Former civil servant to go it alone in West Bay
(CNS): As the elections race for West Bay begins, the first of what is expected to be many independent candidates not running on the Coalition for Cayman ticket announced his candidacy at a public meeting in the district on Wednesday. Dwene Ebanks, a former civil servant, declared his intention to fight for a seat alone. Running on the slogan of the ‘Power of One’, he said he hopes to give life back to West Bay through strategies for labour, education, community development, nation building and economic development, with a focus on small businesses. Ebanks said voters could not afford to re-elect politicians so “focused on the next election when in office that we lose another generation to crime and hopelessness.”
A certified Business Advisor, Ebanks was Business Development Advisor with the Cayman Islands Department of Commerce & Investment. He has a Diploma in Management Practices from the University College of the Cayman Islands and has worked in the private and public sectors for the past 16 years. His last project with the civil service was to establish the Special Economic Zone Secretariat, which is charged with processing and licensing the companies in that virtual zone.
During his time at the Cayman Islands Investment Bureau he traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe and Bermuda promoting and marketing the Cayman Islands as a jurisdiction of choice for institutional business. He has also worked in the DoT, where he managed the Travel Consultants programme amongst other duties, which also included travelling to “many trade and consumer shows including DEMA and the World Travel Expo”. Ebanks’ also temporarily worked in DoT’s United Kingdom, New York and Miami offices so that he could better understand the country’s overseas operations.
A native of the Cayman Islands, he has been involved with many various community projects, including the year-long Quincentennial celebrations, and leading over 200 plus volunteers for the Cayman Islands hosted Florida Caribbean’s Cruise Association’s Conference (FCCA) in 2007. He has been appointed to sit on public boards/committees including the Labour Tribunal as Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and was appointed by the former governor, Peter Smith, to the Parole Commissioners Board.
Ebanks is the current District Representative for West Bay under the National Hazard Management Agency, where he played a vital role in management of the West Bay Shelter’s operations before, during and after hurricane Ivan. He was also awarded Civil Servant of the Year in 1998, having been in the service just two years at that time. Ebanks describes himself as being trained up to represent his community from when he was a young man of nine years old.
Category: Politics
Good fortune to you Dwene. West Bay needs an un-corrupted heart like yours, and you're not afraid to tell it like it is.
I know of your honesty and integrity, and they will be your rockets to help you climb in the election standings.
Good luck Dwayne!
You got my families vote Dwene. You’re a man of integrity and morals which is what is missing in this Government. We want Dwene in 2013.
Another Mac plant.
and you’re an idiot and don’t him! Are you a C4C or PPM plant? Mac would love to able to currupt a Dwene. Not today bobo
I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Dwene for over 20 years and during those years Dwene has always held this Island and the people close in his heart. Dwene is a man of Dignity whom I would love to see elected come May 21st. Dwene will not sit around and pretend like he is doing something for his people unlike the statement made by the Minister of Labour Rolston Anglin when it was brought to his attention on how to help his people. What a Joke he is the Old Drunken Master. It’s a shame to know that the individual who is suppose to be looking out for his people is only looking out for himself. Well he is going to know come May 21st that is pretending will come to an end. West Bayers ask yourself this question are you better off today than you were 4 years ago? I can tell you one thing I know my family isn’t and that’s why mywwhole FAMILY will be supporting Dwene Ebanks a MAN of HOPE-DIGNITY-OPPORTUNITY. WE WEST BAYERS WANT DWENE IN 2013. DON’T VOTE STRAIGHT, VOTE SMART. DWENE! DWENE! DWENE!
You go Dwene! You got my VOTE!
Dear Mr. Ebanks,
What salary will you draw as an MLA? What benefits will you claim?
TBQ
Commenter, i think the real problem we the public have is that we ar paying people/MLAs who do nothing to earn their salary.
I would think Dwene will do a lot and will earn his salary as an MLA.
If i feel he has earned it, i dont have a problem paying him.
Here is a Candidate who is fair and impartial that can not be swayed or intimidated when he knows that a decision is fair to the majority. People please stop casting votes merely because you “like” an individual, know their family or receiving handouts. Is the person qualified to help run your country and do what’s best for us , our children, our island that we are slowly losing due to greed!! West Bay we need someone with integrity who will help our youth that we are slowly losing and someone to tackle this crime it won’t be easy but I feel this young man along with Tara Rivers would work at it tirelessly to achieve this… Its time for change and not mere financial support for the month of MAY. Good Luck Dwene we need you for 2013!
