Online Forum - Website posting from caymannetnews.com

Wednesday,  December 1, 2004

• My sister Veronica and I have visited Grand Cayman many times and, just as everyone else across the world, are surprised and disappointed with the press coverage we have been given, with of course the exception of yourselves. We would like to know how is everyone? Such as Captain Crosby? Barefoot Man is okay which is good — why doesn’t he release his record of the disaster here in the U.K to raise awareness and funds? How are the hotels really? We know you need tourism, but at what cost? Because if new tourists come and are disappointed, it is a once only visit. We know how wonderful your island was, and will always be because of its people. Others judge on first impressions; and we all know you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. Take care all of you. With love from England - Vivienne
   
• Hi everybody who is still working hard to get through the dreadful consequences of Ivan. Anybody out there know Sarah Topp and Gary? No news from them and I would like to know how they are getting on. Thanks in advance for any information - Geoff Topp
   
• I think our Commissioner Mr. Bragg is doing a great job. Please keep the curfew. Stop pushing it up. There are too many foolish drivers on our dark streets. Crime is up and we need the few possession that we have left on our property. Those of us that lost our homes have our property in complete darkness. This has been a haven for thieves. I know that businesses want to sell more liquor but the local homeless and protecting what little we have left must be considered. Keep the curfew - Concerned
   
• I hope that the Cayman Islands Government can recognise all of the volunteer Shelter Wardens that unselfishly ran our shelters for over two months. Most of these people were not paid government employees. They gave their time and love to the people in our communities day after day. They fed us, they clothed us, they prayed with us and they listened to us during extreme times. Even though most of the Shelter Wardens had their own personal tragedies, they stood tall for Cayman and our people. Please honour these people as they deserve our best - Supporter of our Volunteers
   
• Schools re-opening despite setbacks
  I have a question. Do you know when George Hicks is going to start enrolling new students from other schools? Thanks for your time - Nicholas
   
• MC Restoration debris removal equipment here
  The government should have hired a firm with the right type of equipment. Self-loading grapple trucks with over 50 cubic yard capacities should have been used. They are much more efficient than track hoes loading trucks and cause a fraction of the damage. I would be glad to send you a picture of one of our specialized trucks - Matthew Smith
   
• ‘Bringing the power back to the people’ CUC moves Eastward
  These articles are our only link to Grand Cayman where we usually spend seven weeks. Unfortunately we still haven’t been able to contact people and this article partly explains the reason - Jerery Lillquist
   
• Ivan hit song now on CD
  Can this new CD be ordered by mail? I would love to give this to my husband as one of his Christmas gifts since we have been to the Island many times and have so enjoyed hearing the Barefoot Man and seeing him in person - Judy Ratliff
  • Editor’s note: Barefoot Man CDs may be ordered here: 
    https://www.islandhosting.com/%7Eecayman/barefootman/gimme.html
     
• Cayman Islands Passport Office 
  Firstly I must admit that I am so, so upset, disappointed and still crying in relation to the lack of proper and adequate services being rendered by the Cayman Islands Passport Office.
  Unfortunately today I am its latest casualty, and even though over the many, many months (prior to Ivan) I have heard of the many (horror-like) stories from unsatisfied persons who have had no choice but to deal with that government office, would not expect that after being told one thing by the front desk staff, that the matter would not be adequately followed up at that particular time hence resulting in something else happening.
  Having said all of that and still (admittedly) shaking from anger, I am hoping that you could use your good offices and confirm to me as to whom is directly in charge of this particular office (i.e. is responsible for the day to day operations) in order that I may officially lodge my complaint.
  The government’s website only informs as to whose section of portfolio it falls within. Thank you for your time - Disappointed in the Passport Office
  • Editor’s note: The Passport Office falls under the Chief Secretary’s portfolio and the person in charge of day-to-day management is Janice McLean, wife of the Hon. Gilbert McLean.
     
