Wrong way to do it

February 22, 2010.

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to inform you concerned Bermudians that the Bermuda Democratic Alliance is really no different than what you have experienced already. I was one of those Bermudians who was hoping that finally we had some hope of change.

On February 20, 2010 at the Southampton Princess, I had hoped to be a part of the electing of the emergence of the new leader for this country, instead I was again reminded how complacent Bermudians really are. Days leading up to this event, I as confident that this new party was our future. At the beginning I was very impressed with the decorations, attendance and diversity of the attendees. The candidates and founding members along with their affiliates were at their best and I applaud them for the warm hospitality.

Unfortunately, the elected new leader did not emerge. This is contrary to what Mr. Pettingill believes. The candidates did not have to answer any questions from their members or even engage in the slightest form of debate. The manifestation of both these candidates on the issues at hand has not been sufficient enough to render a decision for leadership.

The first important question is why didn't any of the party's members challenge this? Secondly, are our leaders not required to have any vast knowledge of the issues concerning Bermuda or are the candidates being controlled? Mr. Piper and Mr. Cannonier both made their presentations and that was it! Time to vote. The end result of this election proved nothing, other than it was a popularity contest. It is a disgrace that those persons in attendance would allow themselves to be hoodwinked and not even want to see the candidates square off in a live debate. I will be restraining myself from voting for any party or its leader, if they haven't been tested on the issues first. To do anything else would be unintelligent and reckless.

The PLP have nothing to worry about. Word of advice for the new party, "Do it right or don't do it at all"!

CONCERNED CITIZEN

St. David's

HWP did it right

February 16, 2010.

Dear Sir,

Please permit me a few lines to express my gratitude to you for printing my letter in December 2009. I do apologise for not letting you know sooner but some tragic family circumstances prevented me from doing so before now.

I for one, even though I have written many letters to you in the past, did not think that such results as I have experienced were possible. The day after the letter appeared in your paper HWP phoned me and dealt with the situation promptly. They explained what went wrong and bent over backwards in an effort to ensure that I was satisfied. I particularly want to point out the response and attitude of Mr. Jonathan Brewin, president and CEO of HWP, who did everything in his power not only to ensure that I was dealt with satisfactorily but also he worked hard to ensure that I had a favourable view of HWP. I would like to state that his efforts were indeed successful and I would not hesitate to recommend HWP in the future.

Once again, Mr. Editor, I thank you and HWP for bringing a successful and satisfactory conclusion to what could have been a very bad situation.

MICHAEL HARVEY

St. George's

Lack of understanding

February 16, 2010.

Dear Sir,

I am a Civil Engineer with many years experience with marine structures. Your editorial today and "Bumpy's Bye" are absolutely correct about the Causeway. There is a complete lack of understanding of the issues by our Government

MILES OUTERBRIDGE

St. David's

Listen to the people

February 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

It is time to march again. Not to get rid of the Premier but to try to get the Government to listen to the people!

Listen to the taxi drivers! Listen to the truck drivers! Listen to the small business owners who are struggling! Listen to the people who are concerned about the way the Government has mis-managed Government finances!

Listen to the people who are concerned about the takeover of the Hamilton and St. George's Corporations!

Listen to the people who are concerned about the way that contracts are given out without proper tendering! Listen to the people who are concerned about overspends on capital projects.

Listen to the people who are concerned about the Government's misplaced priorities

Listen to the people who are concerned about questionable deals where the Government has made it difficult for the business owner to operate and when the business is sold the impediment is lifted! (Cement silos)

Listen to the people who are concerned about money being wasted on:

Unnecessary lawsuits;

Empty offices in Washington;

Trips to China and India;

Invoices from GlobalHue where the Auditor General reported we may not have received the full amount of services charged;

$800,000 spent on taking over the corporations!

I could go on and on for pages and pages but I'm sure you get the idea.

We need the Government to listen. So let's march everyone. black and white, young and old, UBP, BDA and concerned PLP.

When the house is in session on Friday, come up to the Hill during your lunch hour on Friday.

The Survival of our Island may depend on the Government listening. In the Turks and Caicos, the Governor and the Foreign Affairs Committee took too long to act! Will it happen here in Bermuda?

SENDING OUT AN SOS

Smith's

Why the fog lights?

February 12, 2010

Dear Sir,

In England you are fined if you drive your car with fog lights on if there is no fog. So, where is the fog in Bermuda? Why the fog lights? If you need four lights at night to see, then you shouldn't be on the road!

MLT

Smsith's