Rum Point closed to locals, open to rich residents

| 20/07/2020 | 102 Comments

Camanite writes: Section 13 (2) of the Bill of Rights only allows for a law to restrict our guaranteed right to freedom of movement if it is “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society” under certain conditions, including in the interest of public health or safety. Section 19 of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution mandates that all decisions and acts of public officials must be “lawful, rational, proportionate and procedurally fair”.

So what is the rationale for deeming Rum Point a greater risk to public health and safety than, say, a bar or a nightclub? How is that rational? And how is such a decision reasonably justifiable in a democratic society?

Are we now finally embracing that we are a selective society, where only the selective few can get the government to do what they want? Because it’s obvious at this point why we are restricted from those areas still.

After a lot of reading trying to find a section of the law that gives anyone the right to make up laws that violate the Constitution, which clearly defines our rights in section 13, and after listening to the statements made by the premier, I believe he wasn’t concerned about the potential spread of COVID-19 in these popular areas, where locals can go without fear of being told to leave because they are trespassing, like on Seven Mile Beach along the private condo corridor.

You know, I’ve been hearing the phrase ‘who are we developing for?’ a lot recently, and when we hear our premier say things like “the government is taking time to review the impact on the wildlife and RESIDENTS in the surrounding areas, such as Rum Point, Starfish Point, Sandbar, it’s my opinion he has been told what to do in this case, because there has been a long battle with local people concerning any public space we decide to use as a place to enjoy ourselves.

I guess the next thing will be the camping on Easter weekend. We have already seen them build a $1.2 million boardwalk in South Sound to limit activity on the section of beach that locals used heavily during Easter holiday weekend.

The last point I would like to make is how contradictory it is to say they don’t want you to go Rum Point because they are reviewing the impacts on wildlife and residents, yet you can go in the same North Sound right next to the very area they talking about and drop anchor, swim and have the same level of impact as if you were at Rum Point, but that’s perfectly OK.

I was out there yesterday and saw a lot of boats in the surrounding area, a lot further off shore but nonetheless people were out tied up to each other’s boats. This goes back to the point earlier: it was to get locals from being too close to the shore, where the million dollar homes are, and they don’t want to hear the music and see locals enjoying themselves.

Mission accomplished, Alden McLaughlin! Once again, it’s the desire of a few with money to turn Cayman into how they want it to be, with total disregard for the local people.

Mr Premier, as a former lawyer, can you please explain this to the people?


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Category: Viewpoint

Comments (102)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I go to Rum point often with my Wife and Son to paddle the waters no problems no troubles. I am respectful of those that live there and I have had nothing but respect back. If you are getting no respect maybe it’s time to ask yourself why? Just saying.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    The JMU have generally let offending douche bags go with a warning, or not bothered to show up at all to enforce the normal marine laws and/or emergency prohibitions. This tiresome slack was in the past provided via the head of the JMU/AOU, the now thankfully-UK-departed former-Superintendent Robert Graham. On July 13th, it swapped over to RCIPS Acting Superintendent Brad Ebanks to realize the public demands precisely the opposite performance and to tighten the reigns commensurately. It’s long past time for RCIPS to take off the kid-gloves and start reminding the general public of what our laws/regs are, and that they mean something. That will be on Brad and his performance will shape his suitability for advancement in the years ahead. Listen, and act, Brad…this whole thread is for you.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    What about rich locals?

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  4. anon says:

    Another comment stream degrading into race baiting! Well, in regard to his White English fellow countrymen, Sir Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1891), the British prime minister, who was once insulted in the House of Commons because he was Jewish, responded: “While your ancestors were painting themselves blue, my ancestors were worshipping one God.”

    We Northern European Whites indeed did come on late. Like the sub Saharan Black, We have no mighty pyramids, or other ancient monuments to show our past glory. But, without Whites there would also be no Gothic cathedrals, no Mozart, Handel, Beethoven, Schubert, music, nor Shakespeare, and Christian Bible translations for the average person to listen to, read and enjoy. There would be no modern plumbing, no motor cars, no motor boats, massive ships, and airplanes, no air conditioned buildings, no electricity, no radio, phones, nor television. There would be no medicine except witch doctors, herbs, and ju ju bones. All of these items that modern Blacks and Whites alike enjoy were developed by Whites and in the unique culture that Whites developed.
    Finally, there would be no notion of individual Human rights that people of color currently blather on about. The notion of individual rights was a concept developed by White northern European Christian clerics and philosophers. That concept was eventually EXTENDED to persons of color. Before that happened, most persons of color lived short, brutal ignorant lives, and were exploited and degraded as a matter of course by other persons of color, much like the Chinese are exploiting and murdering the Uhigers right now.

