October 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

This is with reference to the two recent Letters to the Editor complaining about Hamilton's streets being closed off for sporting events and other events such as Harbour Nights, and demanding that this be stopped immediately. It was sad to read that "Detoured" objects to the closing of Front Street by the Chamber of Commerce for Harbour Nights which attracts literally thousands of visitors and local residents to the City on Wednesday evenings. "Detoured" also clearly wants to ban, for example, the Front Street Mile Races which are avidly watched by thousands of enthusiastic spectators who turn out to see runners of all ages competing alongside elite athletes from around the World. He makes no exceptions - they must all be stopped.

I would like to briefly outline the Corporation's policy with regard to these activities and the closure of streets, but first it might be worthwhile to point out that many towns and cities have identical problems in that they seek to promote and encourage outdoor activities and events that add to their vitality while trying to keep to a minimum any inconvenience to those not involved in them.

Most of the activities taking place in Hamilton are held on Sundays, and the Corporation's first priority is to make absolutely sure that anyone coming into the City to attend church can do so with the minimum amount of inconvenience. For example, we do not permit any event to block off access for vehicles travelling east along Church Street. Anyone entering Hamilton from the direction of Pitts Bay Road can usually travel up Bermudiana Road and then travel east along Church Street, giving them easy access to all of the city's churches. Anyone entering from East Broadway can, in most cases, drive up Spurling's Hill and along Reid Street before turning right, onto Court Street. This might mean a slight change to their route but it still allows congregations easy access to all of the City's churches.

The only exceptions to this rule are few events, such as the International Triathlon where competitors ride as far as Crow Lane Bakery, and during these events Works and Engineering gives permission to close off a section of Crow Lane (which is outside the City limits), and traffic heading into Hamilton from the western parishes is diverted up Berry Hill Road, Tee Street, and then along Middle Road into the City. There are usually no more than two or three of these events per year. There was a time when almost no activities took place in the City of Hamilton except the annual May 24th Floral Pageant and the Remembrance Day Parade, but times have surely changed.

The City now caters for a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities, many of which bring much needed visitors to the Island and also provide interest and excitement both to tourists and residents. These include sporting events such as the May 24th Marathon, International Race Week, the Great Bermuda Walking Marathon, International and Local Cycle Races, International and Local Triathlons, Round-the-Town Running Races, the annual Karting Races, and the recent Powerboat Races.

Cultural and other activities include the Heritage Day Parade, the Grand Art Festival by the Sea, Beat Retreats and Regimental Musical Displays, Harbour Nights, the Labour Day Parade, the Remembrance Day Parade, the annual Santa Claus Parade, the Christmas Boat Parade. Friday pre-Christmas Shopping evenings, Court Street Pre-Christmas Shopping activities, the Angle Street Fair, the annual Community Health Fair on Court Street, and Concerts in the Park - all of which require road closures to some extent. The Corporation has also organised special events from time to time such as Hamilton's Centenary and Bicentenary celebrations, the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, and the Millennium celebrations - again these have all required some road closures.

In all cases the Corporation liaises with the organisers and the Police to keep inconvenience to the Public at an absolute minimum, and to try to keep the Public informed of where they may be required to take an alternative route to their destinations. Organisers are also required to pay for publishing official notices for road closures and these include advice on how to access businesses such as the Phoenix, the Supermart, and Dismont Robinson's which are open on Sundays. Incidentally, none of these businesses have complained to the Corporation about Sunday events in Hamilton.

We are aware, however, that no matter how many notices are published, and no matter what advice might be given on radio and television, there will always be some members of the Public who do not hear about the activities or the traffic diversions. The Corporation sincerely apologies to anyone who is caught unaware by any of these events. In an age when young people in particular cry out for positive activities and role models, and when the Minister of Education is urgently calling for our children to be more active and to take part in outdoor activities, it would surely be a retrograde step if the Corporation of Hamilton were to ban any event in the City that involved road closures, or to ban any event in the City that the letter writer decided did not suit his particular taste. If there is one word to summarise the Corporation's approach to these activities it is to be "inclusive" wherever possible rather than being "exclusive".

ROGER J. SHERRATT

Secretary

Corporation of Hamilton

October 21, 2002

Dear Sir,

To the Bank of Bermuda, IBC, CD&P, The Chamber of Commerce and numerous other groups who graciously give to their time and generously give of their money to sponsor events in the City of Hamilton...Thank you.

To the Corporation of Hamilton who kindly lend their support and assistance and for their farsightedness in realising that these events are exactly what Bermuda and Bermuda's youth need... We applaud you. To the poor little moaner and complainer who whined that the streets might temporarily be closed and slightly inconvenience them in some way that I'm sure I couldn't understand... "poor you". I suggest you increase the time you are donating to charity because evidently it's not enough.

STEVE THOMSON

City of Hamilton

October 21, 2002

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to put pen to paper to address this present Father's Rights debacle. These people need to consider that being a sperm donor does not a father make. Real fathers are there to support the mother through out the pregnancy. Real fathers are there at the time of birth. Real fathers assist with the care of the child from birth. Real fathers genuinely care for the well being of both mother and child as together they attempt to give the child the best they have to offer.

Being able to breastfeed a child is a priceless gift that can never be replaced by even the best formula and it is not something every mother is able or willing to do. Please do not think I am decrying those who want or choose not to breast feed far from it. It is not easy to breast feed a baby and it is in both mother and child's best interest to have minimal stress. Real fathers do not purposely distress the mother of their child.

Real fathers call to check on the child and make financial contributions on a regular basis. Choosing to leave a relationship is not easy, however do not assume that because that is the choice you made you should be entitled to the same rights and privileges as a real father especially if you were never married and did walk out shortly after the child was conceived and then suggest to the mother that an abortion is her choice.

The people making amendments to the law need to consider each case on its own merit. Those fathers who got divorced, those who supported the mother, those who were supportive to the mother of the child despite the lack of relationship should have more rights than those who made a deposit and left, then want to claim the final product nine months later when they did nothing to assist or help in anyway. Pay them for the donation and send them on their way.

TIRED OF DEADBEATS

Hamilton Parish

October 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

This afternoon at 4 p.m. I attempted to walk my 20-month old toddler in the Spanish Point Park. From the time I walked through the inner gate which is supposed to be locked, so that pedestrians can walk through without fear of being run down, I had to rescue my child twice, once from a bike, the other a car. For a neighbourhood that has been zoned high density, we desperately need somewhere for little ones to play in safety.

This park is the only open space out on the end of Pembroke West. It was not developed to be a drive through open-air BAR. Is this the kind of atmosphere we are portraying in our park system? If is past time to correct this abuse. I have used parks all over the US, England amd Canada; nowhere is an open bar policy in a national park tolerated. I hope something will be done to make the park once again safe for all users.

MOTHER OF TWO

Pembroke