Cayman Net Readers' Forum
Discussion Topics

May 2004

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

• New Latin Dance Academy is opened
  • It was about time that we have a dance academy with Latin Dance. Excellent idea. Congratulation guys and see you there - Jackie Lopez
• Cayman Mango Mania
  • Your article and especially the photos of the mangoes made me remember days gone by! We would get up at daybreak walk several miles to our family property, fill our "ground baskets" with mangoes and walk back home with the load of treasure. That afternoon we would go "in the sea" and eat, swim and enjoy the wonders of our sweet Cayman - Richard N. Parson
• The Danger of Relying Only On US Tourism
  • The Cayman Islands must move towards making a common travel area with the Caribbean and the European Union a priority. The 5.9% figure for EU visitors could be increased substantially within two years with the embrace of such a program - Thomas A. Tass
• CIDB Shake Up
  • This article has answered a question I have had for a long time... "Why I was never able to get a loan from the Development Bank to start my own business?" I was working in an upper position with government, and wondered if it had anything to do with that, or was it because I was a single woman? Well - there it is, in black and white… in the last paragraph "Many YOUNG Caymanians have been able to realize their goal… etc... etc." I was not old... but I was not young enough! Incredible! Three strikes against me, I'm a woman, was in mid-adult years at that time, and I worked for government. Thanks for revealing the truth at last. No wonder there are disputes over loan procedures - including those that involve nepotism and favouritism - One of the Shut-outs
  • I am searching for the whereabouts of Patrick Musaib Ali. Will you have him contact me via my email address ASAP? With appreciation - Ruth Bernard
• Affordable Housing Debate Heats Up
  • These houses wouldn't even pass Planning Inspection from the looks of it. Look how close they are to each other. And look how low they are.....the homeowner will be flooded out in rainy weather. They look like boat sheds. Frank's Boat Sheds. Why is it Government can build sub-standard houses and get Planning to pass them, but the ordinary man on the street has to meet all kinds of standards before he can get his Certificate of Occupancy? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander - Observer
• The A-Bee-C’s of Media Relations
  • I think the reason why GIS can't pollinate the public's need for vital information is because the queen Bee keeps the workers and the drones close to the hive, drawing nectar only from one flower. All the while, the queen is re-directing her workers to build her own personal hive as opposed supporting the colony at-large... read more...  - Apiarist
• The Upcoming Election as a Constitutional Referendum
  • Are you saying that if we want constitutional change our vote must be for UDP on Elections Day? Is that the way you are envisaging using the Elections as a Referendum? I sincerely hope not, because my desire for Referendum and the choice of candidates in UDP may not coincide.  I hope that the Government will use the Elections exercise as a chance to poll the people on certain important issues facing Cayman today: Independence, Constitutional Reform, to name but two.  If the voter has to spend a little extra time in the booth and complete a separate questionnaire so that s/he can give his/her input on these pressing issues, I think it would be time well spent and it would be using the Elections exercise to its fullest. I would certainly approve of that as a way of conducting a Referendum - Direct Current
• Pilar Bush Stays
  • It's the same old rubbish, with the idiots that are supposed to be our leaders trying to frustrate individuals viewed as a threat to them. She is probably more qualified to be leader of government business than McKeeva - Darley Solomon, MD
  • Give us a break! Obviously the "on-again" "off-again" syndrome runs in the Bush family. In other families it is called "throwing a tantrum" and is rewarded with a few carefully placed swats on the rear and time-out detention. But apparently in the Bush family it is a tool by which you threaten people to achieve what you want… like the big promotion for Ms. Bush, and the dock land at Northwest Point for Mr. Bush. Since that is how they operate, is it any wonder that the West Bayers demand rewards in exchange for voting Mr. Bush in? Pilar Bush should not be rewarded for her tantrum - after all, she wanted to be able to work at other jobs in addition to the high paid job in government. Someone that greedy and immature is NOT befit a high position like Director of Tourism - Eyes Wide Open Caymanian
  • Okay not much has been said on this issue recently but clearly there is something wrong here. First there is a story that she resigned and in response to that the Permanent Secretary says that the Ministry is talking to her about her desire to pursue private business interests and the affects of that on her job. Rumours are rampant about this issue and somebody needs to let the Caymanian public know what is happening... read more... - Watchman
  • One other quick point that I forgot earlier. Can the Governor and McKeeva guarantee our country that this waiver of the rules for Ms. Bush has not resulted in our taxpayers dollars being spent on other Caribbean countries?  Enquiring minds want to know! - Watchman
  • We have not heard from the Governor, McKeeva or Mr. Clifford on this matter. Is she or is she not being allowed to work for other Caribbean governments and countries while serving as our Director of Tourism. I want to know! - Edison Bodden
• 2004-2005 Budget Highlights: Part 7
  • Isn't it about time that the Cayman Islands had someone that knows something about healthcare as the Minister of Health? - Darley Solomon, MD
• What is the Legislative Assembly, how does it work, what does it do?
