Driver rear ends governor’s car
(CNS): Police have confirmed that the Cayman Islands governor was involved in a road prang Wednesday lunchtime when the official car was rear ended by a driver in a Chevrolet Impala travelling on the West Bay Road. An RCIPS spokesperson said the governor’s Lincoln Continental was hit from behind as it travelled south towards George Town at around 1:35pm on Wednesday 5 November close to 7 Mile Shops. Governor Helen Kilpatrick was travelling in the car at the time but she was said to be unhurt in what appeared to be a minor collision.
The driver of the Impala, which was behind the governor’s car and heading in the same direction, was also unhurt in the smash. However, both vehicles sustained minor damage and the collision is now under investigation by uniform officers from the George Town Police Stations.
Category: Local News
"It was because of hard-working, God-fearing Native Caymanians (women at home taking care of the children and fathers, husbands and brothers at sea) that these islands have made a name in the world."
I do not think for one minute that Cayman made a name in the world by the amount of non unionised, cheap, expat, Caymanian sailors used by international shipping firms or the amount of babysitters left at home waiting for some more of that foreign money to arrive.
I suspect that the real reason may be the off shore finance industry of which, built itself and leads itself to a degree.
As quick as this appeared overnight, it can disappear as quick, and on each occasion I do not believe your consultation will be sought.
Who the hell do you think you are? What do you know of thevHistory of these Islands, what do you now of families torn apart while Men ( not simpletons like you) fed their families and kept our economy and fed our people by their dangerous and laborious work on ships that traversed the Seven seas. This country's heart and soul was our Sea men and anyone who wishes to denigrate their contribution to these islands is nothing more than an SOB who if I knew who you were would certainly give you a swift kick up the rear , tie you up in the swamp for a few days and then put you in a cat boat 20 miles off-shore. Insolent Bastard.
Somebody who studied your history before moving here, partly out of courtesy and mainly as I had never heard of the Islands, like many others around the world.
Without realising it, you have corroborated everything that was stated previously and I agree with your comment although the delivery and tone indicates a lack of perception and reality. It is a shining example of why the seven seas weretraversed, for what reason and what it produced.
The economy was kept as you say, and the families fed by the remittances sent home from arduous work on lines such as United Bulk carriers. The majority of Caymanian sailors were none unionised and this was capitalised during the various industrial actions such as the National union of seamen strike in 66. This also circumvented the growing power of the union movements on the eastern US seaboard.
There was nothing else, nothing was produced here and still isn't. Realistically you had no choice but to undercut unionised sailors and work cheaper, sending much needed money home and hopefully, gaining a few years towards a pension. Nobody is trying to denigrate their value or worth, but let's keep things in perspective. You were dependent on foreign involvement then, and you still are.
Research the internet about the Cayman Islands and you are more likely to find stories of tax evasion, Scotland yard investigations and government finances misused or lost. Sadly, the contribution to the world's international maritime industry will be a little harder to find.
I don't see any difference between what Caymanian shipping crews were doing then, to what the Phillipinos do in Cayman now.
Maybe the Pinoys should be "world famous" too!
That was a political broadcast from the National Cayman kind party.
Thanks for listening in.
Caymankind ….. Where that special welcome awaits.
Settle down …… it only matters in the Cayman Islands, so in the Grand scheme of things …. Just sayin
I doubt it.
Dear Honourable Governor Lady Helen Kilpatrick,
As a native Caymanian, I would like to offer you my sympathy for having to be involved in a car accident. I am thankful to God that you and your driver were not hurt.
However, I agree that someone should have been more thoughtful in having you picked up and escorted away from the scene as investigations continued. Again, I would like to offer you my sympathy for having to endure the trauma of an accident and standing in the hot sun.
Someone SHOULD have been more considerate to you our Governor and a lady of your position in our island-country.
Once again, I thank God that you and driver were not seriously injured.
I hope the RCIPS will "throw the book" at the careless driver who did this to you. If people would do that to our Governor, what would they do to the "common" person?
