PPM veteran rejects time change
Anthony Eden, Bodden Town MLA
(CNS): Political veteran and government backbencher Anthony Eden has urged his frontbench colleagues to rethink the decision to introduce daylight savings (DLS) time for a catalogue of reasons, and his objections were echoed by independent member Ezzard Miller during the current budget debate. While some in the business community have called for the clock change, the MLAs’ sentiments are widely held by the public at large.
Online comments on CNS and social media sites, contributions to phone-in shows and sentiments expressed throughout the community have demonstrated considerable opposition to the plan outside the commercial sector. But despite the lack of support outside the real estate sector, some cruise tourism stakeholders and the offshore industry, government has been persuaded by commercial factors to introduce a change that Eden maintained will have many negative impacts.
Eden told the Legislative Assembly that he had made it clear to his Bodden Town colleague and the financial services minister, Wayne Panton, that he did not support the DLS time change. He pointed out that some US states that had adopted the practice are beginning to opt out as many believe the negative impact on sleep patterns have far reaching health implications.
There are more accidents at work and car crashes at the time of the change and the sleep disruption is said by many experts to be significant.
Eden said Florida has now dropped DSL, and so has Texas and Alaska.
“I beg my colleagues to take notice of this,” he said, pointing to the myth that DLST saves energy, as research shows that in warmer climates there is increased air-conditioning use because of the extra hour of sunlight in the evenings.
“Most people think … it is to help farmers but it isn’t as farmers oppose it … They prefer morning sunlight.,” Eden said. “It increases, not decreases, energy consumption.”
Eden also raised concerns about young people, especially teenagers, who are already not getting enough sleep, and said this would make things worse. He pointed out that students will, in some cases, be getting up before 6am to get to school for 8am, depending on where they live and bus schedules.
Acknowledging the benefits for the cruise ships and the offshore sector, he nevertheless asked the minister to reconsider the decision. He said government had to weigh that against the impact on the rest of the country.
“Let’s stop following others and live by own standards,” the veteran politician said.
During government’s consultation on the introduction of daylight savings the bulk of support came from the real estate agents but comments submitted from government workers, utilities students and other groups were opposed. Geographically, those in the eastern districts were also opposed, with support coming mostly from George Town.
“Those living in ivory towers need to consider our younger people,” Eden stated, as he emphasized the concerns of the research that teenagers are the most negatively impacted by this issue.
Ezzard Miller during his contribution to the debate also raised concerns, saying he would not support the move to introduce daylight savings time. He said one of his constituents had described it as akin to taking an inch off the skirt of a dress and adding it to the shoulder and telling the owner the dress was going to be longer. Miller said North Siders and residents of East End will now have to get up in the dark and turn on the A/C earlier when they go home.
“I know someone who works with London and goes to work at 3am so if you want be on New York time hire more staff,” he said as he suggested offshore firms could take on more Caymanians and operate 24/7 to capture all time zones.
“It is beyond my comprehension why anyone believes DLST is a good thing,” Miller said.
Can anyone confirm if it is true or just a rumor, that Jamaica implemented DST and then dropped it because the percentage of rape of young school girls went up -all taking place early mornings?
Someone told me this and I worry if it really was the case; I know the crime in Jamaica is said to be and probably is really much higher but Cayman is not so far behind of late. Sadly per capita we are doing a good job of getting right up there.
I personally do not support DST and hope our Govt. re thinks this; three states in the US have dropped it, having decided it was not in their best interest. More daylight for majority of waking hours will increase peoples electricity bills. As for getting opportunity to exercise longer on evenings, many do so in the mornings too which means getting even earlier than ever and doing so in darker hours because we will be driving to work certain time of the year in absolute darkness. This will mess up ones body clock, as you end up staying up later due to sunlight so late in the evenings and having to wake earlier – many will suffer from sleep depravation and it will prove counter productive in the end to many.
Do hope this Govt. and any other that may come about, reconsiders not implementing DST. There are many other issues we could and should be speaking to, that would better benefit our country.