  • This is a great way to inform the public and others interested in the political spectrum of the Cayman Islands. It would also be helpful if your paper could mention a little each day about each person running for office. I enjoyed reading about Maxine and thought it wonderful that she is going to give her valuable time to contribute back to her community. I applaud her. Again, within the fabric of conversations or stories of these great Caymanians it would be most helpful to read about their views and plans for working in the political arena - Helen Mae Lazzari-Lerner
    • Editor’s note: Closer to the election Cayman Net News will indeed be making space available to those candidates willing to air their political manifestos in such a forum. Historically, however, for reasons best known to themselves, some candidates have been reluctant to do this. Nevertheless, all will be invited and the electorate can draw their own conclusions as to those who may be conspicuous by their absence.
• West Bay Dock Back
  • On again; off again; it's enough to make a body seasick. Isn't it amazing how a threat of withdrawal can make a person change their mind? Of course when money talks, the brain walks away into oblivion. And that my dears is how the snake got the best of Eve, and how Big man gets re-elected - It Makes the Heart Weep
  • Mac can even raise the dead! A couple of days ago your headline read "West Bay Dock Dead" now today it reads "West Bay Dock Back". Mac can raise the dead! May I suggest a name for the West Bay Dock? Let’s call it Resurrection Dock! It once was dead, but now it lives! Go, Mac, go! - Juicy Fruit
• UK makes Cayman top priority in tax treaty talks
  • Do not trust anything that the British Labour party does. It will act in its own interest and not that of anyone else. This is true of Brittan itself but it is especially true of the Cayman Islands. Labour still have the stereotypical image of these islands as full of evil money launderers and people avoiding paying ‘fair’ taxes. Furthermore, if Dawn Primarolo (aka Dim Prawn) is involved then it will definitely be screwed up. This woman’s record speaks for itself. One day they will be gone, hopefully, soon. Let us pray that they do not manage to do too much damage to the Cayman Islands before they go - Anonymous
  • I fully agree with "Anonymous" as to the lack of trustworthiness of the UK Labour party. Instead of screwing around with the UK I do not know why the Caymans do not just go independent and do their own thing. It certainly is a wealthy enough country (as of now), but if they let the British government continue on its current path the offshore sector will die and the economy will return to the 1950's. John Edwards
  • I think the UK wants to tax the people of the Cayman Islands - John V. Evans Sr
  • Cayman has an abnormal emotional and frankly seriously deleterious attachment to the UK. Continue the talks and watch two things: 1. Financial Sector (5th in the world) totally collapse over time; and 2. Real Estate drop 60% in value. One constant, some people will still come to scuba dive. What will the Caymans get in return? A battleship cruising around the islands a few times a year and money going to the UK. Cayman, wake up and get some intestinal fortitude. Save yourself while you have the muscle and the pride (and brains?) - William Styvesant
• Here Chicken! Chicken!
