Online Forum – Website posting from caymannetnews.com

Friday,  November 19, 2004

• Desmond, hope you fared well through the storm. Thanks so much for keeping us in touch with our heart/Cayman and I hope you took pictures of your glass door “aquarium on the outside” - whew! All my love to the Caymanians and residents! - Anonymous
  
   
• Please push the government for an island emergency evacuation plan! The Cayman Islands government can afford it, it is overdue, and it is downright necessary and time that the ordinary Caymanian people begin enjoying some benefit of the trillions in dollars that flow into their island! It’s disgraceful - Rosy
  
   
• I am praying for Cayman nightly. I hope Cayman can be restored to its original beauty and that nothing like this ever happens again. Hopefully the FCO will provide some funds for the recovery process also. Get well Cayman - Travis Ritch
  
   
• Keep the news flowing, much appreciated. Can’t find any other news source of damage - Carlos Robinson
  
   
• As an owner at Morritts and a love of the Island, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone on the island. May God’s grace get you all through this - Darcy Whalen
  
   
• We’ve been watching for details of damage to our beloved Cayman, our home for 10 years. Our thoughts are with all of you and we hope that the damage to people and buildings is not too severe although from the news reports we are quite fearful. Good luck with your clean up operations and we hope you recover quickly. All the very best, we’re thinking of you - Brian and Gabrielle Allen
  
   
• To all the brave souls in Cayman... fight the good fight as you always have and know that God is watching over you while you diligently rebuild what was destroyed. There are no finer people on earth. And keep smiling! - Klaus Gebhardt
  
   
• I attended high school in Grand Cayman in 1964-66. My parents lived in George Town for thirty years and lived through Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Our prayers and support for all of those families and friends who have experienced this disastrous storm are with each of you during this time of shock and lengthy recovery - Daniel W. Stoy
  
   
• Thank you so much for your service. If it was not for this website, as a property owner on Grand Cayman, I would not have a clue as to how bad the damage is. It appears that the American news likes to cover the storm if it is only in relation to the US and not to the islands where some of us go and live - Keith Landis
  
   
• Thanks for the continuous updates. I have a loved one there, and could not get through to him. This was the only information I have to know what was going on. My prayers go out for everyone! Thanks again - Holly Trisco
  
   
• Thank God for Cayman Net News. When all other forms of communication weren’t back working yet and we were sick with worry, having family and friends in Cayman, we were at least able to get your timely updates. Thank you - Tim Harbison
  
   
• To All my friends in Grand Cayman and at Island Companies (My home for the last 6 years until May) all the best! I am thinking of you! Love - Linda McGillivary
  
   
• This is the best and almost only good source of information about the aftermath of Ivan. Please keep up the excellent work - Vicente Peña Hamel
  
   
• A big thank you to the Cayman Net News! My sister, brother-in-law and nephew weathered Ivan, and though phone communications have been hit and miss, we know that they survived with only moderate damage to their residence. The information on your site is just about all that’s available, so thank you, again! God bless you! - Richard Marquiss
  
   
• I wish you all the luck and we are praying for a quick recovery. My husband and I were married in Grand Cayman at The Grand Old House. I hope it is still standing. Stay strong and keep the faith. We’ll keep you in our prayers - Angela McNitt
  
   
• Thank you staff of Cayman Net News - for risking your personal safety to report what’s going on to those of us with loved ones in Cayman. Not knowing what was going on and not being able to contact my family was the scariest experience I’ve had to date. All I can say is thank you for making this experience a little less scary - Samantha Whittaker
  
   
• I think you are doing an amazing job of keeping the outside public well informed of what is going on. Having loved ones in Cayman your website is able to offer me some peace of mind. Keep up the great work and know that everyone is in my thoughts! - Carron
• We have visited your site many times and you have had the most complete and up to date news of the islands. Thank you very much - Esther Hartz, Sterling, Illinois
  
   
• We have been praying for Cayman and all Caymanians. We fell in love with your island and were engaged there. You all hold a special place in our hearts. My husband and I send our absolute best to all of you - Lisa Lentini
  
   
• My wife, Fiona, and I were lucky enough to have lived and worked in the Cayman Islands for four years until July 2003 as members of the Governor’s Office. We have been watching anxiously for news of all our friends in Cayman. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone there - Kevin Mowbray
  
   
• I work for Choice Hotels International, who franchises the Comfort Suites. Your site has been a good site for general information during and after Ivan; please keep up the good work, list any information you may receive regarding the hotels there, and know that you’re all in our prayers - Bill Clegg
  
   
• My brother, Ronnie Smith, works for Cayman Airways and I was born there … keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers… and to think when I was a kid living there I used to think hurricanes were soooo exciting! - Lisa (Smith) Hall
  
   
• My heart just aches for Cayman. So hard not hearing, not knowing. Thank you for being here for us in the States. Nothing… not a word about Cayman. Our entire family is praying for all those on the island. We’ve been coming to Grand Cayman for 24 wonderful years. This is just heartbreaking. My parents have a place in West Bay. We all just feel so helpless here in Michigan. So many friends we are worried about. God bless you all and stay safe. We love you Cayman - The Barbieri Family, Michigan
  
