Cayman Net Readers' Forum
Discussion Topics

April 2004

All postings during the month (most recent at the top):

• Dominica’s Prime Minister Visits Cayman
  • Our sincere gratitude to the Government and People of Cayman Islands for their hospitality and kindness in providing our Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit with a very pleasant and salubrious environment for his rest and recreation so that he can tackle with renewed energy, and spiritual vigour the challenging task of administering the affairs of lovely Dominica - H. Delamarre
• Taking Speeders off Our Roads: Licence Review
  • As a resident of North Side near the Chisholm’s store intersection, I can attest to the daily speeders exceeding the 25 mph zone by as much as 50 mph. Trucks and cars often travel 50 -75 mph though the neighborhood and the nearby school zone. Do we wait for a child to be killed before action is taken? We have complained on numerous occasions to the police… maybe "sleeping policemen' (speed bumps) are needed - Vincent Macaluso
• C&W calls for fairer umpiring on a level playing field
  • Perhaps the people who have jumped on the band wagon with AT&T and switched from C&W, should take note that it was announced today (Saturday May 1st), that the Attorney General of Florida has filed a suit against AT&T for over-charging the people of Florida. If I heard right, the suit is for 10 billion dollars to be returned to the Florida subscribers of AT&T - Caymanian in Florida
• Are Cubans no longer able to claim asylum?
  • Did the good Doctor do any research at all? The answer to his question is No, if the poor Cubans arrive in the Brac, and Yes, if they are lucky enough to arrive in Grand Cayman. The Brac policy of sending persons seeking protection on to another country is a breach of their human rights. The Grand Cayman policy is always for the Cuban's refugee status to be determined. A little research would have also revealed that refugees are not allowed to "asylum shop" they must make their claim for asylum at the first safe country. Unfortunately, Cayman Brac does not seem to be too safe these days - Anonymous
• Mainstream Media
  • Maybe this is where we are headed also:  When watching the corporate-dominated media in America, any intelligent observer suffers inevitable anguish and disgust. All major media are essentially the same in terms of personnel, format, even timing of subject matter in each broadcast. Whether male or female, white, black, or of some other ethic ancestry, media broadcasters are virtual clones of one another. Personnel are well-dressed and impeccably groomed, handsome in appearance and all trained to use certain gestures, including facial expressions and nods of the head to imply knowingness and understanding. But once the tongues start to move and the words are heard, it becomes very clear that the minds of media broadcasters are so shallow as to be almost comical... read more... - Joseph (Lebbie) Yates
• Cuban Government’s human rights record defended
  • I readily admit I do not know who this purported doctor is, and don't want to know him! However, since he is obviously an ungrateful dissident, I suggest he be bundled up, with any other of his cohorts, and sent home to Mr. Fidel Castro as quickly as possible - at THEIR expense, not the expense of the Cayman Islands Government - Anonymous
  • Mr. Luarca seems to be a "weapon of mass distraction". Such a psychobabble writer!  Has he heard of 9/11? Terrorists in Iraq are linked to al Qaeda and the world is a better place with a free Afghanistan and a freer Iraq. Mr. Luarca, freedom is not free. Americans have died all over the world for the freedom that we enjoy in the west! - Helen Lerner
• C&W Internet users experience difficulties
  • There were serious problems with Cable and Wireless ADSL this past weekend. It is important for C&W and government to realise that there are many individuals who reside on island who manage internet businesses and access the net using ADSL. When those individuals loose connectivity for extended periods they are forced to make alternate arrangements going so far as to relocate to Miami until the problem subsides. In those extreme circumstances the Cayman economy suffers from the decrease in local spending that these high wage earners contribute. Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury, it is as necessary as running water and electricity - Tech Guy
  • Interesting response from C&W. Given that their own website was down over the weekend. I called them on another matter and was told by them that they had ADSL problems. Their service is over priced and is of poor quality. It’s time an outside quality control agency kept an eye on them.
