Novice candidates unclear over CIG’s dump policy
(CNS Elections): The PPM’s own North Side candidate, Ed Chisholm, seemed unsure of his party’s current policy on waste-management, while novice independent Justin Ebanks seemed unaware of what is actually happening at the dump when the pair appeared alongside incumbent MLA Ezzard Miller at Tuesday night’s Chamber of Commerce Forum. Asked about moving the dump, Miller said he was in favour of the government’s position to keep the landfill where it is.
Having been the relevant minister in the early 1990’s, he said he had purchased land there to create room for a waste-to-energy plant and recycling.
Although he argued against the amount of money government plans to spend, Miller was broadly in favour of the current approach but said he supported mining the existing landfill to fuel the incinerator. That is a position that has been shelved by the current government, which is now looking to remediate that garbage pile and work on reducing the need for a landfill with the new integrated waste management system, which is soon going out to tender.
Ed Chisholm, who is running on the ruling party’s PPM ticket, appeared not to be fully aware of its policy on waste management. He said he was in support of a proper waste management but was not in a position to answer the question about the removal of the dump, and implied that moving it was something that needed to happen.
The PPM’s policy is to pursue an integrated waste management system and most of it ,including recycling, composting and the proposed waste-to-energy facility, will be on the current site. Government recently signed a contract to shred and recycle all the tyres stored at the George Town landfill; once the tyres have been removed, the area will be converted into a composting facility.
Justin Ebanks also seemed to be unaware of the dramatic changes and improvements at the facility in recent years and government’s goal to cut more than 90% of the waste. It appeared that he also knew nothing of the existing recycling programmes or the national IWM policy that government is pursuing. While government is no longer just dumping garbage and has begun a recycling programme, Ebanks said that there needed to be a future plan, that the current site had to be managed, and that government “needed to look into recycling”.
The forum was the second in the series by the Chamber, which is going to all 19 constituencies to give all of the candidates running in each seat a chance to answer questions on the same platform relating to local as well as national issues. Johany Ebanks, another independent candidate who was nominated for the district of North Side, did not appear at the event and there was no explanation offered for his absence.
The next forum will be at the Bodden Town Civic Centre this evening (Wednesday 12 April), where all four candidates running in the district of Bodden Town East will be participating.
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Although the Grand Cayman landfill (the official one in GT, that is, rather than any handy side road) is a matter for the entire nation, and it was not broached at the BTE debate, these candidates sound the same as the 3-4 at the BT Civic Centre: like voters asking to be enlightened, not candidates with actual solutions.
I am disappointed that the EE candidates know so little about the existence and improvements to the recycling programme. It is clear that they must not be doing any recycling themselves, and thus are no example to their would-be constituents.
So when Ezzard was Minister of Health he wanted to move the dump, but now he wants to keep it there? Something smells real fishy!
It is disappointing that CNS only focused on the dump issue from a forum that was well represented by the candidates when the general public at large is not aware of improvements at the dump. It’s still there, it still smells and still looks unsightly. The recycling of tires just started. Government has a goal to cut 90% of the waste but this hasn’t been accomplished yet so still a projection. I guess good news doesn’t sell. Justin’s solutions to other critically important national issues were current and refreshing.
I find he is more of a comedian than anything else. He sure talks a good game.
Still I believe in Ezzard I think he is a great candidate .I think he truly demonstrate the quality of person he is ….you has my vote on may the 24 ….God bless you …..
God is not a registered voter in the district of North Side.
“Novice candidates unclear over CIG’s dump policy”???
Man, our leadership has been unclear about the dump policy since it became a problem! Let the candidates with a solution speak up!
The person who should be articulating a dump policy is Joey Hew who stood with the Premier who had a dump solution last election. Joey Hew is running in George Town North where all of the dump is located. Does anyone know if he even has a position on the dump? A real position not one that one takes every 4 years and immediately ignores once elected.
As Ezzard so rightly pointed out, he is part of the problem rather than the solution. One in a long line of those who must be held accountable for the current state of the landfill. Someone in a position to make a difference and plan appropriately for the future who did sweet F.A.
Just say no!
Time to put up or shut up! Tired of the mudslinging and rhetoric – CLEARLY they’re in no position and have no ability to THINK on important issues – it’s YOUR RUN OF THE MILL LOSERS/”YES-MEN!” We don’t NEED more committees with these POLITICAL BACK AND FORTH ISSUES! No plan = No brain!! Sick of these men and their indecisiveness and idiocy! Vote For The WOMEN! CLEAN THE HOUSE!
The rest of the country should learn from eastern districts. No more arguing and nasty politics. Show compassion to one another.
Vote for Ezzard on November 24th!
Yes that was funny.
Many of us can see that the LA is better off with Ezzard, a man who know how his people are feeling (empathy!) and a wealth of knowledge and understanding of laws second to none with the last set of MLAs.
North Side, please show the rest of the islands that when an MLA is active in the community and with national issues, so well versed in the laws, he/she will be re-elected!
He’s certainly NOT active in the community and probably NOT representative material. If he’s that good with the laws then maybe he should look at lawyer job once he’s voted out.
If the price is Right I will take care of it
Ezzard has been a waste of time. Sick of hearing his mouth about foolishness but not getting anything done. Time to try someone new.
4..23 Try Trump or the chosen candidate of his biggest Cayman fan Alex in North Side.
Just curious: why is the primary election issue, of greatest relevance to North Siders, the present condition of the GT landfill? Why are East Enders so preoccupied with the status of the GT pier? What do these district voters have to say about “yes men” on errands for other districts? Shouldn’t each of these debates be framed on issues that are specific to the district, rather than deflecting to populist party agendas? What a sham.
because these are both local and national elections. anyone could end up Minister for ports & dumps & other national issues. or even premier. so they’re ability to step up nationally is at least as important as their plan for fish cleaning tables or whatever the district issues are you want them worried about.
I am very proud of Justin & Ed.
I think all 3 candidates did equally well. Wish the Ebanks guy was there also buy all in all a great forum.
Possibly the dump should be moved but the government has done a great job at managing the current location.
Ed was truthful. Ezzard still hasnt finished blowing all that smoke up his own ass. Kicking the can down the road is not a solution. Just fix the damn dump Alden.
A talking horse would be of more benefit to the people pf North Side than Mr. Excuses Miller.
Vote Mr. Ed!
Ezzard has been a good representative, keeping in regular contact with his constituents through their District Council,has vocalized on the needs of the district and brought many Motions to the L.A. for consideration by the Government. Both he and Arden have kept the public informed on Bills being brought by the Govt. He is the right one for the job and fully knowledgeable of the laws and ways of Government. Same for Arden.
The people of NS say they can’t see him.
10.10am The ones saying that are probably too hung over from Jay’s parties to see much of anything.