• Post-Ivan Issues that need to be laid to rest
  Just a few corrections for Mr.Alejando B. Ebanks. Norman Manley (Chief Minister and Premier late 50s to early 60s) was never Prime Minister of Jamaica, it was his son Michael Manley who was the Prime Minister who maintained close relations to Cuba in the 1970s - Orlando Grant
   
• Recovery is about our people!
  We must recognise and bring mental health to the forefront. People are suffering from depression, sleep deprivation, post traumatic stress, and general stress. Our stress level is at an all time high and you can feel it in the air. You can see it on our neighbours’ faces. You can see the pain in our eyes. We need to address mental health with on a large scale. Groups should be set up in each district for people to talk and air their concerns, tell their story, or just listen. We need to start the healing process and this will take time and courage. Let us all help one another and be a little more patient and helpful to our neighbor and the stranger we pass on the street. A pat on the back or a smile can go a long way  L J
   
• Caymanians will soon wake up
  What a shame to see the comments of Paul Ebanks, I am embarrassed. It is the every day hard working man and woman that has made our county a success and we will be a big success again. We will find homes and continue to take care of ignorant men like yourself - Disappointed
   
• I am appalled of the attitude of Paul who wrote the letter regarding sending the police back to where they are from. This man should be grateful to ex-pats and succeed in helping out as many folks as possible. Especially our police and civil servants. After all charity begins at home. I know it was all ex-pats taking care of your own grandfather that was left in a shelter for over two months, many of them were police on duty and the others were simply volunteers. You were not turning those folks away, to do it yourself. So look ALL around you before you are so judgmental, sir - John
   
• Candidate speaks out against police chases in Cayman
  I feel I must add my input to this vexing issue. As one who witnessed first-hand the result of one of the most tragic outcomes ever of such a chase, may I offer this observation?
  I was filling my car at the Circle-K station on Central Avenue. It was December 23, 1992 and the Christmas shopping frenzy had reached fever pitch in this southern city of 475,000. Shoppers were now frantic to complete their lists and get home to do the wrapping. A 14-seat van was on its way back to the day care center after a trip to the mall, to see Santa. The driver was approaching an intersection which emitted a solid RED light in her direction of travel. Unknown to her, a 15-year-old young man had just stolen a car and was leading a police car on a ‘merry chase’ down Central Avenue, the road intersecting the one she was traveling on.
  The stolen vehicle with police pursuer in close chase were rapidly approaching the intersection. The light was changing, and the stolen vehicle crossed with a yellow ‘CAUTION’ light on display. The police car slowed slightly, but seeing no vehicle in the immediate intersection proceeded with the chase, passing through a now RED LIGHT. In the ensuing seconds the van containing the 13 preschoolers and the driver, which now has had the green light for several seconds enters the intersection at just the same moment as the speeding police car.
  BOOM! In an instant, picture portfolios of a young person sitting in Santa’s lap littered the street like confetti. The police car traveling at nearly 65MPH neatly sheared the van in half, instantly killing all 13 children and mortally wounding the driver, who died on December 26. 
  This senseless slaughter could easily been avoided by a sensible NO-CHASE policy on the part of the local law enforcement agencies. Such a policy was in fact hastily and firmly implemented on January 1, 1993, but it was clearly too late for the grieving parents of the 13 preschoolers and the husband and four children of the day care centre owner. 
  The police sergeant who was driving a vehicle fitted with dual airbags and was wearing a police department mandated 4 point harness was virtually uninjured, except for scratches from broken glass and chest compression bruising. He DID have to live with the knowledge that his foolish behaviour resulted in the deaths of 14 persons, 13 of which were under the age of four.
  Is this scenario possible here in Cayman? Do we have day care centres in Cayman? Do we have traffic signals in Cayman? Do we have police chases at officer’s discretion in Cayman? The answer is YES to all FOUR questions!
  So, what is the answer to this serious issue? IMMEDIATE ISSUANCE of a strict NO-CHASE policy for all law enforcement personnel! Where is a fleeing subject going to escape to? I don’t know of too many vehicles that can enter the sea and escape intact. Where can a fleeing suspect go? Does this tragedy have to play out on the streets of the Cayman Islands before action is taken??
  Merry Christmas to all - Spike
   
• I strongly believe that this is a very important issue and, as Sandra has pointed out, it should get more attention from the powers that be. When will they do something about this? Most likely when an innocent life is lost. Why not try to do something about it before then? - Concerned Caymanian
   
