The cover of the September 24, 1974 issue of the Norwester magazine. Featured on the cover are the ‘Bodden Town Twins’ – political running mates G. Haig Bodden and James M. Bodden. Both were elected into office in 1972, and were seen as a vocal opposition force to the reigning government of the day. They would be re-elected to represent their district for several terms, and both served as ExCo Members (the precursor to Cabinet Ministers.)

The pioneering Norwester magazine brought the growth of the Cayman Islands to the world. The magazine today serves as a historical record of the rapid expansion of the country’s economy – as well as its developing society.

There have been many reader requests to bring back the Norwester, which in today’s challenging economic times would be a mammoth and costly undertaking.

In reviewing editions of the Norwester, it is evident that many of the issues of that bygone era continue to be topics of discussion and concern today.

As we revisit the past, we see what people and forces shaped the Cayman Islands of today. Each week, we will feature past issues of the beloved magazine, highlighting the salient issues that still affect the Cayman Islands and its people well into the 21st century.


ENERGY CRISIS

One of the articles, ‘CUC power company bans new consumers till year’s end’ highlighted some of these difficulties, in this case the difficulties involved with keeping supply in step with the inordinately high rise in demand. The process was made worse in 1974 too, from the world energy crisis that had occurred in 1973 (when the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Counties, OPEC used its cartel power, resulting in much higher oil prices).

“Since they obtained the franchise in 1968, CUC have been doubling their generating capacity every 2 years 5 months, an increase of approximately 35 per cent per annum,” the article read.


POLITICAL REPRESENTATION

On the issue’s cover and billed as “The Voices of Opposition” were the two elected representatives from Bodden Town, G. Haig Bodden and James M. Bodden, with biographies of these two influential men inside.

In the first of these, ‘Jim Bodden First Elected Member for Bodden Town,’ John Redman wrote a very interesting and in-depth article of one of the most colourful, admired and perhaps controversial figures in Cayman’s recent history, Jim Bodden, who was named the Cayman Islands first National Hero after his death.

The article began with an observation about the way everyone seemed to have something to say about him:

“James Manoah Bodden… mention (that name) to a dozen different people and you will get a dozen different reactions, some good, some bad, but none indifferent.”

According to the article, Mr Bodden started his career by doing all kinds of different jobs, both here and in the USA, where he gained his US citizenship, something that became a source of contention when he stood for election as Bodden Town’s representative in 1972.

Just as we have recently witnessed the controversy over two Bodden Town representatives’ eligibility for election, similarly the issue of Jim Bodden’s American Citizenship became a point of contention. The article stated:

“Jim Bodden won but was debarred from sitting on the grounds of his American citizenship, the constitution at that time saying in Section 20 1(a) that “Nor person shall be qualified to be appointed as a nominated Member or to be elected as a Member of the Assembly who is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

According to the article, Mr. Bodden claimed that under American Law any American Citizen taking elected office in another country automatically loses his American citizenship, therefore by the very facto of sitting he would have automatically lost his American citizenship. The issue was contested in the High Court.

Adding to the controversies that surrounded Mr. Bodden was the formation of the Help Society, an apparently secret society of ‘like minded individuals’ of which Mr Bodden was one of the founder members.

‘Help’ was actually an acronym for Honesty, Equity, Loyalty, Progress, and its secrecy, coupled with what some perceived to be the ingredients of a political party, led to suspicions from several quarters.
“ Once again. Jim Bodden found himself trying to defend himself and explain himself, but once again many people either did not understand him or did not believe him,” the article said.

In the article, Mr. Bodden (who is widely credited with many different achievements in the Cayman Islands) is quoted as saying: “I will fight anyone to the death for what I believe is right, but if I lose, I will not bear a grudge.”

In the article, many examples of his strong will, and strong opinions are given:

The article said: “He has often likened expatriates on work permits to ‘indentured slaves’ and believes that the expatriate should be issued the work permit rather than the employer so that expatriate may, if he wishes, change firms. He also believes that work permits should be issued for five years, and after the five years the expatriate should be given the choice of Cayman status or of going on his way with the thanks of Cayman for his help and assistance.”

In the article Mr. Bodden is quoted as saying:

“The rest of the world has welcomed Caymanians open armed,” he says. “Suppose those countries had treated us as we them? I cannot accept that kind of mentality!”

