Could you please explain why there seems to be this urge within the media to put the pictures of trouble-making idiots on the front page or on the evening news? If they are not fighting the Police, they are throwing objects, hanging lizards or worse. Surely your photographers could find something more worthwhile to capture on film.

Putting these twits on the front page only encourages their anti-social behaviour. I'm sure the young man matched up against three Police officers is a real hero now that he's made it to Page 1! Lets have some decent front-page pictures for a change, and less tabloid-like material.

FLP (Flatts Liberation Party) Centre to try to stop dust January 26, 1999 Dear Sir, I was somewhat surprised to read the article in The Royal Gazette on Friday, January 22, where it was noted that there were complaints by residents of Roberts Avenue about sand blowing across the field onto their property. This surprises me for the prevailing wind is generally from the west and it would be unusual for the east wind to blow so strongly as to create a problem with sand blowing across Roberts Avenue. I have no doubt however, that residents may on occasion find the construction activity gives rise to dust problems and I sympathise with them when this happens and promise we will do everything we can to make sure this problem does not persist.

There was also included in that article a statement that we were over budget.

This statement is totally without foundation. I'm not sure why the reporter came to this conclusion for there have been no enquiries to justify the statement and in fact the work done to date is all under budget. I might add that the amount by which the work completed to date is under budget is significant, for we negotiated arrangements under which much of the excavation and preparatory work for the building of the centre has been carried out at limited cost compared with budget figures which included an estimated $1 million for such excavation work.

We have, in fact, never exceeded the budgeted amounts for any aspect of the work carried out to date and I believe that is more than one can say for many other projects of this complexity and size.

DONALD P. LINES Chairman, National Sports Centre Editor's Note: On January 7, 1999. The Royal Gazette reported a statement by National Sports Centre deputy chairman Charles Marshall that the National Sports Centre was expected to cost between $48 million and $50 million and that any unforeseen expenses could put the cost over the latter figure. The story added that last March, the entire Sports Centre was projected to cost $46 million.

Save Belmont golf club January 27, 1999 Dear Sir, I view the recent proposal acquisition of the Belmont Hotel Property by Elbow Beach Hotel and its partners with some concern.

As Mr. Shoaf has already made it public knowledge that the company set up to acquire this property is to demolish the hotel and build high cost condos/town houses (believed to be in the $1.5 to $3 million range), I wonder what benefit this will be to Bermuda? As you know, 60-plus Bermudians have already lost their jobs at Belmont and with a shrinking hotel bed count, have very little hope of ever gaining jobs in the industry.

Surely the PLP as a responsible government is going to take a very close look at their situation and the business motives behind this development.

This is prime hotel/leisure property and once this development is allowed, it will be lost forever as such. What this appears to be, as proposed, is a scheme to make a few people very rich, and as I am led to believe they are not Bermudian but overseas investors who seem to have very little interest in Bermudian's welfare.

I have other concerns too. The environment, once again is under attack, cesspits, garbage collection, more cars and the exclusion of Bermudians from another exclusive property.

This hotel has been in existence for nearly a hundred years and Bermudians have enjoyed its use of the golf course for nearly 70 years. Surely Government will be concerned about this.

Southampton Princess a few years ago changed hands and the new owners attempted to kick out the members, intervention by members and concerned Parliamentarians and your own Royal Gazette overthrew this, and today their members still enjoy the facilities. Surely the new owners of Belmont need to be informed of their best public interests in allowing a membership.

Compromise is needed. I am also concerned for the Junior Golf Programme.

Belmont has historically been the home of junior golf, and its members have been in the forefront of junior golf development. With a proposed expansion of this programme by Government, as recently announced by MP El James, the loss of Belmont to this programme would be a disaster.

Elbow Beach and Mr. Shoaf should be made well aware of this. We strive to provide exposure to the game to young people as a means to developing their self esteem, sportsmanship and assisting them in their personal development for future life.

Therefore, I would implore government to take a very close look at this proposed development, in the interests of all Bermudians.

