December 20, 2003

Dear Sir,

The real reason Jeremy Elmas of CableVision is launching a lawsuit against WOW is because he knows each and every one of the workers would most likely lose their job. I mean, look at what they're stacked up against:

1. More channels at a lower price (114 channels at only $90 is a better deal than $72 for 76 channels ? really 72 since two are pay-per-view, channel 11 copies channel six and channel eight often copies channel seven).

2. Decent stations unlike Fresh TV (they need to watch '106 & Park' more to have a clear idea about how the show should be whether teens are hosting or whether it's older folks).

An individual, by the name of Brian Scott from Hamilton Parish, is also disgusted with CableVision since he tried calling numerous times and got lucky when someone actually answered (if you're not going to have a repair service number, then say so that, people aren't becoming idiots trying to call in to mention their complaint). What exactly are the women who work at CableVision there for just to pick up your money and give you back a receipt?

CableVision needs competition to make them go to great lengths for them to claim Bermudians should stick with them.

GIVE WOW A CHANCE

Pembroke

December 21, 2003

Dear Sir,

As I've said in a Letter to the Editor some months ago, and a copy to Alex Scott, who was then the Minister of Works, Morgan's Point would be an ideal area for several of our commercial headaches that we are enduring today.

If our container port in Hamilton was moved to Morgan's Point, it would free up the congestion that now exists in Hamilton, and a third cruise ship berth could be allocated in the (now) Container Port and Hamilton could then go ahead with the proposed restructuring of the Hamilton waterfront with its park areas, shops, and car parking areas.

The present Number Eight and Number Seven sheds could be converted into car parking. Car ships from Japan could still use the present Number Seven dock and these new vehicles could temporarily use the Number Eight and Number Seven sheds for storage until moved. Number One dock could still be used to unload heavy equipment such as items for the Bermuda Electric Light Company as Morgan's Point would be out of the question for unloading and moving of large items that Belco imports, such as new diesel engines.

Morgan's Point would be ideal for its container port as there is already a deep water pier there, this pier would have to be made into a solid pier by encasing its present structure with the sheet piling that was used to build the Number Seven dock area back in the 1970s. 'Tender Pier' as it is named, is more than 600 feet in length, more than 100 feet wide, and has a water depth of some 30 feet. There are old concrete buildings at Morgan's Point that could be taken down and used as fill for the solid Tender Pier. The present Supply building's foundations could be used to build on for a large LCL (Less Container Load) warehouse that could house as much cargo as the present Number Eight and Number Seven sheds combined.

Close to Tender Pier there was a Torpedo Shop, its foundations could be used to build upon a large garage for container handling equipment. There is an administration building close by that could be converted into offices for Customs, shipping agents, and stevedoring companies. The old seaplane parking area could be used to store containers. There's two to three times as much room than what there is at present at Number Seven dock in Hamilton. The roads at Morgan's Point are much wider than our present Bermuda roads and are still in fair condition.

In my opinion, Morgan's Point would be the ideal area to have a container port. Container handling vehicles are transported at our roads at present and seem to blend in with local traffic without too much trouble. Critics would say it's too far away from our warehouses, but what's 12 miles in Bermuda? Critics would say, it would be too much traffic in our western area, well, why couldn't the containers be moved on our roads during the wee hours of any mornings when our local traffic is at a minimum?

The noise factor as can be heard by these container handling machines would be eliminated in Hamilton, and hardly be heard if used at Morgan's Point. Secondly, there is enough room at Morgan's Point to house the cement silos and cement business that is in Dockyard at present, it would free up the heavy traffic such as these large tractor trailer cement carrying vehicles that are being used on the narrow roads at Dockyard, and through the Somerset Village, and Somerset area.

Thirdly, there would still be enough room at Morgan's Point to have a housing development, especially if it was closer to the main gate areas of Morgan's Point. I really cannot see the reason for another golf course and boat marina at Morgan's Point and added tourist attraction area as we already have enough golf courses and boat marinas at present, and tourists generally are looking to go to our beaches, which Morgan's Point does not have.

PETER F. BROMBY

Hamilton Parish

Mr. Bromby was employed for 20 years by the US Navy at Morgan's Point and was a 27-year employee on Hamilton Docks.

December 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

I have read with interest 'scoverage on the debate in relation to the prospect of introducing a casino to Bermuda as a way of reviving the failing tourism industry. Sadly it appears to be the usual suspects who spout the typical rhetoric for and against gambling. Take, for example, the hypocrisy of the church, which encourages its ever-shrinking members to play bingo and yet it is perhaps the most outspoken against casinos and the alleged evils of gambling. We also see some of the same people who are so vitriolic towards gambling playing Crown & Anchor at Cup Match and other cricket games. On the flip side of the coin we can then depend on bar and club owners to be the most vociferous in their wish to have casinos and gaming generally, legalised.

However, the deliberations have not, on the face of it, been sanctioned officially by the Cabinet, rather the debate seems to have been sparked by our outspoken Minister for Tourism, who has gone on record stating that she is personally in favour of introducing casinos to Bermuda. This is a significant development. Meanwhile MPs form both sides of the House have joined the debate in various forums by way of newspaper interviews and opinion pieces rather than having a full debate in the House of Assembly where, if gaming is going to be taken seriously, committees should be formed so that the pros and cons can be properly aired and a Bill then introduced.

This writer is personally in favour of a casino at, say, a location like Morgan's Point aimed at the high end of the tourism market, with restrictions on access for locals and with a significant cut of casinos takings going to the Government (take gambling in Ontario as an example). There are of course hurdles, for example organised crime infiltration and the possibility of corrupt officials, which is why this matter must be explored by way of a proper investigation and the facts then aired, rather then the electorate forming an opinion based on the controversial and emotive rants from the usual suspects.

One way to help the electorate decide the matter is by way of a cross-bench investigative committee, which would include independents advised by experts in the field of gambling from various jurisdictions. The committee could then report to the electorate on the pros and cons of casinos and, if the case can be made, the best way in which to legislate for a casino. In this way the scare mongering would be reduced, as would some of the inevitable emotions and passions that surround the topic. On an Island as small as ours and with differing opinions within the political parties, this is not a matter to be decided along party lines. The issue is too important and arguably has the potential to adversely affect tourism and our community for years to come should casinos eventually be legalised. It is in fact time for the Government and Opposition to either properly address the issue or let sleeping dogs lie.

MICHAEL M. FAHY

London, England

December 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

My sincere congratulations goes out to President George W. Bush of the United States, Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain and their allies for their perseverance and steadfastness in the hunt and eventual capture of Saddam Hussein's in spite of much criticism of their actions.

As I had said before in February, 2003 when I volunteered to help President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair before the war started in Iraq against Saddam Hussein and his regime, I am with you all the way.

I am so very happy to know that Saddam Hussein will never ever even rule his own mind from now on leaving out ruling a country for what he has done to his own people in Iraq.

Many other rulers like Saddam Hussein in time will come to be in the very same position as he is in right now.

I am absolutely thrilled at the very good news of Saddam Hussein's capture.

I had no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein would be caught and will be bought to justice.

I am still one of your sincere allies.

I drink a toast to his capture.

CAL WALES

St. David's

December 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

Last week as I was driving down Front Street on the way home, the traffic as usual had slowed to a halt. I happened to glance around me and noticed to my surprise a man's black shoe on the roof of the Opposition Leader's office. It's still there today I've just seen it.