Miller denies species threat
(CNS): As he raised his objections to the National Conservation Law on Wednesday, Ezzard Miller, the independent member for North Side, was skeptical about the threat to Cayman’s indigenous and endemic species, as he took aim at visiting scientists and conservationists. The first member of the Legislative Assembly to respond to the presentation of the NCL by Environment Minister Wayne Panton, he said the government was gobbling up what these scientists were telling them, even though when asked about specific species, such as Silver Thatch, they could not say how many there are on the island. Having filed some 30amendments to the law, Miller made his objections to the bill clear.
He said the conservationists had finally found someone in the minister who they could cajole into passing this draconian bill, which he believed was unconstitutional and so broad the courts would have “some fun” with it.
Miller attacked several aspects of the legislation but his main concern was over land. Despite the fact that there is nothing in the NCL to allow government to take anyone’s land Miller said he did not believe the government.
“I know they have said that there is no intention to acquire peoples land but I don’t believe it as the law facilitates it,” Miller insisted. He pointed to the use of the word “acquire” rather than buy, which he presented as evidence that the minister was not being truthful and that the conservationist would be allowed to get control of the people’s land, regardless of what was said. Having filed committee stage amendments, he said that if government did not intend to go after private land whether people want to sell it or not, it should remove the word "acquire". The North Side representative said people would be intimidated into giving up their land and the government had manipulated the law to turn it into a land grab.
The independent member stated that because others had allowed foreign developers to buy their land and in turn extract massive profits, government now wanted to come and conserve the people’s land in North Side. He said it would be Caymanians that would have things taken from them, even though they are the ones that have done the conserving in the past. He said that because Seven Mile Beach and other areas were taken away, they want to go after what’s left in his district so they can say they have a legacy.
Making derogatory remarks about scientists, conservationists and other technical experts, he implied that the species they have identified as vulnerable or endangered were without merit and there was no evidence to suggest those species were in trouble. He accused them of making up the critically endangered status of flora and fauna, despite the very real and documented evidence that some endemic species in Cayman, such as the ghost orchid, is on the verge of extinction.
Category: Science and Nature
Can someone buy Hazzard "My First Science Book" for Christmas? The pop-up version is most fun.
just listen to the nonsesne every tuesday morning………. that will tell you everything you need to know…….
I get tired of the hypocrites who profess to care about conservation but are not honest enought to tell the truth, that being that they do not care anyhing about conservation and see no use to nature except how to exploit it for dollars.
I would respect them more if they dropped the pretence that they give a damn.
You know who you are.
Actually, we're so blinded by money that we don't know who we are.
Sixth International Conference on Climate Change does not agree with this group here in Grand Cayman . They have invited those scientist and they don't bother going because they know its a farce . Please watch a professor who did go and and hear what he said at the Conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=potLQR7-_Tg
You might want to read up a little on Dr Roy Spencer before you start using him as an advocate for your position. look him up on Google then come back to us…….i think you'll see what i mean
This is either total denial or things not in is own Agenda. Sorry Mr. Ezzard but it will be difficult in the future to take you seriously at all. You don’t have Cayman’s interest at heart. This is not for us but for future generations. This a start at PRESERVING what is left ! I also don’t appreciate your arrogance as It’s way too fresh in our mind. You don’tmean well Sir.
Now for you to say that Ezzard don't have Cayman's interest at heart, we know full well you must for the first time heard him talk! Almost on every subject, Ezzard has stood up for Caymanians.
you mean "pandered" to caymanians. he hasn't done jack to actually improve anything.
With Ezzard we can all march backwards away from progress and the 21st century. Bah humbug who needs conservation to protect the bugs and the scorpions? Ezzard knows it all just ask him.
The reality is this, Ezzard and McKeeva are cut from the same cloth. Neither give a damn about conservation.
Most of the negative comments here own no land to the east. If they did we would consider they have the right to make a comment to people who do. We have protected this land for hundreds of years and did not do what GT and West bay did. They gave away the old land cause it couldn't grow anything. We on the other hand saved it for generations that came afterwards.
You speak about climate change , but none of you are looking for higher land to live on. You want to protect the land at sea level but not the beach land where some of you own land going west. Can you tell me why?
Mr Ezzard is correct you're trying to capture the land so that we can't sell it to developers. I was offered 15,000 per acre which is very cheap . Lets see what the "save the swamp" people will offer through NCL?
I believe they want to be able to sell their land on the beach before the sea rise. Thats what Mr. Keeley said on TV. Because swampland is the only land in Cayman that can make more land. So knowing this we can understand how very valuable the land will become for the future of Cayman .
