Cayman’s future looks bright, says Premier
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin set an optimistic note in his New Year’s Eve message to the country, maintaining that the “future remains bright” for the coming year. Reviewing the year and the May General Election, he said that based on feed-back he had received, “the vast majority of the country is happy, and relieved, with the government we formed”. McLaughlin said that the Unity government would build on the solid foundation left by the previous administration and had ambitious goals for this term.
He said that during 2018 the major projects of the last administration would continue, as well as several major initiatives to change the way government operates.
McLaughlin also spoke about the investment his government would make in education over the next two years following the passage of the first two-year budget last month that includes some $228 million funding for additional teachers and support staff and school infrastructure.
Noting the $180 million allocated to other infrastructure projects, including improved road networks, a new mental health facility and a new solid waste management facility, the premier said the coming year would also bring the completion of the Owen Roberts International expansions. He also said the development of a new Coast Guard and Border Protection agency was part of the administration’s commitment to addressing the problem of illegal guns, drugs and people.
He said the optimism in Cayman was helping to drive the economy. “And as our economy continues to grow, we have seen tremendous growth in employment opportunities for Caymanians, and Caymanian unemployment continues its downward trend,” he said.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, the premier said that while “2017 may have provided
personal challenges for some of us, we can look back at the past year with the belief that there are brighter days ahead”.
Category: Politics
would swear he the messiah??? blahhh?
Bring back Rollover you clown. Tired of seeing under educated and under experienced expats making out that its skill and not connections. Stop giving the country away its only yours now not in the future. The future where all cayman youth are relegated to dish washers and door openers.
I guess it is looking bright for him and his donors but not so much for the working class in this country.
Crime is out of control (for a small country like the Cayman Islands) and the garbage is not being collected. If those things are among the positive signs then things are definitely look good for the future of the country.
If you truly care about Caymanians…QUIT!
His ego will not allow that he sees himself as a savior!
I used to think that but now am pretty sure he is in someone’s pocket and sacrificing Caymanians for his own bright future. He had a close call last election and had to change ridings to one with really weak candidates…he knows he’s done after this term and is going to grab as much as he can.
If Caymanins really cared about Cayman they would NOT voted him in, again, again, again, again. Get the picture.
There seems to be a basic breakdown in public services like garbage pickup. In the old days garbage pickup was one of the few governmental services you could count on. Who in government is responsible? Give me a name. Are they still drawing a paycheck?
The marl road has an explanation for the truck breakdowns but government ought to have the maturity and professionalism to explain themselves.
I have a dream…
Looks bright for him yeah! Meanwhile the rest of us are starving.
no one is starving in cayman.
Apart from being starved of decent imagination. Moaners like the OP are classic examples. Blaming others for their own failings.
Shame there are no calories in self-pity and melodrama.
Hello people of the Cayman Islands!!!!!!!!! We must stop buying into everything that the government keeps telling us. For 2018, we really need to ask the question who is to truly benefit from 2018 onward from the new policies that the government will put in place. I do not think it will be the poor, the unemployed/underemployed, the uninsured, the homeless, the family who can just about pay the bills and keep the roof over their heads, or the average Joe who is moving two steps ahead and ten backward because of all the bureaucratic mayhem that is going on in our country.
if the future is bright then pigs can fly,chickens can bark and 100% of Students can pass the CXC Exams at John Gray.
The chickens barking and the pigs flying are the two examples that are most likely to happen.
This really shows us what these Politicians are doing with the Islands and people . We have Alden as the Leader of Government business, and he’s leading the other 18 representatives the way he Alden wants to regardless of whether he’s is right or wrong .
Look at Mac Bush he is supposed to be a man of integrity and a representative for the people, and where is his voice today . I haven’t heard him say one word about how and where the Islands are headed since the last Election .
SHAME ON YOU ALL FOR CALLING YOURSELVES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE .
I’m not sure when Mac Bush was a man of integrity but both him and Alden are definitely now in it for themselves at the expense of every Caymanian.
Bodden Town has now become the dumping ground for more than garbage these days the criminal Hoard who cant cut it now in the foreign run criminal realestate in G Town and West Bay. Have in fact now migrated east to easier pickings where law enforcement is both seasonal and partially blind if you keep it on the low down and to Caymanian victims who no longer have a voice in this Unity Utopia create by all is Calm all is bright in this deadly silent foreign backed and controlled Political Regime. He does have right though with his Vast new foreign Majority speech and they are very happy with the new set up here in Cayman. Live well u all whilst Bodden Town is on fire?
Alden will do anything for Alden’s pleasure and grandisement. That’s why he will sue McKeeva when it suits him and sit on McKeeva knee like a lil boy like he doing now.
