A front-page photo in the 1 May 1975 edition of The Caymanian Compass showed well-wishers greeting people from the Pacific Princess cruise ship that arrived carrying 529 passengers, six of whom stayed in Cayman. The following year through 1986, the ship was better known as ‘The Love Boat’ for her part in the TV series of the same name.
Once again, the Development Plan made headlines, this time with the Chamber of Commerce declaring opposition to some of the zoning proposals. The chamber rejected the concept of a ‘Grand Cayman Canal’ as “entirely impracticable”. It said of the proposed cutting of a waterway linking the North and South Sounds, that the Central Planning Authority “should abandon this proposed canal without reservation”, adding that “the experiences of the 1932 hurricane conditions … preclude consideration of this … idea without further ecological or topographical study”.
In the editorial, the Compass expressed ‘disappointment’ over the decision to not grant work permits to the performers who were to be part of the ‘Hollywood Hell Drivers’ show. “The absence of an official statement makes us concerned that the refusal could be characterised as a form of censorship of entertainment”, the paper said, noting, “There seems to have been some controversy over the possibility of our local drivers imitating the Hollywood Drivers on our roads. This is unthinkable, as we are sure no sane motorist would attempt anything of the sort on our roads.”
According to a ‘news analysis’ on the decision not to permit the stunt drivers to perform here, the promoter, Billy Adam (pictured in the story), not only made ample preparation for the event, but he was also able to counter all objections. Adam added it would be silly for local drivers to copy any of the feats, as well as an insult to think Caymanians on the road would endanger the lives of themselves and others.
