Ellio Solomon faces the future and Cayman Net News’ Twenty Questions
Ellio Solomon
Independent Candidate,
George Town.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Net News: What are your views on independence?
ES: - In a global world concept of independence is illusory, this should be obvious by merely observing the level of financial and political interdependence forced upon other nations even as large as that of the US. I am of the opinion that the Cayman Islands must accept that interdependence is the paradigm of the day and for us to proceed along that basis. In doing so we should all be able to agree that the Cayman Islands must first work to achieve a greater degree of financial autonomy and a strong socio-cultural foundation. As we continue to become stronger and more autonomous financially and culturally we will subsequently find that we are placed more and more in a better position to negotiate with the UK, EU and other nations to achieve in the process a greater degree of Political Autonomy.
Net News: What are your plans to ensure greater transparency and accountability in government?
ES: I would work to have enacted “Access to Information” Legislation within the constitution, which would provide very limited circumstances where the general public can be denied access to Government information. I believe that it should be placed in the constitution to avoid subsequent amendments;
a. Increase the remit of the current Ombudsman and the ability for those reports to be made public save but for, again, very limited circumstances;
b Enshrine “Freedom of the Press” into a Bill of Rights preferably within the Constitution.
Net News: What are your views on political candidates declaring their assets?
ES: Members of the LA should declare not only assets, but any interests that they may have. I draw the distinction between interests and assets, because an MLA may very well be influenced into making certain decisions based on, for example, his/her interest in a particular social club or organization to which he/she belongs, even though he/she may not have any assets in it.
Net News: What do you think about Government Ministers forming companies and competing with the private sector?
ES: Government Ministers should be limited in their ability to engage in business activities. The reasoning for this would include the fact that the mere suspicion that a Minister is benefiting from his position because of information or knowledge gained from his position is ethically wrong. In addition the Minister, I believe, would have an unfair advantage and this should not be permitted.
Net News: Would your Government ensure free flow of information and a totally free press?
ES: I believe that “Access to Information” should be available to the general public and would include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Press. Furthermore there must be legislation that will seek to protect the press from forms of pressure or recrimination by elected officials, therefore eliminating for example their ability to cease advertisement as a means of punishing a particular press company, and other protections for the press for example maintaining the confidentiality of their sources and other Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) inclusive of the Defamation Law.
Net News: What would be your main focus for economic development?
ES: My main focus for economic development is to work to reduce the cost of living, through diversification of the economy, reduction of interest rates on loans and mortgages, improving the speed and cost factors involved in the area of chain of supply of products to the Island, both from a government and a private sector perspective, as well as to look seriously at the ownership of products and services and what can be done in those areas, i.e. as we did within the telecommunication industry.
I will work to ensure that Caymanians have the option of investing their pension contributions locally. Caymanians should know that for every dollar they spend in the pension it is going to build a stronger and better Caymanian economy.
Net News: What tax regime would your Government follow and how do you intend to increase the flow of revenue?
ES: I support a no direct taxation regime. I would increase the flow of revenues to both the Government and the private sector through diversification of the economy, particularly looking at outward investment opportunities for the Cayman Islands.
Net News: What programs would be put in place to bridge, rather than widen the gap between the rich and poor?
ES: Amongst other things, provide an affordable high standard of education to everyone regardless of class. To put in place policies which aim to discriminate in the workforce, with the effort to create equal employment opportunities for all members of the society and also amongst other things to put in place mechanisms by which persons can gain needed access to capital at low interest rates for building or buying their own homes, or starting and running their own businesses.
Net News: Would you put in place a National Insurance Scheme?
ES: A national insurance scheme is one that can only be answered with due consideration, an opportunity I have, to date, not been afforded. However, from a purely conceptual level I believe that it is important that wherever possible private sector ingenuity and innovation should be employed, done within the parameters, not just providing with the authority or ability to make money, but to ensure that they are able to live up to their level of responsibility.
Net News: What are your plans to improve the health care system including the services of a resident pathologist?
ES: I support Cayman having a resident pathologist. One way of improving the hospital, in terms of financing, would be to allow the Health Services Authority to hire professionals such as cardiologists, cosmetic surgeons etc and to provide the HSA with the ability to sell those services on a local and international level.