Shame on that driver! You embarass the Cayman Islands. We were known to be respectful people. Especially to our leaders.
Respectfully,
A concerned Native Caymanian
I stopped reading after "Native Caymanian". The term is offensive.
Why is "Native Caymanian" offensive to you? It says that you don't appreciate the first people who came and populated these islands.
It was because of hard-working, God-fearing Native Caymanians (women at home taking care of the children and fathers, husbands and brothers at sea) that these islands have made a name in the world.
I don't have anything against expatriates. Why do you dislike "Native Caymanians"? You have NO respect for the people who are descendants of the people who first inhabited these islands.
Yes, Columbus found NO people here at first. But there were people who came and established a home and a country.
I am a humble proud Native Caymanian who has welcomed expatriates but do not insult my people who are kindhearted and generous simply because we hold on to our identity of being Native Caymanians. Would you prefer I hold my head down in shame of all of my forefathers who worked so hard to put this island-country on the map?
No, I AM a Native Caymanian. I KNOW my culture. Do you know yours? Do you feel pride from where you come from? You should. I too have the right to feel pride in being a Native.
You insult yourself when you try and put down my Native people of these islands. It is no wonder some Caymanians feel they don't know their culture. People like you try to rob us of our heritage and identity.
The parrots and lizards didn't build this country. People did!
Proud to call myself a Native Caymanian.
(Don't read if you have no appreciation for Caymanian culture, heritage and plain simple truth – YOUR ignorance and insult to Native Caymanians is offensive.)
I thought your grandfathers father was from Scotland and your great great grandmother was a runaway slave from jamaica who's mother was from the ivory coast of africa.
ever notice how you are not that dark, your skin tells me your more european than anything.
and you hair also gives it away that you are not Native.
The point is I dont call myself a caymanian nor do i say american most of the time when asked i say english and german. and then they say but you look cuban.
At the end of the day there is no such thing as native caymanian.
Let me add your forfathers left cayman because it couldnt sustain your family that is why they went to sea and it was via the sea that they got here
Well said. Thank you. I became Caymanian myself and have nothing but respect and admiration for the native Caymanians who welcomed and still welcome me. Many in the new generation of hurry come up Caymanians and other immigrants lack any appreciation for the original people of Cayman. They are destroying our home with their arrogance and divisiveness, and disdain for the Caymanian people.
Wait until your money dries up, then see if you get the same welcome.
Ok, you can stop now, you have got your PR!
Nit everyone in the community is involved with the comminity just to get status. Besides, one of the rules of getting status is that you are involved so why blame those that do it for this reason. Surely what matters is that in a country where the welfare state is wordully absemt for the poorest odf people, then we need the help of people who are willing to give of themselves to contribute for whatever reason.
No, I was honest in my application. This is my home. Please go back to yours. This plainly is not it.
Welcomed you! Then you must have been part of a past generation. Certainly all i experiemce is resentment and hate for expats. It matters not that i have had cayman my home, my children are growing up here, we as a family fully participate in the community, the fact remains i am referred to as a paper caymanian and do not have the same rights as a native caymanian.
Impressive past. So what happened?
I beliver I am correct in stating that the first ever recorded persons to set foot on these islands and stay, were two deserters from Oliver Cromwell,s army in Jamaica. There names were Bowden and Walter's, from which, the generations of misspelling and semi literacy rolled out Bodden and Watler. Supplemented by a few slaves, shipwrecked persons, other deserters and pirates, a community evolved.
The main industry at one point was that of wrecking ships by lighting false beacons leading them onto reefs. Once this happened, salvage rights were enacted and the community was entitled to the cargo.
When all of this is taken into account, you can understand why it is difficult for some people to know what is ethically or morally wrong.
I'm sure you will enlighten us by naming the history book with these details. Or maybe you did a lot of reading between the lines!
