Many of you have asked what happened to the Straight Talk show. Please read here to find out more: http://sandracatron.wordpress.com/what-happened-to-straight-talk/
Then come back here to post your comments on the talk show and what your thoughts are on the whole thing. Some comments I have posted on behalf of listeners who have e-mailed them into me personally to share with everyone.
43 responses so far ↓
sandra catron // November 20, 2006 at 11:03 am
Just read your site and today’s news that Barrie Quappe show was also terminated abruptly ? I know DMS and Hurley’s entertainment are competitors is this just a coincidence ? May be the powers that regulate broadcasting has a finger in this? Fight on remember opportunity does not come to those who wait but is conquered by those who attack. – Posted from an email for a listener.
Maureen Scott // November 20, 2006 at 4:02 pm
This cannot be happening. Straight Talk was a fantastic show, and I always look forward to hearing it. I just can not fathom that something so good, as been cancelled. Why is this. Is it because young Caymanians are standing up for their rights and not keeping their mouths clamp shut. We need more young Caymanians like you Sandra, who stands for what you believe in and in the same time, educating the general public on things we did not know about.
Probably, if you were to get another radio station to take over your show, I know your audience will be following suit. It is surely a great miss. The general public always look forward for that show after work with your entertainment with guest and your call-ins. You have such a great personality, and it is such a blessing, hearing you over the air with your joyful and pleasant voice after a day of stress at work.
This might be one door that is closed, but you know what, another one will be open which will take you far beyond.
Sam // November 20, 2006 at 9:19 pm
Sandra,
I have told you personally how disappointed I was with the cancellation of the show as I really enjoyed listening on my way home in the car. Sometimes getting so absorbed in your topics, I just had to turn on the radio as soon as I got home too!
I know this bump in the road wont stop you, as the positive person you are, you will find a way. Just consider this a short vacation for now, as you’ll soon be back to work carrying on the cause!!
If the show as unable to make money, then dms needed to let you sell it which we know you could have done 10 times over!!! Alternatively, if this was a way to silence you… well I am sure they lost that battle also!!! I personally think you should run the “Talk Today” on Radio Cayman (now that’s a show crying for HELP!!!) Anyway, as I have said…. enjoy the break for now, well have you back in the hot seat sooner than later!!! ……….. may even have to call Kenney R. myself!!!
You go girl!!!
Tamara // November 21, 2006 at 10:18 am
I really did enjoy your show…you will be miss girl…well nuff love you.. and God Bless.
Diana // November 21, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Hi Sandra,
I too have been dissappointed to understsnd you were no longer on the air, but I know another door will soon be open for you. you know I not a caymanian only by marriage, but you have always shown the strength of a true caymanian woman.I know you beleive in your people and some better door will soon be open up to you .I MISS YOU ON THE AIR BUT I KNOW I WILL BE HEARING YOU SOMWHERE ELSE IF NOT DOING SOMETHING ELSE. So I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in any kind of endeaver and thank god for you. what can Isay!, good and all the best.
Judy // November 21, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Thank you so much for such an inspirational message. That alone is a lot to give thanks for. This past week I have been praying for my cousin Johnny Powery, mainly, who is very sick in the Hospital, in addition to other people who need help. I am praising him because Johnny had a good rest the past night. FRANKLY, I AM PRAYING THAT OUR GOOD LORD WILL PERFORM A MIRACLE FOR HIM. I KNOW HE CAN AND I AM THANKING HIM IN ADVANCE!!
Keep passing your messages to the people of our land, Sandra. God bless you.
Ann // November 21, 2006 at 2:00 pm
I just have to get this off my chest, I listened to your show each and everyday that it aired, and I really miss it now. But I must tell you what I think happened,, I believe that it had something to do with your show that aired the Thursday before you had on Cayman airways, remember that was a very heated show people even called in and ask for more time to vent their frustrations. That show was really something and I got so upset, about what seemed to be happening to Cayman Airways, but then when you had the persons from Cayman Airways on the show that following Monday they cleared up all those rumors, and you were out the door the next day????
What do you think>??????
Maureen // November 21, 2006 at 2:02 pm
This is certainly a soap opera. Days of Our Lives or The Bold and the Beautiful?? (smile). What do they really mean by the voice, THE VOICE, THE LIKENESS OF EMPLOYEE. Are not
these your own? As for STRAIGHT TALK, I am sure you would not be using THAT again.
The nerve of them. I think they are trying to scare you, but they apparently do not know who
they are dealing with. I can just imagine the reply they will be getting from you.
