Topic: Alden McLaughlin
Legislative Assembly grants Caymanian status to 3 residents
Three longtime residents received Caymanian status on Thursday after the Legislative Assembly ratified the Cabinet grants.
Premier: ‘We cannot make unreasonable concessions’ to EU
Premier Alden McLaughlin confided he had experienced “sleepless nights” in preparing for his Legislative Assembly speech Wednesday in which he indicated Cayman’s leadership was at wit’s end trying to comply with all directives, tax exchange agreements and information-sharing requirements promulgated by the EU and Britain.
Premier: Businesses’ use of temporary work permits ‘not objectionable’
A long-established, although perhaps unspoken practice, of Cayman businesses which employ foreign workers that allows the companies to “test out” employees before bringing them in on full work permits has been green-lighted by Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Opposition: Combine poor relief, seamen’s and veterans payments
The Cayman Islands government plans to spend more than $36 million on poor relief, as well as stipends to former seamen and veterans over the next two budgets.
‘Ritch report’ kept secret
There are no plans to release a $312,000 consultant’s report that reviewed numerous legal problems with Cayman’s system of granting permanent residence to non-Caymanians, even though the government restarted hearing those residency applications.
Budget plans $15M for new GT, WB police stations
The Cayman Islands government plans to spend more than $15 million over the next three budget years on new police stations for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in George Town and West Bay.
Coastal patrols ‘under-resourced’
Marine coastal patrols in the Cayman Islands are “hugely under-resourced,” Premier Alden McLaughlin acknowledged to lawmakers this week following questioning in the Legislative Assembly’s Finance Committee.
Lawmakers in quandary over proving Caymanian status
It seems individuals sometimes referred to as “ghost Caymanians,” as well as multigenerational Caymanians born in the islands, have a shared immigration problem that is now haunting members of the Legislative Assembly.
EDITORIAL – Rejecting ‘prejudice’: The day our premier spoke for all of Cayman
Are some individuals in Cayman “better off” than others? Of course. Is almost everyone in Cayman – to a man, woman and child – “better off” now than they would have been in Cayman’s economy of 60 years ago?
Also of course.
Premier: Cayman must reject ‘insular thinking’ and ‘prejudice’
The Cayman Islands must spurn isolationism and “over-protectionist” political policies if the British Overseas Territory is to continue to thrive as it has done for the past 40 years, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Monday night.
Graduates get dose of politics
Politics invaded the graduation ceremony at the University College of the Cayman Islands on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Residents invited to attend Remembrance Sunday events
The annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph outside Elmslie Memorial Church in George Town on Sunday, Nov. 12.
MLA cites increase in poor relief budget
George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan is not convinced the Cayman Islands, or its citizens, are doing quite as well as the Progressives-led coalition government might believe.
‘Private Property, Keep Out’: Beach access row remains unresolved
On Prospect Point Road, a chain-link fence blocks access to an overgrown path that leads to the beach.
Seymour appointed head of first Council for Older Persons
Saying local seniors “now have a voice to represent them,” Premier Alden McLaughlin named the 15 members of Cayman’s first Council for Older Persons as part of July’s Older Persons Law.
Premier calls for more engagement to defend Cayman
Premier Alden McLaughlin emphasized his government’s ongoing relationship with Cayman Finance and the financial services sector in defense of Cayman’s economic model in his budget speech on Oct. 27.
New police officers to walk beat, bolster specialist units
An influx of 75 new police officers will be used to increase high-visibility community patrols and bolster resources in child protection and serious and organized crime units, according to Cayman’s police chief.
Committee to review conservation law
A review committee will be set up to recommend changes to the National Conservation Law, with Premier Alden McLaughlin outlining concerns that the landmark legislation has tipped the scales too far in favor of environmental protection.
EDITORIAL – Conservation Law: Time to reexamine, revise … or rewrite
Like cavalry to the rescue, a review committee may soon recommend changes to the law, which bestowed a shocking amount of power on a small appointed group, enabling them to trample the rights of property owners while pushing their agenda on private citizens and public bodies.
Budget targets crime, education
Plans for an influx of 75 new police officers, a $9.6 million cash injection for education and funding for a series of major infrastructure projects were among the key commitments announced in the Cayman Islands government’s budget presentation Friday.
Social media fakes of premier proliferate
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin is apparently being impersonated all over the internet.
High hopes for ‘wellness’ hotel
It’s “bleisure time” in George Town … At least according to NCB Investments boss Matthew Wight who coined the term to describe the developer’s new hotel project – targeted at both business and leisure tourists.
National Conservation Council meeting: Council in dark over gov’t plans
Five months after the general election, Cayman’s National Conservation Council says it is struggling, in vain, to get a meeting with the new minister for the environment.
Maples celebrates golden anniversary
From humble beginnings as a one-man show in the back of a Volkswagen camper van, the law firm of Maples and Calder has grown, over five decades, into a global industry leader, employing hundreds of people across 15 locations.