Sure …. check either the concise history of the Cayman Islands by Michael Craton, or the links below –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Cayman_Islands
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/anthro/Caribarch/grandcayman.htm
Failing that, it is on public display for all to see as stated fact in the Guard house, Bodden Town.
In fact, there is an interesting chapter in the book 'He has founded it upon the seas' which recounts a British warship foundered on the reef off Bodden Town.
The magistrates were rowed out to discuss salvage, to which the English captain duly stated 'We haven't sunk yet and dont intend to'. At which point, the crew had to draw pistols as the townsfolk had already started to make off with sails and other equipment.
There is far more in the archives should you wish to really get to know the history, it was one of the first things I made sure of when I arrived here as an expat.
Want anymore?
That was ONE district: East End! The Native Caymanian people were KNOWN as God-fearing, respectful, hard-working, honest people. Why do you think SO many tourist WANTED to come back to Cayman and even to make a life here? The Native Caymanians loved them and welcomed them. They loved each other.
I'm sorry today's Native Caymanians (younger generation) may feel bitter to some expatriates but not all Native Caymanians feel that way. We still welcome folks here. Even to our own detriment.
It is simple I believe: God-fearing Caymanians of old honoured God, God honoured us! Simple. If you take God out of the equation, these islands whould be nothing. This simple truth is a part of Caymanian culture, heritage.
Yes, Caymanians went abroad and worked. There are many Caymanians STILL overseas in many countries. However, those that remain should remember our God-fearing forefathers, I'm not talking about those that were lawless. Any country has those people a dime a dozen.
How can some people go to another country and insult a people's culture, heritage and very people who give them their salary?
Unfortunately, Caymanians remind me of the Native American Indians a little. The Europeans didn't want them to keep anything in their culture or heritage. Why do some people insult the Native Caymanians? I can provide you with a long list of "Native Caymanian" names.
Today we have "paper" Caymanians. I don't resent them. I am happy for them to live and work and contribute here. They are assets to this community and should NOT be disrespected either. However, there ARE Native Caymanians and we ALL should learn about the Cayman history, culture and heritage. Any country would expect the same from people going to their country too. Why do some expatriates have to be so uppity and insulting to Native Caymanians. There is good and bad all over. I realise that.
I lived in a foreign country when I went to college. I learned their culture and heritage and showed respect to them. Although they have "freedom of speech" embedded in their constitution, did I insult them? No. Why do some people feel likeit is OK to insult Native Caymanians and their heritage and culture?
Even though I am a Native Caymanian, I know which countries I am "descended" from. I KNOW my family tree. Do you think those countries would "welcome" me back? I don't think so.
This is our home ("native" and "paper" Caymanians alike). We are to live, work and love each other and be careful of people who want to cause division among us and simply get a pay check and don't take the time to get to KNOW real Caymanians (natives and paper alike). Many of my teachers were expatriates and many have become Caymanians now. I love them because they LOVED us and worked among us in harmony NOT DISDAIN.
Proud to be a Native Caymanian who loves "my" people and still welcomes expatriates because of being a God-fearing person who loves people in general. Try taking the time this week to go to the various district heritage days and learn about Cayman history, culture and heritage. We are STILL God-fearing and loving people.
Proud Native Caymanian!
"Why do expatriates have to be so uppity?" I believe you're referring to Paper Caymanians, who don't know their place in the social hierarchy. Please try to understand these people were probably raised in democracies, with expectations of Human Rights. They should be disabused of such fantasies when they receive their papers, otherwise they'll just assume they have equality with Native Caymanians, who are, obviously far higher up the social ladder.
Can you read? I am NOT referring to "paper" Caymanians. I said they too should NOT be disrespected. They love this country and contribute significantly. They should not feel "bad" either. I welcome them and defend them too.
Many of them made Cayman their home for valid reasons. Some because they got to KNOW "natives" and they LOVED each other.
I am referring to expatriates who make a lucrative living yet have NOT taken the time to get to know the locals. They feel TOO good to get to know Caymanians ("native" and "paper" alike).
