Ask Auntie
Naturalisation and applying for Caymanian status
I have permanent residence and am hoping eventually to be granted Caymanian status. Do I need to be naturalised to get status and/or would it make the process quicker? Auntie’s answer: If you are only interested in a one-word reply, the simple answer is “yes”, you must be naturalised before applying for Caymanian status. If […]
Attaching the new licence plates
With the replacement of old licence plates with the new (police tracking), will the mounting holes fit the ones on our cars? I received new plates last year and the mounting holes did not line up with what’s on my car (had to redrill holes) — my car is a Ford Explorer — and since […]
When will the airport runway project take off?
A year or so ago our tourism minister revealed plans to begin extending the runway at Owen Roberts International Airport. I have not heard a peep since. Is this initiative alive or dead? Auntie’s answer: I would say that the plan is not dead, but taking a little rest. According to the Cayman Islands Airports […]
Wants Hurley’s to return to Walkers Road
A few years ago, the Eden Centre on Walkers Road was partially demolished to make way for a new building there. At that time I read in the newspaper that Hurley’s will re-open their store there. It’s been several years since then, but no new building has been built. There only remains part of the […]
Needs more information about pension
What happens if I pass away before I exhausted my pension funds? How much of the remainder will go to my husband or children, and will this be paid out in a lump sum or monthly? Also, as the pension pay-out per annum will not suffice for people to survive in Cayman, why are the […]
Government purchase of land by Smith Cove
After recently spending a glorious afternoon at Smith Barcadere, I am curious to know what progress has been made by government in the purchase of the land adjacent to the beach. As was clear from the Save the Cove campaign, this is an issue near and dear to the hearts of Caymanians and visitors alike. However, despite […]
Vetting the Register of Electors
The Elections Office has been working commendably to encourage as many young persons as possible to register to vote. This registration drive seems to include Caymanians who are 17 years old and will turn 18 before Election Day. Young persons who are Caymanian “by entitlement” under the Immigration Law appear liable to automatically lose their […]
Time frame for providing a pension plan
I‘ve taken on a new employee who just arrived in Cayman. Do I need to start contributing to a pension plan for him right away? Auntie’s answer: You asked this question at an interesting time because the National Pensions (Amendment) Law, 2016 just took effect 1 January. The changes in the law will not affect […]
Conviction for dishonesty and running for office
On your latest question of ex-convicts running for political office – can you provide additional information on the point of dishonesty? Is there a requirement for that person to have served 12 months? Is it connected to the other sections of the constitution on eligibility that precede it? Can a spent conviction for dishonesty mean the […]
The right of an ex-convict to stand for election
Can an ex-convict run for political office in the Cayman Islands? Auntie’s answer: The elections questions continue in the run-up to May. Once more, I approached the Elections Office, an Ask Auntie Award winner, for help. The Cayman Islands Constitution sets out the qualifications and disqualifications for running for office but as the Elections Office official […]
Ask Auntie 2016 Awards
(Auntie): As we start a new year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals at various government and private entities who helped answer the many questions my faithful readers sent in throughout 2016. I am so pleased to find that most of the people who read this column understand the […]
Dart Park needs to be spruced up
I would like to know who is responsible for the upkeep of Dart Park on South Sound. When it was opened there was grass, there is now none, just a dust bowl in the dry season or a large muddy patch when it rains. When visited over the New Year, the amphitheatre was littered with […]
Concerned that electoral roll contains addresses
Why does the Elections Office publish registered voters’ names and home address on its website? Surely this is an invasion of privacy. Is it law that they must do this? If not, can they just publish the names without the address? I feel sure this fact alone would deter some people from registering. Auntie’s answer: […]
Are non-Caymanian minors allowed to work here?
I have received these two similar questions: 1. We are getting mixed answers to our query about whether a non-Caymanian teenager can work in Cayman. We’d love to see your response upon investigation. If I am between 15 and 18 years old, am I allowed to work for money if my parents: – are on […]
Qualification for a ‘state’ funeral
What are the criteria for someone in the Cayman Islands to be given a state funeral and who makes the decision? I have heard all sorts of frightening suggestions, such as all those ex-speakers and ministers with honourable before their name in perpetuity. Surely that can’t be so in such a small community? Auntie’s answer: […]
Misses the fountain and benches in Heroes Square
I work in the downtown George Town area and pass by Heroes Square on a daily basis. I notice that the fountain in Heroes Square is never on and I can’t recall if I’ve ever seen it on. Is there a reason this fountain isn’t run? Is it in disrepair or just a maintenance issue? […]
Rules for refunds of work permit fees
I saw in the news that immigration has introduced a new form for people to use to request withdrawal or cancellation of a work permit or refund of a work permit fee. Could you find out when and under what circumstances someone can apply for a refund on a work permit? Auntie’s answer: The procedures […]
The law on flag burning
Is it legal to burn the Cayman Islands flag as a form of protest? Auntie’s answer: This is an interesting question and one that has been in the news recently as part of all the insanity of the US presidential election. Up there, the right to burn the flag has been upheld as protected under […]
