How would you grade your MLAs this past term? (Part 1)
101 writes: It’s that time again, where existing and wannabe politicians gear up to tell us what they have done for us, or to tell us why their opponents have messed up and how they, if elected, will fix things. But what we think is far more important than what they are telling us. Starting with the Cabinet ministers, let me start with my 2 cents and please add yours in the comments.
Marco Archer: He has worked hard and performed admirably. Some feel that he has heavy protectionist leanings, but overall its difficult to conclude that he has not tried hard to stabilise public finances. Well done sir. B+
Osborne Bodden: Has not had the best run this time around unfortunately. The infamous ‘Driftwood’ bust up, plus hardly any progress noteworthy in his portfolio coupled with the news that the country still has major issues at the NAU doesn’t bode well for a re-election. Plus, seriously, if you are the minister of sports and you don’t have the political savvy to force an allegedly local corrupt football organisation to restructure itself, then what’s the point?
Apparently, recently he has been reaching out to people looking for some breadfruit for Grape Tree Cafe (likely more of a early campaign ploy to seem ‘locally connected’) but otherwise hasn’t done too much lately. Despite any last-minute initiatives (a tactic that all MLAs will try now), he didn’t really turn up for work this time. D
Alden McLaughlinPremier of the Cayman Islands More: A very good statesman and handled himself very well in public, which is an improvement over the previous regime. But aside from doing well in a BBC interview once, has not actually done much, if anything at all, worth noting. His leadership has been somewhat unfairly judged at times but the truth is he has invited that criticism because he doesn’t exactly take charge on most issues. He just about deserves another vote this time, but he should probably not run in GT Central. C+
Wayne Panton: Aside from taking a stand on the issue of the immigration rights of gay couples and appearing a few times to discuss the environment, he, unlike the premierPremier of the Cayman Islands More, does not deserve a vote this around because of his failure to adequately support the largest pillar of our economy. The country is unprepared for an upcoming FATF review of its financial services sector (yes., that’s what the recent flurry of legislation being passed with minimal consultation is all about), Cayman secretly capitulated on a beneficial ownership registry despite pretending publicly to fight against it for two years, and the Legal Practitioners Bill debacle is there for all to see. Enjoy your retirement. D
Moses Kirkconnell: Quietly worked on tourism and it seems he has done well for that sector. All the objective statistics suggest that our tourism industry is recovering and doing well. Hard to argue against his re-election. Good job Moses. B
Tara Rivers: Tough one. Received a lot of criticism regarding her ‘attitude’ immediately after being appointed and generally called out for lack of political maturity. To be fair, she had a tough job having to deal with education, one of the most contentious areas in politics, but she really never stepped up to deal with anything. Taking a few pictures with graduates of the Passport for Success programme won’t hide the major failures in our schools, ongoing issues at the NWDA and failure to speak out during Ozzie’s ‘driftwood’ episode, which involved verbal abuse of a woman. She should return in 2021 armed with political maturity and a dose of humility. C-
Kurt Tibbetts: Very nice guy. A more charismatic, politically savvy version of Alden. Certainly doesn’t rock the boat and, to be honest, I can’t recall too much about what he has or has not actually achieved. Maybe that’s a clear sign in itself that he should probably step aside to allow some young Caymanians to represent. Would serve as a great mentor for upcoming leaders. C-
Will get to the rest of the LA in Part 2.
Category: Election Viewpoint
Not even Christ Himself was good enough for the people…
Marco for premier!
The one person you do seem to have a little bee in your bonnet over is Minister Panton. I have always heard good things about his performance in the finance industry and it seems to me that he deals with most of the difficult issues and gets them done. I think he has performed at least as good as the best of them.
How quickly we forget… No US in ATMs in the financial capital of the Caribbean? Disruption in service for MSPs like Western Union? If he couldn’t handle those issues what’s going to happen with Brexit and EU blacklist?
Wayne P gets a big huge F for failing to consider Cayman interests AT ALL when bringing forward a fatally flawed Legal Practitioners Bill that was drafted by private interest groups!!!
We got pipe water in Brac.
If brazenly ignoring obvious conflicts of interests while pushing an agenda consistent with the commercial aims of family businesses was a factor then Moses would be A++.
If we are to go by how special interests are involved they all fail with a big F aside from maybe Marco!
Just got piped water to my house. I been waiting on this for donkey years! Thank God for Mr. Mose looking out for us.
I see said the blind man. This is not far off at all. BUT I would not have given moses such a high grade. in my opinion tourism was already recovering so he benefited from the work of the previous minister if we are to be honest. i know thats the way politics works but its not that fair. also marco was good but he also didn’t have to do a lot of the hard decisions made by the previous minister.
Our tourism is pending on other factors certainly not our Government!!!!
You live in an alternate reality. Moses and Marco are the ones who turned around the failing ministries and allowed all the other ministries to succeed.
A+ to Marco and Moses
Marco has merely turned it around by ignoring work permit regulations for the sake of ever increasing work permit revenues. Other ministers of F&E could have done this but they all realized it wasn’t good for Caymanian employment and advancement. D-
I wish I could vote for Moses Kirkconnell as Premier. I run a business in the tourism industry and he has always been there to support us. He understands business and what it takes to grow our economy. We are so fortunate to have his expertise!