Cruise ships call on many other countries with times different from the Atlantic Coast of the US and don’t seem to have trouble adjusting. Going to foreign places is one of the attractions of cruising. Our times agree with the Central Time Zone during the period the US is on DST and there is much business with cities there – for example, in Houston and Chicago, right now it is the exact same time as in Cayman.
i am excited to see what benefits the extra hour of light after work/school brings. I am almost hoping for a complete re-evaluation of time in cayman so that we arrive at work just after dawn and get a few extra hours of daylight playtime in the evenings 🙂
Why doesn’t Bodden Town and East End drop DST and the rest of Grand Cayman adopt it?
Maybe that would keep Mr. Eden happy.
As the former Minister of Health, he should know that there are in fact health benefits, as people tend to be more active with DST. This is particularly important in light of the obesity problem we have in Cayman.
When I first heard the government was going to introduce DST next spring I thought, great, let’s give it a try. I’m a big believer in change and trying new things, and then assessing to see if the change was good, beneficial, etc. Now I’m reading this article and I’m dumbstruck at some of the comments and ignorance regarding DST. I’m always amazed at how narrow-minded and reluctant some of people of the Cayman Islands are to change as they typically resort to fear mongering to scare people into rejecting change. Personally I don’t know if DST is going to be good for the Cayman Islands or not. But at least let’s give it chance. We, meaning the people, CUC, the tourism industry, government, etc., can all make an assessment on the benefits versus the costs after a trial period, and if it’s determined that this was not a good decision, then we can always go back to where we are now. Having grown up in a country that practiced DST, I can say that most people really enjoyed it and saw the benefits. As most people are more active in the evenings than early mornings, it was great to have an extra hour outside in the evenings to enjoy walks, playing with the family, sports, etc. Besides, if the lights on the sports fields are coming on one hour later in the evening, then this is just one small example of the energy savings we could expect. So let’s go for it – nothing ventured is nothing gained. And worst case scenario, we can always go back and repeal DST.
I come from a country that has DST. And I never liked it. It was initiated many years ago (1918) and crammed down peoples throat then, as it is about to be done here. At that time it was supposed to aid the war effort but I never understood just why it was necessary. I still don’t. IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF DAYLIGHT.
Why do I get the feeling that anyone who disagrees with the current government is considered a “windbag”?
On a point of neutrality, people are allowed their own opinions.
In my opinion most people on here seem to be pretty well wrapped in the indoctrination game that is being played by our “Surplus-Creating, Best of all time” Government. There are many other ways to bring profit to Cayman. But daylight savings time affects the workers and the students (not the ivory tower minority). As usual what is good for big business is apparently “good for us”.
All we have done is let our Premier give lengthy diatribes and perpetuate this political circlejerk. Please wake up.
The dinosaurs are speaking.
Why do our politicians only ever take a moral stand on things that are complete non-issues? Really the sleep disruption thing is pretty weak. In peak tourist season it gets dark at 5:30. Moving to DST should be an easy decision.
Other way round. Summertime it would get dark at 8 instead of 7. Spring Forward, Fall Back. So still in winter, it’s dark at 5:30
A non-isssue? If the majority of the people don’t want the change, any MLA that thinks it’s “good for the cruise ships” should get a job in the cruise business and admit he doesn’t care about the wishes of Caymanians.
Some real clutching at straws there Mr Eden. If that’s all you got, bring on DST. Good for tourism, good for finance, good for you.
“Good for tourism, good for finance, good for you.” NOT! Clearly Mr. Eden is representing people like me, not finance.
What a waste of time.
They better spent their time on the emerging debt collectors on this island, who are terrorizing people with outrageous fees on top of outstanding bills from cuc, banks etc.
Absolutely no ! Keep Cayman the way it is. You have to think about your Children going to school, they will have to wake up much earlier, or later in school . Think about the parents trying to adjust to this time change. I know I work for 30 years adjusting back and forth it’s no fun. Finally ,most of time your workers get to work late. THINK BEFORE YOU LEAP!
Everyone will wake up at exactly the same time. But from your post, I suggest you buy a phone or watch that automatically updates for daylight saving, as the concept is clearly beyond you.
Say what!!! What makes you think everyone will wake up at the same time! And do you really think you’re so smart that you should try to belittle others?
