Miller: Dart getting 5x$ more

| 12/09/2011

(CNS): The independent member for North Side has said he believes the Dart group is getting five times more dollar valuefrom the ForCayman alliance than the public will get under the proposed agreement with government. Speaking during a marathon debate in the Legislative Assembly in the early hours of Thursday morning, Ezzard Miller said that according to his research and calculations, the government’s proposed swap of beach front crown land with Dart in exchange for the Barkers and West Bay land, the Esterly Tibbetts extension and the cash payment will see the developer get the best out of the deal.

During the “No confidence” motion, Miller criticised government for lurching from one project decision to another without any real research or consideration for the implications but heralding each one as the latest economic saviour. Right now, he said, the “latest kid on the block” was this alliance with the “Dart conglomerate”, following the groundbreaking of the Esterly Tibbetts extension last Tuesday. Speaking about the deal with the country’s largest developer, Miller said the problem was the real figures had not been revealed.

“My objection to the Dart alliance is that I don’t know the numbers on it. My preliminary calculations say that Mr Dart is getting five times what we are getting and I don’t think that’s a good deal. If I am wrong then publish the evaluations and let me know what they are,” he implored government.

He pointed out that the law regarding the vesting of crown lands involved an “elaborate procedure” and, since he understood that Dart and government had made pronouncements about following the proper regulations and were committed to the letter of the law, he looked forward to seeing the rules for selling crown land properly adhered to.

The independent member explained that this required government to advertise the fact that the land was available for sale or swap and that the proposal to sell had not been rejected by parliament after a debate. Miller said that besides government’s own internal land valuation there needed to be two independent valuations completed as well, along with a report from the ministry responsible for lands and survey, all of which should be made public by laying them on the table of the Legislative Assembly for members and the public to inspect.

During his contribution to last week’s ‘no confidence’ in government motion, which Miller seconded in the absence of Arden McLean, the East End member who was dealing with a family health emergency in the United States, he said the motion was “neither novel, unusual or without precedent in this House” and it provided an opportunity for movers to challenge the decisions of government and expound the reasons why these challenges are being raised.

“It also provides an opportunity for the government to explain the rational for their decisions and policies and the effect they hoped for on the Cayman Islands and in particular the economy and thereby any benefit, or lack thereof, for the people,” he added.

He pointed out that aside from his concerns about how the government was handling projects, none of which had got off the ground despite numerous pronouncements, because there was never any rationale behind or analysis conducted about the proposals. He said it was not the opposition from him or others in the community that was causing the problem but government’s own approach.

“Prudent investors considering investing are left in limbo, shock and awe,” he added “I am of firm view that the developers can’t get things off ground and get things going and Caymanians in jobs … because of what appears to be rolling decisions. One decision is made this month for one particular company and a couple of months another one is made and then another for yet another company.”

“I support this motion as a wake-up call on government to mend its ways and get down to the business of governance, to follow procedure, make firm informed decisions in the interest of Cayman and Caymanians,” who, he said, were hurting and suffering.

Miller said that although he was a single member, he would have failed if he did not play his part properly. This meant supporting government when it brought bills that were good for Cayman but also to constructively criticise if in his view it was not in the best interests of the people, and he was comfortable that he had done that.

“I have consistently moved amendments they would improve laws for the benefit of Caymanians,” he said. “I have presented motions, 12 to be exact, since elected, all of which would have improved lives of Caymanians and I would have moved several more if meetings were not so drawn out,” he added, explaining that once a meeting started, unlike government, he could not bring anything new to the House.

“What happens to people like me when meetings are drawn out, while government can add business to the meetings after it’s started, I’m not allowed. I have to do it before meeting starts and no matter how long it goes on I can’t bring any more motions or questions,” Miller said as he once again implored government to follow the rules of the Legislative Assembly.

He said that the members should not be engaged in a debate in the early hours of the morning after a month long break. The hours of the parliament were between 10am and 4:30pm when it should be adjourned until the next day, Miller noted. “The last time the LA met was in August there has been plenty of time in between to deal with the business of this House during regular times,” he said.

“We need to stop blame game and get down to doing the work of this parliament within the rules subscribed under Standing Orders,” Miller added.

