Independence report to be released Thursday

The highly-anticipated report of the Bermuda Independence Commission will be released to the public this week.

Almost a year in the making, BIC Chairman Bishop Vernon Lambe described the report as ?all-encompassing, unbiased (and) non-partisan? when he handed the document to Premier Alex Scott last month.

The report will be released to the general public at a joint Press Conference with BIC at Cabinet on Thursday morning.

In a run-up to its release, United Bermuda Party Leader Grant Gibbons recently wrote that the UBP hoped BIC remained true to Premier Scott?s stated objective of a ?comprehensive, fact-finding, analytical and reasoned approach?.

Mr. Gibbons wrote in an article in recently that he anticipated the Government would engage in a communications campaign designed to publicise the contents of the report and believed this communications exercise should be strictly objective and factual.

He went on to say that it must set out both the pros and cons of Independence for Bermudians ?without bias, spin or divisiveness?. It must also include a clear and accurate statement of the British Government?s position on the process by which the people of Bermuda can democratically express their view on Independence.

Mr. Gibbons said Bermudians deserved nothing less, not only because the taxpayer would be footing the bill, but also ?because being fair and factual regarding such a fundamental issue is the right thing to do?.

High speed chase in Hamilton

Police were involved in a high speed chase through Hamilton as they attempted to stop the driver of a blue Subaru car around 11.15 p.m. on Saturday.

The Police Support Unit were on mobile patrol on Front Street when they attempted to stop the car as the driver of the Subaru and the front seat passenger were not wearing seatbelts.

As a result a chase took place, with the driver of the car driving recklessly and at high speeds throughout Hamilton in an attempt to evade Police. The pursuit involved several Police units, including a unit from the Reserve Police and Hamilton Police Station. The vehicle was subsequently located by Reserve Police officers abandoned on South Road in Paget with damage to its left side.

Police searched the area but the vehicle?s two occupants were not located. Further inquires revealed that the car involved in the pursuit was reported stolen from a Scenic Heights Pass, Southampton, residence sometime on Saturday evening.

Somerset Bridge ferry suspended

The Hamilton to Somerset Bridge Ferry Service will be cancelled until further notice, the Department of Marine and Port Services has advised, due to maintenance requirements for the Patience.

Times affected include 4.15 p.m. to Somerset Bridge/Rockaway and the 5.35 and 6.35 p.m. service to Somerset Bridge.

Passengers who rely on the Somerset Bridge service are advised to travel from Hamilton on the Catamaran Rockaway route and then transfer onto the minibus which will connect to Somerset Bridge.

12-year-old recovering after collision

A 12-year-old pedal cyclist was treated for cuts and abrasions after being hit by the the rider of a motorcycle who fled from the collision at the junction of Angle Street and Dutton Avenue in Pembroke on Saturday.

It appears that on 11.15 p.m. the rider of the motorcycle was travelling along Angle Street when he collided with the boy, who was attempting to make a left turn. As a result, the motorcycle and pedal cycle also struck two parked vans.

The Pembroke boy, was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and treated for cuts and abrasions and released. The rider of the motorcycle fled the scene on foot, running in an easterly direction on Angle Street after hearing the approaching Police sirens.

He is described as a dark-skinned male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans. Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact Sgt. Alex Rollin on 295-0011.