Small crowd urges government to build piers
(CNS): A small number of drivers and retail workers took part in a demonstration outside the House of Parliament in George Town on Monday, ahead of the Cayman Islands Government’s debate on a motion that will set the ball rolling for a question in next year’s referendum asking the people if Cayman should build cruise berthing facilities. Around 40 people gathered with signs calling on the CIG to build a dock as MPs voted to put the question to the people.
People who joined the demonstration, which social media posts by the pro-port lobby described as a poor turnout with few Caymanians, spoke about the need to save their jobs. Although some held confusing signs that said “No Pier No Vote”, others were clear that they wanted to see a pier built as soon as possible. Before the parliament meeting, several MPs mingled with the demonstrators, including opposition members and Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Later, inside the House of Parliament, Bryan outlined why the government had decided to put this vote to the people. The minister said the CIG was taking “a supportive stance” but said all those on the government front bench would honour the result, no matter what.
He also made it very clear the CIG would be using its weight to campaign for a ‘yes’ vote, despite claiming that it would present both sides during the campaign since it has access to public money, unlike the Cruise Port Referendum (CPR) activists leading the ‘no’ campaign.
Following the vote to accept the motion, former MP Ellio Solomon, who has been leading the charge for the ‘yes’ vote alongside Tim Adam and Joey Woods, welcomed the clear support from MPs on both sides of the aisle for the referendum and the construction of piers. Solomon, a spokesperson for the Advancement of Cruise Tourism in the Cayman Islands (ACT), said it was encouraging to see the government and the opposition align on this issue.
“ACT will continue its campaign and remain hopeful for the same outcome when the voters have their say. We are optimistic that an overwhelming “Yes, in favour” vote will help secure the future of the cruise tourism industry, which is so vital to our economy,” he added.
Despite social media posts indicating that far fewer pro-port demonstrators showed up than anticipated, with some saying there were plenty of signs but not enough people to hold them, Solomon said it was “a vibrant turnout despite the short notice”.
CNS: This article has been corrected to indicate that Ellio Solomon is in favour of cruise berthing facilities.
- Fascinated
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Half of those people are on work permits and are from 3rd world poverty….they don’t give SHT about Cayman or the environment!
So 40 odd people, 25 or so which are ex-pats, want the country to incur $500 million in debt.
Yup, makes perfect sense!
They people say NO, the gov says yes, who do they think they work for?
If the referendum is non binding in addition to all the flip flopping that happens with our gov, how can we believe that “All those on the government front bench would honour the result, no matter what”?
They CIG does not have to honour the result and are
too out of touch to accept that the majority of people oppose the piers.
Instead of listening to the people “He also made it very clear the CIG would be using its weight to campaign for a ‘yes’ vote”
Stop wasting our money, the majority have already spoken and the result will remain a resounding NO despite your yes man campaign.
You can count the number of Caymanians out there on one hand (and you likely only need all 5 fingers if you include Joey “Who?” taking advantage of the photo op to try to get people to forget he’s been absent from his duties for the last decade plus.)
Poor Caymanians in taxi and tours are being riled up and used by ACT and their politicians.
Why doesn’t ACT and Ministry of Tourism use their credibility if any with the cruise companies to support tour operators and demand the cruise lines give an improved share of profits to Cayman operators from passengers on their ships?
Tour operators are making $10-13 per passenger while the cruise lines nets easily $90-100 per passenger in profit booked thru the cruise lines but carry zero risks for the service and attraction.
This right here is perfect and makes too much sense
Solomon, who has been leading the charge for the ‘no’ vote …. You sure about that CNS? Sounds like he is supporting yes.
CNS: You’re right. I’ve corrected it.
If Joey Hew and PPM supports cruise piers without sharing any plans with the public then it’s going to be an expensive mess for this country and fail at the polls.
There is no such thing as a free ride. Nothing has changed since the last time when PPM spread their lies and misinformation pushing for a cruise berthing facility in 2018-2019 telling us it would cost Cayman nothing according to Alden, Moses and Joey.
Alas, still no Referendum Bill, required by the Constitution, that might seek to define the legal framework, to develop referendum questions, provide required oversight, to call and hold any Referendums, on anything. Our legislators still won’t legislate unless it serves themselves or their benefactors. It’s notable that there were no legislators astute enough to oppose the calling of a Referendum without the corresponding gazetted Law in place. Just 4 years after this was tested in court, everyone forgets why.
Funny to witness all the Philpino, Indian and Jamaican employees on work permit forced to participate with signs hiding their face but the owners of the businesses that are pro port were too good to turn up
Foolio Solomon will say and do anything in his desperation to get elected again. He needs to understand GTE does not trust him or want him so take everything he can get from them to continue to ACT the fool
Please tell Foolio to F Off Cayman doesn’t need shills like him and Joey Who pretending to represent the best interests of Cayman. Both are political hacks in the game for the easy money and celebrity status. None would be employed in the private sector that did not have family connections.
Foolio………..hahahahahahha. This has got to be the best name ever made up to describe a person. Especially as it describes this person to a Tee.
Foolio!!! Love it…….just Love it.
Train the 40 to have basic literacy skills, and they won’t need to work minimum wage, unskilled jobs.
There is definitely enough money in play to have all the usual political class pigs coming to the trough. The people here are the pawns, being told to hang out with their ridiculous signage.
I thought the “People of Cayman” voted “NO” a few years ago on this topic. Why is it now up again? What a waste of Money. Seems like the Government is acting against the citizens wishes in trying to push a Yes Vote.
Bryan is wearing the MAGA team colours and paying shills to pretend to be protesting. It’s not even creative.
Stop cruise ships completely. The associated workers earn mimimum wage with just a few Caymanian cartel families making money they don’t need. Retrain and hire the Caymanians that lose their jobs in financial services.
These islands are the most vulnerable in the world to global warming and extreme weather. Cruise ships are some of the most toxic pollutants known to man.
“40 people gathered”.
Why do we need a referendum? Isn’t this indicative enough?
Train the 40 in some other field or perhaps towards plying their trade with stay-over visitors?