Out of dateJanuary 11, 2011Dear Sir,Why does Logic still have on their website June 8, 2010 when it's now January 11, 2011? don't you think they're better off changing this?JUS' CURIOUSDevonshireSentence was correctJanuary 13, 2011Dear Sir,It was a good decision to ban Angela Ambrosini from the road for three years in addition to her prison sentence. All impaired drivers should suffer the same thing if that sort of thing happens.GOOD CALLDevonshireStop the errorsJanuary 11, 2011Dear Sir,No offence because we all make mistakes, but today's paper was a flop. How? On the back page regarding the weather,it said today's high would be 59 and the low 51.That's wrong since the cold front is said to hit tomorrow meaning you got the temperatures mixed up.Today's high should have said 67 with the low 59. If that's not bad enough, you should have checked the Sports page.The New York Nets? I've heard of the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks, but who are the New York Nets? Some new basketball the sports editor here is inventing?People need to stop criticising other countries on their mistakes when us Bermudians couldn't even get today's paper right.CHECK YOUR WORKDevonshireToning it downJanuary 14, 2010Dear Sir,We have recently been made aware of a tragic event in the US where a member of Congress was targeted and critically injured, while several other persons in attendance were killed, by someone who is alleged to be mentally unstable. What can we learn from this tragic event that can help us move forward? I would suggest that we need to tone down our criticism of each other. We must accept that we are responsible for what we say ... be it in politics, in the boardroom, in the media and in our daily conversations. This is commonly known as accountability ... although many of us seem to have forgotten. One of the most powerful tools we have, still today, are the words we write or say. As idealistic as this may appear to others, we must learn to speak constructively and with respect.Here in Bermuda, we are tasked with solving the challenges at hand and there are many. Let us be mindful that no one has a monopoly on solutions to the challenges before us. But first, we must create an environment for the solutions to be shared, digested and developed, in the best interest of this community who live together on this tiny speck in the middle of the Atlantic.So, I would make a plea for all of us ... be mindful of the words we say or write, as these words, once stated, have the ability to cause a deterioration of the potential for solutions needed to make us a better people in a better place. Let's ensure that the words we express, stimulate actions which are in all our best interest and not to score points.The phrase: “Sink or Swim together” was written with Bermuda in mind ... 62,000 people on 22 square miles of land, with everything to gain.W. E. WILLIAMSCity of HamiltonSovereign fund neededJanuary 12, 2011Dear Sir,There has been much publicity of late about the long-term leases Government has offered up or is thinking of offering to various entities: the new developers of the Old Club Med in St. Georges, the Coco Reef Hotel in Paget, Morgan's Harbour Group in Southampton and, more recently, the 9 Beaches resort in Sandys. We also know that Minister David Burch prodded by Opposition Senator Michael Dunkley has returned the lease for 9 Beaches because the present wording of the agreement appeared inadequate. This was a sensible move by the Minister.These long-term leases extend certain areas of Bermuda to various developers or operators for periods ranging up to 260 years and all this got me thinking. Whilst the Government's motives may well be sincere in that they are attempting to develop and enhance our Tourism product, they are actually giving up lands and property owned by future generations of Bermudian voters and taxpayers. As such, these future voters and taxpayers will not have any say whatsoever with regard to the issuance of these long term leases. This is not right, and we deserve better.It is my hope and opinion that the Government establish a Sovereign Fund for Bermuda, into which the proceeds will flow from any sales or agreements of a long-term nature, where both our national interests and natural resources are involved. Think of it as an endowment fund for present and future generations. Proceeds received by the Government and paid into our Sovereign Fund should be invested conservatively for the benefit of future generations.As another example to explain my point, let's say oil or natural gas is discovered within our territorial waters some time in the future. Any agreements or leases that the Government of the day signs with energy companies to extract and operate this resource should likewise have all proceeds paid into our Sovereign Fund. Over time, the principle of this Fund will grow substantially and the income it generates can be used for infrastructure and other projects that benefit all present and future Bermudians and taxpayers. Proceeds should not be paid into the Government's yearly current account to be spent willy-nilly and the cash depleted quickly.We should also consider capturing a percentage of our yearly budget surpluses and transferring these funds into the Sovereign Fund. Of course for the past few years we haven't had any surpluses and the PLP Government, under Finance Minister and now Premier Paula Cox, have been operating deficit spending budgets very dangerous indeed. But just imagine if over the past 30-plus years Bermuda had put aside say 20 percent of the surpluses on our current account budgets and invested them conservatively via a Sovereign Fund. The Island would now have a substantial nest egg which would give off handsome income upon which the Government of the day could draw to invest in projects around the Island and helping to keep our people employed. Moreover, the Fund's assets could help to keep Bermuda's borrowing to minimal and manageable levels, unlike the present situation which has mortgaged present and future generations.Yes, Mr Editor, it is time for us to start our own Sovereign Fund, which will live in perpetuity, always receiving proceeds from budget surpluses and agreements that are long-term in nature. And as the Fund will be managed professionally and conservatively, it should always produce income that can be used to benefit our citizens over time. Let's hope the Premier and Finance Minister announces this in her next budget. I'd be happy to help Bermuda achieve this.ALLAN D. MARSHALL JPUBP CandidateDistrict 7 Hamilton SouthGovernment is overstaffedJanuary 13, 2011Dear Sir,Based upon the press release of January 12 it seems abundantly clear that Government admits it is overstaffed. They offered the BPSU a 1.25 percent pay increase if temporary staff were let go, so Government accepts that the necessary works undertaken by Government can be undertaken with fewer people.Most of us in the private sector and unbelievably grateful just to keep a job at the same or a reduced wage, how the heck can Government offer more money to an underperforming group when we don't have the money to pay more? Give the Civil Service nothing more and let them keep their jobs for now. But bring in private, not governmental employment consultants to root out inefficiencies and duplications of “service”. If the BPSU members go on strike, fine, don't pay them and we will begin to make savings. Apart from refuse collection most of us will hardly notice the difference anyway.DISGUSTEDPembrokeMPs should pay for parkingJanuary 6, 2011Dear Sir,Today on the talk show, the caller referred to your newspapers letter to the editor section regarding free parking in the City which I proposed during Christmas to stimulate sales of local business.The woman caller suggested the Parliamentarians pay for their parking space which is presently free all year. I agree with the caller and for the Speaker and the House and Grounds Committee to charge MPs $250 per month for their parking privilege during these hard times. I believe Minister Dame Jennifer Smith is responsible for that Committee.The MPs and other Civil Servants need to pay for parking tickets and not be exempt from parking tickets like the rest of the people.Mr Editor, if the PLP Government wants to save money they should sell off all the GP cars and let the MPs and Civil Servants take a taxi when they are doing government business thereby stimulating the taxi industry at the same time!CHARLES SPANSWICKCity of Hamilton