    To sum up. I am proud to be White. If you don’t like Whites, there are many parts of the earth beyond the pale of their remarkable, excellent culture where you can live. Please do so, and meanwhile, you can stick your anti white prejudice where the sun don’t shine.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Only one correction. We do have Stonehenge, and many, many other Neolithic monuments to be proud of.
      The Romans, Saxons, Vikings or Norman’s enslaved us, but we got over it and got on with becoming the world’s civiliser.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It is an historical fact, (obviously not popular at the moment) that African tribes have always used slavery as a punishment, or simply for the purposes of trade or ethnic and racial cleansing.
        The Igbo tribe, (in what is now known as Nigeria) were enslaving their own people and other tribes for various reasons, some punitive, some for sacrificial purposes, long before the white man reached Africa. Hell, the Chinese and the Arabs were there long before Europeans.
        Africans simply saw a business opportunity when the white man offered guns, mirrors and many other tradable items. The Igbo, and many other tribes, collected their fellow Africans from the hinterland and sold them at their own markets on the west coast. Many millions died on their way to the coast, many more died on the ships, as we know.
        The same is happening today. Just look around Africa, or closer to home in Jamaica or the major US cities and witness the real truth, that black lives don’t really matter, to black people.
        So before I take any lessons from anyone using colour as a stick to beat others, check out and realise your own history and disgusting treatment of your own people before trying to off load responsibility onto others.

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    • Anon345 says:

      It’s people like you that we don’t need here! You very well know what the writer is saying is the truth!

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      • Anonymous says:

        I don’t agree with his or her “proud to be white” statement but just about everything else they said was true. The comment was clearly in reaction to several anti-white comments made by enraged “locals” (some of whom are probably at least half Jamaican). You have every right to be defensive when your race is attacked, but so do they.

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    • Anonymous says:

      That’s for exposing the racism, it’s “white” trash like you that isn’t needed or wanted in these islands

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    • Anonymous says:

      Egyptians are white. So were Babylonians. Also Jews, Phoenicians etc. White is more people than Europeans.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And the Romans. Don’t forget the Romans. Wonderful people, the Romans.
        They deserve special mention.

        So do the Greek. They shall inherit the earth.

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    • Rick says:

      V. bad reasoning. To say there would be no (fill in the space) does not follow from the fact that whites (according to you) invented them. I guarantee you that if the inventor of any one of those items did not invent them, someone else would have. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the last time I checked, necessity was colour blind. Most inventors merely did it first and SOME were not revolutionary at all because many others were doing something similar, but they won the race and got the credit.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Personally it doesn’t matter what color you are (I am brown) but if you can show me respect I will respect you. I promise. If you show me disrespect go ahead and demand respect from me but you won’t get it. I have to say this. I get more respect from white people. My respect for blacks has gone downhill since coming here for all the right reasons. I will not respect you just because you are black or Caymanian. I will respect every one of you if you can show respect.

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    • Anonymous says:

      How convenient it is that you chose to mention that the “civilizing” of the world also came with genocide at abhorrent rates on nearly every continent. It’s also alarming that you don’t realize just how many modern inventions were developed by people of color. Google is a great resource….you should begin your journey there. You are so incredibly disillusioned that it’s sad and your ignorance makes this entire comment impossible to take seriously.

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  5. Pete says:

    this cant be true I went there with my wife and a few caymanians were also there

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  6. Anonymous says:

    More “BadlivesMatter” crap. If you were good people there would be no problem but your not so get used to it. Good people do not like bad people. Bad people don’t like good people. Not gonna change.

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    • Anonymous says:

      ??????????? WTH??????

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    • Rise up Caymanians! says:

      What is your definition of “ good people “ Generational Caymanians have always been good people to everyone that comes to these islands. But the minute we stand up or speak up for what we believe an our rights we are seen as problems.

      Rise up Speak up Caymanians! It time .

