Topic: Government
Government mortgage program restarts this month
A government program to help first-time home buyers will restart this month after a three-year hiatus.
JNBS approved for bank in Jamaica
The Jamaican Ministry of Finance has approved an application for the Jamaica National Building Society to convert to a commercial bank.
CarePay trial to start in mid-November
Jury selection in the corruption trial of Canover Watson, Cayman’s former Health Services Authority board chairman, is due to begin in mid-November.
Governor receives symbolic first poppy
The Cayman Islands Veterans Association presented Governor Helen Kilpatrick with a symbolic first poppy Monday for this year’s Poppy Appeal campaign.
Government seeks to force Bush out of Public Accounts
An effort to remove Cayman Islands Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush from the Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee is under way.
Report on farmed turtle deaths kept from public
The infection that hit the turtle farm last year, killing 1,268 green sea turtles over four months, did not come to light for almost a year and a half.
The information was finally revealed in a Freedom of Information Law request and subsequent appeal for Cayman Turtle Farm board meeting minutes. The board presentation on the infection was initially redacted, but later handed over along with a host of other information after an appeal.
Seaweed invasion continues
The sargassum seaweed invasion of Seven Mile Beach is likely to be over by Wednesday.
Stingrays fundraiser
Stingray Swim Club takes to the pool for its third annual Big Swim Swim-A-Thon on Thursday.
To kill a green iguana
Human beings are notorious for — and notoriously bad at — manipulating Nature to suit their temporal whims. In other words, playing God. Hubris has brought down greater and wiser men than we ...
Missing links: New airport needs jetways
Last week, the premier announced that the government will forge ahead with the cruise dock project. Today, we’d like our readers to turn their attention to Grand Cayman’s “other” port project – the expansion of the Owen Roberts International Airport.
Former minister defends role in schools projects
Former Education Minister Rolston Anglin has defended his role in the management of Cayman’s ill-fated high school construction projects, saying he walked into a “storm” when he took over the job.
Premier: EY report 'review' almost complete
The Cayman Islands government has nearly completed its year-long review of a consulting report that sought to both downsize and improve efficiency of the public sector.
Scientist's death ruled an accident
The death of retired Cayman Islands civil servant Astley McLaughlin has been ruled an accident following a post-mortem examination and subsequent tests, members of Mr. McLaughlin’s family told the Cayman Compass on Friday.
Smith Road work nearly done
Work to widen Smith Road through central George Town should be wrapped up by the end of this month, weather permitting.
$40 million price tag to lessen port impact
The price tag for managing the environmental impact of building cruise piers in George Town harbor could rise to more than $40 million, depending on which options government decides to pursue.
Cayman extends visitor visa for Jamaicans
Repeat visitors to the Cayman Islands who hail from Jamaica will be given special treatment under the Immigration Law, with the option to obtain a 10-year visitor visa.
Details revealed for new, expanded HospiceCare home
Details of the new Seven Mile Beach home for Cayman HospiceCare have emerged, pegging the worth of the project at $3 million, and at least doubling the size of the present facility.
1,268 turtles died from illness at Turtle Farm in 2014
Almost 1,300 sea turtles died at the Cayman Turtle Farm over four months in 2014.
Carnival cruise line could play role in port project
Carnival Cruise Lines says it is “open to playing a role” in the development of new piers in George Town harbor.
Cruise berthing: A promise kept
The members of the Progressives administration like to style themselves as “a government that gets things done.” On the subject of the George Town cruise dock, they have lived up to that promise.
Government IT systems open to 'threats from attack'
Auditors say Cayman's government put sensitive information and operations at risk by ignoring IT problems for years.
'One man, one vote' heads to legislature
Cayman's move to 'one man, one vote' for the 2017 general election could be cemented later this month.
Police, community leaders tour Martin Drive
Police and community leaders toured the Martin Drive area, a site of frequent violence in central George Town.
Rights commission highlights healthcare, homelessness
Cayman's human rights watchdog reviews some ongoing mental health issues in the territory.
Auditor 'disappointed' in planning board reappointments
Cayman’s outgoing Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick said he was “disappointed” to learn the members of the Central Planning Authority and the Sister Islands Development Control Board were reappointed following a damning audit released by his office earlier this year.
