September 15, 2006

Dear Sir,

The following was submitted to the Public Meeting on Sustainable Development with specific reference to the environment:

"The environment is in crisis ? more so now than ever before. Sustainable Development for Bermuda, while overdue, is commendable and the environmental organisations in Bermuda embrace and encourage the opportunity to effect good change and include the WHOLE population.

The talk about sustainable development is just that at the moment ? talk. Meanwhile, the rash of non-affordable condo complexes continues.

Actions speak louder than words and both political parties have paid lip service to the environment. Rather than increase the funding for purchase of open space ? the funds have been reallocated thus squandering the opportunity to preserve Bermuda's remaining available open space.

With $1.6 billion to spend in the next two years the government needs to allocate a significant sum of money to purchase the remaining open spaces before they are forever consumed by development.

Will the government commit to significantly increase the funds made available to purchase land BEFORE the sustainable development plan is put into place?

WILL the PLP government compensate for development rights, where the UBP refused?

WILL this government commit to preserve ALL of the Botanical Gardens and not resort to the undemocratic vehicle of the Special Development Order used too often to circumvent the planning process?

WILL the government direct more realistic resources from the annual budget to the chronically under-funded environmental and conservation services?"

So shortly after that meeting we now have the answer to one of the questions and I fear the same answer for the remaining three questions. Now is the time for the WHOLE COMMUNITY to get involved. Whatever the cost of redeveloping on the existing site, it is an acceptable long term cost.

The present government has a dismal environmental track record peppered with arrogance, deafness and blindness. However, it seems that the PLP are being treated for their ailments elsewhere.

Perhaps the UBP will see the wisdom of listening to the general population and commit to redeveloping the existing hospital site IF they get elected in 2008? In fact, if they commit to rescinding the outrageous political pay rises at the same time they can contribute to the difference in development costs!

"We shall have to repent in this generation, not so much for the evil deeds of the wicked people, but for the appalling silence of the good people." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

So, please sign petitions, email your MPs and don't let the Botanical Gardens become another casualty of short-sightedness.

Help the Police

August 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

Please allow me some space in your column to speak about life in the back of town north Hamilton. Yes, Mr. Editor, you are on your own surrounded with lots and lots of crime ? drugs and open sexual exposure 24 hours daily with no sustainable development.

So I say to anyone especially with children if you're looking for real estate to buy or rent, don't be interested or concerned for any in the back of town as you will never be able to have a life. I am hoping one day that the new government ? drug Commissioner ? the tenant ? the landlords the people and the Police will work together and take back our troubled neighbourhoods out of the hands of the so called troubled youth who thinks they can form gangs and disrespectfully take over neighbourhood. The Police cannot do it alone. It must be togetherness.

The Police need not be afraid! They should use all their force the best they can and don't let their guard down. They must know children and women are a part of the gangs. So bring your dogs Police, sniff out walls, holes, trash cans, bikes, cars, grass etc. where drugs are hidden right next to the sellers. Police should really use all their force and take them gangs out physically if they have to!

To homeowners stop depending on the Police to police your homes in these troubled areas, help them out!

Drugs are hidden on your property also. If you are not a part of this troubled act.

A tree by my bed

September 9, 2006

Dear Sir,

I have decided to get into having "green" in my house so that should I have to spend time in the Paget Hotel, I will be ready to have a tree by my bed. Following "P's" ideas I thought you would like to have a photograph of my bathroom, with a view from the loo.

What would Wade think?

September 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

Mr. Editor, I have one question. What would Mr. Freddy Wade think of our current PLP government? Mr. Wade, a socialist at heart, a man who wanted to tax the rich and set up social programmes to help the less fortunate. Mr. Wade's vision was to set up programme that would house, educated and provide good jobs for the poor. A simple plan. This Government ever since it came to power, has taxed the rich all right, but the money went "missing".

The head of the government himself was in charge of the incredible pay rise that parliament gave themselves.

