Mario’s ‘primary objective’ to oust Mac
(CNS): Mario Ebanks
Mario Ebanks: Candidate for West Bay West. Chief Human Resources Officer at the Cayman Islands Airports Authority. Biography: • Eighth generation Caymanian, with great-grandparents from... More is running in the April elections in order to oust McKeeva Bush
McKeeva Bush (CDP), West Bay West MLA Speaker of the LA, Leader of the Cayman Democratic Party. Biography: Bush is the longest serving member and... More from his West Bay West seat. At the Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum in the district on Wednesday evening, the former public servant was unequivocal as he outlined his reasons for challenging Bush in this election after many years away from the political hustings.
Although the incumbent was not there to hear him, Ebanks stated that he was running because of Bush’s track record and his primary object was to remove him from the House of Parliament, having already been removed twice from Cabinet (formerly the Executive Council).
“I don’t how many times he expects to breach the public’s trust and to get re-elected,” Ebanks said, but he believed integrity, character and decency were all on the ballot.
Bush declined the invitation to answer questions alongside his challenger, handing him the forum floor. But while he had a clear primary objective for entering the race, Ebanks also set out a number of policy ideas for dealing with particularly topical issues, such as over-development and beach access.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity for Cayman to reset, he said, and laid out a policy plan to draw up a national vision for Cayman 2050, along the lines of the much touted but never adopted Vision 2008. He pointed out that there was no point in reopening the economy and continuing on in the same way as before, because pre-COVID Cayman was reaching breaking point.
It was clear that Ebanks had come prepared to engage with Bush and was keen to set out the differences in their positions on important policies, especially when asked about development concessions.
Ebanks noted his concerns about the fees that are being waived which should be used for infrastructure, and said the framework for dealing with development agreements needed to be structured in regulations. This would prevent closed-door talks and sweetheart deals that the public only get to hear about after the fact when they learn “so much money has been left on the table”, he said.
Given the amount of construction underway, he said, these developers should be contributing to the economy and giving sweetheart deals now at a time when the country could be selective was “irresponsible and reckless”, he added.
Ebanks is running as an independent but said he does believe in the party structure and was an early member of the PPM. However, he did not think the current party had worked so he left more than a decade ago. In this election, he said, there were people he wanted to align with but it would be based on ideology and common policy positions.
He said he felt that some of the current independents running were not only capable of forming an alternative government but a superior government, adding that discussions had already begun among the independents, which he was going to pursue to the fullest.
Asking the people of WBW to vote for him, Ebanks committed to upholding the principles of the Constitution set out in the preamble, and said it was time for a new but a prepared and experience candidate that the constituents can be proud of and who “will not embarrass you”.
However, Ebanks is facing one of the toughest battles in the 2021 elections. He ran for a seat in the West Bay district as part of a West Bay Alliance in 2005, when he came sixth in field of twelve for the four seats, with around 31% of the district-wide votes.
But while this is a different political landscape, Bush still has a solid base in the new WBW constituency. In 2017 he polled 605 votes, which was more than 71% of the 849 votes counted, or around 50% of the 1,225 people on the voters list at that time.
According to the latest draft list, which will be confirmed on 1 April, there are now 1,272 voters on the list. Therefore, to stand a chance of beating the incumbent, Ebanks will need a fantastic turnout, with of all those who failed to vote last time voting for him. He would also need to take all the votes that went to Bush’s challengers last time, as well as chip away at Bush’s own base.
Bush’s recent conviction for a violent drunken assault on the female bar manager at the now closed Coral Beach Bar appears to have done little to diminish his support in the WBW constituency. The veteran politician has spent the last few months doing a complete U-turn on the admissions he made in court, which had led to his reduced sentence.
He had pleaded guilty to the charges but claimed he was utterly intoxicated and had very little recollection of what had happened. At the time he accepted the evidence presented by the prosecutor, based on a clear video in which Bush, who was clearly drunk, had fallen over, had been assisted by staff and then launched an attack on the woman, a series of events that was supported by several witnesses statements.
However, since then Bush has told a number of different stories but in each revision he reduces his own culpability and effectively denies the convictions and admissions he made in court, reversing all the claims made to the magistrate, who took him at his word when he expressed his remorse.
Although some local straw polling has indicated that some female voters are less supportive of Bush, who has been a representative in West Bay for three decades, overall the conviction appears to have done little to damage his strong base.
Watch the Chamber Forum for WBW below:
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His primary objective is to get rid of McKeeva. And here I thought he wanted improve the quality of life for people in West Bay West. Silly ole me.
