What it comes down to

November 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

The current situation at the Royal Naval Dockyard, regarding the Bermuda Cement Co., in particular Jim Butterfield, and the West End Development Co., has given the PLP "naysayers" something to "cry (whine) 'bout again".

More than six years ago Wedco (Government Quango) started proceedings by holding meetings with the principals concerned on their proposed redevelopment of the South Basin and the Pender Road area. It is of my belief that, it's no secret that condos/townhouses are "on the cards" for the space currently being utilised by BCC, as an ongoing process to help revitalise the entire West End to enhance work already completed.

This project is for the betterment of the country as a whole; with the new Mega/Panamax pier under construction, which incidentally, was another "thorn in the side" of those opposed to a PLP Government, by the granting of the contract to Correira Construction, because they (Correiras') "have seen the light" and joined the PLP, with Mrs. Correia being a candidate in the upcoming election. The 'naysayers' tried once again to find fault. Anyone with an ounce of common sense would agree that if we have a local company qualified and experienced to perform the work why look elsewhere. Additionally, they already have the necessary equipment.

Perhaps it is a case of the 'naysayers' (UBP supporters/establishment) being accustomed to such practices, that they accept it as a 'norm', of "taking care of their own", as to why they made such a fuss – they can identify with it!

Jim Butterfield in my view, has enjoyed for some 40 yrs., a 'do as I please' attitude, being president of BCC the only bulk cement company therefore, a monopoly. In the existing construction climate, tied to our dependence of the International Business, and its expansion and the housing concerns, of which there's no shortage, just an affordability issue and some landlords not willing to rent to a certain ethnicity.

I recall for the Newport/Bermuda Yacht race, there was "no room in the Inn", and a plea went out to the general public – surprisingly apartments became available, in certain neighbourhoods. I can attest to this as I was operating a taxi at the time; these areas weren't North Hamilton, Smith's Avenue, Friswell's Hill or Mount Hill.

My perception of Jim Butterfield and a majority of shareholders, is that they consider BCC an essential service, thus they think they can manipulate, threaten or try intimidation to maintain the "fruits" they have harvested for so long, by laying blame on, once again, the PLP Government. Why is it that, I believe, only two or three shareholders are not willing to 'sell-out, one of which is a prominent business owner/employer of one of the Island's larger "home-grown" companies BGA Group of Co.'s, as well as Brown & Co. If this Mr. Wendell Brown is not business- savvy, how does one account for his successes thus far?

Another testament to "The Establishment" cringing to the fact that there is about to be a Power Shift, something they had inherited from their forefathers – Privateers/Buccaneers (I call them Pirates), then Executive Council (more prominently known as "The 40 Thieves").

And, if it were not for the PLP forming in 1963, we would not have the basis of our Constitution, as we know it today, and consequently, the formation of the UBP to protect their interest.

So, basically Mr. Editor that's what it comes down to, the thought of having to relinquish the power they have enjoyed for so long. The majority of the minority exhibit this 'air' about them as if they're entitled to what they have become accustomed to – doing as they please, taking advantage of and in some cases exploiting the majority and discriminating when they deemed necessary, once again to maintain what they perceive as superiority.

Now along comes Dr. E.F. Brown, obviously a resourceful, strong, influential, clever and intelligent individual as leader of the PLP. Of course this poses a further threat to the "Establishment", as he appears to be bringing the majority together. The hair on the back of their necks really stood up when Dr. Brown start talking 'Empowerment'.

On that note, one shouldn't blame the Premier for wanting to have a security entourage. Not to equate him with the likes Marcus Garvy, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy and others that spoke and stood up for the rights of people of colour, but we all know what happened to them. One must admit there are some parallels. And those that were not assassinated were discredited or financially destroyed by the "Establishment", once again to protect their interest.

It's apparent that the UBP are on this campaign of 'preying on people's emotions' by exaggerating or sensationalising events of which Dr. Brown "allegedly"(in some cases) had / have some involvement, with the help of the Media; whether it is the BHC, Stem Cell Research or "pick-a-straw", they're bound to find something negative with it, all in the name of fear; fear of thinking the majority will retaliate for all the wrongs done, fear of not maintaining their economic dominance, ultimately, fear of losing control!

