C4C warns new politicians it will be watching
(CNS): Despite having one candidate in Cabinet who is bound by that collective responsibility, James Bergstrom, the chair of the non-party advocacy group, has called on the Coalition for Cayman candidates to maintain their independence and oppose policies they don’t like, while at the same time working with government. He said the independence of its candidates could not be in doubt but the group’s leader said the coalition would be watching the new Assembly and hold the members to account. Taking credit for the voter registration drive, for campaigning against corruption in government and vote buying during the election, Bergstrom claimed, “We have built a permanent voice to keep our government honest and accountable,” about the advocacy group.
C4C now has two members in the PPM government: Tara Rivers, who is part of Cabinet, and Winston Connolly, who is on the government back-bench but has been given a supporting councillor role in Rivers’ education and employment ministry. The third candidate, however, Roy McTaggart, chose to join the opposition benches led by McKeeva Bush, sandwiched between Arden McLean and Ezzard Miller in the southeast corner.
McTaggart had publicly stated before the elections that he would not work with Alden McLaughlin as premier, and in the wake of the election result, after backroom efforts to pick off PPM members to form an independent coalition government under different leadership failed, he tried to bargain his way into a Cabinet seat on the back of the offer made to Rivers. However, McTaggart was offered the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee and, having accepted that position, in the end decided to sit on the opposition benches.
So far, the C4C executive has made no comment at all about the closed door meetings or the agreement that its candidates signed to work with the two independent members from the east to negotiate for all five of them positions in a government not led by the leader of the PPM, despite the clear mandate from the people. Instead, Bergstrom lauded what he saw as the success of C4C, which he said had focused on identifying individuals with leadership qualities and encouraging them to get involved.
“We are delighted not only with the new independent voices in the Assembly but also the new group of MLAs who are part of the new Government. We look forward with hope to this new coalition government taking the necessary steps to get Cayman back on track,” Bergstrom stated in a release from C4C.
However, the government has been described by the new premier as inclusive rather than a coalition, as he leads eight of his party colleagues plus the two independent members by invitation.
“We wish all the best for the independent candidates we endorsed, Roy McTaggart, Winston Connolly, and Tara Rivers. Their independence can no longer be in doubt and we know they will support the policies they believe in and oppose those they do not, regardless of where they sit in the LA,” Bergrstom said. “We call on the other members of the Assembly to do the same.”
Congratulating all 18 of the newly-elected members he also urged them to replace party politics with a new focus on working together for the good of Cayman.
“With your election-night victories you have earned the critical responsibility of representing the citizens of the Cayman Islands," Bergstrom said . “It’s time to put away the partisan labels, and instead roll up our sleeves and work together for the good of all of Cayman. It’s time to unite in a common quest for solutions to our Country’s greatest needs like creating policies to reduce crime, improve schools, reduce debt and create jobs. And, it’s time to give our citizens the honest, accountable, transparent government they deserve. A government founded on the principle of strong democracy, and a government that is unequivocally Country First,” Bergstrom added.
Category: Politics
C4C is basically a group of businessmen. Like in the US big money controls government.
Same thing here, nothing new.
Peopleare to naive to understand . . . .
An advocacy group should be just that. Not a sheep is wolf's clothing. C$C is the most despicable form of political manipualtion ever to grace the political stage here in Cayman.
I have nothing against people like Roy, Tara, Jude, Winston etc running for pubilic office, but why not James, Peanut et al. If you want have a say you should be prepared to face the electorate.
It is the duplicity and managing from the shadows that I find so revolting. This is not what true democracy is all about.
I did not vote C$C in this election and they won't gey my vote in four years.
I am so sorry that the PPM did not get one more seat so that they all could have warmed the Opposition benches for four years and learnt what the Westminster system is relly all about. I think Alden had been far too kind to them and they don't deserve it.
If C4C is so bad and despicable why have the PPM agreed to give the 3 endorsed candidates Tara, Winston and Roy such important roles in the new government?
C4C is a group of people who do not support the parties it really is that simple. They do not have control of anything or anyone. They have a role to play and are exercising their democratic right to do so.
