THERE are times when our politicians do the right thing.

Last week was one such occasion, when Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield vetoed what I assumed to be a done deal ? the Bank of Bermuda's plan to transform the cityscape by demolishing the former Trimingham's building and placing a seven-storey spectacle in its stead.

It was no secret that the application belied Bermuda's building codes. Yet HSBC, the international conglomerate which now owns the Bank of Bermuda, seemed insistent that its headquarters here should have a greater presence than the one offered by its current location at Albouy's Point.

Its hope was that the Environment Minister would set aside an earlier ruling by the Development Applications Board, allowing HSBC to erect a seven-storey structure on Front Street.

That earlier ruling had stated, in no uncertain terms, that the proposed structure was too big: "The siting, scale, massing, height, setback encroachments, appearance and layout of the proposed development is not considered appropriate for this site and will not enhance the surrounding area. The proposed floor-to-floor heights exceed the maximums provided for in the City of Hamilton Plan and this feature, combined with encroachments into the minimum required set backs and additional storeys, results in an unacceptable scale, massing and height of development."

Promising as the initial ruling was, I didn't have much confidence that the decision would be upheld on appeal as I had been surprised by the results of such proceedings before.

I'm sure the silent majority was just as apprehensive about the outcome. After all, there had been no huge public protest indicating we cared. Worse, the Bermuda National Trust did not object to the proposed structure. And then, the bank has proved itself a charitable soul, delivering millions of dollars to worthy community causes.

Bank CEO Philip Butterfield, of course, expressed his disappointment with the outcome. I'm sure he stands in the minority, however. Apart from maybe a few construction companies, I think most residents are applauding the Environment Minister's decision.

It seems it was, for me, a banner week. I stand behind Housing Minister David Burch and his criticism of Matasha Winters, a single mother of seven now demanding the Government provide her family with shelter.

The 34 year old was forced to give up two of her children for adoption because she had nowhere to house them. Three other children are now living with relatives. Ms Winters lives with the remaining two, a guest at her sister's home in Paget. She turned to this week desperate for a place to live with the children still in her care.

"I know that I have made a lot of mistakes in life, but when it comes to having a support system by your Government, it fails somebody like me," she told the . "It's just Bermuda needs to get a support system. It's not like I haven't been trying but there is nothing out there that I could afford.

"The Premier didn't keep his promises to me," she said, referring to a declaration by Premier Alex Scott that he would find housing within two months for 20 families.

"My name was on a list but they kept saying, 'There is nothing available'. I put my trust in them ? the Premier and (former Housing Minister) Ashfield DeVent. I feel hurt. I feel they lied to me."

The current Housing Minister held a press conference this week in response to her comments, informing those present that the former Bermuda Housing Corporation tenant owed more than $20,000 in arrears. In addition, she owes a further $7,000 to the Corporation as a result of "wilful damage incurred on the property".

He added that she had been informed earlier this week that accommodation would be provided at an emergency rooming house as soon as space became available.

Sen. Burch suggested that Ms Winters "stop seeing herself as a victim" and accept that her "irresponsible behaviour" was the cause of her housing problems.

I couldn't agree more.