EVEN PAR Southampton Consumers made to pay January 20, 1999 Dear Sir, I just had to write concerning BTC. I was employed at one time with that company and of all the years I've been employed it was the worst job I've ever had.

For the last year, BTC's best and brightest have left...now they want to increase rates while their service is terrible in every department. And if the customer has to pay more what will we get? Are the 50 free calls going to double as their prices are? At the moment we pay $16 for 50 free calls. If I'm paying more will I get more free calls? My question to the public is what are we getting for our hard earned cash? Question to BTC: What do we get for our dollars? And maybe if some of the $12 million made last year could go towards upgrading your facilities which you should have updated five years ago. And what did you want next? Those copper lines still need replacing and what will you charge us for that? Up another $25 or so? JUST A HARD WORKING BERMUDIAN City of Hamilton Increase staff ownership January 25, 1999 Dear Sir, I notice that the directors and officers of KeyTech (parent of the beleaguered Bermuda Telephone Company) collectively own only 24,384 shares in the company -- or approximately 1.3 percent of KeyTech's common stock. Moreover, KeyTech does not appear to have an employee share purchase plan.

By contrast, the directors and officers of the Bank of Bermuda own approximately 5.3 percent of the common shares of the company -- despite the Bank's significantly larger size. In addition, the Bank has robust executive stock option and employee share purchase plans in effect.

As a shareholder, I am disappointed that KeyTech's directors, managers, and employees do not have a larger stake in the financial success of the company.

This lack of "buy-in'' may explain BTC's passivity towards its customers, as well as the friction that exists between company management and staff.

Increased ownership by KeyTech staff at all levels will help create a stronger determination to work together and succeed.

KEYTECH SHAREHOLDER Warwick Listen to small business January 28, 1999 Dear Sir, I have watched, listened to and read the movements of the new Government since the General Election last November. Although nothing particularly contentious has taken the stage, it would appear from the past couple of months that the new Government is realising just how difficult it is to keep this little potentially volatile economy on track.

This letter is not written with any criticism in mind. If the new Minister of Tourism can bring back tourism without challenging the airlines then I will be the first to congratulate him for achieving an unbelievably difficult task.

His job will not be made easier with the possibility of zero tolerance drinking level introduction on an Island that needs tourists. These tourists like to travel the Island, stopping for lunch and a drink and also visit town for dinner and have a couple of glasses of wine. The idea of zero tolerance is indeed out of line with a tourism related island and especially an Island with a 20 miles per hour speed limit.

I have noticed particular favouritism continues to blossom toward exempted companies. It is no secret that they contribute greatly to the economy, but unlike the previous Government I sincerely hope that the new Government does not ignore local business. It is the nuts and bolts of the economy and deserves more attention than perhaps some individuals realise.

Not listening to and ignoring local business was indeed a major factor in the trouncing of the UBP Government. To the new Government I say good luck and in some cases, don't make change for the sake of change.

OBSERVER City of Hamilton Praise for Samaritans January 25, 1999 Dear Sir, Thank you for allowing me these few words of appreciation.

I was one of the passengers on AA flight 1444 on January 10, 1998. After our captain tried to land in Bermuda due to strong crosswinds, he thought it best to go back to New York for our safety which was a good decision, because the closer we got to Bermuda the rockier the ride.

I would like to thank Mr. Norris Burgess and his Brother Mackalister Burgess and Mr. Michael Pond who were a Godsend. the worst parts was having to wait 21 hours once we got back for our luggage and another long wait once we got to the hotel. These men helped us ladies with our luggage on boarding the bus, once we got to the hotel, then again the next norning from the hotel to the Airport and even after we arrived home from start to finish they helped to make an ordeal a whole lot easier. From myself and the other ladies you helped thanks from the bottom of our hearts.

I pray God's blessings on you because I realise you could have been like some of the other young men and took care of yourself but you reached out and helped others.

MS ROBIN L. HARFORD Paget East