Online postings from caymannetnews.com

Friday, October 1, 2004

• Garrick told me about this website. Only thanks to it we knew how devastating Ivan was to Grand Cayman. I hope all of you I know and love are alright. You are in my thoughts. - Renate Dutcher
  
  
• I am one of the Seattle Seafair Pirates: Mark the Shark. My prayers and thoughts are with all my friends, the people of the Cayman Islands. May God keep you and hold you close! - Mark S. Moyer
  
  
• Our extended family has spent Christmas on Grand Cayman for five years. We have made friends with people who live on this beautiful island. From your newspaper on the web, we have received some information, but we are still very worried about them and other Caymanians. Please give us updates if possible. We are thinking of them all the time, with all the hardships they must endure. Best regards. - Sally Walshaw, Prince Edward Island, Canada
  
  
• My family visited and enjoyed your beautiful Island in August as part of a cruise visit. It is so sad to see the damage that Ivan has caused and we hope and pray that the community will rebound from the devastation nature brought to your beautiful shores. - Geoffrey Thomas
  
  
• Thank you for the update on Cayman. I visited with dear friends on the island September 1-8, and have been prayerfully reading what has become available to us via the Internet. My prayers continue... may the peace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. - Sharon Sharp
  
  
• Having a daughter, Susan McLaughlin, her husband, Paul McLaughlin, granddaughters, Keris and Gemma McLaughlin, and my great grandson, Jamal on the island during the horrible Hurricane Ivan, I was appalled at the lack of news from CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC. All the news of Ivan centered on Jamaica and Cuba. It was as though no one cared about the Cayman Islands. We were frantic until we could get through to family. Thank you, Cayman Net News, for the information we were able to receive. - Robert G. Bamber, San Diego, California
  
  
• My daughter, grandchild and son in-law live in Grand Cayman; this is the first real news I've gotten on the destruction there. I pray for you all and hope my kids are alright. - Jacqueline King
  
  
• Thank you so much for all your help about learning about our family members. - Nancy Bierman
  
  
• Our thoughts and best wishes are with you all - Brian Holden
  
  
• Terribly sorry to see the havoc wreaked on your beautiful islands by the hurricane. I lived there for a couple of years in the late’60s. Caymanians are tough people, and you guys WILL bounce back. Does Mr. Derek Wight, of the Byrite store still live there? If so, could you please give him and Marguerite and their children my best wishes? Thank you. - Jim Bryant
  
  
• I was unaware of the devastation caused by Ivan until I found Cayman Net News. I saw just one quick picture on US TV stations. Thank you for your great coverage. - Anonymous
  
  
• We are so sorry to hear of all the damage to our beloved island. We have vacationed there for 15 years every February and have met a lot of nice people. If anyone knows how friends Peter & Wendy Quinland and Ransford & Sharon Myers are please let us know. They both live out in East End. Thanks for all your comments and pictures. May God bless everyone living there. If I can be of any help please let me know. - Dave Klaassen
  
  
• During one of our six vacations on Grand Cayman, my wife was treated at the Government Hospital for her heart. The care was marvelous. I am a career (30 years) licensed funeral director, I don't know of what assistance I could be, but am willing to come there without fee, just room and board. We wish God's speed to the wonderful people of Grand Cayman - Richard Tedesco
  
  
• Our prayers go out to Dennis at Edoardo's, Ernest at The Crow's Nest, and all people of Grand Cayman during this most difficult time. We are so saddened by the devastation of your beautiful island by Ivan. You'll remain in our thoughts and prayers as you rebuild and we look forward to visiting our favorite island once again. God's blessings to you! - Chris and Susan Pawlikowski 
  
  
• I am so glad to finally get news and pictures. It has been very frustrating, with next to nothing reported anywhere. I was on the net several times following the storm, even checking British sites thinking they would cover it. Fellow divers thought no news was forthcoming because of efforts by a strong Tourist Bureau. I will pass this site on to fellow divers! - CB in Texas
  
