Hot mess over hot mix in North Side
(CNS): The former MLA for North Side is raising the alarm over what he said is the illegal paving of roads and driveways in the district that has also seen private land unlawfully acquired by the National Roads Authority and the possible misuse of public cash. Ezzard Miller told CNS that he was concerned when hot mix asphalt appeared on his land and that of his neighbours in August because he believes the district road paving project is being directed by the ministry outside of the proper process.
Miller said his efforts to resolve the issue have been ignored and he is now challenging government publicly to address what he says amounts to the confiscation of land and political victimization.
Miller told CNS that he first wrote to the NRA board chairman at the beginning of September asking why the NRA had laid the asphalt on Sextant Street, which is not a gazetted road, confiscating portions of his land and also paving part of his and other private driveways without his knowledge or approval — the type of actions he had railed against when he chaired the Public Accounts Committee.
But he said his efforts over the last six weeks to resolve the issue have failed. With the exception of an acknowledgement from the NRA that his letter had been received and given to the chairman, Miller said he has been unable to get his concerns addressed.
A letter to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson earlier this month has also gone unanswered. Miller said that although the DG is not directly responsible for the authority, he is responsible for the civil servants in the planning ministry. And he is certain that it is the ministry, which is headed up by the MP for North Side, Jay Ebanks, that is directing the project rather than the NRA, as required by the law.
“All I am asking the government to do is follow the law and complete the process established in the Roads Law to acquire this property to relocate the road and pay compensation to myself and other landowners who may be affected by this illegal act,” he said. “This lack of response, I am convinced, is nothing short of political victimization and the blind acceptance by civil servants of a directive by the minister regardless of the legal implication.”
The former North Side representative said he was especially concerned about the paving of private driveways and he refuses to be involved in any misappropriation of public funds for his own or his neighbours’ private benefit.
Miller said the failure of officials to respond to his concerns has escalated the situation, as his initial goal had only been to see the NRA carry out the proper legal process, he told CNS. “I had no intention of claiming for the property over which the hot mix was laid. But now I have been forced to incur legal and professional surveyor expenses, I expect to be compensated for every square inch of the property.”
The recent road paving project is close to land owned by minister’s father, who was recently granted planning permission for the speculative clearance of mangroves and primary habitat on that land against the advice of the DoE in the absence of any planning permission for development.
The Central Planning Authority granted the approval, even though the board was not given any explanation as to why the mangroves would be cleared or why the land along Sailors Way would be filled.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: development, Local News
Thought they would have been concentrating on expanding the by-pass by the horse stables. Same old…same old politics.
Dear Alric Lindsay: This NRA Board is still failing to incorporate bike lanes as they are required and committed to by the NRA’s own Plan of Operations from 2015. This is especially apparent in newly repaved and marked roundabouts in October 2021. If that space is not going to be physically reserved for cyclists, at minimum, there should be sharrow markers for shared areas on all entry and exits, as well as appropriate road markings in the circles themselves. Our drivers need to be culturally conditioned to expect cyclists, scooters, and whatever other situation may present, and yield to them as softer traffic ahead, or we are inviting more accidents and avoidable tragedies. Nobody wants that.
The bigger question is , why is the new NRA board silent in having it’s resources used to the specific benefit of one district.?
Did they all agree to this and associated expenditure..?
they may give lip service to bicycles and pedestrians but when they build roads they do little or inadequately in designing the roads for friendly and safe use by those groups.
I think it looks nice.
Most are surprised the “PACT” government looks as if they will make it to the end of the year without a by-election being called! The golden rule in politics is, you will receive exactly what you voted for…
This isn’t The Brac! There are rules!
This kind of activity is about morality – or the lack thereof – not geography.
It’s a joke…
This isn’t ‘Nam. There are rules.
-The Big Lebowski
I understand what he is saying, but I don’t understand why a nice paved road is bothering him (in his landowner role, not as a politician.)
Ez, you collected your pension and severance pay, now please retire. We heard enough of your motility speeches through the years but to those that know we love being taken care of with roads and what we paying for instead of spending our taxes on politicians.
Fake news from Mr. Miller. I can see plain as day on the Lands and Survey website that Sextant Road is owned by the Crown.
I believe i’s the issue that they are taking land in addition to the Crown road parcel without following the procedures laid down by Sec. 3 of the Roads Law, which invites those who are losing land by road widening to apply for compensation.
Absolutely..200% Correct
Maybe you should read the article more closely.
He never said it Sextant Road was owned by the Crown.
It said “Miller told CNS that he first wrote to the NRA board chairman at the beginning of September asking why the NRA had laid the asphalt on Sextant Street, which is not a gazetted road, confiscating portions of his land and also paving part of his and other private driveways without his knowledge or approval……so I think his main bone of contention would be “confiscating portions of his land and also paving part of his and other private driveways without his knowledge or approval”
What is fake about that? Were private driveways not paved? Was a part of his land not taken in the process?
Indeed. The pointless paving of the shoulder of roads, with total disregard for the interests of owners or even their basic property rights is scandalous.
It would appear NRA is spending money for its own sake at best, or simply paving over verges and shoulders to keep themselves relevant and busy. It needs to stop. Now.
