Encouraging the West Bay women
Dalkeith Bothwell speaking at the WBA political rally
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Dalkeith Bothwell was the first of the West Bay Alliance (WBA) foursome
team to address an audience of some 80 people gathered in front of Caribbean
Bakery in West Bay, on Thursday night, (28 April).
He began by addressing what he described as, “the hopelessness and frustration
of young Caymanians who are considering migration as their only option to
achieve their goals.
“Have you ever seen so much crime?”
Mr Bothwell added that some have already moved or have not returned after
going away to school after Hurricane Ivan, “because they see no future here.”
Talking about tourism he said: “There must be a revision of the Development
Planning Law. We cannot continue to support a cruise shipping industry at the
cost of losing stay-over visitors.
“The WBA will bring the issue of the development planning law forward and
implement new measures. We must prevent over-development in the West and
implement policies that will protect the environment.
“Tourists do not come to our Islands to experience city life. Tourists come
for a relaxed, Caribbean vacation.”
Addressing housing Mr Bothwell said: “We need to provide affordable single
family housing that includes light industrial zones so that people can
relocate to these areas and carry out businesses. In this way some of the
traffic problems will be addressed.
“Education is another priority,” Mr Bothwell said. He went on to say that
childcare needs and the rising cost of living were major concerns in relation
to caring for the youth of the Cayman Islands.
“In the face of the persons amongst us who do not have any respect for our way
of life, the WBA commits to the cause of serving the Cayman Islands, each and
every one of you and not just some of you, with everyone being allowed a level
playing field.”
Leonard Ebanks was next and began on a note not commonly heard on campaign
platforms throughout the period – honouring the women of the Cayman Islands
who have been the backbone of the country.
“We would have loved to have had a woman on our team. We encourage and
challenge the women of West Bay to stand…and tell us of your dreams.”
Mr Ebanks went on to a less uncommon note on the WBA campaign trail when he
addressed constitutional reform.
“We must be careful of how we deal with constitutional reform. We have to be
careful about constitutional modernization and full internal government.
“We must remember that our tourism and banking industries depend on our
association with the UK government.”
Talking about the Alliance’s specific political position, Mr Ebanks went on to
say:
“The WBA supports term limits for the political leader, and single member
constituencies with one man, one vote. As well, there should be a Bill of
Rights enshrined in the constitution so that there cannot be changes made in
the Legislative Assembly. We believe that the bi-camera system of government
with the senate and the legislature being separate is too costly to run. As
well, decisions on major issues must be done by referendum.”
On the recent processing of some 3000 Status Grants Mr Ebanks said, “There was
a complete disregard for the rights of the people of the Cayman Islands.
“Many deserving people received their grants, and rightly so. However, we are
vexed about how it was done.
“All status holders can have dependents here as well. Do you know how many
that is?”
Using a calculation of three more persons for each person granted status Mr
Ebanks said, “We have added 12,000 people in three months.
“Mr Rolston Anglin admitted that 80 per cent were deserving of status. So, we
have some that should not have been granted status.”
Making a link between the sanctioning of 3000 Status Grants and mobility for
Caymanian young people Mr Ebanks said, “There is now a cement ceiling because
the person above you has been granted status. These new status holders are
young and have another 20 more years of working life.
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