The most civil of servants

March 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

May I express my appreciation to a Civil Servant publicly through The Royal Gazette?

Dear Debby Martin, This is a belated note of appreciation. I would like to say thank you to you publicly for your graciousness, consideration and integrity. I realise that I did express my gratitude at the time but I would like to put it on the record. When I find a Civil Servant particularly "Civil" I feel that I should try to acknowledge it!

EVA A HODGSON

Bailey's Bay

Send Acton over

March 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

I read the article in The Royal Gazette, March 10, 2003 by my favourite columnist Nancy Acton, on the Tourism Photo Debacle. Peter Greenberg NBC's travel editor said, "Buyers want the truth."

Well so do your readers I would imagine. Mr. Greenberg claims that Santa Barbara is not a coastal township, but is located inland. Having stayed there on several occasions, while driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I always enjoy a jog along the beautiful beach front board walk, in the morning. I think you should send Miss Acton over to check this out and maybe do an interview with Michael Jackson at his "Neverland" home up in the Santa Barbara Hills, or Willy Williams who relocated his company from Bermuda to there recently.

BILL COOK

Paget

P.s. Please note a Bikini has a 1" side not a six inch side. I had the pleasure of judging Bikini contests when I was younger and my heart was stronger.

It's a dog's life

March 11,2003

Dear Sir,

I was very much distressed to read in today's daily about the death of 'Skittles' I understand the reporter was trying to cover the story from a human interest point of view by describing the scene at the Somerset Bridge Recreation Club. However, I found the lack of information as to whether the culprit of this foul deed (who apparently is known) has been convicted of this crime leaves much to be desired.

Dogs, like children, are seldom 'born bad' and pit bull terriers especially have received a 'bum rap'. These animals are bred mainly for illegal purposes (and mainly illegally bred) and literally suffer a 'dog's life' by being grossly ill used and abused. I have been the owner of a pit bull terrier and a more living and loyal dog could not be imagined. There is no doubt in my mind that this so-called 'victim' provoked the attack or else he would have sought compensation through the usual channels. It may be heartening to some that this dog had some friends in the community and was described as 'well loved'. I don't call any animal 'well loved' when the owners are not sufficiently interested to ensure he is protected. I hope stores like this in the future are not romanticised but reported with the hard, cold and brutal facts.

JANE BARNES

Somerset