Tibbetts leaves gap in PPM election line-up
Kurt Tibbetts, Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure
(CNS): The premier has made it clear that if his long-time political friend and colleague, Kurt Tibbetts, sticks to his guns about his planned retirement from the political arena at the end of this administration, it would create a very difficult gap to fill in the PPM team. But speaking to the party faithful at a ‘mix and mingle’ evening on Friday, Alden McLaughlin appeared confident that if Tibbetts did retire, he could nevertheless field a team in the 2017 election without him and still win.
McLaughlin said that while Tibbetts, the first elected member for George Town who had been an MLA for 24 years, was irreplaceable, he would have to fill that gap and find new faces to field in the 2017 General Election.
While the premier gave little away about who will be running where and exactly how many candidates will be on the PPM ticket, he did speak about Tara Rivers, the current education minister, running in West Bay as part of the team, though she will not be taking up the party standard.
He said that over the next few weeks the rest of the PPM line-up would be revealed, and while he remained confident about his party winning a second term, the surprise referendum result in the UK and the outcome of the presidential election in the US showed that voting does matter and that nothing can be taken for granted.
McLaughlin has faced a challenging time while in office after three people left the government benches. However, the wafer-thin majority has not held back the administration, and he maintained that the departure from the government backbenches of veteran MLA Anthony Eden and novice Alva Suckoo, who both quit the PPM, as well as Coalition for Cayman candidate Winston Connolly had made the PPM team “stronger”.
Not taking anything for granted, the premier said he knew all about fighting elections under the old system but nothing about how to win under the new system of ‘one man, one vote’ in single member constituencies.
But McLaughlin, who is an advocate of the party system, where a cohesive team runs on the same policy platform to ensure a stable government, said he hoped that the Cayman people would not buy into the “nonsense that an independent here and there” can all come together to provide the stability that government needs.
The premier said he would field a team of committed “thoughtful people with country at heart”.
Despite the uncertainties ahead, the leader of the Progressives was upbeat and confident about his government’s record in office. With a buoyant economy, rising employment and the public finances in much better shape, the premier has some ground for optimism.
But the feel-good factor has not trickled down to all areas of Cayman society and many people are still struggling and making demands of the Needs Assessment Unit that are not being met.
There are also significant concerns in the community over excessive development that is not perceived as benefiting local people and harming the environment, as well as health care challenges for under- or uninsured people, difficulties in education and training, and the continued rise in violent crime.
Category: 2017 General Elections, Elections, Politics
No politician is perfect, and there is no need to post such disparaging remarks.
Mr. Tibbetts did much good for our country as an MLA. I and many others thank him for his long service to our country and wish him every success.
And no I am not a PPM nor UDP or anything other than a voter who try to vote their conscience each election.
He was certainly one of the world’s greatest leaders in his day. At dominoes.
Joke if you like, but you cannot deny that he has been an honest and decent representative.
Compare him to the selfserving gambler of hidden deals if you really want to see how fortunate we have been.
Exercise and less food.
He had a great run, time to get off the teat
Why are Alva Suckoo and Anthony Eden still on the PPM website as PPM MLAs?
Because they still PPM… Derr!
Good riddance…..tell me again what Kurt Tibbetts did for Cayman??.?.????????????
Probably a whole lot more than you did just sitting there complaining and doing nothing.
Anything PPM did over the years Kurt played a role in good or bad.
Infrastructure? He was Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, show me the new road through frank sound to Newlands ? Ironwood was offering to pay 50 million dollars. This would help alleviate people coming to town for working ,groceries ,entertainment etc. etc. What happen to the Linsford highway expansion? We could have build that 3 years ago. Why is it still an issue coming up to 4 years as Minister ? You didn’t think of the Eastern districts .
2.40am I don’t believe that there was a firm offer. Road construction was just one part of the total package being negotiated.
Alden has raised the issue of OMOV and it is the proper system but – on this first occasion it is likely to produce a completely dysfunctional LA.
so you’r saying no change from the last 5 or six governments? 🙂
You wondering about Kurt ? What about Capt Eugene…? Good Lord , Capt Eugene doesn’t even participate in the L.A.discussions. !! He only answers Aye or No…
If you haven’t seen what Kurt has done then you don’t want to and are in absolute denial.
Blooming crab in the bucket mentality. ?
Kurt has done way more than just hold a vote like Capt Eugene did!!!
Saying the Kurt did more than “Captain” Eugene is really damning someone by faint praise of the highest order.
Will certainly be difficult to find someone of the same proportions to fill the ” gap “
Alden and the rest of his yes men should give half of their pay checks to Kurt. Without him none would be elected members of parliament.