Category: Politics

Comments (66)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    We had better go with the ForCayman alliance with Dart and take advantage of the deals that he has given us.  Does anyone in the Cayman Islands believe that this man and his entities have nowhere else to go and that Cayman is the only tax heaven in the world or country that will welcome him withopen arms.  The world is in a financial mess and the sooner the detractors of the Dart projects realise it the better.  Remember that Monaco the playground of the super rich and rich is there and they pay absolutely no taxes.  Dart won't have to fix or road, provide a scholarship or give a single park, he will not have to worry about the nuiances of crime and a city dump there,  all he would have to do is show up and mingle with his own kind there are over 500 millionaires & billionaires living here already.

    So for all you who believe Dart is getting more than he is giving Cayman keep fighting the progress and let him leave and see what will happen here.  Very few Caymanians can afford or would be allowed to live in Monaco.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Millernomics at its best!

  3. Anonymous says:

    For "WOW…I think you will find……"  WOW I think you are very blind and also misinformed or ignorant.  I am not being pettty.  Caymanians have every right to fight for and protect what is rightfully theirs…….Crown Land is not for the Government to sell out or give away even though that is suddenly now occurring so it is time for us to step up to the plate and say "NO".  We want to have something to call "Cayman" in the future….We want to protect what little is left of what has made Cayman the place people want to visit.  We want to hold on to land that is a part of Cayman for all to enjoy not just a privileged few like you.  Land that we do not personally own but what we collectively inherited and wish to pass on to Caymanians….not rich investors.  Dart gets more concessions than he pays out.  Dart did not turn swamp into Camana Bay…that was a beautiful mangrove lagoon that Caymanians enjoyed and protected until greed took over one politician and was destroyed. I said the average tourist and average Caymanian cannot afford to partake of Camana Bay and that is fact.  I am not bitter and petty…..I have my eyes wide open while yours are closed to reality.  Sadly for you there is none so blind as one who will not see.  It is our obligation to future generations to keep what they will never be able to buy back and I am sure Mr. Dart will not be leaving any of it in his will for them.  So far the only one to ridicule me is you and I won't change my stand on saving Cayman vs giving it away or selling it out.  That has not helped us so far since there is still no trade school, there is still high unemployment and there is still a rise in violent crime……thats what concessions to a few have done for Cayman with no regards for what Cayman can get long term for giving up everything. 

  4. EYE ON THE ISLAND says:

    Sure Dart gets 5 times what he puts in. That's what Mac wants. Give away our country to rich foreigners. We wont take this crap anymore. The UDP is a sell-out party that we can no longer afford.

  5. Head in the .. says:

    If an A.L. Thomson or a  Kirt was doing this instead of Dart I wonder what the comments would be then?

  6. Anonymous says:

    get a cost benefit analysis done and stop the small town, small minded rhetoric and scare tactics…….

    the dart deal offers amazing opportunity for cayman in the short and long term……

  7. Anonymous says:

    This is a deal alright! my goodness what is happening here? no accountability and the give away continues…. at this rate pretty soon there will be nothing else to give or sell. 

  8. Anonymous says:

    Ezzard Miller is right to ask the question. What independent and expert advice was taken?  None I bet. Not against a deal with Dart but why get ripped off-thats you and me getting ripped off !!!

    • Anonymous says:

      According to Florida DOT it costs about $5 million per mile to build a 4 lane urban highway, with bike paths.

      This road is being built through swamps in Cayman, so a fair price might be $10 million per mile.

      Let's say it is 5 miles long from the current stop at Raleigh Key to Batabano Road.

      The road will cost about $50 million.

      Dart already owns the beach front in front of the Marriott and the land the Marriott stands on and the land to the side.

      How much will the value of these two properties be increased by getting rid of the road that separate them? By a lot more than $50 mliion, be sure of it.


