Kirk’s close GT stores over staff fears

| 19/10/2015 | 93 Comments
Cayman News Service

Kirk Freeport closed on the day of the Save Cayman protest

(CNS): Management at Kirk Freeport closed its downtown stores early on Saturday in response to the peaceful protest organized by the Save Cayman campaigners over the plans for cruise piers after staff reported concerns that they would be targeted by the demonstration. Chris Kirkconnell told CNS ahead of what turned out to be a very peaceful protest that there had been no threats or evidence that the workers in the stores would be vulnerable but he said because staff were worried and so they decided to close.

On Friday Kirkconnell denied that this was a ‘protest against the protest’ and that the stores would be open as usual until 5pm. However, on Saturday he stated that the stores would close after all, as workers were worried and the management felt that the best thing to do would be to close early. They also blocked access to their parking areas, despite the arrival of hundreds of people into the capital to join the demonstration. The Island Company stores and other retail outlets owned by the Dart Group also closed because of the rally, which attracted almost 500 people.

Workers in other stores that remained open said that there had been nothing to fear and were puzzled over the decision by Kirk Freeport and others to close and miss an opportunity to serve local shoppers.

The protest, which started at around 3pm on Saturday in the blazing sun attracted almost 500 people from across the community, young and old, Caymanian and expatriates alike. Despite the hot sun and lack of shade, people expressed their concerns about dredging and publicly called on government to rethink the plan and seek other ways to accommodate the cruise ships that would not lead to the destruction of so much coral reef and marine habitat. A spokesperson told CNS that the demonstrators would be continuing their campaign with nothing but peaceful protest and that people were misled if they thought it was anything else.

Now that the premier has said that the government is pressing ahead with the cruise port development, a spokesperson for the campaign told Cayman after the rally that the group was really pleased with the turnout and that the peaceful opposition to dredging would continue.

“We are feeling inspired that so many people came out and stood together. We will continue to press ahead by peaceful means to make government listen to the widespread concerns in the community,” one of the group’s campaign leaders stated.

The goal now, the campaigners stated, was to press ahead with a local petition to raise enough signatures to trigger a people-initiated referendum.

With no designs or concrete plans for the project yet, Save Cayman is hoping that the government will continue to look at the alternatives and reconsider the proposed plan, which which calls for the direct destruction of around 15 acres but would destroy a further 20 acres or more as a result of the silt and turbulence.

While government’s main environmental focus is the preservation of Seven Mile Beach, The Save Cayman campaign is trying to press upon government that reefs are just as important and play a critical part in the tourism product and are some of the main reasons why tourists come.

Bud Johnson, the general manager at Atlantis Submarines, and Bo Miller, a former candidate for election and long-time vocal advocate for environmentally sound development, pointed to the importance of overnight tourism to Cayman. Johnson warned that destroying one of the capital’s major attractions to accommodate more cruise passengers was a dangerous move, as he pointed to the decline in overnight visitors to Cozumel, Mexico because of the focus on cruise ships.

Miller said in all of his years working in tourism he had yet to meet a visitor who came to Cayman because of the shopping.

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Category: development, Local News

Comments (93)

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  1. satirony says:

    If Cayman’s reefs had been treated over the years like the terrestrial environment, then 50% would be gone by now, including all the finest dive sites. What’s left would be covered in glass, aluminium and plastic trash. Consider the obliteration just recently of hundreds of acres of virgin limestone-karst forest at Breakers, designated ‘scenic coastline’. While this iconic,100,000 year-old landscape was being torn to shreds and turned into an ugly rubble-mountain, where were the banners?

    I’ve witnessed the physical destruction of Cayman since 1976, a good proportion of it utterly needless, and it breaks my heart. There’s a $500,000 fine for cruise ships that pollute the waters of Cayman, yet in contrast for example, the once peaceful and pristine refuge of Barkers is used now as a dumping ground for commercial and party trash. Even if the despicable polluters responsible were brought to justice, which they never are, there’s only a $500 fine waiting for them and meanwhile, a God-given place we evidently never deserved to enjoy, is now somewhere to be deeply ashamed of. Where are the banners?

