Fired NRA boss gets seat on NCC

| 19/02/2021 | 113 Comments
Cayman News Service
Paul Parchment

(CNS): Cabinet has now gazetted the new National Conservation Council after the situation came to a head this week when there was no NCC in place to submit comment on a major Dart hotel project before the Central Planning Authority. McFarlane Connolly has been reappointed as chairman and new members include Paul Parchment, who was fired as managing director of the National Roads Authority in 2018 over allegations of misuse of NRA equipment but who now works for Dart.

In addition to Parchment, who has been appointed to represent the environmental and conservation interests of West Bay despite having a long career dealing with asphalt, new members for the districts include, tourism businessman Harri Lalli for George Town, Pierre Foster for Bodden Town, Edward Chisholm for North Side and Captain Harrison Bothwell for the Sister Islands.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Parchment is now a managing director in Dart’s civil engineering department.

The NCC voting membership, made up of political appointments made by Cabinet, had been allowed to lapse, even though the NCC, among its many roles, is required to submit information based on the Department of Environment’s work and advice on applications heard by the CPA, which sits every two weeks.

There was a significant public backlash after CNS broke the news that the CPA was going to hear an application from Dart for a ten-storey hotel near the Seven Mile Public Beach without input from the NCC. Government then scrambled to formalise the appointments it had reportedly been considering for several weeks.

The appointments were gazetted on Thursday, which means that the DoE’s screening opinion of the Dart project can now be submitted, and depending on the position taken by the CPA, there is now an opportunity for the conservation issues to be addressed.

See the new details in CNS Library.


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Category: Land Habitat, Science & Nature

Comments (113)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Even if he was the most brilliant conservationist on the planet, he should not be on this council due to where he is CURRENTLY employed. Literally, the reason this council was revived is to review a proposal for a project by HIS employer. There is NO recusing in the world that eliminates that conflict of interest.

  2. Anonymous says:

    There’s a member of the Planning Board scheduled in court tomorrow to answer some development related charges, just saying…

  3. Anonymous says:

    So who’s getting fired for the paving of Marbel Drive (including the privately owned piece)?

  4. Anonymous says:

    CNS – this headline should be Dart employee gets seat on National Conservation Council. That is the bigger issue since it is a conflict of interest and the current issue. It is also relevant that he was previously terminated from the NRA but that is in the past and does not scare me nearly as much as the Dart conflict.

  5. Anonymous says:

    He will have to recuse himself from any discussion that involves Dart. Completely inappropriate if he does not and each of us should take it upon ourselves to report it to the Anti Corruption Committee.

  6. Dboz says:

    Caymanians remove Alden government now!

    • Anonymous says:

      Congrats Paul. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance.

      Paul will do a great job.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yet you same hypocrites are ready to crucify foreigners/expatriates with deportation orders when criminal and unethical acts occur. But because he is “local” we hear talk of second, third, fourth, etc chances! So sad that many are cannot see this double standard has destroyed the very essence of these islands. The high standards of morality that have attracted so many to these shores have now disappeared. The rewarding of bad behavior will make the cayman islands no better than the societies we previously looked down upon.
        A Caymanian.

  7. Anonymous says:

    So, let me get this straight…..Paul was fired from a government agency AND works for the company that’s proposing the project he’s supposed to analyze objectively. Harry is in cahoots with Big Mac who’s in cahoots with Dart. 🤦🏻‍♀️ We’ve given up on trying to cover cronyism these days?

    • Anonymous says:

      They cant even be bothered to cover it up because they know nothing will happen. We need Governor with the testicular fortitude of the BVI Governor – we have one that says all our institutions are (including no doubt the checks and balances supposedly provided by politically appointed boards) are wonderful and a defence against corruption. To quote one of Chris Johnsons favorite phrases, quis custodiet ipso custodes. The Governor obviously doesnt.

    • We were so much more subtle before Trump showed us how to put oil executives in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the population explosion is an existential threat on its own, we have to do all in our power to pass our natural heritage on to our natural resources will surely collapse within just a few generations. We’re like a bacterial colony mindlessly eating our way through a finite chunk of unguarded nutrients. What will we do when it is all gone? Renewable natural resources such as reef fish can be regulated, kept at optimum numbers and used sustainably forever, but instead we are intent on eating every last one. Use your brains people! Ask our Government to regulate our reef fish for maximum production and tourism attraction in a way that permits Caymanians to catch just enough for dinner. It is totally doable!

    • Anonymous says:

      And the Minister of Planning is out of his league, and his intellectual ability to be the person responsible for all the development.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Third world stuff. Sadly.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Can we discuss the fact that they’ve removed Fred Burton has been removed from NCC?

