I am using the proper English spelling of tyres against the American “tires” although that would have been better for my half-hearted attempt at a pun.

At long last we might be on track to getting rid of the tiresome, unsightly and fire hazardous rubber rings that have been mounting up on Mount Trashmore for years.

The Cayman Islands government has announced they will be signing a contact with Island Recycling and its international partner Guernsey Recycling to shred the tyres at the George Town landfill (“Trashmore”) so they can be used as fill.

We all say “Hurrah”? Three cheers. Another problem finally solved. Yes.

Well not exactly.

Opposition leader McKeeva Bush isn’t happy. Neither is North Side MLA Ezzard Miller.

Miller was obviously asleep over the past three years when he queried why the government was having to pay $1.25 million to have 500,000 of the tyres to be removed.

Ahem. Mr Miller. No one wants our old tyres. Not even for free. Our premier must have been astonished at the question. He patiently told the MLA, “We did all of that. We tried five times. The government has to deal with what is a major environmental problem and we have reluctantly been driven to the conclusion, after five tenders trying to attract bidders to pay for the tyres, that this is not going to work and that is why we have gone through this process.”

Only two qualified bidders could be found even with that handsome payout that could be more if the guesstimated figure of 500,000 is exceeded. Who has the job of counting everyone?

Mr McKeeva is not happy because he had information gleaned from lawyers representing the other bidder, Shamrock Heights Ltd. and its overseas partner Machinery Supply Inc. that the points system used to evaluate the best bid wasn’t done fairly.

“After reviewing the score sheet, my clients felt that their company’s bid was not represented fairly and they strongly disagree with the final decision. Points were not given to the company in certain categories that were very much deserved,” the lawyer’s letter said.

So now there could be a fight over our tyres.

However, Premier Alden McLaughlin would not be drawn into a debate, or he was too tired. He said neither any member of government nor himself made the decision to award the tender. It was executed tirelessly by the Central Tenders Committee.

“No minister had anything to do with it.” He therefore couldn’t comment further.

Thank goodness for that.

Now let’s get rid of those tyres from the dump for good.

Shred ‘em up and play golf over them for all I care.

I’m tired of hearing about those rubber rings. Aren’t you? Tyred off!