    When something is wrong they deny that there is any fault at their end and they say you have done something stupid. But all of a sudden, without any action on your part, it all starts working again. E-mail accounts get randomly deleted and have to be recreated. ADSL customers are supposed to have a pittance of inclusive web space. Can I ask, has anyone ever got that to work? They give no information on how to use it. They are still an abusive monopoly supplier. It is time more regulation is applied to them to improve service and reduce cost rather than say that there is competition from West Star etc. - Anonymous
  • It’s absolutely incredible that an island so dependent on finance - an industry that now operates internationally via the internet has an unreliable monopoly provider. When will things change? - Dave Stephenson
• Health insurance in the Cayman Islands
  • Dear Caymanians and Residents of the Cayman Islands: My biggest gripe at the moment is health insurance in the Cayman Islands...we are being ripped off, big time… I thought CINICO would alleviate some of the stress that uninsurables face, but they are proving to be just as bad as the private insurance companies, with their ridiculous requirement and their “band aid coverage."... read more... - Direct Current
• Help Find
  • Can anyone help please? I am trying to find an old friend of mine who I think is still on Grand Cayman working in a restaurant. The name is Chris Weaver, from the U.K. We worked together on the island in early nineties. Any help would be great. Thanks - Colin Howlett
    • Editor’s note: If any of our readers can help Mr Howlett, we will be happy to pass on letters or e-mails. Send them to us at PO Box 10707 APO or caymanet@candw.ky
• Bringing Home the Gold
  • Good results. Are all these swimmers Caymanian citizens? - Curious
• Cuban Refugees Cause Stir
  • Mr Harris asks, “Where are the human rights in Cayman?” Perhaps he and others in the Cayman Islands should pay more attention to articles published recently by Cayman Net News and he would realise that there are NO human rights in Cayman and there never will be unless and until voters insist on their elected government accepting the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution - Anonymous
  • So the officials think "Cayman Brac is another Country”. Well indeed! And we who were born in the Sister Islands are quite aware that we often are looked on as "Bastard Children". At least we can be thankful that maybe they have finally realized that the Sister Islands are separate Islands and NOT a connected District of Grand Cayman. That is why we should not have to take a back seat and wait for handouts when it comes to our piped water, medical needs, etc., etc. I don't think we can expect to see water trucks, fire trucks, or ambulances drive over from Grand Cayman like the other districts can expect. Someone needs to find out for sure though, what the Cubans are really up to...they may be running that lucrative stuff between these Caribbean Islands. The many, many private planes flying into Little Cayman on that private land that they have been using as an airfield, may not all be tourists - Anonymous
  • I am encouraged by the media seeking to hold the Immigration Dept accountable for the treatment of refugees and I would like to suggest that media and other independent observers should accompany the repatriation of these people to ensure that Cayman is complying with international treaty obligations.  In the meantime, I was astounded to learn recently that policy in relation to the treatment of refugees is being dictated by the Government Information Service (GIS). The Memorandum of Understanding that the public has not yet seen is reportedly a bilateral agreement between Cuba and the Government of the Cayman Islands, the legality of which must be in serious question.  In the circumstances, it is entirely inappropriate for GIS to make decisions as to the treatment of refugees, or indeed any policy decisions at all – its purpose is to disseminate information. The preferred course of action would be for the refugees in question to be handed over to the International Red Cross for processing in accordance with the Geneva Convention and other treaties – Anonymous
• Living in Constant Fear
  • I'm sure there are hundreds of stories out there of people, including native born Caymanians, who have been advised that they are not allowed to speak out on subjects relating to the issues of the Government of the Day. In the mid-nineties after retiring from the Civil Service and at last feeling free to express my views on important subjects, I took an exciting job with another local newspaper. A couple of months later, I and all the staff were told in a meeting, that we were prohibited from writing to any newspaper or other publications on any subject that was controversial or expressive of our views. Upon leaving the meeting I went immediately to the Boss's office and tendered my resignation. I told him I loved my job, and I may never have anything I want to write about in the newspaper, but as a Caymanian I want the right to express myself when necessary, therefore I will not allow myself to be muzzled again. He was kind, said he understood, but that was a rule they had to have to protect themselves also - Makes the Heart Sad
• Miss Cayman Legit
  • It is a shame that they are ridiculing this girl because of her birth place. She has resided and attended school on the Island from the age of two. I feel she has just as much right as any other Caymanian. For god's sake her mom is Caymanian. That definitely counts as something. By the way, she was the qualified from all the contestants and I'm proud that she was crowned Ms. Cayman and am sure that she will uphold her position with grace and competency. Why is there never a controversy when Ms Cayman was born in the USA or has resided in the UK for most of their lives? Stacey is Caymanian and has the same right as any other qualified Caymanian to hold the crown and if taken away would serve no just to anyone - Distraught