  10. Anonymous says:

    Wow. These people don’t even care about appearing even straight any more. I guess if connected people can beat the crap out of a waitress on CCTV and walk free from court or break quarantine twice and never even go to court then anything goes… sad times for Cayman.

  11. Anonymous says:

    These “Caymanians” don’t seem to get it. They are so loyal to the wrong coterie who won’t need their “services” after a while. You would think that someone Like Mr. Parchment would understand that concept all too well. Divide et impera.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Honestly! People get terminated all the time. I think that Mr. Parchment’s qualifications, skills and resume fit the part. Just because NRA did not agree with how he may have budgeted expenses does not mean he is not fit to have another job in this area. Why are we so quick to condemn our own Caymanians? I am sure many of you have family members that have been sacked for many other reasons. This is a small island and people deserve a second chance. He has a family to provide for. I guess you would all have preferred a foreigner to get this position instead? Then that would be the new topic of debate why the poor Caymanian that is qualified never got a chance?! We are a population of 60,000. You all need to stop being so pessimistic. Let the man do his job and see if he can do it well before ridiculing him!

    • Anonymous says:

      Nice try. The point of of having a job is to try and not get terminated. Especially when caught red handed. Being Caymanian does not automatically exempt you from criticism or suspicion from anyone. These people never think about the what if scenarios because they believe they will always have protection under the nepotism/cronyism regime. They will hastily jump into private sector to beg work from the same foreigners they claim to despise so much after they mess up and use other caymanians as their scapegoat.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not just fired from NRA (for cause)…

    • Anonymous says:

      People get terminated all the time? Really? Poor employees maybe. I don’t know anyone who has ever been fired.

    • Anonymous says:

      LOL Sorry what experience, qualifications and skills do you, sorry I mean he, have in conservation?

    • Anonymous says:

      Honestly! Uneducated Caymanians get fired all the time. Expats rarely do. They are Caymanian which means getting fired is a given so your right! If they can’t get a second chance then there is a cultural problem with the world. Let them try, try again. Just like King Bush.

      • Anonymous says:

        My understanding is that he was allegedly fired for dishonesty rather than poor performance (I have no knowledge of the latter). Its a big big difference.

        Yes everyone deserves a second chance but that chance should be shaped by what they’ve done before.

        And that’s without even looking at the massive conflict, which is a result of the reason for the NCC being brought back to life in the first place.

        You can’t make this stuff up.

    • Shushanna says:

      Congrats Paul,

      Unlike all these hypocrites, who wanna see you dwn.
      Like Buju say “ they can’t keep a good man dwn”.

      All these anonymous comments, wouldn’t be surprised half a dem smile and laugh with you.

    • Angela says:

      Does any of you know what it takes to be able to fire some one in the CIG? Let me tell you, if he was fired there was a huge amount of solid reasons that not even the politicans could balk against. I hold no water for anayone. Let’s stop putting aside what is wrong as if as the old people used to say “dont say anything, it will go away’. How can CIG justify putting someone on the NCC employed by the company whose application is to be reviewed? That is the issue. His current employment is of no concern to me. Lets get right what is right and call out wrong because it can only be wrong.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Please excuse my ignorance. Are these volunteer positions are are these people actually paid?

    • Anonymous says:

      Assume they are/will be paid in future favors or other soft-dollar arrangement for delivering the developer-biased outcomes. There doesn’t necessarily need to be a smoking gun cash payment, though, even those exist!

    • Angela says:

      Paid or unpaid the impact on these islands is beyond significant enough that we should have the integrity to put people on boards who care about these Cayman Islands and not their paycheque. Simple as that.

    • Anonymous says:

      Paid a small stipend. Something like $100 per meeting. So low compared to other Govt. boards IIRC from previous news reports.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Vote for anyone else other than those leading government right now. Mafia, third world country.

    • ANONYMOUS says:

      Well no chance of Parchment being biased, or concerned about the security of his current job, if he votes against the Dart proposal.
      What a joke this place is becoming

  15. Anonymous says:

    Ed Chisholm is the only one with any integrity.

  16. Red Bay voter says:

    I only know what he said in his comment on the election site, which is that he sued two family members for defamation and received a settlement.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Glad to see thay Paul is still willing to serve his country! Big up Paul! May God continue to richly bless you!

    • Mitzie Tomlinson says:

      Is Paul helping The country, Don’t he work for darts when he was fired from NRA tell me how that’s helping the country you might say helping Darts what is our government thinking about.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Pahahahahahaha!! Dah wah ya get Cayman!! LMFAO

  19. Anonymous says:

    If he is not Lodge, I will eat my pig’s excrement.
    Prove me wrong.