    Take a walk along the once pure sand beaches of East End, and all you’ll see now is ribbons of multi-coloured plastic garbage, bobbing in the azure waves and being vomited onto the sands. Are there any teams cleaning it up? Of course not, because Cayman is schizophrenic in its attitude to the environment. Does Cayman care at all that our tourists have to pick their way between plastic bottles, shoes and buckets, as they stroll along our beaches? Where are the banners demanding our pure coral-sand beaches be restored?

    We should be custodians of the environment we’ve inherited and pass it on with pride to those who come after us, but it seems that trashing Cayman has become so natural for some, they don’t care that our eastern beaches have become a sandwich of white coral sand and multi-coloured plastic. The edges of every patch of forest are carpeted with lazy, slutty people’s garbage and piles of fly-tipped junk. We need a march with 1,000 banners, (paper, not plastic) proclaiming, “Don’t Trash Cayman!”

  2. Anonymous says:

    Anyone else tired of this Anti-Kirk campaign? Get focused. The Kirk haters need to re-group and say ‘phukit’ let’s focus on Saving the Reef, unless of course that was just a cover for their real campaign to ‘bring down the Kirk’s’ after all….

  3. Anonymous says:

    I don’t normally comment on these forums but I feel the need to do so. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. No where in any of the articles I have read have I seen the Kirkconnells or any other companies that are for the dock bashing anyone for having an opinion. They have stated their case and what they feel in their opinion is the best for the island and the economy. They do not go around bashing others for having their opinion so I do not see why persons seem to feel that they are entitiled to go around bashing others for their opinion. Stick to the topic and say what you feel re the dock but try to keep it from getting personal. We in the Cayman Islands need to stick together and come to some sort of solution that will benefit us all. Yes we will have varying views on different topics but there is no need to bash our fellow man!

    • S. Stirrer says:

      Me thinks either you have a short memory, selective memory or haven’t read the older related stories and comments. The bashing has been pretty equal and I must add quite enjoyable.

      Peace and Love

  4. Liverpool says:

    the Jordanian is not afraid of anything or anyone he was born and raised up in a Middle East war zone. so there’s nothing to lose by him to simply be a keynote speaker at a protest! l admire him as an expat who has assimilated into Caymans culture and supporting the dreams of Caymanians.Hes not here just for the money or to bring division among the people.So far it looks like he means well .lts time to give this man his respect due him as one expat who supports the Caymanian people all the way.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’d like to believe you, but he only operates for McKeeva Bush, which unfortunately does not equate to the Caymanian people.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely disgraceful behaviour on the part of Kirk Freeport.

    This decision was a spit in the face to what they, of all people, know is the true nature of the Caymanian people.

    I guess their greed to make more money on their now failing, outdated 1990’s business concept to sell expensive jewellery to passing-thru cruise customers has forced them to grasp at straws and kick out at everyone else in the water.

    Sorry Kirk’s – it may be time to get back in the boat … or drown.

    (Hint): Families, kids and young adults are far more interested in consuming technology items nowadays. Due to exclusive carrier deals, restrictions and competition, the American and European market do not have access to hundreds, if not thousands, of sought-after tech items – including smartphones (variants), music players, tablets, household gadgets, accessories etc on offer in the Asian market.

    If you were smart, and “with it”, you would look into utilising your unique position to create a “western Asian technology oasis” where passengers have the opportunity to see, touch, test and BUY the tech items that they admire via the internet, desperately want, but are reluctant to purchase for obvious reasons.

    (There is a reason why Amazon and Alibaba Express are doing so well.)