  9. Real World says:

    Of course Dart is getting the best deal.  He's a hard-nose buisness man and he wouldn't be doing the deal otherwise!  Bush is so desperate to get at least ONE project off the ground he's willing to move foward without land valuations (as mandated by the law) and without a signed contract.  Dart can smell the panic caused by his political plight and he's right there to take advantage of it!  The premier's not interested in getting Cayman back to work, or improving the state of the economy — he produced a $25M surplus in any case, right?  His primary aim is to get something — anything — off the gound asquickly as possible, and in any way he can to prop up his faltering credibily; so he'll have something (anything) to crow about when it comes to the next election.  Remember one thing:  It's not getting a project off the ground that counts, it's what that project gives to the people of Cayman in the medium to LONG term.  Sure, the Dart project  MAY give a few contractors and truck drivers work for a few SHORT years.  BUT THEN WHAT?    What did the last two big projects — The Ritz Carlton and Camana Bay — give the country in the medium term?  Certainly not financial stability because the country's broke!  A few inward investment projects do not a sound economical policy make.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why are we suprised by this? Dart does what he does best i.e. prey upon people when they are the most desperate, cut a deal that givest him the best value but the people end up with far less.  His track record in other countries show the same thing over and over again.  And Cayman is allowing him to do it here too.  Poor silly naive people, only when it is too late will you have realized what you have done i.e. sell the entire country to the Darts andRyans, and whichever other rich investor comes along to throw money at Govt. whose leaders and decision-makers are only too happy to play ball with them for their own reasons which have nothing to do with the good of the country.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Just another third world rant that is eaten up by the third world minded.  You want tourist dollars but don't want to change anything for the tourist cause its "your island".  You want business money but have bleed business so much to feed Government welfare system that business won't come here and many that were here have left or gone under.  You want schools, new office buildings, piers, roads, etc. but even with $500 million coming in every year there is not enough left over to finish anything especially with the court cases building up over govenment incompetence. Face up to it already.  Cayman is not ready to step up to the future and wants to live in the past.  Which is OK but quit asking for more business to come and get used to less tourist and their dollars.  And get used to owing lots of money.

  11. cow itch says:

    soooooo… i don't care…. will i be getting any of it??? hence… don't care

  12. PoppyCock says:

    Miller scares me

    • Anonymous says:

      Wholeheartedly agreed. You bite the hand that feeds you and what happens? he stops. Not the smartest move.

  13. kirkey says:

    Maybe if we just gives him todal  control of this islands he could use him coonection and fix problem we are have. This guy no how to make lot of cash. Let us get him to make cash for the Cayman Island. I sick of no job and no monies. Cost so much to be here I sick of being poor man. Dart could probly help me and ever one. All I have is computer.

    • Anonymous says:

      One of us or some of us need to have our heads examined.  We always let money blind or eyes, and not value.  Remember the story of the dog and  the bone?  Are you one of those who rather loose the bone and grab at the substance, and later on Caymanians will be on a reservation? 

    • Anonymous says:

      So correct me if I am wrong. In the TCI Missick sold Government land for his own profit. In Cayman McKeeva gives Government land away to benefit the people of this country.

  14. Anonymous says:

      If Cayman doesn't do the deal it gets nothing at all. His estimate of present values is wrong. Furture values mean risk. The risk is all on Dart's side. Why so against Dart making a profit form taking the risk? Small town thinking.

    • B.B.L. Brown says:

      In reply to Anonymous 13:41

      "If Cayman doesn't do the deal it gets nothing at all."  

             Cayman gets to keep its (our) valuable land.

      "His estimate of present values is wrong."

             How do you know?  Give us some proof.

      "The risk is all on Dart's side."

             Getting five times value doesn't seem like a risk.  It sounds more like theft.

      "Why so against Dart making a profit?"

              I am not against anyone making a REASONABLE profit. 

      "Small town thinking."

              Well, you're right on this one.  We are "small town"!  Nothing wrong with that!

  15. Paradise Lost says:

    ..and so it continues.  Dart, a vulture capitalist, gets his hooks even further into Cayman whilst everyone stands around and watches.  Short term profit?!?  If any.  Shorter term memory with no vision for the future.  God help us all.

    I said it before I'll say it again… welcome to D. I. 

    Hey buddy, that will cost you $10 to sit on the beach and another $15 for a dart cocktail, laced with regret and "I told you so".   

