Online postings from caymannetnews.com

Friday, September 24, 2004

• I wish I had found this site earlier. No news at all in Australian media left me worried sick as I tracked Ivan on line. I am appalled at the pictures of devastation I see and my thoughts are with all my friends and my family on Cayman. David Allott and Ness Hansen - please stay safe. I think of you constantly... and Brent and Agnes. Relieved to know Fiona, Tonni and Bub are safe and Ashleigh, Kim, my dear little Brynne and baby John, Darolyn too... can't get any news from Jan, Jack and Shannon and worried for all my mates at the National Gallery. I send love to you all and to the people of Cayman. Is there anything I can do to help from this far away? - Jill Allott
  
   
• Cayman people are special because of the heritage of the sea and persons from all parts of the world, all levels of life and that inbred British courteous manner; they will do fine… just allow adequate time. Bless you all - John Rossi (5 year temp resident)
  
   
• We’re praying for you all and especially all our friends in Kirk Freeport and Lindsey and Donna and their families. Please let us know that you’re all okay. Love and hugs - Sandra Steve and Samantha
  
   
• I'd like to see, as soon as possible, a list of the damaged commercial buildings in the Cayman Islands, with a note indicating location and the extent of damage, with pictures if possible. Thank you - Van
  
   
• I have not heard from my son for a week. His name is Simon McNeil and the last I heard he was staying at the Marriott in George Town. Can you tell me when communications to businesses will be restored? Thank you - Barbara Grey
  
   
• Thank you Cayman Net News for being there for those of us who were fortunate enough to leave but were desperate for news of the Island - Cassandra Greene
  
   
• I have been coming to East End for 25 years, this is my family - I have called many times but cannot get through, at last I have some news, thanks to you - can you get a message to Edney McLean, in East End? Please make East End know I love them - Patty Bauer
  
   
• You speak of needing man power to rebuild; I have been a heavy equipment mechanic for twenty years and have a vast technical background. I also have a degree in computer science, and would be willing to help. But would need transportation and salary - Richard Bilodeau
  
   
• Having escaped the island on Wednesday after queuing at the airport for 12 hours, I now feel for the thousands of people stranded without food, water or electricity. Disease will become a problem soon and I cannot see how basic amenities will be restored within weeks. Why is the Cayman government appearing to pretend Cayman is fine when it is totally devastated? Why has the world media forgotten us? Nobody in my homeland can understand why I have returned home because the media have not published the extent of the desperation of the Cayman people and expats. Cayman must ask for help and in turn help their people. We all want the paradise we had so suddenly taken away from us returned, but we need help… so the government must ask for it - Anonymous
  
   
• Having spent several very happy holidays with family on Grand Cayman I feel totally appalled at the looting which is taking place at this very moment on the island. All Caymanians must feel ashamed at their fellow citizens who would stoop to such a degrading act in these circumstances. Maybe it's not such a nice place after all! If that's the kind of folks you are we won't be coming back and I'm sure many others feel the same way - John M Dobbin
  
   
• What an unbelievable event! How do we help? What about getting there? Who do we contact - I'm a photographer with little work here - tell me how it all happens please - R. Conover
  
   
• I am a painting company and would like to come to help do some of the painting. Thank you - Earl
  
   
• All articles were great in a weird sort of way - I got off the island after a fabulous week long vacation - just before Ivan hit. My heart is broken for all of the island - my friends. Although currently unemployed I would like to help in some way - how do I find the status of my friends (residents) and what is the best way to help - a couple hundred dollars does not seem like much - R. Conover
  
   
• My husband and I would like to volunteer to come and help w/ cleanup. We are both in the construction industry and have many years experience in heavy highway/heavy equipment, CDL, Bridge work, building of NYS schools and prisons, carpentry, electrical. We have OSHA certification in Haz Mat clean up, 10 hr and 30 hr OSHA as well. Certified American Red Cross instructor. If we can be of any assistance please let us know. We love your Island. We visit 2 weeks every year. Your Island and people have given us so many years of joy and fond memories. Thank you. We'd love to volunteer our time and come help you with clean up - James & Erica Braisted
  
   
• We have a home at The Commonwealth and appreciate your help in getting information off the island - Phillip H. Morse
  
   
• We are getting little if anything from the government… non-resident homeowners are still not allowed to return to Grand Cayman. When will they be allowed? They have generators and equipment to start repairing and securing their homes. We hear rumors of homes being looted and we would like to protect what is left - Vincent Macaluso
  
   
• Keep up the good work. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Cayman. God bless you all! - Ondina Ruiz
  
   
• Glad to get some up to date information on how things are in the Cayman Islands. We have been watching both the British and American Fox news to see any updates but to no avail. The best information we have gleaned has been on Euronews, coverage by a Portuguese television station! Says it all! Having spent two great holidays on Cayman with family, wish everyone over there the very best in the recovery programme. God bless - Liz Wilkins
  
   
• Longing for news from any of our many dear, dear friends. God bless you all and we pray for as speedy a recovery as possible from your ordeal. Can we help you clean up? Please be in touch - Gale Shaw Patron
  
   
• Cayman will get well again because its economy has been strong enough along these years. Some pessimistic persons are going to give a wrong opinion - Francisco R Montero
  
   
• Cayman Islands Humane Society shelter needs urgent food and water supplies for animals. I know the situation is very difficult for everyone but the Humane Society shelter has lots of animals there but NO food and NO water. They urgently need food, water and large garbage/plastic bags (to protect food against further rain damage). A lot of people are leaving the island; I am also appealing to them to drop off whatever is useful to support the animals. Thanks for your help - Urs Frei, Switzerland
  
