Spare your mother tears

May 7, 2010

Dear Sir,

I write this letter as a new mother myself. I hope I'm helping give a Mother's Day gift to another mother.

This morning, I was driving behind a motorbike with a schoolgirl on it. She pulled out of her drive onto North Shore Road near Shelly Bay at about 8 a.m. – where I stopped short because I was the driver she didn't see on North Shore Road. She didn't give the road more than a glance.

She went on to pass a car ahead of us who was stopped to let another into traffic – where that driver in turn had to react quickly because of her impatience or lack of attention as she zoomed past on the wrong side of that car. She then tailgated a bus at an unsafe proximity until she turned onto North Shore Road where our routes diverged.

Dear child, you are some mother's precious daughter. You nearly caused and were almost victim of at least two accidents on your way to school. Never mind feeling bulletproof at your age, never mind that you've heard this before. I implore you, for the sake of your mother, please, please exercise caution on your bike. Be alert. Be aware. Be careful. Don't drive with your iPod on so you can't hear what's going on around you – don't forfeit your future because you had to be cool. Don't bet on other drivers' quick reflexes. Live to enjoy your college years. Live to be a beautiful bride in your wedding someday. Live to be a mother yourself.

Give your mother the best gift you can this Mother's Day, and pay attention while you are on the road. We need more thoughtful people in this world, and far fewer tragic statistics.

J. NIKOLAI

Hamilton Parish

Handcuff criminals

May 7, 2010

Dear Sir,

This letter is directed to The Commissioners of Police and Prisons.

Would it not be safer for "criminals'" hands to be in cuffs behind their backs?

They would be less likely to run away.

Also, we, the public would not have to be subjected to the 'Finger' or other 'gangsta' signals on the front page of your newspaper, which your staff seem to insist on printing for all to see.

NEWTON ADCOCK

Pembroke

This is not pole position

May 4, 2010

Dear Sir,

Whose bright idea was it to install the pedestrian-activated crossing beacon pole on Middle Road by Warwick Academy directly in the middle of the sidewalk, thus making it impossible to navigate a stroller around it?

Wouldn't it have made more sense to erect it either at the edge of the sidewalk or closer to the wall itself?

DAVID ANDREW GIBBONS

Warwick

Make life a masterpiece

May 7, 2010

Dear Sir,

I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I also challenge you to join the ranks of the elite and those people who live what they teach, practice what they preach and walk the walk and talk the talk … If you are one of these individuals, welcome to my world!

RON MAGNUM

City of Hamilton

'Real warmth' was shown

Dear Sir

I have just returned to the UK with a party of 22 boys after an 'extended stay' in Bermuda as a result of the recent disruption to air traffic in Europe. At a time when there was blatant profiteering in many parts of the world with people cashing in on the hardship of others, it was wonderful to see the generosity of Bermudian people.

We were staying at a government facility, Messina House in Sandys, but had to leave there as a party of American students was due to arrive the day after our 'original' date of departure, April 19th. Norbert Simons, Director of the Department of Youth and Sport, stepped in to ensure that we had another base and we were relocated to Port's Island. Mr Simons and his staff came to ensure our safe transfer and then informed me that the Bermuda government would not be looking for another penny for our stay as our 'extended vacation' was as a result of 'an act of God' and beyond our control. From that point on 'JR', the Port's Island caretaker/supervisor took us on numerous boat trips at various times of the day and night – nothing was too much trouble.

We had been on a sports tour playing football, rugby and cricket against some local schools but were now missing regular school time. Maggie McCorkell, Principal of Warwick Academy, provided us with a classroom and facilities so that we could continue with the boys' education and numerous staff at Warwick Academy helped out in a host of ways.

Jon Brunson, from Orbis, arranged for Sergeant At Arms Albert Fox to give us a fascinating talk about the history of the Bermuda House of Assembly and the boys learned a lot about your political system at an important time with our own UK election coming up!

Numerous Bermudian families invited our boys for barbecues and extended true hospitality and friendship. For 22 impressionable young boys from the UK, they learned a lot about care and concern for your fellow man. They left your shores with an enthusiasm for getting home to their families but a real warmth for Bermuda and your people.

Many thanks!

JOHN COAKLEY

Principal, Yardley Court School

Tonbridge, UK