Port trouble continues
(CNS): The controversies over government’s goal to create cruise berthing facilities continued this week amid board reshuffles, negotiator swaps, leaked emails, alternative plans from local mariners and still no time line for a final agreement with what is now the third set of proposed developers. Cline Glidden, who had, according to a leaked email, advised his UDP colleagues to move forward with GLF on the day the premier wrote to the firm rejecting them, has now been replaced by George Town MLA Ellio Solomon as government’s lead negotiator with the developers. Despite the obvious difference of opinion between the West Bay MLA and the premier, however, Cline Glidden told CNS that he remains a member of the UDP.
Glidden’s leaked email indicates that on 14 April he sent documentation to his UDP parliamentary colleagues, including the premier, stating that GLF had the financing in place and had gone as far as could be expected without having a full agreement in place. He wrote that in the short four month period after the collapse of negotiations with Dart GLF had taken the project to the required place and had an acceptable plan.
“My recommendation is that we approve the main agreement which allows the project to be started,” Glidden wrote around 8pm on the evening of 14 April 2011, clearly unaware that his boss and premier, McKeeva Bush, had already written to the Italian firm’s Florida office telling them that he was terminating the negotiations. Glidden asked for feedback from his UDP colleagues as he said he was being “asked from all quarters” about the project, one which he noted the government had committed to moving on.
Glidden has not left the party, regardless of the obvious slap in the face from the premier, who had clearly not informed the man he had set in place to negotiate on the project.
A few months after the premier’s decision to reject GLF and move into talks with the Beijing based firm China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), without consulting either Glidden or the Port Authority Board, the premier signed a “ministerial MOU” with CHEC. Following the departure of the board chair and other members, the premier appointed a new board. Since then at least two of the new members, including Nick Freedland, have also resigned.
Last week, Bush announced that the MOU with CHEC, which expired last month, had been extended to March and that a business case review was being conducted by KPMG to satisfy the requirements under the new financial agreement government has signed with the UK when it comes to capital projects. However, he has given no details of the future timeline or the direction of the project in terms of the demands being made by CHEC for a 51 year lease and retail outlets, as well as the expected share in the passenger fees from the cruise association.
Delivering the government’s Strategic Policy Statement last week, Bush made no more than a passing mention about the project.
Meanwhile, a group of sea captains and a growing number of supporters are now pushing in earnest for government to reconsider the location and examine a proposal they have put forward for Red Bay location for the berthing facilities, which they say has considerable advantages over the George Town project, from social and environmental impacts to traffic and poor weather conditions.
The sea captains have submitted their proposal to government and the governor but it is still not clear if the option is being given any consideration.The captains have called a public meeting for Tuesday evening at the Seafarers Hall in Red Bay at 7:30pm to draw attention to what they say is far more sensible plan.
CNS has contacted KPMG to ask if the alternative proposal will be considered in its business case analysis for the cruise berthing facilities project.
All of the issues surrounding the stalled port development sit against a backdrop of falling cruise passenger visitor numbers which reached an all-time low in October and an increasingly frustrated tourism industry.
See email from glidden below.
Category: Politics
CNS has truly become best source of entertainment right up there with Jerry Springer and the Enquirer.
Another clear indication McKeeva has been drinking the same cheap Banana Republic Rum as Hugo Chavez. I can hear McChavez now; Laws and Regulations, I don’t need no stinking Laws and Regulations!
One can only wonder what would happen when Cuba opens up to cruise tourisme.
It would be the end of the Cayman Islands.
Building a dock is already too late. And they know it, so it is difficult to find an investor for long term.
Cayman should focus on something else. Maybe start producing something.
Cruise tourisme is over soon.
Wow. Sell out the island to whomever, don't matter if it destroys the environment as long as it brings in money for certain people, and don't matter if politicians are lining pockets as long as money floods the island. I have just three more words for you "3rd world mentality"
wow, everyones an expert on this subject too!
at least all this arguing over the port has gotten cayman away from the bizarre belief of many that there is no need at all for a port….now we're all accepting that we need a cruise port….what seems to be the issue now is people are upset about who's building it…..who cares who builds it? short term pain for long term gain is necessary right now…..just because johnny foreigner may build it and own the lease for a while, doesnt mean its all bad….just because some elected's possibly got a nice brown envelope (wow, big shock…imagine a policitian taking a pay-off, i've never heard about that happening anywhere in the world!!), so what……just build the thing…….sure, short term, some captains pretending they're not fronting for some vested property interested parties may scream and holler…..but they'll sail off into the distance again soon……just build the port…..it means we can tie down the cruise lines to millions of customers that can spend millions of extra hours in cayman for decades to come and flood the island with much needed money into the stores, restaurants, taxi's, government landing fees, tour operators, etc, etc, etc, etc…….just build it…..in 5 years time, we'll all have forgotten about how we were so upset about this thing…….just like everyone ahs forgotten how upset they were when Ryan took out all the mangroves….or when Dart started to build his city by the dump….etc, etc…..we need the port……someone wants to build it……let them……this is not rocket science, its Fried Chicken Rice and we all love it! (we dont know whats in it….but we love it!)
