Archive for January, 2013
C4C reveals political position ahead of endorsements
(CNS): Although the group still says it isn’t a political party, a recent release from the Coalition for Cayman has given local voters an indication of its political position. The group said it would be endorsing candidates based on certain principles but expects them to vote their conscience on individual issues. However, the C4C has now made it clear that the coalition does hold specific right of centre political views. On the list of its ‘Founding Principles’ the group declares that it believes government should be limited to the responsibilities which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual and that people have a right to pursue self-interest. Going beyond the mantra of ‘Country First’, the coalition said it needed to define what it stands for before endorsing candidates.
The coalition has also stated in its latest release that it hoped its “unwavering advocacy” would spur a move toward a responsive government.
“As we move forward with endorsing candidates for the Mayelections, it is important to define what we stand for, and to let voters know what they are getting when they support the candidates that we endorse,” a C4C spokesperson said. “Our Founding Principles are based on refocusing our government on the citizens it exists to serve. The candidates we endorse will have agreed to base their governmental decisions upon these Founding Principles however, as Independents they will each be voting their conscience on individual issues.”
The group, which has taken aim at the parties rather than the policies pursued by the politicians, continued to criticise the two-party system, which C4C believes has led to governments being defined by winners and losers, with each party beholden to its own agenda.
Despite that position, the group has now defined its own agenda, which it said it would expect the candidates it endorses to follow.
“Just as we are all united under one flag of Cayman, it’s time to unite behind one set of guiding principles that serve the best interest of all Caymanians,” the group said.
According to the coalition’s release, the principles are as follows:
- A belief in the supremacy of a democratic parliament and the rule of law.
- A belief in the right of Caymanians to direct government by the democratic process.
- A belief that a responsible government must be fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities, which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others.
- A belief that the government must ensure the safety of the public. Offenders should be punished for their offending and, where possible, rehabilitated and required to make good the losses they have caused.
- A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner, displaying integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all citizens.
- A belief in the value of life, individual privacy, the freedom of the individual (including freedom of speech, conscience, worship and assembly) and the right to defend one’s self and property, while recognizing the need for the comity of society as a whole.
- A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of the Cayman Islands are: A climate in which individual initiative is rewarded and excellence is pursued; The freedom of individual citizens to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy while ensuring their actions do not contravene the best interests of the country; The freedom of individual citizens to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent while also contributing in a meaningful way to the well-being of the country; The right to own property.
- A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion.
- A belief that the natural environment and resources of the Cayman Islands should be used responsibly ensuring that future generations inherit an environment that is clean and safe
- A belief that all citizens should have reasonable access to quality health care and education.
Jamaican watchdog calls for prosecution of Cabinet
(CNS): Jamaica’s contractor general has referred the country’s entire Cabinet to the public prosecutor for criminal prosecution over the government’s failure to comply with several statutory requisitions relating to four major projects which his office has been investigating. The watchdog for Jamaica’s public purse said Cabinet has failed to give the office the information it needs in order to carry out its legal mandate to monitor critical public projects. Acting contractor general Craig Beresford said he was “exceedingly concerned” over the lack of transparency. Given the gravity of the issue and Cabinet’s seeming disregard for the law he said he has no alternative but to push for prosecution.
“The OCG considers the Cabinet’s non-compliance to be tantamount to an obstruction to its Office, as it seeks to faithfully discharge its mandates and obligation to the People of Jamaica by ensuring that Government contracts, inclusive of licences and permits, and the divestment of State assets, are awarded/granted impartially, on merit and in circumstances which do not involve impropriety or irregularity,” Beresford stated in a release from his office Wednesday.
He accused government of using the court action against his office by the transport minister as a basis for not complying with the OCG request. However, he said until the courts restrain the OCG from proceeding with its lawful work the failure by the government to comply with his requests is a violation of the rule of law and is under section 29 of Jamaica’sContractor General Act, a criminal offence.