  • Dear Des, I think that your editorial on the chicken issue is a classic dish. It comes to mind to integrate the titles of those in charge e.g. Jerk Chicken without getting into fowl language. I read your paper online very time and I look forward to every new issue. Keep it up, we need a little more laughter in these days and the Bible teaches us that laughter makes a healthy heart - Peter C. van der Bol
  • So if there’s a bounty to be paid on the chickens....will it be a "buck...buck...buck" per chicken? - Tim Swickis, Victoria, B.C. Canada
  • Okay, that was funny and I'm not too chicken to say it! Kudos to the writer. On a serious note, I always thought it would be a good idea to turn these wild chickens into food... maybe it'll bring down the astronomic (gastronomic?) prices we have to endure! -Dax Wagner
  • May I suggest the obvious? First, kill all the roosters… the chicken population will eventually come to a grinding halt if there are no roosters - Direct Current
  • Very amusing editorial. But exactly what is so bad about the chickens? I think they add a touch of nostalgic charm. While at the airport last year, I recall overhearing some American children lamenting that they hadn't see any turtles. Their father said it was because the people had eaten them all. Then the mother chided the father, and asked if that were true why were there so many wild chickens? And their little girl said "Mommy, Mommy are they going to eat all the baby chickens, too? Anyway - what a grim thought. I absolutely think that tourists think of the wild chickens as a plus and not a minus. A chicken genocide would be idiotic - not to mention cruel and barbaric. Strange, but I thought most veterinarians had compassion for "All creatures Great and Small" - chickens included - Kim Genereux
  • As serious as this "Pest problem" might be, and not meaning to belittle our illustrious Chief Agriculture and Veterinary Officer; I must say how much I appreciate this bit of "Light Humour". Now this is the REAL Caymanian spirit, and amusing Caymanian sense of humour. Thanks - I Needed This Bit of Humour
  • If I was unemployed doing nothing all day, I would figure out a way to catch these chickens, pluck them, marinate them in jerk seasoning and throw them on a oil drum BBQ and sell them for $10 a plate. You think how hard it is to catch the fish around here and the resources needed to do it... why not reel in some game birds? - Colin Wilson
  • Our new national song: that old calypso about “16 sexy chickens chasing him" - Observer
  • The Cayman Islands has a lot of other wild animals roaming around the place, like rats iguanas, cats, birds - especially the ever annoying ching ching - and those people don’t have a problem with them, so why are they picking on the chickens? I don’t see them as a problem. They are beautiful and they help to make the Cayman Islands different - their presence is a new branch in our Caymanian culture. So for God’s sake please stop picking on the chickens they are not "picking" on you! - Eye for Culture
  • You know what the problem is with Cayman. We are too trim and prone every time we grow someone who has nothing better to do comes and trims us up. We are not given the chance to spread out branches and grow. The chickens are a new branch trying to grow. Please don’t chop it off. I have seen in other countries where they have thousands of pigeons downtown and they have become a tourist attraction. So, Cayman can use this as an opportunity to be unique and have chickens all over the place instead of pigeons. It would be so much fun to chase the chickens around (especially for the kids, I use to do it as a child and believe it was great fun. It puts a smile on my face now when I think about it) and free! A free tourist attraction in the Cayman Island could attract more visitors and give the Cayman Islands tourism market a major boost - Eye for Culture
  • Wild chickens running around the streets of George Town or along the 3 lane section of West Bay Road, especially during rush hour, will be a disaster and not a tourist attraction. Here in Bermuda where I live we too have a problem with wild chickens. These noisy, messy animals have destroyed gardens and have almost caused road traffic accidents. This too can happen in Grand Cayman if they are allowed to run free. Placing traps around the island where they breed has helped control the problem in Bermuda. Grand Cayman should try this method - Paul, Bermudian firefighter and Cayman Islands visitor
  • I don’t know anything about the traffic in Bermuda, but in here in Cayman rush hour is very slow. And any fowl crossing any during rush hour is very safe. Anything can cause a traffic accident, even other vehicles on the road. Let the chickens run free. If you’re driving along the road and can’t avoid running over one then so be it, but if you can please do so. What would you say if it was a human that you decided not to stop for? All life is important and needs to be respected. Anyone who starts this bounty hunting bull will hear from us, the CPM, Chicken Progressive Movement. This is no joke. I am in the process of forming a committee. I am sick and tired of people trying to make the Cayman Islands look like and be like other countries. So what if they dig in your garden? All they are doing is helping to keep down the bugs and other insects that harm our plants. If they get a little too bossy, just show them out. What’s so hard in that? - Eye For Culture
• ITALIC’s progress is to be evaluated
  • I'm currently working on a proposal for Improved Education and Training for Employment in Morocco by USAID. Are the TAP and ITALIC methods documented such that they might be useful for application in the Middle East and specifically in Morocco? - Gwen, Rabat, Morocco
    • Editor’s note: The Education Department responds as follows:
      The ITALIC Programme is unique to the Cayman Islands as it addressed and is addressing our own unique needs. Our needs were identified via a mechanism called a TAP (Technology Assessment Profile). A TAP is an engagement that follows a methodology that identifies areas of excellence and areas for improvement as per the CEO Forum or STAR chart that we used as a guideline. A TAP can be tailored to take in or remove different 'strands' or business components that you want measured. We chose 6 but there are others to choose from.