Cayman’s leaders pray for guidance
Cayman Islands leaders took time out from the business of running the country Wednesday to join hands in prayer.
‘No misconduct’ by former immigration chief Linda Evans
Retired Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans has been cleared following an internal investigation against her that took nearly three years to resolve.
277 residency applications decided over last two months
Within the last two months, Cayman Islands government officials have made decisions on 277 applications for permanent residence.
Financial services focus of premier’s trip to EU, UK
Premier Alden McLaughlin led a government delegation to the United Kingdom and Brussels on Monday to promote Cayman’s financial services sector.
EDITORIAL – Some advice on ‘advisory councils’: Please, don’t do it
The territory’s Constitutional Commission is calling for the creation of “Advisory District Councils” to act as intermediaries between elected representatives and their constituents. This is one call that lawmakers should let ring, and ring, and ring … without picking up.
On humanitarian trip to Anguilla, Irma brings back memories of Ivan
When Premier Alden McLaughlin first stepped on the ground of hurricane-ravaged Anguilla on Tuesday afternoon, he said he had a flashback to September 2004. “It brought back in a rush the images, smells and feelings of the aftermath of Ivan."
Cayman opens arms to Irma victims: Premier heads to Anguilla on aid flight
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin took off from Cayman on Tuesday with a humanitarian mission to the eastern Caribbean island of Anguilla.
Red Cross appeals for Hurricane Irma monetary donations
The Cayman Islands Red Cross has started a Hurricane Irma appeal to help those in the region affected by the storm. “We really don’t know the extent of the damage as full assessments haven’t been conducted yet, but based on what we have seen and heard, Irma has been catastrophic."
Teens earn ‘Passport to Success’
Eight teenagers graduated Friday from the National Workplace Development Agency’s latest “Passport2Success” class.
Social welfare quagmire: A decade of inefficiencies & rising costs
The cost of welfare and the number of people seeking financial help from government have risen sharply. About $50 million per year is spent on public programs providing direct assistance to people in need, out of central government’s annual revenue of $600 million.
EDITORIAL – Conservation Law: Revisiting an ‘unnatural disaster’
The salient question in our minds is whether lawmakers should overhaul the existing law … or scrap it completely and start over.
Police force to increase to 450 officers
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is slated to hire more officers within the next three years than it ever has, according to government budget plans.
Premier is correct: sections 41 and 43 of National Conservation Law are ridiculous
The provisions of sections 41 and 43, in my opinion, do not meet the test, mandated by the Constitution, of a reasonable balance between protecting the environment and development for the benefit of the Islands.
Premier: ‘Ridiculous’ parts of Conservation Law will be removed
Battle lines are being redrawn in the conflict between development and the environment as the government prepares to walk back some of the provisions of Cayman’s National Conservation Law.
Pensioners to get monthly cash boost
Monthly stipends for elderly and disabled people, retired seamen and veterans will be increased dramatically over the next two years. The Cayman Islands government will also create a new “ex-gratia” payment to top up the pensions of long-serving retired civil servants who currently receive less each month than people on poor relief.
Government proposes police ‘community wardens’
When Police Commissioner Derek Byrne revealed plans last month to create a community police force of more than 30 officers in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Premier Alden McLaughlin stated his support for the initiative.
Cruise project to go out to bid in September
Government expects to go out to tender on the long-discussed cruise pier project by the end of next month, Premier Alden McLaughlin said this week. New piers that can accommodate Oasis-class mega cruise ships remain a priority for government.
Opposition proposes committee to review healthcare
Not a single recommendation from the much-ballyhooed National Health Policy & Strategic Plan for the Cayman Islands 2012-2017 has been carried out over the last four years, according to Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller.
Premier outlines capital projects, policies on opening day of LA
With the next four years being his last term as the leader of the territory’s government, Premier Alden McLaughlin said on Wednesday in the Legislative Assembly that he “will be leaving everyone on the field” to ensure that his administration delivers on its promises to the Cayman Islands.
Son of premier welcomed to Cayman legal community
Every row in Judge Charles Quin’s courtroom was filled Friday, when a boisterous crowd welcomed the newest member of Cayman’s legal community. Daegan McLaughlin, the elder son of Premier Alden McLaughlin, was called to the Bar and celebrated by a large group of family and friends.
Government’s strategic plans revealed next week
Cayman Islands residents will get their first look at the new national unity government’s long-term plans next week as the Legislative Assembly resumes meeting. The government plans to produce its strategic policy statement for the 2018/19 budget on Wednesday.
Florida prosecutors: ‘Insufficient evidence’ against Speaker Bush
The Florida battery case against Cayman Islands Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush was dropped last week due to insufficient evidence, according to documents obtained through the state’s open records law. Mr. Bush, 62, was arrested following a July 17 incident at the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino in South Florida.