"So knowing this we can understand how very valuable the land will become for the future of Cayman." And by "the future of Cayman" you really me "me". These objections are all fuelled by greed and resentment and the post above is riddled with both.
A very strange comment.
The problem lies in the fact that ANY FINAL decisionon lies with Cabinet and we have seen over many years WHAT they have done especially our previous Cabinet.Not one past Govt has seen fit to bring this vital piece of legislation to the houseat least not seriously and in the meantime development has run rampant while our environment suffers Its clearly written in our CONSTITUTION that we must protect itt for FUTURE generations End of story You naysayers live with it !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure our politicians are qualified to question the findings of trained scientists. Bwaaahhhaaaahhhaaaa
Yeah, we don't want to make the ching ching extinct
This is why we need OMOV before the next election.
How does that help anything. You guys begged for the PPM and got them.
Talking about Ezzard, Doofus.
Hazzard at his school-yard bully best. Science, Pfft, it's hard!
My parrot talks more sense. The Species known as the MLA Buzzard seems to be in serious decline, and points to its own destruction and decimation as nobody actually cares what it squawks about.
His comedy march shows he has no political role. That and his joke attempt to make himself Premier.
Toobad most of the best is in his district. The man has no clue.
I agree 100%as far as certain species are concerned but maybe he thinks that everything will last forever?
I do not always support Ezzard but…WHAT HE HAS SAID ON THIS BILL ISABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
It will impact mainly folks up east where there is still virgin lands left by the forefathers for them. Many of the supporters of this are from George town and West Bay (who are living on lands already decimated by the parents) and now they want to come and stop us in the east from developing our lands…nah going to happen!! Law or no law so I suggest they fix the law now.
I'm not sure I follow, are you arguing for the right to 'decimate' the 'still virgin lands' out east left by the forefathers, or are you chastising those in GT and WB who have already done so?
I boil this down very simply, the law is a start at protecting what's left, those against the law are arguing for the destruction of what remains of Cayman, favouring their own agenda, those for the law recognise that their own personal freedoms to 'pave over paradise' need some sort of governing. Imagine how different SMB would be if it had been managed properly, the only people who benefitted were the big developers and realtors, not the people who sold their land.
The Cabinet that determines the relevancy of the NCL is campaigning with the same mouth to pulverize 626,000 cubic meters of marine park.
Dear CNS, Please give serious thought on inserting a "Dumbass" option to click on. This comment begs for it!
I don't think Ezzard was saying anything close to your summary.
How about the scientists talk about what they know about, science and Ezzard talks about what he knows about, which would result in silence.
You gotta love this *****! How xenophobic can he get??????
It is a travesty that a person who derives his position based on around 300 votes can be such a danger to the country as a whole.
What has he done for his district in his years in office other than oversee its decline?
Leave him alone in his fantasy world and pass the NCL.
Global warming is also non existent and made up by scientists in Miller's world view. A true anti intellectual perspective. Scientists know nothing. He would fit in perfectly with the American Tea Partyview of the world.
Perhaps Mr. Miller should also come out and declare publically just how much land he and his family own on the North Side and then we would all understand why he is taking his current position and in such a vociferous manner. Unfortunately self interest is ruling Miller's judgement rather than the greater good of the Caymans. Very sad indeed.
I am no Scientist, and all i know about global warning is what I read but one thing I know for sure, in the 60s, 70s and 80s around this time of year, especially in the early mornings and late evenings we had to wear sweaters to keep us warm. Now it is middle of December and we are still waiting on that nice Christmas Breeze. Something is keeping that away. Could it be global warning? I don't know. Good on the Progressives- they are dragging Ezzard and his compatriots kicking and screaming into the 21st century!! posterity willrise up and thank you for "saving something Caymanian" for future generations including his.
Do you mean "global WARMING" or do really think its global warning?
Meanwhile North America is experiencing a bitterly cold winter including temperatures not seen since 2000. http://www.weather.com/news/weather-winter/extremes-cold-snow-records-december-2013-20131207
Obviously you can't reach conclusions about global waming based on your observation.
It is confirmed Ezzard has lost the plot now. Whilst before you could half rely on him to come up with constructive and real criticisms, to imply that scientists who have studied their field are useless is absurb. It is clear to me now that he is no longer a rationale person. He should be put in the same sand pit as Bush.
I see an all too common species, the Completely Cuckoo MLA.
One of the few times I agree with Miller, but he is absolutely right. If they want you're land you will be forced to give it up one way or the other..
Not one of these opponents dares to call out the real problem: that Cabinet can overrule the NCL and Council. It seems everyone in the LA is waiting for their turn at the trough.
A biography of Ezzard. Opens his mouth. Let's his belly rumble. Repeat.