Smith Cove ‘business’ stirs up concern
Tour business operating at Smith Cove
(CNS): The public beach area at Smith Cove (Smith Barcadere) has come under scrutiny by local activists and the broader community after revelations that a local tour company is using the location for snorkelling tours for cruise ship passengers. Others may also be using it as a place to rent paddle boards to visitors, despite the ban on trade at the beach. The issue of businesses operating from the area has once again stirred up questions about the legality of commercial operations at all public beaches and the failure of the relevant government departments to enforce the law.
Morne Botes, a developer who has become a vocal advocate for beach access and protecting public beach space for the local community, raised concerns this week when he became aware of operators using Smith Barcadere as a base for their businesses.
Posting the issue on the Save the Cove Facebook page, he pointed out that the original land, which was donated by the Webster family, has a covenant prohibiting commercial activity at the beach. In addition, after purchasing more land in the area last year to protect the beach from development, government made a commitment not to allow trade and business at the location.
Nevertheless, it appears that Anchor Tours and another as yet unidentified business are involved in commercial operations there.
Speaking on a local radio talk show Tuesday, Botes noted that his social media posts had attracted much attention and people were really concerned about the possibility of Smith Barcadere becoming commercialised, as has happened on Seven Mile Public Beach and is beginning to happen at West Bay public beach as well.
He urged the community not to be afraid of their government but to raise their voices, lobby and pressure their MLAs, and speak out when they see things that are wrong.
During the course of the Cayman Crosstalk show on Rooster, a person claiming to be part of Anchor Tours called in and said the company was being very respectful of the area and that they were a Caymanian company giving tourists an educational tour of the area, including a snorkel trip.
The chairs were brought there for people on the tours and were not being rented out, he said, adding that no money changes hands at the location. He said he had made various inquiries and no one had said that they could not take guests to Smith Barcadere, though he did indicate that he had no written permission or special rights to use the location.
Shortly after his call Barbara Conolly, the MLA for the constituency of George Town South, which covers the area, also called the show. As the person responsible for the enhancement project there, she reconfirmed government’s commitment to keeping the much-loved beach free of commercial activity.
Conolly said she did not believe the tour operator was cleared to do business there and she was planning to hold a meeting with the Public Lands Commission, which is now tasked with monitoring beach access and public beach use.
The subject of beach access and the commercialisation of publicly designated beaches is already a significant problem in and around George Town and West Bay. And with dwindling beach space on Grand Cayman, it is also one of the major concerns about government’s decision to press ahead with a cruise berthing facility, which, CNS has learned, could attract as many as three million passengers annually by 2022.
As private development has made access to Seven Mile Beach increasingly difficult, the remaining public spots along the strip of the famous beach, as well as Smith Cove and potentially Barkers, have become targets for commercial operations feeding the current cruise market.
The construction of the piers will destroy marine life in the harbour as well as several famous wrecks, reducing the number of attractions and activities for visiting cruise passengers. At the same time, they are expected to result in a massive increase in passenger numbers, who will have fewer places to go and less things to do.
The recent appearance of beach chairs for guests of the Cayman Turtle Centre at the public beach in West Bay has also been fuelling concerns. This has been compounded by the application by the owner of Calico Jack’s to clear turtle grass and build a dock in Barkers, paving the way for that bar’s relocation in 2020 as the Dart Group closes off more access to the beachfront skirting its extensive property along Seven Mile Beach.
Young Caymanians seem particularly concerned about the threats to the Barkers beach area, which is one of the very last place across Grand Cayman that has remained completely untouched by commercial development.
Botes and other activists are urging government to put a stop to commercial activity in public beach spaces and enforce environment and planning laws where developers are encroaching on beach areas, which will diminish access.
Botes stressed the power people have and the importance of pressing their representatives, regardless of the district. He said the Barkers application is not just a West Bay issue, anymore than the problems at Smith Cove are merely a George Town issue; they impact everyone island-wide and it is important that constituents let their MLAs know their concerns.
Botes warned that the only way to preserve the already significantly reduced beach access for Caymanians and residents is to make the politicians know what they think. He has asked government officials for a meeting about the cove and hopes that Conolly’s own plans to meet with the Public Land Commission will start to address the issue.
CNS contacted Conolly, as well as Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell, Planning Minister Joey Hew and their respective chief officers about this issue. We have not yet received a response.