At the time of the article, Mr Jim cautioned that the Islands should not become complacent, He called for greater vocational training for Caymanians and advocated a central money “pool” that banks should contribute to and which would be lent out at low interest rates to finance small business loans and mortgages for home building.

He is described in the article as “a normal mortal man, prey to all the weaknesses and foibles a man can be exposed to, yet striving for goals for the good of himself and what he sees to be the good of Cayman.”

Mr Jim’s political partner, Mr Haig Bodden was the subject of another prifile article in the issue.

A difference of only six votes made George Haig Bodden the second elected member for Bodden Town in the November 1972 election, the article read.

Mr Haig’s profile also noted the dissimilarity in personalities of the two politicians and representatives.

Although there were many differences between the two, they seemed to see eye to eye on many issues, so much so that they were often referred to as ‘The Bodden Town Twins’ the article said.

Their styles contrasted, Jim more flamboyant, and Haig more measured – but as the story stated, both men combined to bring change to the style of Legislative Assembly sittings. Mr. Haig Bodden who was 44 years old when the article was written, spent the first seven years of his working life as a school teacher, the next five as a seaman, and then the next seven as a customs officer.

In 1967 he began a new career, as Cayman’s first full-time life insurance agent, the article stated. It was a job at which he excelled, gaining award upon award for sales.

“The success and security he has found in this work is in contrast to the poverty which shadowed much of his youth. He was only two when his father Dugmoore Bodden died leaving his widow and two small children to raise…” the article said.

In his interview, Mr Haig Bodden outlined his and Mr Jim’s ideas for greater legislative power for Caymanians, called for the appointment of a Speaker of the House in conjunction with his running mate Mr Jim, and looked forward to increased prosperity for the Cayman Islands, urging young Caymanians to “share in this development. They can do this by equipping themselves, educating themselves, through technical school correspondence courses and the regular academic channels.”
He urged Caymanians to look at future wealth, not short term rewards.

“They should be investing their money too, by establishing their own businesses and buying land rather than selling it. They should look at the long term future, not just the immediate gain,” Mr Haig said.


GROWING HEALTH NEEDS

In another of the issue’s articles, entitled ‘Keeping Cayman Healthy’, writer Mary Lawrence (today the newly appointed Speaker of the House) outlined some of the developments that were going on in both the areas of medicine and environmental health:

“The Cayman Islands are fortunate to enjoy a general state of good health, but in a growing country it cannot be taken for granted. It can only be maintained if strict provisions are made and carried out for the prevention of disease.

“…A noteworthy step taken several years ago was the provision of pre-natal care, free to all expectant mothers and later, a gynecological clinic was also begun.


WASTE DISPOSAL

The article addressed topics such as the need for disposing of solid waste, to avoid the “unofficial garbage heaps that sprang up everywhere.”

This topic remains an issue today with the growing chorus of dismay about the state of the George Town landfill – otherwise known as “Mount Trashmore.”


DEPARTING GOVERNOR

Just as the Cayman Islands will say goodbye to an outgoing Governor later this year when HE the Governor Stuart Jack departs, the issue’s article entitled ‘Farewell at the Airport’ was all about the crowds that had gathered to say goodbye to then Governor KR Crook and Mrs Crook:

“Before they waved goodbye to Cayman from the aircraft steps they had passed a police guard of honour, posed for a last picture with officers and members of the Girls’ Brigade, and said innumerable individual farewells,” it read.


GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Other aspects of the September 1974 issue of the Norwester magazine point to ongoing development, especially of Grand Cayman.

An article was devoted to the growth of the island’s tourism sector, with the expansion of existing hotel facilities – specifically the Grand Caymanian Holiday Inn (which stood on the sea-side site of the
current Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.)

The magazine’s advertisements also showcase the country’s growth, including promotional pieces for a new set of condominiums on South Church Street by prominent local developer Norberg Thompson as well as the rapidly expanding national flag carrier Cayman Airways - which at that time was advertising flights to Miami, Florida and Kingston, Jamaica.

Today, the condominiums featured in the advertisement (located next to the Grand Old House on South Church Street) have undergone a major renovation and facelift, and Cayman Airways now flies to several additional gateways – including New York, New York and Washington DC.