No C4C, we, the voting public, are watching you!! And if a lot of us knew on Election Day what we know now a lot less votes would have gone your way.
Firstly, you are not independent; you are a party independent of all other political parties and individuals – stop trying the pull the wool over our eyes. We voters have gotten wiser you know – even the Bayers stepping up!
And while you are on the track for transparency perhaps you should start by listing the large firms that funded your campaign. I'm sure the general public will become fully aware then what really lies beneath C4C!!
I say to this Government – remember your history and don't let it repeat. Watch your back (remember vote of no confidence brought by Mac?).
I am sure we are all trembling in our boots….
Having C$C as a watchdog is like buying a Labrador as a guard dog. They are so easily distracted by what appeals to them personally.
It is positive that a group of citizens are willing to speak out, advocate and offer suggestions to the government. Groups like C4C exist in all first world democracies and countries like the UsA, Canada, UK and are valued for their advocacy and public awareness positions. Somebody has to watch the hen house and try to hold politicians accountable after all the campaign promises.
As if!!!!!!!
Is anyone listening anymore?
Yep they will be watching from their ivory towers! I wonder how powerful the telescope has to be to see us way down here from WAY up there. Seriously, give it a break. You guys would do the country a much greater service by standing for or against issues as individuals, using your personal brand, rather than hiding behind C4C. C4C may have started out as a good thing, but it is now like 4 month old play-doh.
No one cares about C4C. Get over yourselves.
Jesus…sounds like the new McKeewa!
Shows us all how “indipendent” they really are!
Who is C4C really? Who are teh Members? I hope it is not just Mr. Bergstrom sitting around a table by himself?
Please educate me on who are the people that make up the leadership/management of C4C. Please respond with a list of names, with positions if possible.
Thank you.
go to coalitionforcayman.ky.
According to C4C’s website, the Executive Committe members are:
Executive Committee
James Bergstrom – Chair
Randy Merren
Gary (Peanut) Rutty
Ira Clarence Bothwell
J.C. Calhoun
Johann Moxam
Anthony Lawson
I have two further questions, namely: why do we care what these seven people think? And, who appointed the Executive Committee? We know it was not a democratic process so until I know who appointed this committee they have no credibility in my opinion.
Perhaps you should volunteer instead of just moaning.
It is obvious from the website C4C is open to everybody. Get involved before you complain and help shape the direction of C4C if that’s your intention.
http://Www.coalitionforcayman.ky
Clarence Bothwell? As in the Clarence Bothwell that ran under the PPM party banner in the elections?
If so, how can he be on the C4C committee and (i believe) a Member of the PPM that was a candidate in the last election?
C4C please explain how this was/is allowed, given the statement before elections that, any C4C executive committee member that chose to run for office would have to step down from the executive committee?
CNS: You're confused. Dalkeith Bothwell ran in West Bay on the PPM ticket, not Clarence Bothwell.
Thanks CNS. I found out a few hours after i posted, my bad. Drinks on me at PAradise bar at 5:30 this eve.
I find it absolutely amazing that you can find your way to CNS, type a post and hit enter, yet Google eludes you. Because you are so freaking lazy here is the web address http://www.coalitionforcayman.ky/executive-committee/
That would be too transparent.
List of the C4C exeutive committee
http://www.coalitionforcayman.ky/executive-committee/
Big words for a man with no seat in the MLA…almost sounds like they want a government outside of government…Discussion is always a good idea and I believe that discussion by Government of all matters with real experts, regardless of their affiliation will produce the best results for Cayman.
Arden on rooster sounded left out in the cold lol! But the truth is that he left the ppm because kurt & the others never voted for him to be the leader after kurt step down! He sounded more like keke the (dictator) selfish! Something we all didn’t want with this new govt! We wanted unity & progress & transparency!
It’s a new cayman bobo! Unity!
c4 c will be watching ? who cares ???????????
