Southlands alternatives

February 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

I find it appalling that, after the outrage over the proposal to destroy one third of the Botanical Gardens to build a new hospital, this Government is supporting the destruction of the Southlands property for a hotel development. The hospital proposal at least had the intent (although misguided) of bettering the lives of Bermudians by improving the physical plant of our one critical care hospital. The proposed Southlands development does not even do that ? it will, however, clearly benefit a few already wealthy individuals.

As pointed out in many other letters, this development will add to the burden on our island?s infrastructure and erode the quality of life for the average Bermudian. If you believe that Jumeriah, as manager of this property, will allow Bermudians general access to the beach and property, you probably also think you are allowed unfettered access to Tuckers Town and the beach at Elbow Beach hotel!

Unfortunately, it seems all too clear that Dr. Brown has gotten into bed with the developers and their partners and, while he may say he has listened to the concerns raised, I see no evidence that this is the case. Has he ordered an environmental study? Has he held open meetings to listen to and address the concerns raised? No, instead he is apparently supporting the grant of a special development order to circumvent the regular planning process.

In the case of the hospital proposal the people of Bermuda were told quite specifically: ?This is the only option that is realistically possible.? It is now clear that was not true. In the present case we are being told: ?This is the only option for that site that is realistically possible.? Many of us do not believe that is true, but if the normal planning process is circumvented there is no way to challenge that assertion.

Have you ever known a developer to start with the most reasonable proposal possible? Didn?t HSBC say they needed the extra storeys? Dr. Brown has said this development is ?a winning proposition for Bermuda (and) its people?. As the development is currently structured this is simply untrue. Ideally the land would not be developed, but if this horrendous development is to go ahead I would suggest the following conditions be put in place:

The scale of the development be reduced by 50 percent

The ten storey staff residence be reduced by 50 percent

Staff living in on-site staff residences have no entitlement to cars

The fractional residences have no entitlement to cars

The tunnel concept be re-thought and if absolutely necessary, it should be for the hotel guests, not the residents of Bermuda

The beach and remaining woodland area be completely open to Bermudians and other residents of Bermuda

If the development of Southlands has these legal requirements attached to it, then at least there is a possibility that the average Bermudian may benefit indirectly (or not suffer so much) from this development.

School without workbooks?

February 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

I have been seeing a lot of waffling about education last two days. Shameful. What are we doing? My daughter attends Southampton Glebe Primary School and as of February 13, we still do not have Workbooks/Lesson Books. The school has been relying on parents from the affected classes coming into the school and photocopying the one or two books available so there are lessons to do.

For those unfamiliar with current educational methods, we have workbooks which contain daily lessons and exercises for the children to do. Having these books allows all the children to get the same information so there can be no excuse for each child misunderstanding the lessons. Anyway, we have all conveniently forgotten that the books have still not arrived because the copy machine has yet to break down. Just wondering if the primary children are less of an interest to the Government than the cricket team.