A fool on the loose

June 4, 2002

Dear Sir,

Basic respect for other human beings is a quality that is very much missing these days on this Island of ours, particularly along what are supposed to be peaceful havens in our very crowded community. How very sad.

I cite an incident that took place at 6.40 a.m. this morning along Somerset's once-peaceful Railway Trail (near the Heydon Trust) that has evolved into a prime speedway.

This is the fourth time in as many weeks that I've seen a car along this stretch in the early hours. And I've lost count of the number of speeding bikes that pass daily during early morning rush, who risk (everyone's) life and limb to go to work.

Happily walking my dog on our morning constitutional, I was nearly struck from behind by a Peugeot sedan with some of the darkest-ever tinted windows. It was zipping along at about 50 kph, hazard lights flashing wildly. Those hazard lights were supposedly being used to warn folks about his excessively out-of-control driving.

Hello? What on earth was this car doing there in the first place? It is illegal and off-limits to cars and large motorcycles (which constantly drive along this stretch). And trying to identify the driver was a mission dashed from the start due to the extra-strength window tint. How convenient for the driver: Not only is the person unidentifiable - he is also unaccountable, literally under cover.

But it didn't end there. The car came back in the opposite direction. This time even faster. But I saw it coming, and stepped into the middle of its path well in advance so that the driver had plenty of time to see me. The vehicle slowed, and I knocked on its window. The car stopped and out leapt a large man with a vicious attitude who came toward me and my friend and our two dogs.

He screamed: "I have a little family situation that I'm dealing with. You can just f- right off," turned on his heel, jumped back into his car and sped off again at about 50 kph.

That's no excuse, I thought, cars are not allowed on this stretch ever. And I marched off with my dog to the Somerset Police Station, where I filed a report.

The officer in charge as well as the other Police sympathised with my plight. But, they said, it's a tough place to watch 24/7. Certainly, they do prevent some speeding by sometimes sitting along this stretch in a patrol car or Police motorcycle.

However, the frequent or infrequent patrol or stake-out has not yet solved the problem. A solution needs to be introduced to entirely eradicate the problem. It's only a matter of time before a jogger, walker, pedal cyclist - or one of the endangered species - the tourist - is assaulted for asserting his/her rights over this issue, or worse - be killed because of reckless driving.

Nothing is being done to preserve this stretch of byway that was (and I quote from the Government-issued Department of Tourism booklet) "In 1984, Bermuda's 375th Anniversary, the Government of the Islands dedicated the lands of the old railway as a path and bridle way."

Further, ".local citizens, elected members and Government officers worked to clear the overgrown track for the opening of the Railway Trail.Some of the loveliest sightseeing in Bermuda can be enjoyed from the now deserted route of a railway that once threaded its way from one end of the island chain to the other. You will be rewarded, as were the passengers of yesteryear, with stunning seascapes, breathtaking scenery, exotic flora and fauna, and mind soothing solitude."

JUDITH WADSON

Somerset

If it ain't broke

June 3, 2002

Dear Sir,

I have a 13-year-old son, who attended public school from the age of five to nine, then he went onto the private sector for another three years. Except for his early years in the public school system, my son has struggled until now.

My son dropped from an honour role student to an unacceptable lower grade, this frustrated him and it became very difficult for the both of us, even as I made every effort to help him with his homework every day. He lost interest in attending school until I moved him to a home school.

My son is now an "A" student and is eager to attend school every day and has established a great deal of self pride and self-esteem, in his work and himself. He also has the utmost respect for his teachers.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last Friday's meeting but after reading today's headlines "Leave us alone!" I have to ask, "where will my son be attending school this September if the Government forces their rule of only four children per home school?" Berkeley and CedarBridge are overcrowded and if the Minister has made arrangements for the 300 odd children that were coming into the system this September then where will they put my son and all of the other children who attend home school?

As a (single) parent of a young black male child, I made the choice to sacrifice in many areas so that my son can have a good education. Like Isaid, I tried the private sector and it failed my son, so he won't be going back there. In all reality Bermuda does not have any other options in means of education: Public or Private or Home School.

Is this really about the education of our children or more money in Government's bottomless pockets?

Maybe the Press could do a piece on the home schools and interview a couple of the children and get their opinion, after all it's their future.

HOME SCHOOLING SINGLE MOTHER

Pembroke

P.s. Don't fix it if it isn't broken. It works for me.

If it ain't broke

June 3, 2002

Dear Sir,

I have a 13-year-old son, who attended public school from the age of five to nine, then he went onto the private sector for another three years. Except for his early years in the public school system, my son has struggled until now.

My son dropped from an honour role student to an unacceptable lower grade, this frustrated him and it became very difficult for the both of us, even as I made every effort to help him with his homework every day. He lost interest in attending school until I moved him to a home school.

My son is now an "A" student and is eager to attend school every day and has established a great deal of self pride and self-esteem, in his work and himself. He also has the utmost respect for his teachers.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last Friday's meeting but after reading today's headlines "Leave us alone!" I have to ask, "where will my son be attending school this September if the Government forces their rule of only four children per home school?" Berkeley and CedarBridge are overcrowded and if the Minister has made arrangements for the 300 odd children that were coming into the system this September then where will they put my son and all of the other children who attend home school?

As a (single) parent of a young black male child, I made the choice to sacrifice in many areas so that my son can have a good education. Like Isaid, I tried the private sector and it failed my son, so he won't be going back there.

In all reality Bermuda does not have any other options in means of education: Public or Private or Home School.

Is this really about the education of our children or more money in Government's bottomless pockets?

Maybe the Press could do a piece on the home schools and interview a couple of the children and get their opinion, after all it's their future.Don't fix it if it isn't broken. It works for me.