The acting contractor general indicated that some of the information he needs to see relates to the systems and mechanisms that the government intends to put in place to ensure that all contracts relating to the $423 million Economic Agreement between Jamaica and China, are awarded impartially, on merit, and in circumstances which do not involve impropriety.
“The OCG remains perturbed by these unprecedented and unfortunate sequence of events which undoubtedly seek to challenge the OCG’s authority as a Commission of the Parliament of Jamaica and begs to question the rationale which could legitimately account for the failure and/or refusal of the Cabinet to comply with the lawful requirements of a Contractor General – an institution which was established by the Parliament of Jamaica to act as a layer of checks and balance to, amongst other things, provide greater levels of accountability, transparency and probity in the Government contracting process,” he said.
Vowing to battle corruption in Jamaica, which was ranked as the 87th most corrupt country in the world from a list of 180 in last month’s Transparency International’s corruption index, The former contractor general Greg Christie led the call for anti-corruption measures against public officials. Beresford is currently acting as the contractor general until Christie is replaced. According to the Jamaican press Senior Deputy Director of Public prosecutions Dirk Harrison has been tipped to become the next contractor general there.
Cops arrest two women over missing person
(CNS): As part of the on-going investigation into the disappearance of Hemerson Raymond Gonzalez, a Guyanese national who was last seen on Tuesday 11 December, two women have now been arrested. Police said that following an operation which took place this morning (Wednesday 2 January) in the Savannah and Prospect areas, the women are currently detained in police custody. A 25-year-old woman was arrested at an address in Canyon Dawn Drive, Savannah, on suspicion of being concerned in the possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, and a 19-year-old woman was arrested in Prospect on suspicion of misleading the police and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Police said that Gonzalez’ mother has been informed of these developments and is being supported by an RCIPS family liaison officer.
Gonzales, who is a frequent visitor to Cayman but not a resident, was last seen some four weeks ago. He had been staying at a friend’s house in Canyon Dawn Drive, where he was allegedly last seen at about 5:30pm.
Despite extensive searches Gonzalez has not been found. He speaks with a Guyanese accent, is about 5’ 8” tall, with a dark brown complexion and curly black hair He weighs about 180lbs, has a tattoo of a compass on his left forearm and writing tattooed on the inside of his left wrist. When last seen he was wearing brown jeans shorts, a t-shirt and blue low cut cloth shoes. At the time of his disappearance police said that Gonzalez was feeling ill and had been suffering from severe vomiting.
He arrived in Grand Cayman on Sunday, 9 December, and has not been in contact with any friends since Tuesday evening, 11 December. Checks with local hospitals have confirmed that he has not sought medical attention for his illness.
The lead investigating officer on the missing person case is Detective Sergeant Charmane Huntley, who can be reached at George Town Police Station Criminal Investigation Department 9494222.
The RCIPS Major Incident Room has been activated at the George Town Police Station. Anyone with information can call 925-7240 or 926-3975. Police have also created an e-mail account to allow people to send information on-line directly to the incident room HemersonGonzalez@hotmail.com
Missing tourist found safe
(CNS): A 17-year-old teenage girl who is visiting Cayman on vacation with her family was found safe and well Wednesday afternoon thanks to the vigilance of a member of the public. American tourist, Abigail Corless, was reported missing by her parents after she left the condos where they were staying following a family disagreement on New Year’s Day. She was found shortly after 3:30pm today by a member of the public, who had seen the press appeals and the picture of Abigail. Recognising the teenager at a gas station in Walkers Road, he immediately called the police. The officers who arrived found that Abigail was safe and well.
A police spokesperson said that the teenager was taken to George Town police station, where she was to be reunited with her family.
“The RCIPS would like to thank the media and members of the public for their assistance in this matter,” the spokesperson added. However no further details were given on what had transpired since the teen went missing yesterday afternoon, triggering the missing person investigation.