I can really see what that SOB (pardon my French here) is made of. My goodness to take this to the extreme. This was planned months ago Sandra. This is not just planned, it was talked over and plotted. They were plotting against you all this time, Sandra, because they could see the extreme intelligence which you have, and you taking over the entire talk show on the island, because mind you, you ARE the BEST and still are.
This is really a joke.
ANN ELAINE // November 21, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Sandra Hi,
I have always wanted to meet you personally, as I felt we had so much in common. I am over on the Brac and as you know we can’t get your show over here, however, I always made sure whenever I was over on GCM, to tune in I have called your show on maybe; two of those occasions voicing my interests in having the show on the Brac as there are many avid talkshow listeners on this Island. sandra as a fellow caymanian I say you SHALL PREVAIL. with the help of the almighty God. I had a similar experience and to this day has not been able to vent the way any human should be allowed to; because of being made to keep silent. I have talked to everyone and it is like you are crying on deaf ears, while being laughed at. I am very pro caymanian and also very vocal and that is all it takes for you to be put out the door.Unfortuately it is soon to be three years I have not been employed so you can only imagine what it must be like for me over here. I am an ordinary person , however that should not make one any less a human being, neither should it allow anyone the right to OPPRESS the poor , which is happening to many of us Caymanians. For those of us who can go oversees and become foreigners and return we’d better do it; and fast. If and when you are back in operation (and i know it won’t be as long as three years) please remember the Brac,and also the time of the show was excelent. Sandra all the best in your endevours not only are you a strong, determined young caymanian WOMAN(LIKE MYSELF)you’re a BLESS woman,and who God Bless no man curse. I have a lot more but this will be all for now, and i’m looking forward to great happenings.
Cecilia G. // November 22, 2006 at 11:34 am
I have known Sandra for over 15 years (from Chamberlain High School in Tampa). I think that it is obvious that dms Broadcasting really had no idea how valuable Sandra’s personality was to the show and how much she strived for perfection. Sandra has always been like this and I remember her from Advance Spanish class and how much fun that used to be because of Sandra’s loving personality. She is one of best friends I have ever had because of her dedication and caring attitude.
From my experiences, I know that Sandra is a very focused committed person and will always given 110% to whatever she undertakes. I was only able to listen on occassion as I live overseas – but I could tell that Sandra had passion and really cared about her subject matter and her listeners. I wish Sandra all the best of luck because I do believe that Cayman has lost its best host (no disrespect).
Dela // November 22, 2006 at 1:13 pm
How can someone own your VOICE & LIKENESS? these are yours unless you have clonned yourself. What a bunch of BS. So what happens now Sandra they try to stop you and everyone who speaks out. (well as the Old people say they hold no secret on this one!)
Steve // November 22, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Dela,
You are absolutely correct and I am happy to see that Sandra is taking this in stride and with a good sense of humor- I heard the comments about needed some surgery to change her likeness and voice! LMAO … anyhoo folks, I tell you what if dms did not know Sandra they will surely find out soon; they have only done her a favor and have not hurt her in anyway – she will rise above this and be better than ever and of course dms will lose out on advertising $$ in the process – serves them right.
Vincent // November 22, 2006 at 2:17 pm
Cayman people it is time to wake up and see what is happening within this country. This elected government should be protecting its Cayman citizens instead of getting rid of them. The roll-over policy is good in one sense, but yet we hire foreign companies onto our soil to fire our loyal Caymanian workers and replace them with foreigners. Call it what you want; I call it the “PPM Double Standard Policy.” We elect people into office to protect us for this same reason. From my own personal view I can see that the time is coming where people are going to seriously challenge the protocol as to why we have to wake up everyday to see our livelihood destroyed. We have so many un-answered question, so many top jobs that are foreign base ONLY. Why can’t we have indigenous Cayman Judges sitting in our own Courts, judging our own people? Why can’t one of our own leaders be appointed governor from the advice of the leader of government business? Why are people, who have become status holders in this country bashing and down-grading Caymanians for protecting their own rights, future, and children? I wonder sometimes why certain countries have to go through stages of injustice before justice is served. Imagine Caymanian Status holders not liking what the law requires of them. These people don’t like what is happening to their own indigenous people in this country? These persons come and live amongst us and look at, treat us like slaves. I hate to have to write this next comment, but it’s getting to the point where we are going see violence beyond our control that will affect the livelihood of the people living within these shores. It is only so far you can push someone’s button before a reaction is produce in return.
