Saturday, 5 February2000 | Updated at 8:55 PM |

The Y2KJ eventon New Year's Eve - with 10,000 in attendance proves that Churcheshave a role to play - in reclaiming Cayman

Few can deny that this event proved thatChristian effort did not impact on our territory in a very positivemay. Pastor Al Ebanks of Agape, Rev. Chris Baillie of ElmslieMemorial United, Rev. Torrance Bob of First Assemblies Church,Pastor Alson of Church of God Chapel sand the other 26 participatingChurches, proved that it does not have to take a tremendous amountof funds to galvanize people who want to make pray and influencesome form of difference in today's Cayman.

This morning, over two dozen members ofAgape Church, led by Bro. Stanley Scott went into to the two parksin the Windsor Park area, and 'claimed' back the entire neighbourhood.According to Mr. Scott: " It is high time that we come outthe sanctity of our homes ... even our churches ... and do battlewith the spiritual forces which have stolen so much of our territory,our youth, our heritage".

He continued: "We, as members and supportersof God's Church are not afraid to draw the line ... and say, enoughis enough ... the enemies of our Blessed society will be defeated.. because this is a God-fearing country ... and we are a Godfearing people. So why should we surrender Cayman's Christianancestry to those who believe that they are above the law? Weare not going to ... because God does not want us to".

The Agape's group presence in this areaof the Capital, which has an on-going struggle to maintain somegood order, is considered by many to be the haven for severalpersons alleged to be the perpetrators of the wave of anti-socialbehaviour, leading to the increase criminal activity the islandhas been going through in recent years. The claim, however, bysome officials ... is that it is the desire of some areas of themedia ... who are highlighting the increased activity of lawlessness.Some members of Agape took the opportunity this morning to pickup garbage left behind in the parks, while others went to severalhomes in the area delivering 'care' items and Bible tracts tosome homes and families, which may be unseen (ignored?) by many... but nevertheless in great need of help.

It certainlytakes courage to 'bell the cat'- and it is being done, withoutfear or favours.
Illegal operations of 'Rooms for Rent' are spreading across manyareas of George Town - and other Districts. Following CAYMAN NETNEWS' report that there are some folks who are paying up to $240a month to share a bedroom, it has been further confirmed thatthe cost for same ... at times mean having to share a single bedwith up to three others. In many cases, there is one make shiftshower, and just a water hose on the outside of these 'roominghouses', operating without a Trade and Business License.

It was also confirmed, that some who havebuilt large homes in these areas, often 'tack on' accommodationsafter the fact of getting a Certificate of Occupancy, to get sufficientroomers, to help pay for the owners' hefty mortgages.

Recently, there have been calls for someform of rent control authority, because of incredulous amountof rent being asked without due notice by some landlords. Meanwhilethe cry continues to some form of affordable housing.

Are parentsat fault?
For what? ... some may say ... for giving their children whateverthey may ask for ... like cell phones, and beepers, and expensivetop designer clothes? It may be difficult to admit. However, itis felt by some quite caring Ministry folk, that if said parents,who could well afford these luxuries, would instead spend morequality time with their kids ... even taking them to many of theattractions and activities which bring well over a million touriststo the Cayman Islands .... including Cayman Brac and Little Cayman- the youth of today's Cayman, on the attainment of adulthood,will become responsible custodians of tomorrow.

LEGISLATIVEASSEMBLY REPORT
Proceedings in the Legislative Assembly began, yesterday, Fridaywith Question and Answer time. The Minister of Education, Aviationand Planning were asked the following questions
MLA Linford Pierson inquired if there are any plans to place therequired amount of Teachers Aides in the George Town and Red BayPrimary schools.

The Minister replied that George Town Primaryhas three Support Assistants and two Teachers Aides. Red Bay Primaryhas five Support Assistants and one Teacher's Aide. He said thata distinction should be made between Support Assistants and TeachersAides, as Support Assistants are usually more mature persons withsome classroom experience, who are recruited for an indefiniteperiod. Teacher's Aides are school leavers who plan to undertaketeacher training in one year's time.