Category: Business, Local News, Tourism
How pathetic that Cayman allows its public places to be cordoned-off by private business and used as if it is their own. What if I and my family want to set up our little camp and towels where there are seats set out – will the operator move them for us. Cayman’s public beaches are the same as public parks elsewhere – for the benefit of all of the people. No unlicenced / unregulated businesses of any type allowed – offenders should be fined.
However they are not. It is allowed to go on unchallenged. It’s absolutely amazing that Cayman cannot even look after the few nice bits left preserved for the public, but sits back and lets it be ruined by selfish small-time entrepreneurs (admittedly the usual business Mafia is probably behind a good deal of this BS).
All your point of view I guess. Th spot where they dumped the Kimpton used to be a beautiful stretch of natural beach. A crime against nature and my peace of mind.
meanwhile, many of these hippies are okay for yoga and dog training to be ‘traded’ at public beach.
The streets belong to the people! Down with the establishment! Peace.
I would suggest that we step back and look at the future. The public beach is heading up for problems because there its not enough beach. We were so concerned for swampland, which no one uses, we forgot to save the public beach. But no matter the population of Grand Cayman keeps increasing and more children are graduating from High Schools. Most will have to find a job, where? Anyone know? Does anyone in the Chamber of Commerce can tell us how many unskilled jobs are available that need a high school diploma? How much is being offered ($6.00 per hour)? Maybe we move 2 people out from Government House and open it to cruise shippers? The governor should have a secured property that they can offer to visiting dignitaries. I’m sure they haven’t spent a lot of time sitting on the beach anyway. Would they? I mean everybody would be offering something to have our Governors ear. Problem? No hotel or Condo wants a public beach near them. Stay over tourists no longer want to hear Barefoot or Jamaican music. Our stay over tourists are not like the Holiday Inn or Galleon Beach tourists of years gone by. They want first class food and drink and wiling to pay for it. “Brings in more revenue for our island”.
So where is the public beach for the cruise shippers? We can’t seem to mix our new found wealthy people with our cultural people who are middle class cruisers.
So what is the solution for all these children coming out of High School? All going to work at the new CNB? Insurance companies like Captives? Fosters? The tenders? More taxis and busses? Ubers? Is there anybody out there thats thinking about the situation? Shouldn’t we ban all commercial businesses on all public beaches? I can bring my own chair and I don’t want to hear your music, I rather hear, “closer to thee”. Stop all drinking on the beaches and playing loudly. We just want to hear the wind blowing, the birds singing, no smoking of course and the list can go on. In fact I had a man knock on my window and tell me to shut off my engine because he came to the beach and he could smell exhaust. I merely stopped to show tourist the most beautiful beach in the world for 5 minutes. No smoking, no parties, no drinking in bottles, no liquor anythinnnnnnggggg else?
A bunch of whiners here. Let the young Caymanian be.
CayJamaican to be specific.
Get rid of all the vendors on all the beaches. They are an eyesore and the ones running them are rude.
Get rid of all the foreigners off of Cayman, and maybe the rest of us can sustain a little bit of life, you all come here an just want to rob caymanians of every occupation possible just for mere peanuts,knowing well that peanuts are worth way more back in those shit hole countries you all stem from, and the rich doesn’t give a shit about who starves and lives in poverty, instead they force laws on the natural resources that caymanians used to survive on way back before any of these devils even drifted here, and they blaming it on poachers trying to kill out the marine life, when dart and other big developers are the ones killing off our Eco system with steel and cement and toxic waste.and now when you see the ones with the most ambition trying to hustle honestly on OUR beaches, then that two becomes a problem, just be grateful that they’re not breaking into your homes, or are they?, just know this, people got to eat and survive by any means necessary.
Some of these points are valid. A lot of newer people on the island could stand to be a little more sensitive to what is taking place here.
Yes, the newer people on the island should turn a blind eye to the environmental destruction going on and let the locals have full reign to destroy their islands.
Well, in some respects yes. If you’re originally from usa, your President is doing his best to accelerate global warming (before he goes to jail for other reasons) if you’re from a different country I’m sure they are also tearing down the world. In cayman, Dart and other developers (but mostly Dart) are doing way more damage than some locals leaving their bottles on the beach, or taking too many conch. The strip mining done for that silly kaboo shindig is pretty big, and for what? Tell me please.
If you don’t want to turn a blind eye, I suggest you focus on Dart, unless he’s too white to show up in your field of vision.
