NEWLANDS CANDIDATES: ROBUST EXCHANGES

By Staff Writer

A robust exchange of ideas characterised Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum featuring candidates vying for the Newlands constituency.

Former Premier Wayne Panton who led the 2021 shortlived PACT coalition government is now running with The Cayman Community Party(TCCP). He is hoping to fend off challenges from Alva Suckoo (People’s Progressive Movement - PPM/Progressives) and independent Raul Gonzalez Jr.

With the three candidates sounding ‘on top of their game’ and displaying knowledge of the issues, an evening of strong, informed and varied opinions ensued.

The cost of living, immigration and residency, traffic congestion, housing, pensions and healthcare emerged as the headline issues or otherwise figured in the matters the three Newland candidates listed as their priorities.

A question of what’s the one measure that each candidate would apply to alleviate the cost of living drew multiple ideas from challengers Alva Suckoo(PPM) and independent Raul Gonzales Jr, wryly observed by the current Newlands MP Panton(TCCP).

Reducing the high rates of healthcare insurance was a starting point for PPM’s Alva Suckoo, who then added gradually changing from fossil fuels as Cayman has no influence over cost on the global market. He also spoke of having a form of monitoring or consumer watchdog system short of Price Control to keep prices in check.

Independent candidate Gonzalez Jr felt fuel and energy prices could be lowered by reviewing the contract with the electricity provider CUC(Caribbean Utilities Limited). He too had other ideas to tackle the cost of living such as reviewing high insurance premiums, bank interest rates, and the cost of goods in the shops.

Sticking to the ‘one measure’ as asked by the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Panton(TCCP) referred to his portfolio as Minister for Sustainability. He too felt the high energy prices were the main cause of the problem and referred to policies that he had put in place while in government.

Staying within the parameters of the one measure, Mr Panton offered that locally, the solution is making homes and other buildings more energy efficient, and where practicable, building smaller homes.

Opinions varied on a question about the influential National Conservation Council(NCC).

PPM’s Alva Suckoo said while he supports the spirit of the law that established the agency, he was concerned about the risk of over-reach by the agency thereby undermining the authority of the government.

Independent candidate Gonzalez Jr didn’t mince words stating that the NCC wielded too much power.

But former minister for sustainability Panton now a candidate for TCCP disagreed: “The premise that the NCC has too much power is just completely and wholly inaccurate,” he said making the distinction between rampant development and sustainable development.

Asked for their position on the cruise pier referendum question, the competing candidates took opposing positions.

TCCP’s Wayne Panton is staunchly opposed to it, while PPM’s Alva Suckoo felt there was a lack of information but would support the project if his concerns were addressed: “I certainly would not take a position that is detrimental to our natural environment…Show me Mr Engineer, how we can do this without damaging what we have.”

But Gonzalez Jr(IND) proposed a plan: “We should be thinking about going east…Join the quarries and make a safe harbour.” He felt this could be achieved via a public-private partnership with the cruise industry and other entities.

The forums continue.