As for accountability I too stand strong for accuracy and everyone being held according to their actions with saying this yes if the actions carried out is unlawful then sure Mr. Miller I’ll stand side by side with you any given day however with all that’s being said wouldn’t it be best to see where Mr. Miller complaints leads to before judging anyone here?
This is society problem now.. I give credit to Mr. Miller were it’s due and for the amount of years holding his position as our MLA Mr. Miller did achieve something for North Side am sure of that.. I’ve always said he’s one that will fight for Cayman as a whole and I will forever be greatful for him in that manner so yes I congratulate him on those grounds but there’s so much more that’s needed such as a voice and action so why not combine both.
As a North Sider why don’t Mr. Miller work with the Minister for our district to better our Community..From my understanding Jay has tried numerous times getting nowhere with him..So why not put your knowledge forward to better shape your MP not saying you are to overlook when he’s doing wrong, no stand your ground but at the same time when one claims to love his People/Country you would eat your own pride in working together for the betterment of those same priorities you claimed to love such as People/Country.
As for roads North Side is way and well overdue to decent roads..Each and every district throughout Cayman has been receiving decent roads for years so what about North Side? And yes given the fact there’s so many small minded individuals out there let me state once again if Mr. Miller or the people of this community see wrong is being committed it’s our rights to take a stand highlighting the issues..
Therefore I am not justifying that due to the fact North Side need roads that it’s right to brake the law if this is the case but until it’s proven I can say roads are needed and for those persons who continuously stopping the people of this Community asking ” can’t we ask for better roads” We the people of North Side were only allowed CHIPPED/SPRAY or GRAVEL ROADS which leads to them washing away as soon as the rain drops it them..We know, we race this every single day and not someone who drives in and out..we live it..So I proudly say we the people of North Side is thankful for what should have been included when decent roads were being paved by passed Governments everywhere else.
Stop complaining when entering Kaibo especially that area where roads are well needed..remember Tourism is needed right? Well last few that enter that location is looking forward for an upgrade stating the amount of money they spend to visit here let alone tipping they too deserve better roads to drive on when driving through north Side..on their next visit and December isn’t that far off.
And am sure that’s in the making too soon to be completed..As for the land that’s being filled or Mangroves destroyed I would pray it’s not the same land after crossing Over the Edge Cafe directly across from the Boat Ramp and reason I say this regardless who the Representative of North Side is these plans has been sitting around what seems to be for centuries getting nowhere and when I last checked or passed by there…man what a beauty it is..This is to better our fishermen and outsiders who also enjoy launching their boats there..Those plans has been collecting dust and me personally I think that was a good move after Grace swept through Cayman that we North Siders were allowed to dump debris there such as fallen trees which almost covered that entire location across from the dock after cleanup was completed and debri being burn causing this same land to be filled in nicely which was also part of the pass plans for years.
And yes Mangroves Should be protected however those few that stated to be lost is nothing compared to what pass Governments has allowed to be destroyed and did absolutely nothing about it..My point is North Side is finally going forward with all those backed up plans that has been pushed aside for way too long and yes we have been fooled for so many elections by broken promises and yes the same tunes playing over “my hands are tied” collecting salaries after salaries knowing your hands are forever tied was selfish and all for ones self…not good either yet mo one sighing on this.
So like I’ve stated give credit where it’s due and Mr. Miller you did your time..you served with your voice, can’t beat you there and I respect you regardless what’s going on here but on the other hand I take my hat off to our MP for a job well done..Jay for the first time in my entire life I have persons who are sometimes a complete stranger but after confirming I am from North Side they are literally wanting to shake my hand and all because of you…so I am very proud to be a North Sider.
You can’t please everyone..Roads, Bus Stops, Low income Homes, Dock/Bathrooms, Parking Lots, Assisting the Community, Listening to he’s people, At Hand When needed, Going that extra mile to assist where each and everyone especially our youth and the elderly yet we’re still not please right? Well we should be so why not ‘yes’ work together for the betterment of our Community and Country as a whole rather than always fighting against each other..Little advice when it comes to Expats I too take my hats of to them and reason being let’s take them for example…they come here for betterment and I can guarantee you/us locals one thing when they leave this rock ya they are leaving better than they came and why is that??? They choise to help each other, better each other, unlike majority of us Caymanians please live and breath in on this going forward.
Keep up the good work Both MP Johanny Ebanks a.k.a Jay and the entire NRA Crew who so many are quick to bury yet can’t do without them…
Stop the nonsense.
Well said! Thank you !!
Don’t be facetious. Political rivals can’t work together.
I wish more would call out the corruption rather than waiting on a dinosaur politician.
The pasT…
The infrastructure in the eastern districts are terribly in need of fixes and improvements. The former MLA is looking to score political points with this at the expense of the people in the eastern districts.
hardly, if you bothered to read you would see that his concern is born from HIS land being unlawfully paved over. As a private citizen he is well within his rights to look into matters concerning his land. Once the authorities failed to respond he was also within his rights to seek higher council.
