Celebrations in Savannah/Newlands for Wayne and Heather

By Christopher Tobutt

They were jumping for joy at the Savannah and Newlands office for Heather Bodden and Wayne Panton during the victory celebrations after a long and hard campaign under the slogan, “community creates country.” There were lots of hugs and shouts and tears of joy, as the results came in. Mr. Panton for Newlands beat Alva Suckoo by a significant margin, as well as newcomers Raoul Gonzales and Roydell Carter. In Savannah, Ms Bodden was running against Malcolm Eden, son of veteran elected representative Anthony Eden.

Heather Bodden was busy being hugged by all her friends and campaign supporters. “I feel excited and happy. The people put their trust in me and I’m back. I was in there from 1995 to 2000 and I’m back now, and this is what happens when you know your people, and you’re on the ground and working in your community, and you’re community-minded,” she said. “This is what happens and this is where my heart is, in Savannah. It’s a little bit early to talk about the changes we are going to make, but I am so happy now because I will get in there, and there will be changes in issues that really matter to the people …I will be working as a team with Wayne, Wayne is the man with the plan.”

A joyful Mr. Panton joined the victory celebration at the office headquarters opposite Wendy’s in Savannah "Thank you to my family, friends and everyone who voted for me in the 2021 General Elections. I appreciate your support and I am honoured to be your Member of Parliament for the constituency of Newlands. Now the work begins. I look forward to working diligently for the betterment of the Newlands community and all of the residents of our beautiful Cayman Islands,” he said.

The third Member of the Community Creates Country platform, Osbourne Bodden for Bodden Town East was beaten by Dwayne Seymour, but that wasn’t stopping the Savannah and Newlands supporters from celebrating. One said, “I’ve been dancing and dancing,” and another lady said, “I have been hollering so much I can’t holler no more.”

It was a big night for the Independents, and lots of excitement as the results kept rolling in. Ruthana Young was bringing tidings from East End and was coming to join in the victory celebrations at the Savannah office.

“It’s a very exciting night. I just left East End where there’s a very spirit-full motorcade for Mr. Isaac Rankine, Mr. Arden Accepted Isaac’s win graciously and this win in Newlands and Savannah I think is more than worth celebrating,” she said, “I think people asked for change, and that’s what we’re getting. Another Heather Bodden supporter said, “I’ve been hollering so much my voice is gone and I can’t holler no more.”

Dean Walton said, “I’m Very happy. The country has spoken and we have two great new representatives Wayne Panton for Newlands and Heather Bodden for Savannah, and they will bring us as a country what we need, and what we’ve been lacking. I want to thank everyone that voted for them. I think we have two of the best on board now, and I think these two will guide us and keep us in the right direction. They will put right what has been lacking, and be a great representative of the country as a whole.”