   
• Excellent coverage! Well done - Judi Donegan
  
   
• Thank you for keeping the rest of the world up to date with what's happening to families and friends. I can see that the CI government made a statement re: people allowed back on Grand Cayman but I'm having difficulty finding any information from the CI Government as to who can leave the island. Would you be able to clarify that for me? I believe there is some conflicting information around particularly regarding Civil Servants. Many thanks - Victoria MacPherson
  
   
• If my church wants to donate blankets, and food, where should we send them? Is the post office working? With concern - Shari Ryan
  
   
• It has been very difficult for Caymanians living in the U.S. with family in Grand Cayman. I have been trying for days to find out if my family is alright. I have gotten word on some but still have Carl and Monty Farrell and family that I have not been able to find out about. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and will do whatever we can to help. God bless all of you - Kay Beckner
  
   
• My father was evacuated from Grand Cayman back to the States last Wednesday. He was not feeling well with a "sour stomach". He is a diabetic. Friday morning he asked to be taken to the ER. By noon he was admitted to ICU with Acute Kidney Failure. Immediate dialysis saved his life, but they're still trying to determine the root cause. Right now they are testing for parasites that they think he may have gotten from contaminated food or water after the hurricane. If anyone else has these symptoms they need to be aware of how critical it can be, and how fast kidney failure can result - Julie Bechtel
  
   
• My sister was on Grand Cayman when Ivan hit. Fortunately she is safe and well. She was lucky enough to get a flight out Wednesday. She took some photos and they have been put on a website. We are thinking and praying for all those still on the island and wish you all a speedy recovery. PS: Cayman Net News - you have been a Godsend! - Julie Campbell
  
   
• To all family and friends I am thinking of you at this time - John Twinn
  
   
• Alan & Rachael Levitt in Hollywood, California, who own condo at Windsor Lakes near George Town hospital, would love to hear via e-mail from 1) Amber Yates at Century21 on Seven Mile Beach, 2) Lori (Manager) at Mini-Warehouse II near airport Mercedes dealer, and 3) Tyrone, my condo neighbor who is a prison guard. Thank you kindly for expediting my urgent request to hear from these three wonderful Caymanians, to my e-mail address as follows: britishcaymantaxfree1794@hotmail.com. God bless beautiful Grand Cayman and Cayman Net News, the "best & most respected newspaper" on island NOW, with your priceless worldwide coverage to us grateful ex-pats, who own lovely Cayman real estate. Cayman Free Press to me is now #2 in my book. Sincerely - Alan Isadore Levitt, Chairman & CEO, British Cayman Intl Ltd
  
   
• We are here and wondering what is it that you are trying to hide? Why did you remove the other pictures from the website, and why didn't you allow the reporters into the island. Many people are furious about this; did you receive your orders from Westminster? We do have families over in the Caymans and we want to know what is going on? And why was the BBC reporter sent back and wasn't allowed into the island? And don't even try and deny it. Thank you - Smail
  
   
• Relief Supplies Distribution: Are all people in Cayman treated equally? How about those Filipinos workers in Cayman? - Luisa
  
   
• If you want help with electrical, security systems, I have expertise of 20 years. I would be willing to apply for a leave of absence for a period to help. I have relatives living there that I can stay with, one for sure whose house survived. Housing is not an issue. I have visited twice, so I am familiar with the island a bit. Let me know - Dave Crabb, Beaconia, Manitoba, Canada
  
   
• Rochester, NY is gathering monetary donations and I'm also looking into medical donations among my medical community. Godspeed in the recovery, Cayman. Still wondering about the safety and whereabouts of my loved ones: the Daykins, Moores, and Thompsons. Thanks - Sue Menard
  
   
• If I could come and help all of you I would. Our prayers are with you here in Oklahoma. Someone somewhere needs to let people here in the US know about what is going on. We have only heard from our friends there in the Caymans - Holly Crouch-White
  
   
• Hope that things are slowly starting to get back to normal. I pray that everyone was safe. Cayman is a beautiful place as I have visited your island via cruise ships many times. I have a November trip planned and I hope we will be able to visit - Michel Tardif
  
   
• How do I find out about assisting, as my sister is one of those in need on Grand Cayman, West Bay area? - Anthony Salducco
  
   
• I personally visited the Island last Thursday to evaluate what Baptist Hospital could do and to that end I purchased tetanus toxoid (which is in short supply in U.S.) and it was delivered yesterday. We are working on medical and nursing staff relief for your folks that have been toiling without rest for 9 days. My special thanks to Roger Smyth and Rodney Hansen for the use of his plane to bring gensets and all sort of supplies to the Island. My heartfelt praise to all of the hospital workers I saw and prayers for your continued heroic efforts - Dr. Joe
  
   
• Should we return to Cayman? We are residents of Cayman with living accommodations in the US. Should we come back to Cayman or would we be more of a burden? - Paula Rossano
  
   
• I sure hope the government of Great Britain will show its strength in this situation and assist the Caymanian people fast and effectively so major traumatic experiences among especially the children can be avoided in this critical situation without law and order. And I also hope the Mayor in George Town now will take a strong lead as did Mr Guiliani in NYC after 9/11. My thoughts go to all of you in "my Paradise-island" - Christine Lundin
  
   
• I would just like to comment that the disaster caused by Hurricane Ivan showed us how many heroic individuals are living in our beloved island. There are too many stories to recount but one day I hope all the stories are told. On the other hand the selfish looters and price gougers should be ashamed of their actions for the entirety of their miserable lives - Lisa Marie

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