PFL Playoffs begin this weekend
(CUC-PFL): The always entertaining 2012/13 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) Playoffs begin Saturday, January 5 at 9:00am at the Annex Field with games scheduled in the Under 9 and Under 11 Champions Cups only. Due to the relatively small number of schools qualifying for this year’s Under 9 and Under 11 Consolation Cups, play will commence in these Cups on Saturday, January 12. Schools qualifying for this year’s Under 9 Champions Cup include 2011/12 runners-up Sir John A Cumber Primary, S. Ignatius Prep, Savannah Primary and Cayman International School from Group A, and defending 2011/12 champions Cayman Prep, Red Bay Primary, South Sound Schools and NorthEast Schools from Group B.
Contesting for the Under 9 Consolation Cup this year will be defending 2011/2012 champions George Town Primary and Truth For Youth from Group A, and Triple C, Prospect Primary and Bodden Town Primary from Group B.
In the Under 11 Champions Cup, 2011/12 runners-up and 2012/13 Opening Rally Champions Sir John A. Cumber, 2011/2012 defending champions George Town Primary, St. Ignatius Prep and Grace Academy will represent Group A, and Cayman Prep, Red Bay Primary, Bodden Town Primary and NorthEast Schools from Group B.
Playing for the Under 11 Consolation Cup will be Cayman International School, Truth For Youth and Savannah Primary from Group A, and 2011/12 runners-up Prospect Primary, South Sound Schools and Cayman Brac representing Group B.
In the Under 9 Division, Cayman Prep and St. Ignatius Prep have yet to taste defeat this season. St. Ignatius Prep drew only one of their five regular season games on their way to topping Group A while Cayman Prep drew two games on their way to winning Group B. The two meet on the second day of the Playoffs on Saturday, January 12.
In the Under 11 Division, Group B winners Cayman Prep begin the Playoffs with maximum points after going undefeated during the regular season scoring a total of 47 goals and conceding only one. Group A winners and 2012/2013 Opening Rally champions Sir John A. Cumber Primary also start the Playoffs undefeated with the only blemish on their record being a 0-0 draw with St. Ignatius Prep on the final day of the regular season.
The two heavy-weights will face each other at noon during the first day of the Playoffs this Saturday.
A complete schedule of the PFL Playoffs can be viewed on CUC’s website at www.cuccayman.com. Click on the “About Us” tab on the home page and navigate to “Community Involvement” and “Primary Football League”.
Fans of “the powerful game” are encouraged to head to the Annex Field this Saturday, January 5 as the top schools in the CUC Primary Football League set out on their journey to lift the coveted Under 9 and Under 11 Champions Cup trophies.
Former TCI leader claims unlawful imprisonment
(CNS): The former leader of the Turks and Caicos Islands has released a hand-written note from his high security jail cell in Brazil. Michael Misick claims that his human rights are being abused but has made it clear he wishes to return home and face the charges against him if he and his fellow accused are offered the opportunity of a jury trial. In the hand-written message scrawled on note paper, the former TCI premier claims he was legally living in Brazil, having claimed political asylum, and his detention is illegal and part of the UK efforts to humiliate him because of his support for independence.
The former premier has told the UK Consulate in Brazil that there is no reason for an extradition request as he wishes to return to his home country after more than three years in exile.
Misick, who is still wanted by the British authorities in Turks in connection with the on-going corruption investigation, was arrested in Brazil on 7 December by local police on an international arrest warrant as he arrived at the Santos Dumond airport in Rio de Janeiro. The Interpol warrant was supported by another issued by the Brazilian Supreme Court.
From his Brazilian prison Misick claims he is being illegally detained as a political prisoner in a maximum security facility. He also claims that his brother was denied access to him after traveling to the South American country and has accused the UK authorities of lying to the Brazilian government by saying he had escaped from TCI after the warrant for his arrest was issued. However, the beleaguered former premier has stated he is willing to face the investigators in TCI if he can be assured of a free and fair jury trial.