  20. Anonymous says:

    the civil service circus is never ending!

    • Proudcivilservant says:

      3:48. Tell us what this has to do with the civil service?

      Caymanians stop tearing down Caymanians.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Stay tuned. More to come.

  22. Anonymous says:

    With Dart being such a powerful, influential and prolific developer in these islands, it seems outrageous, if not substantial negligence, to appoint someone who works for Dart in a managerial role, to be influential in this body.

    Will there be some mechanism by which he must recuse himself from opining on any Dart related applications, or better still be automatically excluded from participation and have no voting power on such occasions? If not then surely this represents a massive conflict of interest and would make an absolute mockery of the entire role of this body.

    How is it possible that this conflict is not obvious to the powers that be?

    • SSM345 says:

      Its nothing but corruption; in black and white for the 42elewenteenth time for everyone and all to see.

      It’s time we start informing the international news and authorities; we have those avenues at our finger tips and its like they are daring us to do it.

      They seem to bow down from international pressure and that’s it; cause their citizens are f**king idiots according to Govt and 3rd party bedfellows; all of us.

      Informing the world will bring the IRS, OECD, FCC and the list goes on into the fold and slow this sh*t show down to a grinding halt.

      I am f**king sick of it.

      Johnny Doak.

      • Anonymous says:

        Dart et al have no fear from the IRS; he renounced his U.S. citizenship, and he is free and clear.

        • Anonymous says:

          Not sure about that. Doesn’t the FCPA apply to foreign nationals as well? Seem to recall that the Department of Justice went after he son of a minister in Bangladesh for paying bribes on a Bangladeshi contract, and after the 1MDB guy who is a Malaysian. They just need to want to get involved to create an excuse for jurisdiction – and Ken not too popular with the Democratic party as I recall.

        • Anonymous says:

          😲Oh no he didn’t Oh yes he did!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        I applaud your cojones, Sir.

    • Anonymous says:

      Unbelievable that a Governemnt that cares about our environment would put an employee of Cayman’s biggest developer on this Council. But then we have a great example of the conflict on the CPA. Cayman is being destroyed by our Government’s failure to protect it.

    • Anonymous says:

      The Anticorruption law deals with conflicts of interests. It is an offence not to recuse yourself where there is a conflict.

    • South Sounder says:

      I would think that governance would dictate that he would recuse himself. It makes you beg the question how much practical thought went into the appointment when he represents the largest developer on the island. His appointment is basically pointless.

      • Anonymous says:

        No actually, this is a carefully thought out plan by Aldart and his cronies. They couldn’t amend the NCC to neutralise it so they are stacking it with their supporters and those that will support mass development and Dart. Clever move but sadly it will have devastating consequences for our islands. Simply heartbreaking.

    • Anonymous says:

      Lmao dude he is not an ancient egyptian. Relax.

  23. Red Bay voter says:

    I have been seriously weighing whether to vote for Mr. Alden or Mr. Sammy. This has clinched my vote for Mr. Sammy. It’s not even close now.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ask Sammy’s family what he did to them and what they think of him.

      • Anonymous says:

        Age old cayman problem- caymanians are the most jealous people. If anyone is successful they need a seat on the train or they explode with green envy. Just stop. I know him he’s a great dad. It’s 2021- people can divorce (shocker!) and “family” is only as good as the people who make it up. He’s a good guy stop trying to invent bullshit.

      • Red Bay voter says:

        Sammy himself said on a thread in the Election Section that he had sued some family members. Is that what you mean?
        https://caymannewsservice.com/elections2021/2021/02/sammy-takes-on-alden-for-red-bay-seat/

      • Anonymous says:

        Why don’t you ask his children then, I am sure they can tell you what a loving and devoted father he is! I am sure they would tell you if you ask them, but I guess you’re not really interested in them either, because if you would be; you wouldn’t be spreading nasty rumors that actually hurt them, Everybody has family members that we rather would be able to see from behind. Lots of people are getting divorced too, and usually not because they get along so well, but he is not a women beater not would he tolerate such behavior!

        • Anonymous says:

          Straight talk. This is alden’s pod propaganda. He’s a good man. Everyone who stands for anything has enemies

      • Hafoo says:

        Why dont you tell us,since you have the scoop.

        • One of Sammy’s family members says:

          Alden and his supporters don’t have anything on him so they’ll continue to take things out of context or simply make up rumors.

      • One of Sammy’s family members says:

        I don’t just think Sammy’s a great man – I know he is. And you are disgusting for bringing up a candidate’s family. There are certain politicians that I don’t even like and I still wouldn’t go around spreading rumors about their relatives. You must be so proud of yourself.