• Stark message in response to a dolphin trainer
  • Okay, so it’s cruel to capture dolphins. I’m sure Helene O’Barry’s articles will keep many people from visiting dolphinariums, and I think that’s a shame. Without captive dolphins, there are many people who would never see a dolphin. Isn’t that worth something? I wouldn’t be able to capture dolphins myself but there will always be people to capture them, no way of stopping it. All we dolphin trainers do is take care of the animals. I don’t see how it can be our obligation to tell people how they were captured: We didn’t do it. All we do is take care of the animals and provide people with an unforgettable experience. Dolphins are beautiful animals and people deserve a chance to see them up close. TV just isn’t the same thing as getting up-close and personal with them. First time I swam with dolphins was in Cancun. It was fantastic and the trainers took good care of the animals, the dolphins seemed very happy - Chris Mason
• Cayman’s Our Little Misses
  • This was my first time to the Our Little Miss Pageant and will definitely be my last. Every thing was going good until the announcement of the winners. In my opinion the contestant that did not perform the best were chosen the winners. We were told that the talent part of the competition carried the most points, but after the show we were told that if you win talent you can't get the overall crown. This pageant has been one bag of confusion and a waste of time and money for many parents. One instance I would like to point out. In the Universal Girl competition Dina Douglas blew the competition away, in fact they (the other contestants in her category) were not competition for Dina. I can’t believe they awarded the overall crown to Anita Rao. Anita is working here in the Cayman Islands on a work permit. How can she represent us? Now, do you think that, that is fair? It is things like this that keep us Caymanians from making it in our own country. I will not recommend this pageant to any one. It is just a favoritism money making scam. I will also like to encourage the parents to demand that they see the scores. Dina Douglas all the best to you. Go for Miss Cayman, don’t fool around with these people. Thank you CNN – Confused
  • I would like to meet Rebecca Ebanks. Can you please give her my e-mail address? My name is Julian Francis; I'm an accountant at the Bank of New York in Lake Mary, Florida. However I live in Riverview, Florida which is 15 minutes outside of Tampa. Thanks for your cooperation - Julian
    • Editor’s note: If Rebecca would like to contact us, we will be happy to pass on Julian’s address and phone number.
• West Bay Dock Dead
  • What Mr. Bush has said about this makes sense, and he obviously knows that if he let his, or any government, take the land by acquisition, he would lose his powerful position. Back in the 1990's a family had leased their land and Barcadere in Little Cayman, to government, for one dollar a year for fifteen or so years, for the purposes of a shipping dock. While the lease was in force, the Government offered a paltry sum for the land, and then when the family asked for a more appropriate price, Government filed for acquisition. Furthermore, the Government moved the public road further back from the sea in order to take in more of the family's land because they said they would need to later put in a warehouse. They took it by acquisition for the same paltry sum they had offered and it cost the family thousands of dollars in lawyer and court costs in addition to the loss of their land. This atrocity is recorded in history - It Makes the Heart Sad
  • This makes me mad, the project is dead? After all these idiots put my father through… the project is dead? Unreal, in some ways I'm glad I'm not on the island anymore. I'm ashamed of the government to come back to it after what they did - Annony
• Bee Attacks Raise Concerns
  • One death by attack from bees, is one death too many. It is well known that people can be highly allergic to bee stings, and how can anyone know in advance if they are? Perhaps some solution to the increasing bee population should be sought. After all, with the Government considering a cruise ship dock in West Bay, the question arises, - what if a cruise ship passenger is attacked and killed? That's not an impossibility - A Concerned Caymanian
  • I have been stung a few times on the islands while on vacation and have had huge swelling occur around the stings. What is the best remedy to use for that? It usually stays around for several days - Dave Tripp
  • Cut a piece of fresh aloe vera and apply the jelly to the site of the bee sting. Works like a charm. Many Caymanians grow aloe in their garden and would happily cut a piece for you. Just ask a member of your hotel's housekeeping/kitchen staff. Or you can buy a leaf of Aloe at Fosters, the local supermarket - Juicy Fruit
• Cayman Jazzfest tickets now on sale
  • I am ecstatic that such an event is taking place in Cayman and I am looking forward with much anticipation to the performances. Many other Caribbean countries already have a Jazzfest in place and I was wondering when Cayman was going to jump on the bandwagon. This should be a boost for tourism. As soon as I return home I will be buying my ticket - Nicosia Lawson
