The top article in the Caymanian Compass 15 Jan. 1976 issue was on gas station operators seeking an increase in the selling price of gasoline. The operators claimed that the stations were operating at a loss and said, “if there is no increase, the stations will close down until something is done about their operation”.
The article stipulated that on 1 Feb., the government and oil companies would be given 30 days to reply to the operators’ request. If no agreement can be reached, the stations will then close.
George Seymour of Bodden Motors, one of the operators, was interviewed by the Compass, and said, “We feel sure that Government wants every business in these Islands to operate on a profitable margin and we feel sure we are not going to meet any resistance from the people or Government.” The article also detailed the pricing challenges and costs by operators and the proposed increase of 5 cents a gallon to 80 cents per gallon.
The main photo on the front page was of The Kirk Pride being battered around the rocks by strong seas in George Town Harbour. A full story appeared on page 3.
Another article was about a tribunal on the proposed development plan. It was the fourth day of sitting under the chairmanship of Wyn Pugh, an expert. Four Caymanians were also members of the tribunal – deputy chairman Ernest O. Panton, Nolan Foster, Spurgeon Ebanks and Eldon Kirkconnell. English solicitor Peter N. Wilbraham was assisting the Central Planning Authority as legal advisor.
Those appearing before the tribunal included Arthur Hunter of Hunter and Hunter; James D. Macdonald of Macdonald Associates; Liquidator of Sterling Bank and Trust Co. Ltd. Keith Norman; Bob Soto of Soto’s Diving Headquarters; O. L. Panton of Messrs O.L. Panton and Company; Theo Bodden; Shelby Hydes; William Jackson; John Harding of Maples and Calder; Annie Bodden; Norberg Thompson and Selkirk Watler.
When dealing with a canal proposal, Wilbraham told the tribunal that objectors included not only landowners but people throughout the island, and it was proposed to re-zone it as protective mangrove. The tribunal expected to continue into February.
Another article was on postal talks. Deputy Postmaster Noel Johnson paid a visit to the US to have discussions with the US Postal administration and the director of the airport mail facility in Miami. The talks covered a new letter and parcel agreement between the Cayman Islands and the US, the Swan Island-US mail service, the Cayman Islands-London mail service, and the accounting system, for which Johnson was seeking a bilateral agreement to have reciprocal services. “The visit was highly successful,” a government spokesman said.
An advert appeared on page 5 for the Community College of the Cayman Islands, with details of upcoming classes including ‘P.E. for men (weightlifting)’, ‘Keep Fit for Ladies’, cookery, local crafts, dress making, art, pottery, motor mechanics, typewriting, shorthand, various ‘A’- and ‘O’-level courses, and more.
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