Brac Trust Chapter releases candidates’ responses to Green
Questionnaire
Friday, June 17, 2005
Following its mandate of protecting the natural and cultural heritage of
the Caymans, the Brac Chapter of the National Trust developed a Green
Questionnaire prior to the election.
Developed by the Trust’s Brac members, the questionnaire asked candidates
for MLA their positions on a variety of issues reflecting concerns over the
long-term cultural and ecological future of the Brac.
Brac Trust chair Martin Keeley said he is grateful to the five candidates
who took the time to fill in the questionnaire.
“It shows that they felt the many of the issues facing the Brac outlined in
the questionnaire were extremely important to the future of the Island,” he
told Cayman Net News.
In the questionnaire, entitled “A Better Island” the candidates were asked
to answer 1, 2, 3 or 4 on a series of questions relating to Cayman Brac’s
environment, development, walking paths, quality of water, light, air and
quietness, health and pests, nature and geography.
The Brac NT provided the following summary of the candidates’ general
positions, which members believe will be of great interest to Cayman Brac
residents.
Trends: “Should remain distinctly different from George Town/West Bay”:
Candidates were unanimous in preferring to keep Cayman Brac distinct from the
pattern of development on the main Island.
A green island: Although methods and definitions may differ, a strong
feeling is expressed by all responding candidates that the Brac must be kept
“green”. One method supported would be a very large protected national park on
Cayman Brac.
Zoning: Although zoning was talked out of consideration last time it was
proposed, zoning is now back as a way to encourage orderly development. All
candidates voted strongly towards zoning, except one who in fact did not vote
against it.
Walking: All responding candidates would support an initiative to increase
the number of safe footpaths on Cayman Brac.
Quality of water, quality of night skies: Reassuringly, all respondents
support a high standard for groundwater, and are interested in keeping the
clear quality of our night skies.
Regarding noise, all support peace and quiet too, and limits on the “right”
to make excessive noise by vehicle exhaust and sound systems.
Pests: All would support immediate, science-based action to reduce the
problem of rats and flies.
Geography: All are aware of the importance of our beach ridge and the need
too for bluff protection. Further, all support the need to protect special
areas, and to secure beach access for present and future generations.
Two candidates did not return the questionnaires. The National Trust,
Cayman Brac District, wishes to thank the other five for sharing their views
on these important matters. The candidates are:
Julianna O’Connor Connolly, Moses Kirkconnell, Maxine McCoy Moore, Cantrell
Scott and Kelly Thompson.
Speaking on behalf of the Trust, Brac NT Secretary Claudette Upton said,
“We were very encouraged that five of the seven candidates took the time to
respond, even though they knew we weren’t going to publish their input before
the election. This shows there is interest in these issues on the part of the
people running for office.”
She added, “We were also encouraged to see that all the candidates that
responded were concerned about the issue of preserving the Brac’s eco-system.”
A more detailed review of the Green Questionnaire will be included in the
forthcoming newsletter of the Brac chapter.
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