ConstitutionalCommissioners Make Last Push for Greater Public Input
The Constitutional ReviewCommissioners are making a final push to encourage Caymaniansto share their views on constitutional change prior to the November15 deadline for public input.
Although over five hundred persons have attended public meetingsand the commissioners have met privately with many others, theywould still like to hear more from the public particularly youngerCaymanians.
Stressing the relevance of the constitutional review to this particularage group, Commissioner Arthur Hunter remarked: "Young peopleclearly have the most at stake in this process. The changes thatmay be put into place will impact how this country is run forthe better part of their lives."
Mr Hunter said that to date feedback has been extremely positiveand it offers commissioners a mandate for change.
"Many persons feel Executive Council (ExCo) should be entirelycomposed of elected ministers. There has also been interest ina full ministerial system with a Chief Minister who selects histeam of ministers from among the Members of the Legislative Assembly,and recommends them for appointment to the Governor. From a civilservice perspective, persons have argued for a stronger publicservice commission, with powers enshrined in the constitution.People have also spoken overwhelmingly in favour of a bill ofrights," he declares.
While the Commissioners' final public meeting was held in BoddenTown on, 11 October, individuals may continue to make privateappointments with them through next month's deadline. Copies ofa questionnaire on constitutional change, circulated by the Commissioners,may also be completed on-line at http://www.constitutionalreview.ky,mailed to PO Box 32348SMB or faxed to 946-8561.
In addition members of the public will have the opportunity tophone-in questions to commissioners during a live broadcast ofthe television show Issues 27, at a date to be later announced.
Following the period for public consultation the constitutionalreview team, which consists of Mr Hunter, Mr Leonard Ebanks andChairman Mr Benson Ebanks, will produce a report incorporatinga draft constitution representing the wishes that the Caymanianpeople have expressed to them. This document is to be submittedto the Governor's Office by March 2002.
Commenting on the progress of the review to date, Chairman BensonEbanks said: "We have previously taken part in similar efforts.What distinguished this occasion for me was the public's cleardesire to see increased accountability and responsibility enshrinedin our constitutional system. I believe with the good will andkeen interest of the public, we will be able to produce a documentthat will be of great benefit to our country in the years to come."