Tourists come in all varieties

March 11, 2009

Dear Sir,

Re Warwick Long Bay, I wonder if those 5,000 people signed for themselves. One could go online and sign the petition. What was to stop people from signing their mother, father, two-year-old son, dead grandmother? Juan de Bermudez could have signed that petition with the stroke of a key. Of the many people who have signed the petition, I wonder how many even go to that beach on a regular basis. I bet the majority go to places that have refreshments available. I wonder if any recycle. I wonder if they use methods of preservation and sustainability. I find it interesting that many are saying: "We do not want this at Warwick Long Bay."

That definitely exhibits one's dedication to maintain one's own desires and not that of the environment. Fortunately it is not your park. It does not belong to the select few who claim the basis of petition as environmental impacts. Please! And those who have signed the petition I'm sure do not know the facts and are being misled or do not care and are following the cause of the moment.

The reason I believe the initial decision was overturned is because there is no reasonable argument that identifies the little refreshment stand as a danger or an obstruction to the natural beauty of the Warwick Long Bay. It's in the parking lot and it is said to be encroaching onto the beach. Is that misleading? The Shadow Minister of Environment said that in the past tourist were drawn by Bermuda's natural beauty. Well sir, I say to you, tourists come in all varieties, not just environmentalists and most, if not all, including you. Enjoy being able to enjoy Bermuda's natural beauty and have a cool drink or a meal by the beach.

"We don't want commercialisation" Hmm... . no … someone doesn't want to lose their private beach. Someone thinks it's a Limeys-only Beach. We don't want desegregation, Bermudians only. We don't want your kind here (tourist, I think, I doubt it's anything racial…. hmm). Wow! This all sounds too familiar. "This Land in my Laaaaand … this Land is your Laaaand ... this Land was made for you and Meeeeee."

I'm sorry, but all I see are children saying "it;'s mine and you can't play with it!"

JUAN DE BERMUDEZ

Hamilton Parish

Professional and fearless

March 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

Soon after I entered parliament in 1984, there was a very critical report of the UBP government by the Auditor General, Mr. Larry Dennis. The Government departments were not keeping their accounts up to date and he was behind in his reports as a result. I was convinced at first that he was anti UBP and was being favoured by the PLP, and in particular his good friend, the Honourable Mr. Eugene Cox. After an investigation I found that the Auditor General's criticism was justified. The more I came into contact with him the more I realised that he was a completely professional auditor and it did not matter who you were, or what party was in power, he would report exactly as he found matters.

What he has discovered in this recent audit is alarming and Bermudians should take note how serious his findings are. There seems to be a complete disregard for proper accounting procedures. It is typical of the dictatorial nature of our Premier that he "wants to kill the messenger' by asking the Governor to have the Auditor resign. Let us hope that the next Auditor General will be as professional and fearless as the present one.

DR. C. R. TERCEIRA

Sandys

Just a question...

March 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

I helped seed calico clams in Southampton waters over 25 years ago. Why are these clams not available in Bermuda in grocery stores or restaurants? If not true, where can I buy these clams?

EJ

St. George's

Shaking heads in wonder

March 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Just heard our current leader who sounds to be getting desperate on tourism. Why not try sending the Gombeys on the ships so the visitors don't have to get off at all? Dr. Brown has led us to the current status of "near-sellout" to the cruise ships. I understand the desperation in his voice as he sees us steadily declining, thank goodness he is in the medical field and not tourism. His future at least is secure. We in tourism just shake our heads and wonder.

The issue with Warwick Long Bay that I have is not the concession, as I too have been down there working and am aware of a need for services at that beach. I myself operated a small completely removable (daily) concession there, renting chairs, umbrellas, masks and fins and selling sodas for two summers before this current development pushed me to the side as "The Parks Department" were unsure what the Country's "leaders" were doing with the Long Bay site. The Parks Commission and Parks both had no interest in developing this fairly virgin beach. Environmentalists likewise suggested strongly against it.

Seems others know better. I'm still "hands tied" at this point against the development, as this is "Modus Operandi" of the current government. The important part seemingly forgotten is that once the lease has been granted that the vendor after two years can build a Permanent Structure... that seems important to note, doesn't it? That is the long term goal, the short term temporary facility is not important as it will all disappear with the first hurricane, and not because the vendor will take it down.

