Horseshoe alternative

January 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

Rather than developing on the beautiful Warwick Long Bay, I would like to see Mr. Belcario Thomas partner with whoever runs the concession at Horseshoe Bay and develop the restaurant/bar on that more appropriate site. The whole site could really be developed nicely and I'm sure Government would do everything it could to facilitate bringing this to fruition … especially now that Mr. Thomas is a new member on the Tourism Board.

KIM SMITH

Pembroke

Support for beach bar

January 11, 2009

Dear Sir.

As an participant in the direction of Bermuda's development and with personal concern for the natural and social environment combined with a professional background in environment and sustainability, here are the reasons I have chosen to support Belcario Thomas development concept at Warwick Long Bay.

1. The area where the facility will be constructed is already and has historically been a high use area and access point for Warwick Long Bay.

2. Bermuda is in need of further diversity of entertainment, dining and outdoor experiences for both tourists and locals alike. I believe based on past examples and the plan that has been submitted that developer Mr. Thomas will be able to provide a quality facility that can help fulfil part of this need.

3. The developer has shown from the outset a desire to both protect and incorporate the unique landscape and habitat of the coastal dune environment that the development will find itself in. With the effective mandate and monitoring of the land use agreement set by the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Planning as well as Park's Department, a balance can achieved in suitable use of the planned facility and protection of the environment.

4. Nature does not follow an equilibrium pattern but rather follows a non-equilibrium pattern over time; meaning as time moves on nature exhibits change. The transition of the Cooper's Island nature reserve over time is an example of this. The massive changes that took place at Horseshoe Bay, and indeed the entire southern coastline, due to Hurricane Fabian is also an example of this. We also as society should embrace change but in a manner that is adaptable and resilient. The developer has recognised the vulnerability of the location in this regard and has planned to build a non-permanent structure, which in reality is wise based on the pattern of hurricane impact in that area. To imply that sustainable development means either no development or only a certain type of development catering to only select groups is counter-evidential to the reality.

5. The environmental groups and small group of residents that are protesting only represent a narrow demographic of the island's society, a demographic that has a vested interest in denying economic empowerment through utilisation of natural resources by other segments of Bermuda's society. This vested interest is the protection of spaces that they see as sensitive and natural, which is warranted; yet at the same time the vast majority of natural space on the island is not accessible to the large majority of island residents due to entrenched socioeconomic class sectors.

Historically, due to its surrounding socioeconomic demographic, Warwick Long Bay has been seen as a bastion of part of this class system and thus the attempts by the developer are a threat to changing this status quo. The developer is seeking to empower a variety of users to not only utilise this public space for beach enjoyment but also for potential economic gain.

Likewise, the opportunity exists to further educate and incorporate active participation by the majority socioeconomic and disenfranchised of Bermuda's population to be actively involved in recognising the importance of issues such as conservation and environmental sensitivity through the particular practises and innovations potentially deployed by the developer at the facility. (i.e. the use of non-disposable utensils and table ware, integration of native and endemic flora, facility design reflecting the character of the beach and natural Bermuda, music and ambience catering to the character of Warwick Long Bay, interpretative signage outlining the history of the area as well as the sensitivity of the surrounding habitats.)

6. The concession at Clearwater and the multi-use facility of the Clearwater Beach green and playground has shown that Bermuda can properly manage a facility that involves both beach use, wildlife preserve, protected nature reserve, recreational and beach bar-facility and family oriented areas.

Unfortunately, many suggestions counter to this are suggestions that Bermudians are not capable of intelligent and well managed, effective and sensible decision making – a suggestion often used to create division between local protests groups and the majority populace, particularly in the case of issues such as Independence, governmental spending and governance in general.

This issue has highlighted the ability of Bermudians to dialogue and share differing view points, a highlight of our society that separates us from places where differences in opinions cannot be aired. With this issue and others to come, let us continue as a society and community to embrace this great trait of democracy we have. Let us also try to give a voice to the large number of Bermudians who do not have access to the local media and other forms of expression to make their points of view known either due to finances, time constraints or knowledge base restrictions.

DAVID CHAPMAN

London, UK

Pure greed

January 9, 2009

Dear Sir,

The one lesson that has become evident over the course of a troubled 2008 is that the current state of the global economy is a consequence of man's unfathomable greed, as regulation and security took a sideline to avid consumerism. Never before has it been more evident that our actions today create the economic, political and environmental atmospheres of tomorrow. As we look to 2009 and beyond, what should be clear to us all is the need for stability and balance.

The proposed implementation of long line fishing in Bermudas waters is a clear sign that our Government has yet to learn the consequence of greed. Industrialisation of the world's fisheries has taken its toll on global biodiversity. Extinction rates are rapidly increasing and global fish stocks plummeting. The natural balance of the world's ecosystems took over 4 billion years to create, and in less than 60,000 years we, as humans, have brought them close to collapse. How can our government put a price on our ocean ecosystem on which we have depended for the past 400 years? I call on all to consider the consequences of implementing this horrific practice. For the children of tomorrow,

CHRISTIAN POLLARD

Sandys

A contradiction in terms

January 9, 2009

Dear Sir,

A Director of Environmental Protection who applies for a permit to construct a longline fishing facility takes the expression, "a contradiction in terms" to a whole new level!

KEN VICKERS

Pembroke