    • Natalia says:

      So let me get this right, an investor proposes to invest in projects in the Cayman Islands and they are now delcared to be taking over the island? Is that what your suggesting? What evidence have you got to back this up – just the fact that they already have other investments on the island, sounds pretty weak to me. Or do you have other physical evidence such as a memo from Mr. Dart outlining his plans for Cayman domination? Or are you, as I suspect making up this garbage up, and you have nothing to support such an irrational comment. 

      • Anonymous says:

        You are obviously a newcomer. In Cayman we try and attract investment, development and job creation. Then when it is provided we jump up and down and talk of the provider "taking over" the island. It is a long-standing tradition.

      • Paradise Lost says:

        Leopards, uh I mean vultures don't change their spots.  He has a track record 7 miles long long.  If you had any sense you could easily research this man on the internet and see what he has done to other countries once he gets his talons into them.  Ask the fine people of Belize about Lord Dart.  Well at least we still have the beach, still room to stick your head in the sand and pretend nothing is wrong. 

  16. nauticalone says:

    Once again, thank you Mr. Miller! Agree with you here completely.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Sorry Ezzie, Dart is still the best thing to have happened to Cayman, period.

    Considering how much he has donated to the Islands for the betterment of the people, I think this is the least we can do for him.

    • Anon says:

      And dont you think that is a really sad situation?

    • Anonymous says:

      He hasn't 'donated' anything for the betterment of the people, he's 'Invested' alot for the benefit of Dart…

      • Anonymous says:

        Get your heads out of the sand….if it benefits Dart, it benefits Dart employees and their families and the community they spend money in. 

      • My2cents says:

        How about the $1 million dollars he gave just before Christmas to fund the road clean up crews?

    • Anonymous says:

      You think Dart does business here for the ". . .betterment of the people?"  PLEASE!  Let me tell you what'sgoing on:  Bush is DESPERATE to get something — anything — off the ground to to try to salvage his credibility.  Dart can see Bush's desperation and he's move in to get what he wants.  Have you asked yourself why Dart has moved in "to help" now and not two years ago?  The current state of the economy and the smell of the Premier's dirty diaper presents Dart with an incredible business opportunity which he will exploit for all it's worth, which is a considerable sum of money!

  18. Anonymous says:

    Mr Miller sure does complain alot . He does not like this or that . Wants no developement near him  Maybe he should realise that turtle harvesting and catboat fishing and whatever else Cayman did to survive did not put the Mercedes andBMW,S and nice houses and stores on the island that Caymanians enjoy . Outside money ,brains and skill put Cayman in the position it enjoys now . He should work with Dart and get with the times . He cannot go back but he refuses to go forward . Small man on small island . 

    • Anon says:

      Really? Do you think we got our nice houses and BMW's and Mercedes Benz from Dart?

      I just had to trade my Benz for one of those used Korean cars.



      • R.U. Kiddin says:

        Anon 14:28, Are you part of the government?  Where and how did you get a Benz?

  19. Southside says:

    "the Dart group is getting five times more dollar value from the ForCayman alliance"

    DUH!!! This is how Dart makes his money. Look at the South American countries that he has taken advantage of. He picks out countries in financial trouble and "rescues" them by putting them even deeper in the hole.

    But like those countries he's screwed over in the past… what other option do we have? 

    We may as well stop prolonging the inevitable and just anounce that Dart now owns Cayman, and let him rename it, change the flag, change the national song (maybe to "what I see happenin' by Mckeava Bush).


  20. Anonymous says:

    Seems as if Dart will go ahead with road regardless, so we will get the kickstart to our economy even if the road closure doesn't happen!

    It's important to get these emails off as quickly as possible!


    • Anonymous says:

      UDP email addresses are only operational in the two months leading up to elections.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Why would Miller think that Dart is getting the better of McKeeva in this deal? McKeeva is using the same tried and true formula that worked when he negotiated the Cohen Loan. Undoubtedly he also used the same advisors.

  22. Anonymous says:

    The Dart Family did not get so rich by making decisions that were not in their favor.

    • Jennie says:

      And please tell me which family got rich by not making decisions in their favor? Seems a lot of people on here are struggling with the concept of capitalism….Look it up its pretty simple to understand

      • R.U. Kiddin says:

        There is a difference between capitalism and cronyism.