    • South Sound voter says:

      Wish I had a choice in GTE. Have had enuff of the PPM boys club doing nothing for Red Bay, Prospect or South Sound except approve a network of poisoned disfigured spaghetti 😡.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Indeed, and on a whole new level. Yet another day in Absurdistan.

  25. anon says:

    Looks like Parchment is tarred with the same feathers as the PPM.

  26. Anonymous says:

    Can’t make this shit up

  27. Anonymous says:

    Paul Parchment, who was inaccessible and aloof at NRA and Harry Lalli, entrepreneur extraordinaire – numerous failed businesses back to back and business partner of a certain convicted Speaker of Parliament???!! What a joke this is!!

    Sorry, I stand corrected, sadly it’s no joke at all. Conservation will now be just be a conversation topic around that table but no action!!

    McFarlane, please resign as Chairman now, or risk damaging your good name!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Parchment and Harry Lalli, yep I feel really safe in their hands. FFS .

    • Anonymous says:

      failed businesses? you’re talking out of your ass again. you’re pathetic and like to make up things about caymanians. the amount of bull shut and defamatory statements you’re making is laughable. know your facts before you post something here.

  28. Anonymous says:

    DRAIN THE WHOLE SWAMP!!!

  29. Naya boy says:

    This govt keeps f$#$@!&up everything from CBC Cluster Fu%$ to NCC Mafia Fiasco I am now Nominating and supporting Mr Elvis Mckeever OGW Officer of Ganja Wizardry for Chairman of the National Drug Council No Weed No Vote Cayman!

    • Anonymous says:

      20 pots going strong in the spare bedroom due for harvest in one month

      fk it, if they can do their dirt so can I in my own house.

  30. Anonymous says:

    😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

  31. Anonymous says:

    Well he is representing the interest of west bay and appointed by a west bay representative who has business ties with Dart. Care to guess who that might be. Cayman is one of the most corrupt places on earth. It will eventually come to light.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Is this a prelude to putting Elvis McKeeva on the National Drugs Council?

    • anon says:

      1.59pm He won’t have time he’s slated to be Chairman of the Boxing Assoc.

    • Anonymous says:

      Which is better, being hooked on weed and benefiting from its healing properties or being hooked on painkillers, psychotropics, antipsychotics and other big pharma jelly beans?

      • Anonymous says:

        I have nothing against Elvis, and I do find him to be a likeable person. I’m just saying if you have a policy of discouraging kids from doing drugs, then a proponent of drugs is not the person to be in charge of that.

        • Anonymous says:

          Sure optics are not the best but no more ironic than having a simpleton, budding church minister in charge of our environment. Are kids are taught by NDC about abuse of prescription drugs here?

      • Anonymous says:

        Being hooked on money, so addicted that you will sell your soul, your environment and your children’s future for the $!

        • Anonymous says:

          Children’s future? LOL. His actions won’t affect his family at all. God, you all are so ignorant.

    • Hafoo says:

      Well,thats not a bad idea,atleast we would not have to worry about him promoting hard drugs.Free up the herb.

  33. Anonymous says:

    What a mess

  34. Anonymous says:

    Um, he works for Dart and his first task is to scrutinize a report about a Dart project? It’s going to be an easy job for him since he is going to be constantly conflicted out of doing anything. I guess he will do his damage when considering proposals from competing developers other than Dart.

    • Anonymous says:

      Who says he will recuse himself, his employer’s influence will remain even if his seat at the table is vacant.
      This is the most shameless and blatant display of arrogant disregard for ethics transparency and integrity.

    • Anonymous says:

      1:47pm. As long as you will kiss Axx you will be placed where you can cause more problems. The insignia of the Unity government. Pray for a change on f4th May, 2020.
      Dishonesty, is the favorite choice.

    • Anonymous says:

      1:47pm. As long as you will kiss Axx you will be placed where you can cause more problems. The insignia of the Unity government. Pray for a change on 14th May.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Tribe membership is the gift that keeps on giving…

  36. Anonymous says:

    fired from one but fit to serve the best interests of the people?

    • Anonymous says:

      Especially when you ask why he was fired, and what it says about the organisation that hired him.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you stupid? do you even know the reason why he was let go? No. i bet it wasn’t published that Nra was supposedly considering hiring him back. You caymanians are jealous people. People get let go all the time. sometimes it has nothing to do with affaires and to do with the political agenda behind it. be smart. he has a high managerial job at dart now. he must’ve done something right.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you stupid? What does NRA firing him have to do with anything? What does NRA letting him go have to do with his environmental duties? You all are such hateful and jealous people.

  37. Jtb says:

    Epic trolling by government here

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