Insane this thug has one single voter who will cast a vote for him. If you vote for McKeeva or his right hand Captain Useless you support violence against Women and outright lying.
Mario, oust Mac then what?
You were his helping hand for many years.
All one-dog, puppy.
You’re either a fake news spreader or insane. Mario has been anti-Mac for at least 20 years!
Mario used to work with Mac in his Ministry.
At that time Mac even had “ecclesiastical matters” under his watch, along with elderly persons, women, children, and veterans and seafarers.
So you know it goes much deeper than this.
If you persist in crying fake news you know what will come next.
Mario, we all have to own up to our errors of judgement in our past. It’s only doing through that we can change our future.
8.05am Stop trying to make this election about one single issue ie violence against women. Whilst violence against women is an important issue there are many issues equally as important. The question in West Bay should be what has Mario done for WBW compared to what Mac has done. When that is answered Mario does not even appear on the same page because he had done next to nothing.
Me and my Family stand behind the honorable speaker and were especially thrilled to see the Elections Office delivering on their promised appointment times. Folks, that is 18 votes in WBW. May progress continue and let the haters hate.
“The honourable speaker”
Actual lol
Notable speaker?? Is he the same notable one who is getting rum poured in a coke can to hide his drinking addiction? Is he still the one that is seen consuming many drinks then knocking down the church door on Sunday mornings. If McKeeva Bush is notable, then roosters lay eggs!!!!!
Bush is a despicable being, anyone who endorses this individual as a hero and champion of the Caymanian people, specially those in the district of WB is seriously lacking in principles, dignity, self respect, common sense and have definitely been denied the privilege of obtaining an education. Bush and these type of followers claim that for 36 years he has looked after the Caymanian people, let me enlighten you, if that was the case you would be living life like Bush. You would have a job, a home, food on the table and would not be dependent on his handouts. These people seem unable of comprehending the damage this man has done to these Islands as a whole and the people of WB, he claims to love so much. Shaun Ebanks made a comment of facebook looking for a bush statue to be erected, comparing him to the late William Farrington, Warren Connolly and Dr. Roy McTagart, none of these gentlemen would condone the behavior and actions of this man. For the living relatives of these gentlemen who are aligning themselves with candidates who are a part of Bush’s campaign, they are greatly disrespecting the legacy of their fathers and grandfathers. Hoping that the people of WB wake up before 14th April 2021 and we are saved from a UDP controlled WB. VOTE SMART.
I doubt McKeeva will have all 4 seats in WB. I see WBC being won by Kathy and WBS not sure by whom, but don’t think or foresee either of those fine gentlemen backing Mac. Even IF Mac wins, what we need to ensure is that him and his cronies are relegated to the backbench and be somewhat a non-factor- pretty much as he has been the last 8 years.
What people in WB need to do, is rid themselves from their fear of Bush. We all know how vindictive he and his family and some supporters are. All he is concerned about is making history having served 40 years as an elected official, it has always been about self. The bullying woman beater who has embarrassed and disgraced Cayman for far too long, has no place in parliament. For those of you still supporting him, it is obvious that you have no concern for the future of Cayman and its people. How sad.
Shit, roosters lay eggs all of the time!
Did not know that you did not know that.
SMH
Yep- saw it for myself Saturday night in Birch Tree Hill. He was by the road surrounded by other men and they ALL were drinking.
A noble objective.
I am praying that the vast majority of my fellow WBW registered voters will cast their vote and that together we give our district a chance for a future of self-respect, dignity and real progress; 36 years of delinquency is enough, fellow West Bayers.
It is heartening to see such good turnouts at Mario’s events.
At last it seems the voters in WBW are seeing an alternative to the current self serving incumbent.
@10.08 Bet most of them are from outside WB West.
If Mac is indeed ousted, it should be a public holiday , a day of National celebration for ridding the country of a terrible scourge.
I respect and like Mario except when it comes to his views on the LBGT community and the comments he made during the same sex marriage debate. He takes religion and his bible very seriously which could be to the detriment of the LGBT community and which has no place in Gov affairs. That is the only issue I would have voting for him.
Totally agree with you. I felt the same way. Civil Partnership was about the rule of law. I felt in that one issue he is pandering to the zealots and pandering (to any group)does not work for me.
And Mckeeva’s stance??? LOL Not any better, so….
My hats off for Mario if he opposes the LGBTQ agenda that mocks our culture.