BOYD VALLIS

Church Bay Beach Concession

A lack of gratitude

March 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

In the RG of March 4, a young person signing himself/ herself "Change", wrote an interesting letter which suggested real concern about our society. I certainly would agree that "our cultural values are being lost in trying to get the "next new thing" (or things in general) when what is really valuable are things that are not material" I also very definitely agree that the "leaders" of any society determine the nature of that society, something for which "leaders" do not necessarily accept responsibility. However, how could "Change", having grown up "in a single household on the brink of poverty" whose grandparents pulled them up and "provided a roof over their head", begin the letter by writing that "the older generation" were "more wasteful, bitter and angry".

Change's grandparents, like the majority of their generation could not have put a roof over their head if they had been "wasteful, bitter and angry". Moreover, there were very many fewer material "things" on which to "be wasteful"! It was that generation which had the "cultural values" that are being lost (and devalued) by Change's younger generation that seems to only be concerned with "material things".

If Change really believes that the new generation, born after 1970, will replace it with ideals and make a positive difference, how does Change account for our ever increasing crime rate? These crimes are certainly not being committed by his/her Grandparents generation! I would suggest that the last paragraph of Change's letter explains a great deal when He/she writes, "Don't just go spewing hatred – that is lazy and ignorant – and guess what? No one born after 1970' is buying it"

That sentence reflects a smug self righteousness, a total lack of gratitude for what his grandparents' generation have done to make him/her better off in many ways and a naive indifference and obliviousness to the social problems being faced by many today. I would suggest that an ever increasing crime rate is because neither those younger generations, including those born after 1970, and our leaders born in those generations are "not buying" any of those cultural, moral and spiritual values that once made us a courteous and pleasant people, in spite of segregation, as well as "another world " to which so many came to renew themselves – even without casinos.

And even with casinos (in the near future?) with the increasing crime rate and the smug self-righteousness, materialism, lack of gratitude to an older generation and a contempt for our values, as well as an indifference to those around us who are struggling, tourists may still not find us an attractive destination.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Drawing conclusions

March 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

I couldn't help but notice the story titled "Car Fires Investigated" in today's Bermuda Shorts. According to the article the cars were parked outside Robertson's Drugstore when they were set on fire, meaning they were parked across the street from the St. George's Police Station. Unfortunately, readers can only draw one of two conclusions; either the station is not fully operational and open 24 hours (although we did have an official opening nearly four months ago) or the desk sergeant was looking the other way when the crime occurred.

K. SMITH

St. George's

Each role has privileges

March 1, 2009

Dear Sir,

I may be an avid listener of the Hott 107.5 radio station, but I'm also a Christian that stands firm on my religious beliefs. I was taught about God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Every Sunday growing up in Bermuda until I was about 18 years old I had to attend Sunday school and then church. While on the other hand every Monday morning at school I would hear stories of fellow classmates attending Coney Island, and football games. I attended youth fellowship almost every Friday night and during choir rehearsal I would be sitting in the congregation area of the church doing my homework. The teachings became a part of my being, until one day I thought that I was a man under my mother's roof by trying to bend the truth, and she didn't spare the rod.

I ended up rebelling and was kicked out of the homestead. OK … enough about me, because I took time out of my not so busy day to write this letter to Mr. Thaao Dill (blip, blip) and the listening audience of Hott 107.5 radio station. The topic of man being the head of the household has been going on for a couple of days now, and I would like to give my input on the situation at hand (I would've called the station, but I know my views would have you adding more buts and how comes during my sharing).

1. I'll start off with politics (majority of us use the saying politics even though it's not a word). Politics played a major part in pagan religions such as the worship of Baal-berith. Governments often went so far as to hire prostitutes to bring in additional money. In many cases a religious system was set up and supported by the government so the offerings could found community projects. Religion became a profit- making business. In Israel's religion, this was strictly forbidden. God's system of religion was designed to come from an attitude of the heart, not from calculated plans and business opportunities. It was also designed to serve people and help those in need, not to oppress the needy.

