Tuesday, 1 February 2000| Updated at 8:05 PM |

Youth disturbancelast Saturday morning results in 9 Caymanians and 1 Jamaican beingcharged for rioting

This is further proof that there is a canceroussituation growing in the community in regard to the increasinganti-social behaviour across the board -- not only from foreignnationals as often perceived.

If the month of January is any indicationof what could be expected from many of the youth in our community,there is an urgent need for action by the authorities, parentsand churches, to come together - quickly , in an effort to tryand overcome some very bad influences which are ready to consumeus.

Furthermore, talking about it ... and notdoing anything comes to naught. One suggestion expressed by alegislator is that their should now be a crash programme to institutevocational classes for the young folks ... or anyone else forthat matter who could become prepared to handle many of the jobsthey get passed up on ... and given to a foreign national.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recentlypassed regulations whereby computers are imported free from anyform of customs duty. In the United States, there are continuingefforts to provide free internet access to students at home inaddition to similar arrangements throughout schools.

Maybe it is about time that Cable and Wirelesscomes up with a plan which will make internet access far moreaffordable in very home. A minuscule 15 hours is certainly notsufficient for internet users ... in particular the younger folkto be encouraged to use the internet far more frequently ... therebystaying at home and out of trouble. A flat, affordable rate cango along way in assisting all concerned about providing technological,academic and other general knowledge which will benefit their... and the Cayman Islands' future.

Security ofTenure and the automatic granting of residency for folks livinghere for some time - makes sense
It was confirmed recently that an estimated 10,000 adults -- abouta quarter of the population living here for more than ten years-- are still existing on anxiety of the renewal of their annualrenewal of Work Permits. And this figure does not include thechildren . Will these folks ... and their offspring be ever giventhe opportunity to become secure in their desire to become fixedmembers of the Cayman Islands community?

This is one of the many considerations whichis far too long in coming from Government's Select Committee onImmigration. It is also a concern by many, that there is no fixedpolicy regarding many, many Immigration rulings. At the same time,Immigration Officers themselves are at a great disadvantage, becausethey usually have to make rulings based on their own intuition-- rather than firm guidelines for this important function ofCayman's growing community.

Taken that this is an election year ...the most important in the history of the Cayman Islands, somepoliticians may be of the opinion that Immigration, as has inthe past, is one issue that is not addressed in campaigns, becauseit may not be 'politic' to do so. This is held to be a wrong perception,mainly due to the fact that there are far more many mixed householdsof Caymanian and non-Caymanian spouses ....and children ... whostill stand the risk of losing their Caymanian parent dependencystatus when they attain the age of 18. It may therefore be wise,to dispenses with this cumbersome bureaucracy, which continuesto impact many lives, households and businesses.No let up in highrental rates

It appears that there is finally a slightslowing down in the building of apartment complexes for rental.While this has stabilised the high rates being asked, many expatriateson work permits are even having to share bedrooms for sometimesup to US$300. per month. Meanwhile, many owners of older homesand apartments, have put off building or purchasing new propertiesfor a while.

One set oflights were shining cheerfully last night!
The Esso gas station and convenience store located on the cornerof Shedden Road and Thomas Russell Way re-opened it's doors yesterday,after being closed for almost six months. This much missed 24-hourpit stop, is now operated by COAD Ltd., a 100 percent Caymanianowned company.

The new management says that they will remainopen until midnight for the time being ... and will resume stayingopen for 24 hours when they have their staff in place.

#The recently re-opened Esso gas stationand convenience store located at the corner of Shedden Road andThomas Russell Way.