Miller urges resurrection of respect
(CNS): Ezzard Miller (NS) has urged his fellow politicians to reverse the destruction of the Legislative Assembly as it transitions into a parliament after years of disrespect for the institution that has led to ‘brain dead’ MLAs making life-changing decisions for people in the middle of the night. While other members chose to mark Monday night’s last ever sitting of the LA with stories of their own political fortunes, Miller took the time to encourage a re-set on the “persistent and deliberate erosion of respect”.
Miller said that in stark contrast to days gone by, when members sat on time, for set hours, during pre-secheduled meetings, today Standing Orders, the rules under which the LA operates, were “either ignored or interpreted to fit whatever the powers-that-be may compel”.
In a very different approach to the statements of other members, who opted for Oscar-like speeches of thanks and how much they are enjoying their prestigious office, the independent member reminded them all of the realities of their jobs and the need for the institution to be run properly.
He said punctuality had been degraded to such an extent it had no meaning, but it did have consequences.
“None of us can, in all honesty, deny that today it has been totally eliminated,” Miller said of the complete lack of time keeping when the LA is in session. “I don’t think we have started on time since I was re-elected in 2009,” he said. “As a result, members and staff must endure prolonged sittings late into the night, when important and life-changing decisions for
Caymanians are made.”
He added, “As one would expect, some members are sleeping, while others are tired to the point of being brain dead.”
Miller implored all the members to give true meaning to the historic transition they were marking on Monday, as a breakthrough for the restoration of the integrity and credibility of this most important third arm of government. “I implore each and every one of us to thereby seek to resurrect punctuality and respect for, and obedience to, the rules of the Standing Orders,” Miller urged.
He asked all members to return to a “determined, deliberate application of the renowned work ethic of prior generations of legislators to better the lives of all Caymanians”.
As part of the government delegation to the UK that had negotiated the changes to the Constitution, which are expected to all be approved next week by the Privy Council in London, Miller said he supported the evolution in the governance and progress for the House and the people. As he implored members to change, he said he was resisting his intuition that said nothing would.
“I shudder at the likelihood of that disappointment,” he said, before making a final entreaty to his colleagues to make the historic moment one that future generations could look back on with pride.
See all of the members’ speeches on the last night of the Legislative Assembly below on CIGTV:
Category: Politics
Respect for voters is part of the oath of office. Respect for politicians is earned. At least Ezzard can now shine in contrast.
I lived across from his house for a while. Never heard a peep from him. It was nice to have a neighbor that was not nosey or blaring their bass. It felt like a real and relaxing authentic Cayman experience instead of some cheap Jamacain knockoff that Cayman often emulates.
Speaking of Jamaican knockoffs, At least he knows there’s an H in House, not ‘Ouse.
Put some respek on my name!
Manners, tact and diplomacy were taught in my middle school.
Sorry. Remind me why bush is still here??
Bush is still there to remind us why there is no respect for the house.
Arden is disrespectful in his presentations; all he does is throw barbs at Alden like a psycho ex-girlfriend, as if the people of the Cayman Islands pay him to be constantly looking for ways to bad mouth Alden or anyone else, for that matter! I really hope that EE has a worth-while contender or two for that seat. I wondered why some of them insist on running over and over and over; only yesterday did I find out through another comment that each term they get re-elected, their kosher salary increases. To top it off, it seems he has convinced Saunders that it is okay to spew whatever verbal diarrhea comes from their brain against anyone under cover of immunity. Well, that is not immunity—that is abusing a position.
He believes that being angry and rude is his main role. His disrespect in the LA is mind boggling. The public does not hear the other things he says off mike in the House. Some persons may find him amusing but vicious tirades are never so.
EE needs to consider the type of leadership they want. Do they want an angry abusive man who has achieved very little over the past few years? Or do they want a thinking leader who knows how to conduct himself professionally and work with others to help the people of East End?
Ezzard continues to prove he is the only one fit to sit in the LA. If the rest of them had his intelligence, respect for country and ethics we would be in as much better place. How can we progress with half of them sleeping knowing the public is watching and the other half lost in translation. What color is Capt. Eugene’s eyes anyway I have never seen them open. SMH.
Cayman has and will have what it always had. A corrupt system run by a corrupt culture. If you take out what’s bad about Caymanian culture what do you have left? Words will never change a thing. Only a God made catastrophe can change it. Karma is coming.
Say whatever you wish about him, on this he is spot on! The erosion of respect is evident throughout our society. Where better to start than with the leaders of our Little Rock? And please, this is not about Caymanian vs. Expat! This is about the home that we love, whether born here or brought here!
Tell that to your buddy Ezzard.
Now if only his back stabbing ex-partner Arden was as sane in his remarks. With him it is always me, me, me or I, I, I
He is spot on. You only have to look at the COVID lockdown press conferences we had to endure for months… every single one was late to start, often by 20 minutes or more. ‘Press conference at 3pm’ then the premier and all start late. You don’t see that in a respectable country like the UK.
Did Jon-Jon tell anymore donkey stories?
Respect must be earned, which is why Ezzard will never get any.
yeah, he needs to be more like Austin…
Ezzard has earned my respect as a hardworking straight shooter who has not been bought and paid for like you all know who.
