Bermuda has slipped

December 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

I'd just like to comment on the Visitor's View of December 9, 2003 if I may.

My wife and I have been to Bermuda 17 times over a period of about as many years.

Over our many trips, things have changed dramatically from the first time until our last one this past August, as our photographs show. It's a little harder to notice differences from one year to the next though. I used to rave about Bermuda and how clean it is and how we were not afraid to go walking anywhere at anytime, but not any more.

I've been reading The Royal Gazette for a good many years and have become alarmed also about the skyrocketing crime, the drug problem, the murders at the Ice Queen and Dockyard and all the other attacks against society and the impression Government gives about not being able to do anything about it. It does not give the confidence to any prospective tourist to consider spending a vacation in Bermuda.

There's more than enough talking and finger pointing in Government about the ills of the BHC, the (laughable) Tourism Department, the department of Corrections and so many more troubled spots to count ... but nothing seems to get better! A new government, but the same old rhetoric, higher costs, less services and more crime.

Our August trip will most likely be our last. We were repulsed by the trash and stink between Penno's Warf, along Water Street and King's Square. Just the volume of junk implied it was there a couple of weeks. The whole St.George area needed a good cleaning, it certainly wasn't as nice as it was a few years ago.

We visited Great Head/Little Head park in St. David's and they were even worse. We never expected to see so much garbage all along the pathways from the entrance to the exit. This is a National park? Expecting to attract visitors with this? Not me, never again.

In Hamilton we were confronted by what we assumed was a person "of no fixed abode" that was very aggressive in shaking us down for a couple of free dollars.

I had visions of another Front Street stabbing or having him pull a machete out from under his overcoat ... that incident, I think, was the straw that broke the camel's back. There are a number of other Caribbean islands that we've been to that we left with very good impressions of that are more than competitive with Bermuda in terms of friendly people, beautiful beaches, cleanliness and cost.

With everything said and done, after our August trip, we booked our next vacation in the Caribbean. Why should we go back to Bermuda? Everything costs so much more there, it's so much dirtier, and with crime driven by the drug culture, we can't walk around like we used to. Even this last time, several of the stores we went in didn't even acknowledge our presence with the warm "how are you" or the "good morning" greeting that made Bermuda special. All this at top dollar, I don't think so.

If in a couple of years, The Royal Gazette's articles become more encouraging, we may give Bermuda another chance.

PAUL E. POLESKI

Bayport, New York

Thanks for the help

December 1, 2003

Dear Sir,

I wish to make public note of a recent experience in Bermuda.

On November 14, I was involved in a motor scooter accident, which resulted in what turned out to be a minor injury, and had the opportunity to experience the Bermuda Emergency Medical System first hand.

I commend the Port Royal Firemen, Police, Ambulance Personnel and the Doctors, Nurses and Technicians in the Emergency Department of King Edward VII Hospital for their professional care, and sensitivity to my situation.

I had the feeling from the beginning to the end that I was in very good hands.

Bermuda should be proud and pleased to have such a quality system.

C.W. RORABACK

Litchfield, Connecticut