• Pride in our own
  • I tire of hearing about the unfair treatment of local musicians and do not normally read any of Ms Quappe's commentary since there are many words saying little. This is how it works. Struggling musicians are not unique to Cayman - they are all over the world. Good musicians may or may not get recognition for their skills - it is the luck of the draw. There was talk of forcing local radio stations to play local musicians. I do not know if it ever came into effect, but the mere talk of it was enough to make me not listen to any of them. I now enjoy radio by subscription from Uncle Sam. There are local bands that I like and some I do not and that is typical of how it is anywhere, but don't ram it down my throat (or my ears) just because somebody feels it is unfair! Good musicians will make it on their own merit; it is as simple as that! - Slinky
• Saving the Sandbar
  • Sounds complicated and expensive. Why is it necessary to hire "two caretakers" for the sandbar? Maybe one has to watch the other to be sure they are being fair! Or is it that "It takes two to tango" with the tourists? It seems that perhaps the buoys should not have been placed there and at Stingray City in the first place, because it only served to enable everyone to grab an opportunity to rake in the big bucks with not a moment’s thought to what it is doing to the stingrays, conchs and the sea life in general. (They have all been including the diving up of conchs and partying/feasting on marinated conch, on every trip, according to their advertisements). People have lost their lives there, in the name of "Entertaining the tourists" and "Greed at any cost". Maybe God will have to take action to save the sea life from harm and extinction - A Watchful Eye
• Leader of Government wants dolphins
  • Please see: www.sun-sentinel.com - this is a five-part series that exposes the captive dolphin abusement park industry - Ric O'Barry
  • Why are we not surprised that McKeeva would take such a stand? Someone has named him McSnake, and that unfortunately, seems to be apropos of our LGB, who claims he don't see what all the hoopla is about. In any case, not because "It has become part and parcel of the tourism product of the world", that "swimming with the Dolphins" would be good for the Cayman Islands. If we are just another duplicate of other tourism products and places, then there would be no need for people to travel so far, to such an expensive destination as the Cayman Islands. We are unique in the West Indies, we CLAIM to "protect the wild", and we certainly have a far better tourism product in being THREE (not one) beautiful, tranquil Islands, where people can feel relaxed, and free, than to be just another destination where no one cares about anything or anyone, except the "Almighty Dollar" - It Makes the Heart Sad
  • When I was a child, my mother used to always say, "If everyone else jumped off of a bridge, would you do it, too?" Just because it's done in Miami, Sea World, etc. doesn't mean that Cayman has to do it, too - Debbie Martin
  • Mr. Bush, once again, has betrayed the ideals of our island and has chosen profit over integrity. He has chosen to ignore valid feedback regarding this issue in favor of his own agenda. Obviously, he is not concerned about the consequences but more concerned about the exploitation of not only the dolphins, but tourists. We have been residents in Grand Cayman for over 20 years, and it's very sad for us to witness the current trend and destruction of what has been a beautiful island. What a pity that our government does not serve the best interests of our people. The dolphin facility might provide a temporary increase in tourists, but the cost will be prohibitive when the dolphins die. There already has been too much destruction of coral and sea creatures due to abuse by locals and tourists. Soon, there will be just clear blue water, but there will be no life in it. Perhaps the good news is when that happens, the tourists will stop coming and after awhile, the sea and its inhabitants can return. Please protest this inappropriate, cruel and ultimately destructive plan - Char Moreland
  • I cannot believe what I am seeing here… Monkey see, Monkey do… Keeping normally healthy wild dolphins in captivity is neither good for the dolphin community nor mankind. How would you like to be swept away from your friends and family and put in "jail" for life? These are highly intelligent animals who think and have feelings. Now, on the other hand, if you are talking about rehabilitation facilities, like Mote Marine Institute, here in Florida, that’s another story. But to capture normal healthy dolphins for the pure entertainment of humans is ethically and morally irresponsible. The Cayman Islands have so much more to offer than some stupid dog and pony show. You need to develop what you have on hand and leave this idea in the bag. Stingray City is already out of control… what’s next? - Ed Roberts
• New Immigration rules now in effect
  • I was reading the article about your Immigration policy, one thing I do not agree with is the refund of money, the money should not be refunded whether you reach the requirement or not - Carlos
• Praise for Health Minister over anti-smoking legislation