MLA for the District of Bodden Town, Mr.Roy Bodden asked the Minister for Education, if the EducationCouncil and the Government recognize certification from the Collegeof Preceptors as teacher certification for purposes of teachingin these Islands.

Minister Bodden said that the College ofPreceptors is a well established institute of learning. This collegepioneered a system for formal examination and qualification ofsecondary school teachers. This certification is acceptable inthe Cayman Islands for the purpose of teaching.

The Education Minister also spoke on thealleged gang activity at George Hicks and John Gray High Schoolssince September 1999 until the present time. There were sixteenincidentsof physical violence at George Hicks High School. Mostfights were between two persons, and suspensions were administered,but no Police action taken. In one incident one student was seriouslyinjured and required medical attention. This matter was dealtwith by Police.Reports were made to the Chief Education Officerwho extended the suspension by the Principal under the EducationLaw.

There were three reported major incidentsof physical violence at the John Gray High School. In all threeincidents medical attention was administered. All three incidentsresulted in extensive suspension under the Education Law. Certainclothing , colours and bandannas which seem to promote one gangor another, are banned from the school grounds.

Another Parliamentary question directedto the Hon. Truman Bodden, Minister responsible for Aviation wasfrom MLA. Linford Pierson of George Town, who inquired if theCayman Islands Civil Aviation Authority, Cayman Airways and IslandAir were Y2K compliant, and if so were the relevant Authoritiesnotified. The Minister replied that "Yes , they were allY2K compliant and that all relevant authorities were notifiedof this"

There was a bill seeking powers to receivefunds, gifts and other by the National Drug Council moved by TheMinister responsible for Health. MLA Mr. Kurt Tibbetts said thatthe National Council received a subsidy from Government, and hewanted to know why would the Council want to borrow money. MLA.Dr. Frank McField asked if Government would be responsible forany borrowing by the Council, like they would for other statutoryboards, such as the Water Authority.

The Stamp Duty(Amendment) (Insurance Policies)Bill 1999 was presented by the Financial Secretary, Mr. GeorgeMcCarthy. He said that Stamp Duty will be charged on Insurancepolicies of $ 50.000, one would have to pay $50. If the policywas $100,000 then Stamp Duty would be $100. For a policy of $1,000,000 one would pay $200 Stamp Duty.Even a policy of $10,000,000would attract Stamp Duty of $200.

The Financial Secretary said that thereare other territories in the Caribbean which are competing withus for the captive insurance business who only charge $25 or nothing.

Dr. McField said in his contribution thatit appeared that Government was taxing the very poor to subsidizethe very rich. Be careful, he said, how we tax the poor consumer.

MLA. Kurt Tibbetts said in his contribution:"How can we charge the local consumer more while we chargethe exempt Captive Insurance people less. Whatever measure isused to raise revenue in this country must be of benefit to thelocal consumer".

The House adjourned until Monday.

Cayman Net News will continue to file reportsfrom the Legislative Assembly.

PRESS RELEASE

From GovernmentInformation Services
Applications Invited for Chevening Scholarships
The Governor's Office and the Education Department are invitingCaymanians interested in postgraduate study in Britain to applyfor Chevening Scholarships. The deadline for applications is Thursday,17 February.

Chevening Scholarships are offered by theForeign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to outstanding studentsfrom overseas. The purpose of the scheme is to increase students'potential to become leaders, decision-makers, and opinion-formersin their own countries. Competition for the limited number ofscholarships is keen, and candidates must demonstrate that theyhave this potential.
Scholarships are normally for a one-year Master's course, althoughapplications for short courses of at least three months' durationwill also be considered. Applicants must also have first degrees.

This is the sixth year of the scheme's operationin the Cayman Islands. So far, eleven students have been awardedscholarships for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. Theprogramme is generally run through British diplomatic missionsand British Council offices throughout the world. In Cayman, itis co-ordinated jointly by the Governor's Office and the EducationDepartment.

Application forms and further informationare available from the Education Council Secretary at the EducationDepartment, Thomas Russell Way, George Town, telephone 945-1199,or from the Governor's Staff Officer at the Government AdministrationBuilding, George Town, telephone 949-7900.(GIS)