1. Elections Law should just make it in time

Cayman Islands Governor, H.E. Duncan Taylor, has advised that: “The governor is aware that he cannot issue the writs of election until a minor amendment has been made to the Elections Law. The governor understands that the Legislative Assembly will be reconvened on 10 December in order for this change to be passed.”

The draft order adds two new legislative assembly seats to George Town and one to Bodden Town.

Legislators will be recalled to the Legislative Assembly (LA) just two days before the deadline to change the territory’s Elections Law ahead of the May 2013 general election.

2. Government admits a cash shortage

Cayman Islands Premier, Hon. McKeeva Bush, has admitted there is a shortage of cash but has downplayed there is a major problem.

In a statement he said, ““Revenues, while marginally below projections after the first four months are not the cause. The government recognises at this point that there may be some differences in the overall revenue streams projected in the budget.”

It would appear that government is unable to borrow any money for cash flow purposes whilst it waits for the cash flush months between January and April when tourism is at its highest.

The premier has denied that the cash flow problems are due to government departments overspending.

“When the government entertained annual borrowings, loan funds would typically be drawn at this time of the year, which would assist with cash flows,” he said. “The government’s current fiscal trajectory will remove the need for temporary overdraft facilities within two fiscal years; however, until sufficient level of cash reserves are restored, the government will need to temporarily utilise overdraft facilities as a treasury cash management tool.”

3. LA approves two Grants of Status

Businessmen Harry Chandi and William Maines became the first two people to be granted Caymanian status by Cabinet since the change in the Immigration 
Law in 2005.

Deputy Governor Franz Manderson brought a government motion to grant Mr. Chandi and Mr. Maines the right to be Caymanian under the Immigration Law, citing their efforts in business and charitable and community work.

“Given the very strong contributions those gentlemen have made to the Cayman Islands, it was felt they were deserving of the right to be Caymanian,” Mr. Manderson said.

The vote was carried by everyone sitting in the LA except North Side Independent Member, Ezzard Miller. He said he objected strongly to their grant of status and said he was not impressed with their dossier of business interests and charitable work that Mr. Manderson had read out to legislators.

4. Will Jackson, Cayman’s historian dies

Percival [Will] Jackson died Saturday (24) at his home in East End in Grand Cayman at the age of 89.

Mr. Jackson was known as Cayman Islands unofficial historian through his articles that appeared over the years in the local media. His articles told stories of old Cayman. He also wrote books, including “Up from the Deep” and “Smoke Pot Days”. He also wrote two manuscripts, “The Settlers” and “Down by the Sea”.

He received the medal of an Officer in the Order of the British Empire; and his biography sets out a career that included service in the Home Guard and as a policeman. He also worked 20 years at sea, rising to the rank of chief steward, before later serving as a farmer, insurance agent and co-proprietor of Will and Sybil’s Economy Store.

He was awarded long and faithful service as an Elder at the East End Seventh Day Adventist Church by the Cayman Islands Mission of Seventh Day Adventists and also named Outstanding Caymanian of the Year. He was also presented with the Custos Edmund Parsons Memorial Paul Harris Fellowship Award for distinguished service and contribution to the culture and heritage of the community.

Mr. Jackson was born 12 December 1922 and was married for over 40 years to his wife Sybil.

5. East End Pastor’s home destroyed by fire

Pastor Marquis McLaughlin’s house on John McLean Drive in East End was destroyed by fire on Tuesday (27). The fire started around 3pm and by the time the first fire engine arrived at 3:20pm the single storey home was engulfed in flames.

The fire was brought under control at 4.03pm and extinguished at 5.51pm. Five fire trucks and vehicles from Frank Sound and Central Fire Stations and nine fire personnel, including off-duty personnel attended the fire.

“When I arrived on John McLean Drive and saw all the fire trucks,” he said, “I realised it was my house on fire. Sometime after that when I got the opportunity to charge the phone I realised I had missed 94 calls, probably about the fire.”

Mr. McLaughlin has been a pastor at the Countryside Church of God on John McLean Drive in East End for the past 20 years.

The only casualty from the fire was his beloved cat, Sheila, who had been the pastor’s companion for 17 years.

East End Community Development Officer, Delmeria Bodden, said Pastor McLaughlin dedicated himself to the ministry was an ambassador for God, and his ministry has reached many people throughout Grand Cayman.

“As East End community officer, I am asking that we rally behind him and support him in any way that is needed,” Mrs. Bodden said.