Did BIU members approve?

May 24, 2009

Dear Sir,

Excerpt from a Royal Gazette article dated May 21: "But Government opted not to go after the $6.8 million bond, arguing it could bankrupt the union with Premier Dr. Brown saying last week that UAH had contributed $9 million to Pro-Active during the Berkeley project."

If this bond could bankrupt the union why, then, was it issued? Did the 4,000 union members authorise risking their assets — probably including their pensions (whatever?).

UN-COMMON SENSE

St. George's

Repay the $700,000

May 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

What right does Dr. Brown think he has to let the BIU off the hook for the $6.8 million that they owe to this country (the taxpayers). The BIU accepted a cheque from the PLP Government for $700,000 to cover a performance bond. The Government is well within its rights to demand payment of $6.8 million, but they chose to let the BIU off the hook; I think that the very least the BIU can do to show their gratitude is repay the $700,000. I will wait to hear an announcement from Chris Furbert that he intends to repay the $700,000.

CAMELOT

Smith's

Getting the best of Dr. Brown

May 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

The "forgiving" of nearly $7 million to the BIU is certainly a bizarre act on the part of Premier Brown. I must confess that I find myself with a grudging sense of respect for BIU President, Chris Furbert, for he has truly got the best of the Premier in this encounter – not something that can be claimed by many, I'm sure! One wonders what heavy-duty negotiating tactics he must have used to achieve this? But, however the Premier may try to dress up this action, it sounds like blatant bribery to me – basically, "You behave yourselves (no more illegal, at the drop of a hat work stoppages, infuriating everybody, residents and tourists alike), and we will 'forgive' this huge sum – taxpayers (poor saps, all of us!) once again taking the rap.

It would appear, shockingly, that Premier Brown and the PLP Government have abdicated their responsibility for the governance of these islands and passed it over to the BIU. How very worrying, especially since it appears to be the BIU's exceptionally poor management skills in the first place that have brought about this latest disaster to be visited upon us! I am also extremely puzzled that the community is supposed to feel a great wave of sympathy for the BIU, in this instance, when they have been inconveniencing us in the worst way for years. Accountability, apparently, only goes in one direction! Also, why are the dockworkers not part of this "promise of good behaviour" deal? The whole thing is a complete farce!

PENNY HILL

Hamilton Parish

P.s. Mentioning in the same release the Government's quite different help for the Bank of Butterfield (which will result in a share offering available to private investors) was nothing but a very devious red herring.

Wasting water

May 25, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am writing out of concern for our Island's water problem and think your paper could help get to the bottom of it. I would like you to know that my in-laws and I have had a reverse osmosis system hooked up to our tank for about 18 months. For the first time in 30 years, our tank went dry. Was it the drought? Probably part of it was, but let me tell you what is going on this island. We found out recently that our reverse osmosis system (bought here in Bermuda) that we thought was so awesome takes four gallons of water to make one gallon!

Can you believe people on this island are being sold a system that wastes three gallons of water for every gallon of drinking water? I need to tell you that reverse osmosis is one of the most water wasting systems available. My concern is that part of the water problem may be due to these wasteful systems. Even the water trucks you see driving are full of reverse osmosis water. How much water could this be wasting? Please check into this so your paper can warn all families and government using reverse osmosis how much water is being wasted on our tiny island! The wells may be drying up as we speak because of this.

CONCERNED RESIDENT

City of Hamilton

A correction

May 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

For the record, the Dorset village where my paternal ancestors and Sir George Somers lived is Whitchurch Canonicorum. Not Connicorum which I heard said on radio newscasts – and which appeared in yesterday's newspaper. The misspelling was obviously made in a press release, but I am surprised the error was repeated twice by the media. The correct pronunciation is Which-itch Can-ON-i-COR-um.

PAMELA H. WILLCOCKS

Smith's Parish

Bravo Sandys Middle School

May 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

Kindly publish this thank you note on behalf of a grateful parent. We must from time to time acknowledge those in the education system who go the extra mile.