Minister Kirkconnell has done more for us in the Brac than any previous MLA. We have been fortunate that he has used his knowledge and experience to create jobs here and upgrade the Brac. My family is appreciative of the new job opportunities he has created by increasing tourism to the Brac! My vote is A+
Can you give examples?
Piped water, developed sports complex, encouraged sports growth, completed most of the paving, improved air service, encouraged grow in a boutique hotel, protected the environment by following sound environmental principals. Helped educate and promote many young Caymanians. The lists goes on & on. Remember Mr. Kirkconnell did not need government for a job he was already very successful.
I believe the grades that really count are the ones given by Dart. Dart is the true control of the island. How many of the Dart projects are put out for public input? The Dart people met with the PPM during a break in the LA to make sure that the Kimpton 12 story loop hole was not closed. They dictate the major decisions made by our elected officials. Not our officials themselves.
.
Marco – A+
Wayne – A+
Mr Moses – A
Alden – A-
Kurt – A-
Tara – B-
Roy – B+
Mac – Z
Capt Hugene – X
All the rest A- for trying even though they were in the minority…
Tara a big fat F!!!!!!
I believe your you must have hit your head when you were a toddler or got a confusion recently with the grades you give these people oh I just realize you are a born again PPM supporter. One thing I must say is your stage name matches you Knot S Smart presumably the s is so. So I get it
Judging by your review of Marco and Alden it is apparent 101 that you were not a Caymanian looking for a promotion or a job during the last term. Your feeling might be a little different if you were as you probably:
1) have seen the re-emergence of the obvious slimy machinations of employers (and at least one less than ethical recruiting agency we all know) to secure work permits such as:
o the escalating experience requirements at each successive application (ex previously none now on renewal 3 years financial aviation…guess which quasi gov’t entity this was)
o the difficult and sometimes impossible to apply positions such as on our website where the position is not even listed
o no acknowledgement and or response..even with numerous follow-up
2) have had experience and education belittled and marginalized with over emphasize on lacking but easily learned and often non-essential skills experience.
Both Marco and Alden have shown their ignorance of economics by promoting liberal managerial level permit issuance without consideration to the un- and under-employed Caymanian. The job creation claimed by Alden was not only created by projects started by past administrations but are temporary and very low end positions. The expatriates are truly the entitled as illustrated by their demand for change of their hosts’ “backwards” ways. Marco and Alden have absoloutely no cajonies and care more about external opinions and perceptions than the needs of their own people.
If “E” is lowest possible grade, then Tara is at best an “F-“.
As long as we don’t get Johann, Mario and the joker gang the world will still be ok
Well I’m a voter in the new West Bay West and I will give a rating for our four politicians over the past four years in the Republic.
McKeeva gets an F rating. Turning West Bay into a Welfare District plain and simple.
Eugene gets a F rating. Likes to hand out coffee, sugar and creme once per year and earning a $100,000 MLA annual salary for only doing this, it appears. That job could be given to an unemployed Caymanian costing the tax payers less than $5,000 CI per year. Absolutely overpaid for really doing little over the past decade and a half.
Burnie gets a D rating. Has crawled up into Mckeeva ass instead of trying to establish himself as a newcomer with independent thinking and doing.
Tara get a C+ rating. Difficult start from the beginning with the Hewitt saga but I believe she has tried to make improvements in Education and Employment which unfortunately is not an easy task. Tara, less time on new hair styles in the beauty salon every week and more time on checking on your people who needs to see and hear from you.
If no one else declares in West Bay West besides McKeeva, I’m definitely going to the beach with my family on Election Day.
I WILL NOT VOTE for politicians supporting laziness, drunken – dope head men, knocked up baby mamas every ear and supporting worthlessness in the district by paying their monthly rent, utilities, medical and food at Fosters Republic every week.
NO WAY !!
Tara needs to go. She better be a one hit wonder. She has done a disservice to the entire country by actually running in the first place. The long term implications of her qualifying to be a candidate will destroy the country.
8:21pm, then we talk about education. The reason we are having an problem with education, is those same baby machines, who are uneducated, druggies and entitled. Those children are the criminals of today and lack education. Education starts at home. The teachers teach children but the parents are responsible for them at home, making sure they complete homework and taught manners and respect, which will aid in their ability to learn.
Stop blaming government for education, it starts at HOME.
Let he with no sin cast the first stone
Quick, let me grab my fake beard, there’s a stoning…
Sorry 101 Sorry but there’s a major flaw in your assessment. Collective Responsibility. Cabinet is bound by it and therefore must be assessed as a group as decisions are made as a group; the Minister is responsible for enacting the wishes of Cabinet.Just a footnote: when assessing Al and Winston please remember to include them in any grade given to PPM for the 3 years that they were a part of the ruling group (some might want to overlook that).
Three cheers for small Government. Only in recent years have Caymanians sat back and expected Government to do everything for them. We are not a socialist country yet, even though many of our past and current wannabe politicians would love to lead us down that rabbit hole. Enable and encourage entrepreneurs, finance, and tourism and keep the crooks out of the treasury and we will be OK.