    Forget about trying to peddle overpriced chains, earrings, necklaces and such to people. More and more such items are being relegated to the douchebags of society. It is all about unique individualism going forward.

    Anyway, think about it – and you can thank me later.

    – Whodatis

    P.S. No disrespect to the good-hearted folks out there that are connected to these businesses in some way or the other. Some of them are the most loyal and down-to-earth people you could ever meet.

    • Anonymous says:

      So your big plan is a best buy but with higher prices due to duty……
      That’s a genius right there for you

      • Anonymous says:

        Ignorance in all its glory right here folks.

        My friend (and your friends), make an attempt at understanding the GLOBAL industry before speaking on the issue.

        E.g. Millions, I repeat MILLIONS, of tech items are “blindly” imported into the USA, UK and EU via online purchases annually. It is likely a billion dollar industry by now. However, companies like Verizon and EE are putting a stranglehold on their respective markets … leading to dummies like yourself making ignorant statements as outlined above.

        Anyway, enjoy your “on contract” over-priced, out-dated-software-sporting USD $1,050.00 Apple iPhone. Some of us opted against and sourced devices with far superior specs for half the money, even with duty included, via the aforementioned avenues.

        Anyway, it is not your fault but mine – as I did neglect to attach my disclaimer earlier. Allow me to correct this error now;

        “*The single-celled need not reply.”

        – Whodatis

        • Anonymous says:

          They could also make jewelry from all the coral they take out in building this pier and sell it in the shops.

    • Anonymous says:

      That might be the most entertain piece of fiction yet.
      The only outdated part of the model is the way we get people to shore on those 15+ year old tugs.

    • Anonymous says:

      Out dated?! LOL!!!! Do you think they’ve built all they have under a crappy business model and actually have NO clue as to what they are doing?! Get a life and stop sitting around attacking those stores. You don’t want their product then stay out – but clearly others want it because they are wearing it. And as for Amazon and alibaba… What happened to ‘shop local to support locals’? Cause what you are suggesting is ‘shop online and get rid of GT’. Loser.

      • Anonymous says:

        “Those stores” are attacking my environment.
        Never will I sit back and allow such actions to go unchallenged.

        You do you, and I’ll do me.

        Cheers,

        – Who

      • Anonymous says:

        Actually, on second thought – never mind.
        Upon careful analysis of your post it is clear you failed to understand the very essence of mine.

        Ah boy…

        – Who

    • Anonymous says:

      A 90’s business model? Hmmm… Why is it working in all the other islands? Are they lagging ‘behind the times’ too? Oh wait, NO!!! It’s because they have docks! Wake up- there is nothing wrong with high end luxury products- either you are not into them or your envious of those who are selling them and/or are able to purchase them. The only outdated business model is a tendering company. Ours has done a great job but the fact is the cruise lines have moved on and upgraded their standards for customer comfort, convienve and safety, and have stated they will only visit if there are docks.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wow …was not expecting such a response. Clearly I’ve stepped on a few toes there.

      Ooopsie!

      🙂

      As for the claims of wishes to take business away from local businesses – that would translate to personal economic suicide.

      Anyway, many react strangely when faced with outside-the-box thinking. I guess once upon a time the notion of selling a European manufactured Rolex in the Caribbean was considered radical, lol.

      Unfortunately for the retailers, that sector of the market is now dead or too sight impaired to appreciate those shiny bezels.

      Adapt or die. Simple really.

      – Whodatis

  6. Anonymous says:

    One of the kirk-bots got the vote, referesh cache, vote order wrong on this one and another one had to overdo the votes for the “right” side. Hilarious.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Imagine how they would react if we had a Labour Union.

    Get with it Kirkconnells and move into the 21st Century, where freedom of expression and human rights are the norm. Stifling people and holding them ransom are a thing of the past.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wait, did I miss something?… Did the Kirk’s hold someone ransom?! ? how did the rest of us miss all that excitement?! Oh that’s right… We didn’t.

