Johnson files JR to stop Red Spot land grab by CIG
(CNS): Chris Johnson, the owner of Red Spot (aka Dora’s Beach), a small piece of beachfront property in the George Town Harbour, has been granted leave for a judicial review of the Cayman Islands Government’s attempts to acquire his land compulsorily. Johnson has said he doesn’t want to sell the land because he plans to donate it to the people of the Cayman Islands in trust as a public beach park.
The CIG claims it wants the land to provide a permanent fish market and began legal efforts to take it earlier this year. However, a court has now ruled that those attempts must stop until after the JR has been heard.
Pre-empting the government’s legal attempts to force a sale and stalling that process, Johnson filed his own legal action seeking an order from the court to quash the Notice of Intended Acquisition of his land, as well as a declaration that the decision to try and take it is unlawful.
In a ruling issued Friday, Justice Marlene Carter found that Johnson has no alternative remedy, and based on the affidavit filed in support of the judicial review, she said that the application met the required threshold for the grant of leave. She also ordered that the government should take no further steps to acquire Johnson’s land by force until the outcome of the hearing.
Johnson welcomed the decision, which he said had stopped the government in its tracks on the misguided attempt to acquire his land by compulsory purchase.
“Part of this land was acquired in or around 1973, some 52 years ago. I have never used it for monetary gain but left it to be enjoyed by the people of the Cayman Islands, many of whom learnt to swim there, and of course, tourists,” Johnson told CNS.
“Unfortunately, part of the property has been taken over by three fishmongers, who, by concreting over most of the property, make that section unusable for others. I hope, in going forward, to return it to the way it looked when I arrived here in 1968, a pristine beach with no vendors but with the addition of some grape trees, some seating and a ramp to assist those who are handicapped,” he added.
Johnson has argued that while local fishermen have historically brought in their catch nearby and sold from the water, the recent creation of the concrete stall is not part of an extended heritage and that few local fishermen are selling.
Johnson wants the stall moved so he can finish the clean-up of the beach and then transfer the property into a trust in perpetuity for the people of the Cayman Islands.
It is extremely rare for the government to attempt to force a private landowner to sell their land, given the importance of the concept of property ownership to the local political and economic system. The CIG’s power to acquire land by force is usually only used when it is building what it perceives as essential roads.
Previous governments have been extremely reluctant to take land forcefully and have entered into very lengthy negotiations when it is needed for roads to avoid the need to take property from an owner against their will.
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Category: Politics
Why can’t the Police just move them, even arrest them for trespassing, they are there illegally. Are Police scared of certain disgraceful, law breaking politicians. Quick enough to arrest innocent people.
Kenneth Bryan needs to be investigated. I support a subpoena of his email and phone records to ascertain who he is really working for.
8:47 the most important point you have made is the following:
“This is private property. You cannot just come and take it (to support illegal activities no less). How safe will it be to buy property here if government starts taking law abiding citizens property to accommodate illegal squatters. Banana Republic here we come…”
WARNING the UPM remnants that are now effectively leading the PPM WILL take try to acquire any private land you own by compulsory acquisition if it suits their POLITICAL purposes!
The UPM have done it recently in the Brac and the PPM will sacrifice anything for power so there is NOT ONE principled person in that group to stop them!
EVERY OWNER OF PRIVATE PROPERTY SHOULD BE VERY AFRAID OF THE UPPM!
Another reason not to vote any PPM candidates.
Before this article becomes history I should add further comments.
As sergeant Joe Friday is alleged to have said ‘Just give us the facts ma’am’. Well here they are.
Following Covid the fishmongers were relocated by government to the south dock where there were toilet facilities, running water and parking. Six months later they returned to Red Spot Bay.
To be fair to the Honourable Joey Hew when the government of the day approached me to sell the land he did try and negotiate with the fishmongers to relocate them on the east side of Seafarers Way. The fishmongers declined this offer. Similarly the Honourable Wayne Panton offered to relocate the fishmongers at the Smatts land close to the Lobster Pot. This too was turned down. Both Governments accepted my proposal to transfer the land into a trust.
It is only this Government in the form of the disgraced Minister from West Bay , McKeeva Bush and the man from Bodden Town, Dwayne Seymour that started the misconceived plan to seize my land. This was most likely the idea of the minister of tourism, Kenny Bryan as he wants it for his new cruise ship dock. This person referred to the spilling of blood on the property which is appropriate at RED Spot Bay. You cannot make this stuff up.