  • I lived in the Cayman Islands for a while and, although being a white person, found the locals’ obsession with everything white almost nauseating. I am convinced that if the queen was whiter, then her ethnicity would not have been called into question. I am back in the U.K so I no longer fear retribution. I am of the opinion that the young lady should return the crown out of respect to all Jamaicans and enlightened Caymanians - Tommy Brown
  • It’s not a matter of colour. It’s the fact that people instinctively sense that this individual does not regard herself as Caymanian and therefore cannot truly be their representative.  Before I even saw Stacey Ann, I heard her on a local talk show. I was amazed by her speech… she sounded so Jamaican. I was put off by a potential Miss Cayman sounding like a Jamaican and I had not even seen her yet. Not that there's anything wrong with speaking like a Jamaican… if you are a Jamaican... read more... - Direct Current
  • Don’t the contest judges have some sort of guidelines, or at least the common sense, to realise that Miss Cayman should at least sound like a Caymanian and, in any event, certainly not like a Jamaican? - Anonymous
  • Obviously not - Juicy Fruit
  • The Cayman Islands will not have a representative in the Miss Universe pageant this year. Lucky for Jamaica - they will have two representatives. This seems harsh to say but look at our so-called Miss Cayman - how can she represent us true born Caymanians? She doesn’t even speak like us. She should not have entered in the first place. If we can’t find Caymanian contestants for the Miss Cayman contest then I suggest that the contest should be called off. I would like to see what would happen if a Caymanian won the Miss Jamaica title. Miss Cayman - Stacy is NOT! - Anonymous
  • I would just like to make sure the readers know that the new Miss Cayman’s mother is not Caymanian either. She too has Caymanian status. Where that information came about I don’t know. I don’t think it has anything to do with color. Stacey is just too Jamaica and you can’t take that out of her. Although she lived here in the Cayman Islands most of her life, she only socialized with the Jamaican side. And she likes to push up herself too much. Stacey was very lucky that Dina dropped out. But one thing came to mind - the committee is to blame for this mess. My question is why the hell did they not call for contestant six months ago. Three weeks of training is bull. That’s why our true born Caymanians cannot do better. Stacey knew that she was going to lick it hard, because she had the most experience - Home Grown
  • I think that it is unfair to all the other delegates to have two Jamaican nationals at the Miss Universe pageant. Stacy Ann should not have entered the contest in the first place. Miss Cayman should be a native of the Islands. The way I look at it, is the Cayman Islands do not have a representative this year - Silver, United States
  • It has been pointed out that Stacy's mother is NOT a native Caymanian either. Thanks for that clarification, because I did read it or hear it on the news that Stacy had one Caymanian parent… although being a Caymanian these days is no longer special… any and everybody is a Caymanian now... read more... - Direct Current
  • In addition to the sentiments expressed by your readers, there also seems to be some ambivalence, to say the least, over the legitimacy of the new Miss Cayman within the Ministry of Tourism itself – which is the organisation responsible for the contest and is very likely to blame for this controversy by failing to screen contestants in the first place and for not selecting qualified judges or giving them proper guidelines as to what to look for in a “Caymanian”.  The Minister for Tourism left the night of the pageant without having the customary 'official' congratulatory photo taken with the winner. So far, he has refused to have the official photo taken with the new Miss Cayman receiving her prize-winning car. He was observed cheering wildly at the contest at each appearance of Miss West Bay… displaying his preference. He is obviously distancing himself from Stacy because of her Jamaican heritage… so what happened to the right of Status holders to be treated as “Caymanians”? – Anonymous
  • Only in Cayman can something so simple become so troublesome. The thought that someone who is not a born Caymanian, neither mother or father Caymanian, someone who doesn’t even identify herself as Caymanian, can represent Cayman is sad - Derrick Powell
  • It is very sad when people are so small minded. I have heard Stacy Kelly speak and it does not sound Jamaican. It sounds like a well spoken individual. If this is what we Caymanians call Jamaican well more power to Jamaica... read more... Caymanian to the Bone
  • Miss Cayman Stacy is NOT. Thanks for reminding me about Dina. She would make a good Miss Cayman - A Die Hard
  • If she gets something what a slap in the face it would be for the Caymanians... oh I can hear it already from the Jamaicans: “A Jamaican had to do it for you! You can’t do without us!” - Anonymous
  • As a very proud Jamaican living in here in the Cayman Islands. I can see how the Caymanians feel regarding Miss Cayman not being Caymanian. I feel that the young lady should not have entered in the first place. Miss Cayman should be Caymanian. This could never happen in Jamaica and people sit back so easy and don’t do something about it - what a shame. I say give Caymanians the spot light and stop fooling the world. Although Stacy has Caymanian status, there are some things that status holder should not get involved in. And Miss Cayman is one of them... I wonder what Miss Jamaica is going to think when she meets this girl from Cayman who calls herself Miss Cayman but sounds like a Jamaican - Jamaican to the Bone