      News flash- KFP clearly demonstrated ‘freedom of expression and human rights’. If Save Cayman is free to hold a protest why isn’t Kirk’s free to close their stores? I’m so confused by the protest attendants being upset about Kirk’s. If Cayman’s Port held a ‘dredge Now’ protest would all the Save Cayman members stand around and watch it? Would they say ‘hey come park on my property!’ Would the Tender owners lend them a few boats so they could bid farewell to the Balboa? Maybe save cayman is feeling sorry that their show didn’t get a good audience.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Bimini has finished their dock and using it. George town will have their dock also. This reminds me of the Dart petition to stop the road. There was 4000 signatures signed .People just are emotional about change. When the people found out the time it was saving them they changed their mind. Then there was 4. Its inevitable that it should have been done 30 years ago. We have procrastinated to long, it is time to be part of the Caribbean. They all have docks or making them.
    If engineers can guarantee the safety of the structure of the dock in deep water it will be in deep water if not. Then Plan “A” will prevail, its just common sense . We should applaud our Gov’t willingness to go the extra mile for trying to do the right thing.
    We should not delay any longer then we have to. More Billionaires are seeking investments in the Caribbean we have the money here . Why not use them? I’m sure Mr. Dart or Mr. LI Ka thing would be more then happy to loan or pay to build the dock or airport properly. But you all wouldn’t like that. So make up your mind it’s going to get done one way or the other. We need a dock !!!

    • Anonymous says:

      The people objecting to the road were luddites. The people objecting to the dock see the national economic disaster that it is likely to create.

    • Anonymous says:

      The people’s eyes are being opened more each day, the people are beginning to rise up,

      Government and the UDP opposition separate themselves more and more from the people.

      Dart and his minions are doing well for now… but there is always a tomorrow and nothing lasts forever.

      The post at the beginning of this thread is another example of the type of person who is out of touch with the people, we do not want Dart to continue purchasing everything in sight in the Cayman Islands with his money taken from the poor while he damages the world with his mind corrupting influence.

      Make fun of the 4 brave ladies if you will, the way the case was handled by the Courts is another example of how MONEY TALKS in the Cayman Islands, justice was not served and proves that Dart owns the mind of most politicians regardless of the colour shirt they wear.

    • Anonymous says:

      The objection was to selling the existing SMB beach front road to Dart, not to the long-planned interior road to WB.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you knew anything about Bimini you would be ashamed of the Bahamian government so don’t use that as an example…. that island used to be peaceful and beautiful and we used to frequent there . hop on chalks and head down to paradise…. then money and greediness became apparent….the quaint places became crap bc they no longer had to try to impress with all the visitors the dollar was coming either way. The quality of the place went down hill… do you know what Bimini bread is? …. don’t use it as an example unless u have seen first hand what the dock has done to its beauty… smh

  9. Anonymous says:

    the tenders will still be required on standby in the event of bad weather so will be paying their employees regardless… if the tendering could be opened up to more providers, the government subsidize the enhancement of the service and provide better waiting areas, we could get creative and offer a unique (and eco-friendly) at a much reduced cost. this is just one solution the group hopes to offer as an alternative.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Good thing too! Clearly those badly-dressed protesters had planned to run amok – resetting watches to the wrong time, spraying perfume samples, smearing on lipstick, and lighting sample vials like miniature molotavs. It would have been like a scene from The Goonies.

  11. Ron says:

    Gerry/Chris did you pay your employees for the closed days? I hope you really did.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Cowardly move. I certainly won’t be shopping there anymore!

  13. Anonymous says:

    What a shame. Get that dredge going!

  14. Sharkey says:

    I am just really disappointed in the action of these owners, for showing the disrespect for the environment and the Islands that they make and made their wealth from, just for their own bottom line, more money. I agree 100% that these stores should be boycotted , and a protest should be done every day to keep them closed.

