neither the developer nor government were listening.
“There has been enough talking,” Miller said. “The protesters need to step up the campaign, and if the road is closed then the people should literally block the road to Camana Bay and make the developer listen,” he said.
Efforts by Paul Rivers, one of the leading campaigners against the road closure, said efforts to block the West Bay Road were thwarted by local police on Saturday, after he called on the people who were in attendance at the rally to step up their campaign. He did, however, warn that the campaigners were committed to more serious disruption in order to make both government and Dart listen.
There were no elected politicians on the stage at Saturday’s protest, which attracted around 200 people during the course of the afternoon, but several of the People’s Progressive Movement’s proposed candidates, as well as members of the Coalition for Cayman, were in attendance.
While the PPM was accused of sitting on the fence regarding the situation, Ray Farrington, who will be running for office on the PPM ticket in West Bay, made it clear that he would not support the road closure.
“I do not see any need for the road to close,” Farrington told CNS, adding that the most important issue was that the people needed to see the full details of the proposed deal and the review, which was undertaken by PWC but remains under wraps. Farrington said one of the biggest problems surrounding the whole deal was the lack of transparency. “No one knows what is really going on and the people need to know,” he added.
During the protest some of Cayman’s community elders spoke about the historical significance of the West Bay Road and protesters bemoaned the secrecy and the many questions regarding value for money. They also demanded that the report be released. The campaigners said that Caymanian traditions were being disrespected as developers were continually allowed to boost their own coffers at the expense of the local people’s resources.
Although the current premier has stated that she has no plans to bring any controversial legislation to the House between now and March, when parliament will be prorogued in preparation for the elections, it is understood that the Dart Deal will be handled entirely through Cabinet and will not require the support of legislators.
Category: Politics
the 150 turnout for this was laughable….. and now on rooster they are trying to point to the nonsense petition of 4,000 which was made up of kids, tourists, duplicate signatures…..etc…
if the anti-dart mob is is so confident of their 'position' let them start a proper legally binding petition which can then be submitted to the governor/government…..
For Cayman Alliance is not for Caymanians. It should read for DART Alliance. You all should keep your eyes on the Public Beach too, he will be taking that fromthe locals too and will be giving us a smallerpublic beach NorthWest on the old Victoria House site. He is clearing everything that is historical Caymanian out, like the Salt Creek Projectand replacing it with Condos, Cement and Hotels. These people are all about money, money and more money. These people are world VULTURES! We should never had sheltered him from the USA. This is their way of paying us back.!!!
ARE YOU SERIOUS !!!!!
Dart has done a lot more for Cayman than Caymanians have done in a long time.
YES… Cultural heritage meetings and lessons in the old ways of Cayman.
YES… Dart Parks where our children can play and see our native fauna and flora.
YES… Superbly master planned communities that have been designed by the smartest minds in architecture and social planning.
Look at the nasty scrub bush on the WB road and you will find used condoms, needles, garbage and all manner of other unspeakable things.
Is this what you want your children and fellow Caymanians to witness.
Consider for one moment…… everything Dart has done so far is Cayman has not made a profit. He is investing BILLIONS – that's right BILLIONS to make Cayman a better place.
If you can't see that you are blinded by your own hatred and land crab mentality.
We get a waste management facility to replace our polluting natural beauty MountTrashmore, a bigger public beach with new restrooms and sporting facilities, a beautiful bike path and nature walk trails. To top it off a 5* hotel that’ll cost $200 million to build oh and a new road that will cost around $40million which we need for future generations, I for one support the Dart deal. We Caymanians sant investors and good jobs yet aren’t willing to make sacrifices and allow good development, stop this protest crap and go protest against crime, drugs, high cost of living and poor fiscal management.
We don't get a waste management facility, we get a few holes dug in the ground. One or two of them will be lined and that is all that Dart is paying for. Where are we going to come up with the money to build the rest of the "waste management facility"?
We don't get a bigger public beach, we will have the same amount of beachfront access, it will just be deeper and have more facilities. We lose vehicular access and several rights of way to almost 3/4 of a mile of SMB (which is actually only 4 miles long). We also lose land in Salt Creek and Barkers.
We don't get a 5* hotel or a road. It will be Dart's hotel and we will likely not be able to use the beach in front of it any more, just like in front of most of the big hotels. We get to use the road but equally, he needed to build a road to access the interior of the properties anyway.
What we also don't get is to see the contract signed by our disgraced premier with Dart. We are especially interested in the clause regarding the "value for money" assessment. The contract may well be invalid if PWC concluded that the whole deal was not good value for the Cayman Islands. The former premier is being investigated in regard to a change of use for some of the property that Dart wants to develop.
The former premier is giving away far more than we are getting, without being transparent about any of the process. How much more do you think Dart's land will be worth once it is beachfront – 50 million? 100 million?
A better deal should have been hashed out for Cayman. I believe it still can be.
Doe Doe, how long have you lived in Cayman? – Can you not see we are being deprived of our forefathers' land marks, and shut up, the jobs are not for Caymanians.
"We're on the road to nowhere………….."
Talking Heads, 1980's
What a ghastly rabble. I can't think of any good reason why one would not support a new high end hotel development, especially given the wonderful place that is Camana Bay.
Ghastly? Rabble? You think? Moving the road will steer those folks closer to your heavenly haven though.
I don’t think they will take the left turn in their battered green Honda Civics.
The activists are revolting.
I'll give you one good reason: we lose hotel tax on it and every property Dart buys or builds for the next several decades. That alone is reason enough to renegotiate this deal that McKeeva Bush alone wanted us to all get into.
It's the method pattyx, the method. If Dart ran their employees like they are running the cayman people, there wouldn't be very many smiley faces running around Caymana Bay.
-expat
There are too many Patricia x's that see a building and think it is heaven! Camana Bay adds no real value to Cayman. This place is now the home for many business that were tenants in George Town, and now those properties are empty. Can't they build a High end hotel without closing the road? Why would any SENSIBLE Patricia X give 4000 feet of road to Dart and add $600,000,000 to the value of Dart's bottom line while sensible Patricia X gets really nothing? Unless of course Patricai X primo gets a big bonus for making the deal!!!!
And there are too many activists who see a road and fail to understand it is just a road.
Camana Bay adds no value to Cayman?!? Please, put the crack pipe down and seek help immediately, because you can't tell reality from fantasy.
Seriously… based on your questions, you really don't have a clue.
It seems there is about a 2-1 majority expressing a view in favour of the development.
And their driving force is an ulterior motive and not an interest in the road at all – they want the dump out of their back yards.
It is asinine to suggest that Ezzard is speaking about the road issue because the “silly season is upon us”.
In fact, this issue is hardly going to swaythe North Side voters on which Mr. Miller depends for re-election.
There are very few issues that galvanize Caymanians for more than 2 weeks.
This Dart deal, especially the closure of the West Bay road has been a very contentious issue ever since the inception of the FCIA.
Just because you do not agree with someone does not make their position incorrect.
Mr. Miller represents a growing number of people who see the Dart deal for what it is in its current form; very one sided in Dart’s favour.
It may be wise for the government to meet with the protestors including Mr. Miller and let cooler heads prevail.
A negotiated settlement is still feasible, possible and very necessary.
It is obvious that Ezzard's political ambitions go well beyond North Side with a national position his desired goal.
When he makes the statement that he will reopen the West Bay Road if it is so closed which would mean rebuilding it is infalmmatory at best.
