Turner Declares for Prospect

The official campaign launch for Prospect Political candidate, Mrs. Sabrina Turner was held at the Spotts Dock on Thursday, 28th January.

A crowd of prospective constituents, supporters and well-wishers, streaming into the venue to learn more about the candidate, who will now compete against Mr. Michael Myles - who has also declared for the District of Prospect - and incumbent Austin Harris, who has held the Seat for the past four years and is also expected run again in this year’s General Election.

Onlookers heard from several speakers, who endorsed Mrs. Turner as their frontrunner at the polls on May 26th.

Among those who vouched for her integrity, work ethic and moral fortitude was Attorney, Mrs. Keva Reid, who praised Mrs. Turner’s strides in the arenas of business, family and community.

“It is an important endorsement, because I know her personally,” exclaimed Mrs. Reid, who lauded Mrs. Turner as a, “voice of change and hope for a better tomorrow”.

She noted that Mrs. Turner was prompted to ‘run’ by those whom she had served for many years as a member of the Prospect community and describe her as someone who would, “help to build and mould her constituency”.

Mrs. Turner’s personal accomplishments include being recognised as a finalist for the 2017 Community Spirit Award in recognition of her work with the Prospect Community Emergency Response Team, which she helped to create and direct.

The group has been instrumental in liaising with the Royal Cayman Islands Police and other Government agencies regarding matters of disaster preparedness and cleanup.

A graduate of the very first class of the Cayman Islands School of Nursing and the Valedictorian of her class, Mrs. Turner has also been active in business for over 18 years, serving the community thorough her Immigration Consultancy business.

Speakers on the evening pointed out that many persons might be familiar with Sabrina Turner as a result of her time as a host of the Caymanian Business Buzz on Radio Cayman.

“She has a selfless desire to be a part of the solution and her mindset in this regard is infectious,” according to one of the honorary speakers at the event.

Others who offered their public endorsements and support for Mrs. Sabrina Turner included Mrs. Deanna Look Loy, whom has worked as a public servant for thirty three years.

As a teacher of Spanish at the John Gray High and George Hicks High Schools, Mrs. Look Loy said Sabrina was one of her past students, whom she had great respect for.

“Sabrina will set the tone for a new Prospect,” she noted, adding that the candidate’s commitment to her community and its important initiatives was part of a pattern of excellence.

Upon addressing the audience, Mrs. Turner touched on the theme of women in politics and the importance of having balance and equality.

She noted that more emphasis needed to be placed on Cayman’s heritage, as well as funds allocated to areas of productivity such as the arts and the general development of the Caymanian people.

“I see the pain in the eyes of our young people,” she lamented, adding that many were simply pleading for an opportunity and a proper education.

Mrs. Turner also addressed some of the ‘disparities’ taking root in Cayman’s demographic.

“Affordable housing and home ownership, as well as a proper immigration accreditation system and better corporate citizenship/partnerships are extremely important,” noted Mrs. Turner.

She explained that she would be leading initiatives to retrain tourism workers, whom have been disenfranchised as a result of COVID-19.

“Tourism is not coming back anytime soon and I want to encourage persons to retool,” she said.

Mrs. Turned also spoke about the importance of self-sustainability and not being so dependant on the outside world:

“We have to embrace and support individual farming and encourage individual farmers and local growers.

“Especially with the threat of COVID-19, we have to know that this bubble that we have created does not come cheap and the only way to drive down the cost-of-living going forward is to encourage inward investment and growth in these different areas.”

She also pledged to represent ‘Country’ and ‘People’ at all times.

“It’s about country and people not self. I will walk beside you and I will stand for Cayman. The rising tide must lift all ships,” she told the audience.

In the last 50 years of the Cayman Islands’ history, only 25 women have attempted to run for public office. Among those, only have been successful in their bids.

Mrs. Turner said she was determined to make history and continue the legacy of the strong and resilient Caymanian women whom have come before her.