Linda // November 22, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Steve, you make some good points and this is precisely why we should all be OUTRAGED by what has happened to Sandra and her program; she was a voice for the people and of the people. She only brought up that CAL issue because many persons at CAL called her and told her about their concerns. The truth of the matter is that she is more accessible than the minister himself who has been mute on this issue and many more. I guess he’s more concerned about taking plagques down and giving himself a pat on the back. Indeed where will the people be able to speak out now? Your last statement; although you did not want to say it is worth stating because we are at a crital moment in our history where many of us will no longer sit by and see the food taken off our plates and do nothing about it – we are fed people and action will be taken one way or the other. Straight Talk provided a good forum for people to vent and just way what they have to say. I figure dms will some puppet they can control there in the studio and tell them what to do.
Diane // November 26, 2006 at 2:08 pm
I think that the CAL board is to blame for this – that’s what my gut says!!
Harold H // November 28, 2006 at 7:49 pm
The rumour around town is that Sandra was fired from the “Straight Talk” show for hasseling Angelyn Hernadez the new CAL Chairperson on the talk show on the eve of Sandra’s release. Wow! Check this out, I got up to some badness and I went to the Luthansa Website and I submitted for one of the positions and sent a fake resume and got a response back that the position was with CAL in Grand Cayman, they even told me that they are filing the positions in Feb 2007 and if I am short-listed I will be notified by January 2007. (Now how can Angelyn claim on the talk show that this was completely false ?) I got the response back on Friday last week. I just got offered an interview by CAL through Luthansa Ms. Hernandez and wait until they find out it was a fake resume and I was just proving a point!….LOL!!! And this is the consulting company that is going to get CAL out of the gutter? Who got paid or a greased palm to hire them? Ms. Hernandez claimed on air that day that CAL “is for the people of the Cayman Islands”. Then Maam, how much is Luthansa costing us? Since we own the airline, we then should know these things. I am not beating up on you, as you are new to the position and God forbid if you will be a dangling puppet like the once famous “Craig Brown of the HSA”, and if that is the situation, you too pretty to get your face all cringed over this mess, stick with your Law Firm Maam, it suits you better.
When are we going to wake up and smell the coffee or tea (respectful to English in the land). Caymanians are internet savvy now we can google anything and get something. Attn all new foreign residents, here this: “The stuff your friends emailed you and told you about this country is true, you can come here and work and make yourself some good money, but they forgot one thing, remember the Caymanians, there are many of us who are sitting quietly watching you in this country”. So to the consultants at CAL I suggest you get a few extra pair of glasses, and Dr. Campbell can help you there, put them all on so you have the extra eyes to see all of us who are watching you. Get CAL out of where it is now, and get out of our country, we cannot afford you.”
We keep making mistakes hiring these consultants, and CAL has had many, and everyone came with the same “pot of gold” approach. All CAL needs is this and I am not even going to send you a bill or ask for an extra piece of check-in on my next flight, here goes… 1. Remove the stupid routes: Chicago/Boston etc. replace with Caribbean routes: Barbados, Trinidad, Panama, Costa Rica (even once a week direct to these destinations will be so beneficial) Immigration want us to look outside of Jamaica for workers, then open up alternate routes to the caribbean and lets import more Trinies etc… 2. Open up a Las Vegas direct weekly flight or hub it through Houston, trust me it will never be empty. 3. Offer more room seating on the planes. As it is most Caymanians fly the US Carriers because of the leg-room. 4. Put more check-in agents at the airport, or state that your check-in will only take 15mins etc…. This will be a best seller for passengers especially with all the security delays. 5. For locals try and introduce a good frequent flyer program, I have over 50,000 points and so far it has taken 12 phone calls, 5 CAL staff persons, and still no free ticket for me and this is over a 3 week period. And try and send out the statements ontime or put them online for you to check with your FF#. Lastly, when will I get upgraded to Gold or Plantium, I only fly CAL, and have since 1978 and I still have the stupid basic card which when you show it at the counter the agents look at you like you are from another planet. I want my upgrade!!!! And with this program revamping give specials and offers to your FF members, (we did earn this title because we are flying your airline a whole lot), at least make them feel a little special. Lastly, get rid of the BUDDY PASSES! This system is what has caused CAL to sink further, I actually got kicked of a flight in 2001 for a buddy pass and no it was not a person facing an emergency, they were catching a cruise ship in Miami, and I had a date with Mickey Mouse. So Mickey still waiting on me to show up.
Now that I have given CAL some good points to ponder, and hopefully the Luthansa Consultants will not steal them and pass them off as their own and charge us for it, we might actually see CAL get a boost. Since we have 5 jet planes we could easily get some good routes going…… I for one, sick of going through Miami to get anywhere else. Nice talking to you, now take that broken leg turtle out of his cast and give him a new leg!!!
fireflyky // November 28, 2006 at 8:08 pm
There is one question that I wish Sandra had asked on that Cayman Airways show: “What percentage of passengers on average are flying free or on discounts not available to the public?”