  • Well, if smoking in public places is to be banned for health reasons let us also ban high fat foods since they also cause heart disease. Let us take away all the high fat meals from all restaurants. While we are at it, let us ban the vehicles that take us there since they emit cancer causing carcinogens in their exhaust gases not to mention environmentally harmful gasses. I am tired of the 'do-gooders' running everyone else's life while burying their heads in the sand with other issues. Oh, and before anyone thinks it, I am a non-smoker because I choose not to and I would like it to stay that way i.e. it is a 'choice'. If I walk into a bar where the smoke is so thick it annoys me I have yet another choice open to me - leave it! – T
• Bomb Hoax a Good Test
  • I was an American passenger on that boat, and until 8:30 a.m. they only announced that your port was closed and our dive trips were cancelled. We sat for 2 hours and watched 3 other cruise ships off load their passengers into tenders to go ashore on your island... we knew then they lied about the port being "closed"... read more... - Ellen Scurich
  • I (a senior citizen from the United States) was on the ship with my two grown sons and their families. We heard it was a bomb threat and I wasn’t scared as I knew we would be put in life boats if it was really serious. It was uncomfortable to wait as we heard two scheduled tours canceled and wondered if we were going to get to go to shore as we really looked forward to visiting Grand Cayman. All in all, the search happened fast. Then we were alerted that the tenders would be starting up again - Betty Carte
• So Cayman, how many reasons are we up to now?
• I wrote this before, but it appears it needs addressing again. I already know I'll be considered a coward by staying anonymous, but hear me out because I'm about to give a very different view than that of Maria Schvartz and my need for anonymity will be obvious... read more... - Anonymous
• Women Take Charge of HSA
  • My heartiest congratulations to these four professional women for their achievements, both academically and professionally. We should all be proud of them, and their devotion to their career in Health Services. With Eloise Reid at the helm as CEO, we look forward to improvements in all areas of the Health Services Authority. I was distressed when Michael Elliott was hired as CEO, and relieved when he left. Now we will step forward prayerfully, with our outstanding Caymanian women to guide our future health needs - Naomi Oyog
  • Congratulations, Ladies. I look forward to seeing you run our Health Services with the wisdom, grace, empathy and foresight that have always been associated with women. Don't let me down - Juicy Fruit
• Mark Scotland announces Bodden Town candidacy
  • All I can say he is a good man - Everton Parker
• Suit claims Lord Black used newspapers as 'cash cow'
  • Why is "The Caymanian Compass" seemingly engaged in a breach of journalistic integrity by refusing to report any details about this? This news item has been carried in major newspapers around the world. Just another reason many refer to "The Caymanian Compass" as “The Caymanian COMPOST" - Anonymous
• Making George Town a Lasting Memory
  • Excellent suggestions. As a stayover visitor, may I also suggest that you (a) get those downtown overgrown, unsightly vacant lots cleaned up and kept clean! And (b) Cayman is a tropical island and visitors expect tropical islands to have FLOWERS! Why not have the prison system make huge concrete pots to be placed in the downtown area, especially on Harbour Drive, filled with your beautiful flowers! - Anonymous
• Celebrating the Carnival Spirit of Batabano 2004
  • I like your choice because it is my school (St. Ignatius) - Samantha Mascarenhas
• Not an Attorney
  • I have one major concern with Sandra Catron. She is indirectly representing herself as an attorney and she is not, because she did not complete her last year of Law School and she did not do her Articles. Therefore, she has not been called to the Bar. Therefore, she is NOT an attorney.  I read an article in today's Compass that referred to her as an attorney. This is incorrect and Sandra should correct this. Otherwise, she is giving a false impression. I notice she herself is careful not to say she is an attorney, but she does not correct anyone who refers to her as an attorney. That’s why I say she is indirectly representing herself as an attorney. She gives careers talks on how to become an attorney and is sitting on a panel of attorneys giving advice on child maintenance. She is representing herself as an attorney, although she does not say so. Very unethical.  If she can't be honest from now about such a major issue, why should the voters of Bodden Town trust her?  Come on, Sandra, come clean and tell the people that you did not complete your legal training. You are not an attorney - Juicy Fruit
• Kareem places sixth in Osaka showdown
  • Kareem is unfortunately gaining a reputation for two things: 'great reasons why I didn't win' and a choker. Please, can anyone tell me when was the last time this guy actually won a race? Or even placed in a well attended meet? He has placed a strong third in meets that seem to have been attended by a few unknowns.  Kareem is saying that he must do better, but frankly he must do better than talk, win a race for god's sake.  Well, it is very easy for me to sit at home and talk about winning, Kareem is a terrific talent and a good person, but he is also spending our money on the premise that he will win. He is a paid Government worker and we all have a right to demand excellent performance. Not a second from last finish, with an excuse of a bad lane.  Kareem, here is some advice. No more excuses, develop a refuse to lose mentality, in fact at your level you must hate to lose for if you don't you will never win. Giving us a good effort is not enough. This is not Little League where the object is to have fun. Lose some sleep over this lost and the next time you just might win - John
• Avoiding Cruelty To All Living Creatures
  • Hear, hear! - Debbie Martin
• Avoiding cruelty to all creatures is a human imperative
  • I hope this other person's dog was taken away from him so that the same thing won't happen again. Maybe this person (?) should be chained up in the hot sun with no water - Debbie Martin
• Rezoning to Suit Renters
  • I'd hate to see high(rise)density residential units in Cayman. Even if this means I end up taking a while to own my own place - JabJab
  • Are we going to end up looking like Hong Kong with multi storied buildings? It’s time to stop this madness… we are a small country that can absorb only so many people. Who are we developing for? Why do we need to press on with development and increase traffic, work permits, school population, overload our health services, etc. Stop the madness! - Juicy Fruit
• Government gets British QC
  • The granting of status to all those people is an atrocity that will go down in the annals of the history of the Cayman Islands. Sam Bulgin's status grant is just one of the many that should not have been carried out in such a questionable and suspicious manner. It now casts a dark shadow over his position and recent promotion, when perhaps he may have been deserving of the grant through the proper channels and procedures. It is now a stumbling block to his performance as Attorney General. I sincerely hope the CBA is successful in getting an order to cancel all the grants and appoint qualified immigration persons to sort the chaff from the wheat and grant Status to only those who meet the criteria of length of stay in the Islands, quality of their behaviour and contribution to the betterment of our Islands, and their ability to be an asset to the Cayman Islands and not a "thorn in the side" liability - Anonymous
• Web site
  • Love the site. Keep up the good work - Hank Bryan
• Dart moves ahead
  • Before saying that this is too much for us to cope with I would like to see plans for the necessary development to cope with traffic, employment and housing for all the necessary staff to handle such a project - Vernon Jackson
  • Who are we developing for? The downside of more development is: more traffic, more people on this small island, more strain on our infrastructure and ultimately, a loss in the quality of life Caymanians enjoyed in their homeland. If there was a trade off, I could understand, but there is none.
    The money from these big developments goes overseas as investors, labourers on the site and employees at the finished development all send their money back home. Who are we developing for? Not Caymanians, who can't even get a job at these developments when they are in the construction stage or when they are finished and seeking staff. I repeat, who are we developing for? - Juicy Fruit
• Major money laundering trial set to begin
  • Cayman Net News has identified Mr Tibbetts solely as a US national. However, I believe that he is also Caymanian. If nationalities are relevant in this article, then full disclosures should be made - Anonymous
• Cuba - a country which holds eternal fascination for so many
  • Cuba? A repressive regime that is a communist country - is still a communist country. Dare we say more? Good to say no to bad rubbish! If you sleep with dogs you WILL get fleas! - Debbie Smith
• Minister inspects site
  • Praise the Lord! My heartiest congratulations to Dr Alfred Benjamin, the Hon. Gilbert McLean, and all the Agriculture Department members. This was the one goal of the Agriculture Five-year Plan that we wanted to see come to fruition, and at last it is coming to a reality. I trust that in the future our dreams for a small abattoir in Cayman Brac can also be realized, for the health and well-being of our people - Naomi Oyog
• PPM Objects to Budget Method
  • Mr Tibbetts is probably correct that the Government is running a little behind with the 2003 sitting still in effect. After all, how can Mac finish the business when he is constantly jetting here and there? Jetting off to meet Mr Mandela (or not meet, as it turned out) should not take precedence over running the country - Roy Tatum
• New lawyer is presented to the Bar
  • I am from Sylacauga, Alabama. I have the family information of the Gilbert Family. His grandfather Clyde Gilbert was my uncle and we are all very proud of Mr de Saram. Congratulations! - Lanell Turney-Sims
• Candidate Web Sites
  • Are there any? – Arthur
    • Editor’s Note: We are not aware of any at this time. If any reader or political candidate would like to inform us of any such sites, please write to us at PO Box 10707 APO or e-mail editor@caymannetnews.com
