Home ›

Dart to get dump after all

Posted on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 15:24 in

(CNS):Although the Central Tender's Committee recently announced that the contract to tackle the country's landfill (a.k.a. Mount Trashmore) had been awarded to a US firm, the premier made a surprise announcement at the Cayman Business Outlook on Thursday morning that the Dart Group would be taking on the existing landfill after all. Although the Dart bid had been rejected during the CTC process, the premier revealed to the conference audience that the developer of Camana Bay would be taking the dump, capping and remediating it, and then giving the government another piece of land, probably in the Bodden Town area, for a new landfill to be sited.

The premier gave no details of how the new arrangement will work, given that the US firm Wheelabrator won the contract based on a request for proposal that required them to manage, operate and deal with the existing landfill in George Town. The premier spoke about the creation of a new eco-park but did not say whether that would be managed by Dart or with Wheelabrator.

Dart has made no secret of its desire to own the land at the George Town landfill as a result of its close proximity to Camana Bay. The group did submit a tender in response to the request for proposal put out by government last year, but sources close to the technical committee that reviewed the ten requests said that Dart's bid came in 7th and was considered unsuitable, not least because the proposal included moving the dump to the Midland Acres area on the edge of the Bodden Town district.

Speaking after the premier's announcement,  Dart Managing Director Jim Lammers said that they did not know which land the group would swap with government for the property where the dump is currently located but the remediation and capping of Mount Trashmore could not begin until a new site was identified and set up to deal with the country's on-going generation of waste. He said, however, that once the land was settled and the new waste-management system in place, Dart would begin work on tackling the remediation and capping at its expense.

Lammers said he did not know where that left the company which had been awarded the contract by the CTC just before Christmas as he said the method for dealing with garbage in future was up to government. He said that since the Dart was now absorbing the cost of dealing with the existing dump, the people of the Cayman islands would not have to pay as much in either tipping fees or government subsidies to cover the cost of dealing with the dump as those costs would now be borne by the Dart organisation.

If Wheelabrator decides it no longer wishes to continue, given the project changes, the technical committee will probably move to negotiations with the company which came in second to take the contract for the future waste management of the dump. CNS understands that WRR, which scored the second highest amount of points, is owned by the same people who were involved in MC Restoration, the controversial company which was given the post-Ivan clean up contract.

Comments

"DART WILL GET DUMP AFTER

Submitted by Aaron (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 21:19.

"DART WILL GET DUMP AFTER ALL"

Great!  This is a good announcement!

5
2
0
LOL

Good work Dart! Good work

Submitted by loyal citizen (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 19:54.
Good work Dart! Good work McKeeva! You keep it up! You go UDP! Don't let your critics discourage you from doing what is right for the whole! They elected you into the House, and you all took an oath to serve Cayman no matter the criticisms, no matter the allegations, no matter the personal problems in your lives, no matter the heartaches and pain, no matter the continual press coverages... keep up the good work!
4
3
0
LOL

UDP-  United Dart

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 19:29.

UDP-  United Dart Party!!

Where do I sign up?

9
2
0
LOL

PPM had their chance to make

Submitted by Give me a brreak! (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 19:04.
PPM had their chance to make a difference, but failed to do so. And we complained, complained, complained about the stench and ill effects of the dump for years. Now, when McKeeva and Dart has teamed up to make a difference, and finally something is being done with the dump, all you can hear are the numerous complaints of a Dictator and Someone who wants to take over the island! Boy... I tell you, what pathetic ungrateful lot. Dart should just pack his bags and leave Cayman with Camana Bay. McKeeva should just hand the keys of the kingdom over to the Governor. Opps... didn't I see some of you bloggers enjoying the scenery and luxuries of Camana Bay. I think once I even saw a PPM politician going to Dart's cinema. Apparently, he has no problem with Dart and McKeeva being friends. I am just sick of the negative comments, slandering, and hypocrisy on this site!
8
4
0
LOL

The system is a broken

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 11:03.
The system is a broken system. What process??? Excellent job UDP! This was long overdue from previous administrations.
11
4
1
LOL

The previous PPM government

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 18:23.

The previous PPM government put this project out to tender, if readers memory will serve them correctly.

And got properly shafted in the process...

Along with a number of local contractors who the Government had to eventually foot the bill and pay of...