The financial services community, who overwhelmingly supported C4C. For example, most of the partners in the Big Four accounting firms made financial contributions to C4C, many of whom made very substantial contributions. It is the financial services community that provided Cayman with one of the highest standards of living in the world, not tourism (..or film making), and is the industry that provides the best opportunities for Caymanians willing to work hard in school. A gov't headed by Jude, Roy, Tara and Winston would have moved this country leaps ahead, but it seems a struggle to have others in Cayman to understand this. Instead, all we ask is for the government NOT to screw things up for us.
Corporate Cayman and the Financial Services industry also made contributions to the PPM, UDP, PNA and all other groups and Candidates. That is what always happens and always will. Businesses make an investment in politicians and hedge their bets that is the nature of politics everywhere.
There is no doubt that businesses will always do what is best for business, as it should be. But that doesnt take away from the fact that individuals who have very different needs will look at things differently and vote accordingly. A single mother holding several jobs will have a different focus for example. It is concerning however that you feel that even after the people have spoken and C4C lost the election with Jude being not even voted in, that Cayman has been hard-done-by or somehow lost out. I have a very different reaction. I (and i am a professional running my own business) feel we dodged a bullet. I am proud of the new government, the new Alden (he does seem like a very different guy, doesnt he) and grateful that this self centredness of the C4C, apparent by your post above, was unsuccessful. Their behaviour afterthey lost was at best desperate and they continue to behave as such with these posts. Its as if you feel you know what is best for us because we are too stupid to figure it out. But thanks for helping me see the light on this one!
Seems you are only worried about your (financial services) success. What about the rest of the Cayman community?
Dont you really mean the “lodge” will be watching and looking for their payback from these elected members?
the Masons? I thought they went away when the UDP lost? I do see one particular Dr hanging around but all his friends lost – so its back to the Flu Cocktail
Perhaps Mr. Bergstrom's claim about the registration drive should have started with him setting an example and making sure his address was correct on the voters list! So many people are not registered where they actually live, that would be a job for C4C to take on, especially in the poorer districts.
I think the money men need to give Kenny Bryan hisfair share of credit, as that guy and his crew did a ton of work!
I wonder if C4C understand that Tara got in because of who she is and not because of her affiliation with them. With or without C4C, Tara was going in.
You may be right but it was very evident who was pulling Tara's strings during the negotiations regarding Cabinet seats.
You really do not know Tara if you think anybody can pull her strings. She is an Independent MLA consulting her people. C4C did the wise thing to endorse and support candidates like Tara, Roy and Winston. They are a new breed of independent thinkers who will break free from the usual games and finally represent all Caymanians
Represent ALL caymanians you say? Ok, questions:
1) where were the C4C candidates for Sister Islands, East End, Bodden Town and North Side?
2) Why did 5 of 7 of the C4C candidates come from one industry?
The answers (in my opinion) to those questions would be:
1) C4C only cared about people from GT and WB.
2) C4C only cares about the financial services industry.
Who we need to keep our eyes on is the one that has changed 4 ships in the past few months. Be careful Mo Mo because she will still want to control you. Cant believe Alden is so kind to her after all these years of her being against him. Never thought I WOULD SEE the day when she would be PPM.
James Bergstrom seems to think that being an independent candidate was what the voters wanted in the last election.Did he not see the results of the election? The majority voted on personalities and voted for parties, including C4C who are every bit a party and nothing independent at all.The C4C candidates were all endorsed by their management council just like the PPM, UDP and PNA. If the C4C are an advocacy group and not a political party, (who maybe in violation of the law for not registering as a political party), then they should have endorsed 18 independent candidates.
As a public awareness and advocacy group C4C can choose to endorse whomever they prefer. They endorsed 7 solid candidates. Join C4C and help shape it into what you think it can or should be instead of the negativity.
Oh u Do nothing but find fault the Country needs all the help it can get
C4C along with help from many others raised the level of debate by presenting the facts
like the Country debt, the failures in education etc.
Now just watch and see with the 3 C4C candidates and progressives working for the Country and the co-operation of the civil servants, watch the gradual Positive Change ))))))))))((((((((((
I know some do not like that, would prefer substance over process, c what we got from that. $'s-
C4C is an advocasy group and welcomes everyone who puts Country First
What's wrong with people, with open arms getting together to try and make this a better and safer place 4 all.