YMCA / YWCA of the CaymanIslands
Dear Sir,
I am hereby writing you as a representativeof the above Associations, YMCA/YWCA.
The YMCA/YWCA, are charitable, non-profit,non-denominational Associations.I would like to update the CaymanianPublic as to the progress of the Associations since they werestarted, as well as to make valubale sugesstions to the futureour our Cayman Islands.
At this time, we are formally working alongwith the headquarters in Switzerland to get an officail Charter.However, we have been given the go-ahead to operate as the abovenamed bodies by the HQ in Switzerland, which is monitoring ourprogress.
Representative are currently being tranied in the United Kingdomand USA.
(In the near future, we do hope to sendthree young Caymanian representative to Switzerland and Canada)These representatives will return to the Cayman Islands to givevaluable contributions to the Cyamanian Society.
Since we started, we have been succssfulin securing a peice of land off the Harquail bypass, whcih wasgraciously donated by Mr. Neals Godfrey.
We have also helped a young Cyamanian lady,to attend drugh rehabilitation in Jamaica, whcih is continuing.
We will be announcing the appointment ofa young Caymanian Director in the near future, who is a universitygraduate and have a lot of resource and help for our young people.
Persons interested in the work of the YMCA/YWCAmay log on to: www.ymca.int or www.worldywca.org. From these websites, it may be seen that youngpeople are encouraged to get involved in issues that affect themfrom day to day.
I do hope that the powers that be, willbe reading this article so maybe they can assess the views thatI am putting forward and are widely shared by amny young peoplelike myself who have been abroad for a number of years and wantto see Cyman return to stability.
In relation to the economy, many personsamy want to discourage any more increase in prices. The recentincrease in postage rates is not out of line with any other country'sinland postage. In comparrison to the USA, to pay for inland postageis 30c, in comparison to Engalnd, inland postage is 19p 2nd classand 36p and above for 1st class depending on the wieght. I amsuggesting an amicable way to assis the government with increasingrevenus as well as assisting the general Caymanian populationin getting their money to work for them.
Option 1.
That the govenment cahrge each householdtelevision licence of CI$1.00 per week which amounts to CI$52.00per year before they are allowed to use a TV. TV licence holdersmay be monitored by the Police and Immigration Enforcement orany organisation that the government designate for this purpose.We all have to pay post-box rentals, garbage fess, etc, televisionin many countries are considered luxury. Unlike Cayman, Britianis a tax paying country and every hosuehold have to get a TV licencebefore they can operate a TV. If not the offender pays a heavyfine in court of £1,000.
TV licence can generate a substantial incomeas an increase in revenue. It is also sugested that bars, hotels,and private businesses pay a rate of $2.00 per week. Churches,charitable Associations and government bodies to be exempt.
Local cable companies also have an inputby supplying upon request the names of persons who are using cable.
Many persons may not agree on this point,as they feel that they have been paying too much already. Buttake this in light of the fact that many persons come from everywherein the world to work in the Cayman Islands, save their money andleave without making any contribution to the Caymanian Society.
It is noted that many of these foreign workersonly buy food and pay rent.
They do not support the other businesses.Many of these persons use givernment amneties free of cost. Iam not suggesting that only foreing workers pay licence fees,but every household in the Cayman Islands.
Option 2.
That Cayman Airways should remainwith the government, but that shares should be offered to thepublic for an agreed amount. By this the public will be able toparticiapte in the general affairs of Cayman Airways. These areto be equally distributed to the man in the street as well asto the rich and famous.The money realised from these shares tobe invested on the various stock markets, global funds etc. forthe welfare of shareholders as well as a decent return on peoplesinvestments.
Option 3.
Any other govenment body that maybeheavily in debt, to be kept by government but to be offered ona share basis to the public, in the same manner as suggested above.
There are enough banks in Cayman as wellas share trading dodies, which invest and trade on the stock markets.
So even though everyone may be paying forgarbage fees, post-box rentals, TV licences etc. they will begiven an opportunity to make valuable contributions to the economyas well as making extra money for themselves.
The YMCA/YWCA, are praying for the peace,prosperity, well-bieng and future stability of these Islands.
The oppinions expresses in this letter,are not necessarily those of the YMCA/YWCA international or theYMCA/YWCA, Cayman Islands.
Dianne King
Representative, YMCA/YWCA, Cayman Islands.