Questions from our readers

Wednesday,  November 3, 2004

The following are some of the questions we are continuing to receive from our readers. We regret that we are unable to reply to each individually because Cayman Net News itself is still operating under reduced conditions and we just do not have the resources to deal with such a high volume of enquires. We are therefore passing on these questions to the appropriate government departments and/or private sector associations and we will publish any general or specific responses from them. 

Readers should however bear in mind that both public and private sectors are extremely stretched at the moment and, even assuming the information requested is available in the first place, a response may not be forthcoming quickly or at all. Readers can also correspond directly with Government Information Services (GIS) by e-mail to the Chief Information Officer as follows: patricia.ebanks@gov.ky 

• I read your paper faithfully and would like to ask (as many are), where are the replies to questions from your readers? We sit and pray for the island and have many unanswered questions. When will tourists be able to visit the island to stay with friends? Flights right now are only for workers or Caymanians. What can we do to help?  I pray that the people all recover from the trauma and I hope to visit soon. In my thoughts - D
  • Editor’s note: As noted above, Cayman Net News does not have the resources to respond to every question individually, although many of the answers can in fact be found in our published articles. We therefore encourage our readers to search our archives and our website generally for the information sought and we also again encourage those individuals in government and the private sector, who may be able to help our readers, to provide answers for publication.
    
     
• My father works on the island at CNB. I want to go and visit him - when would I be able to go? - Nora
  
   
• My parents Shirley and Fred Missiaen have not been able to contact a friend in Cayman since the hurricane. Her name is Miss Dolly Solomon. If any one knows of her whereabouts could they ask her to call Shirley or Fred collect in British Columbia Canada. Their number is 1-250-979-1670. They are very worried about her. Thank you very much - Cathie Sutherland
  
   
• When does it look like that the Cayman Islands will be ready for tourism again? - Bryan Hoffman
  
   
• I understand that most of the schools are still closed. Do you have any idea of when the schools will reopen?  - Denise R. Eccles
  
   
• I am scheduled to arrive during Thanksgiving week. I was wondering how the port was doing since the hurricane. I have been following your massive clean up efforts. I am so looking forward to visiting your island - M Darlak
  
   
• For those of us in the US, your work is the only good contact we have with the Caymans. Thanks. Can you give us an update on when we will be able to call one of the resorts on Seven Mile Beach? Sounds like the electricity is back on there - Jim Sloan
  
   
• We are vacationing in Cayman in January. We are concerned about the aftermath of the hurricane. We stay in Plantana. Are the islands and the restaurants ready for tourists? We hear so many conflicting stories. Thanks - Elaine Buscemi
  
   
• Cruise ships return to Grand Cayman on November 1
  Is there any way that Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas can return to Grand Cayman on November 9th? My daughter has been planning a wedding there on the beach for a year, and it’s been a roller coaster since Hurricane Ivan. One day, she thinks that the wedding is on, and the next day she thinks that it’s off. 
  We are very familiar with hurricanes since we are from New Orleans and feel extremely sorry for all of the people in the Caymans. 
  Please advise if there is anything that you can do to have one more ship arrive there that day. From a desperate bride’s mother - Joy Newhouse
  
   
• That’s great for the shops, but when will those of us who offer overnight accommodations be allowed to have guests? Our condo is up and running (and approved by the DOT) and we have previous bookings we would like to honor. We have turned people away for two months, now it’s time to let our guests come on. We have water, electric, cable and water - and paying guests who provide income for the whole island. When can we assure them their vacation reservations for Thanksgiving and Christmas will be honored? Please advise - Rebecca Roe
  
   
• The Butterfly Farm  begins to rebuild
  After reading your article I am curious what is the “Protocol with the US for exterminating butterflies” before Ivan hit? And why? Thank you - Becky Burns
  
   
• Why would you have to kill all the butterflies before the storm? That seems so cruel - Marion
  
   
• ‘Cruisers will soon be back’ suggests Cayman Islands Tourism Association
  I have a cruise scheduled to be at the Caymans on December 12th. Any suggestions on if the boat will still dock there? Should I still pre-pay for excursions on the island? - Michael
  
   
• We’re leaving on a cruise out of Galveston, Texas on November 13 and are supposed to be arriving in Grand Cayman on November 17. Can you tell me if the port will be open by this date? 
  My husband and I are looking so forward to coming to Grand Cayman. Out of the four stops we make on our cruise, we were looking forward to stopping at Grand Cayman the most. 
  We’ve been reading articles that tell us our ship may not stop there because the port may not be ready to open. Please let me know if it will be open by November 17. Thank you very much! - Margie Tobola

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