      • Anonymous says:

        The point is that our politicians should be making sure that the deals they make are in the best interest of cayman(and when I say that I mean the citizens, not just the mla’s)

      • Anonymous says:

        What an idiot. We are struggling with the fact that we are losing big time on the "capitalist" deal.  

      • Anonymous says:

        There is capitalism and then there is vulture capitalism. If you don't know the difference, then you either work for Dart or you are a relative of his.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Miller, in your own words you say that "you don't know what thenumebrs are" so your 'back of the envelope' calculation could be hopelessly inaccurate! Completely misleading and possibly a complete fabrication?

    But the headline message is what you want to get across. Let the "5x$ more benefit" fester in peoples minds. Some might think this is designed to further stir up the hornets nest.

    I would suggest that we Caymanians would benefit 50x$ from the prospect of more inward investment into the island. More work for Caymanians and more money coming into CIG. More money being spent here. More future prospect for growth for our islands. Which is more in line with your other comment… "would improve laws for the benefit of Caymanians".


    • Jennie says:

      Agree completely, lets see Ezzards calculation – sounds like more political grandstanding. Again Ezzard is good at the criticism but very light with solutions

  24. Anonymous says:

    Dart will always get the best deals here…his intention is to own Cayman and he is well on his way because he found a moron and his muppets to permit him to do it.  Thank God for Ezzard….I wish every other member of the house had his ideals of Democracy and keeping Government and its functions in check and in the best interest of Cayman and Caymanians…not simply looking out for the greedy developers.  Look at Camana Bay…nothing there benefits the average Caymanian nor the average tourist.  That is very simply a place where the rich go to see and be seen.  I work in the tour business and every single person I have had on my tours who has been to Camana Bay has told me it was out of their price range to to shop or eat there.  Is that what we are going to end up with all over this island?????  Caymanians and the average tourists who are the ones supporting our economy and who pay the most towards Caymanians salaries are being displaced to accommodate the rich…the ones who came here and got rich and maybe a few rich visitors.  The rich are not the ones who grew the tourism industry here…It is our main source of revenue and the industry that provides the most work for Caymanians…so much so that we have had to import more foreign labor than any other industry.  Building elaborate "towns" for the rich and pricing Cayman out of the tourist market is a terrible mistake…..Darts Courtyard Marriott can always be filled with his friends if no one else can afford to stay there just like Camana Bay and the Ritz so he wont lose.  Everything he is doing is for HIS OWN benefit and you can trust me on that one….He didnt avoid paying taxes in the US because of wanting to donate his money here.  He is in the business of making money…not giving it away for little or no gain.  For whatever he has given…he has recieved more than 5 times as Ezzard has guesstimated…I am sure of that and sadly we Caymanians will be paying for that for generations to come.  Dart Invader and Macdictator ……you haven't fooled me.

    • Anonymous says:


      I think you will find that Dart has paid market price and more for all his purchases, stamp duty and all.

      The best interests of Cayman and Caymanians is investment in development and new businesses that create work. Let's not forget that our closed system of work permits means that qualified Caymanians are always given priority. (any issue you have with the use of the word qualified should be directed to the government of the day to ensure the proper education of it's people).

      You say, "Nothing at Camana Bay benefits Caymanians"…. well last time I checked there are plenty of Caymanians working there…. plenty of Caymanians going to the cinema…. plenty of Caymanians playing in the water fountains…. you get my point?

      Tourism flourishes when the visitor feels welcomed and leaves wanting to come back. The very developments that you refer to will bring more tourists, not less. More tourists means more taxis, means more waiters, means more suppliers, means more of everything and that also means more income for CIG and also more work for….. Caymanians!

      Dart makes long term investments. He turned a swamp into Camana Bay. He made the investment with his own money to make something that no one else would do. Any profit he makes in the future will be as a result of the long term investment he has made. And there is NO guarantee that he will make a profit. So far he his investments are none performing.

      As for Dart filling the Courtyard Marriott with his friends…. I would imagine he would prefer to have paying guests.

