Bodden Town MLA, Mark Scotland who is Cayman Islands Government Minister of the Environment released a statement to the media on November 15th reiterating Government’s intention of forging ahead with the deal.

His statement has made the Coalition to Keep BT Dump Free furious and they have released the following Press Release that we have published in its entirety.

Minister Scotland still promotes illegal BT dump deal;
continues to refuse public debate before his constituents

On the very day the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) was adopted into law, clearly making Dart’s Bodden Town (BT) dump deal illegal, Minister Scotland released a statement to the media on November 15th reiterating Government’s intention of forging ahead with the deal.

Commented Mr. Vincent Frederick, a leader of the Coalition to Keep BT Dump Free: “Ever since it was presented to the public as a ‘done deal’, the so-called ‘ForCayman Investment Alliance’ (FCIA) agreement between Government and Dart has violated due process, good governance and respect for our fragile environment.  But it’s now illegal as well, and violates the rule of law.  This senseless plan to contaminate a new site instead of solving the GT dump problem where it is, has never been submitted to tender, to an open Request for Proposals (RFP) as now required by law.”

“The dump deal has blatantly ignored the requirement of transparency, as confirmed by Minister Scotland’s continued refusal to debate the issue publicly in Bodden Town, in front of those he’s supposed to represent and those most affected if the GT dump is moved,” adds Coalition leader Mr. Charles Clifford, a former minister of the environment.  “If Scotland is motivated by the merits of a dump in his district — and not by Dart’s private interests — and sincerely believes it to be in the best interests of our country, why does he continue to hide from his constituents?”

In an e-mail message to Minister Scotland on October 22nd, the Coalition followed up on his agreement, during the Cayman Crosstalk radio show, to a public debate with Mr. Clifford, proposing both a format and possible dates for the debate.  “He has yet to respond to our message, preferring instead to convey his refusal verbally, in a phone call to Mr. Clifford on October 29th,” reports Coalition Chairman Mr. Alain Beiner.  “He hasn’t even the courage or conviction to refuse in writing, nor the courtesy to reply to the e-mail invitation which I sent on behalf of the Coalition.”

During his phone conversation with Mr. Clifford, who encouraged him “to respond directly to the e-mail invitation”, Minister Scotland claimed that he was “reluctant to do so” because he felt that the Coalition Chairman “does not respect me.”  In response, Mr. Beiner stated: “I have never actually met him personally, so he has no reason for using this as an excuse.  The text of the invitation was polite and civil.  But, quite frankly, after betraying his constituents by giving them nothing during his mandate but a garbage dump, and repeatedly refusing to consult them, does he sincerely believe that he has earned anyone’s respect?”

“Clearly, had Minister Scotland and MLA Seymour promised the people of Bodden Town a garbage dump when they were campaigning in 2009, they would not have been elected.  They know what they are doing is wrong and against the wishes of their constituents and that is why they are running and hiding,” claims Mr. Clifford.

“Government has been forced to reverse its course in regards to cruise berthing facilities, to respect due process and submit the project to public tender,” states Coalition leader Mr. Gregg Anderson.  “They must now do the same for solving the GT dump problem.  We demand of Government that it suspends the FCIA dump agreement; that it commissions an independent and unbridled study by the EAB of the best waste management solution for Grand Cayman, along with the “broad public consultation” recommended by the EAB; and that proper RFPs be issued by the Central Tenders Committee following the EAB’s deliberations, including in regards to any divestiture of significant public assets like the Crown land in George Town on which the present dump is located.”

For More Information:
Charles Clifford, 925.5693
Alain Beiner, 516.4953
Vincent Frederick, 323.7520
Gregg Anderson, 916.6777
E-mail:  [email protected]
Website:  www.BTdumpFree.org
November 19th 2012