‘Universal significance'

April 15, 2005

Dear Sir,

‘Peace and Love Patch Adams' letter to the Editor (March 31) suggests that CURE's annual March 21st Commemoration Ceremony is a memorial for the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 and cites many other examples of racial and or ethnic intolerance which CURE does not commemorate. Please allow us to provide the facts for ‘Peace and Love' and any other community member who needs more and accurate information.

While we at CURE are cognisant of the fact that man's inhumanity to man knows no regional boundaries and that there is evidence of rampant intolerance in the world which we abhor, the commemoration of the Sharpeville Massacre has universal significance.

In 1966, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March, the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre, as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day is now commemorated in South Africa as their Human Rights Day. This day is commemorated world-wide as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with the expectation that each respective country will embrace and acknowledge their unique struggles for fundamental human rights and racial equality in their communities.

In 1996 the Bermuda Government made its first commitment to Bermuda's community by reading and signing the first Proclamation in support of eliminating racism and racial discrimination in our society, as outlined by the United Nations.

Each year, on March 21, the Bermuda Government and the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality publicly proclaim that commitment to our local communities. Bermuda continues to function as a country where many of its black community members have yet to reach social and economic parity. On that day, we also ask the community to reflect on the lives lost in pursuit of human equality and to take action against the daily acts of discrimination that occur.

CURE's mandate is to promote good relations between people of different races, and to promote fair and equal access to opportunity by making provisions for the elimination of racial discrimination. Among our daily challenges, we endeavour to provide the public with an opportunity to hear about the scope of race equality and race relations work - locally and internationally. The history of the March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination provides us with such an opportunity.

COMMISSION FOR UNITY

AND RACIAL EQUALITY

A tribute to Peter

April 16, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the fourth Peter Grayston Memory Walk which was held on January 23.

Despite threatening rain, 80 people walked the route. Many people who were not able to walk gave generous contributions to PALS. PALS has benefited by over $4,400 - a fantastic tribute to Peter. This money will help the wonderful PALS organisation continue its work in our community.

Many thanks to everyone who helped - Lindo's Market for the oranges, to the ladies who baked delicious cookies. Anne Mello got us off to good start with some warm up exercises.

Appreciation also to the friends who signed people up for the walk and to those who acted as marshals on the route.

We look forward to another successful walk next year.

JANET GRAYSTON

Pembroke

Overpaid - by accident

April 15, 2005

Dear Sir,

As an educator with nearly 25 years experience in the Bermuda school system, and a former member of both the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU), I understand how four staff of the Ministry of Education could have been inadvertently overpaid.

What I do not understand is how these individuals could not have known that they were being overpaid and, if they were aware of this error, why they did not report it. Most members of the BUT work for 200 days per year. Most members of the BPSU work 260 days per year.

It is understandable that a clerical error could have occurred when calculating a pay increase for the employees in question as they are BPSU workers who happen to work only 200 days per year and not the 260 which is the usual work period for BPSU members.

It is also understandable that once this remuneration rate was input into an automated payroll system that this error would not be spotted until the following fiscal year - probably during an audit of accounts and operations.

What is not understandable is how the individuals in question did not know that there was a mistake their monthly salaries. All pay increases for union members are negotiated in percentage increments - not actual dollar amounts. Therefore when members are deciding whether or not to accept a proposed increment, we normally refer to the current pay scale and calculate the proposed increment against our respective current salaries to determine how much of dollar amount raise we will receive if we accept the proposed percentage increment. Therefore we are normally aware of how much monthly salary increase to expect once we accept a pay increase.

We are also normally vigilant for the first salary payment after the contract negotiation to ensure that this pay raise is processed accurately. So again, I return to my original question: How could these employees of the Ministry not know that they had been overpaid? And, for my second question: Why are they opposed to returning taxpayer funds that are not rightfully theirs to keep?

YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST

MAN - OR WOMAN

Sandys Parish

MSA stalwarts

April 14, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am a student attending Mt. St. Agnes Academy. This year, sadly, our principals will be leaving us. I will not name them because I wish to stay anonymous. We all know who they are because it seems as though each has been there for about 100 years.

They have given many years of their lives to the children here at MSA. I give nothing but appreciation for what both sisters have done. They have helped the students in their times of need and help. I would like to take this time to say “thank you”. Thank you from all the students past and present to the sisters. They deserve a big reward in their lives. I believe they will receive this award not in this lifetime but in the after life when they shall meet the almighty God and receive the great award to live in heaven.

All through my life I shall take this piece of advice given to me from one of the sisters, “You don't have to like everybody in life, but you have to love them”. That was one of the most greatest pieces of advice given to me and I shall carry it with me in my life forever.

These two women have given a great portion of their lives to all students of MSA, past and present. Each week in our assemblies I see so many of my other peers looking at Sister and I see that they couldn't care less. There are those out there that do care. I really do want to say that there are people out there in that student body, taking the advice you give.

I know both of you are reading this now and I must say to both of you that I will take all my years with both of you at MSA and cherish them. Even though we maybe separated “we shall still always be one body in Christ! We shall never stand alone.”

I don't know If I will ever be able to say this enough but thank you! Thank you for everything.

ANONYMOUS MSA STUDENT

City of Hamilton

A failing of Bermuda

April 16, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am writing to respond to the article of April 12, which reported the opinions of Mr. Derek Smith: his advice for students studying at university and those preparing to enter the workplace. The article was unequivocal; it advocated that Bermudian students shy away from degrees such as “philosophy, sociology or biological anthropology” and pursue a business major.