Nope, the argument for a port has still not been accepted by a lot of us. Show one piece of imperical evidence that we need a new port.
A) The 'super ships' aren't taking over the cruise market like expected, nor is there any evidence that they can not, i.e., are somehow absolutely incapable of, tendering;
B) The commercial port is not at capacity as insinuated;
C) No reason for a new port.
anon 1629 your comments have got to be one of the worst since this site started.
You want prove try this
drive down in the morning when cruise ships are in. Radio station sings out today we are going to have 2000 cruise ship passengers in and around George Town. Then go in town and see if you find them. Go early enough so that you dont miss them we dont want any excuses.
Bottom line what the radio station gives you is what is on the boat not waht comes ashore. A high precentage of those dont come ashore because it is too much hassle. Then those that come ashore have a much more limited time than at other destinations. So they are more rushed they dont get a full appreciation for anything in the country. They dont even have tiome to look around to buy things.
We must have a cruise port soon.
They came ashore but they are all on tours not shopping in GT!!…
CNS Please do us a "big" favour…Do not post any more photos of the UDP Government members. They are all about publicity for their benefit. They condemns the Press, then I ask you kindly not to show anymore photos of them. Thank you!
Locals shouldnt run this country… End of story – Local caymanian speaking
Crooks shouldn't run this country, local or foreign. End of story – Honest Caymanian speaking.
Crooks currently run every country, local and foreign. End of story – Fellow honest Caymanian speaking.
(Btw, thanks for sorting out the initial poster. If that individual truly is a Caymanian he or she really needs to unwash their brain and get out more often.)
Because they do doesn't mean they should. And it most certainly doesn't make it OK for Cayman.
Amen to that.
You are a disgrace if you are a Caymanian which I doubt.
Like in other undeveloped and uncivilized countries, these contracts depend on who pays the highest commission.
Of course there are some MLA's involved with there own businesses.
It has nothing to do with helping the economy or helping the people.
Although I see the point you are making and I agree with most of your comment, I take issue with the following;
"Like in other undeveloped and uncivilized countries, these contracts depend on who pays the highest commission."
When will we (CNS posters) finally stop with this ignorant, dishonest and narcissistic perspective that suggests all is on the up-and-up, transparent and uncorrupted in the "developed and civilized" countries.
Corruption has essentially been legitimized by way of various industry "lobby groups" in the USA and UK that blatantly pay off politicians and "support" election campaigns for their own financial interests.
E.g.1: The USA and UK colluded to carry out what has to be the greatest execution of international illegal corruption to invade foreign countries whilst murdering hundreds of thousands of people. Granted these people were "only" Black and Brown Muslims of the "3rd World" however, corruption is corruption my friend. Let us not forget that BILLIONS of profits were made by the Western military industry in this process.
E.g.2: Time and again proposed legislation to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods in the U.S. have been shot down by elected representatives. Considering the alarming rates of health related diseases (and the subsequent strain on the national economy) in America, logic would suggest this would be an "open and close" process. However, when one follows the paper / money trail it becomes glaringly obvious what is really going on.
Yes, there may be attempts to gain an extra illegal buck here and there, but never a day in the life of the Cayman Islands will we see the levels of murderous, callous and despicable corruption as we have seen and are still seeing by way of "developed and civilized" countries.
Just saying …
You know my father taught me if you are going to do something do it correctly these piers in Georgetown do not offer safe harbour for ships in stormy conditions the Imparato port offered safe harbour for cruise and cargo ships and that is where we need to do, we are where a maritine nation and it would be a great credit to us and our forfathers if we had a proper port and safe harbour.
Do it correctly or do not do it at all !!! That is how I was trained.
NOBODY wants to go on an cruise and have a port that they must then pay for a cab ride for an hour drive to town or SMB or Hell/Botswains' Beach (even further).