  
• Please give many, many thanks to the firefighters who are the heroes of Grand Cayman in cleaning up all the debris etc. from the hurricane. Blessings and good wishes to all the people there and may everyone have a positive attitude and live in loving harmony with each other, knowing that with the help of God, they can rebuild the island even better than it was before. Nothing is impossible as long as you believe. - Margaret Lawrence (former resident)
  
  
• God bless you all. As a frequent visitor to Grand Cayman and having our favorite restaurants etc. as well as knowing many residents I was unable to find out any information until I found this web site. US media focused on Jamaica almost without word of your plight and I still don't understand why. I own a timeshare at Seven Mile Beach Resort and hope everyone is well there, as is my friend William Bush. Good luck to everyone. - Tom Letzler
  
  
• I just want to say that I've been to your beautiful island on numerous vacations, and I can't believe this has happened to you wonderful people. I'm so sorry to hear of your devastation. I hope all of your friends and loved ones are safe. Things can be rebuilt, but lives can't be brought back. God Bless you all. - John J Salvatore
  
  
• My wife and I visit your Island every year and we are concerned for everyone's health and how you are making out. We are praying for everyone there. - Daniel and Jayne Pratt, West Rutland, Vermont, USA
  
  
• To all the members of Girlguiding Cayman
  Sorry we can't now get together in October, but I am sure that Guiding is the last thing on your mind. However please be assured that YOU are not the last thing in Guiding’s mind. I have been keenly reading Cayman Net News (the only news we got here in the UK) and watched with horror as Ivan hit you. CHQ in London has also been trying to call Cayman. You have all been in my mind and prayers. Hope to come and see you sometime when you are ready to think about training again. God bless you all. Love. - Thistle (Scotland)
  
  
• Rumours reign
  We all know that often times rumours on the marl road are blemished with additives to make it more interesting, but we also know that eventually there proves to be some truth to the rumour. This is the second time that we have heard that "miscommunication" excuse used to explain a big faux pas. I refer to the case that was put off because of a "miscommunication” about a conversation the Attorney General had with the prosecutor from the Legal Department. That was no fault of the Attorney General, but that excuse of "miscommunication" was used by the Legal Department. Now Pat Ebanks has applied it to this fiasco, to hide the truth. The marl road rumours may be unbelievable, but so is Pat Ebanks of GIS. - Who Does She Think She's Fooling?
  
  
• Thank you for separating fact from fiction; it is greatly appreciated. - Staci
  
  
• The Cayman Government should be requesting media in to inform the world that was unaware of Cayman before the hurricane much less the condition after Ivan. People react to the visual. - Wanda Solomon-Floyd
  
  
• Cayman Islands should not be begging for overseas aid
  Who is this person? How disrespectful can you be during such a time, using untruthful terms? I am a Caymanian and I find the comments by A.J.B. Cavendish to be totally unleveled and highly disrespectful (i.e. American law does not extend over Cayman; hence, they are a British Dependent Territory). I am appalled that my own race (in other words, the human race) would have such a way of thinking during this a horrific time, regardless of which country was hit and damaged by hurricane Ivan. I only hope that this individual will research the facts before making any further comments, and may also want to consider who is being spoken to via this forum. To my fellow Caymanians, the ones who know truth, I am proud of you and you have my complete support. My thoughts and prayers are always with you. You are still my heartland, for life. - Disrespected
  
  
• Mr. Cavendish’s comments are disgusting. As an American a vast majority of us love your country and the people who live there. It is and will be again one of the most beautiful places on earth. May the Lord Jesus Christ keep and protect you. We love you dearly. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. - Mr. Richards
  
  
• I wonder if Mr. A.J.B. Cavendish was one of those unscrupulous operators that have supposedly made a profit. Good idea, Mr. Cavendish, why not send your money to a communist dictator and some of the other countries you listed. I am sure you can make a profit there too. I wonder if you have been so concerned even in what goes on in your community. I understand their plight, for I am about to face my third hurricane this season here in Florida. I am a US citizen that is proud to also be of Caymanian descent. Thank you, sirs, for letting me voice my opinion. - R.E. Hydes
  
