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Governor bids farewell to Cayman
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| Published on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 |
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 H.E the Governor Stuart Jack
By Kevin Shereves
Kevin@caymannetnews.com
After serving a four-year term as Governor of the Cayman Islands, His Excellency Governor Stuart Jack officially departs his office tomorrow. In an exclusive interview with Cayman Net News, Mr Jack took us on a journey through the ‘hills and valleys’ of his tenure discussing his hopes for the Islands, the community, his challenges, rewarding moments, and the memories he will take with him forever.
Recalling his first few months in Cayman, the Governor said he had difficulties at first adapting to a new culture and lifestyle.
“One of the challenges I faced was trying to understand the Cayman Islands and getting to know as many people as I could,” he said.
“I needed to know how the country ticks. I needed to know the aspirations and feelings of the people and the direction that the country was heading with respect to the future.”
Speaking of his memories of interacting with the local community, Mr Jack said he was particularly impressed with the rich history and culture of the Islands.
“I remember making some thatch rope with some wonderful women in West Bay, and I remember going out to Bodden Town with members of my office for some lessons in Caymanian cookery. We had some great cassava cake that day,” he mused.
“During Seniors month we threw a party at Government House and I danced with some very lovely Caymanian seniors,” he said, adding that it was a very wonderful occasion.
He also emphasized the need to preserve the culture he fell in love with during his tenure.
“While there is a strong Caymanian culture we need to preserve it for the benefit of future generations.
It is one of the reasons for our economic success. We need to preserve our historic buildings, including the traditional Caymanian Cottages. These are just some of the qualities that make the Cayman Islands unique.” He added, “Currently, there is no law to protect our historic buildings,” he said adding that if Cayman is to remain special, the culture and heritage must be preserved.
“If the traditional Cayman Islands cottages were to disappear, Cayman would not be the same nor would it be attractive to tourists.”
The governor maintained that throughout his tenure empowering the youth was one of his greatest passions and listed his involvement in youth organisations such as Junior Achievement, the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards (YCLA) and the Rugby Association.
“These organisations are very beneficial to the residents of Cayman and I have done my best to support them,” Mr Jack noted.
“One thing that I have noticed is that there are many young people here in the Cayman Islands with great potential. However, the potential is not always realised. We must continue to do the best we can to ensure that all young people maximize their potential.”
“We must continue take into consideration the next generation of Caymanians who are not automatically destined for a good future. We need to look after the capable ones and provide them with the best education,” he said.
“Every child has the potential it just needs to be identified and developed,” he said.
Governor Jack said, “Having done this job for the past four years, it is about the people. We want to keep the Cayman Islands as safe as possible. We want to see unity and we must continue to balance the various demands of the country.”
He also emphasized the need to rehabilitate prisoners, to ensure that when they get out of prison they do not commit further crimes.
“I am very interested in prevention and in talking about the sort of things that we can do to keep young people from entering a life of crime.”
The Governor said that such an initiative involves families, schools, churches, the police and the community at large.
“It starts within the home and Government cannot be expected to do everything,” he said.
Speaking on the new Constitution, Mr Jack said it has been his biggest priority.
“I believe that the new Constitution of the Cayman Islands is a good thing and provides better checks and balances than we had in the past.
“One of my roles as Governor was to facilitate the process and oversee the implementation of the new Constitution. It has been my biggest priority.”
The Governor also noted that one of his most memorable and rewarding moments in office was when he stayed up late at the Family Life Centre during the referendum process.
“Late in the night when it became clear that the new Constitution had passed and was supported in every district by the people of the Cayman Islands, I felt a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing that the people had done the right thing.”
The Governor praised the efforts of all those who worked with him during the Constitutional process.
“After deciding on the constitution date, I had a dedicated group of officials working silently and efficiently with me to see the process through.”
A staunch advocate for protecting the environment, the outgoing Governor noted that more needs to be done to preserve the environment in Cayman.
“The Cayman Islands has shown great resilience in the face of Hurricanes, but climate change continues to be a major concern,” he said.
“Nearly every scientist expects that climate change will result in a rise in sea levels and these Islands need to look at how best to deal with that. If we start planning for it, we will survive.”
His four-year tenure, however, was not to be spared from challenges and controversies.
“Most people will remember Operation Tempura,” he said, speaking of the controversy-filled investigations into allegations of corruption within the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, “that will dominate a lot of my life and will follow me because of the ongoing legal proceedings.”
Speaking briefly on the issue, he explained, “We had to launch the investigation. We had some very serious allegations involving members of the RCIPS, and we needed to get it sorted out.”
On extending his final farewells, the outgoing Governor said he would especially miss the people and the aesthetic beauty of the Cayman Islands.
“I will miss the people of these beautiful Islands. I will miss the food and I will miss the sunsets of Seven Mile Beach which are absolutely wonderful,” Mr Jack expressed.
“I will miss trying to do my best for the people of the Cayman Islands, but I will always continue to think about their long-term wellbeing,” Mr Jack said.
“I leave office with a clear professional conscience. Not everything worked out, but I know that what I was doing was the right thing,” the outgoing Governor said.
“I think that these are beautiful Islands with great people, and I want to see a constructive future for everybody.” | | | | Reads : 581 |
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