Harold // November 28, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Vincent, I must agree with you on the matter of the Judicial situation in this country. We have judges who have contracts to sit on the bench here for 8 years and above. When are we going to force the private companies to retain Caymanians for 8 years in employment. Here are ways our country is being fleeced by non-Caymanians in power who make these hiring decisions. Judges or Magistrates should be voted in. I for one would only vote for Judge Grace Donalds, she is the only decent judge in this country. She is fair, unbiased, impartial and clearly not influenced. Thank you Judge Donalds for being who you are. As for the others namely the crazy one female judge with the cane, she needs to take some more pills and lie on a couch and talk to several people. The Canadian judges, well they need to stop referring their comments such as “this is not the way it is done in Canada”. Realty check Judges you are in the Caribbean, not North America! Please check your compass or have you all been mis-diverted like the Afgan refugees? I hate to say it but when I see a judge drinking at a local watering hole every night, I have to wonder how ‘rational’ are the decision being made against the persons who are in front of them each day. Please don’t slap me for bringing this up, but I had to. How coherent are they? Then again, we have to look back and see who hired them? So much to think about, the legal system in this country is importing more and more Jamaican prosecutors for the crown, how come Immigration is kicking up against Jamaicans when the Legal Dept. keeps promoting Jamaicans and importing them. Now that’s a sore waiting to ooze. We keep letting these situations brew until we cannot deal with the stench then we make drastic moves and measures to cover our bases and rectify our mistakes. Come on lets us stop fooling the people with these blind folds, Caymanians are fed up of the way this country is going, they are tired of having no job, and the foreign workers are coming in from all over world to facilitate jobs that if the company had a plan in place that was enforced whereby Caymanians would receive the training for the positions then we might get more Caymanians filling the positions. But it is the same ole, same ole, bashing the locals and many Caymanians are bashed by their own in high places (you all know who you are and many of us know you too). The foreigners have capitalized on our kindness and watched our leaders condem and go against their own and replace them with a non-Caymanian. This is why there are so many hardships with Caymanians today. Imagine, the legal aid dept. of this country will turn down (and they have) legal aid for a Caymanian and offer it to a non-Caymanian drug runner from Jamaica to Cayman. What is up with that bull? A foreigner is entitled to more privelages in this country than their own native son or daughter? How can this be? Who is voting for the Govt? Certainly not these wannabe Caymanians! Lets not get on that subject, the “Wannabe” Caymanians, these are the Caymanians who either got status years ago, or in the 2003 Gold Rush, who have merged with a few of the native Caymanians to only
“Wannabe” a Caymanian when it is convenient for them to be one. Shame on you who feel and act this way. I hope that you all get a wake up call soon! I assure you when it comes you will know!
I am one tired Caymanian, tired of watching my people go unemployed for over 3 + years, that is a crying shame. While the foreigners pour into the country and fill all the jobs. I am also tired of all the Franchised business (HardRock/Margaritaville etc.) who come into our country and don’t even have one photo of ‘old time Cayman’ or crafts made from local thatch adorning their walls in support of our culture. Shame on you branded named businesses, I will never support you and every opportunity I get I will tell my locals to do the same. Shame on the T&B Licensing board who don’t even think of these things when they are rubber-stamping the license ’s approval. Oh, did I give you too much work to do? Well, you are the gateways to our country, you should know better. How about the T&B Licencing board taking a stance for Caymanian Culture and only approve these licenses if they agree to support our heritage! This would certainly have a wake up call, and certainly do it for the renewals as well. Let them know this is our land, you want in, then you abide by our stance – take it our leave it! Try that hat on T&B Lic Dept. and then you will certainly see a better turn-around for us. You play that role and play it well!
Now as for the pot holes in the roads….I will not bash this one afterall Hon. Mclean seems to be the only active – go get things done – no nonsense – full of love for his people – way to go Minister Arden, way to go!
West Bayers, remember to vote for the new road at the next election, your previous leader promised it, put it in the budget, but yet again – no bypass was built. Tell me how many washing machines, dryers and stoves can one person use? Wake up Bayers, you are all good people, time is now to make that change, I certainly don’t see too many Ritz Carlton Limos or Benz’s chauffering any of you to the Condo’s on the beach. Now vote with a sober mind next election, vote for a better way of life, vote for humanity. Do not vote because you got a new fridge or microwave, those things will breakdown and then you have to pay to fix them cuz the giver has long gone! A Caymanian Trooper at heart, live, love, and respect my people – or leave my country and don’t look back.