Any clear headed individual can see Ezzard has a vendetta with Dart who is the only one spending money on the Cayman Islands at this time.
All those people who have sold to Dart haven't reinvested into Cayman, why is that?
When only Dart would invest money to finish the Cayman Catboat Club building next to Lobster Pot why was that? Where were the local millionaires when this need was obvious?
I don't see and local wealthy spending money except for Dart.
Protest for a road, but no protest against crime, or cost of living, or lack of jobs, or lack of cruise port. What a mess Cayman is, with it's skewed priorities!
Then start your own.
So why don'f you start the protest for all these things and stop waiting on others to so. Aren't you capable?
From the photograph it is clear that the protestors only represent a tiny cross-section of the population.
Yes, the historically Caymanian element of it!
your point please
Thank you Ezzard. It is the purest of horses_it of the highest order to expect the 'docile' Cayman public to simply and blindly sit back and accept that the developer's obvious tenacity in proceeding with this 'deal' means that it is "For Cayman". If this 'developer' can be so clearly certain of all that HE stands to gain from this then why on earth does Cayman continue to be denied that same right? STAND UP for your rights in this country, Caymanian citizens. That is very sadly very long overdue in Cayman, You are NOT wrong for asking to know exactly where Cayman and it's people do in fact and in truthstand in this 'deal'. It is your God given right to do just exactly that. No matter WHO says you are wrong for their own selfish, ignorant reasons. Business is business, Love is BS.
I see it written a lot that Caymanians are "docile" people; I don't see much evidence of that in real life. I think Caymanians are much like any other nationality: Some are meek, others are not at all, and there is every colour and stripe in between.
" I don't care for ofice for the sake of money, but for the sake of power, but for the sake of power, and for the sake of carry out my own views of what is best for the country." Sir John A Macdonald, first Prime Minister of Canada.
Ezzard keep the pressure on just like Arden did on the port in east end. This deal is crap and everyone knows this. Only a hand full of people who are benefitting are singing and clapping all the way to the banks and churches. A few years from now when our children ask us why did we gave the land away? What are we going to say? That the country needed Dart? We would not have made it cause Dart’s money kept the country a float? LMAO…. People in bodden town will be walking around with masks like they do in china cause of the dump in their neck of woods! Middle class people will not be able to shop in Camana Bay, more local businesses will be closed due to vulturism and consessions given to the big corporate companies and the list goes on….when is all of this b&-/s@:t stop and politicians start to listen to the people of the country?
All you need to know about the people who oppose this development you can learn from the quality of their CNS posts. They can't spell, can't use punctuation and come across as hysterical and entitled.
…and thus they must not be heard. Until they learn to rob people with their smooth talk and devious business deals they should be considered SUB-HUMAN
First off…the road does not belong to the people. If it is Crown land it belongs to the Queen.
Second…Dart had to have purchased the land adjacent to the road from someone.
Perhaps we should ask some of those same protesters about it, since it was their ancestors who sold out the beachfront land to foreigners for little or nothing in the first place. When all is said and done, the road will be closed and relocated, and all of those protesters will still have to travel on the new road to get out of West Bay and back again. Or not…maybe they will decide to never leave West Bay again because they dont want to drive on Dart's road.
I for one will gladly travel on it. A change of road is of little concern to me. What bothers me more is the High Crime, High Cost of Living and an increasing unstable Government. Id much rather those protesters focus on those issues. But hey…that's just my two cents worth.
so you stealing form the Queen now? arrogance. you pust be a paid Dart blogger. anything that is in the name of the Queen or Crown belongs to THIS country and Caymanians.
Well the Cayman 27 News coverage of the protest aired today and they estimated about 100 protesters showed up. This whole thing sounds like a tempest in a teapot where we have the tail wagging the dog.
Ezzard never met a sound byte that he didn't like or a microphone that he didn't speak into but 100 people for all this? Listen to the rants on Rooster and you'd think the whole country was there.
The silly season is upon us, everyone wants their spot at the trough.
Ezzard The Wizzard will have to perform magic to “reopen” a road
that will not be there any more.
Magic?? He will have to ‘re-write contract law. Mac signed it, the deal is done. There is no recourse people,get that through your skulls. You think the GLF fiasco cost money? Try taking Dart to court over this and see how far you get……
It might not be a done deal. If one of the conditions was a satisfactory value for money report and that condition has not been met, the deal need not go through. Much like if you sign a contract to buy someones house and you put "subject to financing" as a condition. If you cannot get the financing, you don't have to buy the house.
didya ever consider that both dart and mac were in the wrong? didya?? Just because TWO parties enter an agreement illegally, doesn't mean it's legal.
DART ran from the USA. Tax him and he will run again, but hey, he is the one doing the taxing.
er does that make NRA the flying monkeys or a munchkin cant remember:) the new by pass was not there originally at least I dont rember it??? did a wizard build that one too? It does feel like we are in oz for sure though. Nothing is what it seems.
like your writing?
Encouraging blocking off Camana Bay…. inciting the public to act, protest more, — isn't that a crime??
Ezzard – Protestors, didn't the FCO swoop in and pubically stop the port and airport…… yet not so with the FCIA … hmmmmm…. keep bodden town dump free – how many letters to the FCO havegone unresponded to….. hmmmm….
Just because you speak the loudest doesn't make you right, far from it!!!!
u r a lamb (part of a group of sheep)
Mark Scotland has been running this show! He has betrayed the people of BT! He has no experience in these types of deals and Dart has sweep him away and the other members of Government with bullsh*t.
But guess what, we are here to make sure this deal is sent packing and anyone that wants to go with it, be my guest!
Wow – good thing Ezzard called in this weekend as this site was getting filled up with boring old crime stories. Closing a road – now there’s something for everyone to get worked up about!
The next big hurricane will close the road anyway in this precise area. At least now with the improvements of the new by-pass , at least the West Bayers will be able to transit south on the new road.
The last big hurricane close many roads in Cayman. This one was cleared and passable quickly. But it did confirm that an earlier report was right, We need TWO alternative routes in and out of West Bay.
No…you need only ONE that remains open ALL THE TIME!!!
So are you going to guarantee that there is never an accident that closes it?????
Clearly you are not a Caymanian and further, you either don't get it or you are being intentionally mischievous. We all know It was always the plan to have TWO roads in and out of the district, not one at any stage of the route. Why in God's name would any sane person want one road at any point rather than two? What happens if the inland road becomes impassible at the section parallel to the West Bay Road occupied by this developer? That's why there's another route. Understand?
First, there has ALWAYS only been one road with two lanes there.
Second, if Dart didn't build this road, the government wouldn't be able to a) buy the property, b) build the road and pave it, for several decades if ever – at least not as long as the FFR is in place and you've already heard the FCO saying there's no planned sunset on that deal. So, what would you rather have, one road with two lanes that we all know from experienced gets washed out when a hurricane comes within 100 miles of Grand Cayman, or a modern, built-up four-lane highway? Talk about being intentionlly mischievious, because I certainly hope you can understand the difference in what Cayman is getting as opposed to what it is giving up.
I for one understand what we are getting compared to what we are giving up. We are giving up several rights of way to access Seven Mile Beach. We are giving up vehicular access to over 4000 ft of the beach. We are giving up a huge piece of Crown land. We are giving up a secondary, tourist friendly road that you can actually still see the beach and the ocean from. We are giving up hotel room tax for several decades. We are giving up a huge amount of import duty. We are giving up a prime piece of real estate in Barkers. We are giving up another prime piece of real estate in Salt Creek. Who is going to get the MOST benefit from the new road? Yes, we might all get to drive on it but Dart had to build a road to access all his property anyway. His property will now all become beachfront and will increase in value many, many times.
