Bermuda held to ransom

February 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

Let me get this straight.

A ferry pilot, who puts the lives of countless people (passengers, other boaters, colleagues) at risk and causes thousands of dollars of damage by getting loaded while on the job, is supported by his fellow union members who go on strike, leaving the travelling public stranded.

Ferry pilots are entrusted with the safety and well-being of hundreds of people on a daily basis and this man betrayed that trust.

I'm all for giving the guy a second chance with perhaps another non-pilot position with mandatory alcohol counselling ¿ but don't hold me at ransom while you fight his battles.

ON FOOT

Southampton

Well done, Works

January 31, 2008

Dear Sir,

To the unconscionable person or persons who illegally dumped three mattresses on the roadside at Cambridge Road and Tween Walls Lane last night, you disgust me.

To the tireless professionals at the Ministry of Works and Engineering, who with one quick phone call promised to come and pick up the household garbage for free (as it is one of our taxpayer services), the very next day, I salute you for your continued hard and good work. Your consistent excellent effort does not go unnoticed.

PHILIP BARNETT

Somerset

Residents have rights

January 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

I refer to the letter from Makai Dickerson in The Royal Gazette of January 29, 2008 in which he attacked the residents of St. Augustine Road for their petition against a proposed development in their neighbourhood. It appears clear to me from reading his letter that Mr. Dickerson did not spend a great deal of time researching this subject and one has to wonder whether he even took the time to drive by and visit the neighbourhood. I did, and I am very encouraged by the stand that the residents and land owners of St. Augustine Road have taken against this development.

First of all, the proposed development for 35 dwelling units is planned in an area that is only 0.28 acre. To visualise this complex, consider such a development in an area of land that is smaller than one-seventh of a football field. The plans show a complex varying from three to five storeys high and located in a small residential neighbourhood of proud Bermudian landowners. One can only imagine the eyesore that will be created in an otherwise quiet neighbourhood, not to mention the increase in traffic, noise and garbage.

Whilst Mr. Dickerson is quick to attack the residents of St. Augustine Road, the fact is that residents of Pembroke have borne the brunt of Government sponsored housing complexes in their neighbourhoods for far too long and it is gratifying to me to see these brave Bermudians finally take a stand. They should be applauded for objecting to this over-sized plan, not vilified by die-hard PLP supporters like Mr. Dickerson.

There is one segment in Mr. Dickerson's letter with which I do agree ¿ and that is his comment¿ "It's all about money".

Should Mr. Dickerson have researched this item he would have learned that the property where the development is planned is owned by Mr. David Durham ¿ of limo fame and beneficiary of various Government contracts ¿ and that Mr. Durham's construction firm is planning the project with what appears to be the backing of Housing Minister David Burch and the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

So here we have the Bermuda taxpayer underwriting the costs for a development that doesn't seem to be going out to tender, but rather given freely to a friend of the Government.

Mr. Dickerson's assertion that this project is all about money is "spot on". Thankfully the residents of St. Augustine Road have realised this too and are exercising their right to object and I stand with them.

ALLAN D. MARSHALL JP

Smith's Parish

Give public access

January 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

By now, most Bermudians understand the importance of 'Public Access to Information or PATI' as recent history shows us there are 'covered up issues' which belong in the open. However, informants are more often looked upon as spies and betrayers, for their undercover tactics. A ticklish situation when they are trying to right a wrong. A damned if you do and damned if you don't, situation.

We cannot dispute 'private and confidential' means just that, but when secrets are kept that effects gut-level principles which could be detrimental to the quality of people's lives, we have a right to know. In the words of President Harry S. Truman: "Are the special privilege boys going to run the country, or are the people going to run it?"

The public outcry for an open book policy cannot be ignored and there are numerous examples of undisclosed discussions that take place behind closed doors.

We must make clear to all elected officials that this community wants transparency, be it an insignificant change to a one street in Hamilton or where a billion dollar hospital is to be built.

What has to be most embarrassing is leaked information — a quick denial and then whammo right between the eyes! Never a rebuttal of, 'I made a mistake', or 'at the time I thought it was the best thing to do,' just a brief statement to blame the informer. My wonderful school teacher had a favourite saying, "What a tangled web we weave when we practise to deceive."

Undoubtedly elected officials are now challenged in 2008 to radically change systems to bring Bermuda into the open arena of "Freedom of Information" which virtually every democracy is now demanding.