Chamber of Commerce pans proposed labor legislation
The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce will not back the current draft of revamped labor legislation due to what the organization’s president described Wednesday as the “potential economic fallout” it could cause.
Entire government audited for first time
For the first time since the Cayman Islands government began using accrual accounting in 2004, the financial statements of the entire public sector have provided enough information to undergo an audit.
For the record: Does government support FOI?
Cayman Islands officials’ apparently equivocal attitude toward government transparency is troubling, perhaps even telling.
Frustration, confusion over cash transfers
Venting frustration and looking for solutions, hundreds of workers from overseas, mainly from Jamaica, packed into the town hall in George Town on Tuesday night, looking for solutions to the problem of sending cash home.
Government gives green light to George Town cruise dock
Plans for a new cruise port in George Town harbor will move forward, Premier Alden Mclaughlin announced Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. McLaughlin said government had considered the environmental and economic implications and agreed to allow the project to proceed to the next stage.
Business in brief
Red Cross raises $56,000 with golf tournament; Campbells announces scholarship recipients; Pan-American Life celebrates launch; Samson & McGrath’s Trevor Burke admitted to Cayman Bar; Extended hours for business licensing; Fidelity Bank Bahamas appoints new chairman.
Cayman’s small businesses: A very big deal
Creation is the business of individual businessmen. And, too often, the cost of government regulation is decreased innovation.
Gas prices drop at Sol/Esso stations
Prices at the pump fell by about 20 cents per gallon at many Sol Petroleum-supplied stations on Monday and Tuesday as declining worldwide petroleum prices trickled down to the Cayman Islands.
Report: Government stalling on FOI requests
More than half of the Freedom of Information requests filed with the Cayman Islands government during the last budget year were not answered within the legally required 30-day time frame.
Bill seeks importers' fuel pricing information
Fuel price reporting by petroleum importers may soon be a legal requirement.
Data on police patrol boats not recovered
Data on the operations of the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit appears to have disappeared forever.
Deadline Nears for 'Pioneers in Agriculture' nominations
There is only one day left to submit nominations of “Pioneers in Agriculture” for the upcoming National Heroes Day.
Government protection isn't free
The following dynamic plays out in the Cayman Islands too often. Something “happens” in the economy. Someone complains. Government steps in with a “solution.” And then the real problems begin.
Jamaican Consulate hosts public meeting on money transfers
The Jamaican consulate will host a public meeting Tuesday evening to address growing concerns about a U.S. cash shortage and remittances.
Students welcome heritage arts in new school year
Year 6 students in government schools are continuing to learn traditions that were once a way of life to Caymanians.
Information Commission marks Right to Know Week
Marking Freedom of Information’s annual “Right to Know Week,” Acting Commissioner Jan Liebaers describes 2015 as a mix of record filings and growing awareness, but against a backdrop of potential administrative threats to the office.
Labour Appeals board reappointed
The Cayman Islands government has reappointed the Labour Appeals Tribunal to serve for a one-year period, according to gazette announcements made public last week.
LIME brings field services in-house
Two years after Cable and Wireless company LIME outsourced parts of its maintenance services to Ericsson, laying off 39 people, the telecommunications provider has announced it is bringing the field services back in-house.
St. James Point: Bodden Town's time to shine
Move over, Seven Mile Beach. After decades of waiting in the wings, it’s time for the ivory sands of Bodden Town to step out into the limelight.
US cash shortage increases price for consumers
Clarifying comments made last week, Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton says that the Cayman Islands currency is not being devalued by the shortage of U.S. dollars.
Coral relocation impact questioned
Members of the National Conservation Council have questioned the feasibility of coral relocation as a means of offsetting the destruction of reefs in George Town harbor for a proposed cruise pier construction project.
Government: ‘Further work’ needed on Immigration Law
The Cayman Islands government will be delving back into certain areas of the territory’s Immigration Law to ensure legal issues raised by the chief justice last month are addressed.
Barbera: Northwestern Italy's lesser known red wine
Barbera is a lesser known wine from northern Italy, but it offers good value for well-made wines.
Beach Bay hotel development agreement signed
Plans for a $200 million, 10-story hotel in Bodden Town moved a step closer to reality after the Cayman Islands government approved a $25 million concessions package for the project.
A development agreement was signed Thursday morning, paving the way for the five-star hotel and condo development at St. James Point, Beach Bay, to move forward.