Your comment about West Bay Road getting washed out when a hurricane comes within 100 miles of Cayman is total bullshit. The only time any major damage happened was during Ivan. Gilbert was 20 miles away and WBR never closed.
Wrong! West Bay Road was closed for a week after Hurricane Dean, which came about 100 miles south of Grand Cayman.
From the Hazard Management Cayman Islands website:
Drivers, Be Careful
Published 21st August 2007, 11:30am
Motorists are advised that West Bay Road at the Marriott Courtyard is still closed, and that they also should avoid South Sound Road. Persons driving to and from West Bay are asked to use the Esterly Tibbetts Highway instead of West Bay Road, which still has debris from Hurricane Dean.
Somebody was spouting bullshit, but it wasn't me! But you "activists" aren't interested in facts, are you?
In another big hurricane, the sea is going to sweep Caymana Bay, drown Snug Harbour and close both roads, so there!
You might want to check how many lanes are on the new road…
The new road is doubling the number of traffic lanes in both directions, plus the road is higher and drier than the old West bay Road.
So you are not losing a road you are gaining TWO !!!!
All this fuss about a dangerous, prone to flooding road in exchange for better road, better public beach, new hotels, more employment and a better future for Cayman!!!
It is absolutely astounding that people here in Cayman are so blinkered that they cannot see the wood for the trees.
WAKE UP EVERYONE – this country is falling behind the rest of the world. It is becoming uncompetitive and if we are not careful Cayman will very quickly lose it's appeal to vactioners and investors alike.
Then I ask all of you what will do to feed your families?? Where will you work. What future prospects will you or your children have????
Massive changes have to take place to put Cayman back on the map and it starts with infrastructure first.
Higher and drier don't make the bypass exempt from accidents and other emergencies that can bring traffic to a halt without an alternate route.
Four lanes is not the same as two roads. If there is an accident, especially at one of the roundabouts, all four lanes could be blocked. The problem is not just the road, it is the whole FCIA deal.
dont quite understand your math . we're NOT losing a road???
Your are right massive changes are to take place…. and it start by 'Caymanian taking back their country.' you may all have to run from here very soon… we have enough…
And just would you do with your little outlaw country then. Just look at Cuba. It ran off the foreigners and look where it got them – terrible poverty, rampant prostitution, political isolation, etc. Is that what you really want. Because you can't have what you're talking about and keep all the goodies. When the foreigners go, you can rest 100% assured that so will Cayman's wealth. That means back to the sea for the men and no big pick-up trucks, no central a/c, no fancy clothes and gold chains. Be careful what you wish for.
So why did the foreigners leave their "so great" countries? To get nice clothes etc.
Many Caymanians are poverty stricken – have nothing more to lose except their lives and couldn;t care less if every foreigner left because they have nothing to lose. They will gain some space and fresh air and less garbage and snobby noses.
Vacationers will stop coming to a cement island.
Good points. The posters below don't seem to get that having two lanes on one road is not the same as having two roads. What if there is an accident that involves both lanes on the one road (as has happened before)?
Yeah but you can't drive on a plan. Despite the plans there has always just been one road with one lane in each direction. The development adds capacity that otherwise wouldn't have existed.
Plus two roads will just make it easier for armed robbers to get back into West Bay
There is a time to listen and a time to be heard.
A time to talk and a time to do..
We have listened, heard, talked and now it is time to act.
Our government stated that there would be no signing of the FCIA deal unless the auditor's report proved that the deal was value for money. To date the final report has not been completed so one must ask how could this deal be signed sealed and delivered months ago?
Mention was also made be the then Premier that if the FCIA deal was not value for money, the Government would repay the Dart Group $5M which was advanced. To date we have no proof that thedeal is value for money so we are being forced to buy a "pig in a bag" and hope for the best.
If the FCIA agreement is so good for Cayman we must ask why haven't to NRA agreement been released?
Why have we not seen the auditor's report?
Where is the legal agreement binding govt to the FCIA?
Why wasnt a lease agreement on the land considered instead of freehold?
Why havent the govt officials at least attempt to negotiate with the constituents who are against the road closure and moving the dump?
Why do talk show hosts allow the Premier to claim "I dont know" to every question regarding this issue? Why not request that the information is provided within a few days to be ventilated publicly?
Something is very wrong where the society we live in is ruled in totality by the majority. The true beauty of a healthy democracy is that minorities have rights too. This is where the Leader of the Opposition has failed us politically by not taking a stand against the road closure and moving the dump……unless the PPM are also supporting this deal?
If there is one piece of real estate worth fighting for it is the West Bay Road. That is our most valuable piece of land owned by the Caymanian people and once that is taken we will NEVER be able to get it back.
All those who see this FCIA agreement for the injustice that it is must realise talking time is over. This is the time to act!
Ezzard, you are the only one with ba**s in the MLA
Keep up the good work
Ezzard has officially started off the silly season with a good one, If the road is closed then I will reopen it if I am part of a formed government. Those are bold words perhaps the other members will have something to say about it unless Ezzard is McKeeva in sheep's clothing.
Looks like we have got another one.
Bold words because the man is bold! Get us to it! He is a bold leader!
What a waste of time arguing about a road. I don't seem to see what the issue is with closing the road when another one twice the size will open up at the same time. The road is not closing but rather it's being moved 100 yards away. Happy now?
Politicians need to worry about the real issues of this country and stop whining about a friggin' road. They should spend their time coming up with ideas that would solve our BIGGEST problems, such as:
1) Crime
2) Government spending
3) Education and training of Caymanians
4) Employment
Ezzard, those three points you outline are not that important. Who cares about OMOV and moving elections to November or road closure if we're all broke, unemployed, criminals. That's where the country is going. A change of focus is needed now!
#1 a transparent and above the table deal between govt and investors on EVERYTHING.
Damn nice to see the thumbs down. Very, very good to see there are still people not afraid to cast a vote for good ole under the table bizzy deals.
If you were a proud Caymanian who valued your country you would understand. Because you don't understand tell me so much about you.
oh puh-lease… I am a Proud Caymanian, and I couldn't give a rat's a$$ about a road!!!
What about Crime and the lack of jobs and the inflated cost of living, guns on the street, police taking bribes etcetera, etcetera.
What the heck is a road going to do for my children's future?
Where are your Priorities? In a bloody road??????
The objective issue here is VALUE FOR MONEY, or lack of. The road belongs to the people of the Cayman Islands. If the people of the Cayman Islands agree to move the road, the result of which is to increase Mr. Darts property value several times over, then the people of the Cayman Islands should receive proper value for them agreeing to move the road. Very simple, Business 101.
I cannot see why nationality, a plain fact, is something one can be proud of. It is like saying you are proud of being tall.
Newsflash! It's called patriotism.
Some people are proud of being tall. It gives them a sense of superiority.
“Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.” George Bernard Shaw
Well, I'm proud of still having hair.
What I want to know is what Ezzard proposes to do about these ice cream trucks plowing through quiet neighbourhoods with their crappy music blaring at all hours of the night peddling their wares to unsuspecting overweight children. His response will determine my vote!
No, not happy, along with about 4,000 others who signed a petition opposing the closure. Your argument could be used to justify just about anything and everything. The issue of the closure of the West Bay Road is enormous and you, and others like you, should do a lot more thinking on the matter.
