Letters to the Editor
Did BIU members approve?
May 24, 2009
Dear Sir,
Excerpt from a Royal Gazette article dated May 21: "But Government opted not to go after the $6.8 million bond, arguing it could bankrupt the union with Premier Dr. Brown saying last week that UAH had contributed $9 million to Pro-Active during the Berkeley project."
If this bond could bankrupt the union why, then, was it issued? Did the 4,000 union members authorise risking their assets — probably including their pensions (whatever?).
UN-COMMON SENSE
St. George's
Repay the $700,000
May 26, 2009
Dear Sir,
What right does Dr. Brown think he has to let the BIU off the hook for the $6.8 million that they owe to this country (the taxpayers). The BIU accepted a cheque from the PLP Government for $700,000 to cover a performance bond. The Government is well within its rights to demand payment of $6.8 million, but they chose to let the BIU off the hook; I think that the very least the BIU can do to show their gratitude is repay the $700,000. I will wait to hear an announcement from Chris Furbert that he intends to repay the $700,000.
CAMELOT
Smith's
What about the gag?
May 27, 2009
Dear Sir,
I thought the Premier was having less contact with The Royal Gazette yet he writes a letter to the Editor. This guy is unbelievable, I know I didn't vote him in and all you PLP supporters deserve this.
JACK HANDY
City of Hamilton
A correction
May 23, 2009
Dear Sir,
For the record, the Dorset village where my paternal ancestors and Sir George Somers lived is Whitchurch Canonicorum. Not Connicorum which I heard said on radio newscasts – and which appeared in yesterday's newspaper. The misspelling was obviously made in a press release, but I am surprised the error was repeated twice by the media. The correct pronunciation is Which-itch Can-ON-i-COR-um.
PAMELA H. WILLCOCKS
Smith's Parish
Getting the best of Dr. Brown
May 23, 2009
Dear Sir,
The "forgiving" of nearly $7 million to the BIU is certainly a bizarre act on the part of Premier Brown. I must confess that I find myself with a grudging sense of respect for BIU President, Chris Furbert, for he has truly got the best of the Premier in this encounter – not something that can be claimed by many, I'm sure! One wonders what heavy-duty negotiating tactics he must have used to achieve this? But, however the Premier may try to dress up this action, it sounds like blatant bribery to me – basically, "You behave yourselves (no more illegal, at the drop of a hat work stoppages, infuriating everybody, residents and tourists alike), and we will 'forgive' this huge sum – taxpayers (poor saps, all of us!) once again taking the rap.
It would appear, shockingly, that Premier Brown and the PLP Government have abdicated their responsibility for the governance of these islands and passed it over to the BIU. How very worrying, especially since it appears to be the BIU's exceptionally poor management skills in the first place that have brought about this latest disaster to be visited upon us! I am also extremely puzzled that the community is supposed to feel a great wave of sympathy for the BIU, in this instance, when they have been inconveniencing us in the worst way for years. Accountability, apparently, only goes in one direction! Also, why are the dockworkers not part of this "promise of good behaviour" deal? The whole thing is a complete farce!
PENNY HILL
Hamilton Parish
P.s. Mentioning in the same release the Government's quite different help for the Bank of Butterfield (which will result in a share offering available to private investors) was nothing but a very devious red herring.
Wasting water
May 25, 2009
Dear Sir,
I am writing out of concern for our Island's water problem and think your paper could help get to the bottom of it. I would like you to know that my in-laws and I have had a reverse osmosis system hooked up to our tank for about 18 months. For the first time in 30 years, our tank went dry. Was it the drought? Probably part of it was, but let me tell you what is going on this island. We found out recently that our reverse osmosis system (bought here in Bermuda) that we thought was so awesome takes four gallons of water to make one gallon!
Can you believe people on this island are being sold a system that wastes three gallons of water for every gallon of drinking water? I need to tell you that reverse osmosis is one of the most water wasting systems available. My concern is that part of the water problem may be due to these wasteful systems. Even the water trucks you see driving are full of reverse osmosis water. How much water could this be wasting? Please check into this so your paper can warn all families and government using reverse osmosis how much water is being wasted on our tiny island! The wells may be drying up as we speak because of this.
CONCERNED RESIDENT
City of Hamilton
Bravo Sandys Middle School
May 29, 2009
Dear Sir,
Kindly publish this thank you note on behalf of a grateful parent. We must from time to time acknowledge those in the education system who go the extra mile.
Good Morning Dr. Jackson,
Let me say, thank you for the leadership you provide, Sandys Middle School performance on Bermuda Day was fabulous. Hats off to Mr. Washington and the Drum line his hard work paid off. The float was masterfully made. Ms Dillas and Mr. Naylor gifted talents speak for themselves. It helped to see the information about the preparations that went into preparing for this special day on CTV on Channel 02. The students of Sandys Middle School who participated in the parade must be acknowledged. Perhaps they can be given a pizza celebration, and certificates? I would be willing to donate to this cause.
LOUISA SHOWERS
Parent of Kevin and Kalvin Showers (students presently attending Sandys Middle School)
How to fight gangs
May 23, 2009
Dear Sir,
I am writing this letter in response to your article about how the gang violence in Bermuda is driven by status. I agree to a point with your letter, but one very important part has been left out and that is the money. As a former gang member I can tell you that the money is the biggest factor in creating and sustaining these gangs. With the extremely high prices of drugs on the island it makes joining a gang very appealing. Gangs give you connections to cheaper drugs and the protection needed to be able to hold on to your drugs.
Once you are in the gang you are then sucked into the politics of gang life and are forced to do violent and anti-social behaviour. This next fact is the one that is going to shock you though. The price of marijuana is roughly $50 a gram. That means off of one deal the dealer is going to make about $15. Now let's just say he makes 25 sales that day … he is going to make about $350 in one day. That right there is the reason why so many youths are attracted to this lifestyle.
So here is my solution … the decriminalisation of marijuana. I believe this is the solution to our problem because by decriminalising marijuana it will take the control of drugs away from the drug dealers and allow legitimate business to sell marijuana. This will take all the money out of the drug dealer's hands and even allow the Government to make some extra money. By taking away the money from the gangs it leaves them with nothing to attract new members with, and remember we are all human – no one wants to kill.
FORMER GANG MEMBER
Devonshire
Round up the gangs
May 26, 2009
Dear Sir,
I lived in Bermuda for 18 months and what is happening at the moment is just so very sad. If this sort of thing happens in London, it is obviously harder to round up all the gang members. But this is Bermuda we are talking about. Why are the Bermuda Police bringing in help from overseas, that says nothing towards their policing of the Island? Why are these gangs not being rounded up, its not a huge Island for goodness sake. I am deeply saddened by what's happened; I have friends on the Island. The Police should act fast so this does not happen again.
FORMER RESIDENT
London
End the term limits
May 28, 2009
Dear Sir,
So another company is relocating to Ireland and one reason is that Ireland has a stable Government – the inference being that Bermuda does not. What a sad state of affairs. Is there anyone in the PLP who realise what a precarious situation we are now in with this Government? The six-year term limit must be stopped and a more friendly attitude to all offshore companies should be taken. Since the PLP came to power in 1998, the offshore companies and their expatriate staff have been treated like lepers. Indeed, I don't understand why they have put up with this treatment for so long. Only the PLP supporters can do something to change things or the consequences will be disastrous for every man, woman and child in this Island.
LONGTAIL
Smith's
Under scrutiny
May 27, 2009
Dear Sir,
I wish the Premier/Tourism Minister would scrutinise GlobalHue's accounts as closely as he scrutinises his credit card statement ...
ST GEORGE'S