They did that in St. Croix with a dock on the opposite side of the island to where anyone wanted to be. Let me tell you, it sucked.
Of course there is Red Bay which offers an all weather harbour only 8 minutes away.
And there he is. Mac shovelling it to the Caymanian people once more. Good shot CNS.
OMG Elio now in charge of negoitations for the Port. What is this country coming to. Refresh the memory, isn't this the same person that stormed the radio station????? I hope and pray that the people that put in this present government DOES NOT TO A REPEAT in 2013 (if we survive it)
Some people still burning 🙂
You go Elio all these little haters on here couldn't stop you in 2009
Alden single handedly did a pretty good job of it in 2011.
what a disasterous govt!
millions of dollars spent of chasing ghosts and shadows………
two and a half years later and still havent accomplished anything besides causing lawsuits unemployment, embarrassment, chase away investors and increase taxation
If an E-lection put them in, why dont we now try a D-lection to take them out??………(LOL, really wish there was such a process)
time for a march to governors house……
Yet another magnificent Cohen brainstorm from our wonderful premire McKeeva Bush. God in heaven only knows what THIS one is going to cost us. One thing for sure, SOMEONE is going toget a pocket full, and if my guess is right it's certainly not going to be Cayman.
If we had gone with GLF we would be well on the the way to having at least one pier done, and saving 2012's or at least 2013's cruise year. Thereby saving 100 s of Caymanians from joblessness. Why were the decisions made, that were made? Why were we, as Caymanians, excluded and kept in the dark? Why can't we get one single straight answer?
Without being Given a reasonable explanation, or actually, any explanation AT ALL, I am left to believe inthe worst. Now we are looking at 2014, at best. I just have to wonder who benefits. You know the saying, "follow the money" I think that would help solve the mystery Scooby. Again, take a look at who gains. Not local small businesses. Not Caymanian icons like Kirk's. Not investors like Hard Rock. Not anyone in Bayshore. Not Artifacts. Not Not anyone South of Cardinall Ave. And certainly not anyone without the funds to ride out this targeted economic purging of Caymanian owned businesses.
XXXX
Mac is obviously thinking about that sweet Chinese dinner he's going to eat later. And poor CG is obviously wondering 'will this guy's stomach ever get enough?'
FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!!
UDP has given us blunders by the number and blunders by the score. Everyday they're making blunders and now we're scared about some more. Elections are still over a year away and there's no end in sight. Lord, please save us, from this aweful plight. Next time I hope you ain't so fool to elect a bunch like the current UDP. Can't say they didn't give you one man one vote. Mac took it all. LOL.
Boy oh boy the rumours are terrible. We heard that CG and Mack had split, now their on cns together.
In regards to the George Town Cruise Berthing Project, it appears like the right hand (Mckeeva) didn't have a clue what the left hand (CG) was doing in regards to negotiations with GLF !!
"I didnt get or didn't see the e-mail that you send CG…………… is not good enough Mac !! Don't you guy's have weekly meetings or have cell phones, landlines to communicate.
Do you guy's really communicate, the public wants to know this ??
Dear Capt,
Perhaps you have been out of the loop. McKeeva Bush doesn't communicate with anyone unless it is to issue orders. CG was doing what he had been asked to do but Premier Schizophrenia had his own agenda.
Of course they do. They talk about how they can spend more money travelling. And what perks they are missing out on. And what else they can blame on the PPM. And better ways of cooking the books. And who needs a new fridge or perhaps a couple million to help them out. The George Town Cruise Berthing Project is simply not that important.
and what is Elio's qualifications for this appointment as lead negotiator for a project of this magnitude and import…
Oh yes, he has done "degree level" studies in accounting, law, engineering etc — but cant finish an actual qualification or degree yet
He's a certified UDP puppet.
Man for all seasons ? Jack of all trades ? or something?
I think it's or something.
His Qualifications is the same as all the Government leaders and civil service.
No skill, no experiance, no clue, no class, no ethics, no fear of flying, no wish to work.
But they are Caymanian. Therefore pre qualified to get any job on Cayman reguardless of duty's. Thankfully NO ONE expects any of then to actually do any work because this is Cayman islands, the land of soon come.
CNS I would like to suggest that you interview the Port management to get details on the plans devised, a few years ago, by an engineer employed by the port as to a pier solution. My understanding is that this accounted for the North Wester issue. It would be very interesting to learn what what the persons involved in the daily operation of the port thought would be a good solution. Maybe it is still relevant.