Janice C // November 30, 2006 at 5:52 am
To Harold H and Rosey you too better be Caymanian or you are in for some serious victimization. But we need more like you two to open up the eyes of many who can’t seem to see beyond their noses. Please keep posting your comments they make for interesting reading. Sandra keep the faith what God has put in place for you let no man touch – that is You!
lana // November 30, 2006 at 10:33 am
Harold, whoever you are, well said . I certainly hope you have a job now or own your own business, or have serious family ties in the right places. Even then, with the powers that be in the Islands that were once referred to as a place that time forgot, you may have to join the rest of us “natives” on a reservation in the near future. That is, if even that will be afforded the true people of these Islands.
Harold // November 30, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Lana, I have gotten ahead of you, I have decided that Cayman Brac is the best reservation there is in this country and we should preserve this. Unfortunately, if we don’t rally our Government to stop the foreigners from buying up all the bluff land and set a moratorium on the foreign owership in Cayman Brac it will soon look like 7-mile beach, and all left there is for the foreigners to say they don’t want us back on the beach and it will be so. I hate to be the stirring up my mixer in the septic tank, but there is a lot of bull going on in this country that will cause our people to suffer worse than than what the Americans have done to the Iraqi people. STOP the fleecing of the country and it’s people! Caymanians take a stand and forget about being victimized. The same people who are victimising you or planning to, simply expose them! Come on Caymanians feel the heat in this place, stir up your senses and smell the bull___t.! How much longer can we afford to give away our birth rights. Every leadership in the past has done some good but the majority of what they did were bad. Sorry to say this but we have to stop this genocide! Yes GENOCIDE! Caymanians are obsolete in their own country and will continue to be this way unless one day someone in our Government with power decides that this is the time for change. Stop being influenced by the rich Caymanians, they have made it by the sweat of the hardworking Caymanians. There are many of us who are greedy and treat our workers like slaves, well if you don’t know it yet, slavery ended in the 1800’s. The other day someone said to me that the current Government has messed with the rollover policy which the former Govt. put in place and therefore that is why it is not going to work. Well tell me what did the previous Govt. do that actually was in favour of any Caymanian (well except for the appliances that were given out in West Bay); I’d say not a whole lot. And they put this policy in place to rectify or give them people some gratification for the ‘Mass Status Grants’. Come on give me a break here, the opposition should simply try and do something productive and beneficial like teaming up with the current Govt. and set aside all their differences and make this country work for the people. I can’t stress it enough, everyone of you in Govt. you got there because we consciously voted the last election. And in saying that we can certainly change your employment status again when election comes around. The current Govt. of the day is so busy trying to fix all the mess ups or to keep all the crap from coming out about what was covered up from the former Govt. who whist in power secured their futures, while many of the people who voted for them are suffering trying to decide whether to pay that outragious over priced CUC bill or buy their medication for the month, or worse yet, should their child get a new pair of shoes or buy baby formula. Yes, I have seen and heard these stories and they are all true. We cannot live like this anylonger, we have to set some pricing indexes in this country and force these foreign owned utility companies to come down on their rates or challenge them with allowing another service into this country, and don’t tell me it can’t be done, it was done with Cable & Wireless. So Lana, you can join me as I hope the Govt. will stop all the land sales in Cayman Brac and limit the amount of sales that can be owned by a foreing entity or person annually.
Harold // November 30, 2006 at 3:59 pm
While on the land sale issues with the current Govt. stating they plan to sell parcels of land which is Crown land and was to be used to build parks etc inside the development. Here is a good idea, lot this land up and sell it only to ‘native’ Caymanians. Do not sell this land to any big developer or the rich an fortunate, but to the humble and meek. Sell it below market value, do not charge a stamp duty on it and again only sell to the natives. I have heard that some kind hearted Caymanian developers are now only selling their projects to Caymanians. Kudos to you who are doing this, finally we have some people with a heart in this country. Maybe more of us should look at it that way. Cayman is for Caymanians and they should be the first to own anything in this country.
lana // November 30, 2006 at 4:37 pm
There certainly is no error in your train of thought with regard to land ownership. This is practised in many other regions within the Caribbean and other countries. Our land mass is restricted through ecology and when situations such as what we have here continues, the “natives” will soon need to apply for permits to enter certain areas. Unfortunately silver and gold glissens in the eyes of men and can destroy partiotism if ever it was there. Lets pray that there are still some folks with patriotic values that will not be bluffed into selling out . If the Bluff is to be sold off, then hopefully it will be to Caymanians and not to speculative developers,who just scout the world looking for vulnerable areas to exploit.
