October 22, 2014

Dear Sir,

We have been hit by two hurricanes, Fay and Gonzalo, which has resulted in lots of damage to our tree population. Big trees have been toppled over, and our Island has been strewn with branches, leaves and foliage. The Bermuda Regiment, The Parks Dept, the Works and Engineering Dept and even sailors from the HMS Argyll, a total compliment of approx 400 persons, have come together to bring us back to normalcy.

The clean-up crews have been inundated with thanks and congratulations, by our politicians on both sides. It seems to me that some of these thanks and congratulations are over the top, let me explain.

Driving from one end of the Island to the other, five days after Gonzalo struck, I still see branches and leaves strewn all over. We have approx 400 people cleaning up, most are getting paid quite handsomely, and still the Island looks disgraceful. Do not get me wrong, I understand the task at hand, but cannot fathom why it is taking so long with the amount of labour and equipment available. During my Island-wide drive I witnessed only one Government crew actually cleaning up. How is the labour being distributed, and is there accountability for the time that is spent whilst at work by such labour?

The clean-up after Hurricane Emily seemed to be better organised and was carried out in a more productive manner. Bermuda was buffed up within a couple of days.

Today the rain is upon us and the drains in the roads are going to be blocked up, resulting in traffic delays, all of which could have been avoided. Surely with astute management in those aforementioned government departments the clean-up could/should have been completed by now. Perhaps the privately owned landscaping companies would have had us cleaned up by now, and at a lesser cost to us taxpayers? Maybe the SAGE Commission’s suggestion of privatisation of some of these departments would result in quicker and less costly future clean-ups.

Finally, do not take this the wrong way, I appreciate genuine effort, but let’s thank and congratulate those tasked to clean us up once they have done the job!

CHAINSAW