Good Morning Dr. Jackson,

Let me say, thank you for the leadership you provide, Sandys Middle School performance on Bermuda Day was fabulous. Hats off to Mr. Washington and the Drum line his hard work paid off. The float was masterfully made. Ms Dillas and Mr. Naylor gifted talents speak for themselves. It helped to see the information about the preparations that went into preparing for this special day on CTV on Channel 02. The students of Sandys Middle School who participated in the parade must be acknowledged. Perhaps they can be given a pizza celebration, and certificates? I would be willing to donate to this cause.

LOUISA SHOWERS

Parent of Kevin and Kalvin Showers (students presently attending Sandys Middle School)

What about the gag?

May 27, 2009

Dear Sir,

I thought the Premier was having less contact with The Royal Gazette yet he writes a letter to the Editor. This guy is unbelievable, I know I didn't vote him in and all you PLP supporters deserve this.

JACK HANDY

City of Hamilton

How to fight gangs

May 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter in response to your article about how the gang violence in Bermuda is driven by status. I agree to a point with your letter, but one very important part has been left out and that is the money. As a former gang member I can tell you that the money is the biggest factor in creating and sustaining these gangs. With the extremely high prices of drugs on the island it makes joining a gang very appealing. Gangs give you connections to cheaper drugs and the protection needed to be able to hold on to your drugs.

Once you are in the gang you are then sucked into the politics of gang life and are forced to do violent and anti-social behaviour. This next fact is the one that is going to shock you though. The price of marijuana is roughly $50 a gram. That means off of one deal the dealer is going to make about $15. Now let's just say he makes 25 sales that day … he is going to make about $350 in one day. That right there is the reason why so many youths are an attracted to this lifestyle.

So here is my solution … the decriminalisation of marijuana. I believe this is the solution to our problem because by decriminalising marijuana it will take the control of drugs away from the drug dealers and allow legitimate business to sell marijuana. This will take all the money out of the drug dealer's hands and even allow the Government to make some extra money. By taking away the money from the gangs it leaves them with nothing to attract new members with, and remember we are all human – no one wants to kill.

FORMER GANG MEMBER

Devonshire

Round up the gangs

May 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

I lived in Bermuda for 18 months and what is happening at the moment is just so very sad. If this sort of thing happens in London, it is obviously harder to round up all the gang members. But this is Bermuda we are talking about. Why are the Bermuda Police bringing in help from overseas, that says nothing towards their policing of the Island? Why are these gangs not being rounded up, its not a huge Island for goodness sake. I am deeply saddened by what's happened; I have friends on the Island. The Police should act fast so this does not happen again.

FORMER RESIDENT

London

End the term limits

May 28, 2009

Dear Sir,

So another company is relocating to Ireland and one reason is that Ireland has a stable Government – the inference being that Bermuda does not. What a sad state of affairs. Is there anyone in the PLP who realise what a precarious situation we are now in with this Government? The six-year term limit must be stopped and a more friendly attitude to all offshore companies should be taken. Since the PLP came to power in 1998, the offshore companies and their expatriate staff have been treated like lepers. Indeed, I don't understand why they have put up with this treatment for so long. Only the PLP supporters can do something to change things or the consequences will be disastrous for every man, woman and child in this Island.

LONGTAIL

Smith's

Under scrutiny

May 27, 2009

Dear Sir,

I wish the Premier/Tourism Minister would scrutinise GlobalHue's accounts as closely as he scrutinises his credit card statement ...

ST GEORGE'S

Eight hours of banging

May 28, 2009

Dear Sir,

If anyone wants to hear the definition of noise pollution all they have to do is go along Serpentine road and hear the great banging into rock that's been going on for about eight months now. I thought after all that time, they make have drilled their way to China. Now it is a bit of an industrial area so building and everyday noise is to be expected and tolerated but I do feel sorry for the elderly, shut-ins and sick who are home all day in surrounding areas like Fairylands, hearing that noise like someone pounding a metal spike into solid rock from 7 a.m. onwards of eight hours a day. There has been a lot of construction going on for years but nothing like that noise. They cushioned the vibrations into rock for the dolphins at the new cruise ship terminal so couldn't something be done for people to be cushioned from some of those vibrations in this spot? Well here's hoping one day that peaceful sounds of birds chirping, wind whistling will someday fill the air and the banging will retire once and for all!