2. God made both man and woman in his image. Neither man nor woman is made more in the image of God than the other. From the beginning the Bible places both man and woman at the pinnacle of God's creation. Neither sex is exalted, nor is neither depreciated. Over the decades I believe that man has confused having dominion over the animals with having dominion over their wives and women in general. God formed and equipped man and woman for various task, but all of these task lead to the same goal – honouring God. Man gives life to woman; woman gives life to the world. Each role (Yes, Thaao, role) carries exclusive privileges; there is no room for thinking that one sex is superior to the other (You didn't state this point, but what isn't directed at you is for whom ever it concerns).

God bless you and may he give you sight and light instead of insight in this time of darkness.

DESAI MARDEL JONES

Sandys

A card of thanks

March 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

The Teen Haven Tag Day was held on February 27 and 28, 2009 and as always the response from the community was remarkable. We would like to thank Ms Claire Bean and Ms Pandora Moore for coordinating the tag days in St. George's/St. David's and Somerset Parishes respectively.

We would also like to express gratitude toward Gerald Smith, Aimee Lyons, Hilda Place, Thomas Young, Steve Wilson, Albert Fray, Jordon Osbourne, Barbara Thomas, Patty-Ann Roberts, Vera DeShields, Velma Small, Movita Roberts, and their teams, The Altrusa Club, Bermuda Professional Women's Association, Orchid Charity Club, Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Continental Society, Sandys Rotary, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Pembroke Rotary, Bermuda Red Cross, Matilda Smith William's Home, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Renaissance Re, Paget Lioness, Bermuda Institute students, and the many individual taggers, who volunteered their time to assist us.

A special thank you to the board, and staff of Teens Services/Teen Haven for their hard work and dedication. Your continued support has allowed us to provide a residential programme for homeless women and their children since 1977. Currently, it is the only residential facility on the Island that offers accommodation to homeless teen mothers/young women (16 to 24) and their children. The program not only provides housing, it also offers comprehensive services such as: individual/group/family counselling, parenting and life skills training, and educational opportunities.

The cost to manage residential program such as the Teen Haven is astronomical. However, the provision of intervention and rehabilitation strategies is paramount, in order to prevent further distress to both mother and child, and the community as a whole. It is our belief that we must address these issues in the present, rather than in the future, as the cost can be greater. The ultimate goal of the Teen Haven program is to provide young families with a second chance to become independent, productive individuals in the community.

Once again, on behalf of the board, staff and residents of Teen Haven, we would like to say thanks Bermuda for your support. We look forward to your continued aid and encouragement.

MS ADINA MCCALLAN

Tag Day Coordinator

MICHELLE WADE

Director

Before God with my own sins

March 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

To CURB and to Ms Winfield: As one man I can only speak for myself, and I do now speak. I was never a slave trader; I never owned a slave; I never believed in it. I personally, as a white person, do not owe any black person an apology – unless I, personally, have wronged that black person.

Slavery happened and it was and is evil. (It is still going on as we live.) White people were slaves as well as black and yellow and every other shade of human skin. What happened in the past must be acknowledged and never forgotten, for if we forget, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. But I cannot apologise for the evils committed by people long dead. Or even those mistakes and evil that people alive today have, are and will be making. I stand before God with my own sins on my own slate – not another person's sins.

Here is what I will do. I will consider an apology if and when you receive an apology from the black African descendants whose ancestors sold fellow blacks into slavery; and if you ask and receive an apology from the Arab descendants of the slave traders who most often acted as go-between. Get your apology from them and then let's talk.

I regard your statement as reported in today's Royal Gazette as "white bashing", plain and simple. I do not believe you are interested in blacks and whites getting along. Most of us are doing that already. You are using the past as a club to bash the wrong people over the head. You cannot change the past in spite of how much you try and the past is only a problem to you if you let it be, but that is your choice. We have problems today; let us deal with them without prejudice but with as much understanding and wisdom we have at our command.

If you personally have been discriminated against, then you are owed an apology by that person and no one else. Go seek your apology from them. If I have wronged anyone, black, white, man, woman, child etc then I own them an apology – but not you. I personally have done you no harm.

MARK EMMERSON

Pembroke