The small, but decibel-driven, group called “Coalition to Keep BT Dump Free,” which the writer represents, got pretty much of a free pass from compliant media and opportunistic politicians in the lead-up to last May’s elections.
However, as both the dump issue and the dump itself have reignited in recent weeks, we intend to hold interest groups — and our elected politicians — to a much higher standard of discourse and debate.
The Coalition had a tough sell from the start, namely that Bodden Town — and only Bodden Town — should be excluded from consideration as a location for a new landfill. Fortunately for the Coalition, numerous district candidates were willing buyers of their self-serving position. To make matters worse, the PPM leadership needed the four elected members from Bodden Town to form a government (and still does to remain in power), and the grand bargain was struck: It was good for the Bodden Town candidates, opportune for the PPM and patently unfair for the rest of the country.
Worse, when ministerial responsibilities were being apportioned, newly named Premier Alden McLaughlin rewarded member Osbourne Bodden of Bodden Town with Environmental Health, which, of course, means the dump. One of Mr. Bodden’s first statements as minister was that Bodden Town was off-limits for consideration as a possible landfill site.
This seamy scenario is currently undergoing closer scrutiny in the aftermath of the serious fire that erupted at the landfill on Dec. 20, bathing prime tourist locations with black smoke and malodorous fumes.
Now the battle Alain Beiner and his Coalition thought they had won may have to be refought (and thus his letter and PR push to other media). If the public opinion we’ve sampled is any indication, the country collectively is not pleased that Bodden Town should be exempt from housing the landfill while the other districts are not.
Mr. Beiner, in his letter, imagines a conspiracy that would do a paranoiac proud. He suggests that the Compass is conspiring with the Dart organization to revive the plan that would result in the landfill being situated in the Midland Acres area in far east Bodden Town. As far as we are aware, there is no indication the Darts have any interest in putting their previous offer, or any offer, back on the table.
Mr. Beiner continues to throw out tired and specious objections regarding such things as landfill liner integrity and long-haul (in Cayman?) garbage trucks. He then performs a metamorphosis worthy of an alchemist by declaring that trash is, in fact, treasure and, of all things, in short supply.
For Mr. Beiner’s enlightenment and elucidation, let us state clearly the Compass’ position on the landfill:
The current George Town site must be remediated (estimated cost: about $30 million) and a new landfill put in place.
Every district, including Bodden Town, should get equal scrutiny as to its suitability for the landfill site.
The ultimate waste management plan must be affordable — and sustainable.
The process moving forward must be open and transparent and meet obligations under the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility.
As of this date, we have no position or bias on suitable technologies (such as waste-to-energy) — nor should the government limit itself to preconceptions.
Emphatically, the Compass is not pro- (or anti-) Bodden Town, or pro- (or anti-) Dart. This issue is far bigger than petty prejudices or parochial politicking. Waste management is an island-wide problem requiring an island-wide solution that does not favor one district over another.
Sorry, Mr. Beiner.
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Editorial Board, fanciful statement indeed. The Carbon war room see energy treasure in that trash, also our sun, sea and air. Building another dump on the island would be like a country building an old battleship to fight a modern war. This is not about Bodden Town protecting its district, they seem to have vision enough to see another problem dump in the near future. The Go Green Caribbean is the type of picture I saw a long time ago. Watch them mine the Caribbean for modern day treasure.
I could not agree more with your editorial. It is patently unfair that Bodden Town should be excluded as a potential location for the new landfill because of a selfish and self-serving campaign promise. While it may help Mr. Bodden retain his seat in Bodden Town at the next election, it will be remembered by the rest of the Islands’ voters and may well relegate them all (The Progressives) to the position of backbenchers after the next election.
I think this whole thing will end up being one on the PPM’s biggest mistakes because in the long run what they did was show the rest of the country that they are highly capable of favoritism. Whether a new Waste Management Facility and that what was to be not another dump, is built in Bodden Town or not, something has to be done about the deadly pile of trash at the George Town Dump.
I do believe that they accomplished their goal because I also find it hard to believe that Dart would touch this with a 10 foot pole at this point. So now it’s all up to the CIG to find a solution on their own, their promise was that it will be onsite in GT and not cost the public purse anything. Good luck with that.
And still not a word from the PPM about this smelly subject, not even an idea. Where is the tender for the dump remediation they promised. The outcome of the tire tender, where again they demand it happen at no cost to the public purse, will be a good sign of how the outcome of the dump tender will be if it ever materializes.
I think Alden has realized that the Money Tree he was used to picking from has wilted and died and he has no idea what to do.
I see galloping sea snake generators, tied to inland substations all along the reef. I see wind generators, solar panels, and I see a waste-to-energy plant. I see planning incorporating energy efficiency as a requisite to their housing approval. I see mono rail circling the island high above the tree tops. I see huge commuter parking of solar cars tapping into the solar grid for a recharge. I see RD workshops where knowledge base is expanded and applied to innovative green projects.
I don’t see another mountain of trash stewing in the tropical air spewing bacteria and unknown concentrations of toxic fumes. I see a stealth fighter, not a by plane. I saw the need for taxes in order to get there, others would decide to continue the blame game and talk trash.
Might a Bio-Digester be the answer? It would rid the island of rubbish, and produce saleable methane gas.
From the Compass ethics policy
Exercising fair play – we will:
Treat people with dignity, respect and compassion
————————————————–
I guess this editorial displays how the Compass defines treat people with dignity, respect and compassion…
Some might think we shouldn’t ‘have a say’ here, but tourism is important to G. Cayman, and our family visits annually. We were there just last week, and indeed the Jan 6 editorial was so correct that the ‘trash’ problem must no longer be ignored. Like everyone, we flew into George Town, and the smell was awful. The first step to getting vacationers to come is to not have any big detriments, and such odors and unsightliness certainly are deterrents, which says nothing of the health risks to those living nearby.
Our county in Wisconsin has a ‘Waste to Energy’ incinerator which from our understanding safely burns plastics and other household garbage due to the high temperatures and filters put on the exhaust stacks. Dangerous pesticides are sorted out, as are batteries, electronics, etc. The heat and electricity generated runs a factory next door. (A Cheese factory, but then we are Cheese-heads 😉 There is no standing garbage or odor, it is a tidy facility.
To the island’s credit, it was very smart to have finally implemented a recycling program since our last visit. Composting should be next. It would be a Triple win: less to dispose of, a way to develop the fertility of the inner island to grow more food, and import less.
Electricity in a tropical island really could/should be coming from Solar, Tide/Wave and Wind power. These technologies also provide excellent employment.
Visiting your Island is an incredible luxury. (The temperature up here was -25F last week Monday. That was the HIGH temp for the day. With wind-chill it was -60F). So it truly feels like a paradise to visit, but as everywhere there are issues: such as trash, energy use/waste, and while better than Jamaica, there is an obvious difference in power between Caucasians and people of Color.
However Grand Cayman has SO much going for it, including the fact that it is not over-large. Can anyone else imagine it becoming a TRUE paradise for locals and tourists alike? My husband and extended family let ourselves dream of just that idea during our last stay. While no location will ever be ‘perfect’, there ARE workable solutions to greatly improve the natural richness and beauty of your Island. You could be an incredible example the world needs.
(BTW: Kudos to whoever saw to the cleanup at Starfish Point in North Side. My husband and I cleaned up hundreds of pounds of litter last year and asked the Tourism Association to follow up and get a trash can there, etc. I don’t pretend we were the only influence for this improvement, but regardless it was a SMART move- the place is even more ATTRACTIVE 🙂
Thank you,
Jean Farrell