I hope he passes a law that he is entitled for life to a Rolls Royce for his evening cruising and a helicopter to get back and forth to his farm in Frank Sound and buys them before his term is up. I bet it would blow your mind to know how pretty he’s sitting.
Alden you have no idea about the feelings of Caymanians. You only care about your rich expatfriends.
It ain’t just the rich expats, 12:51. How about all his local rich brothers!
bs!…the expats that can’t vote?…..caymanians voted him in…..now deal with if you got a problem!
Alden hardly responsible for them status grant chickens coming home to roost.
PPM members and agents submitted their lists of names for the status mass grants to the UDP Cabinet in 2003.
Do not be fooled by the propaganda PPM and UDP are no different look at their records and look at the current Unity government. Alden and McKeeva are the same type of leaders very bad!
And what kind of immigration does the opposition favour? They’ve made it clear it’s not educated professionals…
Skies the limit
Better check that first as Dart may already have those rights!
hey alden, why not change law that anyone running for election has to undergo mandatory drug testing?
we dont want anyone in public office on that stuff? not saying any on elected members are…just a suggestion????
where would cayman be without dart?…that is the real question.
poorer, but with a higher quality of living for most Caymanians.
really?…please elaborate….
But think of the super places to shop, eat, drink and stay.
@ 6:51 … Where would Cayman be?……… They would be much better off!
how?…please explain….
Oh my, if everything is so rosy, why does he look so sad?
Wrong, it is not a look of sadness; it is a look of smugness !!
Ok, Alden, but could you get your minister for garbage who represents Bodden Town to get DEH to pick up our garbage….not the Xmas cleanup stuff, our normal weekly garbage…. It hasn’t been picked up in over 10 days and in BT these days we have people from elsewhere who believe that the answer to that is just to throw it in the bush, usually someone else’s bush but what do they care, that’s what they do back in ……
Ask Dart to tell Alden to fix garbage problem….tell him it’s effecting expats.
Borden Town??? What’s so special about that district when all ova is facing the same problem. It would be better if you had said the minister for health should ensure that the adept of environment hires capable garbage truck drivers who knows how to drive those new brand trucks that was bought for a sizable sum! It’s a shame they’re all that n the garage.
My garbage was collected this morning when I woke. Thank you DEH for working on a Holiday while we sleep.
Are you going to thank the police for arresting people during the holidays too?
Certain jobs are necessary all the time, it’s just how society works
Yes they make a sacrifice but it is what they signed up for
Even with a booming economy and all the related success, there will be some people who have not matured enough to stop driving drunk and smashing up cars: a thief will be a thief no matter how many jobs are available. What we have to be proud of, is that an opportunity for the rich, is also an opportunity for the poor. If we count our blessings, we will see that the good outweighs the evil, our problems are actually opportunities. We have so much to be thankful for, yet when we should humble ourselves and be thankful for our chances and be example for all to follow, that we may improve the plight of mankind, we actually subdue ourselves with the negative, to spread gloom and despair, to create an atmosphere of hopelessness and an environment of crime and poverty. We need to be more positive and stop being miserable and unhappy, misery loves company.
My sister works as a domestic help, after paying 300 for just a room and 200 for a useless mandatory health insurance and 100 a month for the bus, there is basically nothing left to live from.
So stop talking about being more positive and not being miserable.
A lot of people are left out of this so called “cayman’s bright future”.
Tell her go back to school. People are responsible for their own future.
I am a believer in optimism but that isn’t the reality that we in Cayman currently face! Yes, we are indeed thankful for being spared the destruction of the past hurricane season and we do have a multitude of things to be grateful for, but there are a tremendous amount of issues that government needs to develop plans and solutions for. The people will expect nothing less and frankly are tired of hearing the same ‘talk’ and empty promises being said, especially from you Mr. Premier. Your unity government needs to really get in touch with the issues, and that begins with you. Just read the stories in the press and on CNS and that will tell you the real issues to be tackled…. which if you haven’t figured it out by now.. is the only how Cayman’s future can be bright for ALL OF US! Not just those that are in the top 1% in these islands and those elected for many terms with their golden parachutes! Show us Mr. Premier, that you are more than just your words and speeches but that you have the ability and interest to know the REAL struggles faced by your people and how your government will make provisions to help people today and generations to come. Your legacy of being the first consecutive two term Premier depends on it!
Alden still chasing that carrot stick of a royal gong.
Very sad.
It was less of a New Year’s Message and more of a 12 minute ad for the coalition government, filled with platitudes and cliches.