Well, he’s not wrong about developers trashing the beaches with their monuments to greed.
True! They destroy all the mangroves too which are nurseries for juvenile fish and lobsters as well.
With punctuation and grammar like that it’s no wonder you can’t get a decent job. Stay in school and study hard and opportunities will come.
So say it from the educated fool, at least I got common sense to survive on this land with or with out a job unlike you a real tool in society that had to move from his/her own home town to come here and try to be somebody.
When the next cat5. hurricane hits Cayman I hope that you are here then we’ll see how far your grammar and punctuations will get you.
I was born here 40 years ago, dipshit. I’m Caymanian as can be. Now go back to school and get you some good learning.
Being born here still doesn’t mean that you have any common sense tool, and being anonymous will allow you to say anything that you want, now a days everyone thinks that their caymanians from a piece of paper, I guess you where just absent the day they where handing out common sense.
And FYI tool, I am only 38 years old and my life is well set from all my hard work and common sense, sorry that your education couldn’t help yours.
Using the word dipshit alone tells us that you where not born here, liar.
Not to get into this tit for tat battle, but if you are a Caymanian, especially generational, then it’s a shame you would think that being well educated (good learning lol) isn’t necessarily a factor in being successful. This island was and still is being developed by people who barely achieved grade level education. They worked hard and invested in this island and in their children. It’s self important pricks like yourself that are the worst thing to happen to cayman, because at the end of the day, you will, if not already, stab your own people in the back because you think less of them.
People migrate here, because where they live before suck. They have covered this island in the same garbage, that they fled their own place from. Those are the same people who fled when Ivan came knocking. So the poster does have validity behind his statement.
I urge you to take a look at how you (if you are actually generational Caymanian) put your own country man down. When you go out and hang with your non native cronies, take a look at how they cling together. Take a long look on how you probably disenfranchised your “own” people, to fit with them, who, would care less about you if you lived in their country.
U R N S.
Here you go bud. I’ve edited some of your message, while trying to preserve your emotions. I understood quite well what you were trying to say, so I just tidied it up a bit, so the masses would be able to understand it and your frustration. Please continue to be a good person and don’t let other people put you down. Have a blessed Monday!
Get rid of all the foreigners from Cayman, and maybe the rest of us can sustain a little bit of life. Foreigners come here and rob caymanians of every occupation possible just for mere peanuts. They do this, knowing that that the little pay is worth way more back in those shit hole countries they stem from. The rich doesn’t give a shit about who starves and lives in poverty, instead they force laws on the natural resources that caymanians use to survive on way back before any of these devils even drifted here. This allows them to blame it on poachers(locals) for trying to kill out the marine life, when in-fact people like dart and other big developers are the ones killing off our Eco system with steel, cement and toxic waste. Now when you see locals with the most ambition trying to make a honest hussle(living) on OUR beaches, that too becomes a problem. Just be grateful that they aren’t breaking into your homes, or are they? Just know this, people must eat and will try to survive by any means necessary.
I thought this was supposed to have stopped? 1pm 06/12/18 the Trolley Roger was parked 5′ from the zebra crossing on a double yellow line.
I’m out of patience with Barbara do nothing Connolly. You’re finished in GTS.
I wonder what life will be like here after we get to 100,000 residents and 4 million tourists
Exactly. No one is thinking about what the optimal level of tourists and residents should be. There is a point where its not beneficial to the island. Too much of anything really can be as bad as nothing.
The people at the top are only thinking about 1 thing. Pretty much the same the world over. It will sort it’s self out, but probably won’t be too pretty. Probably not a long way off anymore. Just have to wait and see, because the greed and delusion aren’t going to stop.
11:52, Just like South Miami Beach. Bet you can hardly wait.
“… and that they were a Caymanian company giving tourists an educational tour of the area, including a snorkel trip.”
Good one! :))
“The chairs were brought there for people on the tours and were not being rented out, he said, adding that no money changes hands at the location.”
Another good one. Is the money changing hands at a different location?!
And finally …
“Young Caymanians seem particularly concerned about the threats to the Barkers beach area”
I’m old and I’m concerned.
While I applaud the stance taken for commercial use at Smith’s Cove, can we please get Government to CLEAN UP PUBLIC BEACH?????
Get rid of all the vendors, hagglers, beach chairs, etc at public beach!! PLEASE!