I don't regard myself as racist, but a realist. Just take note of these things/issues I have raised and ask yourself why! Why is it that the majority doesn't have a problem joining the minority clubs, our patronising the minority businesses and even the majority is now infiltrating the minority schools? Why is it a problem for the minority to reciprocate? Do they believe the majority has nothing to offer, or they're afraid, or they just flat out think they are better?

So, stop your "whining" and "get with the programme", you 'naysayers'. Do you need the control and economic dominance to replace something you maybe lacking emotionally or spiritually?

For those whom profess to be Christians, and others, please "do unto others as you'll have them do unto you" and stop crying because you can't have your way.

GLENN CHASE

Sandys

Alarming stories

November 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

Any local or foreign executive, potential investor or other interested parties must be very confused or even alarmed by some of the main stories in today's Royal Gazette:

"Stemedica advertises local job – just not in Bermuda"

This sounds like a classic "do as I say, not as I do". Local employers must be wondering two things:

1) why doesn't Stemedica have to advertise three times in the local papers like everyone else; and

2) how do they expect to get a permit through Immigration in less than a month when everyone else has to wait for months? Is one of the principals using their political influence to benefit their private enterprise?

"Premier: Press secretary 'mistaken' over referendum"

How did the Premier's press secretary get this wrong? He is quoted as saying the Premier has being 'crystal clear' on the issue, but this is obviously not the case. Are we to assume this is confirmation that the Premier is ignoring the wishes of a majority of Bermudians who are not only opposed to the idea, but also want it decided by a referendum?

"Govt. could buy cement company"

What is the Government doing in the cement business? The 'plan' is to own it temporarily while they seek a future buyer. This clearly illustrates that the Government has absolutely no plan for the future of this enterprise even though the leasing of the property in Dockyard has been a front page issue for more than a year. Are we to assume the Government (i.e. taxpayer) is going to pay the $10-$15 million to move the operation 300 yards down the road? Is this even the plan or poorly veiled attempt to boot out the current owners?

Is the way we do business in Bermuda?

KENT SMITH

St. George's

It's all about Dr. Brown

November 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

The election battle has progressed to such a stage that some aspects are becoming clearer. I think first and foremost, despite statements to the contrary, that the election really is about Dr. Brown. He is an able politician and leader such as we last saw in Sir John Swan, and a man of great abilities, but at the centre of the campaign there are weaknesses which the UBP could push. I remember Sir Edward Richards, long before he became a knight and a Premier, saying after a court case: "When you find a hole in the opponent's position you have to work to open it." (He won the case).

Maybe the UBP has to think of this, for they face an uphill battle. Their biggest problem is that the economy is doing well, and most voters are fairly comfortable. People seem to have little difficulty making trips abroad, and although we have a number of unhappy individuals and families generally the standard of living remains high. The weakness in the comfort of too many people is the economic pressure on our small land area.

Perhaps when Sir John Swan fears that we are going to lose some of the exempted companies through not being hospitable enough, he is really pointing to the problem which Alex Scott saw when he put together the Sustainable Development group. Are we outrunning what we can sustain? – a question which does not seem to bother the Doctor as he boasts of more hotels and opens the door to more motor vehicles. This is not completely fair to the Premier, for his fast ferries initiative is an attempt to break the difficult commuter traffic problem from the West End to Hamilton. The St. George's ferry may help at the East End, where the problem is not as acute.

There is no doubt about the ability of Dr. Brown. He has led his ministries forward in a way which is an example to others which seem to get bogged down in weak decisions and leadership. The exception is the ministries led by Col. David Burch, who has demonstrated that a technocrat can achieve a great deal by a straightforward approach to a problem. It was wise of Dr. Brown to keep him on as part of his Cabinet, for after Dr. Brown's treatment of Dame Jennifer Smith a few years ago it would have surprised no one if Col. Burch had been ousted, not only from his seat in cabinet but also from his seat in the Senate – but Dr. Brown wisely kept on the most able leader among his subordinates. Perhaps he saw Col. Burch as no threat to his position.

Of course the colonel has flubbed the Bermuda Cement Co. affair through not working through to a solution earlier, although the deadline was perfectly well known, having been set by the West End Development Co. Procrastination and indecision have sometimes been a weakness of the PLP – but then the UBP suffered from it too at times.

In picking other members of the Cabinet, however, it seems to me that Dr. Brown exposed his weakness. Some of the Cabinet members are alright, but others find their responsibilities too much for them. Some decisions are particularly surprising – why Mr. Randy Horton was given both Education and Sport is a mystery, for education, particularly in this difficult time, needs a full-time Minister.

