Grand Cayman’s landfill site and dredging in the North Sound were hot topics at the final Chamber of Commerce Forum in West Bay Friday evening.
The candidates questioned on various topics at the John A. Cumber School Hall were: Cline Glidden Jr. (United Democratic Party), Thomas Jefferson (West Bay Alliance), McKeeva Bush (UDP), Bernie Bush (independent), John Jefferson Jr. (independent), Mario Ebanks (WBA).
In response to a question asking what is the leading environmental threat facing the Cayman Islands today, Thomas Jefferson said if dredging in the North Sound happens the marine environment, Stingray City and other areas would be seriously hurt, adding that the Sandbar would disappear. There would be worse damage in the event of another hurricane, he said.
McKeeva Bush said there has been no large scale dredging in the North Sound by his Government. He said he did not support large scale dredging. He said laws have been amended to protect the environment and Barkers has been declared a National Park. The only major dredging done in the North Sound had been carried out by the previous Government.
Bernie Bush said the dump is a major problem. Following Hurricane Ivan there was oil floating in it. The oil is toxic and the young people will have to pay for the dangers going into the water table.
John Jefferson Jr. said the greatest potential threat is major dredging in the North Sound. The whole country will be threatened by that if another hurricane comes, he said.
Mario Ebanks said methane gas needs to be removed from the landfill. He said The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and Dart projects had caused thousands of acres of mangroves to be removed and he spoke against a proposed oil refinery for the Cayman Islands, saying ‘White sand beaches, blue sea and black oil don’t mix’.
Cline Glidden Jr. said the last dredging done in the North Sound had been carried out by the previous Government. His Government had not and would not do any serious dredging, he said. The landfill is an important issue and needs to be addressed. He said a $17 million sewage treatment plant had been opened for sewage for hotels and this would expand to home owners.
On the question of top priorities for West Bay, candidate McKeeva Bush said dealing with young people, families and people at risk is at the top of his agenda. He said significant priority and money would have to be put into programmes to this end.
Mr. Bernie Bush said making sure homes are strong and safe and ready for the coming hurricane season is a priority, along with helping the youth – giving them respect and things to do.
John Jefferson Jr. said serious crime and the control of drugs are his top priorities through the strengthening of the police force and gaining help from outside. Library and educational facilities for West Bay are needed.
Mario Ebanks said better police resources are needed to combat crime and coastlines need to be protected from drug importation. More planning with regard to traffic is needed, he said.
Cline Glidden Jr. said more than 1,170 scholarships were granted by the UDP in the past few years, along with the recent groundbreaking for the High School in West Bay. Over $80 million has gone into financing for the police. Funds were committed for the library in West Bay but Hurricane Ivan interrupted this.
A programme to make sure the youth become productive citizens is a top priority for Thomas Jefferson. Policing should be enhanced and the traffic situation needs to be seriously addressed, he said.
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