The Cayman Islands want back their Public Beach!! If you can ban it from Smith Cove please ban it from Public Beach also!!
What about the dive companies completely taking over the public dock and launching ramp for days when there is bad weather in town. I guess that’s ok because those companies are mostly expat owned and they are the ones always complaining about caymanians trying to make a living.
Good story, shame about the part where they are actually Caymanian owned.
Do you have any idea how much divers drop in terms of money on these islands? The divers in one or two weeks here drop thousands $$$$. We should be courting people like them and not the cruise ship tourists who buy a few beers and T-shirts while here for a few hours, and making the roads and public beaches hell for everyone.
Boy dem can netwuk dem boi dem a mek cash fi buy dem bling anyhow
Barbara will not be reelected! Get all vendors off OUR PUBLIC BEACHES!
If you are born here, you can pretty much make the government bow to you. For example, if you’d like to open a business selling coconuts you may do so in an active roadway. Literally, sell them in the street with cars passing within inches. It’s easy, fast money. Want to drink on the job too? No problem, just bring your beer, machete, stolen grocery carts and coconuts onto harbor drive and you’ve got yourself a Caymanian business ! No fear of police. No fear of government. No fear of regulations. The fact that you were born here is enough to open a business where you damn well please…on beaches, on boats or in the roads.
American here. Why do you live there? You sound angry, or jealous, or disgusted or something. What’s the attraction?
I know, why are there so many Jamaicans and Hondurans here turning Cayman into a 3rd world country ruining all the investments that Americans have made for centuries? Maybe its just because of all the billions of dollars that have been poured into this country over the many years and what do we have know? A caravan of smug and incompetent parasites who continue to suck off the American teet. Enjoy your century old scam while you can.
One “American” to another. You are definitely a true blue American
Centuries?
First American here. Your way of thinking is enjoying a bit of popularity at the moment but not all that long from now it will be proven wrong and people that are speaking like you, will not be voicing their opinions publicly. It’s just wrong.
Ummm, this ain’t America bobo. Go plant your flag in Russia or China. See how that works out for ya.
Hate to burst your bubble buddy but you’re as much an American as a Jamaican is Caymanian. You’re an immigrant just like the rest of the 99% of Americans currently residing in North America. #Justfacts
Or run a tourist “trolley” business on the main roads in and near George town at 5 miles an hour creating traffic jams every day with no regard for anyone else trying to use the roads.
Correction. Not in and near GT. Also every morning from Countryside to GT for us who already spend hours in traffic before getting stuck behind that dangerous monstrosity.
And he NEVER pulls over to let the traffic pass.
That thing is a massive accident waiting to happen. I have witness frustrated drivers attempting to overtake the trolley on blind bends. Standby for major casualties!
Happened almost to me yesterday.
I understand your frustration completely, having been made over half hour late for work on numerous occasions and hauled up by the bosses because of him. But best to wait till you get past the blind bend before overtaking? 🙂
Yo dippy, I was in the other lane and a car overtaking almost hit me. Not the other way around.
How the hell is that death trap allowed to run? The trolley must continually snake about 3ft either way as it crawls around the island. It’s about as stable as the political situation in the UK.
I notice that the view of Smith Cove from the road is now dominated by an enormous yellow sign that says ‘no loud music allowed’. I agree that there should be no loud music but the sign is so ugly and it actually obstructs the view. Please move it or make it smaller.
And there’s still loud music…
You are racists. We don need any “white”beaches where everybody enjoys the breezes and nature without da Jamaican vibe. Da Jamaican vibe must vibrate through every house and public building. Ja Rule.
Oh dear god. You need help.
He’s trolling you bobo
Can’t win with you bunch.
Duns River Falls pt. 2!! Higglers everywhere!
At least you can get a decent joint there.
Yep, they openly smoke it there now! One Jacan there told me that it is legal in Cayman!! I believe that they are mistakenly thinking so because the cannabis oil is now legal with prescription!!
Let the people live. Once they are not involved in any type of illegal activities. Make sure to sell alot more local products especially T-shirts advertising the cayman islands.
No
No. Sorry. This is not the intention of the donated land.
Ain’t all donated my Saffa brudda.