If Mr. Wade was alive I would like to think that he would ask Mr. A. Scott to do the right thing and step down as leader of the PLP government. This PLP government has clearly lost its way, selling themselves to big companies and they have forgotten the real reason the PLP party was founded.

Ps. the answer to the question is Mr. Wade has turned over in his grave.

Where is transparency?

September 20, 2006

Dear Sir,

Before the present Government pursues the dream of Independence, let's pause upon a few agencies that are in dire need of attention. These agencies were supposedly created to ensure transparency and fairness.

Firstly, the Police Complaints Authority: what is their purpose? I'll ask one question pertaining to this agency: Is it acceptable for a complaint to be filed and a response sent to the complainant five years after the complaint was lodged?

Secondly, the which recently fell apart and I might add in need of a complete overhaul. In its present state, the process of hand selecting tribunal members needs to be changed. Further, it's totally unacceptable that from the date a complaint is lodged it takes three years to refer a complaint to a tribunal; once in the hands of the tribunal members, there's another one or two years before a decision is announced.

Finally the newly created : A complaint is lodged and before you've even met with the Ombudsman you are hearing that the Ombudsman doesn't see where the department you've complained about had done anything wrong. Obviously decisions are being made based on only one side of the story. Perhaps the recent move to hire consultants from Canada to assist the Ombudsman of Bermuda with the discrimination complaint at K.E.M.H. is a prime example of paying unnecessary wages especially if the present post-holder is competent and confident enough to fill the position in the first place.

We are paying high salaries to individuals who fill these high ranking positions and are responsible for ensuring transparency and fairness and I'm yet to see it.

Are the agencies mentioned just merely acting as a smokescreen to give the perception that there is recourse against wrong doing?

I am not at all impressed with my experiences in dealing with these agencies thus far. After all, who is responsible for following up and making sure that things are done expeditiously.

Perhaps this Government would like to consider hiring me as a consultant to ensure things get done more efficiently?

In closing, before we reach independence, we must first learn to manage our own affairs.

Boot camp delight

August 17, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am a visitor to your beautiful Island and I had been promising myself to get started on some kind of exercise routine for some time. I decided that since being on vacation was as good a time as any to start.

Having visited your Island for the first time I was looking around for a suitable gym to ease into a training routine. I was at my wit's end until a friend suggested to me that I check out a fitness class at the Police gym. Out of curiosity I took a ride up to a place called Prospect and I first met the instructor, (who I later learned is in charge of physical training at the Police Training School). I was impressed by his confidence and knowledge and the way in which the class was set up. I was even further impressed by the fact that the class was totally free.

I was invited to join in and what I got for the next 45 minutes was nothing short of a military book camp workout. I was pushed to my physical limits but I totally enjoyed it. I was made to use muscles I forgot I had and I absolutely loved it. Admittedly the gym hall was very hot and there were about 30 other people there, all sweating and struggling to keep up, but the benefits I got was well worth the pain. Afterwards the instructor gave me a personal history sheet to document my information, (I found this to be very professional) and seemed genuinely interested in my welfare and whether or not I had benefited from the class. Believe me, I most certainly did.

I write this letter to thank Bermuda for an enjoyable stay and "Mr. Boot Camp" for a wonderful workout. In a place as affluent as your country, it was wonderfully refreshing to find a free class of such high standard. It was by far the "Best free fitness class in Bermuda".

Spirited affair

August 30, 2006

Dear Sir,

On August 10, I left Bermuda with a number of interested people, bound for Rockport, Maine to witness the launching of the Bermuda sloop , and what a wonderful, exciting and reading experience it was!

We stayed in the lovely little town of Camden. At dinner we met Jay Bluck, Mayor of Hamilton, happy to be there representing the city where the sloop is registered.

The next morning we couldn't wait to see the boat. She had been trailed a long and difficult route from the builders' yard to a launching site (but that's another great story).

(Sorry! Must stop for a moment to watch 30 yachts sail past in the Wednesday evening BOCA race. What a wonderful sight!)