  • The person who submitted the piece: Miss Cayman Legit, please find your own nickname as your opinions may not always be in line with mine. "Caymanian to the Bone" has been used by myself now for over a year in letters, etc., and I would not want anyone to confuse our views. As for your opinion that the current "Miss Cayman is legit", well that's okay, it's great to be able to express yourself. But what I did not appreciate is your berating and scolding Caymanians like they are nothing more than beggars just because they voice their opinions against something such as the winning Miss Cayman contestant. I have no problem with who won the title. She's well spoken and professional. But other people have a right to their personal feelings. I can imagine the sunken feeling some of the contestants and family may have felt, as this seems to be the way of life here on these islands. The foreigner always gets the better job, the promotion, the spotlight, their bills paid, etc., etc. Maybe people are just fed up with seeing everything go to people who found our shores nice, and stayed. Where are the rewards for the true hardworking Caymanians? Maybe that was what the letter writer you were responding to was thinking. Instead of being so negative, nickname stealer, please put yourself in the contestants' and families' (and other Caymanians') shoes for a moment - Caymanian to the Bone
  • I have to agree with "Jamaican to the Bone". The Miss Cayman competition is no longer about Caymanians being proud of Caymanians. They really should re-think the title and the responsibility of being Miss Cayman if just about any nationality can carry that title. We had some very good candidates in the last competition. Miss Sophifa Ebanks being one of them, and yet instead of supporting one of our own we choose to give it an "outsider". There isn't much of Cayman to belong to Caymanian as it is, and we just keep on giving away what is left to the first one that puts foot inside the door. I say leave Miss Cayman to the CAYMANIAN Misses - A Caymanian for Caymanians
  • I am glad to see that the real "Caymanian to the Bone" is back and did not have a drastic change of heart, as one was led to believe from the recent post. Phew! To the counterfeit "Caymanian to the Bone": get your own nickname! You can't touch the original! Some things can't be imitated. Use your imagination and come up with your own handle! Good reading your position on this issue, CTTB. As usual, I agree with you - Direct Current
  • I appreciate the objectivity of "Jamaican to the Bone" expressed in his/her recent post. That individual is fair and understands how angry true Caymanians feel when they see a foreigner representing the Cayman Islands as a Miss Cayman. As s/he said, it could not happen in Jamaica. That’s one thing I admire about my Jamaican friends, they stand up for what they believe in… nobody is going to walk over them, that’s for sure. We Caymanians are too passive - Direct Current
  • I think these people with these comments should look into themselves Stacy Ann, accent is not the priority here It doesn’t matter what accent you have, you are going to represent a country as long as you speak properly, that is what counts. I think she did well and should go on to represent this Island. Good luck girl, I give you a ten - Anonymous
  • When will the jealously between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica end?... NEVER! - Audrey Powell
  • I am not scolding Caymanians for having a voice. People are entitled to voice their opinion, just like I am entitled to use the nickname “Caymanian to the Bone”, which is not even a Caymanian but a Trinidadian phrase. LOL... read more... - Caymanian to the Bone
  • You are confusing two issues. You refer to an instance where a Caymanian should not get the job if s/he is not qualified. I agree. However the instance of having a Caymanian represent one's country is a different scenario than that. One expects Miss Cayman to be a Caymanian… and not simply a paper Caymanian, either - Anon
  • Thank Heavens for your reply (Caymanian to the Bone) because they don't seem to know when to stop. Just remember all of you that are against Ms. Kelly are actually being judged by God right now and only God can judge Stacey. So give her a break. Go Stacey, Go Stacey. You’re killing them. You were the best contestant the night of Miss Cayman and you deserved it. Work HARDER for these fools.  The best of luck goes to you in Ms Universe. The Lord does not like ugly! - Anonymous
  • "A few disgruntled people” - which part of Jamaica are you talking about? I have been to a Miss Jamaica contest and saw with my own eyes a Miss Jamaica booed and trashed at on stage. Leave the Cayman people, let them be proud of what they have, like we Jamaicans are proud of what we have. And to the Dina fans encourage her to get back in the contest next year. If she starts training early the 2005 crown could be on her head - Jamaican to the Bone
  • If we want a “born Caymanian” to win the contest, then we should have the rules changed to specify just that. Otherwise it is fair for a "paper Caymanian" to enter and even win the contest.. read more... - Anonymous
  • I seem to remember that a few years ago a Miss Italy met with great resistance from Italians because she was not a born Italian. So, this sentiment is not unique to Cayman - Observer
  • I cringed with embarrassment when I watched Miss Universe Tuesday night. Compared to the other entrants, Miss Cayman was a joke! How dare Cayman waste the country's money to send such a representative to Miss Universe? – Observer