CI Watchdog // November 30, 2006 at 7:00 pm
Harold, you make some good points, but you seem to have a serious problem with what went on in West Bay. Its interesting that on one hand you question what the previous Government did for the country, but on the same response you give credit for thr breakup of the telecoms monopoly which was done under the previous administration and you complain about the high CUC bills when the previous administration also got a reduction and were making progress in the breakup of the CUC monopoly before the election. As far as I can remember that was achieved with the input from some of the members from West Bay who were in the previous Government. You seem to know a lot about washers and dryers and other gifts that were supposedly given out but I think with the current talk show victimization, the Cayman Airways Fiasco, the casualties like Joy Basdeo and Nydia Mae Flatley in Education, Craig Brown in the HSA and the list goes the roll over crisis and the rumor concerning the government borrowing 350 million, maybe the people in West Bay were the smart ones after all.
Harold // December 1, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Hi CI Watchdog,
. So yes the Bayers got all new kitchen appliances, good for them, they were smart to get something for nothing, because that was all they actually got. Those actions were simply to silence the people and have them shout “support” when the time came that a “cat escaped the bag” the former LGB was holding. Now lets think about that for a few seconds………
Glad to note you actually responded to me. I couldnt’ care less what went on in West Bay except for the mere fact that I don’t have to get out of bed 3 hours early anymore to get my family ready to go to school and work anylonger. I would have hoped the last Govt. would have actually put the road through sooner, but I guess there were other things on their minds at the time and NOT HURRICANE IVAN. Thankfully that bunch won’t get back in power again, putting it simply CG and Rolston should team up with the PPM as that might actually help those two promising young me. I fell the last Govt. made a lot of hoopla about things and constantly put themselves in the press with all these things they were doing, but how can you pave half the roads in your district and forget about the rest? Tell me what mentality our last leader had when he saw that only the areas where his voters were living were paved and the other roads have never been paved for over 10 years. IT is these little things that make you wonder when you see your former LGB at the time flaunting himself all over the place and then doing nothing for half of his district and forgetting about the rest of the islands. Come on, CI Wdog, do you really thing his heart was with the people? I can imagine where it was – but I’m not going to share that one with you
Harold // December 1, 2006 at 7:21 pm
CI Watchdog,
One more thing, did the former Govt. ensure that CUC was properly insured? Becasue if they did we wouldn’t be paying for their mis-management today with the recovery charge for Hurricane Ivan. I do hope for the good of all people in land they have full coverage now and in the future to avoid this HUGE BOO BOO that is ever so costly today. BUt then again when you are a monopoly you can dictate to everyone – including the leaders.
Jewel // December 1, 2006 at 10:17 pm
Harold, I read your posting with a smile on my face because you hit the nail on the head every time with how things are perceived on this little rock of ours. I truly believe that you have said a lot of things that hit home with most of us Caymanians, but stay quiet inside because we are afraid of the ramification we would get for speaking out if we are found out (example with Sandra and her show and Barry with hers) – unfortunately which in this day and age regardelss of what we say or suggest it falls on deaf ears and then a band aide process comes around 4 years later to try to give a quick fix. To only want to have to agree with Vincent on his last comment, that our tolerance is getting low and it is only a matter of time and so far you can push someone’s button before a reaction is produced in return. This, I believe we can bring ourselves to do because we are just a peaceful, lets work it out as civilised people to get it worked out and is never does.
You need to team up with Sandra and do a talk show together.
I truly believe that young Caymanian people of today like yourself and Sandra, for example, are too radical, having been exposed to University life and all, that our society are not ready for us!
Keep talking maybe one day we will be heard to make a change for the better and documents like the Vision 2008 (I believe that is what is called – been so long since I heard it being referred to) that was consulted by alot of Caymanians to move our little island forward come to fruition rather than staying on the shelf collecting dust until our society is ready to allow the radicals of the young generation put it to use.
Janice C // December 2, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Kudos to Harold and Rosey, Lana and Jewel, i hope you all are Caymanian, and i am sure you are by the way you speak. I send this challenge to the Leaders of the day: I hope you are listening to what your people are saying as they are the ones who are keeping you employed and if you loose a sense of responsibility to your country, you will loose the faith and support of the people. Please talk to the people and find out what they want, they are telling you in these mediums what they want and from what I can decipher it is simply Justice and Fairness for all Caymanians! If you can do this then you will remain in power for a very long time…..Remember Gov. Russell, remember how long he served as Gov. of these Islands, well, I know many of you can remember – he was a good Man. All you the Leaders have to do is be Good Men & Women to your fellow Caymanians.
Perri // December 2, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Watchdog,
I support you on your comments! Let’s call it down the middle. The last Gov’t did a good job…with some shady acts…but hey this new Gov’t with the landslide victory has done what again? Oh yeah shady acts!
