End this interference

March 4, 2002

ALAN BAINBRIDGE

Pembroke

Care for Island’s animals

March 7, 2002

Dear Sir,

It is high time that the issue of chained up dogs and the poor treatment of animals generally is brought into the arena of public debate, not just for a few days but for a sustained period of time so that those responsible for the shoddy treatment of animals, and those responsible for passing the appropriate legislation to protect these animals, know that many thousands of people in Bermuda are serious about and committed to the cause of animal welfare.

Every day I see dogs chained in yards or as guard dogs in industrial premises and every time I shudder at the sight. Although the law requires that these animals have adequate food, water and shelter, unfortunately it does not, as yet, provide that they must be walked every day or that chaining a sentient being to within a six foot area for its entire life is not only unacceptable to right-minded people but abhorrent to the majority of responsible and compassionate society.

Dogs are not born to serve as cheap security. If you want to protect your property, install an alarm. Do not condemn a living being to a life of unimaginable boredom. Similarly, if you have a dog as a pet, do not restrict him to the backyard. Bring him into your house. Embrace him as part of your family. You deny not only the dog, but also yourself, so much by not doing so.

Horses often seem to fare no better. How many of you are aware of the number of horses on this island who are tethered to a four foot piece of rope? How many of you have seen them swelter under the summer sun with barely enough, if any, shade to protect them? How many horses on this island are confined to small, dark sheds which are permissible within a whisper of the law?

But the question that most often strikes me when I see these unfortunate animals is what the family and friends of those responsible feel about such treatment of animals. How many of you reading this right now know of a situation where a dog is living a life of barely meeting the standards imposed by the law? How many of you have shaken your heads but have not spoken up to defend the animal? Because now is the time to do that.

Please, for the sake of these innocent animals, do the right thing. To those of you who ask for the votes of the Bermudian people, ask also what you can do. Don’t procrastinate. Stand up and be counted. Courage is indeed a very fine virtue.

HARRIET HAD-A-NUFF

Devonshire

Grateful for the goodwill

March 4, 2002

Dear Colleagues/Friends,

The President, Board of Directors and members of the Pembroke Rotary Club, wish to express their appreciation of your goodwill, the very foundation of business. We witnessed you demonstrate your willingness to assist us, in the interests of Bermuda’s Children.

We are extremely grateful to those individuals and businesses, who continue over the years to make financial donations for the cause.

We realise that a mere thank you is a small reward for your generosity, and want you to know it was great having you on our team of supporters.

We are especially moved as we saw how the children flocked to the BAA Gym with their parents and friends for a day of fun.

Our primary efforts were aimed at benefiting the following beneficiaries: Paget Primary School, Gilbert Institute, West Pembroke Primary School, Victor Scott Primary School, Elliott Primary School, Northlands Primary School and Big Brothers and Sisters of Bermuda. We thank them for all their enthusiasm and hard work in making the Fair the success that it was.

In summary, in the spirit of friendship, we extend to you our hope for a continuing business relationship and best wishes throughout 2002.

March 8, 2002

Dear Sir,

All Bermudians must accept that what we are seeing from the “people’s government” is not benefiting the people, be they black or white. This government is a government for the people of the government. We have heard in the past that cars will be purchased from a certain dealer because he is black and needs to get ahead. At whose expense is he getting ahead? Yours and mine, the taxpayers. Having been in the automobile business, we fought hard by offering very competitive prices for all bids to government, and generally there was no money made on these sales. We competed against dealers who were in the past government. Nevertheless, our aggressive pricing resulted in the awards of many contracts and savings of public moneys. What we hoped to gain by a sale to government was greater exposure, i.e., Bermudians would see our cars on the road, like them, and eventually purchase a car from our establishment.

Many in our current government really do want a fairer society, a society that offers equal access to government contracts, government services, and economic opportunities, and this is a noble cause and should be pursued. It seems however, that some have the attitude that “It is our turn” meaning, now that we are in power we are going to channel all the business to our friends and supporters, and occasionally take a percentage for ourselves. Is this the Bermuda we all want?

Let’s think about how we can do things better and save the people’s money. We are now hearing how the prisons are inadequate. There is a building called Casemates which probably should be refurbished by the inmates and reopened. I also believe that we can pay the inmates a wage to refurbish these areas, hold the money in an interest bearing account, at a local bank in their name, and the funds will be there for them upon their release. This will help them get started upon returning to society and will be more cost effective than having the BHC to do the work.

Let’s also be forthright about Bermuda’s problems, many certainly inherited from past governments. Mr. Dale Butler was wrongly reprimanded for telling the truth about job statistics. He explained to us why there are so many foreigners working in Bermuda. The truth is Bermudians did not answer the advertisements, either because they were not qualified or did not want to do the job. Past allegations from government that foreigners unfairly monopolise jobs in Bermuda are just another red herring. Government appears to stir up emotions and deflect the public’s attention to areas such as Canadian lawyers, ferries, and tourism and away from mismanaged public endeavours such as the Berkeley Institute project.

Back to the BHC. Whether government have inherited or created the problem is not relevant. The blame game is not a constructive one nor should it be accepted by the electorate. We need to award new contracts fairly, to the company that can complete the job in a timely manner and on budget. In addition, there should be full disclosure of information with any large contract.