Non Illegitimi Carborundum
Hopefully the judge will see right through this nonsense and put an end to it as well as the dishonourable minister’s conniving and manipulation of the fish sellers to get to his ulterior motive.
For Kenneth Ulterior motive number one, get reelected, once that is done he and Mac will commence with phase 2 , negotiations with CHEC.
We will stand by you in any way that you need, Mr. Chris. Even in person, as we are from the Brac and will fly there to stand with you. Never fear. We have resources also. You are never alone. Thank you for what you do. Much love and respect.
Much respect for standing your ground, Mr. Chris. Many of us will stand with you. To your enemies: Foetorem extremae latrinae
Chris, I would implore you include the conditions the Webster’s did when donating Smith Barcadere through their trust…. One of the key ones is “No commercial activity at any time”.
Thank you for your advice. I am doing precisely what you say.
yet the Gov still claim they do not have enough money to fix the Public Dock in WB
WELL … WHO IS AT FAULT HERE? The answer: Our previous governments! … From before the 1970’s, they should have had the vision of securing waterfront properties and beaches for the people of the Cayman Islands … not in 2025 when its too late! …
Another Question: Are we seeing any government iniative in purchasing natural lands and beaches, and bestowing it to the National Trust for our future generations ??? Answer: No! I don’t see any efforts being made. ..
It seems to me we can’t rely on governments at all.
Sad
AND when a private landowner actually tries to do the laudable thing & donate the beach land in trust for all Caymanians, they thank him by demanding he forfeit his rights as they clearly have ulterior motives. Wonder what the Cruise ship companies are paying politicians these days to expand the port?
why dont they go and sell thier Old dry up stale fish at the location next to Lobster Pot. Isnt that what its for.
I agree with you 100% the fish is not always freshly caught it’s brought in from Honduras after weeks being on ice.
Why not move to the pc of land government wasted money to buy just past Lobster Pot at least there would be place to park safely down there.
Mr Chris I’m so sorry our CORRUPT POLITICIANS are doing you this.We have to VOTE BETTER THIS ELECTION.
The government already has the cruise terminal and shops. Ask yourself why they don’t put the ‘fishermen’ there?
Busy trying to steal peoples land while two shanty town shacks sit front and centre outside the old Fort Street Market and feral dogs eat dead chickens in the middle of the road in front of the library, cheered on by onlookers waiting for buses they don’t know for certain will ever come.
#revitalization
Perhaps an organised show of public solidarity, standing with Mr Chris at the location might drive the message home. With the exception of certain ‘interests’ I don’t believe anybody supports this foolishness.
The CI Government are being completely unreasonable here. The Government is, in effect, taking a beach from the use of ordinary Caymanians so that one or two fishmongers can sell there. By many accounts the fish they sell is not even fresh.
whether true or not, I do not know. but yes, have heard rumors of these guys linking up with Honduran boats offshore to purchase the fish and bring back to this market for resale as “fresh catch”.
kind of like going fishing and catching a cold…
CIG, leave Mr Johnson’s land alone. Better yet, amend the referendum question at an addition $3m and add it as a question. if you gonna waste my money at least waste it on something I can stomach, thx.
in Chris I trust….caymanian mla’s are incompetent greedy buffoons.
feel sorry for any sucker who buys fish from this dirty rotten fraudulent set-up.
Of all the guys in all the towns in all the world out government chose Mr Chris
Not clever
I support you Chris, this is a dangerous slope the government is going too in the land grab!
For 50 years, Chris Johnson has been a relentless corruption fighter in the Cayman Islands—let’s create a “Corruption Fighter Award” and name him the first recipient! Beyond protecting Red Spot, a beach he’s never profited from and has safeguarded for public use, his work is remarkable. As an auditor and insolvency expert, he’s tackled major fraud, like recovering assets in the $9.2 billion SAAD Investments scandal—one of many cases. He’s pursued defamation suits to defend his firm’s integrity and championed transparency in public land use. The CIG’s attempt to seize Red Spot for a fish market is pure overreach, and the court’s judicial review halt proves his fight is just. Honor Johnson’s legacy of standing up for Caymanians!
We dont want awards we just want the corruption to meet justice
It seems his stand against corruption is coming home to roost..!!
Being attacked by a couple of shameless politicians who don’t understand , or care about, the meaning of corruption.