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      • Anonymous says:

        They are rising up. We see what they are. You see us, we see you. Good lives matter to us.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Technically. You can all anchor at the rum point sand bar and continue to do as you wish. It is not written in the law as being illegal. If you get warned for prosecution you might have to appear in court. The prosecutor will withdraw the charges instead of having the judge make a ruling so no precedent is set. This is what has happened with some of the lock down fines. It’s a fear tactic to try and get people to pay cash upfront rather than appear in court.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Another chest-puffed catch-me-if-you-can Rum Point douche bag.

      Contrary to your stated assumptions, the Public Health Law (2002 Revision) is in full effect, as are the various lawful versions of “Prevention, Control and Suppression of Covid-19 (Partial Lifting of Restrictions) (Travel and Boating) (No.2) Regulations, 2020”. These emergency directives come via the CMO with the full power and authority conferred to the Governor under the emergency provisions of the Public Health Law.

      You disregard not only the legal authority to direct you to stay away, but the social imperative that aligns with that reasoning, and the more pressing immediate medical rationale for safe guarding your own health and those on your boat.

      It sounds like next time, the JMU should take off their kid-gloves and give you a big dose of reality by seizing your vessel, and driving you down to GT for intake. They are being far too nice with our recidivist covidiots.

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      • Anonymous says:

        As a lawyer I can confirm you are speaking Shite. All law (and regulations) have to be compliant with constitutional requirements. If this is to prevent the transmission of Covid 19, and is reasonable and proportionate to that aim, then you have a point. But it isn’t. Is it?

      • Anonymous says:

        We could see your protecting your obvious investment in the area, probably someone who had a hand in the request of something that has become a tradition to the locals on island. Also what serious health risk are we truly under on this island right now? The last time I checked it was almost no covid cases active. If we are going to take the approach of blame it on covid…then make sure you continue with the shelter in place measures than the CIG has placed on you, because the way you seem to like to run your mouth. The droplets are going to make thousands sick!

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  8. Anonymous says:

    I will not support the closure of the Rum Point to boats on a Sunday or any other day. I go to rum point in my little boat almost every Sunday with my family to enjoy a swim in the water.
    However I am as concerned about the behavior, drug use and sales, loud music, and other anti-social behavior but the answer to those problems is not to ban the boats. The answer is for the agencies responsible for law enforcement to enforce the law.
    I was there on Sunday anchored off Sand Point and the marine police came by and told me I had to move as I was by there estimate within the three quarter mile radius of Rum Point.
    I complied and left the area.
    It just seems strange that we can enforce Covid19 regulations but not the other laws that some persons break at Rum Point.
    The answer and one which law abiding persons like myself who are in the majority at Rum Point any day is to enforce the laws on the books, not to write a new law to ban or limit the number of boats at Rum Point nor to force them to anchor further from shore.

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    • Anonymous says:

      For decades there have been the unregulated speeding jet-skis within 200 yards of shore, drunk/high boaters, overloaded boats, no nav lights after dark…and all of these have led to inevitable serious incidents and fatalities…yet, so many easily corrected matters continue to go unchecked against our $200mln/year policing budget because it’s inconvenient, or potentially embarrasses the wrong people. Probably because our politicians, key donors, cops, firefighters, lawyers, and judges, are all out there boozing it up in their own boats.

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      • Anon345 says:

        I’ve seen people riding waverunners without life jackets, speeding along the shore line in the cove by finger key area and the police are there watching and nothing is done to these people. The police need to step up and hold everyone accountable who is breaking the laws. Not just the locals but ALL!

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Free myself from mental slavery? Pass that to the left! You must have some connections because I can’t get anything right now that would allow me to free myself from mental slavery.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Usual CNS comment problem putting my comment nowhere near the comment I was replying to.

      CNS: The problem I have in fixing this is that it’s so random. The comments appear to nest properly 99% of the time, and then not for some reason. This makes it very hard to reproduce, so I can try a solution but then have no idea if I’ve fixed it or not. In the meantime, apologies!

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  10. Patricia Bryan says:

    What I can’t understand is WHY so many “synonymous” comments?!
    This is the issue with our people. Add YOUR NAME so Government can see that native and permanent residents are concerned, and what those concerns are! Make time to log in and add your name. Anonymity does not have too much WEIGHT, if at all!

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    • Anonymous says:

      @ 2.09 Yeah, add your name so the government can find where you work and deny you a work permit or if you work for the civil service, fire your ass for some spurious reason. Think I’ll stay anonymous and still be able to provide for my family. Foolish comment.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Drive up with your cooler and go wade around in each others pee. No one is stopping you.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Wah wah wah. Those party boats are FULL of young people of all colors and nationalities. They are NOT strictly “Ex-Pat” party boats.

