Lead by example

May 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

At 12 noon today I was on Parliament Street going north, waiting for the traffic lights to change. They changed to green and I was about to cross, when a GP car went through the red light on Church Street.

Apart from the fact that this was illegal, I do not like to see taxpayers money being placed in jeopardy. If a traffic incident had occurred, there could have been damage to the vehicle and other road users could have been placed at risk. The cost would have come out of taxpayers' money.

Government is attempting to get road users to drive with care and obey the traffic laws. Such users of GP cars should be banned from using them when abused in this manner.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

I could go fishing

May 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

A strange thing happened to me today at 2.50 p.m. At the time I was eating a cheeseburger while listening to HOTT 107.5 (that's Hott with two T's)

At first I was on top of the world because a 'Shout Out' went out to a party that I was running. You know free advertising is the best. Well, Mr. Editor, what was said next really, well almost, shocked me. Not really, because things like this tend to happen here.

Mr. Editor, you know the HOTT 107.5 hosts then told "everyone" to fly to Philly to play a totally different game. Now, I know they were just expressing their opinions, but why tell people to buy plane tickets, when in my opinion, they can play a better game right here in Bermuda? It would not bother me one bit if the HOTT107.5 hosts had played my version of the game, and to my knowledge, they have not, before giving advice based solely on one experience.

Please note. I'm not promoting my hobby (business, only because I had to register with the government), just letting the listening public know that there are options here in Bermuda. For the viewing public, we do not play paintball, nor do we use real firearms or airsoft, and we do have police approval. I work weekends so people here have something to do, but I could go fishing. Heck, if enough people take HOTT's suggestion, I just might do that.

STUART

www.lasertag.com

St. George's

Much to my dismay

May 8, 2008

Dear Sir,

My morning commute was totally upset today when I turned on FM 89 and found that the presenters from AM 1340 had taken over the airwaves. Much to my dismay, this I found out is going to be a permanent arrangement. I have nothing against the Bermudian radio stations and presenters but FM 89 had a great mix of music along with radio jockeys that kept you informed about up to date news of the world, talked about enlightening subjects, helped you solve problems and made you laugh along with them. Let's not forget the Health Watch segment which gave medically backed tips on disease prevention and ideas for a healthier life. Please, please lets go back to the way it was. Help, it is silent in my car now!

LINDA HINES

Devonshire

A lie that must be fought

May 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

Your correspondent G.K. Stowe in Saturday's Royal Gazette makes disparaging remarks about Smiths and Triminghams. He claims that they both favoured the imposition of high duties on imported goods. This is a lie that cannot remain unchallenged. For decades both stores along with the rest of the retail community took great pains to try and convince the politicians that retailing would fail if the system was not changed. Unfortunately they were never successful in convincing the politicians that this was a fact.

In 1998 The Progressive Labour Party included in their platform the need to establish a duty-free system. After the election the retailers met with the new Finance Minister, Mr. Eugene Cox, along with his advisers and they were promised that something would be done. Ten years alter there is no duty-free system and large sections of the retail industry have all but disappeared. Mr. Stowe is obviously no friend of the Hamilton business community and is probably unaware of the quality of merchandise that Smiths' and Triminghams carried. Many Bermudians and overseas visitors continue to express their regret that these businesses closed because there was no future under an unconcerned Government.

W. ROGER DAVIDSON

President

H. A. & E. Smith Ltd.

We are neglected

May 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

I'm addressing this (indirectly) to our Minister of Transport and Tourism, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown:

Dr. Brown, sir, we who travel on the Number 1 bus route feel to an extent neglected by the lack of interest shown by your Ministry of Transport in reference to our requirements, ie manoeuvring about via public transportation, (in particular our bus services on the South Shore), our bus stops running at too early an hour, and I'm sure that I'm not only speaking for myself, but for the many others also who've at times find ourselves stranded, because there are no buses running down the South Shore. (the eastern end of the Island) and as all know "taxis can be an expensive means of commuting".

Sir, I recall recently Govt. contemplating offering free transportation to all. "If we are being told we aren't getting services due to the lack of passengers/people that utilise the number one bus, then how our we in Bermuda going to support all bus routes if no one paysfares?

OL, I'm not that naive to believe transport will be totally free to all, because indirectly somebody is going to pay, but the point is that if bus services will be free, then there should be also buses running the number one route until 11.45 p.m. as the number 11 does. (People live on this side of the Island as well.)

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's

Get involved

May 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to address "Who Won" who was wondering when the winners in the Annual Exhibition raffle would be announced. Dear Merianna, have you contacted the Annual Exhibition Office to make your enquiry? I am sure they would be more than happy to respond to your query on the winning tickets. Also, I know that they are always looking for volunteers, perhaps you could volunteer to help with getting the number of entries up. This is an easy thing to solve, get involved with more than lip service, you may be surprised at the results.

SHIRLEY SMITH

Warwick

No wonder

May 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

While walking to work at about 8.30 a.m. today I encountered GP2 sitting on a double yellow line in the area of the bus terminal. As I approached the back door of GP2 was whipped open by one of the "Secret Service Agents" and out jumped Dr. Brown in a great hurry … to get where? The barber shop! As he went to get his haircut at Le Chic his car remained illegally parked with the "Agents" guarding the area. Firstly, I thought traffic to the area of the bus terminal was restricted to buses and tenants of that building. Secondly, Dr. Brown & Co. were parked on a double yellow line …which I would like to point out is one of the first points stated as illegal when you take your driving test!

Thirdly, are you really in that much danger to go and have your haircut that you feel the need to have "Agents" outside the door? Is this a trend we can all use? When I go to get my haircut (or any other errands) I have to drive around the block a few times before finding a legal spot or head to one of the parking lots and pay the fee. It would be far easier to have my husband park illegally outside and wait for me, but as commoners we would be issued parking fines. No wonder our youth have no respect for the law if this is what they have to look up to! What's good for the goose …you all know the rest!

CASUAL OBSERVER

Paget

Its just mind games

May 3, 2008

Dear Sir,

This whole white and black issue on race is like mind games. Despite my colour I have white friends as well as black friends. I have a few black people who dislike me and a few white people who dislike me. What's the point of all this? Mind games! If an individual chooses to want to follow God, will he hate people simply because of colour, would he hold a grudge because of past mistakes, will he remain evil like Hitler and others were before him/her? The answer? No! Only those who wish to remain manipulated by Satan will become that way (they must want to change themselves to be good, you can't change them). And since not everyone will become God-fearing in the end, there's not much you can do. Only God can solve the problem.

MIND GAMES

Pembroke

Don't forget Dame Marjorie

May 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

With all the talk about a National Heroes Day, has everyone forgotten Bermuda's first Dame? Dame Marjorie Bean was an exceptional black Bermudian woman and an outstanding educator who had a very positive influence on many Bermudians from all walks of life. Her story, through to 1985, is well documented in the book by Nellie E. Musson "A Bermuda Trail Blazer, The Legendary Marjorie Louise Bean".

It highlights her many achievements and the numerous organisations in which she worked tirelessly throughout her distinguished career. In 1995 she was named in the Queen's New Year Honours List and was the first Bermudian to be named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Perhaps Dame Marjorie was not political enough for many to consider that she should be included with those deserving to be honoured, but without prejudice she gave a lifetime of service to all Bermudians. She must not be forgotten.

VICKY HAMSHERE

Pembroke

Stay strong, stay together

May 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

We are United Bermuda Party supporters, so if there is no longer a UBP we will have nobody to vote for, so UBP regroup, get a strong team together and stay in there.

SEEING IT AS IT IS

Pembroke