Remember; because one sits in an MLA’s seat doesn’t make him/her any more a true represtative of the people that me standing in my garage makes me a car! VROOM, VROOM! hahahaha
Perri // December 2, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Watchdog,
I support you on your comments! Let’s call it down the middle. The last Gov’t did a good job…with some shady acts…but hey this new Gov’t with the landslide victory has done what again? Oh yeah shady acts! Yet they proclaim transparency?!?!?
I’ve learn’t along time ago. To know what a man really stands for, I look at what he does and NOT at what he says he does!
Remember; because one sits in an MLA’s seat doesn’t make him/her any more a true represtative of the people that me standing in my garage makes me a car! VROOM, VROOM! hahahaha
CI Watchdog // December 2, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Harold
I dont agree with your assessment of what the former LOGB Mc did not do for his people in West Bay. I can remember I was living in Bodden Town during Ivan and I was jealous at how good the representatives in West bay were treating their people. They were out there fixing houses and clearing roads and making sure people had the basic necessities. I do agree that the new road extension in West Bay makes commuting back and forth much easier but I am concerned about how we are going to pay for the new roads around the island and the 4 new high schools and the 2 new primary schools, first the capital cost and then the recurrent cost for teachers and utilities and the like. We have a pretty small revenue base and we will each have to pay a lot more unless the grants of residency and status to 10000 people with 4 dependents each is going to boost our revenue a lot. On the CUC insurance issue remember the license that CUC is currently operating on was issued around 20 years ago so I am not sure how the UDP could have insured that they were insured. I am sure that was going to be the case if a new license was issued but we removed them before they completed that. On a point that I cant agree with you is that Rolston and CG should join this Government, NO WAY the only one in this Government that is doing anything is Arden. The rest all need to retire along with Big Mc. Maybe Rolston and CG with some young blood like Bernie and Tara in WB and Mark and Sandra in BT and Joey Ebanks in NS. Kurt’s time is come and gone he has proven again that he cant get anything done whether you give him one year as Leader or four. Anthony is just passing time and letting the HSA and Social Services run themselves (into the ground) Alden is still promising new schools but only hiring consultants, and CHuckie is doing the same things with Tourism that he criticized Mc about spending a lot of money on Travel watching stayover tourism decline and bring more cheap cruise ship passengers. If we can get rid of them and get some new blood with Arden,Rolston, CG , Ozzie and Juliana maybe then we can start putting together a Government that is looking out for Caymanians.
CI Watchdog // December 2, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Perri
We can agree with that but at least with the shady acts before something was getting done. Whether it was a new Port or Boatswains Beach or Housing for Poor People. I remember all the criticism of Dr. Frank with the housing but at least around 200 people got homes. What I cant understand if it was done wrong then why has no one gotten any home during this administration, cant they find a way to do it right, supposedly the local contractors association could do it cheaper if they had been given a chance, well what has happened now dont they have a chance, or is it because we dont have any more poor people that dont own their own homes. You see sometimes you have to do things even though everyone will not agree otherwise if you try to get agreement on everything before you do it then you wait and consult forever and nothing gets done, which is exactly what is happening now. So what is worst “shady acts” and no results or “shady acts” but positive outcomes. You remember Cayman Airways buying Sammy’s for some ridiculous amount well the rumor was that the Chairman (who resigned right after) was somehow involved in the deal as a middle man, but even if that was the case if the airline gets an asset and is more efficient in one location then it could be positive. The bottom line as I see it is that this Government is intent on spending all that we have and borrowing 400 million during their term and everyday the average caymanian finds themselves in a worst position. My real fear is that we are travelling down the same path of many of our Caribbean neighbors we overextend ourselves when times are good and then something happens outside of our control, either manmade or natural that negatively affects are ability to repay those loans and then all of a sudden the international lending agencies start making demands and devaluaing currencies. I dont think that the leaders of any country set out to financially destroy their country, but trying to meet all of the needs of their people sometimes cause them to over commit. If this happens here God forbid then all of a sudden spending a few hours in traffic wont seem like such a bad thing.
Perri // December 2, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Watchdog,
How do you say it?… True Dat! The onetheing that the previous Gov’t did was act! This Gov’t has more consultants than a mysterious illness patient. This country is worse off now than before. They always speak of transarency, yet it seems like the blinds leading the blind. The only thing transparent/clear is that they Stink! They borrow more than anyother Gov’t has and for what reason? To keep everyone happy. Now if that’s not for selfish reasons, I don’t know what is….It’s so they keep their seats and authority. They’ll be no reason to complain about their shady behavior if we receive some good as well.
Not me my friend…I’m not afriad to call sin by it’s right name.
