Bodden Towners can complain all they want about a landfill being placed in their district, but it is up to them to take action, many were told Tuesday night.
More than 200 people packed into the Bodden Town Civic Centre to trash the government’s controversial plan to relocate the dump once the George Town Landfill is taken out of the picture.
The meeting was staged by the Coalition for Keeping Bodden Town Dump Free, to raise awareness among residents and call on the government to unconditionally cancel the agreement with Dart.
“It is a pointless, senseless exercise. They need to fix the problem where it’s at and not ruin another pristine area,” said Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin. “The government should be looking at new technologies to deal with the problem; not transferring the problem from one area to another.”
According to the Coalition, despite extensive studies about putting the dump in Bodden Town, their findings had either been overlooked or ignored.
George Town MLA Kurt Tibbetts said ideas were good, but people need to work to keep the landfill out of Bodden Town.
“Government is not asking the people what they think. If Bodden Town generally does not want it, it will take all the people of the district to do something about it,” he said.
In its appeal to residents, the Coalition stated that government had made little effort to explain to residents why establishing a dump in the district is in their best interest.
They asked residents to query how the proposed dump would threaten historic Bodden Town; how the landfill will challenge an already inadequate infrastructure; and how it could endanger the central wetlands. They also laid claims that the landfill would offer no jobs or economic growth and that it would stink, create noise pollution, cause a loss of air quality, incur massive trucks making the roads unsafe and be a detriment to wildlife.
Mount Trashmore can be turned into a waste to energy plant creating valuable free electricity without contaminating another site, they agreed.
The Coalition is also claiming Dart will have nothing to do with managing the dump in Bodden Town once it is handed over to the Cayman Islands government, and the “hi-tech eco park” will be run by the same people who have mismanaged the George Town dump.
East End MLA Arden McLean said when he was in Cabinet a committee had done extensive research on the George Town dump examining sorting and recycling like they do in other countries, but all of the plans were rejected and government was making every excuse to bring the dump to Bodden Town.
“What a deal we are getting,” Mr. McLean said. “Why don’t they want to deal with it on site; is it because they have the most to lose because it is the Dart’s next door neighbour.”
Coalition member Greg Anderson said it was an insane proposition within the largest growing district in the Cayman Islands and government should have consulted the residents before drawing a line in the sand.
Even the young people gathered a few distance from where the meeting was being held voiced disapproval of a dump in Bodden Town. One said he had just bought a piece of land in the area and was not looking forward to the stench.
Resident Rexford Frederick said he has lived in countries next to waste management facilities that did not stink and if it was modelled like that, it might be a good proposal.
Related Videos
Of course they should lash out! The two MLA members who suppose to be representing them and no one else, have not even showed up to explain why they broke their campaign promises of NO DUMP in the Bodden Town district! That is just sad and demonstrates why we are far from being a peoples-democracy. Thanks to the party system, the same people who voted them in, is the same people they would turn their back on for the party leader and alliances with well-of folk.
Don’t get me wrong. I am all for developing the country, and I do think the Government-Dart plan for creating a new road into West Bay, a hotel, and extending the public beach is a good idea. But just because these things are being done without proper consultation and respect for the electorate, to me, raises red flags. Shouldnt you at least contact your constituency, hold public discussions, see what they want, before ever considering to pass a law or engage in some project?
So I have to oppose it because it is not transparent and democratic. The deals are not respectful to voters – it sets a bad precedent for other MLAs to disregard the people once they are voted in by them!
I am shocked…shocked I tell you.
You mean, a new proposal and a mass of people not agreeing to it.
I never would have guessed.
Lets put it this way. Putting the dump in bodden town will benefit all. Because the tourists see the dump. From the ships and by car.
So, bodden towners. Take one for the team. Or are you saying, you are too good for that?
Congratulation to the opposIstion and the hater Lizard Miller for creating yet another campaign platform. Progress sometimes comes at a price and this is probaBly our last chance at solving this massive problem. Waste to energy Is not a financially viable solution. Get on with this McKeeva and get this done before its too late. It’s very,tiring to watch the MLA who started to dig this bit hole we are in criticizing everything that will lead to prosperity.This island is in deeper trouble if they (including Miller) ever get back in control.
Everyone, there is a simple solution to all of this. Why doesn’t the Govt. yes the Govt. because they have the most resources, just implement a strict recycling program? Larger countries do this without a hitch, why can’t we? Stop teaching children about recycling and all of that good stuff, if you aren’t setting a National example. Independent companies try and try, but without a regulated force to back it up they either fail or fall short, and more dumps would have to be built. Mount Trashmore is our National shame. We’re promoting how clean and beautiful our islands are, but the Cruise ships can see differently. This monument is so big; I’m surprised that they haven’t crashed into it yet.
good grief, this UDP government is causing a stir everywhere.
Bodden Towners will have to vote Independent in 2013, ’cause the PPM is partly to blame as well since they did nothing about the dump under their administration.
It should be clear to the Caymanian people that both these political parties is serving self interest and not the well being of the people.
Independent voters must make the difference in 2013.
Ezzard, you got your work cut out for you. Increase your independent base.
I agree with Bodden. Trucking these projects through to benefit who? And to this date I havent seen Mark Scotland and Dwayne Seymour, both flip-floppers on the dump issue!
CaymanShame – I am afraid, you really don’t understand the underlying issues here. Bodden Towners shouldnt be ashame for standing up and protecting the wetlands.
Big Berd – Go back to the muppets. Come back at least with a parrot suit and Cayman flag. Show some loyalty. It appears like you are speaking for the money makers!
Mariposa Del Cielo – Great idea! It will be costly, but it is the best idea and it leads by example. If only those with the thick skulls can seriously grasp what you are saying.
Mr. Frederick you are so right! It is a shame that we had elected members from different districts attending a very important meeting…. concerning a very serious matter besides our two elected members from BT whom did not attended! Mr. Seymour and Mr. Scottland I may be an old woman but I know right from wrong… you all should be ashamed of yourselves and it is like Mr. Tibbets said we know its all about the money! I myself which I am now ashamed to say had voted for the UDP but now that you all have shown your true colors it shows us that it was indeed a slap in the BT people face. This coming election you can best believe along with 50 of my family members will vote for PPM or an independent like Mr. Frederick if he still intends to run. We need officials that we can trust and always be there for their district people. Mark and John John what have you all done for BT lately? What are you trying to do to us all kill us? Dont you know Mr. Seymour and Mr. Scottland that having a dump site near your district can impact our children’s lives and our own lives? Dump sites create all different kinds of health hazards including asthma, cancer of many kinds etc. Dont you care for your own BT people or the money you all are getting paid to kill us matters most of all? We the people deserve to know the truth but money talks and BS walks…I am almost 70 years old and I be damn before the Lord take me to my grave if I let u all destroy our district of BT that our ancestors cared for. May God help us and bless us all.
Of course the UDP representatives skipped a PPM Ezzard dump rally what part of that confuses you? The Opposition didn’t deal with this dump issues while in office the country is largely broke and a solution has been found but Boddentown is too good for a land fill even though it will be run professionally with recycling. Of course the politicians who aren’t even from the district are happy to be seen and rant against the government.
@ Panama_Jack – I am not for the Opposition, and I dont expect the two MLAs to walk into a lions den like you and many others exaggerate it to be.
But think of it. It is inexcusable for the MLAs to not say anything to the public and to represent someone else other than their constituency. Is it not?