Good riddance, he has never done anything for the poor people of Cayman. I remember him telling us how he was going to do so much about the price of gas. Did he do anything? If it was not for George Ebanks we would be still paying much higher prices.I like how they tell you they are going to look into it, I wonder how many pairs of glasses they need as they never do anything. Good riddance to the lot of them.
Kurt Tibbetts’ represented these Islands with honesty, dignity and integrity. He is a man that we all should admire for all that he has done for these Islands and is loved by all people. He is not bought nor is he corrupt! Call him what you may but he is a man that thinks before he acts and doesn’t rush into any situation until he has thought it through. Those of you that are posting negative posts – shame on you! But having read your posts….I don’t expect that you would have anything positive to say about the Progressives or indeed Kurt Tibbetts or anyone else in the Party. We have accomplished much in the last, almost four years, and I am proud to be a member of the Progressives!
Clearly so proud that he/she posted anonymously!
And yet for someone who ‘is loved by all people’ the negative posts keep coming
The next government after elections in 2017 will be another coalition led by either political party but with more independents in the mix playing crucial roles.
Neither ppm or udp can secure a majority in the LA as they have proven themselves to be one in the same thing by all accounts and untrustworthy. Both parties will need to negotiate with some independents for power and control to form the government. Alden McLaughlin should accept this reality, humble himself and play nice with some credible independents or else…
the last thing cayman needs is to be held to ransom by some backward independent pandering to the votes of a few hundred people…….
Change the Constitution or merge NS and EE constituencies and only have one MLA for the sister islands
Is it better to be held ransom by a billionaire trying to take over our country??
that is the scary part……small minded independents offer nothing to the future of cayman
Everyone wants to complain and be critical but no one wants to leave this paradise that Mr Tibbetts helped build.
Boy we Caymanians got it made.
A physical gap of some size no doubt, a talent gap not so much.
All you disrespectful Nay Sayers could never ever walk one day in D Kurt Tibbetts shoes. He is beloved by the people of George Town and indeed the Cayman Islands. His steady hand and voice of considered reason and experience in Cabinet and provided the good governance that is needed, and he has done more for Cayman than any of you can dream of!
I hope all those Voters who love Kurt and who shared a positive person story with him will get on social media, form a petition, march, call in on the radio and congregate outside his home and demand that he continues to serve our Government.
Shame on you ungrateful jealous wannabes! Kurt did not become riich off politics. He is the most honest fair and kind person I know. He is such a gentleman that he won’t take you Bashers on … but I will.
I feel sorry for those shoes they had to do some much carrying for so little results.
Seems to me he made it further in life than you did.
He made it to the head of a small local authority. And did nothing when he got there.
A very mean, small minded comment, 5:55, and by your use of the term “local authority” you sound English -as I am. I worked with Mr Tibbetts and was going to post a comment in his defence but I realised on reflection that you just wanted to make a nasty anti Caymanian point so I didn’t bother.
Sweet assumptions. All wrongly made.
5.55pm ….and you had to tiptoe to reach the lowest rung of that authority and you were unable to do so. Jealousy is killing you.
Perhaps the poster was not mediocre enough to qualify.
That certainly does not say much for the poor poster.
But he made it. And you didn’t. Oouuuchhh.
@2.15 Making a statement like that just shows your shortcomings.
Wait!?! Kurt still works? I thought he retired years ago! What has he been doing to earn his pay!? Like seriously, someone please tell me! I need answers!
Has there ever been a better time for all of our double-dipping, crony-helping, egotistical political dinosaurs to retire? Planning Dept is ground zero for ACC review…not holding our breathe!
Last election I only used on of my WB votes for Tara….then she got her hair done, jet-setted to Africa for a conference, and sued the couple that legitimately challenged her eligibility….so that was a wasted vote. Anyway I can’t vote PPM as they are destroying the opportunities for Caymanians in their own country by ignoring our immigration laws in the pursuit of work permit revenues. I don’t want to vote UDP but at this point they can’t do worse for the future of their people than Alden and Marco. Can a strong independent please run in WB?
A strong independent? I’m from West Bay, can bench press 400lbs, more loner than social so the party route isn’t for me, and I’m good at making good decisions without letting the world’s opinions sway me. I will run for you. I’m educated too and always say government instead of guhwernment.
Alden campaigning and begging hard for another chance to finish selling out Cayman
Lmao really PPM confident they are going to win back. I know its not April 1st today. Seriously!
They are all screwed without KT
i thought kurt was retired….