Mario vs McKeeva in WBW is likened to Biden vs Trump. Many people did not like Biden but preferred him over Trump. Same in with Mario vs McKeeva. So, Mario might get a portion of the “fed-up” vote for that very reason but not necessarily for his own attributes.
Then again, many people might not vote at all and McKeeva will still get elected by a minority of the WBW electorate! That’s my fear and prediction!
We all need to be encouraging others to vote. That is our downfall—when we do not like any candidate, we stay home and what happens? The same bunch of lobsters go to vote and elect the same delinquent for 36 years! If we want change, we need to vote.
He spends 90% of his interviews and radio time talking about what McKeeva said about him or other ppl.
I smell the faint scent of hope. It is getting stronger every day. Vote Bush out!! It is WAY past time. No MORE.
If there is a God Mckeeva will get voted out! Praying 🙏.
Not to be a smart ass. But really what is it with the wbw voters? What could you possibly believe this career scoundrel can do for you? Vote him out!
What are the chief industries of WBW? Turtle Farm skimming, church laundering, gangs, and drug dealing….little wonder they love him.
You know, you’re not wrong and I’m dying over here
9.09am Sounds like a Cayman hating expat. So disrespectful
Standing up against crime makes you a Cayman Hater…?
Pretty much shows the intellect (or lack thereof) of WBW voters if they continue to vote for a lying, homophobic woman beater. You reap what you sow. Good luck Mario.
I hope all you smart George Towner’s Red Bayer/Prosperct / GT South and Newlands will be smart enough to Vote out Alden and the entire PPM. Mckeeva is better than ALL the PPM’s put together. One thing about McKeeva Bush, her takes special care of his people in WB
If by special care you mean giving out fridges and microwaves in the month before elections, then i completely agree with you. What else has he achieved in the last 4 years? Better standard of living? Nope! Laptops and good internet connection for disadvantaged kids during covid? Nope! Was he out delivering meals when people lost their jobs in covid? Nope. Anyone? Anything?
As a WBW voter, I disagree with you 12:17am. Mckeeva has not taken “special care” with me or anyone down my neighborhood. The only time Mac came around is xmas time to hand out a frozen turkey.
I will be voting for Mario simply based on principle. I pray that we don’t view Xmas meat as one “looking out” for us.
What are you a dreamer or lost in the woods for the last 36 years? Mac built a stadium, made a few roads, put a few light poles and got people washers and TVs in order for votes. Don’t be fooled he shouldn’t be allowed to run for public office again but due to Alden worshipping him that’s why he’s running again. God please grant us a reprieve from Mac.
I agree with your first sentence. The last two, not so much.
I’m a WBW voter and McKeeva has not been in my neighbourhood in all of the last 4 years and more! Who is he again??
I think 12:17 means he “takes care” of “his special people”. 😉
Being the champion of handouts does not qualify you as a successful politician. If only someone could drum that into the heads of WBW voters.
Good luck Mario, go do your best to get rid of that poison called McKeeva, for the sake of all of Cayman.
“Ebanks stated that he was running because of Bush’s track record and his primary object was to remove him from the House of Parliament, having already been removed twice from Cabinet (formerly the Executive Council).”
Sounds like a great reason to me! Hope he’s successful!
Mario I do respect you but was bit surprised to see you shuffling through so many papers.
not as many as Eugene.
He’s just rusty and still gathering steam
I do hope the voters in WBW give themselves the opportunity to be represented and not bought out. WBW, you deserve better than a convict who does not respect you enough to even attend the debate.
It’s a fools errand, but I wish him well.
Unfortunately, Mckeeva can do no wrong in the eyes of the majority of WBW.
This is a man that has had scandal on top of scandal, thrown in jail for allegedly feeling up a woman’s ass in a casino, a casino where he was using his government credit card to gamble, and to top it off convicted for beating up a young woman in a drunken stupor.
WBW, he is not God even though he goes to church and sings in the choir. Anyone can do that. For those of you with children, ask yourself if this is what you want them to see as an example of a good man running your district and or country.
It has gotten to a point now that he really doesn’t care what he does or what laws he breaks because he knows the people of WBW will support him. By doing this you lower yourselves to his level and that is what he thrives on. his legacy unfortunately will not be a good one no matter how many good things he has done for Cayman.
Thank you for reminding us of his other misdeeds which have all been swept under the carpet! Any one of them should have been enough to remove him.
You’re so right…ANY ONE of those incidents should have ended his political career nevermind the fact that he’s one scandal after another!