A LITLE PEACE AND QUIET

Pembroke

Can we get our money back?

May 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Allow me to comment on the "Bogus Bond" fiasco. Bravo Mr. Premier! Another superb example of the art of spin. It never ceases to amaze me how this man can stand in front of the cameras and earnestly make pronouncements that sound like he is doing the taxpayers of this Island an enormous favour when in fact they are being ripped off — yet again.

Talking about spin — Mr. Furbert of the BIU could profit from a few lessons on the art of spin from Dr. Brown. When asked by reporters to comment on the fact that he himself assured the public, a few years ago that the BIU bond was bona fide, what did he say? I don't know as I couldn't begin to comprehend the unintelligible gibberish that was spewed forth — however what did come across was the fact that the BIU did have the funds! So if the bogus bond is no more, can the taxpayers at least get back the hundreds of thousands of dollars in premiums paid? Don't hold your breath on that one. This is a classic example of what happens with incestuous relationships; the Government, the PLP the BIU, all one and the same.

And do we really think the BIU will abide by the agreement to give proper notice before taking strike action? Hah — give me a break! This is the only place on the planet where public services regularly grind to a halt because of the union calling a meeting; and the BIU have just demonstrated what their word and "bond" is worth. So now that this astonishing precedent has been set — what next? Forgive ProActive? No surely not. Hey, wait a minute — who is Government's pet lawyer? Who was the legal advisor to ProActive?

A. SUMMERS

Warwick

Health mecca for tourism

May 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

To Mr. Gerald Simons CEO of Argus Insurance: I thought of a way the insurance company (Argus) could avoid paying out dollars and cents for health insurance recipients — who would stay healthy and live longer by having a healthy diet. Mr. Simons you would do well to invite Dr. Oz to Bermuda on a 3 day visit talk and explain how to remain and stay healthy, give demonstrations what to eat and what not to eat. People will come out in full force to hear Dr. Oz. Your company can choose the venue.

Bermuda could become the health mecca for tourism. We can all age gracefully. Your company Argus Insurance would greatly benefit from such a visit from Dr. Oz. Try to arrange for this visit before Dr. Oz has his own TV show on September 14, 2009. Mr. Simons you would also see numbers of people coming here because of the news of Dr. Oz. Give it some thought!

GEORGE BURCHER

Hamilton Parish

Praise for KEMH

May 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

Through the medium of your newspaper, I want to pass on well-deserved kudos to our King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Several weeks ago I had total knee replacement surgery there. I enjoyed the following:

— Frequent, cheering visits from my surgeons, Dr. Peckett and Dr. Couper.

— Wonderful treatment at the pre-admission clinic

— Expert service from the physiotherapy department

— Provision of thick, new, thirsty white towels

— Good quality toilet tissue (yes!)

— Prompt flow of hot water

— Excellent nursing care

— Comfortable room temperature

— Provision of toiletries

— Five weeks of post-operative home nursing care by profession, caring staff

I felt overall that there was a genuine attempt to meet patient needs.

HELENE STEPHENSON

Smith's

How can it continue?

May 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have often observed that in respect to legislative changes, political parties while in opposition have a unique ability to recognise insightful courses of action but that ability is lost when they become the party of government. Only governments, as the PLP is at present, has the power to implement meaningful courses of action because it is the best thing to do. One thing comes to mind is our contributory pension fund.

I cannot understand why the Hamiltonian hotel owners have over a 20 year period been allowed to collect from their employees $244,000 but not remitted to the government. Why is that not a criminal act? Because many former employees will lose a portion of their pension when they reach the age of 65. I do not understand why an employer that has deducted pension contributions from their employees and failed to remit them to the pension fund is not charged with theft under the criminal code, or the contributory pension Act 1970 and is still allowed to operate their business.

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke