Cayman Net Readers' Forum
Discussion Topics

June 2004

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

• New traffic plan for West Bay Rd
  • Sounds like an invitation to a massacre. The confusing roundabouts are not causing enough accidents between the local islanders and tourists, now this "tourist infested" thoroughfare is chosen as the "test run" for a new nightmare. People may eventually get used to it, but how many have to die and be maimed before familiarity sets in? This one is a loaded gun! - Beware!
• Light Rail System Would Be Problematic For Cayman
  • Has anyone proposed commuter ferries? This has been a great solution for some US cities. And the tourists might ride them just for fun! It is certainly a relaxing alternative to sitting in traffic! - Weary Commuter
  • I must express my disagreement with the proposed alternative of commuter ferries - that option would be detrimental to our precious coral reefs. The problem already exists with the cruise ships, commuter ferries would only seriously aggravate the problem - Y.E
  • Now here is a far better solution to the traffic problem, than the cockeyed one-way corridor that is being considered for West Bay Road. The Light Rail System would give us sophistication instead of the "Lunatic Syndrome Appearance" that the present round-a-bouts and the proposed one-way corridor give us - Island Girl
• Snag Hits CBA Status Lawsuit
  • The decision to allow Attorney Micki Jafa Bodden to withdraw from the case, should not by any means be construed as an indication that the CBA should not continue with this case. If we have all been reading the papers, we know that there are other circumstances which call for Mrs. Bodden to withdraw. However, the CBA needs to continue to pursue this matter and get it resolved by the courts, if at possible, without political interference. The future of the Cayman Islands and the effect this "mass status grants" fiasco will have on the education of our Caymanian-born children in school as well as the infrastructure and financial burden that is inevitable, must be looked into and sorted out post haste - Eyes Wide Open Caymanian
  • What are the circumstances surrounding Mrs Micki Jafa Bodden's sudden departure from Cayman? - Observer
  • After reading your article it occurred to me that it is really a pretty sad day for the legal profession when after exhausting all time extensions the court would allow, the CBA attorney on the case steps down to force further delay. As the CBA still obviously can not make their case in a timely fashion and now must resort to less than ethical tactics to further delay the case, perhaps it is time for them to do the right thing; drop the case entirely. They have no client! They have had their opportunity to present their case and clearly are unable (or unwilling) to do so. It is not fair that those of us affected by this delay must remain 'in limbo' as to our position while the organisation that represents the legal profession on the Cayman Islands plays cute lawyer games. It is a disgrace. Hopefully the Grand Court will see this tactic for what it and throw the case out - Anonymous
• Deloitte Stuns UBS With Comeback Win
  • Way to go Jenni! (and Kevin) - Clayton Ochs
• Putting On The Ritz For Staffing
  • “My name will be stuck on this project for good or ill. I believe it will be for the good.” - Bush.  He should have continued with "And my real-estate company will be receiving compensation from this project for years and years to come - even though we've never actually owned any of the property the Ritz now sits on. Besides, we have more turtle to fry in West Bay. Let them see what we can do with our cheap land and untold political power. Who wants to see a Llama Petting Zoo? We could force the tourists to exit the tenders right into it. Why not? It makes more sense than high speed boats to a section of the island people only want to visit for 20 minutes anyway!”  PS They should have called that thing the "Ritz Job Fair for Recent Status Grants". Let's all hope they don't buy Treasure Island or we might as well relocate Seven Mile Beach to the two mile stretch in between the roundabout and public beach entrance across from the Marriott - Jerome Bush
• It Is Time To Shout About The Treasures Of Cayman
  • I will tell you why Cayman cannot shout their assets from the rooftops, sir. This beautiful and once tranquil island has been over-built and over-developed to the point of obnoxiousness. If one comes to Cayman via cruise ship there is a limited amount of time to spend on the island. Much of that time is waiting in traffic to go to any of the attractions... read more...  - Nancy Peters
  • A great letter and it should open the eyes of the powers that be! Thanks for printing it - Evie Vogel
  • Ms Peters, it’s all about money and lack of vision. One only has to visit small communities elsewhere in the world to realise what COULD have been accomplished in Cayman if there had been people in charge with vision and not driven only by the almighty dollar. Yes, these places have their Burger Kings and Pizza Huts but one would hardly know it because they are only permitted a small wooden sign and their premises must conform to a rigid architectural standard. Now, if one looks down the road along Seven Mile Beach, it is Main Street, USA, and the true Caymanian flavour of the Island has long since perished because of a lack of vision - Disenchanted
• Boxers return from Caribbean Championships
  • I would just like to say to the boxers to keep their heads up and work hard. Don’t give up on their dreams. Winners never quit and quitters never win. It is not what happens to you in life that counts but what you do with what happens that counts. Are you winners? Yes, you are, so push forward. God bless - The Killa, Charles Whittaker
• Students complete drug awareness course
  • I am so pleased to see ME in the paper today. My mom is so happy for me. These are the words she said: "Tawny! My pumpkin! My own girl! She's in the newspaper for the 8th time!" See what I’m dealing with here? Anyhow, I am just entirely proud of myself. I'll remember about this in middle school. Bye! - Tawny Douglas, age 11, NSPS Year Six
• Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Holds Career Fair
  • Very good idea, The Ritz-Carlton Experience is matched by none other. I hope that the jobs will be taken by the Caymanian people and some of the left-overs will be available to your nearest Islanders - Jamaica of course! - Dorcas Christian
• Treasure Island Creditors Miffed
  • How long has Treasure Island resort been in receivership? I have a trip planned for August 12th - 18th. If you could supply information I would appreciate it - Rhonda
    • Editor’s note: Treasure Island has been in receivership since September 2003
• Dramatic increase in 2004 burglary figures
  • If ya'll catch them just lock them behind bars and they will learn. Make it a long time behind them bars - Alysia Xavier
• Cable & Wireless Is Told To Raise Rates Again
  • So let me get this straight. I go to Cable & Wireless and sign up for cellular service at an agreed upon rate. My contract is for one year. I buy a phone, fill out a contract, sign it, pay C&W, take my phone and my receipt and go home.  Now, a few months later, the ICTA says the rates C&W charge are too low, so C&W tells me that they have to charge me more than the rate at which I contracted with them originally. Is this right or even legal? ... read more... - Concerned Subscriber
  • This entire fiasco by Julianna and her ICTA crew really raises the blood pressure of those of us (Caymanians), who can clearly see that this is politically influenced, with no thought to anyone who has to suffer from this. Digicel, according to past news reports, is partially owned by "Rich UDP supporters" who we don't need to name. They are calling the shots in this election year, as always, and this is the first time that I ever remember seeing such blatant crucifixion of a long-established Caymanian company, that has been serving the public faithfully. I support Cable and Wireless, and feel that while competition from other companies is healthy (in ANY type of business) this "Witch hunt, by the Witches" is an outrage. I sincerely wish that the UDP will be just as vehement in NOT being anti-competitive, in their actions during this election. But that is obviously too much to expect. - Eyes Wide Open Caymanian
• West Bay cruise ship ferry facilities are matter of concern
  • I can't help but wonder if this is needed at all and, if so, whether it is needed more urgently than another high school? It seems that the education of our children constantly takes a back seat to any other project the government dreams up. This money would be well spent on expanding the GHHS or building a new high school to house the large number of children who overcrowd this school now - Laura
  • I want to commend Mario E. Ebanks for his thoughtful and comprehensive letter on the questions and concerns regarding the West Bay cruise ship ferry facility. There is only one point which he may have overlooked and that is the environmental impact on the reef and sea life in the area of the construction of the facility and the significant increase in boat traffic in the area...  read more...  - James Hynes
• Australia Bans Cayman Insurer
  • This illustrates the point you made in your editorial the other day. Granted, the Monetary Authority cannot prevent false representations being made by such people, but where are the sanctions against the owners, managers and local agents for this company? As I understand it, every insurance company licensed and registered to do business in or from Cayman has to have a qualified and licensed local agent or manager. Were they asleep at the wheel again? – Anonymous
• Complaints only useful if they cause a change
  • Surely this is another of your tongue-in-cheek editorials! “Mr Epp must have the Cayman Islands Legal Department backing the findings of his investigations, and applying the proper measures of justice to the cases.” You really must be joking! The Cayman Islands Legal Department is to blame for many of the injustices that Mr Epp will be called upon to investigate. Just wait and see - they will obstruct and hinder any and all attempts at investigations into their misdeeds, until the Complaints Commissioner becomes just another example of lip service to the fiction that Caymanians have any real rights - Anonymous
• Fewer Caymanians in Construction
  • We don't want to work construction in the dirt and dust. We would all rather have nice office jobs where we can sit on our collective behinds while the expats do all the work. That is how it's been since I can remember and it’s always worked. Please don't stir the pot. Most of us are happy doing next to nothing while the expats pay for the privilege of living on our island - Jerome Bush
  • Shame on you, Jerome Bush for your letter. I am a Caymanian and I am certainly not satisfied to sit on my butt and let others do my work. I work hard and take great pride in my work. Please do not subscribe to the image in which the expats are trying to have Caymanians portrayed - Observer
  • It’s about time somebody wrote about the expatriates taking away the Caymanian jobs, when the Caymanians should have the first opportunity. Train Caymanians - they are your future - Maria Kunins
  • Oh please, no one here is really qualified for the jobs that they are taking anyway. Having overqualified expats here is the reason our country is so successful and the reason most of us have the level of jobs that we do. Let them have all the hard, tiring, work-intensive jobs they want. That leaves us controlling the country, working the hours we want for the pay that we want. They work, we just come in and grace them with our Caymanian presence and in seven years we toss their behinds to the airport. It’s a wonderful system, don’t mess it up or you too will end up working over 6 hours a day for less pay than you deserve for being born here - Jerome Bush
  • Jerome, your comments are laughable to say the least and an obvious indication of your slack and narrow minded attitude. It is unfortunate that you degrade the efforts of well educated and hard working Caymanians and "overqualified expats" alike - Overqualified Expat
  • I would like to go to the Caymans and teach people how to do drywall installation and drywall finishing. Also I am looking for a job in the Caymans Where would l call to get the ball rolling? - Chris Guarino
• Putting Cayman first with Bodden Town candidate Sandra Catron
  • I would like to personally endorse this young lady as someone who always seems to surprise me. Her tenacity, honesty and hard work are absolutely amazing. I know that life has not always been easy for her but I must say that she serves as a shining example for our young people. Many of our youth are faced with all sorts of hardships and will often give up. Here is a young lady that has had every right to want to give up and turn to something more horrific in life, but she has not. She keeps her head above water, continues to work hard and tries her best at whatever she does. There are qualities that we must admire and think are important in all candidates... read more... - Cayman Matters To Me!
  • This young lady has always impressed me as someone who is willing to stand up and fight for what she believes in. I think that she will be an asset to Bodden Town, Cayman and the people of the Cayman Islands. It will certainly be a real asset to have a woman in the LA who is not afraid to speak out and pursue the tough family issues that we are all faced with. When I hear Sandra speak so passionately on the radio I can tell that she cares and wants to make a difference. That is much more than I can say about some of the incumbents. I say that we give this young lady the opportunity to get in there and prove herself. Out with the old and in with the new! – DC
  • I'm so glad to hear that Sandra Catron has decided to run for public office. Her struggles, failures and ultimate successes are all reminders that she is a fighter and can really get the job done. This young lady has a lot to offer Cayman and I sincerely hope that we will support her for the district of Bodden Town. Bodden Town has long been neglected and a few gestures during election year will not be enough to blind the people of Cayman to what has been happening all along. I'm a bit disappointed in the PPM that they have not had their party nominations yet - we are all anxiously waiting to see who will be nominated- but it looks like the parties are playing chicken with each other. They have only proven that Cayman is not yet ready for party system because as party leaders they are not yet ready for what is laid out in their own respective constitutions - Catron Supporter
• Party Members Low
  • "Only 20%", I would say that is a much higher percentage than most the Western democracies would boast - John Dunne
• Father and son join the poll battle
  • I am very happy to see that such a calibre of persons such as this father and son team have come forward to represent the Cayman people, and the district of West Bay. I think they are a very good choice for the people of West Bay - Floyd Deosca
  • Can't we find new people? These recycled politicians will be the death of Cayman. Seems to me they had their shot at it. The elder I don't know much about, however the son was just voted out for a reason... With that said, I know West Bay votes different from other districts. So, folks here we go again, another West Bay cabal - Concerned Caymanian
• Accountability for Cayman’s Vital Financial Service Sector
  • More power to Cayman Net News for raising these issues! As part of the grassroots AND the financial sector, in my opinion many of the foreign firms and individuals running them have for too long been using the Cayman Islands merely to line their own pockets, regardless of the impact of negative events and publicity on the reputation of the Islands and the people. When something goes wrong and innocent investors and creditors are defrauded, I haven’t noticed a stampede of bankers, lawyers and accountants eager to hand back the money they have made from the people who have lost it. This is partly the Government’s fault for not, as you say, holding the financial sector more accountable for the things that do go wrong - Anonymous
• Church Seized
  • It's really amazing how individuals have no fear for God when it comes to his house or depriving his missionaries of spreading his word. Pastor Scott only has to place this heavy burden at the foot of the cross as Christ will deal with it and the individuals. God must not be mocked! - Anonymous
  • Waiting 8 years for a response to a letter is ridiculous. Now the church has lost the money it paid and the church members’ money has gone down the drain. Ridiculous - Observer
  • I find it very suspicious that the pastor and his family left the island right after the sale of this property. Could it be that he was involved in the sale and left with the sale proceeds? I know he left a lot of personal debt in Cayman.  Cayman Net News, here’s another area that Cayman needs to place restrictions on. There are too many charlatans coming in here and posing as men and women of God and they are fleecing the people of their money all in the name of church offerings. Government should look into the type people that are being allowed to open churches and call themselves pastors in Cayman today - Observer
• The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly speaks out
  • The Speaker’s comments make sense from a hierarchical perspective, and we know he has been longing for his MBE and now this fourth on the ladder position. Still, if he finally is able to report to the Governor, as he desires, and the Governor is absent from the Island to whom will he then report? Would it not be a Civil Servant such as the Chief Secretary or is the Speaker implying that in these cases the standard protocol would not be followed and he would and/or should be a law unto himself? Much power is needed it seems to do the job in these times eh! - John
• Protecting the Budget End of Stay-Over Tourism
  • It seems a shame to take a prime location such as Treasure Island Resort which would have everything to offer a vacationer on the island. (With wonderful access to the ocean - which is one of the greatest assets the Cayman Islands have to offer tourists.) I cannot believe there isn't another property the Ritz could use for their workers. I own a condo at Treasure Island and since the workers have been there when I pull into the parking lot I see clothes strung out on the balconies - which I feel looks terrible. Even if this was a lower room rate hotel we never had clothes and junk decorating the outside of the hotel. Is this the impression the Cayman Islands wants to give the arriving visitors? I strongly feel, as a condo owner, that prime beachfront should be used for the visitors to enjoy not as a housing unit - Louise Eiynck
  • I don't think any sensible company would want to purchase Treasure Island to use it as a resort. It would take too high an investment to bring it to a level in which it could compete, and could charge, as much as the other resorts on the same stretch of sand. It is my opinion that the property would probably be best sold to the Saint Matthews medical school. A few years from now, when they have slowly fixed it up and created a university system that the whole island could be proud of, we could at least have another draw for people from the outside to invest here in Cayman. Also, it would be nice to have a medical school, a good general university and the law school here on the island. Maybe then Caymanians wouldn’t have to leave to receive a decent college education - Jerome Bush
• Hotel Bidder Irate
  • This happens to be the saddest article I have read and I have been reading the Cayman News online for quite some time. I travel to Grand Cayman, 3 times a year, after discovering it going on 5 years ago. It has become my second home. On my first trip, I stayed at Treasure Island Resort.... read more... - Traveler
  • Keep the resort as a resort. Both Mr. Bush and Dr McField are correct - you should not take that many rooms out of the Cayman inventory of tourist accommodations. Treasure Island if managed properly and staffed properly can be a very profitable operation... read more... - Anonymous
  • As an investor, condo owner at Treasure Island, an account holder (at this time) at Scotiabank, and supporter of Cayman Islands cultural, financial, and historical interests since 1986, I believe the sale of the Treasure Islands Resort to investors to be converted into apartments and subsidized housing units would be a strong negative influence on the entire lower Seven Mile Beach area. This simply does not impact solely on the immediate property owners of the resort - it will strongly impact on all businesses, property owners, tourism interests, and ultimately island revenues for a great area surrounding the resort.  Scotiabank and Cayman officials - your Island has greater needs than supporting this sale – better usage of the property is possible! - Mark R. James
• Hospital expands its dialysis unit
  • I will be in Grand Cayman on a cruise 9 Jun 2005, time 7:30 am to 4:30 pm and will need dialysis for two Hemodialysis patients. Can you help me and my friend? Any assistance that you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. - Evelyn F. Riley
    • Editor’s note: We spoke with Dr. Fritz Hendriks, Medical Director at the hospital, and passed on Ms. Riley’s email address to him. However, Ms. Riley may also contact caswell.walford@gov.ky. Mr Walford is in charge of the Public Relations department of the hospital. He would be able to point Ms. Riley in the right direction.
• More Radio Stations Good for the Cayman Islands
  • How about another television entity? Will the gentlemen obtaining these licences, please consider that the visual media is predominant in these islands and that the paying majority do watch TV! - Keep It Real
• Roffey Qualifies For Olympics
  • Congrats, Heather! I have been watching your progress over the years and take pride in watching you blossom. Swim fast, swim well... all of Cayman is behind you! - LocalVocal
  • Hey Roffey! Hope you remember me and read this. Congrats! I'll watch you on TV! - Hanne Montag
  • Well done Heather! Good luck! - Shauna
• New website is boost for Lands and Survey
  • The presentation was awesome - Bridget Myers
  • Your new web site www.caymanlandinfo.ky does not load. Shows error 404. Please advise. Thank you - W. McCrae
    • Editor’s note: The link to the Lands and Survey website works fine when we click on it.
• Stingray Swim Club holds annual banquet
  • Good job Stingrays. Jacob is my grandson. Great job everyone - Nancy Combs
• Service at George Town Hospital
  • I had cause to go to the walk-in clinic at the George Town Hospital the other day for the first time and I just wanted to share my experience with your readers and ask a simple question at the end... read more... - Constantly Thinking
  • I recently attended the Hospital and had to endure a long wait. I expected it, though, as I have been going to the Hospital for all my medical care for a long time. As I am an uninsurable, Government free treatment and now, CINICO, only applies to the Government service. I consider the fact that CINICO limits their clients to the Government Hospital as submitting their clients to inferior health care... read more...  - Observer
• Sister Islands MLA Speaks On Cuban Refugee Arrivals
  • I agree with Mr Martin, and I applaud, my fellow Caymanians for their kindness and compassion, but we have to maintain a strict foreign policy regarding the Cubans, or else we can be taken advantage of. Love to all - Dale R. Scott
• Licence Issued For New Radio Station
  • Is there a website for Panorama Productions? I'd be interested in applying for a job with their station - MEJ
    • Editor’s note: There is no website as yet; however, we will pass on this request to the owners.
• Continuing public dialogue over dolphin facility for Cayman
  • Dear Nora:  I believe that you are misled regarding the treatment of dolphins in captivity. I know for a fact that dolphins are not treated in the manner you suggest or have been led to believe... read more... - Anonymous
  • Dear "Anonymous":  I just wanted to comment on your claim that "People like the O'Barrys who live off of the donations to their non-profit organizations will exaggerate about anything to continue to receive donations to travel the world "saving dolphins". This statement is laughable at best. I have worked as a volunteer for the Dolphin Project for eight years, without drawing a salary. The little money that the Dolphin Project receives from donations barely covers the cost of maintaining our website. It certainly doesn't allow for me to "travel the world to save dolphins!" More often than not, when people sign their letters "Anonymous," it's because what they are saying doesn't reflect reality. Your letter confirms that tendency - Helene O'Barry
  • I'm glad that someone finally brought up the point about money. Funny how all my detractors sign their name: Anonymous. If the truth be known, I was the highest paid dolphin trainer in the world when I was training Flipper. I could have stayed with that industry if I wanted to. Sea World or some other dolphin abusement park would be happy to pay me about 250k a year simply to do damage control for them. I chose to leave that industry because it was, and still is abusive. I don't make as much money these days trying to stop the international traffic in captive dolphins and help educate the public, and today I drive a bicycle, not a Porsche as I once did. But, I sleep better at night, and feel good about myself. My relationship with dolphins is no longer all about what they can do for me, it's the other way around.  By the way, my wife Helene has been doing this same thankless job for about eight years, and she has never received a paycheck for her selfless service - Ric O'Barry
• Awakening
  • I finally sat down last night to read the newspaper after a long day at the office, getting dinner on the table and putting the kids to sleep – a typical day for many working moms. After reading the letter published by a Mrs. Patricia Bryan-Rodriguez in the Compass of Tuesday, May 18th, I was awakened... read more... - A proud mother, staunch supporter and registered voter
• Ritz Group’s hotel purchase opposed
  • After going to the Caymans for many years, to see the old Holiday Inn go and now the Treasure Island… remember it’s true… money talks - Doug
• Law School lecturer at international talks
  • Need information about the law school in the Island - Benis Guerrier
• Keeping Gas Prices Down
  • GREAT JOB! Finally an independent owner who is thinking about the little guy - two thumbs up. Most people will visit this station for the cheap gas and then go inside to buy something to keep the owner in business… what a great move. Hope his business doubles and shows the others how a kind heart can come back ten fold - Gary David
  • This is where I'll buy my gas from now on. Come on, Cayman, support this gas station and force the others to come down with their prices - Observer
  • Finally, one of our own has stood up. Not just for himself but for his people. When the bad weather comes, we need to stand together. This can only happen if we stand up for our belief. If one can do it, all can do it or at least try. We, of the Cayman Islands, deserve that! - A Native
• Latest poll indicates low approval rating for Government
  • This poll that was taken is not a scientific one. I therefore see such a poll as being heavily biased and not a true sample representation of the Caymanian population. A poll done online is a convenience poll for those who are avid readers of the Net News online and so disregards everyone else not found in this category. My suggestion therefore, is to conduct an actual scientific poll that may be able to get the numbers correct without a hint of being biased - Orlando Grant
    • Editor’s note: We have always stated that the results of our online polls are based exclusively upon the opinions of those readers of our online edition who bothered to vote on a particular issue. As such, we agree that it is not perfectly scientific. But neither is phone polling. So far as political questions are concerned, whether or not our online readers are a representative sample of Cayman’s electorate will be established in November. In the meantime, our readers will give whatever weight they wish to the results, aware that it is not perfectly scientific.
  • Personally, I love our government (current, past and future). Where else in the world can you find such a civilized society with an openly corrupt government. Everything is done right out in the open, reported on the front page of Cayman Net News, read and then understood by everyone. It's truly a wonderful system. No big lies we don't know about, no silly land speculation everyone can’t see right through and no money diversions that aren’t blatantly obvious to anyone who can read a paper. Face it, all governments are going to have a certain level of corruption – it’s just nice to be able to see where ours really stands - Jerome Bush
• Men can be victims of domestic violence too
  • Eddie Powell's letter was indeed thought provoking. Gender violence and domestic violence are a scourge to any civilized society. If it is true that both men and women are killed or even injured in domestic/gender violence in Cayman, why are the statistics and reports of this nature kept largely secret? Until people can publicly address this significant social ill in a forum such as the Cayman Net News, gender violence will continue to be accepted as an incurable social phenomenon. Unfortunately, problems do not ameliorate themselves. The Caymanian public should be revealed the scope and prevalence of gender violence over the years. Whispering, gossip - or the vague allusions made by posters hanging at the police station - are clearly not helping - Anonymous
• New Payphones Here
  • Cable & Wireless has provided payphone services throughout the Islands for many years, in spite of all the vandalism, theft, expense and permit requirements. This has meant the WORLD to people who otherwise could not communicate with their families. So I just want to say "Thank You" to Cable & Wireless. In addition, it is unfortunate that in the story, Mr. Fa'Amoe's name was garbled up by the person preparing it. After many years in print shops, newspapers, and the business world, proofreading has become a penchant of mine. Getting a person's name correct should be a priority, if at all possible - Anonymous
• Mark Scotland holds campaign meeting
  • I love you. I wish you all the luck - Everton Parker
  • Good luck to you Mark. I hope you don't get tainted by your running mates, because their votes on the status issue soured my mind to them. Wish you luck. I believe you will be good for Cayman! - Concerned Caymanian
• Time To Rein In Contractors
  • A licensing law for contractors sounds like such a good idea doesn't it? Who could object? What could go wrong? Well, let me tell you. Any licensing law will be written by and for the Cayman Contractors Association. The purpose of the law will really be to keep out competition and keep "the good old boys" working... read more... - Anon
  • Generally speaking, having another government organization to examine and accredit builders is just that... more government. There will always people that think they can get something for nothing...you will never change that... unless you think you can change the IQ of people. I am in the process of building a house… I have obtained 3 builders. I have spoken to the owners of the houses they have built and they are all happy with these fellows’ work. I will do the same for the subs. In other words there will always be shady characters in the building and other industries… the person using these fellows have to do some homework... it’s not that hard. That way they will avoid problems in the future. PS the same goes for medical second opinions etc, etc. - Frank Pallares
• There is ‘no need to justify contract sum’
  • When a bid is accepted... then that is the cost of the building... unless additions are added on. I would want to know why the extra cost - Sherry
• Making the LA Colour Blind
  • Brilliant editorial Desmond! Thanks for reminding them what we're there for... Absolutely splendid! - LocalVocal
• Cayman Islands Humane Society
  • I was a volunteer with CIHS from 1997 to 2001, acting as Secretary for two of those years, and as cat-carer throughout. I am always interested to see articles in Cayman Net News (yes, I do still keep in touch!) and it was good to see that the dog-walking programme is still in existence. I well remember my husband and myself walking all the dogs on high days and holidays, to give staff a break -- cleaning out the cats, ditto! It was always a rewarding experience -- these animals, homeless through no fault of their own, deserve all the love and attention we can give them. Well done, CIHS! PS I am still working with cats, with Cats Protection, the UK charity - Terri Beckett
• Schools Full!
  • McKeeva Bush obviously NEVER learned the adage "Oh what tangled webs we weave, when first we practice to deceive". The "back door" status grants are going to backfire in more than one area of Caymanian life, and none of it will be to our benefit. Without question, it should be a matter of the established students, who have been attending the school(s) for at least five years, or born Caymanians who are just entering, to have the utmost priority over these recent children who have just acquired eligibility through the Status bash, or marriage of convenience - Eyes Wide Open Caymanian
  • Isn't this an interesting article? How appropriate after The Dart Group has offered to build a new school for CIS and the key comments by Roy Bodden - "However, Mr Bodden said that he hopes all children here can enjoy what the new school will have to offer. “I would not wish to see any exclusivity at the school, which means that it would be out of reach for Caymanians,” he said. “I believe schools should reflect the population of a society. It should reflect all the shades of the community.” I guess as an expat, we can enroll our kids at the other schools Roy? - Humoured
  • I think that the government should have known better, and now is going to let the whole island suffer - Rachel Jackson
  • Is there any chance of moving to the Caymans and enrolling my 13 year old daughter in school? - Dr Bill Bretton
  • Told you so! If you don’t hear, you will feel - Anonymous
  • If there are additional students entering the system it is likely that additional teachers will be required. I am a teacher of English Language and Literature with a Bachelor's Degree and I am seeking employment for September 2004 - Alesha Jackson
• Savings Directive Decision Deferred
  • Cayman should not agree to be bound by this directive, unless all parties agree and sign this Initiative at the same time, otherwise we will discover that after we sign, some members will be exempt due to some technicality... like what occurred with Bermuda earlier this year. No way should we allow anyone to pressure us to sign this, Cayman will not benefit from this in any way. US, UK and others will benefit, so let them be the watchdog for their citizens who are trying to evade taxes - Derrick Powell
• Auditor-General faces an extremely busy year
  • Mr. Duguay says he is "looking forward to a great year of improvement", and to that we reply "So are we Mr. Duguay! So are we!" - Naomi Oyog
• Chemical burns boy makes full recovery
  • Doesn’t it seem evident that there was something not Kosher, when the boat was mysteriously removed right after this unfortunate incident was reported in the newspaper? Shouldn't an all out investigation be set in motion to find out where that boat is, who removed it, and why? Furthermore, how can that official from the Department of the Environment say that it is unfortunate they did not know about the boy being burned until two weeks after it happened? If the parents reported it to the Department of Environment as well as the hospital and others knowing, we must ask which sand dune Mr. Flaybaugh and his staff had their head (or other end) in when this was happening? Mr. Flaybaugh says it is unfortunate they didn't know! I say it is unfortunate that his department has such a lack of communication that the call from the parents of the boy was not relayed to those in charge, and that apparently no one in the Department of Environment reads the papers, or cares enough about PEOPLE, to be vigilant. Maybe PEOPLE have to go back to walking on all fours before they are of any importance to the staff of the Department of the Environment - Suspicious Mind
• Giving Visitors A Taste Of Local Flavour
  • I have visited the Cayman Island numerous times between October of 1999 and September of 2002 and have followed this debate with much interest about what is regarded as the "Caymanian Culture". Most of the arguments as to what this "Caymanian Culture" seem somewhat unsure in pointing at what exactly is the make up of your culture. If this is confusing to local people then how do Caymanians expect tourists to identify the Caymanian culture? When I visited the George Town area there was very little local craft on display that is uniquely Caymanian. Imported craft from China and Thailand as far as I am concerned is not unique. They can be bought at gift stores in North America.. read more... - Pernell
  • I enjoyed this article very much. I too agree that the island has lost a lot of its local culture and flavour.  I was born and raised in the States, but my mother was a Caymanian. Because of this, I was surrounded by an extensive Caymanian community. I enjoyed the dances, food, and the gatherings at the holidays and throughout the year.  When I first came to Cayman it was during Pirate's Week. Again, there was the wonderful culture and history of the island. I was able to purchase products by locals, wonderful lamps made from wood, woven basket's, hammocks, local artwork, wonderful coconut cookies, and last but not least my favorite paradise plum candies. When I come back now, I am hard pressed to find such things. Advancement is fine. Please do not lose this island’s culture and rich history for the name of progress.  On my last visit, I enjoyed seeing the Monument in town for the sailors and looked to see if I could find my grandfather’s name there.  I think that when we are progressing that we should look and see what made us who we are - Cindy