He has been retired for long time now and we have all noticed.
cayman cannot afford another 4 years of the ‘do-nothing’ ppm.
A “do nothing” government is what I am praying for, so I don’t have to worry about my children and grand children having to pay for the “undoing” of some criminal’s delusions.
I believe Belgium proved that it can work.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/01/589-days-with-no-elected-government-what-happened-in-belgium/
PPM are committed to satisfying the rich people in society. Look at decisions Alden and his party make to benefit wealthy special interests. They do not care about or can relate to the middle and working classes they are disconnected from the hardships of the average Caymanians.
Anyone wanting my vote will have to sit down on my front porch and answer some questions for me.
1.Will they work to make the anti corruption system effective?
2.Will they make all proposed deals with developers available for public scrutiny and comment prior to signing any agreements?
3. Will they support anti trust laws to limit the amount of control any one entity can have over the island?
4. Will they actually make the environment a priority?
5. Will they limit the concessions they give developers so that our infrastructure can be improved and the needs of the people put ahead of the needs of the developers.
6. Will they appoint CPA members so that the board is not controlled my individuals with a vested interest in run away development?
These are just a start By the time the campaign gets under way it will be a lengthy list. If you are not willing to sit down and listen to my concerns and share your stand on them, then I am not willing to give you my vote.
They will say yes, yes, yes to everything and anything while on your front porch.
So along with that list of questions you will have to add…
“and how do you propose to do this and what legislation have you identified that may require amendment or enactment in order for you to accomplish what you have said you will action?”
The problem with our Cayman voters is that they all accept the “I will do this, that and the other thing your aunty down the road said she wants me to do when you vote me in” and everyone falls for it.
It is not WHAT they propose to get done, it is HOW they have identified they will be able to do it. I never hear anything about ‘how’ during the election campaign, but there is always a lot of raving about ‘what’.
I can just as easily stand on a podium and declare “I am going to make sure Cayman gets its 47 inches of rain this year before Christmas!”… but,,, how?
Point well taken.
Believe me. I am not looking for “political answers” When they sit on my front porch I will have to be convinced they are on the same “wave length” I am or it is no vote.
It is time for a change in Cayman Politics. I will do my best to encourage people to think outside the two political boxes we have been dealing with for years.
I live in West Bay and will have to vote here, that’s is, if I do decide to go out and vote in May 2017. However, if I had a choice between Alden and Mckeeva to lead the country, give me Alden anytime as he has the integrity that Mac doesn’t.
McKeeva needs to retire like Kurt and Anthony Eden. This will then give Mac greater time to hit the slot machines at Hard Rock in Florida which is his favorite past time.
This is a joke, surely?
What has Kurt Tibbetts ever done for the people of the Cayman Islands?
Good riddance, I would say and I hope those that hung onto his ample coattails will follow suit and fade away into the oblivion that they so deserve.
Well, on his very brief political biography on our LA website it seems to list his political achievements (yawn):
http://www.legislativeassembly.ky/portal/page/portal/lglhome/members/previousmembers/members20132017/ktibbetts
“On 11th May, 2005, the Hon. D. Kurt Tibbetts, JP, was elected Leader of Government Business for the second time. It was the high-water mark of a political career that began in 1992; and a life that has been dedicated to public service.
The George Town MLA has been successful in business, community service and politics. He owned and operated a print shop for 25 years and is currently serving his fifth consecutive term in the Legislative Assembly.
He has also served on several Government Boards. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1998 and on June 2011 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the designation Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) for his service to the Islands.
A Past President and Life Member of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman Mr Tibbetts acumen for fund raising helped the club collect hundreds of thousands of dollars that were ploughed back into the community.
Like other Caymanians of his era, he traveled to Jamaica for his education and graduated from St. George’s College in Kingston.
Asked to list his major political accomplishments, Mr. Tibbetts points to the Freedom of Information Law and the new Constitution.
Mr. Tibbetts is married to Shirley Ann. They are the parents of daughters Jacynth and Janelle, as well as son Jared.”
I had no idea he had done so much. Forgive me.
Reading between the lines it looks like damn little to show for five straight terms as an MLA! Well over 24+ years and he accomplished what? Please don’t tell me he masterminded and drafted the FOI Law and Constitution – I won’t believe any of that. Took part in the debates maybe at best.
24 years and all we for to show for it is a giant mountain of garbage. Fix the damn dump Kurt!
So people vote thumbs down to someone highlighting the ridiculous dump situation.
Let me guess, Kurt pays you to troll this board or you live in Cayman Brac?