One would have thought that Mr. Dale Butler would have done well in education while Mr. Horton seems better fitted to the sports cabinet post. Indeed, a year or two ago a PLP weakness was shown when Ministers of Education flitted in and out of office so quickly that no firm policy was worked out, and each one had to try and learn a most difficult and complex job in a hurry, while the schools suffered from lack of direction, certainly lack of ministerial decision and sometimes lack of ministerial signature.

It also remains a mystery as to why Dr. Brown has retained two cabinet posts for himself. To be sure, Tourism gives a chance for posturing, and the Ministry of Transport has produced, through competition, much cheaper air fares. At the same time the cruise ship problem has not been solved, and there are no indications that I know of that the Premier is seeking a smaller liner or two that would fit comfortably in Hamilton and St. George's Harbours.

The fact is, however, that both these ministries could have been handed on to others in the PLP, not only to spread the load but also to train the next cadre of leaders. Does Dr. Brown think that he alone can do the job successfully? Are their signs (note the imbroglio of Stemedica's advertisement for a manager when – perhaps – no one had gotten around to placing a Bermuda advertisement) that the Premier is feeling the strain of too much on his plate?

The evidence would suggest that he likes being a lone top dog, for the evidence points to a leader who thinks too well of himself. Police escorts are called for and other dignities obtained, so that in our small Island he is frequently seen, at least so is the view of the observer, being high and mighty. Of course the aggrandisement of the office of Premier has been going on for many years – Sir John Sharpe's moped being replaced by Sir David Gibbons car with driver and flag and so on. The only place to go was up – and that meant a Police escort ... although I hear that Dr. Brown abandons his escort sometimes.

So I believe the election revolves around Dr. Brown. We know that he is able, and we know that he will keep things from us – even fight all the way to the Privy Council. And that was about one set of circumstances in which leading PLP figures were not "exonerated", as Dr. Brown claimed, but simply said not to have acted illegally thanks to the nature of the Parliamentary acts about corruption. Other reports – the Hospital review, for instance – are kept close to the chest. It seems the people should not be kept informed save through the careful filter of a press secretary ... and even that can go awry, as we recently discovered.

And so, friends – till we meet at the polls.

W. S. ZUILL Sr.

Smith's

The real deal on Facebook

November 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

In The Royal Gazette on November 24, 2007 there was a letter entitled "Shut out of Facebook" which is now being e-mailed across Bermuda. In that letter the anonymous writer "Concerned Teen" states that he was deleted from posting on a "United Bermuda Party" Facebook page. I would like to set the record straight.

The individual concerned (who I will not name since he has written his letter under a pen name) frequently posted anti-United Bermuda Party remarks on a Facebook page entitled "The United Bermuda Party" which, when created, was an open group. This means that anybody could join and participate.

The individual in question has posted libellous remarks in the past which have been deleted accordingly by the page moderators. The remarks causing "Concerned Teen" to be blocked from posting were offensive and absolutely false — not facts as the young man would have you believe. The moderators felt that the "Concerned Teen" joined the group not to support the United Bermuda Party but to merely criticise.

Since the General Election was called the United Bermuda Party Facebook page has been bombarded by persons with fake identities attempting to write libellous and racist remarks. Some deleted posts have been threatening and racially charged. This has caused us to only allow persons to post after first asking to join the group for more effective monitoring. We have posted a notice of the Facebook page stating; "Since the General Election was announced there has been a prolific increase in the number of 'false' persons posting on the United Bermuda Party page.

"By way of false persons we mean persons who create a fake Facebook identity to simply post libelous and/or racist and/or hateful statements on our page. We condemn this type of behavior. Whilst the United Bermuda Party is keen to engage in open and frank discussions we will not permit this forum to be abused. Although users will now have to request to join this group we will not reject the request simply because the poster might disagree with us — unlike other sites. We usually answer all queries posted on this site within 24 hours. Thanks for your understanding."

Mr. Editor, the United Bermuda Party is not a party that is hiding something or deleting those who disagree. Rather we are monitoring our page that could be and has in the past been used to post anti-United Bermuda Party propaganda and libellous remarks. We will continue to moderate this medium to ensure it is used responsibly.

Shawn Crockwell

Chairman of the United Bermuda Party