Will those critics of the LOM building on the corner of Reid and Burnaby get real! Compared to the dollhouse monstrosity at the old Pearman Watlington site, the LOM building is a sublime gem.

At a time when it would be generous to describe most of the architectural design prevalent within the precincts of our capital city as boring the LOM Building trumpets a brash new Bermudian spirit which is at once sophisticated and forward looking.

ROLFE COMMISSIONG City of Hamilton Keep housing costs down January 27, 2000 Dear Sir, Day in and day out we discuss issues relating to the increase in crime and the abuse of illicit drugs. Suggestions to tackle the problem have poured in from our so-called local and overseas experts, but to no avail.

We have increased Government Budgets, placed surveillance cameras in strategic locations, employed more Police to catch the culprits, and constructed a bigger prison to house them. This was all done with the taxpayers' money and yet the problem still remains.

So where do we find the answers? One only needs to listen intensely to the stories of those caught in this web of perplexity to find the answers. So from one story to another there lies a common denominator -- the high cost of housing.

When you live in a society where housing alone eats more than 70 percent of your gross income, you are bound to be faced with social ills which tear down the very moral fabric we try to build. Most people will do what ever it takes to make ends meet. Some will work two or three jobs while others will resort to the importing/selling of drugs, stealing, prostitution, or the so-called exotic dancing to name a few.

So let us as a community petition our politicians to dig at the root. (Low cost housing) ERIC BEAN Sandys Parish Let's make a deal January 25, 2000 Dear Sir, As I read today's paper, I noticed that Logic has now also reduced their Internet rates. Logic's new 10 hour rate is $26. Watching television last night I saw an ad for PeoplePC. For that same $26 in the US, you get a new name-brand PC every three years and unlimited Internet access.

There were two other items, but I can't remember what they were. You would also get some change.

I, plus most of my friends, would like a similar deal, Bermuda style. Drop the PC, forget about the two other things, and times the price by four, then round up the price. This will equal $110 a month for unlimited access.

How about it Logic or Northrock? DREAMER Paget I just want 100 percent January 27, 2000 Dear Sir, I had to smile, as I read Andrew Pink's letter, is this bank a scam? I could have written the exact same letter myself. My Visa statements are late every month, this month was no exception.

On Monday, January 17, I received my Visa statement from the Bank of Bermuda, billing date December 21, payment due date January 15, the postmark of the envelope January 5.

I called the bank yet again and asked why my statement was late. The assistant Dhwana told me the statements are printed in the States, and then sent to Bermuda. They will give customers an extra seven days grace from date of payment.

I was then put on hold, great I thought they are sorting it out, only to find that Dhwana had answered another call, then she came back to me to tell me it was my duty as customer to call them and find out what my balance is every month, as the payment date is always the 15th and then I was put on hold again, so another call could be answered, at this point I was seeing red.

"What about the annual fee I pay,'' I asked, when she came back on the phone, "Oh that is for the privilege of having the card.'' So Mr. Pink,when I read your letter I realised that there is something we can do, we can cancel our cards and go to the bank that will give us 100 percent, not 110 percent.

A VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER City of Hamilton A wasted resource January 27, 2000 Dear Sir, Mr. Editor, do you think you could point out to the Immigration Minister, and her advisors, that our 8,000 work permit holders all pay rent - and buy other goods and services as well. When they are kicked out, how will Government replace the lost income? This is what the Bahamas did 25 years ago and they have still not recovered from the consequences.

In a few years time this Island won't be able to afford even push bikes for their Cabinet Ministers - let alone big Peugot cars.

DISGUSTED VOTER