    However, I do agree that the music wars being played out there are overwhelming and ruin it for everyone else. The party boats being in a class of their own. No competition there.
    So they should put a ban on those boats speakers, when anchored offshore in the shallows of all residential areas.

    See?? Can’t we all play nice?

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    • Anonymous says:

      It is already a crime under the Towns and Communities Law. Our police fail to enforce the law. That, as usual, is where many of our problems lie. A lack of consistent and effective enforcement by any agency of government.

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      • Anonymous says:

        At best it’s a theoretical civil fine if loud “nuisance” noise, after 10pm and before 7am, and if in the opinion of the Chief Health Officer, who would have to show up to offer that opinion. This is why nothing happens. Too oblique, too many hurdles, and no agency enforcing.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The Towns and Communities Law? Right-o Mr. Finnigan, raise those sails! Hard a starboard! Hard a starboard sir!

        Your law is as ancient as pirating in its language and the offences it creates. No one would be prosecuted under it today.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Because government refuses to make it enforceable, and the police and prosecutors have not lobbied effectively for any needed changes.

          Or, all concerned are a bunch of lazy incompetents.

          Or both.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    You have to be rich to own a boat.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    When I set foot on Grand Cayman many years ago, I do not recall there being an Easter tradition of “camping”. Some Caymanian families did use their own land for picnics at East End. There was only a narrow sandy track along South Sound then, so can’t see why the board walk is a relevance to the issue.

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    • Anonymous says:

      “Many”??? Me too! Specifically in ’91. People camped then, granted not like the recent years. It became more popular as the generations grew through the times.

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      • Anonymous says:

        How many generations can you ‘grow’ since ‘91? If this was something done since 1891 then it’s a tradition. Something that’s happening for a few decades is not.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    There are numerous non-white Caymanians with property, condos and houses at Rum Point aka Cayman Kai. They are not all rich either, and they hate the Sunday boat “scene” as much as the foreign whites.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So, as usual, that is a law enforcement issue. No reason to ban locals (or others) from peaceably enjoying the location. If the cops actually prosecuted breaches of the peace and irresponsible behaviors there would be no issue.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Where does this Viewpoint say anything about what color people are?????
      It does not have the word ‘white’ in it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      …you may like to say you hate it, but every single owner of property in Rum Point/Cayman Kai knew the deal on Sundays, and put their money down anyway. For many, that’s specifically why they bought/built their weekend cocktail villa in the first place. Let’s get real. It’s called Rum Point, not Prohibition Point! It’s a place of fun and community, not an exclusive “members only”.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Nothing to do with taking away from locals. This is the govt taking their cut from the rich. They font care if it effects locals or expats, they want their payday. Cayman corruption at its best. From the sports clubs to the beaches. Money handed over for all choices made by Govt.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Wait, I’m white. When do I get my Rum Point property?

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  18. Anonymous says:

    I agree with the Viewpoint. Please don’t explain this as an environmental excuse. Shame on government not to addres the issues presented long before. The hindrence is noise and speeding vessels. Enforce fines and encourage civilised gatherings. We now have a coast guard service. Ensure all boat drivers pass a ‘test’ which should include boat captains educating their passengers on safety as well as being environmentally conscious. I’m appauled at the Premier for encouraging segregation because dress it up anyway you like that is what this is! The biggest offense at Rum Point is the horrendous Rum Point CLub that is not in keeping with it’s surroundings, its neighbours, property views or wildlife. Lit up like a bloody wedding cake…but politicians don’t forget to grab your piece. We know the answer for whom you are developing and we’ve had enough!

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  19. Anonymous says:

    A classic example here of what happens when ill-informed people are allowed to write articles. You get garbage! You clearly have done little to no research of the rules in play since COVID!
    Purely written to cause discontent and you’ve even managed to spice it up with a little racism thrown in.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Try having groups of people playing filthy music, shouting vulgar language, exposing themselves just yards from your home and yes in your back yard, yes tying up to docks and jumping into pools every weekend. If you oppose it, do that make you a racist or an elitist?. Think not and by the way those doing it are mostly the white people. So are you saying people that look alike not happy with the above are racist. By the way this is not just at Star Fish Point, but from Kaibo all the way around to Rum Point dock and sometimes into the canals. Little or no respect for humanity and decency, that’s the problem. Obviously you have not visited the area on any Sunday or holiday.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    I am free to go anywhere that is public, even if I wanted to park my boat on the beach in front of one of those million dollar homes, always remember that our constitution is way stronger than any Minister’s law or police law and it can definitely be challenged in a court of law.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    What has colour got to do with it? You get rich black people, rich Asian people and rich white people. Bigot