  15. Anonymous says:

    So let me get this straight. People are upset because there was a lack of convenience and they had to walk farther to get into the protest.
    Doesn’t that sound a little bit familiar? We expect the cruise passengers to stand hours in line waiting to get on and off but when someone here has to take a little extra effort it is the end of the world.

  16. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if the Jordanian disciple made mention of Mac’s many attempts to get a cruise docking facility built in the same location…..? presumably if Mac was promoting this it would be OK.

  17. Kadafe says:

    Quirkiest were given a day off to stay home and meet their quota of thumbs down on our comments! lol

  18. Anonymous says:

    Kirkconnell’s shop is known to be a loss maker just like the Captain’s Bakery. Go figure. This is just polical posturing.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Guilt. That was the reason.

  20. Rp says:

    Gov is contemplating some level of damage to Cayman’s environment for future monetary benefit.

    Fine, but let the people decide if this is what they want. This is the biggest project this island is undertaking in recent history. I personally am not comfortable having the current lot make this decision for us given the results of past projects they have undertaken.

    While we are at it, let’s add to the referendum all those decisions politicians avoid:

    1) should we be allowed to dance on Sundays?
    2) should we imprison or prosecute people for minor amouts of recreational ganja use? should it be allowed for medical purposes?
    3) should we be allowed to gamble? National lottery, casinos?
    4) should we adopt Dailight savings?
    5) should we be allowed to shop on Sundays?
    6) should we shut down or amend the mandate of the turtle farm?
    7) allow CUC competition?
    8) should we be able to posses bb or pellet air guns? Tired of iguanas.

    Etc…feel free to add to the list any other social issues ignored by our politicos for fear of losing votes.

    Let’s get it all done in one referendum.

  21. Rp says:

    500 people in attendance? In my opinion that is quite significant when you consider our culture of being passive and avoiding conflict. We bitch behind close doors and to our neighbor but we fear and avoid public display for fear of various consequences.

    On this site it seems that for each 9 anonymous posts you may have 1 person post under his own name. On that note a 500 people rally against gov is quite an achievement.

    After all, thousands of CS people are afraid of losing gov job and thousands of expats are afraid of immigration repercussions.

    I hope gov listens this time.

  22. Anonymous says:

    I’m for the dock but think the proposal can be made better.
    I was there on Saturday and yeah I would have liked to park closer but come on, you really think it is sensible to expect to park in a man yard and then go try kill his business. People are getting more fool all the time. You want the convenience when it suits you but don’t think others can have a voice too.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Why would Kirk’s stay open and welcome us to park when we’ve been targeting them and referring to them as ‘greedy, anti-environmentalists’? Did you think they’d be out there with water and fans cooling us down? It’s a shame that our save cayman campaign has shifted focus from our real concern of protecting our reef to attacking this company and the family behind it.

    • Diogenes says:

      “It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is in fact a circle.”

      “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

      ― Joseph Goebbels

    • Anonymous says:

      Totally disagree with your post. It would have been nice of Kirk’s to do quite the contrary of your sarcasm (keeping shops/parking lots open, and offering protesters water). This would demonstrate that they are indeed sensitive to the fact that the Protesters are passionate about their position, even if they (Kirk’s) disagree.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Wow! You managed to be racist, bigoted, and ignorant all in one comment! Congrats! Now go and get your facts straight.

    • Anonymous says:

      Kirk bots really working hard on the comment voting today. I’ve watched the above two comments be manipulated over the last hour – yet others have had no activity on votes. If anyone is stupid enough to be informed on a subject matter by the comment section and it’s “likes” and “dislikes” you deserve for your country to go down the drain because of a few money hungry individuals and families.

  25. Anonymous says:

    As as legitimate a concern as the newsman’s self-envisioned “target on his back”.