Sad to say but I can’t wait until the fights breakout between vendors and cause an embarrassment to the Gov. Looks like this is the only thing that will get through their knuckle heads that vendors on the beach is a bad idea. SAD
This should be illegal as well as SMB. It makes Cayman who is supposed to be high value for money look like a ghetto slum. If that is what we are offering, then we cannot charge the high prices. Everyone will go to the third world countries where it is cheaper but they know outright that they expect to see this behaviour. I should not expect to see this in the Cayman Islands as a tourist. It is degrading to the Cayman tourism product.
Wait until they build the dock! Then you’ll see the “high value” tourism product disappear entirely!
Just let the man be. It’s not a crime to be successful.
This type of activity must be stopped immediately, Who is this Caymanian who thinks they are not exploiting the Cove for commercial benefit as “no money changes hands at the location”?. As a local resident I have enjoyed the quiet, natural and unspoilt beauty of the Cove since 1969 and this absolutely must endure in perpetuity for the enjoyment of all.
If you haven’t signed the petition for a referendum just msg cprcayman@gmail.com – it’s a start to addressing all these concerns
“There is no such thing as perpetuity” – Buddha
Hopefully this starts something that starts at Smith Cove and leads to the clean up of the other Public Beaches. Public Beach (SMB) is terrible.
It really doesn’t seem like it would be that hard to fix. There is so much excess in the Civil Service headcount, can we not find 20 staff to keep an eye on the beaches and enforce some simple rules.
These a big part of the countries assets and nothing is being done.
I have been trying to shout everywhere and to whomever would listen about what you are headed for but to be honest and from what I’m hearing, it is all a done deal. (Both the cruise berth and Barkers)
TOO late. You can read today’s Compass editorial to see their viewpoint against protecting the environment. Let me say now that there will be nothing left for those that live here and nothing for your children’s children. You’ll be sharing what’s left of your crowded likkle island with cruiseshipper crowds and minions. There will be NOTHING exclusive about this place except what Dart manages to cordon off as his. And that’s a done deal too.
You’d better keep an eye on your Public Accesses to 7MB… Just watch. Those be gone soon too.
If you haven’t signed the petition for a referendum just msg cprcayman@gmail.com – it’s a start to addressing all these concerns
Caymanians selling out Caymanians again. This government is truly terrible. Destroying everything so a limited few can prosper at the expense of future generations.
Ummm big daddy D is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more destructive of this island. So keep your indignation in yer pocket please.
Um no. Big Daddy D is merely a shrewd businessman who is exploiting the opportunity created by government destroying the island.
Um no. Mr. Dart steers the government
While Dart is the easy target, our generational merchant class (primarily of Jamaican origin) have much more sway, we just don’t like to acknowledge it.
The debtor is always subject to the lender and our Government owes Dart way more than they are willing to publicly admit.
You are missing the root cause of the issue. Let me spell it out for you. Successive governments screwed the people over and destroyed Cayman. Every one started selling off to Dart who like any shrewd businessman, seized an incredible opportunities and then invested heavily in them (speculate to accumulate). Now they are indebted to him and that’s WHY he steers things.
Yes. I do get it. But he’s the big man now. His team, his responsibility. Time to re-learn the organizational chart.
12.21 pm ” Barbara Conolly, the MLA for the constituency of George Town South, which covers the area, also called the show. As the person responsible for the enhancement project there, she reconfirmed government’s commitment to keeping the much-loved beach free of commercial activity.
Conolly said she did not believe the tour operator was cleared to do business there ” . What part of that statement did you not understand. I guess if you are going to tell a lie you should make it a big one
Seriously she knew and her “plans” are definitely part of the problem!!! Idealistic cove for decades before she gave it to the cruise ships (they advertised it onboard!) XXXXX – shame on her.
Lot of words no action. Calling into a radio show does not actually do anything at all.
The overlord still needs ‘permission’ from the government officials who gladly accept the kick-backs.
This gov, last gov…all the governments have and are doing the same thing. Greed and corruption.
Is this any different from people holding wedding services there? That’s been going on for at least 20 years.
Ban them too!
Slight difference between members of the public using a natural resource – no different to people celebrating birthdays there, or a family having a day out – and businesses using a public resource to not only make money, but in the process detract from the enjoyment of that resource by everyone else. And the wedding takes how long? And dos it stop you enjoying the beach. Just wait until the cruise ship businesses have the deckchairs lined up across the entire beach 8 hrs a day, 7 days a week, there is litter everywhere and the toilets are maxed out.
Are the marriage officers charging a fee? No difference at all.