Because they will. And because the reality is that there are times it is obvious someone is plain stupid and telling them is better than feigning respect for their idiocy.
No – the kids will wake up at the same time – the 1 hour will be lost over the weekend and will not affect your sleep. The big difference will be in the additional daylight at the end of the day and the countless benefits to the financial and cruise industries.
O.k. So who is our government supposed to represent…… us or the cruise and financial businesses?
The cruise and financial businesses employ many Caymanians and many Caymanian businesses are there because of this. Stop being a dinosaur and embrace the change
Nope. I enjoy being a dinosaur. Change is not always good.
Meanwhile back in Gotham, gun toting gang bangers roam wild, kids go hungry and the education system went to shit. Will the extra hour sort that? Priorities, wind bags, priorities,
Thanks Mr. Eden, we need more people with a real heart and conscience to lead this country, not yes men. Arizona do not change their time, we do not need to follow insane.
The deafening silence after Ozzie’s racist and foul-mouthed abuse of a Government senior employee showed the kind of heart and conscience that many in the LA have. I am looking forward to more family time outside of the home in the evening that DST will allow, and if after a couple of years this proves to be problematic then it can be changed back with sufficient notice.
Unfortunately our politicians do not lead on the whole, they look for things which make little difference to many people but avoid the tough and difficult challenges that may require hard decisions which will upset some people despite this being better for the population as a whole.
The only thing I’ve heard from this guy since he’s been elected is more evidence that OMOV is what this country needs. I’d expect it from Ezzard who opposes everything….
Mr. Eden is misinformed. Texas, Florida and Alaska all have daylight savings time. Puerto Rico doesn’t though. Go ahead and be like Puerto Rico.
I noticed that too. Where did he get that false Florida, Texas and Alaska nonsense?
Mr., Eden’s information is similar to a 23 March 2015, Fox News.com release that stated, “Elected officials in 10 states have proposed legislation that would opt their states out of daylight saving time including Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.” It appears that the changing of the time back and forth is the main concern.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/03/23/sun-setting-on-daylight-saving-time-states-consider-alternative-to-clock/
Why is it cayman has to be like every country? I thought our uniqueness encourages people to come here and want to visit and live here. If we make cayman just like everywhere else why would anyone want to visit? Because of the turtle farm? If we become the next Miami, trust me those in Miami would stay in Miami. Don’t let the chambers an commerce and the real estate fool you, they are only in this change of life for the $$ and when it’s all said and done, they will move on to the next emerging country to milk it! I hear a couple of agents are now living in Dubai. Let’s see if they going to change their culture and get away ith it. Look at Jamaica folks….
Over half the countries in the world do not have DST, so why is Cayman currently being just like them? If you want Cayman to be unique maybe have a 2 hour DST change.
And Dubai has changed their culture, they are now the most progressive of the UAE and other muslim countries, so they have changed their culture for outsiders.
And ya want us be like Dubai? That na what i want.
If Cayman wants to keep the cruise ships in port longer, then let them keep their slot machines up and running. This will make a much bigger difference to them than moving to Daylight Savings time.
Thank you, Anthony. Keep up the good and very sensible work.
Agree with Mr. Eden and Mr. Miller here. There is no sensible reason for the entire Cayman Islands to go to daylight savings – let those who want to simply go in an hour earlier. The majority (including our schools / children) do not need this additional burden. I
Shouldn’t we switch to LTF – Land that Time Forgot – Time? Consistent with completely ignoring the daylight savings time switches in our customers countries which supply more than 75% of our GDP in favour of local teenagers who are somehow going to lose an hours sleep. Incidentally can anyone explain that – the clock only changes for their wake up call but not the start of school or bedtime?
What would Jesus do? Didn’t his daddy invent the calendar?
Thanks for this I totally agree. I hope the Premier thinks twice about this change.. Has no benefit.
“Let’s stop following others and live by own standards,” the veteran politician said.
And then he tells us to follow Alaska, Texas and Florida and not adopt it.
usual politician double talk
absolute nonsense from small town backward windbags…..
I thought Florida was considering going to Daylight Savings Time year round, not dropping it!
No Thanks. We are fine how we are. Why trying to fix it, if it ain’t broken.