Oh yeah what up with the HSA and that board chairman? Going to church dosen’t make you anymore a Christian than me standing in my garage makes me a car! hahahaha
CI Watchdog // December 2, 2006 at 9:32 pm
Perri and the other contributors to this wonderful site. Just a little more food for thought, I notice that some of the reasoning for the cancellation of Sandra’s great show was her Cayman Airways and other insightful shows highlighting the problems with this Government and giving Caymanians an opportunity to express themselves, but I just got back from the Jazz Festival and while there I realised that for the first time the broadcast rights and partnership have been given exclusively to one Radio Station and guess what I will give you one guess which Radio Station that happens to be. Yep you got it DMS, is this just coincidence or is this just like the rest of the issues with this Government, transparent as mud. Or could it be payback for some “dirty work” on Sandra and her show and the Caymanian People. A real Government that you can trust “yeah right”.
Diane // December 2, 2006 at 11:32 pm
Don’t forget that Don Seymour was a board members for Cayman Airways and is now enjoying lifetime flight benefits – why don’t they cut those type of benefits to save money? I’m sure he can afford to pay for his own way!
Perri // December 3, 2006 at 5:44 pm
All the troubles that we seem to have in regards to the proper running of any board are troubles of discipline. Everyone seems to have self control issues, which could also obviously be termed selfishness.
It’s all about what I’ll make, no longer is it about what my team will make or what’s best for the people….It’s all about me!
No wonder it’s all failing. If it’s not money they strive for it’s authoirty or recognition…or all of the above. Now it does seem to be a human issue right about now. Nonetheless, we should try top find the exceptional ones to fill these top ranking positions, or at least find some with a small consceince.
Not everyone appears to be what they really are.
Perri
CI Watchdog // December 3, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Just a bit of Breaking News,
I have just confirmed another victimisation casualty of the PPM Government. Another senior Civil Servant has been “retired” and that is Mr. Colford Scott from the NRA. With Timmy Hubbell, Joy Basdeo, Mike Adams, Ndyia Mae Flatley, and now Colford Scott I am prettysure this this is the highest amount of Senior Caymanian Civil Servants that has been removed by any Government. The PPM must have set a new record already. But I wonder who it is going to be next week?
Perri // December 5, 2006 at 6:11 am
Watchdog,
Don’t forget, Shirline Henriquez & Kathy Gomez
Ride-along // December 6, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Dear curious paramedics,The cayman islands is trying hard to recruit you to come to “paradise” and work. Paradise not only consists of palm trees and white sand but a healthy work environment with a team commitment to excellence and patient care, which does not exist. To bad the palm trees and white sand are the only good thing here to enjoy. As for the employment here this is the only way I can explain it, “career suicide”!!!!! This blog is really for the paramedics around the world who are considering working here in the cayman islands and would like a fair and honest assessment by past paramedics who have worked here and present ones as well. In the upcoming weeks this blog will state factual evidence backed up by paperwork, current news reports and testimonials from all sorts of paramedics. Hopefully this will help you make an educated decision if you would like to work here. Also, we will also provide a fair and equitable platform here from all sides of the fence so that the local paramedics can also contribute ( this means they will have to bring there dictionaries and thesaurus’ if they want to contribute in writing:) In closing due to the impending exodus from many current paramedics, The HSA will be pushing hard to recruit you…stay tuned for all the facts and fun:)
r smity // December 23, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Mr Levy is absolutely right the UK has never done for us but come here and set up their little class system and help run this place down PPM why don’t you send them home you gutless bunch of punks instead of trying to be the next ruling class You have heard the facts from someone who live it WAKE UP Cayman
Clarity // January 4, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I have just been informed from a very good source that Sandra was very likely silenced by this very “open and transparent Government” that we elected the PPM. My sources tell me that they instructed one of their very “supportive ” utility companies to call the DMS Advertising Agency and instruct them that they were stopping all advertising with them because of the content of their show. We dont have to wonder why some companies are allowed to continue increasing prices to the consumers and increasing their profits after all “they have the power”.
Clarity // January 4, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I have just been informed from a very good source that Sandra was very likely silenced by this very “open and transparent Government” that we elected the PPM. My sources tell me that they instructed one of their very “supportive ” utility companies to call the DMS Advertising Agency and instruct them that they were stopping all advertising with them because of the content of their show. We dont have to wonder why some companies are allowed to continue increasing prices to the consumers and increasing their profits after all “they have the power”.
Sandra Catron // January 4, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Clarity,
Your comments have been moved over to sandracatron.com – please go there to add additional comments or to see other people’s response. Due to the overwhelming response on this site we had to move this over to self-hosting and not just the free blog – hence the change over.
Thanks,
Sandra