8:17 just another cry baby that Ezzard probably had to put in their place a time or two. Suck it up buttercup.
Miller and respect are 2 words I could never put together. I have never met such a rude , arrogant and ignorant man. If your an expat that is
If you are going to make general statements about someone, without adding some additional detail or proof, you are going to get downvoted all day and night. Silly Rabbit.
How about personal experience.
Doesn’t add much to the conversation now, does it.
I have only met or passed him a few ttimes in his fave coffee haunt only to be met every time by that icy stare as if i owe him a large sum of money or feel. Like i shouldnt be on this island.
Respect? Give me a break
So you judge the man solely on the appearance of his face in passing?
Personal experience in my case. And have you ever – EVER – heard Ezzard express a positive sentiment about expats? He is entitled to have his view, which I appreciate is one shared by many Caymanians- and I admire many of his views on the inadequacies of the current government and the role of proper scrutiny and criticism by the opposition. But don’t try and BS people on here into thinking that his views on expats are anything other than they are a necessary evil.
And that somehow offends you? He doesn’t want his country overrun – don’t blame him to a degree. I am sure he has expat friends that he values.
Wives maybe.
Yes you would be surprised how many expat friends Ezzard. He was chairman of the Work Permit board for over a year bring me on expat he insulted, victimized or did not treat fairly
Expats are a “necessary” evil… well barely necessary.
Well, you might have that same look and and that’s why he looked at you in that manner..did you think of that?
I actually smile at him
Maybe you should try to go over and make some conversation with the man. Doubt he’ll bite.
when you met Ezzard did you speak or start a conversation with him and did he insult you or refuse to engage in the conversation.
I have seen them at work with my own eyes and it would seem to me that Ezzard is a rude and arrogant and definitely ignorant but he is also a totally moral and educated man compared to the rest. Head in sand.
I agree with you, 8:02am. I do not expect these MLAs to be good humour ambassadors, but most of the time Miller looks like he’s on the warpath. I swear some of them think they are above the rest because they legislate. In my opinion, that’s their work; I expect them to turn up to work on time and demonstrate time-management, analytical, research, debate, public speaking skills – and manners. Do not burp on mic, do not suck your gums on mic, do not scratch your ears while you are debating a point and stay awake! Geez! If I did any of those in my private sector job, my own colleagues would make sure HR gives me a good talk to!
I find him to be a mass of contradictions. He seems to hate expats but my experience as an expat who has interacted and worked with him for many years is that he can be very courteous and quite easy to work with. He also has a great sense of humour.
You’re…as in you are. You’re welcome.
No scandal when it comes to Ezzard- so that in itself should garner respect. Look, you don’t have to like the views of a person BUT you must respect those views. Because we disagree does not mean the disagreement cant be done respectfully.
It’s scary when Ezzard is the sanest one!
Ezzard for Premier!
useless divisive blowhard
How many times did a covid19 press conference start on time? Not once.
i don’t know how many times a covid press conference started on time….. and I really don’t care. Was it Ezzard’s fault?
No but it is called respect
I always tuned in exactly 33 minutes after the designated hour. Made up for the time for logging off when Jon Jon started praying for more full moons.
7:10 I wonder how MANY MEN PROVED, Jon Jon FULL MOONS wrong!
Cudos Ezzard!
Keep the fire well stoked under the impUnity party for as long as they reign, which is not much more. Never let the voting public forget that this bunch of miscreants need replacing with heads that serve the public, not dis them next election.
Well said Ezzard! If late to work in private sector, you will know about and guven warnings.
Civil service workers are never on time on the Brac, never in the morning and never after lunch
Um…teachers are. They are rarely have the time to leave campus at lunchtime. Always on duty for at least 25 minutes if not the whole lunch hour. Think it might be illegal…
That is right! We pay for their tardiness, their nonchalance, their total disregard for schedules. People take time to tune in to YouTube and end up moving on because an hour later they have not started or come back. It is disrespectful to the constituents.
If you are going to make general statements about someone, without adding some additional detail or proof, you are going to get downvoted all day and night. Silly Rabbit.
You can downvote all you want. I was very specific. We pay for the music, they should start the dance on time.
Plenty of proof all around you that can be seen with the human eye. You don’t think people notice when civil service shows up, how much work they do, and when they leave? Here’s your binky little CIG lover. Is it feeding time yet?
It’s a nice idea, but it won’t happen while the current crop of deadwood remain in charge
I disagree with him about much, but not on this point. There are many times I think he’s the only one who has respect for the institution and the voters who put him there.
Again I must state that I’m against most of his ideas, but he is thoughtful, respectful, and smart. Can’t think of any others in the LA/Parliament I can say that about.
He does represent the smallest constituency so he has to earn his pay even more than the others. But you are right that he is right, of course. He is the only institutionalist of that body. I am surprised the UK is still upgrading the LA to a Parliament frankly when it behaved so childishly over civil unions resulting in the Governor keeping power to enact legislation at the domestic level, but then the UK Parliament itself passed some legislation in breach of the EU Withdrawal Agreement, so maybe they’re secretly proud of how big their little boy is getting.