This article saddened me. I feel it attests to one of the major flaws in Bermudian higher education. Students are being directed towards an increasingly narrow range of degrees by the demands of the job market. Academia and profession should be autonomous; university is preparation, intellectual and social, for the challenges of the world. Students should be allowed the opportunity to develop their own interests without constantly casting a worried glance to the future, endlessly contemplating the applicability of their chosen major. This is what angers me. Mr. Smith would have students forsake their passion, potentially condemning them to several years of drudgery and misery.

Moreover, I believe the article highlights a failing of Bermuda. Far from brimming with diversity, our local economy teems with monotony. This is a shame, for Bermuda is, culturally, varied and multifarious.

That our economy cannot reflect this bears witness to the unshakeable truth of Bermuda: we have become subservient to the whims of international juggernauts.

I realise such statements are quixotic (we are indebted to these companies for the prosperity they have introduced), yet they contain a grain of truth.

As a country, as a community, we must be willing to endorse degrees that are not strictly vocational, degrees that do not directly conform to the demands of big business, but instead develop a trait employers universally prize: the ability to think.

I will not be so brash as to propose a business degree does not permit this quality. I also acknowledge my position will be attacked by those who believe their own financial situation drives them to seek lucrative employment through the completion of a business degree.

However, if we take this risk of encouraging university education broadly and unconditionally, we all benefit.

Our economy becomes enriched, and the workplace enlivened. Vapid lunch time chatter will be replaced by stimulating discussion. If each individual arrives at the workplace with a different degree, each individual donates their own ounce of vibrancy.

A LIBERAL ARTS STUDENT

Hamilton Parish

Obstructed view

April 14, 2005

Dear Sir,

Many years ago in the UK, a pedestrian crossing was noticeable by a black and white striped pole with a large orange ball glowing on the top and this was called a Belisha Beacon, named after the MP who first introduced it.

Because of the glowing ball, drivers could spot it quite a distance away and proceed with caution.

Sometime after the Second World War, zebra crossings took over and I am pretty sure that the rule was that no vehicle was allowed to park or stop within 20 feet of those crossings, and certainly not buses. When traffic started to increase in volume in Bermuda the zebra crossings were put into use here, but I do not think the 20 foot clearance was ever put into effect, so very often one does not get a clear view when approaching in a vehicle.

In Hamilton, a number of crossings now have a speed bump which forces most drivers to slow down, although there are those who go speeding over regardless.

Also, every weekday morning there are huge trucks double parked on the majority of streets in Hamilton completely blocking the view of any driver trying to pass, so this is another accident waiting to happen.

SEEING IT AS IT IS

Pembroke

Let process run its course

April 11, 2005

Dear Sir,

I think it irresponsible of the Opposition Leader to continue to malign the characters of other politicians until due process is complete. He has done his purported job in bringing what he considers unethical behaviour to the fore. Now he must allow due process to run its course.

To continue to discuss this in the media, request the termination of a consultant, criticise the stand that the Premier has made on this issue (which in my opinion is the correct stand) is at best, the behaviour of an overzealous politician, and at worst, slanderous.

Each person involved has given their comment, or reason why they will not comment.

The Finance Minister has initiated a review into the matter to ascertain the correct response that should be taken. It is now time to allow the wheels to turn and the due process to be completed.

As a voter it is my opinion that the ministers under this current Government are some of the hardest working ministers, providing results for the community as a whole, Minister Cox in particular. Let's not be foolhardy and reckless with our words.

We all know that Minister Cox has and is one of the most able ministers that we have. I believe that the vast majority of the Island trusts her judgment and if she says that there will be an objective review, you bet your boots that is what will be done.

Also, she has ardently worked to keep Bermuda in a favourable international light, in spite of some of the activities of some of the corporations. Let's not cut off our nose to spite our face and have her character as one who compromises her standards, especially when we know that this is not true.

Her respectability as our Finance Minister is all the more important right now, from an international business standpoint due to the ongoing SEC investigations and also from a possible independent Bermuda standpoint.

Surely there are some that will disagree with me; however, we must all admit that if the shoe were on the other foot, we would want everything to be clearly investigated and understood without emotive and inflammatory conjecture. Let the process run its course before we make further public and nationally embarrassing comments. Please.

L. CURTIS

Warwick

Tourism potential

April 6, 2005

Dear Sir,

As the Caribbean emerges from its critical peak four winter months, tourism partners go into creative overdrive to maximise revenue for the long slower eight month summer season.

Intra regional travel has been one of the consistent growth areas for most Caribbean territories over the last years.

And even if we cannot attract significant numbers to choose the region for their main holiday destination choice, there is still significant potential for second and third short escapes to neighbouring islands.

All the component parts of the travel industry have to play their part.

The national marketing agencies should allocate significant (and proportionate) parts of their marketing budgets to promoting intra regional travel.

Governments must lower some of the ludicrously high airport departure taxes, which in some cases are now US$35 per person.

Hoteliers, together with car rental companies, attractions and activities must demonstrate their willingness by offering lower rates to their Caribbean neighbours.

It has always puzzled me why some accommodation providers are willing to fill their rooms with low room rate tour operator driven business from the UK and other parts of Europe, but are not prepared to offer the same price to a regional visitor.

And last but by known means least, our remaining regional airlines must eventually realise that there is no profit in an empty seat, just as a hotel bed cannot be sold twice the following day.

They must look very carefully at the so called ‘distressed' seats on low loaded routes flying at non-peak times, and ask themselves the question ‘if we lowered the ticket price, could we fill these empty places?

If ‘we' as a region are ever going to become more self reliant and fully exploit tourism potential on our doorstep; and all the benefits they bring, the components mentioned above must be brought together and channelled in one concerted direction.

ADRIAN LOVERIDGE