  • Caymanians have been lamenting over the lack of promotion of Caymanian heritage for decades. My ancestors never went diving, snorkeling or jet-skiing - although, these activities ARE beneficial to our islands' tourism industry. While our culture is constantly evolving with the influx of nationalities, our heritage remains unchanged - let's exercise active pride in it. Intermittent heritage week or quincentennial-esque celebrations are insufficient and ineffective for promoting and sustaining Caymanian heritage. Therefore, I implore the government to listen attentively to this particularly urgent cry from the public. We need to rediscover our heritage, re-teach it our children, and react quickly to its waning influence - Teresa Edie
  • There is nothing confusing about Caymanian culture. We who were born here know what our background is, however in the last 20 years we have allowed a lot of aliens to highjack or influence every aspect of our society. We have been trying to accommodate every Tom, Dick and Harry's needs when they arrive on Cayman soil. For example, the proposed addition of a dolphin park in Cayman - we Caymanians don't have any relationship with these animals, but that won’t stop other people from presenting it as a Caymanian attraction... read more... - Derrick Powell
• Builders bemoan lack of licensing
  • This lack of restriction is hurting Cayman in all areas. This country needs to tighten up and put restrictions in place for people who want to do business here. Otherwise, the consumer gets ripped off and the genuine businessman has his business eroded by charlatans... read more... - Direct Current
  • I can also sympathise with the builders facing competition from unlicensed builders, as I am also a licensed car dealer whose business is being eroded by unlicensed car importers, many of whom are expatriates... read more...  - Observer
  • Nearly every week I hear stories from car owners about how they were ripped off by people selling these cars off the Internet. I feel sorry for them but they should deal with established local car dealers - Observer
  • I bet real estate agents have to be properly licensed. No competition wanted there - Observer
• An Unholy Financial Trinity
  • Your point about the need to improve the reputation of the Cayman Islands is well made, but by no means all the brickbats the islands receive are deserved. For instance, you say in your editorial that "Enron cheated investors by using 692 subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands to pretend that money it borrowed was money it earned." In fact, the "offshore" subsidiaries used by Enron in the fraud were domiciled in the US state of Delaware - Simon Gray
    • Editor’s note: The US Senate report on Enron identifies a number of off-balance sheet entities associated with or controlled by certain senior executives of the company. One of these, LJM Cayman, was a Cayman Islands partnership partially owned by Enron CFO Andrew S. Fastow. This fact alone should have raised a red flag at whichever local firm set up the partnership in question, let alone the actual transaction engineered by Fastow whereby Enron moved the risk from its investment in a start-up Internet service provider to the partnership.
  • Something has to be done about this problem of see no evil and do no evil. People are not going to sit by and let their pension money be stolen and not do anything to the perpetrators. Cayman Net News Editorial is right on time. The financial services will go other places sooner then later if one’s act is not cleaned up immediately - Albert S. Jackson
• A keen follower of progress at the Ritz-Carlton hotel
  • Mr. Thompson just doesn't get it. Cayman has lost the laid back island flavor that has attracted people for many years. We have been visiting Cayman yearly since 1977. We stay on the island in a condo. We have spoken to many people who have been on cruises and their comment is "too commercial". The Ritz is just one more indication of the lost Cayman Islands that we once knew and loved. We can go to any large resort island or city and see a huge monstrosity like the Ritz. So, unfortunately, we will be seeking a new island paradise on which to spend our time and money. Cayman has always been a bit more expensive that other tropical vacation sites, but have felt it was well worth it. No more, sad to say. Yes, the Caymanians and foreigners who live on the island will have more jobs, but if the visitors don't come because of the congestion and chaos of the island you have a lot of empty condos and cruise ships - Nancy Peters
• Talks under way for university partnership
  • I feel that this partnership is a wonderful opportunity for all Caymanians not only to gain a wider variety and higher level of education locally, but also to have a chance to network and become cultured by visitors from other nations who may wish to attend school in these islands. The sooner the better but in light of recent events, where certain members of government have acted preemptively without fully analyzing the situation, I hope that the government can deliver a university that is accredited by everyone’s standards and that this is not another political stunt to gain support for the upcoming elections - Timothy Howard
• Concert of a Lifetime comes to Lions Centre
  • I learnt of the concert and flew from Jamaica to attend. What a beautiful thing when people of different races can come together as one. I give great credit to the organisers of this event HUM Ministries. I hope they’ll continue working to uplift the name of Christ. When is the next one though? I'd like to return. The people are great although it's a bit hot - Lewin Mellinese
• Littlest Angels grief support offers advice
  • Thanks for including our article in your paper - Priscilla