Pilar Bush Stays

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

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Reader comments:

• It's the same old rubbish, with the idiots that are supposed to be our leaders trying to frustrate individuals viewed as a threat to them. She is probably more qualified to be leader of government business than McKeeva - Darley Solomon, MD
  
   
• Give us a break! Obviously the "on-again" "off-again" syndrome runs in the Bush family. In other families it is called "throwing a tantrum" and is rewarded with a few carefully placed swats on the rear and time-out detention. But apparently in the Bush family it is a tool by which you threaten people to achieve what you want… like the big promotion for Ms. Bush, and the dock land at Northwest Point for Mr. Bush. Since that is how they operate, is it any wonder that the West Bayers demand rewards in exchange for voting Mr. Bush in? Pilar Bush should not be rewarded for her tantrum - after all, she wanted to be able to work at other jobs in addition to the high paid job in government. Someone that greedy and immature is NOT befit a high position like Director of Tourism - Eyes Wide Open Caymanian
  
   
• Okay not much has been said on this issue recently but clearly there is something wrong here. First there is a story that she resigned and in response to that the Permanent Secretary says that the Ministry is talking to her about her desire to pursue private business interests and the affects of that on her job. Rumours are rampant about this issue and somebody needs to let the Caymanian public know what is happening.
  
  Is it true that she is being allowed to work for other Caribbean countries and companies while serving as our Acting Director of Tourism? Is it not a rule that other public servants are not allowed these privileges and why are exceptions being made for Ms. Bush? Does anyone understand the impact of this ridiculous situation on our own tourism industry? I understand from the news reports that the Governor has agreed for her to stay on until the end of the year; why? Unfortunately just as our tourism industry is showing signs of recovery (albeit one and a half years after most of our competitors) we are faced with this situation. What is even more unfortunate is that the country will not see the negative effects of this ridiculous situation with Ms. Bush until after she has departed. McKeeva and Ms. Bush will then sit on the sidelines and claim that this is because they are not in charge. Someone will then be responsible for cleaning up the mess but what is important at t his stage is that someone takes responsibility for this situation today. The tourism industry, in case we didn't remember, is responsible for 50% of our economic activity and this is not an industry to play games with. So who is responsible? Is it the Governor; McKeeva or Permanent Secretary Clifford?
  
  Oh yeah that’s right one of your news reports also said that McKeeva had intervened in the matter and the result was that the Governor has allowed Ms. Bush to stay until the end of the year. I thought that politicians were not allowed to get involved in personnel matters. Perhaps Mr. Dinwiddy assumes that McKeeva will not be in charge post November 2004 and he can then accept Ms. Bush's resignation. I hope that he is right but he MUST BE more courageous and stand up to McKeeva on what is essentially his call. The final point I would like to make on this issue is that it is sad that we find ourselves in this situation with this young, energetic and competent Caymanian. They are in short supply and it is unfortunate indeed. But notwithstanding this, the tourism industry comes first and is more important to the country than any of us; let us not forget that simple fact! Does McKeeva not understand that? Surely if he doesn't understand that, the people of this country need to question his ability to lead them! - Watchman
  
   
• One other quick point that I forgot earlier. Can the Governor and McKeeva guarantee our country that this waiver of the rules for Ms. Bush has not resulted in our taxpayers dollars being spent on other Caribbean countries?  Enquiring minds want to know! - Watchman
  
   
• We have not heard from the Governor, McKeeva or Mr. Clifford on this matter. Is she or is she not being allowed to work for other Caribbean governments and countries while serving as our Director of Tourism. I want to know! - Edison Bodden

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