  • The national costume was very poor. I know in that department Cayman can do better than that - Mark Clarke
• CINICO's Requirements not that Ridiculous
  • I read the article from Juicy Fruit with great interest, and would just like to mention some positive experiences I have had with CINICO. First of all, the closed enrolment period is not really "closed". In fact, anyone can join all year around, provided they meet the basic requirements. However, in order to keep premiums low (a very necessary requirement for those who cannot afford health insurance) certain controls must be put in place including the proof that a person really is health impaired. This may sound easy, but it's not... read more...  - Anonymous
• Stacey Ann Kelly wins Miss Cayman Islands Pageant
  • Congratulations... and wishing you all the best in your international competitions... have a great year and be humble to all as you no longer represent yourself but the beautiful people of your country and embrace this opportunity for it becomes one of your treasure box memories of life - Doug A. Gardiner
  • Congrats Stacy. I am a CARIMAC student. CARIMAC and the UWI is proud of you girl! - Peter Kelly
  • Spending three years on campus with you I know that you always strive to be best in whatever you do. Congratulations and may you carry your country's flag with poise and dignity. Good Luck from the entire Public Relations Class of 2003 (CARIMAC) - Ann-Marie Burke
  • We are very proud of you, you are a wonderful ambassador for Cayman. Continue to hold your head up high and reach for the stars at the pageant in Ecuador. Take care you are a beautiful young lady who is very deserving of your crown - Alicia Connolly
  • Congratulation from one Falcon to another, Your high self esteem and determination pays off once more. All the best in your future endeavours, Love u Fountain - Sasha Titus
• Captive Dolphin Opposition Rises
  • As a visitor to the Islands for more than 20 years it is things like this that make me want to find an Island somewhere else. Grand Cayman is no longer special. With all the cruise ships and now this… it just proves that all the people who are making decisions care about is the almighty dollar - S C
• Save the Humans As Well
  • This editorial is not based on fact. It's not true that "Captivity might kill dolphins with a slow death". In fact, dolphins tend to live LONGER lives when in captivity and part of a responsible breeding and training program in a large facility. This is a fact. It's also untrue that we are choking on exhaust fumes from cars when the air quality is constantly refreshed with consistent easterly winds. This is not to say that we should be irresponsible with our environment, but just because this writer got stuck behind a tractor or something, they make huge sweeping generalizations that have no basis in fact. If you want to see what REAL air pollution is like, visit Los Angeles or Prague or any number of eastern European countries - Anon
• Mother pleads for Government compensation
  • I have known Mario for several years now and he is in an unfortunate position. It is surprising however to now see that someone cares for him. Mario has been in problems for several years for a variety of offences but he was never charged before. I know officers that have a rapport with him and have tried over the years to get him help; unfortunately there was none available in our modern country. His family would not try to help and could not have cared less for him. While the state may have let him down so did his family as there only assistance was to ask the state to deal with him. Mario is intelligent and just wants to belong. When no one else is there the streets take over. I am sure that his immediate and extended family can provide for him to improve his quality of life - Anon
• Ponderings
  • The old Sponge House" still lives. It is located behind the Church of God - Full Gospel Hall - On South Church Street. It was moved there after the War and used for a school. Also, one of the Germans was married in Cayman - Dick Arch
• Names clarification over Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
  • Great job Desmond, keep the pressure on. As for Jean Cohen's assertions, you may wish to ask her why Melissa Perkins is listed as the media contact on the Ritz-Carlton's web site. Check it out. As for usage of "Ritz" you may also ask about "The Ritz Kids: Ambassadors of the Environment".  Then again, perhaps Melissa Perkins is the best person to ask since she is listed as the Media Contact - Free Research
• Caymanians perform in United States
  • Very good for the Barnetts. We are proud of your family – Sarjus, Canada
• Court To Review Status
  • Excellent article. It would have been of interest to know the time table for this important issue to be resolved. Those of us that are affected, both economically and emotionally, would like/need to see a swift resolution. This is essential to the ability to make business plans etc. I feel it is also a determination as the Cayman Islands Government's credibility or if the lawyers are now running as haphazard here as in the US. It seems very odd to those of us affected that the CBA has determined that it's necessary to do this without so much as one client. Perhaps they needed a publicity stunt? – Benji
    • Editor’s note: So far as we have been able to ascertain, no date has been fixed for the substantive hearing and it is now up to the court to set a hearing date. As a matter of public policy, the court is supposed to deal with judicial review applications expeditiously but, in practice, there is no certainty that this particular application will be heard any time soon. Whenever further details are available, Cayman Net News will, of course, inform its readers.