Following the end of direct UK rule in November, despite the widespread corruption allegations, Misick’s party was narrowly returned to office in the country’s first elections since the investigations began more than three years ago.
According to a release from the TCI governor’s office at the time of his arrest, the UK authorities were grateful to their Brazilian counterparts for their cooperation in the capture of Misick, who has been wanted for questioning by the special prosecution team for several years.
"The arrest was madeby the Brazilian Federal Police acting on an Interpol arrest warrant,” the governor’s office stated. “Michael Misick faces a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration in the TCI. It is in the best interests of the TCI that allegations of wrongdoing are thoroughly investigated and that Misick returns there to answer these charges."
Misick left office having amassed an alleged fortune of some $180m and is suspected of corruption, misusing public money and profiting from the sale of government-owned land. Repeatedly denying any wrongdoing, Misick has always claimed that the takeover by the British is a direct result of his continued fight against UK rule and his support for an independent Turks and Caicos Islands.
See Misick's prison message below.
Duty concessions extended for 6 months
(CNS): In her first political decision as the finance minister the new premier has announced that the concessions introduced by the former UDP administration on the duty on building materials will be extended until the end of this fiscal year. The duty cut of some 7% on Grand Cayman and now 100% on the Sister Islands was introduce in an effort to stimulate economic activity. Although there is no indication of how much the cut has helped, the new Cabinet has endorsed the extension until the end of June.
“The continuation of this concession is intended to stimulate growth in the economy, and all developers and other stakeholders have an incentive to start or continue their construction activity during this further concessionary period,” Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said.
Under the extended concession, imports of building materials to Grand Cayman will be charged a flat rate of 15% for the period 1 January to 30 June 2013. The normal rate of duty is 22%. Imports of building materials to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman will be on a 100% duty free basis for the period 1 January to 30 June 2013.
Last day for new voters
(CNS): As the Cayman Islands faces what is likely to be a volatile election campaign ahead of the May General Election, Wednesday is the last day for qualified people to register to become voters in time for the nationwide poll. The Elections Office in Smith Road, George Town, is open until midnight tonight to give everyone who is entitled to become an elector the opportunity to do so. Supervisor of Elections Kearney Gomez urged everyone to add their names to the list to ensure that when the election comes around they will not be disenfranchised. With well over 16,000 people now on the voters' list, the office is still hoping more people will add their names before the midnight deadline.
The register is updated on a quarterly basis following the process that the office mustgo through to publish the new voters' names and addresses and verify their qualification to vote, as well as allowing existing voters the opportunity to object. 2 January is the last day for the quarter ahead of the election. The full new list will be updated and published on 22 January and existing registered voters will have until 12 February to file any objections.
The Legislative Assembly will be dissolved by the governor on 26 March ahead of nomination day on 27 March, when those running for office will formally declare their intentions before the campaign begins in earnest.
Following the collapse of McKeeva Bush’s UDP government in December in the wake of his arrest on suspicion of theft and offences underthe anti-corruption law, his former five colleagues reformed a minority government headed by Juliana O’Connor-Connolly. With all of the new government holding Cabinet posts and no backbenchers, the government will only be able to limp on until March with the support of the opposition and former colleagues.
Given the divide that now exists among all local politicians, the outcome of the next general election has been thrown wide open, creating what many now believe will be even greater interest than ever in the vote and hopefully encourage more people to register.
Speaking about the importance of taking part in the democratic process, Gomez said there were no good reasons for people not to register given the efforts made by his office and other campaign and activist groups in recent weeks.
“Your vote matters just as much as the next person's but in order to vote you must be registered and this is your last chance,” Gomez said, as he urged everyone who believes they are qualified to come to the office today before midnight.
