"STARTMARCHING"

This was the mood of 200-plus crowd of residentslast night who attended the Chamber of Commerce's Task Force forum,organised by Mr. Billy Adam, Chairman of the Sub-Committee forCaymanian Descent.

The Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. O. C.Connor; Chairman of the Immigration Board, Ms. Sharon Roulstone;former Chief Immigration Officer Mr. John Bostock; and Mr. CliveGrenyer from the Legal Department were at the head table to respondto questions put to the panel.

Also in attendance were ExCo Menber, theHon. Anthony Eden, as well as two Members of the Legislative Assemblyfor George Town, Mr. Kurt Tibbetts and Dr. Frank McField.

What became very clear during the debateis that residents are disillusioned, and in many instances frustratedwith the present Government Administration because, as one participantput it their "lack of understanding and caring" in thisimportant Immigration issue, and for "messing it up so badly."

This meeting was a follow-up of an earlierone held in early March by Chamber Members at their monthly luncheon.During that session, discussions were so vociferous - that Governmentresponded by extending the time in which the public can contributetheir comments on the Sub-Committee's report which was tabledat the Legislative Assembly last February.

Also subsequent to the Chamber's meeting,a Statement announcing certain changes in the directives to theImmigration Department was delivered in the House by the ChiefSecretary, Mr. James Ryan, under whose Portfolio matters of Immigrationand Police fall.

Attendees at the meeting gave examples oftheir own situations - one after another - well past the organisersanticipated time. Discussion began at 6:10 and went on until near10:00 PM.

Organiser, Mr. Billy Adam commented: "Thepresent Immigration Laws are of 'exclusion' not 'inclusion'.

Because of the length ... and importanceof this meeting , CAYMAN NET NEWS will present a fuller reportlater today ... and in our new weekly newspaper which hits thestands this Thursday.

Stay with us for more.

Police does not have VoiceMail
... But they do get quite busy attimes.... resulting in some delay in getting back to callers whomay have been put on hold.

As the Press Relations Officer for the RCIPpointed out ... and it is true, they do have a 'live' person anweringtheir main switchboard at all times. He also said that they donot have any intention of changing this preference.

It is unfortunate that this Law EnforcementDepartment got lumped in with another Department -- Immigration-- which is notoriously so busy, that it may be better for someoneto call in to their offices in person to make an enquiry -- ratherthan trying to get a response on the telephone.
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CAYMAN NETNEWS... to be also presented as regular WeeklyNewspaper
In response to the increased desireof a wide cross section of the Community to access the news andcommentaries presented daily on our Website - we will begin publishinga weekly newspaper staring next Thursday - and every week thereafter,to be entitled - CAYMAN NET NEWS.

This full colour weekly newspaper will presentin depth reports of the subjects presented on the website - whichwill continue to be updated daily. This venture - which is inconjunction with the already published Cayman Islands Businessand Tourism News (CiBTN) - will allow readers to get expandedcoverage of all of Cayman's "News as it happens ... whenit happens."

Community organizations, sports clubs, businessowners and corporations are invited to submit their press releasesfor consideration of publication. Readers are also invited towrite, however, we will not be able to accommodate any letterwriter who is not prepared to stand behind their contribution,and have their name published.

Through this medium, we are prepared - bythe will of Cayman's Christian heritage - to assuage the permeationof fear which exists in our society these days -- causing fartoo much erosion in our Blessed community. We will resume publicationof the CiTBN as soon as we are permitted to getthe staff we need.

Meanwhile, it is our intention that CAYMANNET NEWS weekly newspaper - to be sold for 25 cents- will fill the community's longed need for an alternative voice.