• Cayman gives thanks
  Fantastic to see that the people of Cayman can come out of this with such an attitude of praise for and reliance on God. Here in Australia we will be praying for your country, especially for the recovery of your tourist industry - Kirsty
   
• Cayman is on Trial
  Ever heard of The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)? http://www.cdera.org/. They evidently haven’t heard of Cayman, although all the other former and existing British Overseas Territories seem to be represented on it. Lots of free expertise to draw on there - but not much chance of any ‘kickbacks’ probably - Mona Git
   
• Tourism Conference addresses the way forward
  Whatever happened to the controversy with Pilar Bush, Acting Director of Tourism, with her quest to become our Director of Tourism while also allegedly working through her private company for competing tourism destinations? Are there any new developments with this issue? - Edison Bodden
   
• Online Forum
  I see that you did not post my comments to homeless police, and you have a large one that was anonymous post that for selling out Caymanians, meaning it was posted by your paper or the Government. This game you’re playing on Caymanians will soon be exposed - Ackermon’s Grandson Paul Ebanks
  • Editor’s note: Mr Ebanks’ letter, which has drawn some responses in this forum, was published in our Wednesday, November 24, 2004 issue. 
     
• Tourists to meet curfew
  So the owners/managers of the hotels etc. think that it is more important for them to have the tourists’ dollar so they can ‘survive’, than for the tourists to survive by having the curfew for their protection. Let tourists start to get killed or injured because of the lack of proper protective controls and that is when the hoteliers will REALLY find out why Commissioner Braggs has the curfew in place. Perhaps what needs to be clarified is whether or not tourists can remain on the hotel premises in a protected area, after 11:00 p.m., but anyone who is not registered at the hotel has to adhere to the curfew for the safety of everyone out roaming the streets in cars or otherwise. Remember the old adage “Better to be penny-wise than pound-foolish” - Wise Old Owl
   
• Island Pride
  Thank you CUC for the hard work done in restoring electricity to our Islands. However there is one thing that I would like to see that is the Cayman Islands flag flying right up there along with the other flags on the trucks, as a symbol of together we are restoring these Islands. I am a very PROUD CAYMANIAN and feel it a privilege to fly our national flag. Come on people, be proud of who we are. Fly your Cayman flag proud - Proud Caymanian
   
• Tearing down to rebuild...
  My husband is a third year apprentice electrician. We are wondering about electrician jobs in Grand Cayman. We went to Grand Cayman after the hurricane, and we were told that electricians were needed. We think this would be a good chance for us to see what the rest of the world has to offer. I don’t really know how to go about finding work there. Any information you have would be wonderful. Thank you - Tori Riddle
   
• Lack of housing for homeless families
  I want to express my concern over the lack of housing for the homeless families in Cayman. It seems that our government officials are so concerned with the banking and tourists sectors that ‘we the people’ are being overlooked. It is my opinion that the shelters were closed prematurely. The school officials practically kicked out the homeless to get our schools up and running and then everyone was asked to relocate to East End.
  Most folks from George Town and West Bay cannot feasibly send kids to school in West Bay, work in George Town, repair their home and drive every day to East End. The homeless people were not truly considered when this decision was made by the powers that be. This is exactly why many homeless people moved in with ex’s, or family or friends with 5 and 6 or more people stuffed into one room. 
  Some of these ‘shelters’ should have remained operational. Especially the schools that had classrooms separated from the shelter area, i.e. West Bay Primary. Now we are seeing the crime rate rise, domestic violence on the rise and then scratch our heads. 
  I hear reports stating we only have 50 folks in the East End shelter, well they don’t count all of us sleeping in tents or on our damaged porches because East End is too far or we simply do not have a car to get there. 
  If we are going to use our schools as shelters in the future then they must REMAIN designated shelters. Hey, living in the shelter is no day at the beach but at least it is a roof over your head and you were in your district. 
  Shame on our current government presiding over education for not allowing the shelters to stay open. It was said that it was not safe for our kids to go to school with the shelters open. What?! 
  We are moms, dads, children, elderly and victims of a natural disaster. We are not criminals. 
  Now look at the crime rate. Let’s focus on our people and some mental health crisis management! - Very Disappointed

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