Net News: What would you do to have an organised transportation system and road plan island wide?
ES: I believe the first efforts to deal with the traffic congestion is for Government to work to decentralize their offices and/or services, as they have begun with vehicle inspections. Furthermore Government should encourage other businesses to do the same. This in my opinion will have a drastic reduction in traffic congestion.
Net News: What measures would you take to boost national security and fight crime?
ES: A Stronger Marine Police Force and the purchasing of the appropriate aircraft for aerial surveillance. Constitutional power to pass tougher crime legislation by Members of Parliament. Implementation of a National Identification Card and Legislation dealing specifically with Organized Crime.
Net News: Are you in favour of the guidelines set down by the Government to deal with illegal migrants from Cuba?
ES: I am not in favor of the guidelines set down by the Government. As a country we must decide if we are in favor of the Communist form of Government which now exists in Cuba. If we are not our legislation should reflect a nation which does not. Where we may not desire, or be able to accommodate them locally, it should not preclude us from helping them to food, water and other supplies as they continue along their journey. This is treatment that should be given to any human being, whether it is an abused spouse or an illegal immigrant.
Net News: What would be your government’s policy on abortion?
ES: I am against abortion generally. However, there are circumstances, for example, if the life of a mother is threatened by a continued pregnancy, in such circumstances I feel that naturally provisions should exist in such instances to preserve the mother’s life.
Net News: MC Restoration’s debris removal contract with government is still a talking point after the authorities failed to make the contents of the contract available. In matters of public interest such as this, would your government ensure full disclosure?
ES: I believe that “Access to Information” Legislation should adequately deal with issues such as this. To avoid any doubt I believe that generally speaking all contract issues by the Government should be done in a process that is fully transparent.
Net News: What are your views on trade unions?
ES: In theory Trade Unions are able to serve a legitimate purpose to aid in the negotiations and balancing of power between Employers, Employees and the Government. However, in practice, unions become another vehicle that is exploited by those seeking more power, and, in reality, employees end up getting very few real tangible benefits and businesses end up suffering in terms of loss of productivity. I believe that, generally speaking, Trade Unions do more damage than good. We perhaps only have to look at the United States and the airline carriers for support to that viewpoint. The objective of the Legislator is to create more job growth and opportunities, trade unions are the bottom of the bucket, and, in practice, offer very few real benefits.
Net News: As a major tourist destination in the region what are your plans to improve on the tourism product?
ES: Construct more attractions geared specifically towards families, particularly those which in one way, shape or form include the water/ocean. To also create more parks in Cayman which visually, physically and verbally tell and promote the history of the Caymanian people. Create more eco-tourism experiences. Work to reduce the cost of the tourism experience in the Cayman Islands and to create a more managed tourism product therefore avoiding an overcrowding of the infrastructure.
Net News: In light of Ivan, what are your thoughts on the overall preparedness of the Islands for natural disaster?
ES: The Islands’ level of preparedness is in poor condition, i.e., there was no clear disaster recovery plan for communication, electrical, Media, Government, food supplies, search and rescue, hurricane shelters, burial spots, the list goes on. Having worked for Government for over 13 years, I know that a proper Disaster Recovery Plan has been one of the objectives of Civil Servants for many years, but due to a lack of support and constant reprioritization by elected officials a plan did not materialize.
Net News: What do you think is the most important factor in a successful democracy?
ES: The belief of the individual that he has been given by God certain inalienable rights, and that individual and other individuals independent and collective, search to attain those rights.
Net News: Why are you running for office and what do you like about politics?
ES: This country is at a crossroads that will require new and innovative ideas, and the employment of technological know-how to resolve many of the challenges facing the country as well as to act as a platform to carry us into the future. I believe that amongst other qualifications that I bring to the table this is one area where I will be able, through my knowledge, to make the necessary recommendations to design the necessary legislation that, will allow us to achieve maximum benefit.
I like politics because if an individual truly wants to be able to use his or her knowledge and experience to be of benefit to his/her country then politics is the only true process wherein that can be done in a manner that can truly effect change in a timely manner.
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