People with Caymanian status no longer need to be naturalized, opening the door for many more people to join the voters' list and to take part in what will be an historic election on Wednesday 22 May, when voters in the capital will have six votes to cast for an increased parliament of 18 members. Voters in Bodden Town will be casting four votes for the first time, the same number as voters in West Bay, while those on the Sister Islands will have two and those in East End and North Side just one.
For more details visit the elections office website here or call 949 8047.
2 New Year’s Day muggings
(CNS): Updated 3pm – Two victims were assaulted and robbed by gangs of robbers in George Town on New Year’s Day, the police have reported. An RCIPS spokesperson confirmed early Wednesday that a 21-year-old man was the victim of a street mugging at about 4:15am on Tuesday, 1 January, as he was walking in North Church Street close to Kirk's Supermarket. He was approached by three young men who assaulted him and stole his jewellery and wallet. It is believed the robbers fled the scene in a silver Honda Integra, in which a fourth man waited. The second robbery happened on Tuesday night at around 9:20pm near the junction of Goring Avenue and Miss Kippy Lane, also in the downtown area of George Town.
The 38-year-old victim was also approached by three men, one of whom was armed with a knife. They demanded that the victim hand over all valuables. Despite cooperating with the gang of robbers and handing over his possessions, the men assaulted the victim before making their escape on foot.
Although police said there was no immediate evidence to suggest the robberies were connected, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department said they were keeping an open mind and will following the relevant leads. Both victims received minor injuries and police said the robberies appear to be random opportunist attacks.
The descriptions of the robbers in both of the incidents are different, police said. The victim of the first mugging in North Church Street described his attackers as all being aged approximately 21. One had a brown complexion, with medium build, around 5'6", with low cut black hair.
The second had a clear complexion, with medium build and was about 5'7" with a small moustache and beard around the chin. He described the third man as having a brown complexion, brownish coloured hair in braids with a small moustache, while the 4th man had a brown complexion, black hair in single plait braids and styled cuts to the eyebrow.
The second 38-year-old victim described his attackers as being aged between 17 and 20 years old. The first was around 5'10", slim with a brown complexion, wearing a white marina. The second mugger was said to be about 5'10" with a dark complexion wearing a black pullover hoodie and black washout jeans. The third man was said to be 5'5" with a dark complexion, wearing plaid long pants and afro style hair.
The two street muggings come in the wake of a robbery of a visitor on the beach in East End last Thursday afternoon and a gas station robbery on Walkers Road in the early hours of Friday morning.
Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call George Town CID at 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers at 800-8477.
Social justice
My pastor, Bishop Dolbert A. Clarke, in a sermon blessed by the Holy Spirit on December 23rd, 2012 said that 2013 would be a good year and a time of change for us all. I agree with my beloved pastor and I want my people to know that, although the publication of my letters in The Caymanian Compass have now been censored by the editor and the announcement of my candidacy for one of the 6 seats in George Town in 2013 censored as well, that I, like a tree standing by the water, refuses to be moved.
2013 is going to be a year filled with God’s blessings and I am asking my friends to assist me in communicating with those wanting and willing to see change which will create social justice and economic fairness for all. In 2013 our challenges will not become fewer just by changing government once again but our challenges will become fewer when we rediscover the tolerance, respect and collective social responsibility for each other we once had in these islands.
Love will not come simply by ridding ourselves of those with faults only to replace us with individuals whose sole intention it is to destroy the government assistance to the poor and needy that people like me struggled todeliver over the years, and to punish civil servants without care our attention to their needs as Caymanians, simply because they are afraid that the present financial demands by the poor and needy on government will lead to direct taxation and a lifting of the negative impact indirect taxation has had on us the working and middle classes.
In 2013 we have much more to do than to provide those who benefitted so much over the years from “Bush” rule with the golden opportunity to place our government solidly in the hands of a younger group of merchants and professionals whose values and desires were formed and moulded by our new and all powerful cooperate culture – a culture which intrudes and imposes its values and principles of self-first and self-last on all strata of society.