The flip side to Rr Miller complaining about his land being paved over – which apparently he doesn’t want even if it improves the road that is on his land – is that its private roads/land being paved, but at the tax payers expense. Whether or not the landowner consented or not is not the main issue for the rest of us – its how come private roads and driveways are being paved at everyone else’s expense.
spoken like a true non-land owner.
Well done North Side! Take a bow!
UDP! UDP! UDP! – Da wha ya get!
Oh …how i miss Mr. Miller.
We all know what is happening here given where the minister hails from .
Maybe the Acting Chief Officer ( Leyda Nicholson- Makasare) – who has responsibility for the NRA oversight under the Public Authorities Act – or the Deputy CO (Tristan Hydes) who is on the NRA Board – can answer to why paving of non public roads is being allowed ?
Let’s see Wayne be transparent and accountable over this. Or will his political debt to Jay outweigh his conscience and all his bleating about being different from the PPM.
You must be of the opinion that Wayne is running the government.
8.44….So you thought that by electing a bunch of unemployed “independents” Cayman would become a perfect place.
“Pact” is, as we now see, a group of self seeking leaderless individuals doing their own thing. Mac is their inspiration and general manager, as they collect their massive salaries and pretend to be our saviors .
Wayne lost all credibility when he adopted Mackeeva Bush
The paved paradise, they blamed the expats.
Yes. The expat police, and the expat prosecutors.
Errrr your laws bruv
My laws make all manner of things illegal. Including, for example, corruption. Imported professionals that are highly paid and brought here to enforce my laws seem to suffer from a repeated inability to ensure compliance. It is scandalous, and can no longer be kept hidden under the carpet.
Ummmm..// missing the point here. Why is government paving these roads she main artery roads are in desperate need of repair. Are they eddy going to complete the road by the stables? Why are we paving private sub division roads XXXX
Because Jays constituents would like a paved road and driveway but don’t want to pay it?
Looks like he is learning fast- wonder who is coaching him on this operation? Sounds quite familiar.
top 5 CNS titles ever
MILLER Is only jealous because our lil district is finally seeing progress! Keep up the good works Jay Ebanks! We love you that’s why we voted you in land slide Miller had his time and did nothing! We the people of North side is looking forward to all Jay is going to do he is a man of his word and will continue to fight & work hard for his people!
To all that misses him give him a visit he has lots of time on his hands to waste sorry but the people of North side are very happy with our new MP johanny Jay Ebanks!
And yet, people keep writing that Cayman’s education system needs to be upgraded.
Hey Rosita didn’t your road get paved too? Defend Jay all you want but you do not speak for the rest of us despite the election results.
It is a fact that voters were mislead into believing that Jay was affiliated with PPM as their agents and candidates openly supported him. Shame on PPM in the first instance for doing that and it cost them returning to power.
Jay is not above the law but thought he was but then I don’t expect better from him with McKeeva as his mentor.
The fact that he made Minister is a joke to me and an insult to many others.
Same old crap ie it is who you know and not what you know that gets you elected whether deserving or not.
Yes Rossini st.got paved it didn’t benefit me I live on the top of the road which was already paved the rest of the road was well needed thank you Jay! And I am speaking for the majority which the majority of North Siders spoke on April 14th so dunno what’s your point!
This ministry has become a bit of a joke.
Ezzard just jealous that someone getting something done for the north side people. A couple years ago that same road was chip and sprayed under Ezzard watch why didn’t he make a fuss then.
Where is the AG? Is he still not doing is job as CIG’s attorney?
More like the Auditor General who I hope will investigate this misuse of public money.
That ministry is a mess (pardon the pun).
That’s how politics works. Everyone start to blossom when persons are strategically placed in government or affiliated with the ruling/right political party. The things they were unable to get done as regular, private citizens are now made possible and pacified by to political connects and corrupt maneuvering. Alot of crafty tactics & embolden antics at play. Keep watching and exposing them – privately and publicly!
tip of the iceberg my friends
Ezzard was one of the only MPs that actually had a spine.
Sad to see him go.
#Legge was right.
We have an Anti-corruption Commission, Police, a Governor, an impartial Civil Service, …
Just no accountability. Ever.
The Civil Service is not now impartial/ DG has lost control and it is now heavily politicized.
Then the DG should step down or be removed. An independent Civil Service that follows the law rather than any political view, is the cornerstone of our most fragile of democracies. Independence must be protected and if necessary, imposed.
1:46 you read one headline and came to that conclusion. Poor you.
Glad to know that Legge was right when he said you were corrupt. Or is it that you think he didn’t mean you, just everyone else?
No. Just many of the people in the civil service with power.
So what about the pipe sticking up in the road?
It used to be a pole but, ya know…
If you hit the pipe, you get a free play.
It’s just Jay doing a JuJu
True. Have our robust officials concluded their investigation of that episode yet, or are they still stuck pondering some of the Cabinet Status grants?
Ezzard had gotten too complacent and had to be replaced, what it sad is that he was replaced with such a buffoon.
Let them eat cake..
I was thinking the same. His first successful run for Political Office and, just 5 months into elected office, already cited for improprieties.
The misbehavior doesn’t take long to manifest.