Miss Teen Bermuda tells Rotarians residents are 'in control of our actions'
By Tauria Raynor
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Miss Teen Bermuda Alyssa Rose made a speech yesterday at the Rotary Club about different issues that Bermuda are faced with today.
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Photo: Akil Simmons:
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Litter build-up and safer driving were the focus of Miss Teen Bermuda Alyssa Rose's speech to the Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday. Alyssa suggested Government introduce a bottle deposit law.
She said: "When you purchase a bottle from a store you (could) pay ten cents extra, which can be collected when returning the bottle. A more comprehensive recycling programme could be created – not just glass and aluminium, what about paper and plastic?"
The 15-year-old reported that Bermuda churns out more garbage per capita than the population of Manhattan and suggested that prisoners be assigned to do a monthly clean-up around the Island, before adding that the community has a personal responsibility to their garbage habits.
"We can dispose of trash properly, keep a litter bag in your car. At home, separate your recyclables from your garbage, (and) purchase reusable bags when grocery shopping. We don't need to be part of an organisation to clean up our Island. Dispose of your trash properly, and then other people won't have to pick it up," Miss Teen Bermuda said.
Alyssa's suggestions for a cleaner Bermuda mimics a Government initiative proposed as part of the 2007 Throne Speech.
Although yet to be introduced, it was then stated that in an effort to discourage litterbugs, Government would create drop-off points where people could receive a refund for every bottle deposited. Acting Governor Mark Capes said at that time: "The Government will introduce a Beverage Container Deposit System, commonly known as the Bottle Bill.
"This system will encourage citizens to refrain from disposing of beverage containers along the roadsides and the foreshore, and instead dispose of them at designated drop-off points in return for a refund of a deposit."
Alyssa also talked about the alarming increase in road fatalities, offering suggestions to combat the problem. She said: "Since the launch of 2008, there have been 15 road fatalities and we record more vehicle accidents per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Some (of the) main causes of road accidents are... speeding, overtaking and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs."
She supported a recent initiative discussed by Government and the Road Safety Council – as part of the Graduated Licensing System, new riders will have to complete three stages of demonstrated responsibility to obtain a licence – but reminded individuals that they have a "personal responsibility" to protect themselves and others.
"We need to buckle our seat belts and fasten our helmets, avoid overtaking unless completely appropriate and with caution, and slow down. Bermuda is only 22 miles long," she said.
Alyssa told Rotary members she sets a good example for her fellow teens as she does her best to obey traffic laws and works with charity Keep Bermuda Beautiful to improve the cleanliness of the Island. She said: "Despite the solutions I have suggested to decrease the road fatalities and litter, tell me Bermuda, why do we need more legislation?
"What we need is to enforce existing laws. Lawmakers cannot legislate common sense. "We need to realise and accept the fact that we are in control of our actions. We need to protect ourselves and our community.
"We need to get it together Bermuda. The smallest action can make the biggest difference."