Mac has experience, neither rolston, they know how to play politics. And they know how to convince people. But what this guy has done for the past based on his experience, i understand that this guy know what his doin. You have my vote bobo. I know this guy will fight for our youth as what he also done. I witness that when he was a manager of a store he is fighting to hire a caymanian youth and train them rather than hiting expat. I salute you bro, hands up.
Great guy! And damn smart too! Great in his community, knows facts and is born to be a leader! These sound like the major qualities I would want in an MLA. Someone I know that truly has their country at heart. He knows his island and the needs of it. Remember this people, we have seen in the last election alot of people jumping into the race for the gain of power and prestiage. Enough! We need people in there who have PROVEN themselves as Caymanians. Not just people popping up around us with fake smiles and empty promises until they get in. Really now, are we still about that? Are we still going to fall for that again? No man! We need them first off, to be approachable, smart, and ready to fight the fight with backbone! This man has been a part of his community from young. He is a good choice for west bay. And I can bet you he is going to deliver on his word. Good choice. And I glad he is truly running as an independent, because am still trying to figure out this C4C party or group or whatever they want to call it. They still NOT independent are they?? Ah boy, the lies started all ready. (sigh) What a shame. Wish they would drop the MLA salary to $3000 like in the old days, I betcha then we would see who really “loves” this country.
Another failed civil servant whose Caymanian boss tried for years to get rid of him but could not do so under civil service rules at the time. Just look at all the places abroad he has "worked". Classic case of civil servants going places and doing ZERO for the Cayman Islands. It has to stop.
Good luck Dwene. You have never change and I appreciate you stepping up to the. Oh it will be a durty one ( that’s ok ) I know you and you can defend youself when needed. Michel
Well since Dwene did such a great job "attracting institutional business" in the last few years he should be a shoo in.
Thank you Dwene. Anyone needing C4C to help them move up the plate, is not truly independent. Independent candidates represent their district – no one else!
Once a civil servant always a civil servant.
You know that Tara R. was once a civil servant, right?
Good luck Dwene. I wish you all the best.
GOOOOOOO Mac.
I know Dwene from the time he was a young boy riding his bicycle up/down North West Point Road. He is an established community spirited person, with a good reputation and has invaluable experience both as a civil servant and in the private sector.
I'm planning on giving him my vote in May 2013 and for the record, I'm from "BOLTINS AVE" in the heart of West Bay district.
Hi..got no bone to pick here with either 20.25 or Dwene 'cos I do not know anything about either. However:
1. Riding a bike as a kid
2. Being an "established community person" whatever that means
3. Good repuation in the Civil Service is a contradiction in terms
4. Invaluable experience-in what exactly?
Does that qualify anyone to lead or be a member of the MLA?
What you need to know is can he control a budget properly and prove he can? Can he improve the lot of Caymanians, and how is he going to do that? How is he going to tackle corruption? How can you be sure as voters he was not part of the endemic corruprion in the CS?
You guys are looking at the wrong qualifications for your leaders..you got to look at much more serious stuff than that and dig really deep.
You obviously don't know Dwene and CNS obviously did not print all his bio because I read caycompass online and it is different to what's here. I was also within my car at his public meeting the other night listening to him and this guy is sharp. He is well qualified! He is educated, experienced, honest, community minded and hard-working with an independent mind. He was spot-on on the issues and has great plans.
I plan to vote for him. You go Dwene. West Bayers are proud of you. They know you and believe in you because you believe in them. Get your message out to West Bayers and you will be there God's willing May 22nd.
"Good repuation in the Civil Service is a contradiction in terms". That is a ridiculous comment. Dwene has laid out his experience. Try reading the article and not be so nasty.
I've known Dwene for many years and worked with him in one of his government jobs. I can't speak to how he handles finances as I don't know him that well. However, he is very organized and proficient in the job that he was doing. I will go so far as to say that no one that replaced him in that job is as organized and proficient as he was.
Base on the above you seem to be the person that is best qualified to be a politician. You are an ex civil servant, you assist in your district, you have traveled to gain experience and you appear to be pretty decent. If I could vote in west bay you would have my vote!
If you could vote in West Bay, you would probably be asking for a new fridge.