Caymanians as a whole loved and welcomed foreigners. They were excited to learn about where others came from. And others took the time to truly get to know Caymanians.
It is "ignorant, proud" expatriates that come here and think they know what is best for these islands because they think what works in their countries will work here. Sometimes that is NOT true. Yet sometimes it might be true. However, it is the way that a person makes suggestions for improvements that is important.
If it was SO good where they came from, why are they not there still? Some only come here to get money.
Take the time to get to know Caymanians ("native" and "paper") alike.
Human Rights? We didn't have that or need that back then. We showed human rights by being kind and loving to all we met. That was how Caymanians were. Kind, loving folks who treated each other no matter where you were from with respect and kindness. That's the Cayman I knew.
So it did happen, just in one district.
It is offensive because it implies difference within a pseudo-nationality by reason of ancestry. It is basically racism.
How is feeling "proud" of my mixed-ancestry as a Native Caymanian rascist? Your disdain for people who ARE Native Caymanian is rascist!
Do you feel pride to be where you are from? Probably. Hopefully. Why should I apologise or feel shame of being a Native Caymanian?
Why are you even here if you dislike Native Caymanians so much? It shows how deeply disrespectful YOU are. Have you even taken the time to get to know natives or people who have made this their home? Why did they make this their home? Hopefully because they loved the natives and felt welcomed once upon a time.
Would you want to welcome ME into YOUR country if I felt disdain for YOUR people? I don't think so.
Get to KNOW Caymanians and you will find that for the most part we are still, loving, kind and God-fearing people. Speak with some of the elderly Caymanians before the depart this world.
Proud Native Caymanian (who loves people who truly care for natives and these islands as a whole)
Exactly the older Caymanians but the young generation i.e. Those under 60 are a different breed.
I think the reason why "Native Caymanian" comes off as offensive is because it is used to distinguish or separate oneself from "Paper Caymanian". Why not just be a proud Caymanian? To me this would be like calling myself "Original Canadian" and calling more recent immigrants "Paper Canadians". Of course, this is both factually wrong and condescending. And besides, what is the point? Turks and Caicos is perhaps an example of taking this distinction too far as they make distinction between "Belongers" and "Non-belongers". These terms serve to separate or divide people for no good reason. How much different is calling yourself a proud "Native Caymanian" to an American referring to themselves as a proud "White American"?
Don't get me wrong. I am very proud of my heritage and I find it fascinating how far back I can trace my family history in Canada. However, I don't choose to label myself with a term that serves to imply that I am somehow better just because my ancestors came to Canada earlier than some other immigrants. What would be the point? No one is telling you to not be proud of your heritage but why would you sign your opinion with it?
Why would I want to deny my heritage? That is the question. Why should I deny my heritage?
In Canada, as in the USA, the Native Indians were the original inhabitants. Look what happened to them!
I know you are incapable of comprehening their plight since you are most likely NOT native Canadian.
I NEVER said I was better. I simply identified myself as a Native Caymanian. Why do I need to hide that fact?
If you were a Native Indian from North America, you would probably feel the same. However, since you are apparently not, then you seem to feel as the long ago Europeans did that the natives should somehow feel shame in being who they are. Or deny their identity. You feel pride in tracing your Canadian history that most likely proves your ancestors were an immigrants.
How do you feel about the Native Indians in Canada? The same as the Native Caymanians? Yet you feel pride in your heritage that proves you all "invaded" them. Now you are in Cayman. Do you plan to do the same to Native Caymanians? You feel pride yet I am not allowed to feel pride in who I am? Get real!
Proud Native Caymanian!
And as tangible as a golden unicorn.
CNS, please, can we get that button marked WTF please?
I dont stop till i hear glass
A prang is when your vehicle gets knackered, probably because someone was driving like a git, doing total shite. A prang might cause your vehicle to fail the MOT.
If I hadn't studied in The U.K for some time I would not understand your comment. LOL
Slang such as: "knackered", "git" and "shite" are all foreign here.