LOL!!! Is this the same Elio that lied about his education credentials ???!!!!
The minister must have had to make changes, particularly when such a project had no process. He should always do what is in the best interest of the Islands. Obviously if glf did not have the funds and the chinese have the funds. This will involve caymanians in the investment, fix the turtle farm, fix spotts.
GLF could not and did not have the funds to do it. So why try and blame rather than think the premier did the right decision to get all those things included.
GLF did not have the funds to do it. That's why they're suing our backsides off. Are you people ever going to WAKE UP???
any comment mr governor????
What's Elio's education level? Another reason why our leader says "We don't need education". 3rd world country, 3rd world leadership. Just another race to the bottom.
Birds of a feather, flock together.
His education level is obviously sufficiently high to earn him a TKO from a truly educated 'colleague'.
He was educated at “The Alden School of Hard Knocks”.
Lets just hope he actually learned something there.
I see the poster's here support violence – nice.
In the circumstances we most certainly do.
I can only hope Cline can see the writing on the wall.
When Big Mac makes his mind up he cares not who gets in his way. I am pretty sure that Big Mac knew good and well what Cline recommendation would be. Even if we assume he did not know why would he not consult Cline before his move to terminate. All signs point to him wanting GLF out and CHEC in and the REAL SERIOUS QUESTION is WHY.
If all things remain the same in that at the end of the day we are no worse off or better off between the two why would you take out someone who has already progressed a project a certain length to bring in someone who would have to basically start from scratch???? And this is on the backdrop of a project which is EXTREMELY TIME SENSATIVE.
This whole thing stinks the high heavens and if you throw in CHEC "Sparkling" history I grow very concerned about what could or might be happening on this project.
Cline I can only hope you walk with EYES WIDE OPEN and make up your mind what you want to be known as. He is the Captain let him go down with his ship.
Yeah boy. Now that McKeeva Bush Jr is on the job, we are bound to be entertained even more! 🙂
Did you notice how they cut off the end of his 'shovel' in the picture? My guess is that's probably a pitchfork. Oh and you can't see them but he has chopsticks in his pockets.
AIDA is basically in Red Bay today.
Of course C. Glidden remains a UDP member, as the puppet thinks that would be the end of his political career if he splits with Mac. The irony is, that his political career will be over if he sticks with Mac. So funny!
That’s because that ship is notoriously cheap, and the least desirable ships go to South terminal.
Sometimes it's OK to send a boy to do man's work, but in this instance , the boy has to at least have SOME business background or qualification appropriate to the task.
Putting UDP after your name is not a qualification I would trust to represent my business interests.
This looks like good information for GLF when they bring an expensive suit against the government. Quite a mess Mac and his Chinese buddies are getting us into.
CNN) — Gas prices have fallen over the past two weeks, continuing their slide despite an increase in crude oil prices, according to a survey published Sunday.
The average price of regular gasoline is $3.29 a gallon, the Lundberg Survey found.
That's down 9 cents from two weeks earlier, and down a total of 18 cents over the past six weeks, said publisher Trilby Lundberg.
While crude oil prices rose $3.55 a barrel over the past two weeks, gas prices fell due to "shrinkage in the profit margins of the downstream portion of the oil industry — that is, refiners and retailers," Lundberg said. "They were unable to pass through the higher oil prices because American motorists' demand for gasoline continues to shrink due to hard economic conditions."
I know this has nothing to do with the above subject, but look what government is allowing the gas companies to do to us. If the average price of gas is US$3,29 a galleon convert that to CI$ which is apx CI$2.72 and we are paying CI$5.60 or CI$5.80? how on earth can this be justified???????? Please someone explain this?????
CNS: Sounds like a good forum topic. Click here to start a new topic.
CNS: Dred, this is now a forum topic.
Exactly – come on Cayman – lets be happy that we may be sued and have to pay more money like with the schools.
Hip Hip Hooray
This is good news for the PPM.
Any suffering of the people benefits the PPM because people will forget the mess they put the country in.
12:32, What PPM,? I thought that they had dismantled. There is not going to be a PPM or a UDP next election, there is going to be a PEOPLES UNITED PARTY. OR A CUP PARTY CAYMAN UNITED PARTY PUP. OR CUP. AND THE COLOURS WILL BE THE CAYMAN FLAG
Why don't you call them by their true names:
UDP – United Dollar Party
PPM – Politicians Progressive Movement
how about GGP Good Governance Party
How about a SCG Sane Cayman Government.
No more United Demonic Party? That's the best news I've heard in years.