   
• Your bulletins on-line were the only pieces of information we could get during the black-out period on the islands. Thank you. We are glad your building (and God) protected you and your families through the storm. Thanks again - Joe Brewer
  
   
• Greetings everyone, I lived on Grand Cayman from 1996 to the end of 1997. It is a beautiful place with great people. I know it will be like that once again. Good luck and stay strong - Scott
  
   
• As a frequent visitor to Grand Cayman, I am so relieved at your excellent coverage on Ivan. I send thoughts and prayers to all, but especially friends Lemar, Bruce, and some very special housekeepers at the Treasure Island resort. Such sweet ladies, I hope you are all safe. Prayers to all Caymanians - Carrie Dickinson
  
   
• We are former residents of Grand Cayman and we are devastated to hear of the damage inflicted by Ivan. Our thoughts are with all islanders as they start to pick up the pieces - Phil and Marilyn Wilson 
  
   
• Thank you Cayman Net News for your wonderful coverage of this devastating storm. You are my only link to an island and people that I love. Keep up the good work and good luck! Take care and thanks again. You are all in my thoughts and prayers - Elizabeth from Virginia, USA
  
   
• Thank you for your superb updates during Hurricane Ivan. In the UK. it was the only reliable information I could get. I was also able from your information to inform my husband of details of why there was no radio information. Many thanks to you all - R. Pickthorne
  
   
• Being an ex-resident of Cayman, and having close friends there, this has really shocked us all. Anything that we can do to help please contact us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all from here in the UK. God bless - Suzanne Martin
  
   
• My parents and brother are on the island and it is home for me. Your bulletins bring much needed clear information on the situation. Thank you and God bless all who are on the island. I wish I was there to help - Hugh Dutton
  
   
• Churches here continue to join us in prayer for Cayman. We are eager for news and to be helpful if we can be. We are confident that the qualities of faith in God and mutual concern and care that are true to Caymanian culture will bring the best out of the situation. We pray not only for those in Cayman at present, but for all who are concerned about the people they love - Rev Chris, Carol, Matt and Heather Baillie
  
   
• Cayman Islands suffer ‘catastrophic damage’
  Having got married in Grand Cayman (1993), we just want to let you know you are all in our thoughts. We hope and pray for the people of The Cayman Islands, and that your beautiful islands recover from this terrible event - Lindzi & Tony Parker, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK
   
• Please know that everyone in the Caymans has been in our thoughts and prayers. In Boca Raton we have survived Hurricane Frances and were spared Ivan. We are concerned about our many friends in Grand Cayman and will keep you all in our prayers - Peggy Lustig
   
• Thank you so much for keeping us updated on what’s happening in Grand Cayman. I live in Texas and could not reach my family by phone. My prayers are with all people in the Caymans. Thanks again for keeping us informed - Rita Borden Tomball Texas
  
   
• Grand Cayman: ‘Devastation beyond imagination’
  I am so sorry for everything you’re going through there. My family visited the Island the end of February to learn about the Island and the history behind our family (the Crightons and Edens) My heart and tears go out to everyone there. Cayman is such a beautiful place. You are in our prayers. Take care of yourselves and God bless. It’s hard being in the States not being able to help. I have so much family there I hope everyone is safe. God bless from Michigan - Sherry Eden
   
• I am very saddened by what happened to your beautiful island. I am from Belize Central America and we have been lucky not to have any hurricane yet. I have a brother living in Cayman. I hope and pray that you all will be able to come out of this devastation with the help of God and the Government and other people. I wish you all my best and I will continue to read and looking out for more information - Anna Cocom
   
• Thank you so much for us being able to access news about Grand Cayman. We own a condo at Grapetree on Seven Mile Beach and my daughter has a condo at Mariners Cove. Our hearts go out to all of you. There is no place on earth that we love more than Cayman. Your people are the most friendly we have ever known, and the island the most beautiful - Pauline Knight
   
• I just visited Grand Cayman Island last October with my family. We fell in love, and are so saddened to learn of the destruction of one of the most beautiful locations on Earth. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the residents - Beebee
  
   
• Is the UDP taking Cayman too close to Cuba?
  Weren’t the people of the Cayman Islands recently made British citizens by default? So wouldn’t a denial of Caymanians into the U.S. (at least those holding British passports) be denying entrance to British citizens? How likely is that? Other places such as Canada and various countries in the Caribbean and Europe have a positive tourism-sector relationship with Cuba. Hopefully it was not the author’s intent to imply that Cayman is the only country seeking this type of relationship with our neighbor, as the many foreign establishments around the island and daily European flights clearly state otherwise. We are not a U.S. territory, and we are not the ones with the economic embargo on Cuba that has done more hurt to the Cuban people than their “evil dictator” ever could - Anonymous
   
• I guess all the European countries that do business with Cuba are communist too. Doing business with Cuba will not put an end to Castro’s rule and does not make us dictators. Every other country is doing business with them besides the US, so why can’t we? - Anonymous 
  
