In writing regarding a most enjoyable evening and already, I find myself looking forward to next year's parade which, I'm sure, shall be bigger and better.

This year's parade, from beginning to end, was magical for both children and adults. Just ask, those watching along both sides of the harbour and those on the harbour itself. We were elated. With each boat that passed, big and small, each with its own theme of Christmas, new year's and others, with equal beauty. All were adorned with multi coloured lights. Santas, Reindeer, Stars, some even had music and carollers.

They all circled the harbour twice then the evening was topped off, with a wonderful fireworks display.

This parade, was made possible by many dedicated individuals, and well organised organisations such as the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Much praise must go to each boat owner and crew. Many long hours I'm sure went into creating each display. With much patience, and associated costs. A first class job by all. I'm sure, I can speak for all those, who witnessed the parade. It was thoroughly enjoyed. Again to all concerned. Thank you.

LETS DO IT AGAIN! Paget East `A place of pure evil' December 20, 1999 Dear Sir, When I got off the plane in the sixties and put my feet on the ground, the first thing I thought, oh boy I am here. I have finally arrived at the place they call hell on Earth. This is the America land of the free for whites, a place where you don't have to speak to people because of diversity, a place where if you take the moral high ground they shoot you, a place were they shoot their presidents and nobody blinks an eye, a place of pure evil.

Drugs on every corner, sex houses on every street, and the right to carry a gun, now what more could a wicked person like me ask for? This is the place where the reptilians reign supreme, a place that born the Bakers, the Swaggerts the Jim Jones, the Jesses James Bonnie and Clyde etc.

After being there for a while, I asked a friend of mine where the Indians were, he told me his ancestors shot them all. So Minister Lister you have nothing to retract, what you said is all true. Sex in the White House, disgusting.

MANIE J. IBLE Pembroke West Getting out of hand December 20, 1999 Dear Sir, I have just listened to the news report on VSB about an underage boy who sustained serious injuries in a bike accident along Ord Road this past Saturday. We'll I'm hardly surprised that finally one of them has had an accident.

I live along Ord Road and I can attest to the fact that these underage boys ride bikes up and down the Railway Trail day after day, at speeds that make your skin crawl. I have witnessed on many occasions, both on the railway tracks and on the road, young boys riding bikes at terrific speeds with even younger children on the seat in front of them and those children can be no older than 6! The reckless manner in which these boys ride is frightening and I am afraid to let my children enjoy riding their bicycles on the tracks for fear of meeting up with these lads in questions.

Is the answer to have a crackdown on these kids who spoil pleasures for others? Where are the police patrols? Where are the parents of these children? Do they not `police' their own children? Ord Road has long been a hang out for many youths -and in recent years thanks to persistent neighbours it has been cleaned up a great deal, but recklessness continues along this road, and I really wish there were the resources somewhere for it to stop.

I would recommend traffic control devices of some sort - there are plenty of examples to follow from other countries. Ord Road is a long, straight road and a temptation for speeders and if the opportunity to speed were taken away we would see a difference in the safety. Otherwise we should perhaps demand more police in the area then the speeders up and down Ord Road would have to slow down, and if we were really lucky they would just `go somewhere else' ORD ROAD RESIDENT Warwick Millennium mathematics Dear Sir, Persuasive thought he may be and dogmatic as he obviously is, brother Bainbridge really has got his knickers in a twist this time -- mathematically and otherwise -- about milleminum and other dates.

There is no such number as zero. Zero is a datum from which measurements are taken, by agreement.

e.g. The Celcius temperature scale takes as its datum line the Freezing Point of water -- irrespective of water quality, pressure, etc. i.e. 0 degrees C.

Fahrenheit using treated water still had zero as his datum, but on a different scale. 0 degrees F.

How Alan can conclude that someone is two years old after one year beats me.

If we accept the date on which Christ was supposed to be born, then 10BC was ten years before His birth and 10AD ten years after his birth. His birth being the datum line.

From 0-1AD was His first year, from 9-10AD His 10th year. In Alan's case, when he had his 60th birthday, he entered his 61st year.

We are now in the 2000th year. At the end of 1999 we shall enter the New Millennium.

MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO Paget Problem comes in cycles December 29, 1999 Dear Sir, This is a letter of support to the Ord Road resident whose letter was published on December 29, 1999.

I thoroughly understand your concerns with the bikes and related activity that seems to naturally follow. I am a resident of West Park Lane in Pembroke, and have seen a dramatic increase in young people speeding and displaying motorcross tricks in front of my home. For us at West Park Lane, a pedestrian walk way that allows access from our private estate to St.Johns Road has been (over time) transformed into a carriageway.

Loud noises at all hours of the day, drugs at (I would assume) specially arranged parts of the day, and unfocussed young people have seized the opportunity to destroy a previously tranquil and respectable neighbourhood. If your experience is similar to mine you will find that most of the activity is from people who do not live anywhere near your neighbourhood.

I note that your letter has been focused to the Police, I have forwarded my concerns to both area MPs... Perinchief, and Butterfield, who are working to reinstate the now full public access back to a pedestrian access only. This we believe will dramatically cut down on these occurrences. I'll keep you informed on the progress, and maybe this will be a method that can assist you.

Please keep me informed on the Police initiative and if it helps.

SAME ISLAND DIFFERENT PARISH Pembroke A Christmas angel December 29, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me to use this column to thank the Christmas Angel who sent us an anonymous donation.

Your kind donation is gratefully received by all of us at WindReach recreational Village -- Trustees, staff, and most importantly, our primary users. Your gift not only helps us financially but also encourages us as we work to provide recreational, educational and work experience opportunities for persons with special needs. The card you sent was beautiful and the message inspirational -- thank you.

MARIAN SHERRATT Executive Director WindReach Bermuda Trust The root of the problem December 28, 1999 Dear Sir, Several weeks ago when I drove along Middle Road in Paget between the old A One and S Hill I noticed that the sidewalk had recently been laid with new tarmac.

I was devastated to see that the four very large trees growing on the sidewalk had literally been tarmacked right up to the base of the tree. There is no way that these trees can get a sufficient amount of water to survive particularly during the summer months. Certainly throughout the City of Hamilton and elsewhere there is always an open space between the tar and tree trunk of at least 2 square feet.

As the Government has been very keen on their continued thrust of tree planting, would it not be possible for Works and Engineering to go along and open up a space around each tree? Two of the trees were unfamiliar but the other two were a large old Bermuda cedar and a poinciana on the corner. It would be such a shame to lose these lovely old trees.

I did also speak to Mr. Barnes, Director of Agriculture about the matter, so hopefully between you we might be able to save these old trees.

PATSY PHILLIPS Pembroke