• Finding a Place for the Mentally Unwell
  • One has to ask the question "What is a mentally unfit" person. Obviously, someone who does not have the capacity to control their mental state. Or at least that is closer to the answer than to say that a person who is mentally deficient, that is, lacking in their mental growth to their age level or above, is a mentally unfit person. For too long now, people in the Cayman Islands who are deaf mutes, or have hearing or other such problems are referred to as "dummies", and are not given the opportunity to learn and meet their potential. To put someone in Northward Prison or a mental ward just because they are not mentally mature to their age level, seems grossly cruel. If they are a danger to themselves and others, that is a different matter, but we must adapt to a more humane and appropriate method of caring and providing for them - Naomi Oyog
• ICTA Reacts to C&W Criticism
  • Since when does the Government and the ICTA need to be told when to keep something confidential? They are always the ones who will claim confidentiality on every little bit of information that may reveal any of their secrets. It seems obvious that the ICTA is in some way, and for some reason, trying to give the two new companies an edge over C&W, and in so doing the ICTA is acting in an unfair manner themselves - It Makes the Heart Sad
• National boxing team gets assist from IOC
  • It is good to know that the IOC says that they want to help the sport of boxing. I hope that it will be a promise better kept than the ones made in the past by the same IOC and, by the way, in case you have not noticed, the sport of boxing has been doing well. Every time I fight I am a part of the Cayman Islands Boxing Association fighting on national TV and we are also one of the champions in the sport of boxing. So you see, when I fight it is also about the Cayman Islands, so just stop with the lip service and give the youth hope and stop insulting them and me and Mr Dalmain. We do need a new gym, yes, but your support should not come only if they have pretty gym. The gym does not make the fighter, the fighter makes the gym. Please do not disappoint them - give them the support needed - Charles Whittaker
  • Kudos to the sport. Anything that anyone can do to keep themselves occupied in a legal, fulfilling endeavour needs support, not discouragement. To the persons who said that the gym needs be "new", take a long hard look at the Cuban system. It is not the skates that make the skater go fast, a tail wind does not hurt though. My buddy lived in the Cayman for a while and actually boxed there for a bit. His name is Tom Alberelli. Maybe someone knows him. He lives here in Canada and owns "Dolphino's Dive Shop" www.dolphinos.com. Good luck with the gym - Robert Stone
• Conflicts of Interest with Status Grants
  • Thank you, Mr Seales, for bringing this to the attention of the Caymanian public. I fear there are many serious and far reaching implications in the Government’s ill-considered grants of status that have not yet begun to materialise. It speaks volumes about the incompetence of all concerned in the Government’s decision-making process that these conflicts were not foreseen. But, there again, it now seems obvious that the Government cannot even run a beauty contest successfully, let alone a country! – Anonymous
  • The fact that these people cast votes for issuing statuses for themselves should be enough to challenge the criteria that government used to remove the immigration from their jobs of overseeing this process. Furthermore these people should not have the power to decide who gets statuses anyway, they are visitors to Cayman themselves. Cayman has slipped so far down, that they can't even decide who can stay, or not stay in their own country. It’s a disgrace! Every Caymanian should hold their heads in shame at the willful dereliction of duty. These positions and also EXCO should only be held by Caymanians. CBA has no choice they should and must challenge the whole process - Derrick Powell
  • Congratulations to Cayman Net News for its excellent editorial of Monday 3rd May - “Conflict of Interest with Status Grants” - which expressed so well many of the concerns of patriotic Caymanians; concerns, not just in connection with these 2,850 grants of status by Cabinet, but with Cayman’s system of justice in general.  Recently the public’s perception of how our system of justice appears to operate at times has caused many to question whether or not certain matters have been dealt with in an impartial and unbiased manner. In light of so many of our judiciary being the recipients of Cabinet grants, unfortunately, this perception can only continue.  Caymanians therefore feel that it is incumbent on His Excellency the Governor to see to the appointment of an independent panel of judges to deal with this most important national issue, the likes of which has never touched the soil of these Cayman Islands.  The courageous members of the Caymanian Bar Association and the Caymanian people deserve no less.  In addition, His Excellency the Governor should ensure that this matter is dealt with by the Courts without delay. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done! - Concerned Citizens of the Cayman Islands