Chris Johnson’s fight to save Red Spot is inspiring. For 50 years, he’s never profited from this beach, keeping it open for all and planning to donate it as a public park. The CIG’s push to forcibly take it for a fish market—while a concrete stall already limits access—is unjust. The court’s halt for a judicial review is a victory. Let’s back Johnson to keep Dora’s Beach for the people, not the government!
I shopped at the “fish market” once. Was sold unrecognizable fish for $20lb.
A local fish market is a great idea but it needs to be somewhere with hygiene standards and open to all local fisherman. If I were to catch a load of tuna do you think they would let me set up shop there? No chance!
We will travel from Little Cayman and Cayman Brac to support you Chris, should the government ever decide to become Marxist and seize your land.
Bushy, Bryany, Juy Juy, Hewy out, Johnson in!
First generation. Not eligible. And too honest!
Talk Talk Talk Thats all Caymanians do. We need to take to the streets and support Chris. Its not only rich foreigners that ae taking over this country!
My family is on the Brac. We are not all in good health, but if there were a protest — especially if the government wanted to steal the land — we would make the trip there in support. What else could we do? It’s not like our MPs particularly listen to us, or consider our wants above their own agendas.
Best way to support Chris is DON’T vote PPM so Vindictive Mac and Coke Kenny won’t be in positions of authority to harass citizens.
PPM have nothing to do with the acquisition of Mr. Johnson Land it’s was under the PACT Government that this acquisition happen.
CNS: To clarify the timeline, on 11 October 2024, the UPM government accepted a PMM made by McKeeva Bush to consider the compulsory acquisition of Red Spot. Four members of government quit at the end of that same month because of dysfunction, disorganisation and a lack of professionalism in the administration.
The five-member minority UPM government (three of whom are now members of the PPM) continued with the attempt to forcibly acquire the property. Kenneth Bryan, the first UPM minister to join the PPM and who is now the deputy leader of the party, appears to have taken the lead in this move.
To recap: the whole issue did not happen under PACT but grew legs under the lame-duck UPM. If the PPM forms the next government, it is very likely that three Cabinet members will be the UPM ministers who have recently joined them and who knows who else.
Yes but Kenneth is now PPM and that is where he will attack from..
Geddit..?
We should all remember that the last thing Kenny was successful in was male modeling. Zoolander got caught dealing drugs, and he has been an unmitigated disaster as an MP and Minister.
Successful..? Standing there while someone takes pictures..?
Why can’t the fish market exist and peace prevail. It seems pretty simple to me.
Move it government land that recently purchased, move it back to the market, smelly grotty fish market should not be there, spoiling the beach for the public for 3 fishermen, specially when not even their land. Throw them off and throw out Bush, Bryan et al. Mr Johnson has been patient enough.
And the fish isnt caught by Caymanians either.
Patient enough? Johnson hasn’t been very reasonable in this process.
WTH are you talking about? How is Mr. Chris NOT been extremely patient when these fish sellers (NO, they don’t catch but buy weeks old, chemically treated Honduran caught fish from actual fisherman!) Through the years he has endured these squatters on HIS land, while NEVER CHARGING RENT or profiting while they do, THEN they ILLEGALLY pour concrete slabs and erect tents without permission of Mr. Chris OR planning, while maintaining highly unsanitary conditions where they have no running water and no bathroom facilities. Then they throw the remains of these chemically treated fish into the sea literally next to where tourists are swimming. I’ve seen it. So they profit off squatting on Mr.Chris’ land where they never asked permission to be, Mr. Chris wants to DONATE HIS LAND to Caymanians and for the use of cruises ship tourists, AND pay to beautify the land and make it accessible to all while the fish sellers do all but fully block access to others. BUT the government, which bought land which is sitting vacant for over 5 Million$ just up the road want to force the sale of private land and pay with public funds to steal Mr. Chris’ land. And Mr. Chris is not patient?!!! Remember, during Covid, the Govt. moved the fish sellers for sanitary reasons. So what has changed? And what is keeping Bryan and his lackeys from moving the fish sellers once again if they are able to force this sale to make way to expand the port which the vast majority of Caymanians do not want?
How do you know what they catch?
How do you know anything LOL
Mr Johnson to you!
Move it to Kenny’s house since he is so supportive of it.
Put it on your land then, if you have any.
God no. Too many empty lots rented to fisherman in residential areas already. It’s illegal but they turn a blind eye. sickening.
