Dear Sir,

Are the memories buried so deep that we have already forgotten when not too long ago a number of our family members, neighbours and friends lost their livelihoods, and thus their homes, businesses and multiple yearly trips away from the island?

People of Bermuda, it is that time once again when we have to consider, whether we want to or not, to choose a foot so that we may join the few among us who are determined to bring the whole island down to their way of thinking — by shooting ourselves in the foot.

International companies and visitors alike will stand for only so much disruption and unrest before saying, “Enough is enough”.

As beautiful as Bermuda is, they have many other options where they can set up shop and spend their money — the money that we all depend upon for our very existence. While many of us earn Bermuda dollars, we cannot purchase anything outside of this tiny island with Bermuda dollars.

It is not a case of them needing us, but a case of we — all of us — the people of Bermuda, needing them. We should do all that we can to make them feel, first and foremost, safe, relaxed and comfortable, whether they are relocating for business or just visiting our shores.

We want them to be here and not at some other destination — of which there are many to choose from. Many of our people from all walks of life should not be inconvenienced every time there is a dispute. Unfortunately, it has become the norm for some to act as a first resort, rather than a last resort, before taking any form of industrial action.

For some, it is a time to party with extra time away from their jobs, and to stick it to “the Man”. Unfortunately, the so-called “Man” ends up being our families, friends, neighbours and those visitors who happen to be on the island during these many disruptions.

Now is the time for our elected officials, union leaders, church leaders and those so-called silent majority folks to start working for the betterment of all Bermuda, by working together and stopping efforts to tear down our “home from within”.

Wake up Bermuda, before the day comes when threats from union and elected officials alike will be meaningless, as we will not have the likes of the America’s Cup, visitors or international business because they will just slowly but surely quietly start to leave.

The best time to change course when you are looking at being shipwrecked on a reef is to avoid the reef before you hit it. The best time for Bermuda to avoid the reef is now.

KENNETH G. STONE