These young and restless individuals have now dreamt up other ways of disguising discrimination, intolerance and social injustice in our social and economic systems because it has never been their wish to educate our people politically and ethically since they see political enlightenment as too mammoth a task. Furthermore, education of the majority is not accomplishable within the timeframe they are accustomed to operating under while imparting professional advice at so high a price that none of us have affordedtheir services up until now.
These new political hopefuls are calling themselves Independents or persons putting country first, although they remained cooperation loyalists all these years while our country faulted. For all of these years they found it not to their or their country’s benefit to sacrifice earnings from their professions in order to fight to prevent our country from being mismanaged by those they now despise. These new hopefuls blame previous politicians for that which is wrong in Cayman, as if human greed is a curse only of the politicians who were in office before those finally cursing them decided to run for office.
It is truly sad that politics in Cayman remains an art of deception, therefore for real change to come, it must come from those of us who are outsiders for one reason of the other.
We hear political hopefuls saying that they will only take the risk of running for office if they are sure to be elected because the punishment that one who fails must endure in our nation is too horrific to one and one’s family to try and fail. This is so true and one reason why they should understand why my fight for change and social justice from 1980, when I first sought a seat in George Town, until this date has made me a controversial “character”, as Wendy Ledger from the Cayman News Service insists on labelling me.
Of course, I prefer to call myself an outsider, and as outsiders we must consistently and convincingly hold before the eyes of the entire society our vision of social justice and the change needed to achieve these human values. Therefore, our platform for May 2013 is to continue the fight for the social, economic, political and ethical security for the real people of this country. This will be achieved through the education of our people rather than concealing from them the real facts of their condition. I have always put their interest first and this will entail a restructuring and realignment of their socio-economic and cultural positions in relationship to the dominant foreign owners and managers of our economy and socio-cultural systems.
As a representative I will again place the restructuring of labour and rehabilitation at the top of my agenda by creating a Ministry of Human Resources and Rehabilitation. I will fight to have the prisons placed under that minister and become her or his advisor. I will use the labour law approved of in 2004 and then ignored as the basis for a new labour law. I will fight to make immigration reforms that would change the work permit system by making it possible to grant employment certificates for categories of employment or professions and allow them to beused by the holder, who would now pay for the certificate to be employed in their approved profession by any employer, thereby creating productive and fair competition between employers and more ethical treatment of employees, regardless of nationality.
My restructuring efforts will impact the cost of labour and treatment of workers in the workplace, thereby leading to the creation of a more level playing field for Caymanian workers, who are very aware that our negative work permit system is a form of indentured servitude that has for decades kept their wages low and their employment possibilities few. This will be implemented jointly with the restructuring of immigration to deal with border security issues only and moving their clerical support to the department of Human Resources and Rehabilitation, creating its departments into competent and genuine human resource management and development agencies. I will create different employment certificate costs for Caymanian small business, whether restaurants or small law and accounting firms.
I will assist with the fight against crime by amending the relevant laws to allow the court to sentence juveniles and some young adults to marine duty with the mandate of protecting our coastal waters and shores and re-employ former Caymanian uniform branches’members to head up these crime prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
This will be a one strike and you out programme that will utilize the neighbourhood and school gang leadership structure. They will be made to assist in manning part of our security apparatus and this will entail re-defining the values and objectives of the most deeply rooted forms of organizations existing in our grass root communities. If the sea is what made our forefathers then it will be the sea that will reform our youths.
The prison farm will be renamed The Fatherland Rehabilitation Farm and become a training and re-socialisation camp for our youths. And I will continued my struggle to have the political, cultural and economic contributions of all the diverse nationalities that now legitimately form our Fatherland given equal consideration in our community and make sure that the new members of our small nation can voice and live their values without fear of discrimination or exclusion.
These things I pray God will assist me in moving in the hearts and minds of other independent minded individuals so, if elected in May 2013, they will become achievable.