Learn some Cayman slang na…
Then you have to wait around for the rozzers, peelers, or the filth to make their reports.
I recall, in the past, it was customary for the governor's police driver to act outside of the traffic law applicable to the rest of us and drive down the centre turning lane. Hopefully this was not a factor in the collision.
How would that explain being rear ended?
Wa di rass is a PRANG?
A "prang" is a vortex that appears and pulls people into parallel universes.
I drove by this accident yesterday and the Governor was standing on the side of the road in the hot sun whilst the police were conducting their investigation. doesn't the protocol office have another vehicle that could have been sent out to pick her up rather than letting her stand out their to watch those slow police do their job?
Since the Police Department is the responsibility of the Governor don't you think this was a perfect opportunity for her to observe the ineffiency of the way the police handle things ?
Yeah, and with Baines away on vacation things might be just a little bit better..nah!
I saw it and thought the same thing too. There must of have been at least four Police cars there(as usual) and about five or six officers and maybe two of them doing anything. One of them coould have offered to drive the Governor to the Admin Building or at least contacted the Protocol office to send out Alden's or Julianna's car to pick her up.
I am not saying she deserves extra treatment but give respect where it is due, she is our Governor and a lady. Having the woman stand on the side of the road, in the broiling hot midday sun, while they take their sweet time is ridiculous but then again not sure they would even think of it or have enough common sense to know any better.
Portraying the Governor as some helpless lady who is too polite to protest her abandonment at the side of the road, undermines her power. She probably stuck around so she could observe the process that is carried out after an accident. As head of the RCIPS, she could have and would have comandeered any vehicle she wanted if she had a mind to. For Pete's sake she can order a warship into harbour if she wants to. Do not insult this woman by underestimating her power and abilities.
This look like Mr Baines , has a big home work assignmemt when he return back to work ..
better still why not get the chopper make landing and take our governor to safety….SMH. I now offer to fix her car free of service in garage at eastern avenue, georgetown.
11:48, the Protocol Office couldn't find their panties if they needed to take them off. A Total waste of salaries but will not be done away with because it is a place to put useless Caymanian civil servants who cannot perform elsewhere.
Many people around here do not know how to drive properly, including a large number of drivers from a nearby Caribbean island, an island archipelago in the Pacific and a large Asian nation. Add that to a large number of locals and North Americans who do not know how to properly use roundabouts and the driving standards here have declined severely over the past few years. Hope no one mistakes my comments for being stereoptypical or xenophobic – simply fact. Most likely attributed to how they have been accustomed to driving.
But please do not overlook the poorly designed roundabouts and junctions, and improperly marked roads, which significantly contribute to poor driving practices – these are designed by our own folks I presume. And finally, the dangerous practice of using cellphones while driving, especially texting – of which all nationalities and many drivers are guilty.
11:38, absolutely correct, the bad driving standards exploded followng Ivan when all imported labourors were able to afford all the illegal cars that had been written off by the Insurance Companies and put back on our roads. FACT.
Just so you know the locals in the out districts do not want to get a drivers licenses if you speak with the young people they think it is a challange not to get one. It proves that they are the coolest on the block.
I dont know why, while they are in prison a drivers license course is not offered.
I have attempted to employ many kids from prison to work for me but they refuse to get a license thus no job.
As far as saying it is immigrants that are the problem I beg to differ with you the drivers from many other countrys have driving skills that are second to none they are used to driving in chaos.
As far as your locals go they think the rules dont apply to them and they dont in reality. because there is no punishment for them an expat can be removed from the island for messing up in any way
What about some of the expats who are driving without any L plates on but it is as if this was their first time behind the wheel.
FACT, 13:31, you are totally full of bull. There is no hope for narrow minded hidjuts like you.
As you mentioned, some roundabouts are a nightmare. To my way of thinking, a proper roundabout should allow a person to go around, and if they miss their turn, they can go around again. What's with these……. bumps in the road, or worse yet, just a painted circle? Disaster.