Upon arrival at the slip, people stood with open eyes and open mouths at the overwhelming sight. This thing of beauty, with her three majestic masts.

Clambering up a very tall ladder to the deck, what struck you was, not only how huge she is, but the beauty and detail of all that brass and bronze hardware, each piece created for a special purpose.

'Below' was awesome, stainless steel, Bermuda cedar, engine room. Oh! just too much to tell you. Men working furiously to put together the large number of finishing details. What quickly became evident was the pride of each man in explaining the job he was responsible for. This was not "just another job".A truly All Bermudian affair. Call to order by David Frith, St. George's Town Crier. Short meaningful speeches were made by Malcolm Kirkland (Executive Director), Ralph Richardson and Dr. Roland Barth (Directors) Jay Kempe (Secretary), Alan Burland (Chairman), Taylor Allen (Builder). Minister Terry Lister gave a very fine speech in support of the 'venture' and blessed the vessel. Christening of by Nancy Wadson. Entertained periodically by Shine Hayward who played his saxophone beautifully ? and David Frith, piper.The tide was high and excitement was high. Heavy impressive equipment, the powerful trucks and strong men started to move. Tom Brownell, who had moved this ship all over the neighbourhood for days, stood silently and with arms and fingers made signs, similar to those of a Symphony Orchestra conductor, directed the huge ship into and down the slip into the water. Thunderous applause erupted from the thousands watching from the slip and the surroundings hillsides of this beautiful cove. There was even cannon fire from the Harbour Master's quarters. A very emotional scene; so much so it was hard to keep the tears back ? but then, so happy to be there.

The engines started and the slowly moved through the crowd of boats out into the bay, crewed totally (and appropriately) by the crew that built her, skippered by Taylor Allen, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Trimingham's beautiful boat, loaded with invited guests, flying the official flag, back to the Rockport builder's yard. A good photo opportunity. There awaited hundreds, ready to party. Sloop Foundation volunteers served over 700 people Bermudian dishes and many Dark and Stormies. Bermudaful musical entertainment was enjoyed by all, performed by Chris Broadhurst, Shine Hayward and Billy Watlington ? and so on and on it went!

(Hey! The BOCA yachts are returning with spinnakers flying; so I guess I must stop.)

But quickly! Mr. Editor, not before I say this: This wonderful boat and its noble ideals is going to need our support and financial backing. So, here's ANOTHER CHANCE to help. I know, just now when there are so many important charities out there, and you have just bought a new car or just completed doing over your new kitchen with the ever-important black granite countertops (which didn't really need replacing anyway). Just think how great it would be, when she sails in, or you see her later with those telltale three masts and remember the good work she is doing for so many of our youth. Just look at her and smile and say quietly to yourself: "I helped make that possible!"

Going the wrong way

August 21, 2006

Dear Sir,

Why is the Planning Department letting all the Bermuda buildings like Trimingham's, the Old Colony Club, the big building top of King Street (all made of Bermuda stone) which lasts for years be bulldozed down rebuilt with concrete blocks? Also six and seven stories high. I don't think our visitors want to see them when they come to Bermuda, they want to see Bermuda buildings I think we are going the wrong way in years to come will be very sorry.None of the proposals for the above buildings here yet been approved by Planning. No drawings have been submitted to Planning for the Old Colony Club.

Need affordable rooms

September 15, 2006

Dear Sir,

I love Bermuda ! I have travelled to Bermuda for two weeks for the past 17 years but I cannot afford to pay $600 to $2,000 per night for a hotel room.

I hope there will be more affordable guest houses available for tourists. The list of affordable accommodations in Bermuda is slim and getting slimmer every year!

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Growing mangoes

August 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

I have been told that there is interest in mangoes growing in Bermuda. I have been growing them in pots for over five years, they are delicious and usually weight over one pound.

The only problem is not enough mangoes.

DENNY

Devonshire