Letter to the Editor

Dreaming of a dawn of a new era in the Cayman Islands

Friday, January 2, 2004

Dear Sir,

In 2003, the UDP Government in Cabinet granted Caymanian Status (citizenship) to almost 3,000 non-Caymanians, many of whom were rumoured to be short-term residents and even some people who do not even live in these Islands. I cannot believe, and it is very regrettable, that all of us Caymanians and residents have not been afforded the decent courtesy of knowing who all of these "new Caymanians" are. The UDP government attitude seems to be, "take it or leave it."

However, a few weeks ago, some UDP members organised a "pledge of allegiance" ceremony. As I watched the event on TV I could not recognize more than a handful of the people in attendance (other than the large UDP delegation). What I found most strange was that of the approximately 300 "new Caymanians", reported in the media, only "hundreds" attended the ceremony to take the pledge. Where were the others? Were they embarrassed? Do they really wish to pledge allegiance to these Islands, or only to its economy?

No amount of ceremonies or excuses can erase the suffering which my children and grandchildren will endure because of this short-sighted action by the UDP, especially in our 500th anniversary year - when we should be celebrating our past and protecting our future.

Concerning the "one step forward and two steps backwards" dance with the Single Member Constituencies issue, one thing is clear: East End and North Side have tried and tested that system, and it works for them. Why then do we need to test it in George Town now? I say, follow the recommendations of the Constitutional and Boundaries Commissioners and institute the tried and tested "one person, one vote" system Islands-wide for the 2004 elections. I agree that there is not much time to do everything, but if the delays were not so chronic then we would not have a time concern now.

For our Quincentennial Year, with all the money and full-time staff which have been deployed for that project, it is a shame that most things have been done in a last minute rush, without proper research or a non-controversial outcome. For example, with the walls of honour in George Town and in the districts, I feel that there are names of many pioneers missing. Did we work closely enough with the National Archive, especially with determining the names and contributions of generations-old Caymanians? Most of the names on these walls are people who are still alive, or who are supporters of the UDP. Regrettably this causes the honours to be without meaning.

I agree that the UDP (especially Mr Bush) has tackled a lot of issues over the past two years, for example the Quincentennial Year, Status grants, more cruise ships, aborted barricades at the Sand Bar, granting taxi and bus licences, promoting planning approvals (also the increase in the height of buildings to seven floors), lifting the Stamp Duty so as to attract more real estate sales, aborted new garbage fee collection system, aborted parking meters in George Town, and a large low cost housing project to a Cuban based group. However, most of these projects have been a mess, were not effective and are unfinished.

The UDP has made a lot on concessions for the "foreign investor", but what about the local investors, local small businesses and middle-class Caymanians? Do they think the foreign investor will come to Cayman if crime increases or if Cayman loses its charm and tranquility?

There are my thoughts as we draw 2003 to a close. I pray that in 2004, we can dream of a dawn of a new era in Cayman, one which can be filled with peace, dignity, justice, prosperity and equal opportunities for Caymanians, and hopefully people of good character (and not those defunct of ideas) will step forward as candidates.

Harietta Ebanks

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