Please Hush McKeeva. Most of us see through you.
And the rest of us are hopelessly blind.
You are a moron.Nuff said.
I've heard of poor losers but this one takes the cake.
I said it before – you just can’t watch entertainment like this anywhere other than the Cayman Islands. With the sound of hillbillies plucking banjoes in the background, the CIG goes about the business of sticking their own heads up each other’s butts, and the premier (lowers case deliberate to signify an ‘appropriate’ degree of respect) is in the midst of a perpetual brainless rampage that makes a spoiled 5-year-old’s temper tantrum seem like a sophisticated and well-executed business plan. Entertainment like this is actually quite rare.
They need to consider the Red Bay spot. It's time Caymanians are listened to.
Yes, destroying the last unspoiled coastline close to town would be a REALLY bright thing to do. Of course Caymanians are free to obliterate the few things that make Cayman an attractive place to visit if they want to, but just don't be surprised when non-Caymanians (i.e. the rest of the world, and our customer base) don't come any more. If you think Cayman, for all its great qualities, can compete with other islands for natural scenery, architectural interest, or history, you are deluding yourself. Cayman needs to preserve what it has.
And no, I don't live in South Sound.
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
This is only the latest example of the Premier treating Ministers of Cabinet like his own personal *****s and yet they continue to profess loyalty to him, to the detriment and seeming ultimate destruction of these Cayman Islands.
XXXX
Why? Why? Why?
$ $ $
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Damn! Damn! Damn!
A growing number of supporters? On what basis do you make that claim CNS?
I agree. It seems to me that these "captains" , or rather their front spokesperson because we are not hearing from anyone else on this, are the only ones pushing for this. Seems to me the rest of us see that this Red Bay Plan is just nonsense.
GLF, and their local Agent, must have negotiated heavily with CG for him to sing such praises of them. You don't get those kinds of accolades from CG without having adequate financing in place.
Perhaps, just perhaps, they actually did some work. Seeing any sort of progress would cause these politicians to sign praises.
Or maybe the promise of the electrical work on the port development?
It is called HARD WORK to meet the terms set out in the FrameWork Agreement, to the extent where the Port Authority Board agreed with Mr. Glidden and voted to reinstate GLF. Any suggestion on your part otherwise just shows up your ignorance of facts that have been reported lately in the press. Thank God the press are finally doing investigative journalism and things are coming to light finally.
So following your obviously impaired line of reasoning, was GLF also negotiating heavily with the Port Board, as you allude they were doing with Mr. GLidden, for the Port Board to agree with Mr. Glidden's recommendation and vote to reinstate GLF after the Premier terminated them? Were Royal Caribbean and Carnival also in on it because they approved GLF's simulation in Miami where the designs were tested and passed? Look at the press reports in the 1 or 2 months just before GLF was terminated, the Port Authority , Govt, and even the Premier, was singing their praises about what had been accomplished to-date and the successful test in Miami. Or is it that GLF simply accomplished what no other developer heretofore was able to do, because they actually are experts in their field and know what they are doing?
Is that you Elio? Sure sounds like you.
I once worked for Nick Freeland. I'm happy to see he has resigned and would not be a part of this farce.
I had high esteem for the man and when he took the job I wondered if I had misjudged him. Upon his resignation, my initial view was confirmed. Such a statement also speaks loudly about our current politicians. Its seems that if you even associate with them your values become questionable. How far we have sunk.
Same circus, same clowns, different day.
Take your punishment like a man!
"Father" has spoken and the understudy has been promoted.
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
We remain silent because its one thing to loose one's job. Its another to loose all those contracts.
LOL, why am I not surprised? McKeeva sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And of course little Elio is sitting at the Premier's heels wagging his tail….
A true, but very worrying thought.
More like salivating.
Be very careful little Elio. Alden nipped you on the backside for your incessant yelping, but if you insist on shoving your cute little snout too far into McKeeva's dish you're likely to get it bit off. Don't say we didn't tell you..
Can you say DICTATOR !!
The Mac is not quite there as yet…how about, "DeMockerycy"?
DICTATOR !! is WAY too complimentary for this maniac. Can you say DISGRACE !!
2013 can't come fast enough for us to get rid of the Premier and his 8 stooges!
Don't be fooled by someone saying that they do not agree with everything McKeeva says. You will hear that quite often before the next election.
According to the marlroad,Rolston Anglin has seen the light and wants to jump ship.
Perhaps there is really one person in the UDP gang with a sense of ethics?