You mean that bogus petition signed by tourists, children and people under assumed names who signed 3 or 4 times?
Was that the 4,000 others who included cruise shippers, children and those intentionally misled by the originators of the petition? You will never get 100% support for anything but in this case the majority of informed residents clearly support this project.
By majority, you mean "vast majority".
So where is your proof that you do support it, you "majority"? You certainly don't speak for me.
Couldn't agree with this post more. Rampant crime, corruption, incompetence and ruinous government fees are very quickly destroying the country, but the only thing people will actually protest is moving a road 100 yards, and even then it's only because they're worried they might have got less than they were entitled to. Do you think they'd be out there if Dart had given Caymanians $1000 each to compensate for moving their ugly road?
It's not only about road closure, why don't you get it? The road is being closed to public vehicular traffic and the land it is on being given away. We will be losing several points of access to the beach. We are also giving Dart a huge piece of crown land. More importantly, this deal is still cloaked in secrecy which makes everyone suspicious. McKeeva Bush is being investigated regarding a payment from Stan Thomas after which the zoning of a part of this project was changed by Cabinet. The hotel tax concessions for years to come and the waiving of duties will affect Government income for decades. Under the FFA this should probably be agreed to by the UK,not just Big Mac. If there had been open negotiation and Mac had asked for more for his people or the study done by PWC was made public, everyone would be happier that this may be legit. Nowhere else was looked at to move the dump to, only Bodden Town. The contract may well be invalid if the value for money study was not satisfactory. What more do you need?
Your views are not important as they are not in tne best inerests of Caymanians.
PwC Corporate Finance and Recovery (Cayman) Ltd. ("PwC), a member firm of the PwC Network is in the process of completing an Independent Review of the National Roads Authority Agreement which was executed in December of 2011 by the Cayman Islands Government, the National Roads Authority and Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd. ("NRA Agreement").
The Independent Review is a required component of the NRA and will provide an objective assessment of the value of the NRA Agreement to the Government and the people of the Cayman Islands. The Independent Review will also assess Government's compliance with its Framework for Fiscal Responsibility.
Government approved funds to pay for the Independent Review, and an evaluation period will allow Government to consider the results, proceed with the NRA Agreement, suggest changes to the NRA Agreement or terminate the NRA Agreement completely.
The Terms of Reference, which were approved by Cabinet, require a value for money assessment on all aspects of the NRA Agreement. They include a value for money analysis of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway Extension, the vesting of the land relating to the West Bay Road Legal Closure, Government's concessions to Dart, and Dart's community funding allocation for Government programs.
The NRA Agreement signing allowed preliminary works and employment to begin on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway extension. This work is being carried out under the regulatory supervision of the National Roads Authority. The continuation of the work will be subject to Government's assessment of the Independent Review findings. The signing also allowed for the release of USD $5M to the Cayman Islands Government for funding of various community investments. Should the NRA Agreement be terminated after the Independent Review, Dart Realty will be able to recover the USD$5M through development incentives.
Once PricewaterhouseCoopers has completed the Independent Review, the results will be presented to Cabinet for review.
For more information, contact The Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands & Agriculture at 244-2412.
For further information contact: Yvette Cacho
It's good to know he has learned a lot from the days when he tried to ram the Hortor Swamp Hospital down our throats very shortly before the General Election. His Government lost all their seats because of it. Linford still talks about it – and not kindly!
And yet the independent enquiry which followed showed Ezzard was right and would have saved the country tens of millions of dollars by now. And as for building in the swamp, camana bay looks pretty good to me.
You mean the "independent" enquiry carried out by Sir someone whose name I won't print but who was seen more than once in the social company of the contractors? As for Camana Bay, I agree, but Mr Miller and the Hurlstones are and were no Dart where quality of project and construction are concerned.
If Caymanians think Mckeeva Bush is the ony politician in the house to worry about, wait till Ezzard take the realm….boy oh boy…God help us.
helm.
They got mixed up between helm and reins.
I think you are right.
Ezzard, I consider you a man of integrity and one who always has the country and its people's best interest at heart. I hope the people of North Side will give you another opportunity to help us get these islands back to some normalcy where Caymanians can know whats going on and we can be at peace at home !
Integrity would suggest that he honours and respects the prior contracts made by Government, whether he agrees with them or not. Integrity suggests he honours the vote of the majority in a proper democratic manner (whatever it may be) rather than attempt to dictate that the road "WILL" be re-opened. Not really the words of a man of integrity – more the wish-list of a wanna-be dictator.
Istn't this road of far less importance than the re-location, plans and management of a potentially very nasty toxic site like the dump? Dart does a lovely job with his development ideas, and I'm sure the new arrangement along WB road will work well, but the DUMP is being DUMPED on Bodden Town and will be mis-managed by the exact same people doing it in the current location. Dart's "backyard" needs to be a little bit bigger – he needs to realize that all his investment here will be undermined if he doesn't step up and take on the long-term management of the dump, ensuring that it will have recycling, composting and other statre-of-the-art methods in place FROM DAY ONE – not in a ten-year plan to be implemented by (OMG) Government!
Why are these two completely separate deals lumped together? Those negotiating on the side of Cayman and Caymanians need to be smarter when they work on these deals. This seems very one-sided, unless the "secret" parts of it include some pretty big favors or there is some kind of under-the-table personal benefits to politicians. The interests of the COUNTRY need to trump the interests of a few people who are willing to sell out their people to make deals like this one. How can a deal made on behalf of all Cayman be secret from the very people who are supposed to be served by Government? The new Premier should open this up to public scrutiny if she doen't want to be tainted with the same brush that took down Mac.
In my view, diverting the road to make way for a mega resort, broadwalk style beach path, and large public beach with a OFF THE ROAD PARKLOT are few good things – I would encourge it. Beside during hurricane season the sand washes into road… blocking traffic – just like the protestors.
On the other hand, if the deal for diverting the West Bay Road was a shady deal that Cayman Islands people didn't get the right value for the land that was swapped then keep the road open until we get a proper deal.
DART will build the bypass to West Bay either way because they own the land on sides of the proposed bypass raod. They will benefit the most out of any deal made.
You need to visit our neighbour when they are having protests – then your mouth would hang open. Ask our expat police.
In that case Ezzard, I certainly won't be supporting you. The threat of voiding legal contracts between the government and private parties sounds a lot like Venezuela.
And, 14:00, like McKeeva.
i think all caymanians should boycott camana bay………..
Please do… And while at it, can all West Bayers and road protesters please boycot using the new road? Wow – I can think of so many benefits here…
But how would all the West Bayers collect their government salary checks? This is a vital artery, at least for the West Bayers.
If Dart would build a government pay house in west bay it would solve everyones lproblems.
Being a Ninja, the sewer is ideal fo you
Only the Teenage Mutant ones live in the sewer. The common or garden Ninja Turtle prefers modern condo units with adequate ceilings to allow kendo training. Or the garden. The garden is better if there is nice chewy leaves.
yes please, I'll look forward to no more phone conversation in the movie theater
At least the "activists" should boycott it. The less angry badly dressed people there the better. Is a complete lack of dress sense a requirement to picket the road or is it just encouraged?
The closure of the WB road is truely dreadful, I love the view of the ocean you get while driving or walking along it
You should be watching the road while driving… Walikng along the current WB Road is taking your life in your own hands. On the other hand, my nice ride on the new bypass sections was great the other day thanks to the wide bike lanes on the side!!!
