Most people were hesitant to respond to the question `What areas do you think Government should concentrate on in the upcoming budget?' The vast majority of people the Royal Gazette team spoke to did not want to share their opinions publicly but some did speak out.

Kevin Hilgrim , a 25-year-old cable worker, felt that Government should concentrate on education.

"Education and housing -- I'm talking about trade companies, some companies can take children right out of school and teach them a trade -- like technical school used to,'' he said.

Chris Smith also wanted specific attention paid to education and housing, which he called: "The issues at the forefront.'' He also said Government must concentrate on Island security.

"When I say security, I mean an ongoing crackdown on crime. All the crime in the paper is related to the drug issue,'' he said.

Fifty-year-old Rex Osborne , a sales manager at Telecom on Church Street, said: "From a retail perspective, Government should look at the rates of duty we have to pay.'' Jerold Bryce , 43, said there were many things that need to be addressed, but specifically noted: "Attention should be paid to getting the roads sorted out. The traffic situation is out of control.'' And Diane Brewer , a money manager at the Bank of Butterfield, said Government should concentrate on tourism and keeping international business attracted to the Island, "by making sure everything goes well with the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development)''.

Pat Gardener , a sales executive, said education and housing would be her choices for getting priority attention.

"Low cost housing is very important. I don't know how people manage. Rent is out of sight.

"And pensions -- I'm getting near it,'' she laughed.

Kevin Hilgrim Chris Smith Diane Brewer Pat Gardener