TOPPY AND SAUNDRA COWEN

British Columbia

Barnett on the mark

January 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I applaud Mr. Phil Barnett for voicing his concern regarding families and discussing where the country was heading. I thank him because not many would walk in this mine field and speak boldly regarding these issues. Although, I applaud some mothers as they have done great work in raising their children, I personally have been saying similar things for years on how the single family structure has jeopardized our youth. ChildWatch, a registered charity, has been promoting the same sentiments for years as well.

In 2002, two well known ladies were here in Bermuda. Senator Anne Cools and Ms. Erin Pizzey opened up the first women's shelters in Canada and England. While working with these mothers and children in the shelters, they saw what most of these mothers were doing to their children, especially the boys. They told the local media in interviews that "single mothers were feminising their boys".

In the Mid Ocean News on January 11, 2008 a study conducted on "Young Black Males" by social researcher, Roy Wright, and initiated by former Premier Alex Scott. The statement made was that education was "key to solving the plight of young Black males". Further, he stated the need of a "drive to encourage good parenting amongst fathers and the need for public policy to recognise the importance of fathers in the family and provide manhood programmes".

In addition, Mr. Wright said that the "Young Black females have been emasculating the young Black males as head of the household and in this process has fashioned a pattern of social relationships that border on matriarchalism.

Studies done by Warren Farrell, Ph.D., along with many others around the world show that children brought up by a single parent without a father in their lives, are the common cause of many social ills-teen pregnancy, substance abuse, behavioral disorders, youths in prison and school dropouts. These issues are prevalent in Bermuda society, too.

"Taken into Custody", a very good book written by Dr. Stephen Baskerville, who presented at Bermuda College in April of 2007, spoke on parental alienation and family issues. Dr. Baskerville also walks across mine fields while exposing the wars against fathers, marriage and the family.

Chamber President Phil Barnett touches on many of these issues that are currently plaguing our Bermudian society today. These issues are common in the white community as well. I, too, have expressed for years and also feel that we need to look a little closer to home to understand and then solve our own causes of family issues. I believe shared parenting is needed to solve many of the family's crises and to save the future generation.

EDWARD TAVARES

Pembroke

Feeling blocked in

January 31, 2008

Dear Sir,

I just wanted you to know of the most unreal experience I just had this afternoon.

I decided to use my lunchtime today for exercise at the National Stadium. I work in Hamilton so I drove my car there and parked opposite gates 7 & 8 where that old abandoned house is (I believe belongs to Government).

Anyway, there were about three other cars parked in there and I decided to park on the side right up against the old house (thinking I was leaving room for anyone else who came to park there).

Well, after my 45 minute workout I proceeded to leave only to find that I am blocked in by a grey Suzuki government car and a black car parked side by side, without giving a thought to leave enough space for my car to pass through.

I ventured back on the field to see if those cars belonged to anyone, but everyone I asked said no, so what else could I do but wait and wait and wait till finally after 30 minutes of waiting, two women come out talking up a storm with neither one of them acknowledging seeing me waiting to get out.

The lady in the grey Suzuki car just jumps into her car without a glance and only because the lady driving the black car was closer (and I felt she was more at fault my not parking closer to the opposite wall from where I was parked) that I politely said to her, in future when she parks can she park closer to the wall opposite because I could not get out and had been waiting here for half an hour and her only choice words were OK. No "Sorry", no nothing, like it's not a big deal.

I wonder how the two of them are going to conduct themselves when they find themselves in the same situation they put me in.

I had no choice but to return back to my job late. Just wanted to say people of Bermuda, please have a little consideration when it comes to parking your cars (and this happened outside the City of Hamilton where there's more than enough space to be considerate!).

WHAT GOES AROUND

Devonshire

A shared solution

January 31, 2008

Dear Sir,

I refer to your article in The Royal Gazette regarding the Bermuda National Art Gallery and its move from City Hall.

Has Government thought about offering the Bermuda National Art Gallery to share with The Masterworks Foundation the same premises at Camden, Botanical Gardens? How great would that be and such a terrific location for both.

SHARE

Somerset

Take care with lightbulbs

February 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

While I applaud every effort to help us to become more conscious of adopting practices that create a sustainable lifestyle¿ and to save money on electricity costs¿ I have just been made aware that the lightbulbs so generously donated to the public by Belco contain mercury and so will require care when being disposed of.

Can a policy and practice be established with this in mind and can members of the public undertake to make themselves aware of these special disposal guidelines so that we aren't creating another problem when lauding that we have cured one?

KIM SMITH

Pembroke