Just an advertisement

November 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Come on folks. The Westport "article" was just an advertisement. Sad to see a news organisation slip like this. I enjoyed my stay in Bermuda, continue to read the online edition, and will be delighted when I am asked to join the new technical college to teach computers and statistics. Hopefully, by then the Gazette will have ceased this silliness.

ROBERT YOUNG

Connecticut

A tribute to Jacky Meridith

November 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

Twenty years ago today, my mother, Jacky Meridith, was taken from me. I'm not quite sure what to say in my letter, except that she seemed to be a wonderful, vibrant, extraordinary person. I wish I could remember some of the stories people tell me about her. However, I'm glad I can carry on a piece of her. My family is constantly reminded of her through me. I've been told I have a lot of her little "quirks" and I look just like her. A huge smile goes across my face when anyone says: "You look just like Jacky." or "Jacky used to do that too!"

My mother was a beautiful person, inside and out, and for someone to do this, I just don't understand. A lot has happened in my life and even though I've missed her through it, she is in my heart always and I know she is watching me and still loving me. I'm thankful I didn't have to live my life without a mother. My adopted mother, Corry, is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She has healed so many wounds and has helped my Dad and I come so far. I thank God for her everyday. I hope I can live up to my mother's name and become the kind of person she would have wanted me to be. I want to thank my entire family and all of her friends for keeping her memory alive and passing it on to me. Like my Dad has said, I know she wouldn't want us to mourn her in sadness but in stories and happiness. I love you, Mommy Jacky, you are forever in my heart.

JESSIE MERIDITH

Florida

Jacky's legacy lives on

November 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

Twenty years ago today my wife was murdered. The world, for my family and me, was forever shattered. My sweet daughter Jessica never got to know her mother and she was taken from all of us far, far too early. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. That is perhaps an overused, some might say "trite" expression, but in this case, it is the truth. I mourn my sweet Jacky every day. She was the smartest woman I've ever met and one of the funniest, most talented people ever to brighten my life. She was warmly invited into my large, boisterous family and quickly became the sister my sister never had, the daughter-in-law my parents loved, the niece and granddaughter my mother's family, the Pitmans and Bothellos, admired and respected.

Jacky would be so proud of her daughter now! The day Jessie graduated from high school, Summa Cum Laude, with honours, was a proud but poignant occasion. I found myself crying with joy and sadness at what had transpired in the 16 years since Jacky's death, how far Jessie and I had come. You know, after all the things Jessie went through, I don't think anyone would be surprised if she was troubled or disturbed with deep psychological problems, but you'll never find a more gregarious, funny, sweet and intelligent girl anywhere. She is so much like her mother ...

Jacky's legacy lives on. She touched many lives and was a blessing to everyone that knew her. I especially want to thank Susannah Conn, Jacky's maid of honour and childhood friend, and Barbara Neish, one of her bridesmaids and probably Jacky's "best Bermuda friend", for their kind comments about their friend, my dear wife. There are so many warm anecdotes and funny stories we all know about Jacky that a thousand letters to the editor would not be sufficient. I hope that the people who knew and loved her will smile when they think of her. She wouldn't want sadness to spoil their thoughts of her. We all miss you, Jacky.

MIKE MERIDITH

Florida

Timeshare question

November 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

The Hamiltonian is not just a rental property but also a timeshare which trades on RCI. We purchased 25 weeks at the Hamiltonian and have not yet used them all. Where does the Bermuda Court leave those who purchased a timeshare in Bermuda in good faith?

PAT HORSEY

Kanata, Ontario

Make PATI retroactive

November 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

The introduction of PATI (Public Access To Information) legislation is very welcome and long overdue. However, the fact that it will not be retroactive is an insult to the long suffering taxpayers of Bermuda. They have watched with dismay a succession of unethical practices unfold over the last decade. Taxpayers should lean on their Parliamentary representatives with as much vigour as they are able to muster and force Government to make this legislation retroactive. If this amendment is not made, the same misbehaviour will continue.

W. ROGER DAVIDSON

Paget

Investigate and report facts

November 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

Reporters/editors are sometimes reluctant to report on certain issues and will even give an excuse that certain letters are not published because, in general terms, there is a possibility that a letter is libellous or that it concerns a matter that is before the courts. Why do reporters write stories and when an individual gives the reporter feedback about the story, the reporter gives a response such as, "…the point you make is a very good one" and "I am probably not the best person to ask these questions to as I am relatively new to Bermuda and still learning the ropes."?

First and foremost, it is my understanding that letters will only become "libellous" if they are published false statements that damage a person's reputation. Although the truth may damage a person's reputation, it should not be considered libellous. The offended party should have thought more about "reputation" before it became blemished. It would assist if individuals conducted self-examinations of their own character prior to assassinating the character of another. To question the character of someone after you have already engaged in their services is ludicrous, to say the least. Perhaps, it's the character of the individual obtaining the services that needs to be examined.

Letter writers, guest columnists, reporters and editors should all have an opportunity to investigate the facts and report on such matters accordingly. If this practice is adhered to, inaccurate stories showing an obvious bias may become obsolete. It should be remembered that, "Only truth can give true reputation". It's unfortunate but, the demise of The Mid Ocean News proved to the public that rectitude has a scanty following. The former Editor cared not if his own views or those of letter writers or his reporters conflicted with friendship or power, for he allowed the truth to be shared. On that note, whether a reporter is new to the island or not, his location should have no impact on his ability to report the facts.

JENNIFER CAINES

Devonshire

Short-sighted plan

November 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

How will an "exclusive" mega-yacht marina and a mega-cruise ship terminal go together in Dockyard? Mega-yacht passengers are looking for fine dining, accommodation, and activities; can Dockyard offer this with 1,000-plus mega-cruise ship passengers sharing the same facilities? What are the mega-yacht owners going to say about the lights and music coming from the mega-cruise ships, they don't exactly scream "exclusive". It appears we have another short-sighted plan in the works and I am going to assume it will cost the tax payers dearly, again.

KENT SMITH

St. George's

P.s. Does this mean we will finally be moving the concrete silos so the mega-yacht passengers don't have to look at them?

Open the books

November 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

Let's put aside all of this inane theorising and apologising for the most recent financial fiasco in the massive over-run on the Dockyard piers. Open the books to public scrutiny and itemise where this extraordinary amount of public money was spent. We will also have an opportunity to see how the local economy benefited relative to those overseas. Oh … and while you're at it … let's get the details on the recent purchase by the Corporation of Hamilton of that derelict property (on a very small plot of land) for the unbelievable price of $5.3 million … again, I assume, paid for by taxpayers.

KIM SMITH

Pembroke

Just what is cost effective?

November 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

The St. George's ferry will no longer operate, we are told, because it is not cost effective. It will be recalled that the St. George's Golf Course was closed, pending the Hotel and Golf Course development, for the same reason. The shops in St. George's continue to close no doubt for the same reason and it surely must be questioned as to why the Dockyard development was permitted to continue to be developed when it exceeded its original budget. Was this cost effective? We know the Sovereign Aircraft servicing operation was cost effective. Right?

OHHOWITUSEDTOBE

St. George's