    • Anonymous says:

      Delusions of grandeur from a sick mind

    • Anonymous says:

      Despite other merchants in town closing for the protest, just as they close early for pirates week and other street carnival events due to safety of their staff, Kirks are still the ones targeted by CNS and those against the dock, just as they are in the comments. If I was them I would also close the stores.
      When will these ignorant individuals see that the need for the dock is for more than just a couple of merchants and stop the finger pointing, Over 3500 and their families rely on cruise tourism in this country and also want the dock!
      Instead of finger pointing the media houses should be educating people with the correct facts about the dock, not the he said, she said mentality that they have had since the beginning.
      The fact is the country needs berthing facilities and a new cargo dock if we are to have a future with cruise tourism, lets just figure out the best way environmentally to get this done! If the protestors were really against dredging and not a port, why are they protesting a decision or design that hasn’t been confirmed by the CIG yet, who already said they are seeking from the cruise lines and experts the best way to go forward.

      • Anonymous says:

        the 3500 figure is a joke. if there was no data to substantiate the pwc report, why should anyone believe there are 3500 pure cruise tourism jobs? 3500 tourism jobs sure, cruise tourism jobs? Count the jobs that are 100% derived from cruise. 1000 is more like it. 200 in watersports, 200 taxis and bus drivers, 200 restaurants, 200 retail, 200 in everything else.

    • Woof error woof says:

      This closure shows how disconnected these !erchants are, we are not there yet.

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly. This is now know as “doing a legge” – melodramatic overreaction to a non-existent risk, leaving the person looking like a First Class, Grade A, Premier League, Arsehole.

  26. Sharkey says:

    They could have hired a few of the over payed policeman to stay by the door while the store stayed open.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ha! Are you actually suggesting they should spend money hiring extra staff AND provide free parking for a bunch of jealous and ungrateful Kirk-haters?

  27. Anonymous says:

    What a dramatic move! Caymanians are known to be passive – too passive in fact- so it was likely unplaced fear (or unnecessary drama) which prompted Kirk to close their stores – not real fear of any possible “riot”. Hope they pay their staff for the full day!

    • Anonymous says:

      This is the opportune moment to start the boycott against those smart managers and owners who closed their stores, because of their staff having fear about the March. With the holidays approaching, sideline them and shop elsewhere, see how they will pay their staff. Let stupidity pay their way.
      Caymanians were never people who were warriors or trouble makers, so why cast such an dark cloud over a peaceful demonstration? Let them pay the price, open for the cruise ships only.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hope staff can get paid and not have to seek assistance from labour office cause no one gets help from that pathetic poorly run disorganized office. But yes I agree that employees should in fact they must be paid for the whole day.

    • Anonymous says:

      No need to worry about a riot for protection of anything Caymanian, only peaceful Caymanians and white expats would come out to support this, could not find any of the West Indian status holders though

  28. Anonymous says:

    Sounds like a bit of “over kill” to me. Like the editor of the Compass running to safety in the US for fear of his life.

    • Ambassador of Absurdistan says:

      Worse because public monies are going to be spent by the PPM to subsidize the businesses of this lot by building the CBF regardless of whether the EIA or Outline Business Case justify the project!

      Just another day in Absurdistan

  29. Anonymous says:

    What protest in Cayman has ever left anyone in fear of their safety. Business owners can choose to close if they want but people in Cayman don’t protest by fighting and destruction so I hope those same business owners still pay their staff for the hours they didn’t work.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Gutless and witless…if they closed permanently there would be no port discussion at all…

  31. Caymanian donkey says:

    Maybe we should have a peaceful protest when 7 cruise ships are in town and see if they close, pretty sure they won’t.

    I can’t beleive this, I wonder if these owners paid their staff?

  32. Anonymous says:

    Lets think about this for a second. A company looks out for their employees who have a legitimate concern for their safety and being targetted instead of capitalizing on dozens of potential sales with traffic in town during slow season and some how they are the bad guys?