You would be safer under the ground, in those pipes that you love, swimming
You mean to say whilst driving (assuming you are old enough) you are oblivious to anything other than the road in front of you? Poor you. Sounds like you lack peripheral vision and need to get yourself checked out down at the eye clinic for a condition called tunnel- vision. it can affect your thinking range as well, I've heard. The sufferer becomes very narrow-minded and is incapable of appreciating the bigger picture, apparently..
Ah… since West Bay Road runs parallel to the ocean, looking at the sea requires a 90 degree turn of the head, which certainly isn't safe for driving. Here's an idea: If you want to look at the ocean, get out of your car at the West Bay public beach, or at the enhanced Public Beach that Dart will construct, or at Governor's Beach or at the new public beach Dart will create north of Yacht Club drive and sit down and look right at it. Maybe through contemplating the vastness of the ocean you will realise that the bigger picture you are talking about must include development with people like the Darts and you really don't have to get so excited about a stretch of road less than a mile long.
There really is no one worth voting for on these islands, very sad. Ezzard , stop trying to put people out of work you complete and utter fool.
You would hate to know that thousands of expat cheap labourers won't get work, obviously.
What made you such a nasty angry person?
Huh, thousands of cheap expat workers what? I don’t even know what your on about. My point is, there is the potential for many years of work on this project ( for many Camanians if they want it) and it will boost the general economy. And if Lizard wants to stop that, he is a complete and utter fool.
What else is he going to stop? Dangerous man with an anti expat chip is not your answer.
Most dangerous are you all with your anti-Caymanian chip.
By the way, it's not "……what YOUR on about…." lt is "you're" or "you are" – basic.
I know all you thumbs down people will do the same with this post, but a couple of simple facts, Caymanian land owners GAVE up the land so government could make this west bay road, they gave/sold it so the people of Cayman would benefit. Dart is the only one who benefits from it's closure and if this deal was straight, honest and true, why do the current government and the Dart group insist on keeping the Cayman people out of know the facts of the deal… think about it, why would they not be open about it, if you have nothing to hide then tell all, it's very obvious something is very wrong that's the reason they won't tell us. Wake up Cayman, it's not a people, dart issue, this is your country, they are taking it away from YOU!
Common, Dart has enough money to last several lifetimes. Can you see anything else beside money in someone else's pocket?
Is that why he needs all the duty and tourist tax consessions? Because he can't afford it without them.? That is money we the common people will have to make up. If you want to play the game, Dart, pay the price like the regualr people have to.
Is this the same set of Caymanian land owners who have bit by bit sold off their beachfront lots at profit to developers to enable Seven Mile Beach to start to resemble any other built-up oceanfront?
You miss the point, the deal they struck stinks of corruption… that’s the problem here and you seem to stupid or ignorant to want to know the truth..
They know the truth…but just won't admit it. Yes, keep pressing the thumbs down that's what you are paid to do.
No, but Way to go! For trying to make us think it is.
to 13;57
Yes these are the same caymanian land owners who sold these beach properties, back 50- 60 years ago to mostly Americans…for 10 shillings. The land was worthless to them…. they couldnt grow casava and yams on it …soil too salty.
I believe the American were the ones gave up the tracks of land, so people could travel on horses between west bay and town. Before this happened, our transportation system were cat boats.
Our biggest mistake was, we should have move all our horse tracks off the beach properties, like we did with the beach track from merren's old hotel down to the beach club.
to 13:00
Can you enlighten the public of the names of the Caymanians that gave up various sections of the west bay road?
Was it just the section of road North of the public beach given to the public?
Can you also enlighten the public of other sections of roads that were realigned by land swap..deals
How can the government or any other instituation be able put a value to these proposed projects, that Mr. Dart is contributing for the swap of the section of road.
We have the highway into West Bay that has cost 36 ml. dollars… so far, and is not completed. we have the redevelopment of our public beach with an added 6.9 acrea to be developed, no cost has been put to this. We have the waste management facility…no cost has been put to this.
I think what you are asking is for, is a bunch of gypsy to come forward with their crystal balls.
spoken like a fool, read what they said again….
uh-huh! here we goes agin. caymanians and foreigners who dont tow de line told to shuddup and be everlastingly tankful soand so has come long to save us. hush and gimme a break nuh? it plain az dehlight that while these tings be good forcayman them is 10 times betta fuh Dart n their own companys. and they looks out for der friends companys. da weh ya see nepotism, cronyism! one dirteh hand washin de udda. mr dart trust his people too much.
DART's commissions/concessions paid for their road and a lot more.
I think you have hit on the real problem here. This goes beyound the Road and the dump. this is about who Cayman is for. Is it for the people or the developer with the most money?
Get your "Facts" straight.
The disputed section of the West Bay Road will be closed to vehicular traffic ONLY.
It WILL REMAIN Public Access, but will be restricted to pedestrian traffic, similar to a Board-walk access, effectively making the ENTIRE PUBLIC BEACH and Marriott Courtyard area a Public Park. The existing public 'Beach access' will remain, while the existing Public Beach is being re-developed to more than 4 times it's present size with supporting amenities.
Vehicular traffic will be routed on the newly extended dual carriage-way, with two lanes in either direction, as opposed to the existing single-lane West Bay Road, effectively doubling the road capacity, halving flow, and creating a 'buffer' for traffic re-routing should the necessity arrise. (example. A major accident).
It is West Bay that will benefit the most from this.
Stop your bitching and thank GOD that we have investors here that are willing to pay for improvements that we NEED, but can't afford to do on our limited budget.
Thank God for Dick Wadd!!! Finally a man with lots of information!!! Could you also enlighten us whether we will be able to use the Ritz condominium or has that nothing to do with road deal?
In the interests of getting facts straight, as you put it, please note that public beach is not being increased to 4 times it's (sic) present size: the beach is that sandy bit of land that stops at the sea: you can't increase that. The proposal is to chuck in some car park spaces, a few trees, maybe a swing set and a Jungle Jim, and parcel that as "oh look, here is your 4 times bigger beach."
Exactly
For the sake of all that is good, lets stop all this dog in the manger bi…….and bellyaching, The politicians are sooners and they will do anything to get their name in print even if the locals eventually starve. I look at the other islands in competition with us and wonder how we can servive. Frankly if I were Dart I would have told the locals with the "dog in the manger attitude to stuff it" and then pack upand go!. I wonder how many of you remeber Benson Greenall who started the ball rolling here and how Caymanians were only too happy to sell as they said beach land was only good for cemeteries; now they say he stole their birthright. Who sold that birthright?
You are wrong, the existing "beach accesses" are part of the deal and we will no longer be allowed to use them. The original idea was that they were going to be combined to create a "new" beach on part of the Victoria House property. I believe that we are not going to get that now. The public beach site will be made deeper, which is not the same as a "bigger" beach which suggests more beachfront. A major accident will still cut off access to and from West Bay if there is only one road. How many people with small children can or will park their car and walk a long way to access the beach if the immediate areas near the parking lot are crowded? This is 3/4 of a mile of beachfront access we are talking about and the beach is only 4 miles long.
How much are you been paid by Dart for this support?
To much Ezzard.
Dr. Hortor.
The agreements were made by the government voted into power, and therefore represented the wishes of the public who put them there…Mainly West Bayers I might add. You cannot keep flip flopping on legally binding agreements.