After the contractor siphoned off the valuable scrap metal, sold it off and did a runner, without the CI Government receiving a red cent.

At least Dart is not going to run off and shaft this Government again.

Well done, McKeeva Bush.

2
2
0
LOL

To wait to satisfy people and

Submitted by Phillip (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 10:21.
To wait to satisfy people and go through the long haul of waiting for approvals will take forever. In emergency situations, nations have promptly act for the best of the community. I am glad the Premier acted! Of course, he will receive alot of negative feedback for it, but someone had to do it.
8
7
0
LOL

I cannot comment on the

Submitted by Ray (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 10:10.

I cannot comment on the merits or demerits of this announcement due to the lack of details, however, it is very apparent that the Govt. changed the requirements from what was put out for tender. For example, I seem to recall that one of the requirements was that the land fill would remain in the same location.

Now if the requirements have changed, how does the country know that this announcement is the best solution? Surely the best and more transparent way would be to announce that the previous selection has been quashed due to changed requirements and put out a new RFP with these. Then the best company would be selected by the (paid) technical persons who are most suited to determine this, via the CTC. If that is the Dart solution then fine.

The noise about time, money, etc. is just that. Surely the new RFP could have been publicised on the same day of the announcement and in 2 months bids received & a decision made. After all the bidding companies should not need to make wholesale changes to their previous bids.

Better yet would be to ensure that the requirements published the first time are the correct ones (a bit like the loan deal). Going through a process and then making a decision based on diffect requirements does make us look like a 2x4 country. Thanks Mr. Premier & Cabinet.

When these decisions are made in secret, with unknown advisors for  unknown reasons, the country just naturally becomes suspicious and fearful. Have the UDP not figured that out yet? Especially where the previous decision has been publically backed by other ministers.

It is not that persons necessarily may think that an idea is bad, but the lack of information & transparency breeds thoughts of who is getting what for what and why.

12
3
0
LOL

Exactly!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 12:24.

Exactly!

7
3
0
LOL

Well done UDP! Feel now

Submitted by EE (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 08:24.
Well done UDP! Feel now way... we are in an economic downturn and the UK has given us a time frame to balanced our budget. Sometimes you have to circumvent legal processes, even the local laws to get things done in order to boost the economy. At times, you will be accused by mindless folk of dictatorship, but as irrational and humorous as such accussations are, it should be of no concern what your critics come up with. On behalf of my family, people living in the G.T. near the dump, my blessings to you and your endeavors. We will definitely vote you back in come 2013
8
6
0
LOL

WOW! NEWS FLASH: "After

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 21:00.
WOW! NEWS FLASH: "After being called a DICTATOR so many times, PEOPLE WHO TALKY TALKY are stunned by the fact that McKeeva Bush does not only DICTATES, but ACT with a higher degree of intelligence than them" And they love to sing "DICTATOR," but funny... do you see any of them posting their names on CNS; or, at least, doing something to serve the community besides TALKING
7
9
0
LOL

"After All" what?  was there

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 16:53.

"After All" what?  was there ever any question?! 

3
0
0
LOL

McKeeva has been elected 7

Submitted by McCarron McLaughlin (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 16:35.

McKeeva has been elected 7 times now and he is the root cause to our problems, please Caymanians let all get together and rid Cayman of the awful cancer called Mckeeva Bush.

He demonstrates to us time and time again that his time is overdue - he's had so much time to show the masses he means business, he's only in politics for himself and his cronies, prime example now where he's breaking the law and awarding Dart the dump and nothing done. 

Where is the governor when we need him? This can't go on any longer.

14
9
0
LOL

Funny to see certain people

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 13:52.
Funny to see certain people on the news saying that they believe that this was a good move and that the "dump has to go somewhere". Especially when that somewhere, is in their beloved backyards. Sometmes I really wonder what promises are being made or the real reason why so many people that always have so much to say, suddenly change their attitudes towards these things? I wonder if any of them will be getting awards on Hero's Day?
10
14
0
LOL

It is a good move - I welcome

Submitted by karen (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 09:08.
It is a good move - I welcome it
8
8
0
LOL

What some tunnel-vision

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 20:49.

