LEADERSHIP MATTERS

The fleeting presence of Hurricane Grace will nevertheless be a lingering memory for residents who experienced our brush with the storm on Wednesday.

One memory that we hope won’t fade is the response of the political directorate and disaster management leadership.

Let’s face it, Cayman was lucky but did not escape unscathed.

It could have been worse.

Damage might not have been extensive but for many people Hurricane Grace was anything but graceful...although she might have been rather gracious in sparing us the worst of her wrath.

For those residents and businesses that got impacted while the damage was not extensive, the experience could prove to be expensive.

That’s why we commend the government for stepping up and stepping in to offer support to those in need of it.

Coupled with the economic effects of Covid any added financial burden would be almost impossible to bear.

The challenge facing the government to keep a lid on the pandemic, carefully calibrate the reopening of the borders and balance that with the uncertainties of a hurricane season that’s peaking with more storms on the horizon (literally and figuratively), is a test of leadership.

We applaud and encourage the outreach we have seen between the government and the opposition.

If a near miss hurricane is what it takes, we hope that’s all that it will have taken to put national priorities over politics...no matter how tempting the urge to score cheap political points.

Kudos to Premier Panton for his outreach not just to the opposition but to the public. And not just with the hurricane but for the improved information flow we’ve seen recently.

Let’s hope it’s not selective and is not hijacked by opportunists preoccupied with political posturing and seeking to ‘capitalise’ on what is built on goodwill.

This response to what might have been a disaster was commendable.

It is a reassuring sign as we head into the eye of the hurricane season, while at the same time navigate our way through uncharted waters towards safely reopening the economy.

The worrying examples from elsewhere in the region and beyond give reason for caution.

In the spirit of Cayman’s maritime tradition, a skilled confident and capable captain at the helm is a calming influence needed in these storms of troubled times.

Every ship needs a good captain, and we believe that Premier Panton is earning his stripes.