You will drive away investors and make a mockery of Govts. word…then bankruptb the country with lawsuits…This is a done deal and will benefit everyone, leave it alone …all 75 of you.
I counted almost 200 after some people had already left.
Maybe McKeeva's Bushes actions are approved by you and you voted for him but the majority of the population don't approve and didn't vote for him. It is only a legally binding agreement if all the terms are met. If the value for money review came back as unsatisfactory, therefore, it would not be legally binding.
Umm I think maybe these people have a point if the ‘deal’ is not legal. By the way, you kind of contradict yourself when you say the deal was done by an elected official and then say there are only 75 of the dissenters.
I don’t know wher you come from, but I am an American and would be doing all I could to stop it and ensure it was done through the proper channels if something this heavy handed was done in this matter in my community there.
You look like a bit of a prickly when you talk down to these people that are protesting being bullied. Are you a bully?
WB road is a noisy, clogged eyesore that cuts the island off from its best feature. What Dart is doing is a big improvement. The new road will make it easier to get to WB and the Dart development will improve access to the beach for everyone and create a new tourist attraction. I don't understand what these protesters are objecting to.
Of course you don't, it's very easy to give away other people's stuff.
It’s not so much a question of it being good or not, but a question of if proper governance was exercised. Why are reports being held? What gives the government the right to give away crown land without the people’s consent etc. it all stinks too much. what if someone thought it a good idea to put a road through your house because it would be a good idea and improve traffic flow? Would I not like to have some rights to exercise?
Let me see if I can make you understand. How can our access to the beach be improved if we lose several rights of way to the beach and we lose vehicular access to over 4000 linear feet of the beach? It was always intended to have two roads into West Bay, not one. Just as it is intended to have two roads going east.
In addition to the road closure, many people object to the developer being given large pieces of crownland and concessions which will reduce Government income. Have you considered the possibility that the land and road transfers should have gone through Central Tenders? Have you considered that the hotel tax reduction and duty waivers should be subjected to the rules of the FFR? I suspect not.
None of this deal has been transparent. When that happens, most people suspect that something fishy is going on. Especially as it was signed by our former Premier who has been arrested for financial irregularities. The change of use of a large portion of the properties that the new road passes through is also the subject of an investigation also involving McKeeva Bush.
They are objecting to the highly sneaky way this project is still, at THIS VERY MINUTE being carried out. Try to show a little wisdom – an expat
Really? You don't know what they are objecting to because you can't see past your nose. They are objecting to having a government that makes deals in secret that affects their country. It doesn't matter if the proposed development is pretty or improves our way of life. It matters however that such decisions are being made in private when they should be going through our house of representatives. You are focusing on the result when you should be focusing on the system of governance and the method. Few will contest that the resulting development will not be an improvement over what we now have. We will however protest the manner in which such developments are allowed to take place.
If they're objecting to a government that makes deals in secret, why aren't they picketing the Legislative Assembly?
That's because your understanding abilities are limited.
When we are being used and taken for fools, this is our prayer: God grant us the Serenity to accept the thing we can not change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference… I am protesting because something is being hidden from the people. There is no transparency, and if we accept someone hiding the facts from us, we are putting ourselves in grave danger. Would you marry someone without knowing them? Of course not. Would you be involve with someone who is not transparent with his or her finances? Of course not. Yet we have so many niave Caymanians, chasing after appearances, the movies, icecream, and the dart glitter, and they know little about the factors of this ForCayman Alliance deal. Caymanians, please use your commonsense. You don't get yourself into huge deals without knowing the facts! And I believe the Post UDP5 are really UDP and controlled by Dart, because the only way to get this deal going is to remove McKeeva Bush out of the picture. It was all planned to save the UDP party, but moreover to save Dart! You can dismiss this and say I'm talkin nonsense, but I serve it to you on a platter to think and rationalize. I seriously believe this was all staged. Dart is a money man and you can make politicians do anything when you have money. Even McKeeva Bush appears to be for the Post UDP 5 and remains silent about it. Politricks 😉
Not sure if he just announced his retirement, or just put the LA on notice that he has no intentiion of ever holding a portfolio.
ezzard would much prefer to be on the outside….offering glib popular soundbites…..whereby he doesn't have to make any difficult decisions
Dear Premier,
In a true democracy, decisions that affect the public are made by the house of representatives who are elected specifically for this purpose. For matters pertaining to Dart or any other wealthy developer to be held behind closed doors in Cabinet is a moral violation of the people's right to be represented by those chosen to do so. When such matters are decided in private behind closed doors, it gives the appearance that the government does not think the people are capable of knowing what is best for themselves or their future. This is antithetical to the democratic process and eventually results in the people rising up in revolt against a goverment that dictates unwanted public policy and decisions. When a beaver builds a dam of twigs and branches in order to change the course of a river, the river will swell up after the first storm and destroy the dam and return to its' normal course.
You must always remember this. It does not matter if the public knows what is good for itself or not. The only thing that matters is that the public has a say in its' own future through their democratically elected members. By deciding our fate in cabinet is like the beaver building a dam. Eventually, we the river of people will swell up and destroy the dam.
Transparency and open debate is the only way Cayman should be governed. Anything less will bring the appearance of corruption and forced domination by the predatory corporatocracy.
For clarity on what is happening here in Cayman and many other small countries in the world, you we be well served to real books by John Perkins titled "The Economic Hit Man" and "Hoodwinked". If you are not aware of how Dart is playing you then educate yourself and see what we see happening to you and eventually to allof us.
In a true democracy people do not address to the Premier anonymously via online blog
I hope the other independent candidates will rise to Mr Miller's standard of integrity and will to do what is best for the Cayman Islands – despite where the dollar signs may lead.
I also hope the PPM will see that they are rapidly loosing credibility by not letting thier position on this issue be known.
I sincerely hope the people of North Side are happy with Mr Miller's performance and will re-elect him this year.
We need more like him.
Will Mr Miller be paying the damages for breach of contrct out of his own pocket for this or waste millions more of Caymanian' s money to pay for it.
I didn't realise the whole WB raod was being close just less than 10% of it
if the breach of "contract" went to court, we'd at least get to see that there is a contract. Get It?
Who paid for the other broken contracts? you?
You are a real idiot. Obviously the road is closed if a section of it is.
Integrity???? Are you serious???? That the independent candidate have integrity???? You mussa mad like them!
Ezzard has two mouths!
XXXX
By allowing the FAB5 to continue and knowing that they will close the road using Cabinet powers (which could not have happened had the PPM and Ezzard not signed a deal with them) Ezzard and the PPM are supporting the road closure.
How in your warped mind do you conclude that the PPM and Ezzard are allowing the FAB5 to continue? The Governor accepted that they had formed a government because the only alternative to that was to call early elections and leave McKeeva Bush as premier until then.
Great. So much for being a country that respectst he rule of law, or in this case the sanctity of a contract. One duly elected government can enter into a contract and make promises to someone investing millions upon millions of dollars, and a cowboy like Ezzard Miller is promising the public he will renege on that contract if he gets elected. What a great way of instilling investor confidence, Ezzard.
"the sanctity of a contract. One duly elected government can enter into a contract and make promises to someone investing millions upon millions of dollars, and a cowboy like Ezzard Miller is promising the public he will renege on that contract if he gets elected."
Reneging on contracts? Oh wait… thought you were talking about Mac and the GLF deal… haha… new administrations cancelling contracts when they are elected to office is no new thing my friend! It happens every 4 years in Cayman!