  
• British Airways profiteering out of others’ misfortune
  I totally agree that BA is out of line. On the Wednesday after the storm, my brother in the UK phoned BA to make reservations for the next night from Miami to London for my nanny and three children, one of whom was a baby whose condition was not good (hence the rapid evacuation). Despite his pleading for some kind of break, we were charged US$5,700 for one adult, two children and an infant for round trip tickets between Miami and London. I should note that, as with a sick baby this fell under medical evacuation; Cayman Airways flew them to Miami for free. Mother country? Not… - Tom McCallum
  
  
• BA are not profiteering just because of the hurricane situation. When I emigrated to the USA in 2003 I also found the single fare in excess of double from London to LA.  I just bought a return and threw away the return bit. To be fair to BA all airlines charge a huge premium for one way travel just check on the net. - Roger
  
  
• Anyone wishing to relocate
  I have contacted various UK entities regarding the possibility of Cayman resident relocation to the UK in light of the catastrophic devastation by Ivan. I hope the government of the Cayman Islands could also look into this. - Ricky Powell
  
  
• The British news was also non-existent
  I lived in the Cayman Islands many years ago and am well aware of the havoc that high winds and a five metre storm surge could cause, yet all the coverage here was on Cuba. For goodness sake, BBC - I thought the Cayman Islands were a British Protectorate. The news coverage here in the UK was virtually non-existent. - W G Minty
  
  
• Until I heard the report of the alleged suppression of news from Cayman, there had been no reports on the damage or help required to assist Cayman, on British TV. - Donald Adsetts
  
  
• Mr Timothy Adam
  Could you please send me a copy of the first letter Mr. Timothy Adam sent following Ivan? His last letter was eloquent but I am wondering what he was rebutting. - Nancie Malin
  • Editor’s note: As indicated in our September 17 issue, Mr Adam asked us to withdraw his original letter.
    
    
• Question for Christine Lundin
  Mayor of George Town? What Mayor? That baffled me! The last time I heard, we have a Governor, and from what I'm seeing and hearing, some of the "self-appointed" leaders (politicians), don't seem to want the Governor to do his job. We don't need a Chief Minister... maybe what we need IS a Mayor. - Confused
  
  
• RCIP top brass addresses public safety
  Well... so much for another rumor. We heard that the Navy men who were assisting the Police had managed to round up the two escaped prisoners, and everyone was relieved to know they were back in prison. Instead, we were living in la-la-land, and the Police truthfully told us (in this report) that they are still on the loose. Oh my! At least there are hardly any trees or bushes for them to hide in, but obviously they must have someone hiding them, or they would be scavenging for food and shelter like everyone else. - Confused
  
  
• Pirates Week
  So they plan to have Pirate's Week still, but on a smaller scale. Doesn't seem like they need to have it at all, because they already had Pirate's Week with the looting, after the hurricane… complete with guns and cutlasses. - Too Sad To Laugh
  
  
• Weather Channel acted as if Cayman did not exist
  We own a timeshare at Seven Mile Beach Resort and would have appreciated hearing more about the damages in Grand Cayman. Also, we were very concerned about the folks we know there. I have learned what I know from the internet. Thanks for putting your website on. - Jane Krause
  
  
• November Elections
  I think the November Elections should proceed as planned. The country needs to return to a sense of normalcy and, like New York after 9/11, it would be prudent to proceed with the election of a new Government. - Karen Hunter
  
  
• State of Emergency to end Monday
  As a rental property owner in Northside, this news is welcomed. Cayman Net News is the only real link to the recovery progress on Grand Cayman. Please continue your good work and keep getting info from DoT, CUC (Electric where? when?) and restaurant openings, and other tourist related information. We, property owners from the USA, have been sending plane loads of emergency supplies to the Island. Generators, food, water purifiers, bug sprays and chain saws, to mention a few items. Saturday, September 25, was the first day non resident homeowners were allowed to enter the Island. Their phone reports were of devastation beyond belief. Northside seemed to affirm the best and the sea grape trees were "budding" already… soon green! Please keep giving us the restoration reports on a daily basis. - Vince Macaluso

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