Yep, generators running all night, portable toilets, intimidating neighbours, selling drug… I mean fish at all hours. Yet ignored by the authorities, the question is why?
The fish market shouldn’t continue at that location because the owner of the land doesn’t wish it. If, as Kenneth Bryan said, the government wants the land for the preservation of the fish market *cough bullshit *cough, then the government should move the fish market to recently acquired government land. Easy, right? Fair and a good solution. Unless of course, Mr.Bryan was being less than forthright with us.
Mr Johnson as the land owner bears all responsibility for this property in the event of fish poisoning or any accidents. Why should that be his responsibility.
Get those stinking fish out of the place. We Caymanians want to use this beach and Mr Johnson is giving it to us. Is our government daft or just corrupt.
Well done Chris. Stick that in your pipe KB.
Do these fishermen need a T&B?
If they do we would all like to see it and a Health Safety Certificate, DEH?
I don’t believe they do, as long as they are Caymanian. Caymanians aren’t required a T&B for agricultural or animal-related food products. They may require a health inspection and clearance.
I don’t know if they are really Caymanian, do they have their ID cards yet?
Lol. And how about a health check on their fish and the conditions they store it in.
Chris Johnson has more money than God, he can take this fight as far as Government is willing…and still win. Because he’s smarter than Government’s advisor, Bulgin.
Mr. Chris shouldn’t have to spend a dime on this. The land is his. He chooses not to sell. End of story.
God hasn’t got any money
Only Mammon
When Honorable Hew gets to be Premier he will take that land and use it for our cruise dock. PPM all the way!
‘Honourable’ Who….
Hopefully come April 30th Honorable Hew will be selling kitchen gadgets at Bon Vivant.
I hope he wins. That “fish market” is such a joke. And what a good hearted guy who is willing to leave it alone and let people use it as a park for free.
The government has no cash to buy it, and buying it for the “fishermen” is a joke. Knock it off and leave it be. And let him kick the “fishermen” off his property.
A certain elected members realtor spouse just lost a commission
Bravo Mr Johnson. To think a government member would seek to prevent a private land owner from gifting his land to the Islands for ever by way of a Trust?!
Our next National Hero. Arise Sir Chris!
These guys don’t seem very Caymanian to me and the fish is nasty looking.
I suppose your narrative is that tired old saw that Hondurans travel 400+ miles on the open ocean with fish on ice to sell it at the fish market in Grand Cayman. What a total crock of shit. I feel sorry for anyone who swallows this tripe.
You can be a fisherman in Cayman without being Caymanian
Good, this entire case was a smoke screen for Kenneth to grab more land for Cruise park.
The fisherman than use that area are not locals, talk the them, most of them cant even speak basic English. The fish are not “fresh caught” either, its an open secret that the local fishing fleet purchases low cost fish from Honduras and brings it back as their catch.
Hondo’s gonna hondo.
You disgust me.
And you I
Across 400 miles of open ocean. Every day. You really can’t think anyone is that stupid. Kenneth? Is that you?
Bryant is seeking the votes of these fish sellers who get the old fish from the Honduran fish boats. These fish sellers really are so disrespectful to treat the man’s property like they do when they get to use it rent free. This is what we will get if PPM get back into power, vote them all out!
“fresh” fish – caught in Honduras, stored on ice in a cooler and sold here as “locally” caught “fresh” fish…. this wasn’t a fish market when I was a child. Good luck to Chris.
This is private property that these fisherman (none who are Caymanian) illegally sell fish from (little of which are caught in Cayman waters and most of it is from Honduras – yes you are buying days or weeks old fish from Honduras). A bunch of drunks constantly hang out there right on the waterfront – what a great representation of our culture.
And we are to trust Government to do the right thing? The Tourism Minister is a convicted drug dealer. And McKeeva…where do you even begin? What a total sham!
The whole thing it an eye sore and stinks to high heaven.
This is private property. You cannot just come and take it (to support illegal activities no less). How safe will it be to buy property here if government starts taking law abiding citizens property to accommodate illegal squatters. Banana Republic here we come…
>”Banana Republic here we come…”
Future tense?
You must be new here…
Don’t be fooled Caymanians. The only reason government want to purchase this property is because they stupidly believe they are going to win the vote to build cruise ship berthing piers in that part of GT. Mr. Johnson is graciously donating that priceless piece of oceanfront property to the people of this country, and he should be supported in that effort.
Good for you Chris.
Go Chris! All power to you!!!