People need to go down to Dart Park in South Sound to see how beautifully the Dart group can make a park. To say they will put up a few trees, a few benches and a jungle gym in the new West Bay Road park does it a complete disservice and is disrespectful in my view. Dart have given so much and freely. Anyone with children feel immensely grateful to Dart for Camana Bay and Dart Park where we spend countless hours at the weekends.
The new park on West Bay Road will no doubt be equally beautiful and enjoyed by Caymanians and their children. The boardwalk lined with native plants and trees will no doubt be enchanting and a huge highlight to us as well. Why grumble so much?
A huge new road with double lanes will make the commute from West Bay to town take 10 minutes. It will raise the value of property in West Bay and make it a more attractive place to live.
People didn't want Camana Bay to go ahead, they didn't want the Ritz Carlton to go ahead – both have bought jobs, visitors and money to the Island. A little perspective would be good.
Please stop the complaining.
A concerned Caymanian
Nothing is free from DART. They get back more than they give – that's business.
Corruption was at the root of ALL deals doneover the past 3.5 years. That is why your post is irrelevant. Maybe cash didnt change hands, but I would be willing to bet that a certain Real Estate company picked up some exclusive contracts on future development on this one.
I daily thank the Almighty God for we are so lucky to have Julie, Cline and the other 3 fine gentlemen who are steeped in integrity. They will stamp out the abuse and expose all shady dealings that they were not involved in. They will stand with their fellow Caymanians who do not want the road closed and they will not be compromised by offerings of jobs or commissions with any developers. I really believe what I just wrote, Thank you.
May God select our politicians at the next election because he was not present last time.
If it were up to this man, there would be no expat on this Island and he would run it like a dictator. Doesn't anyone remember the days when he would stand by the LA and tell protestors that they elected HIM to lead so he intended to lead no matter who liked it or not? Seems that all is ok as long as you go with Ezzard's way. It's time that people from North Side elected a less asinine and more level headed person from their district as these past few elections only make all North Siders seem the same way and I hope that's not the case. And he calls Mac a dictator????
Re "no expat on the island". A man who married two foreign women is not anti expat.
Don't be absurd. This is not a contract, it's a fraud on the public. All businesses that engage with governments at this high level are aware their activities and projects are subject to changes in national policy. They factor that political risk into their plans. Dart have enough invested here that within reason they will do business on the government's terms. When the Hyatt was built – when we had much less bargaining power with developers than we do now – a clause was inserted that allowed us to run a road right through their fancy drive if we needed to. That was good thinking. The developer said 'yeah right, they'll never do it' and signed anyway. We did need the road, we built it, and the developer is still here and has recently recommitted to Cayman in a huge way. Now we are giving road away? If not for that clause in the Hyatt contract, the Esterley Tibbetts extension and now the 2nd extension, Dart's project, would not even have been possible without a compulsory purchase order over the hotel's property. Now that would be damaging to investor confidence but thanks to someone's foresight way back when, we didn't have to do that. Are we insisting on such protections now with Dart? We don't even know because the terms are secret!
Even Dart must have some shame. Why do you think they are rushing the road to completion? They are hoping they will be able to say they cannot be put back in the same position they were in before the contract was signed because of all the work they did, and therefore the contract has to stand. McKeeva did all he could to see they could get started right away for this very reason. Every developer does this. They go, 'well Mr Premier, we hear what you say and we would like to move forward, but we are awfully concerned about your opposition. How can you ensure that they will not stop our plans?' McKeeva plays this game – he loves it and they love him for it. He was effectively conspiring with a commercial interest to thwart the public will while under an obligation, per the Constitution (clause 50), to use his powers as Premier in the best interests of the country.
Dart know they got away with murder, and they will not be surprised at all when someone shows up claiming to be the sheriff.
I agree. With so many things said by you about how Bush's actions hurt Cayman's identity and some rightfully so, how can you not see that you are now hurting Cayman's current and future investors confidence? You seem to be just as Banana Republic as you state Bush is.
As a born West Bayer of multiple generations of West Bayers, I saw some of my familty members out there but everyone is enitiltled to thier own opinions and have the right to voice said opinions openly.
To Ezzard and co, realize that, however passionate the anti-road closure protestors are, there people just as passionate about the road closing and using the upgrades. Not just rich developers either but people from all spectrums of society. We would never get those upgrades in a million years if waiting for Government to do them. I say you are outnumbered my friends in this particular fight so it is best you concede defeat. If this support is indicative of the support you will get come the next elections, Ezzard, in Caymanian parlance, you salt.
Also please explain what the people will gain when you renege on the Dart Deal? Nada. Yes we get to keep the road but it was never ours to begin with. Not one iota of measurable gain will be had, save for the ability to say that we fought for this road and won. We beat Dart. Yes you may have won but at what cost to our future potential.
“The sanctity of a contract” PUHLEEEEZ? If there even is a contract it’s signed with a wink…. And disappearing ink.
Days a contract??? Anybody seen it????
If it is indeed a fact, and as far as the very large majority of the Cayman public can tell, it is indeed a fact that this particular 'contract' does not equally benefit both the investor and the Cayman public, then it doesn't and never has had 'sanctity'. DEMONSTRATE to the Cayman public that we are gettingfair value in this deal. That is ALL we are asking for. Why does it seem to be so very difficult for the powers that be to simply do this? This is the very same reason the UK was forced to intervene in the for Cayman, made in heaven CHEC 'deal' that has already cost this country millions of dollars and is likely to cost us millions more and we don't have so much as an anchor to show for it. And we continue to lose millions in cruise ship revenue because of it. There is no sane reason on earth for the Cayman public to continue to bow down to any foreigner whosoever that comes to our shores and tries to exploit our country and our people in any way, shape or form, and particularly when they do it in the name of love for our country and our people. There is no sane reason on the face of this earth for the Cayman public to continue to bow down to any 'leader' or gowerment willing to betray this country and our people for the proverbial thirty pieces of silver, and particularly when they do it in the name of love for our country and our people. STAND for something or you'll fall for anything Cayman. Enough is enough. And believe me we have had more than enough. May God Almighty give you strength to fight 'forCayman' Ezzard. We have lost far too much of our country and Caymanians are far too much of a minority in our own country already, thanks to McKeeva Bush and his blatant transparency and his untold love for his country and his people.
If it is indeed a fact, and as far as the very large majority of the Cayman public can tell, it is indeed a fact that this particular 'contract' does not equally benefit both the investor and the Cayman public, then it doesn't and never has had 'sanctity'. DEMONSTRATE to the Cayman public that we are getting fair value in this deal. That is ALL we are asking for. Why does it seem to be so very difficult for the powers that be to simply do this? This is the very same reason the UK was forced to intervene in the for Cayman, made in heaven CHEC 'deal' that has already cost this country millions of dollars and is likely to cost us millions more and we don't have so much as an anchor to show for it. And we continue to lose millions in cruise ship revenue because of it. There is no sane reason on earth for the Cayman public to continue to bow down to any foreigner whosoever that comes to our shores and tries to exploit our country and our people in any way, shape or form, and particularly when they do it in the name of love for our country and our people. There is no sane reason on the face of this earth for the Cayman public to continue to bow down to any 'leader' or gowerment willing to betray this country and our people for the proverbial thirty pieces of silver, and particularly when they do it in the name of love for our country and our people. STAND for something or you'll fall for anything Cayman. Enough is enough. And believe me we have had more than enough. May God Almighty give you strength to fight 'for Cayman' Ezzard. We have lost far too much of our country and Caymanians are far too much of a minority in our own country already, thanks to McKeeva Bush and his blatant transparency and his untold love for his country and his people.