  • We wish to congratulate the Cayman Bar Association for having the courage to take legal action against the government regarding the Cabinet status grants.  Time will tell if this cabinet acted illegally; however, in the view of great number of Caymanians, many of the Cabinet grants were morally wrong and unjustified. Having done a number of good things since coming to office, shame on this government for such an ill-advised and shortsighted policy of granting indiscriminate, un-scrutinized status grants... read more... - Concerned Caymanians
• Jonkunnu Come Back Again
  • I've always been interested in the many cultural events that take place on the island. This event in particular. However, it would be nice to read about how Jonkunnu came about and what it means. Perhaps this can be addressed in a future article – Michelle, Mississauga, Ontario
• Cinico's ridiculous requirement
  • Last week, on the Rooster's talk show, it was pointed out to the Minister for Health, Mr Gilbert McLean, that any applicant to Cinico is required to produce letters of refusal from two other insurance companies. This requirement can be quite frustrating and onerous to the handicapped. It is also a ridiculous requirement, because the applicant is asked to apply to two private companies for insurance that s/he knows they can never get... read more... - Direct Current
  • I agree totally with Direct Current about CINICO's requirement being unreasonable and ridiculous. I think it’s an exercise in futility, really.  What's the point of going through all that rigmarole of applying to private insurance companies if you have a known disability? Why bother? Private insurance companies will always answer with a loud No whenever an uninsurable applies to them for insurance coverage... read more... - Juicy Fruit
• Red Bay Primary becomes ‘back-to-back’ Inter-primary Sports Day champions
  • There was a past athlete from Savannah Primary named Krreem Allette who was a standout during 1993-1996; do you have any records on him? A response would be much appreciated - Dulani
    • Editor’s note: If any of our readers can help Dulani on this topic, we will be happy to pass on letters or e-mails. Send them to us at PO Box 10707 APO or caymanet@candw.ky.
• Authority forces C&W to up rates
  • In the Radio Cayman Report of the ICTA ruling, the Minister responsible - the Hon. Juliana O'Connor-Conolly was quoted as saying that the ICTA's finding/ruling had to contain "assumptions" due to the time frame for their ruling on the submission from C&W. The ICTA took more than a week to issue this 50 page report, and it is amazing, that after giving C&W little more than a day to submit the requested information - versus the week or more the ICTA took to make their ruling -- they have the gall to say that the ICTA had to make "assumptions" due to lack of time. Do the initials ICTA stand for "Intelligent Communication Totally Absent"? It would seem so, because one would not expect such a committee to make "assumptions" - Makes the Heart Sad
  • All the years we have had to endure high prices for telecommunications and the very thing (competition) introduced to bring prices down is now making it rise! I really have to question what it is the ICTA is doing. Can we be certain that the members are: (a) qualified to makes such judgments not in favour of the people; (b) that no member has interests in the competition; and (c) that they expect us to believe that the rates are below cost? If that is the case then let us watch and see if the shareholders of C&W agree. I am pretty sure they do not want to lose money. Shame on the ICTA! - Tony
  • Are we living in a capitalist society or are we in the old communist bloc, where all for one and all was meant to prevail? Yes it’s indeed sad that C&W had to get its proverbial butt kicked in order for it to wake up and provide better pricing/quality of service, however, it is still understood that we are in a free enterprise system where pricing, marketing, location and ultimately the consumer demands and pays for what he/she sees as value. The blatant suppression of rates that will provide the consumer with "value" can only be looked at in two ways; sheer manipulation on the part of competitors or simple and unadulterated ignorance of market forces - Let Freedom Ring
  • What a coincidence that the management team at C&W would decide to "continue its promise to bring the best possible prices to our customers in the Cayman Islands" (as quoted from Ms Fa’amoe) as their monopoly came to an end and Digicel and AT&T started to deplete their market share. I agree, competition is good and we, the residents, want lower prices but until C&W was forced, they did nothing for the residents but to increase their prices. It is so funny that all of a sudden they are able to reduce their costs at such a level that they can offer below cost prices. Great job team! ... read more...  - Been Dooped
• PRIZE Project rescues Caymanian plants
  • I am very happy to discover what you are doing. I plan on coming to the Cayman Islands in December 2004. I would like to be able to see the native plants and especially orchids. If there are plants that will grow well in Northern California I hope to discover this as well. If you have more information about what you are doing that is easy to send, I would be delighted to receive it. What you are doing is so important to all life on this planet. Have a good day - Cathy Young
    • Editor’s note: If any of our readers would like to respond to Ms Young on this topic, we will be happy to pass on letters or e-mails. Send them to us at PO Box 10707 APO or caymanet@candw.ky.