I hope the people will vote sensible and keep our past Finance Minister far away from government credit card.
spot on! I know for one thing I won’t be giving away my vote easily this time.
I think that is a pretty balanced viewpoint…it is a shame when you actually think a government is good despite not doing much except for this last minute flurry of activity. However you are always going to feel relief after the previous government that at least this one did nothing really stupid…however, is that the kind of government standard you want? Or the kind of government that could drive Cayman forward? Frankly don’t see anyone yet that would be capably of that, and that in my view, is a direct reflection of a failing education system.
I would give them all a solid -42 elwenteen.
Panton has the most difficult job and has to stand up to the real world outside Cayman. He should get an A.
He just brought a bill to hand our financial services over to the pirates that have discriminated against Caymanians for decades he needs a ZZ
Having worked in the Ministry for Osbourne Bodden, it is very easy to see why NAU is in such disarray. CNS, you are being very generous in giving this incompetent leader a “D”. But, at least us in the public can rest assured that he will have all the time in the world to look breadfruit in just over two months – as history shows that Bodden Town has only been loyal to one candidate over the years – that being Mr. Anthony Eden.
Good Riddance to you Osbourne, may you enjoy your remaining days at your restaurant and may Our Lord and Savior has mercy upon your XXXXX ways which I personally got to witness during my tenure working in the Ministry which you are clearly incapable of managing.
CNS Election Section note: Just a quickie. This VP was submitted by regular contributor 101 and not written by anyone on the CNS team.
Agree with you about Osbourne the Cowcod Driftwood Basher but Mr Eden may have lost some of the more sensible voters by his obsession with the Old Testament and looking under the bed for gays and people who want to have sex with animals. Best that he retire.
Moses Trump seems to have forgotten Cayman Brac. Let us look at the facts. Absolutely no progress on reopening of Divi. The Alexander Hotel remains closed. Three different proposals for marinas – none progressing. Constant problems with piece of junk Saab aircraft. Biggest import continues to be Filipino labor, while locals just go to social services to beg.
Road is being cut up and patched, which will ultimately lead to problems in a few short months. Progress on bluff building – haven’t heard anything about that. Hospital has numerous equipment issues – still ongoing problem.
Locals go to seek work at his grocery store and next thing you know he is hiring a Filipino to stock shelves.
Must say that ol’ Moses you have been a true disappointment this past term – to the risk takers the rewards, but remember Moses Trump God does not like greed, which you are not even trying to hide anymore. Sure you got the resources to do “favors” for people and fortunate for you my fellow Brackers are easy to be bought off!
And my good friend, do not get too content with those of us who supported you for the past three terms, as I understand that there is a young Bracker entering the contest, and you haven’t even acknowledged my existence for the past 3 years, 8 months.
While I do wish you the best Moses Trump, I actually am praying for your soul – may God have mercy on you the day you have to see him face to face – what ya gonna do offer him a mattress? credit on the electric bill?, some groceries?, a political favor?
Peace, Love and God Bless the Cayman Islands
At least Trump loves his country. Moses is only following his globalist overlords as he dilutes his country with foreigners. This is standard tare practice. Expect nothing more from Moses. He will not stop until he is king of the castle and will sell out anyone who stands in his way.
What is wrong with you, and can it be positively affected with medication?
You must really be from Cayman — not the Brac — since you don’t have your facts correct and you think we can be easily bought off! You’re wrong on all counts!!
If you are associating Mr Kirkconnell & Mr. Trump because they both very successful businessmen who don’t need the money or headaches from politics then you have that part correct. It may be an inconvenience for you to accept that both men work hard for their respective countries even though they did not need the job. Sounds that maybe you expected an unreasonable favor and because it was not done now you are a big bunch of sour grapes. Your points are so obviously false that it is hardly worth rebutting. However I will demonstrate just one of your purposely misconstrued points is just that. The road is being “cut up and patched” sounds bad until you admit that the reason is to spread piped water through the island. That means your point foolish.
You are a joke @2:31. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!
If Moses has not done anything for you in the last 4 years it’s interesting that you have a lot of changes to complain about. Where has the other candidate been for the last 7 plus years? Haven’t seen him around doing anything other than entertaining every once in a while.
Moses actions shows that he listens to the needs and makes things happen. No one is perfect but God knows Moses has made every effort to bring the Brac back alive after years of being on life support.
Tara would’ve been much better off as a backbencher.
The ministries assigned to her portfolio (education, employed, etc.) should’ve been a clear indication that the PPM wanted her to fail!
You seem to forget she held all the chips when choosing to join PPM. It’s more likely that she picked her portfolio as part of her terms.
She held a meeting in WB to determine which Ministries, most wanted her in Gender and Health, she made the choice and has proven to be a failure at those ministries, most of time simply avoiding her responsibilities.
You forgot to mention PPM has been the most honest government we have seen in a very very long time. Steady hand steering an amazing island. Hopefully people like you don’t get elected and let your egos get in the way of the true above board and transparent progress we have seen the last four years.
Honest, probably but still opaque… And not exactly active
Do you live on this planet