Most of the weddings there are done by XXXXX, and they have made a fortune from it over the years. I think any money they have made should be donated to the government as it was illegally made.
Same rule should apply to everyone if you ask me. GOH been getting away with this for years. Time to put a stop to it.
Though I get your point there is a big difference. Have a look at the zoo at the main Public Beach on West Bay Road but I guess you are a vendor and see it differently.
What if 200 people decide they want to invest in Beach chairs and umbrellas and plunk them down at Smith’s Cove or WB Public Beach?
Can you imagine the scene?
Would that be unfair to the first vendors that setup shop? No it wouldn’t but would create a war, which is what I forsee happening soon because our Gov don’t have the guts to say NO!
It would look like Rum Point does nowadays. Ugly.
My mother and I used to love that place. My mother would be mortified if she were to see it now. Very sad.
More Jamaican culture where they think the laws don’t apply to them, cut in line with a cheecky smile, drive like they back at their home country where they should stay.
The laws obviously do not apply to them. If they did, the laws would be enforced.
What about Jam culture in da office, once there is one in HR, the whole place turns Jam.
How clever of a bunch of racist to run to a Caribbean island to set up a white nation. I’m white and it blows MY mind!
And that’s wrong as well.
Yes
How do you compare THAT!!?? Why don’t you tell us how it compares and then I’ll come back and tell you how it is nothing like it.
LOL!
Pastor/Minister charges a fee, wedding planner, etc charge fees. Public beach cordoned off or obstructed by events, car parking gridlocked, people inconvenienced when trying to relax. Regardless of where the fees are paid it is the activities which are and should be prohibited. They are for commercial gain. Pastor could probably get round that on grounds of religion, which seems in Cayman to equate to a no holds barred free for all.
Seen as laws are being broken, why can’t they be arrested?
You must be new here, Cayman is the land of Laws with no enforcement
New here?
They got the nod from special people who control the whole show and are expecting a little on the side from these ventures to pack their pockets.
No real surprise here, they allowed Public Beach to turn into a complete zoo so why would this be any different
I think Barbara had them clear out the undergrowth on the north side of the property to accommodate more of this type of shit. This PPM government is hell bent on turning this country into little Jamaica!
11.41am You are so narrow minded; of all the reasons that could be given for clearing out undergrowth, this is the one thing you can come up with? Obviously not a fan of Barbara or this Government.
11:41am check your family tree you might have forebears in that tree. Who is to tell,if you are old enough you might have been born there. Be careful what you post.
About 98% of the members of our LA are part of the local Lodge which is a part of the Grand Lodge of Jamaica – it is to be expected.
Unity government are making a bigger mess of Cayman. Vote them all out!
If you haven’t signed the petition for a referendum just msg cprcayman@gmail.com – it’s a start to addressing all these concerns
Just one more reason to SIGN THE PETITION for a REFERENDUM on the CRUISE PORT.
(Yes, it is very much still active.)
Cruise tourism is at the core of all issues highlighted in the article above.
The govt, along with the cruise industry, hopes to TRIPLE our cruise numbers from just over 1 million currently, to 3 million in the next 2 years.
Overcrowding has been a PRIMARY concern of those wary of the proposed port plans.
Clearly, as a result of increasing privatisation of beaches, the masses of people will be herded to the increasingly limited spaces which shall inevitably lead to these contentious standoffs.
Is this what we want for Cayman?
– Whodatis
If you LOVE traffic, a new dock is a great way to sit in your car and wait even longer during your commute
Where can we sign it? I do my grocery shop at Kirk Market and it isn’t there for obvious reasons
Just do a Google search on “Cayman Cruise Port Referendum”.
There are a number of locations island(s)-wide.
There is no excuse for anyone who wants to support the petition not to do so.
None.
– Who
*Yes, I picked up on your sarcasm – the above is for the earnest readers out there.
This government does not care about the people only the rich and those that rub shoulders at the ritz and Kimpton. They have all sold out and are controlled by special interests. The do not care about the long damage to the environment, local people and long term debt. They are living in a bubble with guaranteed fat pensions, long term contracts for their businesses and kickbacks from the back room deals.
It’s Dart’s fault
Troll
Banana Replublic What long term debt? Keep up with the news man. This Government has done more to reduce long term debt than any other recent Admin. In addition they have not done any recent borrowing. Get the facts right.