    • Anonymous says:

      I think you might find a bit of debate over ‘legitimate concern for their safety’, I can’t say I’ve ever been afraid of any public meeting on this island, and I hope I never will.

      • Anonymous says:

        I know Caymanians are peaceful people. Problem is there were not many Caymanians in that crowd

    • Anonymous says:

      Willfully ignorant comment.

    • Somesense says:

      Your comment lost any sense of credibility when you used the word ‘legitimate’ concern.

  33. S. Stirrer says:

    Maybe they were just affording their staff an opportunity to participate?

  34. Anonymous says:

    I know that the Kirks aren’t the developers, but let’s say that if the south sound group that wanted to build the canal heard that there was going to be a protest against them in front of their house would you have expected them to open up their back yard for protestors to park in?

  35. 101 says:

    Mr. Christopher Kirkconnell demonstrated his paranoia and is being economical with the truth. The decision to close the stores was made last week in conjunction with several pro port backers e.g. Tortuga DART Diamonds intl Thompson’s stores and ownership who showed a lack of respect for our citizens. Please understand that their actions were not a coincidence. Hence the heavy police presence surrounding Bayshore Plaza. This is George Town not Baltimore, Maryland.

    What were the participating business owners expecting protestors to do? We are a law abiding people. When has there ever been a threat to persons or premises during or after a public gathering in the Cayman Islands? The time has come to show these business owners precisely what we feel about their disrespectful actions by voting with our wallets.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Firstly kirkconnels and the kirk Freeport staff have every right to be concerned especially with he way certain media houses (and not all or the majority I might add) are purposely singling out their family and businesses in almost every single article about the dock. If I worked there I would have asked to go home early to. There are a lot of ignorant types that show up at these events and no matter what the intentions of save cayman they can not control group think. If any kirk employees were harmed or targeted the article would have a title talking about he the kirk only care about money do they made the employees work even though there was a protest.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Thank you to everyone who came to show that they care about this country. A common thread between the majority of us is that we are not opposed to a port but we want it to be the right option and one which causes absolutely minimal damage to the environment. Also, the infrastructure in George Town needs to be considered- I have 2 children, I live West, my kids go to school on Walkers Road and on days with a lot of cruise shippers I cannot get my kids to school and myself to work on time, it’s insanity and it negatively impacts my entire day. I cannot imagine what chaos even more passengers would cause unless something is seriously don’t to consider how to move all those people across the roads without causing traffic to be at a standstill. I want what is best for this country- I want my children to have a future here and I want to know that I did my part to ensure that they to can benefit from the natural beauty and sustenance that is our marine environment. It is imperative that this decision is not rush but thoroughly considered and reconsidered until we find the right solution!!

  38. Anonymous says:

    Amazing how individuals are interpreting this move.

    First Kirk’s have already said which side of the fence they are on. They support the cruise Port because they believe that it is best for them and best for the country. So if you have not figured it out yet they are not supporting the march. And they are not the only people that dont support it.

    This is a matter that should go to a referendum as it has too large an impact. It means a significant sacrifice either way.

  39. Anonymous says:

    I know one owner that definitely showed up to the protest, the tender company owner! Front right and center! What a joke.

    • Anonymous says:

      So he is not allowed to stand up to protect our natural environment and only natural resource simply because he happens to be aligned with it financially? NOBODY would be supporting the dock AT ALL if that were the case. Also it has been said a million times that there would still need to be tenders so he would make money regardless even with the pier as not all the ships could dock at the pier.

    • Anonymous says:

      Many other waterfront business owners were there. Way to be selective with your observations.

    • Anonymous says:

      Guess you were there to confirm that huh?

  40. Anonymous says:

    A cowardly management decision. Employees have no rights or dictate working hours

  41. Anonymous says:

    Boycott the merchants like Kirkconnell shops and Dart that closed stores in a classless move! It says exactly what they think of Caymanians and democratic rights being exercised. Disgusting!

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