   
• Turtle Farm reassures cruise conference it’s ready
  I will be taking a cruise 2/27/2005 and was wondering if the Turtle Farm will be open for tours. I have been there before and will be bringing some people that have not been there before. We loved it and wanted to make sure that you will be open. We are from Kentwood, Michigan, in the United States - Cathy Claflin
  
   
• Soft launch for tourism
  Thrilled the island is up and running. We are due at The Avalon on January 8. Hope it will be available to us so that we can visit Grand Cayman again and this time help in any way we can in the recovery effort - Barbara Kurian
  
   
• Christmas Trees
  Having just noticed an advertisement in today’s newspaper for “fresh green Christmas Trees” I am disturbed that we are still going to import dead trees to add to our collection of those killed by Ivan. I know its lovely to have a real Christmas tree if only for the smell, but for just this once can’t we be happy with an imitation one. Once decorated they’re just as pretty as a real one and in January we won’t then be left with even more dead trees to clear away - Janet
  
   
• When you turn down someone, you could be turning down a relative
  Fantastic article and it’s about time somebody writes the truth. Cayman doesn’t appreciate Bay Islanders - Maria Kunins
  
   
• What’s our Government thinking - hooking up with Cuba?
  The more I read about members of our Government “getting into bed” with members of the Cuban Government, the more worried I get about our country. What kind of message is the “powers that be” trying to send to everyone? Why is our Government getting so cozy with the Cuban Government!? It makes me ashamed to call myself a Caymanian! I am appalled at what is taking place right under our nose! This is a very bad thing to be doing. 
  I can’t wait for election time because these people that are creating this mess will never get my vote! I only pray to God that we the people of Cayman can all come together and get these people out of the Government that is ruining the Government and our country as soon as possible. I also hope that the US Government doesn’t turn their backs on us because this Government wants to fraternize with the Cuban Government a little too much.
  Does this Government realize that these same tourists that come off these ships and off the airplanes mainly come from the US? What if the US Government bans their people from coming here? What is going to happen to us then? What is going on in my country? They are like a bunch a Spanish machetes in there! This is wrong and I hope it doesn’t be to the detriment of the Caymanian people when all hell breaks loose! - Anonymous
  
   
• Regarding Patricia Young and Junior Williams
  This is in regards to the Patricia Young and Junior Williams case. Your newspaper printed as missing persons report on 29 October 2004 about the two above-named. You then printed another article on November 3, 2004 saying that two bodies were found and the suspected cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. We are hoping another print up of this case will conclude in Patricia’s body being sent home to her native Jamaica. Our family is unable to grieve her death because we feel as though the Cayman Police are not doing their best to resolve this case. It has been a month and the family in Jamaica and Canada have not gotten the final report on the cause of her death and her body has yet still to be released so we could finally lay her to rest. In respect to the deceased Junior Williams we have been informed that his body has already been released and buried and yet the investigators keep prolonging this case and giving us the run around. We would like to lay Patricia's to rest on November 20, 2004 and are unable to finalize this date due to the delay on Cayman's part. We thank you for your help in airing this case, and hopeful that you will help us in having closure. Thank you - Stacey Johnson
  
   
• Debris Controversy Continues
  If both companies are from Florida, why are they not registered with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporation? All companies in Florida are required to register, this then becomes public knowledge and can be verified at www.sunbiz.org. At this website both companies’ board members among other things can be verified by anyone who wishes to know something about them. I was just wondering if both companies are the same as well and was unable to find any of the names at the website I mentioned - Milron Morgan
   
• Why not award HEAVO the 10 million and let them get whatever equipment and manpower is needed. If anything required to do the job is not available in the Caymans then spend the money out of country to get it. It should be Caymanians rebuilding the Caymans first - Daniel P. Crowe Jr.
  
   
• Chamber Seeks Support for Ship
  How can people that have lost everything because of the hurricane afford to pay $100.00 US a day for accommodations! That's $3,000 a month. Most have been out of power for over 2 months. Why isn't the Government helping the people from Cayman Islands? At least pay half! - Lin
  
   
• Police homeless
  I think it is a disgrace to the Cayman Islands to have people who own property to increase the rents of their tenants at this time of so much devastation. This is bad enough for private individuals, but to jeopardize the police protection of the country by raising the rents for our police officers is unforgivable! We have experienced the same situation with our apartment where the landlord does not want to honor a rental agreement we have for a certain rent amount and for a designated period of time. He wants to have us move out or increase our rent a very large amount. We have been living with ceilings out of our upstairs bedroom and living room due to the shingles coming off during the hurricane. Living in two rooms with only a generator is bad enough, but having the landlord try to price gouge us for additional rents is just not fair. He feels the rental agreement means nothing! Bet it would be a different thing if we were wanting to move and break the agreement! 
  These police officers definitely need to be able to continue to live in Grand Cayman at the rental rates they are able to afford and the landlords should not be allowed to increase their rent. If they have damages to repair due to the hurricane they should not make the cost of that the responsibility of the tenant. That is why the landlord has insurance and I'm sure he has made enough money from the rents to take care of any expenses that would not be covered by insurance! Keep the dedicated hard working policemen in Grand Cayman! - Anonymous

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