That's Man right there! Not sure anyone in Govt. has the balls to say what he just did!
Isn't it called a verbal fart? Your country can't do on your own such a simple thing as installing ONE crosswalk, let alone address bigger problems, such as THE DUMP!
why so bitter, bro?
He may have the balls to say it but doing it is another matter. It would be better to prove that the contract is invalid because all of the terms were not met, rather than expose us to lawsuits. I don't agree with the road being closed but I don't agree with Ezzards way of promising to deal with it either.
For generations has this road tirelessly carried the good people of West Bay to collect their government pay checks in George Town. When the British designed it and the Jamaicans build it, never did they entertain the audacity of its closure by some megalomaniacal American billionaire. This life giving artery has at times been all that has held this fledgling nation together, when the secession of the Republic of West Bay seemed imminent. I can only pray that the full force of Ezzard’s weight is enough to stop these heartless bulldozers in their tracks.
Great to hear at least three things you are standing for. Now people know a little about what they might get if they vote for you. No to the road closure, yes to OMOV, and you want to move the elections to November. OK got it.
How about commiting to transparency, oversight of politcians costs and expenses, and caps on travel expenses for our esteemed honorable MLAs? How about cutting the cost of government, lowering some of the massive fee increases. Whats your position on NBF?
These three things you stand for are all well and good, but really do very little to address the major issues these islands faces. You need to think way bigger.
And be less sensitive to criticism. You put yourself in the limelight as a representative so grow thicker skin.
I’m not ezzard, but I only hope someday I can think really big like you.
I drove by the “protest” around 3:30pm which didn’t have more than 75 people at most in attendance, many of whom were sitting on lawn chairs enjoying the free drinks and a bit of entertainment! It must be disappointing for the organizers as the bar for protesting was set pretty low this time around – you basically needed to be against anything to join up. I’ve watched with great amusement how the rationale against the road continues to change as the facts are so clear cut. Initially, the road closure was going to slow traffic until even the most ardent protesters couldn't refute that 6 lanes are indeed greater than 2. Then it became an issue about access to the public beach which was also disproved when the plans clearly show that residents will get increased access to now two separate public beaches including a 9 acre park with enhanced facilities. Not to be outdone, I understand that this week’s reason is that this short strip of asphalt is part of our “heritage” right up there with Pedro’s Castle and catboats and so it should be preserved for eternity! You really can’t make this stuff up.
Anyway, it’s all over now and the vast majoirty are looking forward to all the benefits this enhancement will bring. I will bet dollars to donuts that the handful of folks truly against the road closure will be the first ones there over Easter picking out their prime camping spot and enjoying the new facilities.
Its the secrecy that is wrong about this contract!
Yes all you say may be true and the public may be better off. It may be that what Dart gains is worth what he is being given, BUT the point is that it was all done in secret, WHY? Is it because the man that did the deal stood to benefit? Who knows, and that is why this contract may be legally watertight and unstoppable, but the manner in which it was done is still wrong and the Islands have a right to know why. Strength to your arm Mr Auditor!
And tying it in with the BT dump is wrong. The Dump location and management should be a separate issue, assessed carefully on it's own merits or lack of merits.
Absolutely. Thank you.
And do not forget that this road was planned many many years ago. The entrance into Governors Harbour was a large roundabout in the middle of empty land gazetted over 25 years ago
Please don't muddy the water with facts, they are not welcome
Only sickness or death will keep me from continuing going to my beach. Obviously you don't have the patriotic spirit which I have – you probably just got here the other day or have gotten a freebie from posting your nonsensical comment. I will continue going to my beach as long as I can because that privilege too may soon be taken away from us, just you wait and see. Please get some eyeglasses or learn to count because you sure have your numbers confused.
you mean it was only 57?
If only the non-third world people of Cayman had such good representation.
We agree with you Mr Miller, let them know in advance that if the road is closed it will be reopened, period, nothing more to discuss on this. And can you add one more condition to your existing three to forming a new government in May. I understand that we paid PWC somewhere around $300,000.00 to assess the For Dart Alliance deal, can you ask them to do another study (and ask them for a discount since we were so generous with the first amount) to determine exactly how much (in US dollars) the UDP government has cost the people of the Cayman Islands for their four year term and will continue to cost us for the next fifty years. We really need to know this amount and we will give you a blank check to get this done. When Dart bought his property West Bay Road was open and the dump existed where it is now, live with it, or find somewhere else to live.
Learn some facts please! The intention to to build a proper waste management factility totally unlike what we have today. Even if it looked like the dump we have today, Bodden Town looks like a dump already so it would blend right in!
I think the article is spot on, and the objections are currently based on understandable ignorance of what is going on. If all the facts were in the public domain, there could be a healthy discussion where everyone could get involved in an informed manner.
I am kind of surprised that Dart do not openly state what the deal is…it could diffuse a lot of anger, unless of course it is not good for Cayman as a whole and only good for Dart.
Dart is not the one who should be stating what the deal is…. GOVERNMENT should be doing that!!!
Does not matter which one…in a normal democracy both would be talking about it..but here?? Neither one of them
That's it Ezzard, use tax payers money to fulfil your populist agenda. When will you learn that money on this island is not infinate and stupid reversals of civil engineering projects take huge amounts to acheive.
This flip flopping man will say anything to grandstand and garner votes, remember his sudden support for the cancellation of Bush's 'expat tax'. This from the man who has openly disrespected and failed to support his own expat community on Northside/Cayman Kai, a community far larger and far more lucrative for these islands than he recognises.
What about our roads on Northside/Cayman Kai Ezzard, we still have to put up with dangerous 3rd world pot holes and 'spray and chip' despite being the centre of tourism and government revenue raising for this part of the island?
Get your priorities right before spending our money on pressure group politics.
You that Joey???
What? Ezzard going for the populist soundbite? Never!!!
Oh, man, just let it be, pick real issues facing CI.
Such as the Famous Dump
It is regrettable that politicians have turned this issue into a political football. One must expect this grandstanding during the silly season.
We all need to protest, what is being done to the neighbours surrounding the property is down right evil. The pillaging has to stop! I hope more land owners surrounding this deal will speak up against the vulture otherwise more land loss is only a few years away.
huh?
Have you ever stopped to think what would happen if Dart STOPPED … stopped developing, stopped bringing positive developments to the cayman islands, stopped investing in our people (look at how Caymanians work at thier companies!), stopped investing in our communities (parks), stopped investing in our organizations (lions, rotary, YCLA), stopped caring about Cayman……. where would we be?
All we are talking about is a road……. not a historic building (which it seems ok to knock down without protest)…… the numbers who showed up on Saturday at time when this issue was at it's highest shows that the majority of Cayman is Truly4RoadClosure and truly for moving Cayman forward!
You hit the nail on the head. I hope protesters preserved thatching techiques.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Where were the local dollars when the cat boat club building was an eyesore? Who put up money for finishing the cat boat club building? One of the local families who have made money here for generations?
NO, it was Dart.
If Dart would have taken live stingrays and put them in Camana Bay the entire island and the roosters would have a fit. double standard for sure.
Yes then we might still look like a beautiful Caribbean island, not a concrete jungle mini Miami!
How does Haiti look to you?
Wow God has moved to Cayman.