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  23. Bob says:

    I for one am glad those tacky oversized party boats blasting ridiculous noise on a Sunday at Starfish point is not around. There better of 12 miles out a sea not disturbing the peace!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Those party boats are a complete nuisance and should be banned. I’d also like to see the Coast Guard require actual captain’s licenses to operate any vessel over 30ft in our seas. Sorry, the operators are not local either (90% expats) so good riddance.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    The premier cannot give you the explanation you seek, at least not following any accepted legal principles.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    What utter nonsense you have written? Took all that time to write about a non issue, to try to cause division and agitate the population. Shame on you!

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  26. Vote them all out says:

    Alden has masters that he must serve or else.

    The wealthy developers and cayman glitterati own this UNITY government and the key players like Alden McLaughlin, Moses Kirkconnell, Joey Hew, McKeeva Bush. It is so clear that it is offensive. They do not work in the best interests of Caymanians they work for and take their instructions from the Monaco boat party crowd.

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  27. Anonymous says:

    I think if you read properly you will find that it is the gathering of boats in the waters next to Rum Point that is not allowed at present. That applies to EVERYONE. If the restaurant & bar is open then any land based resident can visit under the same conditions as they can any other establishments.

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  28. Truth Syrup says:

    Way overdue that we finally (and publicly) accept that Cayman was and is, in fact, a society highly fragmented by social class.

    We are entitled to ask for whom are we developing. The presence of well connected, wealthy, white people has one undesirable outcome: out-pricing the locals with no other place to call home.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You lost me at white

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      • Truth Syrup says:

        How did you get lost there?

        Do you really think people are daft enough to think the majority of foreign property owners here are not white?

        I’ll take a guess and assume you’re white.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Unfortunately, our ancestors who sold off all these properties to the foreign owners for the power of the mighty dollar.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Our white ancestors…. (if race has to be brought into it – and it should not).

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          • philip says:

            Rum Point/ Cayman Kai is man made , it was developed by a American (Mike Dise), in the mid seventies,

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          • Anonymous says:

            Not that long ago (5-15 years) plenty of that property was a fraction of what it costs now and some was frankly pretty much worthless and no locals bought it. Tons of it sat around forever and now that others have made something of it and values go up all these locals with perfect 20/20 hindsight come out of the woodwork and blame it on the expats. Should have bought it back then but you didn’t and even if you had it wouldn’t have become what it has today and likely wouldn’t have the appreciation in value you’re so damn jealous of. I’ll be a man about it and admit I’m jealous of what some people have and I don’t. That doesn’t mean I deserve it or that they don’t or that they’ve somehow wronged me. Get over it or we’ll all be singing this stupid tune till the island is underwater.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Yet if I were to state that most of the horrible drivers and criminals here are black that would (rightfully) be considered racist. Yes, most foreign property owners here are white, but do you think we don’t see the obvious racist undertones in your comment?

      • Anonymous says:

        Must be awful going through life believing you are victim because of the pigment of your skin. Get over it.

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    • Truth salt. says:

      Stand up. Fight for the right to have the low class Carnival crowd back. We don’t want any wealthy visitors to spend any money here!

      you foo foo, life isn’t fair. Free yourself from mental slavery and take control of your life instead of blaming everything on some other colour.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes and yet the same ppl who complain about the whites taking away from the locals will bash the actions of another Caribbean island when they decided to run out the whites….the hypocrisy continues.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I don’t think those are the same people, seeing as many of these “locals” complaining probably ARE Jamaican.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Blabbity-blah-blah. Was there a point? Rum Point boat traversing at wading depth is closed because hundreds congregate there on any given Sunday. 50 max right now, which is pretty good.

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    • Anonymous says:

      We’re always at least 30-50 ft away from each other depending on the size of boat. So big deal.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Every time I’ve been out there on a Sunday I’ve ended up with a stranger on top of me. Not complaining, just keeping it real.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Well then you’re lucky. Sounds like you should be wanting to go out. If not I can go out with you and let the girls hang off of me.

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