Friday 10th December 2004

Cabinet Extends Import Duty Reductions: In conjunction with efforts to improve processing of cargo at the Port Authority, the Cabinet has extended to 31 March 2005
Cayman To Seek Closer Ties with ECLAC: Government wants to strengthen its relationship with the UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
Community Christmas for Kids: It is said that Christmas is for children and some residents are making sure that our youth still have a cheerful one, even if their parents are preoccupied with the pressures of post-Ivan recovery. Service clubs, companies, government agencies, churches and civicminded individuals are doing their part to see to it that no child is left out.
Controlling for Post-disaster Stress: More than 35 individuals have volunteered their time to train as peer counsellors for the Community-based Peer Support Groups, scheduled to launch in January 2005.
Curfew Lifted: The Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIP) Commissioner of Police, Mr. Buel Braggs, announced on Thursday, 9 November, that the curfew, which has been in place since Hurricane Ivan, has now been lifted. The curfew had been gradually relaxed, reducing from its original dusk to dawn in the early days after Ivan to its latest 12 mid-night to 5am. restriction.
DACs: Meeting District Needs: Since November 10 Disaster Assistance Centres have served districts across Grand Cayman, providing information to the public on health and safety issues, including where to locate counseling services
Debris Removal: Help Accelerate Clean-up: As you prepare for pick ups
District Disposal Sites: Temporary disposal sites are open to the public
ECLAC's Statistical Surprise: How badly did Hurricane Ivan damage the Cayman Islands? Answers from a report by the UN's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) are grim.
Editorial: Price increases and natural disasters go handin-hand. The principles of supply and demand say some increases are to be expected and consumers say increases that are too large are price gouging.
Hurricane Ivan Ribbons on Sale: Staff members in the Governor’s Officeare working to raise funds for the Cayman Islands National Recovery Fund (CINRF) by offering Hurricane Ivan lapel ribbons for sale to cruise ship visitors. The launch will take place Thursday 16 December,at a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon in George Town.
Insurers Hold Largest Post-Ivan Conference: Hundreds of delegates from around the world gathered in Grand Cayman for the second annual Cayman Captive Forum held by the Insurance Managers Association of Cayman (IMAC) in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) and the Chamber of Commerce.
Looking for a Job?: With over 420 persons registering, the Department of Employment Relations’ job registration drive is being successful.
MC Restoration Trucks on: With 200 truckloads going to the dumpsites on Wednesday alone, this week has been the best thus far for MC Restoration’s cleanup effort, reported Dale Patterson of Witt Associates.
Need a Ride? Take the Express: The Express bus service has identified routes to and from George Town for those persons who have lost their means of transportation due to hurricane Ivan.
Port Urges Public Cooperation: As homeowners and businesses try to re-build life post-Ivan, the burden of this new ‘boom’ is being weighted on the country’s port system.
Post-Ivan ITALIC Plans on Track: Training sessions for ITALIC (Improving Teaching and Learning in the Cayman Islands) are back on track again, post-Ivan. Sessions recently resumed for teachers, with four different curriculum software packages aimed at using technology to enhance the traditional classroom experience.
Procedures for Accessing Vehicle Duty Concession: Applying for the vehicle customs concession
Profile of Current Duty Concessions: Cabinet this week approved an extension of the 50% reduction on duty
Renting? Have a Heart: Because of the current housing shortage, many tenants fear a drastic increase in their rent. They also may be wondering where the recently introduced Price Gouging Control Law (2004) leaves them.
Replanting after Ivan: Gardening is a relaxing pastime, provid ing quiet time to reflect or to just clear one’s mind while carrying out the simple tasks of planting, weeding, watering or harvesting. It can also be therapeutic: Watching plants grow, blossom and produce a harvest can be a celebration of life and after the destruction and devastation of Hurricane Ivan, we may find some healing in helping things grow.
Salvaged Vehicles Are Insurable: Although it has been confirmed that it is legal to purchase vehicles that were considered a ‘total loss’ and to repair them to be driven, rumours continue to circulate that these vehicles cannot be insured.
Season of Plenty for Visitors: Tourists visiting Grand Cayman this holiday season will have plenty to do, plenty to eat and many places to go.
Shelter Update: There are 75 homeless families throughout the districts and attempts are being made to secure travel trailers for use as temporary accommodation for some of those persons.
Speeding Up at Vehicle Licensing: An increase in the number of visitors to the Department of Vehicle Licensing has meant that customers have been facing long queues at the service counters and inspection pit. As a result, Director David Dixon, is instituting a number of measures to reduce the problem.
Tourism Bounces Back: With stay-over tourists being welcomed back, four properties are currently licensed and fully open for business. These are the Avalon, Plantana Condos, Cobalt Coast Resort and the Marriott Courtyard. Others will be coming on line soon.
Waterfront Signals to Return: The two traffic signals on the waterfront-at Fort Street and by the National Museum-that were not replaced in the initial restoration phase will be reinstated within coming weeks on a short-term basis.
What’s Driving our Frustration: Does it seem that there has been an in crease of impatient drivers on the road? An earlier case of missing traffic signals and instances of poor street lighting are just a few of the elements that may have teamed with an increase in frustrated drivers, all together contributing to some risky driving.

Friday 10th December 2004

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