Alden do you honestly believe that anyone is really happy with this hellish pact that has been concocted
The people in power from the last government are still in charge even though they did not win a definitive majority, the people of the Cayman Islands spoke clearly when they elected 9 Independents (technically it’s 8 because Ms Rivers was never truly independent). They clearly wanted to show the PPM and CDP that they are unhappy with the status quo and instead of taking your licks and learning from your mistakes you instead joined forces with your sibling-rival to ignore the will of the Caymanian people (Lets not forget which two districts are running this little alliance, the rest of the islands be damned)
Assuming Mac retires and the CDP collapses (which is likely) We will be left with one major political party and a sea of independents, and for your party’s sake I hope you are as beloved as you pretend to be
I think his apathy regarding the incontestable destruction he is causing shows he is aware that this is his last term and is making sure he gets all he can on his way out. Believe me 3 more years and there will be nothing left for your children…while Alden will have an nice little retirement fund and probably a cushy position his benefactor.
Get this guy out!
Cayman Future is so bright! We can all rob the bank!
That is such a pretty picture of our honorable leader!
Alden be careful with what you say and do . See the Citizens of Iran has waken up and see what their Leader are doing and done to them ..
Caymanians don’t have the guts to stand up. The majority that is.
Alden need to get out of that Dart bubble he’s living in and he would see that the islands are gone to the dogs , iguanas and the criminals. How can he believe that all of the crime and Lawlessness is good for the future of the Island ?
Because that is what the bubble told him to say!
Off course it would look good to him Alden, because he is saying that . Tell him to look from the outside and that would change .
No one is that deluded…someone owns this guy…the way he is giving away jobs and pr’s he is the biggest danger to Caymanians. Get him out in 2018.
Mr Premier needs to stay and fix the island up more. He is very good.
Is that you Alden or one of our entitled guests?
It wasn’t Alden. It was one of Dart’s trolls.
I’m so tyad of reading….big yawn….
Have to get rid of this guy in 2018. Come-on opposition and independents.
The only ones the future is looking bright for are armed robbers and drug and gun importers as no doubt the coast guard will be as keystone as the well under funded police.
2018 heading closer to Caymaica.
Alden is busy securing his own bright future.
Special interests, expatriates, dart and those in corporate cayman that made heavy investments in ppm are the ones who look like they will have bright futures. Alden and his unity government are detached from what is happening to average Caymanians.
Yeah right and pigs can fly.
Definitely got his head stuck up his jacksie.
Whatever he’s drinking, I’ll have a double.
I wish I shared the confidence of the Premier. His leadership of the country seems like he has no fresh ideas. The stale cruise ship berthing facility which seems like a dead duck or a white elephant, pick your metaphor.
The Premier’s description of resolving the plight of education is throwing more money at the problem when the government already spends more $$$ per student than private schools.
The crime issue seems beyond his abilities as does the dump and recycling issue. If those local elements who are not being brought into the mainstream economy the country’s problems will continue to increase.
Lets give it a chance to work but cancel the dock/pier deal right now.
Even he can’t believe creating temporary ditch digging jobs while he gives away record status and work permits will better “the lot of Caymanians”. He is a disgrace…be sure to let him know next time you see him at the bar.
This man is either the biggest idiot alive, or the most positive person in the world.
Accompanying this article of a bright future that Alden sess, these are the other headlines: 1. Gang robs GT liquor store at gun point 2. Prospect residents face repeat prowler 3. Police act on three missing people reports 4. Drugs wash ashore in Little Cayman 5. Police see almost 10 smashes per day 6. Police find repeat teenage ruanway 7. Health warning to drug users 8. Fire suspected arson, says RCIPS 9. Police warn of messages seeking images of kids
Look for yourselves…these are the other headlines. Yup Alden, Future Sure Looks Bright! Not sure which headline you specifically refer to, whether it’s the drugs, the gangs, the holdups, the arson, or the smashups… But yes, Alden, in your world, the future is sparkling!
Where does this guy live? I think the “brighter days ahead” will be for you as you continue to give away all opportunities Caymanians should have and make our guests the entitled? Are there any people in government not on the take that can get rid of this disgusting lil man?
Bright for who??, 10 car smashes per day, young men trying to break into people’s cars and homes, serious crimes increasing, persons continually losing their homes because they cannot get a job to be able to pay their bills, school children and others not having enough to eat, private sector having to pay for breakfast for these kids on a daily basis, while the number of work permits keep getting higher, need I go on.? Mr. Premier I wish things were as you say.
Alden McLaughlin is arrogant and delusional
The inane witterings of the mediocre who are easily influenced by the controlled fear messages of the alt-right.
Holy Moly, is this man out of touch with reality, or what!?