If we can't make a proper roundabout, there should be a traffic light there.
Oh dear, another numpty who can't work out why a roundabout is necessary in the first place.
Now pay attention, it really isn't difficult. The idea of a roundabout is to enable the smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic at a multiple intersection. The idea being that if you give way to the right ONLY that all drivers will be enabled to join the cycle of moving traffic. This negates the need for multiple stop lights which hold traffic up, especially when junctions are free of traffic in certain directions.
However, some idiots who just can't get their head around the concept approach the junction in the wrong lane. Once again, pay attention, if you are approaching a roundabout with the intention of passing the junction immediately at your 12 o'clock position, get in the damn right hand approach lane or signal clearly your intention to enter the roundabout on the inside and signal the intent to exit after the previous exit. DO NOT go around the roundabout in the outside lane if you intend passing the 12oclock position, it is dangerous.
As for mini roundabouts, the idea is to consider them full size for the purposes of crossing a smaller junction. In other words, give way to the right. It couldn't be similar, even a child could understand it.
Roundabouts have been an established means of traffic control in the UK for decades, they are safe and simple to use. It is the appalling standard of driving on this, and every Caribbean island that make them potentially dangerous. Throw in the mix of US straight line drivers and other foreign nationals who don't conform to accepted driving standards and its a disaster waiting to happen.
I do agree with your comments regarding bad driving habits. However, I notice that you have left out the British/Europeans. We have bad drivers from everywhere. Even those you missed off seem to forget what they did "back home" and join in the bad practises. I guess it is simply easier than doing the correct things. If more drivers worked to set an example maybe, just maybe, some change would rub off on the others.
I for one, try my hardest to always do the correct things in the hope that the practise will catch on. Blaming junctions & road markings is just an excuse.
Suggestion to the RCIPS/Govt. Create Traffic Wardens to ticket static offences (parking, licensing, etc.), pay a basic salary and give them a percentage of the ticket value collected each month.
I wonder if the Police were called to the accident, and if the Govenor was given the same answer that my husband received when he called 911 for help after a car T boned him. I'm sorry but the police do not come to accidents". Can you believe it, so what do they do. Oh and by the way someone involved in the accident was hurt and taken to hospital.
Lets see if they fix the Governors car or opt to purchase a new car.
Most peole around here have no idea how to properly drive
Or even how to compose a sentence
If you a referring to the so-called "split infinitive" then more fool you. There is no such rule of grammar, it is merely a ghastly affectation of those that have an expensive education but a limited understanding of linguistics.
Hey, was that the same impala used in the robery last week? 🙂
The police are the only ones I know that drive Chevy impalas…
The police are the only ones i know drive chevy impalas , is this the reason why a uniform officer is investigating the case ?
Oops!
Oops ! Maybe this was a rearender to the Governer , to start rear ending the police to start doing thier job . If i was the Governer it would be more than a rear ending . The police should see that it is time to stepup the enforcement of the road safety laws . I sorry that it had to start with the Governer, it could have been Baines .
500$ fine on tailgating and no more rear ending.
Rear ending is result of driving to close to the other local or jamaican.
Coz the fines on no seat belts, speeding, texting while driving, tint etc etc work so well, right
It is called driving without due care and attention! How many of you will have to investigate to determine that! Now will you start enforcing some of our freaking laws around here?
If you want to live in a place that enforces laws then you have to go some where else. Here in Grand Cayman the natives are just now getting around to being confortable with having laws. Maybe in another ten or twenty years from now they will see the reason for enforcing them. Until then watch your back, be extra carefull on the road, and be prepared for when its your turn to get hit.
And why are you still here?
I take the good with the bad.
So do we when we take in riff raff like this
I don't, that is why I am trying to sell my house.
I thought about PR however a lot of people in the same boat as me are equally eager to get into a life raft.
Cayman Airways had some good sales on…
Especially the Immigration and Labour Laws