• Barbara King is Brac Woman of the Year
  • Just a note of correction in this article you have said that it was the King's dream to open a youth centre. This is an error, because I was the speaker for this event as you have stated and I spoke about the reason my husband and I have moved back to the Brac from Grand Cayman and that is to fulfill a life long dream which is to build a youth centre. And we are doing that here on the Brac. Thank you for correcting this error. We have property and a building that will be going up just east of the hospital. Please contact us if you would like more information - Carla French
  • I am grateful that Rev. & Mrs. French are planning to build a much-needed youth center on Cayman Brac, but I must point out that we were all grateful to Capt. Mabry Kirkconnell, back in the 1970's when he opened what was then known as the youth center and is now (I believe) the Kidco building. The young people at that time enjoyed activities with supervision, while the adults gathered to play dominoes and visit with each other. As for Barbara King being made the woman of the year, I was quite disappointed in that because I feel there are other "unsung heroes", in the Cayman Brac community, who are/were much more deserving of the award than Mrs. King - Anonymous
• Hospital CEO Gone
  • This constant waste of funds and resources is just tragic and provides the population of the Cayman Islands with no net benefit. It goes on and on. Running health service delivery anywhere in the world is extremely difficult and most jurisdictions struggle. Can Cayman really afford this utter merry-go-round mismanagement though? I don't think so - Dr John E Dobson
  • When will Cayman learn the truth surrounding the previous Hospital CEO? We have questioned his inflated salary and now we are puzzled at his abrupt departure. He must have had a really good reason for leaving such a well paying job. But why the secrecy… why not tell the public how their money was spent on this public servant? Tell us what caused him to break his contract. And tell us if Mrs. Reid will be paid the same salary as her immediate predecessor. After all, it is public money that is being spent by the Health Services Authority… therefore we, the public, have a right to know - Direct Current
• Our Relationship with CARICOM
  • I have to agree with this editorial...in my personal experiences with CARICOM, they have no real respect for the countries who are not full members of CARICOM (based of my experiences with the Caribbean Youth Explosion 4 years ago which was hosted by CARICOM). Cayman has only just joined as a partial member, we are fortunate enough to have stable currency as well as a 'stable' country (when compared to other Caribbean countries). Why jump out of the frying pan and into the fire? I commend Caymannetnews for addressing this issue... I strongly feel like Cayman's leadership needs to SLOW DOWN and fully assess all options before hastily making a decision in hopes to make a name for oneself or in order to be popular when election time comes around - Anonymous
• Caymannetnews.com continues growth
  • So happy to be able to keep up with current events, as in selling the Cayman Islands, my clients rely on me to keep them updated on any new happenings on the islands from new hotel openings, restaurants and night-clubs to new tourist attractions. Thank you so much! - Shelley Dayman, Orlando, Florida
• East End Celebrates Water Supply Grand Opening
  • I'm glad for them too, because now that East End has piped water, maybe they will fulfill their promise to Cayman Brac and extend the piped water up to the Hospital, Morgue, Dental Clinic, and Rest Home, and to those homes in-between like me, who have been waiting for ten years to get the piped water. When I bought my fiberglass tank from the Water Authority ten years ago, they promised me that piped water would be in place in five years. I'm still waiting - Anonymous
• Hong Kong investors lose US$80m in failed Cayman hedge funds
  • Based on Towry Law advice and assurance, I've invested in Circus Capital fund - with profit. I was told and assured that this fund is protected! Now Towry Law is saying “but not guaranteed”! They never told me this and never indicated that this fund is risky. I attempted to redeem the fund 18 months ago, but was told to leave it and redeem the other fund until the bonus rate declaration! ... read more... HN, Bahrain
• With a dolphin park on its way, has ‘Freedom’ really died in Cayman?