Bill seeks to eliminate liquor license 'black market'
Sweeping changes proposed for Cayman’s Liquor Licensing Law seek to end what government and business leaders have often described as the “black market” for liquor licenses.
ICCI celebrates 45th anniversary
The International College of the Cayman Islands, which marked its 45th anniversary Thursday, has been “a story of the little engine that could,” said President Emerita Dr. Elsa Cummings, who, with her husband Hugh Cummings, founded the territory’s first institution of higher education.
Large disparity in Grand Cayman gas prices
Gas prices at one group of retail gas stations fell significantly this week, while other retail average prices remained largely unchanged from two weeks ago.
Lawmaker wants 'non-legal' distinction between 'Caymanians'
A lawmaker wants a non-legal distinction between 'Caymanians' when it comes to hiring lawyers.
Bill seeks move to two-year budgets
If legislative proposals made public Wednesday are adopted, the current government budget will be Cayman’s last one-year public sector budget cycle.
Brac developments in the works
Expansions to two hotels and a new government-funded swimming pool are in the works for Cayman Brac.
The Brac Reef Beach Resort is midway through renovations including a new pool and multi-level bar, while Le Soleil D’Or has added a spa, fitness center and restaurants and is planning to add accommodations early next year.
'e-Government,' efficiencies, and Estonia
Cayman Islands civil servants are being given a glimpse of a more efficient, more customer-friendly, future … We’ll call it the “Estonia Age.”
Hundreds of books donated to charities
Charities and government organizations are receiving hundreds of books this week, thanks to a donation from Books & Books.
ID cards 'key' to e-government
A national identification card could be a key part of a new e-government initiative, according to Cayman’s e-Government director, Ian Tibbetts.
Top spots remain empty in watchdog posts
When Cayman Islands Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick leaves the jurisdiction next week, all three independent government “watchdog” offices created under Cayman legislation will have no permanent leaders.
Morris wants a total revamp
Cayman’s national cricket team performed so badly at the ICC World Cricket League Division 6 tournament in England two weeks ago that a revamp of the system is an absolute necessity, according to the team’s spin bowler Alessandro Morris.
National Trust introduces carbon-offset program
The National Trust, in partnership with GreenTech Ltd., has launched a voluntary carbon-offset scheme, giving companies the opportunity to invest in solar panels to be installed on schools.
Chamber to host free monthly workshops for small business
The Ministry of Commerce has awarded a contract for hosting small business workshops to the Chamber of Commerce.
Coral relocation possible, consultant says
Just under a third of the corals in the proposed construction site for a new cruise berthing facility in George Town harbor could be relocated, according to a marine consultant’s survey.
The survey, involving scientific divers and sonar imaging of the sea floor, was commissioned to get a more precise estimate of the number of corals that would be impacted by the project.
The report concludes that around 391,000 hard corals and 61,000 soft corals will be affected over 11 acres.
Culture shift necessary for e-government system to succeed
A renewed push by government to move more of its business online will require an internal shift in the civil service, as well as with the private sector and the public.
Lions help fill food pantry
The Lions Club of Grand Cayman’s food pantry drive on Saturday was the first in a long-term initiative the club is fostering to address community needs.
Kate Clayton's death: What happened at the public hospital?
It is a pernicious system that reigns within the corridors of Grand Cayman’s public hospital.
Legal aid bill sets $20K initial fee limit
An initial limit of $20,000 per case is proposed in the latest attempt by the Cayman Islands government to rewrite legislation governing its legal aid services budget.
Scholarship offered to doctors for specialist training
The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association will sponsor two Caymanian doctors over the next four years as they train to become specialists.
Volunteers clean up Rock Hole property
Community volunteers are helping transform a neglected property in the Rock Hole area of George Town into a vocational and educational center.
Law Society on 'Caymanian hiring'
The local attorneys association responds to MLA Winston Connolly's call for law firms to commit to hiring Caymanian lawyers.
Laws without enforcement lead to injustice
For any perceived problem, government has at least one solution for it, on paper. Of course, there is a difference between paper solutions and real solutions.
Police patrol boats idled for years
Three police marine unit patrol boats were effectively taken out of service for more than two and a half years and another craft was decommissioned after the government spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to repair it.