What some tunnel-vision people in the Cayman Islands need to realise is that the George Town landfill developed into the problem that it is today  because the Cayman Islands is badly behind the rest of the world in the technology of RECYCLING, as well as having updated laws that makes recycling of waste matter MANDATORY.

If the CI Government does not fall in line in this area as this chance for a new beginning creates with the relocation of the 'dump' then the problem will resurface.

This plan to redevelop the present landfill must go hand-in-hand with a recycling structure and laws to mandate it.

As usual, the people in the Cayman Islands who complain the loudest are the people least willing to change their ways of doing things.

These people have to realise that the old Cayman is now an obsolete and extinct model and get with the program.

6
1
0
LOL

Stay out of Bodden Town

Submitted by BoddenTowner (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 18:56.
Stay out of Bodden Town business. We are not putting in PPM next election, and would rather suffer under UDP.
8
10
1
LOL

poor sufferers...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 13:49.

poor sufferers...

9
3
0
LOL

In reply to 13:52 I would say

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 18:53.
In reply to 13:52 I would say that at least the persons in Bodden Town who went on the National TV, showed their faces is not cowards, then on the other hand some who spoke against it, has never lifted a finger in the town to do anything, but sit down flat their bottom and be mad with the world. I applaud those who spoke up about it.
7
1
0
LOL

Pardon my naivete' but does

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 13:18.

Pardon my naivete' but does anyone know why Dart is buying up all of this land, properties, liquor distributorships and other businesses? (which we as Caymanians are selling to him by the way)

Presumably he doesn't have to make a profit as anyone else would have to do and his expenditures appear to far exceed his income (in Cayman at least)... 

Supposedly he has money to burn and more than the majority of us could possibly comprehend... I don't know the man so I don't know if he is just plain avaricious and has to own everything in sight...

So why? to what advantage? what could he possibly gain from "owning" an island in the Caribbean? We may have at one time been one of the richest and safest islands but that is no longer true; we certainly aren't the most beautiful (yes, I am Caymanian but I'm not blind to our shortcomings!)....

Can anyone answer my question?

18
10
0
LOL

13:18 when you collect your

Submitted by Caymanian (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 20:32.
13:18 when you collect your pay check, does anyone tell you how to spend it?. It is Dart's money, leave the man alone and let him spend it how he please. After all has he threatened anyone to sell him their property?.
2
3
0
LOL

I can try... Dart originally

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 20:35.

I can try...

Dart originally made his money in the paper plates and cups and shipping and trucking industry in the USA.

He was the next biggest competitor to Ugland, the don of dons in those industries during the boom years of the 80s and 90s...

Until he ran afoul of the US taxman.

That is when Dart found the Cayman Islands and a friendly regime and country in which to lay his head.

What most people in the Cayman Islands do not know is that Cayman is not Darts biggest investment.

Dart bought out the enire national debt of Argentina; in effect, Dart owns Argentina, a country with which the Cayman Islands can never compete as far as size and economic net worth is concerned.

A lot of people might not believe this but, Ken Dart simply loves the Cayman Islands.

Cayman is now Darts registered country of residence, although he does not live there 100% of the time.

Dart cannot live in the USA and his tax dispute with the Inland Revenue Service involves so much money that it will never be settled in his or many lifetimes.

Dart has done so much more for the Cayman Islands than so many other mega-rich investors who have their money and homes in Cayman that the public never hear about.

Cayman is Ken Dart's home now, he can actually live no where else.

This might sound funny to people who are not in the know but Dart means Cayman well because it is now his home...

And he will be there to bail the CI Government out in all their financial screw-ups.

Cayman is lucky to have Ken Dart as its benefactor, many other countries would love to have that privilege.

Dart simply loves Cayman and is one of the world's richest and most successful entrepreneurs.

I know this because I worked in the shipping and trucking industry in the US when Darts trucks were on the road back then and this is years before the US ran Dart out and the Cayman Islands had never yet heard of him.

Hope this sheds a little light on your question.

9
5
0
LOL

  Dart owns Argentina (even

Submitted by Devil's advocate (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 13:49.

 

Dart owns Argentina (even in effect)?

IRS  = Inland Revenue Service?  And you supposedly worked in the US - OK if we were playing the card game BS... I would  call BS right now.

Dart can't live anywhere else in the world, not even in Argentina, which you claim he owns?