      Your final comment about "sadly we Caymanians will be paying for that for generations to come" is unfounded. The only persons PAYING anything is Dart  – he invests $500 million and the governement invests….. $0.

      Cast aside petty bitterness and sour grapes. Look at things objectively. Embrace change and embrace every opportunity afforded to you. That way you have a much better chance of being rewarded rather than ridiculed.


  25. Anonymous says:

    Of course Dart will get more out of any deal than the other person!  He is not doing all this for Cayman….remember…he is doing it for Dart!  

    This is not humanitarian;  it is a business deal.


  26. Anonymous says:

    Unfortunately it doesn't matter Ezzie.  Dart has the funds to help develop the island and the Country does not.  Whether it is right or wrong Dart is the answer for now. 

    • Anonymous says:

      WHY on earth is it so difficult for people like you to understand that we are not going to HAVE a country when Dart and McKeeva have had their way with the one we have?

  27. Anonymous says:

    Of Course. You don't get something for nothing.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes we are getting something – our own demise!

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh. lord. How I hate to see that section of the West Bay road closed. Can;t someone do something to stop this? I'm from West Bay and I hate seeing this happen.

      • Anonymous says:

        Why won't the premier listen to the people. The vast majority support the better part of the Dart deal, but not the giving away of the West Bay corridor. 

        He is just not listening. I know that he wants to put people back to work, but  let's not make this big mistake that we won't be able to undo.

        I hope when he has to sit in traffic for two hours like before he will have all the time in the world to reflect on his BIG mistake of  closing that portion of the West Bay road. If election was tomorrow, I could not, in all honesty vote for him, although I do  love our premier.

        KNow that portion of road sometimes gets blocked off during bad weather, but how many times has that happened? Even during Ivan the road was cleared within days, so that's not a good enought excuse to want to give the road away.


  28. Anonymous says:

    I believe that if someone risks their capital, they should properly expect a reasonable rate of return.  That is what private investment business is all about.  How does Miller get to a 5x multiple on building a road?  

  29. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Miller can u give it a break, and Focus with the rest of the MLAs on this CRIME ISSUE before we have a terrorist issue!!!!

  30. Anonymous says:

    Of course they are, why would dart even do it if it was not a gauranteed money maker, this is not news and this is not a surprise. For Cayman Alliance? Please.

  31. What I See Happening says:


  32. Anonymous says:

    Argentina, Brazil, Zambia and the Cayman Islands.

    And still they don't get the picture.

  33. Anonymous says:

    This is the same accouting he used when he was cutting government expense.

    A committee of one.

    I would prefer to see proper accounting not Ezzard's economics.

    • Anonymous says:

      Miller was offering suggestions for cutting govt. expenditure. Clearly, he would not have access to the same detailed information that the govt. will have. Obviously as the independent member he was not in a position to implement his own suggestions. One minute the argument is that Miller is not offering any ideas and the next that he should not offer any suggestions.   

  34. Cayman & Used to be proud of it. says:


    I commend you on being outspoken in all your dealings with the government.  It is a shame that the House and the Speaker are all of the one party.  That, in itself, stops any other member of the L. A. from making any kind of motion against your dictator's announcements impossible, because the dictator has the majority in the house.  There are but 2 people in the whole government that I sincerely hope they will see the light and move their alliances before the stench of political corruption covers them as well.  I think they know who they are and hopefully they will wake up before it is too late for them.  I am a Caymanian who does not support anyone one party, because the party system is ruining our islands.  The hype of one party against the other gets a certain amount of confusion and the usual campaign instructions is that if you vote for me, you should vote for my entire party.  This really puts our little country into the dictatorship sort of govcernment and we are much too small to be able to survive for any length of time under those circumstances.

  35. Anonymous says:

    One thing that Ezzard does to get public attention that anyone who has ever listened to his radio rants well knows is that he makes "shock statements" to get the media hype and public interest as well as his "sound bytes".

    The is precisely what the headline here represents. No doubt many will respond with rage and disgust with the government and Dart which is the desired effect. Well done…

  36. James says:

    I think it's time for the only person in this country who can tell us whether this project is really going ahead or not… "Your Excellency"……?