(CMR) In honor of Vestryman Mr. Arley James “A.J.” Miller, who died on Sunday, 8 May, all Cayman Islands flags at public buildings were flown at half-mast on Friday, 13 May.
The flags will again be flown at half-mast on the day of his funeral or the Friday before, should that day fall during a weekend. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Premier Hon. WaynePanton, who expressed profound sadness at the passing of the political trailblazer, said, “it is impossible to recount the political history of the Cayman Islands without giving consideration and indeed credit to the contributions of Mr. A.J. Miller. “
Mr. Miller answered the call to public service in 1958 and was elected to represent the people of Bodden Town. He was the last surviving Vestryman from the 1958 Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry, which transitioned into the Legislative Assembly (now House of Parliament) under the new Constitution of 1959. His passing leaves only one surviving Caymanian to have served in the Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry.
Mr. Miller was victorious in that pioneering election of 1959 election under the new Constitution but made the difficult decision not to take up his seat in the new Legislative Assembly. Instead, he accepted a call to become a seaman, which offered him the ability to better support his young family.
He eventually returned to Cayman in the 1970s. Mr. Miller’s impact on the political landscape of the Cayman Islands became quite profound and well renowned throughout the community.
Mr. Panton said he was widely recognized for his strategy, wealth of knowledge, but perhaps he will be most remembered for adding color and excitement to election campaigns. He was also an entrepreneur involved in several business ventures over the years.
“On behalf of the Cabinet and Cayman Islands Government, I wish to extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the community of his beloved District of Bodden Town,” the Premier said.
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