  • The miscalculation by investors and government that believe Cayman will benefit from a captive dolphin program is disturbing. This government has shown the wisdom and maturity in the recent past to reverse themselves when public opinion convinced them that the proposed governmental solution to a particular problem was misguided... read more...  - Anonymous
  • What a shortsighted tragedy it would be if the Cayman Islands succumb to the cheap lure of easy money gained at the expense of one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet. Because we have the power to carry out an action doesn't mean we have the right to do so. A community or country shows its collective character by the way in which it treats less powerful groups, or in this case defenseless animals, under its control. The act of capturing and imprisoning dolphins would say a lot about Caymanian society. Is it an enlightened first world country populated by humane, educated people or a place where the desire for a quick buck takes precedence over everything else? Cayman the choice is yours and the world at large will be watching - Bruce McWilliams
  • I feel compelled to respond to Helene O'Barry's letter. Her description of the massacre in Japan is horrifying! I will assume that what she says is true and not exaggerated for effect. I will also assume that she somehow knows that some of the participants in this massacre were Dolphin Trainers. However, I find that hard to believe. I have been a Dolphin Trainer for many years and I don't know anyone who would ever support such a scene! ... read more... - Dolphin Trainer
  • I have always wanted to "swim with the dolphins" until I read this article. After hearing how traumatized these poor animals are, I will never feel the same again. Just as I never attended another circus after I found out how those poor animals were mistreated, I will never endeavor to "swim with the dolphins." Thank you for publishing this article and making (well-meaning) people like me aware of what is truly behind these programs - Debbie Martin
  • I think the Cayman Islands Government has made yet another terribly wrong decision in supporting the establishment of a dolphin park in Cayman. Dolphins are not indigenous creatures in Cayman's environment. To introduce a foreign element into our fragile environment will upset the natural balance put in place by our Creator... read more... - Direct Current
  • I think it's terrible to even think about doing this. I have been coming to the Islands since 1980 and you have prided yourself in leaving things in the ocean. And now you are going to capture dolphins to make more money. What the almighty dollar has done to the Cayman Islands. I've seen so much of it over the last 24 years. It's such a shame - Sherry
  • I spent four years living on Grand Cayman. During that time, I met many people whose love of the natural environment and the beauties of the natural world had seen their island paradise progressively destroyed by greed. And now a Dolphin Park? I would like to know whose hand is behind this monstrosity -- whose pockets will be lined? Caymanians and expats alike would appear to be against this idea, and Government should listen. Not all cruise-ship tourists want to watch dolphin-shows -- if they do, they can more cheaply find them on mainland USA. I am advised that dolphins are NOT indigenous to the waters off Cayman, though they do infrequently swim past (as did Freedom's pod) -- is it right to import such an animal just to pander to the whim of some money-grubbing entrepreneur? I had hoped to revisit Cayman in the future. If this idea bears fruit, I will not set foot on Cayman again, nor will I encourage anyone else to do so - Terri Beckett
  • This article sickened me. I am a dolphin lover and dream of working with these amazing creatures. Just as the pure awe that the dolphin leaves me in, reading about the slaughter, with trainers involved no less, brought tears to my eyes. I have been exploring where to go so I can "swim with the dolphins", perhaps I don't want to do this now. I would love to make a career change to work with these animals. I know it's hard and a lot of dirty work is involved in order to get your way to trainer. I would do it out of sheer respect, love and devotion for these animals. Someone needs to stop this ridiculous slaughter. What justification is there? All I can think of is wanting to sink a few of those slaughter ships. However, in my eyes, the dolphin is an animal of tranquility, peace and knowledge. They would probably not condone such violence even against their enemy - Keith
  • I agree totally. People say they love dolphins so don't they deserve to be free. What captive whales and dolphins go through is something we could never understand. We put dolphins through hell and say we love them - Rebecca Watts
• 50-metre Pool Gets $3 Million
  • Please make sure that you have a diving facility possibly a even a separate diving well with 1, 3, 5, and 10 meter boards. This will make your facility much more marketable for international meets - Claudette C. D'Arrigo, Manager, Two Rivers Travel
• Mysterious creature found in Cayman Brac
  • Many years ago I was living in Tallahassee, Florida, and the neighbors next to my apartment were having swamp muck put in their yard for their lawns. An eel which looked just like this one from Cayman Brac, came into our yard. Its head had a sort of duck bill mouth, and the pointed tail. The experts at Florida State University identified it as a "Lamprey eel" and said it was a good thing it didn't get to bite anyone, because it is a deadly poison type of eel that lives in the Florida swamps. I'm not advocating killing this eel found in C.B., but I suggest that someone may want to enquire further to be sure they have properly identified it and that it didn't have other members of its family left in the swamp where Mr. Sevik found it - Anonymous
  • This eel was once plentiful in the Meagre Bay Pond in the 1940's through the 1970's. It was not unusual for them to slither past the feet of duck hunters. However, because the waters were never really ventured into by any others, not many people were aware of it. There is no reason why they may not still be there today, because the pond is a protected site no one has ventured in it for many years - Son of the Soil
• Rundown heads for Cayman Brac
  • Gosh I wish I could get to see this. I always enjoyed Rundown each year. Does Mr. Dave Martins have video tapes made of these? If not, would he please consider it? Those of us living abroad would love to purchase tapes of the Rundown shows. Please let us know - Naomi Oyog
  • Great to read more news articles about Cayman Brac. While your article mentions that the play will run from April 2nd, when is the ending date of available times to see the play? My immediate family will be in Cayman Brac this summer and wonder if it would be possible to take in this play? - Helen Mae Lazzari Lerner
    • Editor’s note: The performance of Rundown in Cayman Brac was regrettably for one night only (April 2). Perhaps the organisers will consider releasing a taped version for those unable to attend the live performances, as suggested by another forum contributor, Naomi Oyog.