Um. Pension liabilities? Miller Shaw report. Are you delusional?
I think they are taking about the debt required for the port and all the roads and other infrastructure it will require. And I am sure they have not taken into account what happens when interest rates inevitably rise. I am sure dart has, he has made billions at the expense of governments and their counties that took on too much debt.
Here will be the most unpopular post of the season.
You’re wrong that they don’t care. The government cares about the environment; the problem is that it’s been too long since they all had their hands in the dirt and had to scruff for a living like most of the rest of us. They have come to see property as development potential, and truly believe that whatever is built big here will trickle down to us who have to scrap for a living. They really believe that.
For the most part, the government also doesn’t recognise how we treasure the natural resources — like Smith Barcadere — as a place for all of us to unwind, so we can be good little worker bees and dive back into the trenches of Cayman business once the weekend is over.
I know personally a couple of MLAs. You know what they struggle with? It is this: How to make a positive impact where the environment is concerned and at the same time boost the economy. It’s a conundrum that you and me don’t have to worry about. We want both things. We don’t have to balance the scales.
If you haven’t signed the petition for a referendum just msg cprcayman@gmail.com – it’s a start to addressing all these concerns
Can we also do something about the Trolly Roger and the ice cream trucks who illegally park on the double yellow lines, and too close to the zebra crossing!? Smiths Cove is turning into a frigging circus!
Turning into? It’s been like that for years. When they let people hold weddings (see the comment above) on the beach there it opened the doors. Now anybody thinks they can do whatever they like there.
Sort it out or we will vote you out, Barbara. GTS voter.
She/they are all alike. They DO NOT realize that their job Is to do what’s right for Caymanians. It is so sad that they are only concerned with the special interest people who are only using Cayman. All around they are shameful. Living a grand life.
I think it’s rude for your to say this because she has done more for GTS than previously elected members. They’re better ways to go about this than being disrespectful. Its not her fault Registrar of Companies approved this guy’s business license.
There have been no previously elected members.
I never voted for her in the first place. I don’t understand how a nobody like her won anyway.
5:05 Lots of sickos on here but this has to be the worst comment yet
The precedent has been set. You allowed it at West Bay and Seven Mile Public Beaches. You were warned and paid no heed. Covenants do not apply to the recently purchased land. Da wha ya get.
SAD SAD SAD , but everyone is sitting down and let the government do it . Men and women you better grow a pair and stand up against the government. Because I think it’s going to get BAD BAD BAD .
If you haven’t signed the petition for a referendum just msg cprcayman@gmail.com – it’s a start to addressing all these concerns
My gosh you are like a broken record.
can we need to stop………….
importing people who don’t have jobs and find a cousin or anyone to take a permit out for them.
Notify enforcement when you find out about it. However, this should be an easy process. Very transparent and not complicated. Would be better if we got rewards for reporting. I would report regularly.
You won’t report irregularities that you see personally simply because they are against the law? You require payment to do the right thing? SMFH.
Absolutely I is no different than cayman crime stoppers. You must be new here. You must not realize that it’s a small island and if you say anything you will have difficulties in the community.
ppm let the precedent be set at public beach which is a filthy crime ridden mess…
same thing will happen at smith cove…
thank you ppm/
Mac started it with the tacky inflatables at public beach. PPM failed to address it. Both are complicit.
One can trace a huge list of ills back to Cayman’s first and worst. And yet the country continues to feed him.
I say block the entrance in PROTEST 24/7 till it is understood that THIS BEACH IS PUBLIC PROPERTY. AND NOT FOR PUBLIC GAINS/PROFITS . I think the government is allowing too much PUBLIC ACCESS to be taken away from SOCIETY .
Please please stop the vendor third world scum from polluting Smith Cove as well.
10:56am
Now that is a sick comment!
Either get your prejudiced view adjusted via education or climb back into your dark place.
People that care for the environment don’t need your dark comments polluting our genuine efforts to make a change.
Oh please enlightened one, direct your bright light on all of us dark commentators who actually have the balls to call out trashing the island while you live in your virtue signaling echo-chamber.
We need people who are willing to get their hands dirty or else scammers like yourself, who pose to no effect, will just continue to get your ego flattered at the expense of real change.
Charge on 10:56, go back to the dark-side imposter 11:34
Third world scum? Really? Can you hear yourself?
How do you feel about people dumping derelict trailers at Public Beach?