Tax disputes that are so large they can't be settled in many lifetimes?

OK... I get it.  Now let me try:  Dart is actually not from the planet Earth, but from a galaxy far, far away (probably close to yours) and his real name is actually Tradnek (Ken Dart spelled backwards). 

Seriously.. where do you people come up with this stuff (and please tell me something besides an Internet blog)?  Did the trucking company you worked for send out a memo?

 

10
1
0
LOL

First of all, Dart has Cayman

Submitted by kissmebackfoot (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 20:23.
First of all, Dart has Cayman Status, hence deemed Caymanian. Second, how in the hell will he be able to take over this island? Don't be stupid; it belongs to the UK! Third, this rich man is investing in the Cayman Islands and creating jobs, which we need! Why are you so against job-growth and development on the island?
14
1
0
LOL

In response to kissmebackfoot

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 20:45.

In response to kissmebackfoot - i'm not against Dart at all - just curious as to why he has chosen us..  that's all. believe me i love what he has done for us .. 

4
1
0
LOL

how would he take over the

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 20:42.

how would he take over the island??? independence, then call in his loans.

3
1
0
LOL

 I'd go with the 'owning an

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 16:52.

 I'd go with the 'owning an island' idea.  lots of people have lots of money, but to have a country... hard to top!

And it seems to me that it is entirely possible for him to reach that goal, if that is his aim.  

7
1
0
LOL

Good. This will probably be

Submitted by diana (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 23:16.
Good. This will probably be one of the greatest moves made by the UDP government. My only concern is where will the dump be relocated, but I am glad the Premier has done something about it
12
9
0
LOL

do you mean premier mac or

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 16:57.

do you mean premier mac or premier ken?

3
5
0
LOL

One thing about our Premier,

Submitted by happy face :-) (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 22:35.

One thing about our Premier, he is a business man who is relentless and believes in himself. The economy is his number one priority. And he just don't talk!  He is an iron man and envied by many people who want to be in his shoes. Now, the Premier and his policies are not perfect... but who is perfect?  Instead of attacking him and throwing stones at him, we should all be grateful and focus on rebuilding the country as well. Doesn't that make sense?

Peace

:-)  

10
18
0
LOL

I give up.  It is, after all,

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 20:40.

I give up.  It is, after all, your country.

Nothing I've seen or experienced or thought could possible have any connection to what is happening here.

Thanks for the cash.

 

4
10
0
LOL

You're welcome...we're very

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 10:58.

You're welcome...we're very happy you gave up...

7
0
0
LOL

I am glad you gave it up too.

Submitted by Caymanian (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 20:39.
I am glad you gave it up too. Jealous foreign bodies who are hating Dart for his money. Its his money and he can spend it how he choose.
2
0
0
LOL

stick around, it's only a

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 17:04.

stick around, it's only a matter of time before ken makes it our country 

1
2
0
LOL

Folks are so quick to jump on

Submitted by Caymanians for logic (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 18:03.

Folks are so quick to jump on Mac that I beleive they have jumped to a wrong conclusion on this. "DART will cap the site and provide a new site for a landfill"....what that means is "DART WILL PAY FOR THIS WORK AND GIVE US A NEW SITE". It does not say who will do it and it does not say that the CTC recommended group, Wheelabrater, will not still be doing the works tendered but just from ANOTHER site. Plus Wheelabrater is the top US group in capping and remidiation so they are the best folks to do this and have DART pay for it.

So how I heard this is..."DART is going to pay Wheelabrater to cap the site, provide a new site from somewhere else where they will do their garbage and waste-To-energy bid thingy"

Thank you DART for paying for this move. Afterall you will benifit as much as we do environmentally. Glad we do not have to ask Wheelabrater to do this and bill us through high 'tipping' fees.

Folks please listen before you jump to silly conclusions. And press please get the full story before hit the "Upload" or "On Air" button. This was a lot of fuss over what is likely to be nothing.

13
13
0
LOL

 Please stop trying to

Submitted by I'll be Frank (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 23:20.

 Please stop trying to introduce facts into our hysterical anti-Dart, anti-McKeeva rant. It's distracting.

