Send in your questions for candidates
(CNS Elections): There are just six weeks to go before Election Day and we at CNS suspect that our readers have questions for the candidates and parties that may not be answered in news articles and forums. So we are inviting you all to send us questions via the comment section below. They can be general question for all candidates, questions about specific districts or for individuals or a particular party.
We are inviting all the candidates/parties to send us their answers by replying to the relevant question or sending their answers to info@caymannewsservice.com. We will not be sending the questions to them as we expect serious candidates to read all the news outlets to stay on top of currant affairs, and it is entirely up to them whether they want to answer all or some of our readers’ questions. However, this provides an opportunity for them to state their positions on issues that matter to the electorate.
We will post the most interesting, the most challenging and the most entertaining questions, which can be about any topic (subject to the CNS Comment Policy), and we reserve the right to edit if the questions are too long.
All of the answers we receive from the parties or candidates will be published on 10 May, two weeks before voters go to the polls.
Category: Campaigns, Candidates, Political parties
Minister Rivers:
1) What are the total costs incurred to date of the construction of the John Gray gym?
2) What is the estimated total costs to completion?
What can you implement that will aid in lowering the cost of living? It appears wages go no where but every year the banks, land lords, supermarkets etc have free reign to increase interest rates, rent, cost of goods as they feel. Something has to be done about COL here of more Caymanians will continue to move away for a better chance at living verses just existing here and living paycheck to paycheck.
Are you for or against legalising gay marriage in the Cayman Islands and for or against granting same sex married couples the same rights as opposite-sex married couples?
With the country rapidly developing, what are your plans to protect the natural wildlife, sustain the local environment and prevent our beautiful island from becoming a concrete jungle?
We have too many cars on this small island. What are your suggestions on improving public transportation? The eastern districts are vastly under served and needs timely reliable cost effective service.
I am a gay Caymanian. When will Tara accept that I exist?
Are any of you brave enough to repeal the one term pension eligibility and change the receipt of pension from after your term is up to once you reach pensionable age?
For current members of the house :
1) How many meetings of the LA did you miss? What is your overall 4 year attendance average?
2) What bills did you put forward for discussion. If none, what is your platform – what issue resonates with you most and how have you raised awareness/addressed this issue?
Can candidates and MLAs be randomly drug tested? Are you willing to implement this once a seat is won?
Once elected, can the public receive a monthly audit of the work that is actually done as an elected member? I would like to seethe information publicly available, easily accessible aka online and provided in 15 min intervals. I do expect a minimum of a 40 hour work week posted.
What is YOUR definition of a Caymanian? Please do not provide the various types/categories as outlined by Immigration and if this is provided kindly outline which one is more important?
1. Would you support an immediate moratorium on the number of non-Caymanian contracted workers in the civil service, hired for entry level positions, in order to facilitate annual placements for graduates?
2. Would support an amendment to the Constitution to put the office of the Attorney General on terms and or to be an appointed position by the elected government?
What is your position regarding the construction of cruise berthing facilities in GT harbor? Preferably, an answer that is clear, not ambiguous, and not “I will consider the arguments for and against and then decide”. Frankly by now, with all that has been researched and reported in the media they should know whether or not they support it.
Question: What will you do to improve the ease of doing business FOR LOW INCOME CAYMANIANS in the Cayman Islands?
*We all know that the more small businesses arise in the Cayman Islands, is the more jobs will be created. Also, apparently the support and Chamber of Commerce, are for large business owners – not for the “little man”!
Question: What will you do to improve the enforcement of our Labor Laws, and stop “big names” from obstructing Justice against complainants?
* Apparently, our Labor Department is weak. Many people being mistreated by employers and not getting any Justice! This has been going on for years, and governments have even seemed weak on delivering their promises to the Caymanian people!
2nd Question: Our we so scared of the influence of “big names” on this island, that we allow them to mistreat even our youth and women???!!!
Even the simplest of politicians can understand that prices are driven by supply and demand. Home ownership is a fundamental aspiration in our society. Land is scarce, which candidates would be willing to enact protective legislation adverse to the special and sometimes corrupt interests of developers and real estate agents that would ensure future generations of Caymanians can have access to quality affordable land and housing. Which candidates would consider enacting sensible legislation similar to other jurisdictions in similar circumstances to protect the interests of their people and to facilitate local home ownership? Why has nothing of substance been done up until now?. In Singapore by way of example, foreigners are allowed to purchase private sector housing (condominiums or any unit within a building) without the need to obtain prior approval from the government. However, foreigners are not allowed to acquire all the apartments within a building or all the units in an approved condominium apartment without prior approval. For landed homes (houses) and vacant residential land, prior government approval is required. In Guernsey residential properties in the island are split into two categories: Local Market and Open Market. Local Market properties in general can be occupied by people who were born in Guernsey, or for those who, although not born in Guernsey, have lived here for a number of years.
Can you please ask how many candidates employ Caymanians in their business? If yes what percentage are Caymanians?
Who shot Dr. Frank?
Most important question the Electorate needs to ask all Candidates is “If elected who will you be supporting for Premier”.
Do you believe the Immigration Law needs to provide for Caymanian Protection, or not?
Many believe that the current maternity leave allowances (12 calendar weeks total; 4 weeks paid in full, 4 weeks at half pay and 4 weeks unpaid) are insufficient, at best. Does anyone have any plans to challenge that law to provide women with time to bond, recover from birthing the child, and be able to sleep through the night? Having to find a sitter for a 3-month old baby just seems cruel. There are MANY mothers in Cayman that do not take the full 12 weeks, simply because they cannot afford to. It’s time that this law is revised.
1) What are your plans in addressing the ever-increasing congestion coming from the eastern districts?
Issue: The situation is terrible and at the pace we are moving at, it will become unbearable within a few short years (taking into consideration a road project takes years to manifest and yet nothing is on the table besides).
2) What are your plans to address the energy policy of the CI gov’t?
Issue: The CORE program was supposed to encourage residents to invest in renewable energy, however it appears to only be providing a hedge for CUC. They (possibly colluding with the ERA-OfReg) continue to put a choke hold on the demand by continually decreasing the CORE rates and pushing to reduce the solar system sizes that can enter the CORE program. We need a minister that can effectively ensure that the Cayman Islands is ACTIVELY promoting renewable energy by incentivizing those who pursue solar systems, rather than deterring them, beyond reducing duties (which is merely PASSIVELY promoting it).
Given the increase in sexual crimes against children, do you support the establishment of a Register for sexual offenders? If so, what would you do to ensure its creation?
Do you think that there is a serious drug problem with many of the youth in the Cayman Islands? If so, would you support having a drug rehab for those who wants help?
Would you consider decriminalizing drug usage and small quantity possession in order to reduce barriers to seeking help?
Part B: Would you support regular drug testing for all public service employees, especially (but not limited to) those with access or direct oversight of public funds (including MLAs)?