October 30, 2004

Dear Sir,

In your article on Thursday, October 28, "UBP names race relations spokesman", I really had to take a double take. Is this not the same UBP who lambasted and criticised Ms Renee' Webb for her famous "people who look like me" speech? Was I dreaming, when I heard the Opposition Leader, demand that BIU president, Derek Burgess give a detailed explanation of his outrageous phrase "our people"?

In fact, I believe it was not only the UBP but this newspaper also who vilified and accused the PLP of using the so-called race card to further its political aims. It's all so funny, that since the Labour Day Rally, when Mr. Dodwell made the same statement, that he "didn't see anyone who looked like him", this newspaper has been very silent, on the subject.

Now that the UBP has publicly admitted, that the issue of race must be confronted in this country,and they have taken the extraordinary step in appointing a "Race Czar", I guess it's OK to talk about issues of colour, without being labelled a racist. One of the most interesting things about this whole scenario is that the PLP does not have a problem talking about racial issues, in fact that organisation was born out of the struggle, to try and eliminate the evils of racism and segregation.

So unlike the UBP, the PLP and its members have been the victims of it. Mr. Dodwell stated that "the UBP had been working on this issue for a year in order to understand it". Well Mr. Dodwell ,here's some advice for your first lesson in Racism 101, start by lookin' in the mirror.

October 29, 2004

Dear Sir,

I am sure I write on behalf of many residents, especially senior citizens, to say I was really concerned that the public restrooms have actually been removed from the entrance to Par-la-Ville Park and hope plans are in hand to build some more in another central location. Many senior citizens need the convenience of restrooms at short notice. The facility at Number One Shed is excellent but not if one is shopping in the Reid and Church Street areas.

In many of the city restaurants, one has to borrow a key for the restrooms and go up to an upper level floor and this can only be done if one has eaten there to be fair. Again in some of the shops there may be a restroom on an upper floor if one is lucky. I personally think there is a great need for facilities in a central location and wonder if many people share my view.

TAKING DETROL

Warwick

October 21, 2004

Dear Sir,

We have recently had a couple of tragic tourist deaths on our roads, and as a result the Government has decided to take notice. This is interesting and not a little alarming for a number of reasons. The first is, that despite the fact that every one I run into these days feels that there is total chaos on Bermuda's roads, it seems to take the death of two tourists to startle the Government into action. Is one to assume that the deaths of our locals would not have had that effect, prior to these two unfortunate tourists ? or are we, the public, undeserving of our Government's immediate concern and attention?

The second is the fact that despite the letter I received back from the Assistant Commissioner of Police, I see more and more people carrying small children in front on scooters, and on the gas tanks of motorcycles ? and not less, as one would like to expect after receiving such a letter. Even more alarming is the fact that we now also see tourists with small children standing in front on their rental scooters. With regards to this new development, one does wonder if tourists are, in fact, advised by the liveries that this practice is not only illegal in Bermuda, but extremely dangerous as well.

Surely, if a livery employee sees a tourist putting a small child in front, he/she would make the effort to say something about it. Or is that not the case? Clearly, tourists have some difficulty with our roads and our driving habits. For them to carry children "up front" has got to be as close to insanity as we are going to get. Two days ago a Police car passed one such tourist with a tiny tot peering (just) over the front of the handle bars while moving in the opposite direction. I can't recall noticing in my rear view mirror, that patrol car swinging round to inform this tourist (in this case he) was breaking the law and putting his child in danger.

Another point which could be considered here up is the legal culpability regarding anyone carrying small children in this manner. We've recently seen two people convicted of manslaughter regarding the death of their young child, and I understand they are both doing time as a result of that conviction.

Another man is going through the courts who is accused of causing the death of his child, and we have yet to see how that case develops. What then is the legal standpoint when some one "knowingly" puts the life of a child in, what is obviously serious jeopardy, by the practice of having it stand in front? When there is an accident, there is usually the "who's fault aspect" which follows. Okay. So when a child is killed as a result of this practice ... who is responsible? Circumstances, or the person who put that child in front?

JACK GAUNTLETT

Sandys

October 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

This afternoon ? Saturday, October 23 ? I walked out of the Windsor Mall into the little garden area behind Stuarts, headed for the Washington Mall, wondering about bus schedules. On a bench, which I believe is a gift of the Kitson family, there was a rather dishevelled fellow, and, as I try to do, I waved at him.

You might say I had seen a 'gentleman' on a park bench. The man I saw was a gentle man: I've met a few gentlemen in my time, and this person more perfectly fit the bill. He looked quite raggedy, overdressed, and hot in his extra clothes and long, untidy dreadlocks. He waved back, smiled and said: "I know you. You were at Holy Communion at the Cathedral."

"No," I replied. "Must be someone else."

"I'm sure it's you." Puzzled, I excused myself, waved again and thought what an odd experience that had been. I bought a greeting card from the card shop, headed to a kiosk for peppermints, and up to Church Street.

I suddenly realised that the man surely had seen me at the Cathedral. On the anniversary of my mother's death, September 28, I was in Hamilton and had thought to walk to her grave at St John's. Time was short, so I popped into the Cathedral and sat for a few minutes and thought about my family.

Just along the pew, in dim light, there had been a man sitting quietly. I nodded to him as I left. He was scruffy, head full of dreadlocks, and I thought it was wonderful that a person, who might well be "homeless", who also was a gentle man, had come to the one place where every person can come home.

That was the same man I saw in the little garden today. Quickly, I stopped and headed back for the little garden, thinking I had two rolls of peppermints and he might like one. He had vanished. I had been recognised, and had not believed it. When I got home I looked up the famous couplet penned by William Blake: "A dog starv'd at his master's gate/Predicts the ruin of the State." If you see my witness, on a bench or a sidewalk or in the house of God, smile and wave to him, and remember the face.

ROSS ELDRIDGE

Pembroke