In the Tuesday, 6 July 1976 issue of the Caymanian Compass, pre-Olympics anticipation continued with the article ‘Gerry Kirkconnell in world prelims’.
“In the first race yesterday of the World Youth Sailing Championship at Toronto Lakes in Canada, Gerry Kirkconnell finished in a good position in the middleweight Laser class. The championship was for competitors between the ages of 15 and 19 years.
“Gerry has already become somewhat of a celebrity at the Championship event because he is the only competitor in the race who is also an Olympic team member.”
The article encouraged people to join in and have their name included among the well-wishers in the initiative to send a good luck telegram to Cayman’s Olympic athletes.
Another article was on Cayman being chosen as the venue for 1977 Royal Life Saving Society conference, which was the first time this conference would be held in the Western Hemisphere, the article reported. Previously, conferences were held every five years, mainly in England and a few in Australia.
A photo shows John Elliott, who was the president of the local branch of the society, discussing the conference with Lord Mountbatten.
The editorial, titled ‘Election considerations’, addressed the upcoming election. It stated, “General Elections have been called in the Cayman Islands. Nomination Day is on September 22, and Polling Day on November 10. This gives prospective candidates just over two months to decide whether they will or will not be seeking political honours, and the electorate four months from now to consider which way they will cast their ballots to choose their representatives for the four-year session 1976-80.”
The editorial added, “Our legislators must be people of whom we can always be proud as ambassadors.”
In the Friday, 9 July 1976 issue, the top article was ‘Crown withdraws charges’ and provided details of how Jamaican Vinimore Blaine, the fourth member of a group once described as ‘Michael’s Men’ – referring to Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley – was discharged in the Grand Court. This story had been developing since March when the men were first charged with various offences.
The article reported that on his release, a relieved Blaine sighed deeply and said he was glad it was over. Blaine wanted to convey that he had nothing against Grand Cayman and that he found the island friendly and beautiful, stating that he didn’t run as the other three men had, as he had done nothing wrong and had nothing to hide.
The photo at the top of the front page was of Governor Thomas Russell inspecting the guard of honour before opening the July sessions of the Grand Court.
An advertisement that appeared in the Tuesday edition on page 3 for Sportsland on Crewe Road, encouraged “women who care” to “get trim – keep fit”.
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