4
6
0
LOL

I'll Be Frank, This is " I

Submitted by Caymanian (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 20:45.
I'll Be Frank, This is " I agree" correct..
1
1
0
LOL

*** Congratulations to Dart &

Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 17:52.
*** Congratulations to Dart & the United Democratic Party *** Two-Thumbs Up
14
16
0
LOL

Do you all realized that this

Submitted by lawrence (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 17:49.
Do you all realized that this dump issue has been brought to former governments attention and it has been put on the back-burner. Only a goal-oriented, business-minded man like McKeeva Bush could have made a difference. Sorry, but we had some former leaders that had no backbone!
9
13
0
LOL

I am happy that something

Submitted by sweetness (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 17:42.
I am happy that something finally is being done to our dump. We need to start supporting our leaders for noble causes (no matter their political philosophy), and we need to stop the party politics, which is dividing our country and keeping us from addressing the most important issues. I am sick of the vile and rude comments against our leaders. It is terrible and the world sees it when they visit the CNS site. We need to do better and respect our leaders and the work they have to do.
11
11
0
LOL

Excellent!  The CTC process

Submitted by andrea (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 14:40.

Excellent!  The CTC process held up process and would have been too costly!  The people and foods on their table must always come first!

Thank you, UDP

13
28
0
LOL

I am still trying to figure

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 11:04.

I am still trying to figure out exactly how this "deal" is going to put "food on the people's table"???

7
2
0
LOL

It is nice to see how people

Submitted by Lisa (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 14:29.

It is nice to see how people are so stemmed about this issue. Some of you people, It is really necessary to make malicious claims against the Premier?  Cayman is still moving forward and you will not ruin our economy!  Get a life and try to improve your own economy!

14
30
0
LOL

I guess you don't live in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 06:18.

I guess you don't live in Bodden Town....its great the landfill will hopefully become a park one day, but now the samething that happened in George Town will happen in Bodden Town, are you dense or just a kiss ass?    But that is the usual here in cayman everyone forgets everything.  Do you think the GT Landfill became this way overnight, no it didn't and yes no one gave it much thought.  Do you not think the samething will happen to Bodden Town?  This is  residential area, the smell was awful from the GT Landfill, you could smell it in town, west bay road.  Remember all the toxic items being dumped after Hurricane Ivan?  Do you want that in your neighborhood?

15
11
0
LOL

Ever heard of technology my

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 13:44.
Ever heard of technology my friend? The new landfill will look nothing like the current GT dump! The land will be lined, the site will be developed in accordance (hopefully) with environmental and technological advances that did not exist when the GT dump was started ... and when they did the dump was too far gone for them to be introduced! What the people of GT have put up with will never be experienced by residents anywhere else ... and in fact they may benefit from jobs becoming available which are 'close to home' depending on the extent to which the new landfill and hopefully recycling centre are developed.
3
0
0
LOL

Yet you seemed not to worry

Submitted by Cassius Dio (not verified) on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 20:07.

Yet you seemed not to worry about WB roaders while you were having your trash dumped there

Weird how you're suddenly concerned that now those living near the existing dump can put their trash next to BTowners

4
0
0
LOL

I can see by your spelling

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 19:28.
I can see by your spelling and your lack of reality that you must be a high payed civil servant of his majestys government. Hope your smart enough to put some of your easily earned paychecks in the bank for later.
1
14
0
LOL

"Dart gets the dump" Very

Submitted by ThomasCI (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 14:09.

"Dart gets the dump"

Very good!  The UDP is doing a fine job!  It doesn't matter if this was accomplished through the CTC process. Time is against us, and the UK has given the Cayman Islands until a certain date to better the economy. So I am with the Premier 100% and I know if we ever had an election, the number of voters who will vote for him will surely exceed the flimsy "jealous" bloggers here.

16
20
0
LOL

Would you please explain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 10:54.

Would you please explain exactly how time is suddenly against us in regards to a dump that has been there for fifty years and exactly how this 'move' is going to better the economy? Obviously you don't live in Bodden Town. Yes I do agree we do have some flimsy jealous bloggers here...

3
2
0
LOL

you are right. i think people

Submitted by JtL (not verified) on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 17:46.
you are right. i think people have forgotten our agreement with the uk. we are on borrowed time to prove ourselves, and here we have ignorant folk, holding up our chances of turning things around within the given time
7
9
0
LOL