Viewpoint
Hope for Cayman’s political future
Gilbert Connolly writes: For the past several months, a group of citizens has been working behind the scenes to draft a constitution for a new political party. This group comprises students, professionals, retirees, political activists and one elected politician. The group reflects the diversity of Cayman’s society. Everyone in the group had equal opportunity to […]
Grand Cayman port project, a scientist’s perspective
Dr Ellen Prager writes: I am an independent marine scientist and author. In full disclosure, I also work as a consultant for Celebrity Cruises in the Galapagos Islands for their small expedition ships. I am not against the cruise industry and believe, if well managed and negotiated, the industry can provide important economic revenue, jobs, […]
Stay-over success outweighs cruise decline
(CNS): A close look at the statistics published by the Department of Tourism indicates that the drop in cruise number arrivals this year is far outweighed by the significant increase in overnight guests, who spend much more than cruisers and distribute that spend more widely across the entire tourism sector. The numbers show that at […]
Cruise port debate needs more balance, less politics
101 writes: Of all the questions asked about the proposed cruise berthing facility, none dare to focus on the question of whether its OK to compromise some of our natural environment. All of the discussions so far seem to disregard any thought that it may be acceptable to accept any negative impact at all on our environment.
A master mariner on the cruise dock
Paul A. Hurlston writes: I started my sea career at the age of fifteen in 1946 culling turtles around the Nicaraguan coast. At the age of 16 I went to the US and joined the Merchant Navy Sailing of Foreign Flag Ships. I sailed on fruit ships, general cargo ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers, container […]
SMB sand conveyor drain
Courtney Platt writes: While studying marine biology in college, the main point I learned about marine sediment transport is its fluidity. When I was piloting Cayman’s deep subs in George Town Harbour, the scariest moments were the occasional, massive silt clouds that would spill over the wall. They descended upon the sub, suddenly carrying us […]
Why rush the cruise port?
Eden Hurlston writes: On December 19th, vote on this question: “Should we allow our elected officials to handle decisions of great magnitude in the manner this port proposal has been handled?” Yes or No. No matter your position on the port, we need to share the same position on common sense. We do not have […]
Respect for each person’s opinion
Patrice Donalds-Morgan writes: Well, the date for the people-initiated referendum on the cruise berthing facility has been set. It’s exciting, isn’t it? This whole process has been a beacon of democracy at work and the Cayman Islands has made history as the first British Overseas Territory to ever bring a people-initiated referendum. As Caymanians, we […]
The port: sifting through the political weeds
101 writes: With only ten weeks before Cayman’s historic referendum vote on the proposed cruise berthing facility, there is little balance in the information available to the general public. The government has been inept at informing the people (part of the reason for the referendum’s success), and even with the date set for the vote […]
To dredge or not to dredge, that is the question
Courtney Platt writes: I respect our leaders, expect that they have our country’s best interest at heart and they love everyone, just as I do. I have no ill will toward them nor those who have bought into their plan, though I think it flawed.
The state of local media
CNS writes: Now that the Cayman Compass is collaborating with the government to bring “independent” video news to the local community, CNS is the last fully-functioning, truly independent media house in the Cayman Islands. This is a very sad moment in Cayman history. The quality of reporting at the Compass has varied over the years, […]