Premier: No government support for new WiFi licensing/fees
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said Thursday that his coalition government would not support any effort to charge licensing fees to businesses that provide wireless internet access to customers on their premises.
Immigration denies 12 of 13 permanent residence cases
An administrative review of permanent residence applications by the Cayman Islands Immigration Department that took place over two days last week ended with 12 out of 13 people being denied that status.
New system to monitor Cayman prison guards’ attendance
What’s described as a “pilot” project aimed at better tracking prison officers’ attendance at Her Majesty’s Prisons Service may eventually be extended to the entire government, Ministry of Human Resources officials confirmed.
EDITORIAL – The premier’s vision for an empowered Cayman populace
Without dramatic intervention, the lack of purpose, cohesiveness and accountability in our current social services system is on course to develop into a full-blown and potentially country-destroying “welfare state.” In taking up the challenge of change, the premier has our full support.
Premier: Social services programs ‘failing’
A number of government-funded social services programs are “not succeeding” in the various purposes for which they were created and may come under the budget knife, Premier Alden McLaughlin told a group of George Town residents Wednesday night.
Deadline for immigration survey ends today
A survey to gauge the level of service offered by the Department of Immigration ends at midnight, Friday, July 28. Participants who cannot or do not want to participate in the “Process Improvement Project” survey online can use a paper version.
Police to get bigger budget, more officers
Police Commissioner Derek Byrne revealed plans this week to create a community policing force of more than 30 officers in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.
Italian consul general visits Cayman
Italian Consul General Gloria Marina Bellelli, who is based in Miami, Florida, pays a courtesy call to Premier Alden McLaughlin at his office in the Government Administration Building on Monday morning.
Premier: New hires to speed permanent residence process
Six new employees are being brought in to speed up the processing of more than 1,000 permanent residence applications, Immigration Minister and Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said Friday.
False Twitter account poses as premier
A Twitter account purporting to represent Premier Alden McLaughlin was confirmed as fake on Tuesday by the Office of the Premier.
Older persons council seeks community representatives
The newly established Council for Older Persons is looking for six community members, ages 65 and older, to join the committee by the end of July.
False Twitter account poses as Premier
A Twitter account purporting to represent Premier Alden McLaughlin was confirmed as fake on Tuesday by the Office of the Premier. The false account @Ky1McLaughlin, created this month, began sending out tweets and interacting with users Tuesday morning.
Cayman’s finances discussed at London meetings
The Cayman delegation to London met on Thursday with Miriam Sachak, head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Economics and Financial team, to discuss the island’s finances.
Cayman in Brexit talks with UK
Leaders from 10 British Overseas Territories, including Cayman, met with U.K. ministers in London on Wednesday to discuss Brexit negotiations. All attendees in Wednesday’s meeting were briefed on developments and preparations for talks with the EU.
Deloitte gets $143,000 contract to evaluate immigration strategy
Accounting firm Deloitte has received a $143,000 contract to conduct a wholesale review of the Cayman Islands Immigration Department, as well as two other agencies, as government seeks to improve the hiring process for Caymanians and work permit holders.
Survey asks public how to fix immigration
The Cayman Islands government is asking everyone in the islands to provide feedback on how to improve customer service and operations at the local Immigration Department.
Premier: Government to focus on ‘social issues’
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin told a group of U.K. lawmakers Monday that his newly formed unity government would focus on improving social issues during its four-year term, with the British territory now in a “good economic position.”
Campaign donors partially revealed
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital founder Dr. Steve Tomlinson contributed more than $194,000 to 10 political candidates during the final eight weeks of Cayman’s 2017 general election campaign.
Premier: No ‘mass grants’ of permanent residency
Just one out of the 10 permanent residence applications considered by the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board Thursday received approval, according to government officials.
Police arrest suspect in crash outside political event
Police arrested a George Town man Wednesday in connection with a hit-and-run accident outside a political candidate’s meeting last month. The suspect, who had not been charged as of press time, was arrested on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident the night of May 9. He remained in police custody at press time Thursday.
Residency hearings to start next week
A government-appointed board will begin considering a backlog of between 900 and 1,000 permanent residence applications sometime next week, according to the Ministry of Immigration. Applicants may be contacted by the Immigration Department as early as next week if further details are needed to process their cases, ministry officials said.
UK government appoints new FCO minister
Following the recent general elections in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May is rebuilding her government and has appointed Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, as Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Councilors named for Cayman government
Premier Alden McLaughlin announced on Thursday the assignments of three recently elected legislators as councilors in the Cayman Islands government.
Premier: We must ‘sort out’ immigration
Premier Alden McLaughlin said Tuesday that the Cayman Islands must "sort out" the British territory’s immigration problems during his second term as the government’s leader.
Ministers’ plan splits law enforcement roles
The Progressives-led coalition government has divided responsibilities for law enforcement agencies among government ministries, one led by the premier and the other by Minister Tara Rivers.
NEW: Ministry assignments announced
The new ministerial assignments have been announced.
